Don’t spare bandits in your mission to restore peace, Buhari orders military (Nation)
President Muhammadu Buhari has charged the military to be more spontaneous in restoring peace to the country, particularly states troubled by bandits. He gave the order in Katsina on Saturday while ordering them “not to spare bandits’’. A statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu released in Abuja on Saturday, said the order had become necessary in view of the fact that the bandits had been killing, maiming and extorting innocent citizens. Read more
Lagos APC to consult Sanwo-Olu over vacant EXCO seats (Punch)
The chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, Alhaji Tunde Balogun, on Saturday disclosed that the party would consult Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the party’s Governors’ Advisory Council to fill the vacant executive seats. The seats became vacant following the confirmation of the erstwhile party Secretary, Dr Wale Ahmed; Assistant Legal Adviser, Mr Toke Benson-Awoyinka; and Publicity Secretary, Mr Joe Igbokwe, as commissioner designates in the state. Balogun, in an interview with journalists at the party secretariat, revealed that he received about 600 curriculum vitae, especially members of the APC, who wanted to serve in the present administration, but noted that only 45 people will be part of the state cabinet. Read more
Kaduna Imams tackle CAN Chair over kidnap of Christians (Nation)
The Council of Imams and Ulama in Kaduna state have disagreed with the Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN) Chairman in the state, on kidnapping of Christians in the state. The council accused the CAN Chairman, Rev. Joseph Hayab of politicizing security challenges in the state, saying such is capable of inflaming crisis. It would be recalled that Reverend Hayab recently claimed that, over 500 Christians have been kidnapped in the last two years and over N300 million paid as ransom to kidnappers. Read more
Oyegun, a complete gentleman, peacemaker -Aisha Buhari (Punch)
First Lady Aisha Buhari has described the former national chairman of All Progressives Congress, John Odigie-Oyegun, as a complete gentleman and a peacemaker. She made this known on her Instagram handle on Saturday in a message to celebrate the former APC chairman on his 80th birthday anniversary. The first lady also described the celebrant as a unifying factor who worked tirelessly for the development of his fatherland. Read more
ICPC ex-chair takes over Salaries and Wages Commission (Guardian)
Mr Ekpo Nta, the former Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Offences Commission (ICPC), has taken over the leadership of the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission (NSIWC). The Chief Press Secretary of the Commission, Mr Emma Njoku made this known in a statement on Saturday in Abuja. According to Njoku, the Chairman of the Commission, Chief Richard Egbule handed over to Nta, who is also the Commissioner for Compensation at the NSIWC, after the completion of his statutory 10 years tenure. Read more
FAAN closes runway at Enugu Airport August 24 for repairs (Punch)
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has notified airlines, passengers and all other stakeholders that the runway at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu State will be closed for major repairs. FAAN’s General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Mrs Henrietta Yakubu, made this known in a statement issued in Lagos on Saturday. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the closure of the airport was coming three months after the immediate past Minister of State, Aviation, Hadi Sirika, said the airport would be closed down due to the state of the runway. Read more
Age barrier: read brochure before registration, JAMB advises candidates (Nation)
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has advised candidates of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) to always read and strictly adhere to instructions contained in the examination brochure before registering for the examinations. The board’s Head of Media and Publicity, Mr Fabian Benjamin, gave the advice in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Abuja. Read more
Abia workers salaries to be cleared soon –Ikpeazu (Nation)
The Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu says that his administration would soon clear areas of salaries owed to workers in the state. This is even as the governor has described the Abia workforce as one of its most prized assets and will therefore continue to engage the leadership of the organized labour in the State in meaningful dialogue in the quest for the improvement of the welfare of workers in the State. Read more
Pipeline surveillance: fulfil your promise to engage us, Ex-agitators tell FG (Nation)
Ex-agitators in the Niger Delta region are calling on the federal government to fulfill its promise to engage them with pipeline surveillance jobs. In a statement made available to The Nation, the former militants said their patience is wearing out, having waited on the presidency for three years to no avail. Urging the presidency, including the current amnesty boss, Professor Charles Dokubo and relevant security agencies to intervene, they called for the needful to be done. Read more
495 Katsina pilgrims depart Makkah for Jeddah en route Nigeria (Guardian)
The first batch of 495 Katsina state pilgrims have left Makkah to Jeddah en route Nigeria. Malam Badaru Bello, the Public Relations Officer of Katsina State Pilgrims Welfare Board, made this known in an interview with journalists in Makkah on Saturday. He said the plane to transport the pilgrims was expected to arrive from Nigeria tonight, though he did not mention specific time as to the scheduled departure and arrival time of the plight in Nigeria. Read more
Expert says Nigeria capable of handling Ebola case (Guardian)
A medical expert, Dr Ademola Lawal, has said that Nigeria has the capacity to handle any case of Ebola in the country with its experience on the Lassa fever challenge. He also gave the assurance that the country has taken all necessary steps, and was prepared to detect and curb any case of Ebola that could come into the country. “Our in-country improved capacity to prevent, detect and respond to Lassa fever will ensure that any case of Ebola that sneaks into the country will be detected. Read more
Sudanese celebrate transition to civilian rule (Guardian)
Rapturous crowds filled the streets of Khartoum Saturday as Sudan’s generals and protest leaders signed a historic deal paving the way to civilian rule. Thousands of cheering people gathered around the Friendship Hall next to the Nile, where the documents that will govern Sudan’s 39-month transition were signed. “This is the biggest celebration I have ever seen in my country. We have a new Sudan,” said Saba Mohammed, a veiled 37-year woman, waving a small plastic flag. Read more
Gabon’s Bongo attends independence parade in rare public appearance (Punch)
Gabon’s President Ali Bongo on Saturday made a rare public appearance to attend the country’s independence day celebrations, nearly ten months after suffering a stroke that fueled speculation about his ability to rule. Bongo, whose every move is scrutinised for signs of his state of health, on Friday made his first public appearance since his illness, taking part in events on the eve of celebrations to mark Gabon’s 1960 independence from France. Read more
South African police arrest 18 suspects after foreign shops looting (Guardian)
The South African police said on Saturday that 18 suspects had been arrested following the Soweto looting of shops belonging to foreigners on Wednesday night. According to the police, the situation is now calm in Soweto townships following the looting spree. On Wednesday night, several shops belonging to foreigners were looted. Read more
Iran tanker: US issues warrant to seize Grace 1 supertanker (BBC)
The US justice department has issued a warrant to seize a detained Iranian oil tanker, a day after a judge in Gibraltar ordered it to be released. The Grace 1 supertanker, which is carrying 2.1m barrels of oil, was detained on 4 July on suspicion of illegally transporting oil to Syria. A last-minute legal attempt by the US to keep the tanker detained was rejected by Gibraltar on Thursday. Read more
Immigration policy: 5 U.S. states move against Trump (Nation)
Five attorneys general of U.S. states and city have filed a lawsuit against a new immigration policy by President Donald Trump administration to deny possible permanent residency to immigrants who receive some federal benefits. California is leading the coalition, and its Attorney General (AG) Xavier Becerra was joined by his counterparts from the states of Maine, Oregon and Pennsylvania, as well as the District of Columbia, to challenge Trump’s policy to restrict immigrants’ access to legal status if they use food or medical benefits offered by the federal government. Read more
UK PM may meet Macron ahead of G7 (Punch)
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson may hold talks on Brexit with French President Emmanuel Macron ahead of next week’s G7 summit, French diplomatic sources said Saturday. Johnson will “probably” see Macron in Paris ahead of the August 24-26 Group of Seven summit in the southern French resort of Biarritz, one of the sources said without giving a date. A spokesman for German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Friday that a meeting with Johnson in Berlin was “expected very soon”. Read more
Bangladesh fire: 15,000 homes destroyed in Dhaka slum (BBC)
A massive fire has swept through a slum in the capital of Bangladesh, Dhaka, leaving 50,000 people homeless. About 15,000 homes were destroyed in the Chalantika slum late on Friday. Many homes had plastic roofs, which helped the flames to spread. No deaths have been reported, although several people were injured. Most residents are low-wage earners and many were away after the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha. There is no word on the cause of the fire. Read more
Teenager, 17, charged with murder after man stabbed to death with screwdriver (Metro)
A 17-year-old had been charged with the murder of Peter Duncan, 52, who was stabbed with a screwdriver in Newcastle on Wednesday, Northumbria Police said. He will appear in court on Monday. Mr Duncan was taken to hospital, but died later as a result of his injuries. Police said there had been a ‘coming together’ at the entrance of a busy shopping centre, which led to Mr Duncan being fatally injured from a single puncture wound. Read more
El Paso shooting: Man shocked as hundreds attend wife’s funeral (BBC)
Antonio Basco was expecting a near-empty church for the funeral of his wife who died in the El Paso mass shooting in Texas, US, in August. Mr Basco said he did not have family so he invited the community – but was shocked to find people queuing to get in. The size of the crowd was so huge that the funeral company had to move the service to a larger facility. As he walked in, Mr Basco said: “This is incredible.” Read more
Husband and wife killed when drink driver smashed into them at 100mph (Metro)
The family of a married couple killed by a drink driver travelling at 100mph said the world has ‘lost its sparkle without them.’ Parents Graham Jennings and his wife Emma died after their car was hit from behind and caught fire. Dewayne Brown has now been jailed for six years for leaving a hole in the family ‘that will never heal.’ Read more
Nasa picks headquarters for Moon lander (BBC)
A Nasa facility in Alabama that developed the giant rocket for the Apollo programme in the 1960s will play a key role in sending astronauts down to the Moon’s surface in 2024. The Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville will lead the development of a vehicle that will land astronauts on the body for the first time since 1972. The decision was announced by Nasa’s administrator Jim Bridenstine. Read more
Aubameyang scores as Arsenal beat Burnley (BBC)
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored the winner as Arsenal defeated Burnley to record successive victories at the start of a Premier League campaign for the first time since 2009. French striker Alexandre Lacazette marked his return from injury as he impressively held off Erik Pieters and shot between the legs of goalkeeper Nick Pope to put the Gunners ahead after 13 minutes. Ashley Barnes levelled the match two minutes before half-time, converting at close range from Dwight McNeil’s deflected pass for his third goal in two matches. Read more
Unai Emery explains why he benched Nicolas Pepe again for Arsenal’s clash with Burnley (Metro)
Unai Emery says Nicolas Pepe still isn’t quite up to speed with the rest of the Arsenal team but was happy with his performance off the bench in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Burnley. The club-record £72million signing from Lille is yet to start a match for the Gunners, playing 19 minutes last weekend at Newcastle before coming on at half-time against Burnley a week later. Emery is in no rush to play Pepe despite the enormous outlay and is prepared to give him time to adjust to his new team, and was happy with his latest cameo at the Emirates. Read more
Borussia Dortmund ease to opening win over Augsburg (BBC)
Borussia Dortmund came from behind to begin their Bundesliga campaign with a 5-1 win against Augsburg. The visitors took a shock lead in the first minute when Florian Niederlechner poked in from close range. However, Paco Alcacer poked home barely two minutes later to bring Dortmund level before England winger Jadon Sancho put the hosts ahead. Alcacer then got his second before goals from Marco Reus and Julian Brandt completed the scoring late on. Read more
Sean Dyche bemoans the state of football after Burnley lose to Arsenal (Metro)
Burnley manager Sean Dyche fears for the future of football after watching his Burnley side lose 2-1 at Arsenal on Saturday afternoon. The 48-year-old got a sizable bee in his bonnet about diving in the sport, making it clear he wasn’t whingeing about Arsenal, but clearly something in the match riled him. Burnley were impressive at the Emirates, with Ashley Barnes cancelling out an Alexandre Lacazette opener, before Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored the winner for the Gunners. Read more
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer tells Anthony Martial he has to score more goals this season (Metro)
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has demanded more goals from Anthony Martial this season, handing him more responsibility in the first team. The French striker was given the number nine shirt at United this season, signalling his importance to Solskjaer’s side and his intention to play down the middle of a front three. Read more
PSG leave out Neymar for second week (BBC)
Neymar has been left out of the Paris St-Germain squad for the second week in succession as speculation continues about his future. The 27-year-old, who missed PSG’s league opener against Nimes last weekend, has been the subject of bids from Barcelona and Real Madrid. However, the French club are yet to accept an offer for the Brazil forward. Coach Thomas Tuchel said “he won’t be with us” for Sunday’s game at Rennes, adding that he was still not fully fit. Read more
Bayern sign French starlet Cuisance, put Sane bid on ice (Punch)
Borussia Moenchengladbach confirmed on Saturday that they had sold French midfielder Mickael Cuisance to Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich. Bayern had announced on Friday evening that Cuisance, 20, had undergone a medical in Munich. Gladbach confirmed Saturday that the transfer was complete. The move comes on the same weekend that Bayern confirmed the likely arrival of Barcelona midfielder Philippe Coutinho on loan and said that they would put their interest in injured Manchester City winger Leroy Sane on ice. Read more
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reveals how Daniel James wowed Man Utd squad on first day of training (Metro)
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has praised the impact summer signing Daniel James has made on the Manchester United squad with his attitude and application in training. The 21-year-old was a rather low-key arrival from Swansea City over the summer but he made the perfect start to his Old Trafford career last weekend, scoring on debut against Chelsea after coming off the bench. But Solskjaer says he impressed the rest of the United squad long before that, with his work rate from day one typifying the approach he wants to see from the whole team. Read more
AS Nancy-Le Mans game halted by referee because of homophobic chants (BBC)
French second division side AS Nancy could face disciplinary action after their match against Le Mans was stopped by the referee due to homophobic chanting by a section of fans. Referee Medi Mokhtari briefly halted the game in the 27th minute at Nancy’s Stade Marcel Picot. Players went over to their fans to ask them to stop, while the stadium announcer warned the game would be suspended. Read more
Allyson Felix: Nike changes policy for pregnant athletes (BBC)
Six-time Olympic gold medallist Allyson Felix says female athletes will “no longer be financially penalised for having a child” after Nike changed its contracts for pregnant athletes. In a letter shared by Felix on social media, Nike says it will “not apply any performance-related reduction” for 18 months if an athlete becomes pregnant. Felix’s daughter Camryn was born prematurely in November. Read more
Wales will top world ranking after defeating England (BBC)
Wales will rise to the top of the world rankings for the first time after they ground out a 13-6 victory over England in the World Cup warm-up in Cardiff. George North’s try after inspired play from Dan Biggar helped Wales build a 10-0 lead at the end of a keenly contested but disjointed first-half. England edged into it with two George Ford penalties as defences dominated. Read more