Tinubu departs Lagos for Ramaphosa’s inauguration (Punch)
President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday, departed Lagos for Pretoria to attend the inauguration of the South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa.
The Nigerian leader left the Presidential wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, on a Dassault Falcon 8X aircraft around 11:06 am.
The president, who will return to Nigeria after the ceremony, was escorted by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat and other government officials. Read more
Cholera strain in Lagos highly contagious — Health commissioner (Vanguard)
The Lagos State government, yesterday, explained that the strain of cholera in Lagos is highly aggressive and contagious.
Recall that Lagos has recorded 17 confirmed cases of cholera and 15 fatalities so far.
It also said laboratory investigation has confirmed the strain to be cholera sub-type O-1, adding that the subtype is associated with more severe diseases. Read more
Dangote Sinotruk targets 60% local content as new CKD plant opens in Lagos (NewTelegraph)
The President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has reaffirmed the readiness of one of his companies, Dangote Sinotruk West Africa Ltd (DSWAL), to further raise the level of local content in its vehicles to up to 60 per cent when Ajaokuta Steel Company comes on stream.
Alhaji Dangote spoke during the recent commissioning of DSWAL’s completely knocked down (CKD) plant in Lagos.
Welcoming the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, the Deputy Senate President, Jibril Barao, Senators and other guests to the event, Alhaji Dangote underscored the importance of steel to the automotive industry and the economy. Read more
Tension in Rivers as youths block former council chairmen from accessing secretariats (Independent)
There is palpable tension across the 23 Local Government Areas of Rivers State as youths take over council secretariats blocking some former council chairmen from gaining access into the premises.
This is as some of the council chairmen have vowed to remain in office despite the expiration of their three-year tenures which ended on Monday June 17, 2024.
Former Emohua council chairman, Chidi Lloyd had announced in a press statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Bright Jossy that the council will begin the distribution of cutlasses and hoes to farmers from Tuesday 18 June and it’s expected to last for one week. Read more
Adverse weather forced aircraft to fly over Aso Rock, says NCAA (Nation)
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has offered details on how adverse weather conditions forced two aircraft to fly over Aso Rock, a segment of the Nigerian airspace described by aviation authorities as ” Prohibited Flight Zones” – DNP4.
The NCAA said it collaborated with the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), to investigate two recent cases of violation of the prohibited flight zones in Abuja and established both violations of controlled flights in a controlled airspace but strayed into restricted airspace as a result of adverse weather.
Acting Director General of NCAA, Captain Chris Najomo, in a statement, said: ” We want to assure Nigerians that the nation’s airspace is safe and secure. Read more
Soldier commits suicide, shoots self dead in Abia (Sun)
Barely two weeks after gunmen killed five soldiers at a military checkpoint at Obikabia junction near Aba, Abia State with its corresponding reprisal actions, a soldier has shot and killed himself in the city.
It was gathered that the deceased soldier, a Sergeant Major (SM), who hailed from a community in Ngor Okpuala Local Government Area of Imo State and served at the Ngwa High School FOB of the Nigerian Army, reportedly went missing about two weeks before the incident.
According to a source close to the military, “the SM suddenly disappeared without anybody knowing his whereabouts and for the past two weeks, he has remained incommunicado as several attempts to reach him by his colleagues or military authorities in the camp and state failed.” Read more
Peter Obi faults plan to buy new presidential jet amid hardship (Leadership)
Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has upbraided the federal government and House of Representatives for contemplating buying new aircraft to boost the presidential fleets.
Obi described the move as unacceptable and a clear show of insensitivity to the suffering of the Nigerians.
Writing on his X handle on Monday, the LP standards bearer said, “At a time when our country is on the front page of global newspapers for facing its worst economic crisis, marked by high inflation, a falling currency, and widespread poverty, the government is contemplating buying new presidential jets. Read more
FG harmonises criteria for 2022/23 Mini Bid, 2024 Licencing Round (DailyTrust)
The Federal Government has harmonised the criteria for the 2022/23 Mini Bid Round, and the 2024 Licencing Rounds so as to attract fresh investments into Nigeria’s upstream oil and gas sector
The harmonisation of the criteria was announced by the Commission Chief Executive, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Engr Gbenga Komolafe, in a statement, on Tuesday.
Recall that former President Muhammadu Buhari had in 2022 approved that some deep offshore blocks be put on offer for the 2022/23 Mini Bid Round and other blocks which cut across onshore, continental shelf and deep offshore terrains were also put on offer for the Nigeria 2024 Licencing Round. Read more
Celine Dion moved to tears after standing ovation at her NYC film premiere (Standard)
Celine Dion was left tearful at the premiere of her new film, which documents the reality of her stiff person syndrome (SPS) diagnosis, in New York on Monday night.
The music superstar received a standing ovation during the New York screening of “I Am: Celine Dion”, which is set to showcase the lengths the singer has gone to in order to carry on performing despite her rare condition.
“I cannot believe how fortunate I am to have my fans in my life,” Dion said on stage, before becoming overwhelmed with emotion in videos posted on social media. Read more
French film star Anouk Aimée dies aged 92 (BBC)
Film star Anouk Aimée, the French actress who was a popular leading lady for several of Europe’s most influential directors, has died aged 92.
Aimée appeared in dozens of films across her eight-decade acting career, including starring in Claude Lelouch’s A Man and a Woman, for which she was nominated for an Oscar.
She died at her home in Paris on Tuesday, Sébastien Perrolat, of the TimeArt agency, told the AFP news agency. Read more
Singer Justin Timberlake arrested and accused of driving while intoxicated (ABC)
Singer Justin Timberlake has been arrested and is accused of driving while intoxicated in New York state, according to law enforcement officials.
Timberlake was reportedly arrested in Sag Harbor, New York, Associated Press reports.
Speaking to the publication on the condition of anonymity, a law enforcement official said they could not publicly discuss details of the ongoing investigation. Read more
Brad Pitt’s F1 movie set to release in summer 2025 (FilmNews)
Brad Pitt’s Formula 1 film will be hitting cinemas in June 2025.
The upcoming Apple Original flick – which is being directed by Top Gun: Maverick filmmaker Joseph Kosinski, 50, and produced by 39-year-old Lewis Hamilton as well as Jerry Bruckeheimer, 80 – stars Brad, 60, as Formula 1 veteran Sonny Hayes who returns to the grid, and is officially going to international cinemas on 25 June next year, followed by its U.S. release two days later.
In a statement, Apple Original Films and Formula 1 said: “The movie is a landmark for the sport and cinema, filmed in real-time during grands prix around the world and involving the Formula 1 community, including all 10 teams, the drivers, the FIA and race promoters. Read more
Thailand’s senate passes landmark marriage equality bill (CBS)
Thailand’s senate passed a bill Tuesday to legalize same-sex marriage, setting it on course to become the third place in Asia with marriage equality, alongside Taiwan and Nepal, and the first country in Southeast Asia.
The bill, which was passed by the lower house of Thailand’s legislature in March, still needs the endorsement of the country’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn, and publication in a government periodical, before it is formally passed into law.
“Today, love trumps prejudice,” Plaifah Kyoka Shodladd, 18, told The Associated Press. Read more
US state governor orders 175,000 cannabis convictions pardoned (RNZ)
Maryland Governor Wes Moore ordered more than 175,000 pardons for marijuana convictions on Monday, saying the “most sweeping state-level pardon in any state” will help reverse harms from the past caused by the war on drugs.
During a news conference, Moore said the executive order will affect “tens of thousands of Marylanders” convicted of misdemeanours. Some may have had more than one conviction pardoned through the process.
“We are taking actions that are intentional, that are sweeping and unapologetic, and this is the largest such action in our nation’s history,” Moore, a Democrat, said. Read more
Russia’s Putin to visit North Korea for the 1st time in 24 years (AlJazeera)
Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to arrive in North Korea later on Tuesday, in his first visit in 24 years, underlining the deepening ties between the two nuclear-armed states.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un extended an invitation to Putin when Kim visited Russia’s east in September for the first talks between the two men since 2019.
“At the invitation of the Chairman of State Affairs of the DPRK, Kim Jong Un, Vladimir Putin will pay a friendly state visit to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea on June 18-19,” the Kremlin said on Monday, using North Korea’s official name. Read more
Analyst faults Osimhen’s outburst on Finidi (Leadership)
A football analyst Oma Akatugba has faulted Victor Osimhen’s outburst over a claim credited to a former Super Eagles coach Finidi George.
Osimhen who missed Nigeria’s twin World Cup qualification games against South Africa and the Benin Republic had fired back at Finidi over a comment allegedly made by the ex-coach accusing him [Osimhen] of non-commitment to the Super Eagles.
“So, at least for anything you’ve got to respect all of that. So, based on that, I think Osimhen should have done better,” he said on Monday’s edition of Channels Television’s The Morning Brief. Read more
England fan in court after Euro 2024 violence (BBC)
An England football fan has been bailed by a court following clashes between fans at the Euros in Germany.
Gordon Thomas, 39, from Bolton, appeared at a hearing in Manchester Magistrates’ Court where police applied for an order banning him from attending matches for the next three years.
His passport was seized by officers after he arrived at Manchester Airport on Monday on a flight from Amsterdam. Read more
Roy Keane slams Kylian Mbappe for bizarre sequence after broken nose in France win (Standard)
Roy Keane has heavily criticised Kylian Mbappe as “out of order” for his behaviour after getting injured during France’s opening Euro 2024 win over Austria.
The Les Bleus captain was left bloodied and suffered a gruesome fractured nose during the latter stages of Monday night’s fiery Group D contest in Dusseldorf, having accidentally face-planted the shoulder of Austrian defender Kevin Danso as the duo competed in the air at a free-kick.
Mbappe stayed down and received treatment from physios on the pitch after they were immediately alerted to the issue by Austrian goalkeeper Patrick Pentz, eventually making his way off for further attention. Read more
Celtics top Mavericks in Game 5, win record 18th NBA championship (ESPN)
Behind 31 points, 8 rebounds and 11 assists from Jayson Tatum and 21 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists from Finals MVP Jaylen Brown, the Boston Celtics blew out the Dallas Mavericks 106-88 to win the 2024 NBA Finals, winning a record-setting 18th NBA title on the 16th anniversary of the day they won their 17th championship in this same building.
In doing so, the Celtics passed their forever rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers, for the most titles in NBA history. Read more
Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry qualify to represent Ireland at Paris Olympics (RTE)
Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry are set to represent Ireland in this summer’s Olympics at former Ryder Cup venue Le Golf National.
The qualifying period came to an end at the US Open at Pinehurst on Sunday, when McIlroy suffered a devastating runners-up finish to Bryson DeChambeau after holding a two-shot lead with five holes to play.
McIlroy is currently ranked number two in the world, with Lowry at number 33. Should either opt out of the Games, Seamus Power would be next in line to represent Ireland – the current world number 121 played for Ireland at the 2016 Games in Rio. Read more
New Zealand rugby in mourning after Māori All Black Connor Garden-Bachop dies following “medical event’’ (ABC)
The New Zealand rugby union community has come together to pay respect to Connor Garden-Bachop, who died on Monday aged 25.
Garden-Bachop died following a “medical event”, according to a joint statement released by New Zealand Rugby, the New Zealand Māori Rugby Board, Highlanders, Wellington Rugby and New Zealand Rugby Players Association.
He was a Māori All Blacks representative who played for the Highlanders in this year’s Super Rugby Pacific competition. Read more