Three injured in Oshodi building collapse (Nation)
Three persons were injured yesterday in a one-storey building collapse at 35, Adesanya Street, Mafoluku, Oshodi, Lagos. The Nation gathered that the house was being renovated when it fell at 8:15am. Officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) have demolished the rest of the building. It was also learnt that the house was sealed off years ago before it was bought and people started living there last December. Read more
Akiolu seeks return of seized Lagos properties (Punch)
The Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, has asked the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, to use his office to help Lagos retrieve its properties which were seized by the Federal Government. Akiolu said he had “valid documents” to lay claims to the properties, which he said were taken during the military era. He spoke when the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, led the Speaker on a courtesy visit to the monarch on Saturday with his deputy, Idris Wase. Read more
Form your cabinet with capable people, Shehu Sani tells Buhari (Nation)
The immediate past senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to pick members of his cabinet immediately and form his cabinet with capable, competent and patriotic persons. But he warned against the neglect of any zone or state in getting key appointments under any pretext that they did not vote for him or did not vote for the ruling party. The senator applauded the President’s decision not to consult governors on the choice of his ministers. Read more
Form vigilante to fight B’Haram, bandits, S’East group tells Miyetti (Punch)
The Coalition of South-East Youth Leaders has condemned the statement by the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association that it will establish Fulani vigilante in the South-East. The group described the offer as an insult and an abomination in Igbo land. In a statement in Umuahia signed by its President-General, Chief Goodluck Ibem, the group stated, “Who told Miyetti Allah that the South-East is looking for vigilante that will protect it from bandits and hoodlums? Read more
Buratai: soldiers with low fighting spirit must go (Nation)
Soldiers with waning fighting spirit in the ongoing anti-insurgency war are to get the push, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai said on Sunday. Describing such soldiers as bad eggs, the Army chief said transformational leadership of which he is an advocate would not wait for them to get out of the way before they are kicked out. Lt.-Gen. Buratai’s threat to ease out those he called “bad eggs” came less than a week after he decried their attitude on the battle field, blaming recent setback in the anti-terror war on “insufficient commitment to a common national and military cause by those at the frontlines”. Read more
JAMB calls for embargo on creation of new varsities (Punch)
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has called for an embargo on the creation of new public and private universities in the country. The JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, stated this, noting that emphasis should be placed on developing the existing universities in the country, which currently stand at 170. According to the National Universities Commission, the country has 43 federal universities, 48 state universities and 79 private universities. Read more
Christians in Kaduna implore CAN president to defend religious rights (Guardian)
Members of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna State Chapter have urged the National President, Dr. Supo Ayokunle, to see his re-election for a second term in office as an opportunity to defend the religious rights of millions of citizens and the rule of law in Nigeria. Meanwhile, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) yesterday expressed satisfaction with the judgment of the Kaduna State High Court, which declared that the Kaduna State government has no right to screen and issue licences to religious preachers in the state. Read more
My predecessor spent N2.3bn on burial in five months – Bauchi gov (Punch)
The Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has alleged that his predecessor, Mohammed Abubakar, spent N2.3bn to buy materials for burial in the state. But Abubakar has dismissed the allegation, describing it as laughable. The governor, who spoke through his spokesperson, Dr Ladan Salihu, in an interview with journalists in Bauchi, said the funds were spent between January and May, 2019. Read more
Ex-lawmaker commends Ugwuanyi on guber zoning arrangement (Guardian)
A former member of the Federal House of Representatives, Chief Uchenna Igwesi, has expressed gratitude to the Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, for adhering to the conventional and traditional zoning arrangement of the state by insisting that Enugu East Senatorial Zone (Nkanu Zone) produces the next governor of the state by 2023. Igwesi reiterated that Ugwuanyi had at different fora assured the people of the state that his successor would automatically come from Nkanu Zone based on equity, fairness and justice. He said that since the political equation is tripod and has rotated among the zones, it should begin where it started ab-initio. Read more
Ex-NAL workers in Diaspora to get paid in London (Nation)
The Federal Government has taken the verification and payment of former workers of the defunct Nigeria Airways Limited (NAL) in the Diaspora to London, the United Kingdom (UK). The two-week verification, which will be conducted by an inter-ministerial team, begins today (June 24), at the Nigerian High Commission Complex in London, UK. Before ordering the payment of benefits to the affected ex-NAL workers, President Muhammadu Buhari apologised for the more than a decade neglect by previous administrations. Read more
Naval photographer wins global film script award (Nation)
A Nigerian Navy (NN) Petty Officer (PO) Dauda Abdulkareem has won the Calcutta Cult Film (CICFF) award. Abdulkareem, who is the official photographer to the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, stands a chance to have his book, titled: Grandfather’s Address, getting sponsored or adapted into a Hollywood and Bollywood thriller, if chosen at the glamorous international film festival in Calcutta City, India, later this year. Read more
ICPC nabs six for impersonating Anglican Church Primate (Punch)
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission said it had arrested six members of a cybercrime syndicate, who had been impersonating the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Rev. Nicholas Okoh, and some bishops of the church on Facebook to defraud members of the public. The anti-corruption agency spokesperson, Rashedat Okoduwa, said in a statement on Sunday that the suspects set up fake Facebook accounts and posted fictitious distress messages through them to solicit financial assistance from public figures, creating the impression that the clergy were sending the messages. Read more
‘Dead’ UBER driver recounts ordeal in suspects’ hand (Nation)
An UBER driver, Ekwomi Charles, given up for dead by his attackers, has lived to tell his story. He told Rapid Response Squad (RRS) operatives that he was dumped in the bush by suspected robbers, who thought he had died after being attacked. The suspects, Charles said, made away with his Toyota Camry, 2006 model. In a statement yesterday, RRS said three of the suspects had been arrested. Read more
Ethiopia army chief shot dead in ‘coup bid’ attacks (BBC)
The chief of staff of the Ethiopian army, Gen Seare Mekonnen, has been shot dead by his own bodyguard in the capital, Addis Ababa. He and another officer died trying to prevent a coup attempt against the administration in Ethiopia’s northern Amhara region, PM Abiy Ahmed said. In Amhara itself, regional governor Ambachew Mekonnen was killed along with an adviser. Read more
Ex-Liberia’s VP proffers solution to insecurity in Africa (Punch)
A former Vice-President of Liberia, Joseph Bookai, has declared that unless African leaders assure youths of secure future, insurgency and insecurity will be difficult to eradicate in the continent. Bookai made the declaration on Sunday at a press conference at Chrisland University in Abeokuta. Bookai is billed to speak on ‘Challenges of Sustainable Growth and Development in Africa’ at the International Pan-African Conference scheduled to hold between Monday, June 24 and Tuesday, 25 organised by CEO Africa in collaboration with Chrisland University. Read more
Mauritania opposition challenges ruling party victory (BBC)
Mauritania’s ruling party candidate has won the first democratic transition of power since independence in 1960. Mohamed Ahmed Oudl Ghazouani, a close ally of outgoing President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, won with 52% of votes. Four of the opposition candidates have rejected the results, which are expected to be submitted to the constitutional council for validation. Read more
Istanbul mayoral re-run: Erdogan’s ruling AKP loses again (BBC)
Turkey’s ruling party has lost control of Istanbul after a re-run of the city’s mayoral election, latest results show. The candidate for the main opposition party, Ekrem Imamoglu, won 54% of the vote with nearly all ballots counted. He won a surprise victory in March which was annulled after the ruling AK party complained of irregularities. His opponent, ex-PM Binali Yildirim, has conceded. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan congratulated the winner. Read more
Bodies of seven missing climbers recovered from the Himalayas (Metro)
Seven bodies from a group of eight missing climbers have been recovered in the Himalayas, officials have said. The mountaineers, believed to include four Brits, two Americans, one Australian and an Indian liaison officer, vanished in the Nanda Devi region on May 26 following an avalanche. Rescue teams will continue to search the area for the body of the last climber. Read more
Rajasthan tent collapse kills 14 at religious event (BBC)
At least 14 people were killed and more than 50 injured when heavy rain and strong winds caused a huge tent to collapse in the Indian state of Rajasthan on Sunday. Some were electrocuted by live wires as the tent caved in, and others killed by falling debris, Reuters reported. Local outlet the Hindustan Times said 300 people had gathered inside the tent for a religious event. Read more
Sacha Baron Cohen trained with FBI interrogator before trying to get confession out of OJ Simpson (Metro)
Borat star Sacha Baron Cohen has revealed he sought the help of a professional interrogator before interviewing OJ Simpson for the final episode of his show Who Is America? The actor and comedian posed as a wealthy Italian billionaire interested in going into business with OJ, but used to opportunity to try and weedle out a murder confession from the former American football star. ‘I had an absurdly ambitious aim. I did try. So I trained up with an FBI interrogator,’ the 47-year-old told The Hollywood Reporter. Read more
Eagles to get $95,000 each for AFCON win (Punch)
The Super Eagles players are on a massive $95,000 bonus each to win the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, Sports Extra reports. The Eagles are already guaranteed $10,000 for their 1-0 win over Burundi on Saturday. They are also guaranteed $20,000 if they win their remaining Group B matches against Guinea and Madagascar. The players will receive $12,500 should they record another win in the round of 16. Read more
Edoreh wants early support for Tokyo 2020 Paralympians (Guardian)
The anchor of the fund raising, which enabled the Nigeria amputee football team to attend their first Amputee World Cup in Mexico in 2018, Fred Edoreh has alerted the nation on the difficulties being encountered by the country’s Paralympic teams in getting funds to attend various international qualifying competitions at which they are required to pick and increase their slots to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Edoreh said at the weekend that while the Paralympics actually begin with participation in various international qualification competitions, Nigeria Para Sports teams do not have the funds to attend these events and many potential champions are left behind as a result. Read more
Ighalo happy to break Eagles 13-year opening game jinx (Punch)
Odion Ighalo is happy to score his first Africa Cup of Nations goal and believes the Super Eagles 1-0 win over Burundi on Saturday will boost the team’s confidence ahead of their clash against Guinea on Wednesday. Substitute Ighalo’s 76th minute strike, after just four minutes on the pitch, ensured the Eagles won an opening group match at the AFCON for the first time in 13 years. The last time they won an opening game at the tournament was against Ghana in 2006, incidentally also in Egypt. Read more
I am here to market myself, says Burundi’s Razak (Guardian)
Burundi’s striker, Finston Abdoul Razak says he is at his first Total Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to advertise his skills to football scouts. The JS Kabile of Algeria striker was a thorn in the flesh of the Super Eagles’ defence line made up of Abdulahi Shehu, Williams Troost-Ekong, Kenneth Omeruo and Ola Aina on Saturday. With his fast paced dribbling runs, the Eagles had to be at their best to keep him in check. Yet, he almost scored on two occasions. Read more
Man City’s Mahrez scores in Algeria win (BBC)
Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez scored as Algeria moved level with Senegal at the top of Africa Cup of Nations Group C with a win over Kenya. Baghdad Bounedjah converted from the penalty spot after 34 minutes in Cairo following a clear foul on Youcef Atal. Mahrez then doubled the advantage with a deflected shot from Ismael Bennacer’s cut-back two minutes before half-time. Read more
England into World Cup quarter-finals (BBC)
England progressed to the quarter-finals of the Women’s World Cup with a 3-0 victory over an enraged Cameroon side who protested after two VAR decisions went against them. Goals from Steph Houghton, Ellen White and Alex Greenwood sent England through to face Norway on Thursday, but the fractious game will be remembered for Cameroon’s extraordinary reactions to White’s goal and a disallowed effort from Ajara Nchout. Read more
Aguero seals Argentina’s Copa progress (BBC)
Sergio Aguero sealed an unconvincing Argentina side’s passage into the quarter-finals of the Copa America as they saw off Qatar in Porto Alegre. Aguero’s late right-foot drive from 15 yards sealed a 2-0 win after Lautaro Martinez netted in the third minute. Bassam Al-Rawi, whose misplaced pass had allowed Martinez to score, hit the post for Qatar, who are eliminated. Read more
Real Madrid to launch female team (Punch)
Real Madrid will launch a women’s team which will compete in the top flight from next season, Spanish media reported. Spanish newspaper El Pais said Madrid have purchased CD Tacon, based in the Spanish capital who have won promotion to the Liga Iberdrola, for 400,000 euros. The club will be absorbed by the 13-times European champions and will train and play at Real’s training ground. Read more
Manchester United could reignite Jadon Sancho move if Paul Pogba leaves (Metro)
Manchester United are likely to revive their £100million move for Dortmund star Jadon Sancho if Paul Pogba is granted his wish of leaving Old Trafford this summer. Sancho, 19, was identified early in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s tenure as a summer target with Metro.co.uk reporting in January that he was the Norwegian’s first choice. However, United’s catastrophic end of season form looked to have ended the club’s chances of signing Sancho as they could no longer offer Champions League football. Read more
Hazard can’t be replaced, says Drogba (Punch)
Didier Drogba has described Eden Hazard as a Chelsea legend who is so “special” he cannot be replaced at Stamford Bridge. Hazard ended his seven-year stay at Chelsea earlier this month when he completed a £130m move to Real Madrid, with the Belgian seeking a new challenge in his career. The 28-year-old left Stamford Bridge having won several trophies with the Blues including two Premier League titles, a Europa League and an FA Cup title. Read more
Hamilton cruises to French GP victory (BBC)
Lewis Hamilton took a stranglehold on the world title with a dominant victory in the French Grand Prix. Hamilton was in a league of his own, even over his Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas, as the 34-year-old Briton took his sixth win in eight races. The five-time champion leads Bottas in this year’s title race by 36 points – a win and a fifth place – after just eight races. Read more
Israel Folau: Rugby star’s fundraiser shut down over anti-gay views (BBC)
A controversial fundraising page set up by sacked Australian rugby player Israel Folau has been shut down for promoting the exclusion of LGBT people, website GoFundMe says. Folau had his contract with Rugby Australia (RA) terminated in May after he said that “hell awaits” gay people. He asked for public donations to help him with a legal fight against RA, arguing it dismissed him unlawfully. Read more