NAFDAC shuts 4 unregistered bakeries in Rivers (Leadership)
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has shut down four unregistered bakeries in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital over poor hygienic condition.
South-South Zonal Director of NAFDAC, Pharmacist Chukwuma Oligbu, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Thursday, said their closures were aimed at sustaining the agency’s bid to stamp out the prevalence of fake and substandard bakeries in the state.
Oligbu listed the affected bakeries to include He Reigns Bakery, Okabie Street, off Bakery Road, Rumuigbo; Dvine Freedom bread on 3, Omasi Street, Rumuomasi Street; De Heroes Bakery, Wonda Street, Psychiatric Road and The Lord’s Abundant Bakery on 5, Elder Ezebunwo Street off Obi Wali Road, Rumuigbo, all in Port Harcourt. Read more
Court declares Edo PDP governorship primary invalid (Punch)
Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday, declared invalid the Peoples Democratic Party’s primary election held on February 22, 2024, which produced Asue Ighodalo as its governorship candidate.
Justice Ekwo made this declaration while delivering judgment in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/165/2024, brought by aggrieved delegates, notably Kelvin Mohammed, in a representative capacity.
The judge voided the primaries on the grounds that 378 delegates, who were supposed to vote, were unlawfully excluded by the PDP, contrary to the provisions of the law. Read more
Tinubu plans N2t injection into economy (Tribune)
President Bola Tinubu has promised to inject about N2 trillion into the economy to turn its fortunes around within six months.
He gave the indication while inaugurating the Presidential Economic Coordination Council (PECC) on Thursday in Abuja.
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, revealed this to correspondents after the inauguration. Read more
Benue records 4 cholera deaths (DailyTrust)
At least four people have been confirmed dead from suspected cases of cholera reported in three local government areas of Benue State.
The state Epidemiologist, Dr. Henry Ijabo, told our correspondent on Thursday that the four people died while investigation was still going on to ascertain their ailments.
He mentioned the affected LGAs to include Agatu, Otukpo and Ado respectively. Read more
Profs hail Tinubu for appointing Greg Mbadiwe as Unizik Pro-Chancellor (Vanguard)
University Professors from Anambra State on Thursday, commended President Bola Tinubu over the appointment of a seasoned economist and administrator, Amb. Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe MFR, as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of governing Council of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State.
Ambassador Greg Mbadiwe is the first son of late Nigerian nationalist, Dr. Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe.
The university dons under the aegis Forum of Anambra Professors, FAP, stated that the appointment of Amb. Mbadiwe is a giant leap to further guarantee outstanding teaching and learning standards and make Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka the best of its kind in Nigeria and beyond. Read more
Ribadu hands over 16 kidnapped victims to Zamfara government (Channels)
The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, has officially handed over 16 victims of kidnapping who were recently rescued to the Zamfara State government.
A statement signed by the Head, National Counter Terrorism Centre, Abu Michael, said the victims who were rescued in two batches on the 27th of June 2024, in Shinkafi and Tsafe LGAs, comprised eight males and eight females.
They were abducted from Zurmi, Duran and Gusau Metropolis in Zamfara State on 22 April 2024 before they were successfully rescued by a team of security operatives of the NCTC, ONSA. Read more
Lagos pays out N59b in pensions, launches health insurance for retirees (Sun)
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has announced that his administration has paid N59,701,420,500.22 to 17,039 retirees in five years.
This disclosure was made during the 105th batch retirement bond certificate presentation ceremony by the Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC) on Thursday.
Sanwo-Olu highlighted a new era in pension administration for the state with the introduction of the “Pay-As-You-Go” initiative. This system ensures that retirees receive their payments promptly upon retirement, provided all necessary procedures and approvals are completed beforehand. Read more
Defection: Court voids sack of Rivers Assembly Speaker, Amaewhule, 24 lawmakers (Vanguard)
The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has vacated the order that sacked 25 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
The appellate court, in a unanimous decision by a three-man panel of Justices, on Thursday, held that the Rivers State High Court, which issued the order, lacked the requisite jurisdiction to do so.
It upheld the appeal that was lodged before it by the lawmakers who were led by the embattled Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Martin Amaewhule. Read more
Lana Del Rey teases new album ‘‘Lasso’’ with Quavo collaboration ‘‘Tough’’ (FarOut)
After teasing the track for some time, Lana Del Rey and Migos rapper Quavo have finally released their collaboration, ‘Tough’, which seemingly acts as be the first taste of the new album from the cinematic singer.
While Del Rey had previously announced that her next album would be a country effort called Lasso, ‘Tough’ sees a return to her hip-hop side. Similar to previous collaborations in her canon with A$AP Rocky, The Weeknd or any of the beat-heavy tracks on her breakthrough album Born To Die, ‘Tough’ finds her old-school, angelic vocals weaving in and out of rap verses and a solid rhythm. Read more
Vanessa Hudgens gives birth to her first child (UPI)
Bad Boys: Ride or Die, High School Musical and Grease Live! alum Vanessa Hudgens reportedly has given birth to her first child.
E! reported the happy news Friday, and TMZ and Page Six published photos of the singer-actress leaving a Santa Monica hospital, happily cradling her newborn as she was wheeled to her car this week.
Hudgens, 35, announced her pregnancy on the red carpet at the Oscars ceremony in March. Read more
French government spokeswoman attacked on election campaign trail (IrishExaminer)
Several French election candidates have reported being attacked on the campaign trail, including government spokeswoman Prisca Thevenot.
Ms Thevenot, a candidate for the centrist Ensemble alliance led by President Emmanuel Macron, her deputy and a party activist were putting up election posters near Paris on Wednesday night when a group attacked them, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said on the social media platform X.
She was not injured and will continue to campaign, she said on X, but her deputy and the party activist were taken to hospital. It was not immediately clear what type of injuries they suffered. Read more
Tinder ‘rapist’ arrested on Spanish beach while hanging upside down on gym hoops (Metro)
This is the moment a British Tinder rape suspect was ambushed and arrested by police while he honed his muscles on a beach in Spain.
Footage shows two police officers, posing as tourists, grab a topless James Clacher as he’s hanging upside down on gym hoops in Nerja, on the Costa-del-Sol.
Seconds later two more officers appear and Clacher is pinned to the sand, handcuffed, then hauled away. Read more
Predator teacher Rebecca Joynes weeps as she is jailed for having sex with 2 teenage boys (Independent)
A paedophile teacher who had sex with two teenage boys, having a baby with one, has been jailed for six-and-a-half years.
Disgraced maths teacher Rebecca Joynes, 30, was convicted in April of six counts of sexual activity with children after sleeping with one pupil before falling pregnant by a second while on police bail.
The boys, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were 15 and 16 at the time. Read more
Gavin Plumb weeps in court as he’s found guilty of plotting to rape and kill Holly Willoughby (Mirror)
The man accused of planning to kidnap, rape and murder Holly Willoughby has been found guilty by a jury at Chelmsford Crown Court and faces years behind bars
A twisted security guard is today facing years behind bars after being found guilty of planning to snatch, rape and murder Holly Willoughby.
Obsessed Gavin Plumb plotted to knock out the TV star and her husband with chloroform in a night raid at their home, a jury has found. Plumb denied the charges but was found guilty on Tuesday by a jury of eight women and four men at Chelmsford Crown Court. Read more
Lil Wayne clueless about Hot Boys Reunion album: ‘They ain’t told me nothing’ (HipHopDx)
Lil Wayne has poured cold water on the idea of a Hot Boys reunion album, claiming he knows nothing about the potential project.
Rumors of a Hot Boys reunion have swirled since B.G. was released from jail late last year, with the various members appearing on board. But Weezy says he is out of the loop when it comes to a new album.
Speaking on NFL star Cam Heywood’s Not Just Football podcast, the New Orleans rap legend was asked about the much-rumored reunion, to which he replied with surprise: “Shit, you just told me!” Read more
Morocco 2025: Nigeria draw Benin Republic, Rwanda, Libya (DailyTrust)
The Super Eagles have been presented with an earlier opportunity to avenge their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying defeat to the Cheetahs of Benin Republic in Abidjan last month, with both teams again paired in the same group in the race for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations that begins in two months’ time.
Their FIFA World Cup qualifying reverse fixture is not until the final day of the qualification series (6th – 14th October 2025), but both teams have much earlier battles to fight later this year as they aim to be among the 24 countries that will participate in the 35th Africa Cup of Nations scheduled for Morocco, 21st December 2025 – 18th January 2026.
At the draw ceremony conducted inside the SuperSport studio in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Thursday afternoon, the Super Eagles also drew the Amavubi of Rwanda – another team in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying group, and which they next play in the series in March 2025 – as well as the Mediterranean Knights of Libya. All four teams are in Group D. Read more
Man United extend manager Erik ten Hag’s contract through 2026 (ABC)
Erik ten Hag has extended his contract with Manchester United, the club confirmed on Thursday.
His deal will run until 2026 and he will keep the title of “first team manager” after United triggered a one-year option.
Sources have told ESPN that discussions about revamping Ten Hag’s backroom staff are continuing, with Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake set to arrive at Old Trafford. Read more
David Raya completes permanent £27m move from Brentford (SkySports)
Arsenal have completed the permanent signing of goalkeeper David Raya from Brentford on a long-term deal.
The Gunners have paid £27m for the Spain international, on top of the £3m fee they paid the Bees to take Raya on loan last season.
Raya told Arsenal’s website: “After a year on loan as a Gunner, I can finally say that I’m an Arsenal player for the coming years. I’m excited to see what the future holds but always living in and enjoying the present. Read more
Lando Norris withdraws his demand for an apology from Max Verstappen (DailyMail)
Lando Norris performed a U-turn after he insisted Max Verstappen does not need to apologise for their collision at last Sunday’s Austrian Grand Prix.
Norris called Verstappen ‘reckless, stupid and desperate’ in the hours after their coming together as they duelled for the lead in Spielberg.
The McLaren driver also called on Verstappen, who was penalised by the stewards for being at fault for the accident, to admit he was at fault. Read more
Fils through as Hurkacz retires on match point (BBC)
Arthur Fils has booked his spot in round three at Wimbledon after seventh seed Hubert Hurkacz retired on match point.
Poland’s Hurkacz went down with an injury while leading 8-7 in a fourth set tie-break but opted to retire after losing the next two points.
Fils, 20, advanced 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 2-6 6-6 (9-8) and will face either Tomas Machac of the Czech Republic or Russian Roman Safiullin next. Read more
Germany summons Turkish ambassador over rightist ‘wolf’ goal celebration at soccer tournament (NBC)
Germany summoned Turkey’s ambassador on Thursday over a Turkish soccer player’s ultra-nationalist “wolf salute” at a Euro 2024 match, days ahead of a reported trip by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan to Berlin to attend his nation’s next match.
UEFA, European soccer’s governing body, has opened an investigation into Turkish center back Merih Demiral’s mimicking of the shape of a wolf’s head with his fingers after scoring in a Euro Championship game against Austria on Tuesday evening.
The gesture is linked to the “Grey Wolves,” an ultra-nationalist youth branch of Turkey’s Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), an ally of Erdogan’s AK Party. Read more