Nigerian troops find kidnapped Chibok girl (Guardian)
Nigerian soldiers have found one of the more than 200 schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram jihadists eight years ago in the conflict-torn northeast, the military said Wednesday.
The attack on a girls’ boarding school in the town of Chibok in 2014 and the mass kidnapping that followed sparked international outrage and a global campaign called #BringBackOurGirls.
The military said on Twitter that troops on patrol had found the young woman, Mary Ngoshe, carrying a baby near Ngoshe village on Tuesday.
“Troops of 26 Task Force Brigade on patrol around Ngoshe in Borno State on 14 June 2022 intercepted one Mrs Mary Ngoshe and her son,” the statement said. Read more
Social media doesn’t surprise me anymore, says Burna Boy (Punch)
Singer, Damini Ogulu, aka Burna Boy, has disclosed that Nigerian social media doesn’t surprise him anymore.
This is coming days after reports that policemen attached to the singer shot two fun seekers at Club Cubana on Victoria Island recently.
The PUNCH reports that the Lagos State Police Commissioner’s Special Squad detained five policemen attached to Burna Boy for attempted murder after they shot two fun-seekers— Irebami Lawrence and another identified simply as Tolu— at Club Cubana on Victoria Island, Lagos, on Wednesday.
According to a preliminary report by the Bar Beach Police Division, trouble started when the singer and five police escorts visited the nightclub around 4am on June 8. Read more
Maryland Royal Lions Club renovates toilets, paints block of classrooms in Lagos school (Independent)
Maryland Royal Lions Club on Wednesday inaugurated 16 male and female toilets refurbished for use by students and staff of National College, Gbagada, Lagos State. It also commissioned a block of classrooms, which it repainted for the school.
Speaking at the event, Lion Kayode Oshinuga, District Governor of Lions Clubs International, 404B2 Nigeria, said the projects were part of the club’s efforts to impact society and contribute to the development of the community they are part of.
He said members of the club are always looking for ways to make life better for people and meet the needs of institutions, families, the less-privileged and others in society.
The district governor praised members of the Maryland Royal Lions Club for embarking on the project despite being a new club and urged them to do more to meet the needs of the poor in their community. Read more
Fire guts residential building in Ikoyi (Punch)
A fire gutted a residential building on Ilabere Road in the Ikoyi area of Lagos State early Wednesday.
This was made known by the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, in a statement on Wednesday.
He stated that officials of the LASEMA response team were deployed to the scene of the fire incident as soon as it was reported.
Oke-Osanyintolu added that LASEMA was working with personnel of the Lagos State Fire Service to prevent the fire from spreading to adjoining buildings. Read more
Aviation Fuel: We’re not yet enjoying govt’s intervention, says airlines boss (ThisDay)
The Chairman, United Nigeria Airlines Limited, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, has said that airlines operators in Nigeria have not started enjoying the palliatives promised by the federal government to cushion the effect of the high cost of aviation fuel currently crippling the industry.
Obiora stated this in an interview with journalists in Abuja, after his investiture as the National Grand Patron of Ndigboamaka Progressive Market Association.
The group is the umbrella organisation of all Igbo traders in the 58 markets in Lagos State.
He said that the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) actually suspended its industrial action following the government’s promise that measures that would cushion the effect of the aviation fuel scarcity and skyrocketed price would be put in place. Read more
Man accuses Wande Coal, gang of beating elder brother (Nation)
A tweep simply identified as Folarin has accused singer Wande Coal and his gang of beating his elder brother ruthlessly.
The livid younger brother, in a series of tweets on the microblogging app, called out the “Gentility” singer for daring to manhandle his brother unjustly.
According to Folarin, his elder brother was called out to get his car out of the way only for him to be attacked by Wande Coal’s gang upon getting to his car.
The embittered man vowed to ensure the singer and his gang pay for making his elder brother sob like a baby as a result of severe beating. Read more
2 shot dead, ex-commissioner kidnapped in Adamawa (DailyTrust)
A former Commissioner for Housing and Urban Planning, Engr. Babangida, was said to have been kidnapped in Adamawa State on Tuesday.
It was learnt that his abductors had surrounded his home situated at Bajabire village in Girei Local Government Area of the state and shot him in the foot.
The gunmen also reportedly killed two and injured several others before they abducted the former commissioner.
A family member disclosed to Daily trust that the kidnappers have demanded a sum of ₦30 million as ransom. Read more
Nigeria’s economy hits lowest ebb ever, says World Bank (Sun)
From the World Bank came a frightening report yesterday that the Nigerian economy has sunk into its lowest level in the nation’s history as it recommended the deployment of sound fiscal and monetary policies to tow it out of the doldrums.
The gloomy picture, which was contained in global bank’s Development Updates on Nigeria, presented in Abuja on Tuesday, said inflation would push seven million more Nigerians into poverty by the end of 2022.
The report stated that petrol subsidies could cost Nigeria as much as N5.4 trillion in 2022, much higher than “all of the resources allocated to health, education, and social protection together”.
It also projected that net oil/ gas revenue for 2022 will fall to N1.6 trillion from N2.6 trillion recorded in 2021. Read more
Monkeypox spreads to 15 states, cases now 36 – NCDC (Punch)
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control said 36 cases of monkeypox have been confirmed in the country.
The NCDC disclosed this in its latest monkeypox situation report.
According to the NCDC, the disease has been confirmed in Lagos (7), Adamawa (5), Delta (3), River (3), Cross River (2), FCT (2), Kano (2), Bayelsa (2), Edo (2), Imo (2), Plateau (2), Nasarawa (1), Niger (1), Oyo (1) and Ondo (1).
The agency noted that from January 1 to June 12, 2022, there had been 141 suspected cases so far.
It said, “There were 31 new suspected cases reported in Epi week 23, 2022 (June 6 to 12, 2022) from 13 states – Lagos (5), Katsina (4), Ondo (4), Bayelsa (4), Nasarawa (3), Ogun (3), Oyo (2), Akwa Ibom (1) Delta (1), Edo (1), Kaduna (1), Kano (1), and Imo (1). Read more
‘The Lord Of The Rings: The War Of The Rohirrim’: anime voice cast counts Brian Cox, Gaia Wise, Miranda Otto & more (Deadline)
Brian Cox, Gaia Wise and Miranda Otto are just some of the names in the voice cast for New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. Animation’s upcoming The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim.
The movie centers around the fate of the House of Helm Hammerhand, the mighty King of Rohan, a character from the J.R.R. Tolkien book’s appendix. Succession actor Cox will provide the voice of that protagonist.
The anime feature, directed by Kenji Kamiyama, is set 183 years before the events chronicled in the original trilogy of films. A sudden attack by Wulf, a clever and ruthless Dunlending lord seeking vengeance for the death of his father, forces Helm and his people to make a daring last stand in the ancient stronghold of the Hornburg – a mighty fortress that will later come to be known as Helm’s Deep. Finding herself in an increasingly desperate situation, Hera, the daughter of Helm, must summon the will to lead the resistance against a deadly enemy intent on their total destruction.
Wise (A Walk in the Woods) will play Hammerhand’s daughter Hera; and Luke Pasqualino (Snowpiercer) will portray Wulf. Read more
Faith Hill: I wanted to quit acting after ‘The Stepford Wives’ film (NYPost)
Faith Hill didn’t have much faith in herself after starring in 2004’s “The Stepford Wives.”
The country music icon, 54, wanted to quit acting for good following the film’s release.
Hill — who played “Stepford” wife Sarah Sunderson — stopped by the “Kelly Clarkson Show” on Tuesday, explaining that raising a family and continuing her music career led to her acting hiatus.
“My career took off, no time, had babies, and I had done a couple of things,” she Said. Read more
Saudi authorities seize rainbow toys for promoting homosexuality (BBC)
Authorities in Saudi Arabia have been seizing rainbow-coloured toys and children’s clothing, which they claim encourage homosexuality, state TV says.
An Al-Ekhbariya report showed commerce ministry officials removing a range of items from shops in the capital Riyadh.
They included hair clips, pop-its, t-shirts, hats and pencil cases.
One official said the items “contradict the Islamic faith and public morals, and promote homosexual colours targeting the younger generation”.
The commerce ministry tweeted separately that its teams were confiscating “products that contain symbols and signs calling for deviation and contradicting common sense”. Read more
First look at Pinocchio in new Netflix movie with Stranger Things star (DigitalSpy)
A first look at the titular puppet in Netflix’s version of Pinocchio has been unveiled.
The streamer’s incarnation of the classic story – which is separate from the upcoming Disney remake – boasts an impressive voice cast, with the likes of Stranger Things’ Finn Wolfhard and Star Wars’ Ewan McGregor both on board.
Following a recent teaser trailer, fans have been given a first glimpse at Pinocchio himself in a series of new stills from the movie, directed by Guillermo del Toro and Mark Gustafson.
The stop-motion musical also stars Gregory Mann as the puppet, as well as Torchwood’s Burn Gorman, Harry Potter’s David Bradley, John Turturro, Tim Blake Nelson, Ron Perlman, Cate Blanchett, Christoph Waltz and Tilda Swinton.
Coldplay joined on stage by H.E.R. as ‘Music Of The Spheres’ US tour concludes (NME)
Coldplay wrapped up the US leg of their ‘Music Of The Spheres’ world tour in Florida last night.
The band were playing at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, and toasted the end of the current leg of the huge 2022 world tour by inviting H.E.R. on stage.
They then proceeded to play ‘Let Somebody Go’, Coldplay’s recent single with Selena Gomez, with H.E.R. taking on Gomez’s parts.
Coldplay have been joined by a host of special guests on their US tour, with the band enlisting Kelly Rowland for a performance of the Destiny’s Child song ‘Independent Women Part I’ in Atlanta, and collaborating in New Jersey with Kylie Minogue (on a rendition of ‘Can’t Get You Out Of My Head’) and Bruce Springsteen (on The Boss’ tracks ‘Working On A Dream’ and ‘Dancing In The Dark’). Read more
Janet Jackson says she’ll release ‘music at some point’ but her ‘no. 1 job is being a mama’ (People)
It’s been seven years since Janet Jackson put out a new album — and while fans will have to wait a bit longer for a follow-up, the star is promising that she does have plans to release new music eventually.
Though Jackson remains passionate about her career, it’s taken a backseat to motherhood in recent years, she tells Essence in their June/July issue, for which PEOPLE is exclusively premiering the cover.
“Even though it’s something that I absolutely love, it still is my work, my job,” she explains. “There will be music at some point. Exactly when? I can’t say just yet, but there will be. I love it too much not to do it. This is all I know. There’s so much that I want to do — but my number one job is being a mama.”
The “Rhythm Nation” singer, 56, welcomed son Eissa, 5, in January 2017 with ex-husband Wissam Al Mana. Read more
Wives of soldiers in Putin’s army take to the street, demand answers (Newsweek)
Wives of soldiers fighting Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine’s Donbas region have taken to the streets, demanding answers over their husbands’ whereabouts, more than 100 days after the invasion began.
A video allegedly of the wives of mobilized Russian soldiers in the breakaway Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) in eastern Ukraine shows the women complaining that they haven’t heard from their husbands in four months and that they are not being given any information.
DPR head Denis Pushilin ordered the mobilization of all able men in the region on February 19, just days before the war began.
“We are the wives of the mobilized from the 121st regiment, 2nd battalion,” one woman said, speaking directly to the camera in front of a group of women, and one man. “At the moment we don’t know, for four months, where our husbands are.” Read more
33 Nigerian footballers set to pen contract with European clubs (Leadership)
Ejike Ugboaja FC have announced that 33 young Nigerian footballers are set to earn professional contracts with European clubs following their selections at the just-concluded Ejike Ugboaja FC scouting programme held in Abuja.
The players were selected by the scouts from European clubs during the five-day intensive scouting programme organised by Ejike Ugboaja FC.
19 out of the 33 selected players were from Ejike Ugboaja FC.
The players are Gabriel Abu Gaiya (EUFC) , Philip Segun, (EUFC) Eke Victor Elvis, (EUFC) Joseph Lelachukwu, (EUFC) Joel Ezra (EUFC) Ibrahim Hussaini,.(EUFC) , Shauibu Garba (EUFC) and Yusuf Dami Ola (EUFC). Read more
Spanish league files complaint against PSG over Mbappé move (France24)
The Spanish league has filed a complaint to UEFA against Paris Saint-Germain, saying Wednesday the French club broke financial fair play rules when it gave Kylian Mbappé a new deal that convinced him to reject a move to Real Madrid.
The league said it denounced PSG to UEFA this week, adding to a similar complaint it made in April against Manchester City, which it also “continuously fails to comply with the current financial fair play regulations.”
The Spanish league said it will take additional legal action against PSG in the European Union, France and Switzerland.
“LaLiga considers that these practices alter the ecosystem and the sustainability of soccer, harm all European clubs and leagues, and only serve to artificially inflate the market with money not generated in soccer itself,” the league said in a statement. Read more
No improvement in Super Eagles’ playing pattern, ex-national coach says (Guardian)
Godwin Izilein, ex-coach of the Super Falcons, said the Super Eagles of Nigeria were yet to improve in their playing pattern under the new coach, Jose Peseiro.
Izilein who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday in Calabar noted that the 10-0 mauling of Sao Tome and Principe in a 2023 AFCON qualifier in Morocco did not translate to the fact that the team had arrived.
The ex-Super Falcons handler who decried lack of creativity in the midfield said the team continued to exhibit that lukewarm attitude in their play.
Izilein said his assessment was based on the matches played under the new coach.
According to him, “I am yet to see anything new, it’s still the same old pattern of play; lukewarm attitude towards games should be changed. Read more
Man Utd set to fly 22,648 air miles in pre-season as Man City and Arsenal limit travel (Mirror)
Premier League teams will jet off to destinations around the world next month for their respective pre-season tours.
The trips, which have been hampered in recent years due to Covid, allow clubs to connect with fans outside of the United Kingdom, grow their global brand and boost their revenue streams. Yet the trips can often be tough, especially for teams with new managers.
All 20 Premier League managers are dreaming of a productive pre-season as they aim to get their players ready for a gruelling campaign. It’s perhaps more important than ever this term as the World Cup in Qatar is scheduled for the winter. Some top-flight footballers could play as many as 79 games for club and country during the 2022-23 term.
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag will be hoping for minimal distractions as he gets to know his players. Yet his squad faced one of the toughest pre-season tours. The Red Devils will jet off to Thailand and Australia for four games against challenging opposition. Read more
Mazepin still believes that ‘miracles happen’ in F1 (F1i)
They say that belief is the strongest metal of them all, but ousted F1 driver Nikita Mazepin knows that he would need nothing short of a miracle to return to F1. But he’s a believer.
Mazepin was heading into his second season with Haas in F1 when the US outfit decided to axe the Russian in the wake of his home country’s invasion of Ukraine.
The team also terminated its contract with title sponsor Uralkali, the fertilizer giant owned by Mazepin’s father and the young driver’s natural benefactor.
Since his eviction and replacement by F1 returnee Kevin Magnussen, Mazepin has been pondering his future. Read more
Paige Spiranac slams LIV tour “fuelled by money and greed” that is “hurting” golf (DailyStar)
Paige Spiranac has slammed the LIV tour and its stars for their “greed”, and suggested that despite some positive ideas, it was likely to harm the future of golf.
The LIV golf tour, a start-up backed by Saudi Arabia, has aspirations of challenging the world-leading PGA tour. With the promise of riches, the new event has managed to attract leading names including Dustin Johnson and Kevin Na who have been forced to resign from PGA championships due to policies limiting participation in rival events.
The new tour launched with its inaugural event at The Centurion in Hertfordshire last week, and now golfing influencer Paige Spiranac – who boasts over 3.3 million followers on her Instagram account – has hit out at the event’s emphasis on quick cash taking precedence over passion for the sport.
Paige has already taunted the likes of Phil Mickelson who signed up to the Saudi-backed invitational event, and she reiterated her stance while speaking in the most recent episode of her Playing a Round podcast. Read more
Nick Kyrgios calls out Rafael Nadal as he throws strop and refuses to play Tsitsipas (Express)
Nick Kyrgios made a dig at Rafael Nadal after receiving a time violation during his Halle match against Stefanos Tsitsipas and refusing to play, calling the supervisor to court. The world No 65 took aim at the Spaniard for taking even longer between serves but failing to receive warnings.
Kyrgios walked to his bench and sat down with Tsitsipas serving at 0-2 30-0 after receiving a time violation for taking too long to be ready to return his opponent’s serve. The Aussie unleashed a tirade at the umpire, ranting about how long players like Nadal took to return while avoiding violations for doing the same, claiming he was simply walking to get his towel.
“This happens every match, I waited so many times for Rafa,” he told Timo Janzen, sitting on his bench in protest and calling the ATP supervisor to the court as he continued to state his case. While waiting to continue the game, the second seed stood at the baseline practicing his serving as the 27-year-old continued to argue with the supervisor.
Kyrgios eventually gave in and retreated to the baseline to continue the game, and Tsitsipas – having gotten some practice in during the delay – served two aces to seal the game, trailing by a break at 1-2. Read more