FAAN begins investigation on how intruder climbed aircraft (Nation)
Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) said Friday it has commenced investigations into circumstances surrounding how an intruder climbed an AZMAN Air aircraft waiting for air traffic control clearance to take off at the Lagos Airport. Its General Manager, Public Affairs, Mrs Henrietta Yakubu disclosed this in a statement. She said the pilot of the AZMAN Air aircraft marked with registration number 5N – HAI departing Lagos for Port Harcourt reported the incident. Read more
I’ve never seen INEC server, but Yakubu says it exists, Osita Chidoka tells tribunal (Punch)
Petitioners’ Witness 62, Osita Chidoka, who served as the Peoples Democratic Party’s collation agent at the National Collation Centre for the February 23, 2019 presidential election, told the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal on Friday that he had never seen the server of the Independent National Electoral Commission. But Chidoka said INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, consistently told them about the server and also acknowledged its existence during the collation of the presidential election. Read more
Tribunal denies PDP more time to close case (Guardian)
The Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal has denied People’s Democratic Party and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar’s request for more time to conclude their case. Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Mohammed Garba, ruled that the tribunal will continue with proceedings till later in the day to enable the petitioners to conclude their case. Chris Uche, PDP’s lawyer, asked for more time from the tribunal to conclude defence’s case. The tribunal granted the PDP 10 days to conclude its case which lapses on Friday. Read more
Ngige sparks laughter at tribunal as he taunts Obi over ‘server’ claim (Punch)
The immediate-past Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige, on Friday, stirred many, including some Senior Advocates of Nigeria into laughter at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja. Ngige, who attended the proceedings of the tribunal for the second time caused the laughter while trying to make a joke out of an alleged server of the Independent National Electoral Commission said to be containing the authentic results of the February 23, 2019, presidential election as claimed by the Peoples Democratic Party and its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in their petition. Read more
Why I withdrew my suit against APC says, Shittu (Guardian)
A former Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, on Friday said he voluntarily withdrew his suit against the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Supreme Court. The former minister made the disclosure in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday. NAN recalls that Shittu had challenged his disqualification from participating in the APC governorship primary at the High Court and Appeal Court. Read more
Tribunal adjourns as El Rufai opens defence (Nation)
The Justice Ibrahim Bako-led Kaduna State Governorship Election Tribunal has adjourned sitting to Tuesday, July 23 to enable the second respondent bring more witnesses at the hearing of the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its gubernatorial candidate, Alhaji Isa Ashiru, challenging the March 9 election. The second respondent, who opened his defence on Friday, was able to arraign just one witness before moving for adjournment. Read more
We won’t ban school governing boards, says Oyo govt (Punch)
Oyo State Government has disclosed that it had no plans to proscribe School Governing Boards in public schools but had worked on reviewing the mode of operation of the initiative. The disclosure came on Friday from the Chairman Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Nureni Adeniran who said that the Governor Seyi Makinde led-administration would further strengthen the idea of SGBs through genuine participation and inclusion of all stakeholders, but would not subscribe to extortion of the masses. Read more
Immunisation: Edo targets 100 per cent coverage this year, says Obaseki (Guardian)
Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo on Friday in Benin promised that the state would achieve 100 percent immunisation coverage against diseases across the 18 local government areas of the state. Obaseki, represented by his deputy, Mr Philip Shaibu, made the promise during the flag-off of the 2019 National Immunization Plus Days (NIPDs) in the state. According to him, the state achieved coverage of 93 percent for the 2018 national immunisation plus days. Read more
Xenophobia Attacks: Nigerians abroad now live in palpable fear, says NGO (Nation)
The Centre for Protection of Nigerians in the Diaspora (CPND) has said that many Nigerians living abroad were now in palpable fear as a result of Xenophobic attacks, especially in South Africa. The President of CPND, Alex Orji made the assertion on Thursday during the candlelight procession in honour of the slain Nigerian Insurance chief, Mrs Elizabeth Ndubuisi-Chukwu, who was killed in an hotel in South Africa. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the procession was held at the Liberty Bridge, Maryland Lagos. Read more
After 10 years polio-free, 2 unconfirmed cases reported in Kogi (Guardian)
Two unconfirmed cases of the polio virus have been reported in Kogi State after being polio-free for 10 years. Dr Abubakar Yakubu, Executive Director, Kogi Primary Healthcare Development Agency (KSPHCDA), disclosed this on Friday at a stakeholder meeting with the Social Mobilisation Committee (SMC) for National Immunisation Plus Days (NIPDs) in Lokoja. Yakubu said that the two cases of polio virus were reported in Ankpa and Dekina local government areas (LGAs) of Kogi, saying, however, that they were yet to be confirmed. Read more
23-year-old electrocuted cutting tree (Nation)
Residents of Enugwu-Agidi community in Njikoka local government area of Anambra state have been thrown into mourning following the sudden death of a 23-year old man identified as Nduka. The deceased was reportedly electrocuted when he climbed a breadfruit tree to cut its branches directly under electric high tension wire in the area. The Nation learnt the deceased, who hailed from Iruobieri village of the community, was reportedly hired to carry out the act. Read more
South Africa’s ex-president Jacob Zuma reverses course on corruption inquiry (BBC)
Former South African president Jacob Zuma will give further testimony to a corruption inquiry, withdrawing an earlier threat to pull out. His lawyer, Muzi Sikhakhane, had said on Friday that Mr Zuma would “take no further part” in the proceedings. But the judge overseeing the inquiry later said Mr Zuma had agreed to provide it with written statements. Read more
Greek earthquake: Powerful tremor shakes Athens (BBC)
A strong earthquake has shaken the Greek capital of Athens, knocking out phone networks and power in parts of the city. The 5.1 magnitude earthquake had an epicentre about 22km (14 miles) north-west of Athens. Athenians ran out into the streets and evacuated tall buildings as the tremor shook the capital for some 15 seconds. Read more
Taiwan pledges help for Hong Kong protesters seeking sanctuary (Guardian)
Taiwan’s government said Friday it would assist Hong Kongers seeking sanctuary after local media reported dozens of activists involved in an unprecedented storming of the city’s parliament had fled to the island. The pledge risks infuriating Beijing but comes as Taiwan gears up for a presidential election where a dominating issue will be relations with the mainland — which sees the self-ruled island as its territory and has vowed to seize it. Read more
Kyoto Animation fire: Police name suspect after studio blaze (BBC)
Japanese police have named the man suspected of carrying out a deadly arson attack on an animation studio. Shinji Aoba was taken into police custody in hospital and was being treated there for burns. The fire swept through Kyoto Animation (KyoAni) on Thursday, claiming at least 33 lives and injuring many in one of Japan’s worst mass killings in years. Read more
At least eight killed in blast near Kabul University (Guardian)
At least eight people were killed and dozens more wounded Friday when a bomb detonated near a major university in Kabul while students were waiting to take an exam, officials said. The blast comes amid an unending wave of violence across Afghanistan, where civilians are being killed every day in the country’s gruelling conflict, now in its 18th year. The Taliban denied any involvement in Friday’s blast, which took place near the southern entrance to Kabul University, an official with the interior ministry’s media office told AFP. Read more
Taxi driver fined woman in labour £30 for ‘making a mess’ as she gave birth (Metro)
A pregnant woman who started giving birth in the back of a taxi claims the driver ordered her to pay a £50 fine for ‘making a mess’. Dana Harrison, 23, arrived at a hospital with the ‘baby’s head in her hands’ – but claimed the driver wouldn’t let her leave without handing over more money. Instead she was forced to frantically negotiate with the man seconds before she giving birth to her son Blake in front of the hospital doors. Read more
Scarlett Keeling: Man jailed for killing and sexually assaulting teen in Goa (BBC)
A man has been jailed for 10 years for killing and sexually assaulting the British teenager Scarlett Keeling in Goa in 2008. Samson D’Souza was found guilty of “culpable homicide not amounting to murder” by an Indian court on Wednesday. The court upheld the acquittal of another man, Placido Carvalho. The 15-year-old’s mother said the 10-year sentence was “a year less than it’s taken us to get this far”. Read more
Claws out for Cats movie trailer (BBC)
Universal have released the trailer for the new Cats movie and critics have been digging their claws in. The big screen adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical boasts a fur-midable cast including Taylor Swift, Idris Elba and Jennifer Hudson. However, many online were left feline confused about Oscar-winning director Tom Hooper’s new creation. Read more
‘I’d swap Champions League medal for Afcon’ – Mane (BBC)
Senegal forward Sadio Mane says he would swap his Champions League winning medal with Liverpool for winning the Africa Cup of Nations on Friday. Senegal seek to win Afcon for the first time when they face Algeria in the final in Cairo, Egypt (20:00 BST). Mane helped Liverpool beat Tottenham to win the Champions League final on 1 June, and has three goals in five starts at the Africa Cup of Nations. Read more
Frank Lampard rates Christian Pulisic’s Chelsea debut against Kawasaki Frontale (Metro)
Frank Lampard was delighted with Christian Pulisic’s Chelsea debut against Kawasaki Frontale. Chelsea fans have waited a long time for a first glimpse of the USA international winger in action, given he was signed back in January at a cost of £58million. The 20-year-old was loaned back to Borussia Dortmund for the remainder of last season and only linked up with his new teammates earlier this week following his involvement in the CONCACAF Gold Cup earlier this summer. Read more
Lampard hoping to rely on youngsters Zouma, Mount this season (Punch)
Frank Lampard knows he will have to rely on youth during his first season as Chelsea manager. But the former midfielder is excited about working with two of his young charges in particular —- Kurt Zouma and Mason Mount. Following Chelsea’s 1-0 pre-season friendly loss to Japanese champions Kawasaki Frontale in Yokohama on Friday, Lampard praised Zouma, 24, and Mount, 20. Read more
Bruce hits out at ‘nonsense’ in bullish Newcastle debut (Guardian)
Steve Bruce made a defiant first appearance as head coach of Newcastle United on Friday, hitting out at the “nonsense” surrounding his appointment and asked for time to prove himself. The 58-year-old was installed as Rafael Benitez’s replacement on Wednesday, as angry fans vented their displeasure at owner Mike Ashley’s running of the club. Read more
Mesut Ozil names the Arsenal youngster he expects to have a ‘big season’ (Metro)
Mesut Ozil has tipped youngster Joe Willock to make a major first team impact at Arsenal this season. The 19-year-old impressed during the Europa League group stages last season and made his first Premier League start on the final day of the last campaign in a 3-1 win at Burnley. Arsenal have been linked with a number of defenders and forwards this summer, but are unlikely to sign a direct replacement for Aaron Ramsey whose energy and potency is likely to be sorely missed. Read more
Conte quiet on Lukaku as Inter Milan search for striker (Punch)
Inter Milan coach Antonio Conte expressed frustration Friday at his new side’s lack of attacking options but played down reports of an imminent deal for striker Romelu Lukaku “out of respect for Manchester United”. The former Juventus and Chelsea manager took over at the San Siro club at the end of May but has struggled to overhaul a bloated squad in preparation for the Champions League campaign and a tilt at the Serie A title. Belgian striker Lukaku has been strongly linked in the media with a move from Old Trafford to Italy. Read more
Cricket not included on Russia’s officially recognised list of sports (BBC)
Russia’s sports ministry has refused to include cricket on its register of officially recognised sports. The order was issued on 15 July – the day after England’s dramatic Cricket World Cup final win over New Zealand. Among the sports officially recognised in Russia are petanque, draughts and mini-golf. Exclusion from the official list does not amount to a ban, but does mean cricket will not be eligible for support from the sports ministry. Read more