Obasanjo should tell Nigerians why he shunned Democracy Day — Presidency (Punch)
The Presidency on Wednesday asked former President Olusegun Obasanjo to explain why he was absent from the maiden Democracy Day on June 12. In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Garba Shehu, the Presidency insisted Obasanjo was invited for the event in Abuja. The statement said, “Chief Olusegun Obasanjo owes an answer to Nigerians on his absence from the 2019 Presidential inauguration and Democracy Day celebration because the claim that he was not invited or he did not receive an invitation cannot be sustained. Read more
Osinbajo, Sanwo-Olu, others say disruptive technology can transform Africa’s economy (Guardian)
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu Lagos State, Jim Ovia and Uyi Akpata have argued that disruptive technology, if maximised effectively, can transform Africa’s economy. Ovia is the founder of Zenith Bank, while Akpata is regional senior partner (West Africa) of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). Speaking at the opening of the first PwC Experience Centre in Lagos yesterday, they also insisted that Africa had the potential to become production and consumption powerhouse in the 21st century, by utilising emerging technology to disrupt the business landscape. Read more
Buhari reappoints Idris as AGF (Punch)
President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday extended the tenure of the Accountant General of the Federation, Mr Ahmed Idris. The announcement was made in a statement signed by the Director, Communications, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Wunmi Ogunmosunle, on behalf of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Winifred Oyo-Ita. The statement said that Idris’ letter was signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha. Read more
Nigeria’s being meticulous about African free trade treaty, says president (Guardian)
President Muhammadu Buhari has declared that Nigeria would be guided by “national interest” in taking any decision on the agreement establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Receiving the national council of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) led by its president, Mansur Ahmed yesterday in Abuja, Buhari said he was expecting the report of a committee set up to assess the potential cost and impact of signing the pact. Read more
Immunity prevented us from probing Ganduje — Rimingado (Punch)
The Chairman of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission, Mr Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado, on Wednesday in Kano, advanced reasons why the agency failed to probe Governor Abdullahi Ganduje’s bribery allegation, pointing out that the agency was not carried along in the investigation by the Daily Nigerian newspaper that reported the bribery allegation. Reacting to insinuations by some members of the public that the ongoing probe of Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II by the agency was politically motivated, Rimingado argued that Ganduje’s immunity had also prevented the agency from taking any action. Read more
Suspended LG chairmen drag Kwara gov to court for contempt (Punch)
The 16 local government chairmen suspended on Tuesday by the Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, for alleged misappropriation of fund have filed contempt charges against the governor and the state House of Assembly at the state High Court, Ilorin. The state chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, Mr Joshua Omokanye, disclosed this on Wednesday while addressing journalists. Read more
Monarchs ask Buhari to appoint senior minister from Kogi (Punch)
Traditional rulers in Kogi State have asked President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint an indigene of the state to the position of a senior minister in his next cabinet and not a minister of state. The monarchs stated that Kogi deserved more than a minister of state, having worked hard for the President’s re-election for a second term. The royal fathers, who met with the President on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, specifically called on him to give the state the post of minister of finance. Read more
721 persons secured FG employment with fake certificates in six agencies – Report (Punch)
Not less than 721 members of staff of Federal Government agencies secured employment using forged academic certificates between 2015 and 2018, The PUNCH learnt on Wednesday. A document obtained by our correspondent in Abuja, indicated that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission detected the figure after it carried out certificate verification of six government agencies. Read more
Tackle piracy, fund copyright commission, Are urges FG (Punch)
The Chairman, Board of Directors of the University Press Plc, Dr ‘Lekan Are, on Wednesday called on the Federal Government and all other tiers of government to make concrete efforts towards supporting the country’s publishing industry. Delivering his welcome address at the 70th anniversary of the University Press Plc, at Kakanfo Inn, Ibadan, Oyo State, Are described as unfortunate the lip service being paid to the invaluable contributions of the UP Plc and other publishing outfits by successive governments in the preservation of the cultures of the Nigerian people. Read more
No Ebola case in Nigeria, says FG (Punch)
The Federal Government has called on Nigerians to disregard rumour of a positive case of Ebola Virus Disease in the country, saying that efforts have been heightened at the various ports of entry into the country to ensure that sick people coming into Nigeria were properly screened. The Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda have witnessed resurgence of Ebola in their countries lately, with the Ugandan Ministry of Health announcing on June 11, 2019 the first cross-border case in the current outbreak. Read more
Christchurch attack: New Zealand launches gun buy-back scheme (BBC)
New Zealand has launched a gun buy-back scheme in the wake of the deadly Christchurch mosque shootings. More than $208m New Zealand dollars (£108m, $136m), have been set aside to compensate owners of semi-automatic weapons which were banned following the attacks. The ban was agreed by parliament in April, weeks after the shootings. Read more
Xi Jinping visits N Korea to boost China’s ties with Kim (BBC)
China’s President Xi Jinping is heading to North Korea for a meeting with Kim Jong-un, in the first Chinese state visit to the North since 2005. The two, who have met in China four times, are expected to discuss the stalled talks over the North’s nuclear programme as well as economic issues. China is hugely important to North Korea, as its main trading partner. Mr Xi’s visit comes a week before the G20 summit in Japan, where he is set to meet US President Donald Trump. Read more
Four girl gang members spared jail despite ‘horrific’ attack on student that died (Metro)
Four members of a girl gang have been spared jail despite playing a part in a ‘sustained and horrific’ bus stop attack on a frightened Egyptian student, who later died. Mariam Moustafa suffered a stroke which left her in a coma after being ‘pushed so hard’ that she was slammed against a bus shelter on February 20 last year, and died almost a month later on March 14. Read more
Chris Dawson: Podcast-highlighted suspect pleads not guilty to murder (BBC)
An Australian man accused of killing his wife in a case that has been the subject of a popular crime podcast has pleaded not guilty to her murder. Chris Dawson, 70, has been on bail since he was arrested in December over Lynette Dawson’s 1982 disappearance. He has consistently denied killing Mrs Dawson, maintaining she had abandoned him and their two children – possibly to join a religious group. Read more
Keanu Reeves ‘in talks’ with Marvel bosses to join universe (Metro)
Keanu Reeves may be set to join Hollywood’s biggest blockbuster franchise, with Marvel bosses confirming they are ‘in talks’ with the star about him becoming a member of the MCU. Marvel fans have long hoped that Keanu, 54, would join the Marvel Cinematic Universe because, frankly, it’s probably one of the few things he hasn’t conquered in Hollywood. Our hopes and dreams may be coming true though, as Marvel boss Kevin Feige revealed he is in talks with the studio. Read more
Lil Nas X continues to smash life as he leads Teen Choice Awards with five nominations (Metro)
Lil Nas X has topped off an incredible year with a string of Teen Choice Awards nominations. Fresh off the back of his boundary-smashing banger, Old Town Road, the 20-year-old has racked up an impressive five nods at the upcoming bash. The singer has been tipped for Male Artist, Choice Song Male Artist, R&B / Hip-Hop song with his Billy Ray Cyrus remix, Breakout Artist and Collaboration. Read more
Set up a presidential council for sport, Adelabu tells Buhari (Guardian)
Former Green Eagles winger, Adegoke Adelabu has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to take a more radical approach to the issue of sport development as he did in other areas by setting up what he called ‘Presidential Council’ for Sports. Adelabu, who played club football for the then IICC Shooting Stars of Ibadan told The Guardian that sport has the inherent ability to change people’s life and the quality of life lived by people. Read more
Falcons jubilate as Scotland, Argentina draw revives last 16 hopes (Punch)
There was wild jubilation on Wednesday in the Super Falcons’ camp in Rennes, France as Argentina and Scotland played out a dramatic 3-3 draw in their final Group D match at the ongoing Women’s World Cup. The Argentines, who had a point before their encounter and a mathematical chance of qualification to the round of 16, found themselves on the backfoot as the Scottish cruised to a 3-0 lead before the South Americans staged a late fightback to force a 3-3 draw. Read more
Non-league side knocks Enyimba out of Aiteo Cup (Guardian)
Barely two weeks after winning the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL), Enyimba of Aba were yesterday knocked out of the Aiteo Cup by an amateur club. Also out of the Aiteo Cup are defending champions, Enugu Rangers, who were beaten 2-0 by Lobi Stars yesterday. Playing at the University of Benin Sports Centre, Enyimba were beaten 2-3 by non-league Smart City FC of Lagos. Read more
FIFA to send Samoura to CAF as high commissioner (Guardian)
Ahmad Ahmad’s days as CAF president may soon be over following a series of corruption charges dangling over his head. Already, world football governing body, FIFA is contemplating sending its General Secretary, Fatma Samoura as a ‘High Commissioner for Africa.’ This is in light of recent governance issues on the continent, reports the BBC. If the proposal is approved, Samoura would take charge of CAF for at least six months from August 1. Read more
England top group after win over Japan (BBC)
England face a favourable draw in the Women’s World Cup last 16 after they beat 2011 winners Japan to finish top of Group D thanks to two Ellen White goals. Lionesses boss Phil Neville seemingly took a gamble by making eight changes to the side that beat Argentina in the second group game. But in White, who returned to the side, they have a finisher of real class as she scored her 30th and 31st England goals either side of the break from clever through balls. Read more
Joshua, Ruiz rematch to be finalised next week (Punch)
The much-anticipated rematch between Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz Jr will be finalised next week with New York’s Madison Square Garden and a number of British venues under consideration promoter Eddie Hearn reveals. Ruiz produced one of the biggest shocks in heavyweight boxing history to take Joshua’s IBF, WBO and WBA titles on June 1. Joshua, 29, was sent to the canvas four times by an opponent who took the fight at short notice after Joshua’s original opponent Jarrell Miller failed drugs tests. Read more
Amir Khan warns Anthony Joshua against fighting Andy Ruiz in rematch (Metro)
Amir Khan has urged Anthony Joshua to turn down a rematch with Andy Ruiz. Joshua intends to seek immediate revenge over Ruiz after losing his three world titles to the Mexican earlier this month. Eddie Hearn revealed talks were already at an advanced stage, but Khan warned his fellow Brit against taking the rematch. Read more