Army declares 11 persons wanted for complicity in Plateau killings (Sun)
Special Task Force on internal security in Plateau State, Operation Safe Haven, has declared 11 persons wanted in connection with various attacks and killings, especially in Barkin Ladi, Bassa, Bokkos and Riyom local government areas of the state.
The task force said that they’re wanted for questioning for their complicity in attacks at different locations in Plateau State.
Deputy Commander of Operation Safe Haven, Deputy Commissioner of Police Terzungwe Iyua, who disclosed this at a press briefing at the OPSH headquarters in Jos on Friday said that handsome reward awaits those who assist the authorities in arresting them. Read more
Hardship: Sanwo-Olu extends work-from-home initiative by three months (Nation)
Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has extended the flexible work-from-home initiative for the state workers by an additional three months.
The directive, which takes effect from 3rd June and is expected to last till 3rd September 2024, was contained in a circular dated May 31 and signed by the State Head of Service (HoS), Mr Bode Agoro.
The HoS in the circular titled: “Extension of Flexible Work Initiative for Additional Three Months,” however, noted that staff of Lagos Internal Revenue Service (LIRS), Teaching Staff in Basic and Secondary Schools, Healthcare Workers, Clinical Staff, Allied Health Professionals in ⁰clinical facilities as well as First Responders in the State and Drivers were hereby exempted from the Work-from-home initiative due to the peculiarities of their work schedules. Read more
Labour begins nationwide strike Monday over minimum wage (Leadership)
The organised labour comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has announced the commencement of an indefinite nationwide strike starting Monday, June 3rd, 2024.
The action comes as a direct response to the unfruitful negotiations with the government over the proposed minimum wage and the recent controversial increase in electricity tariffs.
The negotiations finally collapsed yesterday after a failed 7th attempt by the 37 members tripartite committee to reach a definite new minimum wage figure for Nigerian workers with the organised labour expressing frustration over the government’s lack of commitment and representation at the negotiation meeting yesterday. Read more
Nollywood Stars lead health campaign, walk for life (ThisDay)
The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) recently organised a health campaign and ‘Walk for Life’ event at Onikan Stadium, Lagos. The exercise attracted notable figures from the Nollywood industry and beyond. The event featured a range of activities aimed at promoting health and wellness among participants, including a health walk, mental health talk, HMO signups, seminars, workplace safety workshops, a novelty football match, health checkups, and various games.
The event saw a significant turnout, with the AGN National President, Emeka Rollas, leading the charge. He was joined by prominent figures such as actor and politician Desmond Elliot, comedian Ali Baba, Olympic gold medalist Chioma Ajunwa, Segun Arinze and many other stars from the Nigerian entertainment industry. Read more
Nigeria gets $933m grant to fight HIV, malaria (Punch)
The Global Fund’s Grant Cycle 7 has allocated $933m to Nigeria to address HIV, Tuberculosis, and Malaria from 2024 to 2026.
Of this, $340,095,438 is dedicated to the HIV grant, with the National Agency for the Control of AIDS receiving $10,663,394 to lead the coordination of the multisectoral response to HIV.
NACA made this known on Friday in a press statement signed by its Head of Public Relations and Protocol, Toyin Aderibigbe. Read more
Construction workers threaten to stop work on Abuja-Kano road, others (DailyTrust)
Construction workers on Friday threatened to halt the ongoing work on major highways in the country including Abuja-Kano road following the sack of not less than 52,000 of their members.
Some of the roads that may be affected include: Obajana road, Abuja-Kano Road, Bodo-Bonny road, East-West road, Lagos-Ibadan expressway, Kogi-Auchi road and Zaria-Sokoto road.
The workers under the aegis of Construction and Civil Engineering Senior Staff Association (CCESSA) and National Union of Civil Engineering Construction Furniture and Wood Workers (NUCECFWW) said they would embark on a nationwide strike after 21 days if their demands were not met. Read more
Police arrest 7 for dismantling stolen car for resale in Kwara (Vanguard)
The Kwara State Police Command successfully dismantled an interstate car theft syndicate in Ilorin while recovering a vehicle stolen at gunpoint in Lagos.
Vanguard Correspondent reliably gathered that seven of the suspects have been arrested, while two other members of the syndicate are at large and are being hunted by the police.
Spokesperson of Kwara State Police Command, Ejire Adetoun Adeyemi, stated in a press statement issued to journalists in Ilorin on Friday evening that the dismantling of the Nissan Almera car was sighted by curious eyes while being axed at a dumpsite in Oko-Olowo area of Ilorin. Read more
How we planned to collect back student loan — NELFUND (Tribune)
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), Akintunde Sawyerr, has disclosed the fund’s plan for students to repay back the loan.
Sawyer, while speaking on Friday’s edition of Channels Television’s Politics Today, explained that students who take loans from the fund are expected to report to NELFUND two years after completion of their mandatory one-year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
According to him, the law guiding the operation of the fund gives the two-year post-NYSC window for reporting. Read more
Ice Spice releases “Gimme a Light,” new single sampling Sean Paul (UPI)
Ice Spice is back with new music.
The 24-year-old singer and rapper released a single and music video for the song “Gimme a Light” on Friday.
“Gimme a Light” samples the 2001 single “Gimme the Light” by Jamaican recording artist Sean Paul.
The music video shows Ice Spice smoking and dancing on her way to a club. Read more
Jennifer Lopez cancels tour to spend time with her family and friends: ‘I am completely heartsick’ (People)
Jennifer Lopez’s summer tour is no longer happening.
On Friday, May 31, Live Nation announced that the singer’s This Is Me… Live is canceled because she is “taking time off to be with her children, family and close friends.”
Lopez released a statement to her fans on her OntheJLo website and explained why it was a tough decision to make. Read more
Romance Writers of America files for bankruptcy after tumultuous split spurred by racism allegations (ABC)
The Romance Writers of America has filed for bankruptcy protection following several years of infighting and allegations of racism that fractured the organization, causing many of its members to flee.
The Texas-based trade association, which bills itself as the voice of romance writers, has lost roughly 80% of its members over the past five years because of the turmoil.
Now down to just 2,000 members, it can’t cover the costs it committed to paying for its writers conferences, the group said in bankruptcy court documents filed on Wednesday in Houston. Read more
Protester ties himself to Hampden goalpost to delay Scotland-Israel football match (Independent)
A demonstrator chained himself to a goalpost at Hampden Park stadium in Glasgow, while pro-Palestinian protests took place outside when a women’s football match between Scotland and Israel was about to kick off.
The Euro 2025 qualifier was being played behind closed doors after intelligence emerged of planned disruptions in protest at Israel’s offensive on Gaza, which was launched shortly after Hamas militants mounted a deadly raid on Israel on 7 October.
But an estimated 150 people gathered outside the stadium with Palestinian flags, calling for an immediate ceasefire and holding small replica coffins. Read more
King Charles ‘threatens to cut ties with Prince Andrew’ as brother refuses to leave luxury home (Mirror)
King Charles is said to be turning up the pressure on Prince Andrew to move out of the Royal Lodge after repeated requests – and wants him to move into Meghan and Harry’s old home
King Charles has reportedly threatened to cut ties completely with Prince Andrew as he refuses to move into Harry and Meghan’s old house.
The 75-year-old monarch is said to be urging his disgraced brother once again to leave the 30-room Royal Lodge in Windsor, after previously asking him to move into Frogmore Cottage. Read more
Top US lawmakers invite Israel’s Netanyahu to Congress amid Gaza war (AlJazeera)
The top legislators in the United States have issued a formal invitation for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to deliver a speech to Congress in the latest show of support for Israel amid its war on Gaza.
The invite by Republican and Democratic leaders in the Senate and House of Representatives on Friday came as the International Criminal Court considers issuing an arrest warrant for Netanyahu over alleged war crimes.
“To build on our enduring relationship and to highlight America’s solidarity with Israel, we invite you to share the Israeli government’s vision for defending democracy, combatting terror, and establishing a just and lasting peace in the region,” the letter said. Read more
Prime suspect in Bournemouth beach stabbing named as he is charged with murder (Metro)
The prime suspect in the horrific double stabbing on Bournemouth beach that left one woman dead and another seriously wounded has been named after he was charged with murder.
Personal trainer Amie Gray, 34, was declared dead at the scene after police were called to Durley Chine Beach at around 11.45pm on May 24.
A second woman, aged 38, was taken to hospital and has since been discharged. Read more
Osayi-Samuel wants Fenerbahçe stay (Punch)
Following interest from English Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers, Super Eagles defender Bright Osayi-Samuel, has announced his decision to stay with Fenerbahçe for at least another season, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The Nigeria international’s current contract with the Turkish giants will expire in the summer of 2025 with the club at risk of losing on free should he decide against extending his contract.
The 26-year-old contract situation has seen several clubs show interest in his service with Wolves the latest among other clubs. Read more
Ocon to race in Canada – denounces online abuse after Monaco bust (F1i)
Alpine’s Esteban Ocon has confirmed that’s he’ll be racing with the Enstone squad in next week’s Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal.
The Frenchman’s participation in the event was believed to be in doubt following his costly run-in with Alpine teammate Pierre Gasly on the opening lap of last weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix.
Ocon had passed Gasly on the inside as the pair entered Portier but then tripped over the latter’s car on the corner’s tight exit. Read more
US swimming legend Katie Ledecky calls for accountability amid Chinese doping report (UPI)
U.S. swimmer Katie Ledecky is hoping for accountability and says her faith in Olympic drug monitoring and enforcement systems is at “an all-time low” after the revelation of major a doping incident involving Chinese Olympians.
Ledecky made the comments during an appearance on “CBS Sunday Morning.” A clip of her appearance was shared Friday by the network, while the full episode will air Sunday.
The 27-year-old is the most-decorated women’s swimmer in history, with a haul including 10 Olympic medals — seven gold and three silver. She plans to complete this summer in her fifth Olympics. Read more
French police arrest man over plot to attack Olympics (BBC)
A man has been arrested in southern France over a plan to attack a football stadium which will be used during this summer’s Olympic Games, officials say.
The 18-year-old of Chechen origin was apprehended in Saint-Etienne on 22 May after authorities found evidence of an Islamist-inspired attack, officials say.
Interior Minister Gérard Darmanin praised the intelligence services for successfully foiling the first plot targeting the Games. Read more
Mali’s Mohamed Camara suspended 4 matches after hiding anti-homophobia badge (AfricaNews)
Monaco midfielder Mohamed Camara was given a four-game suspension by the French league after covering up an anti-homophobia message on the team’s shirt during the club’s final league game of the season.
The French league’s disciplinary committee said in a statement late Thursday (May 30) that it sanctioned the Mali international for his refusal to “carry out one or more actions to raise awareness of the fight against homophobia.”
The French league staged its annual campaign against discrimination during the weekend’s final round with each team wearing a badge featuring the word “homophobia” crossed out. Camara taped over the badge during his team’s 4-0 win over Nantes, and also skipped the pre-match group photo where all players stood before a banner with the same message. Read more
Top gymnast Shilese Jones pulls out of US Championships and plans to petition to Olympic Trials (NBC)
Six-time world medalist Shilese Jones will not compete at this weekend’s U.S. Championships, she announced ahead of Friday’s competition in Fort Worth, Texas.
Jones is one of a handful of gymnasts in contention for a spot on the U.S. Olympic team competing in Paris this summer. Two weeks ago, at the Core Hydration Classic, Jones solidified herself as Team USA’s strongest asset behind Simone Biles, finishing second in the all-around competition and winning the uneven bars.
At a training session in Fort Worth on Wednesday, Jones told reporters that she was struggling with a shoulder injury that flared up after competing at the Core Hydration Classic. Read mor