Good Day! Below is a Summary of News Stories Across Nigeria and Abroad:
1. The Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) has described the ongoing agitation for an interim government as treasonable. The forum urged all Nigerians to remain vigilant and resist any undemocratic conduct that is capable of undermining the country’s democracy. The Chairman of the Forum and the Governor of Kebbi State, Atiku Bagudu, said it was, however, commendable that the Department of Security Service had exposed the plot and therefore called on the agency to arrest and prosecute anyone involved. DAILY POST
2. The Chief of Defence Space Administration, Air Vice Marshall Ayo Jolasinmi, has said that Nigeria will launch Satellite II and III into space soon. According to him, his agency is better placed to use the space products that the first satellite offer. He stated this during a courtesy call on the Minister of Defence Major General Bashir Magashi (retd), in Abuja as contained in a statement by the Special Assistant to the Minister on Media and Publicity, Mohammad Abdulkadri on Friday. Jolasinmi also said the orbit was working perfectly, adding that it would need the support of the ministry to service its frequency. PUNCH
3. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has urged Nigerians to embrace alternative payment channels such as eNaira, USSD and other internet banking facilities in line with its cashless policy. The apex bank said the idea became necessary as the country was gradually marching towards the alternative payments policy regime, which was the trend all over the world. The Acting Director, Corporate Communications Department, Dr Abdulmumin Isa, made the call during CBN’s Special Day at the ongoing 34th Enugu International Trade Fair on Friday in Enugu. He added that the country could not afford to be left behind in the global financial ecosystem but rather embrace digital payment channels. VANGUARD
4. Award-winning gospel singer Mercy Chinwo is threatening to take Obidiz to court for using her name in a secular song. On February 10, 2023, musical artist, Obidiz Lawson, released a song titled ‘Mercy Chinwo’, a single that’s now the subject of a dispute between him and the gospel singer who is demanding that he take it down from all streaming platforms. The letter, dated March 23, 2023, carried the heading “DEROGATORY AND DEFAMATORY USE OF THE NAME AND IMAGE OF MINISTER MERCY CHINWO IN A SECULAR MUSIC AUDIO AND VIDEO: NOTICE TO CEASE AND DESIST.” PULSE
5. Oscar Pistorius, the former Paralympian who murdered his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, has been denied parole in South Africa. The 36-year-old had been seeking early release 10 years after the Valentine’s Day shooting. But the prison authorities said he had not served enough time and they would consider the matter again next year. PUNCH
6. Arsenal forward, Bukayo Saka, has been named the Premier League’s Player of the Month for March. It was Saka’s first divisional success of his career, as he becomes the 22nd different player to win the prize as a Gunner – the most of any other club in the league’s history. Saka started the month of March with a goal and assist in Arsenal’s 4-0 win against Everton, and ended it with three goal involvements in the 4-1 win over Crystal Palace. He got on the scoresheet twice to become the first player to reach double figures for goals and assists in the division this term. LEADERSHIP
7. Justice Abubakar Mahmud Talba of the Court of Appeal, Sokoto Division on Friday, 31st March 2023 convicted and sentenced two Chinese nationals, Meng Wei Kun and Mr. Xu Kuai, to three years imprisonment for each of the two count charge for offences of Conspiracy, Money Laundering and attempted Bribery to the tune of N50 Million (Fifty Million Naira) brought against them by the Sokoto Zonal Command of the EFCC. The judgement is sequel to EFCC’s appeal brought against the judgment of the Federal High Court Sokoto, which discharged and acquitted the accused persons on all the three three count charge. VANGUARD
8. The United States chapter of the All Progressives Congress on Thursday condemned the proposed political demonstration that would be held by some Nigerians in front of the White House on Monday. The condemnation is coming a day after authorities in the United States granted permission to supporters of Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to use its park on April 3 to protest the outcome of the 2023 presidential election in Nigeria. The permit, allows only a hundred protesters to converge at the iconic Lafayette Park in Washington D.C. for just four hours. PUNCH
9. Nigerian comedian, Bright Okpocha, popularly known as Basketmouth, has disclosed that he will quit comedy in five years. The comedian, who has been a fan favourite for many years, made this known in an interview with TVC on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, where he stated that he intends to make every single year leading up to his retirement count. PULSE
10. Russian and Belarusian players will be able to compete at Wimbledon this summer after the All England Club lifted the ban it imposed last year. The players will be able to feature this year “subject to competing as neutral athletes” and complying with certain conditions. They were banned in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the support provided by Belarus. Wimbledon starts this year on July 3 at the All England Club (AELTC). LEADERSHIP
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