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 Ademola Lookman’s hat trick wins Europa cup for Atlanta Super Eagles’ Lookman Ademola scored an hat trick on Wednesday evening to win Atlanta FC the Europa cup against the hitherto unbeaten Bayern Leverkusen side. Ademola scored a brace in the first half of the pulsating final before grabbing a hat trick in the second half to win the Italian side the first major trophy in its history. As soon as the final whistle was blown, players and technical crew members of the Atlanta side ran to lift the Nigerian-born super star afloat in a dramatic frenetic victory dance. He was also named the player of the match. Lookman makes history, hits hat-trick as Atalanta win Europa League trophy By Kazeem Ugbodaga Nigerian forward, Ademola Lookman scored a hat-trick on Wednesday as Atalanta thrashed Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 to win the Europa League trophy in Dublin, Ireland. The Nigerian striker made history as he becomes the first player to score a hat-trick in Europa League final. He also helped Atal...

 PRESS RELEASE IGP EGBETOKUN COMMENDS SUCCESSFUL RESCUE OF KIDNAPPED MINORS As Father Reunites with his Daughters The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, lauded the recent successful rescue of two minors who were victims of a heinous kidnapping incident that occurred on November 2022 in Jangebe, Zamfara State. Armed bandits had invaded the residence of Honorable Aminu Ardo, abducting his wife and four young children.  However, their successful rescue aftter 19 months in captivity was a culmination of strategic initiatives and operational tactics implemented by the Nigeria Police Force, leveraging advanced intelligence and tactical support from various units including the Katsina State Police Command's Anti-Kidnapping Squad and the Nigerian Air Force 215 FOB, Funtua under the coordination of the Office of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.  While celebrating this triumph, IGP Egbetokun expressed determination to combat kidn...

 RFK Jr. vows to give $5 billion for Black farmers in an effort to 'return stolen poperty' Although President Biden’s efforts to give farmers financial assistance based on race was ruled as unconstitutional in court, independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy has put forward a proposal to give Black farmers $5 billion. Kennedy promised $5 billion to Black farmers during a podcast interview with the founder of the National Black Farmers Association (NBFA). They discussed how Black farmers failed to get financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that was allocated in Biden's America Rescue Plan in 2021 after incurring loss during the COVID-19 pandemic. "I can tell you that when I’m in the White House, you’re going to be out there the first week, I’m going to get rid of those people in USDA and get that money," Kennedy said on a podcast with John Boyd Jr., the founder of the NBFA. Boyd Jr. highlighted that Biden has prioritized tack...

 Glen Powell says Matthew McConaughey inspired him to leave 'Matrix'-like Hollywood for Texas: 'Fake world' Glen Powell opened up about why he decided to leave Hollywood and move back to his home state of Texas. After living in Los Angeles for over 15 years, the 35-year-old actor told The Hollywood Reporter that he recently relocated to Austin, where he can be closer to his family and finish his degree at the University of Texas.  While speaking with the outlet, Powell said he was inspired to make a permanent move back to the Lone Star State on the advice of fellow Texan Matthew McConaughey.  "He’s like, ‘Hollywood is the Matrix, man. You plug in and it’s all fake world,’" the "Top Gun: Maverick" star recalled McConaughey telling him. Powell continued, "He’s like, ‘Then I go to Austin, and I unplug. It’s all real. Those are my friends, that’s my family, my actions matter there.’ And he’s right." "If you’re here, you live in the Matrix ...

 Former Tacoma Police officer sues city, Washington state in $47M defamation suit One of the three Washington State police officers who were acquitted of criminal charges in the 2020 death of Manny Ellis has filed a multmillion-dollar suit against city and state officials, claiming he was falsely accused of criminal and racial misconduct. Ellis, a black man who was shocked, beaten and held facedown on a sidewalk as he pleaded for breath, died in March 2020 in Tacoma police custody.  Last year during a trial, former Tacoma police officer Timothy Rankine, who is an Asian American, testified that he held Ellis down on his back, despite him pleading that he could not breathe.  The officers' attorneys argued that Ellis died from a lethal amount of methamphetamine as well as a heart condition, not from the officers’ actions. However, the Pierce County Medical Examiner ruled the death a homicide and said it was caused by a lack of oxygen during the physical restraint. Tacoma Pol...

FG bans money ritual, smoking scenes in Nollywood films The Federal Government has approved the prohibition of money rituals and the glamorising of vices in Nigerian films. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Executive Director and CEO of the National Film and Video Censors Board, Shaibu Husseini disclosed this at a National Stakeholders Engagement on Smoke-Free Nollywood held in Enugu on Wednesday. The event was organised by the NFVCB and Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa. Movie producers, directors and actors drawn from different parts of the country, as well as leaders of various guilds and associations in the Nigerian film industry were present at the event. Husseini said that today, we are facing an industry emergency requiring bold and ambitious actions from all parents, guardians and stakeholders. “When my predecessor approached the former Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Muhammed on the need to make a subsidiary legislation to curtail the displ...

 Impeached Cross Rivers assembly speaker says he remains speaker The impeached Cross Rivers state house of assembly speaker Hon. Ayamgbem Elvert says he remains the speaker of the state house of assembly. The chief press secretary to the speaker Mathew Okache made this known in a statement made available to newsmen. According to him, what happened on Wednesday was a ridiculous charade with no constitutional basis. He said the house was not aware of any impeachment notice being served by anyone before what happened during Wednesdays plenary. He insisted that the impeachment and replacement was speculative , as he urges the public to dismiss what he described as fake news and also dismiss any notion of crisis. He accused the member representing Calabar south 1 Hon Effiong Akarika of allegedly inviting thugs into the chamber to disrupt the sitting, as he said the speaker of the Cross Rivers state house of assembly remains Rt. Hon Elvert Ayamgbem 

 Labour reduces demand on Minimum Wage to N500,000 IN a bid to shift ground so as to ensure speedy conclusion of negotiation on new national Minimum Wage, the Organised Labour at the ongoing Tripartite Committee on the National Minimum Wage meeting has reduced its demand from N615,000 to N500,000. A source at the meeting told Vanguard that the government team is adamant about N54,000, complaining of non-availability of fund and the inability of the private sector to pay. But the private sector has made additional N3,00 taking up its offer to N57,000 from the initial N54,000. According to the source, “Government has agreed that NLC is using evidence-based presentation. But they argue that eight states are not paying or not fully implementing the 2019 minimum wage.” The source further said, “Government is talking of non-availability of fund. They are also talking about the inability of the private sector to pay.” On Labour shifting of ground by the organised labour, the source said, ...

 Ghanaian toddler becomes world's youngest male artist  The Guinness World Record has recognised a Ghanaian toddler, Ace-Liam Nana Sam Ankrah as the world's youngest male artist.  Ace-Liam, a year and 5 months, was announced as the youngest male artist by the GWR on Wednesday, May 22 via its X handle.  According to his mum, Chantelle, who is also an artist, said she discovered Ace-Liam’s passion for painting when he was just 6 months old. Since then, Ace-Liam has attracted significant attention from national and international media and the First Lady of the Republic of Ghana. “While learning to crawl, I spread out a piece of unstretched canvas on the floor and dropped some paint on it as a way to keep him busy while I worked on a commission painting,” she explained. “He […] ended up spreading the paint all over the canvas, and in the process he created his first masterpiece titled The Crawl.  “It was clear that he found a lot of joy in it.” “He has created a buz...

 GOVERNOR UZODIMMA RECEIVES  COUNCIL OF SOUTHERN TRADITIONAL RULERS  Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State warmly welcomed the Council of southern traditional rulers in a historic meeting aimed at fostering unity and addressing regional issues. The gathering which held at the Imo State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja, saw the convergence of prominent monarchs from across the southern states, marking a significant step towards collaborative governance and cultural preservation. In his address, Governor Uzodimma emphasized the importance of traditional institutions in maintaining societal values and promoting peace. He acknowledged the critical role of the monarchs in mediating conflicts and supporting development initiatives within their communities. The traditional rulers, led by the Chairman of the Southern Traditional Rulers Council, His Royal Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife, expressed their appreciation for Governor Uzodimma’s inclusive approach and dedic...

 STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE  PRESIDENT TINUBU TO ATTEND THE INAUGURATION OF PRESIDENT MAHAMAT DÉBY OF CHAD President Bola Tinubu will on Thursday, May 23, depart Abuja for N'Djamena, the Republic of Chad, to attend the inauguration of President Mahamat Déby. The inauguration of President Déby follows his declaration as the winner of the country's presidential election earlier this month and subsequent affirmation by the Constitutional Court of Chad. President Tinubu will be accompanied on the trip by senior government officials and will return after the ceremony. Chief Ajuri Ngelale Special Adviser to the President  (Media & Publicity) May 22, 2024

 PRESIDENT BOLA TINUBU APPOINTS ACM SHEHU MOHAMMED AS CORPS MARSHAL OF FRSC.. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR,  has approved the appointment of Assistant Corps Marshal Mohammed Shehu as the Corps Marshal/Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC). The appointment is for an initial period of four years with effect from 20th May 2024 by the relevant provisions of the Act establishing the Commission. President Tinubu tasks the appointee to bring his wealth of experience to bear in his new assignment. One more photo below. 

  STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE PRESIDENT TINUBU APPOINTS NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF TWO FEDERAL AGENCIES  President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Engr. Chukwuemeka Woke as the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA). Furthermore, the President has approved the appointment of Dr. Adedeji Ashiru as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority (OORBDA). Engr. Woke, besides being an engineer, is an environmental specialist and politician. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical/Petrochemical Engineering, and had served under the Environmental, Safety, and Operations Departments of the then Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). He was Chairman of Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State and Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, for many years. Dr. Ashiru holds a Doctorate degree in Engineering from the Common Wealth Universi...

 Junior Pope hasn’t been allowed to rest since April 10 – Rita Edochie Nollywood actress, Rita Edochie, has said the image of late Nollywood actor John Odonwodo, aka Junior Pope, which was not dented during his life time wouldn’t be destroyed in his death. Rita made this known following controversy surrounding her in-law, Yul Edochie’s recent statement about Junior Pope. Yul had claimed that Junior Pope betrayed him multiple times while he was alive, which led to his absence from the funeral. Reacting to his statement on her Facebook page on Tuesday, Rita Edochie emphasized the importance of keeping certain issues unspoken, offering prayers for Junior Pope’s soul to rest in peace. She also expressed sadness over the inability to defend oneself or seek justice after passing, highlighting the cruelty that exists in human nature. She wrote, “Some things are better left unsaid, it is well. May the soul of my great son, Junior Pope, start resting, because it is glaring he hasn’t been al...

 Abba Kyari gets bail after 27 months in detention A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted the former commander of the Force Intelligence Response Team, DCP Abba Kyari, two weeks’ bail after 27 months in detention. Kyari is expected to conclude his mother, Yachilla Kyari’s burial rites. The court subsequently set Friday, May 31, for the determination of his bail application in the trial over drug-related charges filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency following his arrest over two years ago on February 14, 2022. Recall that the mother died in the early hours of Sunday, May 5, 2024, and was survived by 10 children (five males and five females), including Abba, who is the eldest son. While Abba Kyari was not able to attend his mother’s burial, residents of Borno State turned out in large numbers to pay their respects to Yachilla, who was buried according to Islamic rites the same day. In 2022, the Police Service Commission suspended Kyari and two senior police officers — ...

 House Democrat blasts Ireland, Spain, Norway recognition of Palestinian state as 'gift to Hamas' Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minn., on Wednesday blasted Ireland, Spain and Norway’s decision to recognize Palestinian statehood, arguing the move sent a "message to terrorists" that "abhorrent tactics work."  "I’ve long advocated for Palestinian self-determination and statehood, and will continue to do so," Phillips, who sits on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, wrote on X.   "But Spain, Norway, and Ireland’s premature recognition of a state is a gift to Hamas and a message to terrorists around the world that abhorrent tactics work," he said. "Shameful."  Notably, Hamas celebrated Ireland, Spain and Norway's decision as a significant "turning point," according to a statement shared on X by the Palestinian news agency Quds News Network.  "Hamas welcomes the announcement of Norway, Ireland, and Spain recognizing the st...

Sunak Announces U.K. General Elections for July 4 Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced that a General Election will take place on Thursday, July 4, 2024. Parliament will be dissolved next Thursday, May 30. ACCORDING TO ANOTHER SOURCE: 🇬🇧 PM out in rain to hide his tears as he announces general election taking place on July 4 for Brits to decide who they want in charge. Sunak attempts to convince people that Putin’s behind country’s colossal energy crisis (00:20 in left vid)  - conveniently ignoring U.S. blowing up Nord Stream gas pipelines and tidal wave of anti-Russian sanctions - as he claims he’ll "defend" country by continuing his manic warmongering. Sunak’s Conservative Party have already suffered losses in local elections earlier this month and latest polls (right pic) show Labour Party clear favorites to win. Watch video below. 

 Iranian crowd chants 'death to America' at funeral for dead president Mourners chanted "Death to America" at the funeral service for Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Wednesday in the nation's capital of Tehran. President Raisi, Iran's foreign minister and others were killed Sunday in a helicopter crash. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei presided over the service at Tehran University, where caskets of the dead draped in Iranian flags were seen with pictures of the deceased on them. A black turban was placed on Raisi's coffin, signifying him as a direct descendant of the Islamic Prophet Muhammed, according to The Associated Press. "Oh Allah, we didn’t see anything but good from him," Khamenei said, quoting the standard prayer for the dead from the Quran, Islam's holy book. The supreme leader left after he finished the prayer, and members of the crowd reached out to touch the coffins. Iran's acting president, Mohammad Mokhber,...

 Model sues Diddy for alleged drugging, sexual assault at New York studio Sean "Diddy" Combs is facing a new sexual assault lawsuit filed Tuesday in a Manhattan federal court. Crystal McKinney claimed she was attacked in Combs' recording studio after having dinner with the music mogul and an un-named fashion designer at Cipriani Downtown in New York during a Men's Fashion Week event in 2003, according to documents obtained by Fox News Digital. The latest allegations come just days after Combs apologized for his "inexcusable" behavior after a video emerged showing the powerhouse producer beating his then-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, in a Los Angeles hotel hallway in 2016. McKinney was 22 years old at the time of the alleged attack, and she stated in documents that Combs had complimented her throughout the night. At one point, the producer told McKinney that she "was going to make it big one day" as a model. Representatives for Combs did not immediate...

 Texas woman with blown tire kidnapped, sexually assaulted by man who pulled over under guise of helping: docs A Texas woman stranded along the roadside with a flat tire was kidnapped and sexually assaulted by a man who pulled over and offered to assist, police say. Reynaldo Tapia-Arcibar, 31, faces aggravated kidnapping and sexual abuse charges after the May 16 incident, according to Travis County Jail records.  Dispatchers in Austin received a call from a woman "screaming for help" and reporting that she had just been sexually assaulted around 3:30 a.m. that day, according to an affidavit reviewed by Fox 7 Austin. She told police that her assailant tricked her into getting inside his "boxy white SUV" after she had spent an hour waiting for help in the Northeastern part of the city.  Tapia-Arcibar told the woman that he was going to take her to get a replacement for her flat tire, then "shut the door quickly" behind her, the affidavit stated.  Instead, ac...

 Ex-head of UK’s Post Office breaks down while testifying about scandal that saw hundreds wrongly convicted The former head of Britain's Post Office Paula Vennells broke down in tears on several occasions as she gave evidence Wednesday to an inquiry into one of the country’s biggest miscarriages of justice that saw hundreds of branch managers wrongly convicted of theft or fraud because of a faulty computer system. Vennells, who earlier this year gave back her Commander of the Order of the British Empire title that she received in 2019, admitted that she had "made mistakes" but denied there was a conspiracy to cover up the scandal. "I have no sense that there was any conspiracy at all," she said. "My deep sorrow in this is that I think that individuals, myself included, made mistakes, they didn’t see things and hear things." After the Post Office introduced the Horizon information technology system 25 years ago to automate sales accounting, local manage...

 Cate Blanchett slammed for describing herself as 'middle class' despite massive reported net worth Actress Cate Blanchett was bashed online after labeling herself "middle class" earlier this week. A UNHCR goodwill ambassador since 2016, Blanchett spoke during the "UNHCR: Displaced Stories" press conference at the Cannes Film Festival on Monday, discussing the global refugee crisis and the importance of giving displaced people a voice.  "When I look back at films that were made during the Second World War, even if the films didn't – the narratives didn't – directly deal with it, it was understood that a global crisis was going on," Blanchett said of how, historically, film has referenced the geopolitical climate. "It was just a texture behind the films that were being made. And given that this is a global challenge, a global crisis, I'm always bewildered as to why more films don't speak directly or obliquely to this," she ...

 Alleged N1.2m US Visa Scam: American Businessman, Marco Ramirez Knows Fate Sept. 10 Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, adjourned till September 10, 2024  judgment in the alleged $1.2million US visa scam involving an American businessman, Marco Antonio Ramirez. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is prosecuting Ramirez alongside his companies, USA NOW LLC, Eagle Ford Instalodge Group LP and USA Now Energy Capital Group LP, for an alleged $1.2 million EB-5 visa scam. The defendant allegedly obtained the money from his victims as processing fees for their investments in his company, USA Now Energy Capital Group LP, in the Employment-Based Fifth Preference (EB-5) United States of America Investor Programme, which would qualify them to be eligible for the issuance of USA Green Card. The defendant, however, allegedly reneged on his promise. He was initially arraigned on  a 12-count charge, to...

 Court Jails 12 Internet Fraudsters in Makurdi   Justices R.J. Egbe ,  N.I Afolabi and Emeka Nwite ,  M.S Abubarkar,  M.S.Abubakar , A. Onoja, Justice Ajiya Ngajuwa and Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court sitting in Makurdi, Lafia and Abuja   have convicted and sentenced 12(twelve) internet fraudsters to various jail terms   The convicts were jailed after pleading guilty to one-count separate charges upon their arraignment by the Makurdi Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.   The convicts are: Bem Peter, Onminyi Joseph Ocheje,  Nelson Ogbu Oche,   Gabriel Sughter, Samuel Lubem, Terver Terfa James, Dominic Chiemere Bonaventure, Anaambe Michael,  Okanche Samuel,  Ebu Emmanuel Anoyedu, Omotunde Oluwamayowa and Pkutu Christopher.   The charge  against Ocheje reads: "That you, Onminyi Joseph Ocheje "M" sometime between January and December, 2021 in Makurdi, Benue State, w...