Nigeria diminished with killing of Fasoranti’s daughter – Obasanjo (Nation)
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Saturday declared the country has been diminished by the killing of Mrs Funke Olakunri on Friday. Mrs. Olakunri is the daughter of elder statesman leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti. Obasanjo said the killing by suspected herdsmen was a worrisome development in the polity, especially, at a time when all well-meaning Nigerians are preaching tolerance and political accommodation. Read more
Fasoranti’s daughter: Don’t blame us when we strike back- Gani Adams (Punch)
The Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, on Saturday, said that Yoruba were not bereft of ideas of how to stop herdsmen attacks in the South West. He sais this while reacting to the death of Mrs Funke Olakunrin, daughter of the leader of pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, who was killed on Friday along Ondo-Ore road. In a statement issued by his Media Assistant, Kehinde Aderemi, and obtained by our correspondent in Abuja, Adams said, “We only want the whole world to know what has been done and being done to our people. Read more
Senate will ensure Buhari succeeds – Omo-Agege (Nation)
Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege has said the Senate will do all in its power to ensure that President Muhammadu Buhari delivers on his next level agenda to Nigerians in the next four years. Omo-Agege stated this on Friday while receiving a delegation of the Abraka Progressive Union at the National Assembly, Abuja. According to the Deputy President of the Senate, the Upper Chamber would focus on providing legislation that would create an enabling environment for President Buhari’s government to record all-round success at the end of his tenure in office. Read more
Rehabilitate victims of herder/farmer crisis in Taraba, monarch tells FG (Punch)
The traditional ruler of Kona in Taraba State, Augustine Njenmang on Saturday appealed to the State and Federal Government to rehabilitate victims of the recent herder/farmer crisis in Jalingo and Ardo Kola Local Government Areas of the State. Njenmang decried the devastation occasioned by the crisis, adding that people were still living in deplorable conditions in Internally Displaced Person camps. Read more
FG may complete 2nd Niger bridge before 2022–Works Ministry (Nation)
The Second Niger bridge in Onitsha, Anambra state may be completed before the 2022 completion date. This was made known on Saturday by the Controller, Federal Ministry of Works in charge of Anambra State, Engr, Adeyemo Ajani at both ends of the bridge at Asaba, Delta state and Onitsha, Anambra state. The statement was made during the visit of the bridge by the Nigeria Society of Engineers from Abuja, led by their president, Engr Chinasaokwu Okoli visited the place. Read more
500 witnesses to testify for Ganduje at Kano gov tribunal (Punch)
No fewer than 500 witnesses are expected to appear before the Kano State Governorship Election Tribunal to testify for Governor Umar Ganduje of the All Progressives Congress. At a pre-trial hearing session, presided over by Justice Halima Shamnaki on Saturday, at Miller Road High Court complex, counsel to Ganduje, the second respondent in the petition, Barrister Offiong Offiong, informed the tribunal that 203 witnesses have been enlisted to testify before the tribunal in support of the election, wherein Ganduje was returned as the winner. Read more
Funke Olakunrin’s killing baseless, mindless and unacceptable – Yoruba Unity Forum (Nation)
The Yoruba Unity Forum (YUF) Saturday expressed shock about the killing of Pa Fasoranti’s daughter Mrs Funke Olakunrin. It described the killing by suspected herdsmen as mindless and unacceptable. The forum, in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Mr Lanre Ogundipe, blamed the Federal Government for the death, saying it was due to the alleged ineptitude of the security agencies. Read more
NSCDC to deploy 1, 500 personnel to farmlands to ensure security (Guardian)
The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), says it has concluded arrangements to deploy an additional 1, 500 personnel under its Agro-Ranger scheme to farmlands this cropping season to provide security for farmers. The Commandant-General of the corps, Mr Abdullahi Muhammadu made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri on Saturday. According to Muhammadu, the measure is to protect farmers against incessant attacks by bandits and kidnappers to enable them to cultivate their farmlands. Read more
Dabiri-Erewa seeks investigation of Nigerian student in Malaysia (Nation)
The Chairman of the Nigerians In Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), has called for investigation into the death of Mr. Thomas Orhions Ewansiha, a Ph.D. student at the Limkokwing University in Malaysia. Dabiri-Erewa urged the Nigerian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, to open an investigation into the death of Ewansiha. Dabiri-Erewa, who protested the death of the post graduate student, stressed the need for the country to ensure that the welfare of Nigerians in Malaysia are not compromised. Read more
NAHCON to construct 500 pilgrims’ transit apartments in Kano (Guardian)
National hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has concluded plans to inaugurate a 500 apartments accommodation in Kano. Chairman of the commission Barrister Abdullahi Muktar revealed the plans during an inspection visit to Kano. Barrister Muktar’s visit came when the first batch of intending pilgrims from Kano departed Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano for this year’s hajj in Saudi Arabia. Read more
Gov Abdulrazaq apologises to pupils over condition of school (Punch)
Kwara State governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, has apologised to pupils of School for Special Needs in Ilorin over the poor condition of the school. A statement issued by Media Aide to the governor, Rafiu Ajakaye on Saturday in Ilorin, said Abdulrazaq gave the apology when he visited the school. The governor who expressed displeasure at the poor facilities at the school said “Now, that I have seen things for myself, I know the depth of the problem we have in this sector and we will be responsible in allocating scarce resources. Read more
Eleven Unilorin students faint during exams (Nation)
No fewer than eleven students of the University of Ilorin (Unilorin) on Friday allegedly fainted at the ongoing second semester examinations. The incident occurred while the students were scampering for seats at an examination hall. The incident, it was gathered was caused by exhaustion occasioned by stampede. A source said one of the students lost his life to the unsavory situation. Read more
Children among 14 civilians killed in Syria strikes (Guardian)
Fourteen civilians, including six children and infants, were killed Saturday in airstrikes in northwest Syria, targeted for months now by the deadly regime and Russian bombardment, a monitor said. Most of the children were among civilians killed when Russian aircraft raided an informal camp of internally displaced Syrians after midnight Friday, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The camp near the town of Khan Sheikhoun, in Idlib region, houses Syrians who had fled raids and clashes in neighboring Hama province. Read more
Hurricane Barry closes in on Louisiana as residents lock down (BBC)
A storm approaching the Louisiana coast has strengthened into a category one hurricane, US officials say. Hurricane Barry is nearing landfall with sustained wind speeds of 75mph (120km/h) with higher gusts. The system is crawling north-west at a speed of just 6 mph, dumping heavy rainfall as it tracks inland. Read more
26 killed in deadly Somalia hotel siege (Guardian)
At least 26 people, including several foreigners, were killed and 56 injured in a suicide bomb and gun attack claimed by Al-Shabaab militants on a popular hotel in southern Somalia, a top regional official said Saturday. A suicide bomber rammed a vehicle loaded with explosives into the Medina hotel in the port town of Kismayo on Friday before several heavily armed gunmen forced their way inside, shooting as they went, authorities said. Read more
Boris Johnson admits he doesn’t know his own Brexit plan (Metro)
Boris Johnson had to admit he didn’t know his own plans on Brexit during an interview on his strategy for leaving the EU without a deal. The Tory leadership frontrunner came unstuck, when questioned about further details on how the UK would trade with the EU after Brexit, in a bruising interview with the BBC’s Andrew Neil. Mr Johnson believes Britain can use a rule known as ‘GATT 24’ to maintain trade with the EU, if we leave the bloc without a deal on October 31. Read more
Ambassador row: Publishing leak ‘not in public interest’ says Met Police (BBC)
Scotland Yard has said it respects the rights of the media, but that the recent publication of leaked diplomatic memos was not in the public interest. Police have launched a criminal investigation into the leak of diplomatic emails from the UK ambassador in the US, Sir Kim Darroch. Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu said publishing the emails could be a criminal offence. Read more
Christchurch shootings: New Zealanders hand over guns (BBC)
New Zealanders have started handing over their semi-automatic weapons as part of a buyback scheme following a ban after the Christchurch attacks. Gun reforms were enacted after a gunman shot dead 51 people at two mosques in March. Saturday’s handover in Christchurch was the first of more than 250 collections to be held across the country. Read more
Suspected carjacker dies after ‘mob justice’ in Philadelphia (BBC)
A couple have been questioned by police and may face charges after a suspected carjacker was beaten by a mob and died in the US city of Philadelphia. Police say the man who died had tried on Thursday to steal a woman’s car with her three young children inside. The woman’s boyfriend, the father of two of the children, managed to chase the car when it got stuck in traffic. Read more
Violin prodigy, 17, found dead amid warning of ‘Calvin Klein’ drug craze (Metro)
A teenage violin prodigy was found dead by her father after a suspected overdose from a drug cocktail of cocaine and ketamine know as ‘Calvin Klein’. London-born Katya Tsukanova, 17, had been partying with friends before her Russian billionaire father found her collapsed at their mansion in Kensington, west London, on June 18. Igor Tsukanov, who moved to the UK capital with wife Natasha in the 1990s, told the Telegraph his daughter, who had performed at the Royal Opera House just days before her tragic death, was ‘so happy and had a bright future. Read more
Oshoala to parents: Allow your female children play football (Nation)
Super Falcon striker and FC Barcelona female forward, Asisat Oshoala has urged African parents to support their girl child who aspire to become professional footballers. Oshoala during a courtesy visit to the Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, on Wednesday July 10, 2019, said many African parents often shun their children especially the young girls to pursue a career in the professional football because they want them to focus education. She said some even send these young girls hawking in order to distort their intention of playing the game of football. Oshoala said can feel the pains as she also passed through the same stage but she followed her dream when the opportunity comes her way. Read more
Former Cameroon Football Federation boss given life ban (BBC)
The Cameroon Football Federation (Fecafoot) has handed a life ban to its former president Tombi A Roko Sidiki. Fecafoot’s own ethics commission found Sidiki guilty of financial misappropriation and a conflict of interest. The commission ruled that Sidiki had mismanaged funds that had been set aside to build four smaller stadiums which were meant to host local football games as part of a development plan for Cameroon. Read more
‘We want to write our own history’, says Algeria coach (Guardian)
Algeria boss Djamel Belmadi said his players are “two very difficult steps” away from writing history as they prepare to face Nigeria in Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals. The Desert Foxes are through to the last four of the tournament for the first time since 2010 and have looked the strongest side in Egypt, having defeated title favorites Senegal in the group phase. Following an early exit in Gabon in 2017 and a dreadful World Cup qualifying campaign, Belmadi has revived Algerian fortunes as they bid to end a 29-year wait for a second continental crown. Read more
10 Air Algeria planes to fly supporters to Egypt for match against Nigeria (Punch)
Algeria’s hopes of winning their first Africa Cup of Nations for 29 years will be boosted by the arrival of another 600 fans on board military planes should they reach Friday’s final. The Ministry of Defence told AFP that six military planes will be used to shuttle supporters of the Desert Foxes to Cairo for the final if they beat Nigeria in Sunday’s semi-final. Ten Air Algeria planes will deliver 1,400 supporters for the semi-final. Read more
Sublime Pogba helps Man Utd to 2-0 victory over Perth Glory (Guardian)
Wantaway star Paul Pogba overcame a turbulent week and helped a lacklustre Manchester United post a 2-0 friendly victory over Perth Glory on Saturday. An under-pressure United struggled in their pre-season opener against a weakened Perth Glory, who won Australia’s A-League Premiers Plate last season. After a scoreless opening half, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer changed his entire lineup and inserted several stars, including Pogba whose uncertain future at Old Trafford, has overshadowed United’s pre-season tour of Australia. Read more
Romelu Lukaku provides major update on his future after he misses Manchester United friendly (Metro)
Romelu Lukaku has told Manchester United fans to expect a major update on his future within the next seven days. The Belgium international’s future has been the subject of mounting speculation with Inter and their new head coach Antonio Conte desperate to sign the 26-year-old. Lukaku has struggled to win over Ole Gunnar Solskjaer who wants to build his attack around versatile, pacey forwards. Read more
Atletico will take Griezmann grievance to FIFA —Report (Punch)
Atletico Madrid will challenge the amount Barcelona paid to acquit Antoine Griezmann’s transfer, Spanish media reported on Saturday. Sports daily AS said Atletico will go to FIFA, the governing body of world football, to argue that Barcelona owe more than the 120 million euros ($135 million) release clause deposited by a lawyer for the player on Friday. AS wrote that Atletico wants to have both Barcelona and Griezmann punished. Read more
De Ligt close to Juventus after skipping Ajax training camp (Guardian)
Matthijs de Ligt is closing in on a move to Juventus after Ajax announced on Saturday that the rising star will skip the Dutch champions pre-season training camp due to his expected departure. In a statement, Ajax named a 28-man squad traveling to the camp in Bramberg in Austria on Saturday afternoon, adding that “awaiting a possible transfer, Matthijs de Ligt is not traveling with the group”. Read more
Halep stuns Williams to win Wimbledon (BBC)
Simona Halep won her first Wimbledon title and crushed Serena Williams’ latest bid for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title with a devastating 56-minute display of athleticism. The Romanian won 6-2 6-2 in front of an incredulous Centre Court, running after everything the American threw at her. “It was my best match,” the 27-year-old said after her second Grand Slam title following her 2018 French Open success. Read more
Former England u16 footballer took porn to park, pulled trousers down then masturbated (Metro)
A former England under-16s footballer was caught with his trousers round his ankles as he masturbated in a popular country park, a court heard. Lee Parmley was reported to police after a concerned member of the public saw him ‘exposing himself’ in the Queen Elizabeth II Country Park in Ashington, Northumberland. A court heard the 38-year-old took two pornographic magazines out of a black bag, pulled down his trousers and underwear and started to masturbate – unaware that police officers were watching him. Read more