Tinubu emerges ECOWAS chairman (Guardian)
In a unanimous endorsement that signals the trust and confidence reposed in him by his counterparts, President Bola Tinubu emerged as the new chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) at the 63rd Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government on Sunday in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau.
President Tinubu, who is the latest entrant into the exclusive club of Heads of State in West Africa, enthusiastically accepted the honour, on behalf of Nigeria, with a solemn pledge to bear the responsibility of the office and run an inclusive administration of the regional organisation.
The Nigerian leader, however, warned that the threat to peace in the sub-region had reached an alarming proportion with terrorism and an emerging pattern of military takeover that now demand urgent and concerted actions. Read more
How I won British Council’s Country Best Award for Cambridge A’ Level, by student (Nation)
Astudent of Erudite Millennium in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, Miss Aisha Boladale, has given insight into how she won the British Council’s Country Best Award for Cambridge A’ Level Biology.
Boladale scored 91 per cent to beat all other Cambridge A’ Level scholars in Nigeria.
She said: “I want to specially thank Erudite Millennium Limited for what it has made out of me during my one-year stay. Read more
Lagos robbers escape from prison, say warder received N1m bribe (Punch)
A warder attached to the Kirikiri Custodial Centre, Lagos State, Kayode Fatombi, has been arrested by the police for allegedly aiding the escape of some prison inmates.
Sunday PUNCH gathered that three men were arrested by the police for alleged robbery and kidnapping.
They were subsequently arraigned before the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja.
A source said two of the inmates escaped after the warder led them out on the pretext of taking them somewhere. Read more
Court orders govts of ex-presidents to account for $5bn Abacha loot (Vanguard)
For failing to provide details of the projects executed or being executed with the $5 billion returned Abacha loot, a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, weekend, ordered the administrations of former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari to account for the funds.
The court also ordered the government of President Bola Tinubu to disclose the exact amount of money stolen by the former Head of State, late General Sani Abacha, total amount of Abacha loot recovered, and all agreements signed on same by the governments of former Presidents Obasanjo, Yar’Adua, Jonathan and Buhari.
The Minister of Finance and the Attorney General of the Federation and the Minister of Justice were also joined as defendants in the suit. Read more
Otti, Kalu, Abaribe lament death of Ohanaeze chieftain, Joe Irukwu (Tribune)
Abians have expressed their sorrow over the passing of Prof. Joseph Ogbonnaya Irukwu, SAN, a former President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
Notable individuals, including the governor of Abia State, Dr Alex Otti, the former governor of Abia State and Senator representing Abia North Senatorial zone, Orji Uzor Kalu, and Sen. Enyi Abaribe of Abia South Senatorial District, have all received the news of the former Ohanaeze leader’s death with regret and sadness.
The late Prof. Irukwu, a great son of Item Okpi in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, passed away at the age of 89, as announced by his son, Pastor Agu Irukwu. Read more
Tinubu’s govt worsening poverty –Atiku (Sun)
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has lamented that in just 40 days of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, poverty has deepened in the country with inflation skyrocketing and making innocent Nigerians susceptible to manipulation.
It also warned supporters of Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) against disrupting proceedings at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT).
Atiku, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, yesterday, said the warning was imperative following alleged “sponsored protest” at the European Union (EU) head office in Abuja, in the aftermath of the release of the EU Observer Mission report on the 2023 general elections. Read more
Seychelles places ban on Nigerian passport holders (DailyTrust)
The Republic of Seychelles has placed a ban on Nigerian passport holders applying for short-term visa or holiday purposes.
Seychelles confirmed this in a rejection mail it sent to a travel content creator.
The content creator shared a screenshot of the mail via Twitter yesterday.
“We regret to inform you that your application has been denied, as per immigration regulation, for now we are not accepting any NIGERIAN passport holder for holiday purposes. Kindly contact http://www.ics.gov.sc/ (Seychelles Immigration) or call 248 4 293 636 for more information,” the content of the screenshot read. Read more
President General Ohaneze Ndigbo world wide visits Alaba Int’l Market (Sun)
The Alaba Int’l Market Electronics Section recently hosted High Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, President General, Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide. This was in solidarity to the recent demolition of some plazas in the market by officials of Lagos State government.
In his opening remarks, High Chief Camilus Nnamdi Amajuoyi, President of the Alaba Int’l Market, Electronics Section explained that after the visit to the scene of demolition, Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, who doubles as the Chairman of the South East and Progressive Governors’ Forum led a team that visited Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, without any of the representatives of Alaba Int’l Market.
He explained that those on Governor Uzodimma’s entourage to Alausa, could not have spoken for Alaba traders since they do not have first hand information of what is happening in Alaba market. Read more
Jamie Foxx spotted waving to fans from boat in first appearance since hospitalisation (Variety)
Shaunette Renée Wilson Interview – Variety x Golden Globes – Cannes
Jamie Foxx has been photographed in public for the first time since enduring a sudden medical complication that led to his April hospitalisation.
On Sunday, TMZ shared footage of Foxx in a boat on the Chicago River were made public. Foxx appears to be healthy in the footage, throwing a peace sign to the cameraman. He was onboard with several other guests.
Foxx was admitted to an Atlanta hospital in April after facing a “medical complication.” His daughter, Corinne Foxx, confirmed the situation at the time: “Luckily due to quick action and great care he is already on his way to recovery. We know how beloved he is and appreciate your prayers. The family asks for privacy during this time.” Read more
Coldplay honour Elton John during final concert of farewell tour in Sweden (NME)
Coldplay paid tribute to Elton John during the final night of his ‘Farewell Yellow Brick Road‘ tour in Stockholm via a video broadcast last night (July 8).
The music icon completed his world tour in the Swedish capital’s Tele2 Arena this weekend, after 333 shows and nearly five years.
During the show, Coldplay – who were performing in Gothenburg, Sweden at the very same time – appeared onscreen through a video broadcast which was beamed out at the musicians’ respective concerts. Read more
Jeffrey Carlson, known for groundbreaking All My Children role, reportedly dies at 48 (People)
Jeffrey Carlson, who played the groundbreaking transgender character Zoe in All My Children, has died at age 48, actress Susan Hart shared on Facebook July 7.
“For those of you that don’t know, I’m very sorry to share the news that Jeffrey passed away yesterday,” Hart wrote. “I have been respectful of his family’s privacy in not sharing the news sooner… also could not breathe or function… still can’t… love to all… just devastated.”
A rep for Carlson did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on Sunday. Times Out New York theater editor Adam Feldman weighed in on Carlson’s death on Saturday via Twitter. Read more
Hayao Miyazaki’s ‘‘How Do You Live?’’ will be 1st Ghibli film to get a simultaneous Imax release (THR)
Japan’s Studio Ghibli revealed late last week that Hayao Miyazaki’s final film, “How Do You Live?”, will get an Imax release when it opens in Japan on Friday. It will be the first of Miyazaki’s films to release simultaneously on Imax, as well as other premium formats including Dolby Atmos, Dolby Cinema and DTS:X.
Miyazaki’s first film in a decade, “How Do You Live?”, is easily the most anticipated movie coming to Japanese theaters in years. The great animation master, now 82, insists it will be his last feature — a pledge he previously made, and later broke, during the run-up to the release of his most recent film, The Wind Rises.
Despite the worldwide excitement surrounding the imminent launch of a new Miyazaki and Ghibli movie, remarkably little is known about the film itself yet. Earlier this month, Ghibli’s lead producer Toshio Suzuki, considered Miyazaki’s right-hand man, said the studio would release no trailers and no promotional materials whatsoever ahead of the release, asking fans to instead see the film with no preconceptions. Read more
Hayley Atwell addresses “invasive” Tom Cruise dating rumours (USAToday)
A love story between Mission: Impossible newcomer Hayley Atwell and Tom Cruise is pure fiction.
The British actress, who co-stars with Cruise in the upcoming action thriller “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One,” opened up about past speculation that she dated Cruise in an interview with The Independent published Saturday.
Atwell, who is engaged to music producer Ned Wolfgang Kelly, said she views Cruise and “Dead Reckoning” director Christopher McQuarrie as “sort of two uncles.” Read more
300 migrants missing at sea near Spanish Canary Islands: Aid Group (VOA)
At least 300 people who were traveling on three migrant boats from Senegal to Spain’s Canary Islands have disappeared, migrant aid group Walking Borders said Sunday.
Two boats, one carrying about 65 people and the other with between 50 and 60 on board, have been missing for 15 days since they left Senegal to try to reach Spain, Helena Maleno of Walking Borders told Reuters.
A third boat left Senegal on June 27 with about 200 people aboard. Read more
Pope Francis names 21 new cardinals (IrishExaminer)
Pope Francis has announced he has chosen 21 new cardinals, including prelates from Jerusalem and Hong Kong, as he continues to leave his mark on the body of churchmen who will select his successor.
The pope announced his selection during his customary weekly public appearance in St Peter’s Square, saying the ceremony to formally install the churchmen as cardinals would be held on September 30.
Among those chosen are several prelates holding or about to assume major Vatican posts, including the archbishop from La Plata, Argentina, Archbishop Victor Manuel Fernandez, who the pope recently named to lead the office for ensuring doctrinal orthodoxy and overseeing processing of allegations of sexual abuse against clergy worldwide. Read more
Chukwueze’s Milan move in jeopardy (Punch)
AC Milan’s move for Samuel Chukwueze is heading for the rocks following the emergence of Porto centre-forward Medhi Taremi as a potential alternative to Atletico Madrid’s Alvaro Morata for the Milan attack, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The Nigerian forward has been linked with a move to the Italian giants for some time now but the deal has not seen the light of the day despite interest from the player and Villarreal.
Villarreal president, Fernando Roig, last week said he was not convinced about Milan’s interest in the player despite the Rossoneri reportedly offering €25m, including add-ons for the Nigerian winger. It is understood that the Yellow Submarines want their €35m valuation to be met. Read more
World Athletics Championship: FG hails contingent after qualification (Sun)
As the National Trials for the Athletics World Championship ends in Benin, the Edo State Capital, the Federal Government of Nigeria has applauded Team Nigeria athletes for qualifying in the hurdles, relay and other events.
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Ismaila Abubakar, applauded the athletes while expressed optimism that the Team will make the nation proud at Budapest.
He charged the athletes to remain focused and also put in their best with a view to ensuring podium finishes during the competition. Read more
Lucas Hernandez moves from Bayern Munich to PSG on 5-year deal (BBC)
Paris St-Germain have signed 27-year-old defender Lucas Hernandez from Bayern Munich for a reported £34m.
A 2018 World Cup winner with France, Hernandez won a treble with Bayern in 2019-20 – his first season at the club.
After winning the domestic league and cup double, Hernandez helped Hansi Flick’s team defeat PSG to win the Champions League.
Hernandez, who played 107 times for the Bundesliga champions and scored twice, has signed a five-year deal. Read more
Reggae Boyz into Gold Cup semis after win over Guatemala (France24)
Jamaica overcame a determined Guatemala 1-0 to reach the CONCACAF Gold Cup semi-final on Sunday with Amari’i Bell’s 51st-minute goal setting up a last-four clash with Mexico.
The Reggae Boyz have now reached the semi-final stage in four of the past five Gold Cups and have a chance to make their first appearance in the final since 2017.
Icelandic coach Heimir Hallgrímsson has successfully gelled together a talented group of players, including several recruited from English football, into a maturing team that was able to withstand some late pressure from Guatemala. Read more
Iga Swiatek saves 2 match points, reaches Wimbledon quarters (ABC)
Top-seeded Iga Swiatek saved two match points Sunday and reached the Wimbledon quarter finals for the first time with a 6-7 (4), 7-6 (2), 6-3 victory over Belinda Bencic at Centre Court.
Swiatek extended her unbeaten run to 14 matches, which includes claiming her fourth Grand Slam title at the French Open last month.
Next up for Swiatek will be former semifinalist Elina Svitolina, who reached the quarterfinals with a 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (9) win against Victoria Azarenka on Court One, recovering from 7-4 down in the champions tiebreak, sealing it with an ace. Read more
American Allisen Corpuz wins US Women’s Open at Pebble Beach for record payout, 1st LPGA title (CBC)
Allisen Corpuz became the first American in 20 years to make the U.S. Women’s Open her first LPGA title, closing with a 3-under 69 on Sunday and handling her historic moment at Pebble Beach as if she had been there before.
Corpuz, a 25-year-old from Hawaii, pulled away with a big par putt and back-to-back birdies on the back nine to enjoy the most scenic walk in golf up the 18th fairway, the Pacific Ocean on her left and her place secured as the first U.S. Women’s Open champion at Pebble Beach.
She won by three shots over Charley Hull (66) and Jiyai Shin (68) and claimed the $2 million US prize, the richest ever for an LPGA major champion. Read more