Apapa freight shuttle: NRC moves 20,760 tonnes in 19 days (Tribune)
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) moved 20,760 tonnes of containers between June 30 and July 26, after the implementation of the Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs) for the Apapa container shuttle.
The Lagos Railway District Manager, Mr Jerry Oche, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday.
Oche said that cargo transportation had become more efficient in and out of the port since the implementation of SOPs.
The NRC boss said: “We actually moved 20,760 tonnes between June 30 and July 26. For the import containers, we did nine rakes and moved 169 containers. Read more
‘Idimogu is Lagos APC Igbo leader’ (Nation)
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has confirmed Jude Idimogu, representing Oshodi/Isolo Constituency 2 at the Lagos State House of Assembly, as the apex Igbo leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
Sanwo-Olu, who unveiled Idimogu at a crucial meeting with members of the House of Assembly, led by the Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, at the State House, Marina, by his action, laid to rest the issue of who is the Apex Igbo leader of APC in the state.
While emphasising the need to put records straight, Sanwo-Olu stated that his Chief of Staff (CoS) would henceforth, deal with Idimogu on matters relating to Ndigbo in the state. Read more
MEA aircraft collides with Turkish plane at MMIA (Punch)
A passenger plane belonging to the Middle East Airline was on Wednesday involved in a minor accident with a Turkish plane at the Muritala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos.
Eyewitnesses said the Turkish Cargo flight was parked on the tarmac when the Middle East airbus ran into it.
Spokesman for the Accident Investigation Bureau, Tunji Oketumbi, confirmed the incident but said that the bureau was yet to determine the level of involvement as of press time.
He said, “I am aware that it happened but officially I do not have the details. We at the AIB investigate aircraft accidents and serious incidents. Right now I do not know the level of involvement.” Read more
MTN, Oando, Seplat, GTBank CEOs highest paid executives in Nigeria (ThisDay)
The Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of MTN Nigeria, Ferdinand Moolman; Oando Plc, Wale Tinubu; Seplat Petroleum Development Company’s outgoing Augustine Avuru, and GTBank’s Segun Agbaje, have been listed among the top 10 highest earning executives in the country.
This was disclosed in a report by Proshare Nigeria Limited titled: “CEO Remuneration: Paying the CEO in a Pandemic, the Unanswered Questions,” obtained on Thursday.
Wale Tinubu
It showed that at N585.94 million per annum, the CEO of MTN Nigeria, Ferdinand Moolman, received the highest remuneration in the country in 2019. He was closely followed by the Group CEO of Oando Plc, Wale Tinubu, who earned a total of N568 million. Read more
Army begins Investigation into how Boko Haram got wind of Borno Gov’s movement (Vanguard)
The Nigerian Army said on Thursday that it had begun an investigation into the circumstances that led to the attack in Borno state, Professor Babagana Zulum by Boko Haram terrorists who opened fire on his convoy, which made the Governor abort his trip to Baga to distribute Palliatives to IDPs in the area.
The Army regretted the incident saying it was an isolated and most unfortunate incident that occurred in a territory where normalcy has since been restored with socio-economic activities picking up.
A statement to this effect was issued by Col Sagir Musa, Acting Director, Army Public Relations and titled, ‘Re: report of Attack on The Convoy of Borno State Governor’. Read more
Afenifere leader, Fasanmi, is dead (ThisDay)
The Osun State Government Thursday announced the death of elder statesman, and national leader of the Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, Pa Ayorinde Fasanmi, who passed on at the age of 94.
According to a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Funke Egbemode, Fasanmi was an icon who left indelible footprints in the sands of time.
“Baba Fasanmi was a leader who demonstrated his love for our great country in many laudable ways; but more heart-warming was how he showed optimal concern for the welfare of the poor and underprivileged, and how he held leaders accountable on their promises of good governance. Read more
3 armed robbers set ablaze in failed bank robbery in Oyo (Vanguard)
Three armed robbers were on Wednesday set ablaze by an angry mob in a failed bank robbery which occurred at First Bank, Okeho in Kajola Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that the robbers, who were armed with AK 47 riffles and dynamite, attempted to rob the bank in Okeho but were overpowered by police and local hunters.
The Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Olugbenga Fadeyi, comfirmed the incident, saying the incident happened at about 5p..m. on Wednesday. Read more
Eid El Kabir: Lawan, Omo-Agege, Ekweremadu, others felicitate with Muslims (Nation)
The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, on Thursday felicitated with all Nigerians and in particular the Muslim Ummah on the occasion of this year’s Eid El Kabir.
Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Senators Ajibola Basiru and Solomon Adeola also expressed solidarity with the Muslim faithful.
On his part, the Director General of the National Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Professor Abubakar Sulaiman, urged Muslims not to forget the purpose of the occasion, which is to commemorate the trials and triumphs of Prophet Ibrahim. Read more
Sanusi backs CBN’s efforts on unification of exchange rate (ThisDay)
A former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, has thrown his weight behind the steps so far taken by apex bank towards exchange rate unification.
Sanusi, who stated this on Tuesday at a webinar titled, “United States of Naira: What price for unification?” which was hosted by the currency trading solutions firm, AZA.
The former Emir of Kano , said that the CBN should not get into a panic, but wait for oil prices to rise to enable it build up its foreign exchange buffers. Read more
Oprah Winfrey gives up cover of O magazine for Breonna Taylor tribute (PageSix)
Oprah Winfrey has given up the cover of her magazine for the first time as a tribute to Breonna Taylor.
Winfrey has appeared as the cover subject of O, The Oprah Magazine for the past 20 years. But she wrote in her column featuring Taylor — who was fatally shot by police when they stormed her Louisville, Ky., home on March 13 — “What I know for sure: We can’t be silent. We have to use whatever megaphone we have to cry for justice. And that is why Breonna Taylor is on the cover.”
The historic move comes before the mag ends its print run at the end of the year and moves to digital-only.
The September issue also features a silhouette of Taylor by Janelle Washington, with 89 names from the African American Policy Forum’s #SayHerName campaign. Each page of the issue, out Aug. 11, includes anti-racist actions readers can take. Read more
Uganda: Poacher who killed rare gorilla gets 11 years in jail (Aljazeera)
A Ugandan court has sentenced a poacher to 11 years in prison for killing a rare, endangered mountain gorilla.
Rafiki, a 25-year-old silverback who was the head of a gorilla group in the southwestern Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, was killed with a spear in early June.
Bwindi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site near Uganda’s border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is home to about half the world’s remaining population of roughly 1,000 mountain gorillas. Read more
NASA launches Perseverance rover to search Mars for signs of life (Metro)
NASA is sending another rover to Mars to search for signs of alien life on the barren Red Planet. Perseverance isn’t the only passenger to Mars. The car-sized rover is being joined by Ingenuity – a remote helicopter-like drone that will attempt to fly on Mars. If successful, it will be the first ever controlled, powered flight on another planet. The two vehicles were mounted on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket which has successfully taken off from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The rover will take about seven months to travel to the Red Planet and, in February, will land in Mars’ Jezero Crater to search for signs of life and explore the planet’s geology. Read more
Former Taiwan president Lee Teng-hui dies aged 97 (Guardian)
Taiwan’s former president Lee Teng-hui, who earned the nickname “Mr Democracy” for the part he played in the island’s transition away from authoritarian rule, died Thursday aged 97, the hospital treating him said.
He was credited with paving the way for Taiwan to become a modern, free society after decades of one-party dictatorship and became a champion of the island’s bid to be treated as a sovereign state internationally.
Lee had been in hospital since February after choking on some food and had a history in recent years of chronic illnesses. Read more
Donald Trump suggests delay to 2020 US presidential election (BBC)
Donald Trump has suggested November’s presidential election be postponed, saying increased postal voting could lead to fraud and inaccurate results.
He floated a delay until people could “properly, securely and safely” vote.
There is little evidence to support Mr Trump’s claims but he has long railed against mail-in voting which he has said would be susceptible to fraud.
US states want to make postal voting easier due to public health concerns over the coronavirus pandemic. Read more
Orchestra Baobab’s Balla Sidibe, a ‘giant’ of music, dies (Aljazeera)
Balla Sidibe, a founding member and singer of the legendary Senegalese group Orchestra Baobab, has died in Dakar.
Sidibe died in his sleep “after a very full day of rehearsals with his musical comrades”, Senegal’s music association said in a statement, adding that it had lost “a father, a sage and a friend”.
Local media said Sidibe, who was also a percussionist, died after “a short illness”, without giving further details. He was in his 60s.
Established in 1970, Orchestra Baobab fused Cuban rhythms, soul and jazz with traditional music from Senegal and other parts of Africa to become one of the most successful groups to emerge from the time. Read more
Avengers’ Anthony Mackie clarifies comments about lack of diversity on Marvel sets (Metro)
Avengers star Anthony Mackie has clarified comments he made last month about Marvel’s lack of diversity among crew and production members.
Anthony – has played Sam Wilson (Falcon) in the Marvel Cinematic Universe since 2014 – previously said: ‘It really bothered me that I’ve done seven Marvel movies where every producer, every director, every stunt person, every costume designer, every PA, every single person has been white.’
Speaking on Variety’s Actors on Actors series last month, he added: ‘I’m like, that’s more racist than anything else. Read more
Juventus appoint Pirlo U-23 manager (Punch)
Juventus have appointed legendary former midfielder Andrea Pirlo as their new Under-23 manager.
The 41-year-old, regarded as one of the finest players of his generation, has been out of the game since retiring as a player in 2017.
Pirlo won 116 caps for Italy, helping them to win the World Cup in 2006.
He won Serie A four times with Juventus after joining from AC Milan, with whom he spent most of his career and won two Champions League and two league titles. Read more
Ibrahimovic not solely responsible for Milan rejuvenation – Pioli (Vanguard)
Stefano Pioli recognises Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s importance to Milan but insists his team’s improvement since January is not solely down to his signing.
Ibrahimovic returned to former club Milan in January after leaving LA Galaxy at the end of his contract in MLS.
The 38-year-old has again been an instant success, taking his 2020 tally to 10 goals with a brace in a 4-1 win at Sampdoria, where he also provided an assist. Read more
Gianni Infantino: Legal proceedings launched against Fifa president (BBC)
Swiss prosecutors have launched legal proceedings against Fifa president Gianni Infantino.
It is in relation to an alleged secret meeting the head of world football’s governing body held with the Swiss attorney general Michael Lauber.
Lauber last week offered to resign after a court said he covered up the meeting and lied to supervisors during an investigation by his office into corruption surrounding Fifa.
Both have denied any wrongdoing. Read more
Michael Owen makes Arsenal vs Chelsea FA Cup final prediction (Metro)
Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen has backed Chelsea to get the better of Arsenal in the FA Cup final on Saturday and earn Frank Lampard his first major trophy as a manager.
This weekend’s game at Wembley will be a repeat of the 2017 final, in which the Gunners put in a magnificent display to beat their London rivals 2-1.
Alexis Sanchez and Aaron Ramsey – who are both no longer at the club – got on the scoresheet that day against a 10-man Blues side. Read more
Newcastle takeover: Saudi Arabian-backed consortium pulls out of bid (BBC)
A Saudi Arabian-backed consortium has ended its bid to buy Newcastle United.
The group, which included Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund PIF, PCP Capital Partners and Reuben Brothers, had agreed a £300m deal to buy the club from Mike Ashley in April.
The deal was still being scrutinised under the Premier League’s owners’ and directors’ test and it is understood PIF ran out of patience. Read more
Juve regain their stripes as new kit revealed (Guardian)
Serie A champions Juventus on Thursday unveiled their new home kit for the 2020-21 season, returning to the traditional stripes which they dropped this term.
Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates this season wore a half-and-half jersey with white on the right and black on the left.
“Tradition is represented by the return of the black and white stripes which present themselves in a new and more modern form,” Juventus said. Read more