Police deploy officers to prevent chaos ahead of Black Axe founder’s day (Guardian)
The Oyo State Police Command has deployed scores of its officers across the state ahead of the Founders’ Day celebration of the Neo-Black Movement of Africa (Aiye Confraternity), commonly known as the Black Axe Cult.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, disclosed this on Sunday in a statement made available to journalists in Ibadan, the state capital.
It would be recalled that the movement celebrates its yearly founder’s day every July 7. This year’s celebration is billed for Monday, July 7, 2025. Read more
Natasha to resume Senate duty on Tuesday after court ruling (Punch)
The suspended senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has stated that she will resume legislative duties in the Senate on Tuesday following a court order directing her recall to the Red Chamber.
The lawmaker disclosed this in a video shared on social media, which started trending on Sunday. She thanked her supporters for standing with her.
“I thank you for your support. I am glad we are victorious today. Read more
4 years enough to deliver results as Nigeria’s president – Peter Obi (Leadership)
Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has declared that a single four-year term was enough to lay the foundation for good governance in Nigeria.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s political programme, ‘Sunday Politics’, on Sunday night, Obi reiterated his decision to run for president in the 2027 elections and expressed confidence in his ability to turn the country around within a single term of office.
“Four years is just to know what is happening to them—you do not have to solve them overnight,” he said, referring to Nigeria’s complex challenges. Read more
Tinubu to military: You’ve my full authority to crush terrorists, bandits, separatists (Tribune)
President Bola Tinubu has handed the Nigerian Army and other security agencies a clear marching order to go after terrorists, bandits, insurgents, and separatists threatening the nation’s peace and unity.
Speaking through Vice President Kashim Shettima at the grand finale of the 2025 Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) held at Murtala Square, Kaduna, on Sunday, Tinubu declared that they should not fear or hesitate in carrying out the marching orders.
“To the officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army, I say this with absolute clarity: the time to rise is now. You have my full authorisation and the trust of the Nigerian people to confront and defeat those who seek to undermine our nation. You are my confidence, my support, and my prayers.” Read more
JAMB releases mop-up UTME results (NewTelegraph)
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released the results of the mop-up Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) held on Saturday, June 28, 2025.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by JAMB’s spokesperson, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, the results of 11,161 candidates out of the 96,838 scheduled for the mop-up exercise have been released.
The board explained that some candidates unable to access their results had failed to comply with instructions and advised them to send ‘UTMERESULT’ as a single word via SMS to 55019 or 66019 using the phone number used for registration. Read more
Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa hit as half of African currencies Weaken –Report (Nation)
Nearly half of African currencies weakened in May 2025, despite continued economic reforms and steady development across the continent, according to the June edition of the Monthly Developments in the African Macroeconomic Environment report published by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank). The report, which assessed exchange rate movements across the continent for the month of May, revealed a complex landscape shaped by global economic volatility and domestic fiscal challenges.
Although some African currencies appreciated or remained stable during the review period, the findings show that ten countries experienced notable depreciation. Among those with relative gains, Ghana, South Africa, Namibia, and Eswatini recorded improvements, while Kenya and Liberia maintained stable exchange rates. Nigeria’s naira appreciated by 2.1 percent month-on-month against the U.S. dollar, but the currency still posted an 11.5 percent decline year-on-year, underscoring persistent structural constraints. Read more
Presidency in panic mode, ADC coalition alleges (ThisDay)
Nigeria’s new political coalition, African Democratic Congress (ADC), yesterday, accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of being in a panic mode ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Characterising the government as embarking on “calculated incompetence,” the coalition stated that the administration’s sudden reform push was not borne of compassion or policy, but of political panic sparked by the growing influence and credibility of the opposition.
The declaration came as presidential hopeful, Peter Obi, took a swipe at the waste in the Tinubu government, stressing that as a Nigerian leader, he would not buy a N150 billion jet when hundreds of Nigerians were dying. Read more
At least 78 dead and dozens missing in Texas floods as more rain looms (BBC)
At least 78 people have been confirmed dead in central Texas and another 41 are missing following flash floods on Friday.
Sixty-eight of the fatalities, including 28 children, occurred in Kerr County, where a riverside Christian girls’ camp was deluged. Ten girls and a counsellor from Camp Mystic are still missing.
Officials say the death toll is certain to rise. More storms are expected in the next 24-48 hours in the region, which could hamper rescue teams who are already facing venomous snakes as they sift through mud and debris. Read more
Ex-NY Gov says Trump & Mamdani have surprising similarities (DailyBeast)
Former New York Gov. David Paterson says New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani is taking a page from President Donald Trump’s playbook.
Speaking to 77 WABC The Cat’s Roundtable Sunday, Paterson said Mamdani’s success so far in New York’s mayoral elections reminded him of Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign.
“It is demonstrating a kind of new campaign style, where you speak as verbosely as possible, where you demean your opponents as much as you can, and Donald Trump invented this,” Paterson said. Read more
Iconic ’80s band, nearing 50 years, stuns fans in performance with Sabrina Carpenter (Parade)
Sabrina Carpenter delivered two fun performances this past weekend at BST Hyde Park, and even brought out special guests.
The “Espresso” singer headlined the music festival this weekend, alongside Clairo, beabadoobee, Olivia Dean, Amber Park and more. She performed on Saturday and Sunday evenings.
BST Hyde Park stands for British Summer Time Hyde Park, which is an annual music festival held in Hyde Park, London. The festival takes place over several days in the summer and features a lineup of major international artists across various genres such as rock, pop and indie. Read more
Mahershala Ali Says ‘Leave Me Out of it’ When Asked About Marvel’s ‘Blade’ Reboot (Variety)
Mahershala Ali is done talking about “Blade.”
While appearing on Vogue’s “Off the Cuff” alongside his “Jurassic World Rebirth” co-stars Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Bailey, Ali dodged the question when Bailey asked how many Marvel films they’ve both starred in.
“Leave me out of it,” Ali joked. “That’s a Scarlett question.” Read more
Playwright Richard Greenberg dead at 67 (FilmNews)
Richard Greenberg, the playwright behind Take Me Out, Three Days of Rain and Eastern Standard, has died. He was 67.
The Tony winner’s death was announced on social media, where several people in the theatre world have since reacted to his passing.
Denis O’Hare, who won a Tony for originating the role of gay accountant Mason Marzac in Take Me Out when it debuted in London back in 2002 was among them. Read more
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs given jailhouse standing ovation after verdict (News.com.au)
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs received a standing ovation from inmates when he returned to jail after he was acquitted on charges which potentially carried a life sentence, according to his lawyer.
Combs’ attorney Marc Agnifilo claimed Combs was cheered by fellow prisoners at the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Brooklyn after a jury found him not guilty on charges of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking last week.
The 55-year-old rapper was refused bail after being found guilty of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution and is still facing up to 20 years in prison. Read more
Oshoala, Babajide, Ihezuo score as Super Falcons begin WAFCON with win (Guardian)
Nigeria began their campaign at the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) with a 3-0 victory over Tunisia in a Group B match played on Sunday at Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca.
The Super Falcons, who are seeking a 10th continental title, took an early lead in the 4th minute through Asisat Oshoala. The forward capitalised on a free-kick delivered by Rinsola Babajide, with her effort deflecting off Ashleigh Plumptre before crossing the line.
Nigeria extended their advantage in the first minute of added time before the break. Babajide retrieved a loose clearance on the edge of the area, drove into the box, and scored from a tight angle. The goal was upheld after a brief VAR review. Read more
‘Human error’ – Wimbledon sorry over missed line calls (BBC)
Wimbledon organisers have apologised after the electronic line-calling system on Centre Court was turned off in error and missed three calls in one game.
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova said a game was ‘stolen’ from her after there was no ‘out’ call when a Sonay Kartal backhand went long in the first set of their fourth-round match.
The Russian stopped after seeing the ball go long, and chair umpire Nico Helwerth halted play. Read more
Apute shines at NOG Energy Week golf tourney (Punch)
Lady Captain of TYB International Golf Resort and Country Club, Abuja, Maureen Apute, has emerged as the overall best net winner of the 2025 NOG Energy Week golf tournament.
The 2025 NOG Energy Week swung into action with a prestigious golf tournament at the scenic TYB International Golf Resort over the weekend, setting a relaxed yet impactful tone for the week-long oil and gas gathering.
At the end of a pulsating affair, Apute shone as the overall best net winner after she played off handicap 18 and returned a gross score of 82 and 64 net. Read more
Ola Aina Signs New 3-year Deal With Nottingham Forest (Leadership)
Nigerian international Ola Aina has committed his future to Nottingham Forest by signing a new three-year contract until 2028.
Confirming the development in a post on his X handle, football transfer expert, David Ornstein, wrote: “Ola Aina commits future to Nottingham Forest by signing new 3-year contract. Previous terms due to expire next summer; fresh deal for 28 year old right back until next summer. Nigerian international key player since joining #NFFC in 2023.”
Aina joined Forest in July 2023 on a one-year deal after his contract expired at Serie A side Torino.
He featured regularly at left-back in his first campaign as Forest escaped relegation to finish 17th in the league. Read more
Oscar Piastri reveals ‘different hurt’ after penalty cost British GP win (PlanetF1)
Oscar Piastri admitted losing the British GP due to a penalty was a ‘different hurt’.
Oscar Piastri admitted that it was painful to miss out on victory in the British Grand Prix as a result of a penalty.
The Australian was handed a 10-second time penalty after he braked just as the Safety Car accelerated away from the pack, with Max Verstappen sailing past the McLaren.
The Safety Car had neutralised the field following a crash for Isack Hadjar on Lap 22, the Racing Bulls driver unsighted in wet conditions as he tagged the rear of Kimi Antonelli’s Mercedes. Read more