Entertainment / News

Comedian D.L. Hughley calls out Mo’Nique over contract dispute

Hughley took to Instagram on Sunday with some choice words for Mo’Nique in response to her public call out while on The Comedy Explosion stage at the Fox Theater in Detroit, Michigan on Saturday, May 28, 2022.

The comedian/actor blasted Mo’Nique over her beef with industry folks including Tyler Perry, Oprah and Lee Daniels, the director of ‘Precious’, the film that got her an Academy award in the supporting actress category. Hughley wrapped his shade by comparing her to the abusive role she played in the 2009 film.

“All you have to do is check the order of names on the ticket stub from last night and you’ll see who’s confused. Against my better judgment, over the objections of my team and 4 other occasions where I said NO, I decided to take a chance and work with Monique,” the comedian wrote.

“Oprah was the problem, Tyler Perry was the problem, Charlamagne was the problem, Steve Harvey was the problem, Lee Daniels was the problem, Netflix was the problem… Now it’s MY turn,” he continued. “At some point it can’t be everyone else, IT’S YOU!! Lesson learned. I didn’t have anything personal against Monique… People paid a lot of money to laugh, not hear about your contract. Apparently, the role you played in PRECIOUS turned out to be an autobiography. I wonder who’s next…”

Both comedians were billed to perform at The Comedy Explosion show on Saturday night (May 28). While on stage, Mo’Nique had called out Hughley, claiming she was due to headline but was denied the shot over a disagreement in her contract.

Mo’Nique further claimed Hughley made comments about her and chose the spotlight as the perfect time to bring it up. In the viral video, the actress is filmed saying: “What kind of real n#### would ever attack a got damned black woman?”

She then said that she felt bad for his wife, “N#### your name is D.L., what the f### does it stand for?” Further, implying his initials hint at him being secretly

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Movies / News

Stephanie Linus and husband welcome 2nd child

The movie star shared the big news via her Instagram page on Tuesday, May 31, 2022. “A Princely Arrival With thanksgiving and gratitude to our Heavenly Father, we are delighted to share with you the announcement of the birth of our second son whose arrival has immersed us with unspeakable joy,” she wrote.

“Indeed, the Lord has blessed us beyond measure and our hearts are filled with eternal gratitude. Glory be to His name. Stephanie & Linus.”

Congratulations to the couple from all of us at Pulse.

Stephanie and Linus are one of the most influential celebrity couples in the country.

History will not forget their flamboyant wedding ceremony that took place in Paris in 2012.

The wedding was attended by close friends, family and scores of movie stars.

The ceremony was officiated by popular Nigerian pastor, Johnson Suleman.

The couple welcomed their first child, Maxwell Enosata Linus, in 2015.

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Movies / News

You can’t win with the Nigerian audience – Biodun Stephen laments

In an Instagram post shared on Sunday, May 29, 2022, the filmmaker shared the near-impossibility of satisfying the Nigerian audience.

“When you tell comedic stories, they complain…e no just make sense. When you tell juju stories; see how they are projecting us. When you tell romance stories, this love no dey realistic. When you tell dad human angle stories; Abeg nobody wan dey cry. When you tell stories to just entertain; which kain nanzenze be this; when you tell dramatic stories; too dry sef…” Stephen wrote.

“With the Nigerian audience, you can’t get it right, you can’t win. So dear filmmaker or actor; put your best foot forward, and know with ya chest say you gave the film your all,” the director continued.

While it is unclear what inspired the rant, two of the filmmaker’s films – ‘The Wildflowers’ and ‘Strangers’ are currently in cinemas.

Both directed by Stephen, ‘The Wildflower’ premiered last weekend and has so far made N11 million in box office while ‘Strangers’ is getting set for a Houston, Texas premiere this June.

Starring notable talents including Zubby Michael, Toyin Abraham, Deyemi Okonlawon, and Lateef Adedimeji respectively, the titles released in cinemas weeks apart.

Meanwhile, Stephen is reportedly back on set filming a new season of ‘Picture Perfect’ series for Iroko TV.

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Music / News

Tems gets second US Platinum Plaque with Future’s ‘Wait For U’

The announcement means that Nigerian sensation Tems who is featured on the record alongside Canadian rapper Drake will receive her second US certification.

Tems received her first Platinum plaque in October 2021 when ‘Essence’ crossed the one million sales mark.

Since achieving international fame with the success of ‘Essence,’ Tems has been featured on the albums of global superstars Drake and his long-term collaborator Future.

With her second platinum plaque, Tems will be joining Wizkid as the only other Nigerian artist with two US platinum plaques. Wizkid achieved the feat by featuring on Drake’s global hit ‘One Dance’ and his smash international hit ‘Essence’ featuring Tems.

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Law / Movies / News

Court nullifies NBC’s amended code

The court sitting in Lagos, on Thursday May 26, declared the proposed code illegal, null and void and ‘ultra vires’

According to the court presided over by Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa, the NBC does not have the power to “prohibit exclusivity on and compel sub-licensing of privately acquired rights to television content as such is against the constitution and the copyright act.”

Recall that the controversial amendment was heavily criticized by notable filmmakers and Nollywood influencers.

IrokoTV boss Jason Njoku tweeted: “Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC) in making exclusivity illegal, compelling sub-licensing of content and regulating price, are effectively turning private enterprise in state property. Interference distorts markets. If implemented, this 100% destroys PayTV in Nigeria.”

The lawsuit nullifying the code was filed by filmmaker Femi Davies who claimed that the Code violates his intellectual property rights.

Davies argued that if allowed, the amendment would destabilize the growth of content making industries and discourage true craft.

The NBC, on the other hand, insisted that the amendment was done in a bid to initiate growth and to protect “local operators, promote creativity and maximize local content via the anti-trust provisions contained in the amendment.”

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News / politics

I’ll step down if APC says so — Pastor Bakare at screening venue

A presidential aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, Pastor Tunde Bakare, has said he will step down from the 2023 race if his party so demands.

Bakare spoke on Monday with newsmen in Abuja at the venue of the screening of presidential aspirants of the APC.

On Monday, the screening committee, headed by former National Chairman of the party, John Odigie-Oyegun, screened former Lagos State Governor and National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; former Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; former Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi; Jigawa State Governor, Abubakar Badaru; and former Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba. Others also screened were Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi; Felix Nicholas; Senator Ajayi Borroffice; former Senate President, Ken Nnamani; Uju Ken-Ohaneye; and former Governor of Zamfara State, Sani Yerima. Bakare told newsmen: “The party supremacy is the utmost essence.

“You cannot force your way through a party’s structure.

“The party has the final say.

“And when we get to that bridge, we will know how to cross it.

“The screening exercise is to check who is guilty and who is not.

“And it depends on the people, who are doing the screening.

“By God’s grace, we have complied with everything demanded for.

“We have supplied every information.

“And every information given is accurate and there is no miscommunication anywhere.

“Therefore, we will listen to what they have to say to us.

“And we trust God for accurate answers and deserving answers to all questions.”

On her part, the only female aspirant, Ken-Ohaneye, also said she would step down if the party asked her to do so, provided the party would be willing to carry on with her economic blueprints.

She said: “I want you to know that we are a family politically, and if I am asked by the party to step down, I will not challenge the party, because, like they say, charity begins at home.

“I will never see it as a problem to my party, because I am going to …

News / politics

After a call by Peter Obi, Reno Omokri apologises to him for criticism

Reno Omokri, a former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, has apologised to a former Governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate of the Labour Party for the 2023 elections, Peter Obi.

Omokri’s apology followed his criticism of the two-term Governor on Arise TV over his decision to join Labour Party.

Obi had dumped the Peoples Democratic Party for Labour Party last week.

He then emerged the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in Asaba, Delta State on Monday. Omokri has on Arise TV described Obi as opportunistic.

However, he has retracted his criticism.

Writing on his Twitter handle on Sunday, Omokri tweeted: “I have just spoken to @PeterObi.

“I apologise for my comments on AriseTV, and Peter told me to inform the public that certain persons on Twitter and other social media, who have alienated him from so many, do not speak for him or his campaign.

“He will also be tweeting a statement.

“Actually, @PeterObi called me.

“I did not call him.

“I am tagging him.

“I apologised.

“He publicly took the advise I gave and made a PUBLIC appeal to you, his followers, to desist from alienating him from his friends.

“Please allow this issue rest.

“God bless you.”…

News / politics

Most of those around Atiku have no political value — Wike

The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has said most of those surrounding the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, have no political value.

So also did Wike complain that there was an agenda to turn some Nigerians into second class citizens in their country.

Wike said these and more, according to a statement by his Media Aide, Kelvin Ebri, at a reception for him on his return to Rivers State after the presidential primaries of the PDP, which he lost to Atiku by 237 votes to 371 votes.

He said he was disappointed that some Southern governors acted contrary to their agreement before the primaries. He said it was the agreement of the governors of southern Nigeria that the presidency should come to the South, and he did not betray that agreement.

He described as shameful the inability of some of those who were part of the agreement to stick to the agreement when it mattered.

He said at the reception in Port Harcourt, the state capital: “I contested in an election (primary) based on the principle and agreement with all southern governors and leaders of the South that presidency should go to the South this period.

“We have done our part. We never betrayed anybody because it is not in our blood to betray. But it is a shame to those people, some of the governors from the South, they are the people that were used to sabotage our course.

“Look at a region ganged up, then you, your region cannot gang up. You became tools to be used against the interest of your people, and you think you have won, you have lost.

“You will continue to be perpetual slaves. Rivers people, you don’t need to bother yourselves. The PDP needs us. If they say they don’t need us, they should wait.

“The winner (of the ticket) also saw it. They underrated us, but now, they will not underrate us again. We have all it takes to do whatever we want to do.

“It …

Basket Ball / Sports

Boston Celtics survive wild Miami Heat comeback to win Game 7, advance to NBA Finals

The Boston Celtics held on for dear life against the relentless Miami Heat in Game 7 and survived.

Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart — the core of a team that had lost two previous chances together to win the Eastern Conference finals — combined for 74 points in a 100-96 victory to advance to the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors. Boston won for the third time in four games in Miami.

“The road that we took to get here, not a lot of people believed in us,” Tatum said on the court after slaying Brooklyn, Milwaukee and Miami in successive rounds. “We took the toughest route, and it worked out.”

Tatum won the NBA’s first-ever Larry Bird Eastern Conference Finals MVP award after scoring 26 points in Sunday’s win-or-go-home game. Brown and Smart each added 24. The trio also combined for 25 rebounds and 17 assists. Al Horford grabbed 14 rebounds and blocked a pair of shots in a dominant defensive effort.

“We stayed with it. We believed in each other. We made a commitment on the defensive end,” Horford, who reached the Finals for the first time in 141 playoff games, said as he accepted his team’s trophy. “That was the biggest thing, defending, and that was going to be our identity — and that’s what’s carried us this far.”

Jimmy Butler scored 35 points, playing all 48 minutes for the Heat in defeat. Bam Adebayo added 25 points. Miami’s two bright stars shot 56% from the field. Their teammates had 36 points on 28% shooting.

Once the Celtics took a 98-85 lead with 3:35 remaining, the Heat rallied on an 11-0 run, and Butler saw a wide-open transition 3-point attempt that would have given them their first lead with 16 seconds left, but he fired it off the front rim. Smart connected on a pair of free throws on the other end to prevent a collapse.

The Celtics pushed the pace in the first quarter and played lockdown defense, taking a 32-17 advantage with …

Football / Sports

Thibaut Courtois’ clutch saves cement Real Madrid’s UCL winning pedigree

Real Madrid might not be leaving the French capital with Kylian Mbappe in their luggage but they are taking a 14th UEFA Champions League trophy home with them after a 1-0 win over Liverpool at Stade de France on Saturday.

Vinicius Junior scored the only goal of the game on the hour mark, but the Saint-Denis spectacle was unfortunately marred by the chaotic scenes of supporters unable to enter the venue in time for kickoff with questions already being asked by the Reds.

As finals go, it was far from pretty and the atmosphere was deflated further once it became clear that there were major issues going on in and around the stadium and it was an opportunistic Real who came out on top thanks to a Thibaut Courtois masterclass between the sticks. Karim Benzema had a first-half strike disallowed for offside after a VAR check but Vinicius’ effort from a Federico Valverde assist just before the hour was Los Blancos’ only shot on target over the 90 minutes as the Spanish giants somehow kept Liverpool at bay.

Jurgen Klopp’s men created plenty with nearly double figures in terms of efforts on target, but they found Courtois in inspired form and the Belgium international once again showed his value for Carlo Ancelotti’s side as he earned his UCL crown.

“Back in England, I do not get enough respect,” said Courtois after the final whistle. “So, well, I showed it today. I wanted to put some respect on my name there.”

Courtois’ nine saves on the night were the most on record since 2003-04 by any keeper in a single Champions League final, according to Opta. Liverpool won the xG battle 2.14 to 0.88 but came away empty-handed due to Courtois’ heroics.

Whether or not Real’s is a valid approach long-term given their ageing squad and inability to truly dominate opponents remains to be seen, but their failure to land Mbappe means that any planned summer rebuild will need to be reconsidered.

Based on this performance, the French superstar would not …

News / politics

48 hours to APC presidential primary: Another shift likely over absence of screening, convention committee

Uncertainty trailing conduct of the special convention of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to nominate its presidential candidate for the 2023 general election is giving party members anxious moments as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) deadline draws nearer.

The Guardian gathered yesterday that there are strong indications that the party may further alter the convention date, which is originally scheduled for May 29 to 30. This came to the fore as the Senator Abdullahi Adamu-led National Working Committee (NWC) is yet to constitute convention planning committees as at 5p.m. yesterday, as it was the case, in both 2014 and 2018 where Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State headed both conventions that produced President Buhari as the party’s candidate.

Also, about 72 hours to the exercise, the ruling party is yet to screen its presidential aspirants, who have purchased and returned their expression of interest and nomination forms.

The development may not be unconnected with the party’s inability to settle for either the direct, indirect or consensus modes of selecting its standard bearer.

As at Thursday, President Muhammadu Buhari, members of the Governor Atiku Bagudu-led Progressives Governors’ Forum (PGF) and the NWC have yet to come up with a definite position on how to resolve the issue relating to the selection of a presidential candidate.

Besides, the decision by the party to reschedule the conduct of its governorship, House of Assemblies, Senate and House of Representatives primaries between Thursday and Saturday after several postponements may have been responsible for the delay.

President Buhari had, earlier in the week, met behind closed door with APC governors, National Assembly leadership and the party’s NWC to arrive at a decision concerning the primary. While details of the meeting remained sketchy, it was hinted that the meeting dwelt on exploring the possibility for a consensus presidential candidate for the party before the date for screening would be fixed.

But since then, the screening has remained a subject of speculation with pundits insinuating plans to have aspirants withdraw from the race for the yet-to-be

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News / politics

Sanwo-Olu, Abiodun, Zulum, others pick APC second term ticket

It was the turn of All Progressives Congress (APC), delegates yesterday, to exercise their mandate of choosing governorship candidates across the country, a day after the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) conducted theirs.

In Lagos State, delegates defied the rain at the Onikan Stadium (Mobolaji Johnson Arena) to elect Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as their candidate for next year’s election.

Even though there were three aspirants for the primary, including Mr Wale Oluwo and Mustapha Olorunfemi, only the governor attended the exercise.

According to sources, the other two were not allowed into the venue because they were not cleared at the national level.

Sanwo-Olu arrived at 12:50 p.m. and thereafter, accreditation and voting commenced. In attendance were the Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat; Speaker House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; Lagos APC chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi and state executive council members, among others.

The total number of delegates announced by the chairman of the Lagos APC gubernatorial electoral committee, Adamu Shettima Yuguda, was 1,225 from 245 wards across 20 local councils. The total number of accredited delegates was 1,198.

At the end of the primary, Sanwo-Olu scored 1,170 votes, though he was unopposed while 12 votes were invalidated.

While declaring Sanwo-Olu as the winner, Yuguda thanked the delegates for their patience. He also reiterated that out of the three aspirants that collected forms, only one was cleared while two were disqualified from Abuja.

In his address, Sanwo-Olu said: “As God answered us today, it is going to happen to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu between Sunday and Monday.”

Oluwo, after the exercise, alleged fraud in the Lagos APC delegates list.

According to Oluwo, the delegates were those handpicked by one of the APC factions in the state through a sham delegates congress purportedly held in the 245 wards on May 18 and 19.

He said: “We note that the screening committee, which was inaugurated by the APC National Headquarters to screen all governorship aspirants in Lagos, has refused to publish the results of the exercise as at the time of this press release. The approved Election …

Sports / Tennis

Halep experiences panic attack during French Open match

Two-time Grand Slam champion Simona Halep said she had a panic attack while leading her second-round match that she eventually lost at the French Open on Thursday.

The 2018 Roland Garros winner said she “lost it” and couldn’t regain focus while playing 19-year-old Qinwen Zheng, who won 2-6, 6-2, 6-1 at Court Simonne-Mathieu.

“I had a break in the second set, but then something happened. I just lost it,” the 30-year-old Romanian said in her post-match press conference. “It was just a panic attack. It happened. I didn’t know how to handle it because I don’t have it often.”

Halep, the 2019 Wimbledon champion, had already amassed 20 wins this season and had beaten 74th-ranked Zheng in January.

Halep said she likely put too much pressure on herself.“It’s something normal that everybody has. I will be better next time, for sure. I don’t have these things so it was new for me,” she said.

Halep said she was assured by doctors that she’s OK physically.

“After the match was pretty tough. But now, I’m good. I’m recovered, and I will learn from this episode.”

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Movies / News

Ray Liotta dies at 67

According to multiple media outlets, Liotta was on set filming the movie ‘Dangerous Waters’ before his shocking demise.

The American actor was best known for playing Henry Hill, a mobster in Martin Scorsese’s 1990 gangster film ‘Goodfellas’

Liotta was notable for roles like Ray Sinclair in Jonathan Demme’s ‘Something Wild’ (1986). The role earned him his first Golden Globe nomination.

The actor went on to star as baseball player Shoeless Joe Jackson in the Kevin Costner-starrer ‘Field of Dreams’ (1989) and as the corrupt cop Matt Wozniak on the 2016-18 NBC cop drama ‘Shades of Blues’ alongside Jennifer Lopez.

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News / politics

Osinachi: FG files 23-count charges against her husband

The Federal Government has filed 23-count charges against Peter Nwachukwu, the husband of late popular gospel artist, Osinachi.

Recall that the “Ekwueme” crooner died on April 8, 2023 after her husband allegedly assaulted her several times.

Nwachukwu was charged under sections 104 and 379 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, by the Attorney-General of the Federation.

The defendant was charged with culpable homicide contrary to section 221 of the Penal Code, which is punishable with death. The case, with charge number: CR/199/2022, was filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja on May 20, 2022 by the Head, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, Department of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Ministry of Justice, Yewande Gbola-Awopetun.

The 42-year-old musician died after spending days at an undisclosed hospital in Abuja.

Nwachukwu was consequently arrested by the police after colleagues of Osinachi, who was a lead singer at the Dunamis International Headquarters, Abuja, accused him of beating her.

Count one reads: “That you Peter Nwachukwu, 56, male, on the 8th of April, 2022 at Aco Estate, opposite police station, Lugbe, Abuja, FCT, within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, did commit an offence to with: culpable homicide punishable with death in that you caused the death of Mrs Osinachi Nwachukwu by your various acts of violence and aggravated assault with the knowledge that her death would be the probable consequence of your acts.”

Count two reads: “Statement of offence: Wilfully placing a person in fear of physical injury contrary to section 4(1) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015 and punishable under the same section of the Act.”…

News / politics

Jonathan to APC, PDP: Your ongoing primaries a mess

Nigeria’s former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has castigated the country’s political parties for the mess they have made of their ongoing primaries for the 2023 elections.

The Peoples Democratic Party and All Progressives Congress are among the parties conducting their primaries now.

Jonathan, who spoke on Thursday in Abuja at the launch of a book titled: “Political Party Governance,” authored by Dr. Mohammed Wakil, a former Minister of State for Power, said: “These whole primaries going on across the country is a mess. “This is not a standard practice. “The process has failed.

“We cannot use the process to elect president, governors, senators and House of Representatives members and others.

“The process is already failed, which is not good for the country.

“But we will manage and move on.

“We pray that good people should come.

“I hope that what happened this year, 2022, will not happen again in this country.”…

Basket Ball / Sports

Golden State Warriors advance to their 6th NBA Finals in 8 years with a win against the Dallas Mavericks

Klay Thompson shimmied his way to 32 points, and the Golden State Warriors advanced to their sixth NBA Finals in eight seasons by beating the Dallas Mavericks 120-110 in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals Thursday night.

Thompson scored 19 points in the first half, including a 3-pointer that he punctuated with teammate Stephen Curry’s signature shake as the Warriors raced out to a 17-point halftime lead and coasted the rest of the way.

Andrew Wiggins added 18 points and 10 rebounds, Draymond Green scored 17 points and Curry had 15 points and nine assists for the Warriors.

Luka Doncic overcame a slow start to score 28 points for the Mavericks. Spencer Dinwiddie added 26.

After missing the playoffs in 2020 and ‘21 in back-to back injury-plagued seasons, the Warriors are returning to a familiar stage. They are the first team to make six finals appearances in an eight-year span since the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls had a pair of three-peats from 1991-93 and 1996-98.

The Warriors will host the winner of the Eastern Conference finals between the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat on June 2 in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. The Celtics hold a 3-2 lead heading into Game 6 at home Friday.

The Warriors followed their pattern from the first two rounds by bouncing back after squandering a chance to end a series on the road by winning at home. The Warriors are 9-0 at the Chase Center this postseason, tying the 2017 team for the the most consecutive home wins in a single postseason in NBA history.

The star this game was Thompson, who sat out the last two seasons with injuries but showed flashes of his old self in this clincher.

After making just seven 3-pointers in the first four games of the series, Thompson had eight. He gave the Warriors a 13-point lead in the first half when he hit one from the corner before dancing and added two early in the third quarter for a 23-point lead.

The Mavericks cut a …

Football / Sports

Jose Mourinho’s Giallorossi take home UEFA Conference League title

Jose Mourinho has done it again. The Special One led his AS Roma side to its first title since 2008 and the first UEFA trophy won in club history. The Giallorossi defeated Feyenoord, 1-0, in the UEFA Europa Conference League final in Tirana, Albania, on Wednesday. Nicolo Zaniolo scored the winning goal in the inaugural tournament in the 32nd minute that helped send Giallorossi fans into a frenzy.

The last time AS Roma won any silverware came in 2008 when they won the Coppa Italia under Luciano Spalletti. They also lost their previous two European finals at the hands of Liverpool in the 1984 European Cup and Inter Milan in the 1991 UEFA Cup. It took them 31 years to play another final, but this time the trophy is going back to Rome, where tens of thousands of fans watched the match inside the Stadio Olimpico. With the win, AS Roma have clinched a spot in next season’s UEFA Europa League group stage, which you can stream directly on Paramount+.

This is Mourinho’s fifth European final and trophy. He’s never lost a major UEFA final as manager. He has been triumphant in each of the previous four – with Porto in the 2003 UEFA Cup and 2004 UEFA Champions League, Inter in the 2010 UEFA Champions League and Manchester United in the 2017 UEFA Europa League. He has, however, lost two UEFA Super Cups. For the Portuguese coach as well as Roma fans, Wednesday will go down as a an unforgettable night.

The first half wasn’t exciting as we could expect from these two sides, but it produced the only goal of the night. Feyenoord tried to maintain possession time and Mourinho’s side didn’t take many risks. There were not many chances, with only three shots on target overall in the first 45 minutes. However, AS Roma midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who had just worked his way back to fitness, was forced to go off with an injury and was replaced by Sergio Oliveira. The 32nd minute gave us the …

News / politics

Abacha’s son wins Kano PDP governorship primaries

Alhaji Muhammad Abacha, son of former military leader, late General Sani Abacha, has emerged the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for the 2023 general election in Kano State.

He polled 736 votes to defeat Jafar Sani-Bello, who scored 710 votes in the primaries, on Wednesday in Kano State.

Announcing the results, the Returning Officer, Hajiya Amina Garba, declared Abacha as the winner of the primaries having scored 736 votes.

The Chairman the Electoral Committee, Alhaji Mohammed Jamu, said the primaries were legally conducted with validly-elected delegates and supervised by the Independent National Electoral Commission, police and Department of State Services operatives.…

Basket Ball / Sports

Jaylen Brown leads Celtics’ second-half turnaround as Boston beats Miami Heat

The Celtics found themselves trailing the Heat by five, on the road, at halftime of Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals Wednesday night.

And yet, the Celtics felt just fine. They couldn’t have played much worse in the first half, committing 10 turnovers and giving up nine offensive rebounds to Miami — which allowed the Heat to take 14 extra shots.

“We weren’t playing our best, in a lot of ways,” Celtics coach Ime Udoka said. “Sometimes, all it takes is one guy getting back to his average game.”

No one was playing worse than Jaylen Brown. He went 2-for-7 from the field and committed four turnovers — all in the first quarter. Then the second half started. And as it played out, Brown wound up being the face of the team’s turnaround.

Brown’s 19-point, 0-turnover second half — coupled with an 18-point second half from Jayson Tatum — allowed Boston to finally break open what was a rock fight in the first half, as the Celtics went on to win 93-80 over the Heat, moving Boston to within one victory of its first trip to the NBA Finals in 12 years.

“Same player,” Brown said from the first half to the second. “Just had to get settled in. That’s it. As the game wears on, some of that energy, some of that intensity starts to wear off, so the game opens up a little bit. The game opened up for me in the second half.

“I didn’t want to get down. I didn’t want to look into the past, think that this game was over. My team needed me to come out and respond.

“First half was s—. Threw it away. [Just] come out, play basketball in the second half.”

It was unclear whether Boston was going to be able to follow through on Brown’s instructions after yet another ugly stretch of basketball in this series for the Celtics in the first half of Game 5. The difference from the other periods when Boston has gone off the …