Kuje: INTERPOL gets fleeing inmates’ data, border security heightened (Punch)
The Federal Government on Thursday began uploading the data of 60 escaped terrorists and other criminals to the International Criminal Police Organisation database.
As of press time, it was learnt that the details of most of the escapees had already been uploaded.
The Spokesman, Nigeria Correctional Service, Umar Abubakar, who confirmed this to The PUNCH on Thursday, disclosed that the names, pictures and other data of the inmates have been circulated to other security agencies.
When asked if the NCoS has dispatched the data of the terrorists to Interpol, Abubakar said, “They are working on it; the ones they uploaded are not too clear to my liking and the management’s liking. Hopefully, they should be through tonight. Read more
Catholic priest abducted in Benue (Guardian)
The Parish Priest of Holy Ghost Parish, Eke-Olengbeche, Otukpo, Benue State, Rev. Fr. Peter Amodu, has been kidnapped.
The Guardian learnt that the priest was abducted on Wednesday, July 6, 2022, at about 5:00 pm along Otukpo/Ugbokolo highway.
He was reportedly going to Okwungaga-Ugbokolo to celebrate Mass when he was taken away.
The Catholic Diocese of Otukpo, in a circular signed by the Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Joseph Itodo, confirmed the incident. Read more
Sanwo-Olu suspends Lagos abortion guidelines (Punch)
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has directed the suspension of the “State Guidelines on Safe Termination of Pregnancy for Legal Indications” issued by the Directorate of Family Health and Nutrition in the Ministry of Health.
This was contained in a statement by the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, titled, “Retraction on guidelines relating to safe termination of pregnancy for medical reasons in Lagos State’.
Sanwo-Olu said that the new guidelines would not be implemented until adequate deliberation.
The governor added that the suspension would also allow for adequate public sensitisation and stakeholder engagement to reach a consensus required for successful guideline development. Read more
Bleak Sallah: Nigerians groan as fuel scarcity, high cost of rams hobble celebration (Sun)
There are strong indications that this year’s Muslim Sallah celebration may be blighted by acute fuel scarcity, insecurity and the astronmic cost of rams across many states of the country.
With fewer filling stations dispensing fuel across Lagos metropolis and neighbouring states in the SouthWest for instance, commuters are already lamenting a sharp increase in the cost of interstate transportation services which is some cases have exceeded the 35 per cent mark.
Some transport operators who spoke to Daily Sun in separate interviews lamented the high cost of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol.
A transporter at Pen- Cinema in Agege who shuttles Lagos to Ibadan said they had to increase transport fare to N4,000 from N 2,500 in order to break even having bought product from black market vendors to petrol at the cost of N200 per litre. Read more
Housewives returning from Sallah shopping die in Kano accident (DailyTrust)
An automobile accident within Kano metropolis has resulted in the death of two middle-aged women who were returning from shopping for the Sallah celebration.
The deceased persons – Khadija and Rasheeda – who were married to two brothers – Nura Garba Khalil and Adamu Garba Khalil – were said to have lost control of their vehicle and hit a street light pole after a car veered off the track to their path.
The accident reportedly happened late Wednesday evening along Kano Government House.
Nura said the women met their untimely death when a car veered towards their path and they tried to maneuver but ended up hitting the street light. Read more
Court convicts couple over maid’s death (Nation)
An Ikeja High Court yesterday sentenced a couple, Fortune and Stephen Nwankwo, to 14 and two years’ imprisonment, respectively, for the involuntary murder of their 19-year-old housemaid, Joy Adole.
Justice Oyindamola Ogala held that the prosecution had convincingly proved the charge of manslaughter, conspiracy and attempt to pervert justice.
The court convicted Stephen of the charges of conspiracy and attempt to pervert Justice.
Ogala said the court was convinced that the testimonies of the prosecution witnesses were not only strong but also corroborated the fact that the housemaid died due to the beating by Fortune. Read more
At BSN luncheon, Sanwo-Olu, Maiden Alex-Ibru urge divine resolution of Nigeria’s problems (Guardian)
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has reiterated their commitment to making God the cornerstone of his administration.
He spoke yesterday at the Bible Society of Nigeria’s (BSN) 15th luncheon with the theme: “Divine mason: Vessels in the order of Solomon,” where N2 billion was being sourced for a befitting Bible House.
Represented by his Special Adviser on Chieftaincy Matters, Prince Bayo Osiyemi, the governor, who coincidentally graced the event as 15th state chief executive, said at every function of the church, he had not relented in rendering assistance whenever the occasion demands.
Awards for selfless service to God and humanity were later bestowed to prominent citizens, including Publisher of The Guardian, Lady Maiden Alex-Ibru, Sir Emmanuel Nwogbo, Dr. Olatokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu and Pastor Elijah Abina. Read more
Council, firm deworm 16,800 pupils (Nation)
The Kwali Area Council, in partnership with a pharmaceutical company, Biomedical Limited, has commenced mass deworming exercises for no fewer than 16,800 pupils.
The exercise, which is targeted at children between the ages of two and five, will also be extended to 12 states of the federation, according to the sponsors.
At the flag-off of the programme in Kwali yesterday, the Marketing Manager of Biomedical, Watson Olojo said the deworming exercise was designed to mark the 40th anniversary of the firm.
He said the objective was to deworm children in order to provide nutrients that are required for their physical, mental growth and performance in schools. Read more
Organ harvesting: Court denies Ekweremadu, wife bail, remands duo in jail till August 4 (Guardian)
The Uxbridge Magistrate’s Court in England, yesterday, again denied former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice bail and ordered their remand in prison till August 4, 2022.
The court had earlier denied them bail shortly after their arrest on June 21, 2022.
Ekweremadu and his wife are currently facing trial at the Court in England for allegedly bringing a child to the United Kingdom for organ harvesting.
MEANWHILE, the Westminster Magistrate’s Court has ruled that David Ukpo, who is in the middle of the organ harvesting trial of Ike Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice, is not a minor. Read more
Labour Party to unveil Baba-Ahmed as Obi’s running mate Friday (Vanguard)
The Labour Party, LP, will on Friday unveil Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed as the running mate to Mr. Peter Obi, the Presidential candidate of the party in the 2023 elections.
Senator Baba-Ahmed, who is in his 40s is the Proprietor of Baze University, Abuja and Baba-Ahmed University Kano.
The unveiling of the vice presidential candidate was initially slated for Thursday to be done by the LP’s Presidential candidate at the party’s national secretariat, Abuja.
However, the National Chairman of the party, Barrister Julius Abure said that the ceremony could not go ahead as planned because the Presidential candidate, who had traveled to Maiduguri and expected back in Abuja Thursday afternoon had his flight canceled. Read more
Derek Chauvin sentenced to 20 years for violating George Floyd’s rights (BBC)
Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin has been sentenced to more than 20 years in prison for violating George Floyd’s civil rights.
Chauvin, 46, pleaded guilty to the separate federal civil rights charges in December.
He is already serving a 22-year state prison sentence for the on-duty murder of Mr Floyd, a 46-year-old black man.
The two sentences will run concurrently and Chauvin will now be moved to a federal prison.
But he will almost certainly spend more time behind bars following the sentencing. His sentence is due to be followed by five years of supervised release. Read more
Al Pacino, Robert De Niro pay tribute to ‘Godfather’ co-star James Caan (USAToday)
The impact of Oscar-nominated actor James Caan extended beyond the silver screen he graced for more than 60 years.
Caan, best known for his roles as Sonny Corleone in “The Godfather” and Paul Sheldon in “Misery,” died at 82 on Wednesday, the actor’s official Twitter account shared in a statement Thursday.
“The family appreciates the outpouring of love and heartfelt condolences and asks that you continue to respect their privacy during this difficult time,” the tweet read.
Many of Caan’s Hollywood comrades, including his “Godfather” co-star Al Pacino, shared their condolences and celebrated the iconic actor. Read more
Netflix teases trailer for ‘Carter’ Korean action film ahead of August launch (Variety)
Mixing “Jason Bourne” and “Mission: Impossible” adrenalin rushes with Korean cool, Netflix is teasing high octane footage of “Carter,” its first Korean original movie of the second half of the year.
The action plays out two months into a deadly pandemic originating from the demilitarized zone between the two Koreas. The outbreak has already devastated the U.S. and North Korea. And the titular agent has to risk his life while figuring out his own identity.
Agent Carter wakes with no recollections of his past. His head is literally a bomb and there is a mysterious voice giving him orders for a special mission. He needs to rescue the girl who is the sole antidote to the virus and stay ahead of the CIA and a North Korean coup.
The trailer shows sequences ranging from intense physical combat, a “North by Northwest”-style chase through the countryside, to daredevil airplane stunts. Read more
Denzel Washington misses Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony due to Covid-19 (BelfastTelegraph)
Denzel Washington was forced to pull out of a White House ceremony in which he was due to be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom after contracting Covid-19.
The Oscar-winning actor and director was part of a list of 17 recipients receiving the accolade, which is the highest civilian honour that can be bestowed in the US.
President Joe Biden handed out the medals at the event on Thursday, but said he would be giving Washington’s to him “at a later date”.
“There’s a man who couldn’t be here today but wanted to be: Denzel Washington, one of our greatest actors in American history,” Biden said, acknowledging the Hollywood star as a recipient of “academy Awards, Golden Globes, Tony Awards (and) wide acclaim from audiences and peers around the world”. Read more
Missy Elliott tells artists working on their second album to “go with your gut” and be “fearless” (NME)
Missy Elliott has given advice to artists working on their second album, encouraging them to take risks and not allow themselves to be pigeonholed.
“Sophomore albums are a very PIVOTAL time for [artists],” the rap icon tweeted yesterday (July 7). “Your sophomore album will be stressful but it’s the BEST ALBUM to EXPERIMENT on! Don’t be AFRAID! Becuz If u play safe you will be BOXED in & it’s hard to get out because your fans get used to that 1 sound.”
She continued: “Listen CLOSELY! Go with the songs you feel you should drop, not what everyone else suggests! You the Artist must FEEL it YASELF because YOU are the one that has to SELL it & CONVINCE ppl it’s HOT. Go with your GUT! Fearless.”
Missy Elliott’s second album, ‘Da Real World’, arrived in 1999, two years after her debut, ‘Supa Dupa Fly’. Spawning singles like ‘She’s a Bitch’ and ‘All N My Grill’, ‘Da Real World’ was released to critical acclaim, and was certified platinum the following year. Read more
Drake taps Boxing legend Mike Tyson for upcoming OVO campaign (HipHopDX)
Drake and his October’s Very Own team are always looking for refreshing ways to introduce their clothing line.
For the next collection, OVO is stepping into the ring with boxing legend Mike Tyson. Drizzy’s OVO brand unveiled some of the promo shots of Iron Mike sporting new OVO gear from the upcoming capsule on Wednesday (July 6).
Tyson rocks a black OVO crew neck sweater in the first promo shot which finds him giving the same menacing stare he shook countless opponents with throughout his decorated fighting career. The second post mixes clips from the photo shoot with Iron Mike boxing highlights.
In addition to the crew neck, look for OVO x Mike Tyson t-shirts and a baseball cap as well. One fan joked that the OVO owl should be emblazoned with Tyson’s signature face tattoo to make the collaboration that much more unique. Read more
Former Japanese leader Shinzo Abe apparently shot, in heart failure (TimesOfIsrael)
Former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe was attacked and left bleeding at a campaign event in Japan’s Nara region on Friday, local media reported.
Several outlets said Abe had been attacked.
Witnesses reported hearing gunshots in the apparent attack in the city of Nara.
The former leader was reportedly unconscious after the incident. At least one report said he was showing no vital signs, while another report said he was in heart failure. Read more
Joshua could retire if he loses to Usyk again, says Haye (Guardian)
Anthony Joshua looks to win back the belts he lost to Oleksandr Usyk last September when the pair meet in Saudi Arabia on August 20.
The Brit has partnered with new trainer Robert Garcia for the rematch, parting ways with longtime coach Robert McCracken after a disastrous gameplan in his first meeting against Usyk, reports mirror.co.uk.
The fight provides Joshua with the opportunity to become one of the few three-time heavyweight champions in boxing history. It could also set up an undisputed clash with WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, who insists he is still retired from the sport.
Haye thinks Joshua’s rematch against Usyk is a do-or-die moment for the Brit, stating: “If he doesn’t win, I am not sure he wants to be in a sport where he knows he is not the best. He got outhustled by someone he knows he can beat. If he does everything right and Usyk still beats him, I don’t know if there is anything else to do. He is such a winner that I don’t know what he does next.” Read more
NNL: Bendel Insurance move seven points clear
(ThisDay)
Bendel Insurance Football Club of Benin on Wednesday moved seven points clear at the top of Group B1 of the Nigeria National League (NNL) after beating Gateway United of Abeokuta 4-0 at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in a rescheduled Match-day 18 game.
Insurance took charge of the game early as they were awarded a penalty in the 5th minute. However the penalty was saved by the goalkeeper with Sodje Stephen converting a rebound to give the host the early lead.
More pressure from Insurance led to an own goal by Gateway in the 30th minute with Saraki slotting in from close range the third goal in the 34th minute.
The first half ended with Insurance having a three goal advantage. Read more
Wolves set to complete deal as £34m midfielder makes transfer admission (BirminghamLive)
Wolverhampton Wanderers look set to loan record signing Fabio Silva out for the season.
Silva, who joined Wolves from FC Porto for a club-record £35million in 2020, is expected to move to Belgian club Anderlecht on loan for the 2022/23 season. Anderlecht will pay Silva’s full salary for the duration of his stay in Belgium, but the deal won’t include any option to buy the striker.
The 19-year-old failed to score in 22 appearances in the Premier League last season, albeit most of his outings came as a substitute. He was barely used by Bruno Lage during the first half of the campaign.
Silva’s performances improved in the second half of the season, and he started to push Raul Jimenez for a starting berth, but his record in his two seasons at Molineux is poor. In 62 games for Wolves, Silva has scored just four goals. Read more
Men’s FIFA World Cup stadium stands could be alcohol-free as Qatar prepares for influx of foreign fans (ABC)
Qatar’s World Cup stadium stands are set to be alcohol-free, with beer sales outside arenas only allowed before and after some matches.
This year’s World Cup is the first to be held in a Muslim country with strict controls on alcohol, presenting unique challenges for organisers of an event often associated with beer-drinking fans and sponsored by global brewing brands.
“At stadiums, the plans are still being finalised, but the current discussion is to allow fans to have beer upon arrival and when leaving [a] stadium, but beer won’t be served during the match or inside the stadium bowl,” a source told Reuters on Friday.
A document dated June 2 gives the first insight into how organisers plan to handle the demands of an estimated 1.2 million soccer fans, many of whom are used to drinking beer without limits on match days. Read more
Adam Svensson has 2 eagles en route to 10-under 62, 1st round lead at Barbasol Championship (ESPN)
Adam Svensson had two eagles in a 10-under 62 to take a two-stroke lead Thursday in the PGA Tour’s Barbasol Championship.
Playing through temperatures in the 90s at Keene Trace, the Canadian eagled the par-5 15th and eighth holes. The first eagle came after his lone bogey on No. 14, and the second — on a 31-foot putt — gave him the lead.
“I had a couple of top 25s the last few events and I’ve always had, not issues, but just kind of struggled a little with the putter,” said Svennson, whose best finish this season was a tie for seventh at the Sony Open in Hawaii.
“I’ve been working more on putting than I have ball-striking, usually it’s the other way around for me. The extra work and extra time spending with putting has helped my game even more than just hitting balls.” Read more
Kyrgios ‘finally appreciating where he is’, says his mother (StraitsTimes)
Nick Kyrgios’ mother says she has seen a big difference in her son this year, who is “finally appreciating where he is” and enjoying life.
The richly-talented but deeply divisive Australian is through to the biggest match of his career after Spanish superstar Rafael Nadal pulled out of their Wimbledon semi-final on Friday (July 8) with an abdominal injury.
It thrust the 27-year-old into a maiden Grand Slam decider against either Novak Djokovic or Cameron Norrie – a remarkable feat after admitting this year he had suicidal thoughts, abused drugs and self-harmed during a dark period in his life in 2019.
Kyrgios blamed his depression on the relentless grind of the tennis tour, being away from family and putting pressure on himself, which frequently resulted in on-court tantrums and fines. Read more
Williams ‘able to repair’ Albon’s upgraded FW44 for Austria (PlanetF1)
Alex Albon will have a second shot at scoring points in Williams’ revised FW44, the team revealing the new parts have all been repaired or replaced in time for Austria.
Debuting Williams’ upgraded car at the British Grand Prix, Albon’s hopes of coming from the back of the grid to score points were undone on the very first lap.
As a multi-car crash played out involving Zhou Guanyu, George Russell and Pierre Gasly, those behind hit the brakes with Sebastian Vettel tagging Albon.
The angle of the impact sent him 90° into the concrete wall along the pit straight, and Albon airlifted to hospital for precautionary checks. Read more