Ruga settlements: FG conceived colonies for all states, may use N2.26bn grazing reserve budget (Punch)
The Federal Government originally planned to have the controversial Ruga settlements in every part of the country and not only in 11 states. But the Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum and Ekiti Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, said the Ruga initiative had been blown out of proportion. He, however, said no state would be forced to surrender its land to the Federal Government for the project. Read more
APC breaks deadlock, picks NASS officers (Nation)
The All Progressives Congress (APC) appears to have broken the deadlock over the choice of its remaining principal officers in the National Assembly. After several weeks of intense horse trading and media speculations, the leadership of the party on Friday night resolved to concede the position of House of Representatives majority leader to Kano State in the Northwest. It asked the Kano Caucus of the party in the House to handle the situation following the tough contest for the position by ex-Chief Whip, Ado Doguwa and Goro Aminu Suleiman. Read more
Saraki: EFCC writes Senate clerk, demands receipts, contracts’ documents (Punch)
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has written a letter to the Clerk of the Senate, demanding the receipts, cash books and documents of the contracts of the Office of the President of the 8th Senate led by Bukola Saraki. The EFCC, in a letter signed by the Director of Operations, Mohammed Umar, said it was investigating cases of conspiracy, stealing and money laundering. In the letter with reference number CR: 3000/EFCC/ABJ/CMU/SAK/Vol1/168, the commission asked the clerk to also attach any other information that might assist the anti-graft agency in its investigation. Read more
Lagos residents threaten kidnap suspect with sniper, cement (Punch)
Residents of Otto in the Ebute Meta area of Lagos, on Friday, attempted to force a suspected kidnapper to take sniper and mixed cement. The suspect was reportedly found with a five-year-old girl but could not explain how he came about her during interrogation. The residents said they brought sniper and mixed cement for him to drink as a means of punishment. Read more
Buhari launches initiative to stop communal clashes (Nation)
President Muhammadu Buhari is reaching out to well-meaning citizens on finding a lasting solution to the security challenges in the country. He is said to have begun consultations for an inclusive stakeholders committee that will thoroughly interrogate issues believed to be fuelling communal conflicts across the country. The main task of the committee is proffering lasting solutions to age-long disagreements that have claimed lives and property. Read more
Don’t blame only govt for Internet fraud rise – Durotoye (Punch)
The Presidential candidate of the Alliance for New Nigeria in the last election, Fela Durotoye, has said the government alone should not be blamed for the rise in Internet fraud, popularly called ‘yahoo yahoo’, in Nigeria. He said this on Friday during the Redefine Success Summit held at the Fountain of Life Church, Ilupeju, Lagos. The President of the Gemstone Nation Builders Foundation insisted that the rise in Internet fraud was the failure of the society in general. Read more
Makinde: We inherited N150b debt, threatens to expose Ajimobi (Nation)
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has revealed that his administration inherited a minimum debt of N150 billion, adding that his administration was still checking the books to determine the actual total debt. He also threatened to expose his predecessor Abiola Ajimobi if he does not keep quiet about his (Makinde’s) administration. The governor made the revelation in a media chat on the state television on the occasion of his one month in office. Read more
Suspected herdsmen kill hunter in Ekiti (Punch)
Suspected herdsmen, on Friday night, shot dead a hunter, Emmanuel Ilori, on a farm at Orin Ekiti in the Ido/Osi Local Government Area of Ekiti State. Ilori was said to be hunting animals alongside his colleagues in the bush when the incident happened around midnight on Friday. A hunter, who witnessed the incident, Mr Adeniyi Ajayi, said the hunters met the herdsmen, numbering about 30, in an abandoned piggery farm in the town. Read more
Nigeria has three months to be declared polio free (Nation)
Nigeria is about three months away from being certified polio free, the National Chairman, Nigerian National Polio Plus Committee, Dr. Tunji Funsho, has said. Nigeria alongside Pakistan and war torn Afghanistan are three polio endemic countries. By August this year, Nigeria would have done three years without recording an outbreak of the disease, which is prerequisite for World Health Organistaion (WHO) certification of the country as polio free. He spoke on Friday night in Abuja at the unveiling of Phyno and Timaya as polio Ambassadors. Read more
Ogun to prosecute residents for open defecation (Punch)
Ogun State Government has threatened to seal off any house built without a toilet facility. The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Mrs Yetunde Dina, who said this at a press conference in Abeokuta to mark the National Environmental Day, added that the state government would begin to arrest and prosecute anyone defecating in the open. This year’s theme of the International Environmental day is ‘stop open defecation for healthy living’. Read more
Sudan security forces ‘carry out raid’ ahead of mass protest (BBC)
Sudan’s main opposition group says security forces raided its office and blocked a press conference on the eve of mass protests against military rule. The “million-strong march” is in opposition to the military council’s refusal to hand control to civilians following Omar al-Bashir’s removal. The Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA) said in a tweet that it “condemns this repressive behaviour”. Read more
Trump: US to start deporting migrants after July 4 (Nation)
United States President Donald Trump says deportation of undocumented migrants will begin after July 4. “We will be removing large numbers of people… starting sometime after July 4,” Trump said, having earlier noted that the deportations would begin “unless we do something pretty miraculous.” Additional report said that U.S. Immigration authorities had earlier announced plan to launch a sweeping effort to deport recently arrived undocumented families. Read more
‘Madrid Central’ protest: Thousands oppose suspension of anti-pollution plan (BBC)
Thousands of protesters flooded the streets of Madrid on Saturday to oppose the newly elected conservative mayor’s decision to reverse car pollution restrictions. The People’s Party-run city hall has provoked an outcry by suspending a ban on most petrol and diesel cars in Madrid’s centre. The policy aimed to ensure the city complied with the EU’s clean air rules. Read more
Man, 63, becomes latest swimmer to die in UK heatwave (Metro)
A 63-year-old man who was pulled out of the water has become the latest to die swimming during the UK’s ongoing heatwave. His body was spotted floating by a member of the public who pulled him ashore and gave him CPR on the beach of Yaverland, the Isle of Wight. The man from Newport was rushed to hospital shortly before 7pm yesterday evening but was unable to be resuscitated. Read more
Sri Lanka hires first two hangmen in 43 years (BBC)
Sri Lanka has recruited two hangmen as it prepares to carry out four executions – the first in 43 years. It follows the president’s announcement that four prisoners convicted of drug offences are to face the death penalty. The hanging will end a moratorium on capital punishment that has been in place since 1976. Read more
Albania set for tense local election stand-off (BBC)
Albania is set for an election like no other since emerging from half a century of communism in 1990. Prime Minister Edi Rama has campaigned hard for Sunday’s local polls – even though his Socialist candidates face almost no opposition at the ballot box. The main opposition is boycotting, but has urged militants to remain peaceful. Read more
Jada Pinkett Smith says she ‘never’ wanted to marry Will Smith (Metro)
Jada Pinkett Smith ‘never’ wanted to get married to husband Will Smith because she had ‘’ever seen a happy marriage’. The Girls Trip star – who married Will on New Year’s Eve 1997 – admitted that she was not keen on the idea of tying the knot but her mother encouraged her. Speaking to People magazine, she said: ‘I never wanted to get married. But my mother was like, “You have to get married” – she’s so old school – and Will wanted a family. So I said, ‘All right, maybe it’s something I should do.’ Read more
Eagles dismiss allegations they are after financial gains (Guardian)
Super Eagles players have dismissed the allegation that they are only after monetary rewards in the on-going Egypt 2019 AFCON. There has been mixed reactions to earlier reports from the team’s camp that the players stayed away from training and a pre-match conference in protest of the delay in payment of wages. But the team’s assistant captain, Ahmed Musa said at a press conference yesterday ahead today’s last group match against Madagascar that the team is not putting money first. “We are patriotic Nigerians, and we don’t put money first. We are in this competition to make Nigeria proud,” he said. Read more
Afcon holders Cameroon stay top of group (BBC)
Defending champions Cameroon remain top of Group F after a goalless draw with Ghana at the Africa Cup of Nations. The five-time winners, who beat Ghana 2-0 in the 2017 semi-finals, went closest in the first half as Christian Bassogog was denied by Richard Ofori. But Ghana almost won it late on when substitute Owusu Kwabena struck the crossbar and Andrew Yiadom went close. Read more
Germany suffer shock World Cup exit (BBC)
Two-time champions Germany suffered a shock Women’s World Cup quarter-final exit as Sweden came from behind to beat them 2-1 in Rennes. Germany had gone ahead through Lina Magull’s acrobatic finish but Sweden responded when Sofia Jakobsson ran clear on goal and coolly finished. Stina Blackstenius poked in from close range early in the second half and they managed to hold on to their lead. Read more
Mbappe will not renew PSG (Punch)
Kylian Mbappe has reportedly made it known to Paris Saint-Germain that his long-term future lies elsewhere. The 20-year-old has spent two seasons at PSG and his current contract is not due to expire until 2022. Real Madrid have long been admirers of the France ace and are keeping tabs on his situation. Mbappe is one of PSG’s best-paid stars and, according to Marca, Real would be unable to compete with the Paris outfit in a straight wage war. Read more
Charlie Nicholas approves Arsenal’s £25m transfer move for Celtic star Kieran Tierney (Metro)
Charlie Nicholas insists Celtic star Kieran Tierney would be a welcome addition at his former club Arsenal. The Gunners are keen to bolster their defensive options during the summer transfer window and Scotland international Tierney has emerged as a top target. Arsenal have already had one bid for the left back rejected but intend to test Celtic’s resolve with an improved offer in the coming weeks. Read more
Messi above everyone else –Scaloni (Punch)
Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni has been talking about how essential Lionel Messi remains to his team following the Albiceleste’s Copa America quarter-final win over Venezuela. The Barcelona captain has managed just one goal at the tournament so far and has admitted he’s not having his best Copa America. However, Scaloni says Messi remains the best player in the world and offers plenty both on and off the pitch. Read more
Madrid to offer Isco in Pogba deal (Punch)
Real Madrid are reportedly prepared to sacrifice Isco in an attempt to force through a deal for Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba. Isco is one of a handful of players unwanted by president Florentino Perez as Los Blancos continue to reshape their squad. However, Zinedine Zidane is said to be keen to keep the Spain international as he feels he can still play a part next season. Read more
Austrian GP: Charles Leclerc powers to pole as Lewis Hamilton demoted (BBC)
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc took pole position for the Austrian Grand Prix as world champion Lewis Hamilton was hit with a three-place grid penalty. Leclerc, 21, set two laps quick enough for pole and ended the session 0.259 seconds clear of Hamilton. The Mercedes driver was subsequently penalised for “unnecessarily impeding” Alfa Romeo’s Kimi Raikkonen. Read more