Abuja customer absconds with N55m Benz during test drive (Punch)
A car dealer, Mohammed Manga, has been thrown into confusion after a customer, one Henry, absconded with one of his cars, a Mercedes Benz GLB 250 in the Abuja area of the Federal Capital Territory.
PUNCH Metro gathered from Manga that a yet-to-be-identified friend who is also into the business of selling cars visited his office in Abuja requesting to take the vehicle worth over N55m to a potential customer interested in purchasing it.
After taking the vehicle to the customer who introduced himself as Henry, Manga said his friend told him that after negotiations, Henry requested a test drive and was accompanied by his friend. Read more
“Thank you Akin,” says Tinubu as Ambode makes remarkable return to politics (Vanguard)
Former governor of Lagos state, Akinwunmi Ambode, has made a remarkable return to the frontline politics – he (Ambode) broke the jinx on Thursday after meeting President Bola Tinubu in Lagos.
The duo met at a reception organised by Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu in honour of Tinubu.
Ambode’s presence at the event marked the first time he would be visiting Sanwo-Olu at state House since he left office over four years ago as Governor.
Acknowledging Ambode’s presence at the event, Tinubu said, “. I’m glad to see Ambode. Thank you Akin!” Read more
NUC’s decision to review varsities curriculum unacceptable – ASUU (Independent)
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has kicked against the Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards which was reviewed by the National Universities Commission.
The union in a statement described the new curriculum as nightmarish, a threat to quality university education, and an erosion of powers of the university Senate in Nigerian universities.
According to the ASUU’s National President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, on Friday, he observed that it was inexplicable that NUC would pre-package a 70% CCMAS contents and try to impose it on the Nigerian University System. Read more
POSS operators announces increased rates, explains review (Guardian)
The Association of Mobile Money and Bank Agents In Nigeria (AMMBAN) said the recent increase in Point of Sales (POS) transaction charges is a reflection of the current economic climate in the country.
The spokesman of the Lagos Chapter of AMMBAN, Stephen Adeoye, on Friday said this on Channels Television while giving the details of the unified price list for POS transactions.
“As the image maker of the Lagos Chapter of the Association of Mobile Money and Bank Agents In Nigeria, it is easy for me to give the full details of the increase,” Adeoye said. Read more
Lagos court acquits woman charged with assault on police (Punch)
A 33-year-old woman, Olufumilayo Eriolowa, who was remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre for allegedly assaulting a police officer, Olufowobi Nureni, at the Ogombo area of Lagos State, has been freed of all the charges.
Eriolowa, who had been remanded in custody since May 17, 2023, was freed by Magistrate M. O. Alao of the Magistrates’ Court in Eti-Osa, Lagos after the case was struck out.
The PUNCH had reported that the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, in a post on Twitter, revealed that she was remanded for allegedly assaulting a policeman in the state.Read more
NAHCON chair, Lagos Amirul Hajj lead thousands in prayers for Tinubu, Nigeria (Nation)
The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Alhaji Zikrullah Hassan and Amirul Hajj of Lagos State, Prince Anofiu Elegushi have led thousands of pilgrims in Saudi Arabia for special prayers for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Lagos State Government and Nigeria.
The duo at various camps on the plains of Arafah were joined by clerics during the national prayer.
They prayed for peace, tranquility, progress and development of Nigeria.
They beseeched Allah to guide President Tinubu in his decision making. Read more
Armed Forces pull former Chief Of Defence Staff, Irabor out of service
(Channels)
Former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Eluonye Irabor (rtd), has been ceremoniously pulled out of the Nigerian Armed Forces in a grand parade at Mogadishu Cantonment, Asokoro, Abuja.
The event, a military tradition honoring retiring Generals, was attended by top-ranking military officials including the new Chief of Defence Staff, Major General CG Musa, Chief of Army Staff, Major Gen TA Lagbaja, Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Ikechukwu Ogalla, and Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Abubakar.
Notable dignitaries at the parade included Governor Sheriff Oborewori of Delta State, Mr. Boss Mustapha, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), and past Chiefs of Defence, Army, Navy, and Air Staff. Read more
Indomie backs Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria with ‘Red Umbrella Walk’ event (Sun)
Indomie Instant Noodles, the family noodles brand, joined forces with the Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria, recently to raise awareness about sickle cell through a remarkable event tagged: “Red Umbrella Walk.”
The walk which took place in Surulere, Lagos, witnessed an outpouring of support from Nigerians who donned Indomie-branded red t-shirts, caps, and umbrellas.
The “Red Umbrella Walk” is an annual solidarity and awareness walk aimed at spotlighting sickle cell disease in Nigeria. This year marked the seventh edition of the event and drew significant attention from the public. Read more
GloRilla has theory as to why men like her music so much (HipHopDX)
GloRilla is pretty sure she knows why men like her music despite the fact they don’t always feel ‘manly’ when listening to a female rapper.
Talking to Rolling Stone in an interview published on Monday (June 26), the “Tomorrow 2” rapper explained what makes her music different from her fellow women in the game.
“I know a lot of dudes, they won’t ride around listening to no girl that sounds like a girl because they are going to be like, ‘Oh, I’m being pussy,’” GloRilla said. “But they hear me, and now [they say], ‘She slick sound like one of us.’ I say shit that’s for females, but it’s stuff that n-ggas can say in reverse.” Read more
Alann Arkin, Oscar-winning Little Miss Sunshine star, dies at 89 (EW)
Hollywood icon Alan Arkin, who was known and loved for starring in Little Miss Sunshine, has died at the age of 89.
His sons Adam, Matthew and Anthony confirmed his death in a joint statement to People magazine today.
The family penned the touching statement which read: “Our father was a uniquely talented force of nature, both as an artist and a man.
Supreme Court rules businesses can refuse service to LGBTQ+ customers (Axios)
Businesses can refuse to serve same-sex couples if doing so would violate the owners’ religious beliefs, the Supreme Court ruled on Friday.
Why it matters: The court has significantly expanded LGBTQ rights over the past several years, but is now carving out some exceptions.
Driving the news: The case concerns Lorie Smith, a Colorado web designer who wanted to create and sell wedding websites, but not to same-sex couples. Read more
Kevin Spacey is a ‘‘sexual bully,’’ UK prosecutor tells court (CNN)
Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey is “a sexual bully” and “a man who sexually assaults other men,” a British prosecutor alleged Friday at the start of a sexual assault trial in which he is charged with 12 offenses against four men.
Prosecutor Christine Agnew told jurors at London’s Southwark Crown Court that House of Cards actor Spacey, 63, is “a man who it would seem delights in making others feel powerless and uncomfortable, a sexual bully,” the PA Media news agency reported.
Agnew described to the jury incidents whereby the actor is alleged to have assaulted men who were in their 20s and 30s at the time, including one complainant who alleged “Spacey grabbed his penis with such force it was painful,” and another who said he had fallen asleep or passed out and woken up to Spacey performing oral sex on him, not stopping when the man asked him to stop. Read more
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, Pope Francis, documentary filmmaker Evgeny Afineevsky earn Cinema For Peace Award (Variety)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Pope Francis and Oscar-nominated filmmaker Evgeny Afineevsky are sharing the Cinema for Peace Award, an honor recognizing their “contributions to the freedom of Ukraine and humanitarian efforts to protect civilians and children.”
The award presented by the Cinema for Peace Foundation is dedicated to children who have lost their lives in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which began on February 24, 2022. Thousands of people, including children, have been killed in Russian bombing and artillery attacks on civilians.
Cinema for Peace has previously honored Muhammad Ali, Nelson Mandela, Mikhail Gorbachev, Jane Goodall, and Hollywood icons Sean Penn for his work in Haiti, Angelina Jolie for opposing genocide, and George Clooney “for creating critical consciousness” with his 2005 film Good Night, and Good Luck. Read more
Travis Scott won’t be criminally charged in Astroworld concert deaths, officials say (NBC)
A Texas grand jury determined rapper Travis Scott was not criminally responsible for the crowd crush that killed 10 people and injured thousands more at his 2021 Astroworld music festival, authorities announced Thursday.
The Harris County grand jury weighed and declined criminal charges against Scott and five other people related to fans’ deaths, District Attorney Kim Ogg said at an afternoon news conference.
“It is tragic that 10 innocent people were killed while trying to enjoy an evening of music and entertainment, something many of us do routinely and without a second thought to our safety. But a tragedy isn’t always a crime, and not every death is a homicide,” Ogg said in a statement. “This grand jury’s determination has no impact on the many civil lawsuits pending.” Read more
France mulls state of emergency after 3rd night of riots over deadly police shooting (TimesOfIsrael)
French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne said Friday that the government was considering “all options” to restore order, including declaring a state of emergency, after a third night of rioting over a police officer’s killing of a youth.
Asked by reporters if a state of emergency was a possibility, as some right-wing opposition parties have demanded, Borne replied: “I won’t tell you now, but we are looking at all options, with one priority: restoring order throughout the country.”
The prime minister, who was visiting a police station in Evry-Courcouronnes south of Paris, is to attend a crisis security meeting chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron at 1:00 p.m. local time. Read more
NPFL transfer window opens Saturday, to close September 1 (DailyTrust)
The Interim Management Committee (IMC) has announced that the first transfer window in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) will open on Saturday, July 1 and close on September 1.
Therefore, the league organisers have reminded clubs in the NPFL to immediately commence Club Licensing processes for the 2023/24 season which has been scheduled to commence on the weekend of August 26 -27.
Following the submission of the season’s report by the Interim Management Committee (IMC) to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), clubs that qualified for the CAF Club competitions were invited to commence their procedures with the NFF in line with CAF Club Licensing Regulations 2022. Read more
FIFA ban OneLove armband for Women’s World Cup with eight alternatives offered (Mirror)
FIFA has banned players at this summer’s Women’s World Cup from wearing rainbow armbands in direct support of LGBTQ+ rights – instead providing alternatives including an amended version to the OneLove armband.
Despite uproar during last year’s men’s World Cup in Qatar regarding the wearing of the OneLove captain’s armband, FIFA has announced that it will not change its stance in Australia and New Zealand, with sanctions possible should teams be found in contravention of the rules.
Eight FIFA-sanctioned armbands have instead been provided as alternative options to the OneLove armband, each highlighting different social causes. The themes were selected after consultation with the 32 participating teams, players and United Nations agencies. Read more
Paris Saint-Germain coach Galtier, son detained in racism probe (CBC)
Paris Saint-Germain coach Christophe Galtier and his son have been detained as part of an investigation into racism allegations at one of his former clubs, Nice prosecutor Xavier Bonhomme told The Associated Press.
Galtier and his son, John Valovic-Galtier, were placed in custody for questioning on Friday morning, Bonhomme said without elaborating.
Galtier, who is on his way out at PSG but still under contract, denied accusations that he made racist and anti-Muslim comments when he was in charge of French club Nice when the scandal broke earlier this year. Read more
Madison Keys survives injury scare to advance to Eastbourne final (StraitsTimes)
Madison Keys has precious memories of Eastbourne International, where she won her first-ever WTA title, so it was no surprise that she was thrilled on Friday when she made it to her second final.
The American, however, had to shrug off an injury scare before upsetting compatriot Coco Gauff with a straight-sets win.
The 2014 champion, who slipped and fell in the midst of the second set, recovered well to clinch a 6-3, 6-3 semi-final victory against her world No. 7 opponent at a windy Devonshire Park. Read more
American pair lead 1st day of Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit (BelfastTelegraph)
American duo Peter Kuest and Taylor Moore are in pole position on the first day of the Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit, with Englishman Aaron Rai tied in second place.
It was a strong day all around for the players at the top of the pile, with the two Americans hitting eight under par while seven are tied in second place, just one stroke behind the lead at the Detroit Country Club.
The hole of the day came from American Dylan Wu who landed an albatross on the 14th hole, needing just two strokes on a par five. Read more
PSG coach in custody over racism allegation: Report (TheDailyBeast)
Paris Saint-Germain soccer coach Christophe Galtier was taken into police custody on Friday over allegations of racial discrimination, according to RMC Sport.
The 56-year-old was reportedly detained as part of an investigation into accusations of racist, discriminatory, and Islamophobic statements during his time as the coach of another Ligue 1 team, OGC Nice, between 2021 and 2022.
The allegations were made public in April when an email from a former Nice executive leaked in which he accused Galtier of saying the team had too many Black and Muslim players. Read more