Trafficking: Police in Lagos rescue 10 teenage girls, arrest 2 suspects (Vanguard)
The Police Command in Lagos State says it has rescued 10 teenage girls, who were allegedly being trafficked to some West African countries for prostitution.
The Lagos Command Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed this on Thursday while briefing newsmen on the success of the operation.
Hundeyin said that the crack squad of the command located at Gbagada area of Lagos got an intelligence report that a syndicate, who specialised in trafficking underaged girls, were planning to move some girls out. Read more
After 7 years, Banky W survives another cancer surgery (Tribune)
Nigerian singer, Bankole Wellington, widely known as Banky W, has successfully undergone a fourth surgery. Banky W took to his Instagram page on Thursday, 23 May 2024, to give testimony of yet another successful surgery after seven years, stating, “Final scores: Christ 4 – Cancer Tumors 0.”
Banky W expressed gratitude to God as well as his fiancée, Adesua Etomi, who was by his side in the hospital. He also urged his fans to have faith in God.
Admonishing believers, he said, “Sometimes, your faith in God will not prevent the storms from coming… but it will carry you through them. Faith won’t always stop you from hurting, but it will help you heal, and it will help you deal.” Read more
Guest dies during Lagos birthday celebration, host held (Punch)
A woman, Salisu Aishat, and seven others have been arrested in connection with the death of a yet-to-be-identified man in the Ijora Badia area of Lagos State.
PUNCH Metro gathered on Wednesday that Aishat was celebrating her birthday when she invited some guests to join her in the felicitation on Olayemi Street, Ijora Badia.
Our correspondent gathered that people were busy having fun during the celebration when the victim was suddenly found lying unconscious on the floor where the event was taking place. Read more
Death Penalty: Court grants Osun lawmaker leave to sue Akpabio, Others (Sun)
Justice Mashkur Salisu of the Federal High Court in Osogbo has granted Osun State lawmaker Hon. Kanmi Ajibola the leave to sue the National Assembly and the 36 Houses of Assemblies over their refusal to amend laws relating to corrupt practices in Nigeria.
Ajibola, a former Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Ilesa branch, representing Oriade Constituency, also joined the Attorney-General of the Federation and his counterparts in the 36 states in the suit.
In his ruling, Justice Salisu granted all the leaves sought by Ajibola after hearing arguments from his counsel, Bar. Salihu Aliyu, regarding the plaintiff’s locus standi and the court’s jurisdiction to hear the matter. Read more
Tinubu has restored hope in minds of Nigerians, says FCT Minister Wike (Channels)
Minister of the FCT Nyesom Wike says President Bola Tinubu has restored hope in the minds of Nigerians since taking over about a year ago.
Wike who made the remark during the ministerial sectoral update also highlighted some of the achievements of his ministry within the one year period under review.
The Minister listed the implementation of the FCT service commission, the inclusion of the women secretariat in the FCT which now has a Mandate Secretary, the exit of the FCTA from the Treasury Single Account to pave the way for access to the FCT’s internally generated revenue for the execution of projects. Read more
Surge in returned migrants to Nigeria in 2023, says report (Nation)
Statisense, a leading Artificial Intelligence (AI) data analytics company, has released a comprehensive report detailing the significant increase in the number of returned migrants to Nigeria in 2023.
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The report highlights the distribution of the returnees across the country’s top ten states, providing valuable insights into migration patterns and their implications.
According to the report posted on X, Yobe State recorded the highest percentage of returned migrants, with a substantial 30%. Read more
Nigerians are living in very difficult, challenging times – Sultan (Sun)
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, has urged the Federal Government to address the growing issues of poverty and hunger in Nigeria. He emphasized the difficult and challenging times Nigerians are facing and called on political leaders to fulfil their responsibilities to protect and improve the living standards of the people.
Speaking at the first quarterly meeting of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) in Abuja, the Sultan highlighted the severity of poverty and hunger, stating that some people are driven to commit crimes for as little as N500. He appealed to the government at all levels to take action and improve the lives of Nigerians.
The Sultan also addressed the issue of corruption, stating that it has become deeply ingrained in Nigerian society and needs to be tackled effectively. He suggested commissioning research to understand the root causes of corruption and develop effective solutions. Read more
Bauchi, National Library partner to tackle out-of-school children syndrome (Tribune)
Bauchi Governor, Sen Bala Abdulƙadir Muhammad has expressed the readiness of his administration to partner with the National Library of Nigeria in a bid to deploy technology in addressing the many challenges militating against tackling out-of-school children in the state.
The Governor was speaking when he hosted the National Librarian and Chief Officer of the National Library of Nigeria, Professor Chinwe Veronica Anunobi at the Government House, Bauchi on Wednesday during a courtesy visit.
Bala Muhammad said that his administration has approved the establishment of two new zonal public libraries in Alkaleri and Ningi, in addition to the existing one in Azare. Read more
Cassie breaks silence on resurfaced Sean “Diddy” Combs video (Hello!)
Following the release of video footage that captured Sean “Diddy” Combs allegedly attacking former girlfriend Cassie, and a subsequent outpouring of support for her, she has spoken out.
The singer, who was with the disgraced music mogul for close to ten years, took to Instagram to share a statement addressing her experience with domestic violence, some days after her ex-boyfriend’s own apology.
“Thank you for all of the love and support from my family, friends, strangers, and those who I have yet to meet,” she started, adding: “The outpouring of love has created a place for my younger self to settle and feel safe now, but this is only the beginning.” Read more
Nicole Brown Simpson’s mom let out a ‘gut-wrenching scream,’ fell to her knees when cops told parents she was dead (People)
One of Nicole Brown Simpson’s sisters is recalling the painful moment their mother Juditha learned of Nicole’s violent death in June 1994.
“The moment my mom got the phone call, I heard this screaming from my parents’ bedroom,” Nicole’s sister Denise, 66, exclusively tells PEOPLE in this week’s cover story. “It was gut-wrenching. I had never heard anything like it before.”
She continues, “And I ran back to my parents’ room and I just said, ‘Oh my God.’ My mom was on her knees and she had the phone in her hand. My dad was on his elbow looking at my mom, and she says, ‘Your sister’s dead.’ I said, ‘What?’ I thought it was a prank.” Read more
‘Russia has a role to play in peacekeeping in the Middle East’ – says Bahrain’s king (AfricaNews)
Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa arrived in Moscow on Thursday where he held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The two countries are “close on many issues on the international agenda,” Putin said at the talks.
In comments to the monarch, Putin said “I would be very interested to know your opinion about the situation in the Middle East.” Read more
Rupert Friend to star alongside Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Bailey in “Jurassic World” (FilmNews)
Rupert Friend is to star in “Jurassic World”.
The Asteroid City star will appear alongside Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Bailey in the latest film in the dinosaur franchise, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
But it’s not yet known who Friend will portray in the Universal Pictures motion picture.
Gareth Edwards is to direct the movie, and David Koepp – who co-wrote 1993 original Jurassic Park, and wrote 1997 follow-up The Lost World: Jurassic Park – has penned the script for the forthcoming film. Read more
Hit BBC Sitcom Outnumbered to return for a Christmas special this year (HuffPost)
Eight years since the Brockmans were last on our screen, it’s been announced that Outnumbered will return for a Christmas special this year.
The BBC sitcom is set to welcome back stars Hugh Dennis and Claire Skinner for a one-off episode of the hit show, which ran for five seasons between 2007-2014 – before returning for a Christmas episode in 2016 – and followed the hectic life of one family of five in west London.
Creators Guy Jenkin and Andy Hamilton are set to return to write and direct, as will former child actors Tyger Drew-Honey, Daniel Roche and Ramona Marquez, who are now all grown up. Read more
Sunak admits Rwanda flights will not take off before election (Sky)
Rishi Sunak has admitted Rwanda flights will not take off before the general election – as he denied calling a summer vote because inflation is expected to rise.
The prime minister has said for the past few months the first flights removing asylum seekers to the African nation will happen in July.
But after calling a general election for 4 July, whether the flights will take off at all has been called into question. Read more
Teenage girl ‘raped’ on Bournemouth beach and another ‘sexually assaulted’ (Mirror)
Detectives are now appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward as they investigate allegations one girl was raped and another sexually assaulted
Two teenagers have allegedly been sexually attacked on a Bournemouth beach with a man already charged in connection with both incidents.
Detectives are now appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward as they investigate a report of one of the girls being raped and the other sexually assaulted. Read more
Sports Minister showers encomiums on Europa Champion, Ademola Lookman (Vanguard)
The Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, has showered encomiums on Super Eagles winger Ademola Lookman for his extraordinary performance in the Europa League final.
Lookman scored a historic hat-trick, leading Atalanta to their first European title on Thursday night in Dublin, Ireland.
Lookman’s three goals secured a 3-0 victory for Atalanta against Bayer Leverkusen, ending their opponents’ 51-game undefeated streak and marking the first-ever hat-trick in a Europa League final. This victory also signifies Atalanta’s second major trophy, their first since winning the Coppa Italia 61 years ago. Read more
West Ham United appoint Julen Lopetegui as head coach (RTE)
Julen Lopetegui has replaced David Moyes as West Ham manager.
It looked likely that a deal was imminent but it has now been confirmed by the irons in a statement from the club.
The former Wolves boss, who parted ways with the Wanderers in August of last year after just nine months in charge is being brought in to West Ham on a two-year deal with the title of head coach. Read more
Official: Italy confirm preliminary squad ahead of Euro 2024 (FootballItalia)
Luciano Spalletti has officially announced his 30-man preliminary Italy squad ahead of the upcoming European Championship.
The Azzurri are gearing up for a vitally important tournament in Germany, entering as defending champions following their historic success at the last edition back in the summer of 2021.
Spalletti started a new project with the Italy national team upon his arrival in September of last year, exciting fans with his positive brand of 4-3-3 football. Hopes are high for the Azzurri, especially after their recent failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup. Read more
Murray vs Wawrinka, Nadal vs Zverev in French Open 1st round (Sky)
Andy Murray will play Stan Wawrinka in the first round of the French Open, which starts on Sunday, and 14-time winner Rafael Nadal has been handed a blockbuster first-round tie against Alexander Zverev.
In what is likely to be the final appearances at Roland Garros for both players having each indicated they are set to retire later this year, Murray will have to find a way past Wawrinka, the 2015 champion, in his first appearance in Paris for four years while Nadal faces fourth seed Zverev, who won last week’s Internazionali BNL d’Italia on clay in Rome.
Nadal’s match against Zverev is a rematch of their 2022 semi-final that ended when the German tore ligaments in his right ankle. Read more
I won’t give up on my Guinness World Record boxing – Bash Ali (Leadership)
Dreams, they say, hardly die. However, while many have given up on their dreams or even died with them, former World Boxing Federation Cruiserweight Champion, Bashiru Lawrence Ali, popularly known as Bash Ali, has said that no amount of frustration and corruption will made him to give up on his dream of becoming the Guinness World Record Boxing Champion.
Bash Ali, who won the World Boxing Federation (WBF) cruiserweight title in 1985 and was known for his powerful punches and aggressive fighting style during his active day in the ring, make the vow while addressing journalists in Abuja yesterday about the challenges he faced for 17 years in his efforts to host his Guinness World Record Boxing Championship fight in Nigeria, highlighting his unwavering stance against corruption.
He said he has been the biggest promoter of boxing in Nigeria since 1987 when he staged his first fight in Nigeria at the Liberty Stadium Ibadan, but struggled in vain to host his Guinness World Record Boxing Championship Fight in his fatherland. Read more
Wilkie ‘probably one of Britain’s greatest’ – Goodhew (BBC)
David Wilkie was an “extraordinary talent” and “one of Britain’s greatest ever athletes”, says fellow Olympic gold medallist Duncan Goodhew.
Wilkie, who has died at the age of 70, won Olympic gold in the 200m breaststroke at the Montreal Games in 1976.
The Scot beat his great rival John Hencken and lowered the American’s world record by over three seconds. Read more