Sanwo-Olu speaks against health impediments of girl child (Guardian)
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has said that there must be a renewed commitment towards eliminating health impediments of a girl child. “There must be a renewed commitment towards eliminating health impediments that can ruin the future of the girl-child and limit her productivity,” Sanwo-Olu said at a recent outing in the United States. “All hands must be on deck in creating hygienic conditions that would stem the vulnerability of girls to infectious disease,” he added. Read more
I’m still haunted by damage caused me by Fatoyinbo —Dakolo (Nation)
Mrs. Busola Dakolo, the wife of Nigeria’s inspirational singer, Timi Dakolo, has asked the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja to dismiss the preliminary objection filed against the rape case she instituted against the Senior Pastor of Commonwealth of Zion Assembly, Biodun Fatoyinbo. She stated in her response to the objection that the injuries, wrongs and damage done against her by Fatoyinbo continue to haunt her and cause her fresh emotional injury. Read more
Independence Day: Your views are myopic, BMO replies Atiku (Punch)
The Buhari Media Organisation has said the anniversary of Nigeria’s independence should be a period for sober reflections by all Nigerians, regardless of political affiliations, social, economic or tribal inclinations. The group stated this in a reaction to the former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s comments where he raised issues on the repression of the press, persecution of judges, poverty level and high cost of governance in the country. Read more
Wamakko to Nigerians: Join hands with Buhari for the Next Level (Nation)
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence and Deputy Chairman, Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, has appealed to Nigerians, to join hands with President Muhammadu Buhari, to move Nigeria to the Next Level of prosperity. The remark is coming from Wamakko as the nation marks its 59th independence anniversary. Read more
US President Donald Trump writes Buhari (Guardian)
United States President Donald Trump Monday wrote to his Nigerian counterpart Muhammadu Buhari in commemoration of the country’s 56th independence. “On behalf of the American people, I extend our warmest greetings and congratulate you on the 59th anniversary of Nigeria’s independence,” the Trump said. Read more
Nigeria at 59: Let’s rebuild our nation — Okowa (Nation)
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has called on citizens to eschew divisions and unite to rebuild the nation as the nation marks its 59th independence anniversary. The governor made the call in a goodwill message to Nigerians on the anniversary as conveyed in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika on Monday in Asaba. Read more
EFCC re-arraigns Suswam for N3.1bn fraud (Punch)
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Monday re-arraigned a former Governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, and the then Commissioner for Finance in his administration, Omadachi Oklobi, on N3.1bn money laundering charges. Suswam, who is now the Senator representing Benue North East, and his co-defendant, pleaded not guilty when the nine counts were read to them again before Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday. Read more
South Africa grants Air Peace rights to operate daily flights (Nation)
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Monday that the South African government had granted Air Peace’s request to commence commercial flights to Johannesburg, South Africa. Mr Ferdinard Nwoye, spokesperson for the ministry made this known in a statement on Monday in Abuja. Read more
Tech leaders raise N11m to fight Police illegal arrests (Punch)
Nigeria’s technology leaders have inaugurated the #StopRobbingUs campaign and raised N11m in 24 hours to put an end to the unlawful arrest, attack and extortion of employees of tech firms by the Nigeria Police. The tech leaders are working alongside Enough is Enough Nigeria, a network of individuals and organisations that promote good governance and public accountability in Nigeria, as they are now considering a class action suit on police brutality, a statement issued on Monday stated. Read more
Notorious Kidnapper killed in Rivers (Nation)
A notorious kidnapper in Rivers state, Brown Ike Ekwueme (a k a Lucifer), has been killed by men of the state Police command on Monday. The spokesman of the police in the state, Nnamdi Omoni who broke the news in a statement in Port Harcourt the state capital last night said, Ekweme was killed by men of Operation Sting in a part of the state. Read more
Youths beat up pastor for flouting community’s order (Nation)
General Overseer of the City of God Rest Ministry, Pastor Destiny Eguavoen, was on Sunday beaten up by youths of Urora community in Edo state for flouting the community’s order to stop church service before 8am. Chief Priest of the community, Chief Ugiagbe Aiwaguore, Ohen Ugbodeyaen of Urora, had ordered owners of shops in the community and residents to stay indoors for the celebration of the annual Ikpoleki festival. Read more
EFCC nabs six suspected internet scammers, impostor (Punch)
Operatives of the Advanced Fee Fraud Section of the Abuja zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Monday, arrested six suspected cyber fraudsters at their residence in Flats 1 and 3, Life Camp Extension Estate, Abuja. The operation, which was carried out following a tip-off in respect of their alleged criminal activities led to the arrest of Raphael Chibuzor, Oyewumi Adewale, Onyeogheni Progress, Ayo Richard, Oloyede Damilare and Ibrahim Waziri. Read more
Generator fume allegedly kills couple, daughter in Imo (Punch)
Tragedy has struck in Imo State after generator fume killed a couple and their daughter in the state on Sunday. The incident happened in the Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of the State. When contacted on Monday, the police spokesperson in the state, Orlando Ikeokwu, said that the police had taken over the investigation process. Read more
Two killed as jihadists attack Mali military posts (Guardian)
Suspected jihadists staged twin attacks Monday on two Malian military posts near the border with Burkina Faso, killing two civilians and burning 22 vehicles, local officials and the army said. The camps at Mondoro and Boulkessy in central Mali “were attacked this morning… by terrorists”, the Malian armed forces said in a tweet. Read more
Key separatist commander killed in Cameroon’s troubled region (Punch)
A separatist commander, simply known as Obi, was among five insurgents killed in Owe, a locality in South-West, one of the two troubled Anglophone regions of Cameroon, the Cameroon Army said. The death of Obi was confirmed by Kingsley Ashu, a separatist leader in a Facebook post. Read more
Trump attacks Democrats, Giuliani subpoenaed for Ukraine documents (Guardian)
President Donald Trump attacked the Democratic lawmaker spearheading the impeachment inquiry on Monday as congressional committees subpoenaed his personal lawyer, former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, for documents related to his dealings with Ukraine. As Trump lashed out at Democratic congressman Adam Schiff, suggesting he should be arrested for “treason,” a new poll showed a growing number of Americans support removing the president from office for abuse of power. Read more
Man ‘fathered at least six children with his own daughter’ (Metro)
A man systematically raped his own daughter and fathered at least six children with her in south-west Wales, a court heard. The defendant is said to have also repeatedly raped one of the girls his daughter gave birth to. He is accused of 36 counts of rape, including one of procuring rape, and a count of assault by penetration. Read more
Woman gets life in jail for killing lover’s eight-year-old son (Punch)
A Dominican woman was sentenced Monday to life in prison in Spain for murdering the eight-year-old son of her Spanish partner in a case that shocked the country. A jury in Almeria in southern Spain last month found Ana Julia Quezada guilty of killing the boy, who was the son of her then partner Angel Cruz. A court on Monday handed down a life sentence with no chance of parole for 25 years, the stiffest possible jail term under Spanish law. Read more
BBC overturn Naga Munchetty ruling amid President Donald Trump tweet row (Metro)
The BBC have decided to overturn a ruling against presenter Naga Munchetty, who was reprimanded over comments she made about President Donald Trump. The 44-year-old BBC Breakfast presenter was caught up in a scandal after she weighed in on Trump’s tweet that female minority Democratic rivals should ‘go back to where they came from’. Read more
Parents charged with killing boy, 4, who begged social services not to be returned to them (Metro)
A couple has been charged with killing their son, 4, after the boy begged not to be returned to them. Jose Cuatro, 27, and Ursula Juarez, 25, were arrested on Thursday after police ruled the death of their son, Noah Cuatro, a homicide. Noah died after his parents told police they found him lifeless in a pool on July 5 in Palmdale, California. Read more
Black student recants accusation that white boys ‘cut her dreadlocks’ (BBC)
A 12-year-old African-American girl who accused three white peers of cutting off her dreadlocks has recanted the allegations, according to the school. Amari Allen last week claimed the boys had insulted her hair and attacked her. Her family apologised “for the pain and anxiety these allegations have caused” in a statement given to the BBC by the Immanuel Christian School. Read more
Man, 60, charged with recklessly infecting three women with HIV (Metro)
A 60-year-old man has been charged with recklessly infecting three women with HIV. John Nehemiah Rodney, originally from Toothill, Swindon, is accused of three counts of grievous bodily harm. Rodney is currently being held at HMP Channings Wood. Read more
José José: Family feuds over Mexican singer’s ‘missing’ body (BBC)
As millions of fans continue to mourn the death of celebrated Mexican singer José José, his eldest children say they do not know where his body is. They say they have visited the funeral home in Miami where they expected his body to be but did not see it or find a death certificate. They accuse their half-sister, Sarita, and her mother of hiding the body. Read more
Frozen 2 producer confirms Elsa’s sexuality is ‘not part of the story’ (Metro)
Frozen 2 producer Peter Del Vecho just shut down fan theories Elsa might have a girlfriend in the upcoming movie. After fans devised viral hashtag #GiveElsaAGirlfriend in 2016, many hoped Disney would respond with some sort of nod to the LGBTQ+ community. But it seems that’s just not on the cards. Read more
CAF probe cancelled Champions League match in Egypt (Punch)
African Football Confederation officials confirmed Monday that they are investigating why a CAF Champions League match scheduled for Egypt at the weekend was not played. Zamalek of Egypt was due to meet Generation Foot of Senegal in Cairo Saturday in the second leg of the last-32 tie with the west Africans holding a 2-1 aggregate lead. Read more
Man Utd condemned to worst league start in 30 years by Arsenal draw (BBC)
Manchester United and Arsenal played out a grim stalemate at Old Trafford that provided compelling evidence to illustrate just how far away from a Premier League challenge both clubs are. In a disappointing encounter that was a pale shadow of their mighty clashes of years gone by, Scott McTominay gave Manchester United the lead at the end of an attritional first-half with a rising drive from the edge of the area. Read more
Cesc Fabregas singles out Bukayo Saka for special praise in Arsenal’s draw with Man Utd (Metro)
Former Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas was quick to praise the precocious talent of Bukayo Saka in a largely uninspiring performance for the Gunners in their draw with Manchester United. Unai Emery’s side went behind on the stroke of half-time to a ferocious Scott McTominay strike, with the quality of the goal in stark contrast to the sub-par play that had preceded it. Read more
Granit Xhaka slammed for ‘ducking’ Scott McTominay’s shot for Manchester United’s goal against Arsenal (Metro)
Granit Xhaka has been slammed by Arsenal fans for ‘ducking’ Scott McTominay’s shot which led to Manchester United’s first-half goal at Old Trafford. Quality was severely lacking in the opening 45 minutes on Monday evening as both Arsenal and United struggled to create clear-cut chances. But the deadlock was broken in the 45th minute as Marcus Rashford cut the ball back to McTominay on the edge of the area and the Scotland international lashed his effort into the top corner. Read more
Bayern Munich boss Kovac hails Spurs progress under Pochettino (Punch)
Bayern Munich coach Niko Kovac has hailed Mauricio Pochettino for turning Tottenham into a European force as he prepares for Tuesday’s heavyweight Champions League clash in London. The Bundesliga champions opened their account by beating Red Star Belgrade 3-0 to top Group B ahead of Spurs, who had to settle for a draw against Olympiakos. Read more
Sarri says Juve need to ‘lighten up’ in Champions League quest (Guardian)
Juventus coach Maurizio Sarri believes his side need to enjoy themselves more if they are going to have any chance of ending their 24-year wait for the Champions League trophy. The 60-year-old Sarri will oversee his first Champions League match at home in the Allianz Stadium on Tuesday. Read more
Spain court dismisses fraud case against Messi (Punch)
Spain’s National Court on Monday said it had dismissed a complaint against Barcelona’s Lionel Messi filed by a former employee of the Argentine footballer’s foundation, who had accused him of fraud, embezzlement and money laundering. In dismissing the case, the judge wrote that the complaint “was based on an account put together from stories in the press, without bringing even a single element that was personally and directly known” by the plaintiff. Read more
Copa Libertadores: Boca Juniors & River Plate to do battle again (BBC)
Argentine rivals River Plate and Boca Juniors will meet in Wednesday’s Copa Libertadores semi-final, nine months after their controversial 2018 final. That match was the first time in 58 years the two sides had met in the final and it was full of drama. The fixture was originally postponed after Boca’s team bus was attacked by River fans, causing injury to players. Read more
Doha: German women sprinters win limits on intimate close-ups (BBC)
New close-up camera shots of sprinters settling into their starting blocks are being restricted following a complaint by two female German athletes. The world athletics body IAAF agreed only to show close-ups of athletes crouched, awaiting the starting pistol. The “Block Cam” is an innovation for the world championships in Doha, Qatar. Read more
World Athletics Championships: IAAF ‘disappointed’ by small crowds, says chief executive (BBC)
The IAAF is “disappointed” by the small crowds at the World Championships in Doha but believes athletes are still enjoying a “positive experience”, says its chief executive Jon Ridgeon. Just 13,288 people watched Friday’s session at the Khalifa International Stadium and attendances dwindled over the following two days. Read more