Lagos residents recount experiences on President’s visit (Guardian)
It was a harrowing experience for some Lagosians following the restriction of movement imposed on certain areas of the metropolis as a result of President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to Lagos.
Although, motorists and commuters were alerted by Eons Intelligence, through its incident alert system, that there would be slight inconveniences and heavy security presence in some areas, many were still caught unawares.
Consequently, the visit left many road passengers and travellers stranded at bus stops while some were forced to walk long distances to Ebute Meta and other locations in the state, following restriction of movement around Yaba and Apapa areas.
Also, activities of shuttle buses and taxis within Yaba were also restricted, forcing commuters and travellers to trek long distances to destinations. Read more
Motorists, commuters groan as robbers take over Lagos bridge (Punch)
Motorists and commuters plying the Eko Bridge, Lagos State, have lamented increasing attacks by armed robbers on them.
PUNCH Metro gathered that while robbers broke into cars and commercial vehicles in broad daylight and dispossessed people of their valuables, the police were nowhere to be found.
Our correspondents, who spoke to victims and eyewitnesses, learnt that residents now preferred to take longer routes to get to their destinations due to the robberies.
A businesswoman, Opeyemi Adegbola, said she was robbed on Wednesday around 2.30pm by hoodlums, who were on a motorcycle.
She said, “I took Uber with my aunt while coming from the Lagos Island yesterday (Wednesday) and when we got to the Eko Bridge, there was traffic. It was raining, so the driver begged us that because he didn’t have much fuel, we should allow him to turn off the engine and we obliged, so we had to wound down the windows a little bit. Read more
FRSC arrests 156 over speed-limit devices (Guardian)
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Lagos Sector Command, has arrested 156 traffic offenders for failure to install speed devices in trucks and commercial vehicles within the state.
Sector Commander, Olusegun Ogungbemide, said the enforcement was carried out simultaneously across the state with focus on speed limiting device violation, number plate violation and failure to generate passenger manifest by inter-state commercial vehicles.
According to him, the e-operations were part of the command’s intervention patrol aimed at achieving reduction in road traffic crashes involving articulated trucks and inter-state commercial vehicles.
The FRSC boss also stated that a total of 180 vehicles were stopped, out of which 156 were issued tickets for various offences, while 52 vehicles were impounded and 104 documents confiscated during the exercise. Read more
Lagos mention not reference to Tinubu, says Presidency (Nation)
President Muhammadu Buhari’s reference to Lagos while speaking on the future of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has nothing to do with party stalwart Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the Presidency said last night.
During his interview with Arise TV, when the President was asked on his desire for the APC after his tenure, he said: “The hope of this administration is to see APC last beyond it. Therefore, we should allow the party to decide. You cannot sit there in Lagos, for instance, and decide on the fate of APC on zoning. The restructuring of the party has begun from the bottom to the top with the membership card registration. Every member of the party must be involved.
“We will soon conduct our convention. No single member of the party will be allowed to go against the wish of the party. We should allow the party to decide.” Read more
Lagos steps up war against insecurity, as Buhari visits (Guardian)
The Lagos State Government, yesterday, donated crime-fighting equipment to the state police command. The equipment, which included 150 units of double-cabin vehicles, 30 patrol saloon cars, four high-capacity troop carriers and two anti-riot water cannon vehicles, were to strengthen security responses across the state.
At the event, President Muhammadu Buhari personally took inventory and commissioned the security equipment before Gov. Sanwo-Olu handed over the gears to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, for the use of Lagos Police Command.
The security equipment and gadgets were procured through the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), an autonomous agency that partners with the private sector and individuals to provide vital support to security agencies.
Elated, Buhari said the equipment would go a long way in boosting the morale of the police, and enhancing their capacity to fight crime and combat criminality. Read more
157km Lagos-Ibadan rail line opens for operations (Nation)
President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday opened the 157 kilometre-Lagos-Ibadan Standard Gauge Railway Line for full commercial operations.
He described the project as another milestone to revitalise the rail infrastructure and improve socio-economic activities.
The president called for stakeholder engagement on the commencement of the Ibadan-Kano corridor.
The opening ceremony held at the Mobolaji Johnson Station in Ebute Metta. Read more
State of the nation: After 10 hours of marathon meeting, Abdulsalami, others keep mum (Vanguard)
After engaging in ten hours of marathon meeting on the state of the nation on Thursday former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar,
Emeritus John Cardinal Onaiyekan among others refused to talk to the media.
All the participants at the meeting snubbed journalists when they were approached to speak on the deliberations and possible resolutions.
The meeting which started at 11:30 pm ended around 8:20 pm.
Among all the participants approached to speak, it was only Emeritus John Cardinal Onaiyekan, who told reporters that “we discussed everything”, refusing to speak further. Read more
Power-drunk police, DSS men batter PUNCHman, NUJ kicks (Punch)
The Nigeria Union of journalists, on Thursday, condemned the attack on a Chief Correspondent with Punch Nigeria Limited, Friday Olokor, by a combined team of security operatives from the Department of State Services and the police, describing it as reprehensible.
The Chairman, Federal Capital Territory Council, NUJ, Emmanuel Ogbeche, in a statement, frowned on “the low-life conduct of the officers and personnel in question.”
He said, “The NUJ FCT finds it reprehensible and frowns on the low-life conduct of the officers and personnel in question.
“The idea that any policeman and DSS operative will lay their hands on any journalist as was the unfortunate case of Friday Olokor speaks to why Nigeria ranks poorly in the Freedom Index. Read more
Stockbrokers call for reintroduction of margin facility to improve liquidity (Leadership)
Stockbrokers, under the auspices of the association of securities dealing houses of Nigeria (ASHON) have called for reintroduction of the margin facility to help improve liquidity in the Nigerian capital market.
The chairman of ASHON, Chief Onyenwechukwu Ezeagu, stated that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) should reintroduce the margin facility to help improve liquidity in the market.
According to him, it should, in conjunction with capital market operators, design effective guidelines that will de-risk the product to avert past experiences in margin lending in the market while margin terms and conditions should also be reviewed in line with the current realities.
“Government should patronise the capital market; the taste of the pudding is in the eating. This will spur others, including foreign investors to believe in the market. The government should urgently consider the proposal by the securities dealing community ably represented by the chartered institute of stockbrokers (CIS) and the association of securities dealing houses of Nigeria (ASHON) through the capital market master plan implementation committee (CAMMIC) on the rejuvenation of the market as part of the financial system review currently being worked on.” Read more
Workouts increase motor neurone risk – scientists (BBC)
Regular and strenuous exercise increases the risk of motor neurone disease in people who are genetically vulnerable, say scientists.
The team at the University of Sheffield said nobody should stop exercising as a result of their study.
But they hope the findings could lead to ways of screening people who may be at higher risk and give tailored advice.
Overall, around one in 300 people will develop motor neurone disease. Read more
Saudi Arabia says it is no longer an oil producing country (RT)
When Saudi Arabia’s Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman announced that Saudi Arabia was no longer an oil-producing country, he likely didn’t mean literally.
“Saudi Arabia is no longer an oil country, it’s an energy-producing country,” the Energy Minister told S&P Global Platts this week.
Saudi Arabia has high green ambitions that include gas production, renewables, and hydrogen.
“I urge the world to accept this as a reality. We are going to be winners of all these activities.” Read more
Ed Sheeran freaked out as he gears up to release first solo single in two years (Metro)
Ed Sheeran is gearing up to release his first solo single in two years and the nerves are getting to him.
It seems even four-time Grammy winners get the jitters.
The Shape Of You hitmaker, who recently announced his comeback after a break from the spotlight, shared a snap of himself pulling quite the nervy face, with his hands crossed behind his head.
Staring at the camera, Ed gave us a grimace as he wrote: ‘The moment you realise your first solo single in 4 years is coming out in a few weeks.’ Read more
Lake Mead: Largest US reservoir dips to record low (BBC)
The largest reservoir in the US has dipped to its lowest ever level, officials say, as an extreme drought continues in the region.
The surface elevation of Lake Mead along the Arizona-Nevada border fell to 1,071.56ft (326.6 metres) above sea level at 06:00 GMT Thursday.
It has sunk about 140ft since 2000 – which is almost the height of New York City’s Statue of Liberty.
The reservoir is a major water supply source for more than 20 million people. Read more
‘Vegan’ spider-silk could replace single-use plastic in thousands of products (Metro)
A spider silk-inspired plastic alternative, made from plants, could soon replace single-use plastics.
The compostable material can reportedly be produced in large quantities, replacing the need for the hundreds of millions of single-use plastic bags and consumer products used each year.
University of Cambridge researchers created the polymer film by copying the properties of spider silk, one of the strongest materials found in nature.
The plant ‘plastic’ can be produced using sustainable ingredients with colour added to the polymer to mimic current plastic designs. Read more
First lady Jill Biden wears ‘LOVE’ jacket to stand for ‘unity’ during UK visit (USAToday)
Jill Biden says she and President Joe Biden are “bringing love” to the United Kingdom during their first international trip this week. She wore her “LOVE” jacket Thursday to drive home her message.
The presidential couple, in the U.K. for a Group of Seven summit in Cornwall in southwestern England, joined British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his new wife Carrie Johnson and posed at a scenic vista overlooking the shore of Carbis Bay.
When the group turned away, the back of the first lady’s dark blazer came into view: “LOVE” was spelled out in block letters emblazoned in silver studs. It’s a jacket she’s worn before, most recently on the campaign trail in 2020.
During an exchange with pool reporters, Biden explained the meaning behind her jacket. Read more
Jada Pinkett Smith and daughter Willow steam vaginas on camera in quest of spiritual healing (Metro)
In a move that would make queen of Goop Gwyneth Paltrow proud, Jada Pinkett Smith, her mother Adrienne Banfield-Norris and Jada’s daughter Willow got together to steam their vaginas.
As part of their often-explosive Red Table Talk series the women chatted about womb health, and in line with that they bonded over some good ol’ fashioned ‘yoni’ steaming – which, quite literally, looked like they squatted over a footbath filled with boiling water.
Of course it’s much more in-depth and meaningful than that, and that is why we’re not professionals at this, we suppose.
This week’s instalment was all about vaginal and ‘womb healing’, as author and wellness coach Queen Afua asked the trio: ‘If your vagina could speak, what would she say?’ Read more
Barbora Krejcikova saves match point to book Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova French Open final clash (Metro)
After a tournament of upsets, injuries, withdrawals and controversy, there are just two women left standing in the French Open singles.
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, the 31st seed from Russia, and Barbora Krejcikova, the world No. 33 from the Czech Republic, will contest one of the most unlikely of finals in recent times.
Neither had been beyond the quarter-finals at a major tournament prior to this event but both proved too strong for fellow Grand Slam semi-final debutants Tamara Zidansek and Maria Sakkari.
The second of the two matches was one of the most tense and dramatic semi-finals at Roland Garros in recent memory, with both saving match points in a gruelling third set before Krejcikova – who is also still involved in the doubles – claimed a 7-5 4-6 9-7 win. Read more
Bucks survive Nets in tense Game 3 to cut series deficit to 2-1 (USAToday)
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton saved the Milwaukee Bucks’ season at the start and at the end of Game 3.
Antetokounmpo barreled into the paint for dunks, and Middleton had his 3-ball going as the pair combined for Milwaukee’s first 30 points and a 21-point lead over the Brooklyn Nets.
But that great start fizzled. It was a three-point game at halftime, and Brooklyn took its first lead of the game near the end of the third quarter.
With their season on the line, the Bucks avoided a disastrous 3-0 hole, beating the Nets 86-83 in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference semifinal on Thursday. Read more
Boateng backs Werner to shine (Punch)
Jerome Boateng has backed Timo Werner to “show who he really is” at Euro 2020 after an “up and down” season at Chelsea.
Much was expected of Werner at Stamford Bridge following his £47.5m switch to Chelsea from Leipzig last summer, but he did not adapt to English football as quickly as supporters hoped.
The 25-year-old struggled to replicate the prolific form in front of goal he showed at Red Bull Arena, but still played a key role in the Blues’ run to Champions League glory and Boateng expects to see him back to his best for Germany at the European Championships.
The Bayern Munich defender won’t be alongside Werner at the tournament after being omitted from Joachim Low’s squad, but he is sure that his compatriot will be “hungry” to add more silverware to his collection. Read more
Georginio Wijnaldum: Midfielder joins Paris St-Germain after leaving Liverpool (BBC)
Georginio Wijnaldum has signed a three-year deal with Paris St-Germain after leaving Liverpool on a free transfer.
The Netherlands midfielder, 30, opted against signing a new contract at Anfield and moves to the French capital after being linked with Barcelona.
“I’m joining one of the best squads in Europe and I want to bring all my desire and commitment to this ambitious project,” Wijnaldum said.
Wijnaldum joined Liverpool from Newcastle United for £25m in 2016. Read more
England receive Harry Maguire boost as Manchester United captain returns to full training (Metro)
Harry Maguire has returned to full training ahead of England’s opening Euro 2020 clash with Croatia.
The 28-year-old defender suffered angle ligament damage during Manchester United’s victory over Aston Villa last month and was sidelined for the Red Devils’ last five matches of the season including the Europa League final.
There were initial fears Maguire could be forced to miss this summer’s European Championships altogether and while the centre-back was named in Gareth Southgate’s final 26-man squad, he failed to feature in either of the Three Lions’ warm-up games with Austria and Romania.
It’s still extremely doubtful Maguire will be available for selection at Wembley this weekend but Southgate will have breathed a sigh of relief as the United captain joined his team-mates in training for the first time on Thursday morning. Read more
Dina Asher-Smith wins again in 200m Diamond League in Florence (BBC)
Dina Asher-Smith won the 200m in a season’s-best time of 22.06 seconds at the Diamond League meeting in Florence.
Asher-Smith, the 200m world champion, powered to a commanding victory – her time 0.03secs outside the fastest this year, run by Shaunae Miller-Uibo.
The Briton, 25, has already won twice in the 100m this season as she builds towards the Olympic Games in Tokyo, which begin in July. Laura Muir came third in a stunning 1500m race won by Sifan Hassan. Read more