Lagos governement set to revitalise PHCs system (Guardian)
The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, has reiterated the state government’s commitment to revitalise the Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) in the state. Abayomi said on Sunday in Lagos that this was to provide quality, efficient and accessible healthcare services for the citizens. He said that revitalising the PHCs would enable the state to attain the goals of Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Read more
Funke Olakunri: Afenifere kicks, faults police investigation (Punch)
Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, on Sunday faulted what it described as “lackadaisical attitude of the police” over the assassination of Olufunke Olakunri, daughter of its leader, Chief Reuben Fasoranti. The Yoruba group alerted that for over two months after the killing of the victim by suspected Fulani herdsmen in Ore, Ondo State, investigation by the police had been shoddy. Read more
IBB charges the Igbos to promote Nigeria unity (Nation)
Former Military Head of State, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) has charged the Igbos to work hard towards promoting the unity and indivisibility of Nigeria. He said that Nigerians, Igbos inclusive, should ensure they uphold the ideals of Nigeria’s founding fathers. Babangida stated this when he played host to the Igbo Delegates Assembly (IDA) from the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja who paid him a courtesy visit at his Uphill residence in Minna. Read more
Insecurity: Living in Nigeria very precarious – Catholic Bishops (Punch)
The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria has expressed concern over the state of insecurity in the country and concluded that “living in Nigeria is very precarious.” The organisation also regretted that many parts of Nigeria were still in disarray and the country badly divided, as evidenced in “appointments to positions of national importance, sharing of resources, and distribution of social amenities.” Read more
Zamfara peace initiatives yield fruits as bandits release 30 more captives (Guardian)
The peace efforts initiated by the Zamfara government have continued to yield more fruits with 30 additional captives released by bandits on Sunday, after eight months in captivity. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the 30 captives – 15 men and 15 women – were taken to the Gusau General Hospital for a medical check-up immediately they were rescued. Read more
Lightning kills 36 cows in Ondo (Punch)
No fewer than 36 cows belonging to some Fulani herdsmen were struck dead by lightning on Saturday night in Ijare Community, Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State. A source said the herders took their cattle to Oke Owa bush, where, by tradition, only the king is permitted to enter it, because it is regarded as sacred. None of the herdsmen died, however, because they ran away when their cattle were struck dead, sources said. Read more
Flood: 150 communities submerged in Kogi (Nation)
Over 150 communities are said to have been ravaged by flood across nine local government areas of Kogi State. The Kogi State Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Sanusi Yahaya, made this known in Lokoja, on Saturday at the state Emergency Operation Centre (EOC). He noted that the EOC had been activated as the state was already experiencing flood emergency as a result of river flooding. Read more
Nigeria earned N28.6trn from oil, others in five years —NEITI (Punch)
The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative said that N28.58 trillion was remitted to the Federation Account between 2012 and 2016, from mineral revenues, non-mineral revenues and Value Added Tax. NEITI disclosed this on its latest Fiscal Allocation and Statutory Disbursement Audit Report for the period 2012-2016, released in Abuja, on Sunday. Read more
Look inwards, Obi advises Nigerian universities (Nation)
The Vice-Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr Peter Obi, has advised Nigerian universities to look inwards for the development of their various schools. Obi said this during a visit to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. Sharing managerial experiences with some principal officers of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, led by the Vice Chancellor, Prof Charles Igwe, and that of Awka, led by Prof Charles Esimone, Obi emphasised the need to work with dedicated men who understand that leadership is about service and embracing values that would encourage scholarship. Read more
‘I stole two-month-old baby out of desperation to have male child’ (Nation)
A 39-year-old lady, Mercy Momoh has been arrested by the operatives of Ekiti Police Command for allegedly stealing a two-month-old baby in Ado-Ekiti. Momoh, who hailed from Edo state, was arrested on Saturday at her residence located at Odo-Aremu area, along old governor’s office in the state capital. The baby was stolen from his mother, Mrs Funmilayo Sunday on Friday around 1pm at the State Secretariat. Read more
Gabon to be first African nation paid to fight deforestation (Guardian)
Gabon will become the first African country paid with international funds to preserve its forests in an effort to fight climate change, the United Nations said Sunday. Norway will provide Gabon, which is almost 90 percent covered by forest, with $150 million (136 million euros) to battle deforestation, according to the Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI), which the UN launched to bring together the region’s nations with Western donors. Read more
Jeremy Corbyn faces calls to resolve Labour Brexit divisions (BBC)
Jeremy Corbyn is coming under pressure amid divisions over Labour’s Brexit strategy as leading figures call for the party to back staying in the EU. Shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry said Labour must “say no” to leaving the EU at its party conference. And deputy leader Tom Watson said it must settle its position as “a Remain party” once and for all this week. Read more
Iran warns foreign forces to stay out of Gulf, amid new US deployment (BBC)
Iran’s president has warned that foreign forces are threatening the security of the Gulf, after the US said it was deploying troops to the region. Hassan Rouhani said foreign forces had always brought “pain and misery” and should not be used in an “arms race”. The US is sending more troops to Saudi Arabia after an attack on Saudi oil facilities both nations blame on Iran. Read more
Rio violence: Protests as girl, eight, ‘killed by police’ (BBC)
Protests have erupted in Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro after an eight-year-old girl was allegedly killed by police, as the number of victims in operations by security forces continues to rise. Ágatha Vitória Sales Félix was with her mother in a van when she was shot in the back in a poor area on Friday. Residents said officers had targeted a motorcyclist when she was hit. Police said they had responded to an attack. Read more
Hong Kong protests: China flag desecrated as fresh unrest erupts (BBC)
Activists in Hong Kong have desecrated a Chinese flag and vandalised a shopping centre on the 16th straight weekend of anti-government protests. Escalators and glass panels were targeted at the New Town Plaza in Sha Tin. Police have closed it and fired tear gas at brick-throwing protesters. Police earlier prevented major unrest on the airport metro system. Read more
Third boy arrested over murder of schoolboy at skate park (Metro)
Three boys have now been arrested over the fatal stabbing of a schoolboy aged 15 at a skate park. The victim, 15, was found with stab wounds in Salt Hill Park in Slough at around 6.30pm yesterday. Two boys aged 15 were initially arrested and held on suspicion of murder. Thames Valley Police said a third boy, aged 17, has now been arrested on suspicion of murder and is also in police custody. Read more
Israeli elections: Arab parties back Gantz to oust Netanyahu (BBC)
Israeli-Arab lawmakers have recommended that the former army chief Benny Gantz should become prime minister. Last week’s election put the incumbent leader Benjamin Netanyahu neck and neck with Mr Gantz, and the two are now vying to build a governing coalition. Joint List, the bloc of Arab parties that came in third, says it wants to oust Mr Netanyahu from power. Read more
One dead and another injured after fire at block of flats (Metro)
A person has died another has been taken to hospital after fire broke out at a block of flats. Police said they were called to the flat in Surrey at around 12.45pm today. They said in a statement: ‘A person who was in the property when the fire broke out was sadly declared dead at the scene shortly afterwards. Read more
Pittsburgh police probe wristband-wearer drug deaths (BBC)
Police in the US city of Pittsburgh are investigating how seven people all wearing orange wristbands were involved in an apparent drug overdose. Three have died and the other four are in conditions ranging from serious to critical. Five were found in a flat, one in a lift and one on the street. Police initially described it as a fatal “medical situation”. Read more
Pilot stops plane to let baby hedgehog cross the runway (Metro)
A kindhearted pilot took evasive action after noticing a baby hedgehog on the runway as they prepared for take-off. Passengers were told about the reason for the delay over the tannoy as they waited two minutes for the hoglet to cross. The Loganair flight was taxiing to the runway in Stornoway, Lewis, when the prickly creature made an appearance. Read more
Climate change ‘accelerating’, say scientists (BBC)
The signs and impacts of global heating are speeding up, the latest science on climate change, published ahead of key UN talks in New York, says. The data, compiled by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), says the five-year period from 2014 to 2019 is the warmest on record. Sea-level rise has accelerated significantly over the same period, as CO2 emissions have hit new highs. Read more
Outcome of investigation will determine if Pinnick, Dikko will be arraigned —ICPC (Punch)
The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission may arraign president, Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Pinnick; and Shehu Dikko for alleged fraud. The anti-grant agency said the outcome of its investigation will, however, determine whether or not the two individuals will be arraigned in court for prosecution. Pinnick and the Second Vice President of NFF, Dikko, are being investigated by the ICPC over alleged FIFA grant misappropriation. Read more
Aubameyang caps comeback from 10-man Arsenal to beat Villa (Guardian)
Ten-man Arsenal twice came from a goal down to claim a much-needed 3-2 win over Aston Villa in dramatic fashion thanks to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s free-kick six minutes from time at the Emirates on Sunday. The Gunners’ winless run in the Premier League seemed set to stretch to four games when John McGinn gave Villa the lead and Ainsley Maitland-Niles’s sending-off four minutes before half-time gave Unai Emery’s men a mountain to climb. Read more
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard reserves special praise for Fikayo Tomori after Liverpool defeat (Metro)
Frank Lampard singled out Fikayo Tomori for special praise after Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat to Liverpool at Stamford Bridge. The Chelsea centre-back was up against former Blue Mohamed Salah and did an excellent job keeping the talented Egyptian quiet for much of the game. N’Golo Kante’s superb strike gave Chelsea hope of a late comeback, but Lampard heaped praise on 21-year-old Tomori for his performance. Read more
Frank Lampard explains latest Christian Pulisic snub and sends message to struggling Chelsea star (Metro)
Frank Lampard has told Christian Pulisic his ‘chances will come’ after deciding to start Mason Mount in Chelsea’s Premier League clash with Liverpool at Stamford Bridge. The Blues slipped to a 2-1 defeat on Sunday as Liverpool moved five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table. First-half goals from Trent Alexander-Arnold and Roberto Firmino put Liverpool in control but Chelsea threatened to mount a comeback when N’Golo Kante halved the deficit after the break. Read more
Jose Mourinho sends warning to Chelsea fans after Liverpool defeat (Metro)
Chelsea fans applauded their side off the pitch after their 2-1 Premier League defeat at the hands of Liverpool but former manager Jose Mourinho warned them against setting the bar too low. The club’s support base has not always given time to new managers but Frank Lampard’s popularity from his playing days is allowing him time to build for the future with his young squad. Read more
Manchester United duo Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood will ‘definitely’ be fit for Arsenal (Metro)
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer revealed Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood will ‘definitely’ return to action against Arsenal. The crocked strikers missed Manchester United’s defeat to West Ham on Sunday, with Greenwood suffering from illness before the game. United are facing an injury crisis upfront after Marcus Rashford hobbled off during the loss to West Ham, but Solskjaer insisted he would soon have Martial and Greenwood available for selection. Read more
Benzema seals Real win against Sevilla (BBC)
Karim Benzema’s second-half header earned Real Madrid victory over Sevilla as Zinedine Zidane’s side maintained their unbeaten start in La Liga. Real, who lost 3-0 to Paris St-Germain in their Champions League opener on Wednesday, climb to second in the table to ease the pressure on their manager. Sevilla goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik denied summer signing Eden Hazard a first goal from close-range in the first half. Read more
Late Frankfurt equaliser angers Dortmund captain Reus (Guardian)
Marco Reus was left fuming after Borussia Dortmund conceded a late own goal to draw 2-2 at Eintracht Frankfurt on Sunday and lose ground on Bundesliga leaders RB Leipzig. Dortmund twice took the lead but surrendered an equaliser on 88 minutes, failing to deal with two crosses before Japan midfielder Daichi Kamada forced Thomas Delaney to turn the ball into his own net. Read more
Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal react to Laver Cup win for Team Europe (Metro)
As expected, Team Europe won a third consecutive Laver Cup but it came down to the wire as Team World battled hard over the course of a drama-filled weekend. With all but one of Europe’s players ranked inside the top-10 and just one of World’s squad in the top-20, few gave John McEnroe’s side a hope of picking up a first title in the team competition but a dramatic fightback from 7-3 down saw them move within one win of a maiden victory. Read more
Singapore GP: Sebastian Vettel beats team-mate Charles Leclerc (BBC)
Sebastian Vettel ended his 13-month win drought with a controversial victory in the Singapore Grand Prix. The German benefited from unusual Ferrari strategy to leapfrog team-mate Charles Leclerc into the lead. Leclerc told the team over the radio that it was “unfair” and it will do little to reduce tension within the team. Read more