Nigerians to Tinubu: Palliatives not solution to food shortage (Vanguard)
Nigerians have said the distribution of palliatives by the Federal Government was not the solution to the food shortage facing the country.
They urged President Bola Tinubu to declare an emergency in food security, introduce a national food policy, and tackle insecurity caused by herders, which had forced farmers in different states of the country, especially in southern Nigeria, to abandon farming.
A political activist, Mr Blessing Adima, who spoke to Saturday Vanguard in Delta State, said “Buying grains and rice for distribution to Nigerians is a misplaced priority. It goes to show that the federal government itself does not care about food production and doesn’t know how to tackle the problems that we are facing in Nigeria today. Read more
Obaseki barred me entry into Edo, Shaibu alleges (Channels)
The reinstated deputy governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, on Friday accused his principal, Godwin Obaseki, of denying him entry into the state.
Over the past few months, Shaibu and Obaseki have been at loggerheads over issues regarding the governorship election in the state.
The 54-year-old, stated this during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, two days after Federal High Court in Abuja ordered his reinstatement as deputy governor. Read more
Nigerian Navy provides housing support to fallen heros’ family (ThisDay)
In a heartwarming display of solidarity and commitment to personnel welfare, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, has presented a 2-bedroom semi-detached bungalow to the widow of Leading Seaman Abdulrahman FA, who lost his life in the line of duty.
The gesture, which took place at Navy Estate Karshi, Abuja, underscores the Nigerian Navy’s dedication to supporting the families of fallen heroes.
In their service to the nation, military personnel make extraordinary sacrifices, often paying the ultimate price to safeguard the lives of the citizens and territory of the country. Read more
How 7 students died by suicide in 6 months (DailyTrust)
No fewer than eight suicide cases were recorded among university students in the country within the last six months, an investigation by Weekend Trust has shown.
According to newspaper reports reviewed by our correspondent within the period, the undergraduates, comprising men and women, took their own lives between January and June this year.
The figure excluded other suicide cases that may not have been reported by the media. Read more
Momodu, Okupe in war of wordsover Tinubu administration (Nation)
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dele Momodu and the former Director-General of the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Organisation, Doyin Okupe, have exchanged words on the popular micro-blogging platform “X.”
Momodu argued that he has consistently been in opposition in the last 42 years, but regretted supporting ex-president Buhari in 2015.
Reacting to his statement, Okupe urged Momodu to keep his criticisms rational, mature and professional. Read more
Shippers plan tackling shipping challenges through partnerships (Punch)
The Shippers Association of Lagos State has vowed to tackle the challenge facing the shipping sector through strategic partnerships with key industry stakeholders.
The newly elected president of the association, Fehintola Mulikat, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.
Mulikat expressed dissatisfaction with the numerous challenges that had plagued the shipping and port business. Read more
Tolaram Science Challenge: Lagos community school emerges winner (Tribune)
Iwerekun Community Senior High School, in Lakowe, has emerged the winner of the 2024 Tolaram Science Challenge (TSC), beating Ibeju Senior High School at the grand finale of the competition sponsored by the Lagos Free Zone (LFZ) Company held recently in Lagos.
Sixteen secondary schools took part in this year’s edition of the competition, with each school providing a representation of six students. Read more
NDLEA intercepts N9.8b worth of fresh codeine shipments from India (Sun)
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted another batch of seven containers bearing 1,229,400 bottles of codeine syrup worth over N9.835 billion at the Onne ports.
This comes barely three weeks after the seizure of 6,125 cartons of codeine syrup containing 1,050,000 bottles of the opioid, worth over N7.35 billion in street value, at the Port Harcourt Ports complex, Onne, Rivers State.
Responding to the successful operation, an elated Chairman and Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Marwa (Retd), said, “The agency has degraded the cartels’ financial capacity and base.” Read more
Final ‘‘Deadpool & Wolverine’’ Trailer reveals female characters Lady Deadpool and X-23 (THR)
The third and final Deadpool & Wolverine trailer has arrived and with it so have the ladies of the franchise, Lady Deadpool and X-23, played by Dafne Keen, last seen in the hit movie Logan, the supposed swan song for Hugh Jackman’s portrayal of Wolverine.
Jackman is playing another iteration of the famed X-Men antihero, as he has told the press and as happens occasionally in comic book franchise blockbuster movie universes. Ryan Reynolds returns as the titular smartass vigilante with a total disregard for the fourth wall, and the final trailer release ahead of Deadpool & Wolverine, opening in theaters next week, focuses on the dramatic moments between Wolverine and Deadpool, two of the biggest misanthropes Marvel has produced (so a natural pairing here). Read more
Clint Eastwood shares emotional tribute to late partner, Christina Sandera (FarOut)
After sharing a romance for over a decade, director Clint Eastwood has sadly revealed that his longtime partner, Christina Sandera, has passed away aged 61.
The pair first began their relationship in 2014 when Sandera was working as a hostess at Eastwood’s Mission Ranch Hotel and Restaurant. Despite their long-term union, the couple were quiet about their private life and kept it away from the limelight.
After confirming the news of her death, Eastwood released a statement, heartbreakingly saying, “Christina was a lovely, caring woman, and I will miss her very much.” Read more
Foo Fighters forced to cut New York concert short due to thunderstorms (MusicNews)
Foo Fighters were forced to cut their concert in New York short on Wednesday night due to “dangerous weather”.
The rockers kicked off the U.S. leg of their Everything or Nothing at All Tour at Citi Field in Queens, New York, but instead of their usual 23-track setlist, the band were forced to call time on their show after 13 songs.
Frontman Dave Grohl and his bandmates tried to squeeze in Everlong – a song typically reserved for the end of the show – but only got to the intro before the event organisers told them to stop. Read more
Bruce Springsteen is officially a billionaire (NME)
Bruce Springsteen has officially reached billionaire status, with his net worth accelerating in the past few years.
According to a recent estimate by Forbes, The Boss is apparently worth $1.1 billion, following a six-decade career that’s seen him release 21 studio albums, seven live albums, and five EPs, selling over 140 million albums globally.
In 2021, Springsteen sold his masters and publishing rights to Sony Music in a combined deal worth around $500million (£377m). According to Billboard, the sale gave the company ownership of the musician’s entire back catalogue, which at the time consisted of 20 studio albums, 300 songs, 7 EPs, 23 live records and more. Read more
Beloved action TV show from the 2000s is being brought back to life as a movie (Gamesradar)
24, the beloved action-packed TV show from the 2000s, is being brought back to life as a movie – though it’ll be presented in a “very interesting way”, promises producer Brian Grazer.
“Imagine has always played in that zone where there is that high probability that it will be successful in movie theaters,” the Imagine Entertainment co-founder explained, during an appearance on MSNBC’s Squawk Box last month (per Variety). “It’s great for us, because we’ve built, over 30 years, over 100 different products and brands, whether it’s Backdraft, which I’m now going to do today with Glen Powell, or whether it’s 24, a movie that we’re going to do in a very interesting way with Disney and Fox.” Read more
Passenger train derails in India, killing at least two people (AlJazeera)
A passenger train jumped the tracks in India’s northern state of Uttar Pradesh, killing at least two passengers and injuring 20 others, according to the authorities.
The Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express, which connects India’s northern states to the eastern state of Assam, derailed in Gonda district, near the Hindu holy city of Ayodhya, at about 2:30pm (09:00 GMT) on Thursday, Indian media reported.
At least four carriages had overturned, said broadcaster NDTV. The network’s footage showed passengers standing on top of a derailed compartment that had crashed onto its side. Read more
Russia jails US journalist Evan Gershkovich on spying charges (RNZ)
US journalist Evan Gershkovich has been sentenced by a Russian court to 16 years in a high-security penal colony on espionage charges, after a secretive trial decried as a “sham” by his employer, his family and the White House.
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reporter was first arrested last March while on a reporting trip in the city of Yekaterinburg, about 1600 km east of Moscow, by security services.
Prosecutors have accused him of working for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), accusations Mr Gershkovich, the WSJ and the US vociferously deny. Read more
Payne relishes UK opportunity with Everton (Punch)
Nigeria Super Falcons midfielder Toni Payne is delighted at her transfer to Everton, a few days after severing ties with Sevilla, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Speaking after her unveiling at Goodison Park on Friday, the 29-year-old, who can also effectively play as a striker, said the move is a fulfilment of her dream to play in the United Kingdom.
“I’m super excited to be an Everton player. It’s been my dream to play in the UK and in such a strong league like the WSL,” Payne told Everton TV. Read more
MLS Fire to compensate ticket buyers if Messi doesn’t play (France24)
The Chicago Fire announced a fan credit guarantee on Friday that will ensure compensation for ticket buyers if Inter Miami star Lionel Messi is unavailable for their August 31 match.
A sellout crowd of more than 62,000 packed Chicago’s Soldier Field for last year’s 4-1 Fire victory over Argentine icon Messi and Inter Miami.
Messi is set to miss his second Major League Soccer contest this week tomorrow in Miami with a right ankle injury, but the Fire said on Friday they expect Messi will be fit to play in Chicago in six weeks. Read more
Mason Greenwood in line for immediate England return after completing Man Utd exit (Mirror)
Former Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood could make his first appearance on an English pitch in more than two years when his new club Marseille take on Sunderland on August 3.
Greenwood completed his United exit on Thursday, joining Marseille in a deal worth £26.6million. He has taken the number 10 shirt at his new club after signing a five-year deal at Stade Velodrome.
He had not played for United since being suspended by the club in January 2022 after being arrested. He was charged with attempted rape, engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm, but the Crown Prosecution Service later decided to discontinue the case against him, following the withdrawal of co-operation from key witnesses. Read more
Golf: Lowry leads Open; Fox and Hillier make the cut (RNZ)
Ireland’s Shane Lowry leads the British Open from English qualifier Dan Brown after a masterful second round at Royal Troon, and world number one Scottie Scheffler and England’s Justin Rose are moving ominously into contention.
Links-lover Lowry, the 2019 champion, rolled in a superb 20-foot birdie putt on the 18th green to complete a two-under 69 to reach seven under – two shots clear of overnight leader Dan Brown, who again impressed with a one-over 72.
Former US Open champion Rose, who had to qualify this year, put together a magnificent three-under 68 in the toughest afternoon conditions to join Brown on five-under. Read more
Clark, Reese excited to team up at WNBA All-Star Game (ABC)
For 40 minutes on Saturday, Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark and Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese will put aside their rivalry to join forces on Team WNBA in the league’s All-Star Game against the United States women’s national team.
On a weekend when the stars of women’s basketball have congregated in the blistering heat of Arizona, the unification of Clark and Reese has become a storyline unto itself. And they know it.
“That’s what everybody wants to see,” Reese said Friday. Read more
Tottenham confident Ange Postecoglou will not leave for England job (Telegraph)
Tottenham Hotspur are confident they will not lose head coach Ange Postecoglou to England, despite the Australian being tracked by the Football Association.
Telegraph Sport revealed that FA technical director John McDermott is an admirer of Postecoglou and has followed his work from Australia all the way through to Spurs.
It is expected that Postecoglou’s name will be on the long list of candidates considered by the FA to succeed Gareth Southgate, but Spurs are not concerned they could lose the 58-year-old. Read more