Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau seen in new video (Guardian)
The leader of the Nigerian terror group Boko Haram has appeared in a new video in which he could be seen reading the group’s ideology and the Nigerian national pledge, which he denounced as shirk. Shirk in Islam means associating a partner with God and is deemed of the greatest sins in the religion. Abubakar Shekau reeled out the 35-minute speech dressed in a flowing white gown and clutching an AK 47 rifle. Read more
Nigeria to launch OIC film festival, says Garba Shehu (Punch)
The Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, has defended the President’s recent trip to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, saying there are plans for Nigeria to launch the organisation’s film festival. Shehu, in a statement on Monday, also stated that Buhari, leading other African leaders, got key support for several issues of concern or interest to Nigeria and the African continent at the meeting. The statement read in part, “Nigeria, a country with bubbling and versatile cultural heritage, stands to gain from measures that will support cinematic productions, including a planned launching of an OIC film festival. Read more
Emefiele begins second tenure as CBN Governor (Guardian)
Mr Godwin Emefiele, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), on Monday began his second tenure, following the confirmation of his re-appointment by the Senate on May 16. According to a statement by the Director Corporate Communications, Mr Isaac Okoroafor, Emefiele was sworn in by the Bank’s Secretary and Director, Corporate Secretariat Department, Mrs Alice Karau. Emefiele after taking the oath, expressed gratitude to God, President Muhammadu Buhari for nominating him and the Senate for confirming his appointment. Read more
Stop blackmailing me, Okorocha tells Ihedioha (Punch)
The immediate past governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, has told his successor, Emeka Ihedioha, to stop blackmailing him. Okorocha rather advised Ihedioha to face governance and improve the lot of the state. A statement issued in Owerri, the state capital on Monday by Okorocha’s media aide, Sam Onwuemeodo, said that the governor had been investing in blackmails against him. Read more
Confusion over President’s proclamation of ninth Senate (Punch)
A document dated May 30, 2019 which announced the Presidential proclamation of the First Session of the Ninth National Assembly billed for Tuesday, June 11, created confusion at the federal parliament on Monday. The document which had the seal of the Presidency and claimed to have been signed by President Muhammadu Buhari was not addressed to any particular official of the National Assembly. The Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang, whose responsibility it is to convey such document to the national parliament, denied knowledge of such communication when contacted by our correspondent. Read more
Obaseki mulls Bendel Devt. Commission with Delta govt (Vanguard)
The Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has assented to a bill establishing the state’s skills development initiative, EdoJobs, as an agency, as part of moves to deepen government’s commitment to expanding opportunities for skills development and jobs creation for residents in the state. Obaseki noted that the state government is fully committed to providing more opportunities for youths to make positive choices, adding that Edo State is collaborating with Delta State Government to set-up a Bendel Development Commission to serve as a platform for the joint development of Edo and Delta states. Read more
Eid-el-Fitri: Yobe bans movement of vehicles (Punch)
Yobe State Government has placed a restriction on vehicular movement from 10:00 p.m. on Monday to Tuesday 10:30 a.m. to ensure a hitch-free Eid-el-Fitri celebration. Abdullahi Bego Director General Media and Press Affairs to the governor disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday in Damaturu. He said, “In consultation with heads of security, intelligence and law enforcement in the state, Governor Mai Mala Buni has approved the placement of restriction on vehicular movement across the state for the observance of Eid El-Fitr prayers to mark the end of the Ramadan fast. Read more
Algeria prosecutor requests 18 months jail for Bouteflika-era tycoon (Guardian)
An Algerian prosecutor requested Monday that a business tycoon linked to ousted leader Abdelaziz Bouteflika be sentenced to 18 months in prison for “forgery”, according to an AFP correspondent. Ali Haddad, who owns Algeria’s largest private construction company, has been detained since his arrest on March 31 while trying to cross into Tunisia, days before Bouteflika stepped down in the face of country-wide protests. He was carrying two passports — which is forbidden under Algerian law — and is also accused of carrying undeclared foreign currency. Read more
Sudan crisis: Security forces condemned for violence against protesters (BBC)
Sudan’s military have been condemned for their violent attack on protesters in the capital, Khartoum, which reportedly left at least 30 dead. UN Secretary General António Guterres called for an independent investigation saying he was “alarmed” by reports that officers had opened fire in a hospital. The US said it was a “brutal attack” while the UK called it “outrageous”. Read more
Trump praises ‘eternal friendship’ of US and UK (BBC)
President Donald Trump has praised the “eternal friendship” between the UK and US as he joined a state banquet at Buckingham Palace. The Queen said the countries were celebrating an alliance which had ensured the “safety and prosperity of both our peoples for decades”. The president is in the UK for a three-day state visit, which includes the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings. Read more
Boeing warns of potential wing faults in some 737 jets (BBC)
Boeing has warned airlines about potential flaws on the wings of some 737 aircraft, including on the new-generation 737 Max that was grounded after two crashes. The company has identified possible faulty parts on more than 300 aircraft worldwide. The parts, called wing slats, help reduce drag on take-off and landing. Read more
France: Imam jailed over Channel migrant crossings (BBC)
A French court has sentenced an imam to two years in prison for helping migrants try to cross the English Channel in inflatable boats. The 39-year-old Iranian national was accused of arranging several crossings from northern France to England. A 29-year-old Senegalese man who attended the mosque where the imam preaches also stood trial. Read more
US man sentenced after throwing child from mall balcony (BBC)
A US man has been sentenced to 19 years in prison after pleading guilty to throwing a five-year-old boy from a third-floor balcony. Emmanuel Aranda, 24, told police he went to Minnesota’s Mall of America “looking for someone to kill”, before choosing the boy, identified as Landen. In a statement read in court on Monday, Landen’s parents decried Aranda’s act as one “intended to kill and destroy”. Read more
Apple dissolves iTunes into new apps (BBC)
Apple has announced that iTunes is to be replaced by Apple Music, Apple Podcasts and Apple TV. There had been speculation that the tech giant was planning to shutter the music service it launched in 2001. The firm also revealed a number of new privacy measures at its annual developer conference in San Jose. Read more
Jay-Z named world’s first billionaire rapper (BBC)
Jay-Z is officially hip hop’s first billionaire, Forbes has declared, after building an empire based on music, property, fashion and investments. The US magazine has estimated that the rapper’s wealth now “conservatively totals” $1bn (£800m). Forbes says the husband of singer Beyonce has succeeded because he built brands rather than just endorsed them. In its rankings, Forbes rejected claims that rapper and producer Dr Dre had reached billionaire status. Read more
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles crash out of U20 World Cup after defeat by Senegal (Guardian)
Senegal defeated Nigeria’s Flying Eagles 2-1 in their round of 16 clash on Monday night, June 3 at the ongoing FIFA U20 World Cup in Poland. The encounter at Lodz saw Senegal take the kick-off and in the 10th minute, Tijani came close to netting the opener after winning a header in the penalty box, but his effort was only good for the roof of the net. After half hour of football, injured-Maxwell Effiom was replaced by Sor, with scores still 0-0. Read more
AFCON 2019: Nigeria has good players, but lacks team to play – Finidi George (Vanguard)
Finidi George, a former right winger of the Super Eagle, has told Vanguard Sports in Port Harcourt that the Super Eagles have good players, but lacked a team to play the African Cup of Nation, AFCON. The Ex-Super Eagles star who played for over 15 years noted that his team played with passion to make the nation proud. Read more
Platini blasts FIFA president, says he has ‘no legitimacy’ (Punch)
The former head of European football Michel Platini has blasted FIFA President Gianni Infantino ahead of his re-election saying he has “no legitimacy” and that he previously mocked women’s football. “He has no legitimacy, he is not credible as FIFA president,” Platini said in an interview with French sports daily L’Equipe and several other European newspapers. There is no love lost between Platini, who was banned from football activities over a two million Swiss francs (1.8 million euros, $2 million) payment from FIFA, and Infantino, his former right-hand man. Read more
Club World Cup: Liverpool to play tournament in Qatar in December (BBC)
Liverpool will travel to Qatar in December to compete at Fifa’s Club World Cup after the Gulf state was named as the new host. The annual tournament, featuring the champions of six continents, will take place in the winter with Champions League winners Liverpool entering at the semi-final stage. Qatar will hold the next two editions of the tournament in 2019 and 2020. Read more
The facts are not sufficiently clear, Brazil coach Tite speaks on Neymar’s rape accusation (Punch)
The coach of the Brazilian national football team, Tite, said Monday he would “not judge” the sexual assault allegations levelled against his star player Neymar, which the Paris Saint-Germain forward says are an attempt to blackmail him. “I understand the seriousness of the issue,” he said. “But there must be time for people to be able weigh the facts.” “I’m not going to let myself judge the facts,” the coach said at the Brazilian squad’s training centre outside Rio, where they are preparing for the upcoming Copa America tournament. Read more
Unai Emery urged to sign Roma legend Daniele De Rossi by Arsenal legend Ian Wright (Metro)
Arsenal legend Ian Wright has urged Unai Emery to sign Daniele De Rossi on a free transfer this summer. Roma decided not to renew De Rossi’s contract at the end of the season and midfielder has now left the Italian club after 18 years. The 35-year-old has insisted that he will not retire, which means he could be signed for free before the start of next season. Read more
Cricket World Cup: Pakistan shock England at Trent Bridge (BBC)
England suffered a stunning upset at the hands of inspired Pakistan in their second World Cup match at Trent Bridge. The hosts and favourites were surprisingly lacklustre in the field as Pakistan, roared on by their noisy and vibrant fans, posted 348-8. Even though England have made a habit of overhauling such targets, they were still faced with having to pull off the most successful chase in World Cup history. Read more