Shattered dreams for late Asaniyi’s fiancée, family (Guardian)
It was not difficult to know that the Asaniyis have lost a gem and life support.
The gloomy faces and the sober mood that pervaded their country home at Iyanuoluwa Estate, New Airport, Alakia, Ibadan say it all that the death of Flt. Lt. Taiwo Olufemi Asaniyi, the pilot who flew the crashed military aircraft last Friday, has left the family shattered.
Asaniyi was one of the pilots of the ill-fated Beechcraft 350 aircraft, which crashed near the Kaduna International Airport last Friday.
According to one of the sympathisers, who thronged the family house, it was one death that no one will not wish his worst enemy. Read more
Panic as hoodlums attempt to burn Ile-Epo police station in Lagos (Punch)
There was panic in the popular Ile-Epo market in the Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State on Monday afternoon as rampaging hoodlums tried to set a police station ablaze in the market.
Scores of security operatives have since bombarded the market to forestall an attack as buyers and sellers in the busy market scampered for safety.
The PUNCH gathered that a police officer while on duty clashed with one of the market boys.
A competent source told our correspondent that the market boy tried to hijack the cop’s rifle and a bullet was discharged in the process. Read more
Lagos earmarks N11b for school feeding scheme (Vanguard)
Lagos State Government said the “Snacks for Thought School Feeding,” programme for primary pupils in the state will cost N11 billion for the implementation, scheduled to commence in September 2021.
Special Adviser Office of Civic Engagement, Princess Aderemi Adebowale, disclosed this on Monday, during the 2021 Ministerial press briefing to mark the second year anniversary of Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led administration in the state, held in Alausa, Ikeja.
The snacks-for-thought deals with children’s physical and cognitive development by focusing on enhancing their learning experience, which primarily starts with the child mental disposition.
According to Adebowale, “the Snacks for Thought School Feeding is a programme by the state government to complement the Home Grown School Feeding Programme of the Federal Government that covers only pupils in primary 1-3, while the Snacks for Thought feeding is expected to take care of the pupils at the crèche and primary 4 to 6 level so as to ensure that all pupils partake in the school feeding programme in Lagos State when the programme is eventually adopted by the State Government. Read more
Family decries incursion into ancestral land in Epe by traditional ruler (Vanguard)
The Iposu family in Epe, Lagos State, has decried alleged incursion on their ancestral land by a traditional ruler in the area.
Mr Sharafadeen Iposu, Spokesperson for the Iposu family, told a news conference on Sunday in Epe that the traditional ruler unlawfully gave out their land to a group of traders without the family’s consent.
He said that the land in question belonged to Iposu family as validated by a 1927 Supreme Court judgement which affirmed the family as its rightful owner.
“I see no reason why a traditional ruler will be encroaching into Iposu family land without telling the rightful owners of the land who are in possession of valid documents, ” he said. Read more
MoU to establish Lagos-Ogun Joint Development Commission (Vanguard)
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, and his Lagos State governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (Mou), establishing the Lagos-Ogun Joint Development Commission for the socio-economic development of both states.
The commission, according to the two governors, is a common alliance between the two states to jointly tackle issues bordering on security, sanitation, traffic and transportation, waste management, water supply, land use planning, infrastructure development and maintenance, urban renewal, and slum upgrading, among others.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, which took place at the Presidential Lodge, Ibara Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, the host Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun said, the commission was a manifestation of the desire of the two states to attain rapid socioeconomic development and address the lingering boundary issues between both states.
He noted that it was important for the two states to work together in initiating and implementing more projects necessary to aid ease of movement of people, goods, and services, as well as increase industrialization along all border communities and ensure wholesome development of the states.
The governor hinted that a bill will be transmitted to the Houses of Assembly of both Ogun and Lagos States to give the commission the necessary legal backing. Read more
Unlawful termination: Court strikes out suit against FRSC (Punch)
The National Industrial Court, on Monday dismissed and struck out a suit of alleged unlawful termination against the Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), for being incompetent.
The suit instituted by Victor Umoh, Edet Inyang, B.U Abia and Bassey Odom as claimants also had the Zonal Command Officer and the Sector Commander, Calabar as second and third defendants respectively.
The judge, Justice Sanusi Kado however, ruled that the second and third defendants were non-juristic persons, who cannot sue or be sued and that therefore no action can be brought against them nor can they be made as parties in a suit. Read more
Reps consider scrapping NYSC as bill reaches second reading (Punch)
The House of Representatives is considering discontinuation of the National Youth Service Corps scheme.
The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Alteration Bill, 2020, which is seeking to repeal the NYSC Act, is billed for the second reading.
The sponsor, Mr Awaji-Inombek Abiante, in the explanatory memorandum of the proposal, listed the various reasons why the NYSC should be scrapped.
It read in part, “This bill seeks to repeal Section 315(5)(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, (as amended) on the following grounds: Read more
Protesters block highway after kidnapping surge (Guardian)
Hundreds of protesters partially blocked a highway into Nigeria’s capital Abuja on Monday after residents reported a spate of kidnappings in the area.
Setting tyres on fire, a crowd barricaded a section of the Abuja-Kaduna highway in the Tafa area of Niger state, bordering the federal capital, an AFP journalist at the scene reported.
“Kidnappers too much!” an angry young man shouted.
“Five days ago, they kidnapped four people, and then they came back again, yesterday, and kidnapped 16 people,” one protester said. Read more
FG to waive school fees of freed Afaka students (Vanguard)
The Federal Government has said that the students of Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation Afaka in Kaduna would no longer pay school fees throughout the duration of their course, while plans are on to relocate the college to a safer location.
While addressing journalists in Kaduna on Monday, Provost of the College, Dr. Usman Bello said the Hon. Minister of Environment, Dr. Muhammad Mahmood Abubakar has concluded plans to temporarily relocate the College to a safer place; put in place adequate security as well as vehicles to serve as shuttle to convey staff and students alike from the temporary site to designated bus stops within the Kaduna metropolis.
“All these would be communicated to all as soon as the arrangement has been perfected,” he said. Read more
UN calls for immediate release of Mali President Bah Ndaw (BBC)
The UN mission in Mali has demanded an immediate release of President Bah Ndaw and PM Moctar Ouane, after reports that they were detained by soldiers.
In a tweet (in French), the Minusma mission also called for “calm” in the impoverished West African nation.
This come after reports that interim President Ndaw and PM and Mr Ouane were driven by soldiers to the Kati military camp near the capital, Bamako.
This raised fears of a second coup within a year in the country. Read more
UK’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson sets wedding date (France24)
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his fiancee Carrie Symonds have set a wedding date for next year after delaying plans due to the pandemic, The Sun tabloid reported Monday.
Known for his colourful love life, Johnson will be only the second prime minister ever to marry while in office, following Robert Jenkinson in 1822.
The couple have sent “save the date” cards for July 30 next year, The Sun reported.
When elected in 2019, the 56-year-old became the first prime minister to live at Downing Street as part of an unmarried couple. Read more
Eurovision winner Damiano David cleared of drug use by broadcaster (BBC)
The lead singer of the Italian glam rock band which won the Eurovision Song Contest has been cleared of drug use.
It follows an investigation and negative drug test, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) says.
Damiano David denied taking cocaine following online speculation after footage showed him leaning over a table during the grand final on Saturday.
“No drug use took place in the Green Room and we consider the matter closed,” the EBU said in a statement. Read more
Nick Cannon ‘expecting seventh child, having had four within six months with three different women’ (Metro)
Model Alyssa Edwards is reportedly expecting Nick Cannon’s child, meaning the comedian will become a father for the seventh time – having had four of those children in the last six months. The host of the US version of The Masked Singer, 40, is currently expecting twin boys with DJ Abby De La Rosa, 30, and he recently welcomed daughter Powerful Queen with model Brittany Bell, 33, with whom he also shares three-year-old son Golden. He is already father to twins Monroe and Moroccan, 10, who he shares with ex Mariah Carey, 51. This week Alyssa shared a picture of herself with her baby bump on show on her Instagram page, with the caption: ‘Zen S. Cannon.’ However, the image has since been deleted. Read more
Killings in Iraq spark calls for election boycott (Guardian)
A wave of deadly attacks on pro-democracy activists and journalists in Iraq have sparked mounting calls to boycott October parliamentary elections, as perpetrators go unpunished.
Killings, attempted murder and abductions have targeted more than 70 activists since a protest movement erupted against government corruption and incompetence in 2019.
Elections were set in response to a central demand of the protracted protest movement that lasted from October to June 2020, and during which demonstrators also railed against Iran’s influence in Iraq.
But as attacks continue with impunity, more voices have joined a call to boycott the vote. Read more
Biden condemns ‘hateful’ US cases of anti-Jewish attacks (Guardian)
President Joe Biden on Monday condemned a reported spate of “hateful” attacks and acts of aggression against Jews in the United States in the wake of the latest conflict between Israel and Hamas.
“The recent attacks on the Jewish community are despicable, and they must stop,” Biden tweeted. “I condemn this hateful behavior at home and abroad — it’s up to all of us to give hate no safe harbor.”
New York police said Friday they were conducting a hate crimes investigation after several people shouting anti-Semitic slurs attacked a Jewish man while pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian protesters demonstrated in Times Square.
Five or six men beat and pepper-sprayed the 29-year-old man late Thursday, a police spokesperson said. One man was arrested. Read more
Trump impeachment witness suing Mike Pompeo and US for $1.8m in legal fees (RT)
Gordon Sondland, Donald Trump’s former ambassador to the European Union, is suing the US government and Mike Pompeo for $1.8 million to cover legal fees incurred during the 2019 House impeachment investigation.
Sondland filed his federal lawsuit on Monday. He claims the former secretary of state did not live up to a “legally binding promise” for the federal government to pay for his legal fees during the first House impeachment investigation into Trump.
“Pompeo assured Ambassador Sondland that the State Department would reimburse him for all of his legal costs; and through the fall of 2019, Pompeo and his staff continued to reaffirm his promise,” the lawsuit states. Read more
Musa, Ekong lead 22 other Eagles in Vienna duel with Cameroon (Guardian)
Super Eagles Coach, Gernot Rohr, yesterday, picked Captain Ahmed Musa, Watford defender, William Troost-Ekong and Enyimba duo of goalkeeper John Noble and midfielder, Anayo Iwuala, among 24 players that will battle with Cameroun in an international friendly in Vienna, Austria, next week.
Other players in the squad for the game slated for Friday are regular goalkeepers, Maduka Okoye and Francis Uzoho, defenders Ola Aina and Chidozie Awaziem, midfielders Wilfred Ndidi and Abdullahi Shehu, and forwards Victor Osimhen, Kelechi Iheanacho, Moses Simon and Simy Nwankwo.
Turkey-based former U-20 defender Valentine Ozornwafor, Denmark–based midfielder Frank Onyeka and Lorient FC of France’s Terem Moffi are also included.
Nigeria, who have won the Africa Cup of Nations three times but have been bumped by Cameroun in the final of the competition on three other occasions, defeated the Indomitable Lions 3-0 in a friendly in Belgium in October 2015, and have not lost to the Lions in regulation time since a 1990 FIFA World Cup qualifier in Yaoundé on August 27, 1989. Read more
Joaquin: Real Betis captain to play into his 40s after signing new deal (BBC)
Real Betis captain Joaquin is set to play La Liga football into his 40s after signing a new one-deal.
The former Spain winger is the oldest goalscorer in Spain’s top flight after finding the net at the age of 39 years, seven months and five days in the 3-2 win against Alaves on 8 March.
Joaquin, who has also played for Valencia and Malaga, turns 40 in July.
He is in his second spell at boyhood club Betis and made 30 appearances last season as they finished sixth. Read more
Spain’s Euro 2020 squad: Sergio Ramos out, Laporte in (Vanguard)
Spain and Real Madrid captain, Sergio Ramos was left out of Luis Enrique’s squad to the delayed Euro 2020 kicking off in June.
Ramos, a regular member of Spain’s squad to continental and international competitions for over 15 years and 180 caps had a torrid season struggling with injuries.
The squad released on Monday had surprise inclusion, Aymeric Laporte who only just switched nationality and is just to feature for La Roja.
Laporte made 51 youth level appearances for France but has failed to get an invite to join Didier Deschamps side. Read more
Basketball queen Cambage rips into coach who brought up 6ft 8in star’s weight (RT)
Women’s basketball star Liz Cambage has drawn an apology from the coach of a rival team after he referred to the Aussie giant’s weight during a WNBA clash.
Las Vegas Aces center Cambage took to Instagram to vent her anger on Sunday following her team’s 65-72 home loss to Connecticut Sun, accusing rival coach Curt Miller of screaming “come on, she’s 300lbs!” in an attempt to get a favorable call from a referee.
“Something went down in today’s game, and I need to speak on it,” Aces star Cambage said in a post on Instagram Stories.
“Because if there’s one thing about me, I will never let a man disrespect me, ever, especially a little white one. Read more
Anthony Joshua v Tyson Fury might not happen until 2023, fears Steve Bunce (BBC)
The world heavyweight title showdown between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury might not happen until at least 2023, fears BBC Radio 5 Live’s boxing expert Steve Bunce.
The all-British fight had looked set to take place in Saudi Arabia in August.
But it fell through when Deontay Wilder’s team won an arbitration hearing stating the American had a right to a third fight with Fury.
“It might not be December or even next year,” said Bunce. Read more
Mandzukic exits AC Milan after six months (Guardian)
Croatian striker Mario Mandzukic confirmed Monday he was leaving AC Milan at the end of his six-month contract.
The 35-year-old former Juventus and Bayern Munich player joined the club last January as cover for Zlatan Ibrahimovic but made just 11 appearances because of muscular problems and scored no goals.
“It was a pleasure to play for AC Milan,” Mandzukic said in a post on Instagram. “I am thankful to the club management for giving me the opportunity, to the coaching staff for their dedicated work and to my teammates who are not only excellent players but a great group of guys.“I am happy that we have managed to get this great club back to Champions League where it belongs and I wish everybody at the club only the best in the future.” Read more