Building collapse: Plateau begs for blood donation, says schoolchildren’s conditions overwhelming (DailyTrust)
The Plateau State Government is pleading with citizens of the state to come to Plateau Specialists Hospital to donate blood to safe lives of pupils rescued from collapsed school building in Jos.
State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Hon Musa Ashom, made the appeal in a statement in Jos Friday evening.
The statement which is being aired at regular intervals on the state-owned radio and television stations appealed to every able-bodied to come forward for blood donation. Read more
Pomp as new Olubadan ascends throne (Sun)
Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, was agog on Friday as Governor Seyi Makinde presented staff of office to the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, at the Mapo Hall Arcade, in the heart of the city.
The ceremony, which was held amid watertight security, had dignitaries from all walks of life in attendance. They included serving and former political office holders, traditional rulers, religious leaders, leaders of thoughts and opinions.
The Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, after completing the mandatory traditional rites at the Labosinde Quarters, and Ose Meji Quarters, where he was crowned, proceeded to the Mapo Hall Arcade to receive staff of office from Governor Makinde, who presented instruments of office to him at 2:45pm. Read more
OML 245: Nigeria has sovereign rights over oil blocks, Lokpobiri tells Abacha family (Leadership)
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, has emphasised Nigeria’s sovereign rights over the contentious OML 245 oil block.
Lokpobiri’s remarks followed a letter by the family of late former Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, demanding that Lokpobiri should retract his claims of resolving the OML 245 dispute, stating that the matter is still before the courts.
The minister however responded, stating that “every oil block belongs to the federal government of Nigeria” and government will “do everything that is legal to ensure that Nigerians benefit from the availability of these oil blocks in this country.” Read more
FG denies abandoning inherited road projects (Nation)
The Federal government said it has not abandoned road projects inherited from the previous administration.
Correcting the misrepresentation of the Federal Executive Council’s (FEC) decision by some media outlets, Minister of Works David Umahi stated it was misleading to report that FEC had stepped down inherited projects.
He clarified that neither the President nor FEC directed that these ongoing projects be halted. Read more
Benue Poly Rector kidnapped (Vanguard)
The acting rector of Benue State Polytechnic, Ugbokolo, Dr. Emmanuel Barki, has been reportedly kidnapped alongside some staff of the institution by unknown armed men along the Otukpo-Enugu highway.
The victims were said to be on their way back from Makurdi to Ugbokolo, Okpokwu Local Government Area, LGA, of the state when they ran into an ambush by the armed men.
A source in the institution who spoke on condition of anonymity stated that the news of the abduction of the rector and his team, including the driver, got to the school yesterday. Read more
Lagos policeman defiles teenager, mother alleges cover-up (Punch)
A police officer attached to the Ogudu Police Station, Ojota, Lagos, (name withheld), has been accused of raping a 17-year-old girl (name withheld).
City Round gathered that the officer had promised to help the teenager retrieve her phone, which had been taken by ‘one chance’ robbers on June 16 while she, her grandmother, and her siblings were returning from Ikeja.
The suspect reportedly overheard the teenager recounting her ordeal to her mother at her shop and offered to help track her missing phone and take her statement. Read more
Edun, Ooni Of Ife, Laolu Akande, others headline Loyola College Old Boys Association 70th Anniversary (DailyTrust)
Coordinating Minister for the Economy, His Imperial Majesty Ooni Adeyeye Babatunde Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, and former Presidential Aide Laolu Akande among others will headline the Loyola College Old Boys Association’s 70th Anniversary Lecture and celebrations, scheduled for the 19th of July, 2024, at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Lagos.
Mr Edun will deliver the keynote lecture titled “Reconstructing the Nigerian Economy for Sustainable Growth and Investment,” aimed at providing insightful perspectives on initiatives to foster sustainable economic growth and investment under the current administration.
The Association emphasised that this lecture “aims to provide insightful perspectives on the initiatives by the current administration to turn around the economy for sustainable growth and investment.” Read more
LG Autonomy: Supreme Court judgement, relief from financial burden to states – NGF (Nation)
The Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) has described Thursday’s Supreme Court’s judgement granting financial autonomy to local governments as a relief from financial burden to state governments.
The Chairman of the NGF and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who expressed this position on behalf of his colleagues while speaking to journalists at the State House yesterday, however, welcomed the judgement, assuring of compliance by state governments.
AbdulRazaq, who was flanked by the governors of Imo, Hope Uzodinma, and Bauchi, Bala Mohammed, stated that the ruling is a devolution of power that relieves governors of the significant financial burden of bailing out local governments, a expense that he noted many Nigerians are unaware of. Read more
Alec Baldwin’s “Rust” trial dismissed over hidden evidence (BBC)
Alec Baldwin broke down in tears as a New Mexico judge dismissed the involuntary manslaughter case against him for a fatal shooting on the set of the film Rust.
The trial collapsed three days into Baldwin’s trial in Santa Fe, at a court just miles from where Halyna Hutchins, a cinematographer, was shot with a revolver that Mr Baldwin was using in rehearsals.
It is the second time the case against the actor has been dismissed since the October 2021 shooting. He will not be tried again. Read more
Producers of Rebel Wilson movie sue star over sexual harassment, embezzlement claims (THR)
Rebel Wilson has been sued for defamation by three producers behind her directorial debut, The Deb, after she accused them of sexual harassment and embezzlement.
In an Instagram video on Wednesday, Wilson said she reported the producers last year when she “found out not minor things, big things” related to “inappropriate behavior towards the lead actress of the film” and “embezzling funds from the film’s budget.” She accused them of blocking the movie from premiering at the closing spot of the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in September.
Producers Amanda Ghost, Gregor Cameron and Vince Holden, in a lawsuit filed on Friday in Los Angeles Superior Court, say Wilson lied in an attempt to release The Deb at TIFF, as well as secure a writing credit on the film. Read more
Eminem calls out Diddy’s sexual assault and abuse allegations in 3 new songs (People)
Eminem has a lot to say about Sean “Diddy” Combs’ numerous sexual assault lawsuits.
The rapper, 51, took aim at the music mogul’s many recent allegations and alleged history of assault at least three times on his new album, The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce), which dropped on Friday, July 12.
On the album track “Fuel,” featuring J.I.D., Eminem zeroes in on Combs’, 54, accusations with lyrics like, “I’m like a R-A-P-E-R (Yeah) / Got so many S-As (S-As), S-As / Wait, he didn’t just spell the word, ‘Rapper’ and leave out a P, did he? (Yep),” as a play on words dissing the music mogul — who is currently facing several lawsuits alleging rape and assault. Diddy has denied all claims. Read more
Dozens of bodies found in Gaza City neighbourhood, Palestinian rescuers say (AlJazeera)
The bodies of dozens of Palestinians have been retrieved from the Tal al-Hawa neighbourhood after Israeli forces withdrew from parts of Gaza City, Palestinian rescue workers have said.
“The Gaza civil defence teams moved in to rescue survivors. They found dozens killed. Most of those killed are families, women, and children. Some bodies were eaten by dogs,” Gaza’s civil defence spokesperson Mahmoud Basal said on Friday.
“At least 60 bodies were counted. Some bodies were buried on the spot. Others were taken to nearby hospitals.” Read more
Arrest made in ‘brutal’ cold case slaying of Phoenix teen 20 years to the day of her death (NBC)
Phoenix police announced this week an arrest in a two-decade old slaying of a 15-year-old girl.
Wednesday marked 20 years to the day that Elena Lasswell was “brutally” murdered inside her home, police announced in a short video statement.
Sergio Reyes, 37, was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of first-degree murder. He was extradited from Mexico and is being held at the Maricopa County Jail, police said. Read more
Kenya: Several bodies retrieved from an abandoned quarry as police chief resigns (AfricaNews)
Kenya’s police chief Japhet Koome has resigned on the same day five bodies wrapped in sacks were found in a quarry near an informal settlement and after weeks of deadly protests in which more than 30 people were killed.
President Ruto on Friday announced that he had received the resignation of inspector General Koome, and that his deputy Douglas Kanja would be acting.
Ruto had announced on Thursday that he has dismissed almost all of his Cabinet ministers and promised to form a new government that will be lean and efficient. Read more
Mum’s fury as doctors ‘refuse scan’ before toddler diagnosed with brain tumour (Mirror)
The toddler went from being a joyful child whose days consisted of watching cartoons and doing the fun things children his age should be doing – to ‘violently vomiting’ between ’10 to 20 times a day’
A toddler who was allegedly refused a scan by doctors at a local hospital after his parents raised concerns has been diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour.
Little Kevin Brennan Jnr from was a happy and healthy one-year-old toddler playing with his siblings and learning to walk, and starting to talk, before his life changed completely. He went from being a joyful tot whose days consisted of watching cartoons and doing the fun things children his age should be doing to “violently vomiting” 10 to 20 times a day. Read more
Leverkusen Chief backs Boniface to regain top form (CompleteSports)
Bayer Leverkusen managing director Simon Rofles is upbeat Victor Boniface will hit top form again at the club.
Boniface make an instant impact at the Bundesliga champions at the start of last season following his arrival from Belgian Pro League outfit Union St Gilloise.
The powerful forward scored 16 goals and registered nine assists during the first half of the season. Read more
Ayinde vows to return stronger from injury (Punch)
Super Falcons midfielder Halimatu Ayinde has vowed to come back stronger from the knee injury that ruled her out of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The 29-year-old injured her left knee during a training session at her club, FC Rosengård, and had a successful surgery.
She knows that she will be sorely missed by both club and country, especially with no other experienced and reliable replacement in the Super Falcons, underscoring the fact with a statement on her Instagram page along with a video that shows her scoring a sublime goal during a recent outing with her club. Read more
Djokovic sets up Alcaraz rematch in Wimbledon final (BBC)
Novak Djokovic outclassed Italian underdog Lorenzo Musetti to reach the Wimbledon final and set up a showdown with reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz in a repeat of last year’s final.
The 37-year-old impressed as he stayed on course for a record-equalling eighth men’s singles title at Wimbledon with a 6-4 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 victory on Centre Court.
Musetti, 22, had one chance to get the break back in the final set but sent a forehand into the net and crouched down with his head in his hands, knowing the end was near. Read more
Manchester United confirm Jadon Sancho decision after Erik ten Hag meeting (MEN)
Jadon Sancho has returned to Manchester United pre-season training after resolving his rift with Erik ten Hag following his loan spell at Borussia Dortmund.
Sancho had been banished from first-team training since last September due to his fall-out with the manager, which had prompted his subsequent January loan to Dortmund, with whom he reached the Champions League final in May.
The Manchester Evening News understands that Ten Hag and Sancho held a positive meeting this week and agreed to put their disagreement behind them and move on. The 24-year-old has resumed full training as a result. Read more
Caitlin Clark breaks another record in upset victory over Phoenix (DailyMail)
Caitlin Clark has set a new franchise record in the Indiana Fever’s home win over the Phoenix Mercury, as she also became the first rookie in WNBA history to record 400 points, 150 assists and 100 rebounds.
The 22-year-old point guard put up 20 points and 13 assists, nine of which came in the first quarter alone, to break the Fever’s record for most assists (seven) in a single quarter on Friday night in Indianapolis.
Clark now ranks second in the WNBA’s leading assists chart behind Alyssa Thomas this season behind Alyssa Thomas. Guard Kelsey Mitchell and center Aliyah Boston also contributed to the team’s 96-85 win with 28 and 21 points, respectively. Read more
White House announces American delegations for Paris Olympics (UPI)
First Lady Jill Biden will lead a group of four American delegations at the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris, the White House announced Friday.
Biden’s delegation will take the lead during the opening of the games on July 26, while second gentleman Doug Emhoff’s delegation will lead the American contingent during the closing ceremony on Aug. 11.
Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra and Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., will head up the two other delegations announced Friday by President Joe Biden. Read more