Wanted Delta monarch flown to Abuja (DailyTrust)
The traditional ruler of Ewu Kingdom, an Urhobo Community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, HRM Clement Ikolo, has been flown to Abuja by the military authorities.
The monarch had surrendered himself to the police after he was declared wanted by the military over the killing of 17 soldiers in Okuama Community.
According to sources, after the police handed him over to the Army, he was grilled for hours before being escorted to the Asaba International Airport by a team led by the Commanding Officer, 63 Brigade Nigeria Army Asaba. Read more
Lagos driver arrested for killing 5-year-old girl (Punch)
A driver identified as Daniel is currently in police custody for hitting a five-year-old girl at Adura Field in the Ijaye Ojokoro area of Lagos State with his car.
PUNCH Online gathered that the girl was confirmed dead at the hospital where she was rushed to.
The incident was said to have occurred on Thursday around 2 pm. Read more
Okuama: How soldiers fell to suspected mercenaries, oil bunkerers (Vanguard)
With the latest revelations on the March 14 killing of 17 soldiers in Delta State, the prevalent supposition that the misapprehension between Okuama, an Urhobo community in Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State, and Okoloba, an Ijaw town in Bomadi Local Government Area, was the chief reason for the unimaginable massacre appears off beam.
Saturday Vanguard learned from multiple sources that a group of oil bunkerers, who were hired as mercenaries, might have carried out the bloodshed.
The Army, which is everywhere in the creek and land in Delta and Bayelsa states, searching for the killers, and stolen weapons has arrested some suspects, but it has not formally announced the capture of the killers. Read more
Why I ignored Labour Party national convention — Peter Obi (Tribune)
Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party for 2023 elections has declared his stance on the recent national convention of the party that saw Barr Julius Abure emerge as national chairman.
Addressing Nigerians on X Space hosted by Parallel Facts on Friday, Peter Obi said he ignored the convention because the party leadership under Abure failed to do wide consultation with key stakeholders of the party before embarking on the said convention.
The former Anambra Governor emphasised the need for the right thing to be done to salvage the party, adding that he is more passionate about building a new Nigeria than building a new Labour Party. Read more
Sanwo-Olu canvasses low interest rate for MSMEs to unlock growth (Nation)
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has canvassed low-interest rates for Micro Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSMEs) in the country to allow them access to financial support and thrive in their businesses.
Sanwo-Olu spoke at a celebration of International Women’s Day (IWD) organised by the Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade, and Investment, in collaboration with the Women Entrepreneurs and Professional Development Network (WEPDN). It was themed ‘Economic Inclusion of Women Entrepreneurs (NANOs/MSMEs) at the Grassroots/Community Level’.
According to the governor, only loans with single-digit interest rates can help unlock the growth of small businesses. He noted that MSMEs create the most jobs and therefore should be supported with low-interest funds to enable them to do more. Read more
Encomiums as Faseke, Adeoti, LASU professors bow out of service (ThisDay)
It was a celebration of academic prowess as two prominent and renowned professors – Prof. Modupeolu Faseke and Prof. Oladele Adeoti, bowed out of service from the Faculty of Arts, Department of History and International Studies, Lagos State University (LASU).
Speaking at the colloquium in honour of the two professors, Head of Department, History and International Studies, Prof. Adewunmi Falode, who thanked the celebrants for their work ethics, appreciated the support of the University’s Vice-Chancellor in making the event come to pass.
He described the retiring historical scholars as worthy servants that devoted their time to training most of them within the university and outside.He said they realised that most of their senior colleagues retire without people actually celebrating them after putting many years in service. Read more
Easter: Pray for families of fallen heroes, CDS urges Nigerians (Leadership)
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has urged Nigerians to, in the spirit of Easter, pray for the souls of fallen heroes and for strength for their grieving families.
General Musa made the call in a goodwill message to frontline troops in commemoration of Easter celebration.
He said the Easter celebration serves as a poignant reminder of the ultimate sacrifice made by Jesus Christ, adding that the selfless act underscores the importance of sacrifice, both individually and collectively. Read more
National grid successfully restored after collapse – TCN (Channels)
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) says it has successfully restored the national grid following a system disturbance at 4:28 p.m. on Thursday.
In a statement on Friday evening, the TCN said full recovery was achieved by 10:00 p.m. that same day.
The TCN said that a report from the National Control Centre (NCC) in Osogbo, indicated that the system disturbance was triggered by a significant reduction in generation capacity, primarily due to gas constraints. Read more
Lizzo says she’s quitting, addresses various ‘lies,’ controversies & disrespect online (JustJared)
Lizzo announced that she “quit” in an emotional post on social media.
The 35-year-old “Rumors” hitmaker took to Instagram on Friday (March 29) to issue a statement to her fans.
In it, she addressed the way that she’s been treated online and in the industry, alluding to various controversies that she’s been involved in.
“I’m getting tired of putting up with being dragged by everyone in my life and on the internet. All I want is to make music and make people happy and help the world be a little better than how I found it. But I’m starting to feel like the world doesn’t want me in it,” she wrote in her post. Read more
Jamie Lee Curtis shares sweet photo with Lindsay Lohan as Freaky Friday 2 takes huge step forward (CinemaBlend)
It feels like we’ve been waiting for a Freaky Friday sequel for so long, that we’re “like the crypt keeper!” But our patience is being rewarded, because a sequel to the Disney movie is now officially underway with a director. Amidst news that Freaky Friday 2 is moving forward in this big way and inching toward going into production this summer, Jamie Lee Curtis shared an adorable photo with her movie daughter, Lindsay Lohan.
Just hours before The Hollywood Reporter learned that Nisha Ganatra, who helmed 2019’s Late Night, has been hired to direct Freaky Friday 2 with Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan starring, the Oscar winner took to Instagram to share the movie is coming. Check out the photo: Read more
A Filipino villager is nailed to a cross for the 35th time on Good Friday (AfricaNews)
A Filipino villager has been nailed to a wooden cross for the 35th time to reenact Jesus Christ’s suffering in a brutal Good Friday tradition he said he would devote to praying for peace in Ukraine, Gaza and the disputed South China Sea.
On Friday, over a hundred people watched on as 10 devotees were nailed to wooden crosses, among them Ruben Enaje, a 63-year-old carpenter and sign painter. The real-life crucifixions have become an annual religious spectacle that draws tourists in three rural communities in Pampanga province, north of Manila.
The gory ritual resumed last year after a three-year pause due to the coronavirus pandemic. It has turned Enaje into a village celebrity for his role as the “Christ” in the Lenten reenactment of the Way of the Cross. Read more
Olly Alexander responds to Eurovision boycott calls (NME)
Olly Alexander and a number of other performers have released a joint statement about their participation in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest after calls to boycott the competition in solidarity with Palestine.
Yesterday (March 28) hundreds of queer artists, individuals and organisations called on Alexander to pull out of the competition this year, after its refusal to expel Israel.
Now, Alexander, alongside Ireland’s Bambie Thug, Norway’s Gåte, Portugal’s Iolanda, San Marino’s Megara, Switzerland’s Nemo, Denmark’s SABA, Lithuania’s Silvester Belt and Finland’s Windows95Man, have signed a letter outlining their response. Read more
Flo Milli, rising rapper behind “Never Lose Me,” discusses new album release (Fox)
Flo Milli always felt different from her peers growing up, believing she was destined for greatness. For her, the writing was always on the walls — and in the stalls.
“In high school, I used to have a lot of girls that used to hate on me. And as a child, I didn’t really know how to deal with that. So, I would talk to my goddad about it. He would… speak life into me,” said the “Never Lose Me” artist. “Before school started, early in the morning, I would go in the stalls and just write everything that I want to be, like ‘I’m that girl,’ or whatever I’m feeling about myself. And then, I would just say it in my head when I would walk through the halls… the more I said it, the more I like became it.”
The Mobile, Alabama, native now has much of the rap world believing it too. Earlier this month, Flo Milli released “Fine Ho, Stay,” her third — and arguably best — studio album. The rising rap star is steadily breaching her way into the conversation of hip-hop’s top female emcees, but she knew it was only a matter of time. Read more
Ukraine says Russia’s attacks are threatening energy security (VOA)
Russia fired dozens of missiles and 60 drones at Ukraine’s energy infrastructure Friday, damaging three power plants and causing massive blackouts, according to Ukrainian authorities.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of targeting two hydropower plants and threatening to cause an environmental disaster not only in Ukraine but also in neighboring Moldova.
The attack was the latest in a series of intensified Russian strikes in March. Last week, Russia launched over 190 missiles and 140 Shahed drones against Ukraine, Zelenskyy said. The attacks caused more than $11.5 billion in damage to Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, the country’s Energy Ministry estimated. Read more
US approves transfer of over 2,000 bombs, 25 F-35s to Israel (TimesOfIsrael)
The United States in recent days authorized the transfer of billions of dollars worth of bombs and fighter jets to Israel even as it publicly expresses concerns about an anticipated military offensive in Rafah, The Washington Post reported Friday.
Citing Pentagon and State Department officials, the daily said the new arms package includes 1,800 MK-84 2,000-pound bombs and 500 MK-82 500-pound bombs, along with 25 F-35s that were initially approved as part of a larger package by Congress in 2008. Israel requested the third squadron of 25 F-35s last July, which when delivered will bring the total size of the fleet to 75. Read more
Nnadozie eyes Olympics glory with Falcons (Punch)
Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie is desperate to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games as Nigeria gears up for their crucial final qualifiers game against their familiar foes, South Africa, Saturday PUNCH reports.
Both sides have forged an intense rivalry over the years and are seen as the toast of Africa following successes on the continent, but it’s been the South Africans who have won recent battles.
Banyana beat Nigeria in their last two meetings, the 2022 Women’s Afcon in Morocco and 2021 Aisha Buhari Cup in their own backyard, tournaments that Banyana went on to win. Read more
Fed Cup: Remo Stars, Sporting Lagos, Heartland suffer shock exits (DailyTrust)
Three Nigeria Premier League Football teams, Remo Stars, Sporting Lagos, Heartland FC Owerri have suffered early eliminations in their respective state Football Association (FA) Cup competitions.
Nigerian National League side, Beyond Limit actually went beyond its limits by defeating their senior side, Remo Stars on 5-4 on penalties after the regulation time ended 1-1.They will play in the Ogun State FA Cup final this weekend against Stormers SC, a side that they’ve already defeated 5-0 in the NNL this season.
Lagos fell to a 2-0 loss to Inter Lagos who will battle Ikorodu FC in the finals at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan on Sunday. Read more
Mikel Arteta hopeful of triple Arsenal injury boost ahead of Man City title clash (Standard)
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says there is a “chance” that Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Martinelli are fit for Sunday’s title showdown at the Etihad.
The trio are yet to train ahead of this weekend’s game with Manchester City, but Arteta hopes they could do so on Saturday.
Saka was forced to pull out of the England squad last week with a minor muscle injury, while Magalhaes withdrew from Brazil duty after his Achilles flared up. Read more
Liverpool news: Jurgen Klopp speaks out after Xabi Alonso leaves Reds looking at alternatives (Mirror)
Liverpool are set to return to action after the international break this weekend, with Jurgen Klopp’s side welcoming Brighton to Anfield.
And with title rivals Arsenal and Manchester City facing each other, Liverpool have an excellent opportunity to pile on the pressure. If Arsenal fail to win and Liverpool do, then the Reds will end the weekend top of the table.
There have also been plenty of developments off the field as Liverpool continue their search for Klopp’s successor after he announced he will be stepping down as manager at the end of the season. With all that in mind, here is the latest news from around Anfield. Read more
Lakers 5-game win-streak snapped in 109-90 loss to Pacers (NBC)
Pascal Siakam finished with 22 points and 11 rebounds, Tyrese Haliburton added 21 points, eight assists and eight rebounds and the Indiana Pacers beat the Los Angeles Lakers 109-90 on Friday night in a pivotal game for both teams’ playoff aspirations.
Indiana has won four of six to retain the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference, with the latest victory giving Rick Carlisle career win No. 938 to tie Red Auerbach for 12th in NBA history.
Injured All-Stars LeBron James (left ankle) and Anthony Davis (left knee) both started and played like perennial All-Stars as the Lakers tried to improve their playoff positioning from the No. 9 seed in the West. Read more
Daniil Medvedev explains why he got thrashed by Jannik Sinner as Italian cements dominance (Express)
Daniil Medvedev admitted that he made “too many mistakes” after Jannik Sinner thrashed him in the Miami Open semi-final. The Italian needed just 69 minutes to dispatch the defending champion 6-1 6-2. After winning their first six matches against each other, Medvedev has lost their last five. And he has been left questioning his game plan when it comes to facing Sinner.
Medvedev’s title defence in Miami came to an end at the hands of Sinner – the man he beat in the final 12 months ago. At the time, the world No. 4 was unbeaten against Sinner and had a 6-0 record. But in the space of six months, the 22-year-old has flipped their rivalry on its head and defeated Medvedev five times.
Sinner’s semi-final victory on Friday was his most one-sided yet against the Russian. And Medvedev has now given an insight into how the Australian Open champion has been able to cause him so much trouble of late. “Well, I think Jannik plays like this already since some time,” Medvedev explained. Read more