We’ll stand with Fubara till end, vow PDP govs (Sun)
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum (PDP-GF) has reiterated its support for suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
The governors, in a communique read by chairman of the forum, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, after its meeting in Ibadan, yesterday, reiterated their commitment to stand with him to the end.
The opposition governors explained that they approached the Supreme Court over the emergency rule in Rivers State to get a clear interpretation of the constitution on the declaration of emergency rule in any state. Read more
Again, bandits kill 49 in fresh Plateau attacks (Leadership)
Not less than 49 persons have been confirmed killed and many others injured following a brutal attack on the Zike Kimakpa community in Kwall district of Irigwe Chiefdom, Bassa local government area of Plateau State.
The incident, which occurred late Sunday night, left the affected community in grief and devastation and also left several persons injured.
It was also gathered that some homes were razed down by the gunmen. Read more
Nigeria reaffirms strong ties with US amid global uncertainty (Punch)
The Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s long-standing strategic relationship with the United States, amid global uncertainty stirred by the imposition of tariffs by the US.
Oduwole said this on Saturday as she received an award during the 65th anniversary of the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce, which also doubled as the inauguration of its new president, Sheriff Balogun.
She noted that the NACC was critical to fostering a mutually beneficial relationship between both countries. Read more
Plateau, Benue killings: Gov Alia threatens, Tinubu gives Mutfwang marching orders as family of 8 wiped out (Vanguard)
President Bola Tinubu has given marching orders to Plateau State governor, Caleb Mutfwang, to summon the necessary political will to resolve the crisis in the state and establish enduring peace.
Also yesterday, Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State warned that he cannot guarantee the safety of any person or group coming to the state without his knowledge.
The President’s order came as a family of eight was wiped out after no fewer than 52 persons were confirmed killed and property razed in a fresh Sunday night attack on Zike hamlet in Kimakpa community at Kwall district, Irigwe Chiefdom of Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State. Read more
NBA: N300m collected from Rivers ‘unconditional gift’ (Nation)
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) yesterday admitted collecting N300 million from the Rivers State Government while planning its 2025 Annual General Conference (AGC) initially billed for Port Harcourt.
This followed the demand by Rivers State Sole Administrator Ibok-Ete Ibas that the money, approved by suspended Governor Siminialayi Fubara, be refunded.
However, the NBA said the cash was “an unconditional gift”, not payment to facilitate the conference. Read more
FCMB leverages training to improve entrepreneurship (Guardian)
Dozens of entrepreneurs across Nigeria’s southwest have credited the business training programme of First City Monument Bank (FCMB) for helping them improve how they run their businesses and pursue growth.
They started this Business Empowerment, Sustainability and Training (BEST) Masterclass organised by FCMB. The programme concluded its latest phase last month, delivering practical training to participants in Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Kwara states.
Held from 12 to 21 March 2025, the initiative focused on financial management, digital marketing, business planning and sustainable growth practices. Read more
How Supreme Court rulings landed PDP, LP in further crises (Tribune)
Despite the intervention of Nigeria’s apex court, the Supreme Court in the crises rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP), the situation in the two parties still appears hazy, investigations by the Nigerian Tribune have revealed.
Though the leadership of the two parties has hailed the decision of the Supreme Court which in separate judgments, affirmed the control of party positions by internal mechanisms of the political parties, the two parties are yet to experience any respite.
While the PDP is fretting over the determination of the true occupant of its national secretary position, the Labour Party is sweating to determine its national chairman. Read more
Ethel Cain becomes 1st transgender musician to secure top 10 album in US (Farout)
Ethel Cain has become the first transgender artist to secure a top ten album in the United States with her record Preacher’s Daughter.
The album was initially released in 2022 but failed to chart at the time. However, it has significantly risen in popularity since then, and last week, its newly released vinyl version made history when it entered the top ten of the US charts.
It sold over 37,000 copies in the week between April 4th and April 10th, also scoring the number one spot on the Top Album Sales chart, making Cain the first transgender artist to achieve the feat. Read more
Drake Confirms He Has a New Album in the Works (Hypebeast)
On Drake‘s most recent Kick livestream with Adin Ross, the Canadian rapper revealed that he is already working on a new project.
Taking the time to thank his fans for streaming his most recent project, $exy $ongs 4 U with PARTYNEXTDOOR, he shared, “Thank you to everybody that’s streaming the album. Every time, every journey. Working on a new album, it’s a slap.” Ross seemed to be taken aback by the news, shocked at The Boy’s quick turnaround.
Drake’s most recent solo album dropped in 2023, titled For All The Dogs. Being that $$4U just dropped in February and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, the Canadian rapper has wasted no time to get the new project going. While making the announcement, Drake was seen wearing some $$4U merch, teasing potential drops down the line. Read more
Hungary approves bans on LGBTQ+ public events, recognises 2 sexes only (TimesofIsrael)
Hungary’s parliament on Monday passed an amendment to the constitution that allows the government to ban public events by LGBTQ+ communities, a decision that legal scholars and critics call another step toward authoritarianism by the populist government.
The amendment, which required a two-thirds vote, passed along party lines with 140 votes for and 21 against. It was proposed by the ruling Fidesz-KDNP coalition led by populist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
Ahead of the vote — the final step for the amendment — opposition politicians and other protesters attempted to blockade the entrance to a parliament parking garage. Police physically removed demonstrators, who had used zip ties to bind themselves together. Read more
El Salvador’s Bukele says he will not return man the US mistakenly deported (Asiaone)
El Salvador President Nayib Bukele said at the White House on Monday (April 14) he had no plans to return a man mistakenly deported from the United States, suggesting that doing so would be like smuggling a terrorist into the country.
His remarks came during an Oval Office meeting where multiple officials in President Donald Trump’s administration said they were not required to bring back Salvadoran Kilmar Abrego Garcia, despite a US Supreme Court order saying they must facilitate the Maryland resident’s return.
Abrego Garcia’s case has drawn attention as the Trump administration has deported hundreds of people to El Salvador with help from Bukele, whose country is receiving US$6 million (S$7.9 million) to house the migrants in a high-security mega-prison. Read more
French, Palestinian leaders call for urgent ceasefire in Gaza (Dawn)
Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas and French President Emmanuel Macron called for an “urgent” ceasefire in Gaza on Monday, with the latter also advocating for the reform of the Palestinian Authority to govern a post-war Gaza without Hamas.
In a phone call, Abbas and Macron “emphasised the urgent need for a ceasefire, the acceleration of humanitarian aid delivery (and) the rejection of the displacement of the Palestinian people from their land,” Wafa news agency reported.
“Both leaders reiterated the necessity of advancing a two-state solution based on international legitimacy”, and for the Palestinian Authority to take responsibility in the Gaza Strip after the war ends, it added. Read more
UN reports hundreds more dead after two-day RSF assault on Sudan refugee camps (Irishexaminer)
More than 300 people have been killed after two days of intense fighting in Sudan’s conflict-wracked Darfur region, the United Nations (UN) said.
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the nation’s notorious paramilitary group, attacked two refugee camps on Friday and Saturday.
The siege-like assault on two refugee camps was initially reported by the UN to have left more than 100 dead, with 20 children and nine aid workers included in the tally. Read more
Aruna begins World Cup with hard-fought win (Punch)
Quadri Aruna began his 2025 ITTF World Cup campaign with a gritty 3-1 (11-6, 11-9, 6-11, 11-8) win over Benin’s Abdel-Kader Salifou in one of the headline matches on day one of the tournament in Macao.
The tie, a rematch of their ITTF African Cup encounter, was filled with momentum shifts as both players showed flashes of why they are among the continent’s finest. Aruna, however, held his nerve at critical moments, fending off a comeback from Salifou to grab the victory.
“It is always tough to play the first match in these events,” said Aruna afterwards. “Getting a 2-0 lead gave me some confidence. He came back strongly in the third and fourth games, but I stayed calm and held on. I am really happy and satisfied with my performance.” Read more
Amate clinches 2025 IBB Golf Club Captain’s Cup trophy (Leadership)
In a thrilling conclusion to the 2025 IBB International Golf and Country Club Captain’s Cup tournament, A. Amate showcased exceptional golfing skills to clinch the championship trophy.
Competing against over 300 participants, Amate, a handicap 14 golfer, completed the 18-hole event with a gross score of 81 and a nett score of 67, triumphing on count-back to secure the prestigious trophy.
The one-week tournament, aptly titled ‘Tiger Bows Out,’ featured some of the finest golfers in the club, all vying for the coveted title. After receiving the trophy, Amate attributed his success to meticulous preparation and flawless execution, while also praising his fellow competitors for their commendable performances on the fairways. Read more
Hooliganism: NPFL fines Nasarawa United N6m, banishes team to Gombe (Guardian)
Nasarawa United will now play their NPFL home games in Gombe.
The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), yesterday, fined Nasarawa United N6 million and banished the team to Gombe as punishment for their fans’ unruly behaviour during their week 33 game against Plateau United, at the Lafia Township Stadium, over the weekend.
The NPFL said the sanctions followed confirmed reports of an assault on a Plateau United player, Vincent Temitope, and an attempt to harass match officials.
The NPFL cited Nasarawa United for breaches of Rules B13.52, B13.22, C9, and C11 in a four-count charge.
For failure to provide adequate security, the NPFL fined the club N1 million, another N1 million for failure to ensure proper conduct of their supporters in violation of Rule C9, and N1 million for medical expenses for Vincent Temitope, who was assaulted in breach of Rule C11. Read more
Rising star Eva Lys joins Iga Swiatek in becoming Porsche ambassador (TennisWorld)
Eva Lys’ 2025 has just gotten better as Porsche announced her as their newest brand ambassador.
In January, the 23-year-old enjoyed a historic lucky loser run at the Australian Open. Since then, she has broken into the top-100 for the first time in her career – is now sitting at a career-high ranking of No. 68 in the world – and she is currently the highest-ranked German female tennis player.
Shortly after the Australian Open finished, Lys received a main draw wildcard for the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart. And this week, she is her second appearance at the tournament – she was beaten by Iga Swiatek in the Stuttgart round-of-16 in her debut in 2022. Read more
Conte: ‘Newspapers and media should thank Napoli’ (FootballItalia)
Antonio Conte argues that ‘the media and newspapers’ should thank Napoli for keeping the title race alive: ‘There’s been an extraordinary improvement.’
Conte’s Napoli kept their title hopes alive on Monday by beating Empoli 3-0 at the Stadio Maradona.
Romelu Lukaku provided two assists and scored a goal, and Scott McTominay bagged a brace.“We put in a great performance. Empoli create trouble. Even when you press high, they play long balls and are very organised,” Conte told DAZN. Read more