Gowon, Abdulsalami, others absent at maiden June 12 celebration (Punch)
None of the former heads of state and presidents was present at the commemoration of the maiden edition of the newly recognised June 12 Democracy Day celebration on Wednesday. Following almost 20 years of May 29 as Democracy Day, President Muhammadu Buhari officially recognised June 12 in honour of the late Chief Moshood Abiola’s presumed victory in the June 12, 1993, presidential election. Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Ahmad Lawan and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, were present at the occasion. Read more
PDP governors congratulate new NASS leadership (Guardian)
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, has congratulated the newly elected leadership of the ninth National Assembly, inaugurated on Tuesday. The Chairman of the Forum and Gov. Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa gave the congratulatory message in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Public Affairs, Mr Daniel Alabrah, on Wednesday in Abuja. Dickson urged the new NASS leadership to guarantee the independence of the legislature in accordance with democratic ethos, as well ensure that the rights of Nigerians were defended and well protected. Read more
Democracy Day: We will bring Abiola’s vision to reality in Ogun, Dapo Abiodun vows (Punch)
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has vowed to bring to reality in the state, the vision of the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola. Abiodun stated this on Wednesday during the June 12 commemoration and 2019 Democracy Day celebration, held at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta. The governor, represented by his deputy, Mrs Noimot Salako-Oyedele, pledged to leave no stone unturned in his bid to bring equal level of socio-economic development to all the parts of the state. Read more
June 12: Oyetola calls for peaceful coexistence (Nation)
Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State has called on Nigerians to use the celebration of June 12 as a democracy day to promote unity and peaceful coexistence. Oyetola made the call during a programme organised to celebrate the Democracy Day on Wednesday in Osogbo. The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Mr Gboyega Alabi, said the June 12 celebration should be regarded as a period of sober reflection on the selfless service and sacrifice made by past heroes to ensure that the country remained united and indivisible. Read more
Pull down barriers to trade, Adesina urges African leaders (Punch)
Dr Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank has urged African Governments to work towards the elimination of non-tariff barriers in the region. Adesina said this at the former opening of AfDB Annual Meeting, with the theme; “Regional Integration for Africa’s Economic Prosperity’’ in Malabo. “Pulling down non-tariff barriers alone will spur trade by at least 53 per cent and potentially double trade. Read more
Banditry: Zamfara Gov meets Miyetti Allah leaders, plans to import grass from China (Punch)
Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State on Wednesday met with officials of the Fulani umbrella body, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association in his push to end banditry and kidnappings in the state. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Fulanis are largely blamed for bandit attacks in the state and have been declared persona non grata in some communities. Matawalle said that the meeting was at the instance of President Muhammad Buhari who directed that all stakeholders be engaged in the search for an end to the criminality. Read more
Navy arrests boats carrying 170 ‘smuggled’ turkey (Nation)
Operatives of the Nigerian Navy (NN) has arrested five wooden boats allegedly carrying 170 cartons of suspected smuggled turkey. The arrests followed a raid of creeks between Gbaji and Badagry by operatives attached to the Forward Operations Base (FOB) in Badagry. It was gathered that the frozen turkeys which were carefully concealed in the boats, were being smuggled into Nigeria from Benin Republic. Read more
One dead as suspected herdsmen attack passengers on Ife-Ibadan Highway (Punch)
Suspected Fulani herdsmen on Wednesday attacked passengers along the Ife-Ibadan Highway, killing one person. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the dead man was identified as Mr Adenipekun Ademiju, a worker in the Atakumosa West Local Government Area of Osun State. Ademiju was said to have boarded a vehicle at Osu town going to Ibadan when he and other passengers were attacked at Ikire community along the expressway. Read more
Danish husband’s DNA ‘found on murdered wife, daughter’s clothes’ (Nation)
A Lagos High Court in Igbosere on Tuesday heard that some of the biological material found on the night wears of a murdered Nigerian woman and her child, matched that of a Dane, Peter Nielsen. Forensics scientist, Dr Richard Somiari, told Justice Mobolanle Okikiolu-Ighile that Nielsen’s DNA profiles matched that of the male DNA samples found on the nightgown worn by his Nigerian singer wife, Zainab. He said Nielsen’s DNA profiles also matched some of the male DNA samples found on the pyjamas worn by his three-and-half-year daughter, Petra. Read more
Four Nigerians arrested over alleged kidnap of Canadians in Ghana (Punch)
Four Nigerians have been arrested in Ghana over the alleged kidnap of two Canadians on Friday. The suspects, who are yet to be identified, kidnapped Bailey Jordan Chitty, 20, and Lauren Patricia Catherine Tilley, 19, who were volunteering in Ghana. They were held at a house at Akyease in the Kwabre East District of the Ashanti region. Read more
Mali village attack death toll revised down to 35 (BBC)
The number of people killed in an attack on a village in central Mali has been revised to 35, down from nearly 100, officials have said. Monday’s attack happened in Sobame Da, inhabited by the Dogon ethnic group, in the Mopti region. Officials initially said 95 people had been found dead, many with their bodies burned. Read more
Trump: US to send 1,000 troops to Poland in new deal (BBC)
The US will deploy 1,000 more troops to Poland, President Donald Trump has said during a press conference with Polish Premier Andrzej Duda. President Trump said the force would be taken from America’s 52,000-strong contingent in Germany, and include drones and other military hardware. He fell short, however, of committing to a permanent US base in the country. Read more
Mexico says sale of presidential plane will curb illegal migration (BBC)
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has pledged to use profits from the sale of his presidential plane to fund efforts to curb illegal migration. The move comes after Mexico and the US reached a deal to avoid US tariffs in exchange for Mexico doing more to halt Central American migration to the US. During his campaign, the leftist leader pledged to sell the plane and use the money to help poorer communities. Read more
Seventh victim of Cyprus serial killer found (BBC)
Police in Cyprus have discovered the seventh victim of what is believed to be the island’s first serial killer. The body of six-year-old Sierra Granze was found at the bottom of lake Memi, southwest of the capital Nicosia. “Human remains have been found and forensic pathologists are on the scene,” a police spokesman said. Read more
LMC fines Kano Pillars N8m, hands Rabiu Ali 12 match ban (Punch)
The League Management Company on Wednesday announced a number of sanctions against the Kano Pillars Football Club over Monday’s incident involving their supporters and players. Salihu Abubakar, LMC’s Chief Operating Officer said in a statement that the sanctions were as a result of crowd disturbances and harassment of match officials. The misdemeanour was committed by Kano Pillars’ fans and players during and after one of Match Day 4 fixtures at the Nigeria Professional Football League Championship Playoffs in Lagos. Read more
Gambia surprise highly-rated Morocco in Africa Cup warm-up (Guardian)
Morocco, one of the favourites to win the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, suffered a surprise 1-0 warm-up match loss in Marrakech Wednesday to non-qualifiers the Gambia. The unexpected outcome can partly be explained by Morocco coach Herve Renard making numerous substitutions in the first of two friendly fixtures before heading to Egypt for the finals. Musa Barrow, who plays for Serie A club and 2019/2020 UEFA Champions League qualifiers Atalanta, scored the match-winner on 27 minutes at Stade de Marrakech. Read more
Guinea gamble on fitness of Liverpool star Keita for Africa Cup (Guardian)
Guinea have chosen Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita for the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt this month despite concerns about his thigh injury. “I am not yet fully fit to play,” admitted the 24-year-old star to Guinean TV after Belgian coach Paul Put named his 23-man squad for the biennial African football showpiece. “After training with the ball at Liverpool, I have arrived at the Guinean training camp in Morocco and am ready to train with the team. Read more
Hosts France beat Norway in front of 34,000 (BBC)
France all but secured a place in the knockout stage of the Women’s World Cup after striker Valerie Gauvin marked her return with a goal against Norway. Striker Gauvin did not start the win over South Korea after showing up late for training but scored from a cross. The celebrations did not last – Wendie Renard finding her own net while trying to put the ball out for a corner. Read more
Germany make it two wins out of two (BBC)
Germany made it two wins from two at the Women’s World Cup as they claimed a narrow win over Spain in Group B. Bayern Munich midfielder Sara Daebritz’s scrappy first-half goal settled the contest and put the side ranked number two in the world all-but through to the knockout stages. Spain dominated possession but the Germans scored against the run of play when Daebritz pounced on some hesitant defending to bundle the ball in at the far post. Read more
Megan Rapinoe hits back after USA are slammed for ’embarrassing’ celebrations against Thailand (Metro)
USA captain Megan Rapinoe has refused to apologise after her side were criticised for their celebrations after thumping Thailand 13-0 at the Women’s World Cup. Alex Morgan scored five goals for the United States and Rose Lavelle and Samantha Mewis also completing braces as they recorded the biggest victory in the history of the tournament. Lindsey Horan, Megan Rapinoe, Mallory Pugh and Carli Lloyd were also on the scoresheet against minnows Thailand as Jill Ellis’ stars, ranked No.1 in the world, secured top spot in Group F on Tuesday evening. Read more
Mino Raiola gives Manchester United hope as he rubbishes Matthijs de Ligt to PSG transfer rumours (Metro)
Matthijs de Ligt’s agent Mino Raiola has distanced himself from rumours that the Ajax defender is on the brink of a move to Paris Saint-Germain. De Ligt, 19, is one of the most sought-after players in Europe after captaining Ajax to their first domestic double in 17 years, with Manchester United, Barcelona, Juventus and PSG reportedly battling it out for his signature. Read more
Real Madrid sign Mendy to continue summer spree (Guardian)
Real Madrid continued their summer spending spree on Wednesday by completing the signing of left-back Ferland Mendy from Lyon. Mendy has signed a six-year contract with Madrid, who have now added four new players for next season following the arrivals of Eder Militao, Eden Hazard and Luka Jovic. Hazard was the most expensive of the quartet, joining in a deal that could reach up to 145 million euros, while Militao and Jovic each cost around 50 and 65 million euros respectively. Read more
Andy Murray still yet to decide on Wimbledon doubles partner (Metro)
Andy Murray will team up with Feliciano Lopez in doubles at Queen’s next week but is on the lookout for a new partner for Wimbledon. The three-time Grand Slam chammpion is not yet ready to compete in singles at the All England Club but he is planning on playing a full grass-court season with a partner on the same side of the net. That will be alongside 37-year-old Spanish veteran Lopez next week at the Fever-Tree Championships before Murray moves on, if all goes to plan, to Eastbourne and then Wimbledon. Read more