Why I lived under Lagos bridge – 75-year-old Ghanaian (DailyTrust)
One of the displaced squatters of the 86 apartments under the Dolphin Estate Bridge, Ikoyi, Lagos, Usman Hassan, has spoken about his time in the squalid environment.
Daily Trust reports that the Lagos State Government had on Wednesday blown a cover of the under-bridge apartments where tenants reportedly paid N250,000 annual rent.
The state’s Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this in a video post via his X account. Read more
‘‘You’re making people homeless’’, singer, Yemi Alade faults Lagos demolition (Punch)
Popular Nigerian singer, Yemi Alade, has decried the demolition exercise carried out at Mende Estate Villa, Lagos on Saturday.
Alade stated that such action would discourage those interested in investing in real estate in the state.
The state Commissioner of Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, had said the demolition was needed to reclaim the Odo Iya Laro drainage channel. Read more
Cleric urges adherence to proper marriages as 42 couples wed in Lagos (ThisDay)
Proper marriage remains the foundation of a family, and the family the bedrock of society and a sure way to save the world from the destructive impacts of secularism, the Parish Priest of Holy Family Catholic Church, Festac Town, Lagos, Rev. Fr. Melvis Mayaki, has said.
Fr. Mayaki, who is also the dean of Festac Deanery of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, spoke as 42 couples who had been living together regularised their marriages according to Catholic teachings on Saturday. He described the family as “a domestic church and the first unit of the society, as well as the first unit of socialisation.”
He stressed that the church will “continue to call people to the truth – whether the society accepts it or not – about the importance of true marriage built on the right foundation on the rock that is Jesus Christ, and on biblical principles, as the only way the world can be saved from the corruption and secularism that is eating it up. Read more
NDLEA smashes drug syndicate, arrests 5 suspects (Channels)
An international drug syndicate with networks in parts of Nigeria, South Africa and Thailand have been smashed by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Also, no fewer than five members of the cartel were arrested in a two-week intelligence led operation in Lagos, Abia and Anambra states following the seizure of their illicit drug consignments at the NAHCO import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos.
This was disclosed in a Sunday statement by NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, saying the unravelling of the drug cartel started on Sunday 20th April when their cargo of four big suitcases arrived at the NAHCO shed on an Air Peace airline flight from Johannesburg, South Africa. Read more
Kidnappers sleep off after abducting pastor’s wife, others in Ondo (Vanguard)
Police detectives have arrested five suspected kidnappers, who slept off after abducting a pastor’s wife and two other persons.
The suspects reportedly slept off after taking hard drugs. Vanguard gathered that the three victims escaped after their abductors slept off.
The suspects include Garuba Mumuni, 27; Yusuf Tale, 21; Kabiru Muhammed, 16, Shaibu Umar and Adamu Mohammed, 22. Read more
NANS, Fed Govt set for dialogue over fuel crisis, others (Nation)
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) is set for dialogue with the federal government on how to resolve the fuel crisis and electricity issue.
A statement by NANS Senate President, Akinteye Afeez and other NANS zonal coordinators noted that it had suspended its proposed national protest aimed at addressing the fuel scarcity crisis and demanding the resignation of key officials in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) and the Ministry of Power.
They said NANS will continue engagement with the government and advocate for the implementation of demands to address the causes of the fuel scarcity crisis and improve the energy sector. Read more
FG, states to review sentencing for suicide attempt — AGF (Tribune)
The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has promised a review of the law imposing sentencing for suicide attempts.
He gave the promise when he received a delegation from the Asido Foundation, a non-governmental organization promoting mental health advocacy and reforms with a view to improving awareness, reducing stigma, discrimination, and empowering persons with mental disorders and their families.
A statement by the Special Assistants to the President on Communications and Publicity, Office of the AGF, Kamarudeen Ogundele on Sunday said, Fagbemi disclosed that health is one of the priority areas of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Read more
World Press Freedom Day: Ethan Uzamere gets NUJ award of excellence (Independent)
The Nigerian Union Of Journalists, NUJ, Edo State Council has conferred an award of excellence on the Commissioner for Roads and Bridges, Edo State, Engr. Ethan Uzamere for his enormous contributions to societal development.
The award was conferred on him at an event organized by the union to mark World Press Freedom Day with the theme ” A Press For The Planet: Journalism In The Face Of Environmental Crisis,” held at the press center in Benin City.
Engr. Uzamere, who was speaking immediately after receiving the award thanked the union for finding him worthy of the Award of Excellence for hard work and service to humanity, just as he used the opportunity to appreciate the Good People of Edo State for voting and standing by His Excellency Governor Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki all these years. Read more
Free Madonna concert draws crowd of 1.6m to Brazil’s Copacabana beach (Guardian)
Area around Rio de Janeiro beach filled for several blocks as singer closes her Celebration world tour
Ashifa Kassam and agencies
Sun 5 May 2024 10.26 EDT
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare via Email
With the world-famous statue towering over it from Corcovado mountain, Rio de Janeiro is well used to Christ the Redeemer. For one night only this weekend, it also had Madonna.
More than a million people thronged Copacabana beach on Saturday night, turning its vast stretch of sand into a massive dancefloor for a free concert by the pop star as she completed her world tour. Read more
Lord Of The Rings and Titanic actor Bernard Hill dies (Sky)
Actor Bernard Hill, who played roles in Lord Of The Rings and Titanic, has died aged 79, his agent has confirmed.
Hill also featured as Yosser Hughes in the iconic drama series Boys In The Blackstuff.
He was given a number of awards for his role as King Theoden in the Lord of the Rings trilogy and played Captain Edward Smith in the 1997 Oscar-winning film Titanic. Read more
Togo’s ruling party wins sweeping majority in legislative elections (AfricaNews)
Togo’s ruling Union for the Republic party (UNIR) has won a sweeping majority in the country’s legislative elections held on 29 April.
Provisional results published late Saturday by the electoral commission showed it had won 108 out of the 113 seats in parliament.
Voting took place against the backdrop of heightened political tension following the approval earlier in April of a controversial new constitution and a series of crackdowns on opposition protests. Read more
Bella Ramsey teams up with Bridgerton star for new project (DigitalSpy)
The Last of Us‘ Bella Ramsey and Bridgerton’s Phoebe Dynevor have teamed up to star in short film “More Flames”.
Written and directed by Jack Cooper Stimpson, the comedy-satire centres around the lead actor (Dynevor) of a fictional film, who aims to “challenge the narrative they are committing to screen” (via Variety).
However, the actor’s differing opinion soon leads to an awkward conversation with the film’s director (Amar Chadha-Patel). Ramsey voices the actor’s insightful co-star, who happens to be a dog. Read more
Karem Abu Salem crossing closed to aid convoys after attack: Israeli army (AlJazeera)
Israel has closed the main crossing point for humanitarian aid to enter into Gaza after a Palestinian armed group fired rockets at a military base in southern Israel near the site killing three soldiers.
The Israeli military said on Sunday that it closed the Karem Abu Salem crossing, which Israel calls the Kerem Shalom crossing, to aid convoys after the attack.
The Qassam Brigades, Hamas’s armed wing, said the attack targeted a group of Israeli forces in the area of the crossing and its surroundings. Read more
Drake addresses claim that he has a “secret daughter” claim amid Kendrick Lamar feud (OK!)
Drake has denied Kendrick Lamar’s claims that he has a “secret” daughter. Kendrick Lamar continued their rap feud by releasing his latest diss track Meet The Grahams – which references Drake’s legal last name.
In the third verse of the new song, the 36-year-old references a “baby girl” who doesn’t have an active father in her life. He opened the track rapping: “Dear Adonis, I’m sorry that that man is your father, let me be honest.
“It takes a man to be a man, your dad is not responsive.” Read more
Australian police shoot dead a boy, 16, armed with a knife after he stabbed man in Perth (TheWeek)
A 16-year-old boy armed with a knife was shot dead by police after he stabbed a man in the Australian west coast city of Perth, officials said Sunday.
The incident occurred in the parking lot of a hardware store in suburban Willetton on Saturday night.
The teen attacked the man and then rushed at police officers before he was shot, Western Australian Premier Roger Cook told reporters on Sunday. Read more
12 years after: Ex-Eagles, fans celebrate late Yekini (Punch)
Former Super Eagles players and football enthusiasts on Saturday paid tribute to Nigeria’s all-time top scorer, Rashidi Yekini, 12 years after he passed on at 48 after a protracted illness, SUNDAY PUNCH reports.
The late Yekini was reportedly kidnapped shortly before he passed away, and the cause of his death is still unclear.
Despite his sad ending over a decade ago, there is pride in the achievements of the 1993 African Footballer of the Year, yet sadness at his death and anger at the way he had been treated by the government and football authorities. Read more
Chelsea preparing £77m plus two players in ‘massive’ bid for Osimhen (Vanguard)
English Premier League giants Chelsea have initiated talks with Napoli as they set their sights on securing the signature of Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window.
According to reports from Di Marzio, Chelsea is prepared to make a significant financial commitment to secure Osimhen’s services for the next season.
The proposed offer discussed between the two clubs is believed to be in the range of €80-90 million. Read more
Real Madrid win La Liga title as Jude Bellingham and co profit from Barcelona slip-up (Mirror)
Jude Bellingham has won the La Liga title in his first season with Real Madrid, who profited from Girona’s stunning victory over Barcelona.
England midfielder Bellingham was among the goalscorers as Real hammered Cadiz 3-0 at home on Saturday afternoon before reigning champions Barca suffered a 4-2 defeat in the evening. It marks Bellingham’s first ever league title win and the second trophy of his Madrid career, having lifted the Spanish Super Cup in January. Read more
Erik Ten Hag says Man United must clinch Europa League spot as they face Palace (National)
Erik ten Hag stressed the importance of Europa League qualification after Manchester United saw their Champions League ambitions ended with four matches to spare.
Last weekend’s 1-1 draw at Burnley helped put a top-four finish beyond them before faint hopes of sneaking into Europe’s top competition through fifth were extinguished on Wednesday.
Borussia Dortmund’s semi-final first leg win against Paris Saint-Germain meant England could no longer secure an extra Champions League spot, while United could still yet miss out on continental football entirely. Read more
Alonso to talk to FIA about nationality bias in F1 penalty decisions (F1i)
Fernando Alonso says he’ll be looking to engage with the FIA regarding his concerns over what he perceives as a nationality bias influencing the stewards’ penalty decisions in F1.
The Aston Martin driver’s sentiment stems from a string of recent incidents where he and his teammate have received penalties that they consider unfair.
Alonso was sanctioned in Melbourne for driving in a “potentially dangerous” manner that contributed to an accident involving his Mercedes rival George Russell. Read more
World Championship finalist Jak Jones slams “pathetic” criticism from snooker rivals (DailyStar)
Jak Jones has hit back at his critics, branding them “pathetic” after they took swipes at his playing style during the World Snooker Championship.
The Welshman, who has been causing a stir on the baize with his methodical approach, is standing firm and won’t be changing his tactics in his showdown with Kyren Wilson in the final. Jones has enjoyed an impressive run this year, knocking out Zhang Anda, Si Jiahui, Judd Trump and Stuart Bingham to secure his spot in the championship match.
Despite his winning streak, Jones has faced backlash for his slower pace of play, which has been called out by both Trump and Bingham. But the world number 44 isn’t having any of it, staunchly defending his strategy and dismissing the notion that it’s affecting his rivals’ game, via the Mirror. Read more
