How Remi Tinubu ordered security operatives to throw me out of constitutional review hearing –Arinola Oloko (Punch)
Arinola Oloko, an educationist and politician, has narrated how Mrs. Remi Tinubu, wife of All Progressives Congress chieftain, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, called her a thug and ordered security operatives to throw her out of the venue of a public hearing on constitutional review on Wednesday.
Oloko made this known in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH on Friday.
The PUNCH had earlier reported that a viral video showed that the Senator representing Lagos Central was involved in a shouting match with some Nigerians who attended the event at the Marriot Hotel in Lagos.
Tinubu led the Senate Committee on Review of the 1999 Constitution in the South-West. Read more
National Day of Mourning: CSOs, labour storm Lagos Assembly, demand emergency session on insecurity (Vanguard)
A coalition of over 19 civil society organisations, CSOs, and labour have asked the Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, to convene an emergency session on insecurity in the country and, particularly, in Lagos.
The groups also want the Speaker “to convey the feelings and frustrations of Nigerians on the security situation to President Muhammadu Buhari.”
They made the demands when they laid siege to the Assembly on Friday, in a national day of mourning and remembrance for all victims of violent killings rally, asking the political class to wake up to their primary responsibility of securing lives and properties.
Carrying placards with various inscriptions on the state of insecurity and killings of individuals, including security personnel across Nigeria, they marched from Ikeja Under Bridge through Allen Avenue to the state House of Assembly. Read more
NDPHC, EKEDC partner on power supply to Ibeju-Lekki (Guardian)
The Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) has signed an agreement with Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) for supply of 300 megawatts to Ibeju-Lekki.
Mrs Olufunke Nwankwo, Head, Communication and Public Relations, NDPHC disclosed this in a statement in Abuja on Friday.
Nwankwo said that the project would also supply power to other franchise areas in Lagos State.
She said that the agreement which was sealed in the presence of Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, would see NDPHC supply electricity directly to Eko DisCo.
Speaking at the event, the Managing Director of NDPHC, Mr Chiedu Ugbo, said the agreement was part of the company’s strategies to source alternative means to sell and dispatch its stranded power. Read more
Internet fraud: EFCC nabs eight in Lagos (Punch)
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Lagos Zonal Office, has arrested eight suspected internet fraudsters, one of whom allegedly attempted to pay for a Sports Utility Vehicle worth N44m in Bitcoin.
Our correspondent learnt that one of the suspects, Tobiloba Ogundiyan, has been accused by the EFCC of committing online fraud and converting his loot to cryptocurrency.
An EFCC source said, “Ogundiyan acquired his wealth from internet fraud, layered it into a Bitcoin account and finally integrated it by approaching a car shop owner in Lekki to purchase a Range Rover Vela P380 2018 model worth N44m ($97,626 USD in Bitcoin) sometime in March 2021.”
Ogundiyan and seven others were arrested by the anti-graft agency on May 18, 2021, at River View Estate, Lekki, Lagos for alleged computer-related fraud. Read more
Kano-Kaduna rail line to commence in July says Amaechi (Guardian)
The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, said that as the ministry was rounding up the Lagos-Ibadan rail project billed to be inaugurated in June, the ministry was set to commence work to link Kano-Kaduna with rail.
In a statement by his Media Aide, Taiye Elebiyo-Edeni, on Friday, said Amaechi made this known when he led a delegation of Nigerian Shippers Council and Nigeria Railway Corporation on a courtesy visit to Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano.
He said that because of the economic viability of the state, the rail line and the Inland Dry Port would boost business activities of the state. Read more
Supreme Court dismisses Ize-Iyamu’s certificate forgery suit against Obaseki (Punch)
The Supreme Court on Friday struck out Osagie Ize-Iyamu’s of the All Progressives Congress appeal challenging the election of Governor Godwin Obaseki in the 2020 governorship election in Edo State.
The apex court in a judgement delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim held that the appellants failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
“The appellants failed woefully to prove their case, they did not provide any disclaimer from the school that the result was not issued by them to Obaseki.
“This court agrees with the lower courts completely, that the appellants did not meet sufficient requirement to prove their case”. Read more
37 inmates of Abeokuta custodial centre gain varsity admission (Guardian)
The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) on Friday said 37 of its inmates were admitted and matriculated into the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).
A statement by the Public Relations Officer of NCoS, Mr Francis Enobore on Friday in Abuja, said this was the second matriculation ceremony at the Custodial Centre, under the auspices of NOUN.
It stated that the inmates were admitted to study various courses as Business Administration, Political Science, Criminology and Security Studies, Journalism, Peace and Conflict Resolution, Accounting, Economics, Christian Religious Studies and Economics Education. Read more
COVID-19 killed 30 ASUU members, says president (Punch)
The President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Prof Biodun Ogunyemi, on Friday, said COVID-19 killed 30 of his members.
Ogunyemi stated this while delivering his valedictory speech at the 21 National Delegates conference of the union held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State.
He said, “In line with the provisions of our Constitution, we are here to review our activities in the last three years with a view to charting a new course at this critical juncture of our national life.
“As a point of departure, we must place on record that COVID-19 did not spare our campuses. Many of our infected members had had to combat the COVID attack with resources from colleagues and other people of goodwill because their salaries and emoluments, as well as the union’s check-off deductions, were withheld by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation over the rejection of the discredited Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System. Read more
Covid pandemic has top billing as Macron visits South Africa (RFI)
French President Emmanuel Macron travelled to South Africa for a state visit Friday for a 24-hour trip focused on the fight against Covid-19 and its economic fallout.
Fresh off a visit to Rwanda, where he acknowledged France’s role in the 1994 genocide, Macron held talks in Pretoria with South African leader Cyril Ramaphosa, whom he met last week in Paris at a summit on African economies.
The pair were also due to attend an event to support vaccine production on the continent, sponsored by the European Union, the United States and the World Bank.
So far South Africa, the country worst hit by Covid on the continent, has vaccinated just 1 percent of its population of 59 million people. Read more
Beyoncé and Jay-Z reportedly commission world’s most expensive car (PageSix)
Beyoncé and Jay-Z may have just added the most expensive car in the world to their already luxurious fleet.
This week, Rolls-Royce unveiled its $28 million Boat Tail convertible for a client who clearly enjoys the finer things in life, such as a rear deck that contains a picnic set and a double refrigerator to keep vintage champagne chilled. Rumor has it, a “Crazy in Love” couple were behind the creation of the car.
“It’s thought this fantastic car has been commissioned by Beyoncé and Jay-Z with all its detailing matching their favorite things,” an industry source told the UK’s Telegraph. Read more
Germany officially recognises colonial-era Namibia genocide (BBC)
Germany has officially acknowledged committing genocide during its colonial occupation of Namibia, and announced financial aid worth more than €1.1bn (£940m; $1.34bn).
German colonisers killed tens of thousands of Herero and Nama people there in early 20th Century massacres.
Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said his country was asking Namibia and victims’ descendants for forgiveness.
But activists say the aid is not enough to address the suffering inflicted. Read more
EU regulators approve BioNTech-Pfizer COVID vaccine for children (DW)
The EU medicines watchdog has given the go-ahead to vaccinate 12 to 15-year-old children against coronavirus. Germany has already said it plans to start in early June.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) announced on Friday that it had authorized the use of the German-developed BioNTech-Pfizer coronavirus vaccine for children aged 12 to 15.
It is the first vaccine to be approved for younger people in the EU.
Marco Cavaleri, who heads the EMA body that reviewed the vaccine, said data showed the shot to be highly effective against COVID in younger teens.
The decision needs to be rubber-stamped by the European Commission and individual national regulators. Read more
Wes Anderson film to compete for Palme d’Or at Cannes (RFI)
The latest film by US director Wes Anderson, “The French Dispatch”, will premiere at this year’s Cannes film festival in the official competition, organisers said Friday.
The film’s star-studded cast includes Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton, Timothee Chalamet, Adrien Brody, Benicio del Toro and Saoirse Ronan, as well as French actors Lea Seydoux and Mathieu Amalric.
The film — initially planned to screen at Cannes last year before the festival was cancelled because of Covid-19 — “will have its world preview premiere in the Cannes competition”, the festival tweeted.
It follows events at the French foreign news bureau of a Kansas newspaper set in a fictitious 20th-century French city. Read more
William Amos: Politician apologises after urinating during video call (BBC)
A Canadian politician has apologised after urinating during virtual video parliamentary proceedings.
It was the second such mishap involving William Amos, who represents Pontiac in Quebec. Last month, he appeared naked on a video call with colleagues.
“I am deeply embarrassed by my actions and the distress they may have caused anybody who witnessed them,” Mr Amos said on Thursday.
He described the latest incident as “unacceptable” but “accidental”. Read more
Liverpool agree to sign RB Leipzig defender Ibrahima Konate for £35m on long-term deal (BBC)
Liverpool have agreed to sign centre-back Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig for £35m on a long-term deal.
The French defender, 22, has passed his medical and agreed personal terms, with his move subject to international clearance and a UK work permit.
“It’s a really exciting moment for me and my family,” said Konate, whose contract will run from 1 July.
Konate is part of France’s squad for the Uefa European Under-21 Championship, which starts on Monday. Read more
Allegri returns to Juventus after Pirlo sacking (Guardian)
Massimiliano Allegri has returned to Juventus after the Turin giants sacked coach Andrea Pirlo following a single season in charge, the deposed Italian champions announced on Friday.
“Welcome back home, Max!” Juventus said in a tweet to announce the re-appointment of the coach who won five straight Serie A titles with the club between 2014 and 2019.
“Now we are ready to begin again with Allegri, to build our future together; with his enormous professionalism, his moral strength, with the brilliant ideas of a coach capable of shuffling the cards, both on and off the pitch,” Juventus said in a statement.
The 53-year-old led Juve to four consecutive league and cup doubles with Italian Cup triumphs in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. Read more
Lakers irate after ‘dirty play’ by Devin Booker in garbage time (NYPost)
The Lakers were not happy with how their playoff win ended.
With under 40 seconds remaining in the Lakers’ 109-95 win, guard Dennis Schröder went up for a layup, and while he was in midair, Suns star Devin Booker pushed him with two hands. After Schroder collided with Suns forward Jae Crowder, he crashed down hard to the floor.
After reviewing the play, which had the Lakers furious, Booker was ejected with a Flagrant-2 foul call. Crowder then quickly got a technical foul, following Booker off the court after apparently trying to confront Schröder.
After Los Angeles’ victory to secure a 2-1 lead in the first-round playoff series, Lakers big man Anthony Davis said Booker’s “blatant” push “can’t happen.” Read more
Semenya fails in second attempt to qualify for Tokyo Olympics (RFI)
Star South African athlete Caster Semenya failed again on Friday in Durban to qualify for the 5,000 metres at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
She clocked 15 minutes 32.15 seconds — 22.15 sec outside the qualifying time of 15:10.00 for the July 23-August 8 Games in the Japanese capital.
Semenya won a race arranged so that the 30-year-old could attempt to book a place in the South African Olympic team.
It was her second bid to qualify after clocking 15:52.28 last month in Pretoria at an altitude of 1,339 metres (4,393 feet). Read more
Nike says it split with Neymar over sexual assault investigation (BBC)
US sportswear giant Nike says it stopped working with Brazilian footballer Neymar because he “refused to co-operate in a good faith investigation” into an allegation of sexual assault against an employee.
The alleged incident happened in 2016 and was reported to Nike in 2018.
Nike said its investigation was inconclusive.
A spokeswoman for Neymar said he denied the sexual assault and split with Nike last year for commercial reasons. Read more
Britain’s Simon Yates wins Giro 19th stage, Bernal stays in lead (RFI)
Britain’s Simon Yates launched a solo attack to win the 19th stage of the Giro d’Italia on the Alpe di Mera summit on Friday, but Egan Bernal stayed in the overall lead.
Colombian Bernal, the 2019 Tour de France champion, finished third on the day to keep hold of the leaders’ pink jersey with only two stages remaining.
He now leads second-placed Damiano Caruso in the general classification by two minutes and 29 seconds, with Yates 20 seconds further back.Ineos’ Bernal could all but seal his second Grand Tour title in Saturday’s 20th and penultimate stage, a mountainous 164km ride from Verbania to Valle Spluga. Read more