Lagos seals off public toilet, cites environmental hazards (Punch)
The Lagos State Wastewater Management Office has sealed off a public toilet at Ogunlana Street, Egbeda, Lagos, following reports of illegal activities and environmental hazards.
This was disclosed in a statement on X.com by the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab.
According to the statement, the toilet, which was found to be harbouring a large number of unaccounted bike riders, was discovered to be discharging untreated wastewater into public drainage, causing foul odours and posing a significant risk to groundwater contamination. Read more
Tinubu appoints 8 new Perm Secs (Sun)
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of eight new Federal Permanent Secretaries to fill in existing and impending vacancies of some states and geo-political zones in the top administrative cadre of the Civil Service of the Federation.
According to a statement issued by Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, the appointees emerged after a diligent selection process by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
The appointees are: Dr. Emanso Umobong Okop – Akwa-Ibom, Obi Emeka Vitalis – Anambra, Mahmood Fatima Sugra Tabi’a – Bauchi and Danjuma Mohammed Sanusi – Jigawa. Read more
14 worshippers killed in Kano trailer accident (DailyTrust)
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed the death of at least 14 worshippers after a trailer ran into Jumaat congregation worshippers in Kano.
It was learnt that the accident occurred at Imawa town, Kura Local Government Area on Kano-Kaduna highway shortly after Friday prayer around 13.50 pm when the driver of the trailer with the number plate MKA 537XN coming from Kaduna lost control and ran into the worshippers.
A statement signed by the FRSC Public Relations Officer, Kano Sector Command, Abdullahi Labaran, said nine of the deceased were buried Friday afternoon, while those injured were receiving treatment at a hospital. Read more
Village Head, Councillor suspended in Gombe over alleged theft (Channels)
The Gombe State Government has suspended the village head of Garin Majidadi in Akko Local Government Area, Mohammed Majidadi, over alleged theft.
It also suspended the Councillor representing Kumo East Ward, Abdullahi M. Panda.
Announcing this in a statement on Friday, the Secretary to the State Government, Ibrahim Njodi, said Gombe State Governor, Inuwa Yahaya, approved the immediate suspension of the affected persons. Read more
National Sanitation Day: LASG urges residents to keep environment clean (Nation)
The Lagos State Government on Friday urged residents to continue to keep their environment clean while imbibing good environmental sanitation and hygiene practices.
The Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Dr. Gaji Omobolaji Tajudeen made the assertion at the maiden celebration of National Environmental Sanitation Day (NESD) and the Second Quarterly Community Sanitation Clean-Up Exercise of the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources held at Ojodu Local Government Development Area. Read more
Court grants Mohbad’s family permission to conduct independent autopsy (Punch)
The Coroner’s Court sitting in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State has granted the family permission to conduct an independent autopsy and toxicology test on the late singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, also known as Mohbad.
The family had applied for an independent autopsy citing suspicious circumstances surrounding the death of the deceased.
The court’s decision comes after the previous autopsy conducted by the Lagos State Government was declared inconclusive. Read more
Tinubu congratulates AbdulRazaq, winner of Prince’s Trust Global Sustainability Award (Sun)
President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Ridwan AbdulRazaq, a renewable energy expert, on winning the 2024 Prince’s Trust Global Sustainability Award.
AbdulRazaq was honoured for his accomplishments in advancing solar energy system design and deployment in Nigeria, especially in off-grid rural communities.
President Tinubu commended the Nigerian green-solution pacesetter, stating that AbdulRazaq’s achievements reinforce the long-held conviction that Nigeria’s climate goals and his administration’s green industrial vision are realizable with the active participation of the nation’s tremendously gifted youths. Read more
Rivers explosion: Nigerians in diaspora condemn use of weapons for political rallies (Tribune)
The Association of Nigerian Professionals in Europe (ANPE) has condemned the use of weapons of mass destruction, including dynamites and explosives, by some individuals to disrupt peace in Rivers State under the guise of political rallies.
In a statement signed by its president, Dr Reginald Agamah, and made available to journalists on Friday, ANPE expressed shock at the recent events in the state, describing the actions of some selfish politicians as “egregious and violent” and “utterly reprehensible.”
The statement reads in parts: “We unequivocally denounce these actions in the strongest terms possible as terrorism, which has no place in a democracy. Read more
Joseph Quinn says Quiet Place costar Lupita Nyong’o is “very helpful” as he joins Marvel Universe (People)
Joseph Quinn has a superhero ally in Lupita Nyong’o.
The Stranger Things alum spoke with PEOPLE about the pair’s new post-apocalyptic thriller A Quiet Place: Day One, where he said they chatted about his entrance into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Quinn, 30, is set to portray Johnny Storm, a.k.a. The Human Torch, in the upcoming “Fantastic Four” movie, while Nyong’o, 41, has appeared as Nakia in the Black Panther films. Read more
Martin Mull, actor from Clue and Arrested Development, dies at 80 (NBC)
Martin Mull, the comic musician and actor who started with 1970s TV series Fernwood 2 Night and went on to appear as Colonel Mustard in Clue and on Arrested Development and Roseanne, died Thursday. He was 80.
His daughter Maggie announced his death on Instagram, writing “I am heartbroken to share that my father passed away at home on June 27th, after a valiant fight against a long illness. He was known for excelling at every creative discipline imaginable and also for doing Red Roof Inn commercials. He would find that joke funny. He was never not funny. My dad will be deeply missed by his wife and daughter, by his friends and coworkers, by fellow artists and comedians and musicians, and—the sign of a truly exceptional person—by many, many dogs. I loved him tremendously.” Read more
‘‘Oh my god, this baby’’: 10-week-old steals show at Annie Mac’s Glastonbury set (BelfastTelegraph)
The parents of a 10-week-old baby who stole the show as Annie Mac opened the Other Stage at Glastonbury Festival have said they will play his moment of techno fame on his wedding day.
Baby Finlay was met with cheers as he appeared on the big screen multiple times while Irish DJ Mac opened Worthy Farm’s second biggest stage with an hour-long set of dance hits from 11.30am on Friday.
Wearing his striped one-piece pyjamas and ear protectors, the 10-week-old was met with a rapturous reception from atop his father Tom Kay’s shoulders as special effects on stage saw his image turn into a hallucinatory dance visual. Read more
Eminem taps Big Sean and Babytron for new single ‘‘Tobey,’’ releasing July 2 (Variety)
Eminem has announced the upcoming release of “Tobey,” out July 2, serving as the second single off his upcoming album “The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce).”
On social media, the rapper revealed that “Tobey” will feature fellow Detroit native Big Sean as well as metro Detroit emcee Babytron. “Tobey,” which is likely a reference to Spider-Man’s Tobey Maguire based on a lyric from the teaser, will arrive a few days before the Cole Bennett-directed video premieres on July 5. In a preview for the clip, Em sports a hockey mask and chainsaw similar to the ones he wielded on his Anger Management tour in 2000. Read more
Bolivian President Luis Arce denies conspiracy after failed coup (DAWN)
Bolivian President Luis Arce on Thursday denied conspiring with his former army chief, who was arrested after deploying troops and tanks to the heart of the capital La Paz, where they tried to break down a door of the presidential palace.
Fourteen civilians who opposed the coup were wounded by gunfire, according to the authorities. Some had to be hospitalized and operated on, Luis Arce told the press.
Authorities paraded handcuffed detainees in front of the media on Thursday, announcing 17 arrests including ex-army chief Juan Jose Zuniga, and riot police kept close watch over government buildings a day after the botched coup. Read more
Pearl Jam forced to cancel long-awaited Tottenham Hotspur Stadium gig amid ‘‘illness in the band’’ (Mirror)
Pearl Jam have cancelled their Tottenham Hotspur Stadium gig due to “illness in the band”.
The 1990s alternative rock band, fronted by Eddie Vedder, were due to play the London football stadium on Saturday but said in a statement on Friday on Instagram that there was “no other option” than to cancel. The stadium has confirmed tickets will be refunded at the point of purchase, and says the concert will not be rescheduled “despite best efforts”.
Standing tickets for the gig on the Dark Matter Tour, which sees the band supported by former Verve frontman Richard Ashcroft and Irish indie rockers The Murder Capital, have been priced at £135. Read more
Sigourney Weaver to receive Life Achievement Award at Venice Film Festival (UPI)
Alien, Avatar and Ghostbusters icon Sigourney Weaver is to receive the Golden Lion for Life Achievement at the Venice Film Festival this summer.
“I am truly honored to receive the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement from La Biennale di Venezia,” Weaver said in a statement Friday.
“To be gifted this award is a privilege I share with all the filmmakers and collaborators I have worked with throughout the years. I proudly accept this award in celebration of all who have helped bring these films to life.” Read more
Tobi Amusan cleared for Paris Olympics (Leadership)
Nigeria’s 100m hurdles world-record holder, Tobi Amusan, has been cleared to run in the Paris Olympics after sport’s top court dismissed appeals against the decision to clear her of a doping offence on Friday.
Amusan, 27, was charged in July 2023 with missing three anti-doping tests in a period of 12 months, but was cleared of the offence by the Disciplinary Tribunal of the sport’s governing body, World Athletics.
However, World Athletics and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against that decision. Read more
Okoye rekindles hope of leading Nigeria to World Cup (Sun)
Super Eagles and Udinese goalkeeper, Maduka Emilio Okoye, has rekindled his interest in becoming the number one of the Nigerian football team, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 24-year-old was the starting goalkeeper for the Nigerian team at the AFCON 2021 tournament, but an error from him meant the Super Eagles exited the tournament at the round of sixteen in Cameroon, leading to harsh criticism from Nigerian football fans.
Maduka’s first call-up since 2022 came when Finidi George included the Udinese goalkeeper in his 23-man squad ahead of Nigeria’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Benin Republic and South Africa, where he was second choice to Stanley Nwabali. Read more
Aston Villa announce permanent signing of Chelsea full-back (SportsMole)
Aston Villa have announced the signing of Dutch full-back Ian Maatsen from Chelsea on a permanent deal.
The 22-year-old is understood to have put pen to paper on a six-year contract, keeping him tied to Villa Park until the summer of 2030.
Maatsen spent the second half of last season on loan at German club Borussia Dortmund where he made 16 Bundesliga appearances, scoring two goals, and featured seven times in the Champions League, including a start in the final against eventual winners Real Madrid. Read more
Colombia dominates Costa Rica to reach Copa America quarterfinals (CBC)
Davinson Sanchez and Jhon Cordoba scored three minutes apart in the second half, and Colombia advanced to the Copa America quarterfinals with a 3-0 win over Costa Rica on Friday.
Colombia controlled possession (62 per cent) for the second straight game and led 1-0 at halftime on Luis Diaz’s penalty kick in the 31st minute.
Los Cafeteros kept up the pressure in the second half and wrapped up Group D with a dominating performance in front of 27,386 pro-Colombian fans at State Farm Stadium. Colombia outshot Costa Rica 14-5 and faces Brazil on Tuesday in Santa Clara, California to close out the group stage. Read more
Nelly Korda: World No 1 bitten by dog to see her pull out of LET event in England (Sky)
Women’s world No 1 golfer Nelly Korda has been bitten by a dog, prompting her withdrawal from the Aramco-sponsored Ladies European Tour event in London next week.
Korda was due to defend her title at the Centurion Club in Hemel Hempstead from July 3-5, but announced she would be unable to play on Instagram.
“I regret to announce that I must withdraw from next week’s Ladies European Tour tournament in London,” Korda’s statement said. “On Saturday in Seattle, I was bitten by a dog and need time to receive treatment and recover fully. Read more
England star Phil Foden speaks out on Euro 2024 return after birth of 3rd child (Mirror)
Phil Foden was pictured in England training on Friday after returning to the Euro 2024 camp following the birth of his third child.
The Manchester City star returned to the UK following the Three Lions’ dire draw with Slovenia on Tuesday night to be alongside girlfriend Rebecca Cooke. The happy couple welcomed a baby boy to their family and the midfielder is now back in Germany.
Foden was seen taking to the training pitch alongside West Ham star Jarrod Bowen. After being welcomed back by England’s media team, Foden said: “Thank you.” The 24-year-old was understandably in high spirits and will be hoping to retain his spot in the starting XI when England face Slovakia in the last-16 on Sunday. Read more