Panic as Oluomo, Istijaba’s boys clash in Lagos (Punch)
Some members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers and the Tricycle Owners and Operators Association of Nigeria clashed on Friday in Lagos.
The PUNCH gathered that the fight caused panic in the Meiran–Ijaiye axis and Ekoro road in the Abule-Egba area of Lagos State.
A resident of the area said they also heard gunshot sounds.
The resident, who is an official of Alimisho Local Government, said, “The NURTW boys came and were chased away by Keke Napep boys. The police came around and stopped what could have been a major fight. We hope that the fight ends there. Read more
Teenager killed, shops razed as petrol tanker explodes in Lagos (Channels)
A teenager has been killed after a tanker ladened with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol exploded along the Lagos – Abeokuta Expressway.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) confirmed the incident on Friday, saying it occurred at about 2:06am.
It explained that the tanker was conveying 45,000 litres of petrol before it crashed and spilled its content on the road.
The incident occurred at the Ajegunle Bus-Stop of Alagbado (a border community) axis of the highway, causing gridlock as residents ran for safety. Read more
2023 Polls: Resign if you have political ambition, Sanwo-Olu tells aides, others (Vanguard)
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has directed all members of the State Executive Council and political appointees who are delegates to the state House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, governorship and presidential primaries and those seeking elective offices to resign.
The directive was contained in a circular by the state Head of Service, Hakeem Muri-Okunola, dated April 14.
The circular, which was copied to all stakeholders, was titled: “Resignation of political appointees and all other public servants who may wish to seek elective offices.”
It read in part: “It is hereby notified for general information, in line with the recently amended Electoral Act and Provisions of Rule: 040524 of the Lagos State Public Service Rules (2015), that Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Governor of Lagos State, has approved the release of all political appointees who are delegates to state House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, Governorship and Presidential Primaries Election. Read more
What I endure to feed my children – Female Lagos driver (Punch)
A female commercial bus driver in Lagos, Remilekun Olaiya, shared her experience of how she had to endure several challenges on a daily basis in order to feed her children.
Olaiya, in a conversation with The PUNCH on Friday, said as a woman, she had to endure harassment from hoodlums many times on her way while driving.
“The work is not easy, I’m just managing so that I won’t just be sitting down or engaging in irresponsible things.
“I was selling bags of rice before, but when they seized them, there was no money to do business again. Read more
‘Bag of rice was N7000, today it is N35,000’ — Protesters beg Jonathan to contest 2023 Presidency (Vanguard)
Former President Goodluck Jonathan says he is yet to decide whether or not to yield to pressure from different groups urging him to contest the 2023 presidential election.
He said this on Friday in Abuja when his committee of friends and some youths from across the country visited him at his Foundation office in Maitama, Abuja.
Jonathan said the visits, especially by the youth, particularly showed that they were clearly interested in the political affairs of the country.
He urged them to be interested and be key players in the country’s politics to enthrone good governance.
“As youths, we must get involved in the country’s political process and luckily the law of `Not too Young to Run’ bill has made it clear that youths can contest almost every position in government. Read more
Jonathan in Abuja keeps public guessing about 2023 presidential ambition (Tribune)
Former President Goodluck Jonathan is yet to come clear about a possible bid for the presidency in 2023. He made this known in Abuja when a crowd of his supporters thronged his Abuja office on Friday, asking him to contest for president in the forthcoming General Election.
The supporters came bearing posters with inscriptions including ‘Goodluck Jonathan must run for president 2023′, ‘Jonathan is our candidate’, and more.
After a meeting with the supporters, he came out to declare: “You are calling me to come and declare for the next election. I cannot tell you I’m declaring. The political process is ongoing, just watch out.
“The key role you must play is to pray that Nigeria gets somebody that carries the young people along; somebody that can also work very hard to see that some of the problems are addressed by the government and I believe collectively, we will work together.” Read more
Tears as Kaduna train attack victim, Chinelo Megafu, is buried (Punch)
Dental surgeon, Chinelo Megafu, who was killed in the Abuja-Kaduna train attack of March 28 has been buried in Lagos.
This was after a funeral service was held in her honour at Shepherdhill Baptist Church, Obanikoro, Lagos, with her family, friends and well-wishers present to pay their last respects to her.
Megafu had taken to Twitter on the day the train was attacked by terrorists to announce that she was on board and had been shot.
“I’m on the train. I have been shot, please pray for me,” her tweet read. Read more
Nollywood produces 541 movies in 1st quarter of 2022 –NFVCB (Independent)
The Executive Director/CEO, National Film and Video Censors Board(NFVCB), Alhaji Adedayo Thomas has hinted that the board received and censored a total number of 541 movies produced by the Nigerian film industry in the first quarter of the year 2022.
He made this known in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja.
According to him, the figure was made available by the Department of Film Censorship and Classification of the board in its First Quarter Report for the year, which captured all films submitted to the board from across the country.
The report is for onward submission to the relevant Federal Government authority for the compilation of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the first quarter (GDP) Q1, 2022. Read more
ASUU pleads with Makinde to save LAUTECH from crisis (ThisDay)
The Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Chapter of the Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU), yesterday asked the Governor of Oyo State, Mr. Seyi Makinde, to impress it on the Vice Chancellor of LAUTECH, Professor Mojeed Liasu and the Chairman Governing Council, Professor Deji Omole, to pay seven years arrears of earned academic allowances owed academic staff of the institution.
This is just as the union blamed the leadership of the university of denying academics their due promotion arrears, which is capable of dampening their morale.
The union in a release jointly signed by the Chairman, Professor Biodun Olaniran and Secretary, Professor Toyin Abegunrin, titled “LAUTECH Administration: A Slave Driver,” put the amount being owed them at over Five Billion Naira.
The ASUU leaders said their members have lost confidence in the university administration led Liasu and the Deji Omole-led Governing council to pursue their welfare. Read more
Ed Sheeran is ‘grateful’ to have filmed 2step music video in Ukraine (DailyMail)
Ed Sheeran has dropped the conceptual official video for his track 2step feat. Lil Baby – a brand new version of the song, lifted from his 2021 multi-platinum album “Equals”(=).
And the singer, 31, has admitted he feels ‘grateful’ to have filmed the music video in Kyiv, Ukraine, before the ‘the devastating acts of violence’ began after Russian troops invaded the country.
Ed has also pledged the YouTube royalties from 2Step to the DEC’s Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, and insisted: ‘I stand with Ukraine’.
Directed by Henry Scholfield (Stormzy ‘Vossi Bop’), the music video transitions through slick choreography as Ed, Lil Baby and their crew move across a cityscape. Read more
Cynthia Plaster Caster, artist who made penis casts of Jimi Hendrix, Jello Biafra and more, has died (NME)
Cynthia Plaster Caster, the artist known for making penis casts of rock musicians, has died at the age of 74.
Her representatives confirmed her death on April 21, noting that she had passed away in Chicago following a long illness.
During her career as an artist, Cynthia Albritton famously made casts of artists like Jimi Hendrix, Buzzcocks’ Pete Shelley, and Dead Kennedys frontman Jello Biafra.
Born in Chicago in 1947, she attended art school in the 60s, where she was asked to create a plaster cast of “something solid that could retain its shape.” Instead of going for something typical, Albritton decided to turn her attention to the frontmen of her favourite bands. Read more
Shakira joins forces with Puerto Rican rapper Rauw Alejandro (MusicNews)
Shakira has teamed up with Puerto Rican rapper Rauw Alejandro on her latest single, ‘Te Felicito’.
The ‘Hips Don’t Lie’ hitmaker is back with her first new music of 2022, titled ‘I congratulate you’ in English.
The Spanish language song follows 2021’s English single ‘Don’t Wait Up’.
In the Jaume de la Iguana-helmed promo, the star known for her hip-busting moves dances with a robot and goes on a date with an android called Alejandro. Read more
Martin Scorsese’s Film Foundation launches restoration screening room (THR)
Martin Scorsese’s The Film Foundation has launched The Film Foundation Restoration Screening Room, which will host films restored with the help of the foundation for free.
Feature presentations will debut on the second Monday of each month, with screenings starting at a set time and then available for a 24-hour window. The screening will feature introductions, interviews with conservationists, behind-the-scenes looks at the restoration process and appearances from A-list fans. The announcement described the series as “appointment viewing.”
The first screening to take place in the series — the 1945 romance I Know Where I’m Going! — is set for May 9. It will be introduced by Scorsese, and include interviews with fans of the film Thelma Schoonmaker Powell, Joanna Hogg, Tilda Swinton and Kevin Macdonald. The restoration funding for the film, which first premiered at Cannes Classics, was provided by the Hobson/Lucas Family Foundation with additional support provided by Matt Spick.
“We’re looking forward to making these beautiful restorations available to a wide audience,” said Scorsese. “Many of these presentations will feature restorations that are rarely seen, with myself and other filmmakers sharing why these films are important, how they have impacted our lives and why it’s crucial that they be preserved.” Read more
Marvel’s Jonathan Majors reveals he was punched 100 times in the face for Creed 3 role (DigitalSpy)
Loki star Jonathan Majors felt the full force of boxing while filming Creed III.
He’s set to enter the ring as Michael B Jordan’s adversary Anderson Dame later this year, following in the footsteps of Tony Bellew’s ‘Pretty’ Ricky Conlan and Florian Munteanu’s Viktor Drago.
To become a convincing athlete, Majors had to get in serious shape, but he didn’t expect his hands to gain so much size.
“Over time, they just got bigger and bigger,” he told Variety.
Despite no doubt laying hands on Jordan’s Adonis Creed, Majors himself “got punched in the face about 100 times, but it’s all OK!” Read more
Portugal identifies suspect in probe of missing British girl Madeleine McCann (NBC)
Prosecutors in southern Portugal are formally accusing a suspect in the investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, a British girl who disappeared nearly 15 years ago while on a family vacation in the southern European country.
A statement on Thursday by the Public Ministry district of Faro, the largest city in Portugal’s Algarve region, did not name the suspect but said they were acting on a request by German authorities and in coordination with English investigators.
In mid-2020, Germany’s police identified Christian Brueckner, a German citizen, as a suspect in the case.
McCann was 3 at the time of her disappearance from an apartment where her family was vacationing in the Algarve seaside town of Praia da Luz. Read more
Former Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki dies at 90 (Aljazeera)
Former Kenyan president Mwai Kibaki, who led the country from 2002 to 2013, has died at 90.
As leader, Kibaki, one of the country’s richest men, ushered in economic reforms and a new constitution but failed to deliver on promises to combat corruption. His tenure was marred by the disputed 2007 polls that led to deadly violence.
In 2002, the British-educated economist won a landslide election, upsetting a candidate handpicked by outgoing president Daniel arap Moi. Kibaki had previously served as Moi’s vice president.
Kibaki’s fiscal prudence and infrastructure projects breathed life back into Kenya’s sluggish economy, and he is also credited with ending many restrictions on freedom of expression. Read more
FG to build 150 shops in Surulere National Stadium (Leadership)
Nigeria’s government in collaboration with the private sector is planning to build 150 new shops at the ‘new look’ National Stadium in Surulere Lagos as part of the ongoing refurbishing process of the edifice.
President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to endorse the proposal which is part of the plans to make the complex a befitting sports arena under the new arrangement.
The minister of youth and sports development, Mr Sunday Dare, is working with the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) to put the stadium in the expected standard.
It was learnt that there will be a petrol station, banks and other notable essential services at the complex when it eventually opens very soon to the public. Read more
Pep Guardiola gives Man City injury news on three defenders (MEN)
Pep Guardiola says decisions on the availability of Kyle Walker, John Stones and Nathan Ake will be taken tomorrow, ahead of the home game with Watford. Walker has been out since damaging an ankle in the goalless draw at Atletico Madrid, while Stones and Ake picked up niggles in the midweek win over Brighton.
That means the Blues have a looming crisis for the Champions League semi-final first leg against Real Madrid next week, with three defenders doubtful, Joao Cancelo suspended and Ruben Dias only just back after seven weeks out with a hamstring problem.
City need to beat Watford to open a four-point gap over title rivals Liverpool ahead of their Merseyside derby clash with Everton the following day. But they also need to have one eye on the Real game just three days later.
Walker is the biggest worry, having been fitted with a protective boot after the Atletico game — which he was still wearing at Wembley on Saturday. But Guardiola hinted that he might have a chance of being fit for the Watford game. Read more
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta opens up on reservations about taking job so soon after Arsene Wenger (Standard)
Mikel Arteta has admitted he had reservations about taking the Arsenal job in the wake of Arsene Wenger leaving, but his fear of failure was outweighed by the prospect of success.
Arteta was a leading candidate to replace Wenger in 2018 but Arsenal ended up appointing Unai Emery instead.
Arteta eventually landed the Arsenal job after in December 2019 following the sacking of Emery.
And asked if he ever had reservations about taking charge of Arsenal in 2018, so soon after Wenger, Arteta replied: “It did [cross my mind before taking the job]. Read more
Tyson Fury on Dillian Whyte: I’m Expecting a Good, Strong Fight (BoxingScene)
Tyson Fury says he believes that Dillian Whyte is “fearless” and says there is no point trying to get under his skin.
Fury and Whyte were cordial when they met at the final press conference for this Saturday’s WBC heavyweight title fight at Wembley Stadium.
Indeed, they almost greeted each other like old friends, as the two former sparring partners acted as peacemakers as their respective teams, led by Fury’s father, John, threatened to exchange blows.
“You have to be a bit diplomatic,” Fury said. “Both teams are up on the stage and it was up to me to calm it all down and sort it out. Both men are getting paid to have a fight so why do it for free three days before? Read more
Ferrari duo revel in rain for Emilia Romagna practice (France24)
Championship leader Charles Leclerc topped the times ahead of his Ferrari team-mate Carlos Sainz in Friday’s rain-hit opening free practice for this weekend’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
The Monegasque driver delighted throngs of Italian fans sheltering from incessant drizzle at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari as the Ferraris dominated, leaving defending world champion Max Verstappen gasping in pursuit.
Leclerc clocked a best lap time of 1 minute and 29.402 seconds to outpace Sainz by 0.877sec and Red Bull’s Verstappen by 1.465, a dramatic demonstration of his superiority in treacherous conditions.
Haas’s Kevin Magnussen was fourth, three-tenths adrift of the leading pace, ahead of team-mate Mick Schumacher, Sergio Perez in the second Red Bull and Fernando Alonso of Alpine. Read more
Magic Johnson reveals advice Michael Jordan gave him after HIV return (NYPost)
On Thursday, Magic Johnson joined “Jimmy Kimmel Live” to discuss his new docuseries, “They Call Me Magic.” He also told a story about an exchange with Michael Jordan that he said he had never shared before.
The year was 1996, midway through the season and Johnson’s second game back after returning to the NBA full-time five years after his HIV diagnosis. The Lakers’ opponent in Los Angeles that Feb. 2: The Bulls.
Johnson had a respectable 15 points and three assists off the bench that night, but the Bulls won easily, 99-84, led by 30 points from Scottie Pippen and 17 from Jordan.
“They really showed me the difference between a championship team and a playoff team,” Johnson recalled to Kimmel. “They were a championship team, we were just a regular team. And they played me so hard. They were physical, they pushed me around…” Read more