COVID-19: Lagos to charge face mask defaulters to court (Vanguard)
The Lagos State Government says it will start charging face mask defaulters to court from next week, as the period of grace was over.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said this while briefing newsmen on the update of the COVID-19 management in the state on Friday.
Sanwo-Olu said that at this phase in the evolution of the coronavirus pandemic, taking personal responsibility was now more important than ever.
He said that such personal responsibility was not only for self-protection but also for protecting other people, including loved ones. Read more
N2.55bn fraud: Court jails hackers, orders restitution to bank (Punch)
The Lagos State High Court in Igbosere on Friday convicted and jailed two hackers, who defrauded Union Bank to the tune of N2.55bn.
The convicts, Abass Mohammed and Ibrahim Saidu Jogal, bagged one and three years’ imprisonment, respectively.
Justice K.A. Jose, who pronounced the verdict, also ordered that a total of $464,000, a car and a landed property recovered from the convicts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission should be returned to the defrauded bank.
According to a statement on Friday by the Head, Media and Publicity at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Dele Oyewale, the court found the convicts guilty on two out of the three counts filed against them. Read more
Group seek to end discrimination, maltreatment meted on widows (Guardian)
The Initiative For Women and Girls Right Advancement (IWOGRA), a not for profit organisation has stressed the need to end all forms of discrimination, violence and maltreatment faced by widows.
In a webinar conference held recently to commemorate the 2020 International Widows’ Day with the theme: ‘Achieving Full Rights and Recognition For Widows in Nigeria’, the group brought to the front burner concerns and interventions made for women while celebrating widows.
According to the founder, IWOGRA, Maryanne Nkechi Obiagbaoso-Udegbunam, the overall situation of widows in Nigeria has been overlooked over the years, adding that Women in Nigeria are faced with series of violence especially after the death of their husbands. Read more
Demand for oxygen by COVID-19 patients has increased – Lagos commissioner (Punch)
The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi, said there was an increase in the demand for oxygen by COVID-19 patients.
As a result of this, he said the state government had intensified efforts to make oxygen available across the local government areas in the state.
Abayomi stated this on Friday at a Zoom webinar by the Lagos Civil Society against COVID-19. The webinar was themed, ‘COVID-19 Home/Community Based Care in Lagos: Issues and Opportunities.’ It was moderated by the Chairman, International Institute of Risk and Society Management Nigeria, Dr Eugene Itua.
Speaking during the session, Abayomi stated, “We noticed that there is a slight increase in the demand for oxygen. Patients are coming in with breathlessness and sometimes they present (themselves) to other hospitals in need of oxygen. Read more
Lagos schools resume Aug 3, churches, mosques remain closed (Vanguard)
The Lagos State Government, on Friday, directed that schools should reopen on Monday, August 3, for only Senior Secondary School Class 3 and Technical Schools Class 3.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu stated this at the 16th briefing on the COVID-19 response at the State House in Marina, adding that pupils in Junior Secondary School Class 3 would need to wait for “about a week or two before resumption.”
Sanwo-Olu also sustained the ban on churches and mosques, as well as on social gatherings, while clarifying that the schools’ reopening was only for day schooling as boarding activities were prohibited.
For the Primary 6 pupils, the governor noted that they would be graded by their already recorded Continuous Assessment to cross over to secondary schools. Read more
COVID-19: NLC calls for education stakeholders meeting on safe school re-opening (Vanguard)
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged the Federal Government to bring all stakeholders in the education sector together to deliberate on the way forward before re-opening of schools across the country.
Mr Ayuba Wabba, NLC President, said this in a communique he signed on Friday in Abuja at the end of a joint meeting of the congress affiliates union in the education sector and the NLC Education Committee.
Wabba said the meeting was to brainstorm on measures to be put in place before schools in Nigeria could re-open given the prevalence of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Read more
Ondo: APC rakes in ₦258.2m from sale of forms (Vanguard)
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has generated the sum of ₦258.27 million from the sale of nomination and expression of interest forms ahead of its July 20 Governorship Primary Election in Ondo State.
The incumbent governor of Ondo, Rotimi Akeredolu, and ten other male aspirants paid ₦247.50 million at the rate of N22.5 million per expression of interest and nomination form.
The only female aspirant of the list, Mrs Olajumoke Olubusola Anifowoshe, however, paid N11.25 million in line with the party’s guidelines which slashes the fees by half for women and persons living with disabilities. Read more
Edo 2020: PDP appoints Wike campaign chairman (Punch)
The Peoples Democratic Party’s National Working Committee has appointed Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike as Chairman, Edo State Governorship Election National Campaign Council.
The party also appointed Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, as the deputy chairman of the council.
National Publicity Secretary of the party, Kola Ologbondiyan, announced this on Friday.
“@OfficialPDPNig NWC appoints @GovWike as Edo State Governorship Election National Campaign Council Chairman. The deputy chairman is Adamawa State Governor, Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Fintiri,” he disclosed via Twitter. Read more
Kwara Gov reshuffles cabinet, moves 5 commissioners (Vanguard)
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara on Friday announced a cabinet reshuffle involving five commissioners who are to move from one ministry to the other.
The Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, announced this on Friday in a statement in Ilorin.
According to the statement, those affected are the Commissioner for Communication, Olanrewaju Murtala who was moved to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, while the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Harriet Adenike Afolabi Oshatimehin replaced Murtala in the Ministry of Communication. Read more
Sudan says talks with Egypt, Ethiopia on Nile dam resume (AlJazeera)
Sudan has announced the resumption of talks with Egypt and Ethiopia to resolve the long-running dispute over Addis Ababa’s construction of a mega-dam on the Nile River.
The three countries have been at odds after multiple rounds of talks over the years failed to produce a deal on the operation and filling of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).
Ethiopia says the project is essential for its development, while Egypt and Sudan worry about access to vital water supplies from the Nile. Read more
Trudeau Unsure About Washington Trip, Citing Concern Over Tariffs (VOA)
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Friday he was still unsure whether he would go to Washington next week to celebrate a new North American trade treaty, citing concern about possible U.S. tariffs on aluminum.
Mexico’s President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who is to meet U.S. President Donald Trump next week, has said he would like Trudeau to attend.
Mexican sources had previously said Lopez Obrador’s visit was planned for Wednesday and Thursday, with the possibility of a trilateral meeting on Thursday. Read more
White couple charged for threatening black family (BBC)
A white husband and wife have been charged after the woman pulled a gun on a black mother and her children during a confrontation in a car park.
Footage of the incident in Orion Township, near Detroit, has been viewed millions of times on social media.
It shows Jillian Wuestenberg pointing the cocked gun and shouting: “Get away.” Read more
US Celebrates Independence Amid Push to Remove Symbols of Pro-Slavery Legacy (VOA)
The United States celebrates its Independence Day holiday this weekend as a campaign to remove symbols of the country’s pro-slavery legacy gains momentum.
Efforts to remove monuments that celebrate the Confederacy, a government of 11 slave-holding southern states that seceded from the United States, triggering the Civil War in 1861, began to gain momentum in 2015 after a white supremacist fatally shot nine African Americans inside a church in Charleston, South Carolina.
The campaign further escalated after George Floyd, an African American, died in police custody May 25 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Read more
Hong Kong man accused of ‘terrorism’ under new Chinese law (AlJazeera)
Supporters raise white papers to avoid slogans banned under the national security law as they show support for detained anti-law protesters [Tyrone Siu/Reuters]
Supporters raise white papers to avoid slogans banned under the national security law as they show support for detained anti-law protesters [Tyrone Siu/Reuters]
A man carrying a “Liberate Hong Kong” sign as he drove a motorcycle into police at a protest against the territory’s Chinese rulers has become the first person to be charged with inciting secession and “terrorism” under a new national security law.
Beijing imposed the legislation on the former British territory earlier this week despite protests from Hong Kong residents and Western nations. Read more
Jamal Khashoggi murder: Turkey puts 20 Saudis on trial in absentia (BBC)
Twenty Saudi nationals have gone on trial in absentia in Turkey for the murder of the journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018.
Khashoggi, a prominent critic of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was killed by a team of Saudi agents inside the kingdom’s consulate in Istanbul.
The defendants include two former aides to the prince, who denies involvement. Read more
Coronavirus: Pubs, restaurants and hairdressers reopen in England (BBC)
Pubs, restaurants, hairdressers and cinemas in England are opening their doors for the first time in three months after a major relaxation of coronavirus lockdown restrictions.
Businesses reopening on Saturday must observe strict social distancing rules.
As measures eased, Boris Johnson urged people to act responsibly, while the government’s scientific advisers warned the latest step was not “risk-free”. Read more
I offer something different to United’s attack – Ighalo (Punch)
Former Super Eagles striker, Odion Ighalo, says he offers a different quality to Manchester United’s attack that fellow strikers Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial do not possess.
Ighalo, who was speaking with United Review programme, said he could play as a striker with his back to the goal.
The Nigerian has scored five times in four starts for United since moving on loan from Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua in January.
“Anthony Martial is very skillful. He’s a direct striker. He likes to play with the ball at his feet,” Ighalo said. Read more
Martinelli signs new long-term contract at Arsenal (Vanguard)
Teenage striker Gabriel Martinelli has signed a new long-term contract with Arsenal. The 19-year-old joined the London club from Ituano last July and has scored 10 goals in 26 appearances in his first season in England.
Arsenal have rewarded the Brazil Under-23 international with a new deal two days after fellow teenager Bukayo Saka committed his future to the Premier League side.
Martinelli will not play again this season after undergoing knee surgery, but Gunners head coach Mikel Arteta believes he has a bright future. Read more
Osimhen loves Napoli, says agent (Punch)
Lille striker Victor Osimhen’s agent, Osita Okolo, says the former Wolfsburg man has had contact with Napoli manager Gennaro Gattuso and club president Aurelio De Laurentiis.
Okolo also admitted that the Nigerian likes the Naples environment.
The Nigerian forward is reported to be close to agreeing on a deal with the Partenopei after visiting Naples few days ago. Read more
Leroy Sane completes £55m transfer move from Manchester City to Bayern Munich (Metro)
Bayern Munich have announced that they have completed the signing of Leroy Sane from Manchester City.
The 24-year-old forward joins the Bundesliga champions for an initial fee of £44.7million which could rise to around £55m with add-ons.
Sane’s contract at City was due to expire in 2021 and Pep Guardiola’s side held discussions over a possible extension but the German made it clear he wanted to leave the club this summer. Read more
Barcelona lose defender Umtiti to knee injury (Guardian)
Barcelona centre-back Samuel Umtiti will miss Sunday’s game at Villarreal with a knee problem, the latest setback in another injury-plagued season for the France international.
Umtiti, 26, will undergo treatment on his left knee with no timeline given for his return, the club said on Friday.
The former Lyon defender has made 18 appearances for Barca this season but was sidelined for almost two months between September and November with foot and knee injuries. Read more
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer promotes Manchester United teenager Ethan Laird to first-team squad ahead of Bournemouth clash (Metro)
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed that teenager Ethan Laird has been promoted to the senior squad and has begun training with the first team.
The 18-year-old, who plays at right-back, is highly rated around Old Trafford and has already made two appearances in the Europa League against Astana and AZ Alkmaar in the group stages at the end of last year.
Solskjaer always intended to bring Laird into the first-team fold eventually, though that decision has been hastened after a pair of injuries in defence. Read more