Good Day! Below is a Summary of News Stories Across Nigeria and Abroad:
1. Nigeria’s April inflation figure increased to 22.22 per cent from 22.04 per cent last month. The National Bureau of Statistics Consumer Price Index released the report on Monday. The data represented a 0.18 per cent increase from April’s inflation figure. PUNCH
2. Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, has condoled with the families of two popular Nollywood actors, Obinna Nwafor (Saint Obi) and Murphy Afolabi. Saint Obi died last week in Jos, Plateau State but the news of his death filtered out at the weekend, while Murphy Afolabi died on Sunday in Lagos. Taking to his verified Twitter handle on Monday, the former governor of Anambra State said both filmmakers contributed to the development of the entertainment industry in Nigeria. LEADERSHIP
3. The Nigeria Police Force has described the action of popular Afrobeat singer, Seun Kuti against a police officer as evil and criminal. It can be recalled that the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Usman Alkali Baba, had ordered Kuti’s arrest following his altercation with a police officer on the 3rd Mainland bridge a few days ago. Following the order, the singer was arrested, handcuffed and taken to SCIID in Panti for interrogation on Monday. However, the Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Olumuyiwa Adejobi on Monday took to social media to further call out Seun for his actions. DAILY POST
4. The United States Government has taken steps on its plans to impose visa restrictions on specific individuals in Nigeria for undermining the democratic process during the Nigeria’s 2023 elections cycle. In a statement by the US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, on Monday, it was disclosed that certain individuals will be subject to restrictions on visas to the United States under a policy covering those believed to be responsible for, or complicit in undermining democracy. The statement specifically stated that the visa restrictions “are specific to certain individuals and are not directed at the Nigerian people or the government of Nigeria as a whole.” LEADERSHIP
5. President Muhammadu Buhari has joined in sharing the joy of celebrations as 27-year-old gourmet chef, Hilda Bassey Effiong, aka Hilda Baci, makes history by breaking the world record of longest hours of cooking, finding her way into the Guinness Book of Records, and placing Nigeria on the global spotlight. The president’s felicitation was contained in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media & Publicity, Femi Adesina. President Buhari lauded the young culinary expert for turning her talent and passion into a career, with a rippling effect on the economy as she runs a restaurant in Lagos, and trains other talents on entrepreneurship, and now leads the world in resilience, perseverance, and consistency in cooking. CHANNELS
6. The remains of the late Nollywood actor and producer, Murphy Afolabi will today be buried by 4 pm at his residence in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State. Murphy Afolabi died on Sunday after he sustained injuries from a bathroom fall in his home. Confirming the burial arrangement during an interview with journalists, the family head of Fetuata, Afolabi’s family compound in Osogbo, Yusuf Lateef, said the actor’s remains would be laid to rest later today. DAILY POST
7. There was pandemonium on Monday afternoon as some youths in Mopelufa, Adamo, in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State, the venue of the burial of popular Yoruba actor, Murphy Afolabi, prevented Bolaji Amusan, popularly known as Mr Latin, from accessing the thespian’s burial ground. The youths, who said they were “omo adugbo,” demanded that Mr Latin “settle” them before they would allow him access to the burial ground. Mr Latin, who is the President of the Theatre Arts and Movies Practitioners Association of Nigeria, arrived at the location around 3:00pm. The issue was later resolved and Mr Latin was eventually granted access to Afolabi’s burial ground. PUNCH
8. World number one Carlos Alcaraz suffered a shock third round defeat in the Italian Open at the hands of unheralded Hungarian Fabian Marozsan, losing 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) on Monday. The 20-year-old Spaniard had come into the tournament on the back of wins in Barcelona and Madrid but was outplayed by Marozsan, who is ranked 135th in the world. Marozsan, 23, won the final six points of the second-set tiebreaker to hand US Open champion Alcaraz a wake-up call with the French Open starting in less than a fortnight. CHANNELS
9. Nollywood actress, Esther Nwachukwu has said the Nigerian chef, Hilda Baci, who broke the Guinness World Record for the Longest Cooking Marathon by an individual was being over-hyped. According to report President Muhammadu Buhari, the President-elect, Bola Tinubu and several eminent Nigerians have been singing the praise of the chef since she achieved the milestone. But reacting via a video message shared on her social media page, Nwachukwu advised Nigerians to stop over-hyping the Akwa Ibom-born chef. According to her, she did nothing spectacular and believes she can stand for millions of hours. DAILY POST
10. Barcelona won La Liga for the first time since 2019 by thrashing Espanyol 4-2 on Sunday, wrestling the title back from rivals Real Madrid. The Catalan giants clinched their 27th Spanish championship at the home of their neighbours, with scenes turning ugly at full time as celebrating Barcelona players were chased from the field by pitch invaders. Robert Lewandowski struck twice for Barcelona, along with goals for Alejandro Balde and Jules Kounde, while Javi Puado and Joselu pulled two back late on for the hosts. CHANNELS
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