Cult clash: Police nab 6 notorious Eiye members over Sagamu mayhem (Sun)
Police in Ogun State have arrested members of a notorious cult group who have been on the wanted list of the command for their roles in various deadly cult clashes in Sagamu and its environs.
The suspected cultists who allegedly partook in clashes which led to the death of no fewer than four persons were apprehended in separate operations last week.
According to a statement on Sunday by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Abimbola Oyeyemi, the suspects – Rafiu Osokoya, a.k.a Osama; Azeez Abiola a k.a Scofield; Ogunsanwo Waheed a.k.a 50cent; Toheeb Ayodele a.k.a Emir; Kolawole Adegbenro and Azeez Taiwo, were arrested following an information received by the CSP Shobiyi Oluwatoshin-led Anti Cultism Unit that the hoodlums were holding a nocturnal meeting along Ayepe/Odogbolu area and planning how to unleash another round of terror in Sagamu.
Upon the information, the team moved to the area where the suspects were rounded up, while some of them escaped.
On interrogation, the suspects confessed belonging to the dreaded Eiye Confraternity and that they were responsible for deadly clashes in Sagamu since January.
“They further confessed to killing of one Animashaun and another person simply identified as Ekwe in the Sabo Area of the town.
“Also, they confessed that their group was responsible for the death of one Adigun and Elewure both of whom were killed at Isote a
Area of Sagamu early in the year. Read more
NDLEA Intercepts Meth Consignments At Lagos Airport (Channels)
Attempts by drug traffickers to export parcels of Methamphetamine popularly called Mkpuru Mmiri locally concealed in Cornflakes packs and body cream containers to Malaysia and Australia have been foiled by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, and a courier company in Lagos.
Authorities say two freight agents; Nneji Anoma And Etoh Barnabas, involved in the bid to export nine parcels of Methamphetamine weighing 1.45kg hidden in packs of cornflakes to Malaysia through the NAHCO export shed of the MMIA on Wednesday 15th June 2022 have been arrested.
Another consignment of 10 cartons of Tramadol 225mg packaged as Tramaking containing 500,000 tablets with a total weight of 407kg and an estimated street value of Two Hundred Million Naira (N200, 000, 000) have been seized during a joint examination with the Customs at the NCS warehouse.
The consignment, which had arrived at the SAHCO import shed since 6th June from India via Ethiopian Airline was eventually transferred to the NDLEA by Customs on Wednesday 15th June. Read more
Int’l Albinism Awareness Day: Lagos will ensure PLWDs have a sense of belonging – LASODA
(Independent)
As the world marked the 2022 International Albinism Awareness Day (IAAD), the Lagos State government assured that People Living With Disabilities (PLWDs) always have a sense of belonging and contribute their quota to the growth and development of Lagos in particular and the nation in general.
This was contained in an address by the General Manager, Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA), Dare Dairo, at a special programme to mark this year’s IAAD organised by LASODA, in collaboration with Lagos Albinism Awareness Society.
The theme for this year’s event was “United in making our voice heard,” which took place at Alausa, Ikeja.
Dairo maintained that the theme was chosen to amplify the voices and highlight the works being done, of and for, the people with albinism. Read more
Hamzat tasks parents on training their wards (Guardian)
Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Kadri Hamzat, has called on parents to be deliberate in training their children to be responsible citizens so that the government would not be spending money meant for building infrastructure on managing their vices.
Speaking on Friday at the 3rd year anniversary special jumat service of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration, Hamzat implored parents to be up and doing in raising their children.
He enjoined Muslim faithful to continue to pray for Lagos and Nigeria noting that Lagos has made tremendous progress though it could do better than what it is now. According to him, Lagos did not have a single public ambulance in 1999 and could not pay salaries for six months. He said to pay salaries, the state government then had to borrow. “We have made progress. It is not enough, but we have made enormous progress,” he said.
Hamzat noted that the state is leveraging on the solid foundation laid by the Bola Tinubu administration. Read more
Hijab Ban: MSSN Lagos applauds Supreme Court judgment, urges compliance (Vanguard)
The Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Lagos State chapter has applauded the judgment of the Supreme Court upholding the use of hijab in Lagos schools.
The judgment, which was delivered on Friday in Abuja, had no fewer than seven justices on the panel, out of which six backed the use of hijab in Lagos schools.
The apex court dismissed an appeal by the Lagos State Government and upheld the use of hijab in Lagos schools.
In his reaction to the judgment, Friday, the Amir (President) of MSSN Lagos, Miftahudeen Thanni, said with the judgment, students in public primary and secondary schools in Lagos State can now wear hijab to school without harassment. Read more
Lagos Mainland APC Reps primary crisis deepens, as party members take protest to Tinubu’s residence (ThisDay)
The crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos Mainland Federal Constituency has gotten even worse as aggrieved members of the party have taken their protest to the residence of national leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The aggrieved party members stormed the Bourdillon, Ikoyi residence of Asiwaju Tinubu, who has emerged as APC Presidential candidate in the 2023 election, to protest what they described as a “sham” primary election which elected Hon. Lanre Oshun as the party’s House of Representatives candidate for the federal constituency.
Some days before the protest, elders and stakeholders of APC in Lagos Mainland (West) had rejected the outcome of the House of Representatives primary election which produced Lanre Oshun as winner.
In a press statement, jointly signed by Baba Babs Fashina and Akibu Bankole, Chairman and Secretary respectively of Lagos Mainland West Elders Forum, had said the exercise, held on Friday, May 27, 2022 was a complete fraud. Read more
Mobolaji Bank-Anthony: Queen Irene Cole not our representative – Children (Sun)
The surviving children and grandchildren of the late philanthropist, Sir Mobolaji Bank-Anthony have insisted that 68-year-old Queen Irene Cole was never assigned as their representative over the execution of their inheritance.
Queen Irene Cole, who claimed to be a trustee, had during a recent press briefing raised the alarm that people who were not beneficiaries of Bank-Anthony’s assets were tampering with the Will of the late philanthropist.
She alleged that some individuals who she referred to as imposters were deliberately frustrating the execution of the will as recognised by the court.
Reacting to the report, one Babatunde Oluwajimi Bank-Anthony, who claim to be the grandson of the late philanthropist stated at a press briefing through Zoom meeting that Queen Irene Cole does not have the permission or the authority to represent their family and warned that anyone who enters into business transaction with her in regards to his late grandfather’s estate is doing so at his or her own risk. Read more
Olubadan honours Ganduje with chieftaincy title as governor preaches national integration (Independent)
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun has conferred honorary chieftaincy titles on Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje and his wife, Prof. Hafsat Ganduje as Aare Fiwajoye of Ibadanland and Yeye Aare Fiwajoye of Ibadanland respectively.
As the Governor called on Nigerians to continuously promote national integration toward engendering a united Nigeria.
He made the call on Saturday at the ancient Mapo in Ibadan after he and his wife were honoured with chieftaincy titles by Olubadan of Ibadanland.
Two hours after their cultural title, the league of Imams and Alfas Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States also conferred Aladeen Yorubawa on Governor Ganduje at a colourful ceremony held at the palatial Palace of Onimalu, Asiwaju Mutiullai Oladejo, the Asiwaju Adinni of Ibadanland. Read more
INEC declares Oyebanji winner of Ekiti governorship poll (Nation)
The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has been declared winner of the Ekiti State governorship poll by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The Returning Officer who is the Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan (UI), Prof Kayode Oyebode Adebowale, declared Oyebanji winner of the election after the collation of the results of the supplementary election in seven polling units.
Oyebanji polled a total of 187,057 votes to emerge the winner of the poll while the standard bearer of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Engr Segun Oni garnered a total of 82, 211 votes to come second in the contest.
The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Otunba Bisi Kolawole came a distant third with a total votes of 67,457. Read more
Tinubu writes Buhari, says he truly belongs to everybody, nobody (Tribune)
The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, has written a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari, affirming that he truly belongs to everybody and to nobody.
According to a statement issued Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President (Media & Media) on Saturday, said the former Lagos State governor described the President as a “true leader, brother and friend” who demonstrated a “sense of purpose, composure, and maturity” in the weeks leading to the Special Convention of the party.
Tinubu expressed gratitude for the president’s congratulatory letter to him, adding that while all the contestants expected President Buhari to “choose” his successor, he simply allowed a level playing field.
According to him, “You belonged to everybody in the party and you belonged to none of the individual candidates of the party.” Read more
Black Eyed Peas, Shakira and David Guetta team up on ‘Don’t You Worry’ (NME)
Black Eyed Peas have teamed up with Shakira and David Guetta on a new track.
The track comes ahead of Black Eyed Peas’ ninth studio album, which is expected later this year.
“LOVE to all the talented creatives involved and to our fans for your infinite support,” the band wrote on Instagram to announce the track.
They went on to hint that the song throws back to one of their biggest hits, 2009’s ‘I Gotta Feeling,’ writing: “Anyone agree this has got ‘I Gotta Feeling’ vibe to it??” Read more
Al Pacino says Timothée Chalamet should play his younger self in ‘Heat’ sequel (TheWrap)
It turns out Al Pacino is a Timothée Chalamet stan. The Oscar-winning actor enthusiastically said that Chalamet should be the one to play a younger version of himself should a sequel to “Heat” ever make it to the big screen.
Pacino was asked the question by moderator Bilge Ebiri at the Tribeca Film Festival on Saturday, where fans were treated to a 4K restoration of Michael Mann’s incredible 1995 crime thriller, but also were given an advanced copy of the book “Heat 2.” Mann co-wrote the book himself with Meg Gardiner, and it hits shelves in August.
Given the new source material, which is both a sequel and a prequel to “Heat,” many have wondered who should play Pacino’s Lt. Vincent Hanna and Robert De Niro’s Neil McCauley should a film adaptation come to fruition. Don’t be surprised that De Niro didn’t have much of an answer, but Pacino didn’t miss a beat and enthusiastically shouted, “Timothée Chalamet!”
“He’s a wonderful actor,” he added to cheers at the panel. Read more
Disney’s Hercules live-action movie from Avengers’ Russo brothers lines up director (DigitalSpy)
After transforming the live-action Aladdin into a billion-dollar box office success, Guy Ritchie is returning to Disney to direct their live-action adaptation of Hercules.
The Gentleman filmmaker will be overseeing the movie with Avengers: Endgame directors Joe & Anthony Russo producing under their production company AGBO (via Deadline). Disney is also looking for writers following Dave Callaham (Wonder Woman 1984 and Shang-Chi), penning the first draft.
Ritchie has recently been shooting a Jake Gyllenhaal-led untitled action-thriller that STX sold to MGM and Amazon. Additionally, the Brit wrote, directed and exec-produced Operation Fortune: Ruse de guerre, starring Jason Statham.
As for the Russo brothers, they’ve got a busy slate as they’ve been announced to produce an animated adaptation of Superfudge, based on one of Judy Blume’s best-selling 1980’s children’s books. Read more
5th annual Native American feature film writers lab opens call for applicants (Deadline)
The Native American Media Alliance announced they are accepting applications for the fifth Native American Feature Film Writers Lab. This is a 10-week program that will take place on-line from September through November 2022 and sponsored by COMCAST NBCUniversal, Cherokee Nation Film Office and A+E Networks.
“This lab has been an incredible resource for several studios in need of Native Ameri-can literary talent,” stated Ian Skorodin, Director of Strategy, Native American Media Alliance. “Cinema is timeless and we want our community of indigenous writers to be a large part of this art form going forward.”
The Native American Feature Film Writers Lab addresses an ongoing need in the entertainment industry. According to a 2020 Writers Guild of America Inclusion Report, Native Americans represent 0.8% of screenwriters “having almost no representation at all.” This program will offer a new opportunity for Native American writers seeking to break into the enter-tainment industry and change the current disparity.
The Native American Media Alliance will select five Native American writers to participate in the program. The lab will consist of daily workshops with an established screen-writer and peer workshopping sessions. Additionally, participants will attend a series of events and screenings that will further expose them to the entertainment industry. The purpose of the lab is to further develop the skills of the writers and prepare them for employment in the industry. Read more
The Strokes electrify Chicago, apologize to ‘Republicans in the Crowd’ at intimate benefit concert for Kina Collins (Variety)
The last time the Strokes played Chicago’s Metro was in 2001. The band’s debut album “Is This It” was just a few months old, but it had already launched Julian Casablancas and Co. to indie stardom. The now festival anthem and sports arena staple “Reptilia,” which would bring them to new heights, was two years away.
Two decades later, the Strokes returned to the 1,100-cap Wrigleyville venue in support of local politician Kina Collins’ congressional run. Collins is a 31-year-old progressive activist whose platform includes fighting for unions, universal healthcare, body autonomy, gun control and climate solutions. (“Sorry to the Republicans in the crowd,” moaned Casablancas midway through the band’s set.)
Opening the night, Collins delivered an energizing speech that touched on her core issues. “I’m running for Congress because we need representation that gives a damn about us,” Collins said, eliciting roars from the audience. “The congressman I’m running against has been my congressman since I was five years old.”
Collins said she met Casablancas at a house party in New York, where the two apparently hit it off and Collins convinced the singer to perform a “concert for the hardworking folks across the Midwest who are doing what they need to do to elect progressives.” The concert was originally planned for May 30, before voter registration closed, but a COVID case within the band led to a postponement. The Strokes have previously lent support to progressive candidates, playing a benefit show in New York for mayoral candidate Maya Wiley last year and publicly endorsing Bernie Sanders in the 2020 presidential election. Read more
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West ‘cordially’ reunite for North’s basketball match (Mirror)
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West have reunited for the benefit of their eldest daughter to watch her playing a basketball game – while keeping their current relationships off the court.
The 41-year-old reality star and the 45-year-old rap sensation were married from 2007 until 2021 and have four children together – with nine-year-old daughter North the eldest of the group.
The collapse of their marriage was explosive as Kanye struggled to let his wife go and he repeatedly lashed out at her and her new boyfriend Pete Davidson, 28, online.
But the proud parents put on a brave face as they sat close to each other watching North dribbling and shooting hoops on Friday. Read more
ISIS claims Kabul Sikh temple attack (AlArabiya)
ISIS claimed responsibility for an attack on a Sikh temple in Afghanistan that killed one community member and a Taliban fighter, saying it was retaliation for insults against the Prophet Mohammed.
Protests in several Muslim countries were sparked by a spokeswoman for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu-nationalist party comments earlier this month about the relationship between the prophet and his youngest wife.
In a message posted on its Amaq propaganda site, ISIS said Saturday’s attack targeted Hindus and Sikhs and the “apostates” who protected them in “an act of support for the Messenger of Allah.”
ISIS said one of its fighters “penetrated a temple for Hindu and Sikh polytheists in Kabul, after killing its guard, and opened fire on the pagans inside with his machine gun and hand grenades.” Read more
Again, Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan breaks 100m hurdle African record (Punch)
Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan has broken the African record after clocking 12.41 seconds in the 100m women’s hurdle.
Amusan broke her own record with her third best run of the season at the Diamond League meet in Paris, France on Saturday.
During the Paris Diamond League, Amusan blazed to victory with a time (12.41secs – AR) that moved her up to third in the world in 2022, only behind World Leader Jasmine Camacho-Quinn (12.37s) and Alaysha Johnson (12.40s).
The PUNCH had reported that Amusan is the first Nigerian to win a Diamond League trophy. Read more
Super Eagles midfield: Ndidi superior to Mikel – Oliseh (Sun)
Sunday Oliseh has said he never saw Mikel as an offensive midfielder despite the player catching the eye in an advanced role at the 2005 World Youth Championship.
Oliseh, speaking on the Athlst Podcast, Special Delivery with Emmanuel Babayaro and Matthew Edafe said Mikel is a good player and did well at Chelsea but he’d pick Ndidi over him in the holding midfield position.
When asked on what he thinks of Mikel as a player by Edafe, Oliseh said;
“He’s a player who’s done some good with Chelsea. But when you talk about playing as an offensive midfielder, he’s not an offensive midfielder. My man here knows I’m blunt to say certain things. Offensive midfielders have certain qualities and he doesn’t have any of them. Read more
Troy Parrott ‘fully’ intends to impress Antonio Conte at Tottenham (Standard)
Troy Parrott has vowed to “do all I can to impress” Tottenham manager Antonio Conte.
The 20-year-old striker met up with the Republic of Ireland earlier this month having spent what he hopes was a breakthrough season in League One with MK Dons, during which he scored 10 goals in all competitions.
He carried that form into Ireland’s Nations League fixtures, capping a fine individual display with an assured finish in a 3-0 victory over Scotland and impressing as Stephen Kenny’s men drew 1-1 with Ukraine in Lodz to bring down the curtain on a gruelling run of four games inside 11 days.
Parrott’s time at Spurs to date has seen Mauricio Pochettino depart and Jose Mourinho and Nuno Espirito Santo come and go as he has tried to stake his claim, but asked if he needed stability on that front to do so, he said: “I can’t control what goes on there. That’s out of my hands. Read more
Erik ten Hag ‘pushing and pushing’ Man Utd board to complete £73m summer transfer (Express)
Erik ten Hag is reportedly ‘pushing and pushing’ for Manchester United’s board to sign Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong this summer. De Jong is Ten Hag’s top target and the new manager is continuing to push for his signing.
The former Ajax boss joined United in the off-season following the expiry of interim boss Ralf Rangnick’s contract at Old Trafford. He has been tasked with rebuilding the club’s playing squad, which has seen the exits of Edinson Cavani, Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard and Nemanja Matic to name but a few.
Arrivals are imperative if United are to bring Champions League football back to the Theatre of Dreams and transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has stated that Ten Hag is ‘pushing’ club chiefs to bring the midfielder in if they are to progress. Romano states that Barcelona received a verbal proposal from United last week in what was a bid to take the Dutchman to Manchester.
It is claimed that a £53million bid was made, with £8m in add-ons on top, but that was instantly rejected by the Catalonian giants. Romano states that Barcelona would require £73m for United to take De Jong off their hands. But with Ten Hag wanting to get off to a good start as United boss, he is pushing the board to complete a deal for the player he coached back in Amsterdam. Read more
Artur Beterbiev demolishes Joe Smith in Two rounds to unify WBC, WBO, IBF titles (BoxingScene)
Not even the toughest of light heavyweights could take Artur Beterbiev’s pulverizing power.
The unbeaten Beterbiev kept his perfect knockout record intact by dropping Joe Smith Jr. three times in less than two rounds and stopped him in the second round of their highly anticipated 175-pound title unification fight Saturday night. The Russian-born, Montreal-based Beterbiev (18-0, 18 KOs) dropped Smith once in the first round and twice in the second round, before Beterbiev wobbled Smith again and caused referee Harvey Dock to stop their brief fight.
The official time of the stoppage was 2:19 of the second round in the main event of a nine-bout card at Madison Square Garden’s Hulu Theater.
“Joe’s a little bit open and more easy for me to get him,” Beterbiev told ESPN’s Bernardo Osuna in the ring. “Two fighters both have good punch and both tried to get [there] first. This time I’m lucky – I get there first.” Read more
Hamilton all smiles after qualifying fourth (France24)
Twenty-four hours after lambasting his car as “un-driveable” and the worst of his Formula One career, Lewis Hamilton smiled with joy after qualifying fourth for Mercedes at the Canadian Grand Prix.
The seven-time world champion and record seven-time winner at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, where he claimed his maiden F1 success in 2007, said he felt “amazing.”
“I am so happy, to have P4 is so good – I never felt so good to be P4 or at least not for a long time since my early days in 2007 or 2008,” Hamilton said. “It feels like that – so good, to be honest.”
Heavy rain and a wet track worked out well for Hamilton and Mercedes in an unpredictable session that produced some unexpected results with 40-year-old two-time champion Spaniard Fernando Alonso grabbing second on the grid for Alpine alongside world champion Max Verstappen’s Red Bull. Read more
Zverev hopeful of US Open appearance (WA)
World No.2 Alexander Zverev has not given up hope of playing at the US Open in the wake of his ankle injury at the French Open which required surgery.
The New York grand slam starts on August 29 and Zverev told Sunday paper Bild am Sonntag he was aiming to start there, but not at all costs.
“I won’t be someone who plays after being ready for it for one second. If I play the US Open then to win them and not for one or two rounds,” Zverev said.
“I will only return if I have this form. I don’t know whether it will be the US Open because I would have to play one or two tournaments beforehand. But I haven’t written off New York.” Read more