LASTMA officials absconded with my bleeding wife, stole N150,000 – Businessman (Punch)
A Dubai-based businessman, Jude Eze, has accused some personnel of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority of absconding with his bleeding wife, Sophia, during an arrest.
It was gathered that Jude was arrested on Friday in the Akowonjo area of the state by a combined team of policemen and LASTMA officials for seat belt infringement.
Our correspondent learnt that Sophia was bleeding and could not use the seat belt, but attempts to explain to the LASTMA personnel proved abortive as they allegedly impounded Jude’s vehicle with his wife inside.
The father of four told PUNCH Metro that while he was pleading with the officials to allow him take his wife to hospital, one of them jumped into the car and drove away. Read more
Lagos partner FG on Southwest development plan (Guardian)
The Lagos State Government has restated commitment to partnering with the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing for a Southwest regional plan.
Speaking during a courtesy call on the ministry by a team from the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, the state’s Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Idris Salako, lauded the initiative by the Federal Government with Lagos and Ogun States, adding that it will jump-start the plan in the Southwest, while it would thereafter be replicated in other geo-political regions of the country.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs. Abiola Kosegbe, who welcomed the proposal said that a strategic regional plan for the two neighbouring state was a good omen, which would accelerate the development of frontier communities. Read more
SON confiscates substandard rods worth N15m in Lagos (Nation)
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) in collaboration with the Iron Rod Distributors Association of Nigeria (IRDAN) has seized substandard iron rods worth N15 million.
The President-General of IRDAN, Mr Gbenga Awoyale, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos.
Awoyale told NAN that SON sealed a company in Alimosho area of Lagos that stocked substandard iron rods following hint from IRDAN.
Awoyale said that from findings, the substandard rods were supplied by African Steel Nigeria Ltd. Read more
Petrol landing cost hits N232, subsidy rises to N5.58bn daily (Punch)
The landing cost of Premium Motor Spirit being imported into Nigeria surged by more than 60 per cent between December 2020 and mid-June this year, although the pump price of the product remained unchanged, ’FEMI ASU reports
From an average of N143.60 per litre in December, the landing cost of petrol rose to N231.98 per litre on June 16 this year on the back of the rally in global oil prices and the depreciation of the naira against the dollar.
The Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency had in March this year released a pricing template that indicated the guiding prices for the month.
The template, which showed that petrol pump price was expected to range from N209.61 to N212.61 per litre, was greeted with widespread public outcry and was later deleted by the agency from its website. Read more
IPMAN threatens to shut down filling stations over police attacks (DailyTrust)
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), said their members may shut down all filling stations and cut down supplies should the federal government and Inspector General of Police fail to address attacks by the police force on their members.
The group said the action may take effect from Tomorrow (Tuesday).
National Public Relation Officer of IPMAN, Yakubu Suleiman, disclosed this on Sunday, in an interview with journalists in Jos.
According to him, police officers, had on Friday last week sieged the IPMAN National Secretariat, for unknown reasons. Read more
PDP Summons Emergency Meeting as Another Gov Defects to APC (ThisDay)
The National Working Committee (NWC) of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has summoned an emergency meeting today to discuss the planned defection of the Zamfara State Governor, Hon. Bello Matawalle, to the All Progressives Congress (APC) tomorrow.
In an announcement yesterday by the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Ibrahim Dosara, the state government invited the governor’s supporters to witness the defection.
The statement further said the Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, and other APC stalwarts would receive the Zamfara State governor into APC. Read more
Hearing resumes at Supreme Court on $15b judgment against Nigeria, others (Guardian)
The Supreme Court will, today, continue its hearing on a case involving the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Union Bank of Nigeria (UBN) and an oil and gas company – Petro Union Oil and Gas Company Limited (Petro Union), over an alleged £2.556 billion fraud attempt.
The hearing at the apex court continues even as Petro Union and some of its officials simultaneously face criminal charges at the Federal High Court in Lagos on the same matter which, according to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), is an attempt to defraud UBN, the CBN and by extension, the Nigerian government of another mind-boggling sum of money.
The said sum of £2.556 billion plus interest amounts to $15 billion in today’s terms, causing experts who have studied the case to liken it to the infamous $10 billion Process & Industrial Development Limited (P&ID) fraud attempt against Nigeria.
As the Petro Union case resumes, all eyes are on the Supreme Court of Nigeria to deliver a sound decision, especially as the criminal case at the Federal High Court continues to unravel evidence, which indicate that the judgments in favour of Petro Union at the lower courts, were allegedly obtained by fraud. Read more
INEC projects 20 million new voters as CVR begins today (Punch)
The Independent National Electoral Commission will today (Monday), resume the Continuous Voter Registration ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Recall that the commission had created 56, 872 additional polling units across the country.
It had also accredited 31 organisations to observe the CVR, while 20 more applications were being processed.
According to the commission, the registration, which will be carried out continuously for over a year until the third quarter of 2022, will be targeting at least 20 million new voters. Read more
Group partners NDLEA in war against drug abuse (Guardian)
A foundation, Salvaging Our Future Today (SoFT) is partnering with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) against drug abuse in Lagos.
The group at the weekend led a sensitisation march from the General Hospital Ikeja, and terminated at Alausa seat of the Lagos State Government to commemorate the 2021 International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2021.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), has set aside June 26, every year, to raise awareness against drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
President of SoFT, Mr. Joseph Obi, who led the march, said the theme: “Share facts about drugs, save lives”, aims at improving the understanding of the world problem as well as fostering greater international cooperation for countering its impact on health, governance and security. Read more
Somalia’s Puntland region executes 21 al-Shabab fighters (BBC)
Twenty-one men have been executed in Somalia’s semi-autonomous state of Puntland after they were convicted of being members of the Islamist militant group al-Shabab.
They were sentenced by a military court in Galkayo and shot by a firing squad.
State radio said 18 of the men had carried out assassinations and bombings over more than a decade.
As they were being executed the group attacked a town in another part of Somalia, reportedly killing soldiers. Read more
Cuba’s Covid-19 vaccine rivals BioNTech-Pfizer, Moderna (DW)
Cuba’s health authorities said this week the domestically produced Abdala vaccine has proven to be 92% effective against the coronavirus in clinical trials.
In a measure of its ambitious efforts to be vaccine self-reliant, Cuba has named one of its homegrown jabs Abdala, after a famous dramatic verse by independence hero and national icon Jose Marti. In the verse, the young hero, Abdala, heads to war to defend his fatherland, full of patriotic fervor no matter how strong and powerful the enemy.
From the perspective of many Cubans, it’s the perfect name for the first Covid-19 vaccine to be developed in Latin America. And the perfect imagery for the story of a tiny island of 11 million inhabitants eager to show it can’t be broken by a deadly virus and a 60-year economic blockade by the United States, and a country that boasts several brilliant scientists of its own.
Cuba’s new scientist star
One of them is Gerardo Enrique Guillen Nieto, director of biomedical research at the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB) in Havana where Abdala was developed. Read more
7 dead, 50 hurt in Bangladesh blast likely caused by gas line (Guardian)
At least seven people were killed and another 50 people were injured after a powerful explosion ripped apart a three-storey building in central Dhaka on Sunday, Bangladeshi officials said, citing a gas pipeline as the likely cause.
Police said the explosion was so forceful that it broke the windows of at least four moving buses, injuring dozens of passengers on board.
Dhaka police chief Shafiqur Rahman said at least seven people were killed in the explosion, though the fire service offered a lower death toll of three. Police and fire service officials said 50 people were injured. Read more
Britney Spears’ brother-in-law speaks out in first direct family comment on star’s conservatorship (Metro)
Britney Spears’ brother-in-law is the latest to speak out in the aftermath of her devastating court testimonial, in which she described the conservatorship she’s been under since 2008 as ‘abusive’.
Since the global chart-topper publicly spoke about her unhappiness over the ‘traumatising’ mental health-related order for the first time, which has put her father, Jamie Spears, in charge of her personal affairs and finances for the past 13 years, Britney has also taken to Instagram to apologise to her fans ‘for pretending like I’ve been ok’.
The #FreeBritney movement and her fans have been stalwart supporters of the singer throughout, and many of the star’s colleagues and friends also took to social media in an outpouring of love for Britney as she laid her true feelings bare, including ex Justin Timberlake and fellow music icon Mariah Carey. Read more
Tanzania: President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s 100 days in office (DW)
In her first 100 days, President Samia Suluhu Hassan is steadily steering Tanzania to tackle COVID-19 after months of inaction. She has also pledged to promote freedom of expression. Will that cost her politically?
On the streets of Tanzania’s commercial capital, Dar es Salaam, the hustle of life goes on. Many, it appears, are oblivious that it has been 100 days since Samia Suluhu Hassan made history when she was sworn in as the first female president of Tanzania. Those who spoke to DW had differing opinions on Suluhu Hassan’s performance so far.
“We thank God for having Samia as our president, but one issue that she should work on is the increase on sim card charges. This will hurt ordinary citizens and not government leaders,” Huruma Swai said.
Ali Mshangila, another Dar es Salaam resident, said he was grateful to the president for lowering electricity charges. “I didn’t expect to pay only 27,000 Tanzanian Shilling ($12, €10). Big up to our president,” Ali said. Read more
Sir Elton John rips into Government over handling of music industry post-Brexit (Metro)
Sir Elton John has branded the Government ‘philistines’ over the handling of the music industry post-Brexit.
The singer, 74, said he is ‘livid’ about the lack of provision made for sections of the entertainment industry that rely on travel within the European Union.
New rules which came into force at the beginning of the year do not guarantee visa-free travel for musicians in the bloc and have prompted fears touring artists will incur large fees in many of the countries they visit.
‘I’m so angry,’ Sir Elton John raged. ‘I’m livid about what the Government did when Brexit happened. Read more
Heatwave in western US, Canada sends temperatures soaring to record highs (France24)
A “heat dome” over western Canada and the US Pacific northwest sent temperatures soaring to new highs, triggering heat warnings from Oregon to Canada’s Arctic territories on Sunday.
Hotspot Lytton in British Columbia — about 250 kilometres (155 miles) northeast of Vancouver — broke the record “for Canada’s all time maximum high” with a temperature of 46.6 degrees Celsius (116 Fahrenheit), said Environment Canada.
More than 40 new temperature highs were recorded throughout the province over the weekend, including in the ski resort town of Whistler. And the high-pressure ridge trapping warm air in the region is expected to continue breaking more records throughout the week.
Environment Canada issued alerts for British Columbia, Alberta, and parts of Saskatchewan, Yukon and the Northwest Territories.Read more
Olympics relays: Nigeria’s men’s 4x100m out, mixed team in (Punch)
The Nigerian men’s 4x100m relay team will not compete at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games after missing their last chance to qualify on Sunday.
It’s the third consecutive time the country will fail to qualify for the event.
Nigerian quartet Enoch Adegoke, Jerry Jakpa, Godson Brume and Usheoritse Itsekiri was left disappointed after they failed to meet the 38.46secs target needed to get to No.16 on the Top List at the Making of Champions Relays at the Yaba College of Technology, Lagos.
The team won the final in a Season Best time 38.53secs.
The men’s 4x400m team also failed to secure qualification, losing to Senegal in the final. Read more
Hazard goal takes Belgium past Portugal (BBC)
A moment of class from Thorgan Hazard proved enough to knock out holders Portugal as Belgium continued their pursuit of a first major title by reaching the quarter-finals of Euro 2020.
The Borussia Dortmund winger’s swerving drive from 25 yards arrived late in a cagey first-half and carried Roberto Martinez’s side into a mouth-watering meeting with Italy on Friday.
Portugal – who again only introduced Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes from the bench – will look back on key Diogo Jota chances, a Ruben Dias header that was saved and a late Raphael Guerreiro drive that struck the post.
Kevin De Bruyne’s fitness may dominate headlines in the build-up to the Italy showdown in Munich after he limped off moments after half-time, and Belgium also lost Eden Hazard to a complaint late on.
The world’s highest-ranked side may have key holes to fill but again they have showed they possess the grit to complement their undoubted quality. Read more
Middleton, Antetokounmpo spark comeback, Bucks grab 2-1 lead (France24)
Khris Middleton and Giannis Antetokounmpo combined for 71 points as the Milwaukee Bucks rallied to beat the Atlanta Hawks 113-102 in game three of the Eastern Conference finals on Sunday.
Middleton scored 20 of his 38 points in the fourth and Antetokounmpo finished with 33 points and 11 rebounds as the Bucks grabbed a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series in front of a crowd of 16,600 at State Farm Arena in Georgia. Middleton also had 11 rebounds.
Game four is Tuesday in Atlanta where the Hawks are now 3-3 at home in the playoffs.
The Bucks were down by 15 points in the first quarter and didn’t take their first lead until the third, but they finished with a 25-7 scoring surge as Middleton led the charge. Read more
Czech Republic shock Dutch in last 16 (BBC)
The Czech Republic pulled off the shock of the European Championship so far by defeating the Netherlands and booking their place in the last eight after defender Matthijs de Ligt was sent off.
Tomas Holes nodded in the opener 13 minutes after De Ligt saw red for handball following a VAR review, denying Patrik Schick a clear goalscoring opportunity.
Holes then turned provider for Schick as the Czechs doubled their lead on 80 minutes.
The Netherlands, down to 10 men for over half an hour, had a huge chance earlier on as Donyell Malen raced through one-on-one with goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik. Read more
Johanna Konta out of Wimbledon after member of her team returns positive Covid-19 test (Metro)
Johanna Konta has been forced out of Wimbledon after a member of her team returned a positive Covid-19 test result, ruling her out through close contact rules.
The British number one must now isolate for 10 days, missing her scheduled first round match with Katerina Siniakova on Tuesday.
Konta will be replaced in the draw by Wang Yafan who now takes on Siniakova.
Wimbledon organisers confirmed: ‘The Referee’s Office has advised that Johanna Konta (GBR) has been withdrawn from the Ladies’ Singles Draw, having been classified as a close contact of a positive test for COVID-19. Read more
Max Verstappen wins Styrian Grand Prix, with Lewis Hamilton second (BBC)
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen beat Lewis Hamilton to take a dominant victory in the Styrian Grand Prix and extend his championship lead to 18 points.
It was his second and Red Bull’s fourth consecutive win, as he moves into a position of control in the title race.
Hamilton in his Mercedes had no answer to his rival, and dropped back through a largely uneventful race.It was bad news for the seven-time champion, with Austria’s Red Bull Ring hosting a second race next weekend. Read more
