47 Yoruba Nation agitators regain freedom (Guardian)
Forty-Seven out of the 48 Yoruba Nation agitators arrested by the police during the July 3 rally in Ojota, Lagos, have regained their freedom from custody.
The Guardian learned yesterday they were released on Tuesday after meeting bail conditions.
A spokesperson for Ilana Omo Oodua, a Yoruba self-determination group, Maxwell Adeleye, confirmed this development in a statement.
He said: “This is to inform the general public that 47 out of the 48 protesters arrested by the Nigeria Police during the Yoruba Nation rally held July 3rd, 2021 have been released from detention after meeting their bail conditions.”
Among those granted bail are Olasunkanmi Tanimola; Kabiru Lawanson; Chinemerem Emmanuel; RasakiMusibau; Lukman Olalade; Olasanmi Oladipupo; Bashiru Shittu; Taofeek Abdusalam; Olamilekan Abata; Abdullahi Sikiru; Tosin Adeleye and Babatunde Lawal. Read more
Lagos Island may go under by 2050 (Nation)
Do you live or have property on Lagos Island? If yes, this news is sure to unsettle you. Reason: The Island may go under in the next 29 years.
The government believes that flooding and the reclamation of the Atlantic Ocean would have a negative impact not only on the Island but on the entire Lagos State.
It, therefore, advised that developers should stop further interference with the Atlantic Ocean with mega estates like Banana Island and Lekki.
The government also noted that states had yet to act on flood predictions for this year by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA). Read more
18-year-old ex-convict stabs prostitute to death in Ogun (Guardian)
Men of the Ogun State Police Command have arrested an 18-year-old boy, Jamiu Malomo, for allegedly stabbing a 28-year-old prostitute to death.
The incident, according to the command’s spokesman, Abimbola Oyeyemi, occurred in Abeokuta, the state capital.
The suspect allegedly stabbed the victim to death following his refusal to pay her the agreed N10, 000 fee for her services.
Oyeyemi disclosed that the suspect was arrested following a report lodged at Adatan Divisional Headquarters by the chairman of Ilupeju community in Oke Aregba, Abeokuta. Read more
Wanted randy bandit held in Sokoto patronising sex worker (Punch)
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has arrested a notorious bandit, Bello Galaduma, in the Aliyu Jodi area of Sokoto State.
PUNCH Metro learnt that the 40-year-old, who also specialised in giving information about people to kidnappers and bandits, was patronising a sex worker when he was caught.
The suspect, who had been on the wanted list of security agencies for two years, was said to be operating in Niger State before relocating to Sokoto State.
A spokesman for the NSCDC, Shola Odumosu, in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday, said Galaduma was arrested following actionable intelligence received by men of the corps in Sokoto State. Read more
Bauchi govt begins headcount of commercial sex workers (Vanguard)
The Bauchi State Government, says it has begun a one-week headcount of commercial sex workers operating in the state.
Alhaji Aminu Balarabe, Permanent Commissioner, Bauchi State Hisbah Command, stated this at the inauguration of the enumeration exercise of the sex workers, on Wednesday in Bauchi.
Balarabe said the exercise was designed to support the sex workers with economic empowerment to enable them to quit prostitution, learn trades and become self-reliant.
He said the state government would also assist the identified sex workers who were willing to be reunited with their families, adding that the exercise was not meant to witchhunt or discriminate against them. Read more
FG moves to avert fresh strike, meets ASUU Friday (Punch)
The Academic Staff Union of Universities has said it will meet with the Federal Government on Friday to avert another round of strike in federal universities.
The National President, ASUU, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke, told our correspondent that the union was invited by the Ministry of Labour to discuss issues surrounding the Memorandum of Action, which was signed with the Federal Government in December 2020.
The PUNCH had reported on Wednesday that the spokesman for the Ministry of Education, Ben Gong, challenged the union to be more specific in its allegations that the government had violated agreements it reached with the union.
He pointed out that the University Transparency and Accountability Solution, which was developed by ASUU, could not deduct tax. Read more
Govt, Twitter begin talks over ban (Nation)
The Federal Government and Twitter have begun talks toward lifting the suspension of the microblogging platform.
A source in the Presidency confirmed the development.
The source, who pleaded not to be named because he was not authorised to speak, said the suspension will be lifted when all the issues have been resolved.
The source said: “I can confirm to you that the engagement between the Federal government and Twitter management has commenced.” Read more
IPOB threatens mayhem over Kanu’s detention, gives August 8 ultimatum (Punch)
The Indigenous People of Biafra has asked the Federal Government to release its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, on or before Sunday, August 8, 2021, threatening to enforce a total lockdown in the South-East geopolitical zone from Monday, August 9, 2021, if the ultimatum is not heeded.
The group also maintained that self determination had never been found in any country’s constitution to be an offence.
IPOB’s Head, Directorate of State, Chika Edoziem, stated this in a statement, which was made available to The PUNCH on Wednesday.
Kanu was arrested a month ago in Kenya and extradited to Nigeria, where he has been in the custody of the Department of States Services in Abuja on charges bordering on treason and felony. Read more
UK already undergoing disruptive climate change (BBC)
The UK is already undergoing disruptive climate change with increased rainfall, sunshine and temperatures, according to scientists.
The year 2020 was the third warmest, fifth wettest and eight sunniest on record, scientists said in the latest UK State of the Climate report.
No other year is in the top 10 on all three criteria.
The experts said that, in the space of 30 years, the UK has become 0.9C warmer and 6% wetter. Read more
Katie Price claims she’s only paid for two of her 12 boob jobs (Metro)
Katie Price has undergone a whole lot of cosmetic surgery in her life, including 12 boob jobs – but it hasn’t left her out of pocket.
In fact, she claims to have only ever paid for two of her breast surgeries, which you really have to admire.
The 42-year-old this week hit out at a magazine which suggested she must have spent a fortune on all of the procedures she has had over the years, quipping: ‘I have only ever paid for two boob jobs.’
Rather impressive, considering Katie has had 12 boob jobs so far. Read more
Bosnian Serbs defy top UN official Inzko over genocide denial (BBC) Bosnian Serbs have reacted furiously to a ban on genocide denial imposed by the international official overseeing Bosnia’s 1995 peace deal.
UN-appointed High Representative Valentin Inzko said the ban was needed to stop glorification of war criminals.
“I had to do something – I followed my conscience. If you’re in a country where war criminals are glorified, this cannot be a good future,” he said.
Bosnian Serb politicians are boycotting Bosnia’s multi-ethnic national bodies. Read more
Martin Shkreli’s Wu-Tang Clan album likely sold for just $2.2m: Sources (NYPost)
The Wu Tang Clan has helped “Pharma Bro” Martin Shkreli pay off his debts to Uncle Sam — but just barely.
In announcing the sale of Shkreli’s one-of-a-kind Wu-Tang Clan album, “Once Upon A Time In Shaolin,” federal prosecutors said the “Pharma Bro” officially paid off the $7.4 million he was ordered to fork over after he was convicted for fraud in 2017.
Sources now tell The Post that court filings tied to the sale indicate that the album sold for exactly what Shkreli still owed the feds — or just $2.238 million.
Shkreli bought the collectors item — referred to by prosecutors simply as the “Album” — for $2 million in 2015. For a profit of just $238,000, the still-jailed ex-pharmaceutical exec might have been better off investing in the S&P 500. Read more
Will Smith tipped for Oscars success as emotional first trailer for King Richard drops (Metro)
The first trailer has finally dropped for the upcoming King Richard film, starring Will Smith as the dad of Venus and Serena Williams, and something tell us we’re going to need to stock up on tissues.
The emotional movie, which is slated to be released in cinemas and on HBO Max in November, follows the journey of the proud father as he helps to nurture two of the biggest sports stars in history.
Richard (Will) can be seen taking Serena (Demi Singleton) and Venus (Saniyaa Sidney) to the tennis court come rain or shine in the teaser, as he does all he can to prepare them for greatness.
‘This world ain’t never had no respect for Richard Williams,’ he tells the youngsters. ‘But they’re going to respect y’all.’ Read more
Dusty Hill: ZZ Top bassist dies aged 72 (BBC)
Dusty Hill, the bassist of US blues rock band ZZ Top, has died at the age of 72.
Bandmates Billy Gibbons and Frank Beard said that Hill died in his sleep at his home in Houston, Texas. They did not give further details.
Earlier in July, ZZ Top had announced that Hill would not play some upcoming shows due to a hip injury.
Known for his bushy beard and sunglasses, Hill played with ZZ Top for over 50 years. Read more
Usoro, Ofili, eight other Nigerians banned from Olympics (Punch)
Jumper Ruth Usoro, sprinter Favour Ofili and eight other Nigerian athletes were on Wednesday disqualified from the track and field events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, The PUNCH has learnt.
While the AIU was yet to respond to our correspondent’s enquiry on the names of athletes who were disqualified, an official in Tokyo told our correspondent that aside Usoro and Ofili, others affected were Chioma Onyekwere (discus), Annette Echikunwoke (hammer), Chidi Okezie (4X400m mixed relays), Knowledge Omovoh (4x100m women), Rosemary Chukwuma(100m), Glory Patrick(4X400m mixed relays), Yinka Ajayi (4X400m mixed relays) and Tima Godless(4X100m relays).
Checks by our correspondent also showed that the names of the athletes mentioned above were missing from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics portal for athletes.
A statement by the Athletics Integrity Unit, which was sent to our correspondent on Wednesday, showed that Nigeria accounted for 50 per cent of the 20 disqualified athletes, with 10 athletes.
“Despite significant improvements in the domestic testing programmes in countries categorised as being the highest doping risk to the sport under the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules (Anti-Doping Rules), 18 athletes from the final entries for the Tokyo Olympic Games are not eligible to compete because the minimum testing requirements under Rule 15 of the Anti-Doping Rules were not met by ‘Category A’ Federations. Read more
NFF set to settle Super Eagles’ outstanding bonuses, coaches’ salaries (Guardian)
NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, said in Abuja, yesterday that the challenges and disruptions caused by the global coronavirus pandemic are still being felt by government institutions and businesses the world over, and there was no need to pretend that these are normal times.
“The NFF derives no joy in owing players and coaches their entitlements. The same players and coaches have been well-taken-care-of and provided the necessary facilities when things were normal, and as we work assiduously towards conquering the present challenges and seeing sunlight again, we expect the players, coaches, and administrative staff to show the same level of understanding that they have been showing over the past 18 months.
“Of course, we are pragmatic and we realise that these things can be frustrating and some people will boil over and talk about them. It is normal. Last month, during the friendlies in Austria, we were able to pay some of the outstanding bonuses and allowances. We are working at a pace presently to clear what is remaining. As I speak, we are owing to the team bonuses and allowances from only the last two matches, and payments for these two games have been sent to the Central Bank some weeks ago. They will receive the monies shortly. We are equally working to pay the coaches what they are being owed as salaries.” Read more
Tokyo Olympics: German cycling boss apologises for racist remarks (BBC)
A German cycling boss has apologised after making racist comments during a men’s Olympic time trial.
Patrick Moster, sports director of Germany’s cycling federation, was caught making the remarks on German TV.
Moster reacted as Germany’s Nikias Arndt chased Algeria’s Azzedine Lagab and Eritrea’s Amanuel Ghebreigzabhier.
“In the heat of the moment and with the overall burden that we have here at the moment, my choice of words was wrong,” Moster, 54, said. Read more
3 players of Nigerian descent for NBA Draft (Punch)
At least three players of Nigerian descent have been tipped to be selected in the 2021 NBA draft schedule to be held on July 29, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
The players are Usman Garuba, Charles Bassey and Ayo Dosunmu.
According to the latest mock draft, Garuba has been projected to be a first-round selection for the New York Knicks.
Born in Madrid, Spain to Nigerian parents, he joined the youth academy of Real Madrid at age 11. In 2019, when he was 17, he became the youngest starter in Madrid history.
Garuba’s parents are from Benin City, Nigeria but settled in Madrid in the 1990s. Read more
Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt qualify for second round as Argentina, France, Germany eliminated from football (Guardian)
No third gold for Argentina. No return to the final for Germany. No defensive ability for France writes AP. Some of soccer’s biggest nations have fallen at the first stage in the Tokyo Olympics men’s tournament, failing to advance from the group stage yesterday.
If only Spain weren’t blocked by clubs from selecting the strongest players for this extra competition squeezed into the calendar.
Even with stars from the team’s run to the European Championship semifinals earlier this month, Spain was held 1-1 by Argentina in the final group game. But it was still enough to top Group C and set up a quarterfinal meeting with Cote d’Ivoire on Saturday.
Mikel Merino, one of three permitted players older than 24, swept in Spain’s goal in the 66th minute in Saitama after being set up by Marco Asensio. Read more
Tokyo Olympics: James Wilby sixth as Zac Stubblety-Cook win men’s 200m breaststroke (BBC)
Great Britain’s James Wilby finished sixth as Zac Stubblety-Cook set a new Olympic record to win gold in the men’s 200m breaststroke final in Tokyo.
Wilby, making his Games debut, was second fastest in the semi-final but fell away after a promising start.
Australia’s Stubblety-Cook touched home in two minutes 6.38 seconds, ahead of Arno Kamminga of the Netherlands and Finland’s Matti Mattsson.”Physically and mentally it hurts,” Wilby told BBC Sport. Read more