Lagos seals 10 private schools for flouting closure directive (Nation)
The Lagos State Government has sealed 10 private schools that flouted the closure directives of the federal and state governments as a result of Covid-19 pandemic to ensure the safety of students.
The Director General, Office of Education Quality Assurance, Lagos State, Mrs. Abiola Seriki-Ayeni, who led the Monitoring and Investigation team of the office, disclosed this during the second and third phase of the massive monitoring of private schools compliance to the directive to curb the spread of the scourge still ravaging the country and the world at large.
According to Mrs. Seriki-Ayeni, a large number of private schools visited across the state were found to have complied while the non-complaint schools have been sealed. Read more
Cleric donates face masks, palliatives to Alimosho residents (Guardian)
To combat the spread of COVID-19 in Lagos State, National Coordinator of Anchor International Care and Humanitarian Initiative, Dr. Bolarinwa Michael Omotosho has distributed face masks to residents of Alimosho Local Council.
Omotosho, who is the new patron of the Man O’ War Nigeria, Area “C” Command, Alimosho Area Unit, made the donation through Man O’ War officials in the council.
He thanked the men of the Man O’War for supporting security operatives in curbing the spread of the virus, emphasising the need to enforce social distancing, washing of hands and usage of sanitisers among members, while carrying out their duties. Read more
Death toll now six in Lagos boat accident, 9 missing (Nation)
The death toll in Friday night’s boat accident in Lagos has risen to six with nine persons still missing, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has said.
It said seven persons were rescued alive from the wreckage of the ill -fated boat on the Ebute Ero -Ikorodu waterway.
Transportation Commissioner Frederic Oladeinde on a visit to the scene yesterday cautioned ferry operators against breaking laid down safety guidelines on waterways.
He said night travels are strictly forbidden.
The agency in an update last night on the accident said there were 22 persons on board, contrary to initial information. Read more
Oniba stool: Idowu Balogun family tasks kingmakers on court verdict (Guardian)
The Idowu Balogun family of the Idomila Ruling House in Iba area of Lagos State has appealed to kingmakers to follow the Federal High Court judgment, which conferred the ruling house equal rights and eligibility to present a candidate for the Oniba’s stool.
The judgment further barred the Oduntan arm of the ruling house from presenting any candidate after presenting five successive Obas in Iba town.
This call came following the demise of the monarch, the Oniba of Iba, Oba Goriola Yishau Oseni, who joined his ancestors on May 25, 2020. Read more
Flood takes over homes, roads as morning rain pounds Ogun (Nation)
A predawn downpour that pounded Abeokuta and its environs for hours yesterday has left many homes and township roads flooded, destroying household valuables and equally pulled down perimeter fence in the process.
The heavy downpour, which started at about 2 am, also affected part of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library fence located at Moshood Abiola way, Abeokuta.
Flood prone areas such as Kuto, Isale -Igbein, Lanfewa, Amolaso, Ijeun-Titun, Ago-Ijesa, Abiola way, Isale Abetu, Sokori, Igbore, Kuto and Isabo – all in Abeokuta South and North local government areas of Ogun State, were most hard hit as the flood surged into people’s living and bed rooms respectively. Read more
Kogi: Court of Appeal upholds Gov Bello’s election (Vanguard)
The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, on Saturday, upheld the election victory of Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State.
The appellate court, in separate unanimous judgements by five-man panel led by Justice Adamu Jauro, dismissed four appeals that challenged the return of Governor Bello as valid winner of the gubernatorial election that held in the state on November 16, 2019.
The appellate court held that the appeals, which sought to upturn earlier verdicts of Kogi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal that affirmed Bello of the All Progressives Congress, APC, as the winner of the governorship contest, lacked merit. Read more
Open grazing: Benue livestock guards impound 92 cows (Guardian)
The Benue State Livestock Guards, yesterday, impounded 92 cows for contravening the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law 2017 of the state.
State Commander of the Livestock Guards, Mr. Linus Zaki who paraded the impounded animals in Makurdi, told newsmen that 60 cows were impounded in Ohimini and 30 in Logo Local Council Areas of the state.
He stated that owners of the affected livestock must pay the stipulated fines to get back their cattle. Read more
Akeredolu must hand over to me after 21 days – Deputy (Punch)
The embattled Ondo State Deputy Governor, Mr Agboola Ajayi, has declared that Governor Rotimi Akeredolu must follow the constitution by handing over power to the former if the latter remains in self-isolation after 21 days. He said this was irrespective of their political differences.
Akeredolu has been in self-isolation after being confirmed to have contracted COVID-19 a few days ago.
However, the governor, through the state Commissioner for Information, Mr Donald Ojogo, on Friday, said the governor would not hand over to Ajayi, who had left the All Progressives Congress. Read more
COVID-19: Ogun extends lockdown, as schools, religious centres remain closed (Vanguard)
As Nigeria continues to record a high number of cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) on daily basis, the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun on Friday night extended weekend lockdown in the state by another two weeks.
VANGUARD reports that the governor stated this in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin, and made available to newsmen in Abeokuta, the state capital.
According to Somorin, available data and opinions of experts continue to indicate that the fight against the virus is far from being won.
The statement read, “Ogun State Government will continue to be deliberate, cautious, focused and balanced in its approach and place highest priority on public safety over and above any other consideration in its efforts to flatten the curve of the dreaded COVID-19 virus in the State”. Read more
Dominican Republic vote to go ahead despite coronavirus threat (AlJazeera)
Voters in the Dominican Republic are set to defy rising coronavirus infections to choose a new president in an election that could end 16 years of unbroken rule by the centre-left Dominican Liberation Party (PLD).
Opposition candidate Luis Abinader is favourite in Sunday’s election, having taken a commanding lead in opinion polls despite being forced to abandon his campaign after he tested positive for COVID-19.
Abinader, a 52-year-old businessman, recovered sufficiently to close out his campaign at a rally on Wednesday. Read more
Coronavirus: England has first night out since lockdown (BBC)
People across England have had their first night out in three months, after coronavirus restrictions eased.
Hospitality venues such as pubs and restaurants as well as hairdressers, cinemas and theme parks reopened with strict social distancing rules.
But ministers urged caution and England’s chief medical officer said the latest step was not “risk-free”.
It comes as buildings and landmarks across the country were lit up to celebrate the NHS. Read more
Ghana president self-isolates despite negative virus test (France24)
Ghana’s president has gone into self-isolation for two weeks as a precautionary measure despite testing negative for coronavirus, the government said, after one of his contacts was confirmed to have the illness.
President Nana Akufo-Addo began his quarantine on Saturday and will be working from the presidential villa in Accra, capital of the West African country, the information minister said in a statement.
“The president has elected to do so after at least one person within his close circle tested positive for COVID-19,” the minister said. Read more
Macy’s 4th of July fireworks end with stunning Empire State Building display (NYPost)
The final night of the Macy’s Annual Fourth of July fireworks were shot from the Empire State Building, seen from One World Observatory tonight.
Annie Wermiel/NY Post
Macy’s capped off its five nights of “pop-up” fireworks displays with a brief but beautiful blitz of explosives atop the Empire State Building.
The demonstration kicked off at 9:38 p.m. with colorful fireworks shooting off the Art Deco landmark’s observatory, sending sparks and smoke drifting down over Midtown and drawing “wows” from the crowd. Read more
Tokyo governor favoured to win re-election for handling pandemic (AlJazeera)
Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike is poised to be re-elected in Sunday’s polls, buoyed by public support for her coronavirus handling despite a recent rise in infections that has raised concerns of a resurgence of the disease.
The first woman to head the Japanese capital, Koike, 67, is also viewed as a potential candidate to succeed Prime Minister Shinzo Abe when his term ends in September 2021. For now, she says she’s focused on protecting the lives of the 14 million people in Tokyo, a megacity with a $1 trillion economy. Read more
Prostitution in post-lockdown Greece is ‘Russian roulette’ (France24)
A central Athens brothel was buzzing with clients on a recent hot July afternoon, and its Venezuelan workers were relieved to have the business.
Sex workers there have had a steady stream of customers since mid-June, when they were allowed to reopen their doors after a three-month ban to control the spread of coronavirus.
While most Greeks are social distancing and keeping their contacts to a minimum, many prostitutes have little choice but to return to work. Read more
Fourth of July: Trump vows to defeat ‘radical left’ in Independence Day speech (BBC)
US President Donald Trump has used a 4 July address to tout the country’s “progress” against Covid-19, despite a nationwide spike in cases.
Amid criticism of his handling of the pandemic, he said China – where the virus originated – must be “held fully accountable”.
The president also berated protesters who toppled monuments of US historical figures in recent anti-racism protests.
“Their goal is demolition,” he declared. Read more
‘A week I’ll remember for life’ – Saka dents Wolves’ top-four hopes (BBC)
Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka said he has had a “week I will remember my whole life” after he celebrated signing a new long-term contract by scoring the opener in the Gunners’ victory at Wolves on Saturday.
The teenager struck his first Premier League goal with a sweet, left-foot volley to deliver a blow to the hosts’ hopes of Champions League football next season.
Arsenal made sure of a fourth successive victory when Alexandre Lacazette capped a fine team display by turning on fellow substitute Joe Willock’s pass and firing emphatically past Wolves keeper Rui Patricio with five minutes left. Read more
Ronaldo sets new records in Juve’s win against Torino (DailyTrust)
Christiano Ronaldo was the star of the night in Juventus’ game against Torino as he set new records in the match that ended 4-1 in favour of the Old Lady.
The five-time World Footballer of the year scored a stunning free-kick in the 61st minute of play to emerge as the first player to score 25 goals in a season for Juve since 1961. Interesting facts about Ronaldo, Messi’s 700 career goals Ronaldo beats Messi, emerges first soccer billionaire The goal was also the first time Ronaldo would be scoring from a free-kick spot in Juventus shirt. Read more
Milner admits leaving Liverpool was an option after being played out of position (Vanguard)
James Milner admits leaving Liverpool could have been an option in Jurgen Klopp’s first full season at the club after he was asked to play out of position.
The 34-year-old left Manchester City in 2015 to play more regularly in centre midfield yet spent a lot of the 2016-17 campaign plying his trade at left-back.
Milner’s experience has aided Liverpool in the past few seasons and he signed a new deal in December that runs through to 2022.
But the former England international could have pushed for a move away three years ago and says it took time to adapt to Klopp’s demands on the training pitch. Read more
Andrew Uwe: Age grade league way to go (Nation)
Andrew Uwe’s towering presence cannot be overlooked in Nigeria’s football teams from mid 80s to late 90s.
Kicking off his professional career from Ibadan club side Leventis United in 1985 he moved on to Iwuanyanwu Nationale where he spent two seasons and helped them to reach the final of the African Champions Cup 1988.
In 1985, he captained the Nigeria team to winning bronze at the FIFA World Youth Championship in USSR. Flying Eagles defeated host country in the third place match in the match that went into penalties. Read more
‘Get used to that pressure,’ Lampard tells players as Chelsea retain top-four place (BBC)
Chelsea manager Frank Lampard says his team will have to get used to added pressure during a nervy Premier League run-in after they beat Watford on Saturday.
Manchester United had leapfrogged the Blues – who lost 3-2 at West Ham on Wednesday – into fourth place by thrashing Bournemouth earlier in the day.
However, Lampard’s side responded with a comfortable win over the struggling Hornets to reclaim the final automatic qualification spot for next season’s Champions League. Read more
Nets plan on getting Jarrett Allen reinforcements for NBA restart (NYPost)
The Nets only have a dozen healthy players they can count on as they prepare to head to Orlando, and just one legitimate big man after their frontcourt got decimated by injuries and coronavirus.
But it sounds like they are on the verge of adding some reinforcements, and they most likely will be in the paint.
“Overall, we have to have as many bodies as possible going into Orlando,” interim coach Jacque Vaughn said in a Saturday Zoom call. Read more