UNICAL students abducted on campus (DailyTrust)
The Police Command in Cross River, on Sunday, confirmed the abduction of three students of the University of Calabar (Unical).
The spokesperson of the command, SP Irene Ugbo, who gave the confirmation, said the students were abducted on Thursday night at one of the university hostels inside the campus.
Ugbo, who didn’t give details of the abduction, however, said the police were working in collaboration with other agencies to rescue the students. Read more
Man swims Third Mainland Bridge lagoon to raise mental health awareness (Punch)
A Nigerian swimming coach, Akinrodoye Dare, also called Coach Dreh, reportedly swam the entire 11.8k. of the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos on Saturday.
Coach Dreh was said to have completed the challenge in two hours and 33 minutes, with the aim of raising awareness about mental health issues, particularly suicide and depression.
In a video shared on X by #MeetPrinceAhmad, Coach Dreh highlighted the importance of mental health and encouraged those struggling to seek help. Read more
NDLEA intercepts Qatar-bound illicit drugs concealed in African salad, dried vegetables (Channels)
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says its operatives have detained a 35-year-old lady, Chidinma Chinenye Agbazue, after she was caught with 20 parcels of cannabis sativa weighing 10.70 kilograms concealed in African salad popularly called Abacha and dried vegetables.
According to a statement released by the NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, on Sunday, the suspect was attempting to export the illicit drug to Doha, Qatar through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja Lagos State.
“NDLEA officers at the Lagos airport working in partnership with men of the Department of State Security had on Thursday 28th March intercepted Chidinma, an outbound passenger from Lagos to Doha, on Qatar Airways during clearance of passengers at the screening point of terminal 11 of the MMIA. Read more
Visitor from Lagos drowns in Ogun river (Nation)
A young man identified as Sunday Ogah has drowned in Eyinwa River in Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State after joining friends to swim in the river.
Sunday Ogah, who is of Igede ethnic extraction in Benue State but residing in Ikorodu area of Lagos State, had followed his friend, Otusanya Abayomi of Igbe Ilara Ikorodu to Eyinwa community in Odogbolu.
The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon, March 30. Read more
Grace Ike admonishes journalists, highlights women’s role in nation building (Independent)
The Chairperson of House of Representatives Press Corps, Ms Grace Ike has rekindled the hope of the Nigerian journalists just as she urged them not to give up on the country despite the prevailing economic hardship.
She stated this in a statement she personally signed on Sunday in Abuja while identifying with christians across the country to celebrate Easter.
She called on the media practitioners to see their role as indispensable in a democratic society aimed at ensuring that the leaders are held to account. Read more
Kaduna APC suspends women leader for criticising Gov Sani (Tribune)
The Kaduna State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has suspended the women’s leader for criticising Governor Sani.
The chapter has taken disciplinary action against its state women’s leader, Maryam Suleiman, citing allegations of gross misconduct.
In a suspension notice dated March 31st, signed by the APC chairman and secretary of Badarawa/Malali ward, Ali Maishago and Zakkah Bassahuwa, respectively, it was asserted that the women leader had been suspended over purported actions that tarnished Governor Uba Sani’s reputation. Read more
Saudi Arabia school accredited for NECO exams (Sun)
National Examinations Council (NECO) has concluded arrangements to conduct the Senior School Certificate Examinations (SSCE Internal) for students in Nigeria International School, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
This is in addition to other international centres located at Togo, Benin Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Niger and Republic of Gabon.
This was contained in a statement released in Abuja, on Saturday, by Azeez Sani, the Acting Director, Directorate of Information and Digital Communication, NECO. Read more
Senator Dafinone calls for peace, sober reflection at Easter (Nation)
Senator Ede Dafinone (Delta Central) has called for peace and prayers for victims of Okuama crisis, particularly the families of the dead 17 officers and men of the Army and other civilians including women and children, as the nation marks this year’s Easter celebration.
The Delta Central lawmaker in his Easter Message to constituents and Nigerians said: “peace is a priceless gift,” and appealed for restraint from all actors in the crisis to prevent any further escalation of the violence, he advised that government should allow for an independent and unbiased panel of investigators to probe the incident and bring all the perpetrators to book.
He also called on the government at all levels and the Nigerian people to use this period of Easter to engage in soul searching as a nation on the events leading to this tragic and avoidable loss of lives in order to prevent further reoccurrence. Read more
Rebel Wilson says Sacha Baron Cohen film was ‘‘worst experience’’ of her career (BelfastTelegraph)
Australian actress Rebel Wilson has said starring in comedy film Grimsby was “the worst professional experience of my career”.
The Pitch Perfect actress starred opposite Sacha Baron Cohen, 52, in the 2016 comedy film about a spy and his idiotic brother, and said she felt “disrespected on set”.
It comes after Wilson, 44, revealed on Instagram on Monday that her forthcoming memoir, “Rebel Rising”, would include a chapter about Borat actor Baron Cohen. Read more
Elizabeth Hurley’s son Damian reveals how he really feels about directing his mum (Hello!)
Elizabeth Hurley isn’t going to be the only star in her family for much longer – her son Damian Hurley is poised to make his splashy debut as a director very soon.
The 21-year-old British model is making his feature film directorial debut with the racy drama-thriller “Strictly Confidential”, due for release on April 5, a day after his 22nd birthday.
The film stars Georgia Lock, Lauren McQueen, Freddie Thorp, Max Parker, and none other than Elizabeth herself, with Damian confessing in a new interview what it was really like to direct his mom. Read more
Chance Perdomo death: Gen V and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina star dies in motorcycle crash, aged 27 (Independent)
Chance Perdomo, the actor who appeared in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and Gen V, has died aged 27.
The news was announced by the star’s publicist, who said on Saturday (30 March): “On behalf of the family and his representatives, it is with heavy hearts that we share the news of Chance Perdomo’s untimely passing as a result of a motorcycle accident.”
Details of the crash are yet to be announced, but nobody else was involved. Read more
Never-before-heard Marvin Gaye music found in Belgium (NME)
A wealth of Marvin Gaye music that has never been heard before has been found in Belgium.
The unreleased music has potentially lain hidden in Belgium for over 40 years, according to the BBC, alongside what is likely a highly valuable collection of stage costumes and notebooks.
Gaye moved to the coastal city of Ostend in 1981 after taking the business card of a Belgian concert promoter in a nightclub while he was living in London. At the time, he was a heavy cocaine user, but his move to Belgium helped him to beat his addiction. It was also during this time that he recorded one of his biggest hits, ‘Sexual Healing’. Read more
Britain’s King Charles attends Easter service, in first public appearance since cancer diagnosis (Euronews)
Britain’s King Charles III joined the queen and other royal family members for an Easter service at Windsor Castle on Sunday.
The monarch offered a cheery wave as he walked into St. George’s Chapel for an hour-long service.
The public appearance is the 75-year-old king’s most significant since he was diagnosed with an unspecified type of cancer in early February and is seen as an effort to reassure the public after he stepped back from public duties. Read more
Pope Francis says “peace is never made with weapons” at Easter Sunday mass in St. Peter’s Square (CBS)
Rallying from a winter-long bout of respiratory problems, Pope Francis led some 30,000 people in Easter celebrations Sunday and made a strong appeal for a cease-fire in Gaza and a prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine.
Francis presided over Easter Sunday Mass in a flower-decked St. Peter’s Square and then delivered a heartfelt prayer for peace in his annual roundup of global crises. In between, he made several loops around the piazza in his popemobile, greeting well-wishers.
“Peace is never made with weapons, but with outstretched hands and open hearts,” Francis said from the loggia overlooking the square, to applause from the wind-swept crowd below. Read more
8 killed in car bomb attack at north Syria market (NewArab)
A bomb exploded in a shopping area in a northern Syrian city held by pro-Turkish fighters early Sunday, killing eight people and wounding more than 20 others, a war monitor said.
At least “eight people were killed and 23 others wounded” when a car bomb exploded in the middle of a popular market” in Aleppo province’s Azaz said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
The Britain-based Observatory, which has a network of sources inside Syria, said the blast caused “significant damage” and sparked a fire. Read more
Confed Cup: Rivers hold slim advantage against champions (Punch)
Nigeria’s sole representative in the 2023/24 CAF Confederations Cup, Rivers United, claimed a 1-0 victory over reigning champions USM Alger in the first leg of their quarter-finals game in Uyo on Sunday, but still face a daunting test of making it into the next round of the competition.
Augustine Okejepha’s 10th minute strike was the difference between the two sides as another pulsating 90 minutes await the Nigerian club in Algeria next Sunday.
The first leg encounter at their adopted home ground was dubbed to be a tough encounter and the 2022 Nigeria Premier Football League champions made a bright start through Okejepha who fired home after being set up from a corner kick. Read more
NPFL: Gombe United appoint Bala Nikyu new Technical Adviser (Leadership)
Bala Nikyu has been named new Technical Adviser of Nigeria Premier League club, Gombe United.
Nkiyu replaced Mohammed Babaganaru who left the post earlier this month.
He signed a contract till the end of the season.
The experienced tactician is expected to take charge of the team immediately. Read more
Barcelona chief provides update on club’s managerial plans (SportsMole)
Barcelona vice-president Rafa Yuste has said that he is working to keep head coach Xavi at the club beyond the end of the 2023-24 campaign.
At the end of January, Xavi announced that he would be standing down as manager of the Catalan giants this summer, insisting that it would be best for both parties to part ways.
However, Barcelona sporting director Deco has said on multiple occasions that the door is still open for Xavi to stay, while president Joan Laporta is believed to be desperate to keep him. Read more
Bayer Leverkusen takes huge step towards ending Bayern Munich’s Bundesliga dominance (CNN)
Bayer Leverkusen took an almighty step towards winning its first Bundesliga title after producing a stunning comeback victory on Saturday, before title rival Bayern Munich lost during an eventful day in the German top-flight.
Leverkusen scored two late goals to beat Hoffenheim 2-1 and maintain its unbeaten record in the league. Later that day, Bayern Munich produced a disappointing display in a 2-0 loss to fierce rival Borussia Dortmund.
After winning 11 consecutive titles, it seemed unthinkable at the start of the season that any team could knock Bayern Munich off its perch, but Leverkusen now sits 13 points clear atop the table with just seven games remaining. Read more
Lawson “keeping the fire warm” under current RB drivers (F1i)
Visa Cash App RB CEO Peter Bayer says it’s important that reserve driver Liam Lawson is helping to keep the heat on the squad’s current regular drivers Yuki Tsunoda and Daniel Ricciardo.
Lawson made his Formula 1 debut last season, sitting in for five races when Ricciardo suffered a hand injury during practice for the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort.
But when RB announced its driver line-up for 2024, Lawson was passed over for a full-time role leaving him spinning his wheels on the sidelines without a racing programme this year, and pondering his future in F1. Read more
Novak Djokovic considering ‘‘shock’’ coaching appointment that will shake up tennis (Tennis365)
Novak Djokovic is weighing up who will replace Goran Ivanisevic as his lead coach and a report in the Serbian media suggests he may may three female names in his sights.
Ivanisevic became the Serbian’s main coach in March 2022, having previously worked alongside Djokovic’s long-time mentor Marian Vajda for several years.
The world number one said he and Ivanisevic parted ways “a few days ago”, writing on Instagram: “I remember clearly the moment I invited Goran to be part of my team. It was back in 2018, and Marian and I were looking to innovate and bring some serve magic to our duo. Read more