Pastor, church members robbed during service (DailyTrust)
The Edo State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of two suspects, Brown John (26) and Ayodele Aziz (30), who stormed a Deeper Life Bible Church in Benin, robbed the pastor and other worshipers during church service.
The Commissioner of Police (CP), Funsho Adegboye, said, “The pastor, Imubhin Juliet, reported that three armed men walked into the church with guns and robbed them of their valuables.
“The armed robbers abducted the pastor and took her away in her Toyota Highlander with registration: AGL739HR, to somewhere where they forced her to disclose her ATM PIN which they used to syphon money from her bank account.” Read more
Senator Ayogu Eze dies at 66 (Leadership)
The Senator who represented Enugu North Senatorial Zone and former Senate Committee Chairman on Information and Media, Senator Ayogu Eze is dead.
It was gathered that Eze who was in the National Assembly between 2007 and 2015 died on Thursday in an Abuja hospital at the age of 66 after suffering from an undisclosed illness.
For the 8 years he spent in the Senate, Eze was a member of the Constitution Drafting and Amendment Committee that made some novel changes to Nigeria’s 1999 constitution. Read more
FG moves to restructure school feeding programme (Nation)
The federal government has commenced moves to structure the Nigerian Home Grown School Feeding Programme by collaborating with the Partnership for Child Development (PDC) and Imperial College, London.
President Bola Tinubu, on January 12, suspended all National Social Investment Programme Agency programmes for six weeks.
The four programmes administered by NSIPA are the N-Power Programme, the Conditional Cash Transfer Programme, the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme, and the Home-Grown School Feeding Programme. Read more
Tariff Hike: Telcos urge govt intervention on pricing challenges (Tribune)
Nigeria’s telecommunications giants, including Glo, MTN, Airtel, and 9Mobile, are urging the federal government to engage in constructive dialogue within the industry. They argue that the current price control measures are out of sync with economic realities and are seeking intervention to address pricing challenges.
In a joint statement by the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) and the Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), the companies expressed concern that they are the only ones that have not adjusted their prices, which could jeopardize the industry’s sustainability and erode investor confidence.
ALTON Chairman, Mr Gbenga Adebayo, and ATCON President, Mr Tony Emoekpere, highlighted that there has been no upward review in the general service pricing framework for the past 11 years due to regulatory constraints, despite economic hardships. Read more
Lagos probes Indian school where Nigerians are denied admission (Punch)
Following reports of Nigerians being barred from Indian Language School in Lagos, Nigerians have expressed outrage with the government ordering the ministry of education to commence a probe, GBENGA OLONINIRAN writes
Some Nigerians have expressed outrage over suspected discrimination against Nigerians at the Indian Language School, Ilupeju, in Lagos.
This is as the Lagos State Government condemned the development and subsequently ordered a probe. Read more
Ogbomoso nightclub shooting victim not our student — LAUTECH (Channels)
Following the uproar and criticisms that greeted the killing of Iyanda Damilola, the management of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso in Oyo State says the victim was not a student of the institution.
Damilola who was said to be a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) was allegedly shot dead by a police officer during a fracas at a nightclub in Ogbomoso on Monday.
The deceased’s brother Oluwafemi Iyanda who graduated from LAUTECH said his sibling attended his convocation after which they headed for an after-party on the same day he was killed. Read more
Nigeria’s state of human rights raises global concern – Report (Vanguard)
A report released by Amnesty International, AI, yesterday, raised global concern on the state of human rights in Nigeria and other countries.
The report tagged ‘The State of the World’s Human Rights: April 2024’ basically focused on sanctions against the media and criminal charges against journalists for alleged defamation; Defence and security forces use of excessive force; Torture during police interrogation; Forced evictions by authorities; Failure by authorities to put in place measures to mitigate Climate change impacts; Armed conflict actors’ violations of international law.
Others are Documentation of cases of enforced disappearances; Sexual and gender-based violence; Men charged under the Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Act; Lack of sufficient food and access to basic amenities by resettled internally displaced people. Read more
EFCC gave Yahaya Bello privilege Bobrisky was denied — Daniel Bwala (DailyTrust)
Daniel Bwala, a lawyer and public affairs analyst, has criticised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for giving certain privileges to the former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, while denying same to the convicted popular crossdresser, Idris Okuneye aka Bobrisky, who was recently convicted and sentenced for publicly abusing the naira.
The ex-spokesman of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar faulted the EFCC’s alleged disregard for the rule of law, describing the recent press conference by the commission’s chairman, Ola Olukayode as a “media trial.”
The EFCC had accused Bello of allegedly misappropriating the sum of N80 billion and other allegations. Read more
Lily Allen recording country music after slamming Beyoncé’s “calculated” move into genre (Standard)
Lily Allen has announced that she is turning her hand to country music after previously criticising Beyoncé’s decision to cross over to the genre.
The Smile singer, 38, hasn’t released new music since 2018, but revealed she has been back in the studio embracing her inner cowgirl.
Appearing on Nick Grimshaw and Angela Hartnett’s Dish podcast, she said: “I’m just making some space for some music. For some music to reveal itself. Read more
Courteney Cox shares shocking revelation about ex Johnny McDaid (Hello!)
In a candid revelation on the Minnie Questions podcast, Courteney Cox opened up about a pivotal moment in her relationship with Snow Patrol rocker Johnny McDaid.
The Friends star shared the unexpected turn of events during their first therapy session, which was initially meant to strengthen their bond but ended with Johnny ending their engagement within the first minute.
Courteney, 59, reflected on the profound impact of that moment, expressing gratitude for what was undoubtedly a painful experience at the time. Read more
Kanye West gives update on Pusha T relationship after antisemitic friction (HipHopDx)
Kanye West has offered fans an update on his relationship with Pusha T after the Clipse rapper departed G.O.O.D. Music on not-so-amicable terms in late 2022.
Speaking on Justin Laboy’s The Download podcast, Kanye addressed his friendship with his longtime collaborator and one-time G.O.O.D. Music president.
“I just spoke with Pusha the other day. It was good to talk to him. It was the first time talking to him in a couple months. We made good music together,” he said. Read more
Evidence of torture as nearly 400 bodies found in Gaza mass graves (AlJazeera)
Mass graves found in two hospitals in the Gaza Strip containing 392 bodies, including those of women, children and the elderly, showed signs of torture and executions, officials in the enclave have said.
On the sixth consecutive day of digging up bodies in southern Gaza, Palestinian Civil Defence officials on Thursday revealed horrifying new details about the mass graves around the Nasser and al-Shifa hospitals.
Ten of the bodies were found with bound hands while others still had medical tubes attached to them, indicating they may have been buried alive, said civil defence member Mohammed Mughier. Read more
Russia fines actress who hosted ‘almost naked’ party over her calls for peace (NBC)
A Moscow court on Thursday imposed a 50,000-ruble ($560) fine on a TV presenter and actress who gained notoriety for hosting an “almost naked” party, saying her social media posts calling for peace discredited the military.
Anastasia Ivleeva sparked an explosion of public indignation in the increasingly traditionalist country when she hosted a party in December encouraging guests to wear almost nothing.
Ivleeva did not appear in court Thursday for the non-criminal case, in which she was fined for two social media posts in the early days of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine that called for peace and negotiations. The court found her guilty of violating a law penalizing remarks discrediting the military, although the law was passed several days after the posts. Read more
Kenyan government recommends regulating, not banning TikTok (AfricaNews)
Kenya’s government is cautioning against a blanket ban on TikTok despite growing worries over the content circulated on the platform. Instead, authorities are advocating for stricter oversight measures by regulatory bodies.
A parliamentary panel has been deliberating on a petition urging the prohibition of the Chinese-owned social media app, TikTok. This recommendation comes in the wake of allegations from the interior ministry that the platform has been exploited for disseminating propaganda, perpetrating fraud, and sharing explicit material.
In an advisory communicated to the parliamentary panel, Kenya’s Ministry of Information and Communication proposed an alternative approach. “Rather than opting for a TikTok ban, the ministry suggests the implementation of a co-regulation framework,” the advisory stated, as revealed to Reuters on Thursday. Read more
Russia vetoes UN resolution to prevent nuclear arms race in space (Global)
Russia on Wednesday vetoed a U.N. resolution sponsored by the United States and Japan calling on all nations to prevent a dangerous nuclear arms race in outer space, calling it “a dirty spectacle” that cherry picks weapons of mass destruction from all other weapons that should also be banned.
The vote in the 15-member Security Council was 13 in favor, Russia opposed and China abstaining.
The resolution would have called on all countries not to develop or deploy nuclear arms or other weapons of mass destruction in space, as banned under a 1967 international treaty that included the U.S. and Russia, and to agree to the need to verify compliance. Read more
Nigeria wins ICC Continental Award with Pwc U-17 Initiative (Leadership)
The International Cricket Council (ICC) Africa on Wednesday announced Nigeria as the regional winner of the Cricket Initiative of the year 2023, with the PwC Under 17 Cricket Championship also adjudged the rallying point for its national developmental initiative.
According to the ICC Statement on the project, “The ICC Development Initiative of the Year award recognises the outstanding development initiative delivered during the year and regional winners include Nigeria Cricket Federation, whose Under-17 Cricket Championship continues to provide competitive playing opportunities for boys and girls across the country.”
President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation, Uyi Akpata, said the award could not have come at a better time. Read more
Williams: Responsibility for Sargeant penalty in China ‘‘falls on us’’ (F1i)
Williams team boss James Vowles says the British outfit must shoulder some of the blame for the penalty suffered by logan Sargeant in last weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix, insisting the onus falls on the team to provide better tools and information to prevent such incidents.
Sargeant was hit with an in-race 10-second time penalty and given two penalty points on his super licence for an illegal overtake on Haas’ Nico Hulkenberg during the race’s Safety Car period.
However, the transgression was anything but a clear-cut affair. Read more
BJK Cup Finals revamped with knockout format (BBC)
The Billie Jean King Cup Finals will switch to a knockout format this year, with the final taking place in Seville on 20 November.
An extended nine-day event will overlap briefly with the men’s Davis Cup Final 8, which begins in Malaga on the eve of the Billie Jean King Cup final.
The International Tennis Federation (ITF) says the aim of revamping the women’s event is to “maximise the visibility” and to create a “fortnight of World Cup tennis” in Andalucia. Read more
Nadal seeding for French Open not being considered, says Mauresmo (StraitsTimes)
Former world number one Rafael Nadal is unlikely to be seeded at next month’s French Open, Roland Garros tournament director Amelie Mauresmo said on Thursday.
On Wednesday, the Spaniard said he was not sure if he would be able to play at this year’s French Open, which he has won a record 14 times.
The 37-year-old Nadal, a 22-times Grand Slam champion, has plummeted to 512 in the rankings after a long spell on the sidelines, having missed almost a year with a hip flexor injury. Read more
U-17 WWCQ: Olowookere invites 25 players for Flamingos Vs Burkina Faso (CompleteSports)
Head Coach Bankole Olowookere has invited 25 players to the camp of U17 Girls National Team, Flamingos, ahead of next month’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifying fixture against Burkina Faso.
The list includes four goalkeepers, seven defenders, seven midfielders and seven forwards.
Olowookere, who led the Flamingos to a first-ever World Cup bronze medal-finish in India last year, saw the girls fire from all cylinders in a 12-0 rout of their counterparts from Central African Republic over two legs in Douala and Abuja in the second round of the African qualifying series in February. Read more
Barcelona squad suspicious of Xavi Hernandez as Joan Laporta message to players is revealed
(FootballEspana)
Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez was confirmed as the coach for next season on Wednesday night, and just over 12 hours later, sat in front of the press to explain his decision. Two hours earlier, he and President Joan Laporta had done the same to the players.
During his press conference, Xavi Hernandez said the players had responded well to his announcement.
“The players already know. We had one of the best training sessions of the season. The president has given his explanations and so have I, which are the same ones I give here. I have noticed everyone’s confidence and I feel stronger. This is the story.” Read more
