Family demands justice for driver allegedly killed with charmed ring (Guardian)
Family of Suliu Ambali, 45-year-old commercial bus driver, whose life was cut down in his prime by another neighbor, is demanding justice. The Kwara-born Ambali was punched with a ring allegedly laced with charm by a young man identified as Daduro Afefe at about 4:30p.m. on Sunday, May 24, at Okemorosun, off Magbon Town, Badagry in Lagos State.
Suliu, who went to work on the said day, had returned to join friends celebrating the Eid-el-Fitri. A call for help came shortly after his arrival, as a woman cried to the men that her aged husband was about being beaten by the said Afefe, a terror in the community.
Suliu and his friends rushed to rescue the man, who was identified as Baba Rotimi, a member of Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN). Unfortunately, Afefe who was said to be on a mission to kill, took out the ring, and aimed for Suliu, who had admonished him not to insult or attempt to beat Baba Rotimi. Read more
Lagos approves increase in passenger carriage for BRT buses (Nation)
Regulated high capacity buses in Lagos operated by Primero Transport Services Limited and Lagos Bus Services Limited can now carry 42 passengers seated and no standing, Lagos State Government announced yesterday.
The announcement followed a review of its earlier order which limited commuter occupancy to 21 passengers but still ensures that occupancy is not more than 60 per cent of bus passenger capacity. The review takes effect from today.
Managing Director of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Mrs. Abimbola Akinajo, said the government also approved two fare zones for BRT services. Read more
Parents oppose plan to reopen Lagos schools (Punch)
Some parents in Lagos State have kicked against the reopening of schools in view of the continued spread of the coronavirus in the country.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the parents said it was important for the Federal and state governments to continue to safeguard children from the pandemic.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Federal Government had said it was considering adopting morning and afternoon shifts of classes for reopening of schools. Read more
Lagos attracts $250m investment for new industrial, residential development (Guardian)
Lagos State government yesterday said that it had attracted investment worth $250 million for its new industrial cum residential development aimed at boosting economic activities and jobs.
The state’s Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Co-operatives, Dr. Lola Akande, disclosed this at the year 2020 ministerial press briefing to commemorate Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration, saying that the total value of the 24 companies within the zone is estimated to be $250 million.
“The companies will engage about 2,050 employees in the first phase of their operations.”
Akande said that the Alaro city project, located at Epe on a 2,000 hectare piece of land, is a public-private partnership and mixed industrial-residential development where the Lagos State government owns 40 per cent as land equity while Messrs Rendeavour, Africa’s largest estate developer, owns 60 per cent. Read more
Sanwo-Olu assures Lagosians of affordable housing (Nation)
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said on Thursday that his administration would make available affordable and accessible housing for residents.
He said his government would replicate development that would make the state a 21st century economy.
The governor spoke at the inauguration of Courtland Luxury Villa and Ikate Elegushi Lekki Apartment Housing Units at Igbokusu, Lekki.
He said the project is to fulfil the promises made by his administration to make available affordable housing for Lagosians. Read more
Motorcyclists protesting ban beat Lagos guards to a pulp (Punch)
There was tension in the Zone 4 of the Lekki Peninsular Scheme 1 in Lagos State recently when no fewer than 50 motorcyclists protesting the ban on their operations stormed the area with weapons and injured four environmental guards and beat two of them to a pulp.
The battered guards were identified as Yusuf Adamu, Brown Robertson, Frank Onwudinjo and Caleb Onemine.
PUNCH Metro gathered during a visit to the area on Tuesday that the motorcyclists, who were identified as Goza boys from Borno State, protested against the actions of the Lekki Residents’ Association and its security outfit, as the enforcement of the ban had rendered them jobless. Read more
Buhari, Obasanjo, AfDB board back Adesina (Nation)
The Federal Government and ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo have faulted the call by the United States for an independent investigation of African Development Bank (AfDB) President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina.
Obasanjo and the government urged the bank’s Board of Governors to ignore the U.S.
Adesina was accused of favouritism but was absolved of the allegations by the bank’s ethics committee.
The letters were addressed to board chairman, Niale Kaba who is also Cote d’Voire’s Minister of Planning and Development. Read more
Apple Music names Cuppy its first radio show host in Africa (Guardian)
Apple Music will, on Sunday, launch its first radio show in Africa. DJ Cuppy, whose real name is Florence Ifeoluwa Otedola, is its host.
Cuppy has been on the rise in her DJ and music producing career, earning important endorsements. The deal with Apple, which is said to be worth seven-digit figure, is indeed her a crowning endorsement.
The announcement is coming the same week Universal Music Group said it was launching Def Jam Africa, a new division of the label focused on representing hip-hop, Afrobeat and trap talent in Africa. Read more
Trump signs executive order targeting Twitter after fact-checking row (BBC)
US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at removing some of the legal protections given to social media platforms.
It gives regulators the power to pursue legal actions against firms such as Facebook and Twitter for the way they police content on their platforms.
President Trump accused social media platforms of having “unchecked power” while signing the order.
The order is expected to face legal challenges. Read more
Riots erupt in several US cities following Minnesota police killing of handcuffed black man (France24)
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz called in the National Guard on Thursday as looting broke out in St. Paul and a wounded Minneapolis braced for more violence after rioting over the death of George Floyd, a handcuffed black man in police custody, reduced parts of one neighborhood to a smoking shambles.
The Minneapolis unrest ravaged several blocks in the Longfellow neighborhood, with scattered rioting reaching for miles across the city. It was the second consecutive night of violent protests following Floyd’s death, which was seen in a video that showed him gasping for breath while an officer kneeled on his neck for almost eight minutes. In footage recorded by a bystander, Floyd pleads that he cannot breathe until he slowly stops talking and moving. Read more
Lion attack in Australia leaves zookeeper badly injured (BBC)
A zookeeper has been critically injured in a lion attack in Australia, authorities say.
The woman suffered face and neck injuries on Tuesday at Shoalhaven Zoo, about 150km (90 miles) south of Sydney.
The zoo declined to immediately comment on the incident, local media said.
The victim, in her mid-30s, was being flown by helicopter to a Sydney hospital, according to a New South Wales Ambulance spokeswoman.
Police are investigating the incident. Read more
French bars, restaurants and parks to reopen with restrictions from June 2 (France24)
France on Thursday announced the long-awaited nationwide reopening of bars, restaurants and cafes from June 2, albeit with restrictions, and lifted limitations on domestic travel in time for the summer holidays.
In the capital Paris, where the risk of coronavirus spread remains higher than in the rest of the mainland, only the outside terraces of eating and drinking establishments can reopen to clients, said Prime Minister Edouard Philippe.
Announcing details of the second phase in a gradual lifting of France’s strict coronavirus lockdown, he said people would no longer be confined to within 100 kilometres (60 miles) of their homes. Read more
Uber destroys thousands of bikes and scooters (BBC)
Uber is destroying thousands of electric bikes and scooters, after selling its Jump business to Lime.
Videos of its red bikes being crushed at a recycling centre were shared on social media, angering cycling advocates.
Uber said it had decided to destroy thousands of its older-model vehicles due to maintenance, liability and safety concerns.
In the UK, Uber continues to operate Jump and has not scrapped any bikes. Read more
Madonna posts video of son dancing to ‘stamp out racism’ after George Floyd death (Mirror)
Madonna has been mocked on social media after she posted a video of her teenage son dancing to ‘stamp out racism’.
The 61-year-old singer shared a video of her 14-year-old son David Banda busting some moves to Michael Jackson’s ‘They Don’t Care About Us’.
The teen shows off some serious MJ moves in the video as David dances in the kitchen, with Madonna writing that this was in tribute to George Floyd, who’s death has prompted consternation on both sides of the Atlantic. Read more
Veterans rate Ndidi as future national team leader (Guardian)
Aside his sterling performances for club and country, former Super Eagles’ stars, Daniel Amokachi, Emmanuel Amuneke And Felix Owolabi, as well as veteran journalist, Felix Awogu see Leicester City midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi as a natural leader destined to captain the national team in the nearest future.
Speaking about the 23-year-old, Daniel Amokachi said Ndidi has established himself as one of the best in the world, adding, “Without any doubt, he is one of the best in his position across the world at the moment. Read more
English Premier League football to kick off on June 17 after 100-day shutdown (France24)
The Premier League plans to restart on June 17 after a 100-day shutdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic, with new staggered kickoff times to make sure every game can be shown on TV, as fans are prevented from attending games.
The clubs agreed Thursday that the competition should resume with a Wednesday night doubleheader featuring Manchester City playing Arsenal and Aston Villa hosting Sheffield United — two games that were postponed during earlier rounds.
However, the league still needs formal approval from the government. Read more
Rohr: Simon salutes NFF on new contract (Nation)
Nantes’ winger Moses Simon has praised the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) for renewing the contract of Super Eagles’ chief coach Gernot Rohr for another two and half years.
He said that the news of the renewal of the Eagles’ handler made him and his colleagues very happy and also called it a thing of joy to them.
“It is a good thing for the Nigeria Football Federation to renew Coach (Gernot) Rohr’s contract. For us the players it’s a thing of joy”, stated Simon. Read more
Arsenal: Sir Chips Keswick retires as club chairman (BBC)
Sir Chips Keswick has retired as Arsenal chairman after seven years in the role.
The 80-year-old – a lifelong Gunners fan – has been on the board of the club since 2005 and became chairman in 2013, replacing Peter Hill-Wood.
Arsenal say they will move forward with the current board of Stan and Josh Kroenke, Lord Harris and Ken Friar. Read more
European Tour: Six-week ‘UK Swing’ will start season resumption (BBC)
The European Tour season is set to resume in July with a six-week ‘UK Swing’ tournament and run to December.
The British Masters in Newcastle from 22-25 July is the first of six events, two of which will be at Celtic Manor.
Later in the year, the Scottish Open is set to run from 8-11 October with the Tour’s flagship PGA Championship event the following week at Wentworth, while other tournaments are to be revealed.
The DP World Tour Championship ends the season in Dubai from 10-13 December. Read more
Barcelona blasted for selling $20 face masks as fans accuse club of cashing in on COVID (RT)
Barcelona fans are being given the chance to recreate the look of their heroes by buying replicas of masks that the club’s squad and coaching staff are wearing to training – but fans say the products are capitalizing on COVID-19.
While some of Barcelona’s European rivals have charged around a quarter of the price for masks, the reigning La Liga champions are asking for €18 (around $20) for each item, designed to protect against COVID-19 transmission. Read more