Entertainers kick as Lagos introduces new tax for videos, songs (Punch)
The Performing Musicians Employers Association, the umbrella body of musicians in Nigeria, has rejected the new five per cent tax introduced by the Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board.
A report published by the News Agency of Nigeria quoted the Executive Secretary, Bamidele Balogun, as giving operators a 30-day notice to duly register their contents with the body.
Balogun said, “Practitioners and stakeholders are also informed that henceforth, all audio and visual contents produced and sold within Lagos State shall attract the payment of five per cent levy on each item.
“This exercise will, however, assist the Lagos State Government in policy formulation, with regard to planning and funding for the sector. Read more
UNILAG Senate rejects Soyombo’s appointment, says Ogundipe remains VC (DailyTrust)
The Senate of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) has rejected the removal of Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe from office as Vice Chancellor of the institution by the Governing Council of the school.
It also rejected the appointment of Professor Theophilus Omololu Soyombo as acting VC of the institution.
The Governing Council of the University, led by Wale Babalakin, had at an emergency meeting on Wednesday removed Ogundipe from office as VC with immediate effect, accusing him of wrong doing, gross misconduct, financial recklessness and abuse of office.
Professor Soyombo of the Faculty of Social Sciences was, thereafter, announced as acting VC of the university by the governing council. Read more
Why we demolished 150 shanties, kiosks in Agege – Lagos Taskforce (Vanguard)
In it’s bid to enforce the Lagos State Environmental Law and Lagos State Traffic Reform Law of 2018, Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit (Taskforce) has demolished over 150 illegal shanties, kiosks and shop extension within Agege and it’s environ.
The exercise was specifically carried out Wednesday, around Community Central Mosque popularly called (Masalashi Alhaja).
Speaking about the exercise, the Chairman of the Agency, CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi, said the Mosque had been sealed for over four months, due to the attack on officials of the Lagos State COVID-19 Taskforce by some worshippers while enforcing the lockdown directives by the State and Federal Government. Read more
Obaseki Escapes Ambush, Bags Chieftaincy Title In Oshiomhole’s LGA (DailyTrust)
The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and his campaign train were on Wednesday ambushed and attacked by hoodlums stationed in Ward 10, Apana, Uzairue, Etsako West Local Government Area.
The former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Comrade Adams Oshiomhole is from the area.
The governor and his supporters were headed to Ward 10, Apana, Uzairue, when it was reported that thugs had invaded the campaign venue, attacking villagers and other supporters who had converged to receive the governor and his team. Read more
Police arrest two-man motorcycle snatching syndicate in Ogun (Vanguard)
Men of the Ogun State Police Command have arrested a two-man robbery gang who specialized in drugging motorcyclists before dispossessing them of their motorcycles in Owode-Yewa, Yewa South local government area of the state.
A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Ogun State command, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, said, the two suspects, 40 years old Chidi Umeh and Obinna Onyebuchi, 28years were arrested following a distress call received by the D.P.O Owode Egbado division from residents of Alanu area of Owode Yewa that the two men who have drugged a motorcyclist were about taking his motorcycle away. Read more
NBC Fines Nigeria Info FM N5m Over Mailafia’s ‘Inciting Views’ (DailyTrust)
The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has fined Nigeria Info 99.3FM Lagos N5m for airing the “inciting views” of a former deputy governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr Obadiah Mailafia.
In a statement on Thursday, the country’s broadcast industry regulatory agency said the fine is expected to serve as a deterrent to all other broadcast stations in Nigeria who are quick to provide platform for subversive rhetoric and the expositions of spurious and unverifiable claims.
“The Commission wishes to put it on record that it will not hesitate to suspend the Broadcast Licence of broadcast stations that continue to breach the Code. Read more
Gunmen attack IGP’s team in Delta, kill police inspector (Vanguard)
Unidentified gunmen in the early hours of Thursday, attacked a team of policemen in Delta State attached to the Inspector General of Police, IGP Special Taskforce on Petroleum and Illegal Bunkering killing one of the policemen in the team.
The incident according to security sources, occurred at the Evwreni axis of the East-West road in Ughelli North local government area of Delta State.
Though efforts to speak with the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Onome Onowakpoyeya were fruitless, a source from Evwreni community who denied involvement of the community with the incident, said the incident occurred at about 3:40a.m on Thursday. Read more
Carrington diligently served humanity – Fayemi (Punch)
Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, on Thursday, extolled the virtues of a former United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Walter Carrington, who died on Tuesday, aged 90 years old.
The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode, titled, ‘Fayemi pays tribute to the late former US envoy, Carrington,’ said, “Carrington diligently served humanity in his lifetime, using the instrumentalities of law, academia and diplomacy in his home country and other parts of the world where he worked.”
“The history of restoration of democracy in Nigeria would not be complete without a worthy mention of Carrington’s courageous interventions during the period of military dictatorship.” Read more
Israel and UAE strike historic deal to normalise relations (BBC)
Israel and the United Arab Emirates have agreed to normalise relations, US President Donald Trump has announced.
A joint statement by Mr Trump, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed Al Nahyan said they hoped the “historic breakthrough will advance peace in the Middle East”.
As a result, they added, Israel would suspend its plans to annex large parts of the occupied West Bank.
Until now Israel has had no diplomatic relations with Gulf Arab countries. Read more
US Special Ops secretly active in almost half of Africa, new report reveals (RT)
US commandos operate in 22 African nations, making the continent its second-largest military footprint after the Middle East, a new report reveals. Locals and the US public are largely unaware of the extent of US presence there.
When four US military service members were killed in an ambush in Niger in 2017, it came as a surprise to many, including even sitting members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, who were not aware that US troops were in the African country in the first place.
The under-the-radar deployments of US soldiers to Africa are as prominent as ever, according to South Africa’s Mail & Guardian. Elite special operations forces were present in 22 African nations last year, including in de facto combat missions, the newspaper said. Read more
iPhone maker Foxconn chair says China is ‘done’ as the ‘world’s factory’ (news.com.au)
The chairman of the company that probably made the device you’re reading this on thinks China’s days as the dominating force in electronics manufacturing are “done”.
Foxconn is a Taiwanese company that partners with device makers like Apple, Dell, Microsoft, Sony and other multinationals to produce their devices, but for years very few people had ever heard of the company.
In 2010 the organisation came to prominence for all the wrong reasons – after a spate of suicides and suicide attempts by workers at its factories.
Foxconn addressed the problem by installing nets.
The company remains a massive part of the supply chain of many companies, but according to its chairman Young Liu, China’s “days as the world’s factory are done”, Bloomberg reported. Read more
Mia Khalifa blasts ‘half-Lebanese’ Shakira for silence on Beirut port blast (RT)
Mia Khalifa has called out Shakira for her silence in the aftermath of the Beirut explosion.
The former adult actress has accused the singer of forsaking her Lebanese ancestry in the country’s hour of need.
Khalifa, who was born in Beirut, has been extremely vocal about the situation in Lebanon in the aftermath of the deadly explosion that left 171 people dead and more than 1,500 others injured.
While Shakira has donated money to humanitarian relief efforts in Lebanon, the ex-porn star says the musician has let Beirut down by not speaking about the suffering of people in the city.
“You’re half Lebanese and take your family on vacations there, but have remained silent this entire time they’ve needed your world influence most?” the 27-year-old wrote in an Instagram post. Read more
US election: Donald Trump’s ‘suburban housewife’ tweet slammed (news.com.au)
Donald Trump has been slammed over his criticism of Democrat rivals Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, after saying “suburban housewives” wanted “safety” and would cast their vote for him.
Senator Harris, 55, a former California attorney general, yesterday became the first black woman in history to join a presidential ticket, after Mr Biden named her as his running mate.
But Mr Trump claimed on Twitter that he would take the key demographic of suburban women because he had changed housing laws, saying that “low income housing” no longer “invade their neighbourhood” thanks to him. Read more
Musk responds to Belarus opposition plea, gets bombarded with request for Stalink internet access (RT)
Elon Musk has responded to a plea from the Belarussian opposition to use his leverage “to stop dictatorship”. People on Twitter were full of ideas about how the extravagant billionaire can help.
Belarus is dealing with the worst wave of anti-government protests the country has seen in a decade, and the opposition could use an ally or two. A wealthy American, like, say, Bill Gates or Elon Musk, could have enough clout to lean on President Aleksandr Lukashenko.
At least, that seems to be the idea behind a Twitter post that Musk responded to on Thursday. Purportedly moved by scenes of violence unfolding on Belarusian streets and the dramatic music that accompanied them, the billionaire asked how he could help. An abundance of ideas flooded the comments. Read more
Spain’s Galicia region bans smoking over Covid-19 risk (BBC)
The Spanish region of Galicia has effectively banned smoking in public places over concerns it increases the risk of Covid-19 transmission.
It has issued a blanket ban on smoking in the street and in public places, such as restaurants and bars, if social distancing is not possible.
The north-western region is the first to introduce such a measure, although others are considering following suit.
It comes as Spain faces the worst infection rate in western Europe. Read more
Moses Simon looks to Ronaldo for inspiration (DailyTrust)
Nantes winger Moses Simon has named Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo as the player he is modelling himself on.
The 25-year-old is a fan of Ronaldo, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, having won five Ballons d’Or in his trophy-laden career across England, Spain and Italy.
Simon, who was named Nantes’ Player of the Year after his outstanding debut campaign at the Ligue 1 club, disclosed his ambition is to keep working hard like the Portuguese superstar who turned 35 in February. Read more
Ozil dismisses speculation, declares intention to remain at Arsenal (Vanguard)
Mesut Ozil has confirmed he intends to remain at Arsenal until his contract expires next year.
World Cup winner Ozil was reported to be considering an exit from Emirates Stadium after failing to make an appearance for the Gunners following lockdown.
Arsenal last week announced plans to make 55 staff redundant because of the coronavirus pandemic and are reported to be keen to get Ozil’s salary – claimed to be £350,000 per week – off the wage bill. Read more
World No.1 Novak Djokovic confirms he will play at the US Open (RT)
World No. 1 tennis player Novak Djokovic has confirmed that he will be playing at the 2020 US Open, outlining that it was “not an easy decision to make.”
The 17-time Grand Slam winner has decided to compete in New York despite coronavirus fears which saw many top players, including Rafael Nadal pulling out of the major tennis event.
The Serbian star said he will test his readiness at the warm-up event — the Western & Southern Open — which will take place one week prior to the US Open. Read more
Jadon Sancho: Borussia Dortmund winger happy to play with club’s ‘special young players’ (BBC)
Borussia Dortmund forward Jadon Sancho says he is “really happy” to be sharing a pitch with the club’s younger players and wants to help guide them.
The England winger, 20, is Manchester United’s top summer transfer target.
But Dortmund’s sporting director Michael Zorc said on Monday Sancho will stay at the German club next season.
“I love playing with this lot,” said Sancho after starting a pre-season game in Switzerland on Wednesday alongside Jude Bellingham and Gio Reyna, both 17. Read more
Barca hero Xavi distances himself from Camp Nou hotseat (RT)
Former Barcelona ace Xavi Hernandez may have been linked with the top job at the La Liga giants, but suggested in a new interview that he wouldn’t take the job due to “issues off the pitch” that are hampering the team on it.
Xavi currently works at Qatari side Al Sadd, but has been repeatedly linked with the Barcelona job, with the popular former playmaker a leading fan-favorite to take over from Quique Setien, whose future at the helm of the Catalan side is far from certain. Read more
The Gambia and Bologna’s Musa Barrow is ‘like a young Ciro Immobile’ (BBC)
The Gambia’s Musa Barrow celebrating a goal for Bologna
The Gambia’s Musa Barrow has made a huge impact at Italian side Bologna in just seven months with the club
Young and as well mannered as a schoolboy, but deadly in front of a goal: this is what you can expect from Bologna and Gambia striker, Musa Barrow, who has a club and a city at his feet after just seven months.
The 21-year-old is already compared to a player, who has just won the prize as not only the top scorer in Serie A but also the European Golden Shoe for the most prolific player on the continent.
That man is Ciro Immobile the Lazio striker, whose 36 league goals saw him finish ahead of the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Read more