*Tight security as tolling resumes on Lekki-Ikoyi Bridge (DailyTrust)*LASTMA boss condemns Lekki attack on officer, recounts incident (Vanguard)

Tight security as tolling resumes on Lekki-Ikoyi Bridge (DailyTrust)

There is tight security at the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge on Friday morning as the Lekki Concession Company (LCC) put machineries in place to resume tolling at the Bridge.

Daily Trust correspondent who was at the bridge this morning reports that there is heavy security there.

Our correspondent counted no fewer than five police patrols stationed at strategic locations of the bridge to prevent any breakdown of law and order.

Also officials of the LCC were in various corners of the tolling corridor as vehicles were seen passing the bridge.

It was learnt, however, that contrary to an earlier announcement, payment of tolling using the upgraded electronic tag introduced by the LCC would commence today. Read more

LASTMA boss condemns Lekki attack on officer, recounts incident (Vanguard)

The management of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, has denied involvement in an accident involving a commercial bus that trampled upon the foot of a young lady by the roadside at Chisco Bus Stop, Lekki where an innocent LASTMA officer was assaulted and injured in the process.

Recall that a video had gone viral on social media where a LASTMA officer was assaulted by a mob for allegedly causing injury on a lady pedestrian in Ajah area of Lagos State.

Meanwhile, LASTMA General Manager, Bolaji Oreagba, in a statement, confirmed the incident which he said happened on Wednesday, April 13, 2022.

According to Oreagba, “From investigation conducted by the agency and information received, the LASTMA officer, Adebanjo Adeoye visited the GLO office at Chisco bus stop at about 9.30am to revalidate his National Identification Number, NIN, for his phone line that was blocked but GLO office was yet to open its doors to customers. Read more

Good Friday: Obaseki tasks Christians on love, tolerance (Guardian)

Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo, on Friday in Benin, enjoined Christians to emulate the virtues of tolerance, love, and selflessness as shown by Jesus Christ on Good Friday.

Obaseki gave the charge in a message to mark Good Friday, a Christian holiday in preparation for the Easter celebration.

He urged Christians to use the celebration of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for mankind on Calvary, to reflect on the significance of the day by imbibing the virtues of love, tolerance, and selflessness.

“It is only when we are able to tolerate and accommodate others; love one another irrespective of religious, political, ethnic, or ideological differences, and live selflessly as Jesus Christ did by sacrificing his life on the cross, that we will be able to tackle the many challenges facing us as a country and people,” he said. Read more

Gunmen injure 3 policemen in Soludo’s hometown (Sun)

Three policemen sustained gunshot injuries when gunmen attacked their security post in Isuofia community, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Isuofia is the hometown of the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo.

Although some reports claimed that one policeman was killed, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, told Daily Sun that no police officer was killed.

Read more

Dede Mabiaku, Mike Okri, others mourn late highlife màestro, Orlando Julius (Vanguard)

Popular musician and Fela’s protege, Dede Mabiaku, Mike Okri among others have expressed shock following the death of one of Nigeria’s most decorated highlife musicians, Orlando Julius Ekemode.

Julius died Thursday night at the age of 79.

Reacting to his demise, Dede Mabiaku  described Julius’  exit as “shocking news that hit me like a bolt.”

“So sad to hear about the demise of my very good friend, brother and bandmate, Orlando Julius Ekemode. The big shocking news hit me like a bolt. May his soul rest in peace,” Mabiaku said. Read more

NOUN matriculates 14 Ogun inmates (Independent)

Fourteen inmates of Ogun State Medium Security Custodian Center and Borstal Institute, Adigbe, all in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, were, Friday, matriculated into the National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN.

Bringing the total inmates at the Ibara Custodial Center studying various degree courses to 76, the new matriculants will study courses such as Public Administration, Computer Science, Human Kinetics, Peace and Conflict Resolution, Film Production, Information Technology, Mass Communication and Philosophy.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Olufemi Peters in his address, charged the inmates to take the life-changing opportunities available to them very seriously.

Peters, who was represented by Dr. Segun Adenuga, the Director of Abeokuta Study Centre, assured the inmates of NOUN’s commitment to making their study seamless and peaceful. Read more

Cubana Priest rains money on Rick Ross (Nation)

American rapper, Rick Ross made money rain on fans during his performance at the Easter show after Cubana Chief Priest sparked it off.

The Maybach Music Group executive, arrived Lagos on Thursday after 10 years for his Easter concert dubbed, “Rick Ross Live show.”

The show featured popular artistes including Davido, Tiwa Savage, Mayorkun, The Cavemen, among others who thrilled guests to some pulsating performances.

One of the highlights of the night was when Rick Ross took to the stage and while he performed one of his popular tracks “Blowing Money Fast”. Read more

Mortein insecticide manufacturer engages in ‘Fight to End Malaria’ campaign (Sun)

Mortein Insecticide manufactured by Reckitt Nigeria has taken its “Fight to End Malaria” campaign to drive awareness and educate citizens on Malaria prevention.

To move the fight a notch higher, the company unveiled a top Nollywood celebrity and fitness enthusiast, Kate Henshaw as its New Brand Ambassador.

During the ceremony, which took place in Lagos, General Manager, Reckitt Sub Saharan Africa, Mr Akbar Ali Shah said “At Reckitt, we have a purpose, which is to protect, heal and nurture in the relentless pursuit of a cleaner, healthier world. It is why we launched the Mortein Fight to End Malaria campaign in 2021 to drive awareness and educate citizens on Malaria prevention. The campaign comes at a critical time, according to the World Malaria Report in 2020, Nigeria accounted for the highest rate of malaria deaths in the world, with an estimated 160,000 deaths within the year. This can be prevented as a key action to protect from malaria is the elimination of the vector carrier of the disease, mosquitoes.”

Shah continued, “We recognise that this fight will be an enormous task, it is why we got a leading voice to drive the conversation and eventually achieve behavioural change. Ms. Henshaw is very passionate about social causes, is a worthy role model and an inspiration for most Nigerians. She has also recorded immense successes in her career over the years, and we are very pleased to have her on board to lead our Mortein Fight to End Malaria Campaign”. Read more

IGP promotes 21,039 junior police officers (Channels)

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has approved the promotion of 21,039 junior police officers who were last promoted on or before 2017.

The promotion which comprised the elevation of 20,572 Sergeants to the next rank of Inspector, 324 Corporals to Sergeants, and 143 Constables to the rank of Corporal, is part of the ongoing efforts aimed at improving welfare, conditions of service, boosting the morale of personnel, with a view to repositioning the Force for greater efficiency.

The IGP noted that the promotion of the officers is part of the manpower development drive of his administration to ensure that deserving personnel are promoted accordingly, to encourage hard work, and further embed the culture of merit, excellence, and dedication to duties.

Alkali Baba equally assured senior police officers that the Force high command is liaising with the Police Service Commission on the release of their promotion, which is expected to be approved and released as soon as possible. Read more

Family of Patrick Lyoya say police killed their son in an ‘execution’ (Guardian)

The grief-stricken parents of the Black man shot in the back of the head by a white Michigan police officer have described their son’s death as an “execution”.

Patrick Lyoya, a 26-year-old Congolese refugee, was killed after a traffic stop in Grand Rapids on 4 April.

“I didn’t believe that … there’s a genocide in this country,” said his father, Peter Lyoya, on Thursday through an interpreter. “I didn’t know that here in America, there can be execution style … to be killed by the police officer.”

The Lyoya family came to the US fleeing violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2014. Patrick, a factory worker, was the eldest of six children and had two young daughters. Read more

Rihanna, A$AP Rocky cheating and breakup rumours untrue, source (TMZ)

There’s a story buzzing around that Rihanna and A$AP Rocky split because he cheated on her, but a source directly connected to both artists — who has regular interaction with them — tells TMZ … neither the breakup claim, nor the cheating is true.

The story that’s circulating claims Rihanna called it quits with A$AP after she caught him cheating with shoe designer, Amina Muaddi. Muaddi does have a connection to RiRi — she’s a shoe designer for Rihanna’s Fenty brand.

Our source first said, “100% false on both counts,” and then added, “1 million percent not true. They’re fine.”

Worth noting that yesterday — as the rumor was bubbling up — Amina reposted recent pics of Rihanna out and about in West Hollywood. That would have been an odd move if she really were cheating with A$AP. Read more

Jewel explains ‘Masked Singer’ turn: ‘This business is notoriously unkind to women as they get older’ (USAToday)

Jewel has sold nearly 20 million albums, been nominated for four Grammy Awards and maintains her standing as the most successful folk singer exported from Alaska.

So why bury herself under the ginormous ruby-red headgear created for the Queen of Hearts on “The Masked Singer,” a show primarily recognized for its kitsch factor?

“It checked a lot of boxes,” she tells USA TODAY from her home in Colorado. “I’m a mom and I’m 47 and you never hear women talking about kids and learning how to tour with a child who has nap times and school times. This business is notoriously unkind to women as they get older. Cher, Madonna, they’re great. But that’s so not who I am. My heroes, like Joni Mitchell, Rickie Lee Jones, became recluses. My goal was to be here 60 years and the (show) gave me the opportunity to still be home with my son.”

Jewel won the sixth season of the Fox celebrity singing competition in December and promptly released an EP of the songs she covered while contending, including Katy Perry’s “Firework,” Edith Piaf’s “La Vie En Rose” and Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way.” Read more

Glee’s Darren Criss welcomes first baby with wife Mia and shares newborn’s unique name (OK!)

Glee star Darren Criss welcomed his first child with wife Mia, sharing an adorable snap of his family and revealing the baby’s unique name.

The 35 year old shared the happy news on Thursday, uploading a photo on Instagram of himself embracing his wife as they sat on a hospital bed looking down at their precious newborn.

The couple welcomed a baby daughter, who looked adorable in the picture wearing a pink and blue striped bow on her head with a matching blanket as she was cradled by her mum.

“M & D made some sweet music. Bluesy Belle Criss 4/11/22 Out now,” Darren captioned the snap. Read more

TCM, Film Foundation team on 4K restoration of ‘Giant’ (THR)

Turner Classic Movies is expanding its partnership with The Film Foundation with a multiyear financial commitment to fund education and the restoration of classic movies, it was announced Friday.

The fruits of this relationship will be on full display — in 4K, no less — at next week’s TCM Classic Film Festival with an April 22 screening of a restored version of Giant (1956) at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.

At 7 p.m. before the start of the film, TCM’s Ben Mankiewicz will host a conversation with Film Foundation board member Steven Spielberg, executive director Margaret Bodde and George Stevens Jr., whose father won an Oscar for directing the sweeping Texas-set family saga that starred Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson and James Dean.

Since its launch by Martin Scorsese in 1990, The Film Foundation has restored more than 900 movies. Scorsese and fellow board member Spielberg hand-picked Giant as one of the group’s latest restoration projects, working with the Warner Bros. archives team for a year to complete the process. Read more

Machine Gun Kelly, Mod Sun’s film ‘Good Mourning’ to open in theaters in May (UPI)

Machine Gun Kelly and Mod Sun will release their first film, Good Mourning, in May.

Kelly, 31, born Colson Baker, and Mod Sun, 35, born Derek Smith, will star in and make their directorial debut with the new stoner comedy.

Good Mourning follows London Ransom (Kelly), a movie star who is forced to choose between trying to save his relationship and landing a starring role in a new film.

“Compounded by chaotic roommates and wildly unpredictable twists and turns, London’s day keeps going downhill until ultimately, he is forced to choose between pursuing his one true love and landing a life-changing, starring role in a major motion picture,” an official synopsis reads. Read more

US grants temporary deportation relief to Cameroonians (AlJazeera)

Cameroonians living in the United States will receive work permits and temporary relief from the threat of deportation due to the continuing conflict between government forces and armed separatists in the West African country.

The decision applies to Cameroonians who were residing in the US by April 14 and will last for a period of 18 months, the Department of Homeland Security said on Friday.

Approximately 39,000 Cameroonians in the US could benefit from the announced initiative, according to the Catholic Legal Immigration Network.

Since taking office in January of last year, US President Joe Biden has used the Temporary Protected Status programme to grant some immigrants – who cannot return home safely due to extraordinary circumstances such as violent conflict or natural disasters – the ability to stay and work legally in the US. Read more

Emma Raducanu savours key win to keep Great Britain in Billie Jean King Cup tie (Independent)

Emma Raducanu savoured a landmark win as she drew Great Britain level with the Czech Republic at the end of the first day of their Billie Jean King Cup tie in Prague.

The US Open champion’s clash with 50th-ranked Tereza Martincova was not just her senior competitive debut for Britain but also her first professional match on clay – another example of the remarkable career trajectory the 19-year-old has been on.

The pressure was on Raducanu after Harriet Dart’s 55-minute 6-1 6-0 thrashing by Marketa Vondrousova and she rose to the challenge impressively, claiming a 7-5 7-5 victory.

It was just Raducanu’s third victory of the season – with Martincova the highest-ranked player she has beaten since New York – and was particularly satisfying after a series of matches in which she has failed to build on strong starts. Read more

Coaches kick against appointment of Yusuf (Independent)

There has been mixed reactions over the appointments of coaches for the male national teams as announced by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Thursday.

Some of the coaches in their reactions felt that the NFF should have gone for new hands instead of recycling coaches who have served at one time or another.

“The NFF has really not learnt its lessons in the appointment of coaches for the national teams.

Why recycle coaches when there are others who are better than the recycled coaches,” queried one of the concerned coaches who begged for anonymity. Read more

Burnley sack Sean Dyche in bombshell move as Clarets battle for  Premier League survival (Eurosport)

Burnley have sacked manager Sean Dyche with the club embroiled in a relegation battle, ending his stint as the Premier League’s longest-serving manager.

Dyche, who joined the Clarets in October 2012, twice led them into the Premier League and secured European football for Burnley for the first time in 51 years in 2018.

Burnley are four points adrift from safety after the 2-0 defeat to fellow strugglers Norwich City last week.

“Firstly, we would like to place on record our sincere thanks to Sean and his staff for their achievements at the club over the last decade,” said chairman Alan Pace. Read more

Former Coca Cola manager bribed with Manchester United season tickets, concerts and cash worth more than £1.5m (MEN)

A former manager at Coca Cola Enterprises has been spared jail for corruption and bribery amounting to more than £1.5m after accepting Manchester United season tickets, concert tickets and cash.

Noel Corry, 56, a senior engineer for the UK firm, took bribes in exchange for helping favoured companies win lucrative contracts from 2004 until he was fired in 2013.

Mr Corry, from Lymm in Cheshire, provided Boulting Group – now named WABGS Ltd – Tritec Systems, and Electron Systems with confidential and sensitive information which gave them an advantage over rivals when bidding for contracts.

At Southwark Crown Court on Thursday, he was given a 20-month suspended sentence. His co-conspirators, which included a contract manager from Manchester and a director, were handed 12-month suspended sentences. Read more

Sebastian Vettel outlines hopes for traditional circuits’ places on F1 calendar (GMS)

Sebastian Vettel has said it would be horrible for Formula 1 to lose some of its more traditional circuits from the calendar as the sport pushes into new markets.

The sport appears to be cracking America after several attempts, with three races in the US set for next season, whilst lucrative deals with the likes of Saudi Arabia and Qatar, and Abu Dhabi a little before them, have all been penned.

F1 is growing rapidly, and it makes sense for the sport to use that to its advantage, but drivers and fans alike are also keen to see the likes of Spa, Monza, Silverstone and others remain firm fixtures on the schedule given their history, meaning and prestige.

Vettel, a self-confessed F1 anorak, is certainly of that mind too:

“I think it’s always exciting to go to new places, provided they are good places, right places for us to be at. Read more

NHL Hall of Famer and Islanders great Mike Bossy dies at age 65 (CNN)

New York Islanders great and Hockey Hall of Famer Mike Bossy died at the age of 65, the team announced on Friday.

In October, Bossy announced he was stepping away from his job as a hockey analyst with Canadian French-language hockey broadcaster TVA Sports after being diagnosed with lung cancer.

A four-time Stanley Cup winner with the Islanders, Bossy was selected No. 15 in the 1977 NHL Draft and went on to win the Calder Trophy for Rookie of the Year, after finishing with 53 goals and 91 points.

He played his entire 10-year career with the team finishing as the franchise’s all-time leading scorer with 573 goals. Read more

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