President Muhammadu Buhari has called on media professionals to exercise their freedom with responsibility.
The president, according to a statement by presidential spokesperson, Femi Adesina, made this appeal while celebrating the World Press Freedom Day.
According to Adesina, “On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, observed globally every May 3, President Muhammadu Buhari recommits to freedom of the press, and urges media professionals to wield freedom responsibly, and without licentiousness.
“While celebrating the landmark day with the media, the President notes that freedom of the press is an irreducible minimum in a democracy that would flourish, adding that freedom must, however, be used responsibly.
“That everything is permitted does not mean that there are no rules of correctness, particularly in a polity seriously challenged as ours now.
“The media must be sensitive to what we are going through as a country, and anything that would exacerbate the situation, and further inflame passions and emotions, should be avoided.
“The media needs to ensure that while informing, educating, entertaining and setting agenda for public discourse, it does not encourage incendiary words and actions that could further hurt our unity in diversity.”
Licentious freedom, the President said, was different from freedom with responsibility, and charged the Nigerian media to embrace the latter, rather than the former.
On the part of government, President Buhari pledged greater cooperation with the media to discharge its duties, in line with the theme of this year’s World Press Freedom Day, “Information as a Public Good.”
He advised those who manage information for government to do everything in public interest, while also encouraging the media to use the Freedom of Information Act available to make its jobs easier.
The President said he believed that it was very vital to have access to reliable information in an era of misinformation, disinformation and hate speech, all to cause discord in society.
Manchester United’s home game against Liverpool was delayed after about 200 fans broke into their Old Trafford stadium to protest against the Glazer family’s ownership of the club.
The game was set to kick off at 16:30 pm but was put back on safety grounds.
United fans got on to the pitch to protest and, after they were removed, some got back on to it later on.
There also appeared to be a protest outside the hotel where the United players stayed before the game.
Fans gathered outside the ground and scores of green and gold flares – the colours of United’s first shirts when they were Newton Heath, and of the original anti-Glazer protests in 2010 – were set off at 14:00.
The protests follow United’s decision, along with five fellow Premier League clubs, to join the European Super League last month before they all pulled out.
Referee Michael Oliver and former United captain Gary Neville were among those whose vehicles were surrounded as they entered the stadium.
There was no trouble and both were allowed through amid much anti-Glazer chanting.
The Police, the Premier League, Trafford Council and the two clubs agreed that the game wouldn’t be able to go ahead.
“Following the security breach at Old Trafford, the Manchester United vs. Liverpool game has been postponed,” a statement from the Premier League said.
“This is a collective decision from the police, both clubs, the Premier League and local authorities.
“The security and safety of everyone at Old Trafford remain of paramount importance. We understand and respect the strength of feeling but condemn all acts of violence, criminal damage and trespass, especially given the associated COVID-19 breaches. Fans have many channels by which to make their views known, but the actions of a minority seen today have no justification.
“We sympathise with the police and stewards who had to deal with a dangerous situation that should have no place in football.
“The rearrangement of the fixture will be communicated in due course.”
It remains to be seen when the game can be played, considering Manchester United’s continued Europa League involvement.
Lewis Hamilton delivered a flawless drive in his Mercedes to win the Portuguese Grand Prix on Sunday from his arch title rival Max Verstappen.
Seven-time world champion Hamilton’s 97th Grand Prix triumph extended his early season lead over Red Bull’s Verstappen in the Formula One drivers’ standings to eight points.
In third place in Portimao was pole-sitter Valtteri Bottas in the other Mercedes with Sergio Perez in the second Red Bull in fourth.
“That was such a tough race physically and mentally. I didn’t get a good start and also lost out at the restart but it was a great result in the end,” said Hamilton.
“Today wasn’t all perfect and we need to get ready now for the quick turnaround for Spain.”
At a sun-drenched Algarve International Circuit Bottas led Hamilton from the two Red Bulls into the first corner.
By the end of lap one it was the safety car which led after the two Alfa Romeos collided, with Kimi Raikkonen’s front wing littered across the straight after clipping Antonio Giovinazzi’s car.
Bottas carefully controlled the rolling restart on lap seven but in his rearview mirror he will have seen Verstappen charge past Hamilton and into second.
Pernille Harder scored a key late goal and Fran Kirby netted twice as Chelsea overturned a 2-1 first-leg deficit with a 4-1 victory over Bayern Munich on Sunday to set up a Women’s Champions League final against Barcelona.
England international Kirby gave Chelsea the lead on 11 minutes at Kingsmeadow, finishing off a move she began inside her own half after combining smartly with Australia forward Sam Kerr.
Sarah Zadrazil equalised with a thunderous, dipping shot from distance that clipped the underside of the bar on its way in as Bayern regained the upper hand in the tie.
Ji So-yun gave Chelsea a 2-1 advantage just before half-time, steering low into the corner past an unsighted Laura Benkarth after smacking her initial free-kick against the wall.
Danish forward Harder, who joined Chelsea at the start of the season for a reported world record transfer fee, grabbed the decisive goal on 84 minutes as she glanced in a header from Jessica Carter’s free-kick.
Harder was a Champions League runner-up twice in the past three seasons with Wolfsburg.
Kirby made sure of Chelsea’s place in the May 16 final in Gothenburg as she rolled into an empty net with the final kick of the game to complete a 5-3 win on aggregate.
The Blues become just the second English club to reach the biggest match in European women’s club football after Arsenal, who won the competition in 2007.
It will be the first Champions League final without a French team since 2014 after Paris Saint-Germain were knocked out by Barcelona 3-2 on aggregate.
Lieke Martens scored twice as Barcelona advanced to a second final in three years with a 2-1 victory over PSG in the second leg of their semi-final in Spain.
After a 1-1 draw in France last weekend, Dutch winger Martens put Barcelona in front on eight minutes at the Johan Cruyff Stadium with a superb curling strike.
She then ghosted in at the far post to double Barcelona’s advantage on the half-hour, tapping in a cross from Caroline Graham Hansen.
PSG, who ended Lyon’s five-year reign in the quarter-finals, soon pulled a goal back when Marie-Antoinette Katoto prodded in after a goalmouth scramble from a corner.
Jenni Hermoso, the competition’s top scorer this season, and Marta Torrejon both hit the woodwork for 2019 runners-up Barcelona in the second half as the Spaniards held on to qualify.
Australian Jack Miller rode to only his second victory at the Spanish MotoGP on Sunday as Ducati team-mate Francesco Bagnaia finished runner-up to take the overall championship lead.
Miller, who underwent surgery early in April, took the lead when pre-race championship leader Fabio Quartararo started to lose pace midway through the race.
On a track where Ducati had not won since 2006, Bagnaia followed Miller home to take the championship lead from Quartararo.
Italian Franco Morbidelli was third on a Yamaha.
Frenchman Quartararo finished 13th and doubled over, seemingly in pain, at the finish.
Miller started and finished his immediate post-race interview in tears.
“It’s a flood of emotions: happy sad, everything,” he said.
“I thought when Fabio went past OK he’s got a bit better pace,” Miller said. “I thought he was going to bolt.
“I didn’t expect him to come back to me but he did.
“He started to drop really off when I passed him.
“There were still 12-13 laps left and I was thinking that’s a long time out in front by myself but I was able to do it.”
Bagnaia followed Miller home to give Ducati the first two places and take the championship lead.
“I’m happy,” he said. “This was a really tough track for us, so to finish one-two is a really big result for us.”
Japanese rider Takaaki Nakagami (Honda-LCR) was fourth and Spanish world champion Joan Mir (Suzuki) was fifth.
Spaniard Marc Marquez, who after crashing his Honda in practice on Saturday, crashed again in the warm-up on Sunday, finished a creditable ninth in his second Grand Prix after nine months out with injury.
Morbidelli scored his first podium of the season.
Quartararo, who had won two of the season’s first three races, said he had picked up an arm injury.
“I had no strength at all, my arm was like stone,” said the 22-year-old who is now second in the championship, two points behind Bagnaia.
Fabio Di Giannantonio cruised to his first Moto2 victory to give the grieving Gresini team their first in the class since the death of founder Fausto Gresini.
The Italian minister of culture announced the winning bid to restore the Colosseum’s arena on Sunday, a project that will allow visitors to view the archeological wonder from ground level as soon as 2023.
The 2,000 year old structure is currently floorless, the ruins of the underground levels’ walls and tunnels exposed to the open air save for a small platform.
A Milan engineering firm beat 10 competitors who answered a 2020 call for submissions with its vision involving rotating wooden slats that would allow natural ventilation and lighting of the lower levels.
“It’s another step forward towards rebuilding the arena, an ambitious project that will aid the conservation of the archeological structures while getting back to the original image of the Colosseum and its quality as a complex scenographic machine,” said culture minister Dario Franceschini.
With the new floor, visitors to the Colosseum will be able to admire the treasured monument from the centre of the arena.
Franceschini plans to host the Rome G20 culture summit at the Colosseum in July and it may serve as a venue for other major cultural events.
The Colosseum’s executive archaeologist Alfonsina Russo said construction of the arena — which will be the subject of a Europe-wide call for bids of about 15 million euros — should begin by the end of the year or early 2022.
She said the new 3,000 square metre (32,300 square foot) floor should be ready for visitors in 2023.
Before the pandemic around 25,000 people toured the world-famous monument daily, and some 18.5 million euros have been set aside for the project.
The plan presented on Sunday consists of an entirely removable structure made of accoya, a modified, durable wood.
The slats will be rigged with a rotation system meant to permit light and air to circulate to underground passages below the area.
The rain water that currently pools there will be collected and used to supply the toilets of Rome’s most visited monument.
Jittery visitors cross 1,700ft-long walkway in Portugal that hangs 575ft above a river – and say the (wobbly) experience is ‘extraordinary’.
Hugo Xavier became one of the first people to cross the world’s longest pedestrian suspension bridge when it opened on Thursday near his tiny hometown of Arouca in northern Portugal.
Oh…here we go!,’ the 42-year-old said anxiously, as he gathered enough courage to step onto the see-through metal grid pathway of the 516-metre-long (1,693-ft) bridge alongside his equally jittery partner and a tour guide.
Hidden between rock-strewn mountains covered with lush greenery and yellow flowers inside the Unesco-recognised Arouca Geopark, the bridge, called 516 Arouca, hangs 175 metres (575ft) above the fast-flowing River Paiva.
Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, may have caved in to pressure from some Nigerians who opposed his being listed as a speaker at the 2021 edition of The Platform, an annual conference organised by the Senior Pastor of the Covenant Christian Centre, Lagos, Poju Oyemade.
The programme was themed, ‘Is Devolution of Powers The Solution To Nigeria’s Problems’.
The programme featured speakers including Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi; Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah; former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka; ex-President of Nigerian Bar Association, Olisa Agbakoba, amongst others.
However, El-Rufai, who was announced as one of the speakers at the event, was conspicuously absent from the programme on Saturday.
Efforts to get the comments of the Special Adviser on Media and Communication to the governor, Muyiwa Adekeye, proved abortive as calls to his line were unanswered.
Also, the organisers of the programme did not give any reason why El-Rufai was not present at the event.
Some Twitter users had kicked against the choice of El-Rufai as a speaker on The Platform when the flyer inviting people to the event went viral with the governor as one of the speakers.
Last August, the Nigerian Bar Association withdrew its invitation to El-Rufai, following protests from some lawyers.
The lawyers had faulted the NBA for inviting el-Rufai, citing his alleged poor human rights record and his inability to stop the killings, particularly in southern Kaduna.
On the occasion of International Workers’ Day commemoration, Lagos workers, on Saturday, reaped a bumper harvest of welfare packages – thanks to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The Governor approved 10 hectares of land in Idera, Ibeju Lekki, and Badagry for workers housing schemes .
Sanwo-Olu handed over the title documents to chairmen of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) at an elaborate event organised to commemorate Workers’ Day.
The event, with the theme: “COVID-19 Pandemic, Social and Economic Crises: Challenges for Jobs, Social Protection and Peoples’ Welfare”, was held at Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan in the heart of Lagos.
The two housing schemes will be built by the labour unions with funds from Federal Mortgage Bank. The Ministry of Housing will supervise the project.
Also, the labour unions will now have a befitting secretariat to aid their operations, the Governor said. The secretariat, Sanwo-Olu promised, will be ready before next year’s May Day.
There was applause as Sanwo-Olu announced the package. He was hailed as “the best worker friendly Governor”.
Sanwo-Olu said a productive workforce remained the backbone of a prosperous society, pointing out that Lagos workers are important stakeholders in the growth of the State’s economy and they deserve more than just an increment in the minimum wage.
Manchester City could clinch the Premier League title on Sunday after two goals in the space of 83 seconds saw off a stubborn Crystal Palace.
City will secure a third title in four seasons if second-placed Manchester United lose at home to Liverpool.
After a scrappy first half at Selhurst Park, Sergio Aguero thumped City ahead with a clinical finish before Ferran Torres drilled in a low shot.
That ended the resistance of Palace, who stay in 13th place.
Roy Hodgson’s side had chances in the first half through Christian Benteke, who flicked a header wide and had a close-range shot blocked by City keeper Ederson.
But once City made their breakthrough when Aguero smashed high into the net, quickly followed by Torres’ precise finish, the result was not in doubt.
Now it is a question of when, not if, Pep Guardiola’s side will be crowned champions again after relinquishing the crown to Liverpool last season.
“We can start to put the champagne in the fridge – not to open yet, but to think about it,” said Guardiola, whose side moved 11 points clear of United.
“The Premier League is already there – it is in our hands. We need one more victory, two more points.”
Aguero inspires City once again
Not for the first time, but perhaps the last, Aguero provided the inspiration for City as they close in on another trophy.
The 32-year-old Argentine will leave when his contract expires at the end of the season after playing such an instrumental role in their success since arriving in 2011.
While he might no longer be deemed by Guardiola as a key starter in City’s biggest games, there was a sense of inevitability that Aguero would still have a significant impact in their chase for the Treble as his iconic spell at the club comes towards an end.
Playing slightly deeper behind Gabriel Jesus, Aguero was at the heart of City’s brighter attacking moments in a first half when they lacked quality in the final third of the field.
Yet they had not managed a shot on target until the ball came into the Palace box from the left and Aguero took a deft touch to create space and blast a powerful shot into the roof of the net.
It was a reminder of the quality he still possesses, which is leaving the leading clubs in the world reportedly eyeing a move for him in the summer.
“I’m so happy because it has been a long time since I played 90 minutes and the goal was good because maybe we can win the Premier League,” said Aguero, who said he did not know if he will watch United’s game against Liverpool.
“Always I’m ready. I am feeling good. I always want the opportunity to play like today.”
Sergio Aguero, who had never scored at Selhurst Park, became the 12th player to score at 30 or more different stadiums in the Premier League
City round off a wonderful week
As far as weeks in the world of football go, City have enjoyed one which could not have been more perfect.
Starting on Sunday when they won the Carabao Cup final against Tottenham, and continuing on Wednesday with the impressive victory at Paris St-Germain in the Champions League semi-final first leg, Guardiola’s squad perfectly rounded off a pivotal week.
With the second leg coming up on Tuesday, Guardiola shuffled his team by making eight changes and they initially lacked rhythm against a well-drilled Palace side.
After Jesus saw a close-range finish ruled out for offside, City went into the break having failed to manage a shot on target in the first half for the first time in 21 matches.
Patience and second-half improvement had been the key to the win in Paris and so it proved again.
Guardiola’s demeanour was buoyant and relaxed after securing a vital win, having been able to rest key players and seemingly avoiding picking up any injuries.
Now he switches focus to completing the job against PSG on Tuesday and taking City into their first Champions League final.
‘What a man, I am in love as a person’ – reaction
Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson: “Unfortunately we were playing against a team with so much technical ability. You have got to work so very hard to keep them at bay.
“The first goal was just a fantastic pass, control and shot.
“After all the good work you’ve done to keep them at bay, you’re then looking at 1-0 to Man City and you know you’ve got to work hard to score a goal or two.
“As a result they could take their foot off the gas and run through the latter part of the game quite easily.”
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola on Sergio Aguero: “What a goal, what an action, what a player, what a man. I am incredibly delighted he is back.
“He is going to enjoy the last games. He showed with his goal what he has been and what he is. I am in love as a person He is an incredible guy.
“After the Champions League it is always tough but the players who didn’t play in Paris spoke on the grass and they did it perfectly.”
Why City are enjoying their travels – stats of the day
Palace have suffered three consecutive Premier League defeats for the first time since July 2020 (a run of seven)
City enjoyed their 11th away league victory in a row, equalling the English top-flight record for consecutive away wins – Chelsea (Apr-Dec 2008) and City (May-Dec 2017)
No team have conceded more Premier League goals from outside the box this season than Palace (11, level with Sheffield United)
City’s second goal was their 700th in all competitions under Pep Guardiola, 157 more than any other Premier League side since he took over in 2016
City had to wait until the 57th minute to register a shot on target, their longest wait in the Premier League since November 2019 v Southampton (70th minute)
Raheem Sterling has failed to score and registered only one assist in his past 11 appearances in all competitions for City, after netting six and assisting two in the previous nine
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behaviour or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
