Stranger douses 7-year-old boy with acid (DailyTrust)
A yet-to-be identified person on Thursday poured a substance suspected to be acid on the face of a seven-year-old boy in Dutsen-Alhaji, Abuja.
The victim, Isiaka Muhammad, who lives with his parents in Saukale area of the town, had returned from the sunset Muslim prayers and was on his way home for dinner when the incident happened.
The boy’s uncle, Usman Abubakar, said “Somebody stopped him as he tried to enter the house and immediately rubbed the acid all over his face. The boy rushed into the house and informed his mother as he had started feeling pains. The mother could not find any person outside the house when she checked immediately.”
He said the mother applied honey and a raw egg on his face before taking him to Kubwa General Hospital where he was treated and discharged. Read more
APC is now cancerous, they are not ready for Lagosians, says Action Alliance Lagos gov. aspirant (Vanguard)
A governorship aspirant on the platform Action Alliance in Lagos State, Tope Abdurrazaq Balogun has described the ruling All Progressives Congress APC as a cancer that everybody is now avoiding, saying the party is not ready for Lagosians.
Balogun, who spoke with Vanguard in an exclusive interview, maintained that the Party could actually do more than what it is currently offering the people of the State in terms of dividends of democracy, saying he is coming out to challenge the status quo and fill the gap of equity.
He said, if given the chance to become the Governor of Lagos State, the hardship of an average Lagosian would become more comfortable than what they currently enjoy.
When asked what he is going to do differently, Balogun promised to embark on rural expansion, which according to him, would enable people in the rural parts of the state to enjoy more benefits of development. Read more
One burnt to death as vehicle catches fire on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway
One person was burnt to death on Friday as a vehicle went up in flames around the Long Bridge axis of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
Our correspondent who was at the accident scene observed that the vehicle veered off the road and plunged beneath the bridge.
Officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps who were among the first responders at the scene told The PUNCH that rescue operations were ongoing. Read more
LASUDA wraps up 7th free medical outreach at Ikorodu (Independent)
The Lagos State University Directorate of Advancement (LASUDA), Office of the Vice Chancellor, was at the Oriwu Club, Ikorodu North Local Council Development Area, Lagos for the 7th Free medical outreach.
The three-day-long event was held between Wednesday, 11th and Friday, 13th May 2022 in pursuit of one of LASU’s cardinal objectives of effecting mutually beneficial Gown and Town relationship.
Welcoming the LASUDA team, to the Oriwu Club venue of the medical reach-out at Ikorodu, the Chairman of Ikorodu North Local Council Development Area, Hon. Adeola Adebisi Banjo affirmed the general saying that “Health is Wealth”, even as he added that the Ikorodu North LCDA was committed to ensuring easy access to health care services.
He informed the beneficiaries of the health programme that the LCDA, planned to improve the availability and accessibility of health care in the community as well as create more awareness for regular health check-ups. Read more
Kcee, I Go Save, others thrill guests at talent hunt finale (Punch)
Popular singer, Kcee, and comedians, I go Save, MC Pashun, joined other entertainers to thrill guests at the finale of the Chupez Talent Competition, which was held last weekend at Terra Kulture, Victoria Island, Lagos.
A talented young musician, Terzungweh Freeman, aka Zege, emerged as the winner of the competition and he went home with the sum of N1.2m.
In addition to the already stated prize money given to the 10 finalists, N200,000 was given to each of the finalists by the Chief Executive Officer of New Age Mobile Concept, Kingsley Okpara; while Dr Emeka Anibara of Jumek Phones gave the sum of N300,000 to the third prize winner, Adamu Danladi, aka Gaza.
Thus, the first runner-up, Amarachi Amachukwu, aka Amastar, and the second runner-up took home N700,000 each. The other seven finalists got N400,000 each. Read more
Drama as Police carry detained Rep Dagogo to court on stretcher (Nation)
There were concerns about the health of the detained House of Representative member, Farah Dagogo, on Friday, when the police brought him to court on a stretcher. About four policemen were seen taking the lawmaker, who looked weak on a stretcher, to the state High Court sitting in Port Harcourt. Despite the order from the Federal High Court that Dagogo should be released on bail, it was gathered that the Commissioner of Police, Friday Eboka, decided to produce him at the state High Court.
The court remanded the lawmaker representing Degema Bonny Federal Constituency in Port Harcourt correctional center. Trial judge, Justice Chiwendu Nworgu, said he should be remanded following his inability to take his plea and adjourned the matter to May 16. Journalists were barred from covering the proceedings in the court. The prosecuting lawyer, Chidi Eke, said Dagogo lay down all through the proceeding and was unable to speak.
He said: “But unfortunately, as they have been saying, that he (Dagogo) is sick so they brought him on stretchers. He did not answer and did not take a plea because he was lying down all through the proceedings. At the end of the day what we did was to simply apply to the court that let him be remanded in the custody of the correctional center and then adjourned while he will be having access to medical treatment until he is fit enough to stand the trial.”
Earlier lawyer to Dagogo Innocent Ekwu, faulted the police for not granting the orders of the Federal High Court to release Dagogo, describing them as enemies of democracy. He said: “This is tyranny, this is an abuse of the law, this is abrogating to themselves authority that does not lie within them. We are calling on all relevant authorities in this country, especially the Inspector-General of Police to prevail on the Commissioner of Police in the state to release him immediately. Read more
CAN asks security agencies to bring Deborah’s killers to book (Vanguard)
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has condemned the gruesome murder of Deborah Samuel, a 200 Level student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, by some extremist fellow students on alleged blasphemy.
In a joint media briefing by CAN and CAN-Youth Wing, on Friday in Abuja, CAN’s General Secretary, Joseph Daramola, said that the unlawful and dastardly action of the perpetrators must be investigated.
Daramola said that the act should be condemned by all right thinking people and the security operatives should fish the perpetrators out and prosecute them.
“As long as the state fails to bring these beasts and criminals amidst us to book, society will continue to be their killing fields. Read more
Yoruba group raises alarm over influx of non-Nigerians into S/West (Sun)
Southwest Security Stakeholders Group (SSSG) has raised the alarm over the influx of non-Nigerians to all the six states in the South West, saying the situation is threatening the peace of the region.
The group urged all the South-west governors, the traditional rulers and other stakeholders across the region to brace up to the security challenges and make the region safe for the residents.
Rising from the meeting, SSSG, in a statement by its publicity secretary, Adewole Ireti, said the group was alarmed by the raging influx of non-Nigerians from Mali, Chad, Niger Republic and other neighbouring African countries to the South-West.
Ireti stated also that the group could no longer keep mute at the impending danger lurking around the region. Read more
Strike: Soldiers attempt running over protesters in Ibadan (Punch)
Students protesting against strike action of the Academic Staff Union Universities on Friday, in Ibadan, had a face-off with a team of the Nigerian Army who, in a bid to force their way through blockage by the students, almost ran them over with their vehicle.
The video obtained by The PUNCH showed protesting students almost falling off as the military vehicle attempted to advance through them.
The students had gathered at the front gate of the University of Ibadan for a third-time protest, calling on the Federal Government to accede to the demands of the striking lecturers in order to fast-track the reopening of public institutions which have been shut down for 88 days. Read more.
These are the big names headlining at festivals in 2022 from Paul McCartney to Adele (Metro)
Heading to a festival in 2022?
With two years of cancellations, Covid rules, and general disappoinment now thankfully behind us, this years festival season is going to be bigger than ever.
And with favourites like Glastonbury and Wireless pulling out some truly massive names, now is the time to secure those tickets.
Read on below to find out the headline acts that just can’t be missed.
Glastonbury usually pulls out the stops with its headliners but this year’s lot – Billie Eilish, Sir Paul, Kendrick Lamar and Diana Ross – is a real doozy, making up for lost times.
While he’s currently on tour in the US, Macca will be back in June for a short rest before his Pyramid stage set, a few days after he turns 80. Read more
Marc Anthony engaged one month after ex-wife Jennifer Lopez got engaged to Ben Affleck (Mirror)
Marc Anthony has popped the question to Miss Universe star Nadia Ferreira – one month after his own ex-wife Jennifer Lopez became engaged to Ben Affleck.
The 53-year-old singer got down on one knee to ask 23-year-old Nadia to become his wife – with the Paraguayan fashion model and beauty pageant star saying yes.
The couple announced their happy news while attending an event in Miami on Thursday night – with Nadia flashing a huge engagement ring on her wedding finger.
The duo celebrated their engagement with a dinner at Sexy Fish in the Florida city – with their engagement coming just two months after they went Instagram official with their romance. Read more
Rapper Kendrick Lamar announces he’s bringing his worldwide tour to Australia and New Zealand (DailyMail)
Kendrick Lamar will return to Australia and New Zealand for shows in December.
The American rapper, 34, announced his return Down Under – nearly four years since he headlined at Splendour in the Grass in 2018.
Kendrick will play shows in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Auckland, alongside his cousin and protégé, Baby Keem.
Presale tickets will be available from May 19, with general admission tickets available the following day for fans of the rap star. Read more
Rufus Sewell, Shirley Henderson set for comedy ‘The Trouble With Jessica’ (Variety)
“Old” star Rufus Sewell and “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire’s” Shirley Henderson are set to lead dark comedy “The Trouble With Jessica.”
Sewell will also be reunited with his “A Knight’s Tale” co-star Alan Tudyk in the film. Olivia Williams (“The Father”) and Indira Varma (“Obi Wan Kenobi”) round out the cast.
Parkland Pictures are repping “The Trouble With Jessica,” which is directed by Matt Winn (“Bad Mother”), for worldwide sales. Winn co-wrote the film with James Handel (“The Hoarder”).
Filmed on location in London, “The Trouble With Jessica” tells the story of two couples who find themselves needing to relocate a dead body in order to prevent the imminent sale of their house from collapsing.
Impecunious couple Sarah (Henderson) and Tom (Tudyk) host best friends Richard (Sewell) and Beth (Williams) for dinner one evening when old friend Jessica (Varma) invites herself along. A small row erupts after which Jessica storms off and kills herself in the garden. Tom wants to call the police but Sarah stops him, realizing the grisly deed might impede the forthcoming sale of their house. To prevent financial ruin, she wants to convince Richard and Beth to take Jessica’s body back to her flat to be discovered there.
“If they’re clever enough about it, what could possibly go wrong?” asks the logline.
Sarah Sulick (“The Time of Their Lives”) produces through her Bright Pictures production label alongside Winn’s “Yes Repeat No.” Read more
‘Jack Reacher’ star Alan Ritchson joins the cast of ‘Fast X’ (NME)
It has been announced that Alan Ritchson has joined the cast of Fast X.
Announcing the news on Instagram, the Jack Reacher and Titans star wrote: “Really hope this doesn’t affect my car insurance.” It is not yet known which character he will play.
Ritchson joins other new faces Jason Momoa and Brie Larson in the high-speed action franchise, which recently appointed Louis Letterier as its new director after Justin Lin left the project.
In a social media post last month, Lin announced he was stepping down as director on the 10th instalment in The Fast And Furious franchise just days after production had started. Lin, who has directed five films in the franchise, will continue to serve as producer. Read more
Fred Ward, acclaimed film and television actor, has died at 79 (CBS)
Acclaimed actor Fred Ward, best known for his roles in films like “The Right Stuff,” “Tremors” and “Escape From Alcatraz,” died Sunday at age 79, his publicist confirmed to CBS News. Ward’s cause of death was not released.
Before Ward’s film career began in the early 1970s, he held several other titles, according to a biography from his publicist: He served three years in the U.S. Air Force, and also worked as a short-order cook, a boxer and a lumberjack in Alaska.
Once his acting career began, he became known for the versatility of his roles, the biography said, whether as a cop or an author of erotic stories in “Henry & June” — the world’s first NC-17 movie. His first major role came in the 1979 Clint Eastwood film “Escape from Alcatraz;” soon after, he played an accidental time traveler in the 1982 film “Timerider: The Adventure of Lyle Swann.”
The next year, he played Air Force captain and Mercury 7 astronaut Virgil “Gus” Grissom in the acclaimed film adaptation of Tom Wolfe’s “The Right Stuff.” Read more
Iranian film to be included at Tel Aviv Int’l Student Film Festival (JerusalemPost)
The Iranian film The Fourth Wall, by Mahbubeh Kalai, uses animation to tell the story of an imaginative child who stutters and it will take part in the international competition.
For the first time, an Iranian film will take part in the Tel Aviv International Student Film Festival, which will be held from June 12-18 at the Tel Aviv Cinematheque and other venues. This year’s festival will host a distinguished list of international guests and will feature dozens of films from student filmmakers around the world, with competitions for both movies from abroad and Israeli films, as well as for digital films and video art. There will also be a television pitching event this year.
The Iranian film The Fourth Wall, by Mahbubeh Kalai, uses animation to tell the story of an imaginative child who stutters and it will take part in the international competition. It was previously shown at the Sundance Film Festival and was produced at Iran’s Documentary and Experimental Film Center.
Among the guests this year will be Sebastian Lelio, the Chilean director who made Gloria Bell, A Fantastic Woman and Disobedience; Mia Hansen-Love, the French filmmaker whose films include Bergman Island and Things to Come; Albert Serra, the Catalan director who made Liberte and The Death of Louis XIV; Nana Ekvtimishvili, the Georgian director of My Happy Family; German director Angele Schanelec, who made I Was Home But…; Gökhan Tiryaki, the Turkish cinematographer who worked on Winter Sleep and Once Upon a Time in Anatolia by Nuri Bilge Ceylan; and Para One, the French composer-director who wrote the music for Petit Maman and Portrait of a Lady on Fire. The judges will include acclaimed Cambodian director Rithy Panh (The Missing Picture). Read more
First Russian soldier on trial for war crimes in Ukraine says he was ‘ordered to shoot’ (IrishIndependent)
Ukraine opened its first war crimes trial of the war yesterday, putting a Russian soldier in the dock for allegedly shooting an unarmed 62-year-old civilian in the head as he rode his bicycle home.
Sgt Vadim Shyshimarin (21) appeared at court in Kyiv to a media scrum. He stood in the dock with his head bent down as the judge read out his personal details.
Neither he nor his lawyer made any statements. The judge adjourned the trial until Wednesday.
The case is hugely significant and will be closely watched. Kyiv has accused Russia of numerous atrocities since it invaded on February 24 and said it has identified more than 10,000 possible war crimes. Read more
Dennis doubtful for Eagles’ Mexico, Ecuador clash (Punch)
Watford striker Dennis Emmanuel is a serious doubt for Nigeria’s friendly games against Mexico and Ecuador next month, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The striker is among the 30 Eagles players invited for the games against the Americans with the game against Mexico scheduled to hold at the AT & T Stadium in Dallas, State of Texas May 28, before flying to New Jersey to tackle Ecuador at the Red Bull Arena in Harrison on June 2.
The friendly will serve as preparations for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sierra Leone at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja on June 9 and São Tomé & Príncipe in Marrakech, Morocco on June 13.
Dennis was omitted from the Watford squad that played a goalless draw during their mid-week game against Everton. Read more
Moses Orkuma: My Football Tourney Is To Thank God For His Blessings (DailyTrust)
The 5th edition of Moses Orkuma Unity Cup football competition is set to commence today at the famous JS Tarka stadium in Gboko. In this chat with Trust Sports, the founder and sponsor of the youth tournament, Moses Terese Orkuma, said the competition is his own way of thanking Go d for the blessings in his illustrious career which started in the sandy streets of Gboko town. The star player of UMM Salal in Qatar also spoke on how the tournament is helping youths in Benue State to achieve their dream of playing professional football in and outside Nigeria.
Why do you sponsor the annual Moses Orkuma Unity Cup football competition?
My reason for sponsoring this annual football tournament is to first and foremost thank God almighty for his enormous blessings. God has been so kind to me so I feel that one of the ways I can show my appreciation is to give something back to society. Apart from showing gratitude to God, this tournament provides young players with the opportunity to be scouted by renowned European and African scouts.
It may interest you to know that like many other African players, I started in the streets of Gboko from where I have risen to the top. From Gboko, I went on to play for the Flying Eagles of Nigeria at the World Cup level so I believe there are still young talented players who are waiting to be discovered and nurtured. Read more
Ripples as ministry takes over payment of Super Eagles Foreign coach (DailyTrust)
The lingering cold war between the Ministry of Youths and Sports Development and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is steadily degenerating into a no love lost situation following the recent decision of the former to take over the payment of salaries of the yet to be appointed foreign coach for the senior national team, the Super Eagles.
After the three-time African champions’ failure to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the ministry and NFF held meetings where it was agreed that a competent foreign coach should be hired to tinker the national team.
Based on the agreement, the NFF technical committee then submitted a shortlist of four expatriate coaches namely Ernesto Valverde, Laurent Blanc, Philip Cocu and Jose Peseiro to the NFF for onward transmission to the sports ministry for consideration.
Thereafter, a deafening silence ensued but a few days ago, a statement ostensibly released by the ministry subtly accused the NFF of delaying the appointment of a substantive technical adviser for the Super Eagles. Read more
Raphinha claims, James Tarkowski race and Armando Broja talk
(ChronicleLive)
Italian sports journalist Fabrizio Romano claims Newcastle are monitoring Leeds talisman Raphinha’s ongoing situation. The Whites’ maverick has a relegation release clause in his contract, believed to be around £30million.
Should Leeds suffer a shock relegation they risk losing their two star assets for a pittance as Kalvin Phillips’ meagre relegation clause also activates. La Liga giants Barcelona are favourites for Raohinha’s signature but Romano named Newcastle as another possible destination.
“A player they (Newcastle) love is Raphinha from Leeds,” he told the Wondergoal podcast. “We know that Barcelona are leading the race to sign him, but Newcastle are exploring the possibilities for a long time.
“They know this is going to be more than complicated because Barcelona are already in advanced talks with the player’s side. It depends if Leeds will get relegated or not (as) it will be important to understand if the clause will be activated or not.” Read more
Manchester City eyes on Premier League prize as Leeds face the drop (NDTVSports)
Manchester City can put one hand on the Premier League trophy on Sunday should they beat West Ham to extend their three-point lead over Liverpool at the top of the table. The Reds are in FA Cup action as they face Chelsea at Wembley at Saturday, offering City the chance to stretch their advantage to six points and further boost a seven-goal lead on goal difference.
City have been in scintillating form since a 2-2 draw with Liverpool last month left the title race on a knife edge.
Pep Guardiola’s men have struck 22 goals in five games since to close in on a fourth title in five seasons.
Another convincing win at the London Stadium and the title will be realistically won given City’s better goal difference. Read more
Leeds United or Burnley : Ikpeba predicts which of the two sides will be relegated (AllNigeraSoccer)
The battle for Premier League survival resumes this weekend with three teams Everton, Leeds United and Burnley fighting to avoid relegation from the top flight.
Frank Lampard’s side are two points above 18th-placed Leeds United, who have the same number of points as 17th-placed Burnley but have played a game more than the Clarets.
Everton’s recent wins against Chelsea and Leicester City saw them move away from the relegation zone and they need four more points from an available nine to be guaranteed safety.
Looking at the permutations, former Nigeria international Victor Ikpeba believes it is a straight fight between Leeds United and Burnley in the race for survival but has predicted that the Whites will be returning to the Championship at the end of the season. Read more
Jurgen Klopp explains Bayern Munich snub as Pep Guardiola namechecks Liverpool during rant (LiverpoolEcho)
Jurgen Klopp says he wouldn’t swap his Liverpool job for any other as he revealed turning down several approaches from Bayern Munich to remain at Anfield.
Klopp, who has been in charge of the Reds since October 2015, last month put pen to paper on a new contract that extends his commitment to the club to 2026.
The Liverpool boss will lead his team out at Wembley on Saturday as they aim to complete a domestic cup final double against Chelsea in the FA Cup final.
Despite still being in the running for an unprecedented quadruple, there is still a chance the Reds will have only the League Cup to show for a campaign that has so far seen them lose just three times in 59 games. Read more
Nigerian forward to exit Union Berlin at the end of the season (Soccernet)
Union Berlin have announced the release of Super Eagles forward at the end of the current season
The Iron Ones have announced that Anthony Ujah will not be a part of the team next season as five players are announced to be leaving the club.
Ujah has been a fans’ favourite despite playing limited roles for the club, due to incessant fitness issues.
Five minutes before kick-off in Union’s final match of the season, the fans will have an opportunity to bid Ujah and four others a final farewell. Read more
