Why I dedicated white garment church –Adeboye (Punch)
The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, said he dedicated a white garment church last September based on divine instruction.
The cleric, who recently clocked 80 years, disclosed this on Sunday during a special sermon titled, ‘Going Higher (Part 54)’.
The octogenarian had in September 2021 dedicated the Lagos cathedral of the Love of Christ Generation Church C&S (Worldwide), founded by Reverend Esther Ajayi amid sweeping criticisms by Pentecostals.
But Adeboye, on Sunday, said he was directed by God to dedicate Ajayi’s church.
The octogenarian said, “In Acts 11:1-18, after Peter came from the house of Cornelius, the great apostles gathered together, called him to a meeting and challenged him; ‘What were you doing in the house of a gentile? We heard that you went there?’ They didn’t tell us all that they said but they probably told him; ‘You went to the house of a gentile because he was rich.’. Peter had to say that the spirit made him go.” Read more
Alleged N6b fraud: Court reduces Mompha’s bail sum from N200m to N25m (Guardian)
An Ikeja Special Offences Court on Monday reduced from N200 million to N25 million, the bail sum for social media celebrity, Ismaila Mustapha (alias Mompha), charged with six billion Naira money laundering.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Mojisola Dada made the ruling following a prayer by defence counsel, Mr Gboyega Oyewole (SAN), and submission by the prosecution counsel, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo.
Dada had on Jan.18 granted Mompha bail in the sum of N200 million and two sureties.
However, on Monday, she held: “The defendant is admitted to a bail of N25 million with two sureties in like sum.
“One of the sureties must have a landed property worth N50 million within the court’s jurisdiction.
“The defendant shall be temporarily released to defence counsel only for two weeks pending the perfection of the bail conditions. Read more
SSANU, NASU shut down power, water supply at UNILAG as strike begins (DailyTrust)
The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Allied and Educational Institutions (NASU), University of Lagos (UNILAG) chapter have shut down electricity and water supply to the university, following the commencement of a two-week industrial action.
The strike action began at midnight of Sunday, March 27, joining the Academic Staff Union (ASUU) to cripple both academic and administrative activities in the university.
The decision to commence the strike action, according to the unions, followed the nonchalant attitude of the government to their demands.
Addressing Union members at the front of UNILAG Senate building, Chairman of SSANU, Comrade Showunmi Olushola, popularly known as Eko 4 Show, decried failure of government to review salaries and implement promotion arrears as well as non-payment and in some cases haphazard payment of retirees’ benefits among others. Read more
Opposition planning another #ENDSARS protest – FG (Nation)
The Federal Government has accused the opposition of plans to sabotage the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and overheat the polity.
It claimed that the opposition was trying to trigger another EndSARS protest in the country.
It also faulted attempt by the opposition to declare the National Convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) illegal.
It queried why the opposition cannot wait till 2023 poll to test its popularity.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alh. Lai Mohammed, who raised the alarm at a briefing in Abuja, asked the opposition not to promote anarchy.
Mohammed said: “As you know, the folks on the other side have been doing everything in recent times to overheat the polity, distort the achievements of our Administration and spread misinformation. Read more
Lagos APC supports Tinubu, says he’s leader Nigeria needs at this critical time (ThisDay)
As Nigeria continues to grapple with political and economic problems, leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State have said that Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the kind of leader that is needed by Nigeria at this critical period.
The leaders at a rally of the Tinubu Support Group (TSG) in Kosofe Federal Constituency of Lagos State, also declared their support for the presidential ambition of the party’s national leader even as they urged Nigerians to get their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
Speaking at the rally, former Minister of Works, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, wondered why anyone could be against Tinubu given the good works he had performed in Lagos.
Ogunlewe insisted that Tinubu is the only Yoruba political leader who could lead the nation right now, even as he lamented that the youth who made up more than 60 percent of the voting population, have refused to register. Read more
Alleged murder: Kunle Poly further remanded as DPP advice delayed (Guardian)
Delay in advice by Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions on Monday stalled proceedings in the murder case involving Lagos Island Branch B Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers.
The case before a Yaba Chief Magistrate’s Court has been further adjourned until April 4.
The chairman, Azeez Lawal (a.k.a Kunle Poly), aged 48, and one Adekanbi Wahab, aged 38, were on Jan. 27 brought on a three-count of conspiracy to commit murder, murder, and membership of a secret cult.
The charge was read to the defendants but their pleas were not taken. Read more
Sex-for-gig allegation: Singer Ruger, DJ DimpleNipple clash over D’Prince (Punch)
A disc jockey, Rachel Oluwabukola Martins, known as DJ DimpleNipple, and singer Michael Adebayo Olayinka, popularly known as Ruger, have been embroiled in a war of words over a sex-for-gig allegation involving Afro-pop singer, Charles Enebeli, better known by his stage name D’Prince.
The female disc jockey had called out D’Prince, who is the founder and the CEO of Jonzing World, over a sex-for-gig allegation, saying the singer invited her to a hotel for a meeting.
DJ DimpleNipple, in a series of posts on her Instagram story on Monday, claimed that the record label boss blocked her on the platform after she declined to meet him in the said hotel.
She wrote, “So that’s how one celeb blocked me on IG because he asked me to come meet him at the George Ikoyi for a meeting and I said I can’t come meet him there for a meeting and a three-way call would be better and Oga blocked me on IG. Read more
Daddy Freeze bows out, becomes Cool FM’s first hall of fame inductee (Leadership)
Nigerian on-air-personality, Ifedayo Olarinde, popularly known as Daddy Freeze, has announced his final exit from radio broadcasting after twenty-six years of dedicated, professional service.
Following his long-standing achievements with both Cool FM and Nigeria Info, Daddy Freeze has been announced as the pioneer inductee of Cool FM’s Hall of Fame.
This was revealed at his send-forth party which was organised to celebrate his years of professionalism, commitment and dedication towards the success of both Cool FM and Nigeria Info.
Appreciating Daddy Freeze for his long-standing commitment, Serge Noujaim, the Chief Executive Officer of Cool FM, Wazobia FM, Nigeria Info, and Arewa FM (CWIA), noted that his inputs were critical in solidifying Cool FM’s position across the Nigerian entertainment ecosystem. Read more
Anambra International Airport under threat, says Police (Independent)
The police in Anambra State says the multi-billion naira International Cargo and Passenger Airport at Umueri Anambra-East local government area of the state is currently under threat of vandalism.
The police boss CP Echeng Eworo Echeng who made this known in a statement released by the spokesman of the command DSP Ikenga Tochi, noted that hoodlums have launched attacks on the facility carting away armored cables around the airport.
Although he acknowledged the efforts of the command in adequately securing the airport, he said police operatives acting on useful intelligence have swooped on some of the vandals; arrested a few while some others are at large.
The CP’s statement reads, “The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Echeng Echeng has stated that the ongoing effort to rid Anambra State of all manner of crimes and criminality is yielding enviable results.” Read more
Osinbajo meets Obasanjo in Ogun (Punch)
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, on Monday, met with former President Olusegun Obasanjo in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
Our Correspondent gathered that Osinbajo had visited Ogun State for a high-level dialogue organised by the Coalition for Dialogue on Africa.
The dialogue tagged, ‘West Africa: Rising to the Challenge of Consolidating Democratic Governance,’ was planned to be held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, on Monday and Tuesday.
Osinbajo’s chopper landed within the premises of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library at exactly 10:24 am. Read more
Bare-chested Timothée Chalamet wows Oscars in Louis Vuitton womenswear (CNN)
Timothée Chalamet bolstered his reputation as one of Hollywood’s boldest dressers by showing up to the Oscars in Louis Vuitton womenswear.
The star wowed onlookers at Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre on Sunday evening in an embroidered lace jacket and high-waisted pants from the label’s Spring-Summer 2022 collection. He then put his own spin on the gender-fluid outfit with a sparkling necklace and a pair of black boots.
But it wasn’t just what Chalamet wore that set social media alight, it was what he didn’t: a shirt.
Bare-chested beneath his black blazer, the actor had fans swooning online. “Timothée Chalamet is basically a rockstar right?” wrote one Twitter user, with another joking: “I’d like to thank whoever made this outfit, Timothée Chalamet’s parents, and God.” Read more
Keith Martin death: Because of You singer found dead in his condo in the Philippines (Independent)
American R&B singer-songwriter Keith Martin has died at the age of 55.
According to multiple reports, the “Because of You” singer was found dead at his Quezon City condo unit in the Philippines on Friday (25 March).
The cause of his death is currently unknown, but police allegedly said he may have died a week before his body was discovered, according to reports in the Manila Bulletin.
According to the outlet, the police said that they found Martin’s body after the building’s property manager complained of a foul smell coming from the sixth floor, which led to police speculating that the singer had been dead for a week. Read more
Ed Sheeran dedicates song to late Jamal Edwards at concert (MusicNews)
Ed Sheeran dedicated a song to late Jamal Edwards at his latest concert.
The 31-year old pop star was performing at Royal Albert Hall in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust on Sunday (28.03.22) and introduced early hit ‘You Need Me, I Don’t Need You’ in memory of Jamal, who helped launched his career with online music platform SB.TV back in 2011 and reportedly died from a suspected heart attack aged 31 at the end of last month.
He is quoted by The Metro as saying: “We lost a really, really amazing soul just over a month ago, Jamal Edwards.He was my best friend, he was my brother. He changed my life. The song that I’m going to play is a song that he put onto his channel and this song opened up every single door for me, and I just want to say that this one’s for him. My brother.”
Jamal launched the urban music platform back in 2006 and in doing so helped launch the careers of other stars such as Jessie J, Rita Ora and Stormzy and when he passed away, the ‘Shivers’ hitmaker eventually posted a tribute to his Instagram where he claimed he would not be where he is today without the tragic entrepreneur. Read more
Boy George opens up about the power of music in times of crisis (FarOut)
Speaking in a new interview, Boy George – formerly of Culture Club – has opened up about the value of music and how it’s helped him get through tough times. The singer is just one of the big names to have donated to Chris Evans’ charity auction for Ukraine. Rod Steward, Jared Leto and Coldplay have also put items and experiences under the hammer.
Boy George has decided to auction off all the rights to the songs he’s written about Ukraine in the eight years since he visited the country for the first time. Talking to Evans on his daily breakfast show, the singer explained: “I went there about eight years ago, I Dj’d there, and I had the most amazing night and I remember thinking, this is such a beautiful place, I must come back.”
He added: “I suppose the spirit of this song is saying Ukraine is a beautiful country and hopefully it will be a beautiful country again, you know, and I watched this young kid the other day on Instagram saying, ‘Don’t be sad about all of that’. It’s difficult not to be because, you know, we’re just looking at it and were horrified and feeling helpless. And you know, to me, it’s just music that has always saved me in all my difficult situations.”
It seems that George wrote the songs with that sense of longing in mind. “I just remember thinking it was such a beautiful place. You know, it was summer I got picked up by this incredible kid who was like a punk rocker in this big American car like one of The Addams Family for my whole trip from beginning to end was just magical. And I remember thinking, I must go back, you know, and I would love to do that. I’d love to go back and sing this song.” Read more
The Full Monty to be revived by Disney+ as a limited TV series after 25 years (Sky)
The Full Monty is set to make a comeback after Disney+ announced it will turn the hit film into a limited TV series.
Featuring the original cast and going by the same name, the show will follow the group of friends as they navigate post-industrial Sheffield and experience the struggles of crumbling healthcare and employment systems.
Almost 25 years on from the release of the BAFTA award-winning film, Robert Carlyle will return as Gaz, Mark Addy as Dave, Lesley Sharp as Jean, Hugo Speer as Guy, Paul Barber as Horse, Steve Huison as Lomper, Wim Snape as Nathan and Tom Wilkinson as Gerald.
Over the course of eight episodes, the series will also explore the brighter and sillier side of life where community triumphs over adversity. Read more
How ‘CODA’ helped elevate the deaf community and ASL interpretation at the Oscars (THR)
With CODA‘s historic wins at the 2022 Oscars on Sunday night, the film, its cast and its creative team helped spotlight American Sign Language and ASL interpretation in a series of historic moments for the Deaf community in Hollywood and beyond.
The entire CODA cast closed out the 94th annual Academy Awards with their big best picture win, taking center stage at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles to signed applause as they accepted their honor with an ASL interpreter next to them. Yet, the historic night for CODA’s team actually began much earlier in the ceremony, with best supporting actor winner Troy Kotsur’s speech.
Along with his heartfelt acceptance and tribute to his father — a win that marked only the second time in Oscars history a Deaf actor has won and the first time a male actor has received a performance honor — the moment garnered attention partly because of his interpreter Justin Mauer. After working with Kotsur throughout awards season, Mauer got choked up while signing the actor’s speech and patted the Oscar winner on the back as they exited the stage.
Before saying Kotsur had won, 2021’s best supporting actress winner and this year’s best supporting actor presenter Youn Yuh-jung also signed Kotsur’s name and as the CODA star ascended the stage, much of the Oscars in-person crowd could be seen signing their applause for the first time that night. Read more
Jane Campion becomes 3rd woman to win the Best Director Oscar (TheHill)
Jane Campion took home the Oscar for Best Director on Sunday, becoming the third woman to win the coveted award.
Campion directed “The Power of the Dog,” which was nominated for 12 Oscars — the most of any film. Campion’s Academy Award was the only accolade the film won Sunday evening.
Even before Sunday’s red-carpet award ceremony, Campion, 67, made Oscars history as the only woman to ever be nominated for Best Director twice. The New Zealand screenwriter and producer received an Oscar nod in 1994 for the film “The Piano.”
Her win on Sunday also marked the first time a woman won the Best Director Oscar two years in a row. Chloé Zhao won the accolade last year for “Nomadland.” Kathryn Bigelow took home the award in 2010 for “The Hurt Locker.” Read more
Canada celebrates reaching first men’s World Cup in 36 years (CNN)
After a 36-year absence from the men’s World Cup, Canada can now call itself a “legit football country.”
That’s the view of coach John Herdman, the Englishman who has overseen Canada’s steady rise through the men’s FIFA rankings over the past four years.
Canada’s ascension to football legitimacy culminated in a 4-0 victory against Jamaica on Sunday, guaranteeing Herdman’s team a spot at the World Cup in Qatar later this year.
It will be just the second time that Canada has featured at a men’s World Cup having lost every game in the finals of the 1986 edition, but expectations are high this time around.
“The sky’s the limit. I think we’re going to just continue to get better and better and we’re going to continue to improve,” said midfielder Atiba Hutchinson, a 39-year-old veteran of the Canadian team. Read more
Nigeria vs Ghana: Getting World Cup ticket would mean everything — Osimhen (Vanguard)
Victor Osimhen wants to play in Qatar come November and getting the ticket to do so would mean everything to him.
The Black Stars of Ghana stand between Osimhen and that fulfilment and by the end of Tuesday, the Napoli forward would know his fate.
Nigeria will host Ghana at the MKO Stadium in Abuja after a barren first-leg draw in Ghana. The draw means that both teams come into the game without an advantage and the winner of the night takes all.
“I think it would mean a lot to me. Not just me but the whole team” Osimhen told NFF TV. Read more
Dani Alves names key similarity between Man City boss Pep Guardiola and Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel (MEN)
Dani Alves has named the main similarity between Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola and Chelsea’s Thomas Tuchel.
The Brazilian legend worked with the two Premier League coaches at Barcelona and PSG respectively. Since their arrivals in England, both Guardiola and Tuchel have enjoyed incredible success.
At City, Guardiola has won three Premier Leagues as well as enjoying FA Cup and League Cup success. Tuchel meanwhile has won the Champions League and the Club World Cup in his short time at Stamford Bridge.
Speaking to Four Four Two, Alves was asked to compare the two managers. He said: “Well, I can understand it (the similarities between the coaches). Read more
Crystal Palace star Tyrick Mitchell relishing Wilfried Zaha test after journey from AFC Wembley to England (Standard)
When Tyrick Mitchell came off the bench for his England debut at Wembley on Saturday, the Crystal Palace defender felt back at home.
Mitchell was born in Brent and grew up in the shadow of the national stadium, at one point living so close he could hear the roar when a goal went in from his front room.
From the age of 10, Mitchell would pass the famous arch twice a week on his way to Willesden Sports Centre, where he trained with grassroots club AFC Wembley, who played their matches within sight of the famous arch.
“It was always present in my life, the arch and the stadium,” Mitchell said. “I played around the corner and grew up in the area. Everywhere I was, I could see the arch. Any time England played, it lights up. So to be able to say I played at Wembley is something I’m proud of.” Read more
Naomi Osaka hails ‘better rhythm’ after Nick Kyrgios masterclass (GMS)
Naomi Osaka is constantly working on her form as she looks to bounce back from a tough period in 2021.
The former world number one recently returned to the court after taking a three-month hiatus in order to focus on her mental wellbeing.
Currently competing in the Miami Open, Osaka is eager to reach the top of her game again and return to winning ways.
The four-time Grand Slam winner has struggled with form in recent months after her withdrawal from the French Open seemingly affected her confidence. Read more
Mercedes underperformance ‘an exercise in humility’ – Wolff (F1i)
Toto Wolff concedes that Mercedes’ current inability to challenge its Red Bull and Ferrari rivals at the front of the field is “extremely painful” and “an exercise in humility”.
The Brackley squad continued to struggle last weekend in Saudi Arabia, with George Russell finishing Sunday’s race fifth while teammate Lewis Hamilton clocked in a distant tenth.
But the seven-time world champion’s shock elimination from Q1 on Saturday implied that Mercedes’ is still nowhere near solving the issues impacting its 2022 car, especially its chronic porpoising troubles.
As a fan of the sport, Wolff is delighted to witness the tight battle at the front between Red Bull and Ferrari. But as a team owner, it pained the Austrian to see Mercedes running so far behind for the first time in eight years. Read more
Terrell Gausha: I hate losing but I went out like a champion (BoxingScene)
Terrell Gausha vowed to present Tim Tszyu with a look he hadn’t seen before as a pro.
The 2012 U.S. Olympian and former title challenger made good on that promise, though just not to the point of closing the show.
Cleveland’s Gausha nearly spoiled the U.S. debut of Australia’s Tszyu (21-0, 15KOs), flooring the second-generation boxer in the opening round and jumping out to an early lead in their Showtime-televised main event from The Armory in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Tszyu overcame the early scare to win by scores of 114-113, 115-112 and 116-111 in their entertaining twelve-round junior middleweight battle that managed to breathe new life into Gausha’s career—even in realizing he let one get away.
“I had him in trouble after that first knockdown, but I got a little too excited,” Gausha confessed to BoxingScene.com after a valiant-in-defeat effort. “I trained hard and poured my heart out with it. I hate losing but I went out like a champion.” Read more