All set for Tinubu’s inauguration as Nigeria’s President (Channels)
The expansive space called the Eagle Square in Nigeria’s capital city Abuja is set for the inauguration of former Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu as Nigeria’s President for the next four years.
Beautifully decorated with the green-white-green colours of the nation, last-minute preparations are already being concluded for the historic handover of President Muhammadu Buhari to his party man who won the February 25 presidential poll.
Already, there is heavy security at the venue for the auspicious and remarkable event where Tinubu, 71, will be sworn in as Nigeria’s next leader after Buhari’s eight-year administration. Read more
African presidents, US, Canadian delegations arrive for inauguration (Punch)
Ahead of the inauguration ceremony, many dignitaries, representatives of foreign governments, diplomats and heads of international organisations began arriving in Abuja, the nation’s capital, on Sunday.
The United States delegation led by the US Secretary for Housing, Secretary Marcia Fudge touched down at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Sunday afternoon. The US Mission confirmed her arrival in a tweet on its official Twitter handle, @UsinNigeria.
Also, the Canadian delegation, led by the Canadian Minister for Housing and Diversity and Inclusion, Hussein Ahmed has arrived in the country. This was disclosed by the Canadian High Commission on Twitter @CanadaInNigeria. Read more
Peter Obi: Tinubu’s inauguration will strengthen me (DailyTrust)
Peter Obi, Presidential Candidate of Labour Party, has said the inauguration of President-elect Bola Tinubu, will strengthen him.
Daily Trust reports that Tinubu, who won the February 25, 2023 elections, will be sworn in as Commander-in-Chief and 16th President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, on Monday.
Preparations for the event are in top gear, with security arrangements fully in place.
Dignitaries, including the delegation of US President Joe Biden, have arrived Nigeria’s capital city, for the August occasion, which will take place at Eagle Square. Read more
Buhari confers national honour on Emeka Anyaoku, Emefiele, Olowu Kuta, others (Vanguard)
President Muhammadu Buhari, has conferred national honour on a former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Emeka Anyaoku.
Anyaoku was conferred with the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger.
Also, former Governor of Osun, Bisi Akande; Olusegun Osoba; Mamman Daura and Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, among others received Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic. Read more
May Nigeria never witness another Buhari govt — Cleric (Tribune)
A Senior Pastor of Awaiting the Second Coming of Christ Ministry, Pastor Adewale Giwa, on Sunday, prayed for Nigeria not to witness another Buhari government, saying the outgoing government failed woefully in every sector.
Giwa who stated this on Sunday, while praying for the incoming government said Nigerians will not forget in a hurry what they went through under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The cleric likened the Buhari administration to another era of Sani Abacha, noting that eight years of Buhari has been characterised by marginalisation, nepotism persecution and killings across the country. Read more
Security council declares phone-snatching act of armed robbery in Kano (Sun)
The Kano State Security Council has declared phone-snatching as an act of armed robbery, insisting that any individual or group caught in the act will be treated as an armed robbery suspect.
The Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Muhammad Garba, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Kano.
At its valedictory session which was presided over by the out-going governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the Council resolved to take drastic policy measures against the crime in the light of the fact that phone snatching has lately assumed a worrisome proportion in the state. Read more
Sanwo-Olu to Hajj Pilgrims: Don’t get involved in criminal acts (DailyTrust)
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has cautioned intending pilgrims from Lagos State to shun all acts capable of bringing shame to themselves and the state while in Saudi Arabia.
He specifically warned against going to the Holy Land with illicit drugs or undeclared currencies above 60,000 Riyal or $15,000, telling them that the Kingdom of Saudi is very tough in the implementation of their laws.
Sanwo-Olu, represented by his Deputy, Dr. Kadir Obafemi Hamzat, spoke during a one-day seminar organised for over 3,588 intending pilgrims from the state as they prepare for their airlift which kicks off on June 4. Read more
Mother protests as Lagos principal brutalises 14-year-old pupil (Punch)
The mother of a Senior Secondary School student, Mrs Becky Folorunso, has cried out for justice after the Principal of Pholex Private School, Ebute-Metta in Lagos, allegedly brutalised her son for not writing class notes.
In an interview with PUNCH Metro on Friday, Folorunso said that was not the first time her son, Adam, would be flogged in such a manner by the principal, Adewale Adetona.
Bruises suspected to be from whips could be seen on the boy’s back from pictures made available to our correspondent. Read more
How Shania Twain has responded to the ‘negativity’ surrounding her viral nude album cover moment (CinemaBlend)
When Shania Twain made her epic return to country music at the end of 2022, she made waves not only with her comeback, but with her single cover, which featured her posing nude on it. The single “Waking Up Dreaming,” featured the singer topless in a white skirt, purple and pink boots and a white cowboy hat. The photo went viral as many showed their love for it while others criticized it. Now, the “Man! I Feel Like A Women” singer is responding the “negativity” surrounding the photo.
Ever since the photo dropped, Twain has been very open about why she decided to pose nude for it, saying that her album Queen of Me, and the singer’s personal message to herself is to be “comfortable” in her “own skin.” So, while speaking to Fox News, she opened up about the response this photo got, both the positive and the negative, saying: Read more
Author Isabel Allende on how writing “gave me a voice when I had no voice” (CBS)
If anyone knows what it takes to capture readers’ attention, it is Isabel Allende. The 80-year-old writer has filled more than two dozen books with passionate and courageous characters, selling more than 74 million copies, translated into some 40 languages. “I have the book in my head, the characters in my soul, all the time,” she said. “You need crazy people, and you need people capable of doing extraordinary things out of impulse or passion or courage.”
Braver noted, “Your women are particularly strong; they take over the books.”
“Do you know any weak women, Rita?” Allende replied.
“Not ones I really like!” Read more
John Stamos was angry with Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen for skipping Fuller House (FilmNews)
John Stamos was initially “angry” with Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen for declining to appear on Fuller House.
During a recent interview for the And That’s What You REALLY Missed podcast, Kevin McHale and Jenna Ushkowitz asked their former Glee co-star whether he had kept in touch with the sisters – who shared the part of Michelle Tanner – after the sitcom wrapped in 1995.
John noted that he didn’t see much of the Olsen twins, though their onscreen father Bob Saget was “instrumental” in keeping the cast together for many years. Read more
Arnold Schwarzenegger praises Bruce Willis amid dementia battle and retirement (Mirror)
Arnold Schwarzenegger has praised Bruce Willis amid his dementia diagnosis, ongoing battle and retirement from the film industry.
The Die Hard star’s family announced Bruce’s health battle last year, with a fresh update shared just two months ago – revealing a more specific diagnosis.
His family released a statement in March, when they spoke of how the 68 year old’s condition – which was originally aphasia – had “progressed” and revealed that the diagnosis was frontotemporal dementia. Read more
Before Iron Man, Robert Downey Jr. was in talks for another Marvel film, says Jon Favreau (Deadline)
When you hear the name Tony Stark the actor that comes to mind is Robert Downey Jr. as he played him in the MCU starting with 2008’s Iron Man. However, Downey was not always going to play the billionaire philanthropist and was in talks to play a whole different character.
“I remember you had all met with [Downey] already for like Doctor Doom or something on another project,” director Jon Favreau said in a conversation with Marvel boss Kevin Feige. “I think he had come through on maybe Fantastic Four, so everybody sort of knew who he was.”
Favreau and Feige sat down for a retrospective look at the film that started the MCU 15 years ago. Read more
Hayley Kiyoko returns with vibrant new single ‘‘Greenlight’’ (NME)
Hayley Kiyoko has returned with her first new music of 2023.
The single follows the singer’s recent second album ‘Panorama’, which landed last year.
Discussing the new track in a statement, Kiyoko said: “I’ve spent a lot of time and energy trying to prove my worth to people but have realised that if a situation in life is stopping you from moving forward or making you feel trapped, it’s okay to pivot in a new direction.” Read more
Turkish President Erdogan wins reelection in runoff vote (VOA)
Incumbent Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has won reelection in Sunday’s runoff election.
Erdogan spoke to supporters after unofficial preliminary results gave him 52% of the vote, compared with 48% for his challenger, Kemal Kilicdaroglu.
“I thank each member of our nation for entrusting me with the responsibility to govern this country once again for the upcoming five years,” said Erdogan, who had been seeking a third decade in power. “I would like to thank all our citizens who showed their will for the future, both for themselves and their children, by casting their votes in the elections.” Read more
WAFU B U20 Women Tourney: Falconets daze Burkina Dames 3-0 (DailyTrust)
Two goals by Opeyemi Ajakaye and one by Flourish Sebastine steered Nigeria’s U20 girls past their Burkinabe counterparts in the final Group B match of the ongoing WAFU B U20 Women Tournament in Kumasi, Ghana on Sunday.
Ajakaye, who was top scorer for the U17 girls, Flamingos in their qualification campaign for last year’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, took her tally for the tournament in Ghana’s second city to six with well-taken strikes in the 10th and 60th minutes of the match.
Sebastine, a key player in the Falconets’ squad that reached the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup quarter-finals in Costa Rica last year, added the third with three minutes to the end at the Baba Yara Stadium. Read more
Chelsea’s brutal 3-word tweet about Leeds United’s Premier League relegation (GMS)
Chelsea’s Twitter account posted a brutal tweet following Leeds United’s relegation.
The Whites were demoted to the Championship after being thrashed 4-1 by Tottenham Hotspur on the final day of the Premier League season.
A brace from Harry Kane, along with goals from Pedro Porro and Lucas Moura, put the nail in the coffin for Sam Allardyce’s side. Read more
Jose Mourinho ”has already told” Roma bosses his plan for end of this season (Mirror)
Jose Mourinho is expected to leave Roma at the end of the season.
Mourinho still has one year remaining on his contract but has failed to guide the Italian club into the top four of Serie A. Roma lost 2-1 at Fiorentina on Saturday and are sixth in the table, four points behind AC Milan in fourth with just one game remaining.
Mourinho has enjoyed success with Roma – winning the inaugural Europa Conference League a year ago and reaching this season’s Europa League final – but there is a growing mutual feeling in the Italian capital that it could be time for the manager to depart. Read more
Argentina’s Grillo wins playoff to capture PGA Colonial crown (France24)
Argentina’s Emiliano Grillo birdied the second playoff hole to defeat American Adam Schenk on Sunday to win the PGA Tour’s Charles Schwab Challenge for his first triumph in eight years.
The 30-year-old South American fired a two-under par 68 and despite a closing double bogey finished level with Schenk on eight-under 272 for 72 holes at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas.
After both parred 18 to begin the playoff, they went to the par-3 16th and Grillo’s tee shot landed just inside five feet. Read more
Ukraine’s Kostyuk booed at French Open, refused handshake with Belarus player (VOA)
Unable to sleep the night before her first-round match at the French Open against Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, the Grand Slam tournament’s No. 2 seed, Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine checked her phone at 5 a.m. Sunday and saw disturbing news back home in Kyiv.
At least one person was killed when the capital of Kostyuk’s country was subjected to the largest drone attack by Russia since the start of its war, launched with an invasion assisted by Belarus in February 2022.
“It’s something I cannot describe, probably. I try to put my emotions aside any time I go out on court. I think I’m better than before, and I don’t think it affects me as much on a daily basis, but yeah, it’s just — I don’t know,” Kostyuk said, shaking her head. “There is not much to say, really. It’s just part of my life.” Read more
Top Indian wrestlers detained as protest against federation chief intensifies (StraitsTimes)
Several of India’s top wrestlers, including Olympic medallists Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik, were detained by police on Sunday as they intensified their protest demanding the arrest of their federation chief over sexual harassment allegations.
The wrestlers originally hit the streets in January demanding action against Wrestling Federation of India president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
He has denied allegations of sexually harassing several female athletes. Read more