Lagos COVID-19 cases on sharp increase -Sanwo-Olu (Vanguard)
Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Sunday said the state is experiencing a steep increase in the number of daily confirmed COVID-19 cases.
Sanwo-Olu made this known on the Update of the Coronavirus pandemic situation in the state.
He said that the test positivity rate went up from 1.1 per cent at the end of June 2021 to its current rate of 6.6 per cent as at July 8.
According to him, the rapid increase within a week gives cause for concern. Read more
Lagos OPC man stabs member to death over cultism (Punch)
A member of the New Era Oodua People’s Congress, Tope Lucky, has gone into hiding after allegedly killing another member of the group, Wasiu Ogunnaike, in the Epe area of Lagos State.
PUNCH Metro gathered that Lucky and some OPC members trailed Ogunnaike to a location in Epe, where the suspect allegedly used a knife to stab the 42-year-old during a disagreement.
Our correspondent learnt that the disagreement bordered on the deceased’s membership of the Eiye Confraternity cult.
Upon the discovery, members of the OPC, including Lucky, were said to have sacked Ogunnaike from their group.
A source told PUNCH Metro that they also instructed the victim to return his membership clothes. Read more
Sanwo-Olu’s wife seeks collaboration among states for development (Guardian)
Wife of Lagos State governor, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has emphasised the need for collaboration among the federating units in the country to fast-track growth and development.
The governor’s wife, who spoke at the maiden edition of Lagos Praise, said that development could not be said to be comprehensive if all the states are not making progress, hence the need for effective partnership to engender sustainable growth.
In a statement, she said: “God bless Nigeria and God bless Lagos State. We also need to pray for other states. As much as this idea crystalises from Lagos State, we cannot do it alone as a state. We need to pray for the other states. If Lagos State is successful and other 35 states are not doing well, it is not a plus for us.
“We need to carry each other along, and thank God now that there is collaboration from other states. We need to work together because united we stand, divided we fall and that is the only way we can move forward.” Read more
Kukah pays condolence visit to Odumakins in Lagos (Tribune)
Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Bishop Matthew Kukah, on Sunday, paid a visit to the Lagos residence of the late spokesperson of the pan- Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, Mr Yinka Odumakin, to condole with the deceased’s wife, Dr Joe and family members over the passing of the activist.
Odumakin died on April 3, 2021, at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) and was buried on April 24, in his hometown, Moro in Ife North Local Government Area of Osun State.
The cleric, while paying tributes to the late Odumakin, said he would be remembered not with tears but with joy and hope, recalling that the late activist covered several miles within a short time that he joined the race for a democratic Nigeria.
Kukah, in his condolence speech at the Odumakin’s family in Lagos, however, said the journey continues, noting that the road is better and clearer based on the footprints left behind by the late activist and former Afenifere spokesperson “as a light to a new generation.” Read more
COVID-19 taskforce uncovers Delta variant in Oyo state (Vanguard)
The Oyo State Coronavirus Task Force says it has uncovered the Delta variant of the virus in the state.
A statement by Mr Taiwo Adisa, the Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Seyi Makinde, issued on behalf of the taskforce on Sunday in Ibadan, said the general public should be informed of the Delta variant of the virus in the state.
Adisa said the State’s Incident Manager and coordinator of the Emergency Operations Centre, Dr Olabode Ladipo, has confirmed the development.
He said the general public should take extra caution and consistently apply all precautionary measures earlier released by the task force. Read more
Music makes me high, says Victor Uwaifo at 80th birthday dinner (Tribune)
The Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, on Saturday hosted the music icon, Sir Victor Uwaifo, to a dinner to mark the music star’s 80th birthday anniversary, where Uwaifo said music makes him high. Igbinedion on his part used the occasion to admonish Nigerians not to destroy, but to build people.
The Esama, who hosted the dinner in his expansive Benin home, said he was out of the country when Uwaifo, a professor of Visual Arts, turned 80 but considered it worthy to celebrate him, Uwaifo, being a “great man”.
“You are a great man, one of the greatest human beings in life. To clock 80 years, you must have a good mind,” he said.
Chief Igbinedion, who went nostalgic, recalling his childhood era with the “Joromi” maestro in Benin City said, “I was selling kerosine while Uwaifo was selling kola-nuts.” Read more
Sound Sultan was passionate about Nigeria’s change through his art-form –Gbenga Adeyinka the 1st (Vanguard)
As reactions continue to trail the demise of legendary JAGBAJANTIS crooner, Olanrewaju Fasasi, otherwise known as Sound Sultan, lending his voice, Iconic stand-up comedian Gbenga Adeyinka on his social media page described the music icon as one of Nigeria’s Icon that fought for a better nation through his hit songs.
Adeyinka who recalled how their path crossed said: “Sound Sultan was one of the true greats. I first met his brother Babadee in my early Ibadan days when he released “Domitila” as a student in UI. He shocked me when we first met over 2 decades ago at AIT for one of the early Kennis Music Easter Fiesta. He had just released his monster of a hit JAGBAJANTIS and was billed to perform.
“I introduced myself to him and told him I knew his elder brother. We were talking, all of a sudden, I just looked around and didn’t see him, I just assumed that he had gone to smoke something (or gone to ginger his swagger like they say) but I discovered he snuck away to observe his afternoon prayers and he has been like that through the ages. He didn’t smoke or consume alcohol. He was passionate about Nigeria and preached for change through his artform. Read more
5 kidnappers nabbed after abducting boy in Ogun (Punch)
Men of the Ogun State Police Command have arrested five suspected kidnappers while the gang attempted collecting N3.5m ransom for an eight-year-old boy, Sadiq Abass.
The police identified the suspects as Abdul-Raman Umar, Falalu Abubakar, Danjuma Bako, Idris Lawal and Fauziya Falalu .
The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
Oyeyemi said the suspects were arrested on Friday following a complaint lodged at the Ogere divisional police headquarters by the victim’s father, Riliwan Mohammed. Read more
Kingdom wins Nigerian Idol season 6 (Guardian)
After 16 weeks of pulsating vocal performances, Kingdom Kroseide has emerged as the winner of the Nigerian Idol season 6 competition.
He was announced the winner after defeating Francis Atela at the grand finale, which held at the Africa Magic studios and aired live on Sunday, July 11.
During the finale event, both finalists performed songs by Fela Kuti. While Francis sang Yellow Fever, Kingdom rendered Gentleman.
Highpoints of the night include performances by the judges and a beautiful rendition of One Hit by Cohbams Asuquo, one of the guest judges on the show alongside Kingdom. Read more
Cubans stage rare protests over Covid measures (BBC)
Thousands of people have joined protests against Cuba’s communist government in the capital, Havana, and several other cities.
Videos posted on social media show people calling for freedom, democracy and demanding vaccines to tackle the coronavirus pandemic.
The demonstrations, which are rare in Cuba, come as the country reports a record number of Covid infections.
President Miguel Diaz-Canel blamed the United States for the unrest. Read more
Dwayne Johnson is held hostage by a hawk eating a snake blocking his way to the gym (Metro)
Dwayne Johnson found himself in a stand-off with a hawk, which just happened to be eating a snake, as he tried to hit the gym.
The actor and wrestler, 49, shared a video of the large bird of prey sitting on a wall outside his house, blocking the only route to his gym as it chowed down on a snake.
He told his followers: ‘Right outside my kitchen door is a big beautiful hawk, got his talons on a hell of a snake.’
The Rock added in his caption: ‘It’s either this hawk’s Copperhead snake or my weekend workout. Read more
Virgin founder Richard Branson successfully lands after beating Jeff Bezos in billionaire space race (RT)
Billionaire Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson has made a successful landing following his trip to space on Sunday, narrowly beating Amazon and Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos to travel away from Earth.
Branson made a trip to suborbital space on the Virgin Galactic Unity 22 spaceplane on Sunday, along with fellow passengers Sirisha Bandla, Colin Bennett, and Beth Moses, and pilots David Mackay and Michael Masucci – launching from Spaceport America, New Mexico.
The passengers experienced weightlessness as they reached space for several minutes before the craft returned to Earth.
Fellow billionaire space enthusiast Elon Musk wished Branson good luck on the morning of the flight and was pictured smiling with the Virgin Galactic founder. Read more
Haitian police arrest assassination suspect with ‘political’ aim
(Guardian)
Haitian police announced Sunday they had arrested a Haitian national “who had political objectives” in recruiting the gunmen who assassinated President Jovenel Moise last week.
“This is an individual who entered Haiti on a private plane with political objectives,” said Leon Charles, head of the Haitian National Police.
Christian Emmanuel Sanon, 63, who is of Haitian nationality, arrived in the island nation in June accompanied by several Colombians, according to details provided at a press conference.
Several Haitian ministers were also at the conference. Read more
Protests spread in South Africa after Zuma’s arrest (BBC)
Dozens of people have been arrested in South Africa as violence spreads following the jailing of former president Jacob Zuma.
Pro-Zuma protesters first took to the streets after the 79-year-old handed himself to authorities on Wednesday to begin a 15-month sentence.
But police now say criminals are taking advantage of the chaos, which spread from his home province of KwaZulu-Natal to Johannesburg, in Gauteng.
More than 60 people have been arrested. Read more
Cardi B splashes out on lavish fairytale party for daughter Kulture’s third birthday (Metro)
Cardi B and her husband Offset have thrown a lavish birthday party for their daughter Kulture.
The rapper, 28, and her beau celebrated their little girl’s third birthday with a fairytale theme.
US star Cardi could be seen in a halterneck top and tutu as she carried Kulture in her arms in a post shared to her Instagram Stories on Saturday.
The couple splashed out on a towering birthday cake and enlisted the help of children’s entertainers, including princesses and a unicorn. Read more
Holocaust survivor, singer Esther Bejarano dies, aged 96 (DW)
What an impressive woman! Not even 5 feet tall, she seemed to burst with more energy than a strongly built man. Like, for example, her son Joram, who accompanied Esther Bejarano during her performances. Even though she used to lean on his arm, there was never any doubt about who was in charge: Esther, of course, always knew what she wanted.
Even in her 90s, Esther Bejarano appeared on stage and sang, accompanied by the band Microphone Mafia. The Cologne-based men rapped, Joram played the bass, and Esther warbled the refrain.
In the last years of her life, her voice had lost some of its former strength that sent her around the world to perform. Bejarano accepted that and agreed to let Microphone Mafia play her songs as recordings during concerts. Besides, her performances were more about the message anyway: putting an end to racism, antisemitism and fascism. Hardly anybody else could have conveyed this message with as much passion and energy as Bejarano did. Read more
Ajunwa endorses FESTAC Marathon (Punch)
Nigeria’s sole Olympics individual gold medalist Chioma Ajunwa has thrown her weight behind the maiden 10km FESTAC Half Marathon, which holds October 2 in FESTAC Town and environs in Lagos.
The Half Marathon, an initiative of Lexicon Communications Limited, will feature races in the men and women’s events, with the race open to interested runners from across the world.
Ajunwa, while endorsing the marathon in a video made available to our correspondent, advised FESTAC residents to use the race as a medium of gaining fitness.
“I have the honour to endorse the FESTAC Marathon and my advice is that everybody should use this golden opportunity to come out that day to enjoy the fitness marathon because it is part of life,” Ajunwa said. Read more
D’Tigers Face Australia After Historic Victory Over USA (DailyTrust)
History was made in the early hours of Sunday when D’Tigers defeated star studded United States of America 90-87pts as both teams prepare for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
Coach Mike Brown preferred to start with Ike Nwamu (forward), KZ Okpala (forward), Precious Achiuwa (centre), Gabe Vincent (guard) and Josh Okogie (guard) which paid off as they came out roaring.
USA on their part went with Kevin Durant, Jayson Tatum, Bam Adebayo, Bradley Beal and Damian Lillard.
Miami Heat’s Gabe Vincent took the fight to the Americans as he dropped 21 points and had 4 assists. Read more
Novak Djokovic equals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal with sixth Wimbledon title after Matteo Berrettini win (Metro)
Novak Djokovic fought back from a set down against Matteo Berrettini to win the sixth Wimbledon title of his career and to equal Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal’s male Grand Slam record.
There was a sense that Djokovic, the world No. 1 from Serbia, was feeling the pressure of making history on his shoulders in the pursuit of his 20th major title.
With Tom Cruise, Patrick Vallance and David Haye among those watching on, he served three double faults in the first two games, regularly threw in nervy second serves under 80mph and missed a set point at 5-2 in the first before losing it in a tiebreak. Read more
Lucas Glover wins first PGA Tour event in 10 years (BBC)
Former US Open champion Lucas Glover won his first PGA Tour title in 10 years with a two-stroke victory at the TPC John Deere Classic in Illinois.
The 41-year-old birdied five of the last seven holes as he fired a final-round 64 and finished on 19 under to beat fellow Americans Ryan Moore and Kevin Na in equal second.
Glover, who won the 2009 US Open, said he was “pretty ecstatic” with the win.
“I always thought I could do this again,” he said. Read more
Ecstatic Italian football fans celebrate Euro 2020 victory (RT)
Wild celebrations have erupted all across Italy and beyond after the country claimed the European football championship trophy for the first time since 1968, after defeating England 3-2 in a penalty shootout.
Thousands of football fans have taken to the streets of Rome, Naples, Milan and numerous smaller cities all across Italy on Sunday night, after their team upset England in a dramatic penalty shootout following a 1-1 deadlock and extra time at Wembley, London.
Huge crowds marched through Rome waving flags as cars honked non-stop, marking the historic victory. Read more
Euro 2020 final: England beaten by Italy on penalties (BBC)
England’s bid to end their 55-year wait for a major trophy ended in the familiar agony of defeat in a penalty shootout as Italy claimed the Euro 2020 crown at Wembley.
On a night of anticipation, tension and ultimate heartbreak in a feverish atmosphere, England looked on course for their most joyous day since 30 July 1966 when Luke Shaw gave them the perfect start after two minutes.
Italy, unbeaten in 33 matches before this final, slowly edged their way back into the game and were level in the 67th minute when Leonardo Bonucci pounced after England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford turned Marco Verratti’s header on to a post.And after a tense period of extra time failed to find a winner, it was on to penalties and bitter disappointment for England manager Gareth Southgate and his players, who had gone into this final on a wave of expectation and high emotion. Read more