21 LGAs in 10 states, Federal Capital Territory submerged in flood — FG (Vanguard)
The Federal Government said yesterday no fewer than 21 local government areas in 10 states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, have been submerged by flood as a result of torrential rainfall in the past few days.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr Joseph Utserv, who disclosed this, along the Minister of State for Water Resource and Sanitation, Bello Goronyo, and the Director General, Nigeria Hydrological Services, NIHSA, at a briefing in Abuja, said some states had started experiencing varying levels of flooding and its associated disasters as early as April in 2024.
He noted that most of the flood incidents recorded so far were flash/urban floods resulting from high rainfall intensities of long duration and poor and blocked drainage systems. Read more
Controversy trails FG’s $150b Samoa Agreement, ministers deny LGBT provision (Channels)
Controversy has enveloped a $150bn Samoa trade deal signed by the Federal Government of Nigeria with the European Union.
Last November, the European Union, its 27 member states and 79 member states of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) signed an agreement in Apia, the capital of the Pacific island country of Samoa. Hence, it was referred to as the ‘Samoa Agreement’.
With the new agreement which succeeded the Cotonou Agreement, the parties are expected to be better equipped to address emerging needs and global challenges, such as climate change, ocean governance, migration, health, peace and security. Read more
Kaduna police take over probe of murder of Air Force School student (Sun)
The Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, Audu Ali Dabigi, has directed its Homicide Section of the Criminal Investigation Department to conduct a thorough and high-powered investigation into the suspected murder of a 15-year-old student of Air Force Comprehensive School, Kaduna, Blaise Felix Aliyu.
It was reported that Aliyu was bullied by senior students, which allegedly led to his death a few days after the Sallah celebration in mid June.
However, speaking to newsmen, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Hassan Mansir, said a crack team of detectives have been directed to ensure the culprits are fished out and brought to justice. Read more
Truck kills conductor on Nteje-Awka-Onitsha Expressway (Punch)
A yet-to-be-identified conductor of a commercial vehicle has lost his life in a fatal road accident that occurred at Tanza by Ifeanyichukwu Motors, along Nteje-Awka-Onitsha Expressway, on Thursday.
It was gathered that the crash occurred at about 4:30 pm and it involved the driver of a commercial Mercedes Actros truck with registration number WKR824XA.
The eyewitnesses on the scene said the cause of the accident was a tyre burst. Read more
NNPC Ltd. plans 3 LNG stations, 100 CNG sites nationwide (DailyTrust)
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC Ltd.), says the drive to bring Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) closer to Nigerians has commenced and is irreversible.
Malam Mele Kyari, Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPC Ltd, said in addition to the massive deployment of CNG stations nationwide, the company and its partners would also build three Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) stations in Ajaokuta.
Kyari said this on Thursday during the simultaneous commissioning of 12 CNG stations in Abuja and Lagos by Mr Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas). Read more
Solid Minerals: FG rolls out new rates to galvanise sector (Vanguard)
THE Federal Government, Thursday, rolled out new rates to galvanise the solid minerals sector.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development Dr Dele Alake, during a press conference held at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
According to Alake, a committee of Departments and the Directors-General of Agencies under the Ministry was set up, which he charged with the mandate to work out new rates to justify government’s investment in the service infrastructures and to cope with the expected meteoric spike in the traffic of applicants besieging the regulatory machinery. Read more
Confusion as mob allegedly kills 1 in Abuja (Nation)
Karshi Area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was thrown into confusion on Wednesday night when an unidentified motorcycle robber was mobbed to death by alleged angry commercial motorcyclists, popularly known as Okada riders.
The robber allegedly snatched a motorcycle from an Okada rider but ran out of luck when other Okada riders mobilised, chased and caught him, mobbing him to death in the process. Read more
NGX Group appoints Jude Chiemeka as CEO Nigerian Exchange (Leadership)
Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group) Plc announced the appointment of Mr. Jude Chiemeka as the chief executive officer of Nigerian Exchange Limited, its operating exchange subsidiary, effective July 1, 2024.
The appointment followed the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approval. Since January 1, 2024, Chiemeka has been serving as the acting CEO of NGX, succeeding Mr. Temi Popoola, who transitioned to the role of Group managing director and chief executive officer of NGX Group.
The Group said “Chiemeka brings close to three decades of experience in African securities trading and asset management to his new role. Read more
Exit poll shows landslide win for Britain’s Labour Party amid frustration with Conservatives (NPR)
Britain’s Labour Party was headed for a huge majority in a parliamentary election on Thursday, an exit poll suggested, against a gloomy backdrop of economic malaise, mounting distrust in institutions and a fraying social fabric.
The poll released moments after voting closed indicated that center-left Labour’s leader Keir Starmer will be the country’s next prime minister.
A jaded electorate looks to have delivered a historic defeat for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s center-right Conservative Party, leaving it in disarray after it has been in power since 2010. Read more
Emma Corrin reveals Deadpool 3 producers turned down trainer request: ‘Absolutely not required’ (Independent)
Emma Corrin has revealed that their hopes of undergoing a “huge transformation” to star in Marvel superhero film Deadpool & Wolverine were shot down by producers who told her: “That’s absolutely not required of you.”
The 28-year-old actor, who goes by they/them pronouns and is known for their role as Princess Diana on The Crown, will star as the villainous Cassandra Nova in the upcoming sequel.
During a video interview with British GQ, Corrin was asked by a fan whether they had to undergo physical training for the film. Read more
Lorry driver who killed 4 minibus passengers in M25 crash jailed for just 3 years (Metro)
A lorry driver has admitted to causing the deaths of four minibus passengers due to careless driving when they were returning to their London hostel after a day out.
Ethan Burdett, 67, was approaching the exit slip road to junction 26 of the M25, near Waltham Abbey, when he slammed his DAF truck into the back of the minibus on August 23, 2021.
The passengers were returning to their hostel in Walthamstow, east London after spending a day at the beach in Southend, Essex. Read more
Prominent director targeted in French cinema’s #MeToo wave charged with rape, assault of actors (ABC)
A prominent French film director has been handed preliminary charges of rape, sexual assault and violence by a French judge investigating a case involving female actors, the Paris prosecutor’s office said Thursday.
Benoît Jacquot, who has more than 50 director credits in film and television stretching back to the 1970s, has become one of the most prominent figures in a belated reckoning within the French movie industry and beyond over sexual violence and physical abuse.
French actor Judith Godrèche, who alleges that Jacquot raped and physical abused her in a six-year relationship that began when she was 14 years old, has taken a lead role in kickstarting the #MeToo wave. The movement struggled for traction before she spoke out publicly earlier this year and emboldened other actors to do so. Read more
Reality TV star Kris Jenner to have ovaries removed (UPI)
Reality television matriarch Kris Jenner has announced she is to have ovaries removed after a tumor was discovered.
“I wanted to tell you guys something … I went to the doctor and had my scan,” Jenner, 68, tearfully told her famous daughters on Thursday’s edition of The Kardashians.
“They found, and this just makes me really emotional but, they found a cyst and a little tumor on my ovary,” she added. Read more
Arab states want Israel out of UN General Assembly (AfricaNews)
The Council of the Arab League has tasked its group at the UN with studying steps to freeze Israel’s participation in the body’s General Assembly.
The bloc which held an extraordinary session in Cairo Thursday (Jul. 4), said Israel failed to adhere to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.
The Palestinian Permanent Representative to Arab League welcomed the move. Read more
Shooting at Yellowstone National Park on July 4th leaves ranger injured, suspect dead (NBC)
One person is dead and a park ranger was injured following a shooting in the Yellowstone National Park on Thursday morning in Canyon Village, Wyoming, park officials said.
The episode began Wednesday night and ended the morning of July 4, according to a press release from Yellowstone National Park. Rangers responded to a report of a person with a firearm who was making threats at Canyon Village, which is south of Tower Falls in the central part of the park.
When rangers contacted the person, they exchanged gunfire with the individual. The person died. Their identity was not released. Read more
Alhassan joins Awaziem, Onyemaechi at Boavista (Punch)
Former Akwa United midfielder Ibrahim Alhassan has joined Portuguese side Boavista as their first summer signing, PUNCH Sports Extra.
He signed a two-year deal with the club following the expiration of his contract at newly promoted Belgium side, Beerschot, where he also fired them to the second division title at the end of last season.
He was unveiled by the club on Thursday, four days after the expiration of his contract in Belgium. Read more
Verstappen dismisses critics, not friendship with Norris (F1i)
Following his dramatic clash with Lando Norris at the Austrian Grand Prix, Max Verstappen made clear where his priorities lie, and they aren’t with his critics.
The on-track battle between Verstappen and Norris at the Red Bull Ring was a tense one. Both drivers were vying for the lead on Lap 64 when they collided at Turn 3, effectively ending their chances of victory and paving the way for a surprise win by Mercedes’ George Russell.
For Norris, the outcome of his battle with his rival and friend was a bitter blow, not only because of his DNF but also because his felt that Verstappen’s defensive tactics had been “reckless and stupid”, and very much against the rules, as his 10-second penalty for “causing a collision” would confirm. Read more
Hayden Springer shoots historic 59 at John Deere Classic (SkySports)
Hayden Springer has become the 14th player to record a sub-60 round on the PGA Tour after shooting a 12-under 59 in the first round of the John Deere Classic.
Springer carded eight birdies and two eagles, holing from just outside 12 feet on the final green for the last of his birdies to break the 60 barrier.
The 27-year-old American fired an eight under 27 on the front nine at TPC Deere Run, the lowest nine-hole score on Tour since 2000, then went quiet for several holes. He was nine under thru 16 holes when he holed out from the rough for eagle at the par-five 17th. Read more
Andy Murray’s Wimbledon farewell party crashed as brothers lose doubles match (Mirror)
Andy Murray and his brother Jamie were beaten 7-6 6-4 on Centre Court by Australian duo John Peers and Rinky Hijikata, much to the disappointment of his supporters
Andy Murray wanted one last shot at Wimbledon glory, but sport is cruel and you don’t always get what you want.
Murray had worked tirelessly to get himself ready to play at the All England Club, practising relentlessly in the hope that he could play in the singles for one last time. That dream was robbed from him by the cyst close to his spine and, just 12 days on from back surgery, his hope of progressing in the doubles alongside his brother Jamie was extinguished too. Read more
Lille agree deal to sign Beyond Limits academy star Ayodele (CompleteSports)
French Ligue 1 club Lille have agreed deal to sign Beyond Limits Academy 18-year-old striker Adeshina Ayodele from.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano disclosed this on his X handle on Thursday.
According to the Italian journalist, Anderlecht and also clubs from the Netherlands indicated interest for Ayodele but he is now set to join Lille. Read more
Paralympic medallist Lyle reveals PTSD as she retires (BBC)
Five-time Paralympic medallist Maria Lyle has retired from the sport at the age of 24.
The two-time Paralympian won five medals across Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, competing in the T35 category – an event for ambulant athletes with cerebral palsy.
Despite her success in the sport, Scotland’s para-athlete said it had come at a “personal cost” after recently being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) “due to experiences I have had while being in the sport”. Read more
