Women can replicate banking success in politics if allowed – Olori Atuwatse III (Channels)
The beautiful and classy Olori Ivie Atuwatse III is one of the young and upwardly mobile queens in Nigeria championing the frontiers of women empowerment and girl-child education.
She is married to one of the most influential traditional rulers in the country, the 21st Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III. In this interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief programme, the distinguished queen said women, as natural nurturers, have proven their mettle in banking and can replicate the same success in politics if supported.
“The girl-child or women in general are my first constituents. You can’t have a passion for anything if you don’t share their story. I know that women empowerment and girl-child education are smart things to do. Girls will eventually become women and we know that women empowerment is not just the right and just thing to do but the smart thing to do because when you empower a woman, you empower a community. So, as a development advocate, I’m very passionate about girl-child education”. Read more
NDLEA arrests Lagos, Italy-based businessmen for drugs, seizes shipments (Guardian)
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intensified its crackdown on drug trafficking networks with a series of major arrests across multiple states and international routes. Among those apprehended are a Lekki-based businessman and an Italy-bound logistics agent, both caught in separate drug smuggling operations.
In Lagos, operatives of the NDLEA arrested Arokodare Damil Ebenezer, the proprietor of Damillionz Takeout, in connection with a shipment of 60 parcels of Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, from the United States to Nigeria.
A statement by NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi on Sunday confirmed that the 43-year-old suspect was apprehended at Bay Lounge, Admiralty Way, Lekki, on March 24, 2025, while awaiting delivery of his illicit consignment. His arrest followed the seizure of seven large cartons containing the drugs at a logistics company in Lagos on March 12. Read more
What I told wike before removing FCT from TSA – Tinubu (DailyTrust)
President Bola Tinubu has disclosed that he had a one on one discussion with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Nyesom Wike before removing the FCT administration from the Treasury Single Account, TSA.
Speaking when the Minister led a delegation from the FCT to the Presidential Villa, Abuja on a Sallah homage, the President urged Nigerians to continue to imbibe the virtue of discipline, understanding, sharing, and partaking in the family values “that will always bring us together as one family.”
He commended the FCT Minister for the innovation he has brought to the administration of the territory. Read more
Petrol price rises to N935 in Lagos (Nation)
Petrol marketers across the Lagos metropolis at the weekend raised the pump price of the commodity to between N925 per litre and N935 per litre.
This is in response to the increase in the landing cost of petrol, the stoppage by Dangote Refinery of the sales of the commodity in naira about two weeks ago and the delay in conclusion of negotiation on the naira for crude policy.
Last Monday, the landing cost of the commodity rose to N843.28 per litre from a previous N797 per litre a forthnight ago. Read more
Edo PDP tackles Okpebholo over ‘‘deteriorating security situation’’ (Channels)
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State has blamed Governor Monday Okpebholo for the “rapidly deteriorating security situation” in the state, which the party linked to the recent killing of innocent travelers in Uromi.
Some travelers accused of kidnapping were gruesomely murdered by a mob in Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area of the state on Thursday which has attracted public condemnation.
Following the incident, Governor Okpebholo announced the suspension of all illegal vigilante groups operating under whatever guise in the state. He also suspended the Commander of the Edo State Security Corps, CP Friday Ibadin (Rtd.). Read more
Nigeria Records 118 Lassa Fever Deaths, 645 Cases In 33 States (Leadership)
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported 3,465 suspected cases of Lassa fever, with 645 confirmed infections and 118 deaths between January and March 2025.
The centre stated on Sunday that the outbreak had affected 91 local government areas across 33 states, resulting in a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 18.3 per cent.
The director-general of NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, disclosed that 20 healthcare workers have been infected across several states, including Ondo (8), Bauchi (4), Edo (1), Taraba (2), Ebonyi (1), Gombe (2), Benue (1), and Ogun (1). Read more
First Lady celebrates women on Mother’s Day (Nation)
In a heartfelt message marking Mother’s Day, First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu has extended warm wishes to mothers across the nation, recognizing their invaluable role in shaping society.
The First Lady described mothers as “the heart of families, the nurturers of children, and the pillars of society.”
She highlighted the sacrifices, dedication, and unwavering commitment of Nigerian mothers in raising the next generation despite the challenges they face. Read more
Doechii breaks the red-carpet rules in a sheer vintage gown (Harpersbazaar)
Doechii was crowned Woman of the Year at the 2025 Billboard Women in Music Awards—and she certainly dressed the part.
Leaving quite the fashionable impression, the Tampa-based rapper worked with stylist Sam Woolf to pull a look from the archives. As she stepped up and out to the festivities in Inglewood, California, she did so wearing a sheer gown from DKNY’s Fall/Winter 2014 collection, pairing the vintage number with a bag of the same caliber.
Maximalist accessorizing helped modernize her look, adding that playful touch well-associated with her personal style. Read more
Helen Mirren reveals why she “never liked” the ‘James Bond’ franchise (InStyle)
Helen Mirren is weighing in on the discourse about casting the next James Bond. The Academy Award-winning actress, who co-stars with Pierce Brosnan in the Paramount+ series MobLand, revealed why she doesn’t support a woman playing the role of 007 while talking about the “profound sexism” of the franchise.
During an interview with The Standard, the conversation turned to the James Bond franchise, which was bought by Amazon MGM Studios back in February. Mirren has family ties to the series, as her late cousin Tania Mallet played Bond girl Tilly Masterson, and her MobLand co-star Brosnan famously played the British secret agent between 1995 and 2002. While the actress emphasized she’s a “massive fan” of Brosnan, as well as “very lovely” former 007 actor Daniel Craig, she revealed she wasn’t a big fan of the franchise. Read more
Iconic Bond villain Bruce Glover dies age 92 (Digitalspy)
James Bond star Bruce Glover has died at the age of 92.
The actor’s son, Crispin Glover, confirmed via Instagram that his father died on March 12, but did not give further details.
Glover famously played assassin Mr Wint in the 1971 James Bond movie Diamonds Are Forever, with other film appearances including Walking Tall (1973), Chinatown (1974) and Hard Times (1975).
He also had roles in multiple TV shows, such as My Favorite Martian, The Rat Patrol, The Mod Squad, Gunsmoke, Adam 12, Mission: Impossible, Police Story, Barney Miller and CHiPs. Read more
Tsunami warning issued after strong 7.1 quake in Tonga (RNZ)
A strong magnitude 7.1 earthquake has been recorded in Tonga, and a tsunami warning has been issued for places within 300km of the epicentre, including the capital, Nuku’alofa.
The quake struck 90km southeast of Pangai, which is in the Ha’apai Group of islands, about 1.20am on Monday.
The United States Tsunami Warning System said hazardous tsunami waves from this earthquake were possible within 300km of the epicentre along the coasts of Tonga. Read more
Sudan paramilitary chief admits withdrawal from capital Khartoum (NewArab)
The head of the Sudanese paramilitary Rapid Support Forces admitted in a speech to fighters on Sunday that the group had withdrawn from the capital Khartoum which rival army forces have retaken.
The comment from RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo came three days after the group said there would be “no retreat and no surrender” and that its forces had “repositioned”, despite the army’s declaration on Thursday that the capital was “free” of the paramilitaries after nearly two years of war.
“I confirm to you that we have indeed left Khartoum, but… we will return with even stronger determination,” Daglo said in the speech posted to social media. Read more
Richard Chamberlain, star of ‘The Thorn Birds’ and ‘Shogun,’ dies at 90 (NBC)
Richard Chamberlain, the actor known for his roles in miniseries such as “The Thorn Birds” and “Shogun,” died in Hawaii on Saturday following complications from a stroke, his representative said.
Chamberlain, 90, was likely best known for his roles on the small screen, but was a versatile actor who also graced Broadway stages and tried his hand at singing as well.
Chamberlain is survived by his longtime partner, Martin Rabbett. Read more
Elite para-athletes gear up for 3×3 Wheelchair Tournament (Guardian)
The city of Abeokuta will come alive when the highly-anticipated BetKing 3×3 wheelchair basketball tournament begins from April 3 to 7, 2025.
The entire Ijeja neighborhood in Abeokuta is already anticipating the dunking off of the tournament and also gearing up to welcome top sports dignitaries and athletes from across the country.
Among the top administrators expected at the tournament include the chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, NSC’s Director General, Bukola Olopade and the president of the Nigeria Para-Olympic Committee, Sunday Oyebode.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Elite Athletes and Podium Board, Yusuf Ali, is also expected to grace the championship. Read more
Boniface pleads for patience amid Eagles drought
(Punch)
Super Eagles striker Victor Boniface has pleaded with Nigerian football fans to remain patient with him amid his goal drought at the international level, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The 24-year-old took to Instagram after scoring for Bayer Leverkusen in their 3-1 victory over Bochum on Friday night, making a heartfelt appeal to supporters.
“9ja (Nigeria) plz (please) be patient with me, the goal will come,” Boniface wrote in his post.
Despite being a prolific goalscorer at club level, Boniface has struggled to replicate that form whilst wearing the green and white jersey of Nigeria. The forward has made 11 appearances for the Super Eagles but has not managed to score a single goal since his debut in 2023.Read more
Tragedy as Nigerian boxer Olanrewaju collapses, dies during fight (Vanguard)
The boxing world is in mourning following the tragic passing of former National and West African light-heavyweight champion, Segun ‘Success’ Olanrewaju, who died after collapsing during a fight in Ghana on Saturday.
Olanrewaju was competing against Ghanaian boxer Jon Mbanugu at Fight Night 15 of the Ghana Professional Boxing League at Bukom Boxing Arena when he suddenly lost consciousness.
Reports indicate that he was ahead on points before the unfortunate incident occurred. Read more
Tim Henman reveals Emma Raducanu’s biggest concern – and it is not her next coach
(Tennis365)
Tim Henman has insisted Emma Raducanu’s next coaching move is not the most important factor in her hopes of building on her impressive performances at the Miami Open.
The 2021 US Open champion played her best tennis since that triumph in New York three and a half years ago as she made it through to her first WTA 1000 quarter-final in Miami, with her impressive run including a win against top 10 rival Emma Navarro.
Raducanu’s best performance may have come in her defeat against Jessica Pegula, as she pushed the eventual runner-up all the way in a high-quality three-set match. Read more
LeBron card sells for $1.159m; Caitlin Clark card sets record (ESPN)
A 2003 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Exquisite Rookie Patch Autograph LeBron James card sold for $1.159 million, including buyer’s premium, at Goldin Auctions on Saturday night. It’s the second James RPA from this set to eclipse the $1 million plateau with Goldin Auctions in five weeks.
In the same auction, Caitlin Clark’s 2024 Panini Prizm WNBA Signatures Gold Vinyl Prizm card — numbered 1-of-1, receiving a perfect 10 grade with a 10 autograph grade from grader Professional Sports Authenticator — sold for $366,000, including buyer’s premium.It set a record for a women’s sports card, shattering the previous mark of $266,400 paid for a 2003 NetPro Serena Williams RPA in May 2022. Read more