Family demands justice as NDLEA men kill 2 in Lagos (Punch)
The family of 22-year-old Gafaru Yusuf has been thrown into mourning after operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency allegedly shot him and Emmanuel Olomowewe dead in the Idioro area of Mushin, Lagos State.
PUNCH Metro gathered that the NDLEA operatives stormed the community around 9.40pm on Wednesday to raid a drug den when they started shooting indiscriminately to scare hoodlums attempting to scuttle their plan in the community.
It was learnt that stray bullets hit and killed the victims. Read more
FG asks ministerial nominees to complete documentation July 30 (Vanguard)
Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Sen. Abdullahi Gumel, says documentation for all the ministerial nominees has commenced.
Gumel told newsmen on Friday in Abuja that the nominees were expected to visit the office of the SSA, located at AB 25, Basement, National Assembly complex, between July 28 and July 30.
“This is for necessary documentation, ahead of screening, which commences on Monday, July 31. Read more
Again, suspected electric cable thieves arrested at Lagos Airport (Independent)
A combined patrol team of officers from Aviation Security’s Crime Investigation and Intelligence(CII) Unit, and the Joint Military Task Force(JMTF) have apprehended three persons suspected to be cable thieves around the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
A statement by Abdullahi Yakubu-Funtua, Director, Public Affairs & Consumer Protection, FAAN said that two of the suspects were caught at about 03: 52hrs while digging and cutting electric cables connecting the international wing of the airport to the domestic wing.
The statement hinted that the third suspect, who serves as a link between the other two and buyers at Arena Market, Oshodi was apprehended at exactly 05: 56hrs at Hajj & Cargo Terminal, following confessions made by the two other suspects. Read more
Sanwo-Olu sends list of nominees for commissioners, advisers to Assembly (Guardian)
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has submitted a 39-man list of commissioners and advisers who will form his cabinet to the Lagos State House of Assembly for confirmation.
Sanwo-Olu’s spokesman, Gboyega Akosile, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.
“Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu transmits list of proposed Cabinet members to the Lagos State House of Assembly for ratification,” Akosile tweeted. Read more
Lagos, UN Women seek more women participation in procurement process (ThisDay)
The Lagos State Government and the United Nations (UN) Women have called for increase in women participation in the public procurement process in the state.
Speaking during a three-day training for women-owned businesses, Mr Fatai Onafowote, Director-General, Lagos State Public Procurement Agency (PPA), said that the participation of women in bidding for contracts was about 20 per cent.
Onafowote said that this was against the male folk’s participation of 80 per cent, a trend which should be looked into. Read more
Tinubu approves new management members of Nigeria Customs (Guardian)
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of three Deputy Comptroller Generals (DCGs) and three Assistant Comptroller Generals (ACGs) of the Nigeria Customs.
Nigeria Customs spokesperson Abdullahi Maiwada in a statement said the approval comes following the appointment of the Acting Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR on 19 June 2023 and the retirement of some management members in the Service.
The three Deputy Comptroller Generals are F.O. Okun, M.B.A Musa, and A. Hamisu. Read more
Sack any minister who fails to meet expectations, Shehu Sani tells Tinubu (Vanguard)
A former Kaduna lawmaker and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Shehu Sani, has asked President Bola Tinubu to sack any minister, who fails to meet expectations.
Sani made this appeal while speaking in an interview on Arise Television show on Friday.
He urged President Tinubu to be watchful, saying any of his cabinet, who fails to meet expectations should be sacked. Read more
FCTA sets-up committee to halt vandalism of public facilities (Tribune)
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), via its Security Committee has set up a high-powered committee to stop the activities of vandals, vandalizing public facilities across the Territory.
The Committee, which is headed by the FCT Police Commissioner, Mr. Gaba Haruna, is expected to mobilize both human and material resources at their disposal to launch a full manhunt for criminals vandalizing public infrastructures such as manhole cover, streetlights, electric cable among others.
The establishment of the Committee was one of the highpoints of the decisions arrived at, during the Security Committee meeting held Thursday, at Gwarinpa I District (Life-Camp), Abuja. Read more
Travis Scott’s ‘‘Utopia’’ album credits feature Beyoncé, SZA, Kanye West, Daft Punk’s Guy-Manuel and more (NME)
Travis Scott has finally released his long-awaited album ‘Utopia’, and its credits feature Beyoncé, SZA, Kanye West, Daft Punk‘s Guy-Manuel and more.
‘‘Utopia’’ will serve as the follow-up to Travis Scott’s acclaimed 2018 effort ‘Astroworld’, and was confirmed to be released today (July 28) during a festival set last week after years of speculation.
Alongside the release, a new accompanying movie called Circus Maximus has also come to cinemas today. Read more
Billionaire investor Leon Black is accused of raping teen in Jeffrey Epstein’s NY townhouse (CNN)
A woman is suing the billionaire investor Leon Black, accusing him of raping her at Jeffrey Epstein’s Manhattan townhouse when she was 16 years old.
The lawsuit describes in gruesome detail the woman’s account of a sexual assault that left her bleeding and sobbing.
Her lawyers say that the woman, identified as Jane Doe, has autism and a rare form of Down syndrome that has left her “developmentally… about 12 years old.” Read more
Elon Musk breaks silence after ex-wife announces engagement to Love Actually star (Hello!)
Elon Musk’s ex-wife Talulah Riley – whom he was twice married to – has officially announced her engagement to Love Actually star Thomas Brodie-Sangster. Taking to Twitter on Thursday, the actress, 37, shared a sweet selfie alongside her fiancee, writing: “Very happy to share that after two years of dating, Thomas Brodie Sangster and I are engaged!”
Sparking a major reaction on the social media platform… Elon himself was also quick to respond to Talulah’s tweet, writing “Congratulations!” with a heart emoji. Read more
Taylor Swift fans set Off 2.3 magnitude ‘‘Swift Quake’’ during Seattle concert, says seismologist (People)
Taylor Swift fans are reportedly causing some seismic activity.
According to seismologist Jackie Caplan-Auerbach, the newly-coined “Swift Quakes” occurred on July 22 and 23 at Swift’s Eras Tour dates at Seattle’s Lumen Field — which saw record attendance on Saturday — CNN reported.
Caplan-Auerbach stated that the Swifties’ dance activity caused seismic activity “equivalent to a 2.3 magnitude earthquake,” per the outlet. Read more
Riz Ahmed to skip Locarno Film Festival due to SAG-AFTRA strike (Variety)
Riz Ahmed, who was set to be honored by the Locarno Film Festival, will no longer be attending the Swiss fest in solidarity with the SAG-AFTRA strike.
However, the Swiss fest has announced that the world premiere of “Dammi,” the short in which he stars, directed by French auteur Yann Mounir Demange – will still world premiere Aug. 2 on opening night to an audience of 8,000 as planned.
“Dammi” is an experimental work, focusing on the themes of immigration and identity. It also stars Isabelle Adjani, Souheila Yacoub, Sandor Funtek and Suzy Bemba. Read more
Netflix doc revisits Johnny Depp V. Amber Heard trial 1 year later in new trailer (HuffPost)
Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s highly publicised defamation trial is getting the Netflix documentary treatment over one year after the world watched the courtroom battle unfold live on TV.
A trailer for the streaming service’s three-part series “Depp v. Heard” debuted on Wednesday, promising to will reshine light on the case between the ex-spouses. The series “explores the trial that set Hollywood ablaze and the online fallout that ensued,” a synopsis from Netflix reads.
“This has moved from a news story or lawsuit and it’s transformed into a cultural movement,” one commentator says in the roughly two-minute trailer. Read more
Niger Coup: Abdourahmane Tchiani declares himself leader (BBC)
Gen Abdourahmane Tchiani has declared himself the new leader of Niger after a dramatic coup.
Also known as Omar Tchiani, he staged a takeover which started on Wednesday when the presidential guards unit he led seized the country’s leader.
This shatters Niger’s first peaceful and democratic transition since independence in 1960.
Meet Michelle Alozie, Super Falcons’ defender who doubles as scientist (DailyTrust)
The Super Falcons stunned Australia on Thursday in a five-goal thriller that saw them leaving the co-hosts of the 2023 Women’s World Cup devastated after a 3-2 defeat.
The trio of Unchena Kanu, Osinachi Ohale and Asisat Oshoala’s hit the back of the net each at either half of the breath-taking encounter to turn around a 1-0 deficit and top their group on goal difference.
Nigeria will face Ireland, who are already out of the competition after losing two matches, in their last game of the group stage. Read more
Uzodimma fetes Heartland FC, gifts N100m to players, managers (ThisDay)
Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma has feted the players and management staff of Heartland Football Club of Imo State for emerging double champions in the recent Nigerian National League (NNL) and also getting promoted to the Nigeria Premier Federation League.
In a show of appreciation for their performance, the Governor announced a donation of N100 million for the players and their managers which he said will come through extra budgetary allocation.
Hosting the team to a dinner party in Owerri on Wednesday night, Governor Uzodimma said: “My heart is full of joy for receiving you this evening with a double barrel honours.” Read more
Riyad Mahrez leaves Manchester City for Saudi soccer club Al-Ahli (UPI)
Algerian winger Riyad Mahrez left Manchester City of England’s Premier League to join Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahli, the soccer clubs announced Friday.
“To play for Manchester City has been an honor and privilege,” Mahrez said in a news release. “I came to City to win trophies and enjoy my football and I achieved all that and so much more.”
Mahrez, 32, totaled 78 goals and 59 assists in 236 appearances for the Sky Blues. He signed with Manchester City in 2018 from fellow Premier League club Leicester City. He scored a career-high 24 goals in 2021-22 for the Sky Blues. Read more
Keira Walsh: England midfielder taken off on stretcher with knee injury in Women’s World Cup game against Denmark (Sky)
England’s hopes of winning the Women’s World Cup suffered a blow on Friday when Keira Walsh was taken off the pitch on a stretcher with what appeared to be a serious knee injury during the Group D match against Denmark.
The 26-year-old holding midfielder, who was an integral part of the England team that won the Euros last year, crumpled to the turf at Sydney Football Stadium without contact in the 38th minute and immediately called for medical assistance.
After a lengthy delay, Walsh left the field with her head in her hands on a stretcher and was replaced by Laura Coombs. Read more
Conor Benn cleared by UKAD in drug testing saga, free to resume career (BoxingScene)
Welterweight contender Conor Benn, 26-years-old, has announced that he was officially cleared by UKAD [UK Anti-Doping] in connection to his drug testing saga.
Last year, Benn tested positive for banned substance clomiphene in two separate tests.
The second test led to the last-minute cancellation of his pay-per-view fight with Chris Eubank Jr. – which was scheduled for October of last year. Read more
World Fencing Championships: Ukraine’s Olga Kharlan disqualified for refusing Russian Anna Smirnov’s handshake (BBC)
Ukrainian fencer Olga Kharlan has been disqualified for refusing to shake hands with Russian Anna Smirnova at the World Fencing Championships.
Kharlan, the first fencer to face a Russian or Belarusian since the former’s full-scale invasion of her homeland, won 15-7 in Milan.
The 32-year-old rejected Smirnova’s handshake afterwards, instead offering her sabre to tap blades.
It led to an appeal from Smirnova, who staged a 45-minute sit-down protest. Read more