Ruga: M’Belt youths knock northern group over threat to expel southerners (Punch)
The Middle Belt Youth Council has described as empty the threats by the Coalition of Northern Groups to expel southerners resident in the North if President Muhammadu Buhari fails to rescind his decision to suspend the Ruga settlement project within 30 days. The council also warned the northern group to desist from threatening other Nigerians living in their domain under any guise as the group does not have the monopoly of violence. This was contained in a statement issued on Friday by its President, Mr Emmanuel Zopmal, and made available to journalists in Jos, the Plateau State capital. Read more
Lagos explosion: Buhari condoles with families of victims (Guardian)
President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with families who lost their loved ones in an inferno in Ijegun area of Lagos State on Thursday. The President also condoled with the people and government of the state over the fire disaster that claimed lives and property, urging security agencies to ensure that those behind the unfortunate incident are brought to justice. He called on all Nigerians to avoid tampering with pipelines and sensitive installations across the country, as such interferences put many lives at risk. Read more
29 days after meeting Buhari, FG withdraws charges against Goje (Punch)
A Federal High Court sitting in Jos, Plateau State, has quashed the remaining two counts charge preferred by the Federal Government against a former governor of Gombe State and serving senator, Danjuma Goje, over allegations of corruption. The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation was said to have applied on Thursday evening for the withdrawal of the charges, the News Agency of Nigeria reported on Friday. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had since 2011 filed a 21-count charge against Goje, but 19 of the charges were struck out in March 2019, leaving only two counts. Read more
NASS leadership crisis deepens as PDP suspends Minority Leader, Elumelu, six others (Punch)
The Peoples Democratic Party on Friday suspended the House Minority Leader, Mr Ndudi Elumelu, and six other members of the party in the House of Representatives for “indiscipline, insubordination and disobedience”. The representative of Oriade/Obokun Federal Constituency, Osun State, Wole Oke; representative of Onitsha North and Onitsha South Federal Constituency, Anambra State, Lynda Ikpeazu; representative of Ezza North/Ishielu Federal Constituency, Ebonyi State, Anayo Edwin; representative of Kaura Federal Constituency, Kaduna State, Gideon Gwani… Read more
We won’t accept this lopsided, failed, corruption bathed Nation as legacy, youths cry out (Guardian)
Nigerian youths under the auspices of Social Patriotic Youths Initiative (SPY-IN) have said it could no longer accept a lopsided, failed, and corruption bathed nation as legacy. Briefing the press yesterday in Delta state, convener of the group, Efe Ekure described the legacy as that which cannot be proudly bequeathed to the next generation, adding, “There is no better time to change the narrative than now.” Read more
Aisha Buhari makes a case for women (Punch)
Aisha, wife of President Muhammadu Buhari, has called for the involvement of women in leadership in the country. Mrs Buhari, represented by the Senior Special Adviser in the Office of the First Lady, Dr Hajo Sani, made the call in Abuja during the official launching of African Women Leaders Network, Nigeria chapter. The event was organised by UN Women, African Union, Embassy of Germany and the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals and AWLN partners. Read more
U.I school principal allegedly molests muslim students using Hijab (Guardian)
Some students of International School Ibadan (ISI) were yesterday molested and humiliated for adorning hijab (Muslim headscarf) with their school uniform. The ISI Muslim Parents Forum, who bemoaned this act in a statement made available to The Guardian yesterday called the authorities to call the Principal of ISI, Phebean Olowe, to order, alleging that she is out to precipitate crisis in the school with her high handedness taken too far. Read more
Court orders forfeiture of Diezani’s jewellery, gold iPhone worth $40m (Punch)
Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the forfeiture of 2,149 pieces of jewellery and a customised gold iPhone, valued at $40m, belonging to a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke. The judge ordered that the items should be temporarily forfeited to the Federal Government. The forfeiture order followed an ex parte application moved on Friday by a lawyer for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo. Read more
Maritime workers suspend strike, as NPA assures of industrial harmony in ports (Guardian)
The three-day old strike action embarked upon by the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has been suspended. President General of the union, Adewale Adeyanju, who confirmed the development, yesterday, said the action was suspended after an intervention of the permanent secretaries, Ministries of Transportation; Labour and Employment; some notable stakeholders, especially the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA); Ms. Hadiza Bala Usman; Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Peterside Dakuku; Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers Council, Hassan Bello and Chairman, Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN) Princess Vicky Haastrup; among others. Read more
Kano police arrest three suspected Boko Haram members (Punch)
The Kano State Police Command on Friday said it had arrested three persons suspected to be members of the Boko Haram terrorist group. It said that the suspects were among the 87 others paraded for various offences, ranging from kidnapping, armed robbery, theft, and banditry. The Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Iliyasu, said that one of the Boko Haram suspects was arrested at a hotel in Sabon Gari while the other two were apprehended during a raid at their hideout within the metropolis. Read more
Census 2020: Trump pursues citizenship question without firm plan (BBC)
The Trump administration will continue to pursue a way of adding a citizenship question to the census, lawyers said in court filings submitted on Friday. But administration lawyers failed to provide any legal justification for the census question by a court deadline. The Supreme Court rejected the initial rationale for adding the question to the 2020 census as “contrived”. Read more
Emilio Lozoya: Former Mexican oil chief accused of corruption (BBC)
An arrest warrant has been issued for Emilio Lozoya, former chief executive of Mexican state oil company Pemex, prosecutors say. He is accused of taking $10m (£8m) in bribes from Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht, which admits paying off politicians in Latin America. Mr Lozoya’s wife, sister and mother are wanted in the same corruption case, the prosecutor’s office says. Read more
Alaska sees record temperatures in heatwave (BBC)
A new record high temperature has been set in the US state of Alaska, part of which lies inside the Arctic Circle. A temperature of 90F (32C) was reached at Anchorage airport on Thursday, the US Weather Service tweeted. The previous high was just under 30C, and the average at this time of year is 18C. Alaska had earlier broken records throughout a hot spring, particularly in the Arctic zone which is especially sensitive to fluctuations in climate. Read more
Man convicted of attempted murder wanted to ‘kill English people’ (Metro)
A man wandered the streets at night looking for random people to kill. A drunk Samiualahq Akbari, 32, went into three different establishments, including a Tesco, searching for someone to harm after telling his cousin he wanted to ‘kill English people’ on January 8. He eventually came across a man inside Tesco, in Thornton Heath, and attacked him with a large kitchen knife he had picked up from a kebab shop on London Road. Read more
Ancient city of Babylon designated Unesco World Heritage Site (BBC)
The ancient Mesopotamian city of Babylon has been declared a Unesco World Heritage Site. Iraq had been lobbying since 1983 for the 4,000-year-old site to be added to the United Nations’ prestigious list. The city was famous for its Hanging Gardens, which were among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Read more
Murder probe launched after man shot dead in Wembley (Metro)
A man has been killed following a shooting near a mosque in Wembley, police have said. The victim, believed to be in his mid-twenties, was taken to a north London hospital but died a short time later. His next of kin have been informed, although formal identification still awaits. Police have now launched a murder investigation. Read more
New Melania Trump statue in Slovenia gets mixed reviews (BBC)
A statue of US First Lady Melania Trump has appeared on the outskirts of her Slovenian hometown of Sevnica. US artist Brad Downey hired a local chainsaw artisan, Ales Zupevc, to carve the likeness out of a tree trunk. The result was a wooden image of Mrs Trump dressed in a blue coat, overlooking the Sava river with a club-like hand gesturing towards the sky. Read more
Spider-Man: Far From Home breaks MCU box office record previously held by Avengers: Endgame (Metro)
Spider-Man: Far From Home has topped a box office record previously held by Avengers: Endgame. The film – a sequel to Tom Holland’s first Spidey film, Homecoming – grossed $27 million (£21.6 million) a the Norht America box office on Wednesday, making it the Marvel Cinematic Universe film with the highest midweek takings ever. Not bad for a teenager from Queens. Read more
Bonfrere: Lions’ physicality can hurt Eagles (Punch)
Nigeria’s Atlanta 96 Olympic gold-winning coach, Bonfrere Jo, is wary of the indomitable Lions’ threat and dreads their physical style of play ahead of their last 16 showdown with the Super Eagles in Alexandria on Saturday. Both countries are no strangers when it comes to AFCON and Saturday’s clash is expected to rekindle that feisty rivalry. The Eagles come into the match on the back of a shock 2-0 defeat to debutants Madagascar in their last group match and will be expected to turn fans’ resentment to excitement when they take on Clarence Seedorf’s men. Read more
D’Tigers, D’Tigress open 2019 African games camps (Guardian)
The national men and women’s basketball teams have started preparations for the 2019 African Games in Morocco, with the men beginning their camping in Abuja today. In the men’s team coached by 3×3 national team coach, Acha Chris Ikwue, are Yahaya Abdul (River Hoopers of Port Harcourt), David Godwin, Dike Azuoma and Okoh Lucky Subel both of Kano Pillars. Others are Akintunde Akin Moses, Agu Ibeabuchi (Gombe State Bulls), Iduh John Mathias (Gombe State Bulls) and Ogunsemore Babajide Michael. They will fight for the four available jerseys. The team will camp at Bolingo Hotel, Abuja. Read more
Eagles must redeem themselves against Lions – Shorunmu (Punch)
Ex-Super Eagles goalkeeper, Ike Shorunmu, believes the team must seize the occasion when they file out against perennial rivals, Cameroon, in Alexandria on Saturday (today) in a last 16 clash. Gernot Rohr’s men were at the wrong end of AFCON history as they fell victimsto debutants and 108th ranked Madagascar in their last group match to surrender first spot to Nicolas Dupuis’ men. However, Shorunmu strongly believes that the team must have learnt their lessons and must seek to pacify Nigerians by redeeming themselves against reigning champions Cameroon. Read more
Mane scores but misses penalty in Senegal win (BBC)
Sadio Mane scored the winner before missing another penalty as Senegal beat Uganda in Cairo to reach the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals. Liverpool’s Mane produced a clinical low finish then won a penalty after being fouled by keeper Denis Onyango, who had already been booked. Mane, who had missed from the spot in the previous game against Kenya, was denied after the referee opted against sending the keeper off. Read more
Benin shock Morocco to reach last eight (BBC)
Benin produced a major surprise to beat Morocco 4-1 on penalties and book a quarter-final spot at the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time. Mama Seibou hit the winning penalty to send 10-man Benin through after Khaled Adenon had been sent off in extra time. In an incident-packed tie in Cairo, Moise Adilehou put Benin ahead before Youssef En-Nesyri equalised. Read more
Wilfried Zaha refuses to rule out Arsenal transfer move (Metro)
Wilfried Zaha refused to rule out a move to Arsenal when asked about his future ahead of the Ivory Coast’s last-16 clash with Mali at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. The Gunners have had a bid of £40million rejected for Zaha, with Crystal Palace understood to be holding out for a fee of around £70m for the 26-year-old forward. Arsenal are already lining up a second proposal for Zaha despite leaving Palace ‘furious’ and ‘incensed’ with their opening offer. Read more
Paul Pogba: Man Utd midfielder wants to leave Old Trafford – agent Mino Raiola (BBC)
Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba wants to leave the club, his agent Mino Raiola has told The Times. Pogba, 26, has been absent from pre-season training this week, adding to speculation about his long-term future. In June, Pogba said “now could be a good time to find a new challenge”. And Raiola has now told The Times: “Everyone knows the willingness of Paul to move on. We are in the process of that. Everyone knows what the feelings of Paul are.” Read more
Corinthians send message to Arsenal over Fagner transfer move (Metro)
Corinthians have told Arsenal to give up any hope of signing Fagner this summer. The Gunners are on the lookout for a new right-back following Stephan Lichtsteiner’s departure and Fagner has been identified as a possible option to provide back-up for Hector Bellerin. Arsenal’s incoming technical director Edu, who won two Premier League titles with the club, is reportedly behind the move for the 30-year-old Brazilian. Read more
Antoine Griezmann: Atletico Madrid accuse Barcelona of ‘disrespect’ (BBC)
Atletico Madrid have accused Antoine Griezmann and Barcelona of “disrespect” and say the La Liga champions talked to their forward in March. Atletico say they have rejected Barcelona’s offer and ordered Frenchman Griezmann to report for pre-season. In a statement, the Madrid club expressed their “strongest repulsion for the behaviour of both, especially Barcelona”. Read more
Coco Gauff makes astonishing comeback to reach Wimbledon last 16 (BBC)
American 15-year-old Coco Gauff saved two match points in another astonishing display to extend her dream Wimbledon run into the last 16. A packed Centre Court, enchanted by the teen who knocked out five-time champion Venus Williams, saw her beat Slovenian Polona Hercog 3-6 7-6 (9-7) 7-5. After double-faulting to hand Hercog the first set, Gauff was staring at defeat at 5-2 in the second. Read more
Cori Gauff given warning by John McEnroe after latest Wimbledon win (Metro)
Tennis legend John McEnroe has urged caution over Cori Gauff’s incredible Wimbledon run and believes the 15-year-old was a little lucky to progress to the fourth round. The teenager, nicknamed ‘Coco’, lost the first set against Polona Hercog on Friday night and was forced to save two match points before pulling off a stunning comeback, winning 3-6 7-6 (9-7) 7-5 out on Centre Court. Read more
Judy Murray: Women’s tennis needs new Serena Williams, Venus Williams & Maria Sharapova figures (Metro)
Women’s tennis is coming to the end of an era with some of the biggest names set to hang up their racquets in the coming years, and Judy Murray has called for the younger crop of stars to focus on building their profiles in order to keep the sport healthy. The Williams sisters are both in their late 30s – with Venus, 39, suffering a first-round defeat at Wimbledon to 15-year-old potential superstar Cori Gauff – while Maria Sharapova is now 32 and struggling to make an impact at the very top of the sport. Read more
Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios disagree with Wimbledon over Bernard Tomic’s £45,000 fine (Metro)
Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios have both criticised Wimbledon over the decision to fine Bernard Tomic his full first-round prize money for putting in a lack of effort in his defeat to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. The Aussie was only on court for 58 minutes on Tuesday, losing 6-2 6-1 6-4, and was fined £45,000 – 100% of his prize money – after the match referee adjudicated that he had ‘not performed to the required professional standard’. Read more