We’ll invite IPOB to protect us in Lagos, Igbo leader threatens (DailyTrust)
The Eze Igbo, Ajao Estate, Lagos, Fredrick Nwajagu, has vowed to invite members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to Lagos to secure properties of Igbo people in the state.
Nwajagu, in a 49-second video, shared on Twitter on Friday by @DeeOneAyekooto, said the move became necessary in the wake of attacks on some Igbo people in the state.
The Igbo leader said he stood by his words, insisting that his people must have a stand in Lagos.
“IPOB, we will invite them. They have no job. All of the IPOB will protect all of our shops. And we have to pay them. We have to mobilise for that. We have to do that. We must have our own security so that they will stop attacking us in the midnight, in the morning, in the afternoon. Read more
TASUED lecturer arraigned for demanding sex, N100k (Punch)
The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission has arraigned a lecturer of the Tai Solarin University of Education for allegedly demanding sex and money from a female student of the institution.
The defendant, Dr Balogun Olaniran, was on Monday, March 27, brought before Justice Osinuga of the Ijebu-Ode High Court, sitting in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, on one count.
The charge is said to be against Section 8 (1) (a) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, the spokesperson for the anti-graft agency, Mrs Azuka Ogugua, revealed in a statement on Friday. Read more
Election: Don’t fail Nigerians, Northern elders tell Judiciary (Tribune)
The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has reminded the Judiciary of the trust Nigerians have in them to dispense unbiased judgements as several political parties, individuals and interest groups approach the courts to seek redress over the outcome of the elections.
The NEF’s Director, Publicity and Advocacy, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed in a statement, also cautioned party leaders to restrain spokespersons from escalating damaging language and exchanges.
The Forum said it welcomes the decision of contestants who feel the elections had not met legal thresholds of acceptability to seek adjudication over its credibility and settle other constitutional issues related to it. Read more
Arms mop up: Police recover 21 firearms in Lagos in 1 month (Vanguard)
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Idowu Owohunwa, has disclosed that 21 firearms were recovered in Lagos in March 2023 alone, as part of a strategy to address the challenge of illegal firearms in the hands of non-state actors.
He has also advised cultists to renounce membership in their different confraternities, warning that there would not be hiding places for them and other criminals under his watch.
Making the disclosure at his inaugural meeting with strategic Commanders of the Lagos State Police Command, at the Police Officers Mess, Ikeja, Lagos, the command boss, also revealed that 54 major incidents were recorded across the 13,325 polling units in the state during the just concluded general elections. Read more
Ecotutu to launch cold storage infrastructure in Mile 12 Market (ThisDay)
Ecotutu, a startup accelerating off-grid cooling solutions is set to launch a solar-powered cold storage infrastructure in Mile 12 Market, Lagos, to provide market-led solutions to post-harvest losses causing wastage of fresh produce.
The launch which is scheduled to take place at Mile 12 Market – Nigeria’s largest market for fresh produce on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, in Lagos, will fill fresh produce supply chain gaps and facilitate marketplace opportunities for farmers and aggregators.
“Ecotutu’s mission is to democratise access to affordable and reliable cold storage solutions in Africa,” said Michael Akinsete, co-founder and CMO, Ecotutu. Read more
Ganduje remains Governor, Kano govt replies Governor-elect Yusuf (Channels)
The Kano State Government has urged the Governor-elect Abba Yusuf to be patient and avoid making official pronouncements until he is sworn in.
In a statement released on Friday, the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs Malam Muhammad Garba cautioned the governor-elect against causing confusion in the state by jumping the gun.
He emphasized that Governor Abdullahi Ganduje remains the governor until May 29 and has the right to carry out his functions in the public interest. Read more
Davido’s Timeless makes history on US Apple Music (Nation)
Davido’s Timeless has become the highest charting album by a Nigerian artiste in US Apple Music history.
According to Chart Data on Twitter handle, Timeless peaked at number three spot which no other Nigerian album has ever attained.
“@davido’s ‘‘Timeless’’ is now the highest charting album by a Nigerian artist in US Apple Music history (#3)”, read the tweet that accompanied a photo of Davido and his latest work. Read more
I will be people’s servant, says Kaduna governor-elect (DailyTrust)
Kaduna State Governor-elect, Senator Uba Sani, has promised to be the people’s servant in the state.
He also thanked the electorate for giving him the opportunity to serve them as the state governor.
Sani made the statement shortly after receiving his certificate of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state. Read more
Disney’s live-action ‘‘Lilo & Stitch’’ movie finds its Lilo (THR)
Disney has found its Lilo. Newcomer Maia Kealoha has been cast in Disney’s live-action ‘‘Lilo & Stitch,’’ a remake of its cult 2002 animated movie, sources tell The Hollywood Reporter.
Dean Fleischer Camp, the filmmaker behind indie darling and best animated feature Oscar nominee Marcel the Shell With Shoes On, is directing the feature that is intended to be a major release on Disney+.
Disney declined to comment. Read more
Taylor Swift shares acoustic version of ‘‘Lavender Haze’’ (NME)
Taylor Swift has shared an acoustic version of her recent single ‘Lavender Haze’.
The original song appears on the pop star’s 10th and most recent studio album, the record-breaking ‘Midnights’, which came out last October.
Swift today (March 31) released a stripped-back rendition of the track on streaming platforms. It comes after she dropped a series of official remixes of ‘Lavender Haze’ by the likes of Jungle and Tensnake. Read more
Tekashi 6ix9ine beating suspects arrested (Variety)
Three male suspects were arrested Thursday in connection with the alleged assault and robbery of rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine at a Florida gym last week, law-enforcement officials announced Thursday.
The suspects – Rafael Medina, Jr., 43, Octavious Medina, 23, and Anthony Maldonado, 25 – were in custody, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office said in a tweet late Thursday.
The rapper (real name: Daniel Hernandez) was transported from an LA Fitness Gym to a hospital on March 21 after being injured when “an altercation occurred inside the business between several individuals,” the sheriff’s office said last week. His injuries were said to be non-life-threatening. Read more
Box Office: Dungeons & Dragons starts off with strong $5.6m in previews (THR)
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves has taken its first turn at the box office.
The new Paramount and eOne movie grossed a strong $5.6 million in Thursday previews. The adventure epic expands into a total of 3,855 locations Friday morning, including a plethora of premium-format screens.
Directed by Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley, Dungeons & Dragons is based on Hasbro’s influential role-playing game and features a star-packed cast led by Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Regé-Jean Page, Justice Smith, Sophia Lillis, Chloe Coleman, Daisy Head and Hugh Grant. The film reunites Game Night helmers Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley, who directed from a script they wrote with Michael Gilio. Read more
Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon is going to premiere at Cannes (Standard)
Martin Scorsese’s next project, Killers of the Flower Moon, will have its world premiere at Cannes this year in May, organisers announced today.
It’s great news for fans, who are eager to watch the new Apple TV drama, as it means the film is one step closer to its international release: Killers of the Flower Moon is set to be released in October.
The screening will be the first time that Scorsese has one of his films in the official selection at Cannes in 37 years. His last film to show in the category was the 1985 black comedy thriller After Hours, which won the American filmmaker a Best Director Award. Organisers of the event have not yet confirmed whether Killers of the Flower Moon will run in the film festival’s competition. Read more
At least 29 dead after ferry explosion, fire in Philippines (UPI)
At least 29 people died after an inter-island ferry caught fire near the Philippine’s Basilan province, the Philippine Coast Guard said Thursday.
The Coast Guard said as of 5 a.m. EDT that 160 passengers survived the blaze and the 36 crew members of the MV Lady Mary Joy 3 were safe.
A fire broke out following an explosion on the ferry which was sailing southwest from Zamboanga to Jojo, Sulu provinces, at about 11 p.m. local time on Wednesday. Read more
Russia sends bombs as Ukraine marks grim Bucha anniversary (VOA)
Russia used its long-range arsenal to bombard anew several areas of Ukraine on Friday, killing at least two civilians and damaging homes as Ukrainians commemorated the anniversary of the liberation of Bucha from a brutal occupation by the Kremlin’s forces.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Bucha, a town near Kyiv, stands as a symbol of the atrocities the Russian military has committed since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022.
“We will not let it be forgotten,” Zelenskyy said at a formal ceremony in Bucha, vowing to punish those who committed outrages in the town. “Human dignity will not let it be forgotten. On the streets of Bucha, the world has seen Russian evil. Evil unmasked.” Read more
Algeria 2023: Musa pledges N500k per goal to Eaglets (Punch)
Super Eagles’ captain, Ahmed Musa, was the surprise visitor to the camp of Nigeria’s U-17 team, Golden Eaglets at ParkView Hotel in Abuja on Wednesday.
Nigeria’s most capped international admonished the players to endeavour to maintain the rich culture of Nigeria football and also make a name for themselves and their families, adding that he regrets not ever playing for the U-17 team in his football trajectory.
“You have to work hard. Listen and obey your coaches if you want to succeed at this stage of your football. Sometimes, I regret that I never played for the Golden Eaglets. You have to make use of this opportunity. You are not the best in Nigeria. Many players out there are better than you. The only difference is that you have the opportunity. Read more
Saka must learn to deal with the hype, says Arteta (IrishTimes)
Mikel Arteta has warned Bukayo Saka that he must learn to deal with the increasing hype and excitement surrounding him and insisted the forward still has room for improvement.
Saka has been in sensational form for Arsenal this season, scoring 12 goals and providing 10 assists. He has been one of the consistent best performers for Arsenal and enhanced his reputation with his displays for England during the recent international break, most emphatically in the 2-0 victory over Ukraine at Wembley when the 21-year-old scored one goal and set up the other.
Speaking before Arsenal’s game against Leeds on Saturday, Arteta was full of praise for Saka, describing him as humble and intelligent, and called on him to tap into those qualities in light of his contributions for club and country. Saka is third-favourite among most bookmakers to be named player of the season, behind Erling Haaland and team-mate Martin Ødegaard. Read more
No crisis at Tottenham after Antonio Conte exit amid ‘chaotic’ fortnight – Cristian Stellini (ESPN)
Tottenham acting head coach Cristian Stellini has admitted the club has endured a “chaotic” fortnight but denied Spurs are in crisis after Antonio Conte’s departure.
Conte’s exit was confirmed on Sunday night following an explosive news conference on March 18 in which the 53-year-old criticised Spurs’ owners and the players’ attitude after allowing a 3-1 lead to slip to draw 3-3 at Southampton.
Stellini was put in temporary charge for the rest of the season alongside assistant coach Ryan Mason but by Wednesday, the club suffered a fresh setback when FIFA announced Spurs’ managing director Fabio Paratici would receive a worldwide ban from football activities. Read more
Thomas Tuchel regrets ending at Dortmund ahead of Bayern Munich debut (ESPN)
New Bayern Munich coach Thomas Tuchel said he had regrets over how his time with Borussia Dortmund came to an end but is now fully focused on his new role as they welcome his former team in a clash that could define the Bundesliga title race.
Tuchel returned to Germany to take over Bayern during the international break when they made the shock decision to sack Julian Nagelsmann with the team second in the Bundesliga and in the quarterfinals of the Champions League.
The former Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain boss previously coached Dortmund from 2015 to 2017, winning the German Cup in his second season. Read more
Wimbledon drops ban on Russian, Belarusian players (CBC)
Russian and Belarusian players will be able to compete at Wimbledon as neutral athletes after the All England Club on Friday reversed its ban from last year.
The players must sign declarations of neutrality and comply with “appropriate conditions,” including not expressing support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“This was an incredibly difficult decision, not taken lightly or without a great deal of consideration for those who will be impacted,” All England Club chairman Ian Hewitt said in a statement. Read more
Padraig Harrington tied for second and Matt Wallace starts strongly at Valero Texas Open (Sky)
Irishman Padraig Harrington has proven age is but a number after finishing the first round of the Valero Texas Open tied for second place.
The 51-year-old three-time major winner hit six birdies in challenging conditions to see him tied with five others at four-under after an opening day’s play which was suspended with half the field still on the course due to the poor weather.
With his 23 years of experience on tour and six PGA Tour wins, Harrington showed his class throughout the day, but was at his best when he ended up with a par after hitting one into the bunker despite the misty and windy conditions. Read more