Singer Stephanie Otobo slams Apostle Suleman again, rolls out allegations (Punch)
Canada-based Nigerian singer, Stephanie Otobo, has again slammed Apostle Johnson Suleman of the Omega Fire Ministry Worldwide, accusing the cleric of poisoning her and trying to kill her.
In a series of tweets on Monday, the singer shared photos of their video chats, as she rolled out allegations against the cleric.
Otobo and Suleman were first in the news in 2017 when the singer sued the preacher for assault and sexual harassment.
Sharing a picture of the alleged sexual organ of the cleric, she wrote on Monday, “Oracle of God, can you deny this? Your fingernail and the scar on your left thigh?” Read more
Bamise: Lagos begins trial of BRT driver for alleged rape, murder (Guardian)
The trial of a BRT driver, Andrew Nice Omininikoron, who was alleged of raping and murdered of a 22-year old fashion designer, Bamise Ayanwola, has commenced before a Lagos High Court sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square.
The trial commenced after Omininikoron was re-arraigned on a five-count charge before Justice Sherifat Sonaike.
The Attorney General of Lagos State, Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN) led the prosecution team in the trial of BRT driver alleged of raping and murdering a 22-year old fashion designer, Ayanwola on February 26. 2022.
The suspect was also alleged of raping one Maryjane Ozezulu sometime on November 2021.
He pleaded not guilty to all the five-count charges. Read more
Building Collapse: Lagos govt to demolish distressed structures (Channels)
The Lagos State Government is set to demolish distressed structures following the spate of building collapses in Nigeria’s commercial capital.
Idris Salako, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, stated this on Monday in his office while giving updates on the building collapse prevention plans by the state government.
“The Administration of Mr.Babajide Sanwo-Olu is committed to ensuring the security of lives and property,” the commissioner was quoted as saying via a statement by the Deputy Director of Public Affairs, Mukaila Sanusi.
“This underlines our resolve to act promptly in addressing the spate of building collapse by removing inhabitable structures before they cause more havoc, especially during the rainy season when such buildings are more prone to collapse.” Read more
Flight operations disrupted as aviation workers begin strike (Nation)
Flight operations at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja have been disrupted following the two-day warning strike by aviation workers.
The strike, which commenced in the early hours of Monday, has led to the closure of the offices operated by the aviation agencies.
The National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals as well as the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees on Friday issued a special bulletin to staff of aviation agencies nationwide to inform them of a warning strike.
According to the leadership of NUATE, all operations at the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigerian Meteorological Agency ( NiMet), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA) and the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) would be grounded. Read more
Families of Abuja-Kaduna train attack victims protest in Kaduna (Punch)
The families of the Abuja-Kaduna train attack victims took to the streets on Monday to protest the abduction of some passengers.
The terrorists had on March 28 bombed the Abuja-Kaduna rail tracks, attacking a train filled with passengers.
This resulted in the death and abduction of the passengers.
Forty-two days after the attack, the families of the victims have taken to the street to seek justice and the release of the abducted passengers. Read more
NNPC says low load-outs at depots responsible for sudden fuel queues (Guardian)
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) says the sudden appearance of fuel queues in parts of Abuja is due to low load-outs at depots.
A statement by Garba Muhammad, Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Department, NNPC on Monday, said this usually happened during long public holidays, hence the Sallah celebrations.
Muhammad said another contributing factor to the sudden appearance of queues was the increased fuel purchases which was also common with returning residents of the FCT from the public holidays.
“The NNPC and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority in conjunction with their marketing partners have taken necessary measures to ramp up load-outs from all depots. Read more
2022 WASSCE: No candidates for Sokoto, Zamfara states, as exam commences May 16 (Independent)
The Nigerian office of the West African Examination Council (WAEC), on Monday, announced that Sokoto and Zamfara States will not present candidates from public schools for the May/June examination scheduled to commence on May 16th, 2022.
Mr. Patrick Areghan, Head of the Nigeria National Office of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), disclosed this during a press briefing on the conduct of the 2022 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for school candidates in Nigeria.
He disclosed that public schools in Sokoto and Zamfara States will not take part in the 2022 May/June examination.
Areghan disclosed that the 2022 school candidates examination will take place between the 16th of May and 23rd of June, 2022 in Nigeria, spanning a period of six (06) weeks.Read more
Sit-at-home: JAMB candidates stranded in Enugu (Vanguard)
Candidates writing 2022 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in Enugu were stranded following the sit-at- home order by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) every Monday in the South East.
The 2022 Computer Based Test (CBT) which began on Friday May 6, ought to have ended on Monday, May 9 but was shifted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB) to Tuesday, May 10.
An official of JAMB who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on anonymity on Monday in Enugu said the board shifted the exam to May 10 due to Monday sit-at-home in the South-East.
Some of the candidates who also spoke to NAN said they were not aware of the cancellation, saying they came to the centre only to be told that it had been shifted. Read more
Groups partner to train young people in entrepreneurship, business management (Guardian)
Prince’s Trust International has partnered with Junior Achievement Nigeria (JAN) to empower young people with entrepreneurship skills and business management knowledge even as it launches the first-ever Enterprise Challenge Programme in Nigeria.
The Enterprise Challenge, which was implemented in Lagos and also in Oyo states, has benefitted over 120 students, providing them with the opportunity to increase their knowledge of corporate ethical strategies and business concepts, according to the firm.
The Executive Director, Junior Achievement Nigeria, Foluso Gbadamosi, while commenting on the partnership on Monday in Lagos said: “For us at Junior Achievement Nigeria, it is about preparing young people to succeed in a global economy. We not only equip participants with necessary skills to start and run their own business, we also teach them relevant skills that will help them own their economic future.
“We are grateful for this partnership with Prince’s Trust International which has helped us reach even more young people and set them on a journey to wealth creation, and position them to become conscientious business leaders with the support of over 24 mentors. Read more
Julia Roberts named godmother of the Trophée Chopard 2022 at Cannes Film Festival (Variety)
Movie icon Julia Roberts has been named the Godmother of the Trophée Chopard 2022 at Cannes Film Festival.
As Godmother, Roberts will present the award to both a male and female young actor on the rise. She follows Godmother Jessica Chastain, who presented the award to Jessie Buckley and Kingsley Ben-Adir at Cannes Film Festival 2021.
Zhang Ziyi, Charlize Theron, Robert De Niro, Cate Blanchett, Elton John, Julianne Moore, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jude Law and Helen Mirren are among previous presenters. Previous recipients include Florence Pugh, Joe Alwyn, Marion Cotillard, Ezra Miller, Shailene Woodley, Logan Lerman, James McAvoy, John Boyega and Gael García Bernal, many of whom have gone on to extremely successful careers after receiving the award.
Roberts is known for her roles in “Pretty Woman” (1990), “Erin Brockovich” (2000), “Steel Magnolias” (1989) and a long list of other iconic films, including many romantic comedies in the ’90s and early 2000s. This year, she can be seen in the Starz series “Gaslit,” playing the role of Watergate whistleblower Martha Mitchell. After stepping away from the rom-com scene, Roberts is returning in October with “Ticket to Paradise,” starring alongside George Clooney. Read more
Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas reveal baby girl spent ‘100 plus days in the NICU’ on 1st mother’s day (People)
Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra Jonas are opening up about parenthood.
The couple shared the first photograph of their baby girl Malti Marie Chopra Jonas on their Instagram accounts on Sunday.
Jonas, 29, reflected on welcoming his little one into the world earlier this year in the caption of his post, while also celebrating Chopra on her first Mother’s Day as a mom.
“On this Mother’s Day we can’t help but reflect on these last few months and the rollercoaster we’ve been on, which we now know, so many people have also experienced,” he said, before revealing, “after 100 plus days in the NICU, our little girl is finally home.” Read more
Cannes Festival refuses entry to Russian journalists (Independent)
The Cannes Film Festival is declining press accreditation requests from Russian journalists associated with outlets that do not oppose the war in Ukraine.
The festival’s organisers had already publicly condemned Vladimir Putin’s war on Ukraine and un-invited all official Russian delegates or anyone linked to the Russian government from taking part in or attending the 2022 event.
A festival spokesperson told The Hollywood Reporter that Cannes approved “only the few” Russian publications that share the festival’s anti-war stance.
Some outlets, however, might not have a choice in whether they can publicly oppose Putin, given that strict new censorship laws have criminalised speaking out in any way against his regime. Read more
Amy Schumer tests positive for Covid; revives racy Oscars joke from cutting room floor (Variety)
Amy Schumer is on the mend after testing positive for Covid-19, the comedian shared via Instagram. She was forced to cancel her performance at the Netflix Is A Joke festival after confirming the diagnosis on Saturday following a successful appearance the night prior.
Schumer is currently keeping her social media followers updated on how she’s keeping busy while sick with cheeky videos. Two things she admits she’s obsessed with is the way her voice now sounds like Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes.
“All that matters to me at this point is Anna Delvey,” Schumer said in an Instagram video. “My whole world is Anna Delvey, that’s who I am now,” she added.
Schumer tested positive just days after she joked about not having had Covid while visiting Late Night With Seth Meyers. She teased, “I’m kinda smug about it. I haven’t had it yet. He’s looking out,” she quipped while pointing towards the sky. Read more
Glenn Close reveals what she hopes the ‘Fatal Attraction’ reboot will include (ET)
This year marks the 35th anniversary of one of cinema’s most iconic thrillers, Fatal Attraction, and a new TV adaptation is in the works. Now, Glenn Close is weighing in on the importance of the role, and what she’d like to see in the new take on the story.
ET spoke to Close at the New York premiere of her Apple TV+ series, Tehran, last week, and she reflected on the iconic and frightening role of Alex Forrest, and how the character is still “very special” to her.
“I love her. I will love her always,” Close shared. “It was a very important step in my career.”
The film, released in September 1987, snagged six Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actress for Close. Read more
3 children found dead in Los Angeles home, mother being questioned (NYPost)
A mother was being questioned by police on Sunday night after her three children were found dead in a Los Angeles home after a 911 call for an assault with a deadly weapon.
The three children, between the ages of 8 and 12, were found unresponsive in the Woodland Hills home around 7:40 a.m. Sunday, LAPD officials told ABC7.
The children were pronounced dead at the scene by members of the Los Angeles Fire Department.
Their mother is being questioned in connection with the deaths, officials said. Read more
Canada’s Trudeau says Putin ‘can only lose’ in Ukraine (TheHill)
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Russian President Vladimir Putin “can only lose” in Ukraine following his surprise visit to the country Sunday.
In an interview with Reuters, Trudeau was asked what he would tell Putin ahead of Russia’s Victory Day, which commemorates the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. He replied that he only sees one outcome for the Russian leader.
“He is inflicting atrocities on civilians, and it’s all something that he is doing because he thought he could win,” the Canadian prime minister said. “But he can only lose.”
“What Putin needs to understand is that the West is absolutely determined and resolved to stand against what he is doing,” Trudeau added. Read more
Kebbi, Kada Beach Soccer maintains lead as Lagos sets to host 3rd Round (Sun)
Kebbi Fishers BSC has garnered a maximum of 12 points in 4 match days totalling 22 points to a comfortable lead in group B during the 2nd round of Nigeria Beach Soccer League which ended in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State.
The host Club are followed by Kogi BSC with 12 points while Badagry Warriors BSC, Kwara BSC and Nmanko Patigi BSC are in 3rd,4th and 5th positions in the group.
In group A, Kada BSC got 6 points in 3 matches to lead with 17 points in the group, Smart City BSC is in 2nd position with 12 points, while Kelme Galaxy BSC, Igbogbo Kingdom BSC and Niger State BSC secures 9,8,and 0 points in the group.
The Board of the Nigeria Beach Soccer Association (NBSA) has confirmed that, after the very successful outing concluded in Birnin Kebbi for the 2nd round of the 2022 Season of the Nigeria Beach Soccer League (NBSL), explained that Lagos Centre of NBSL would host round 3 between 19th and 22nd of May 2022. Read more
Man United’s Paul Pogba would prefer move abroad than deal with Man City (ESPN)
Paul Pogba would prefer to move abroad rather than stay in the Premier League with Manchester City when his contract at Manchester United expires in the summer, sources have told ESPN.
City are among a number of clubs who have registered an interest in Pogba, who is set to leave Old Trafford as a free agent in June.
Pogba is willing to consider all serious offers but sources have told ESPN he has prioritised a move to either Paris Saint-Germain or Juventus.
PSG are leading the race, in part because Juventus are not in a position to match the French club’s financial offer. Read more
Ex-Sporting coach compares ‘incredible’ Leao to Ronaldo (FootballItalia)
Former Sporting CP coach Tiago Fernandes discussed Rafael Leao’s potential and the talents he displayed in his youth career.
The 22-year-old Portuguese winger was one of Milan’s stars in their decisive 3-1 win over Hellas Verona yesterday, providing two assists for Sandro Tonali as the Rossoneri picked up all three points in Veneto. Leao has been one of Stefano Pioli’s most trusted players this season and he’s living up to the hype in the Lombardy capital.
Speaking to TuttoMercatoWeb, Fernandes first discussed the similarities between Leao and former Brazil star Ronaldo.
“Leao has Ronaldo’s flair, he has the talent to solve games on his own. He reminds me of the ‘Fenomeno’ for his speed, technique and explosiveness in the decisive part of the action, qualities that in this season have emerged every Sunday, dragging Milan towards great results.” Read more
Kevin de Bruyne fires subtle swipe at Liverpool with tweet as Man City thrash Newcastle (DailyStar)
Kevin de Bruyne took a subtle swipe at Liverpool with a cheeky tweet after Manchester City edged ahead of their title rivals on Sunday.
The Reds dropped precious points against Tottenham on Saturday night – and the reigning Premier League champions took full advantage by smashing Newcastle 5-0 at the Etihad to open up a three-point lead over their rivals at the top of the table.
Aymeric Laporte, Rodri and Phil Foden were all on target in the resounding win, which was started and finished with goals from Raheem Sterling. Despite not getting on the scoresheet, De Bruyne was influential for City throughout the match – and the Belgian maestro couldn’t resist taking a cheeky dig at Liverpool on social media later that night.
After Liverpool briefly leapfrogged City at the top of the table last week, the Premier League tweeted an assortment of pictures of the Reds win with the caption: “One step closer,” only for the tweet to be deleted. Read more
Max Verstappen wins Miami Grand Prix, closes points gap on rival Charles Leclerc (NYPost)
It was another victory for Red Bull’s Max Verstappen at the inaugural Miami Grand Prix on Sunday.
The reigning world champion narrowly beat Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc after overtaking him on lap nine of 57, and maintained the lead despite pressure following a late safety car.
“It was an incredible atmosphere, I had a lot of fun driving around,” Verstappen said after Formula 1’s first race in South Florida.
“There are a few areas of the track that could be improved,” he continued — a sentiment which was echoed by several other drivers. Read more
ATP Madrid: Carlos Alcaraz storms over Alexander Zverev to lift trophy (TennisWorld)
Carlos Alcaraz claimed the second Masters 1000 title at home in Madrid three days after turning 19! An extraordinary teenager defeated Alexander Zverev 6-3, 6-1 in 62 minutes in the title clash to become the youngest multiple Masters 1000 winner since Rafael Nadal in 2005.
Zverev played the previous two matches late at night and went to bed before 4 and 5 am. A two-time Madrid Masters champion did not have much in the tank for Sunday’s final, overpowered by the home favorite, who is now world no.6! Zverev defeated Alcaraz in straight sets twice in 2021, and the Spaniard was ready to respond following notable victories over Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. Carried by that boost, a teenager stormed over a tired German to lift the season’s fourth title!
Alcaraz served at 71% and dropped six points behind the initial shot. Feeling no pressure in his games, Carlos pushed hard on the return and grabbed half of the points. Read more
Wells Fargo Championship: Max Homa beats Keegan Bradley by two shots (BBC)
American Max Homa took advantage of compatriot Keegan Bradley’s errors to win the Wells Fargo Championship in Maryland by two shots.
Homa started the final round two behind the former US PGA champion but Bradley double bogeyed the second.
Both players struggled on the back nine but Homa held a one shot advantage going to the last.
Bradley two-putted for another bogey and Homa’s routine par left him the winner on eight under. Read more