Outrage as FG demolishes 12 Lagos churches on alleged illegal plots (Punch)
There has been outrage over the demolition of 12 churches on 2nd Avenue, FESTAC Town, Lagos State, by officials of the Federal Housing Authority.
Our correspondent was told that a market and a car mart were also affected in the exercise carried out on Sunday.
PUNCH Metro learnt that the demolition started around 5am and continued till around 3pm.
The leader of the Gate of Righteousness Evangelical International Church, Pastor Joshua Obong, said he started his ministry in the community 18 years ago and wondered why his church was targeted for demolition. Read more
Lagos residents lament increasing cases of traffic robbery (Guardian)
The modus operandi of traffic robberies in Lagos had remained the same over the years.
They loiter around either on motorcycles or on foot and wait for a breakdown of vehicles or traffic, and swoop on unsuspecting drivers in hold-ups with dangerous objects, including guns, break their door screens, open them and request for their phones, wallets and other valuables and zoom away without hindrance.
The frequency of these attacks has increased as more people lose their jobs due to downturn, and gridlocks as a result of widespread construction work in the metropolis.
The police seem helpless as traffic robbers continue to have a field day even in broad daylight, leaving motorists and commuters with harrowing tales. Read more
Father arrested for defiling daughter in Lagos (Punch)
A man, Kayode Adeyanju, has been arrested by men of the Lagos State Police Command for allegedly defiling his 14-year-old daughter in the Ikorodu area of the state.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, said the suspect was arrested after the victim reported the incident to the police.
He added that the case had been transferred to the Gender Unit of the command for further investigation.
Adejobi said in a statement, “Police operatives attached to the Ipakodo Division, Ikorodu, on June 7, 2021, arrested one Kayode Adeyanju, 45, of the Redeemed Church, Tinubu Estate, Ibeshe, Ikorodu, Lagos State, for defiling his 14-year-old daughter.
“The victim personally reported the case at the Ipakodo Police Station, Ikorodu, on June 7, 2021, after her horrible ordeal in the hands of her father and police operatives arrested the suspect. Read more
2021 UTME: JAMB highlights fate of candidates with incomplete registration (Vanguard)
Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB) has advised candidates whose registration process is incomplete to visit special centres to finish the process.
JAMB’s Head of Media Dr Fabian Benjamin gave the advice in a statement on Monday.
Benjamin said the advice affected only those who could not complete their registration during the earlier scheduled registration period.
He said only candidates whose names were compiled after giving reasons for incomplete registration process and had been contacted “are expected to visit the centres”. Read more
Military gunships ‘kill’ over 1,000 cows in Nasarawa (DailyTrust)
Two military aircraft have killed over 1,000 cows in multiple attacks on Fulani settlements in Keana and Doma local government areas of Nasarawa State.
Fulani leaders and some of the victims told Daily Trust that the attacks were launched between Thursday, June 10 and Sunday, June 13.
Some young Fulani herders tending the cattle sustained injuries while over 500 cows that strayed into neighbouring Benue State have not been recovered yet, victims and witnesses said.
Some sources said hundreds of cows were killed in Giza Development Area of Keana Local Government on the grounds that the military operation was to dislodge bandits from the areas.
It was gathered that Sunday’s operation lasted for three hours and caused tension in the areas as farmers and Fulani herders deserted their homes for fear of being killed. Read more
2 dead as ‘hoodlums’ hijack masquerade festival in Ibadan (Vanguard)
The National President of Soludero Hunters Association, Oba Nureni Ajijola Anabi has said “hoodlums” at Oja Igbo area of Ibadan have hijacked the ongoing masquerade festival killing and maiming innocent people.
He said, while speaking with Vanguard, in a telephone interview on Monday.
“When the Egungun festival began, these hoodlums killed one man at Oja Igbo and Ita Ege areas of Ibadan. They killed many people.
“They killed a man four days ago. The man challenged them why they wanted to set his family house on fire. Read more
PDP pledges to reclaim Nigeria, receives Duke, Ayade’s aides (Guardian)
National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, has declared that the party will reclaim and reposition Nigeria.
Secondus, who said this yesterday in Calabar, Cross River State at the inauguration of the state’s PDP Caretaker Committee and unveiling of the new party-state secretariat, said: “We have the experience and we are determined to restructure the country and hand it over to the youths.
“Nobody can stop Nigerian youths from having a voice on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook. We are coming to restore the freedom of Nigerians, especially the youths.
“This is a quit notice to Governor Benedict Ayade, he should begin to pack his load and we also know that he is regretting joining the APC because more governors are joining the 14 PDP governors from the All Progressives Congress (APC).” Read more
Ita-Giwa seeks support for Ayade’s industrialisation drive (Punch)
A former Presidential Adviser on National Assembly matters and the Ambassador of industrialisation in Cross River State, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, has called on the Federal Government and other bodies to support the industrialisation drive in the state under the leadership of Governor Ben Ayade.
Ita-Giva said this on Monday in a statement, calling on local and international stakeholders to support Ayade’s industrial projects to enable the state to occupy a more vantage position economically.
The statement reads in part, “As the ambassador of industrialisation in Cross River state, I am calling on the Federal Government and other stakeholders both locally and internationally to support Governor Ben Ayade in this industrialisation drive. The projects are massive and are in virtually all the local government areas.”
Ita-Giwa lauded Ayade for attracting industrialists and business moguls, a move that she said would lay the groundwork for “massive support” the state would get. Read more
14-year-olds could be called up for new national service ‘to heal divided UK’ (Metro)
A new national service could be brought in to help ‘heal the divisions’ within British society, it has been revealed.
Downing Street is reportedly looking into the idea of having 14 year olds spend a month with students from other schools and backgrounds during the school term.
The teens, from rich and poor families alike, would be put in teams of 12 to bond on camping and hiking trips, reports the Mirror.
They would also be taught new skills and perform activities that benefit their local communities. Read more
Zambia’s former President Kenneth Kaunda admitted to hospital (AlJazeera)
Zambia’s former President Kenneth Kaunda is receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness at a military hospital in the capital Lusaka, his office has said, as the Southern African country battles a surge in COVID-19 cases.
The 97-year-old ruled Zambia from 1964, when the country won its independence from Britain, until 1991. He is among the continent’s few surviving liberation heroes.
His administrative assistant Rodrick Ngolo said in a statement on Monday that Kaunda had been feeling unwell and had been admitted to the Maina Soko Medical Centre in Lusaka.
“His Excellency Dr Kaunda is requesting all Zambians and the international community to pray for him as the medical team is doing everything to ensure he recovers,” the statement said. Read more
Canada military’s second-in-command resigns over golf game (BBC)
The Canadian military’s second-in-command has resigned after playing golf with the country’s former defence chief, who is under investigation for sexual misconduct.
Lieutenant General Mike Rouleau said he invited General Jonathan Vance to play golf “to ensure his wellness”.
In his former role, Lt Gen Rouleau had authority over military investigators looking at the case against Gen Vance.
Lt Gen Rouleau said the pair did not discuss details of the investigation. Read more
Former US special forces operative and son admit helping ex-Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn to escape to Lebanon (RT)
Ex-special forces veteran Michael Taylor and his son Peter have admitted aiding the escape of the bailed former Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn from Japan so he would avoid prosecution for financial misconduct.
The two men made their implicit confession during their first hearing after their extradition to Tokyo. They face charges for helping Ghosn skip bail and flee to Lebanon, his childhood home. If found guilty, they are looking at a sentence of up to three years in jail.
The duo, handcuffed and wearing Covid-19 masks, sat silently in the courtroom while prosecutors outlined their case. When asked by the judge, “Is there any mistake in what the prosecutor just read?” the pair said no.
Michael Taylor, 60, and his 28-year-old son Peter are accused of helping to hide Ghosn in a box designed to hold music equipment, sneaking him through security in Osaka and putting him on a private plane to Turkey, from whence he fled to Lebanon in 2019. Read more
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck confirm Bennifer reunion with kiss (Metro)
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck have been pictured kissing like a pair of lovestruck teenagers as they finally confirm the news fans have been freaking out over – Bennifer is back.
In a video obtained by Page Six, the Hollywood stars made it clear that their romance has very much been rekindled and they couldn’t be happier about it.
The 51-year-old actress can be seen gazing into Ben’s eyes while loving caressing his face in the clip.
Ben, 48, then leaned in close for a kiss before nuzzling her neck at the dinner table. Read more
Christiane Amanpour says she has ovarian cancer (BBC)
CNN’s chief international anchor Christiane Amanpour has announced she has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
Amanpour, 63, told viewers she had had “major successful surgery to remove it” and will now undergo several months of chemotherapy.
The veteran reporter made the announcement from her home studio in London after four weeks off air.
Amanpour has spent decades reporting across the globe, covering a wide range of conflicts and crises. Read more
Cristiano Ronaldo responds to transfer rumours after being linked with Manchester United return (Metro)
Cristiano Ronaldo is adamant that he is not concentrating on his future after being linked with a surprise return to Manchester United this summer.
Last month, reports claimed that the 36-year-old is seriously considering a move back to Old Trafford, while Juventus are open to offloading the Portuguese forward.
Paris Saint-Germain have also been linked with a move for Ronaldo with reports in Spain claiming that the French club have opened talks over a £25m deal.
Ronaldo is currently training with Portugal’s squad, whose Euro 2020 campaign begins against Hungary on Tuesday. Read more
France face Germany as Portugal begin title defence on Super Tuesday at Euro 2020 (Guardian)
Reigning champions Portugal begin their defence of the trophy against Hungary at Euro 2020 in Budapest on Tuesday as World Cup holders France take on Germany in a hotly-anticipated clash between two of the continent’s heavyweights.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal is set to have the honour of a full house in the Hungarian capital, with the Puskas Arena the only one of the 11 venues at this European Championship where there are no Covid-19 limits on the number of fans allowed.
“It’s perfect. I wish every single venue could host a full house. It’s great for viewers and players, but sadly it’s not up to us to decide,” said Ronaldo of the prospect of a crowd of up to 68,000 watching the first of Tuesday’s two matches at the tournament in Group F.
Ronaldo is 36 now and aiming to score in a fifth different European Championship finals. Read more
Christian Eriksen: Denmark midfielder suffered cardiac arrest, says team doctor (BBC)
Christian Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest when he collapsed in Denmark’s Euro 2020 match against Finland, said Danish team doctor Morten Boesen.
Earlier, officials said the midfielder was stable in hospital and had sent his greetings to his national team-mates.
Eriksen collapsed shortly before half-time in Denmark’s opening Euro 2020 game against Finland on Saturday.
“He was gone. We did cardiac resuscitation, it was a cardiac arrest,” said Boesen. Read more
UEFA respond to claims they forced Denmark’s players to play on after Christian Eriksen collapsed (Metro)
UEFA have rejected suggestions Denmark were forced to continue playing after Christian Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest and insist the situation was treated with ‘utmost respect’ for the players.
The 29-year-old midfielder collapsed in the first half of Saturday’s Euro 2020 clash with Finland and had to be resuscitated with a defibrillator, though he was conscious and stable when transported to hospital and even encouraged his teammates to finish the match.
But the players – many of whom were in tears as CPR was performed on Eriksen – looked emotionally shattered in the rest of the contest, which resumed just two hours later, and lost 1-0 to minnows Finland.
At the time, UEFA said the decision to finish the match was made ‘following the request made by players of both teams’ but since then Denmark’s manager and players have given a different version of events. Read more
Euro 2020: Danish star Christian Eriksen ‘stable’ in hospital after collapsing on pitch during game with Finland (RT)
The Euro 2020 game between Denmark and Finland in Copenhagen was delayed after Danish star Christian Eriksen collapsed on the field and was given CPR in a medical emergency during Saturday’s Group B fixture.
Inter Milan’s Eriksen fell to the ground with around two minutes remaining in the first half prompting the immediate concern of his teammates and match officials.
Emergency services soon rushed to the field where reports state that the Inter Milan player was given CPR on the pitch as concerned teammates and fans looked on.
After lengthy treatment, Eriksen was stretchered from the pitch with his Danish teammates providing a barrier to obstruct the view of pitch-side photographers. Read more
Messi scores stunner in Argentina draw as Copa America pays spectacular Maradona tribute (BBC)
Lionel Messi scored a stunning free kick as Argentina drew with Chile after the Copa America paid a spectacular tribute to Diego Maradona.
Messi curled home from the edge of the area towards the end of the first half of the Group A opener.
But Eduardo Vargas headed in an equaliser after Arturo Vidal’s penalty had been saved.
Just before kick-off, Argentina legend Maradona was remembered with a dazzling light and effects display.It saw a holographic version of the 1986 World Cup winner perform kick ups before clips of his goals were projected on to the pitch. Read more