Alaba Demolition: Traders seek Sanwo-Olu’s intervention (Punch)
The Alaba Amalgamated Council has called on the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to probe the demolition exercise carried out by the Lagos State Building Control Agency at Alaba International Market, Ojo Local Government Area of the state.
A statement signed by the council, and made available to The PUNCH on Tuesday, revealed that over 30 properties worth billions of naira were demolished.
President-General of Alaba Amalgamated Council of Sectional Heads, Mr Geofrey Mbonu, revealed that some buildings that were not initially marked and with no sign of defects were demolished during the exercise. Read more
Nigeria will experience peace, prosperity, Tinubu assures (Nation)
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday in Lagos urged Nigerians to have faith in God that the country will experience peace, stability and prosperity.
Speaking to reporters after observing the Eid-el-Kabir prayers at Dodan Barracks prayer ground, the President stressed the need for unity and cooperation, appealing to Nigerians to eschew ethnic and religious rivalries.
While noting that Allah would not burden the country with what it cannot bear, the President said no religious or ethnic identity should be allowed to deter Nigeria’s prosperity. Read more
“Damaged Rail Track Caused the Suspension of Ileya Free Train Ride” (ThisDay)
The Osun State Government has blamed a damaged train track as the reason behind its decision to suspend the free train ride for indigenes coming for the Ileya festival from Lagos and its environs.
The government had put in place proper machinery to offer the Imole Train Services but was forced to suspend the service after the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) informed it of a train accident on Abeokuta-Lagos old gauge line.
Announcing the suspension of the free train ride, the Osun State Ministry of Commerce expressed regret at the inability of the state government to facilitate the free ride for indigenes during the Ileya festive period. Read more
Open-heartt surgery: LASUTH performs Nigeria’s first non-surgical closure (Punch)
Lagos State University Teaching Hospital recorded a new first as it became the first public tertiary health institution in Nigeria to perform Ventricular Septal Defect closure.
VSD is a type of heart procedure that closes a hole between the left and right ventricles of the heart.
The procedure was done on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at the hospital’s Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory. Read more
Shettima at Abuja Eid ground prays for unity, progress (Sun)
Vice-Presidentt Kashim Shettima, in commemoration of this year’s Eid ul-Adha, observed the Eid prayers at the National Eid Ground, Abuja, where he called on Nigerians to imbibe the virtues of sacrifice and forgiveness while praying for the unity and progress of the country.
According to a statement issued by Director Information, Office of the Vice President, Olusola Abiola, he also urged Nigerians to imbibe virtues of sacrifice and forgiveness.
The VP was in the company of the Speaker House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, and Deputy Senate President, Sen. Barau Jibrin, among other faithful. Read more
Drama as Adeleke leaves Eid ground in anger over poor seating arrangement (Vanguard)
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke on Wednesday morning left the Osogbo central Eid ground in anger over poor seating arrangement which prevented the governor from observing the two raka’at rites.
This is as former Senate spokesperson, Senator Ajibola Basiru escaped being mobbed by hoodlums attempting to forcefully move him from where he was sitting.
The Senator along with the foremost religion leader in the state, Chief Tunde Badmus had arrived at the Eid ground at Oke-Baale area of the state capital and took their seats in the front row. Read more
6 arrested over killing of community leaders, 4 sons in Kaduna (Guardian)
Six suspects have been arrested over the killing of an 80-year-old community leader, Ardo Shuaibu Muhammad, and his four sons in the Yan Durme community of Zaria Local Government Area, Kaduna State.
Kaduna State Police Command announced the arrest of the six suspects.
Spokesperson for the Kaduna Police Command DSP Mohammed Jalige paraded the suspects along with over 500 others arrested for various offences in the state. Read more
Immigration promotes 7000 personnel, redeploys 12 comptrollers (DailyTrust)
No fewer than 7000 personnel of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) have been elevated to their next ranks across the board.
The promotion was contained in a letter signed by the Secretary of the Immigration, Civil Defence, Correctional and Fire Service Board, Alhaji Jafaru Ahmed.
In a statement on Wednesday signed by the Acting Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Service, Mr Kenneth Kure, who was also elevated to the rank of Assistant Comptroller, the promoted personnel included both senior officers who sat for the regular exams as well as the junior staff who were upgraded as a result of acquiring additional qualifications. Read more
Lizzo cries as she sees her name in lights at Beyonce concert (DailyMail)
An emotional Lizzo had a ‘pinch me’ moment as she watched Beyonce give a shout out to her during her Renaissance show on Tuesday.
The singer, 31, broke down in tears when she heard the hitmaker say her stage name and saw it written in lights during Break My Soul (The Queens Remix).
The performance sees Beyonce recognise 28 iconic Black women in music, with Lizzo mentioned among other music greats including Santigold, Bessie Smith, Nina Simone and Kelly Rowland. Read more
Idris Elba says he soured on the idea of playing James Bond after “it became about race” (EW)
Idris Elba understands the appeal of playing 007 as well as anyone. But he also has his reasons for fending off James Bond casting rumors for nearly a decade.
On the latest episode of Will Arnett, Jason Bateman, and Sean Hayes’ SmartLess podcast, the English actor said he was initially “super complimented” when speculation emerged that he might be the next person to portray Bond.
However, after enduring racist backlash from people opposed to a Black man playing the suave spy, Elba began to sour on the role. Read more
Kevin Spacey jury sworn in for sex offences trial (BBC)
A jury has been sworn in ahead of the trial of Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey for alleged sex offences.
The 63-year-old Hollywood star has previously denied the 12 charges against four men, including sexual assault and indecent assault.
Wearing a navy suit, light blue shirt and pink tie, he smiled and waved as he walked into London’s Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday. Read more
Ryan Seacrest named new host of Wheel of Fortune (FilmNews)
Ryan Seacrest has been named to replace Pat Sajak as the Wheel of Fortune host.
On Tuesday the TV personality confirmed the news via Instagram that he would be taking over from the beloved 76-year-old who has hosted the show for 40 years.
“I am truly humbled to be stepping into the footsteps of the legendary Pat Sajak,” the 48-year-old wrote in the post. Read more
Donald Trump countersues writer E Jean Carroll for defamation (BBC)
Former US President Donald Trump has sued the writer E Jean Carroll for defamation, alleging she falsely accused him of rape after a jury found he sexually abused her.
Last month, the civil jury in New York found he sexually abused and defamed the columnist but did not rape her.
Mr Trump’s claim, filed on Tuesday, relates to comments Ms Carroll made on CNN a day after that verdict. Read more
Outrage in France after police shoot 17-year-old in Paris suburb (AlJazeera)
Clashes have broken out between demonstrators and police following public outrage over the shooting death of a 17-year-old in the Paris suburb of Nanterre after the youth allegedly failed to comply with a police order to stop his car.
The teenager was driving in a rental car in the western Paris suburb early on Tuesday when police pulled him over for breaking several road rules, prosecutors said.
A video circulating on social media, authenticated by the French news agency AFP, shows two police officers trying to stop the vehicle, with one pointing his weapon at the driver through the window and firing at close range when the youth apparently continues to drive. The car moved a few dozen metres before crashing. Read more
Twin sisters among 10 killed in ‘‘intentional’’ Russian attack on pizza restaurant in Ukraine (Standard)
Twin sisters aged just 14 were among 10 people killed when a missile reportedly fired by Russia struck a Ukrainian restaurant on Tuesday evening.
At least 61 people including an eight-month-old baby were also injured in the attack in the Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk, officials have said, while several people are feared to remain trapped in the wreckage.
The twins killed in the strike have been named by Iuliia Mendel, spokesperson for Ukrainian president Voldymyr Zeklensky, as Yulia and Anna Aksenchenko, who had just graduated from eighth grade and would have celebrated their 15th birthdays in September. Read more
Roma line up bid for Iheanacho (Leadership)
Serie A outfit AS Roma are the latest club to be linked with a move for Leicester City forward Kelechi Iheanacho.
According to Italian news outlet, Gazzetta dello Sport, the Galliorosi are prepared to sign Iheanacho and his teammate Patson Daka this summer.
Roma’s general manager, Tiago Pinto flew to London on Monday to conduct the transfer business. Read more
Musa wants indigenous coaches for Super Eagles (DailyTrust)
Kano Pillars Chief Coach, Ibrahim Musa, has called on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to give more opportunities to indigenous coaches to take charge of the senior national team, the Super Eagles.
The football tactician is of the view that Nigeria is blessed with local coaches who have the capacity to lead the Super Eagles.
He, therefore, wondered why there appears to be over-dependence on expatriate coaches when there are even more competent football tacticians at home to guide the Super Eagles to podium appearances in international football. Read more
Liverpool ‘‘explore move’’ for RB Leipzig star Dominik Szoboszlai in blow to Newcastle transfer plans (Standard)
Liverpool are reportedly interested in a move for RB Leipzig star Dominik Szoboszlai.
The Reds remain on the hunt for an attacking midfielder this summer, as Jurgen Klopp looks to further strengthen his squad following the arrival of Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton.
Szoboszlai is high on Liverpool’s wishlist, and The Athletic report that the club have held talks with the 22-year-old’s representatives over the possibility of bringing him to Anfield. However, it is suggested that there is already an acceptance that it will be difficult to agree a deal. Read more
Lucy Bronze: England defender says absent Barca team-mates are “fighting a fight” (BBC)
England’s Lucy Bronze feels “sad” some of her Barcelona team-mates will miss the Women’s World Cup after making themselves unavailable due to a dispute with Spain coach Jorge Vilda.
Midfielder Patri Guijarro, defender Mapi Leon, forward Claudia Pina and keeper Sandra Panos will not feature.
Guijarro scored twice in Barcelona’s Champions League final win against Wolfsburg on 3 June. Read more
Sergio García reveals end to Rory McIlroy rift (Guardian)
Sergio García has revealed he and Rory McIlroy have made peace after the epic fallout that looked like ruining a previously close friendship.
García’s switch to LIV Golf triggered a row with McIlroy last year – the Spaniard branded the Northern Irishman “immature” at one point – but discussion at the recent US Open means the Ryder Cup teammates have re-established their relationship. “I have got my friend back,” said García, speaking before this week’s LIV event at Valderrama.
McIlroy interacted with García’s wife, Angela, during this month’s major in Los Angeles. “Angela and Rory said ‘Hi’ to each other at the US Open,” García said. “And there was a nice text from Rory to her. That kind of gave me the go-ahead to reach out to him. Read more
NBA star “fooled” Italian basketball president by jumping ship to Team USA for FIBA World Cup (Fox)
After initially committing to play for the Italian national team in this year’s FIBA World Cup, Paolo Banchero has since decided to play for Team USA.
The Orlando Magic star has dual citizenship in the U.S. and Italy – his father is of Italian descent, and he acquired an Italian passport in 2020.
With the change of heart, Gianni Petrucci, the Italian basketball federation president, says Banchero left him blindsided. Read more