Kano Emirate: Court leaves contenders in limbo (DailyTrust)
The hopes of the two contending forces in the dispute over the most appropriate claimant to the throne of the Emir of Kano that the simmering disagreement would end by yesterday were dashed after the Federal High Court delivered rulings that left both sides in limbo.
While the court declared the actions taken by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of May 23, 2024, as “null and void”, it stated, however, that its ruling does not affect the validity of the Kano Emirates Council (Repeal) Bill 2024, which was passed by the Kano State House of Assembly.
The actions taken by the state governor on May 23, 2024 included the deposition of the 15th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, and the reversal of the status of the emirs of Bichi, Rano, Gaya, and Karaye emirates to that of district heads, following the collapse of their emirates into Kano Emirate. Read more
Nigeria’s total public debt hit N121.67t – DMO (NewTelegraph)
Nigeria’s total public debt, comprising domestic and external debts of the Federal Government and 36 state governments including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), stood at N121.67 trillion ($91.46 billion) as of March 31, 2024, the latest figure from Debt Management Office ( DMO) revealed.
New Telegraph reports that this was higher compared to the December 31, 2023 figure of N97.34 trillion ($108.23 billion).
According to the debt management agency, the domestic debt portion stood at N65.65 trillion ($46.29 billion) while external debt was N56.02 trillion ($42.12 billion). Read more
N423b indictment: Protesters march in Kaduna, want EFCC’s probe of El-Rufai (Vanguard)
Protesters yesterday stormed the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House in Kaduna, calling on Governor Uba Sani to invite the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and other relevant security agencies to prosecute former Governor Nasiru Ahmad el-Rufai over his indictment of over N423 billion.
The protesters in their large number, acting under the aegis of Kaduna Citizens Watch for Good Governance, KCWGG,sang songs in praise of Governor Uba Sani as they walked to the Government House, displaying placards with different inscriptions.
Inscriptions on the placards read: “Stop servicing all loans that did not follow due process before they were obtained”; ”We will occupy all MDAs to chase out all indicted persons in the report,” among others. Read more
Kano govt reacts to court ruling on Kano Emirship tussle (Tribune)
The Kano State government has claimed that the ruling of the Federal High Court sitting in Kano on Thursday over the Kano Emirship tussle was in its favour.
Consequently, the government has demanded that the deposed Emir, Aminu Ado Bayero, vacate the Nassarawa guest palace for renovation.
Furthermore, the government has insisted that Emir Muhammad Sanusi II remains the authentic Emir of Kano, according to the court ruling. Read more
Lagos trains 60 engineers in bridge construction (Punch)
The Office of Infrastructure, Lagos State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, on Thursday, began training of no fewer than 60 engineers in bridge construction.
The three-day training commenced at the Public Service Staff Development Centre, Magodo, Lagos State.
The training, with the theme: “Bridge Building: From Theory to Practice,” focused on the practical application of knowledge. Read more
Oba Ogunleye’s death shocks Obasanjo (Nation)
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has described the death of the monarch of Akinale town, Owu Kingdom, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Oba Olufemi Ogunleye, Towulade 1, as shocking and a great loss to the entire Owu land, Ogun State and the country in general.
The Owu Traditional Council formally announced the demise of the late erudite journalist and public relations guru yesterday in Abeokuta.
Oba Ogunleye died on Wednesday in the United Kingdom after a brief illness. He was 79, expected to turn 80 in September. Read more
Why I relocated to America – Adewale Ayuba (Nation)
Fuji music icon Adewale Ayuba has opened up about his remarkable journey to the United States where he found refuge and a new lease on life.
In an intimate interview with Teju Babyface, Ayuba revealed how his initial three-month tour in 1995 turned into an unexpected exile due to the political turmoil under Sani Abacha’s regime.
He said: “I left for America with my full band members in 1995 for a summer show and others. We came to America for about three months and then returned to Nigeria. Read more
Nigerian cancer researcher, Yusuf, bags multiple awards in USA (Independent)
A Nigerian scientist and researcher, Kafayat Aderonke Yusuf, has received multiple prestigious awards for her groundbreaking research on inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and colon cancer at the University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City.
Yusuf, a PhD student in the Cancer Biology Department at the University, has been recognised by the American Gastroenterology Association (AGA) and the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) for her outstanding contributions to novel treatments for IBD and colon cancer.
In addition to these recognitions, Yusuf received the Individual Vice Chancellor Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) award at the University of Kansas Medical Center.
Dr. Jerrihlyn L. McGee, Vice Chancellor of DEI, commended Yusuf for her exceptional scholarly research and active role in promoting diversity and inclusion within the university community. Read more
Actor Donald Sutherland dies aged 88 (BBC)
The Canadian actor Donald Sutherland, star of films including The Hunger Games and Don’t Look Now, has died at 88 after a long illness.
His son, the actor Kiefer Sutherland, said: “With a heavy heart, I tell you that my father, Donald Sutherland, has passed away. I personally think one of the most important actors in the history of film.
“Never daunted by a role, good, bad or ugly. He loved what he did and did what he loved, and one can never ask for more than that. A life well lived.” Read more
Hajj pilgrim death toll passes 1,000 after 50C heatwave hit world’s largest gathering of Muslims (DailyMail)
The death toll at the hajj pilgrim has exceeded 1,000, according to reports, as a brutal heatwave has seen temperatures topping 50C at the world’s biggest gathering of Muslims in Saudi Arabia.
Horrifying pictures show bodies being covered and left in the street after they fell victim to the soaring temperatures, while many others suffered severe heat stroke and had to be urgently rushed inside.
Unregistered pilgrims make up more than half of those who have perished, with many unable to access air-conditioned facilities and help from authorities. Read more
South Korea fired warning shots after North Korean soldiers crossed border on Thursday (StraitsTimes)
South Korea’s military fired warning shots after several North Korean soldiers crossed the border on Thursday morning, the Yonhap news agency reported on Friday citing the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).
The soldiers retreated immediately after the warning shots were fired, the report said.
They had breached the Military Demarcation Line running through the middle of the demilitarised zone (DMZ), where they were working around 11 a.m. (0200 GMT) on Thursday, South Korea said. Read more
Kevin Costner says he’s spoken with Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan about the future of the show (ET)
Kevin Costner has once again been asked about Yellowstone and the 69-year-old actor, once again, delivered a tidbit suggesting there just may be a path for his return to the hit series.
While promoting his most ambitious project since his 1990 epic, Dances With Wolves, Costner was asked about the Paramount Network series during his appearance on Sirius XM’s The Spotlight with Jessica Shaw, where he was promoting his latest project, “Horizon: An American Saga”.
“I can’t let you go without asking in this room full of Yellowstone fans, and I know you’ve been talking about it so much as you’ve been promoting this,” said Shaw, to which Costner responded with, “I haven’t been talking about it so much. You’ve been asking about it a lot.” Read more
Kendrick Lamar sends clear message to Drake with ‘Euphoria’ lyric change (PopCulture)
Kendrick Lamar played his Drake diss tracks live for the first time on Wednesday night, and some changes to the lyrics of “Euphoria” were very pointed. The rapper removed a few lines from the song’s second verse, and inserted a new one as well. He referenced Drake’s purchase of a piece of west coast hip-hop memorabilia, apparently demanding its return.
Lamar played to a crowd of 17,000 people at The Forum in Los Angeles on Wednesday, live-streaming the show via Amazon Music at the same time. His most recent songs are diss tracks aimed at Drake, and he sprinkled them throughout the setlist. When he played “Euphoria,” he altered the lyrics starting in the second verse, starting at the refrain: “I hate the way that you walk, the way that you talk / I hate the way that you dress.” Lamar replaced the lines that followed with some of the lyrics from the third verse, where he uses the same refrain. Read more
Country music star Mark Chesnutt recovering from emergency quadruple bypass surgery, cancels shows (EW)
Country music star Mark Chesnutt is recovering from emergency quadruple bypass surgery.
The “I Just Wanted You to Know” singer shared Thursday in the social media post below that, as a result, he won’t be able to perform upcoming shows.
Chesnutt’s team wrote that he “experienced a heart health issue over the weekend that hospitalized him Sunday evening, June 16; Mark underwent emergency quadruple bypass surgery. The recuperation time will make it necessary to cancel show dates. Please respect the privacy of the family during this difficult time of recovery.” Read more
Trump says he would give green cards to foreign graduates of US colleges (AlJazeera)
Former United States President Donald Trump has said he would automatically grant green cards to foreign graduates of US colleges if re-elected, a surprising turn from the Republican known for his tough stance on immigration.
During a podcast interview with Silicon Valley tech investors on Thursday, Trump promised to make it easier to bring talent to the US and said anyone who graduates from a US college should be able to stay in the country.
“It’s so sad when we lose people from Harvard, MIT, the greatest schools, and lesser schools that are phenomenal schools also,” Trump said during an appearance on the All-In Podcast hosted by Chamath Palihapitiya, Jason Calacanis, David Sacks and David Friedberg. Read more
Atletico’s Ajibade ‘‘hungry’’ for Champions League success (Punch)
Super Falcons captain and Atletico Madrid forward, Rasheedat Ajibade, is delighted at the club’s achievements in the 2023/24 Spanish Liga Feminine season and already looking ahead to next season’s Women’s Champions League, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The 24-year-old scored 10 goals and provided four assists to help Atletico finish the season third on the log behind giants Barcelona and Real Madrid, including the winner in the final day’s fixture against Villarreal, which earned them 61 points and guaranteed them the last UEFA Champions League spot ahead of Levante with 60 points.
The former FC Robo woman, who was voted the club’s Player of The Season, celebrated the feat as she reflected on the campaign, thanking all concerned in an Instagram post on Thursday. Read more
England struggling with Euro 2024 expectations — Southgate (ABC)
Gareth Southgate has admitted his England squad are struggling to cope with the expectations of winning Euro 2024 after labouring to a 1-1 draw against Denmark on Thursday in Frankfurt, Germany.
Harry Kane gave England an 18th-minute lead before Morten Hjulmand equalised 16 minutes later, and although Phil Foden hit the post midway through the second half, the Danes looked the likelier winners thereafter.
England are still top of Group C heading into Tuesday’s final match against Slovenia, but they were booed off by a significant number of their own supporters. Read more
Cambiaso reveals Spalletti instructions during Italy loss to Spain (FootballItalia)
Andrea Cambiaso reveals what Luciano Spalletti asked of him in the 1-0 defeat to Spain and warns Italy that their EURO 2024 adventure ‘can change in a moment.’
It certainly did not go to play in Gelsenkirchen, where the Azzurri had hoped to take the initiative off La Roja, but instead barely managed to string three passes together throughout the night.
They had just four shots on goal, one of which was on target, compared to Spain’s 20 shots and eight on target. Read more
Britain’s Jack Draper ends reign of Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz at Queen’s (StraitsTimes)
Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz suffered a shock defeat by Britain’s Jack Draper in the last 16 of the Queen’s Club tournament in London on June 20.
Alcaraz, also the reigning Queen’s champion, lost 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 with the British number one claiming the biggest win of his career.
World number two Alcaraz arrived for this grass-court warm-up event for Wimbledon fresh from his French Open triumph on the clay of Roland Garros. Read more
Thompson fires 68 to seize lead at Women’s PGA Championship (France24)
Lexi Thompson birdied the first three holes on her way to firing a four-under par 68, clinging to a one-stroke lead after Thursday’s first round of the Women’s PGA Championship.
The 29-year-old American, who announced last month this will be her final LPGA season, was one shot ahead of top-ranked compatriot Nelly Korda and Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit after 18 holes at Sahalee Country Club in Sammamish, Washington.
“It was overall just a great day,” Thompson said. “I played solid golf. Had a good start so I tried to just keep on rolling with that. There are a lot of tough holes out there. I felt very comfortable.” Read more
Paris 2024: Katie Ledecky dominates, Caeleb Dressel qualifies at U.S. swimming trials (UPI)
Katie Ledecky dominated her patented 1,500-meter swim, earning another event placement for Paris 2024 at the U.S. Olympic trials. Fellow reigning gold medalist Caeleb Dressel claimed a spot on the 4x100M relay team.
“I was just expecting to go a lot faster,” Ledecky told reporters in Indianapolis, where a total of 10 swimmers earned individual event placements Wednesday at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Dressel, a seven-time Olympic gold medalist, and Simone Manuel each finished within the Top 4 of respective men’s and women’s 100-meter freestyle events, qualifying for the relay teams and earning their first Team USA roster spots for Paris 2024. Read more
