Ataga: Lawyer apologises to wife, family of murdered SuperTV CEO (Vanguard)
A Legal practitioner, A.B Thomas, has apologized to Mrs. Brenda Ataga, wife of the murdered CEO of SuperTV, Usifo Ataga, for making inaccurate remarks about her.
The lawyer had in an interview with a private television station, name withheld, accused the woman of being complicit in the murder in connivance with one Mr. Izu.
Sunday Vanguard, however, learned the lawyer could not back his claim with evidence when asked to do so, leading to the rebuttal.
In the letter sighted by Sunday Vanguard, titled: Refutal of My Narration as it Relates to Mrs. Brenda Ataga and Mr. Izu, Thomas withdrew his earlier remarks, saying he had discovered them to be untrue. Read more
NDLEA intercepts N6.5bn heroin at Lagos airport, declares baron wanted (Nation)
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted a consignment of 26.15 kilogrammes of heroin with a street value of over N6.5billion at Murtala Mohammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos.
It’s Director, Media and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.
Babafemi said that the seizure was made at the Skyway Aviation Handling Company Plc (SAHCO) shed of the Lagos airport.
According to him, the illicit drug had arrived in Lagos in 25 parcels from South Africa through an Air Peace Airline flight on 30th June 2021. Read more
Lagos Assembly begins audit of 57 councils (Vanguard)
The Lagos House of Assembly has commenced an audit exercise for all the 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and the 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state.
The Chairman, House Committee on Public Account (Local), Mojeed Fatai, made this known in a statement issued in Lagos on Saturday.
Fatai said that the committee was expected to submit its report to the House after the weeklong exercise.
The lawmaker explained that the exercise was aimed at checking probity and accountability in the local government administration as provided in the 1999 (Amended) Constitution. Read more
LAWMA signs franchise agreement with PSP operators (Nation)
The Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has signed a five-year agreement with the State PSP operators with the objective of enhancing the operational activities of the operators, boost their confidence and reassure them of government’s commitment to their sustainability.
According to the Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Mr. Ibrahim Odumboni, who oversaw the signing of the agreement, which held Wednesday in Lagos, the State was entering a new phase of waste collection and disposal and would strengthen the sector and make it wholly manageable.
The LAWMA helmsman enjoined the PSP operators to improve on their service delivery and in good faith repay the magnanimity of the State Governor by ensuring that they discharge their duties diligently.
“The idea of people dumping waste indiscriminately into drainages, water channels, the median and other unauthorised places must stop as it would be seriously frowned against and offenders prosecuted,” Odumboni warned, stating also that the agency will not tolerate non-payment of waste bills. Read more
Alleged torture: Family faults police claim, says relation didn’t die of asthma (Punch)
The family of a 33-year-old man allegedly arrested and tortured to death by a combined team of policemen attached to the Yelwa division and a vigilance group in Bauchi State, has debunked the claim that the deceased was asthmatic, insisting that he died after he was tortured in police custody.
Saturday PUNCH had reported that the late Dauda Danladi was arrested by the team of security agents in front of his shop located in Yelwa Tsakani, a suburb of Bauchi metropolis, about 9pm on Thursday and was taken to the Yelwa division, where he was allegedly tortured.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Bauchi State Command, Ahmed Wakil, in a statement on Saturday morning, claimed that the deceased was asthmatic and died in a hospital where he was rushed to by a patrol team.
Wakil, a Superintendent of Police, said, “On Thursday, July 8, 2021, about 10.30pm, police patrol team raided a suspected criminal hideout at Yelwa Tsakani and arrested two suspects. During the course of the operation, the team equally received a distress call about a person who had slumped and was gasping for breath. Read more
Over 17,000 babies born in 18 Borno IDP camps since 2019 – IOM (Guardian)
The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has said that 17,053 babies were given birth to by Internally Displaced Persons in 18 locations in Borno state alone.
The UN agency told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the figure represents information of babies who have been registered between 2019 to May 2021.
Mr Frantz Celestin, the IOM Chief of Mission, IOM, said that the agency collaborates with the National Population Commission and UNICEF to issue birth certificates to the children.
According to him, the identity of the children was very important and also falls within its Displacement Matrix data which it shares with other stakeholders intervening in the North East. Read more
Bandits invade palace, kidnap Kaduna emir, 12 others (Punch)
The Emir of Kajuru, Adamu Kajuru, and 12 persons described as “members of his family,” have been kidnapped by bandits in Kaduna State.
This was disclosed by the former senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, who wrote on Twitter on Sunday.
“The Emir of Kajuru, 30 minutes drive from Kaduna and twelve of his family members were forcefully kidnapped yesternight.
The bandits operated freely for one hour in the town. In my Kaduna State nowadays, it’s no more about who is safe but who is the next victim,” Shehu tweeted. Read more
FCTA demolishes illegal structures in aviation village (Guardian)
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Sunday demolished more than 137 illegal hostels, hotels and other buildings at Iddo Sarki community in Aviation Village, adjacent the main campus of the University of Abuja, Gwagwalada, Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the demolition was led by a combined team of FCT Ministerial Taskforce on City Sanitation, Department of Development Control, Department of Security Services and other relevant agencies.
Mr Ikharo Attah, Chairman of the taskforce, said the operation was in line with the FCT ministerial directive to remove every contraventions and illegal buildings within the nation’s capital.
Attah said that FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, was angered by flagrant disregard for the Abuja Master Plan and several warnings to people to avoid buying land from unauthorised persons. Read more
Gbenga Adeyinka enlists Small Doctor, Terry G, 9ice for Laffmattazz (Punch)
Comedian and compere, Gbenga Adeyinka, has concluded plans to stage his music and comedy show, Laffmattazz, on July 21, 2021, in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.
Popular musicians and comedians such as Small Doctor, Terry G, 9ice, Omobaba, Bash and Baba Kamoh are some of the entertainers billed to perform at the event. Others include Dr Smile, Koye, Baffy, Baba Alariya, ArkBishop, ATM, Nepa Boys, Paul D GoodGuy, Coded, Swanky, while there will be guest appearances by Yomi Fash-Lanso, BaeU and Olatayo Amokade (Ijebu).
In a statement made available to Sunday Scoop, Adeyinka stated that he had remained consistent with the show because it had been ‘saving lies’. He said, “We have been very consistent with the show because it has been saving lives. It has proved to be a panacea to stress. It is a melting pot for everyone who wants to relax frayed nerves in a peaceful and secured atmosphere.
“As a matter of fact, we have been receiving requests from people across all states, even in the North and South-East, to bring the show to their cities. We really appreciate their love and promise to always raise the bar.” Read more
Richard Branson takes off for space on Virgin Galactic flight (AlJazeera)
Billionaire Richard Branson took off from a base in New Mexico on board a Virgin Galactic vessel bound for the edge of space, a voyage he hopes will lift the nascent space tourism industry off the ground.
A huge carrier plane made a horizontal takeoff from Spaceport, New Mexico in the United States on Sunday at about 8:40am Mountain Time (14:40 GMT) and will ascend for about an hour to an altitude of 50,000 feet (15 kilometres).
The mothership will then drop a rocket-powered spaceplane called VSS Unity, which will ignite its engine and ascend at Mach 3 beyond the 50 miles (80 kilometres) carrying two pilots and four passengers, including Branson.
Once the rocket engine is cut off, passengers can unbuckle and experience a few minutes of weightlessness, while admiring the curvature of Earth from the ship’s 17 windows. Read more
Bond favourite James Norton reveals what he’d bring to film’s legacy (Metro)
James Bond favourite James Norton has revealed his thoughts about the continuation of Daniel Craig’s legacy.
The actor, who’s starring in Uberto Pasolini’s new heart-wrenching film Nowhere Special, is one of the top contenders for the role with the bookies, among stars like Rege-Jean Page and Tom Hardy.
‘I think Daniel Craig’s done an amazing job re-defining it for a modern era and it’s this human role in a really wonderful way,’ the actor told Metro.co.uk. ‘I think that’s great. I think it’d be short-sighted to not pay attention to [how the role] has changed and the shift we’ve experienced in society as well. Read more
Pope Francis leads prayers from hospital balcony after colon surgery (BBC)
Pope Francis has appeared in public for the first time since undergoing surgery for a colon problem a week ago.
Appearing in good health, the 84-year-old pontiff led his weekly prayers from a balcony of the Gemelli Hospital in Rome.
Hundreds of people had gathered outside the hospital, some shouting “Viva il Papa!” (long live the Pope).
The Vatican said the Pope had responded well to the treatment for “symptomatic diverticular stenosis” of the colon. Read more
UN special rapporteur says Israeli settlements ‘amount to war crime,’ drawing ire from Tel Aviv (RT)
The world should finally hold Israel accountable for its continuous settlement policy in the occupied Palestinian territories, a UN human rights rapporteur has said, provoking criticism from Jewish officials and activists.
Israel can no longer be allowed to go on with its settlement policy in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem with impunity, Michael Lynk, a UN special rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territory, told the UN Human Rights Council on Friday.
Such a practice goes against an international norm prohibiting an occupying power from transferring a part of its population to an occupied territory, Lynk said, adding that Israeli settlements thus violate the Fourth Geneva Convention and the Rome Statute. Read more
Nintendo’s Zelda game fetches ‘world record’ price at auction (DW)
A video game cartridge for the Nintendo classic, “The Legend of Zelda,” took home a record sum when it went under the hammer on Friday, according to US auction house Heritage Auctions.
The sale comes just months after another Nintendo game set the previous record amid a boom for all things retro among video game collectors.
What was sold?
According to the Dallas-based auction house, the “Zelda” cartridge sold for a record-breaking $870,000 (€732,000).
The sealed gaming cartridge dates from 1987 and is still in its original packaging. It was produced for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) gaming console — the first console released by the company outside Japan. Read more
Tiffany Haddish credits Nicolas Cage with her first orgasm (NYPost)
It’s all coming out now.
Tiffany Haddish came clean to actor Nicolas Cage about having her first orgasm while watching him terrorize John Travolta in the 1997 action flick, “Face/Off.”
“It was my first big O,” Haddish, 41, said to NPR Tuesday.
The cheeky comedienne — who stars opposite Cage, 57, in the forthcoming feature “The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent” — said she felt compelled to tell the Oscar winner about her euphoric experience while on set in 2020.
Initially hesitant to share her sultry story with Cage during filming, the “Bad Trip” actress said she struggled to reveal her explosive truth. Read more
US heatwave: Wildfires rage in western states as temperatures soar (BBC)
Wildfires are raging in the west of the United States as the region is hit by a heatwave that has brought record temperatures to several areas.
Communities have been told to evacuate as firefighters struggle to battle the blazes in the extreme conditions.
Two firefighters in Arizona died when their aircraft crashed while responding to a wildfire.
Meanwhile, Las Vegas matched its all-time temperature high of 47.2C (117F) on Saturday. Read more
Team USA stunned by Nigeria in pre-Olympic opener (NYPost)
This is not how USA Basketball expected to open its Olympic summer.
Nigeria probably didn’t expect it, either.
If there was any expectation of invincibility for the Americans heading into the Tokyo Olympics, it’s already gone — after Nigeria shocked the U.S. 90-87 on Saturday night.
Nigeria pulled off an international shocker with a roster primarily filled of little-known NBA players that found a way to beat a group of All-NBA, All-Star and max-contract performers.
“I thought that the Nigerian team played very physically, did a great job in that regard and knocked down a lot of 3s,” U.S. coach Gregg Popovich said. “Give them credit.” Read more
Home or Rome? Italy, England lock horns for Euro 2020 trophy (AlJazeera)
What started on June 11 ends tonight: Italy take on England at Wembley Stadium in London in the final of the 2020 European Championship.
Both sides aim to end long droughts when they meet on Sunday.
Gareth Southgate’s England hope that a partisan home crowd will help them lift a first major trophy since winning the 1966 World Cup at the old Wembley.
Italy have not won the Euros since 1968 and Roberto Mancini’s team has impressed at least as much as England in the tournament held over four weeks in 11 European cities. Read more
Marcelo tips Madrid to return to winning ways under Ancelotti (Vanguard)
Marcelo is convinced Real Madrid will get back to winning trophies in the new season after he was named as Carlo Ancelotti’s captain.
The Brazilian left-back takes on the leadership role from Sergio Ramos, who has left the Spanish giants to join Paris Saint-Germain, and said he felt “extremely lucky” to be chosen.
At the age of 33, Marcelo will hope to be a mainstay under Italian boss Ancelotti, who is back in charge at the Santiago Bernabeu after Zinedine Zidane left following a lack of silverware in the 2020-21 campaign. Read more
Footballer of the Year, Oshoala, inspires college students (Guardian)
Reigning CAF Woman Footballer of the Year, Asisat Oshoala, has urged Nigerian girls to focus on their education while exhibiting talents in sports, especially football.
Oshoala, also the Captain of the senior national female football team, Super Falcons, spoke at the 59th Inter-House Sports Competition of Queen’s College, Yaba, Lagos, on Saturday.
According to her, proper education can guarantee success of any individual and ensure production of exemplary future leaders.
She said that education could go side-by-side with sports, adding that in such a situation, one should not suffer because of the other. Read more
Tour de France 2021: Bauke Mollema wins stage 14 as Tadej Pogacar retains yellow jersey (BBC)
Bauke Mollema claimed a fine solo victory on stage 14 of the Tour de France as Guillaume Martin moved up to second overall behind Tadej Pogacar.
Dutchman Mollema broke clear of the rest of the breakaway with 42km of the 183.7km to Quillan left and won his second Tour stage by over a minute.
French rider Martin came home in a chasing group to move up seven places in the general classification.
Pogacar finished in a reduced peloton and leads by just over four minutes. Read more
Dustin Poirier beats Conor McGregor after Irishman breaks leg in the first round at UFC 264 (BBC)
Conor McGregor was sensationally defeated for the second time in two fights after breaking his leg at UFC 264 on Saturday night in Las Vegas.
The Irishman, 32, was stopped after the first round against former interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier.
Replays showed his ankle rolling over as he stepped backwards seconds before the end of the round and the fight was stopped by doctors, handing Poirier a second straight win in their trilogy.”This is not over,” McGregor said. Read more