Over N1t saved since subsidy removal, says Tinubu (Punch)
President Bola Tinubu on Monday said the Federal Government of Nigeria has saved N1trillion in the two months since the removal of the petrol subsidy.
Tinubu said these monies that would have been otherwise squandered by those he called “smugglers and fraudsters” will now be channelled into intervention programmes targeting families nationwide.
“In a little over two months, we have saved over a trillion naira that would have been squandered on the unproductive fuel subsidy which only benefitted smugglers and fraudsters,” Tinubu said in his nationwide broadcast on current economic challenges in the country. Read more
Labour insists on going ahead with protest (Sun)
Following a series of meetings at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the organised labour last night reiterated its intention to proceed with a planned protest against the removal of petroleum subsidy.
The Steering Committee on palliatives, comprised of representatives from the organized labour, expressed doubt regarding the ability of President Bola Tinubu to effectively control inflation and gasoline prices due to the unification of the exchange rate.
President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, addressed the concerns, stating that the plan for workers to engage in a peaceful protest starting from Wednesday remains unchanged. Read more
Subsidy Removal: Sanwo-Olu slashes BRT, Danfo fares (Vanguard)
Governor Bababjide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, yesterday, announced a reduction in transport fares on all Bus Rapid Transit, BRT, routes by 50 per cent, beginning from tomorrow.
The governor also said commercial yellow buses, known as ‘Danfo’, will follow suit with a reduction of 25 per cent in fares on all routes.
Sanwo-Olu said this while addressing journalists at the State House, Ikeja, at the end of a security meeting with security agencies such as the army, police and the navy. Read more
Kidnapped ex-FCT councillor escapes after abductors dozed off (DailyTrust)
The abducted former councillor that represented Tungan-Maje Ward in Gwagwalada Area Council of the FCT, Usman Tanko, has escaped after his abductors dozed off in their den.
City & Crime had reported that Tanko was kidnapped in the early hours of last Tuesday at his residence in Shanagu village in Zuba Chiefdom in Gwagwalada Area Council, and that some hours later his abductors called his family and demanded a N15m ransom.
Confirming the escape of Tanko, a family member, who preferred anonymity, said he escaped on Saturday night from his abductors who slept off after drinking wine and smoking hemp. Read more
Senate to mediate between FG, NLC (Nation)
The National Assembly yesterday mandated its leadership to mediate between the Federal Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to avert a nationwide strike over the hike in the price of fuel.
NLC President Joe Ajaero had given an ultimatum to the Federal Government to rescind its decision on fuel subsidy removal or face strike from tomorrow.
NLC deploys officials to Lagos, other
The union insisted that the nationwide protest will hold as planned. Read more
LASPAGA urges NLC, others to shelve planned strike, protest (Guardian)
Lagos State Parks and Garages Administrators (LASPAGA) has urged the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Progress (TUC) to be patient with the Federal Government and shelve the planned protest.
The agency urged members of the public to reason with the Federal Government, saying subsidy payment would lead to economic doom. It, however, disassociated its members and officials from the planned strike and protest.
Chairman of LASPAGA, Oba Suleimon Raji (Ashade I), stated this in a statement yesterday. The statement was issued by the Secretary of the agency, Abdulrahman Amusan. Read more
Tinubu appoints Ajuri Ngelale as Special Adviser on Media and Publicity (Channels)
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Ajuri Ngelale as Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity.
This was made known in a statement by Willie Bassey, the Director of Information in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume on Monday.
According to the statement, the appointment takes effect from 31st July, 2023 and would terminate at the end of this administration unless otherwise decided by the president. Read more
Supreme Court, NBA mourn as judiciary loses 2 judges (Punch)
The judiciary on Monday announced the death of Justice Chima Nweze of the Supreme Court and Justice Peter Mallong of the Federal High Court.
Both judges, according to official statements, died of illness. Nweze died on Saturday while Mallong passed away on Sunday.
The Supreme Court, in a statement by its Director of Press and Information, Akande Festus, said Justice Nweze performed his duties admirably while alive, adding that the bench and the apex court staff would miss him. Read more
Cost slows CNG conversion as alternative auto fuel (Leadership)
There are growing concerns over efforts by Nigerians to adopt alternative automotive fuel as the current conversion statistics for various categories of vehicles from petrol to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) have has been described as outrageous and likely to complicate government’s efforts in addressing the rising cost of pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also called petrol, LEADERSHIP learnt.
From the data obtained by our correspondent, conversion of petrol vehicles of 1.6 litre engine would cost between N300,000 and N400,000 while tricycles with 4 Stroke Engine will cost between N100,000 to N200,000.
However, lorries and vans will cost as high as N1.8 million while 4 Stroke Petrol generator engines will cost about N90,000. Read more
Euphoria star Angus Cloud dies suddenly, aged 25 (Telegraph)
Angus Cloud, cast member of the HBO teen drama series Euphoria, died on Monday at age 25 just days after the death of his father, his family said in a statement.
Cloud played Fezco, an intense drug dealer with a moral code, in the series starring Zendaya in the lead role of Rue Bennett.
No specific cause of death was reported but the family statement said he had suffered from mental health issues and was hit hard by the death of his father, described as his “best friend,” who was buried last week. Read more
Pee-wee Herman actor Paul Reubens dies of cancer aged 70 (IrishExaminer)
Paul Reubens, the actor and comedian whose character Pee-wee Herman became a cultural phenomenon, has died aged 70.
Reubens died on Sunday night after a six-year struggle with cancer that he did not make public, his publicist said in a statement.
“Please accept my apology for not going public with what I’ve been facing the last six years,” Reubens said in a statement released with the announcement of his death. Read more
Lorraine Stanley ‘axed from EastEnders after seven years’ (MediaMole)
Lorraine Stanley will reportedly leave her role as Karen Baker on EastEnders later this year.
The 47-year-old joined the soap in 2017 and quickly became a fan favourite for her portrayal of the matriarch of the Baker clan, which also includes her ex Mitch (Roger Griffiths), son Keanu (Danny Walters) and daughter Bernie (Clair Norris).
According to The Sun, exec producer Chris Clenshaw decided to axe Stanley as part of a wider cast shakeup that is also seeing Shona McGarty depart as Whitney Dean after 15 years. Read more
Lil Kim Finishes Writing Upcoming Memoir (AmericanSongwriter)
Iconic female emcee Lil Kim announced that her memoir The Queen Bee has made it through final edits on Monday (July 31). Written alongside esteemed hip-hop journalist Kathy Iandoli, the memoir will include a foreword from legendary fashion designer and fellow New Yorker Marc Jacobs.
“It’s been a long journey beehive, edits are finally done,” Kim wrote on Twitter Monday. “Thank you to my bestie/soulmate @themarcjacobs for doing my (foreword).”
Along with Kim’s announcement, Iandoli tweeted about how special the project was for her, considering she got to work with both Kim and Jacobs. Read more
Paul McCartney announces Australia tour (MusicNews)
Paul McCartney has announced that he will travel to Australia for a six-show tour.
The Beatles star took to social media on Monday to announce that he will be embarking on a six-show Got Back tour in Australia, which will kick off in mid-October.
“Listen I’ve got some good news for you,” the 81-year-old announced in a video he posted on Twitter/X. “We’ll be coming back on the road, getting out with the band and playing places, some which we’ve never played before.” Read more
Offset says Cardi B didn’t cheat, he was just drunk and that’s why he deleted his story (People)
Offset is shutting down infidelity rumors when it comes to his marriage with Cardi B.
While the rap superstars have never had a problem showcasing their love for one another, unfortunately, they have made headlines in the past — and as of late — for cheating accusations.
However, Offset, 31, set the record straight on Monday after radio personality Angela Yee released a new interview with the “Clout” hitmaker for her Way Up with Yee podcast. Read more
Taliban, US hold 1st official talks since Afghanistan takeover (AlJazeera)
Taliban leaders have met officials from the United States in Qatar for the first time since their return to power in Afghanistan two years ago.
A spokesman for the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Monday that the two sides discussed confidence-building measures during the two-day talks, including the lifting of sanctions and travel bans as well as the return of Afghan central bank assets held abroad.
The delegations also discussed combating narcotics and human rights issues, Abdul Qahar Balkhi said. Read more
Falcons to receive $60k for last 16 slot (Punch)
Each Super Falcons player will earn a $60,000 match bonus if the former African champions reach the Round of 16 at the ongoing 2023 Women’s World Cup.
Randy Waldrum’s side needs a point from their last group game against debutants, Republic of Ireland, on Monday (today) to confirm their place in the knockout round.
Each member of the 23-woman squad is already guaranteed $30,000 for participating in the group stage. Read more
FIFA says Women’s World Cup ticket sales surpass 1.68m (HuffPost)
FIFA says ticket sales for the Women’s World Cup have reached 1.678 million over the first 38 matches of the tournament in Australia and New Zealand.
It said in a statement Tuesday that total attendance across those matches had reached 982,975 and it would surpass the 1 million mark for spectators at Tuesday’s final Group E match between the United States and Portugal at the 50,000-capacity Eden Park stadium at Auckland, New Zealand.
The tournament has already broken attendance records for a Women’s World Cup. Read more
Levi Colwill set for new Chelsea contract after issuing ultimatum amid Liverpool links (Mirror)
Levi Colwill is set to put an end to speculation over his future by penning a new six-year contract with Chelsea.
Colwill, 20, is a graduate of the Blues’ esteemed academy but has yet to make a single senior appearance for the club. The highly-rated centre-back did, however, thrive on loan at Brighton last term, where he made his Premier League bow.
Unsurprisingly, Colwill’s impressive performances on the south coast saw him attract a whole host of admirers – including Liverpool. And while Colwill has been heavily linked with a summer transfer away from Stamford Bridge in recent weeks, he is now on the verge of committing his long-term future to the Blues. Read more
Lewis Hamilton makes prediction as he reveals Mercedes demand (F1News)
Lewis Hamilton is expecting the pecking order to continue changing in the second half of the season, which commences in four weeks.
The seven-time World Champion entered the summer break having finished fourth at the Belgian Grand Prix last weekend, after being beaten to the podium by Charles Leclerc.
Hamilton started in third at Spa-Francorchamps but quickly fell to fourth, due to Max Verstappen recovering from sixth. Read more
DC Open fans warned of no handshake for Svitolina, Azarenka (ESPN)
Spectators at the DC Open were told before Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina defeated Belarus’ Victoria Azarenka 7-6 (2), 6-4 on Monday night that the players would not shake hands when their first-round match ended.
During the war in Ukraine, Svitolina — like several other players from her country — has declined to participate in the usual meeting at the net with opponents from Russia or Belarus. Russia invaded Ukraine with the help of Belarus in February 2022, and fighting continues.
When Svitolina wrapped up her victory Monday, both she and Azarenka walked straight toward the sideline to acknowledge the chair umpire. People in the stands applauded; a few waved blue-and-yellow Ukrainian flags. Read more
Terence Crawford stops Errol Spence Jr to become undisputed welterweight champion (RTE)
Terence Crawford has become the undisputed welterweight champion after a dominant performance against Errol Spence Jr in Las Vegas.
Crawford unleashed a flurry of punches in round nine to a wobbly Spence who could not defend himself, forcing the referee to step in and stop the fight.
It took just two rounds for Crawford to land his first of three knockdowns, with the next two coming in round seven. Read more