Lagos community seeks help over abandoned canal (Punch)
Landlords and residents of Oko-Oba, in the Orile Agege area of Lagos State, have expressed dissatisfaction over the abandoned projects including a canal that had turned into a death trap for residents and motorists plying the axis to navigate their destinations in the community.
Our correspondent, during an on-the-spot assessment of the abandoned projects the people living in the community complained bitterly about, observed that the four bridges connecting the river in the community were in deplorable condition.
Lamenting over the abandoned projects, a landlord in the area, Alhaji Olatunde Zakaria, who spoke to our correspondent on Saturday, said the area had been abandoned by the state government. Read more
Tinubu rejects EU report on 2023 general elections (Vanguard)
President Bola Tinubu, Sunday said he has rejected the report by the European Union’s Electoral Observer Mission on the 2023 general elections, describing the final report as a product of a poorly done desk job that relied heavily on few persons.
The president said that he has many reasons to believe the “jaundiced report”, based on the views of fewer than 50 observers, “was to merely sustain the same premature denunciatory stance contained in the EU’s preliminary report released in March.”
This was contained in a statement issued by Mr. Dele Alake, Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Communications and Strategy, with the title, “We reject European Union’s conclusions on 2023 general elections.” Read more
Tinubu, APC, INEC opens defence at tribunal on Obi, LP, Atiku, PDP petitions (Sun)
President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would today open their defence against the petitions filed by the presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP), Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, respectively.
Atiku and Obi had last week Friday closed their cases at the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) where they have challenged the conduct and outcome of the February 25 presidential election won by Tinubu and the PDP.
National Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu had on March 1, announced Tinubu of the APC as winner ahead of 17 other candidates that contested the election. Read more
2 arrested as 23-year-old UNIBEN student drowns (DailyTrust)
A 23-year-old student of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Francis Aniude, has drowned in Ekosodin River, located near the Ugbowo campus of the institution.
Two students, Samson Kennedy, a 200 level student of Biochemistry and Wilfred Emmanuel, a 500 level student of Optometry, who invited the deceased to the river have been arrested in connection with the incident.
The duo, who were said to be the neighbours of the deceased were alleged to have on June 29, invited him to the Ekosodin river for swimming. Read more
Envoy: Lagos pilgrims most disciplined (Nation)
Nigeria’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Yahya Lawal, has described Lagos State pilgrims as one of the most disciplined in the Hajj.
Lawal spoke when he led a delegation, including Consular-General and Nigeria’s envoy to Sudan, Bello Kazaure; Chairman of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Alhaji Kunle Hassan and others on a visit to Lagos tent in Mina, Saudi Arabia.
The diplomat extended the best wishes of President Bola Tinubu to the pilgrims. Read more
FUNAAB emerges 2nd best varsity in Nigeria (Leadership)
Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) has emerged second best out of Nigeria’s 258 universities and 26th best in sub-Saharan Africa in the recently-released 2023 inaugural Times Higher Education’s (THE), sub-Saharan Africa University Rankings.
The ranking highlights the strongest universities in Sub-Saharan Africa across a comprehensive range of performance indicators covering five pillars: ‘access and fairness’, ‘Africa impact’, ‘teaching skills’, ‘student engagement’ and ‘resources and finance’.
The Sub-Saharan Africa university rankings were officially announced on Monday, June 26, 2023 at the organisation’s first forum which took place in partnership with Ashesi University, Ghana. Read more
IGP restores awards, commendation tradition in NPF (Tribune)
The Acting Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olukayode Adeolu Egbetokun has ordered the resuscitation of the Awards and Commendation system for the Nigerian Police Force, to be implemented under his guidance to enhance motivation and encouragement among police personnel nationwide.
This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Sunday by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi.
According to the statement, “this renewed commendation system represents a significant advancement from the past, as it now covers all officers involved in every major case, moving away from solely focusing on arresting officers or commanders. Read more
Black Panther star Angela Bassett to receive special Oscar award (DigitalSpy)
Black Panther star Angela Bassett will receive an Honorary Oscar later this year from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
The actress, who was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Ramonda in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, will receive the statuette at the Governors’ Awards (via Variety).
The Honorary Award recognises “extraordinary distinction in lifetime achievement, exceptional contributions to the state of motion picture arts and sciences, or outstanding service to the Academy”. Read more
Phoebe Waller-Bridge gives rare insight into romance with director boyfriend Martin McDonagh (Metro)
Phoebe Waller-Bridge might be in the spotlight but she generally keeps her personal life quiet, although she has now given a little insight into her relationship with boyfriend Martin McDonagh.
Hot off the London premiere of the new Indiana Jones, in which Phoebe plays Indy’s morally grey goddaughter, the Fleabag creator has given fans a glimpse into her private life.
The 37-year-old has been dating the Banshees of Inisherin director, who is 15 years her senior, since 2018 but rarely comments on their relationship. Read more
Korea Box Office: Elemental expands in 3rd weekend, whips Indiana Jones (Variety)
Pixar animation film Elemental expanded at the South Korean box office in its third weekend of release and easily bested new release title Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.
Elemental earned $5.27 million between Friday and Sunday, according to data from Kobis, the box office tracking service operated by the Korean Film Council (Kofic).
That represented a 38% increase on its previous weekend performance and was the best of its three weekends so far. It also increased its market share to 39%, also its strongest market position, despite only adding a handful of additional screens. After 19 days on release, Elemental has amassed $16.9 million from 2.25 million spectators. Read more
Russell Crowe stunned by “Gladiator 2” set (FilmNews)
Russell Crowe was taken aback when he saw the set for Ridley Scott’s Gladiator sequel – as it looked exactly the same as it did when he starred in the original film.
Russell received an Academy Award for his performance as Roman general Maximus Decimus Meridius in the 2000 original, but won’t be returning for the follow-up due to the death of his character.
However, while visiting Malta, where the original and its sequel are being filmed, he did sneak a look at the set. Read more
Blackpink make hotly anticipated UK festival debut at Hyde Park (BelfastTelegraph)
K-pop girl group Blackpink brought their signature blend of pugnacious swagger and sweetness to Hyde Park as the band made their hotly anticipated UK festival debut.
The global pop sensation, composed of Jisoo, Jennie, Rose, and Lisa, closed out the second weekend of the annual BST Hyde Park event in London.
Opening to screams and pink fireworks shooting up from the stage, the girls launch into the braggadocious Pink Venom against a neon pink background while clad in differing white outfits. Read more
George Michael’s family finally allowed to erect bronze statue in his honour (DailyMail)
The Wham star was found dead in bed at his cottage in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire on Christmas day 2016 aged just 53.
And now his loved ones plan to place the statue near his beloved country home after waiting five years for permission from the local council.
With work soon to get underway after sculptor Laura Lian recently met the singer’s childhood friend Andros Georgiou on the proposed site. Read more
The grandmother of the French teen killed by police asks rioters to stop (NPR)
The grandmother of the French teenager shot dead by police during a traffic stop pleaded Sunday for rioters to stop after five nights of unrest, while authorities expressed outrage at an attack on a mayor’s home that was hit by a burning car that injured family members.
The grandmother of 17-year-old Nahel, identified only as Nadia, said in a telephone interview with French news broadcaster BFM TV, “Don’t break windows, buses … schools. We want to calm things down.”
She said she was angry at the officer who killed her grandson but not at the police in general and expressed faith in the justice system as France faces its worst social upheaval in years. Her grandson, identified by only his first name, was buried on Saturday. Read more
Euclid telescope lifts off in search of the secrets of dark universe (Guardian)
A European-built orbital satellite was launched into space on Saturday from Florida on a mission to shed new light on dark energy and dark matter, the mysterious cosmic forces scientists say account for 95% of the known universe.
The Euclid telescope, named for the ancient Greek mathematician known as the “father of geometry”, was carried in the cargo bay of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket which blasted off about 11 am EDT (1500 GMT) from Cape Canaveral Space Force station. A live stream of the liftoff was shown on Nasa TV.
New insights from the $1.4bn (£1.1bn) European Space Agency (Esa) mission, designed to last at least six years, are expected to transform astrophysics and perhaps our understanding of the nature of gravity.
Milan gears up for Chukwueze talks with Villarreal (Sun)
Milan is ready to start its mission to sign Samuel Chukwueze and will contact Villarreal to start negotiations in the coming days, reports detail.
The Rossoneri are looking to bolster Stefano Pioli’s frontline this summer and want to bring in a new right winger, capable of adding an extra layer to the attack.
Chukwueze is Milan’s top target for this, with the club believing that he has all the qualities needed to make a difference: pace, power, creativity and finishing. Read more
Napoli confident of keeping Osimhen (Punch)
Napoli are growing increasingly confident of keeping Manchester United and Chelsea target Victor Osimhen by agreeing a new deal with him.
According to Corriere del Mezzogiorno via Tuttonapoli, another round of discussion is set to take place between Napoli and Osimhen’s agent Roberto Calenda over the details of the proposed deal.
Per the report, bar any monstrous offer from any of the striker’s suitors, he should stay for another year in Naples with his contract renewed and a probable release clause inserted into the new deal. Read more
Dominik Szoboszlai tells Jurgen Klopp he’s got a position problem after Liverpool transfer (Mirror)
Dominik Szoboszlai has told Jurgen Klopp “it doesn’t matter to me where I play” following his £60 million transfer to Liverpool.
Szoboszlai’s switch from RB Leipzig to the Reds was announced on Sunday. The Hungary international, 22, has agreed a five-year contract on Merseyside and is Liverpool’s second summer signing after World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister arrived from Brighton.
Liverpool will try to qualify for the Champions League next season after failing to do so last time around. Midfield was arguably Liverpool’s weakest department last term and Klopp has responded to that criticism by bringing in Szoboszlai and Mac Allister. Read more
Patrick Vieira named coach at Strasbourg on 3-year deal (ESPN)
French club Strasbourg appointed Patrick Vieira as their new manager on a three-year contract, the Ligue 1 club said on Sunday.
Former France international Vieira coached Premier League side Crystal Palace from 2021 to this year.
The 47-year-old guided Palace to a 12th-placed finish and an FA Cup semi final in his first season in charge, but was sacked mid-March following a 1-0 defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion that left the south London club three points above the relegation zone. Read more
Djokovic, Swiatek bring curtain up on Wimbledon (France24)
Novak Djokovic brings the curtain up at Wimbledon on Monday as he starts his bid for an eighth title and all-time record equalling 24th Grand Slam triumph.
The 36-year-old Serb, who has won the last four titles at the All England Club, opens proceedings on Centre Court where he has not lost in 10 years.
Unheralded Pedro Cachin of Argentina, the world number 67 and making his main draw debut at the tournament, plays the role of unwitting fall guy. Read more
Concern as Tour de France athletes ride into riot-hit regions of France (RFI)
While the vast majority of the Tour de France peloton is not concerned by the riots that have been hitting the country following the fatal shooting of a teenager by police, some have expressed concerns that the race might be disrupted.
After a start in the Spanish city of Bilbao, the Tour heads to France on Monday with visits to Bayonne, Dax, Pau and Bordeaux during the week.
Rioting across France appeared to be less intense overnight Saturday, but tens of thousands of police have been deployed in cities across the country after the funeral of a teenager of North African descent, whose shooting by police sparked nationwide unrest. Read more