Dokubo, not Kanu should be behind bars – NYCN (Nation)
The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has chided Niger Delta leader and former agitator, Asari Dokubo for kicking against call for release of leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Vice President South East, Amb. Smart Uwakwe in a statement said Dokubo, a militant who had killed, maimed, destroyed government facilities and by extention, the nation’s economy should be the one behind the bars.
He reiterated call for Kalu’s release to President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, with terms and conditions, for nation’s security, peace, unity and progress. Read more
NJC dismisses petition against Mary Odili, approves 9 judges for appeal court (ThisDay)
The National Judicial Council (NJC) has dismissed petitions against a retired Supreme Court Judge, Mary Odili, and 25 others, just as it also set up seven committees to probe petitions against some other judicial officers.
The NJC also recommended Nine judges for appointment as Justices of the Court of Appeal.These decisions were reached at the Council’s meetings held on Wednesday and Thursday in Abuja, a statement yesterday by the Council’s Information Director, Mr Soji, said.
According to the statement, the council considered reports from various investigation committees and preliminary complaints assessment committees, on petitions written against 33 judicial officers from the Court of Appeal and state High Courts. Read more
Rumble in Ndigbo Lagos APC as group pass no confidence vote on Igbokwe (Sun)
All is not well in Ndigbo Lagos All Progressives Congress (APC) as a group, Ndigbo in APC ( Authentic) has accused Mr Joe Igbokwe, the Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Drainages of selfishness and working against the interest of the Igbo in the APC.
The group said Igbokwe has been working to ensure that he remained the only prominent Igbo son in Lagos APC, even as it said Igbokwe has not done anything tangible for Ndigbo in the over 20 years he has been working closely with the Lagos State Government.
The group at a press conference in Lagos urged the Lagos State Government and the APC not to relate with Ndigbo APC through Igbokwe as he does not represent the interest of Ndigbo. Read more
Airlift will resume within 24 hours, Arik Air begs stranded Saudi-bound pilgrims (DailyTrust)
Arik Air has explained why some of the intending pilgrims belonging to private tour operators were stranded at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
Daily Trust had earlier reported how the pilgrims heading to Saudi Arabia for the 2023 Hajj have been sleeping at the airport for the past four days following the delay in their airlift.
Arik Air had been contracted by the tour operators to convey their pilgrims to Saudi Arabia. Read more
LCCI reiterates commitment to championing private sector growth
(Leadership)
The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has reaffirmed its commitment to championing reforms and advocacy, aimed at engendering private sector wellness and development in Nigeria.
The president of LCCI, Dr Michael Olawale-Cole, stated this at the Chamber’s 135th anniversary and logo unveiling held in Lagos.
The chamber, established in 1888, is one of the largest chambers of commerce in West Africa. Olawale-Cole said that the LCCI would continue to strengthen its engagement with government and stakeholders via its various advocacy as it calls for an enabling environment for businesses to thrive. Read more
4 dead, scores injured in Ibadan/Oyo expressway auto crash (Vanguard)
No fewer than four people on Saturday were confirmed dead, while many were injured when a white 18-seater Hummer Toyota bus with the registration number, JJJ 941 XA (Lagos) somersaulted along Ibadan/Oyo expressway.
The accident, according to Atiba Unit Commander of Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC), DCC Bayode Olugbesan was caused by overspeeding and overloading.
He said twenty people were involved in the accident but only four were confirmed dead by doctors after taking them to State Hospital, Oyo. Read more
Suspended Rivers NSCDC Commandant slams tanker drivers over protest (Channels)
The immediate past State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Rivers State, Michael Ogar, on Saturday, said the recent protest by Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) at the corps office in Port Harcourt was a case of illegality fighting back.
This was in reaction to Wednesday’s protest by the PTD, whose members blocked the NSCDC Command Office in Port Harcourt, following the impounding of three oil trucks belonging to members of the union some months back.
Ogar, while addressing journalists at the command headquarters in Port Harcourt, argued that the protest and allegations were sponsored by those who are out of business, following the command’s efforts to combat crude oil thieves and illegal refining in the state. Read more
Muslims help pay ransom to free 16 churchgoers kidnapped in Nigeria (ChristianPost)
Sixteen abducted church members in Nigeria’s Kaduna State have been released after nearly a month in captivity, following a ransom payment funded partly by the local Muslim community.
The members of Bege Baptist Church in Madala, Chikun Local Government Area, were released on June 4, the London-based advocacy group Christian Solidarity Worldwide reported.
About 40 congregation members were kidnapped during a Sunday service on May 7 by armed assailants of Fulani ethnicity. While most escaped, 16 remained captives for almost a month, the group said. Read more
Michael Cera recalls almost marrying Aubrey Plaza (HuffPost)
It could have been Michael Cera and Aubrey Plaza versus the world.
The Arrested Development actor spoke about his former romantic relationship with his Scott Pilgrim vs. the World co-star in a Rolling Stone interview published on Friday.
Plaza had previously revealed that she and Cera dated for about a year and a half after meeting on the set of the 2010 movie — meaning they were a lot closer than the public had realised.
“We drove across the country after we shot that movie and almost got married in [Las] Vegas,” the White Lotus star told RuPaul and Michelle Visage on their What’s the Tee? podcast in 2016. Read more
Trevor Noah and Roger Federer board the ‘wrong train’ in perhaps the greatest tourism ad ever (Upworthy)
What do you get when you combine comedian Trevor Noah, tennis legend Roger Federer and the world famous clock-making, chocolate-brewing, Alpine-skiing symbol of neutrality, Switzerland?
Apparently, a delightfully charming train ride through the Swiss countryside and perhaps the greatest tourism ad ever made.
Both Noah and Federer shared a tourism ad they collaborated on for the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland, and people are loving it. It’s one of those ads that people don’t care is an ad because it doesn’t really feel like an ad and it’s so enjoyable to watch. (It’s also incredibly effective—like, give us alllll the train rides through Switzerland, please.) Read more
Ex-gay Muslim man turned Christian ministry leader shares how he came to faith in Jesus (ChristianPost)
A formerly gay Muslim man who is now a Christian serving in ministry says Jesus radically transformed his life after he had a supernatural encounter with the Lord in a dream.
Donovan Archie shared his testimony in a June 8 episode by Delafé Testimonies, a global evangelistic project on YouTube with over 378,000 subscribers that aims to “create the world’s largest archive of Jesus testimonies.”
Archie spoke about growing up practicing Islam, his father’s religion, while also living a homosexual lifestyle, noting that he struggled to find satisfaction in life. Islam, he added, was based on “performance” and felt he was constantly “performing” and experiencing no transforming revelations or changes in the process. Read more
Francis Ford Coppola tells Diane Keaton why he cast her in The Godfather (THR)
Until now, Diane Keaton has been wondering for decades why she was even cast in Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather.
On Friday, the filmmaker took to his Instagram Stories for an “Ask me anything” session, encouraging fans to ask him about his life, work and career achievements. Among those who responded was none other than the Book Club: The Next Chapter actress.
Coppola proceeded to post Keaton’s question for all to read: “Why on Earth did you choose me for The Godfather?!!” Read more
My Bloody Valentine’s Kevin Shields shares new music inside custom guitar pedals (NME)
My Bloody Valentine’s Kevin Shields has shared brand new music concealed within his new range of custom guitar pedals.
Earlier this week Shields announced a new Shields Blender fuzz pedal with Fender – and fans have now discovered a secret treat within them.
As revealed by a fan on forum The Gear Page, once the pedal was opened, a flash drive containing a new song was inside alongside a message from Shields. Read more
New Grammy Award rules require human input and not AI (National)
“Only human creators are eligible” for the Grammy Awards, the Recording Academy declared on Friday, as the body that grants the world’s most recognised music awards seeks to curb the use of artificial intelligence in the industry.
AI-only work is banned, but some music created with AI help may qualify in certain categories, the academy’s updated rule book reads: “A work that contains no human authorship is not eligible in any categories.”
Music creators must now contribute to at least 20 per cent of an album to earn a nomination. In the past, any producer, songwriter, engineer or featured artist on an album could earn a nomination for album of the year, even if the person had a small input. Read more
Brother of missing man in Greek boat tragedy criticises rescue response (ITV)
A man who has travelled to Greece to discover if his brother survived the sinking of an overcrowded migrant ship in the Mediterranean Sea has said he believes coastguard authorities should have done more to help before the vessel capsized.
The boat was estimated to have been carrying 750 people, and as many as 500 are feared to have died, according to the International Organisation for Migration.
The trawler was travelling from Libya to Italy before it sank off the coast of Greece in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Read more
Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr on verge of agreeing fight again after drug test saga (DailyStar)
Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr are closing in on a deal for a Middle East showdown.
The pair are on the verge of agreeing terms for a controversial clash after their original bout was cancelled last year when Benn provided two positive drug tests. The proposed date is September 23 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
But if Benn makes progress with his UK Anti-Doping case then the preference would be to switch it to the UK. Benn, 26, is currently provisionally suspended by UKAD as they investigate his two adverse analytical findings for clomiphene in Voluntary Anti-Doping Association tests last year. Read more
Edeh storms Makurdi, parleys stakeholders as Benue FA conducts election (Leadership)
All is now set for the much anticipated election into the leadership of Benue State Football Association (BSFA) scheduled for Saturday June 17, 2023 in Makurdi, the state capital.
Already, top chairmanship contestant, Barr. Paul Edeh, has continued to engage stakeholders including the chairmen of various 23 Local Government Football Councils, top government officials as well as partners ahead of the election which will roll in new set of executive.
Among those he met on Friday was Hon. Paul Biam, the Chief of Staff to Benue State Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia. Read more
Chelsea pull out of transfer race to give Erik ten Hag reunion route at Man Utd (Mirror)
Chelsea have reportedly pulled out of the race to sign Andre Onana, clearing the way for Manchester United to target a move for the Inter Milan goalkeeper.
The Cameroon international has been in fantastic form this season, drawing interest following his part in helping Inter Milan reach the Champions League final. The 27-year-old has been linked to Chelsea, but with Kepa Arrizabalaga set to retain the number one shirt, their sights are thought to have turned to bringing in a number two.
United, meanwhile, are believed to be targeting a goalkeeper as part of their summer transfer business. David de Gea has made high-profile mistakes this season. He was not named on the club’s retained list having not yet agreed a new contract, fuelling reports that United are set to bring in a new number one ‘keeper. Read more
Romeo Beckham signs 1-year deal at Brentford B following impressive loan (BelfastTelegraph)
Brentford B have announced the signing of Romeo Beckham from Inter Miami on a one-year deal following an impressive loan spell.
The 20-year-old son of David Beckham – who is co-owner of Inter Miami – spent the second half of last season on loan with Brentford’s B side but has now put pen to paper on a permanent contract, with the option of a further year.
Beckham helped the Bees lift the Premier League Cup last season and featured 15 times, scoring a late goal against National League side Wealdstone in the Middlesex Senior Cup. Read more
Brooks Koepka “not a huge fan” of Los Angeles Country Club (ESPN)
There have been plenty of golfers posting low scores in the first two rounds of the 123rd U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club.
PGA Championship winner Brooks Koepka hasn’t been one of them.
“I’m not a huge fan of this place,” said Koepka, who is even par after 36 holes, on Friday. “I’m not a huge fan of blind tee shots, and then I think there’s just some spots that no matter what you hit, the ball just ends up in the same spot.
“I think it would be more fun to play on just like a regular round than it would be a U.S. Open. I mean, there’s, what, two 8s yesterday? That doesn’t happen.” Read more
Rickie Fowler dunks on U.S. Open heckler with perfect reaction (Golf)
For the first time all week, Rickie Fowler made a mistake on Los Angeles Country Club’s greens — and a heckler let him know.
But Fowler, always the entertainer, had the perfect response and he might not have even said a word.
Fowler set the US Open single-round record with a 62 on Thursday, and he made five birdies in his opening nine Friday to climb to 11 under at the turn. It took him just 20 holes to reach double digits under par, the fastest in tournament history. Read more