Another Chibok Girl rescued with 2 children (DailyTrust)
The joint task force in the Northeast, Operation Hadin Kai, has rescued another Chibok girl from Sambisa Forest in Borno State.
Theatre Commander, Maj General Waheed Shuaibu, made this known while handing her and her two children over to the Borno State Government at Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri on Monday.
According to him, Ehi Abdul, 27, was married to a notorious terrorist, Abu Dada who abandoned her in Gwoza in 2014 and fled to Senegal. Ehi and her two children were rescued by sector one of Operation Hadin Kai in Sambisa forest during an operation. Read more
Confusion as female passenger dies in Lagos Keke Marwa (Punch)
There was panic on Friday after a yet-to-identified woman passed on in a tricycle while in transit at Isheri, Idimu area of Lagos State.
PUNCH Metro learnt that the deceased had boarded the tricycle along the Isheri-Igando Road and was heading to the Isheri end of the area.
On getting to her bus stop, the tricycle rider was said to have notified her of arriving at her destination. Read more
GWR: Sanwo-Olu hails David for breaking largest painting record (Nation)
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has praised Dr. Fola David, a talented artist, for breaking the Guinness World Record for the largest painting by an individual.
David’s incredible artwork, “Unity in Diversity,” measures an impressive 1000 square meters, surpassing the previous record of 629.98 square meters.
The painting celebrates Nigeria’s diverse cultural heritage, featuring the unique attire, languages, art, and essence of the country’s various tribes. Read more
Avoid ‘‘Tokunbo’’ tyres to reduce road crashes, Customs urges Nigerians (Leadership)
The Ogun 1 Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has called on Nigerians to desist from using second-hand tyres, commonly known as ‘‘Tokunbo’’, to mitigate the frequent road accidents in the country.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Ota, Ogun State, the command’s comptroller, Mr. James Ojo, emphasised that the prevalence of ‘‘Tokunbo tyres’’ was a significant factor contributing to road crashes in the state and across Nigeria.
Ojo advised the public to invest in new tyres, which offer greater longevity and enhanced safety on highways. He acknowledged the economic challenges faced by many Nigerians but highlighted the critical importance of prioritising safety to prevent unnecessary loss of life. Read more
Dangote: Reps to investigate ‘inferior fuel’ allegations, order new test (Channels)
House of Reps members,Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, Aliko Dangote and others on a visit the Dangote Refinery in Lagos on July 20th, 2024.
The House of Representatives has expressed readiness to investigate allegations that products being produced at the Dangote Refinery are inferior to imported ones, and will also test the refinery’s products as part of its investigation.
This was revealed by Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, during a visit to the Dangote Refinery on Saturday.
A statement later sent in by the Dangote Group’s media team on Sunday, said the speaker had expressed concern over the controversy surrounding the quality of imported refined products into Nigeria, and stated that the Green Chamber would establish a committee to investigate the matter thoroughly. Read more
APC chieftain, Agbomhere, felicitates new NBA President, Osigwe (Tribune)
All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain and legal practitioner, Blessing Agbomhere, has extended his congratulations to Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN) on his recent election as the new President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA).
Osigwe, the former Secretary General of the NBA, secured victory with 20,435 votes, defeating his closest rival, Tobenna Erojikwe, Chairman of the NBA-Institute of Continuing Legal Education Governing Council, who garnered 10,998 votes, according to reports.
In a personally signed congratulatory message, Agbomhere described Osigwe’s election as a significant achievement not only for Osigwe himself but also for the entire legal profession in Nigeria. Read more
Hardship: Don’t join protests, FCT Police begs Abuja residents (Vanguard)
As the date for proposed protest against economic hardship in the country by unnamed groups draw near, the Commissioner of Police, FCT, CP Benneth Igweh has appealed to residents of Abuja not to join the protest so as to prevent the destruction of new infrastructure recently put in place by the FCT administration and President Bola Tinubu.
This is just as the CP paraded the mastermind of the armed robbery gang that killed retired Brigadier General Uwen Harold Udokwerre in Abuja on June 22, 2024
Speaking on the proposed strike, Igweh said, “Lions do not destroy their den. We have toiled so much to ensure and provide security for the FCT. In the cause of this, we have gone to Kaduna, we have gone to Kogi, we have gone to Nasarawa to fish our criminals who came to disturb the peace of Abuja. Read more
Tinubu appoints Obafunwa new DG of NIMR (NewTelegraph)
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Professor John Oladapo Obafunwa as the new Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR).
Speaking in a press statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, Tinubu Said the appointment takes effect from Wednesday, July 24, 2024.
Obafunwa succeeds Professor Babatunde Salako, whose tenure expires on July 23, 2024.
Tinubu extended his gratitude to Salako for his service to the nation. Read more
Jessica Simpson raves about her ‘‘rockstar’’ sister Ashlee’s solo return to the music stage (People)
Jessica Simpson is fangirling over her sister Ashlee Simpson Ross!
The fashion mogul, 44, celebrated Ashlee’s return to the stage as a solo music artist in a carousel of video clips shared on Instagram on Sunday, July 21.
“I woke up this mornin’ cryin’ like a fan girl nerd sister watchin’ this from last night!!!” Jessica began the caption of her post, which featured clips of Ashlee, 39, singing her hit songs “LaLa,” “L.O.V.E.” and “Pieces of Me” at the West Hollywood, California, nightclub Evita on Saturday, July 20. Read more
Joe Biden’s doctor admits error, gives health update (Newsweek)
Kevin O’Connor, physician to Joe Biden, has issued an update on the president’s health, after he tested positive for COVID-19 last week. O’Connor also corrected a previous statement he made about the prevalence of the virus strain Biden is infected with.
The doctor’s letter, addressed to White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, was written on Sunday, the same day Biden announced he would not run for reelection in November’s presidential election and endorsed vice president Kamala Harris.
“President Biden completed his eighth dose of Paxlovid [an antiviral COVID-19 medication] this morning,” O’Connor wrote. “His symptoms have improved significantly. His pulse, blood pressure, respiratory rate and temperature remain absolutely normal. His oxygen saturation continues to be excellent on room air. His lungs remain clear. Read more
Journalist exposes dire conditions in Makala prison (AfricaNews)
In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Makala prison holds over 15,000 inmates, far exceeding its 1,500 capacity.
Most are in pre-trial detention, creating inhumane conditions, according to a December 2023 report by the Bill Clinton Foundation for Peace.
Journalist Stanis Bujakera, formerly detained in Makala, posted videos on social media showing extreme overcrowding. He describes the prison as a place where “people are dying alive.” Read more
Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford sport wedding rings as Ruth returns to Loose Women (BelfastTelegraph)
Eamonn Holmes is still sporting his wedding ring following his split from Ruth Langsford – as she returned to hosting duties on Loose Women on Monday, also wearing her ring.
Belfast-born presenter Eamonn (64) kept his wedding ring on as he picked up an extra shift on GB News on Sunday to add to his regular duties during the week.
He appeared next to Anne Diamon on GB News wearing his wedding jewellery and shared a picture to his Instagram of the two of them together. He captioned the post: “Called into present extra this morning and what a pleasure it turned out to be with the legend that is Anne Diamond.” Read more
Angelina Jolie’s ‘‘Without Blood,’’ Mike Leigh’s ‘‘Hard Truths’’ added to Toronto Film Fest lineup (THR)
The Toronto Film Festival has turned up the star power for its 49th edition, having added the latest movies from Alicia Vikander, Lupita Nyong’o, Steve Coogan, Ralph Fiennes, Jennifer Lopez, Salma Hayek, Lily James and Riz Ahmed.
For the Gala section at Roy Thomson Hall, there’s world bows for two music specials: the Andrea Bocelli biopic “Andrea Bocelli: Because I Believe,” a doc about the Italian tenor by director Cosima Spender; and Thom Zimny’s Bruce Springsteen doc for Disney+ and Hulu, “Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band.” Zimny was in Toronto last year with his Sylvester Stallone documentary “Sly” for Netflix. Read more
Leon Bosch receives the centenary Cobbett Medal for services to chamber music (Strad)
South African-born double bassist Leon Bosch has been awarded the centenary William Willson Cobbett Medal by The Musicians’ Company. The medal was inaugurated by William Willson Cobbett in 1924 and is presented annually to a distinguished musician for their service to chamber music. Previous recipients of the medal include Steven Isserlis, Richard Ireland, Cecil Aronowitz, Lionel Tertis, and Ralph Vaughan Williams, among many others.
Bosch is both the first double bassist and the first black musician to receive the award. He is the artistic director of mixed-ensemble I Musicanti, which focuses on presenting programmes of oft-overlooked repertoire, and established the Ubuntu Ensemble in 2017, which comprises South African-born musicians now residing in the UK.
Bosch has also performed with ensembles such as the Lindsay and Brodsky Quartets, and the Zukerman Chamber Players. In addition to his career as a double bass virtuoso, Bosch is also sought after as a conductor and teacher, and was the principal double bassist of the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields from 1995 –2014. Read more
China, Philippines announce deal to stop clashes in South China Sea (Fox)
China and the Philippines reached a deal they hope will end confrontations at the most fiercely disputed shoal in the South China Sea, the Philippine government said Sunday.
The Philippines occupies Second Thomas Shoal but China also claims it, and increasingly hostile clashes at sea have sparked fears of larger conflicts that could involve the United States.
The crucial deal was reached Sunday, after a series of meetings between Philippine and Chinese diplomats in Manila and exchanges of diplomatic notes that aimed to establish a mutually acceptable arrangement at the shoal, which Filipinos call Ayungin and the Chinese call Ren’ai Jiao, without conceding either side’s territorial claims. Read more
D’Tigress lose to Serbia in pre-Olympic friendly (Punch)
Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, the D’Tigress suffered a second consecutive warm-up game defeat to Serbia in Belgrade on Sunday as they continued their preparations for the 2024 Paris Olympics Games which will be held between July 26 and August 11 in France.
The African champions lost 70-62 points to the 10th-ranked country in the FIBA World ranking.
This is the team’s second match ahead of the women’s basketball tournament of the 2024 Olympic Games following a 77-63 defeat to Germany at the UBER Arena in Berlin on Friday. Read more
FCT FA Division One League Super 4 finals holds July 27 (Leadership)
FCT Football Association has concluded plans to stage Division One League Super 4 Finals on Saturday, July 27, 2024 at Area 3 Football Pitch.
According to the chairman of the FCT league committee and a member of NLO board, Barrister Babatunde Bucknor, the winner of the Super 4 which will be decided on points will represent FCT in the NLO Division 2 play-off .
The super 4 fixtures released by the organisers, Camp United will engage FGT FC in the first match of the day at 1:pm, while the second game billed for 4 pm, will see IB Sports confronting New Dawn. Read more
Ex-footballer Joey Barton charged over tweets about pundit (RTE)
Former footballer Joey Barton has been charged with sending malicious communications online, British police have said.
Mr Barton, 41, will appear before Warrington Magistrates’ Court next week after the Crown Prosecution Service authorised the charge, Cheshire Police said.
They are believed to relate to comments he made criticising football pundit Eni Aluko during her commentary on an FA cup match broadcast by the BBC in January. Read more
Jadon Sancho “close” to agreeing Man United exit despite Erik ten Hag turnaround (SportsMole)
Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain are close to agreeing personal terms with wantaway Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho, according to a report.
The England international’s Old Trafford career appeared to be dead in the water last September, when he memorably had a public spat with Red Devils head coach Erik ten Hag.
Sancho was left out of Man United’s squad for a 3-1 defeat to Arsenal, which Ten Hag claimed was due to the winger’s poor performances in training, accusations that Sancho refuted on social media. Read more
Norris handed ‘‘tough’’ plight but ‘‘had to do what was right’’ (F1i)
Lando Norris’ emotions after the Hungarian Grand Prix were a complex mix of joy and disappointment, but while yielding the lead in the race to his McLaren Oscar Piastri was a “tough” decision, the Briton knew that it was the right thing to do.
The race, which culminated in a one-two finish for McLaren, saw Piastri take his first full-race victory, a momentous achievement that Norris both celebrated and struggled with.
From the start, the Aussie secured the lead, leaving Norris to trail in P2. As the race progressed, the McLaren team decided to pit Norris first during the second round of pit stops to fend off a threat from Lewis Hamilton. Read more
Nuno Borges clinches first career title with victory over Rafael Nadal in Bastad (StraitsTimes)
Portugal’s Nuno Borges was seeking his first ATP career title, but little did he know that it would come against the great Rafael Nadal, and on the Spaniard’s favourite clay court.
Victory could not come any sweeter for the world No. 51, as he claimed a remarkable 6-3, 6-2 win over the 38-year-old veteran in the ATP 250 Swedish Open final on July 21.
“I don’t know what to say. I think that I was wishing for this moment for a while already,” said the 27-year-old, who dropped to his knees in celebration as he clinched the championship point. Read more