Suspected Ogun ritualist admits buying human legs for N20k (Punch)
A 35-year-old suspected ritualist, Ifasoji Ayangbesan, has confessed that he bought a pair of fresh human legs at the rate of N20,000.
Ayangbesan, who was accused of attempting to bribe policemen with N1 million to evade arrest over the killing of one Adeyemi, said he did not participate in the killing.
The victim was reportedly killed on January 28, 2023.
The suspect was paraded alongside 12 other suspects on Wednesday at the Ogun State Police Command headquarters, Eleweran, Abeokuta, the state capital. Read more
WAEC announces date for commencement of 2023 examination (Guardian)
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has announced the date for the commencement of the 2023 school-based West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
WAEC made this known at a pre-examination press briefing on Thursday in Lagos State.
The examination is expected to commence from Monday, May 8 to Friday, June 23. Read more
Veteran pop musician, Chris Mba, is dead (DailyTrust)
Veteran pop Nigerian singer, Chris Mba, has died after a long battle with heart issues. It was gathered that the singer died on Wednesday at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).
Mba made waves in the 1980s and was fondly known for his signature hairdo, jerry curl. He had hits like; ‘Funky Situation’, ‘Baby Don’t Cry’, ‘Making My Way’ and ‘Love Everlasting’.
The death of the singer was announced on Thursday by the General Manager of Premier Music, Michael Odiong, which Mba was signed to. Read more
Senate can’t stop demolition work at Lagos airport ― FG (Tribune)
The Senate cannot stop the ongoing demolition of offices belonging to agencies doing aviation activities at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, the federal government has insisted.
The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, made this position known on Wednesday while briefing correspondents on the outcome of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
His remark followed a motion by the Senate directing the government to halt the demolition to allow the Senate committee on aviation, chaired by Senator Biodun Olujimi, to intervene. Read more
TRCN laments engagement of unqualified teachers by private schools (Leadership)
The Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) has lamented the large number of teachers in private schools who are not qualified to teach in Nigeria.
Prof. Josiah Ajiboye, the registrar of the Council, stated this in Abuja on Thursday at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Council and INSTILL Education, a South Africa-based education organisation.
The TRCN Registrar said that unqualified persons in the teaching profession are not teachers, but cheaters, adding that they don’t only cheat the pupils and students but the system in its entirety. Read more
Army rescues 2 more Chibok girls in Borno (Nation)
The Nigerian Army on Thursday said it had rescued two additional girls from the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, nine years after their abduction by Boko Haram in 2014.
The Theatre Commander, North-East Joint Operation, Hadin Kai, Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Ali, disclosed this while briefing newsmen at the Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri.
Ali said that Hauwa Maltha and Esther Marcus, both serial numbers two and 103 in the list of the missing victims, were rescued on April 21, 2023, by troops of 114 Taskforce Battalion Bitta at Lagara, under the 21 armoured Brigade Bama during Operations. Read more
Instant Noodles: Expect increase in cancer cases among children – NICRAT (Vanguard)
THE National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment, NICRAT, has said Nigerians should also expect an increase in cancer cases among children if the ongoing investigation by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, proves that there is presence of Ethylyne Oxide in Instant Noodles ‘Special Chicken Flavour’.
The cancer centre said its position was because Instant noodle is a popular food among most Nigerian children.
In a statement, Wednesday evening, by its Director General and Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Usman Malami Aliyu, NICRAT’ said its “review of Ethylyne Oxide shows that the compound has grave consequences to human health, especially, when consumed.” Read more
Press Freedom: Journalists tasked on strengthening Nigeria’s democracy (Independent)
Journalists have been urged to continue playing a vital part in strengthening Nigeria’s democracy because it is their duty to uphold it, adding, this is why the media is referred to as the fourth estate of the realm.
Mr Anthony Ogunleye, Director, Press, Office of the FCT Minister, made this known during a media discussion to commemorate the World Press Freedom Day in Abuja, saying, journalists have contributed to the development of the Territory.
Ogunleye praised media professionals for consistently defending the democratic principle, keeping the government on its toes, and carrying out the essential function of journalism, which is to enlighten, entertain, and educate the public. Read more
Nelly & Ashanti said to be ‘very happy’ in rekindled relationship (AllHipHop)
It appears to be official. After weeks of speculation, a new report claims rapper Nelly and singer Ashanti are back together.
Rumors ran wild following a performance of Nelly’s “Body On Me” featuring Ashanti at TAO Beach Dayclub in Las Vegas. The two stars were also spotted together at the Gervonta Davis vs. Ryan Garcia fight on April 22.
According to Entertainment Tonight, the St. Louis-bred rhymer and the New York native have rekindled their relationship. A source told the outlet, “Nelly and Ashanti are back together and both of them are very happy.” Read more
Sheridan Smith announced for new thriller adapted from popular book (DigitalSpy)
Sheridan Smith has landed her next leading role in The Castaways, an upcoming thriller series based on Lucy Clarke’s bestselling novel of the same name.
The Paramount+ UK show will follow sisters Lori (played by Smith) and Erin (Céline Buckens), who are separated after having a huge fight when Lori boards their plane to Fiji and Erin doesn’t (via Deadline).
However, the flight never arrives at its destination and no wreckage is found. When Erin later discovers that Lori’s credit card has been used in Fiji and recognises the plane’s pilot using it in some CCTV footage, she does everything in her power to track her sister down. Read more
“Bad Boys 4” recasts staple character (MovieWed)
The buddy cop action sequel, Bad Boys 4, will recast one of its long-standing characters, it has been revealed.
According to Variety, Empire star Tasha Smith will star as Martin Lawrence’s devoted wife Theresa in the follow-up, taking over from Theresa Randle who has portrayed the character ever since the franchise began back in 1995.
Tasha Smith, who is best known for roles in the likes Empire, The Corner, Power, and First Wives Club on the small screen as well as Why Did I Get Married?, Couples Retreat, and Dolemite Is My Name on the big screen, joins Will Smith and Martin Lawrence in Bad Boys 4, for which plot details are currently being kept under wraps. Read more
Love Again’s Sam Heughan, Priyanka Chopra Jonas never filmed in person with Celine Dion (EW)
The story at the center of new rom-com ‘‘Love Again’’ has a lot to do with technology. Grieving the death of her fiancé, Mira (Priyanka Chopra Jonas) continues to send texts to his old cell number, not realizing the phone company eventually reassigned the number to journalist Rob (Sam Heughan) for his new work line. Rob is fascinated by Mira’s beautiful and romantic texts and begins to fall in love with her from afar. When he’s assigned to profile superstar Celine Dion (played by the icon herself), she convinces him to figure out a way to meet Mira in person and win her heart.
While technology plays a big part in bringing Mira and Rob together onscreen, it turns out that it’s also the reason why the movie exists at all — because Heughan and Chopra Jonas reveal they never actually filmed with Dion in person, despite sharing many scenes with her. “We shot during the pandemic, and it was obviously very difficult for people to travel at the time, so we did shoot a lot of it on sound stages and on green screen,” Heughan tells EW. “That was one of the challenges of working during the pandemic.” Read more
Sudan: Iconic actor Asia Abdelmajid killed in Khartoum crossfire (MEE)
Sudan’s first professional female stage actor was killed in fighting in the north of Khartoum on Wednesday, according to the BBC.
Asia Abdelmajid, 80, was killed in a crossfire as the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continued their bloody conflict on the streets of Sudan’s capital.
An acclaimed actor, Abdelmajid burst onto the scene in a 1965 production of the play Pamseeka, which was performed at the national theatre in Omdurman to mark the anniversary of Sudan’s first revolution against a coup leader. She was considered a pioneer in her craft and later became a teacher. Read more
The late Tom Petty honoured with Doctor of Music degree from the University of Florida
(MusicNews)
Tom Petty has been posthumously honoured with a Doctor of Music degree from the University of Florida.
The late music legend’s brother, Bruce Petty, will collect the degree on behalf of his late sibling – who died in 2017 aged 66 – at a ceremony at the college in Gainsville, Florida, their home city, on Thursday (04.05.23).
He said: “I don’t think anyone in our family, including him, thought that he would be linked with the University of Florida this way. Read more
Miss Universe Olivia Culpo explains why filming reality TV is harder than performing on stage (Fox)
Olivia Culpo has been unmasked.
The model performed as a UFO on The Masked Singer, for the last time, after getting voted off The Masked Singer on Wednesday night’s episode. During an interview with Fox News Digital, the model discussed why she chose to keep her involvement in the show a secret from everyone in her life.
“If I had told anybody in my family, for example, or a circle, everybody just has such a big mouth, I know it would have gotten out,” Culpo said. “So, yes, it was challenging having to keep it a secret, but it was the right thing to do because it also would have been really challenging trying to maintain everybody’s silence, which it just wouldn’t happen. I would have breached my contract.” Read more
Insurance invincible run thrills Nwachukwu (Punch)
Bendel Insurance midfielder, Divine Nwachukwu, is relishing the possibility of setting a landmark achievement with the club in the Nigeria Professional Football League as they continue their unbeaten run in the 2022/23 abridged season, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The former U-17 star has been pivotal for Insurance this season, having not missed a game and has scored a goal and provided four assists.
Nwachukwu’s only goal was an equaliser against Remo Stars in Ikenne on match-day 14, as the Benin Arsenal picked up another vital point on the road. They have since extended their unbeaten run to 16 matches in the league, with a four-point gap on top of the Group A table. Read more
Lennox Lewis tips Wilder to knock out Joshua (Guardian)
Former world boxing heavyweight champion, Lennox Lewis, has predicted that Deontay Wilder will knock out Anthony Joshua in the battle of former champions if the fight ever happens.
Wilder’s trainer, Malik Scott, has seemingly confirmed the fight against Joshua, according to boxing247.com.
Lewis, who fought and defeated each and every worthy opponent, with the notable exception of Riddick Bowe, said Joshua would not have any chance against Wilder. Read more
Sean Dyche doubts Seamus Coleman will play again this season (RTE)
Sean Dyche does not expect Seamus Coleman to return for Everton this season after suffering knee ligament damage in Monday’s 1-1 draw at Leicester.
Coleman posted on social media to say he had avoided damage to his anterior cruciate ligament, indicating the injury is not as bad as first feared.
But Dyche said it was likely to keep him out of the remaining four fixtures all the same.
Chris Gunter: AFC Wimbledon’s ex-Wales defender ends playing career (BBC)
Former Wales defender Chris Gunter has brought an end to his playing career.
AFC Wimbledon’s Gunter, 33, has announced his decision to retire two months after quitting international football, having won 109 caps.
The former Cardiff City and Tottenham full-back has already begun coaching with Wales and will take on an official role this summer.
“I’m announcing my retirement from professional football at the end of this season,” Gunter said on Instagram. Read more
Helmut Marko confirms new contract rumour after Red Bull’s coy renewal hint (Mirror)
Helmut Marko confirmed speculation that Adrian Newey has signed a contract extension to remain with Red Bull despite interest from elsewhere.
Newey has been with the team since 2006 and currently serves as technical chief. While he no longer has as much influence on the design of the Red Bull cars as once was the case, Newey remains an integral part of the team’s hierarchy and one of Christian Horner’s most trusted allies.
Earlier this week, Motorsport.com reported that Newey had been tied down to a new deal with his old contract due to expire at the end of this year. Red Bull would not confirm the news when contacted by Mirror Sport, though a spokesperson declared that the 64-year-old “will be with us for a long time”. Read more
Lee Westwood accuses DP World Tour of being ‘‘fully in bed’’ with PGA Tour (BelfastTelegraph)
Lee Westwood has accused the DP World Tour of being “fully in bed” with the PGA Tour after announcing his resignation from the European circuit.
Westwood and fellow Ryder Cup stars Ian Poulter and Sergio Garcia have resigned their membership and are therefore no longer eligible for the biennial contest against the United States.
The trio were among the players fined £100,000 and suspended for two tournaments after playing the first LIV Golf event last year without permission. Read more
