God revealed Osinbajo’s helicopter crash to me — Adeboye (Punch)
The General Overseer of Redeemed Christian Church of God, Enoch Adeboye, has said that he had a premonition about the February helicopter crash which Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and his team survived in Kabba, Kogi State. Adeboye explained that he had received a message from God while praying during the February Holy Ghost Congress that Osinbajo was in danger but did not know how to inform him as he was engaged in political campaigns for the 2019 presidential election. He, however, noted resorted to praying for the VP. Read more
Shun divisive tendencies Sanwo-Olu tells Nigerians (Guardian)
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has urged Nigerians to imbibe the lessons of sacrifice made by Prophet Ibrahim and work for the unity of the nation. In a statement, Sanwo-Olu noted that Eid al-Adha became a symbolic event in the history of mankind, given the bounty of rewards that followed the patience and perseverance of Prophet Ibrahim, who held on tenaciously to his faith in God despite being afflicted. The Governor urged Nigerians to draw lessons from the prophet’s examples by eschewing tendencies that could severe the unity and stability in the country. Read more
We’re working quietly to make Nigeria peaceful – Gowon (Punch)
A former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, on Saturday urged Nigerians to embark on self-examination on how he or she had contributed to peaceful coexistence in the country. He said efforts were on to quietly resolve the problems facing the country. Gowon, who spoke at Osun State Government House, Osogbo, shortly after holding a private meeting with Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, explained that he was in Osun to “pray for peace and act for peace.” Read more
Shi’ites proscription frustrates NASS intervention in crisis – Majority Leader (Punch)
The proscription of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria has frustrated the move by the National Assembly to intervene in the crisis between the Federal Government and the group. The National Assembly had begun the process of negotiating with the Federal Government on behalf of the sect, popularly known as Shi’ites, over the continued detention of the leader of the group, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, by the FG before the group was proscribed. In an interview with our correspondent on Friday, the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Alhassan Ado-Doguwa, who is the chairman of the negotiation panel, stated that the lawmakers hit a brick wall when the FG secured a court order proscribing the sect. Read more
Zamfara fires Emir, district head over links to banditry (Nation)
The Zamfara State Government yesterday sealed the fate of the suspended Emir of Maru, Alhaji Abubakar Cika Ibrahim and the district head of Kanoma, Alhaji Ahmed Kanoma, by sacking them from office. The duo had been suspended for allegedly being part of armed banditry in their respective domains on the strength of an investigation by a committee set up by the state government to investigate the allegations levelled against them. Read more
Edo crisis: Oshiomhole’s ex-aide reports Obaseki to CCT (Punch)
John Mayaki, a former Chief Press Secretary to Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, has lodged a case at the Code of Conduct Tribunal over alleged abuse of office and breach of the constitution by Governor Godwin Obaseki, his deputy Philip Shaibu and the Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie. Mayaki is protesting against the controversial inauguration of the 7th Edo House of Assembly in which nine members-elect out of 24 were inaugurated. Read more
Kogi not safe, PDP chairman cries out over abduction of Okene party boss (Nation)
The Kogi State chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Engr. Sam Ohuotu, has raised the alarm over the reported abduction of Musa Adelabu, the party chairman in Okene local government. He said that the invasion and abduction of the PDP member by men dressed in military uniform is worrisome, one too many and declared Kogi state is not safe to live in. He said that gunmen dressed in military uniform invaded the house of the local government party chairman and whisked him away today, around 1.00am. Read more
Hajj: 65,000 Nigerians for symbolic stoning of devil (Punch)
About 65,000 Nigerian pilgrims on Saturday joined others from across the world to pray on Mount Arafat as part of this year’s hajj rites. The hill is where Prophet Muhammad delivered his final sermon about 1,400 years ago. This year’s prayer witnessed a downpour that lasted about 50 minutes. A special prayer was organised by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria on Mount Arafat. Read more
Buhari, Ramaphosa to discuss xenophobia, trade in October (Punch)
President Muhammadu Buhari and South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, have scheduled a meeting in October to discuss trade relations and other “issues relating to well-being of citizens” of the two largest African economies, the Presidency said on Saturday. The two leaders had a telephone conversation during which the meeting was decided. Buhari had spoken with Ramaphosa from his country home in Daura, Katsina State, where he is currently staying to celebrate Eid-el-Kabir. Read more
Police yet to inform me, I saw it on TV – Wife of slain cop (Punch)
More than four days after the killing of three police officers in Taraba by soldiers, Zainab, wife of one of the deceased policemen, Sgt. Dahiru Musa, said she has yet to be officially informed of the husband’s death. The force had identified the deceased officers killed on duty along Ibi-Jalingo Road in Taraba State on Tuesday, as Inspector Mark Ediale, Sgt. Usman Danzumi, and Sgt. Dahiru Musa, saying they were part of the team responsible for the high-profile arrest of suspected kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, also known as Evans, in 2017. Read more
Yemen conflict: Southern separatists seize control of Aden (Guardian)
Yemeni separatists have taken effective control of the port city of Aden after days of fighting with troops loyal to the internationally backed government. Forces aligned with the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council – which wants an independent south – said they had seized control of military camps and the presidential palace. The government said it was a “coup”. The action has fractured the Saudi-led coalition against Houthi rebels that both sides have fought in. Read more
Two arrested after boy, 9, found alone sheltering under pier during storm (Metro)
A nine-year-old boy is recovering after he was found under Brighton Pier sheltering from a storm in the early hours of Saturday morning. Sussex Police say the boy was found at 2am by volunteers from Brighton Beach Patrol. Meanwhile two people, a 30-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman, from London, have been arrested on suspicion of child neglect and have been remanded in custody. Read more
Norway mosque shooting: Man opens fire on Al-Noor Islamic Centre (BBC)
A man has been arrested in Norway after a shooting inside a mosque left one person injured on Saturday. Police say a gunman opened fire on the Al-Noor Islamic Centre, in the outskirts of the capital Oslo. Later a woman was found dead at the house of the suspect, police said. The suspect “is around 20 years old, a Norwegian citizen from the area,” said assistant chief of police Rune Skjold, adding that the man was now suspected of murdering a relative. Read more
At least 34 killed as landslide wreaks havoc in Burma (Metro)
Rescuers used diggers and bulldozers to clear mud and debris after a landslide buried more than a dozen houses in south-eastern Burma. At least 34 people were killed and several residents have been reported missing after the village in the Paung township was hit. Locals were evacuated to relief camps after torrential downpours triggered flooding earlier this week. Read more
Prince Andrew ‘groped’ woman in Epstein’s house, court files allege (BBC)
Prince Andrew was accused of groping a woman at Jeffrey Epstein’s US home, according to newly released court papers. The accusation is contained in documents from a 2015 defamation case, released by a judge on Friday. Buckingham Palace said on Saturday this related to US proceedings “to which the Duke Of York is not a party”. “Any suggestion of impropriety with underage minors is categorically untrue.” Read more
Thieves steal air ambulance flight helmet while paramedics attend emergency (Metro)
‘Disgraceful’ thieves stole a valuable piece of air ambulance equipment worth nearly £3,000 as paramedics saved a patient’s life. The theft took place while Yorkshire Air Ambulance were responding to a call in Shipley, West Yorkshire on Thursday. Thoughtless youngsters made off with a helmet, which enables emergency workers to communicate through inbuilt microphones, while paramedics responded to a 999 call. Read more
Richard Gere and Matteo Salvini clash over migrant ship (BBC)
Hollywood star Richard Gere has called upon the Italian government to assist migrants who have been stranded on a Spanish charity boat in the Mediterranean for more than a week. The Italian government needed to stop “demonising people”, the actor said. Mr Gere boarded the vessel on Friday, which has been blocked from entering Italian waters. Read more
Spice Girls ‘in contact’ with Victoria Beckham as they begin ‘recording new material’ (Metro)
The Spice Girls are said to be back together and ‘recording new material’ – and they haven’t given up hope of Victoria Beckham joining them. Emma Bunton, Melanie Brown, Melanie Chisholm and Geri Horner reunited earlier in 2019 for an epic 13-date UK tour but Victoria refused to join the girls on the tour, 23 years after they first found chart success with Wannabe. Read more
Kane’s late double saves Spurs from opening day stumble (Guardian)
Harry Kane scored his first goals at Tottenham’s new stadium as last season’s Champions League finalists came from behind to beat newly-promoted Aston Villa 3-1 on Saturday. Spurs were on course for a Premier League opening day shock for 73 minutes as they trailed to John McGinn’s early opener. However, club-record signing Tanguy Ndombele sparked the fightback by curling home from distance to level before Kane struck twice in the final four minutes. Read more
Raheem Sterling: Pep Guardiola praises ‘special’ forward (BBC)
Pep Guardiola praised the impact of “special” Raheem Sterling after the forward’s hat-trick helped Manchester City begin their title defence with an emphatic 5-0 win at West Ham. Sterling scored five goals in pre-season and continued that form for the defending champions on Saturday. Since the summer, Sterling has shone in both a central role and out wide. “I know the special qualities of the player, the consistency, physicality, the finishing,” said Guardiola. Read more
Gianfranco Zola predicts where Chelsea will finish in Premier League under Frank Lampard (Metro)
Gianfranco Zola expects Chelsea to drop two places in the Premier League table in Frank Lampard’s first season in charge. The Blues largely impressed last term under former manager Maurizio Sarri and assistant Zola, amassing 72 points to finish third in the Premier League. Sarri left Stamford Bridge shortly after the 2018-19 campaign ended to join Italian champions Juventus and club legend Lampard was named as his replacement. Read more
Liverpool consider keeper Andy Lonergan option after Alisson injury (BBC)
Liverpool could sign veteran keeper Andy Lonergan on a free transfer, depending on the extent of first-choice Alisson’s calf injury. The Brazilian suffered the problem in Friday’s win against Norwich City and was replaced by summer signing Adrian. There are reports Alisson could be out for a minimum of four weeks and Adrian is expected to carry on deputising. Read more
Paul Merson predicts where Arsenal will finish after David Luiz and Kieran Tierney signings (Metro)
Paul Merson believes deadline-day signings David Luiz and Kieran Tierney can help Arsenal break back into the top four of the Premier League. The Gunners suffered a dismal run of form towards the end of the 2018-19 campaign to slip out of the top four and then lost to Chelsea in the Europa League final. Unai Emery was desperate to bolster his squad this summer and Arsenal secured deals for Dani Ceballos, Nicolas Pepe, Gabriel Martinelli, Tierney and Luiz. Read more
AZ Alkmaar: Roof collapses at Eredivisie club’s stadium amid high winds (BBC)
AZ Alkmaar will launch an investigation after part of the roof at the AFAS Stadium collapsed on Saturday. The Dutch Eredivisie club’s general manager Robert Eenhoorn confirmed there were no injuries sustained when a large section of the roof fell onto seating below amid high winds. AZ were not playing at the time and visit RKC Waalwijk on Sunday. “This surprised us all. We are very shocked but especially happy that there was no human suffering,” said Eenhoorn. Read more
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer must sell Manchester United stars Paul Pogba and Alexis Sanchez, says Arsenal hero Charlie Nicholas (Metro)
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer must sell Manchester United stars Paul Pogba and Alexis Sanchez this month, according to Arsenal hero Charlie Nicholas. The English summer transfer window closed on Thursday but Premier League clubs can still offload players as other countries have different closure dates. French World Cup winner Pogba has been heavily linked with a departure from Old Trafford and is said to have his heart set on a move to Real Madrid. Read more
