Ministerial nominees: Lagos, Kano, Osun, other states excluded (Sun)
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, yesterday, unveiled the ministerial-nominees list sent by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
This is even as politicians who are yet to make the list have returned to the trenches to intensify lobbying for the few available slots yet to be filled. It is expected that President Tinubu will send a supplementary list to the Senate to meet up with necessary constitutional requirements.
Following the official transmission of names of ministerial-nominees, the Senate has also concluded plans to extend its sitting by at least one week. The chamber is expected to defer its annual recess, which ought to have commenced today, Thursday. Read more
Presidency: why Tinubu picked Wike, El-Rufai, others (Nation)
The President was painstaking in his choice of ministerial nominees, the Presidency said yesterday.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s list of 28 would-be ministers was made available by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary yesterday.
Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, who delivered the correspondence, which contained the list and a request for confirmation, said additional nominees’ list will be sent “in the coming days”. Read more
Vacate Lagos premises, court orders police, others (Vanguard)
A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ordered the Inspector General of Police and his subordinates to vacate the premises of a building on Osborne Road, Ikoyi, Lagos and revert the same to Associated Property Development Company Limited.
Trial judge, Justice Daniel Osiagor, gave the order in a suit by Associated Property Development against the Federal Ministry of Communication and Technology; Otunba Olusola Adekanola, Nigeria Telecommunications Limited, Federal Ministry of Land, Housing and Urban Development, Implementation Committee on Alienation of Federal Government property and Attorney-General of the Federation.
NGE to hold Jakande memorial lecture (Punch)
The Nigerian Guild of Editors has unveiled an annual memorial lecture in honour of its pioneer president and former governor of Lagos State, the late Alhaji Lateef Jakande.
The guild, in a statement on Thursday by its President, Eze Anaba, and General Secretary, Iyobosa Uwugiaren, said the maiden edition of the annual lecture would be held in Lagos on August 7.
The umbrella body of Nigerian editors said the lecture was a deliberate move to nurture a culture of appreciation. Read more
Police to investigate Cute Abiola over ‘‘offensive’’ video skit (Tribune)
The Nigerian police have strongly condemned the portrayal of the force by popular skit maker, Abdulgafar Abiola, better known as Cute Abiola.
This was expressed in a press release by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi.
According to the force, the skit maker’s portrayal of the police is not only derogatory but also punishable under the law. Read more
UNWTO secretary-general appoints Lai Mohammed special advisor (Guardian)
Secretary-general of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), Zurab Pololikashvili, has appointed former Nigeria’s minister of information Lai Mohammed as his special advisor.
Mohammed’s appointment was announced at the opening session of the 66th UNWTO Commission for Africa (CAF) currently underway in Mauritius.
He is expected to assist Pololikashvili pursue his objective of making Africa a key region for the global tourism economy through his “Agenda for Africa programme”. Read more
Otti commiserates with families of slain police officers in Aba, condemns reprisal (Independent)
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has commiserated with the families of the innocent police officers killed in Aba on Tuesday while on their legitimate duty with the Honourable Commissioner for Commerce, Trade and Investment, Dr. Chimezie Ukaegbu.
Governor Otti said in a press statement that the government viewed the attack on the innocent police officers by yet-to-be-identified gunmen as cruel, unjust and highly provocative and should be condemned by all men and women of good conscience.
In the same vain, the governor has condemned in strong terms the reprisal attack allegedly carried out by some police officers against some innocent citizens in the city of Aba earlier Thursday, describing it as lawless and counterproductive, since such victims have not been proven to be directly or indirectly involved in the attack that led to the death of those two police officers. Read more
Kylie Minogue announces Las Vegas residency and teases new album ‘‘Tension’’ (Variety)
Kylie Minogue is officially bringing her beating heart to Las Vegas. The “Padam Padam” hitmaker will launch her debut U.S. residency on Nov. 3 at the new Voltaire performance venue at the Venetian Resort.
Tickets go on sale Aug. 9. Minogue made the announcement Thursday afternoon at a press preview and reception at the Pendry Hotel in West Hollywood.
“I’ve performed a couple of times at Vegas, but as part of a tour, and particularly when I did the Showgirl tour in 2004 — at that time we said, ‘oh, this feels like a Vegas show.’ Read more
Talulah Riley, Elon Musk’s 2-time ex-wife, engaged to actor Thomas Brodie-Sangster (PageSix)
Elon Musk’s two-time ex-wife, Talulah Riley, is engaged to actor Thomas Brodie-Sangster after two years of dating.
Riley, 37, announced the news on Twitter Thursday alongside a photo of the pair snuggled up on a blanket.
“Very happy to share that after two years of dating, Thomas Brodie Sangster and I are engaged!” she captioned the snap. Read more
Randy Meisner, founding member of the Eagles and “Take It to the Limit” singer, dies (Sky)
Eagles founding member and Take It to the Limit singer Randy Meisner has died aged 77, his band announced.
The bassist died of complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on Wednesday night in Los Angeles, the Eagles said in a statement.
The legendary rock band said Randy was an “integral part” of the Eagles and “instrumental in the early success of the band. Read more
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie agree to settle legal war over vineyard outside of court (Mirror)
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have been locked in a bitter, ongoing divorce battle since Jolie first filed for divorce in 2016.
However, it appears that tensions may finally be thawing between the pair, as the MailOnline has reported that the duo have agreed to mediation.
Brad and Angelina have been locked in a legal battle over the French vineyard they previously both owned, Chateau Miraval. Read more
Niger coup: Ruling party HQ attacked after President Bazoum ousted (BBC)
Supporters of a coup in Niger have attacked the headquarters of the ousted president’s party, setting it on fire and stoning and burning cars outside.
The small group of arsonists had broken away from a larger show of support for the coup leaders outside parliament, where Russian flags were on show.
The army has now given its backing to the troops who took President Mohamed Bazoum captive on Wednesday. Read more
July is set to be hottest month ever recorded, U.N. says, citing latest temperature data (CBS)
The United Nations said Thursday that new data from its World Meteorological Organisation, gathered in partnership with the European Copernicus Climate Change Service, shows July will be the hottest month ever recorded on the planet.
“Climate change is here. It is terrifying, and it is just the beginning,” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told reporters Thursday.
“Anthropogenic [human-caused greenhouse gas] emissions are ultimately the main driver of these rising temperatures,” said Carlo Buontempo, director of the Copernicus service. Read more
Chukwueze joins AC Milan from Villarreal for five-year deal (Guardian)
Nigerian winger Samuel Chukwueze has joined Serie A giants AC Milan from Spanish La Liga side Villarreal.
Chukwueze signed a five-year contract with AC Milan according to a statement on the team’s website.
The deal is reported to be worth €28m including add-ons.
“AC Milan is delighted to announce the signing of Samuel Chimerenka Chukwueze from Villarreal CF. The Nigerian forward has signed for the Rossoneri until 30 June 2028,” the club said. Read more
Lionel Messi in Miami shirt seems “strange” – Barcelona president (ESPN)
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has told ESPN it is a “strange feeling” to see Lionel Messi in an Inter Miami CF shirt, but he wishes the forward the best in MLS.
Messi, 36, left Barca for Paris Saint-Germain two years ago, but the Catalan side attempted to re-sign him earlier this summer when his contract with the French side expired.
Saudi Arabian team Al-Hilal also offered Messi a contract, but the Argentina international opted to join Inter Miami, where he has scored three goals in his first two appearances. Read more
Teen Real Madrid star who made remarkable cancer recovery collapses at Women’s World Cup (Mirror)
Colombia forward Linda Caicedo collapsed during a training session on Thursday – just days after scoring at the Women’s World Cup.
The worrying incident unfolded while the 18-year-old, who signed for Real Madrid earlier this year, was running in training. She slowly fell to the floor while clutching her chest before her team-mates and the medical team sprinted over to check her condition.
Caicedo was training with her team-mates near Sydney when she collapsed, with the World Cup taking place in Australia and New Zealand. The incident is not thought to be the result of a serious medical condition. Read more
Bronny James released from hospital following sudden cardiac arrest (CBS)
Bronny James, the 18-year-old son of NBA star LeBron James, has been released from the hospital after suffering a sudden cardiac arrest during a practice Monday with his team, the University of Southern California.
“Thanks to the swift and effective response by the USC athletics’ medical staff, Bronny James was successfully treated for a sudden cardiac arrest,” a statement from Cedars-Sinai cardiologist Dr. Merije Chukumerije said Thursday.
“He arrived at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center fully conscious, neurologically intact and stable,” Chukumerije said. Read more
Legacy on line as Spence, Crawford clash for undisputed welterweight crown (France24)
Errol Spence and Terence Crawford chase history on Saturday in Las Vegas, where one will emerge as the first man to claim the undisputed welterweight world title in boxing’s four-belt era.
The American rivals are both undefeated. Spence, the World Boxing Council, World Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation world champion, brings a record of 28-0 with 22 knockouts to the highly anticipated bout.
Crawford, holder of the World Boxing Organization belt, is 39-0 with 30 knockouts. Read more