Entertainment / Military / News

Nigerian Navy places Cute Abiola on one-month ‘extra duty’ for ridiculing police

The popular Instagram comedian, who was arrested on November 15, 2021, has been released from detention to serve his ‘light corrective punishment’ in the cantonment till December 15, 2021.

Naval spokesperson, Commodore Suleman Dahun confirmed the development to Punch, saying the 25-yr-old comedian was given a light punishment of a ‘one-month extra duty’ after a military trial.

“Cute Abiola has been placed on one-month extra duty after he was tried. He will be in charge of cleanship; supervising painting, electricians, carpentry, cutting of grasses, and others. He will be supervising civilians, Dahun said.

“He is no longer under detention. He has been released to move around to serve his punishment.

“Because he was detained on November 15, that one month will start counting from then, which means he is going to be engaged till December 15. By then, he will be off the extra duty.”

Explaining the meaning of ‘extra duty’, a military source, who spoke to Punch said the comedian will serve as a “Minister of Works in the Barracks” for the period of the punishment.

The source added Cute Abiola should have known better that he was not supposed to wear police uniform in his skits let alone ridicule the law enforcement agency.

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Movies / News

‘Amina’ becomes first Nollywood title to hit Netflix’s global top 10 list

Izu Ojukwu’s newly released film, ‘Amina’ has broken a new Netflix record. The film which premiered exclusively on the streaming platform recently became the first Nigerian film to make the global top ten list.

Confirming the feat, director Izu Ojukwu shared a video of Netflix Director of Content for Africa, Ben Amadasun making the announcement at a press briefing.

“Netflix confirms that ‘Amina’ has become the first Nigerian film to hit the Top Ten list globally on its platform,” Ojukwu wrote on Instagram. “This stunning record-setting accomplishment was made possible by the sacrifices of both cast and crew, whom one can never thank enough”.

Starring Lucy Ameh in the lead role as Amina, the film explores the rise to power of the 16th century warrior and queen.

The film which is co-produced by ‘Living In Bondage’ producer, Okey Ogunjiofor also stars Clarion Chukwurah and Ali Nuhu.

 

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Awards / Movies / News

AMVCA announces call for submission ahead of 8th edition

After a one-year hiatus, the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) is ready to roll out its red carpets. Ahead of the award ceremony’s eighth edition, organizers of the event have announced a call for submissions.

Filmmakers are expected to submit their films in line with the awards’ guidelines between December 3, 2021 and January 14, 2022.

According to the organizers, films, made-for-television movies or television series are eligible for entry to the AMVCA if they were broadcast, publicly screened or exhibited from December 1, 2019 to 30 November 2021.

Speaking on the forthcoming eighth edition, Chief Executive Officer, MultiChoice Nigeria, John Ugbe, said: “Last year was indeed a tough one for the world with the global pandemic, however the industry continues to thrive against all odds.

“We are proud of the improvements seen across different fields in the industry since the inception of the awards in 2013.

“The eighth edition of the AMVCAs once again demonstrates our commitment to spotlight the immense talent we have in the African film and TV industry and promises to leave a much bigger impact than previous editions.”

The eighth edition slated for 2022, will also see the addition of a new category to recognize the growing acceptance of content creators across Africa. The category is tagged Best Online Social Content Creator.

The seventh AMVCA saw Play Network’s ‘Living in Bondage’ sequel scoop the highest number of awards with a total of 8 wins including Best Overall movie. The show’s organizers also introduced the Best Dressed Male and Best Dressed Female categories.

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Music / News

Drake, Taylor Swift, Juice WRLD, Kanye West, and Bad Bunny named as Spotify’s most-streamed U.S artists of 2021

Coming fifth is Bad Bunny. The 27-year-old Puerto Rican remains one of the most prominent singers in Latin trap and reggaeton—Bad Bunny’s continuous commercial success since 2016’s ‘Soy Peor’, the projects, added with famous features cements him as a forerunner for a genre that has claimed a top spot in modern music. Although Bad Bunny is the artist being recognized, he represents every Latinx artist since Luis Fonsi’s Despacito set the stage for Latin music’s reception in the US and worldwide.

Taking fourth place is Kanye West, otherwise known as ‘YE’. Despite the controversy, his name gets mentioned in, The multiple grammy-winning rapper, producer, father, and former presidential candidate remains one figure in hip hop that can not be sidelined. Kanye West’s 10th studio album DONDA [which we witnessed one of the iconic rollouts for, and arguably the best we’ll see in years] has received 33.4 million streams since its release. In addition, the build-up, production and dedication of the album to the rapper’s late mother, another major catalyst to the numeric success of DONDA was the brief feud Kanye had with fellow rapper Drake. The two released their albums in the same week. But, of course, beef fuels comparison. Comparison fuels competition. Competition fuels streams and numbers.

Two years after his tragic passing at 21, singer/ rapper juice WRLD’s mournful and energetic songs on love, heartbreak and emotions remain cherished among the Gen-Z audience that witnessed the birth of trap music and emo rap. Whether it’s ‘Goodbye and good riddance’, ‘Death race for love’, or posthumous album, ‘Legends never die’, in these albums, are millions of fans seeking closure and answers to a feeling the singer based his artistic career on, Love.

Taylor Swift will go down in history as one of the most iconic singers in human history. I’m talking about the kind that will inspire biopics long after she’s gone. At age 31, the singer is still breaking records, cracking charts as she evolves in sound and extension, telling her story the way she …

Education / News / politics

Dowen College: Kashamu’s family speaks on his son’s involvement with Oromoni

The family of late representative of Ogun East Senatorial District, Buruji Kashamu, has reacted to reports that his son, Adewale, was one of the alleged cult members that beat to death a 12-year-old student of Dowen College in Lekki, Lagos State, Sylvester Oromoni Jr.

The reaction of the family to the death of Oromoni was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by Mutairu Kashamu.

The statement said: “Since the news of the unfortunate incident broke, we have made our own private enquiries and carefully questioned our son about his involvement. This is why we did not rush out to respond to the cyber-stalking, name-calling, and negative commentaries that have taken over social media about our son’s alleged involvement in this sad incident.

“Our son, Adewale Michael Kashamu, had acted as a school father for the late Sylvester in his first session in the school at the request of Sylvester’s sister who is also a student of the school. “However, in the 2021 session commencing in September 2021 Adewale Michael Kashamu was moved to a different floor in the boarding house, and engrossed in his own studies and activities, he was no longer as close to Sylvester as in the previous session.

“Adewale Michael Kashamu is a compassionate and considerate boy. Sometime last session, some boys had been accused of beating Sylvester with belts and seizing his foodstuff but Adewale Michael Kashamu was not involved at all. He was in fact in sympathy with Sylvester over that incident.

“On that occasion, Sylvester’s parents made a report to the school and the affected students were questioned and one of them at least was suspended.

“Adewale Michael Kashamu is not aware that an identical incident occurred again this year leading to Sylvester’s injury and death.

“Adewale Michael Kashamu had seen Sylvester limping sometime late in November and (assuming he might have been injured playing football) merely empathized with him and advised him to go to the school clinic.

“Other students who knew the circumstances of Sylvester’s leg injury have all testified that …

Education / News

Breaking: Dowen College: Oromoni’s dorm mate confirms he was tortured to death

A dormitory mate of the late 12-year-old student of Dowen College, Lekki, Lagos State, Sylvester Oromoni, has confirmed that he was tortured to death by his seniors.

In a series of WhatsApp messages to one Tamara, the dormitory mate said six and not five seniors attacked Oromoni.

The border, whose identity was hidden, said that both the Principal of the school and their Dorm Master, one Mr. Ahmed, were aware of the attack on the late student who turned 12 on December 4, 2021.

He said that Oromoni’s case was not the first of such in the school, adding that the previous ones had been covered up. The border wrote, unedited:

Hello tamara

Sly got beat up on Saturday 27th of November by the boys that was named and the ring leader was Favor, Aslem and Micheal is more of a follower.

I was in the room the day they came in
Sly was on his bed and we were just talking and playing in our hostel room as usual after we clean. At about evening time the senior boys came in and senior Favor switched of the light they were holding their belt with them
They were not 5 but 6 senior boys but I don’t know who exactly was part of the beating but I know senior Edwin was there for sure.

They beat him up and he fell from his bunk and after they were done they called us back to the room and aslem said the school rules piss him off and if we snitch the way sly did them would do even worse to us. Sly was still on the ground and favor kicked his head again before they left.

In the morning on Sunday sly was on his bed and he complained that he couldn’t walk so the senior called us to their room and said if we snitch they would know and that if they ask us what is wrong we should say he played football.

The dorm master knew there was a …

Football / News / Sports

‘You cannot turn down Manchester United’: Ralf Rangnick unveiled as manager to begin club’s new era

Manchester United stepped into a new era on Friday morning as the German innovator Ralf Rangnick was unveiled as new interim manager in the club’s boldest move since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure eight years ago.

Less than 12 hours after caretaker Michael Carrick walked away from the club – marking the last of Ferguson’s 2008 Champions League winners to leave Old Trafford, having played and then coached at United ever since – the 63-year-old Rangnick gave a measured press conference in which he hailed Cristiano Ronaldo, warned of the “big” gap to the Premier League’s three, and hinted he could stay on permanently.

Rangnick has walked away from a brief stint as sporting director at Lokomotiv Moscow where he was charged with overhauling the club as he had done so successively at Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig before. He revealed he turned down an interim position at Chelsea in February because it was only short-term, whereas United offered him a two-year consultancy role after this season to use his considerable experience guiding the hierarchy. “If a club like Manchester United contacts you for such a role, you cannot possibly turn it down.”

His first recommendation at the end of the season could be to hire Ralf Rangnick. “The people with whom I’ve spoken so far, they’ve been very clear we’re talking about a six-and-a-half month role. Maybe if it goes well and they ask me, I might make the same recommendation as I did twice at Leipzig – to continue with me.”

One of the most interesting aspects of the coming weeks will be to witness how Rangnick’s relationship with Ronaldo unfolds. Rangnick has been dubbed the ‘godfather of gegenpressing’ and his philosophy on determinedly winning the ball high up the pitch has been adopted and adapted by Jurgen Klopp, Thomas Tuchel and Julian Nagelsmann, now at Liverpool, Chelsea and Bayern Munich respectively, and it is not a strategy naturally suited to the 36-year-old Ronaldo.

But after watching from the stands as Ronaldo scored twice to sink Arsenal on Thursday night, …

Education / Law / Movies / News

Alec Baldwin denies pulling trigger in fatal ‘Rust’ set shooting

Hollywood actor, Alec Baldwin has denied pulling the trigger of the prop gun that killed Ukrainian filmmaker Halyna Hutchins. Baldwin in his first sit-down interview post the tragic accident on the set of his film ‘Rust’ in October, denied pulling the trigger as originally reported.

“I would never point a gun at anyone and pull a trigger at them. Never,” he said amid tears in a clip from an ABC News interview. He further claimed that he had no idea how a live bullet arrived on the set. “Someone put a live bullet in a gun, a bullet that wasn’t even supposed to be on the property,” Baldwin added. The interview marks the first time Baldwin has spoken about the incident on camera, except for a brief interview he gave to TMZ in October, in a bid to stop the paparazzi from following him and his family. In that appearance, he described the incident as a “one in a trillion episode” and said accidents of its nature very rarely happened on film sets. Hutchins was reportedly shot and killed as Baldwin rehearsed with what he believed to be a “cold” – or safe – gun on the set of his western film ‘Rust in New Mexico. Hutchins was flown to hospital by helicopter after the shooting but later died of her injuries. Director Joel Souza, 48, was also injured.

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Entertainment / Law / Movies / News

Baba Ijesha’s trial adjourned after request to change his initial statement

The Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja, on Thursday adjourned the sexual assault trial of Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju James, also known as Baba Ijesha. The trial was adjourned after he requested to change his initial statement.

The disgraced actor through his lawyer, Prince Kayode, requested that the court should strike out the statement that he gave at the Sabo Police Station when he was initially arrested.

His counsel said the statement he gave at the Sabo Police Station is different from the one taken at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti.

The case was adjourned to December 15th.

Baba Ijesha was detained on April 22, 2021, after the Lagos State Police Command announced his arrest for allegedly sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl in the care of comedian, Princess.

The actor is being charged on six counts of sexual assault by penetration, indecent treatment of a child, and sexual assault.

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Basket Ball / Entertainment / News

Khloe Kardashian’s estranged partner Tristan Thompson expecting 3rd child with personal trainer

American basketballer Tristan Thompson is expecting a third child with a personal trainer.

According to DailyMail, the NBA star is expecting a baby boy with a Texas-based personal trainer.

The trainer, Marilyn Nicole has already filed for child support from the rich NBA star before giving birth to the child.

 

Nicole said she conceived the child on the night of Tristan’s 30th birthday. At that time, the NBA star was still in a relationship with Khloe Kardashian whom they share a daughter.

However, Tristan admitted in the lawsuit that he had sex with the 31-year-old trainer but claimed that it only happened once.

In a twist, Nicole said the affair started five months before his birthday and the affair continued after she got pregnant.

Earlier in the year, an Instagram model, Sydney Chase had revealed that she had an affair with the basketballer.

The won’t be the first time Thompson will be cheating on his baby mama.

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EndSARS / News / politics

Falz calls out Gov Sanwo-Olu, says there is no “March for peace” without justice

Nigerian rapper Folarin ‘Falz’ Falana has called out the governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu over his proposed ‘walk of peace.’

The rapper had earlier shunned the call by the governor to join him and other celebrities for the walk of peace.

In a post shared via his Instagram page on Wednesday, December 1, 2021, the music star called out the governor over his planned trip.

“Please tell your governor that there is no “March for peace” without justice. He is still trying to deny the massacre that happened. All the lives that were wiped away unjustly,” he captioned the video of the governor addressing the press.

“You set up a panel to investigate the matter. Panel don tell you say people die by the hands of soldiers and policemen wey una send. Una still no want no want do the right thing. And you’re here asking for a ‘peace march’ DISGRACEFUL.”

It would be recalled that the rapper had called the governor’s ‘walk of peace’ disrespectful.

Sanwo-Olu had sued for peace and harmony, Tuesday, as he broke his silence on the report of the Lagos judicial panel of inquiry into police brutality and the Lekki tollgate shooting of unarmed, peaceful protesters.

The panel’s report indicted the army, police and the Lagos State Government.

The panel had also submitted that what transpired at the Lekki tollgate on October 20, 2020, was a massacre.

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Entertainment / News

Annie Idibia and hubby 2Face Idibia all loved up as she pays him visit on set

All may have returned to normalcy in the Idibia’s clan following the recent video of Annie and her hubby 2face all loved up.The movie star took to her Instagram page on Wednesday, December 1, 2021, where she shared a video of herself and hubby all lovey-dovey.

“December…Let Love Lead The Way … 💎Nkoyo is Ruffer geh ooo,” she captioned the video.

In the now-viral video, the actress is spotted jumping on her husband as she kissed him while someone recorded. This latest move may be part of the reconciliatory move by the couple after the drama that rocked their marriage weeks ago. In September, Annie Idibia called out her husband over his ‘suspicious’ relationship with one of his baby mamas, Pero Adeniyi.

She also accused his family of not loving and caring about her since their marriage.

A few weeks later a leaked audio taping of the movie star surfaced where she threatened fire and brimstone.

2Face later released a statement asking the public to back off his marital issues.

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Entertainment / Law / Music / News

R. Kelly and manager allegedly tried to ‘intimidate, silence’ sex abuse accusers

American singer R. Kelly and his manager have been accused of trying to intimidate and silence his alleged sex abusers.

According to PageSix, they both allegedly tried to intimidate them with tactics that included calling in a shooting threat to a theater premiering a documentary about the singer, new court papers show.

The three ladies involved, Lizette Martinez, Lisa Van Allen and Faith Rogers who claim they were sexually abused by the 54-year-old convict filed the Manhattan Supreme Court lawsuit alleging that; “Kelly and his inner circle … began an orchestrated effort to silence, harass, bribe and intimidate those brave young women and their friends and family.”

They alleged the singer’s manager made several attempts for the now-famous documentary ‘Surviving R. Kelly’ from going forward.

“Defendants used escalating methods of intimidation moving from legal to terroristic in a matter of hours,” the suit claimed.

The disgraced music star was recently found guilty on all nine counts charges including racketeering and violations of the Mann Act, which prohibits the transport of “any woman or girl” across state lines for any “immoral purpose.”

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Entertainment / Movies / News

‘I’ll never regret the love I gave anyone, even if it wasn’t reciprocated’ – Tonto Dikeh

Nollywood actress Tonto Dikeh has revealed that she will never regret expressing how she feels towards any partner even if she didn’t get it back.

The movie star made this known via her Instagram page on Wednesday, December 1, 2021.

“I’ll never regret the love I gave anyone, even if it wasn’t reciprocated. Love always comes back full circle, that love is coming back to me in some shape or form,” she wrote.

“Keep putting love into the universe, cause it’s coming back with interest!! NO REGRETS JUST LESSONS TO GROW!!”

The mother of one’s post is coming days after she told fans that she’s no longer scared of getting her heart broken.

It would be recalled that the movie star’s last relationship with activist, Prince Kpokpogri ended in a very messy manner.

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Entertainment / Music / News

Fireboy hits 100 million streams on Boomplay

“Laughter, tears and goosebumps,” his 2019 debut album is his most streamed body of work with 58 million streams and his most recent single ‘Peru’ leading as his most-streamed single with 14.9 million streams.

In 2020, the Afropop sensation released his sophomore album “Apollo,” which had instant hits like ‘Champion’ and ‘Tattoo.’ The RnB album gathered over 57 million streams on Boomplay by 2021 pivoting Fireboy’s ingress into the Golden Club.

According to an in-depth analysis of data, Fireboy’s music enjoyed a total of 1884 playlists inclusion and is currently being consumed in 107 countries worldwide via the platform.

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Entertainment / News

Kanye West and Kim Kardashian spotted together at Virgil Abloh’s tribute

American rapper Kanye West and his estranged wife Kim Kardashian were among those present at the tribute ceremony held for the late fashion designer Virgil Abloh. The estranged couple kept a united front at the event as they showed up with their first daughter, North West, where they paid tribute to the late creative director at his Spring-Summer 2022 Collection in Miami on Tuesday, November 30, 2021.

Kardashian and West sat front row at Abloh’s final collection — billed as a celebration to the designer’s life and legacy — at Miami’s Marine Stadium with their daughter. The couple pulled a united front despite all the new drama in their lives – from Kim’s latest love interest, Pete Davidson and Kanye’s recent moves to get his wife back.

West and the late Abloh had a very cordial relationship as he served as creative director for the rapper’s design agency Donda.

He also art-directed the covers for West’s albums “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” and “Yeezus.”

Others at the Louis Vuitton show included 21 Savage, Lil Baby, Gunna, Metro Boomin, 2 Chainz, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner.

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EndSARS / News / politics

‘I humbly decline’ – Mr Macaroni says as he reacts to Gov Sanwo-Olu’s proposed ‘walk of peace’

Nigerian Instagram comedian Mr Macaroni has declined the ‘walk of peace’ match championed by the Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The governor had sued for peace and harmony, Tuesday, as he broke his silence on the report of the Lagos judicial panel of inquiry into police brutality and the Lekki tollgate shooting of unarmed, peaceful protesters.

In a series of tweets shared via his Twitter page on Tuesday, November 30, 2021, the popular skit maker said the government should implement the recommendation by the panel to build trust from its people. “I humbly decline the Invitation of Mr Governor. The Government themselves set up a panel. The panel has made recommendations. I believe that genuine peacemaking will begin by first implementing the recommendations of the panel. Then we can begin to trust the government,” he tweeted.

“Mr Governor has said it in his speech. That to be a center of Excellence, we have to be a Center of Truth. Before there can be healing, the government has to be sincere. There must be acceptance of wrongdoings and willingness to correct them.”

The Lagos state government is all but set to release a white paper on the report.

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Foreign / Music / News

Rihanna honored by Barbados after officially removing Queen Elizabeth II as Head of State

Barbados has honored music star, Rihanna, with the prestigious National Hero of Barbados award.

The award-winning music star was presented with the honor by the president of Barbados, Dame Sandra Mason.

While presenting the award to the music star, the president showered accolades on her for all her achievements.

“On behalf of a grateful nation but an even prouder people, we present to the national hero of Barbados, Ambassador Robyn Rihanna Fenty. May you continue to shine like a diamond as you bring honor to your nation by your words, by your action, God bless you, my dear,” she said.

Rihanna is the 11th National Hero of Barbados. She is the second woman to ever receive the honor.

The honor comes on the heels of Barbados declaring itself the world’s newest republic, as it removed Queen Elizabeth II as head of state.

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Awards / Music / News

Wizkid named artist of the year by Apple Music

On November 29, 2021, Apple Music announced winners from its annual Apple Music Award. Grammy-winning Nigerian superstar, Wizkid was named Artist of The Year (Africa), while The Weekend was named Artist of The Year globally.

Wizkid’s excerpt reads, “Singer-songwriter Wizkid is one of Africa’s biggest crossover acts, having worked with Drake, Skepta, and Chris Brown, among others. The Nigerian musician first found regional success in 2011 with the massively popular single “Holla at Your Boy,” which appeared on his debut album, “Superstar.” Wizkid went global in 2016 after his collaboration with Drake on “One Dance,” which soared to the top of the charts in 15 countries.

“Between 2019 and 2020, Wizkid was featured in Beyoncé’s projects “The Lion King: The Gift” and its companion piece, “Black Is King.” In October 2020, he released “Made in Lagos,” his critically acclaimed and most commercially successful album, which included his hit song “Essence,” a track that gained 125 million plays on Apple Music and over 2.8 million Shazams.

“This past year, he’s been the most streamed African artist on the continent on Apple Music and ranked on the Daily Top 100 charts in 60 countries, in addition to his monthly plays on Apple Music growing by more than 250 percent outside of Africa. He’s also been featured on Apple Music’s Today’s Hits and R&B Now playlists, and he’s a frequent guest on Apple Music Radio shows, including “Africa Now Radio,” “The Ebro Show,” “New Music Daily with Zane Lowe,” and “OVO SOUND RADIO.”

“Thank you to Apple Music for this award,” Wizkid speaks about winning the award. “It’s a blessing to get to do what I do, and I’m proud to be representing for Africa.”

Other winners at the awards are Aya Nakamura, who was Artist of The Year in France, and H.E.R, who was named Songwriter of The Year.

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News / Stories

Kwara Fire Service rescues 18 motorcycles, buildings from inferno

The Kwara State Fire Service has again rescued a working transformer, 18 motorcycles and many buildings from being consumed by fire.

The Head of Department, Media and Publicity of the service, Hassan Adekunle, made this known in a statement on Monday.

He said that the fire incident occurred in the early hours of Monday at Centre Igboro Junction, directly opposite Centre Igboro Primary School in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

Adekunle said the four motorcycles within the proximity of the burning fire were completely burnt.

“The fire emanated from the abandoned glowing charcoal left at the dump spot which later got agitated by the blowing wind,” he said. Adekunle quoted the Director of the service, Falade Olumuyiwa, as urging the people of the state to always play safe, particularly in their respective neighborhoods.…