Political elites have destroyed Nigeria, says Sanusi (Nation)
The Emir of Kano, His Royal Highness, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi on Friday disclosed the high rate of kidnapping, thuggery and corruption amongst other criminal activities are caused by the political class. Sanusi also emphasized the judiciary has been destroyed by the political class. He spoke in Abuja as the key note speaker at the Ansar-ud-deen Society of Nigeria’s 9th triennial National conference with the theme: Justice, equity and peaceful co-existence: ideals and reality in a multi -religious nation. Read more
N30,000 minimum wage will lead to chaos – Ex-minister (Punch)
A former Minister of Information, Prince Tony Momoh, has expressed fears that the new N30, 000 minimum wage, signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari on April 18 would lead to chaos. Momoh, who is also a chieftain of the APC party made this statement this while addressing newsmen on Friday in Abuja as part of activities to mark his 80th birthday. According to him, while he is happy over the new wage, he holds the view that it will lead to a situation where many states will not be able to pay and this will lead to industrial unrest and strikes. Read more
Better days ahead for Nigeria – Fayose (Nation)
The immediate past governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayodele Fayose, on Friday urged Nigerians not to give up on the country in the spirit of Easter. Rather, he asked them to keep hope alive on whatever challenges were presently facing the nation. In his Easter message released in Ado-Ekiti by his media aide, Lere Olayinka, the former governor said that the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ had given mankind the hope that no situation was beyond the divine power of God. Read more
Easter: Pray for Nigeria, leaders, Lalong tells Christians (Punch)
Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau has urged Christians to pray for the nation’s leaders and the country to overcome its numerous challenges. Lalong stated this on Friday in his Easter goodwill message signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr Mark Longyen. “True Christianity places on our shoulders, the responsibility of praying ceaselessly and fervently for our leaders. “We are reminded to also pray for our country to enable us to overcome the numerous challenges which we currently face as a nation. Read more
National minimum wage: Adamawa teachers expect N32,000 (Guardian)
The Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Adamawa State Wing, has expressed confidence that the incoming administration would pay N32,000 minimum wage to workers in the state. Mr Rodney Nathan, Chairman of the state chapter, who commended President Muhammadu Buhari, for signing into law the N30,000 new National Minimum Wage for workers, however noted that the state workers were looking forward to receiving N32,000 as minimum wage. Nathan said that the workers’ optimism was drawn from the Governor-elect, Ahmadu Fintiri’s electioneering promise to pay workers N32,000 minimum wage. Read more
NAF visits Zamfara, investigates allegations of air strikes (Punch)
A team of Nigerian Air Force officers, led by AVM Idi Lubo, on Friday arrived Zamfara to investigate allegations that innocent citizens were recently bombarded through air strikes by NAF personnel in the state. Addressing journalists on arrival at the 307 Quick Response Group headquarters in Gusau, the team leader, Lubo said, “The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Sadique Abubakar, is highly disturbed over the allegations. “As concerned Nigerians and part of those charged with the responsibility of ensuring the peace and safety of Nigerians, we are here to verify the claims made by the traditional rulers of Zamfara. Read more
A’Ibom varsity to expel 4 undergraduates for alleged rape (Nation)
The Management of Akwa Ibom University says it would expelled four undergraduates for their alleged involvement in the rape of a female student of the institution at Obio Akpa campus in Oruk-Anam Local Government Area. The Head of Directorate of Information, Public Relations and Protocol of the University, Mr Akaninyene Ibanga, disclosed this to newsmen on Friday in Oruk-Anam. Ibanga explained that the University management would expel the students based on the outcome of police investigations on the matter. Read more
Dabiri-Erewa decries death sentence given eight Nigerian robbers in UAE (Punch)
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has described the death sentence passed on eight Nigerians in United Arab Emirate as unfortunate. Eight Nigerians were sentenced to death on Wednesday in Sharjah, UAE, for a string of robberies at money exchanges and cash machines across the emirate in December 2016. Dabiri-Erewa said this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday in Abuja. Read more
Suspected motorcycle snatchers kill rider in Jigawa (Punch)
Suspected motorcycle snatchers on Friday allegedly killed a 33-year-old motorcyclist in Dutse Local Government Area of Jigawa, the Police have said. Spokesman of Jigawa Police Command, SP Abdu Jinjiri, told the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday in Dutse that the incident occurred at about 8.30 a.m. Jinjiri said the deceased, Musa Usaini, a resident of Jigawa Habiba village was attacked while on his motorcycle by suspected motorcycle snatchers. Read more
Libya crisis: Trump speaks to insurgent General Haftar (BBC)
The White House says President Trump has spoken to Libyan eastern commander General Khalifa Haftar, whose forces are attacking the capital Tripoli. During Monday’s call, Mr Trump recognised Gen Haftar’s efforts to combat terrorism and secure Libya’s oil and they discussed Libya’s future. Tripoli is the seat of Libya’s UN-backed and internationally recognised government. Mr Trump’s call suggests he endorses Gen Haftar, unlike some of his allies. More than 200 people have been killed since the fighting began three weeks ago. Read more
Sarah Sanders admits she lied to the White House press (CNN)
“Not founded on anything” is the new “alternative facts.” The term applies to White House press secretary Sarah Sanders and her misleading statements from the press briefing room podium. Now some prominent journalists are questioning whether she should remain in her job. Robert Mueller’s report confirms that Sanders simply made it up when she said that “countless” FBI agents had told her that they were thankful Trump had fired FBI Director James Comey. Read more
Militia detains migrants at gunpoint along the US-Mexico border (BBC)
A video has emerged of armed right-wing militia members stopping over 300 migrants as they cross the Mexico border into the US state of New Mexico. The group calls itself the United Constitutional Patriots, and are seen in the Facebook clip standing over migrants sitting on the desert ground. The group’s actions have been condemned by civil liberties groups and New Mexico state officials. The militia supports President Donald Trump’s plan for a border wall. Read more
Ukraine presidential rivals trade barbs in stadium debate (BBC)
Ukraine’s rival presidential candidates have held a long-awaited head-to-head televised debate at Kiev’s giant Olympic stadium. Comedian Volodymyr Zelensky and incumbent president Petro Poroshenko shook hands before launching scathing attacks on one another. Mr Zelensky is the clear favourite for Sunday’s second-round vote, polls say. But Mr Poroshenko argues that he is a political novice unfit for such a demanding job. Mr Zelensky has relied on a slick social media campaign to tap into the frustration of many younger Ukrainians with establishment politicians, cronyism and corruption. Read more
Turpin captivity case: Children forgive parents for torture (BBC)
A California couple’s children have forgiven them for years of torture and starvation as the parents were sentenced to life in prison. David and Louise Turpin’s children told a court they still love their mother and father despite all the abuse. The couple were arrested in January 2018 when their 17-year-old daughter escaped the filthy home in Perris. The Turpins pleaded guilty to the abuse of all but one of their 13 children for at least nine years. They are expected to serve the rest of their lives behind bars, unless granted parole in 25 years. Read more
Man broke record by going to cinema to watch Captain Marvel 116 times
A man broke the record for most times watching a single movie in a theater by seeing ‘Captain Marvel’ 116 times. Steve Ruppel, 39, has spent 12,268 watching the film, one of the latest installments of films set in the famed Marvel Cinematic Universe. Ruppel said he needed to watch the movie at least 104 times to break the previous record, but decided to make it 116 times as he collected evidence required to make it in Guinness. Read more
Mikel, Etebor shine as Middleborough hit Stoke 1-0 (Nation)
Super Eagles duo John Obi Mikel and Oghenekaro Etebo enjoyed full 90 minutes action as Middlesbrough hosted Stock City in the English Championship Friday. Although it was Boro what had the last laugh following their lone goal victory, Etebor and his teammates gave a good account of themselves and even dominated proceedings but the goals refused to come. Boro had shot into the lead as early as the 2nd minute of the match thanks to Congo DR import Britt Assombalonga. Read more
Unai Emery finally explains why he left Aaron Ramsey out of his Arsenal team
Unai Emery claims Aaron Ramsey’s ‘confused’ state of mind played a part in his decision to leave the Arsenal star out of his side on a regular basis earlier this season. The Wales international began the campaign as a mainstay of Emery’s new-look team but, amid uncertainty surrounding his future, Ramsey failed to start a single Premier League game between October 7 and December 5. Emery reportedly advised Arsenal to withdraw a contract offer made to the scorer of two FA Cup final winning goals and the 28-year-old subsequently agreed a deal to sign for Juventus, who he is set to join in the summer. Read more
Bus boys: Man City stars pay for 26 coaches to take fans to Wembley (Guardian)
Manchester City players will pay for 26 coaches to take fans to Wembley next month for the FA Cup final, the club announced on Friday. “The support from our fans throughout the season has been nothing short of incredible. Travelling to so many games in league and cup competitions, both home and away, is not easy to do and is something that every player in our squad values and appreciates,” said captain Vincent Kompany. City, who have already won the Community Shield and League Cup at Wembley this season, will face Watford in the FA Cup final at the London venue on May 18. Read more
Cesc Fabregas destroys Tottenham legend on Twitter after posing Champions League question (Metro)
Cesc Fabregas slammed Tottenham legend Graham Roberts and claimed he didn’t know who he was after the former Spurs skipper mocked his recent lack of playing time. The Spain World Cup winner joined Monaco from Chelsea in January after he failed to convince Maurizio Sarri he was worthy of a regular starting place in his new-look midfield. Fabregas was subsequently snapped up by his old Arsenal teammate Thierry Henry and has played a bit-part role in his new side’s bid to escape relegation from Ligue 1. Read more
Anthony Joshua v Jarrell Miller off after American’s second ‘adverse finding’ (BBC)
Jarrell Miller has returned a second “adverse finding” from a drugs test and will now be replaced as Anthony Joshua’s next opponent, says Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn. Miller was denied a licence for the 1 June bout after a first adverse finding from a sample taken on 20 March. Hearn said Miller had “failed a second separate test for a further substance”. He says a new opponent for British IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight champion Joshua will be announced next week. Read more
Boxing ‘shooting itself in the foot,’ says Dana White (CNN)
Dana White is a man of many passions. From a love of grocery shopping and Tom Brady, to his hope of a thawing in relations between Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov, the president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) was an open book as he spoke to CNN’s Patrick Snell. But White was at his most revealing as he discussed boxing’s heavyweight division — an arena resplendent with talent and fronted by a trio of superstars in Anthony Joshua, Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury. Read more