Buhari directs Ministers to hand over by May 28 (Nation)
President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday directed all outgoing ministers to handover their portfolios on the 28th of May, 2019. He gave the directed during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) valedictory session at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Noting that the valedictory FEC meeting was the last for the outgoing cabinet before the inauguration of his second term on the 29th of May, he said they should continue working in their capacity till Tuesday 28th of May, 2019. Read more
Security allegations: Apologise to Nigerians, PDP tells Lai Mohammed (Punch)
The Peoples Democratic Party has asked the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, to apologise to Nigerians for allegedly misleading the nation and heating up the polity with unfounded security breach allegations against the party and its Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar. The party said that with the assurances on Monday, that the nation was safe for the Presidential inauguration, the minister had further exposed the fact that he, acting for the Federal Government, only conjured claims to create the impression that the PDP and Atiku had set security breaches against the Presidential inauguration. Read more
Sit-at-home order: You’re proscribed, don’t dare us, Police warn IPOB (Punch)
The Anambra State Police Command has warned the Indigenous People Biafra not to dared it or be ready to face the consequences. The police warning followed insistence by IPOB that it would on 30th, May paralyse economic activities in the South-East and beyond with a sit-at-home protest. According to the secessionist group, it would use the day to honour people of Biafra allegedly killed during the civil war of 1967-1970 and others allegedly killed recently by security agencies in different parts of the geopolitical zone. Read more
June 12 celebration will signify triumph of people’s will — Lai Mohammed (Nation)
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has described the upcoming maiden June 12 Democracy Day celebration as “triumph of people’s will after decades of subversion”. Mohammed stated this on Wednesday when he featured on African Independent Television (AIT) programme, “Kakaaki”, monitored by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja. The minister was speaking on activities lined up by the federal government for the May 29 inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari and the first democracy day celebration on June 12. Read more
As governors, there is nothing we can do about security -Taraba gov, Ishaku (Punch)
Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku on Wednesday reiterated the call for the establishment of State Police in the country to check increasing cases of insecurity. Ishaku made the call in Jalingo while answering questions from journalists shortly after he flagged off the distribution of fertilizers, seedlings, and Agrochemicals for Taraba farmers for the 2019 farming season. The Governor who said he was helpless and cannot do anything over the security situation in the state called on the residents to pray to God for peace in the state. Read more
Why APC governor should emerge NGF chairman – Seriake Dickson (Guardian)
Bayelsa State governor Seriake Dickson Wednesday said a ranking governor from the ruling All Progressives Congress must be elected the chairman of Nigerian Governors Forum. The governors are expected to elect a new leader to succeed Zamfara State’s Abdulaziz Yari later today. Dickson said in a statement signed by his spokesman Fidelis Soriwei People’s Democratic Party’s governors have no plans to be “disruptive’ when the election is held since it is traditional for the NGF chairman to be elected from the fold of the majority party. Read more
Senator Izunaso narrowly escapes prison over contempt of court (Punch)
Sen. Osita Izunaso, the third defendant in the ongoing certificate of return suit filed by Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, narrowly escaped being sent to prison on Wednesday for Contempt of court. Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court Abuja said that Izunaso ought to have been remanded in prison for putting up an attitude before the court which could best be described as “rascality of the highest order”. At the resumed hearing of the matter, the judge announced that he received an affidavit of facts filed by Izunaso that he had an application at the Court of Appeal for a stay of proceedings in the matter. Read more
Nigeria to join Africa Free Trade Zone, Enelamah says (Guardian)
Nigeria will sign the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement as soon as President Muhammadu Buhari approves an impact-assessment report he asked for, the country’s trade minister said. Nigeria is one of 29 countries yet to sign the agreement seeking to boost intra-African trade, stimulate investment and innovation. The trade deal comes into effect May 30 after 22 African countries ratified it. Read more
NAFDAC seizes fake goods worth N2.6m at Enugu Airport (Punch)
The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control has seized fake, substandard and unwholesome drugs, cosmetics and medical device worth N2,650,000 at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu. Mr John Okwori, Deputy Director and Head, Ports Inspection Directorate, stated this in a statement made available to newsmen in Enugu on Wednesday. Okwori said that the items were imported from China, USA and Dublin in Ireland, adding that they were seized in order to safeguard public health. Read more
Bandits kill 20 in Katsina (Guardian)
Bandit gunmen have killed at least 20 people in separate attacks in northwestern Nigeria, police said Wednesday, the latest violence in the restive region of Katsina. Armed bandits on motorcycles stormed into a farming village on Tuesday, spraying the people with gunfire, Katsina state police spokesman Gambo Isah said. “They killed 18,” Isah said. Read more
Police arraign 10 men over alleged cult membership (Punch)
The Police on Wednesday arraigned 10 men, suspected to be cultists, in a Grade 1 Area Court, Karu, Abuja, for allegedly constituting public nuisance within Kugbo Furniture Market, Abuja. The defendants, whose addresses were not given, include Ubadija Nuhu, Timothy Awarga, John Jonathan, Christopher Sunday, Solomon Jonathan, Bala Audu, Ekpo Godwin, Ajaba Dominic, Benedict Ibrahim and Moses Idagu. The Police charged the defendants with joint acts, disturbance of public peace, inciting disturbance and membership of an unlawful assembly. Read more
Trump names woman as head of US Air Force (Punch)
US President Donald Trump announced Tuesday he had nominated a former ambassador and Arizona businesswoman to lead the Air Force. Barbara Barrett, 68, served as the US ambassador to Finland from 2008 to 2009 under the George W. Bush administration. She also chaired an aeronautics research and development centre, The Aerospace Corporation, until 2017. “She will be an outstanding Secretary!” Trump tweeted. Read more
Farishta: Outrage over Pakistan child murder (BBC)
The family of a 10-year-old Pakistani girl who was abducted and murdered have said they were ignored by police when they tried to report her missing. They say police told them the child might have eloped, and they were made to carry out errands for officers. Farishta vanished in Islamabad on 15 May and a body believed to be hers was found on 20 May. Read more
Italian teen released after killing abusive father (BBC)
Prosecutors in Italy have released from house arrest a 19-year-old who killed her violent father at their home north of Rome. Deborah Sciacquatori acted in self-defence in an episode of domestic abuse, the local prosecutor decided. Initially accused of manslaughter, she now faces the lesser charge of culpable excess of legitimate self-defence, but that may also be dropped. Read more
Man in Brazil kills girlfriend inside church, four others (Nation)
man stabbed and killed his ex-girlfriend in South-Eastern Brazil and subsequently shot three people in a nearby church, local media reported on Wednesday. “The 39-year-old ex-military member entered the church in the city of Paracatu in the state of Minas Gerais on Tuesday to kill the pastor, who was married to his ex-girlfriend,’’ the news portal Globo reported, citing the police. However, the clergyman managed to escape. Read more
Ukraine’s Zelensky picks TV colleagues for presidential staff (BBC)
Ukraine’s new president, Volodymyr Zelensky, has announced his administration – and several positions have gone to his former TV colleagues. His only political experience until now has been playing the role of president in the Servant of the People TV show. The deputy head of the presidency, Serhiy Trofimov, was a producer in Mr Zelensky’s Kvartal 95 studio. Read more
Michael Jackson’s bodyguard warns Leaving Neverland director to be ‘concerned’ about his career (Metro)
Michael Jackson’s bodyguard has warned Dan Reed to be ‘concerned’ about his career amid the release of a new documentary which alleges to dispute Reed’s own movie, Leaving Neverland. Matt Fiddes worked for Jackson for several years before his death and has taken to Instagram to share a sneak peek at the new film, Michael Jackson – Chase The Truth, which claims to get the ‘real truth’ about the pop star out. Read more
Jury indicts Holder, alleged killer of Nipsey Hussle (Punch)
Eric Holder, the alleged killer of Ermias Asghedom, a.k.a Nipsey Hussle, an American rapper has been indicted by the jury sitting for the case, according to a TMZ report. The News Agency of Nigerian reports that Hussle, an American rapper, entrepreneur, and community activist from Los Angeles, California, who was shot on March 31. According to TMZ, Holder has been indicted by the grand jury and new charges have added to those already existing. Read more
Golden Eaglets Coach to submit World Cup programme soon (Guardian)
The Head coach of the national U-17 team, Manu Garba, on Wednesday said that he would soon submit his programme for the U-17 World Cup to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). Garba, who told the News Agency Nigeria (NAN) that he was on top of the situation, said he had to wait for the World Cup draws to be made first. “The draws of the World Cup has yet to be made. My programme for the World Cup will soon be submitted to the federation through the Technical Director,” Garba said. Read more
Former Kenya athletics chief banned 10 years for corruption (Punch)
Kenya’s former athletics team manager Michael Rotich has been banned for 10 years for agreeing to provide advance notice to athletes of doping tests in exchange for money, the IAAF announced Wednesday. Rotich was exposed by two undercover journalists from the Sunday Times in an article published in August 2016 and was sent home in disgrace from the Olympic Games in Rio which were underway at the time. He was also provisionally banned by the IAAF from his coaching job. Read more
Ghana captain Gyan backtracks on retirement ahead of African Cup (Guardian)
Ghana national team captain Asamoah Gyan on Wednesday reversed his decision to retire from international football, just weeks before the Africa Cup of Nations. The striker said Monday he was quitting the national team after he was angered by coach Kwasi Appiah’s plan to strip him of the captaincy for next month’s finals in Egypt. But President Nana Akufo-Addo intervened on Tuesday by telephoning the Turkey-based player, urging him to make himself available for selection. Read more
Olympic marathon silver medalist Kirwa suspended for doping (Punch)
Bahrain’s Olympic women’s marathon silver medalist Eunice Kirwa has been provisionally suspended after failing a doping test, the Athletics Integrity Unit said in a statement. Kenyan-born Kirwa, who switched allegiance to Bahrain in 2013 and finished second at the Rio Olympics in 2016, tested positive for erythropoietin, EPO, a banned blood-boosting hormone that improves endurance. Read more
Sarri to discuss Chelsea future after Europa League final (Guardian)
Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri plans showdown talks with the club’s hierarchy after next week’s Europa League final to see if they want the Italian to remain in charge next season. Sarri’s side recovered from a mid-season slump in time to secure Champions League football next season via a third-placed finish in the Premier League, and could end the season with a trophy when they face Arsenal in Baku on May 29. Read more
Manchester United transfer target Ivan Rakitic insists he is staying at Barcelona (Metro)
Ivan Rakitic has insisted he has no plans to leave Barcelona this summer amid reports Manchester United are trying to sign the midfielder. United are thought to be keen to wrap up a quick deal for Rakitic, with Barcelona demanding £48million for the Croatian – Inter have also been credited with an interest. However, Rakitic has now addressed those rumours, insisting he is happy at Barcelona. Read more
Van Persie tells United to give ‘fair chance’ to Solskjaer (Guardian)
Robin van Persie has urged Manchester United to keep faith with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after the under-fire manager’s turbulent end to his first season in charge. Solskjaer presided over a miserable conclusion to a campaign that saw United fail to qualify for the Champions League after finishing sixth in the Premier League. However, Van Persie, whose goals helped United win their last Premier League title in 2013, is adamant Solskjaer deserves more time to get the club back on track. Read more
What Christian Pulisic told Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang before Chelsea’s Europa League final vs Arsenal (Metro)
Chelsea winger Christian Pulisic has told Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang that he is not allowed to win when the two clubs meet in the Europa League final next Wednesday. The pair were teammates together at Borussia Dortmund but they will be rivals next season after Pulisic completed a £58m move to join Chelsea back in January. Read more
Injured Kroos, Ter Stegen sit out Germany qualifiers (Guardian)
Injured La Liga pair Toni Kroos and Marc-Andre ter Stegen are the biggest names missing from the 22-man Germany squad named on Wednesday for next month’s Euro 2020 qualifiers. Midfielder Kroos, who has just signed a new Real Madrid contract keeping him at the club until 2023, and Barcelona goalkeeper Ter Stegen sit out the qualifiers, away to Belarus on June 8 and then home to Estonia three days later in Mainz, with leg injuries. Read more
Anthony Joshua breaks down how he would beat Dillian Whyte in rematch
Anthony Joshua believes a rematch with his bitter rival Dillian Whyte would come down to who has the bigger heart. Whyte and AJ have a long-running feud dating back to their amateur days and went toe-to-toe in the professional ranks in 2015. Joshua was victorious that night with a seventh-round knockout and Whyte has been chasing a rematch ever since. Read more