Terror Attack: NRC suspends Lagos-Kano, Ajaokuta train services (Punch)
The Nigeria Railway Corporation has suspended the Lagos-Kano and Ajaokuta train services due to fear of terrorist attacks.
Multiple sources in the Ministry of Transportation and the NRC confided in one of our correspondents that the train services would not resume until the security along the Lagos-Kano route and the Ajaokuta train station was guaranteed.
It was also learnt that the NRC suspended services at the Ajaokuta station along Warri-Itakpe route because of the attack on some passengers by gunmen on Monday.
It was gathered that the Lagos-Kano train services were suspended because of the high level of insecurity in Niger and Kaduna states, which are the routes of the train heading to Kano from Lagos.
The NRC Managing Director, Fidet Okhiria, confirmed the suspension of the train services at the Ajaokuta station and the Lagos-Kano route to The PUNCH on Tuesday. Read more
LIRS to launch whistle-blower initiative Friday (Nation)
The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) will launch its whistle-blower initiative, a state-wide project, on Friday.
The initiative is to provide a platform for employees, stakeholders and the public to report any observed violation, misconduct, or unethical behaviours.
A statement by the LIRS Executive Chairman, Ayodele Subair, the initiative is a public policy to encourage reportage of illegal actions or financial crimes, through the appropriate channel, with a view to correcting the violations or non-compliance.
The statement reads: “In line with the LIRS core values of integrity and accountability, and our commitment to uphold the highest standards of openness, probity and accountability in our dealings with stakeholders, the platform is anonymous and confidential and it is independently managed by Deloitte, a globally accredited company. Read more
Climate change impact: Lagos to launch N20b green fund initiative (Vanguard)
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, yesterday, said his administration will launch a N20 billion Green Fund initiative to address challenges of global climate change in the state.
The scheme is a composite housing project jointly developed by the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation, LSDPC, and Brook Assets and Resources Limited, a private real estate developer.
The housing scheme, located in Sinari Daranijo Street, consists of twin blocks of 38-unit two-and three-bedroom flats on a land size of 2,832 square metres.
Speaking at the opening of the two-day conference, at the Lagos State International Climate Change Summit, with theme ‘Integrating Climate Actions in Lagos State: Opportunities and Trade-Offs,’, held at Victoria Island, Lagos, the governor stated that his administration is constantly engaging the private sector, development partners and donor organizations in finding solutions and ways to better adapt to climate impact. Read more
Lagos counsels traditional medicine practitioners on unity (Punch)
The Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board has urged traditional medicine practitioners in the state to unite in purpose in order to attract the attention of the government.
According to a statement on Tuesday, the Chairman of LSTMB, Prof. Adebukunola Adefule-Ositelu, made the call during the inauguration of its first zonal office in Ikorodu.
She said, “Don’t engage in any disagreement, unite for a strong purpose, speak with one voice, and I can assure you that by so doing, you will attract the attention of the government for more impactful projects.
“I appeal to practitioners to keep and maintain the edifice by taking ownership of it, rather than regarding it as government property and I plead for support from all stakeholders within Ikorodu and its environs in order to enjoy more developmental projects and laudable initiatives. Read more
2023: Police partner firm to train officers on election security management (Sun)
As part of its preparations for the 2023 general elections, the Nigeria Police Force has announced plans to offer a nationwide training of its officers and men on election security management, through a workshop to be done in collaboration with experts and other security agencies.
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, said the leadership of the police has kick-started targeted and specialised efforts to enhance the capacity of its officers to meet the force’s obligations in the national, inter-agency quest of ensuring a fair, peaceful, secure, and credible electoral process next year.
The IGP noted that the ‘Election Security Management Workshop’ slated for next month would feature sessions, led by legal and security experts, including top officers of the armed forces, to provide lessons on the legal and the security framework guiding the roles and actions of the police, and how to facilitate and maintain an inter-agency collaboration, including the media, to ensure a hitch-free election exercise.
The training forms part of the reform and upgrade agenda of the police boss to strengthen and build the capacity of the force, particularly as the country heads into an important election year during which incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari would hand over power to a newly-elected leader, following his completion of the constitutionally-permitted eight-year term. Read more
NYSC warns corps members against unauthorised journeys (Leadership)
Director general of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Muhammad Kaku Fadah has warned corps members not to embark on any unauthorised journey during their service year.
He said they must get approval from the NYSC if it becomes necessary to travel. Fadah stated this yesterday while addressing corps members at NYSC Zamfara, Kebbi and Sokoto states orientation camps.
He stated further that if they are travelling a long distance, they should break their journey when it is 6:00pm and pass the night in safe places like military barracks, NYSC secretariats, Corps Lodges among others.
In a press statement by the director, press and public relations, Eddy Megwa, the director general advised them not to endanger their safety through night travelling and also by associating with people of questionable character. Read more
Court admits Lebanese man to N22m bail for alleged cheating (Guardian)
A Wuse Zone 6 Chief Magistrates’ Court, Abuja on Tuesday admitted a Lebanese man, Tony El- Feghaly to bail in the sum of N22 million for alleged breach of trust and cheating.
Delivering his ruling, Magistrate Umar Dodo, ordered the defendant to produce two sureties who must depose to an affidavit of means.
He also adjourned the matter until Aug.15 for a hearing.
El- Feghaly, who lives in Jabi district, Abuja is charged with breach of trust and cheating.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge. Read more
UK licenses 266 Nigerian doctors in two months (Punch)
The General Medical Council which licenses and maintains the official register of medical practitioners in the United Kingdom licensed at least 266 Nigerian doctors in June and July, 2022, The PUNCH has learnt.
The implication is that at least three Nigerian doctors were licensed per day in June and July 2022 despite the moves by the Federal Government to stop the exodus of doctors and health workers in the country amidst worsening brain drain of the professionals in the country.
Our correspondent, who has continued to monitor the GMC register, noticed that the number of Nigeria-trained doctors in the UK currently stands at 9,976.
The figure does not include other doctors of Nigerian origin who did not undergo medical training in Nigeria.
Presently, Nigeria has the third highest number of foreign doctors working in the UK after India and Pakistan. Read more
Truck kills 60-year-old okada rider, passenger in Kogi (Guardian)
A 60-year-old commercial motorcyclist and father of 30 children and his passenger have lost their lives when a tipper rammed into his motorcycle along Ganaja junction in Lokoja, Kogi State capital.
An eyewitness account said the accident, which occurred on Monday was due to recklessness of a commercial tricyclist (Keke NAPEP), who left his lane to another lane and was avoided by another trailer heading to Ajaokuta axis.
The source said in an effort to avoid the Keke NAPEP, the okada rider was pushed from his lane by the trailer, where he and his passenger were crushed to death by an incoming tipper.
Confirming the accident, Kogi State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), said: “The man, Abdulsalam Ibrahim, a 60-year old commercial motorcyclist and his passenger were killed by the tipper truck at Ganaja Junction in Lokoja. The incident was tragic and very unfortunate.” He regretted that the accident cut short the life of the bread-winner of 30 children. Read more
Stephen King testifies against merger of publishing giants (BBC)
American horror novelist Stephen King is taking on a new monster: corporate consolidation.
The author was the star witness in an anti-trust trial to block the two biggest US publishers’ $2.2bn merger.
The US Department of Justice called on King to testify about how the proposed tie-up of Penguin Random House and Simon & Schuster could affect authors.
King, 75, told the court in Washington DC that he felt “the move would be bad for competition in the industry”.
Both publishing houses have argued the merger would not hinder competition because the companies would continue to bid against each other for the rights to publish novels, even after the transaction is finalised. Read more
Fire at Italy’s historic Cinecittà Studios briefly pauses production of Netflix’s ‘Old Guard 2’
(TheWrap)
Production on Netflix’s “Old Guard 2” was disrupted on Monday after a fire broke out at Cinecittà Studios in Italy.
The flames erupted Monday afternoon, in an area of the studio with a renaissance-era Florence set. The set was already in the process of being taken down when the fire hit. According to reports, three firefighter teams got the fire under control, and no injuries or major damage were reported.
“The fire has been extinguished. There are no injuries, no poisoning, no serious material damage,” a Cinecittà Studios spokesperson said in a statement to AFP.
Unfortunately, the fire impacted filming on Netflix’s “Old Guard 2,” starring Charlize Theron. In a statement to AFP, the film’s production coordinator said that two days of filming were lost as a result of the incident. Read more
Warner Bros. ‘axes Batgirl movie’ despite $80m budget and production almost finished (Metro)
It’s a wrap for Batgirl but not in the way fans expected as Warner Bros. has reportedly axed the entire movie.
The star-studded blockbuster boasted a stellar cast, with In The Heights actress Leslie Grace playing the titular superheroine alongside the likes of Michael Keaton, Brendan Fraser and JK Simmons. Filming was recently completed on the project and it was officially in post-production, set to drop on streaming service HBO Max later this year.
However, a Hollywood source claims the studio – including DC Film – have abruptly pulled the plug on the movie meaning it may never see the light of day. Read more
Netflix strikes 3rd African talent deal as it unveils splashy slate (Variety)
Netflix has struck a multi-project partnership with South African filmmaker Mandlakayise (Mandla) Walter Dube and unveiled its latest film with Nigerian director Kunle Afolayan, as the streamer trumpeted its investment in Africa today in Johannesburg.
Under terms of the pact, Dube — who directed Netflix’s first commissioned African film Silverton Siege — will direct a variety of Netflix projects, details of which haven’t yet been received.
This marks Netflix’s third creative partnership with African creatives, coming after deals with Mo Abudu and her Ebonylife Studios and director Afolayan.
The pact was unveiled at Netflix’s See What’s Next Africa 2022/23 content showcase today, which brought together talent, filmmakers and press from South Africa and Nigeria. Read more
US warns of possible retaliation over al-Qaeda killing (BBC)
Zawahiri has been al-Qaeda’s most prominent spokesman and ideologue
The US has urged its citizens to be vigilant against possible anti-American violence abroad following the killing of al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri.
His death could prompt al-Qaeda supporters or other linked terror groups to target US facilities and personnel, said the state department.
Zawahiri was killed by a US drone in the Afghan capital, Kabul, on Sunday.
He had helped mastermind the 9/11 attacks on the US in which nearly 3,000 people lost their lives.
The 71-year-old Egyptian doctor took over al-Qaeda after the death of Osama Bin Laden in 2011. Read more
Google asks employees how they can be more productive (Metro)
Google CEO Sundar Pichai has asked employees for ideas on how to improve efficiency as pressures from an uncertain economic climate grow.
During what he called a ‘Simplicity Sprint,’ all employees will be asked to submit ideas for improving focus and productivity via an internal survey.
It asks staff what would help them ‘worth with greater clarify’, what ‘speedbumps’ prevent them from getting better results faster and where they see waste in current operations.
According to CNBC, Pichai told an all-hands company meeting: ‘There are real concerns that our productivity as a whole is not where it needs to be for the head count we have.’ Read more
Russia designates Ukraine’s Azov Regiment a ‘terrorist’ group (Aljazeera)
Russia’s top court has designated the Azov Regiment, a former volunteer battalion with far-right roots that was officially integrated into Ukraine’s army, a “terrorist” organisation.
The ruling by the Supreme Court on Tuesday allows for lengthy prison terms for the members of Azov, who are accused of harbouring neo-Nazi and white supremacist ideology.
According to Russia’s criminal code, members of “terrorist” groups can face up to 10 years in jail, while their leaders and organisers can be jailed for up to 20 years.
Azov has been one of the most prominent Ukrainian military formations fighting alongside the army against Russian troops in eastern Ukraine. Read more
Liadi grabs weightlifting silver as judokas, boxer, male table tennis team fall (Guardian)
Nigeria’s weightlifter, Taiwo Liadi, yesterday, added a silver medal to the country’s kitty at the ongoing Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Liadi lifted a combined 216kg to win Nigeria’s fifth medal in the sport, which has been the country’s source of laurels so far in Birmingham.
The Nigerian had earlier set two junior Commonwealth records with a 120kg lift in the clean and jerk on her way to the podium.
Canada’s Maya Laylor won the gold medal, setting two new Commonwealth records with a combined lift of 228kg. Nauru’s Maximina Uepa settled for the bronze medal. Read more
Napoli rule out offers for Osimhen (Punch)
Nigerian forward, Victor Osimhen, still has the desire to leave Napoli this summer, according to reports in Italy, but the Italian giants have insisted he’s not for sale.
According to Il Matino, Osimhen’s agents have asked Napoli sporting director, Cristiano Giuntoli, for an appointment to discuss the Nigeria international’s future.
It is reported that the 23-year-old continues to be in discussions with German side Bayern Munich, which led to the request from his agents.
Bayern have not stopped looking for a top striker to replace Robert Lewandowski, who left for Barcelona in July, to reinforce their attacking department.
Napoli president, Aurelio De Laurentis, replied that Napoli would not listen to proposals for Osimhen anymore until 2023. Read more
Lewis Hamilton becomes co-owner of NFL side Denver Broncos after Chelsea interest (Mirror)
Lewis Hamilton has entered the world of American sports by becoming a co-owner of NFL franchise the Denver Broncos.
Hamilton had been searching for an investment opportunity with a large sports team, and had previously been linked with Premier League club Chelsea. In April it was revealed he and tennis legend Serena Williams were part of Sir Martin Broughton’s bid to buy the club.
But Todd Boehly was the man who eventually took over the club. Since then, it appears the seven-time world champion has turned his attention Stateside, with the news confirmed on Tuesday that he had invested in the Broncos.
The team was bought earlier this year by Walmart heir Rob Walton in a huge £3.87bn deal. “We’re delighted to welcome seven-time Formula 1 world champion Sir Lewis Hamilton to our ownership group,” said the team’s new owner. Read more
NFF must pay me N157m with interest – Rohr (Punch)
Former Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr, exclusively told PUNCH Sports Extra that the Nigeria Football Federation would have to pay him his outstanding salary with interest along with the current dollar rate following their delay in making the payment.
The Franco-German was relieved of his job as the Eagles gaffer last December, following a series of underwhelming performances by the three-time African champions.
Despite moves by the NFF to pay his salary until the end of his contract, which should have expired in December, Rohr, the Eagles’ longest-serving coach took the case to world football body FIFA, demanding an additional £1m for breach of contract “without just cause” but FIFA instead approved $377,879.46 (N155m as of December 2021 and N157m at the current official dollar to naira rate).
A ruling by the FIFA players’ status chamber in May ordered the NFF to pay Rohr the money within 45 days, after ending his contract abruptly adding that the country’s football governing body would be sanctioned if Rohr was not paid in full within 45 days. Read more
Tyson backs Usyk to ‘mess Joshua up’ for two reasons (Guardian)
Boxing icon, Mike Tyson, believes Oleksandr Usyk can ‘mess Anthony Joshua up’ when the two rivals meet in the ring for their highly-anticipated rematch for the unified heavyweight world heavyweight titles, reports express.co.uk. The first contest went the way of Usyk after he stunned the favoured Brit in London back in September.
In the first contest, Joshua was comfortably outclassed, as the Ukrainian took his WBA, WBO and IBF world titles in front of 65,000 fans at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Usyk stunned Joshua on a number of occasions and was simply too fast for the Brit, landing a number of impressive hits to win unanimously on points.
Joshua will look to reclaim his titles when he faces the Ukrainian at the Jeddah Super Dome in Saudi Arabia on August 20.
If he emerges victorious, Joshua will become a three-belt unified champion – and it could set up a mouth-watering undisputed clash with WBC champion, Tyson Fury. Read more
WNBA star Brittney Griner’s trial on drug charges expected to wrap up Friday in Russia (ABC)
American basketball star Brittney Griner was back in court on Tuesday for her trial for cannabis possession amid U.S. diplomatic efforts to secure her release.
During the hearing, prosecutors called a state narcotics expert who analyzed cannabis found in Griner’s luggage. Her defense fielded a specialist who challenged the analysis, charging that it was flawed and didn’t conform to official rules.
If convicted, the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) star and two-time Olympic gold medalist could face 10 years in prison. As her trial has progressed, the Biden administration has faced growing public pressure to get her released.
In an extraordinary move, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken last week spoke to his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, urging him to accept a deal under which Griner and Paul Whelan, an American imprisoned in Russia on an espionage conviction, would go free. Read more
Dean Henderson blasts ‘criminal’ Manchester United for not making him the club’s No.1 goalkeeper (Metro)
Dean Henderson has slammed his parent club Manchester United for breaking their promise to make him the club’s new No.1 goalkeeper.
In an explosive interview with talkSPORT, the 25-year-old claimed that United had told him last summer that he would be replacing David de Gea as the Red Devil’s first choice shot stopper only to go back on their word.
Henderson caught COVID-19 just prior to the start of last season and missed the first few games of the campaign, but when he returned De Gea had re-established his form between the sticks and in the end, the England international made just three appearances in total, none of them in the Premier League.
For the upcoming campaign, he has joined Nottingham Forest on loan, and while excited for that opportunity, Henderson is still furious over what might, or should, have been. Read more