I’ll do my best to repeat feat in law school — Aminat, LASU’s best student tells Sanwo-Olu (Vanguard)
Lagos State, Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday, redeemed and presented the N10 million cash prize pledge to Miss. Yusuf Aminat Imoitesemeh, Lagos State University, LASU, best student of all time.
This came as Imoitesemeh promised Sanwo-Olu to try and repeat the outstanding grade at the Law School.
Sanwo-Olu, at the 26th LASU convocation, held last month, promised her a cash reward. Read more
MAN, NACCIMA, CPPE, others laud Tinubu’s signing of 4 Executive Orders (Sun)
Nigeria’s Organised Private Sector and economic experts yesterday lauded President Bola Tinubu’s signing of four Executive Orders as part of his bid to improve the nation’s business environment.
In their separate reactions on the import of the orders, the various private sector umbrella bodies said the action was a step in the right direction.
“Manufacturers Association of Nigeria has been calling for the reversal of some of these unpopular, ill-conceived policies. We are certainly excited about it. It looks like we are coming to the end of the era of impunity, says Dr Frank Onyebu, Chairman of Apapa branch of MAN. Read more
Threads: Tinubu, 30 million others join, Zuckerberg projects billion (Punch)
The president of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, and former vice president, Yemi Osinbajo have joined 30 million others on Meta’s (owner of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp) new platform, Threads.
This is as Meta’s Chief Executive Officer, Mark Zuckerberg, noted that the company is setting its sight on one billion users soon. Threads, which launched on Thursday in over 100 countries now has 30 million users according to Zuckerberg.
He stated that in the first two hours of launching the app had two million sign-ups, which increased to five million in the first four hours. Read more
LP Legislator: Opposition lawmakers won’t allow 10th Senate become rubber stamp (DailyTrust)
Senator representing Edo South, Neda Imasuen, has promised that the 10th Senate will not be a rubber stamp to the Executive arm of government.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Thursday, he said the opposition Senators will only work for the growth and development of the country.
Imasuen said the new senate will be a corrective one and will partner with the executive to deliver the goods for Nigerians. Read more
Lagos hails public servants, seeks more commitment (Punch)
The Lagos State Head of Service, Mr Hakeem Muri-Okunola, has commended public servants in the state’s civil service for their “invaluable contributions” to the development of the state.
He lauded them for their support for Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s T.H.E.M.E.S. Agenda during his first term in office.
The HoS also urged the public servants to “rejig their commitments to the T.H.E.M.E.S.+ Agenda” of the second tenure of the governor, which, according to him, aims to intensify focus on social inclusion, gender equality, and youth empowerment to ensure that no one is left behind. Read more
I’m in high spirits, ready to return, says Akeredolu (Guardian)
Ondo State governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has said he is in high spirits as he recovers and is ready to return to Nigeria soon after undergoing medical treatment abroad.
Ondo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Bamidele Ademola-Olateju said in a statement on Thursday.
Ademola-Olateju said that Akeredolu also thanked the people of Ondo State for their prayers and support which have been a soothing balm.
11 Nigerian airlines earn N167bn from ticket sales in Q1 (Sun)
Nigerian carriers on domestic operations earned over N167 billion from flight ticket sales in the first quarter of 2023, Daily Sun can reveal.
A breakdown of local and international traffic for January, February and March of this year, released by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), shows that a total of 2,791,591 passengers travelled locally by air with in-bound at 1,391,560 and out-bound at 1,400,031.
The average cost of economy tickets on most local routes ranged from N60, 000, with some destinations costing over N100, 000. At the minimum rate of N60, 000 and passenger traffic of 2,791,591, the combined number of 11 local airlines operated 18,288 flights (which is 5,223 less when compared to the same period in 2022) and can be said to have earned over N167 billion from ticket sales. Read more
INEC files charges against suspended Adamawa REC (DailyTrust)
The Independent National Electoral Commissioner (INEC) has filed a six-count charge against Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari, suspended Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of Adamawa State.
National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee of INEC, Festus Okoye, who disclosed this on Thursday, said the charges were filed before a High Court sitting in Yola.
According to him, the commission held its regular weekly meeting, Thursday 6th July 2023, and discussed, among other issues, the progress with the prosecution of electoral offenders. Read more
Madonna reportedly revived with narcan after being found unresponsive at home (Pride)
We knew Madonna was really going through it, but we had no idea it was this bad!
The pop legend was allegedly revived with Narcan last month after being admitted to the ICU.
The “Material Girl” singer was found unresponsive on June 24 and those who found her had to use and injection of Narcan to revive her “lifeless body,” Radar Online reports.
Although Narcan is most commonly used to treat life-threatening drug overdoses, the outlet claims that it is also used to treat septic shock, which Madonna is said to suffer from. Read more
Britney Spears “hit in the face” by NBA star Victor Wembanyama’s bodyguard (Sky)
Britney Spears has claimed she was hit in the face by a security guard when she tried to tap a 7ft 4in tall NBA star on the shoulder.
The singer said she was “back handed” and nearly knocked to the ground after she approached Victor Wembanyama from behind as he walked into a hotel restaurant in Las Vegas.
In an emotional statement on Thursday, Spears described the incident on Wednesday night as a “traumatic experience” and said she hoped to get an apology from the player. Read more
Billie Eilish tells fans ‘‘get ready to sob’’ over song for upcoming “Barbie” movie (BelfastTelegraph)
US singer Billie Eilish has announced that she will be releasing a new song for the upcoming “Barbie” movie starring Margot Robbie.
“The Bad Guy” singer, 21, told her fans that they should be “ready to sob”, as she revealed “What Was I Made For?” will be out this month.
Big names in pop including Lizzo, Charli XCX and Nicki Minaj had already been announced as being on the soundtrack to the film, directed by Lady Bird filmmaker Greta Gerwig. Read more
‘‘The Nun 2’’ trailer unlocks new terrifying chapter In ‘‘The Conjuring’’ universe (HuffPost)
The next chapter in The Conjuring universe is finally here.
On Thursday, Warner Bros. Pictures dropped a first look at “The Nun II,” the sequel to the 2018 hit horror film The Nun.
In the suspenseful trailer, the demon nun Valak (played by Bonnie Aarons) from “The Conjuring 2” is back to square up against Sister Irene (Taissa Farmiga). The teaser shows Irene, who survived the unholy events of the first movie, now living in a convent in Italy. Read more
SAG-AFTRA steps up strike preparation efforts as contract talks intensify (Variety)
With five days to go, SAG-AFTRA is stepping up its efforts to prepare for going on strike even as contract negotiations with Hollywood’s major studios intensify.
On Thursday, SAG-AFTRA distributed a survey to its 160,000 members and alerted them that the union would be calling for volunteers to help make signs, work phone banks, distribute T-shirts and generally support a mobilization of pickets on the streets of Los Angeles, New York and selected other locations. The email message includes a survey of members’ availability to picket outside studio gates, New York offices and other key locations. Thursday’s communication was the second part of the initial survey questions sent to members on Wednesday.
SAG-AFTRA members have already been out in force on picketing efforts mounted by the Writers Guild of America, which went on strike May 2. Many rank-and-file SAG-AFTRA members are fired up about issues on the table in this difficult season of Hollywood labor negotiations. By contrast, the Directors Guild of America has ratified a new three-year contract in a deal reached last month without much drama. Read more
Twitter threatens legal action over Threads app (BBC)
Twitter is considering legal action against Meta over its fast-growing rival app Threads.
Threads, which was launched to millions on Wednesday, is similar to Twitter and has been pitched by Meta bosses as a “friendly” alternative.
Twitter’s Elon Musk said “competition is fine, cheating is not” – but Meta denied claims in a legal letter that ex-Twitter staff helped create Threads. Read more
At least 4 killed in Russian missile attack on Lviv city, Ukraine (AlJazeera)
At least four people have been killed and more than 30 injured in a Russian missile attack on a residential apartment block in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv, one of the largest attacks on the city’s civilian infrastructure since the start of Russia’s invasion last year, officials said.
Ukraine’s Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko reported on Thursday that at least four people were killed in the attack which destroyed the third and fourth floors of an apartment building. Rescuers were working to reach those still trapped under rubble, he said.
Ukraine’s Interior Ministry later updated the number of injured to 32, including one child. The emergency services said they had managed to rescue seven people from the destroyed building and evacuated 64 others. Read more
Brume, Ofili Out Of World Athletics Championship (Sun)
When the 2023 World Athletics Championship commences in Budapest, Hungary, Team Nigeria will be without two of its key athletes, BSNSports.com.ng reports.
According to the Athletics Federation Of Nigeria (AFN), the duo of Godson Brume and Favour Ofili have been ruled of the championship due to their withdrawal from the National Trials in Benin.
The federation a few days ago announced that any athletes that failed to participate in the trial will not be selected. Read more
World Cup: Super Falcons undergo 1st training in Australia (DailyTrust)
Nigeria’s Super Falcons have undergone their first training at the Gold Coast Sports Centre Brisbane in Australia, hosts alongside New Zealand, for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Some members of the team departed Nigeria on Sunday, while others left on Tuesday for a 15-day training camp ahead of the tournament beginning on July 20 to Aug. 20.
The team, via its Twitter handle @ng_superrfalcons on Thursday, noted that 21 players were in camp but only 18 took part in the training on Thursday morning. Read more
FIFA announces Women’s World Cup venues will fly First Nations flags alongside national flags (ABC)
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait flags will sit either side of the Australian flag at local games, and the Māori flag alongside the New Zealand flag at all matches in that country as well as at all ceremonies.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said FIFA recognised the importance of First Nations in Australia and Māori in New Zealand in the hosting of the Women’s World Cup.
“This week, during NAIDOC Week in Australia and just before Aotearoa New Zealand’s Matariki celebrations, FIFA has acknowledged the request made by its Cultural Advisory Panel as well as Football Australia and New Zealand Football, which was supported by Governments in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand,” Infantino said. Read more
France star footballer Kylian Mbappe visits father’s native Cameroon (StraitsTimes)
France’s star footballer Kylian Mbappe arrived in Cameroon to an ecstatic welcome from fans on Thursday for a visit that includes charity work with deaf children and a trip to his father’s village.
Many among the hundreds who greeted the 24-year-old forward were dressed in his Paris Saint-Germain team’s football jersey for the occasion.
They excitedly screamed his name as he emerged from the airport in the capital Yaounde, according to an AFP journalist. Read more
Murray breaks serve but not curfew as epic match halted (RTE)
Andy Murray is one set away from a place in the third round of Wimbledon after a late-night classic against Stefanos Tsitsipas was halted by the tournament’s 11pm curfew.
On the eve of the anniversary of his first title at the All England Club, Murray rolled back the years with a performance showcasing all his famous grit, skill and grass-court nous to lead 6-7 (3) 7-6 (2) 6-4.
There were boos when it was announced the match would be halted with 20 minutes still to go until the cut-off point but Murray was probably not too disappointed after a hugely concerning moment at set point when the Scot screamed in pain and fell to the ground clutching his left groin. Read more
Lewis Hamilton urges protesters to avoid track at British GP (ESPN)
Lewis Hamilton has said he would welcome a peaceful Just Stop Oil protest at this weekend’s British Grand Prix, but has joined his fellow drivers in urging activists not to invade the track.
Last year, Just Stop Oil protesters ran onto the circuit during the opening lap of the race, which by chance had already been suspended due to an unrelated accident at the first corner.
Three of the six protesters were given suspended prison sentences while the other three were given 12-month community orders. Read more