Forex challenge driving petrol price towards N581 per litre (Vanguard)
There are strong indications that the national average price of petrol will rise further as marketers benchmark costs against rising exchange rates.
Marketers who spoke to Vanguard yesterday, against the backdrop of continued depreciation of the naira, said the implication would be that their cost has also increased beyond the figure used in fixing current pump prices.
The current national average pump price of N500 per litre was arrived at with an exchange rate of N661/$. Read more
Buhari retained fuel subsidy for APC to win election -Garba Shehu (Sun)
Fresh facts have emerged on why former President, Muhammadu Buhari, did not remove fuel subsidy.
After many decades of foot dragging by the Federal Government on removal of subsidy petroleum products which was costing the country trillions of naira, President Bola Tinubu, in his inauguration speech on May 29, declared that there would no longer be a petroleum subsidy regime as the 2023 budget did not contain it.
“We commend the decision of the outgoing administration in phasing out the petrol subsidy regime which has increasingly favoured the rich more than the poor. Subsidy can no longer justify its ever-increasing costs in the wake of drying resources. Read more
DisCos await NERC’s nod to increase electricity tariffs (Nation)
It follows conflicting directives by the distribution companies (DisCos) and the regulatory body.
Yesterday, the DisCos clarified that they had not got the approval of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to hike tariffs.
Also, the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) backtracked on its earlier announcement of a tariff increase, barely 18 hours after it issued a notification.
An economist and Chief Executive Officer, Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), Dr. Muda Yusuf, said the proposed review smacked of insensitivity. Read more
Sanwo-Olu: Tribunal subpoena WAEC to submit result verification portal (Independent)
The election tribunal has subpoenaed the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to submit its result verification portal back-end server for forensic analysis after it failed to tender Sanwo-Olu’s certificate in court.
The Lagos State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on Sunday ordered WAEC to submit its result verification portal back-end server and other information technology infrastructure for forensic analysis.
A press statement on Monday made available to journalists noted that the order was contained in the subpoena issued on Sunday on the request of Dr. Abdulazeez Adediran popularly called Jandor of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to further prove their allegations that Governor Sanwo-Olu lied on oath in his 2023 form EC9 by presenting a forged certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in 2019. Read more
N5b contract will create market for rice, says LCFE (Punch)
Lagos Commodities and Futures Exchange has moved to support the growth of agricultural assets in Nigeria with the launch of the N5bn Series 1 of N30 billion Eko Rice Contract by the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
According to a statement, the first forward contract to be introduced into the commodities space will be listed on the floor of LCFE at a later date.
The statement said the contract would create a market for rice spots and futures derivatives, ensure product standardisation, enhance the availability of high quantity of paddy rice, promote adherence to global best practices, provide organisational support through collateral management services and create business opportunities for small suppliers of the product. Read more
FG declares Wednesday, Thursday as Eid-El-Kabir holiday (Channels)
The Federal Government has declared Wednesday, June 28 and Thursday, June 29, 2023 as Eid-El-Kabir holiday.
This was contained in a statement by a Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior, Oluwatoyin Akinlade.
“The Federal Government has declared Wednesday June 28th and Thursday June 29th 2023 Public Holidays in commemoration of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebration and heartily felicitates with the Muslim Ummah at home and in the diaspora,” the statement read. Read more
Nuhu Ribadu takes over National Security Adviser role from Monguno (Guardian)
Nuhu Ribadu on Monday, officially assumed duty as the National Security Adviser (NSA) with a pledge to subdue insecurity and stabilise Nigeria.
Ribadu took over from former NSA, retired Maj.-General Babagana Monguno, following his appointment by President Bola Tinubu on June 19.
He said the administration of President Tinubu had enormous responsibility of securing Nigeria, stabilise it and ensure peace in all parts of the country. Read more
Audi: NSCDC has zero tolerance for accidental discharge (ThisDay)
The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC), Dr. Ahmed Audi, yesterday said the corps has zero tolerance for accidental discharge of a rifle by any personnel, insisting that officers must be grounded in arms handling.
Audi, made the statement at the Passing Out Parade of course 10 Basic Arms and Weapon Handling Training in Abuja.
This is just as NSCDC has approved the deployment of 1,000 tactical personnel drawn from the divisional offices, area commands and the state headquarters for security coverage during the forthcoming Salah celebration within Ondo State. Read more
Olivia Rodrigo Announces New Album Guts (Pitchfork)
Olivia Rodrigo has announced the follow-up LP to her 2021 debut, Sour. Her second album is titled Guts, and it’s out September 8 via Geffen. The first single, “Vampire,” is out this Friday, June 30.
Rodrigo announced “Vampire,” her first solo single since Sour, earlier this month. She wrote the song and more of Guts with Daniel Nigro, a collaborator on the debut. CD and 7″ single versions of the single will have a demo version as a B-side.
“For me, this album is about growing pains and trying to figure out who I am at this point in my life,” Rodrigo said in a statement about Guts. “I feel like I grew 10 years between the ages of 18 and 20—it was such an intense period of awkwardness and change. I think that’s all just a natural part of growth, and hopefully the album reflects that.” Read more
Noah Cyrus is engaged to German boyfriend Pinkus after two months of dating (Mirror)
Noah Cyrus has announced she is engaged to boyfriend Pinkus after just two months of dating.
The pair are ready to take their whirlwind romance to the next level, with the singer proudly sharing the news on her social media.
Noah, 23, who is the younger sister to Miley Cyrus, couldn’t wait to show off her new bling after saying yes to the all-important question. Posting on Instagram she gushed: “The greatest moment of my entire life was saying ‘yes’ to spending the rest of ours together.” Read more
Jamie Foxx’s co-star provides health update amid sea of speculation (Hello!)
While fans eagerly await the return of Jamie Foxx, the star’s health remains a central topic of discussion.
At the 2023 BET Awards, a conversation with ET’s Kevin Frazier and Porscha Coleman, Jamie’s fellow actor, brought some much-needed clarity amidst a sea of speculation.
Porscha offered an update on Jamie’s condition following his recent hospitalization in Atlanta, Georgia. Providing a first-hand insight, she stated: “I’ve talked to people very close to Foxx, [he] is doing well.
“I hate that the media outlets kept running with the narrative of what was going on without having the proper information.” Read more
Bruce Willis’ wife Emma and daughters visit his Walk of Fame star and Madame Tussauds wax figure (People)
Emma Heming Willis and her daughters are playing tourists in Hollywood!
On Sunday, Emma, 45, shared a series of photos and videos on her Instagram Story showcasing their family outing in Los Angeles celebrating her husband, Bruce Willis.
The first pic showed four sets of legs and sneakers positioned adorably around Bruce’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Read more
Drive director behind new BBC series “The Famous Five” based on Enid Blyton books (BelfastTelegraph)
Enid Blyton book series “The Famous Five” is being adapted by the BBC for the first time and filming has already started.
Danish filmmaker Nicolas Winding Refn, who directed 2011’s Drive starring Ryan Gosling and Carey Mulligan, and Peaky Blinders producer Matthew Read have created the show for the broadcaster.
The three-part show The Famous Five will follow five young adventurers who are exploring the world around them in an odyssey-style story and is being shot across the south west of the UK. Read more
Wagner Group’s Prigozhin releases 1st message since mutiny (DW)
Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin released an audio message on Monday, his first statement since a failed revolt by his mercenary forces in Russia.
He said the goal was not to overthrow Russia’s political leadership, but rather to protest Russian military leaders’ ineffective conduct during its war in Ukraine.
The Wagner Group leader posted an 11-minute-long audio message to Telegram, explaining why he and his forces mutinied against the Russian military and marched towards the Russian capital of Moscow.
“We started our march because of an injustice,” Prigozhin said. He reiterated claims that the Russian military had fired on Wagner forces and that the mercenary group set off for Moscow in reaction to being attacked. Read more
Vladimir Putin claims Wagner uprising was ‘doomed to fail’ in speech to the nation (Metro)
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said ‘any blackmail is doomed to fail’ as he addressed the nation this evening.
The Russian president was speaking from the Kremlin – and vowed that those involved in the weekend’s ‘criminal activity’ will be brought to justice.
Putin said in a statement the ‘organisers of this rebellion will be brought to justice’ and that the rebellion was ‘criminal activity which is aimed at weakening the country’. Read more
Osimhen beats Mahrez, Salah to African award (Punch)
Nigerian striker, Victor Osimhen, has claimed the Best African Player award ahead of Treble winner Riyad Mahrez and Mohammed Salah at the Ghana Football Awards, The PUNCH reports.
The 24-year-old registered 31 goals in all competitions last season to help Napoli win the Serie A title for the first time in over three decades.
The Super Eagles forward’s best season as a professional player has seen him scoop awards and break records, with his latest coming from the award ceremony in Ghana. Read more
Lionel Messi wins “Best Foreign Player” award in France (Vanguard)
Lionel Messi wins ‘Best Foreign Player’ award in France
Lionel Messi has been awarded the ‘Best Foreign Player’ in France’s Ligue 1 for the 2022-23 season with Paris Saint-Germain.
Ligue 1 announced on their social media channels that Messi had been voted as the league’s best foreign player for 2022/23 by supporters.
The 2022 World Cup winner amassed 32 goal contributions across the season, scoring 16 himself and setting up a further 16 for his teammates. Read more
Arsenal Kai Havertz picture “leaks” as £65m Chelsea transfer to be completed in days (Express)
Arsenal look set to confirm the signing of Kai Havertz for £65 million from Chelsea in the very near future, after a picture was leaked of the German grinning from ear to ear in his new Gunners kit. Havertz is set to complete the move after undergoing a medical once the two sides agreed on a fee.
An announcement is likely to be imminent as social media was sent into a frenzy thanks to a leaked photo of Havertz in Arsenal’s new kit for the 2023/24 season ahead of any confirmation of the deal from either party. The two clubs had fully agreed on a deal that could reach £65m, with the Gunners looking to take advantage of Chelsea’s need to trim their bloated squad.
Mauricio Pochettino has inherited a disjointed team that is in the middle of an exodus owing to their Financial Fair Play concerns, with Havertz joining the likes of Mateo Kovacic, Hakim Ziyech, Kalidou Koulibaly and Edouard Mendy out of Stamford Bridge. Chelsea would likely have preferred not to lose Havertz to a local rival, amid interest from Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, but the 24-year-old was set on a move to the Emirates. Read more
Roy Hodgson agrees to stay on as Crystal Palace boss next season (BBC)
Roy Hodgson has agreed to stay on as Crystal Palace manager next season.
The 75-year-old is currently on holiday but is expected to sign his contract for the coming campaign when he returns.
Hodgson returned to Selhurst Park in March, replacing Patrick Vieira on a deal until the end of the season. Read more
Reynolds and McElhenney invest in F1 (RNZ)
Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are joining Otro Capital and RedBird Capital Partners in an investor group taking a 24% equity stake in F1 outfit Alpine Racing.
The $353 million deal values British-based Alpine Racing at around $1.5 billion following the investment.
Alec Scheiner, the co-founder and partner of Otro Capital, will join Alpine Racing’s board of directors.
Deadpool star Reynolds leads Maximum Effort Investments with McElhenney, of American comedy series It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and fellow-actor Michael B. Jordan as co-investors. Read more
Brittney Griner calls out WNBA for travel situation hitting ‘rock bottom’ before changes (USAToday)
Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner expressed her displeasure on Monday with how the WNBA handled her and the Mercury’s travel situation, waiting until Griner and her teammates were harassed at a Dallas airport before making proper changes.
The encounter with a YouTube personality at the Dallas-Fort Worth airport occurred on June 10 while the Mercury were set for a commercial flight to Indiana. The WNBA said the YouTuber singled out Griner and the incident “was orchestrated by a social media figure and provocateur.”
Speaking on a video call with media while the Mercury announced their interim head coach, Griner didn’t share details about how the team is traveling, but made her feelings clear. Read more