Residents lament as Lagos demolishes ‘illegal’ structures in Ikorodu (Guardian)
Lagos State government yesterday demolished structures that are allegedly in contravention of the state’s building regulations in Agric Bus Stop, Owusu 1 Community Development Area (CDA), Ikorodu, Lagos.
The demolition, however, rendered some residents homeless, and also affected businesses and worship centres. When The Guardian visited the area, officials of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) were seen demolishing the buildings with the support of officials from the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, and police officers.
Lamenting, the residents said they were awaken by the noise of bulldozers and officials, who started demolishing their homes, preventing them from taking anything from their home. Read more
Adeleke orders establishment of camps for displaced persons (Nation)
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has directed the establishment of three camps for those displaced in Ifon, Ilobu and Erin Osun communal clash.
The directive is contained in a statement by Malam Olawale Rasheed, spokesperson for the governor, yesterday in Osogbo.
The statement said the governor gave the directive after confirming the implementation of his earlier directive for the distribution of food and relief materials to the displaced persons. Read more
Natasha’s Recall: INEC confirms receipt of petitioners’ details (Channels)
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday confirmed that it has received the contact addresses, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses of representatives of those who submitted the petition for the recall of Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
On Tuesday, the electoral body confirmed that it received the petition to recall Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan but says it did not meet the “requirements” for the action.
INEC had stated that the representatives of the petitioners did not provide their contact address, telephone number(s) and e-mail address(es) in the covering letter forwarding the petition through which they can be contacted as provided in Clause 1 (f) of our Regulations and Guidelines. Read more
FG declares public holidays for Eid-El-Fitr (DailyTrust)
The Federal Government has declared Monday, March 31 and Tuesday, April 1, 2025, as public holidays to mark the Eid-el-Fitr celebration.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government on Wednesday in a statement by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Magdalene Ajani.
He congratulated all Muslims for the successful completion of the fasting in the holy month of Ramadan. Read more
Ex-Senator Murray-Bruce tackles Atiku, says Akpabio is clean as whistle (Leadership)
Nigeria’s foremost entertainment promoter and one-time Senator representing Bayelsa East in the 8th Senate on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ben Murray-Bruce, has subtly tackled a national leader of the party and former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, over the latter’s dubbing of Senate President Godswill Akpabio as corrupt.
LEADERSHIP reports that Atiku had in a special interview with Arise News Channel aired on Wednesday described Akpabio as corrupt since his days as governor of Akwa Ibom State. The former Vice President was speaking against the backdrop of the National Assembly’s wholesale ratification of the State of Emergency declaration on Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu, saying he was not surprised by the lawmakers’ action since Akpabio was at the helm of affairs in the Parliament.
But, Murray-Bruce, founder of Silverbird Group, responded on Wednesday night via his Facebook page, saying Akpabio had been investigated by independent investigative agencies and he emerged clean as a whistle. Read more
Ogun confirms outbreak of Lassa fever, calls for vigilance (Vanguard)
The Ogun State government has confirmed a case of Lassa fever, officially declaring an outbreak in the state.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker, in a press statement, disclosed that the index case was a 25-year-old female National Youth Corps member who fell ill while in Ondo State and was brought to a secondary health facility in Ijebu North Local Government Area of the state on March 18, 2025.
She said, “The individual sadly passed away the same day.”
While assuring that the state government is actively managing the situation, Dr Coker added that the Ministry of Health and the Rapid Response Team in Ijebu North East had intensified surveillance, community engagement, and mobilisation to ensure an effective response.
Rivers sole administrator suspends political office holders (Punch)
The Rivers State Sole Administrator, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has suspended political appointees and office holders in the state with immediate effect.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Chief of Staff to the Administrator said the decision was made under the powers granted to Ibas by President Bola Tinubu.
Those affected include the Secretary to the State Government, the Chief of Staff, all commissioners, chairpersons and members of boards, agencies, commissions, and parastatals, as well as all Special Advisers, Special Assistants, and Senior Special Assistants. Read more
FG: 26,000 Children In Custodial Facilities Nationwide (NewTelegraph)
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has revealed that 26,000 children have been held in custodial facilities across Nigeria over the past five years.
He explained that this number represents 30% of the total inmate population, raising serious concerns about violations of child protection laws.
The disclosure was made in a statement signed on Wednesday by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Ozoya Imohimi. Read more
Sydney Sweeney calls off wedding to Jonathan Davino as they face ‘major issues’: report (PageSix)
Sydney Sweeney and her fiancé Jonathan Davino have called off their wedding as the couple faces “major issues” in their relationship, a source told Us Weekly.
“Sydney and Jonathan have been having major issues but are not fully split,” the insider said on Wednesday.
“Things are not great right now, but they aren’t throwing in the towel yet. They are working on their relationship but have called off the wedding for now.” Read more
Niger’s junta, Abdourahamane Tchiani sworn in as transitional president for a period of five years (AfricaNews)
Abdourahamane Tchiani, the leader of Niger’s junta, was officially sworn in as the country’s president on Wednesday, for a five-year transitional period, following a new charter that supersedes the existing constitution.
This decision effectively dismissed efforts by the regional organization to expedite a return to democratic governance after the coup in 2023.
According to Mahamane Roufai, the government’s secretary-general, the five-year transition period commenced on Wednesday. Read more
Pamela Bach-Hasselhoff’s cause of death revealed weeks after star found dead at home (Mirror)
Pamela Bach-Hasselhoff’s death has been confirmed weeks after the actress died aged 62. Former Baywatch star Pamela was found dead at home on March 5 after family “hadn’t heard from her in days”. She was discovered to have passed away at her Los Angeles home.
Now, it has been confirmed she died by suicide. TMZ confirmed her cause of death was a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
Law enforcement sources told the publication at the time that family members hadn’t heard from the star, so they went to check on her at her house. It’s said that is when they found her. Read more
Married with Children and ER star dies suddenly at 58 (Independent)
Model and actor Cindyana Santangelo, best known for her appearances in the seminal sitcom Married with Children and medical drama ER, has died suddenly aged 58.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department responded to an emergency medical call in Malibu, California, on the evening of March 24, according to an advisory, per People.
The person, later identified as Santangelo, was rushed to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Read more
BBC’s new ’80s-set true story drama shares first look at Connor Swindells as Scottish detective (DigitalSpy)
The BBC has shared a first look at its upcoming drama The Bombing of Pan Am 103.
The six-part series – which was previously titled Lockerbie – will follow the devastating true events of the 1988 Lockerbie bombing, which saw a bomb explode on a flight from Heathrow to JFK over the small Scottish town of Lockerbie, killing 43 Brits and 190 Americans.
The series will centre on the two nations’ joint investigation into the bombing, from the initial exhaustive search for evidence on the ground in Scotland, via the US and Malta to the trial at Camp Zeist in 2000, leading up to the upcoming new trial in the US. Read more
Nick Frost “nearing deal” to play Hagrid in new Harry Potter TV show (Standard)
Nick Frost is reportedly in talks to play half-giant Rubeus Hagrid in HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter TV series.
According to Deadline, the Dagenham-born actor and comedian, 52, would join John Lithgow, Janet McTeer and Paapa Essiedu who are set or in negotiations to play Professor Albus Dumbledore, Professor Minerva McGonagall and Professor Severus Snape, respectively.
Based on the popular fantasy books by author JK Rowling about a boy who discovers that his late parents were wizards and is sent to a special school to hone his own skills, the TV adaptation has been slated to span seven seasons across a decade. Read more
Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal break Broadway box office records with ‘‘Othello’’ (CP24)
An “Othello” revival, starring Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal, has made history.
The production at the Barrymore Theatre is now Broadway’s top-grossing play of all time, generating $2.8 million with eight preview performances. It exceeded a record held by“Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” which pulled in more than $2.7 million in December 2023, according to Deadline.
Washington and Gyllenhaal recently spoke with “CBS News Sunday Morning” about the project.
“It’s the most excited I’ve been this century,” Washington said. “Seriously. I haven’t been this excited about anything I’ve done as I am about this.” Read more
NWFL: Edo Queens beat Abia Angels in Umuahia (Punch)
Nigeria Women Football League champions Edo Queens defeated hosts Abia Angels 2-1 at the Umuahia Township Stadium on Wednesday.
Edo Queens’ winger Osigwu Goodness scored the opening goal in the 35 minutes through a penalty kick.
The host team came back stronger into the games, but the defending champions banked on experience to ward off the Angels’ attack. Read more
Nigeria to face Ghana in friendly before Rwanda, S’Africa clashes (Guardian)
The Super Eagles will take on long-time rivals, Ghana, in a friendly match during the June international window, Soccernet.ng reports. The fixture adds to Nigeria’s already scheduled friendly against Russia, setting up two key tests as the team prepares for the next phase of their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.
While exact dates are yet to be confirmed, both matches are expected to serve as crucial tune-ups ahead of Nigeria’s September qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa.
Head coach Eric Chelle’s side will host Rwanda in Uyo before travelling for a tricky away clash with South Africa on matchday eight. Nigeria’s qualification hopes took a hit on Tuesday when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Zimbabwe, leaving them with work to do in the group. Read more
Genoa 4th kit pays tribute to Boca Juniors historic bond (FootballItalia)
Genoa have unveiled a surprising choice for their 2024-25 season fourth kit, making it an homage to Argentina’s Boca Juniors, which was founded by emigrants from the Italian port city.
The Grifone announced the jersey, which was designed by kit sponsors Kappa, celebrating the historic bond between the two clubs.
There are many Italians who emigrated to Argentina, so the presentation was held in the Museum of Italian Emigration in Genoa. Read more
A turning point for women’s basketball (BBC)
Does the success of women’s college basketball hinge on big names or can it build on the momentum that has come with more eyes and promotion? ESPN’s Monica McNutt and BBC special correspondent Katty Kay discuss the staying power of women’s sport.
Last year was the first time in college basketball history that the women’s championship game drew more viewers than the men’s.
That success was largely fuelled by the surge in interest around two superstars, Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark (who has reached such levels of celebrity that she’s recently been spotted alongside Taylor Swift). But now those two women have left the league, can it hang on to the public’s interest? Or did it all depend on the celebrity of just two players? Read more
Shiffrin steadily overcoming PTSD in giant slalom after crash (JapanToday)
Mikaela Shiffrin’s flashbacks to her November crash in a giant slalom race are happening less and less when she’s training.
For her, as she deals with post-traumatic stress disorder in the discipline, that’s major progress.
While other racers compete in the GS on Tuesday at World Cup finals in Sun Valley, Shiffrin plans to squeeze in some training in the slalom. It will be the American standout’s only event of the weeklong finals after not qualifying in giant slalom. Read more
Reigning champs Argentina qualify for 2026 World Cup after Bolivia-Uruguay game (NBC)
Defending champion Argentina qualified for the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday when Bolivia failed to beat Uruguay.
Argentina leads South American qualifying and hosts archrival Brazil at the Monumental de Nunez Stadium later Tuesday.
South America has six direct berths in the next World Cup, a 48-team tournament to be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.Read more