LASU VC: Sanwo-Olu orders fresh appointment process (Punch)
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has ordered a fresh process for the selection of the ninth substantive Vice-Chancellor of the Lagos State University.
The Lagos State Commissioner of Information, Gbenga Omotoso, made this known in a statement on Friday.
The PUNCH gathered that this is in line with the recommendations of the Special Visitation panel set up by the Governor after the crisis that greeted the initial selection process.
The commissioner also said the governor dissolved the governing council of the institution and removed the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council. Read more
LASG empowers 120,000 public school pupils with digital skills (Vanguard)
Lagos State Government has disclosed that 120,000 Public Primary and Secondary Schools pupils/students across its Six Educational Districts have been empowered with basic computer skills under its Digital Skills Initiative, DSI.
The students/ pupils were trained in the areas of Basic Computer Skills, Coding Skills, Scratch, Cloud Service and World Wide Web, Internet Technology, Interactive and Visualized Coding to prepare them ahead of the global information technology requirement.
Special Adviser to Governor Sanwo-Olu on Education, Barrister Tokunbo Wahab made this disclosure, during a ministerial press briefing at Alausa, Ikeja, as part of the activities commemorating the second year anniversary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration in the state.
Wahab explained further that DSI, which was implemented in collaboration with private companies was aimed at empowering youths and young students in Lagos Primary and Secondary schools by equipping them with knowledge, skills, and know-how that would enable them to thrive in the technology space in a couple of years’ time and compete in the future job market with digital skills like their counterparts from any part of the world. Read more
Coy, others dragged to EFCC over alleged N16.5m contract fraud (Leadership)
A company, Blueship Consult Ltd, has been dragged before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) by one Comrade Prince Kpokpogri over an alleged contract fraud.
In a petition dated May18, 2021, which was written on behalf of the petitioner by a law firm, Cedarwall and Patners and signed by Ovie Justice Osefia Esq, the Kpokpogri alleged an act of financial fraud, cheating and breach of trust/failure to construct 10x7m infinity pool project after funds were given to the Blueship Consult Ltd.
Kpokpogri specifically requested the anti-graft commission to investigate and bring to justice Blueship Consult Ltd, Michael Chidinma Ifejia, Mrs. Victoria Chinelo, Ifejia Folakemi Faphunda and others now at large, for failing to carry out the construction of the said swimming pool project at Guzape area in Abuja after collecting the sum of sixteen million naira (N16,000,000.00) from him. Read more
Internet fraud should not be encouraged among youths, says Ooni (Punch)
Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, on Friday described internet fraud, popularly known as ‘yahoo yahoo’, as negativity that should be not encouraged among youths in the country.
Oba Ogunwusi spoke in his palace in Ile-Ife during the official flag-off of 14-day activities for the celebration of the 2021 edition of the Royal Young Leadership Forum, an initiative of the monarch.
The royal father said the Forum was meant to bring together youths between the ages of 18 – 39.
According to him, the first edition of the Forum held in 2020 was fruitful, as the youths selected for recognition had the opportunity of meeting the President of Ghana, as well as, other personalities that exposed them more to opportunities in the business. Read more
Inferno: N3.685t property saved in 3 months, says Fire Service boss (Vanguard)
The Federal Fire Service FFS said it has in the first quarter of 2021 saved property worth N3.685 trillion and an estimated property loss of N9.42 billion.
Controller General of the Federal Fire Service, FFS, Dr Ibrahim Alhaji Liman disclosed this yesterday in Abuja when the Senate Committee on Interior paid an oversight visit to the Service.
According to him, “In 2020, the Service attended to 3,555 fire calls and 353 rescue emergencies 1,100 lives were saved while 147 were lost. Estimated property saved N1.351 trillion and an estimated property loss of N32.12 billion.
“The first quarter of 2021, 986 fire calls, 34 rescue emergencies, 175 lives saved and 11 lives lost with an estimated property saved of N3.685 trillion and estimated property lost of N9.42 billion. The reason behind the spike in 2021 figures is because of a significant number of industrial fires.” Read more
No plan to hike petrol pump price now, FG assures (Leadership)
The federal government has assured that despite the huge burden of under-recovery, it has no plan to increase the price of premium motor spirit (petrol) to reflect current market realities.
A statement signed by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, on Friday said, “The current price of petrol will be maintained in the month of June until the o going engagement with organised labour is concluded.”
The statement noted that the clarification became necessary in the light of recent reports regarding the resolution of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) to increase the pump price of petrol. Read more
God has been bankrolling FUOYE, says VC (Guardian)
The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Prof. Abayomi Fasina, on Friday attributed his success so far to God.
Fasina made the declaration at a news conference to kick start the celebration of his 100 days in office, held in his office in Oye-Ekiti.
Fasina, who said that God has been using his friends to invest in and support the development of the university, attributed his achievements in his 100 days in office to God.
“God has been blessing the university with financial support and resourceful persons in the last 100 days that I assumed office. I came into the office precisely on February 11 as the fourth substantive Vice-Chancellor. Read more
Things you should know about your phone’s IMEI (Punch)
The call by the Nigerian Communications Commission for all Nigerians to submit the International Mobile Equipment Identity of their phones to the commission has evoked a lot of reactions.
While some claimed it was a violation of human rights, a few persons see it as an infringement of privacy, while others do not know much about their phone’s IMEI.
Well, here’s what you should know about your phone’s IMEI.
What is the IMEI number?
The IMEI number is a unique identification number that allows the registration of any mobile device. Read more
‘We’re not giving FG our IMEI,’ Nigerians react to NCC’s directive (Vanguard)
Nigerians have kicked against the latest directive by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) asking Nigerians to submit the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) of their mobile phones to the commission.
Vanguard had earlier reported that in a Revised National Identity Policy for SIM Card Registration published by the Commission, the aim of this, is to curtail the counterfeit mobile phone market, discourage mobile phone theft, enhance National Security, protect consumer interest, increase revenue generation for the government, reduce the rate of kidnapping, mitigate the use of stolen phones for crime, and facilitate blocking or tracing of stolen mobile phones and other smart devices.
The IMEI number is a 15-digit number unique to each phone. With the IMEI number, a phone can be tracked and located.
Nigerians who kicked against this new directive vowed never to submit their IMEI to the NCC for any reason saying that the government should track the bandits and other terrorists causing havoc in the country. Read more
Lady Gaga had a ‘psychotic break’ after sexual assault left her pregnant (BBC)
Lady Gaga has revealed she suffered a breakdown as a result of sexual assault that led to pregnancy.
The star was 19 when she was raped by a male music producer, who had threatened to burn her music if she did not take her clothes off.
She says her alleged rapist then “dropped me off pregnant on a corner… because I was vomiting and sick”.
Years later, she had “a total psychotic break” and was in an “ultra state of paranoia” as a result of the trauma. Read more
Iran unveils ‘Gaza’ drone as well as new radar and surface-to-air missile capability (RT)
Iran has unveiled three new defense capabilities amid ongoing tensions with the US, including the ‘Quds’ radar system, a surface-to-air missile system dubbed ‘9-Day,’ and a drone called ‘Gaza’ with a 2,000km operating range.
In a ceremony on Friday, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), in the presence of Commander-in-Chief Major General Hossein Salami, unveiled three new pieces of defense hardware developed in Iran.
Among them is a new drone named ‘Gaza’, reportedly capable of various surveillance, combat, reconnaissance missions with a flight duration of 35 hours. The indigenously made UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) proudly displays its name along the fuselage. Read more
Rowan Atkinson to star in silent movie about his life (Metro)
Rowan Atkinson will star in a silent movie about his life. The actor has used Cine film to shoot behind-the-scenes footage throughout his career that is set to be included in the upcoming project. His close friend Michael Fenton Stevens – who has worked extensively with Rowan over the years – revealed the plans during a chat with The Daily Mirror. He told the publication: ‘Very early on in Rowan Atkinson’s career he started Cine filming his own life. Read more
El Salvador: Remains of 24 people found in ex-policeman’s garden (BBC)
The remains of at least 24 people have been uncovered at the home of a former police officer in El Salvador.
The graves may hold up to 40 bodies – most of them thought to be women or girls, officials say. Exhuming all the bodies could take another month.
Police believe that the discovery reveals a secret murder ring operating over a decade.
El Salvador has one of Latin America’s highest rates for femicide, the murder of a woman because of her gender. Read more
6 Indian states declare Covid-linked ‘black fungus’ an epidemic as death toll rises (RT)
Multiple Indian states and territories have formally declared mucormycosis – more commonly known as ‘black fungus’ – to be an epidemic as Indians who have recovered from Covid-19 continue to die from the infection.
After the Union Health Ministry called on Indian states to declare an epidemic on Thursday, three states and one territory reportedly did so on the same day. They are Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Gujarat, and the Chandigarh union territory.
The states and territories join Telangana and Rajasthan, which had already declared an epidemic before the ministry’s letter, to make a total of six states and territories which officially recognize black fungus as an epidemic under the Epidemic Diseases Act of 1897.
Recognizing the infection as an epidemic makes the reporting of suspected and confirmed cases to the health department mandatory and also gives the Indian government more resources to fight the problem. Read more
Kate Hudson joins the star-studded Knives Out 2 cast (Metro)
Kate Hudson is the latest addition to the impressive and ever-growing cast list for Knives Out 2. The actress is joining fellow newbies Edward Norton, Janelle Monáe, Guardians of the Galaxy’s Dave Bautista, WandaVision’s Kathryn Hahn and Oscar-nominee Leslie Odom Jr. for the sequel to the 2019 movie, which scooped more than $311m (£219m) at the box office. Writer-director Rian Johnson – who received an Oscar nod for the Knives Out screenplay – is at the helm again, and Daniel Craig will be back as the enigmatic but flamboyant Southern detective Benoit Blanc. Read more
Coronavirus: Spain to lift restrictions for UK and Japanese travellers (BBC)
Spain has said it is officially lifting restrictions for UK travellers from Monday, when a decree takes effect.
The government says the UK and Japan will be on a list of countries whose residents are able to avoid restrictions on non-essential travel to the EU. They will not need a PCR test.
But the UK government still strongly advises against non-essential travel to Spain and most other EU countries.
UK tourists going to Spain will still have to quarantine on their return. Read more
Nuno Espirito Santo to leave Wolves after four years as manager (BBC)
Manager Nuno Espirito Santo will leave Wolves at the end of the season by mutual agreement.
The 47-year-old Portuguese, who left Porto to take charge in 2017, won the Championship title in his first season.
Wolves finished seventh in the Premier League in the past two seasons, and in September Nuno signed a three-year contract extension to 2023.
“We achieved our goals, we did it with passion and we did it together,” he said.
Wolves are 12th heading into the final game of the season at home to Manchester United on Sunday. Read more
Mikel Arteta confirms Joe Willock will return to Arsenal after impressive Newcastle United loan (Metro)
Mikel Arteta has confirmed Joe Willock will return to Arsenal and be reintroduced to his first-team squad following his impressive loan spell at Newcastle United. Willock, 21, has scored seven goals in 13 appearances since joining Newcastle in January, including six in his last six matches. The midfielder’s form has helped Steve Bruce’s Newcastle climb away from the relegation zone and up to 15th ahead of the final day of the season. Asked whether Willock will return to Arsenal this summer, Arteta said: ‘Yes, I am really happy that things have gone so well because of the potential that he has. Read more
Halep withdraws from French Open over calf injury (Punch)
Simona Halep, the 2018 French Open champion, announced Friday she has withdrawn from this year’s tournament because she has failed to recover from a calf injury.
“Unfortunately the tear in my left calf muscle needs more time to recover and the timeline is just too short,” said Halep, the reigning Wimbledon champion.
Halep sustained the injury in her second-round match at the Rome Open on May 12, and the world number three has deemed the recovery time too tight to be fit for the May 30-June 13 Roland Garros.
“Withdrawing from a Grand Slam goes against all my instincts and aspirations as an athlete, but it is the right and only decision to make,” she said. Read more
Infantino wants overhaul of FIFA calendar (France24)
FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Friday called for an overhaul of the international football calendar beyond 2024, insisting on a requirement to start with a “blank sheet of paper”.
“Let me be very clear: the starting point is not ‘the calendar is full and so nothing changes’,” he told the 71st FIFA Congress.
“The starting point is the exact opposite of that. We have a blank sheet, we are open to take on board all views and opinions about how we can make the international calendar better.”
Infantino reiterated his intention to “find a date” for a Club World Cup which he wants to see extended to 24 teams, despite widespread opposition to the plan. Read more
Washington Wizards beat Indiana Pacers to book play-off place (BBC)
Bradley Beal had 25 points, five rebounds and four assists while playing 28 minutes for the Wizards
The Washington Wizards eased to a 142-115 win over the Indiana Pacers to book their place in the NBA play-offs.
The Wizards had lost 118-100 to the Boston Celtics in their first Eastern Conference play-in contest on Tuesday.
But Bradley Beal scored 25 points on Thursday as Washington took their last chance to reach the post-season.
The Wizards secured the eighth seed in the conference and face the top-seeded Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the play-offs, beginning on Sunday. Read more
Marcus Rashford tops ‘Giving List’ after raising £20m to fight child poverty (Metro) Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford has become the youngest person to top the Sunday Times Giving List in a record-breaking year for donations. The England star, 23, raised £20million from supermarkets for groups tackling child food poverty in the UK and forced a series of Government U-turns over free school meals. With a personal worth of £16million, the striker managed to raise 125% of his net worth over the past year, and helped charity FareShare distribute four million meals to disadvantaged children. Boris Johnson initially vowed not to extend the free school meals voucher system into the summer holidays while disadvantaged children were stuck at home during lockdown. Read more
