Sanwo-Olu’s convoy catches Lagos traffic robbers in operation (Punch)
The Lagos State Governor Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s convoy on Monday arrested a gang of suspected criminals, who specialised in harassing motorists and road users in traffic.
This was made known in a statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Gbenga Akosile.
The statement reads, ”The gang of suspected criminals met their waterloo Monday while attempting to unleash terror on a motorist around Ojota in-bound Alausa.
“Help, however, came for the motorist as Governor Sanwo-Olu’s convoy approached the scene to rescue him from the three machete-wielding criminals who were at the time, trying to drag him out of his vehicle. Read more
Lagos commences demolition of distressed buildings (Guardian)
Pained by the sudden death of a five-year-old boy at the distressed three-storey building, which collapsed last week at 19 Church Street, Lagos Island, the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), has vowed to commence demolition of dilapidated buildings across the state.
General Manager of the agency, Gbolahan Oki, told The Guardian yesterday, that the demolition would commence tomorrow from Lagos Island, Amukoko and Apapa.
Although about 70 dilapidated buildings have been marked for removal, he said, the demolition would be done in phases.
He explained that 20 of the structures were discovered on Lagos Island alone, adding that removal of the structures would follow due processes, including conducting a Non-Destructive Test (NDT) on the structures to verify if they were fit for human habitation or needed to have some works done on them. Read more
Task force impounds 104 motorcycles in Lagos (Punch)
The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit has impounded 104 motorcycles for plying the Second Rainbow, Cele and Okota routes in the state and for allegedly endangering the lives of road users.
A statement by the task force’s Head of Public Affairs Unit, Femi Moliki, said the agency’s Chairman, CSP Shola Jejeloye, led the operation, adding that the seizure was to halt the flagrant abuse of traffic laws by motorcyclists in Lagos.
The statement read in part, “The government is concerned about the recklessness of motorcyclists on restricted routes, and therefore becomes necessary to help the motorcyclists by saving their lives and that of other road users. The government will not fold its arms and allow motorcyclists to create chaos for other road users on prohibited routes.
“It has become crucial for government to prevent an increase in the trend of crime perpetrated by motorcyclists in the metropolis, particularly on prohibited routes.” Read more
Lagos Assembly urges Sanwo-Olu to equip Neighbourhood Watch (Guardian)
Lagos State House of Assembly has urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to increase the number of officers in the Neighbourhood Safety Corps.
The lawmakers also implored the governor to equip the state’s security agency to enable it adequately protect the lives and property of the residents.
At its plenary, yesterday, the House further resolved that the governor should call on the Commissioner of Police in the state to intensify efforts on security.
It frowned at the spate of insecurity, condemning the recent attempt on the life of the legislator representing Amuwo Odofin II, Olawale Rauf Age-Sulaiman, during a political rally ahead of the forthcoming local council election. Read more
Rotary presents N1m cheque to Lagos traders (Sun)
Rotary Club of Lagos has assured small businesses of its support to enable them contribute their own quota to the nation’s economy as it presented N1 million cheque to small business operators on Lagos Island.
Making the pledge while presenting the cheque to traders from the Oredegbe Araromi Lewis Market, the President of the club, Babawale Agbeyangi, said since its establishment some decades ago, the club had always been at the frontiers of helping small businesses grow.
According to him, the organisation had been able to achieve this through its micro-credit scheme, that had enabled it give out interest-free loans to traders in the different markets on the Island, so as to further boost their businesses.
While charging the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the funds, the District Governor of Rotary Club of Lagos, Remi Bello, commended the organisation for engaging in activities that would further bolster the economy of the area. Read more
Bail hearing for alleged 49 Yoruba Nation agitators holds July 27
(Vanguard)
A Yaba Chief magistrates’ court in Lagos on Monday adjourned until July 27, the bail application for the 47 men and two women brought before the court over alleged murder and arson.
The defendants are: Abiodun Taiwo, Adagunodo Babatunde, Oluwafemi Adeleye, Oloye Taiwo, Saheed Kareem, Adebayo Waheed, Akinbode Sunday, Lawal Akeem, Samuel Ire, Ogundile Dare, among others.
The defendants, who were arrested in connection with the Oodua republic mega rally, were detained by an exparte order granted for 21 days.
The magistrate, Chief Magistrate Mrs Adeola Adedayo, ordered the case file to be sent to the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice. Read more
Bandits expose SIM-NIN linkage failure, police can’t track gunmen (Punch)
Kidnap victims on Monday explained how bandits had been thwarting the Federal Government’s security regulations in the telecommunications sector.
Residents of Katsina, Zamfara and Kaduna states, who recounted their experiences in kidnappers’ dens, told our correspondents that they made the bandits’ telephone numbers available to security agents.
They, however, lamented that nothing was done to apprehend the hoodlums, thus making a mess of the Federal Government’s directives on registration of telephone subscribers and the linkage of SIM with the National Identification Number.
Under sections 19 and 20 of the Nigerian Communications Commission (Registration of Telephone Subscribers) Regulations, 2011, telecommunications firms are expected to register all subscribers. Read more
Abiodun expresses satisfaction on quality of work on Ijebu Ode-Epe expressway (Sun)
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has expressed satisfaction with the level and quality of work done on the Ijebu Ode-Epe Road, declaring the construction represents high standard found anywhere in the world.
The governor gave this position while speaking with newsmen, shortly after he inspected the progress of work done on the road, at the weekend.
He said the road project, which started in February 2020 had experienced some delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic, saying “with the work done so far, the project is 90 percent completed.” Read more
I’ll not be party to any press gagging bill -Gbajabiamila (Vanguard)
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, on Monday said he would not be a party to any bill that sought to gag media practitioners.
Gbajabiamila made the assertion at an award ceremony tagged ’’ Recognising Good Governance and Legislative Excellence in the Face of Adversity,” in Abuja.
The speaker was reacting to calls by some stakeholders to expunge the Press Council Bill which sought to regulate activities of media practitioners.
“I will not be part of any bill that will seek to gag the press, no bill will come to the floor of the house that seeks to gag the press because the press is supposed to be the voice of the people. Read more
FDA issues warning that Johnson & Johnson’s Covid-19 vaccine can cause rare neurological disorder (RT)
The US Food and Drug Administration has warned that Johnson & Johnson’s single-dose Covid-19 vaccine can cause Guillain-Barre syndrome, a rare auto-immune disorder that attacks the nerves and can result in paralysis.
Guillain-Barre has been detected in about 100 people who had recently received Johnson & Johnson’s Covid-19 jabs, and the FDA said on Monday that 95 of those cases required hospitalization. One vaccine recipient died from the disorder, the agency said, without providing details.
ugmaker issued a statement saying it strongly supports “raising awareness” of the “signs and symptoms of rare events” to ensure they can be quickly identified and properly treated. The risk of contracting Guillain-Barre after receiving the vaccination “exceeds the background rate by a small degree,” the company said, meaning it’s slightly higher than the average occurrence of the disorder. Read more
Timothée Chalamet and Tilda Swinton shimmer in silver and gold at The French Dispatch premiere in Cannes (Metro)
Timothée Chalamet looked every inch the style icon as he walked the red carpet with Tilda Swinton at The French Dispatch premiere at the Cannes Film Festival on Monday.
The actor, 25, stood out from the crowd in a shiny silver and gold suit as he rested his head on co-star Tilda’s shoulder.
He wore a smark white shirt buttoned up at the collar and a pair of matching leather shoes which were in pristine condition.
Tilda, 60, was a vision in orange, with her long dress reaching down to the ground. Read more
Cuba protests: Arrests after thousands rally against government (BBC)
Dozens of people have been arrested in Cuba after thousands joined the biggest protests for decades against the island’s Communist government, media and opposition sources say.
Cubans have been angered by the collapse of the economy, food and medicine shortages, price hikes and the government’s handling of Covid-19.
The protests are significant as critics face harsh punishment for dissent.
The island’s president called for his supporters to “fight” the protesters. Read more
Liberals in meltdown after Mel Gibson seen ‘saluting’ Trump at UFC fight (RT)
A video showing actor and filmmaker Mel Gibson raising his hand in a salute gesture as ex-President Donald Trump arrived at a recent UFC fight has sparked controversy online, with critics enraged over the apparent sign of respect.
First posted to TikTok on Monday, the footage shows Trump as he entered the T-Mobile area near Las Vegas for the UFC 264 event over the weekend, with Gibson briefly seen saluting him in the background.
Gibson’s cameo soon prompted criticism on social media, as many commenters were up in arms that he would dare to acknowledge the former commander in chief, some suggesting it came as no surprise given the filmmaker’s previous controversies.
However, the nod to Trump was not as obvious as some critics let on. While Gibson has hinted that he leans conservative and does not hide his strong religious beliefs, the actor has voiced misgivings about Trump in the past, attacking his plans for a border wall in a 2016 interview while dismissing both he and Hillary Clinton as poor candidates. Read more
Police arrest alleged mastermind of Haiti president’s murder as U.S. investigators arrive (Guardian)
Haiti’s national police have announced the arrest of the suspected mastermind in the assassination of President Jovenel Moise.
A Haitian doctor living in the U.S. state of Florida was arrested, police chief Leon Charles said at a news conference.
The suspected killers called him after the attack and evidence was found in his flat, Mr Charles said.
The 63-year-old doctor recently arrived in Haiti on a private plane to seize the presidency, he said. Read more
Virgin Galactic may sell $500m of shares after space success (BBC)
Virgin Galactic has said it may sell up to $500m of shares after completing a successful space trip on Sunday.
In a filing, the company says it plans to use cash raised to develop its spaceship fleet and infrastructure.
On Sunday, Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Galactic’s billionaire founder, reached the edge of space on one of the planes it has been developing for 17 years.
He called the trip the “experience of a lifetime” after returning to Earth just over an hour after leaving the ground. Read more
Buhari unveils Team Nigeria’s official outfit, wants repeat of 1996, 2000 feat (Guardian)
President Mohammadu Buhari has charged Team Nigeria to replicate the performances of past Nigerian Olympians, noting, ‘you stand on the shoulders of giants.’
Speaking while officially unveiling Team Nigeria’s outfit to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, Buhari recalled the exploits of past Nigerian teams, telling the athletes, ‘you will also carry with you the encouragement of the great exploits of Nigerian Olympians before you.’
The President was represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, at the event, which also served as the send forth ceremony for Team Nigeria. The event, which held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, also marked the formal handover of the contingent to the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC).
Specifically, Nigeria will be represented by 58 athletes at the Olympic Games, while 22 athletes will feature in the Paralympic Games. Read more
NFF to publish quarterly magazine (Punch)
The Nigeria Football Federation is set to publish a quarterly magazine that will detail the events, activities and programmes of the federation, the national teams and other key aspects of Nigerian football.
The magazine will be known as NFF News, the federation said.
Mohammed Sanusi, General Secretary of the federation, who has been appointed editor-in-chief of the publication, said the all-colour magazine will document for posterity the activities, events and programmes of the NFF.
“It will be distributed to several interests, concerns and institutions within and outside the football family, within Nigeria and internationally. Read more
Sha’Carri Richardson set to return in Diamond League Prefontaine Classic (BBC)
American sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson will run the 100 and 200 metres in the Diamond League Prefontaine Classic after completing a one-month ban.
Richardson, 21, was a favourite for the 100m at the Tokyo Olympics but tested positive for cannabis at last month’s US Track & Field trials.
She was prevented from running in the 100m at the Games, and USA Track & Field (USATF) later declined to include her in the relay.
Richardson’s ban ends on 28 July. Read more
Atletico Madrid snap Copa America star, Rodrigo De Paul from Udinese (Vanguard)
Atletico Madrid have completed the reported €35million signing of Argentina international midfielder Rodrigo de Paul, with Diego Simeone acquiring arguably the ideal creator for his philosophy.
De Paul, 27, has signed a five-year contract with Los Colchoneros and gets the opportunity to complete unfinished business in Spain.
The midfielder spent two years with Valencia from June 2014 but endured an unsuccessful spell, failing to win over Nuno Espirito Santo and then Gary Neville, who allowed him to return to former club Racing on loan in February 2016. Read more
Marcus Rashford: England striker ‘won’t apologise’ for who he is after receiving racist abuse (BBC)
England and Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford apologised for his penalty shootout miss but said he “will never apologise for who I am” after he was one of three players subjected to racist abuse following England’s Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy.
Rashford, along with Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka missed their spot-kicks.
All three were targeted on social media after the game.”I felt as if I’d let everyone down,” Rashford wrote in a statement. Read more