Sacked lecturers to Sanwo-Olu: save us from starvation (Nation)
The 37 teachers recently sacked at the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education {AOCOED}, Ijanikin, Lagos State, have implored Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to save them from salvation and untimely death. Their spokesman, Gabriel Oguntuase, told reporters in Ijanikin, Lagos, on Friday that they were initially employed as workers of the institution. He said they were later transferred to teach in the primary and secondary school sections of the institution, adding that the remaining workers were given harmonization letters as bonafide officials of the college. Read more
No immediate plan to ban Almajiri system — Presidency (Punch)
The Presidency on Friday clarified the Federal Government’s position on the Almajiri system, saying that while proscribing it remained an ultimate goal, there was no immediate plan to ban the system. The Presidency stated that in pursuing the objective of ensuring that every Nigerian child had compulsory basic education, the government would consult relevant authorities widely before taking a decision on whether to ban the Almajiri system or not. In a statement by Buhari’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr Garba Shehu, the Presidency noted that the reactions trailing the President’s speech at Thursday’s meeting of the National Economic Council were needless, as he had yet to pronounce a ban on the system. Read more
Ohanaeze, others reject proposal for Fulani vigilante in Southeast (Guardian)
Angry reactions have trailed the demand by the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) for the establishment of Fulani vigilante group in the Southeast as stakeholders in the zone have vowed to resist the move. National President of MACBAN, Mohammadu Kirowa, had at a security summit in Enugu requested the establishment of Fulani Youth Vigilante in the zone to work with security agencies. He noted that herdsmen in the region had been having difficulties doing their business following clashes with farmers. Read more
PDP condemns attack on Taraba gov’s residence in Abuja (Punch)
The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party on Friday condemned the reported invasion of the Abuja residence of the Taraba State Governor, Mr. Darius Ishaku, by police operatives alleged to have been detailed by authorities from the Presidency. The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, in a statement, described the reported invasion as unlawful, provocative and could not be justified under any guise whatsoever. The party stated that such alleged assault on a governor’s residence was a direct attack on the nation’s democratic order. Read more
Buhari signs bill seeking foreign assistance to recover proceeds of crime (Guardian)
President Muhammadu Buhari has given the anti-corruption crusade of his administration a boost with his assent to a law titled ‘Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act, 2019.’ The law, which takes effect from June 20, 2019, specifically seeks to facilitate the identification, tracing, freezing, restraining, recovery, forfeiture and confiscation of proceeds, property and other instruments of crime by Nigerians in other countries. Read more
Libya deports another set of 137 Nigerians (Nation)
NEMA has received another batch of 137 stranded Nigerians from Libya which brought the total number of assisted voluntary returnees to 14,036 from 10 different countries since April, 2017 when the European Union and International Organization for Migration special programme commenced. The Coordinator, NEMA Lagos Territorial Office, Alh Idris Muhammed who received the Returnees on behalf of the Federal Government disclosed that 94 male adults, three male children and three male infants are among the new returnees while 34 female adults, one female child and two female infants. Read more
Traffickers recruited Nigerian women for World Cup, 1,863 still in Russia – US report (Punch)
Human traffickers under the guise of the 2018 World Cup recruited Nigerian women for jobs in Russia and later exploited them for sex work, the United States 2019 Trafficking in Persons report has said. The report, published by the US Department of State on Thursday and obtained by our correspondent, noted that 1,863 Nigerians remained in Russia without travel documents. The 2018 World Cup held in Russia between June 14 and July 15. Read more
Yoruba elders make u-turn, advise Buhari on next NDDC Chairman (Guardian)
Ondo state elders yesterday called on President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint Delta State indigenes as the next Chairman and Managing Director of the Commission. The elders, who spoke spoke in Akure, said the position of the managing director was the privilege of the four leading oil producing states of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom. ‘’There shall be for the Commission, a Managing Director and two executive directors who shall be indigenes of oil producing areas starting with the member state of the Commission with the highest production quantum of oil and shall rotate among member states in order of production’’ Read more
FG depriving judges, lawyers of working independently — NBA (Punch)
The Nigerian Bar Association on Friday bemoaned the “pervasive insecurity of lives and property in the land” and what it described as “systematic erosion” of the independence of the judiciary. The association said judges and lawyers had been so intimidated and blackmailed by the Federal Government that they nursed the fear of being visited with “inquisitorial terror” should they rule against government or take briefs considered to be anti-government. Read more
Akeredolu restates administration’s commitment to rid waterways of criminals (Nation)
Ondo State governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, on Friday, received in audience, officers of the Western Naval Command led by the Flag Officer Commanding, Rear Admiral Oladele Daji. Governor Akeredolu said his administration will continue to support and work with the Navy to secure the waterways and rid it of criminal elements. The Governor noted that since the protection of the waterways has been taken off individual and given to the Navy, calm has returned to the riverine area of the state. Read more
Experts seeks more support for albinos in Nigeria (Punch)
In commemoration of the 5th International Albinism Awareness Day organised by The Albino Network Association in Lagos on June 15, experts from various fields have called for more support for people living with the condition in the country. The event, which saw various speakers including health practitioners present different papers urging government and members of the public to treat albinos better by according them their due human rights, further called for stiffer sanctions for all those, who try to dehumanise and discriminate against persons in this category. Read more
NAPTIP DG hails Agege council chief over social intervention programmes (Nation)
The Director General, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Julie Okah-Donli, has commended the Chairman of Agege Local Government Area of Lagos State, Alhaji Ganiyu Kola Egunjobi, for the social intervention programmes of his administration which has helped to alleviate crimes. Okah-Donli led a team of NAPTIP officials on a sensitisation and enlightenment campaign to the Council secretariat on Friday where she met with the management including Egunjobi and the Council manager, Olufemi Esan. Read more
Mauritania heads to polls in first election since independence (BBC)
Mauritania is heading to the polls in what may result in the first democratic transition of power since the West African country achieved independence in 1960. President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz seized power in a coup in 2008, but has agreed to step down and abide by a two-term limit of office. More than a million people are eligible to vote in Saturday’s election. Read more
Trump warns Iran of ‘obliteration’ in event of war (BBC)
President Trump has said he doesn’t want war but warned Iran it would face “obliteration” if conflict broke out. Speaking to NBC on Friday, he said the US was open to talks but would not allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons. He also expanded on his last-minute decision to call off strikes planned in response to the shooting down of a US unmanned drone this week, saying he had been told 150 Iranians would be killed. Read more
Boris Johnson: Police ‘called to Tory leadership contender’s home’ (BBC)
Police were called to the London home of Boris Johnson and his partner in the early hours of Friday after a neighbour reportedly heard a loud argument. The Guardian said Carrie Symonds was heard telling Mr Johnson to “get off me” and “get out of my flat”. The Metropolitan Police told the BBC it “spoke to all occupants of the address, who were all safe and well”. Read more
Couple jailed for smothering baby son over drunken row about sex (Metro)
A couple who smothered their nine-week old baby because his crying stopped them from having sex have been jailed. Luke Morgan and his partner Emma Cole were found guilty last month of child cruelty and causing or allowing the death of nine-week-old Tyler Morgan in April 2014. A six-week trial heard how Tyler suffered broken ribs before being smothered, and also had what looked like a human bite mark on his arm. Read more
Trump dismisses E. Jean Carroll rape allegation as ‘fiction’ (BBC)
President Donald Trump has dismissed allegations that he raped a woman in a dressing room in the mid-1990s as “fiction”. The US president says he has never met E. Jean Carroll and the writer’s motivation behind the claim is “to sell a new book”. Ms Carroll’s story was published in New York magazine on Friday. More than a dozen women have previously made sexual misconduct allegations against Mr Trump, which he has denied. Read more
Empire star Jussie Smollett’s ‘fake attack’ case to be investigated by special prosecutor (Metro)
A judge has appointed a special prosecutor to investigate the decision to dismiss all charges against Jussie Smollett. The action, which was made today, will investigate the reasons as to why the Empire TV show actor walked away from charges, after he was accused of lying to the police by claiming he was the victim of a racist and homophobic attack in downtown Chicago in January. Read more
Chris Pratt receives loving birthday message from wife Katherine Schwarzenegger weeks after wedding (Metro)
Katherine Schwarzenegger celebrated her new husband Chris Pratt on his birthday. The newlyweds are clearly still in the honeymoon bliss stage and are letting everyone know about it. And, a few weeks into marriage, and Katherine has already shared a loving tribute for Chris’ 40th. Taking to Instagram today, she shared plenty of couple shots from various vacations across the world. Read more
Aftermath of heart attack: Kalu in stable condition (Nation)
Super Eagles’ winger, Samuel Kalu is in stable condition in an undisclosed hospital after suffering a heart attack while training with the Nigerian squad yesterday. It was gathered that the player who plies his trade in France with Bordeaux went down unchallenged during the training session when he was about taking a corner kick at the Alexandria Stadium on the eve of the Eagles’ first group match against the Swallows of Burundi. The source further revealed that the timely intervention of the team’s medical crew who rushed to the aid of the player immediately he went down saved what could have resulted into a tragedy for the national team. Read more
Eagles braced for tough Burundi test, says Ighalo (Guardian)
Super Eagles forward, Odion Ighalo believes the game against Burundi today will not be an easy ride for Nigeria despite the gap in ranking between both teams. He sees Burundi as a technically organised team, who are attack minded and aggressive on the pitch. The China-based striker says the Super Eagles would not be under pressure in the cracker, adding that the players are totally committed to doing well in the match. Read more
Nigeria can win AFCON, says Kanu (Nation)
Former Super Eagles skipper, Kanu Nwankwo has expressed confidence in the ability of the current crop of players in the Super Eagles to return home with the AFCON trophy as the competition begins this weekend in Egypt, AOIFootball.com reports. Kanu, who was recently appointed CAF Ambassador to the biannual tournament, said that he was happy with his new CAF role but would be more excited if Nigeria clinches the competition in the Arab nation. Read more
Falcons will take the fight to Germany, says Dennerby (Guardian)
Coach Thomas Dennerby says his charges will take the game right to the Germans in today’s World Cup Round of 16 clash at the Stade des Alpes in Grenoble. Nigeria is a popular attraction in Grenoble, as the Falcons defeated Korea Republic 2-0 there in their second match of the group phase on June 12, and their stock of goodwill is still thick as they return there to confront the more famous Germans. Germany lashed the Falcons 4-0 in a group phase match at the inaugural FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in China 28 years ago, and then pipped Nigeria 1-0 in another group phase match at the tournament hosted by the Germans eight years ago. Read more
Egypt grind out win to launch Africa Cup of Nations (Guardian)
Mohamed Salah’s Egypt started their bid for a record-extending eighth Africa Cup of Nations trophy on Friday with a 1-0 win over Zimbabwe in Cairo in the opening game of a tournament expanded to 24 teams and played in June and July for the first time. Liverpool star Salah, on a redemption mission with Egypt after injury derailed a miserable World Cup campaign last year, looked sharp although the hosts needed a 41st-minute goal by Mahmoud ‘Trezeguet’ Hassan to get off to a winning start in Group A. Read more
Sanchez sends Chile into Copa America quarter-finals (Punch)
Alexis Sanchez put a miserable club season with Manchester United behind him as he sent Chile into the Copa America quarter-finals with the winning goal in Friday’s 2-1 win over Ecuador. Jose Fuenzalida gave Chile an eighth-minute lead but Enner Valencia equalized for Ecuador from the spot. Sanchez bagged the winner but Chile finished with 10 men after Gabriel Achilier’s red card a minute from time. Read more
Andy Ruiz Jr. says Anthony Joshua is ‘not a good boxer’ and plays down sparring KO rumours (Metro)
Andy Ruiz Jr. has sensationally claimed that Eddie Hearn started the rumour that Anthony Joshua was knocked out in sparring shortly before losing to the Mexican at Madison Square Garden. AJ looked a shadow of his usual self as he hit the canvas four times before the fight was stopped in the seventh round, with Ruiz claiming the WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight belts. A rematch will take place in either November or December and Ruiz anticipates a repeat of what happened in New York, while he has dismissed the rumours surrounding Joshua’s performance. Read more