I thought Buhari was a religious fundamentalist until we became close – Tunde Bakare (Channels)
The Serving Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church (CGCC), Pastor Tunde Bakare, says the late former President Muhammadu Buhari was far from being a religious fundamentalist, contrary to accusations.
Bakare, who was Buhari’s running mate in the 2011 presidential election, said he only began to see the former Nigerian leader, who died in London on Sunday, differently when he got closer to him.
“I thought he was a religious fundamentalist until I came close,” Bakare said on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday. Read more
Buhari: Tinubu sets up 9-man committee as burial holds today (Vanguard)
President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of an inter-ministerial committee to manage the planning and organisation of a state burial for former President Muhammadu Buhari, who died on Sunday.
The committee came on a day the Federal Government declared today public holiday in honour of the late former President.
The declaration of the public holiday, which is in furtherance of the seven-day national mourning earlier declared by Tinubu, came on a day Katsina State governor, Dikko Radda, said the late former President will be buried at 2pm in Daura, Katsina State today. Read more
Daura kinsmen, associates reflect on Buhari’s final months (Punch)
As the burial of late former President Muhammadu Buhari holds on Tuesday (today), insights from his kinsmen, domestic workers, neighbours, and close associates reveal how he spent his last two years at his Daura country home after leaving office.
Buhari, 82, died in a London hospital on Sunday and will be laid to rest at his compound in Daura, Katsina State, today, closing the chapter of a life marked by service, humility, and compassion.
Before the burial, however, some of his staff members said Buhari was well-known for his compassion towards animals, especially his pets. Read more
I was in the same hospital with Buhari – Abdulsalami (Leadership)
Former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (Rtd), has revealed that he was admitted to the same London hospital as former President Muhammadu Buhari shortly before the latter’s death.
In an emotional tribute during an interview with Channels Television, the former military leader said he had only just been discharged from the hospital when news of Buhari’s passing reached him on Sunday.
“Unfortunately, we were in the same hospital together. But I have been discharged,” Abdulsalami said. “So, when I heard the news of his passing away, I quickly went there to condole the family and see what could be done in order to get the corpse ready to be taken home.” Read more
All eyes on Daura as Buhari goes home (Sun)
The city of Daura, Katsina State, is agog as it awaits the arrival of the remains and burial of its illustrious son and former president, Muhammadu Buhari.
Buhari passed away on Sunday in a London hospital. His death was announced by his family in a statement issued by his former spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu.
President Bola Tinubu had announced a national mourning with flags lowered half‑mast and the Vice‑President, Kashim Shettima dispatched to the United Kingdom to convey Buhari’s body home. Read more
Tinubu leads delegation to Burial of Buhari, to receive remains at Katsina Airport today (ThisDay)
President Bola Tinubu will today (Tuesday) lead a high-level federal government delegation to the burial ceremony of late Nigerian leader, Muhammadu Buhari, and is expected to receive the remains of the deceased former President of Nigeria at the Katsina Airport later in the day.
In the same vein, yesterday, Tinubu approved the constitution of an inter-ministerial committee for a state burial for Buhari, who died in London on Sunday at the age of 82.
Buhari will be buried today at his home in Daura, Katsina State. Read more
Coronation commits to private sector leadership at forum (Nation)
Coronation Group has reaffirmed its commitment to private sector leadership at the 13th BusinessDay CEO Forum.
The event: “Nigeria – From Reform to Recovery” at Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, brought together business leaders, policymakers, and thinkers to dialogue on Nigeria’s economic trajectory and critical pathways toward long-term growth and stability.
Present were top Coronation Group’s senior executives like Olamide Olajolo, managing director/chief executive officer of Coronation Insurance Plc; and Irenosen Ohiwerei, chief Operations officer of Coronation Merchant Bank. Read more
Cameroon’s president seeks to remain in power until almost his 100th birthday (CNN)
Cameroon’s 92-year-old President Paul Biya, who has held an iron grip on the Central African nation for nearly 43 years has launched a reelection bid that could keep him in power until almost his 100th birthday.
“Much remains to be done,” said Biya, who is in the twilight of his seventh term in office. “The best is yet to come,” added the Cameroonian leader in a statement on Sunday.
Biya is seeking a fresh seven-year term in a presidential election scheduled for October, despite reports that his health has deteriorated. He said his decision to extend his grip on power rested “on urgent appeals coming from the 10 regions of our country and from the diaspora.”Read more
7 rescued, 11 missing after boat capsizes off Indonesia’s Mentawai (AlJazeera)
Rescuers in Indonesia are searching for 11 people who went missing after a boat capsized in bad weather off the Mentawai Islands in West Sumatra province, according to a local search and rescue agency.
Dozens of rescuers and two boats were at the site of the disaster on Tuesday, and seven of the 18 people on board the boat have been rescued, the agency said in a statement.
The vessel capsized at about 11am on Monday (04:00 GMT) as it sailed around the Mentawai Islands. Read more
Israeli government and military clash over proposed camp for Palestinians (Guardian)
A feud has broken between the Israeli government and the military over the cost and impact of a planned camp for Palestinians in southern Gaza, as politicians criticised the former prime minister Ehud Olmert for warning that the project would create a “concentration camp” if it goes ahead.
The “humanitarian city” project has become a sticking point in ceasefire talks with Hamas. Israel wants to keep troops stationed across significant parts of Gaza, including the ruins of Rafah city in the south, where the defence minister, Israel Katz, says the camp will be built.
Hamas is pushing for a more comprehensive withdrawal. Husam Badran, a senior member of the group, said the camp plans were a “deliberatively obstructive demand” that would complicate talks, the New York Times reported. Read more
Trump to slam Russia with ‘severe’ 100% tariffs if no Ukraine deal is made in 50 days (Euronews)
Trump has publicly expressed irritation with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s reluctance to reach a peace deal in Ukraine, accusing the Russian leader of throwing “bulls**t” at Washington.
US President Donald Trump said on Monday he has struck a deal with NATO to purchase the weapons that will be delivered to Ukraine, as he met NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Washington.
“We made a deal today where we will be sending weapons to (Ukraine) and NATO will be paying for it,” Trump announced at a press conference at the White House. Read more
China growth slows as trade turmoil weighs on economy (BBC)
China’s economy has slowed as trade turmoil triggered by US President Donald Trump’s tariffs and a prolonged crisis in the property market weigh on growth.
Official figures show the world’s second largest economy grew by 5.2% in the three months to the end of June, compared to the same time last year. That’s down from 5.4% in the previous quarter.
But the country has so far avoided a sharp downturn, partly due to measures announced by Beijing to help support the economy and a fragile tariffs truce with Washington. Read more
Sarah Jessica Parker On ‘Hocus Pocus 3’ (Deadline)
It looks like the spell to bring Hocus Pocus 3 to reality is slowly unfolding.
In a recent episode of Andy Cohen’s Watch What Happens Live!, star Sarah Jessica Parker answered an audience question about a potential threequel to the beloved Disney Halloween classic.
“No more developments other than we would like to do it,” the And Just Like That… star said. “We’ve been having some conversations.”
Originally released in 1993, Kenny Ortega’s Hocus Pocus follows a trio of humorous evil witches who are unwittingly resurrected by a teenage boy on Halloween night in Salem, Mass. In 2022, Disney+ released a sequel to the family cult film, featuring Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy and Parker reprising their roles as the Sanderson sisters. Read more
Hearn confirms Joshua vs Paul fight (Punch)
Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn has confirmed that talks are underway for a sensational bout between Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul, with the proposed fight receiving backing from Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority chairman, Turki Alalshikh.
In an interview with Boxing News during the Ring III official weigh-in, Hearn revealed that discussions have taken a serious turn following a recent conversation with Alalshikh, the key figure behind many high-profile boxing events in Saudi Arabia.
“After speaking to His Excellency last night… in this mad world that we live in, I wouldn’t be surprised,” Hearn said when asked about the possibility of Joshua facing YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul. Read more
Osimhen close to joining Galatasaray on permanent deal (Leadership)
Victor Osimhen was absent from training on Monday as Serie A champions Napoli FC resumed preparations as the Nigerian striker engaged in negotiations to join Turkish club Galatasaray on a permanent basis.
In a statement, Napoli confirmed: “The players met at the training centre for medical examinations and physical tests. Victor Osimhen was absent and provided a medical certificate.”
A key player in Napoli’s title-winning campaign in 2023, Osimhen spent last season on loan at Galatasaray, where he netted 26 goals in 30 league appearances, helping the Istanbul club secure their 25th Super Lig title. Read more
CAF mourns ex-President Buhari (Nation)
The President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Dr. Patrice Motsepe, has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Nigeria’s former President, Muhammadu Buhari, describing him as a leader who showed immense passion and commitment to the growth of football in Nigeria.
In a condolence message issued on behalf of CAF and its 54 member associations, Dr. Motsepe extended heartfelt sympathies to President Buhari’s family, the Government of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and its President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, as well as the entire Nigerian people.
He said, “We are deeply saddened by the passing of the former President of Nigeria, His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari. On behalf of CAF and its Member Associations representing 54 African countries, I extend our deep condolences to his family, the Government of Nigeria and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Nigeria Football Federation and its President Ibrahim Musa Gusau, and the People of Nigeria.” Read more
Chinese swimmers dope-tested the most ahead of World Aquatics Championships (CNN)
Chinese swimmers took more anti-doping tests this year than swimmers from any other country ahead of the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore this month, the Aquatics Integrity Unit said in a report.
From January 1, Chinese swimmers had an average of 8.8 anti-doping tests versus those from the US who were tested 4.1 times and those from Britain who were tested 2.2 times, the report showed.
Swimmers competing as neutrals – mainly those with Russian nationality – were tested 8.2 times on average.
In total, the Aquatics Integrity Unit conducted 4,018 anti-doping tests on athletes participating in the Singapore event scheduled for July 11 to 22. Read more
McIlroy vows ‘the story isn’t over’ as he revels in Royal Portrush support at the Open (Guardian)
Rory McIlroy has promised to revel in the Northern Irish love during the Open Championship this week, with the 36-year-old also warning fellow competitors that he has regained focus after claiming the Masters in April. “The story certainly isn’t over,” he insisted.
McIlroy has returned to Royal Portrush for the first time since 2019, when he admitted the scale of ovation on the Open’s first tee contributed to him whacking his ball out of bounds. He later missed the cut.
Attention in the coming days promises to be even more intense, given his Masters win meant he became only the sixth golfer in history to complete a career grand slam. Read more