Anambra demolishes Odumeje’s church in Onitsha (Tribune)
Popular Anambra pastor, Chukwuemeka Odumeje’s church was demolished by the Anambra State Government, on Thursday.
Grace And Power Prophetic Ministry situated in Onitsha was a church owned by the famous pastor also known as Indaboski Bahose and Liquid Metal.
Tribune Online gathered that Odumeje’s church had in March this year been identified by the Anambra State government as one of the buildings sitting on drainage channels, and marked for demolition.
Anambra State governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, had visited Okpoko, a sprawling slum in Onitsha, a day after his swearing-in, and pledged to sanitise the area by ensuring the drainages are free. Read more
Sources: Officers who spoke with terrorists after Kuje attack arrested (DailyTrust)
Two officers of the Nigerian Police Force are currently in detention over the invasion of Kuje Prison in Abuja.
Terrorists, who overpowered security operatives at the prison on Tuesday night, released over 800 inmates, including all the Boko Haram suspects in detention.
The attack sent a wave of shock across the country.
When he visited the scene on Wednesday, President Muhammadu Buhari expressed disappointment with the intelligence gathering system.
“I am disappointed with the intelligence system. How can terrorists organise, have weapons, attack a security installation and get away with it? How did the defences at the prison fail to prevent the attack? How many inmates were in the facility? How many of them can you account for? How many personnel did you have on duty? How many of them were armed? Were there guards on the watchtower? What did they do? Does the CCTV work?” Buhari had asked. Read more
Police arrest suspects behind Lagos hotel robbery (Leadership)
Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested six suspects behind the dastardly May 11, 2022 robbery attack on Mambillah Hotel, Owutu, Ikorodu in Lagos State.
A media aide to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Jibrin Gawat, made the disclosure on his verified Twitter handle on Thursday.
Gawat wrote: “Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested six notorious suspects behind the dastardly May 11, 2022 robbery attack on Mambillah Hotel, Owutu, Ikorodu.”
Recall that armed robbers had on Wednesday, May 11, 2022 killed a security guard, identified simply as Peter, during the attack on the hotel. Read more
Infrastructure decay, security, others plague Apapa Port City (Vanguard)
The port city of Apapa in the Apapa Local Government Area in Lagos State has been yearning for the attention of the state government. The long established city plays host to two very active Seaports and many Tank Farms.
The Seaports include the Tin Can Island Port and the premier Port at Apapa. Needless to talk about the numerous corporate bodies including banks, industrial outfits, shipping companies that abound the whole length and breath of the city.
But in the recent times, the Port city has been witnessing a lot of traffic upheavals.
Due largely to the absence of rail services that will facilitate easy movement of goods in and out of the ports. This has created a lot of traffic hurdles for vehicles too, as trailers, trucks and private cars are forced to get to their destinations by road. Read more
Lagos neighbourhood officer blinds partygoer, agency disowns suspect (Punch)
An officer of the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps has been accused of blinding a man, Quham Adelakun, during a party on Bamgbose Street, Lagos Island, Lagos State.
PUNCH Metro learnt that trouble started when Adelakun, who lived on the street, tried to enter the venue of the event on Sunday.
However, guards at the event, including the LNSC officer, stopped him after he could not show his invitation card.
An eyewitness, Lateef Shonibare, said an argument ensued between Adelakun and the guards, which resulted in a brawl. Read more
APM Terminals Apapa sponsors campaign against drug abuse, Illicit trafficking (Vanguard)
Nigeria’s largest container terminal, APM Terminals, Apapa, Lagos, took part in sponsoring this year’s International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking.
The International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking is observed on June 26 annually.
APM Terminals Apapa also participated in activities organised by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Apapa Area Command, to mark the day.
Speaking at the event, Legal and Corporate Affairs General Manager at APM Terminals Nigeria, Chinenye Mirian Deinde, said, ”It was a collaborative and interactive workshop comprising participants in the maritime industry and port community.” Read more
UK court rules in favour of Ekweremadu, says donor is not a minor (Guardian)
A court in the UK has ruled that David Ukpo, a purported kidney donor for the daughter of Ike and Beatrice Ekweremadu, is not a minor.
Ekweremadu, a former deputy president of the senate, and Beatrice, his wife, appeared for trial at the Westminster magistrate court on Thursday.
The court ruled that Ukpo is a 21-year-old and not 15 years old as claimed.
UK police in late June arrested Ekweremadu and his wife Beatrice over an alleged conspiracy to traffic a child for organ harvesting. Read more
Eid-El-Kabir: Kano approves 10-day Sallah break for schools (DailyTrust)
The Kano State Government has approved ten days for the celebration of the Eid-El- Kabir Sallah breaks for all public and private primary schools as well as post-primary schools in the state.
A statement issued by the spokesman of the state ministry of education, Aliyu Yusuf, on Wednesday, urged parents/guardians of pupils and students to take note that the break will commence on Thursday 7th to Sunday 17th July 2022.
“The ministry, therefore, directed that all SS3 students writing NECO, NABTEB and NBAIS examinations as well as students on an exchange programme from other states at GSS Gwarzo and GGSS Shekara are to remain in their respective schools.
“Similarly the ministry has directed all Head Teachers and Principals to ensure that boarding students have returned back to their schools on Sunday 17th while Day students on Monday
18th July 2022 respectively, as normal academic activities will start on the resumption day,” the statement reads in part. Read more
Herdsmen still kidnapping our people like fowls, Abia communities cry out (Vanguard)
Communities in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State have lamented that kidnapping in the area by suspected herdsmen has become a daily routine despite efforts by the State Government to curb the menace.
Youth Leader of Umunneochi LGA, Prince Divine Uche said this Wednesday at Umunneochi Council headquarters when Senator Mao Ohuabunwa who represented Abia North in the eight senates visited the people to identify with them over their predicaments, vowed that the youths would no longer watch helplessly if Government failed to take action.
According to him, after the kidnap of the Methodist Prelate, Dr Samuel Uche, herdsmen kidnapped people like fowls around Umunneochi despite the presence of military checkpoint at Lomara junction.
” Three days ago, a boy of less than 15 years was Kidnapped. The other day, they also Kidnapped another boy riding motorcycle and took him to the bush demanding N3 million ransom. But the boy is a prayer warrior, he prayed and they slept then he escaped but he was severely tortured.” Read more
3 Michael Jackson songs removed from streaming services due to questionable vocals (BBC)
Three Michael Jackson songs have been removed from streaming services, following persistent claims they feature faked vocals.
Monster, Keep Your Head Up and Breaking News all featured on the posthumous 2010 compilation album Michael.
They have since been the subject of a court case brought by a fan, who claims the vocals are by a session singer.
Sony Music and Jackson’s estate said their removal from streaming sites had nothing to do with their authenticity.
In a statement, they described the action as “the simplest and best way to move beyond the conversation associated with these tracks once and for all”. Read more
Takahashi Kazuki, creator of the manga comic series “Yu-Gi-Oh!” dies at 60 (NBC)
Takahashi Kazuki, the creator of the manga comic series “Yu-Gi-Oh!” was found dead in the waters off the coast of Okinawa Island, Japan, on Wednesday. He was 60.
Kazuki’s body was discovered about 1,000 feet off shore at about 10:30 a.m. local time, an official with the 11th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters in Okinawa told NBC News.
Local police had also discovered an abandoned rental car at a nearby beach. Once they determined Kazuki had rented the vehicle, they contacted his family to confirm the body was him. He was identified Thursday.
Kazuki was wearing snorkeling equipment when he was found, according to the Coast Guard. He was traveling alone. Read more
Michael Mann hopes to adapt Heat sequel novel for the cinema (FilmNews)
Michael Mann wants to make ‘Heat 2’ for the big screen.
The 79-year-old filmmaker helmed the 1995 crime epic and has written a sequel that will be published as a novel later this summer – which he is planning to adapt into a movie.
Speaking to Empire magazine, Michael said: “It’s totally planned to be a movie. Is it a modest movie? No. Is it a very expensive series? No. It’s going to be one large movie.”
Mann did reveal that Robert De Niro and Val Kilmer would be unable to reprise their roles as Neil McCauley and Chris Shiherlis respectively as the movie will follow a sequel-prequel structure and will be set before the events of the original. Read more
Emirati screenwriters invited to script the next Bollywood blockbuster (National)
Emirati creatives have a chance to write a future Bollywood hit as part of a new scheme by the Dubai Film and TV Commission.
Called Ticket to Bollywood, the initiative invites Emirati screenwriters to contribute to new films produced in India.
Open to those aged 18 and above, applicants are required to submit a portfolio on the commission’s website, alongside original story ideas within the drama, action, thriller or romance genres.
An expert panel, including representatives from participating Bollywood studios, will then decide who makes the cut. Read more
Mario Lopez to lead global search for new members of Menudo, Latin boy band which launched Ricky Martin (Variety)
The search is on for new members of Menudo, the Latin boy band which helped launch the career of Ricky Martin, its most famous graduate. This latest incarnation returns after a 12-year time-out. The global talent hunt will be hosted by Mario Lopez and the journey will be documented under the banner, “A New Beginning.”
Auditions for talent between the ages of 12 and 16 will begin online this month, followed by live auditions in various cities including San Juan, Puerto Rico, on September 17. Participants will be able to upload their video auditions to a Menudo app when Lopez announces the kickoff in the coming two weeks.
Over the course of its initial 32-year run, Menudo featured more than 30 different members who dominated the Latin pre-teen and teen markets. Martin was a part of the boy band’s “golden era” in the 1980s, after which he released his debut album “Evolución.”
The Puerto Rican boy band went on to take a break in the late ’90s but returned with a bang in the early 2000s with an MTV reality series titled “Making Menudo.” The winners in that search recorded an album under Epic Records and were co-managed by Johnny Wright, whose clients have included New Kids on the Block and ‘N Sync. Now, the search for new talent. Read more
Westside Boogie reveals Eminem’s advice for live shows & dealing with criticism (HipHopDX)
Westside Boogie has unique access to Eminem having been signed to his Shady Records label since 2017. During his recent appearance on Raquel Harper’s It’s Tricky podcast, he revealed the advice Slim Shady gave him for live shows based on his own experience on stage.
“Performance-wise, he told me to stop stage-diving ’cause I can get sued,” he said. “That’s just a physical thing. He doesn’t like how I am jumping in the crowd ’cause he said I could get sued and how he got into a fight for doing that. But I just like jumping into the crowd – it’s like my thing, you know what I’m saying? So I don’t know if that’s necessarily good advice, but that’s the advice he gave me.”
He added, “Music advice, he talked to me about not taking everything personal from blogs, ’cause it’s hard for me because my music is so genuine to me. So not seeing good responses sometimes frustrates me ’cause I know how much I put into it, but I think that’s every artist. Plus, coming from a neighborhood where we can’t let nobody punk us, gotta stand up for ourselves, when somebody comes for me crazy on the internet, it’s always hard to not reply.”
During an interview with HotNewHipHop in May 2020, Westside Boogie opened up about his relationship with Eminem. Read more
Lithuanian crowdfunding drive gets Ukraine an armed drone (ABC)
Lithuania will present a combat drone to Ukraine that was donated by the Turkish manufacturer after a private crowdfunding campaign among ordinary Lithuanians, who raised nearly 6 million euros ($6.1 million) for the purpose within days.
The campaign’s success inspired Turkey’s Baykar defense company, which makes the Bayraktar TB2 drone, to provide it free of cost. Some of the money raised in Lithuania was used to arm the drone, and the rest will be funneled to Ukraine to address “critical needs,” the Lithuanian government said.
Lithuanian Defense Minister Arvydas Anusauskas presented the drone, which arrived in the country earlier this week, to the public at a local air base.
“One weapon won’t win a war but symbols are extremely important in any war,” he told public broadcaster LRT Wednesday. It will be handed over to Ukraine in the coming days. Read more
Super Falcons players, Rivers Angels listed for CAF awards (Sun)
Super Falcons players Asisat Oshoala, Rasheedat Ajibade, Chiamaka Nnadozie and Uchenna Kanu have been nominated for the CAF Women’s Player of the Year awards.
The four players were named as part of a 30-player list of nominees including 6 South Africans, 3 Moroccans, 3 Ghanaians, 4 Cameroonians, 2 Zambians, 2 Zimbabweans, 2 Tunisians, 2 Botswana, 1 Burundian, and 1 Togolese player.
Also nominated for the award is Super Falcons youngster Monday Gift, as well as Rivers Angels of Port Harcourt.
Monday was nominated for the Young Player of the Year (Women) award alongside nine other players from across the continent. Read more
Joe Aribo: Rangers midfielder set for Southampton move (Sky)
Southampton are in advanced talks to sign Rangers midfielder Joe Aribo.
A deal is close to being agreed and the fee is believed to be worth £10m including add-ons.
It is understood the 25-year-old, who has a £10m release clause in his contract, is open to the move to St Mary’s.
The Nigerian international has one year left on his deal at Ibrox, having moved to Glasgow in the summer of 2019 from Charlton Athletic.
He scored nine goals, including one in the Europa League final, in 57 games last season and added 10 assists. Read more
Gabriel Jesus makes Arsenal trophy prediction as he opens up on conversations with Edu (Mirror)
Gabriel Jesus insists he wants to ‘win everything’ at Arsenal following a trophy-laden spell at Manchester City.
The Brazil international completed a long-awaited £45million move to the Gunners following a successful five-and-a-half year spell with Pep Guardiola’s side. Jesus lifted four Premier League titles, four Carabao Cups and a solitary FA Cup during his time at the Etihad Stadium.
The former Palmeiras prospect had entered the final year of his deal with City, and the arrivals of Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez pushed the 25-year-old to seek guaranteed game-time elsewhere. Jesus is expected to be followed out of the exit door by Raheem Sterling, with reports indicating the England international has agreed a deal with Chelsea.
The Gunners agonisingly missed out on Champions League football this season after being pipped to a top-four spot by rivals Tottenham. However, it was an improved league finish for Mikel Arteta’s side as the former City assistant coach continues to inject youth into a squad full of promising talents. Read more
Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua 2: Johnny Nelson doubles down on ‘average southpaw’ jibe (GMS)
Sky Sports pundit Johnny Nelson still thinks that Oleksandr Usyk is an ‘average southpaw’.
That’s despite him boxing the ears off Anthony Joshua at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last September.
Joshua, 32, had the unified heavyweight belts ripped from his clutches as Usyk, 35, was simply the better man on the night.
However, former cruiserweight world champion Nelson, 55, reckons there’s something about the Ukrainian’s fighting style that isn’t quite right. Read more
Wimbledon: Ons Jabeur is first African woman to reach Grand Slam final in Open Era (NBC)
Tunisian Ons Jabeur defeated German Tatjana Maria in the Wimbledon semifinals to become the first African woman, and first Arab or North African man or woman, to reach a Grand Slam singles final in the Open Era.
Jabeur, the No. 3 seed, prevailed 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 in the first women’s semifinal on Thursday. She plays 2019 Wimbledon champion Simona Halep of Romania or No. 17 seed Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan in Saturday’s final.
“It’s a dream coming true from years and years of work and sacrifice,” she said. “I’m really happy it’s paying off. I will continue for one more match now.”
The 27-year-old Jabeur continued an ascent from junior Grand Slam champion (2011 French Open). She made her WTA Tour main draw debut in 2012 at age 14, made her first major quarterfinal in 2020, broke into the top 10 in the world in 2021 and is now ranked second. Read more
US basketball player Brittney Griner pleads guilty to drug charges in Russian court (CBC)
U.S. basketball player Brittney Griner pleaded guilty in a Russian court on Thursday to drug charges that could see her face 10 years in prison, a Reuters journalist reported from the courtroom.
Griner’s family have called on the U.S. President Joe Biden to step up efforts to secure the WNBA star’s release.
“I’d like to plead guilty, your honour. But there was no intent. I didn’t want to break the law,” Griner said, speaking English, which was then translated into Russian for the court.
“I’d like to give my testimony later. I need time to prepare,” she added. Read more
Rafa Nadal makes decision on Wimbledon semi-final as details of key injury emerge (Metro)
Rafael Nadal has decided he wants to go ahead and play his Wimbledon 2022 semi-final against Nick Kyrgios, despite details of a key injury emerging.
Second-seed Nadal booked his spot in the last four with a dramatic 3-6 7-5 3-6 7-5 7-6 victory over American Taylor Fritz on Wednesday and faces fiery Australian Nick Kyrgios on Friday for a spot in the final.
The 36-year-old survived an injury scare midway through the second set of that match and required off-court treatment to continue playing.
There was heavy speculation that the injury was an abdominal problem and it can now be revealed that Nadal has suffered a seven-millimetre abdominal tear, with Marca reporting that Nadal is keen to push himself through the pain barrier. Read more
