Rivers women begin ‘Bring Back Our Fubara’ protest in Port Harcourt (Channels)
A crowd of women on Friday flooded the Aba road area of Port Harcourt, demanding the reinstatement of the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Ngozi Odu.
The protest, which began along the major road, and advanced to the Rivers State Government House, featured placards with bold inscriptions such as “Bring back Fubara”, “Save our democracy”, “Is the law different for Rivers State?”, and “God of justice, arise for Rivers State.”
Chanting songs of solidarity, the women, who described themselves as mothers and wives, appealed directly to President Bola Tinubu to lift the suspension on Governor Fubara and reinstate all democratic institutions in the state. Read more
2025 Flooding: 1,249 communities face high risk, FG warns (Leadership)
As this year’s rainy season kicks in, many communities in Nigeria will most likely experience the yearly flooding cycle which destroys life and property and devastates the environment.
It is reported that no fewer than 176 local government areas (LGAs), comprising 1,249 in 30 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) fall within the high flood risk areas, while 2,187 communities in 293 LGAs in 36 states of the federation and the FCT fall within the moderate flood risk areas in 2025.
The high flood risk states are Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross-River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara and the FCT. Read more
Yakubu laments flawed democracies, hints of exit at ECOWAS parley (Guardian)
Outgoing chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, yesterday bade farewell to colleagues on the continent amid his call for a stronger regional collaboration among election management bodies in West Africa.
Yakubu, who had earlier been rumoured to have been removed from office by President Bola Tinubu, yesterday attended the extraordinary general assembly of the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC) in Banjul, Gambia.
He had earlier dispelled claims of his removal when, on Tuesday, he presided over the commission’s weekly management meeting in Abuja. The rumour mill on Wednesday went on overdrive when leaders of the opposition Labour Party (LP) led a delegation to the INEC office but were received by an acting chairman, Sam Olumekun. Read more
Atiku, El-Rufai, others visit Buhari in Kaduna (Punch)
Former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, ex-Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, and ex-Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal, have visited former President Muhammadu Buhari at his Kaduna residence.
According to a video seen by our correspondent on X, other politicians who visited Buhari on Friday included the former Minister of Communications, Isa Pantami; former governor of Imo State, Achike Udenwa; former governor of Benue State, Senator Gabriel Suswam; and former Governor of Adamawa State, Jibrilla Bindow, among others.
Atiku, who took to his verified X handle on Friday to disclose the visit, described it as a “wonderful time” with the former President. Read more
Bode George to Ibas: Rivers Administrator’s appointments illegal, may lead to regret (Vanguard)
Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has cautioned the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd), over recent appointments and reconstitution of boards in the state, describing them as illegal and potentially regrettable.
George issued the warning on Friday in a strongly worded statement, urging Ibas to respect the Constitution and the rule of law. He criticized the administrator’s decision to appoint officials to oversee the 23 local government areas and restructure state boards, despite a standing court order prohibiting such actions.
Justice Adamu Turaki Muhammed of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt had previously barred Ibas from appointing sole administrators for the local councils. However, Ibas went ahead to make the appointments and reconstitute boards of agencies, commissions, and parastatals. Read more
Opeyemi Aiyeola blasts Eniola Badmus over comment (Nation)
Actress Opeyemi Ayeola has publicly criticised her colleague, Eniola Badmus, for body-shaming her in a comment on one of her videos.
Opeyemi, in a video, expressed disappointment, stating that Eniola, having experienced body shaming herself, should be more empathetic and understanding.
She said: “I understand the way social media is, and that there are a lot of animals in human form. I have only decided to reply Eniola Badmus because of the comment she dropped on one of my videos,” Aiyeola began. Read more
NBA relocates annual confab from Rivers over emergency rule (DailyTrust)
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has relocated its scheduled Annual General Conference (AGC) from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to Enugu State due to the emergency rule in the state.
The President of the NBA, Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN), disclosed in a letter dated 10th April, 2025 and made available to newsmen.
He said the relocation was the overwhelming position of the National Executive Committee (NEC) and the broader membership of the association. Read more
How Tinubu helped my daughter secure job at NUPRC – Buba Galadima reveals (Sun)
Buba Galadima, a New Nigeria Peoples Party leader, claims that President Bola Tinubu helped his daughter gain a position at the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission.
Galadima, a Kwankwasiyya movement stalwart, revealed this on Wednesday during an interview on AIT.
The NNPP head added that, despite his frequent criticism of the incumbent All Progressives Congress government, he remains friends with Tinubu. Read more
Gynaecologist issues Vaseline sex warning as people ‘think it’s safe’ (GetSurrey)
Vaseline has issued a warning as millions of people have been using the jelly for hacks – including sex – and experts say that is ‘not safe’.
In a recent poll, the brand revealed the ways Brits apply Vaseline beyond skincare, from preventing chaffing and blisters, preventing staining on the hairline when dying hair, removing stuck rings or bangles to tattoo care.
With over six thousand organic TikTok posts showing applications of Vaseline Jelly, the brand identified the community “hacks” to test in its laboratories. Read more
Viola Davis did her own stunts for ‘G20’ because she ‘needed some fun at this point in my life’ (People)
Viola Davis is ready for action.
Speaking with Entertainment Weekly about her movie G20, the 59-year-old actress revealed she was excited to do her own stunts.
“I did almost all of it, believe it or not. I’m a masochist,” she shared in the interview. “I needed some fun at this point in my life.” Read more
4 men are publicly executed by Taliban with relatives of their victims shooting them ‘six or seven times’ at sport stadium (DailyMail)
Four men have been publicly executed by the Taliban, with relatives of their victims shooting them several times in front of spectators at a sport stadium.
Two men were shot around six to seven times by a male relative of the victims in front of spectators in Qala-i-Naw, the centre of Afghanistan’s Badghis province, witnesses told an AFP journalist in the city.
The men had been ‘sentenced to retaliatory punishment’ for shooting other men, after their cases were ‘examined very precisely and repeatedly’, the statement said. Read more
US fires Greenland military base chief for ‘undermining’ Vance (BBC)
The head of the US military base in Greenland has been fired after she reportedly sent an email distancing herself from Vice-President JD Vance’s criticism of Denmark.
The US military’s Space Operations Command said Col Susannah Meyers had been removed from her role at Pituffik Space Base due to a “loss of confidence in her ability to lead”.
Last month, Vance said Denmark had “not done a good job” for Greenlanders and had not spent enough on security while visiting the Danish territory. Read more
Grey’s Anatomy’ alum Eric Dane announces ALS diagnosis after calling off divorce from Rebecca Gayheart (PageSix)
“Grey’s Anatomy” alum Eric Dane announced he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) just weeks after calling off his divorce from Rebecca Gayheart.
“I have been diagnosed with ALS,” he told People on Thursday. “I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter.”
Dane — who portrays Cal Jacobs in “Euphoria” — revealed he will star in Season 3 of the HBO series and starts filming with the crew next week. Read more
Taylor Swift takes legal action against Kanye West over sexually explicit rant (Mashable)
Taylor Swift has reportedly taken legal action against Kanye West, issuing a cease and desist notice in response to a series of sexually explicit and defamatory social media posts on X (formerly called Twitter). The move follows West’s latest online outburst, which included baseless allegations targeting Swift and other celebrities, reigniting a long-standing feud between the two artists.
According to sources cited by The Daily Mail, West, 47, posted a lengthy rant on X, making graphic and unfounded claims about Swift, 35, involving fellow artists Justin Bieber, 31, and Harry Styles, 31. Read more
Egypt-bound Flying Eagles return to Abuja (Sun)
Seven-time champions Nigeria have relocated back to the Federal Capital, Abuja as they intensify preparations for the 24th Africa U20 Cup of Nations starting later this month in Egypt.
The contingent returned to Abuja after a three-week training programme in Katsina, where they had gone to camp in order to feel the weather which was found to be the same with that of Cote d’Ivoire – the country originally designated to host the tournament. With Cote d’Ivoire pulling out as host nation in the last hour, to the consternation of the Confederation of African Football and the participating teams, Egypt (host of the last edition in 2023) stepped in as hosts.
“We are grateful to His Excellency, Governor Umaru Dikko Radda for hosting the team for three weeks in Katsina and making sure players and officials trained and camped in a conducive environment. The coaches have had some useful time to work on the team and it is now down to the final stages of preparation where the ascent will be on tactical and technical formations. Read more
Mohamed Salah’s record wage revealed – and how much Liverpool are paying per goal (Fourfourtwo)
Liverpool fans have finally got the news they’d been nervously waiting for: Mo Salah is staying at Anfield.
The Reds’ star man, this season’s Premier League top scorer and leading provider, has put pen to paper on a new two-year deal on Merseyside, keeping him at the club until the end of the 2026/27 season.
This morning’s announcements puts to bed long-lingering doubts over the Egyptian’s Liverpool future, just a couple of months before his contract was due to expire. Read more
i-Fitness promotes wellness with new branch opening (Punch)
West Africa’s leading and fastest-growing fitness chain, i-Fitness, has opened its largest branch in Ago Palace, Lagos, as the latest addition to the company’s growing network of fitness facilities.
Built in four months, the Ago Palace branch is the biggest i-Fitness location in Nigeria, sitting on 3,600sqm and with parking space for 100 cars, setting a new benchmark for fitness infrastructure in Lagos, offering a premium workout experience for fitness enthusiasts in the area.
Speaking at the opening of the Ago Palace branch, founder and CEO of i-Fitness, Foluso Ogunwale, reiterated the company’s commitment to encouraging a healthier lifestyle for Nigerians through fitness. Read more
Soccer player dies at 21 after mid-game collision with opponent (People)
A 21-year-old soccer player tragically died after colliding with an opponent on the pitch.
The Peruvian Football Federation confirmed on Wednesday, April 9 that Helar Gonzales Altamirano died after his club Real Titan’s match against the Defensor Nueva Cajamarca.
The deadly collision occurred during a Copa Peru contest on April 8 when Altamirano was going for the ball against the opponent’s goalie and sustained an injury to his head. He remained on the field after the collision, laying motionless, as seen in footage of the incident. Read more
McLaren’s Norris fastest in Bahrain first practice (BBC)
McLaren’s Lando Norris set the pace in a largely unrepresentative first practice session at the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Norris headed Alpine’s Pierre Gasly by 0.238 seconds with Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton third, 0.596secs slower than Norris, and Williams driver Alex Albon fourth.Albon narrowly avoided a collision with the other Williams of Luke Browning after a miscommunication when Browning was on a flying lap and came across Albon’s car on the entry to Turn 12. Read more