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 Pope Leo XIV welcomes US-Iran ceasefire, urges dialogue and prayers for peace Pope Leo XIV expressed cautious optimism Wednesday over a temporary ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, calling the agreement “a sign of deep hope” during remarks to a crowd in St. Peter’s Square. His comments follow criticism of President Trump’s earlier threat to “destroy a whole civilization” if Iran did not meet U.S. demands by Tuesday evening, which the pope described as morally unacceptable and a serious concern for the Iranian people. The ceasefire, announced just before Trump’s deadline, pauses military operations for two weeks to allow both countries to negotiate a 10-point peace proposal. While Trump hailed the agreement as a significant step toward resolution, some officials and lawmakers have expressed skepticism, noting reports of Iranian strikes in the Gulf following the announcement. In his address, Leo called for both sides to return to dialogue and urged the faithful to pray that diplom...

 North Korea fires multiple ballistic missiles in second launch in two days as tensions with South Korea escalate     North Korea launched multiple short-range ballistic missiles into its eastern waters on Wednesday, marking its second round of weapons tests in just two days and escalating tensions with South Korea. According to South Korea’s military, several missiles were fired from the eastern coastal city of Wonsan, each traveling roughly 240 kilometers, followed later by another missile that flew more than 700 kilometers before landing outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone. Officials said the launches did not pose an immediate threat to the United States or its allies but emphasized that forces remain prepared to respond to any provocation. A separate launch detected a day earlier from North Korea’s capital region appeared to fail shortly after liftoff. The missile activity came alongside increasingly hostile rhetoric from Pyongyang, which signaled it has no i...

Chris Hemsworth and Idris Elba return as Netflix moves forward with Extraction 3 Chris Hemsworth and Idris Elba are set to return for the next installment in the Extraction franchise, as the third film in the action series officially moves forward. Director Sam Hargrave, who led the first two movies, will return to helm the sequel, with Golshifteh Farahani also joining the cast. The script is being written by David Weil, though specific plot details have not yet been revealed. Elba previously appeared in a cameo role in Extraction 2, which was released in 2023. The original film debuted in 2020 and quickly became a major success, breaking viewership records for the streaming platform. It followed mercenary Tyler Rake on a mission to rescue a kidnapped boy in Bangladesh and was based on the graphic novel “Ciudad.” The upcoming film will again be produced by a team that includes the Russo brothers and other longtime collaborators, as the franchise continues to expand with the same core c...

 Ukraine urges US to pressure Russia for ceasefire, citing Middle East truce as example    Kyiv on Wednesday called on the United States to pressure Russia into ending its ongoing invasion, citing Washington’s recent ceasefire agreement with Iran as an example of effective U.S. action. Ukrainian officials said the deal demonstrated how decisive U.S. leadership can create conditions for peace, and urged similar efforts to halt Moscow’s attacks in Europe. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga emphasized that Ukraine supports diplomatic solutions and highlighted that a ceasefire in the Middle East could serve as a model for ending the war with Russia. The Kremlin expressed hope for a new round of talks with U.S. and Ukrainian representatives following the Tehran-Washington truce. U.S. Vice President JD Vance acknowledged the difficulty of resolving the Ukraine conflict but said Washington would continue working toward a solution, criticizing Europe...

 Turkey detains nine in Istanbul attack on police outside Israeli consulate    Turkish authorities have detained nine individuals in connection with an attack on police outside the Israeli Consulate in Istanbul that left one assailant dead. The incident occurred on Tuesday in the city’s financial district, where two other attackers were wounded and captured. Two police officers suffered minor injuries during the shootout. At the time of the attack, the consulate was closed, as Israel had withdrawn its diplomats from Turkey amid security concerns and worsening relations following the outbreak of the war in Gaza. Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci said one of the assailants was linked to a group that “exploits religion,” though he did not name the organization. Authorities reported that the attackers traveled from Izmit in a rented car, and the two wounded assailants, brothers Onur C. and Enes C., are now in custody. Security forces carried out operations in Istanbul, Konya, ...

 "Delta 13 just advised they threw a baby out the window." Officers in Oklahoma have been placed on administrative leave for an April Fool's joke. An investigation into the actions of officers with the Oklahoma City PD has been initiated after a local station published police radio audio from April 1st. The audio released of the hoax or "joke" perpetrated by an unspecified number of officers was in regard to a police pursuit. In the audio, you hear one officer claiming that a "baby had been thrown out the window" of the fleeing vehicles. Another officer can be heard reporting that a "transient had been run over". The Oklahoma City Fire Department immediately dispatched an engine, rescue ladder trucks, and a "blood unit" in response to the fake "joke" report. Troopers with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol also urgently responded to the call.  Some dispatchers were upset after learning that the transmissions were a hoax with one ...

 "Not gonna stop for no train."  A Florida bus driver has been fired after putting a bus full of children in danger. A harrowing bus ride left 29 children fearing for their lives and 67-year-old Yvonne Hampton unemployed and facing criminal charges. A TikTok video that was shared by one of the students on the bus shows just how close to disaster Yvonne's recklessness put the children.  In the video, you can hear children crying and screaming as a train roars by the back of the bus.  According to witnesses, as Yvonne approached the train tracks that were clearly warning of an oncoming train, she stated, "Not gonna stop for no train," before continuing across the tracks. The train ultimately clipped the back of the bus in a near miss that Sumnter School District Superintendent Logan Brown called a 6-inch difference from being an extremely catastrophic situation.   As a result of her actions on April 2nd, Yvonne Hampton was arrested by Sumnter County Sheriff's...

 An Indiana school bus driver was "looking at her phone", causing a crash that left the bus on its side and a student with minor injuries.  At approximately 9:30 a.m. on Monday, April 6th, deputies with the Stueben County Sheriff's Department were called to an accident involving a school bus. When authorities arrived on the scene, they discovered a Metropolitan School District of Stueben County bus overturned on the west side of South County Road East.  Thankfully there were no serious injuries and only the driver, 71-year-old Jennie Hammond, and a 19-year-old student were aboard the bus at the time of the accident. Both Jennie and the student were able to exit the bus on their own following the accident. The student was transported to Cameron Hospital due to minor injuries.  Alcohol is not believed to be a factor. However a review of surveillance video from the bus showed Jennie Hammond seemingly distracted by her cellphone causing the bus to drift of off the roadwa...

 The heartbreaking and haunting last image of 7-year-old, Athena Strand. We originally covered this story when little Athena was still just a missing person when she vanished from her home in Paradise, Texas.  Then we continued to bring you coverage of the story through to its tragic ending when Athena was found deceased two days later. We then updated when it was determined her life had sadly ended as a result of foul play and the ultimate arrest of Fed Ex driver, Tanner Horner, in connection to her death.  At the time of his arrest, Tanner claimed he had been delivering a Christmas present to Athena's home when he "accidentally struck her with his delivery vehicle". Tanner told authorities he had freaked out and str@ngled her after injuring her with his delivery vehicle. The last image shows an unharmed Athena on her knees, being told "not to scream". Forensics also tell a very different story that directly contradict that Athena was "accidentally struck...

 MINISTRY OF HOUSING DIRECTORS RECEIVE SUV FROM GOVERNOR SANWO-OLU The Lagos State Ministry of Housing has recorded another milestone in staff welfare and motivation as two of its substantive directors received official vehicles from the Lagos State Government.  The beneficiaries are the Director of Legal Unit, Barrister. Bukade Idowu-Koya, and the Director of Engineering Services, Engr. Adedamola Adedokun, both of whom received a brand-new SUV. The presentation of Directors’ vehicles to substantive Directors in the Lagos State Public Service was performed by Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, the Governor of Lagos State, at Lagos House on Tuesday, 24 March 2026. While congratulating the recipients, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Housing, Engr. Abdulhafis Toriola “I wish to appreciate Mr. Governor for his unwavering support for public servants and for consistently prioritising staff welfare under his administration’’.  Engr. Toriola congratulated the benefic...

 EFCC Arrests One for Naira Mutilation in Maiduguri  The Maiduguri Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, April 7, 2025 arrested one Fatima Muhammed for an alleged Naira mutilation.  The suspect was arrested following a viral video circulated on tiktok where she was seen cleaning mucus from her nose using N500 Naira note.  Following the release of the video, operatives of the Commission traced and arrested her in the Maiduguri metropolis area.  The suspect is currently under investigation at the Maiduguri detention facility while investigation is ongoing. She will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.

 ‘LAGOS HAS RAISED BAR IN QUALITY PROJECT DELIVERY’ — TINUBU SAYS, AS HE UNVEILS BRIDGE, MULTI-STOREY OFFICES IN HOME STATE •’We’ve solved major bottlenecks in traffic management, land administration’ — Sanwo-Olu President Bola Ahmed Tinubu spoke proudly of his vision for sustained development of Lagos — the State he governed for eight years during which he laid the foundation for its modernisation.   The President inaugurated the newly constructed Ojota-Opebi Link Bridge, a project envisioned by the then Governor Tinubu administration in 2002 but now delivered by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.   The bridge, a 5.04-kilometre transport corridor, is one of the three key Lagos projects inaugurated on Wednesday by Tinubu in the first of his two-day official visit to Lagos for commissioning.   Other projects include five-storey Lagos State Geographic Information Service (LAGIS) Building and Lagos Multi-Agency Building, both in Alausa.   President Tinubu was represented...

 ARMY REAFFIRMS RESCUE OF 31 ABDUCTED WORSHIPPERS, DISMISSES FALSE CLAIMS                                                               The Nigerian Army has reacted to claims disputing its earlier report on the rescue of abducted worshippers during the recent attack on the Ariko community.  Reacting to a statement credited to one Dr. JD Ariko, which challenges the account of the rescue operation, the Army said it understands the concerns of affected families, noting that such reactions are expected given the traumatic nature of the incident.  It maintained that troops acted swiftly upon receiving distress calls, disrupted the attackers pursued the fleeing terrorists, forcing them to abandon some of their captives, thereby averting what could have been a larger abduction. The Army Headquarters confirms that 31 victims w...

 World Health Day: Nwora Reaffirms Commitment to Improved Healthcare in Onitsha North By Chioma Nwankwo  The Mayor of Onitsha North Local Government Area, Hon. Tony Nwora, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery as the world marks World Health Day. In a statement commemorating the day, Nwora commended residents for their cooperation during recent health facility assessments, noting that community support remains vital to improving public health services. He said that his administration has recorded progress in the health sector, including the renovation of selected healthcare centres and the implementation of initiatives aimed at enhancing service delivery across the local government. The mayor emphasized that ongoing efforts are focused on expanding access to quality healthcare and sustaining improvements already achieved. He also encouraged residents to take proactive steps in monitoring their health and making use of available med...

Perm Sec, Market Leader, Traders Laud Soludo's Abolishment of Sit-at-Home, Praise Market Reforms By Juliana Nwachukwu  Permanent Secretary, Traders and market leader have commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo's administration for abolishing the Monday sit-at-home, describing it as a welcome development.  The commendations came during a thanksgiving celebration organized by the Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders Association (ASMATA) at Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area. Engr. Micheal Obiekwe, Permanent Secretary, Anambra State Ministry of Commerce and Industry, represented Governor Soludo at the event, saying, "Today, we join the market community to thank God for our lives and sustained progress in the market.  "We are free to do our businesses, and the governor has much more plans for the market community." Chief Humphrey Anuna, President General (PG) of ASMATA, thanked Governor Soludo for ensuring everlasting peace in the markets.   "The govern...

 Cleric Cautions Youths Over Consumption Of Hard Drugs By Chioma Oyedozie The Archdeacon of Otolo East Archdeaconry, Ven B O Okeke has cautioned the youth against consumption of hard drugs as they are destructive to human being generally. Ven Okeke raised the cautions against the backdrop of heightened drug consumption during the 2026 youth camp holding at St. Christopher Parish Otolo Nnewi. He said that the church should ensure that people have the right conscience because with right conscience people will do the right thing. He called on youths to be close to God and not trying to get the things of the world by all means and also to know the types of friends they keep and believe that God who created them will never leave them. The Youth Leader of Otolo East Archdeaconry Mr Abuchi Nwaigwe, thanked the Archdeacon for his fatherly advice and called on youths to embrace God because hard drugs will totally destroy them as there is no going forward but backwards thereby leading to unt...

 EFCC Arrests Football Agent for Alleged N11m Fraud Operatives of  the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,  have arrested  one Osagie Destiny Etinosa for alleged N11 million fraud.  The suspect, who was arrested through an open source intelligence, had been parading himself on Instagram account @ officialking _ etto. as a football agent who specialises in linking footballers with foreign clubs for trials and recruitment.  In one instant case, Etinosa allegedly collected the sum  of N11,000,000 from one Samuel Beke Ohazuruike with the promise of securing trials for him in Romanian and Bulgarian clubs which never materialised. Efforts by the victim to recover his money proved abortive. The suspect will soon be arraigned in court.

 JOINT TROOPS FOIL BANDITS ATTACKS; NEUTRALISE SCORES OF TERRORISTS IN SHIRORO LGA, NIGER STATE Troops of the Nigerian Army, operatives of the DSS, and local volunteer forces have foiled a major bandit attack on Bagna and Erena communities in Shiroro LGA of Niger State. Acting on credible intelligence, the joint team ambushed over 300 armed bandits advancing on motorcycles, neutralising scores and forcing others to flee toward the Makuba and Allawa axis. Residents praised the swift response, describing it as a move that averted a potential disaster. Meanwhile, Security sources say growing collaboration between security agencies and local volunteers is strengthening frontline defence and closing security gaps across affected communities.

 FG UNVEILS 2025 NATIONAL HEALTH FACILITY SURVEY, REVEALS GAINS IN HEALTHCARE DELIVERY Nigeria’s healthcare system is showing measurable signs of progress following the unveiling of the 2025 National Health Facility Survey, a comprehensive assessment highlighting improvements in service delivery across health facilities nationwide, particularly in maternal, newborn, and reproductive health services. Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening domestic health financing and expanding access to quality healthcare as part of efforts to improve population health outcomes. Oluseye Adeagbo reviews the survey’s key performance indicators, progress recorded, existing challenges, and policy recommendations shaping the future of Nigeria’s health sector.

 Iran to charge $1 per barrel in cryptocurrency for ships passing through Strait of Hormuz during U.S ceasefire Iran plans to charge ships $1 per barrel in cryptocurrency to transit the Strait of Hormuz during the U.S. ceasefire, officials say. Iranian authorities announced that vessels passing through the key oil shipping lane will need to email details of their cargo and pay the equivalent of $1 per barrel in bitcoin. The system is designed to prevent weapons from being transported while allowing commercial traffic to resume under controlled conditions. Officials said the payment window is brief, ensuring the cryptocurrency cannot be traced or seized due to sanctions. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments, has been largely closed since the conflict began, sending oil prices higher and disrupting markets worldwide. President Trump announced a suspension of U.S. attacks on Iran, prompting a drop in oil prices. Iran indicated the strait could reopen in...

 More Americans cut streaming subscriptions as cost-of-living concerns rise, study finds A growing number of Americans are scaling back on subscription streaming services as the cost of living continues to rise, a new study shows. According to a survey by Deloitte, over 40 percent of respondents said they have recently reduced their spending on entertainment subscriptions due to financial concerns, while 75 percent expressed frustration over continual price increases from the services they use. The trend comes as more consumers cut traditional cable and linear television packages in favor of streaming platforms such as YouTube TV, Roku, and others. Major media companies, including Disney, Comcast, and Fox Corp., have invested billions into direct-to-consumer streaming offerings, particularly for live sports and entertainment. The rising costs of streaming are now part of a broader debate, with the FCC seeking public input on live sports blackout rules, a policy critics say is outda...

CAF president visits Senegal following AFCON trophy reversal  The president of the Confederation of African Football was in Dakar on Wednesday, nearly a month after the body’s shock decision to strip Senegal of its AFCON title and award it to Morocco. Patrice Motsepe announced the trip at the end of March, stating that he would travel to Senegal and Morocco to emphasise the importance of “working together to grow African football”, as his organisation faces considerable criticism. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye will receive Motsepe at the presidential palace later in the day, with a press conference to follow. His visit comes at a particularly tense time for CAF following its surprise decision to overturn Senegal’s 1-0 win over hosts Morocco in the Cup of Nations final on January 18. CAF cited regulations about leaving the field as it recorded a 3-0 victory in Morocco’s favour on March 17.

 Abia State to Enforce Waste Bins in All Commercial Vehicles as ASEPA Holds Stakeholders Meeting The Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA) on Tuesday held an interactive session with transport union leaders and other stakeholders across the state, ahead of plans to enforce the compulsory use of waste bins in all commercial vehicles. The Director General of ASEPA, Mazi Ogbonnia Okereke, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to environmental cleanliness through renewed enforcement of the policy mandating waste bins in commercial vehicles operating within the state. He noted that cleanliness remains a key priority of Governor Alex Otti’s administration, assuring participants that resolutions reached at the meeting would be communicated directly to the governor, reflecting the government’s commitment to policies that enhance the wellbeing of residents. According to Okereke, the initiative forms part of broader efforts to sustain Abia’s growing reputation as one of Nigeria’s c...

 The Federal Government on Wednesday rejected claims that Nigeria is on the brink of collapse, insisting that the country is making steady progress in tackling its security and economic challenges. The position comes in response to recent warnings by a coalition of civil society organisations, which described the nation as facing worsening insecurity, economic hardship, and governance concerns. Speaking in Abuja at the 81st General Assembly and 23rd Annual General Meeting of the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, dismissed what he described as pessimistic narratives about the nation’s future. “I want to unequivocally refute the insinuation that Nigeria is on the brink,” Idris said in a statement signed by his media aide Rabiu Ibrahim. He maintained that the country is demonstrating resilience in the face of its difficulties. “On the contrary, we are daily exhibiting resilience and tackling our security and eco...

 Protest hits N’Assembly as Senate, Reps tackle crude oil theft Scores of demonstrators staged a protest on Wednesday at the National Assembly, as lawmakers intensified deliberations on crude oil theft and pipeline security in Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta. The protesters, under the aegis of the Coalition of Civil Society for Economic Protection, marched to the legislative complex, chanting solidarity songs and waving placards bearing inscriptions such as “Oil thieves Are Conspiring Against Tantita” and “Say No to Oil Bunkering.” They were, however, prevented from gaining access to the premises by security personnel, including officers of the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies. The protest comes amid heightened legislative attention on oil theft, which has long undermined Nigeria’s crude oil output, depleted government revenue, and fuelled insecurity in host communities. As part of efforts to address the challenge, the Joint Senate and House Committees on Petroleum R...

 Family Demands Justice as 12-Year-Old Student Dies After Alleged Bullying by Senior Student at Federal Government College Ikot Ekpene The family of a 12-year-old Junior Secondary School (JSS1) student, Ufokobong Edwin Godwin, is demanding justice following his death on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026, after he was allegedly hit on the neck by a senior SS3 student at Federal Government College (FGC) Ikot Ekpene. According to accounts shared by the family and circulating videos, the incident occurred in the school hostel before the Easter break when the senior student allegedly demanded provisions from the deceased during the examination period. The junior student reportedly refused, stating he did not have enough to share. The senior student then allegedly hit Ufokobong on the neck. The boy became unconscious, prompting other students to raise an alarm. A compound master responded, and the victim was rushed to a hospital. He later regained consciousness and was returned to school. Whe...

 The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has appealed to its members to collect their Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) and actively participate in the 2027 general elections to remove leaders who have not prioritised the welfare of citizens. The union’s Public Relations Officer for the South-West zone, Olusegun Abatan, made the call during a zonal meeting held in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, on Wednesday. Abatan stressed that the PVC remains the only powerful tool available to pensioners and other citizens to vote out governors and leaders who have failed to look after the people and to elect individuals with integrity. The Oyo State NUP Secretary lamented the prevailing economic hardship in the country, blaming it on bad leadership and what he described as “the worst” people ruling the nation. “As I speak, the rate of inflation has skyrocketed as a result of increase in energy, that is, increase in petrol and diesel, to the effect that many people are finding it more difficult to...

 Rep. John Larson files impeachment articles against Trump over Iran war threats     Rep. John Larson announced Tuesday that he has filed articles of impeachment against President Trump, citing the president’s recent social media post threatening to destroy a “whole civilization” if the Strait of Hormuz was not immediately reopened. Larson said Trump’s actions in the ongoing war in Iran are illegal and endangering American lives and the economy. The filing comes after Trump temporarily paused the strikes for two weeks following Pakistan’s request for an extended deadline to allow diplomatic efforts. Larson criticized Trump’s remarks, including his Easter Sunday post, as increasingly unstable and a threat to U.S. security. Seventy Democrats, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Sen. Chris Murphy, and Rep. Yaasmin Ansari, called for the president’s Cabinet to invoke the 25th Amendment, which could remove Trump from office due to incapacity. While some Trump sup...

 The Pain Is Irreversible - Matthew Perry’s Stepmother Urges Judge to Hand ‘Ketamine Queen’ Maximum Sentence Matthew Perry’s stepmother has made an emotional plea to the court, asking that the woman known as the “Ketamine Queen” receive the maximum prison sentence ahead of her sentencing. In a victim impact statement submitted before the hearing, Debbie Perry, who is married to Matthew’s father, John Bennett Perry, spoke about the lasting pain the family has carried since the actor’s passing in 2023 at age 54. She described the grief as something that has not eased with time. “The pain you’ve caused to hundreds, maybe thousands, is irreversible,” she wrote. “There is no joy, no light in the window. They won’t be back. That thought comes through our day every day.” Debbie went on to directly address Jasveen Sangha, questioning how someone with the ability to build a successful life could choose a path that caused so much hurt. In the deeply personal statement, she said there has bee...

 ABIODUN VISITS OBASANJO, APPRECIATES HIM FOR GRACING PROJECT COMMISSIONING Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON, on Tuesday visited former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo to express appreciation for honoring the state with his presence during the commissioning of landmark projects by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. Governor Abiodun noted that Chief Obasanjo’s presence added great significance to the occasion and further underscored the importance of the developmental strides being recorded in Ogun State. More photos below. 

 Dismissed Soldier 'Soja Boi' Challenges Nigerian Army to Release Payroll, Displays Bank Alerts as Evidence A dismissed Nigerian soldier, Rotimi Olamilekan, popularly known as Soja Boi, has dared the Nigerian Army to make its payroll public after sharing screenshots of bank transaction alerts which he claims prove that soldiers receive modest salaries and are often required to purchase their own protective gear. Olamilekan, a former lance corporal with service number 18NA/77/1009, made the claims in a video posted on Tuesday, just hours after the Army dismissed his earlier allegations as false and misleading. In the video, the ex-soldier insisted he was not out to tarnish the image of the Nigerian Army. “I am not trying to spoil the Nigerian Army’s image or make people look at them as if they are not good. But I am just speaking the facts and I will be backing them with evidence,” he said. He displayed three bank transaction alerts as proof of payments received during his servi...

 TRAGEDY IN WAMBA AS GROOM DIES ON WEDDING DAY A wedding in Wamba Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, ended in heartbreak on April 4, 2026, as Dr. Ayuba Amangut reportedly died in hospital on the very day he was to marry Miss Roseline Adamu. Family sources said all wedding preparations were complete, with the bride fully dressed and awaiting her groom’s return from the hospital. Tragically, Dr. Amangut did not make it back, succumbing to a brief illness while under medical care. Relatives described the loss as “devastating,” noting that the young man’s death was sudden and unexpected. “We had everything ready for the wedding. It is hard to accept that he will not be coming home to start life with Roseline,” a family member said. Neighbours have expressed shock and grief, offering prayers and support to the bereaved family as they mourn the loss of a promising young life.

  WHY I AM CALLED THE NEW WAVE AFROBEAT SENSATION - SPECKO *Samson Temitope Adekoya* is probably Nigeria's fastest growing Afrobeat musician. Popularly known as *Specko,* he is generally referred to as the *New Wave Afrobeat Sensation*. In this interview with our reporter, he speaks about his foray into Afrobeat and why he is called the New Wave Afrobeat Sensation. *Q1) Specko, can you tell us a bit about yourself?* (Ans1) My name is Samson Temitope Adekoya. I was born into a Christian family. My parents were ministers, so I grew up in a church setting. I used to play drum set and percussion but later in secondary school I began using my desk to create beats and form songs that people vibe to. Even teachers will call me to the staff room and ask that I perform my songs as a form of punishment. *Q2) How and when did you get into music?* (Ans2) I began writing songs formally in 2004 and started recording in 2008 at Auckland Studios. I recorded five tracks in one single day the songs ...