Why I contemplated suicide – US President Joe Biden reveals

The United States President, Joe Biden, has disclosed that he contemplated suicide after the death of his first wife and 13-month-old daughter in a car accident.

Biden disclosed this during an interview with radio journalist Howard Stern on Stern’s SiriusXM show.

The president’s first wife, Nelia, and one-year-old daughter, Naomi, died in a car crash in Delaware on December 18, 1972.

Recounting the pains of the past, Biden told Stern: ‘’You don’t have to be crazy to commit suicide if you’ve been to the top of the mountain and you think you’ll never be there again.

Abbas, Kukah canvass for national cohesion

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, and the founder of the Kukah Centre, Bishop Mathew Kukah, have called on Nigerians to work towards building a united nation.

The duo made the call at the National Integration Conference with the theme: “Revisiting the National Question: Nigeria’s Elusive Search for National Integration,” organised by the Kukah Centre.

Tajudeen, who was represented by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, said Nigeria’s pluralism and its vast diversity in ethnicity, language, and religion remain a valuable asset to the nation.

According to him, embracing and leveraging its pluralism would propel Nigeria towards a more unified and prosperous future where the collective strengths of its diverse population would be fully harnessed.

War: Russian airstrikes damage Ukrainian energy facilities in three regions

Ukraine’s Energy Minister, German Galushchenko, says Russia launched airstrikes on Ukrainian energy facilities in three regions on Saturday.

Galushchenko said the attack damaged equipment and injured at least one energy worker.

In a Telegram message, he said the Russian strikes targeted the Dnipropetrovsk region in central Ukraine and the western regions of Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk.

DTEK, Ukraine’s largest private energy company, said its four thermal power stations were hit.

Oyo LG election: Makinde casts vote in Ibadan

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has cast his vote in today’s local government election.

Makinde voted at Polling Unit 1, Ward 11 in Ibadan North East Local Government Area in Ibadan.

He arrived at 10:17 am and voted five minutes later.

My journey won’t be complete without 2Baba – Kizz Daniel

Popular singer, Oluwatobiloba Daniel Anidugbe, aka Kizz Daniel, has hailed the legendary 2Baba for his impact on his musical career.

According to him, his success story won’t be complete without working with the ‘African Queen’ crooner.

Referring to 2Baba as his mentor, Kizz Daniel expressed strong desire to collaborate with the legend.

On his X handle on Friday night, he wrote: “The Journey no fit complete without a 2baba Collabo @official2baba.

Junior Pope: Family of late Nollywood actor releases burial date

Funeral arrangements for the burial of the late Nollywood actor John Paul Odonwodo have been released by his family.

Junior Pope and four other actors drowned after their boat capsized in the Anam River in Anambra State on April 10 while returning from a movie shoot.

Of the 12 individuals who boarded the ill-fated boat, only seven were rescued alive, while five died, including Junior Pope.

The details of funeral arrangements for the late actor, signed by Divine Odonwodo on behalf of the family, indicated that besides the April 23 requiem mass at Saint John-Mary Vianney Parish in Asaba, Delta State, another requiem mass is scheduled to be held at Christ the King Catholic Parish, G.R.A., Enugu, on May 13.

Liverpool to replace Klopp with ‘most expensive Dutch manager’

Liverpool are set to pay Feyernoord a compensation fee around €13-15m to land Arne Slot as their next manager.

This was revealed by football transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, on Friday night.

Both clubs have been in negotiations over the week over Slot, who has expressed his desire to join the Premier League side.

Romano wrote: “Arne Slot will be the most expensive Dutch coach ever as Liverpool will pay compensation fee around €13-15m.

King Charles III to resume public duties next week after cancer treatment

The British monarch, King Charles III, will resume his public duties next week following a three-month break to focus on his treatment and recuperation.

A few months ago, the British monarch was diagnosed with an undisclosed type of cancer and has been receiving treatment.

However, Buckingham Palace on Friday said the monarch would be visiting a cancer treatment centre on Tuesday, the first of several public appearances he will make in the coming weeks.

According to the palace, one of his first major engagements will be to host a state visit by the emperor and empress of Japan in June.

Payment still ongoing – Nigerian govt gives update on N50,000 grants

The Nigerian government has said the N50,000 Conditional Grant Scheme to Nigerians is ongoing as 150,000 of one million targeted citizens have received disbursement.

The Minister of Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite, disclosed this in a recent statement through her official X handle.

“Grant disbursements are ongoing; 150,000 of the 1 million targeted payments have been issued as of this week.

“If you’re verified and awaiting funds, we appreciate your patience. For full transparency, a list of all beneficiaries will be released upon completion,” she said.

Kogi: I didn’t pay $720,000 as school fees – Yahaya Bello

Former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, has denied paying the sum of $720,000 school fees for his children using the state government’s funds.

Bello was reacting to the claim by the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ola Olukoyede that he withdrew $720,000 from the state’s coffer to pay for his children’s school fees before leaving office.

The governor described the remark as misleading, stressing that the receipts in public domain were released by his lawyers.

In a statement signed by his Media Officer, Ohiare Michael, the former governor said his children have been attending the American International School, Abuja, before he became governor and he has been paying their fees as at when due.

Tinubu appoints Jim Ovia as chairman of education loan fund

 President Bola Tinubu has appointed Jim Ovia as the chairman of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

 

Ajuri Ngelale, presidential spokesperson, announced the appointment of Ovia, chairman of Zenith Bank, in a statement on Friday.

 

Ngelale said Tinubu believes that Ovia will bring his immense wealth of experience to ensure that no Nigerian student suffers a paucity of funds in the quest for tertiary education.

 

On April 3, Tinubu signed the student loans amendment bill into law to provide Nigerians with quality and accessible education.

Veteran Nollywood actor, Ogunjimi is dead

The Nigerian movie industry has again been thrown into mourning after the news of the death of another veteran Yoruba Actor Ganiyu Oyeyemi popularly known as Ogunjimi, surfaced on social media on Friday.

 

Ogunjimi’s death was announced by a Yoruba actor, Kunle Afod, in a post on his Instagram page.

 

Mourning the actor, Afod wrote, “We tried our best but God loves you more.

 “May his soul rest in peace. Baba Ogunjinmi, RIP, Sun re oooo.”

 

Okuama killings: Falana says army has no right to declare suspects wanted

Femi Falana, human rights lawyer, says the army has no right to declare suspects wanted over the murder of 17 officers in Okuama community of Delta state.

 

The army had declared eight suspects wanted, including Clement Ikolo, a traditional ruler in the state.

 

Citing a previous lawsuit in a letter addressed to Lateef Fagbemi, attorney-general of the federation (AGF) and minister of justice, Falana said the duty of the troops is to send a formal report to the police which is legally tasked with investigating alleged murder.

 

The senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) faulted the army for not observing due process, saying obtaining a court order precedes declaring suspects wanted.

 

‘Corruption fighting back’ – Kano anti-graft agency boss reacts to withdrawal of Police officers

Chairman of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission, PCACC, Muhyi Magaji Rimin Gado has described the withdrawal of policemen attached to the agency as corruption fighting back.

 

Addressing newsmen in his office, he said policemen working in the Commission exhibit professionalism and do not compromise especially when investigating high profile cases.

 

“If you are fighting corruption you step on toes and you would not be forgiven. So corruption is fighting back.

“From the look of things there are people trying to stop the commission from its work,” Rimin Gado stated.

 

FG announces $10bn diaspora fund to attract investment

The federal government has announced plans to set up a $10 billion diaspora fund to attract investment from citizens living abroad.

 

In a post on X on Thursday, Doris Uzoka-Anite, minister of industry, trade and investment, said the federal government is seeking bids from asset managers to set up the fund.

 

The initiative, the minister said, is expected to support critical sectors including infrastructure, health care and education to grow the economy.

 

Uzoka-Anite said the fund will be guided by an advisory board comprising limited partners, calling on eligible firms to express their interest in its management.