4,200 police officers deployed in FCT ahead of nationwide protest (Sun)
Four thousand two hundred police officers have been deployed by the Federal Capital Territory Police Command to all parts of the nation’s capital ahead of the nationwide protest beginning on August 1.
In a statement released on Friday, the command further revealed the deployment of explosive ordnance device experts at various strategic locations.
Police spokesperson Josephine Adeh disclosed that the move is to guarantee public safety, protect protesters, and prevent the protests from being hijacked by non-state actors. Read more
IED explodes at popular livestock market in Yobe (Channels)
An explosion suspected to be a planted Improvised Explosive Device has exploded at the popular Buni Yadi market in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State.
A resident of Buni, Ali Hassan told Channels Television correspondent via telephone, that the incident happened at around 12.30 PM on Friday, injuring a girl.
The spokesman of the Sector 2 Joint Task Force Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Muhammad Shehu also confirmed the incident, saying another IED planted in the market was discovered and successfully detonated by the Army. Read more
Senate vows to expose saboteurs in oil sector (Leadership)
The Senate has committed itself to uncovering and holding accountable any individuals or organisations involved in economic sabotage within the Nigerian petroleum industry.
Led by Opeyemi Bamidele, the Senate Leader and Chairman of the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee investigating this matter, the Senate aims to address serious issues that threaten the country’s economic prosperity, fiscal stability, and public health.
In the pursuit of its mandate, the committee will thoroughly investigate the roots of economic sabotage in the petroleum industry and make recommendations to promote global best practices and attract more investments, particularly in the midstream and downstream sectors. This national assignment will be carried out with impartiality and a focus on protecting the strategic national interests of Nigeria. Read more
Hardship: CAN kicks against protest, advocates alternatives, patience with govt (Vanguard)
The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has appealed to aggrieved Nigerians that rather than protest, they should consider alternative means of expressing their grievances.
The Association also recommended that government should be given more time to address these pressing concerns.
CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja. Read more
Iwuanyanwu’s death great loss to Nigeria, Igbo nation — Sanwo-Olu (Punch)
Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has mourned the passing of the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, the late Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.
The governor joined numerous local and international well-wishers in mourning the passing of the late icon.
He described Iwuanyanwu’s death as a colossal loss to Nigeria, with a particular impact on the Igbo nation and the media industry. Read more
Shehu Sani knocks government officials over diversion of rice (DailyTrust)
A former federal lawmaker, Shehu Sani, has reacted to the alleged diversion of bags of rice meant for the poor in Katsina State.
On Wednesday night, operatives of the Katsina State Command of the Department of the State Services (DSS), recovered 2,000 bags of rice out of the 20 trucks donated to the state by the federal government.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the recovered rice was allegedly diverted by some government officials. Read more
Borno APC leaders seek reversal of Ndume’s sacking (Nation)
Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Borno South Senatorial District, on Friday, July 26, called on the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party to reverse the sack of Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume as the Majority Whip of the Senate.
Speaking on behalf of other APC leaders from Borno South during a press conference in Abuja, Baba Ahmed Mustapha, said Ndume did nothing wrong by drawing the attention of President Bola Tinubu to the challenges faced by Nigerians.
He also dismissed claims that Ndume was planning to leave the APC for another political party. Read more
Reps summon EFCC boss for account of stewardship (Tribune)
The House of Representatives issued a 5-day ultimatum on Friday to the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, to appear before it and account for his stewardship since assuming office.
Hon. Obinna Onwusibe, Chairman of the House Committee on Financial Crimes, issued the notice after the committee returned from an oversight function at the EFCC headquarters in Jabi, Abuja. Lawmakers expressed displeasure over Olukoyede’s absence despite formal notification of the oversight.
During the visit, a staff member informed the lawmakers that the EFCC had been called to an emergency at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), but no further details were provided. Read more
‘The Souvenir’ Director Joanna Hogg named Jury President for Venice Fest’s Giornate degli Autori (THR)
Acclaimed British filmmaker Joanna Hogg (The Souvenir, The Eternal Daughter) will head up the jury of the Giornate degli Autori (GdA) sidebar at the upcoming 2024 Venice Film Festival. Hogg will oversee a jury of 27 young European film fans judging the movies of the parallel section, which runs alongside the Venice festival from Aug. 28 to Sept. 7. The jury will pick the section’s GdA Director’s Award.
“Throughout her cinematic journey, Hogg has examined the human soul, family and sentimental relationships with rare precision, psychological depth and authenticity,” said GdA artistic director Gaia Furrer. “Hers is an implosive cinema, as Martin Scorsese, who produced Hogg’s last three films, defined it: A cinema capable of bringing to light truths that are often uncomfortable or unspeakable.” Read more
Zara McDermott’s “real feelings” on pal Pete Wicks’ Strictly stint “revealed” after her ordeal (OK!)
Zara McDermott has reportedly opened up about her pal Pete Wicks joining the Strictly Come Dancing line-up. Despite recent allegations following her stint with Graziano Di Prima on the BBC hit show in 2023 – with Graziano now axed amid claims about his conduct – the Love Island alum is reportedly all smiles for her friend.
Former Love Island star Zara is said to be over the moon for Pete, who’s been her close pal since 2019 and is often playfully dubbed as the third wheel in her romance with Sam Thompson.
Pete is rumoured to be stepping onto the dance floor for the new series. “Zara is so happy for Pete landing the Strictly gig,” an insider told MailOnline. “Her experience on the show was so individual that she hopes no one will go through the same again. She knows that Pete will have an amazing time and could even impress the judges, he’s incredibly hardworking and a good person, and will thrive in the environment, which can be intense, but he performs best when he’s challenged and under pressure.” Read more
Ryan Reynolds auctions Deadpool gym equipment for charity (BBC)
Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds has donated gym equipment used during the production of Deadpool & Wolverine to a Welsh charity.
The proceeds raised from the auction of several items – including Deadpool-themed weights benches, pulling machines and weights sets – will be given to Your Space.
“Not all heroes lift weights, but they sure can pump iron for a good cause,” Reynolds, who plays Deadpool, told the auction host Charitybuzz. Read more
Axl Rose joins Billy Joel on stage for final night of Madison Square Garden residency (FarOut)
During the final night of his historic residency at Madison Square Garden on July 25th, Billy Joel brought out Guns N’ Roses frontman Axl Rose as a special guest for an unlikely duet.
This appearance in New York was not the first time the pair have converged on stage. The hard rock frontman, known for singing on his band’s hits such as ‘Sweet Child O’ Mine’ and ‘Welcome to the Jungle’, previously joined Joel on-stage during his 2017 show at Los Angeles’ Dodger Stadium.
Although he’s a piano player that’s so inextricable from the instrument that he is respectfully dubbed, ‘The Piano Man,’ Joel is a longtime lover of rock music. He has been known to frequently cover AC/DC’s ‘Highway to Hell’ in the past and has also previously performed the Australian band’s ‘You Shook Me All Night Long’ with frontman Brian Johnson. Read more
South Africa police say 95 Libyans detained at suspected military camp (AlJazeera)
South African police have detained 95 Libyan nationals for questioning on suspicion of receiving training at a secret military camp.
Police said on Friday that they had carried out a morning raid on the alleged military camp, located at a farm in White River in Mpumalanga province in the north of the country.
“We are not arresting them now, but we are taking them in for questioning and will investigate any criminal activity,” said police spokesman Donald Mdhluli. Read more
Prince Harry says “it’s still dangerous” for Meghan to return to UK (Sky)
Prince Harry has said “it’s still dangerous” for his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, to return to the UK.
In the Duke of Sussex’s first major interview since the conclusion of his court case against Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN), he said he feared an attack on his wife if she returned to the UK due to the attention the royal couple attract.
When asked during the ITV documentary Tabloids On Trial whether the legal battles attract more attention, Harry said: “There is more than enough attention on me and my wife (Meghan) anyway.”
“They pushed me too far,” he added. Read more
Darryl Daniel, Illustrator of Snoop Dogg’s First Album Cover, Dies at 56 (NYTimes)
Darryl Daniel, a hip-hop illustrator who designed the cover for his cousin Snoop Dogg’s genre-defining album “Doggystyle,” and went on to lend his distinctive artistic flair to brands that included Adidas and Supreme, has died. He was 56.
His sister Diondra Daniel confirmed his death. Snoop Dogg acknowledged his death on social media on Monday, but neither provided additional information.
Mr. Daniel, known in the hip-hop world as Joe Cool, became synonymous with the bright colors, block letters and bawdy canines featured on the “Doggystyle” cover, which sold millions of albums around the world after its release in 1993. Read more
Paris 2024: Tobi Amusan honoured with massive billboard in Ogun State ahead Olympics (Vanguard)
Nigerian sprint icon, Tobi Amusan has been honored with a massive billboard in her hometown, Ogun State, ahead of her participation in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
This recognition comes as she has been confirmed as Nigeria’s flag bearer for the opening ceremony, symbolizing the nation’s hopes for her success in the upcoming competition.
Amusan, a track and field star specializing in the women’s 100m hurdles, is one of Nigeria’s top medal contenders. Read more
Olympic athlete amputates finger to play in 2024 Paris Games (ABC)
An Olympic athlete has had his finger amputated after he suffered an injury just so he can play in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Just two weeks ago, Matthew Dawson, a 30-year-old hockey player from Australia, suffered a badly broken finger on his right-hand during a team training session in Perth, Australia, and, after consulting with doctors, he found out the injury would take months to recover from and that he would miss out on the opportunity to play in his third Olympic Games.
But instead of opting for a long recovery, Dawson made a decision that would shock his teammates and has already made headlines around the world. He decided to amputate his finger so that he could compete in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Read more
Nigeria isn’t 2nd option, Mikel Obi warns Nigerian-born footballers abroad (Punch)
Former Super Eagles captain Mikel John Obi has issued a stern warning to footballers of Nigerian descent who ply their trade abroad, stating that Nigeria is not a second option.
Obi made this known in a video posted on Friday morning while appearing on his The Obi One Podcast show.
The former Chelsea star who recently interviewed his former coach, Carlo Ancelotti, opined that any football talent of Nigerian or African descent should never treat the country or continent of their roots as a second option. Read more
Bologna confirm Calafiori exit as Italy defender set for Arsenal medical (FootballItalia)
Bologna director Claudio Fenucci confirms the Rossoblu need a new centre-back after Riccardo Calafiori’s exit so they are waiting for a reply from Mats Hummels.
Bologna have confirmed Calafiori’s exit through the club’s director Fenucci.
The club’s CEO provided the latest transfer updates during Thjis Dallinga’s unveiling press conference on Friday. Read more
Amadou Onana explains why he snubbed Man United to join Aston Villa in £50m transfer (MEN)
Amadou Onana has explained his decision to join Aston Villa in a £50million transfer, despite summer interest from Manchester United.
The Red Devils had been linked with a move for Onana before signing on the dotted line at Villa Park, putting pen to paper on a five-year contract. Villa paid a club record fee to secure the services of the Belgium international, who played every minute of their Euro 2024 campaign which ended against France in the Round of 16.
United have been touted with a move for Onana over the past 12 months after impressing since moving to the Premier League with Everton in 2022. Erik ten Hag is keen to bolster his midfield and Onana has been tipped as someone who can help bolster their ranks ahead of another title push. Read more
Australian hockey star amputates finger to play at Olympics (BBC)
An Australian field hockey player has opted to amputate part of his finger to compete at the Paris Olympics.
Matt Dawson badly broke a digit on his right hand during team training in Perth two weeks ago, and recovery from surgery to repair it would have taken months.
So, the 30-year-old decided to have the finger removed from the knuckle up in order to take part in his third Games, shocking his team-mates and coach. Read more