Ramadan: Prices of tomato, pepper increase by 60 percent in Lagos (Nation)
Ahead of Ramadan, prices of tomato and pepper have soared by 60 per cent in some markets in Lagos, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. A NAN survey conducted at Mile 12, Oke Odo, Oyingbo and Iddo markets, Lagos, reveals that a 40 kilogramme (kg) basket of tomato, which cost N5,000 two weeks ago has risen to N12,000. Similarly, a 50 kg basket of bell pepper (tatashe) has risen to N12, 000 from its previous price of N6,000; 50 kg Chilli pepper (sombo) costs N9,000 as against N5,000, while of a basket of scotch bonnet pepper (rodo) costs N13,500 as against N9000. Read more
Insecurity: Nigerians at the mercy of kidnappers, bandits – Onaiyekan (Punch)
The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, has urged the Federal Government to urgently address the insecurity along the Abuja-Kaduna expressway, which he said had led to the kidnapping and killing of many Nigerians. The cleric said citizens were at the mercy of kidnappers and bandits who according to him, were waging a war against ordinary citizens and extorting huge ransoms from them. Speaking in Abuja on Saturday on a conference on migration scheduled to hold on May 7, 2019, with the theme, ‘Action against irregular migration of Nigerians,’ Onaiyekan said politicians who had no solution to the security and social challenges confronting the nation had no business being in government. Read more
Press freedom not negotiable in Nigeria – Dogara (Guardian)
The Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has said that press freedom in the country is not negotiable in spite all the direct violence and other challenges facing journalists. Dogara said this on Saturday at a two-day conference organised by the Premuim Times Centre for Investigative Journalism, to mark the Press Freedom Day in Abuja. The theme of the conference is: “Press Freedom in Nigeria – Violent Extremism, Rule of Law and the Media.’’ Read more
Banditry: NAF Inaugurates 271 detachment in Kaduna (Punch)
The Nigerian Air Force on Saturday Inaugurated a 271 detachment in Birnin Gwari, Kaduna State, as part of efforts to tackle security challenges in the country. News Agency of Nigeria reports that 271 NAF Detachment was established as a blocking force for troops involved in Operation DIRAN MIKIYA and SHARAN DAJI. Gov. Nasir el-Rufai said the establishment of 271 NAF detachment in Birnin Gwari and instituting the necessary infrastructure was to ensure that Nigeria could meet and conquer many security challenges it was currently facing. Read more
Wike faults EFCC chair on accusation of inflating security votes (Nation)
The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has faulted the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, on his accusation that governors in Nigeria’s troubled states foment troubles to inflate security votes. Wike, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who spoke Saturday through the Rivers Commissioner for Information and Communications, Emma Okah, a lawyer, insisted that Magu was being economical with the truth. Read more
DSS arrest 59 commercial sex workers in Calabar (Guardian)
Fifty-nine commercial sex workers have been arrested by the Department of State Security (DSS) in Calabar, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. Mr Ilupeju Adebayo, Director of the DSS Command in Cross River, who disclosed this to newsmen on Saturday in Calabar, said those arrested were picked up around 2:15 a.m on Saturday. Those arrested, made up of 43 girls and 16 men, were picked up at the Peace Garden Hotel and Papsi Place, located along the Murtala Mohammed highway in Calabar. Read more
Kano to conduct mass wedding for 1,500 couples (Nation)
The Kano State Government says it has concluded arrangements to conduct mass wedding for 1,500 prospective couples across the 44 local government areas of the state. This was announced in a statement by Mr Abba Anwar, the Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje in Kano. The exercise is slated for Sunday in Kano. Anwar said the couples passed through different stages of screening before they got to the final wedding stage. Read more
FEC approves N169.74bn contracts for 10 roads (Punch)
The Federal Executive Council has approved the award of N169.74bn contracts for the construction and rehabilitation of 10 roads across the country. According to the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, the projects would enhance the Federal Government’s objective of improving transportation infrastructure and restoring the nation’s road network as part of the implementation of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan. The approval, which was sequel to a memorandum presented to FEC by the minister on May 2, 2019, covers the rehabilitation of the Umuahia(Ikwuano)-Ikot Ekpene Road, Umuahia, Umudike in Abia State…Read more
ADP expels National Secretary, 16 others (Nation)
The National Executive Committee of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) has approved expulsion of its National Secretary, Dr. James Okoroma and three other members of the National Working Committee for alleged anti-party activities, insubordination and causing disaffection and division among members. The party’s highest decision making body also approved the expulsion of 13 other members of the National Executive Committee and the appointment of Dr. Steve Uwazie as the new National Secretary of the party. Read more
South African robbers stab another Nigerian to death (Punch)
President Nigerian Citizens Association South Africa, Ben Okoli, says a Nigerian, Mr Okechukwu Henry, from Imo State was stabbed to death by unknown South African robbers. The NICASA president said this in a letter to the Consul-General, Nigerian Consulate Johannesburg, South Africa. A copy of the letter was obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria on Saturday in Abuja. Read more
Libya crisis: Islamic State group says it attacked Haftar camp (BBC)
Islamic State group militants say they were behind a Saturday attack on a training camp for the forces of Libyan military strongman Khalifa Haftar. Hospital officials said nine people were killed in the attack in Libya’s southern city of Sabha. Gen Haftar’s eastern forces took control of key areas in the oil-rich south during a January offensive. They are now concentrated in the north west, where they are battling for control of the capital, Tripoli. Read more
Boeing 737 skids off runway into Florida river (BBC)
A passenger plane slid off a runway in the US state of Florida on Friday night, ending up in a river after landing during a thunderstorm. Twenty-one people were taken to hospital with minor injuries, officials said. The chartered Boeing 737, operated by Miami Air International, had flown from Guantanamo Bay in Cuba to a military base in the city of Jacksonville. Passengers say it landed heavily in the storm, skidding into St John’s River. The 136 passengers and seven crew members on board evacuated the Boeing 737-800 via its wings. Read more
North Korea ‘test fires short-range missiles’ (BBC)
North Korea has tested several short-range missiles, according to reports from South Korea. They were fired from the Hodo peninsula in the east of the country, said South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff. If confirmed, it will be the first missile launch since Pyongyang tested an intercontinental ballistic missile in November 2017. Last month Pyongyang said it had tested what it described as a new “tactical guided weapon”. Read more
Man arrested in France for keeping white tiger cub (Punch)
Investigators in southeast France have seized a white tiger cub at the home of a suspected exotic animal trafficker, while pythons and endangered marsupials were found at his mother’s house, a police source said Saturday. Members of the public health agency OCLAESP were recently informed of the illegal sale of lemurs and their investigations led them to the suspect’s premises. The arrested man is believed to have cashed the sum of 17,000 euros ($19,000) “but had not yet handed the small primates from Madagascar to the buyer,” the French police said in a statement. Read more
Imtiaz Dharker turns down chance to become next poet laureate (Metro)
An acclaimed poet tipped to become the next laureate has turned down the Queen’s award saying she would rather dedicate time to her own poems. Imtiaz Dharker, 65, was said to be among the famed poets being considered for the prestigious title, which effectively makes laureates paid members of the royal household. The Sunday Times last week reported Dharker was set to become the next holder of the title and the first Asian poet to be appointed in the post’s 350 years. Read more
Ake strikes late to sink nine-man Spurs (Guardian)
Mauricio Pochettino insists nine-man Tottenham won’t let a “cruel” 1-0 defeat at Bournemouth ruin their bid to finish in the Premier League’s top four and reach the Champions League final. South Korea forward Son Heung-min was sent off for a needless push in the closing moments of the first half and Argentine defender Juan Foyth saw red for a studs-up lunge soon after the interval, barely two minutes after entering the field as a half-time substitute. Read more
Cavani misses late penalty as French champion PSG draws (Punch)
Paris Saint-Germain’s dismal recent run in Ligue 1 continued on Saturday as Edinson Cavani missed a stoppage-time penalty for the French champions in a scrappy 1-1 home draw with Nice. The Uruguayan shot weakly at Nice stopper Walter Benitez nearly five minutes after Neymar, who scored PSG’s leveller from the spot 30 minutes earlier, was judged via VAR to have been brought down by Dante. PSG retained the league title two weeks ago and are 17 points ahead of second-placed Lille but they have now won just one of their last six league games as their season continues to disappoint in the aftermath of their nightmare Champions League defeat to Manchester United in March. Read more
Eden Hazard in disguise? Christian Pulisic scores stunning solo goal for Borussia Dortmund (Metro)
Christian Pulisic demonstrated there may be life after Eden Hazard for Chelsea with a stunning individual goal for Borussia Dortmund against Werder Bremen. The America international signed for the west London club in January for £58million but was immediately loaned back to the Bundesliga title chasers for the remainder of the season. Pulisic has been forced to play second fiddle to English sensation Jadon Sancho for much of the campaign, but showcased the electric speed, dribbling ability and composure in front of goal which are likely to make him a crowd favourite at Stamford Bridge next term. Read more
Zidane downplays Madrid move for Pogba (Guardian)
Zinedine Zidane has played down speculation linking Real Madrid with a summer move for Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba. Zidane said in March he knew Pogba personally and likes him “a lot” before adding Madrid could be his next club “when his experience in Manchester comes to an end”. Pogba had also added to the doubts surrounding his future by saying that “all players dream of playing for Real Madrid”. Read more
Ronaldo to venture into coaching after retirement (Nation)
Amidst debate among his fans that five time Ballon d Or winner and Juventus forward Cristian Ronaldo would settle for modeling all the way after football, the Portugal forward has hinted that he has a passion for coaching, declaring he might go into coaching when he finishes playing. The 34-year-old is coming towards the end of his illustrious career in which he has won five Ballon d’Or trophies. Ronaldo moved to Juventus in the summer from Real Madrid and has insisted coaching might be his next step. Read more
Sascha Bajin explains why he took on Kiki Mladenovic project after shock Naomi Osaka split (Metro)
It was arguably the biggest surprise of the year. After a remarkably fruitful partnership that lasted little more than a season, Naomi Osaka announced she had ended her partnership with coach Sascha Bajin. The timing of the announcement was particularly curious. Just 16 days before, the Japanese had won the Australian Open to back up her 2018 US Open win, becoming the WTA’s top-ranked player in the process. Read more