Tinubu: Why I fired Emefiele (Sun)
Two weeks after the suspension and the arrest of former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, President Bola Tinubu has finally spoken on the issue, describing the financial system under Emefiele as rotten.
Emefiele was picked up from his home in Lagos and flown to Abuja guarded by a detachment of security operatives. He was then driven to the headquarters of the State Security Service (SS), also known as the Department of State Service (DSS) in the Asokoro District of the nation’s capital. He has been in detention since, undergoing interrogation. Tinubu spoke during an interactive session with Nigerians in diaspora resident in France and neighbouring countries, on the side-lines of the two-day financing climate pact summit which ended in Paris on Friday. Read more
I sacrificed a lot, stayed away from school events — AUN Best Graduating Student, Grace Ofili (DailyTrust)
Grace Nwabunwanne Ofili is the Valedictorian and overall Best Graduating Student of the American University of Nigeria (AUN) in the class of 2023 and from the School of Law. She speaks on her feat and experience in the varsity and more.
How do you feel about emerging as the overall best students?
I feel excited and happy to be the valedictorian. It just shows that hard work pays. Being the first just shows that we law students are there as this is the first time a law student is emerging over all best because I feel we are not being recognised. So emerging as the valedictorian is like a big representation for the law students and it makes me so happy. Read more
Acting IGP Egbetokun appoints CP Tunji Disu, PSO to IGP (Vanguard)
The Acting Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has appointed Commissioner of Police Tunji Disu as the Principal Staff Officer to the IGP.
CP Tunji Disu was the former Commander Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT).
A Police signal made this known saying the appointment is with immediate effect. Read more
Dowen graduates 40 students (Punch)
The Principal, Dowen College, Lagos, Dr Adebisi Layiwola, has said the school would not go back on its mantra of excellence.
This was as she expressed commitment to, together with the Governing Council of the college, make sure that the school churned out graduates who would not just be beneficial to their respective families but to the larger society.
She said these at the Valedictory Service and Graduation Ceremony for the Class of 2023 held at the Olumide Phillips Hall of the school, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos. Read more
Sanwo-Olu, Soludo seek partnership with engineers on national development (Tribune)
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday, said bridging the gap in the engineering infrastructure through proper funding will have direct and indirect impact on several other sectors in the economic fortune, especially in the area of revenue generation.
The Governor stated this while speaking at the Nigerian Academy of Engineering Annual Lecture themed: “Financing Engineering Infrastructure,” held at J.F Ade Ajayi Auditorium, University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba Lagos.
The Governor, who was represented at the event by the deputy governor, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, emphasized that collaboration and partnership among all stakeholders remained a key strategy which the government must adopt and explore to achieve its goal and objective. Read more
Africa remains centrepiece of Nigeria’s foreign policy – Tinubu (Leadership)
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Friday, in Paris, France said Nigeria will sustain its spotlight on African countries as the fulcrum of its policies on economy and foreign policy, assuring that trade issues, security and border controls will be mutually implemented.
Receiving the President of Benin Republic, Patrice Talon, after the Summit on New Global Financing Pact in the French capital city, President Tinubu noted that bilateral relations with African countries, particularly at the sub-regional level will be enhanced for shared benefits in areas of security, health, energy, education and diplomacy.
“We are ready to improve relations. Africa has been the centrepiece of Nigeria’s foreign policy,” he said in a statement by presidential spokesman, Dele Alake. Read more.
Ex-convict who burnt former Kogi PDP Woman Leader killed (Channels)
Security operatives in Kogi State have killed a notorious criminal, Kabir Bala, linked to the death of the woman leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Salome Abu.
Addressing journalists on Thursday, the state Commissioner of Police, Akeem Yusuf, said Bala was neutralised on Wednesday at Ejule in Ofu Local Government Area of the state.
He stated that the criminal and his gang members engaged the Joint Security team upon sighting them in the early hours of Wednesday. Read more
Olivia Colman to Join ‘Paddington 3’ (THR)
Paddington in Peru, the third film in the Paddington franchise, has added a newcomer to its cast. Oscar winner Olivia Colman is in talks to play a role in the StudioCanal feature about the beloved bear.
Ben Whishaw has long voiced the titular bear, who in past films was seen getting into adventures with the Brown family. Exact plot details are being kept under wraps but the movie will see Paddington travel from his home in London to his native home of “darkest Peru.”
Sources note that Colman’s character will run a retirement home for bears in Peru. (Fans of the Paddington franchise will remember that Paddington’s Aunt Lucy lives in The Home for Retired Bears.) Read more
Rihanna steps down as CEO of Savage X Fenty, appoints successor (HipHopDX)
Rihanna has officially stepped down from her role as CEO of her lingerie brand Savage X Fenty, appointing a successor to the position moving forward.
According to Vogue Business, the superstar singer will officially transition out on Monday (June 26). It marks the end of a five-year tenure in the role, having operated as such since founding the company in 2018.
Former Anthropologie Group CEO Hillary Super will take over while Rihanna will remain in a leadership position as executive chair. Read more
DGA members ratify contract with 87% voting in favour (Variety)
Members of the Directors Guild of America have voted to ratify their new contract, bringing the industry one step closer to achieving labour peace.
The DGA announced Friday that 87% of the membership had voted in favour of the agreement, with 41% turnout. The guild said the turnout was the highest ever for a ratification vote.
The contract includes a 76% increase in foreign streaming residuals, which was the guild’s top priority heading into the talks. It also includes a “second cut” for TV directors and a pilot programme for set safety. It also moves overtime penalties one hour earlier for assistant directors. Read more
Warners’ Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy to gain oversight of TCM (THR)
Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav is attempting to calm the waters after stirring up a storm over Turner Classic Movies earlier this week. Zaslav is moving oversight of the channel to Warner Bros. Pictures bosses Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy, sources with knowledge of the situation tell The Hollywood Reporter.
The move is meant to reassure the film community after WBD announced a restructuring this week that saw TCM chief Pola Changnon exit after 25 years, along with key team members.
The move worried cinephiles and sparked an outcry, culminating with Zaslav having a call with filmmakers Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese and Paul Thomas Anderson. On June 21, the trio released a joint statement, which read in part, “Our primary aim is to ensure that TCM’s programming is untouched and protected. We are heartened and encouraged by the conversations we’ve had thus far, and we are committed to working together to ensure the continuation of this cultural touchstone that we all treasure.” Read more
Columbia Pictures files lawsuit in Bad Boys rights dispute (Deadline)
Columbia Pictures on Friday filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court as part of a dispute over rights to the original Bad Boys movie. The 1995 Will Smith-Martin Lawrence buddy comedy was a hit that spawned a franchise, with two sequels and a third in the works, that has grossed more than $840 million at the global box office.
The breach-of-contract suit (read it here) filed in the Central District of California, Western Division, is in response to copyright termination notices filed in 2020 by George Gallo, who co-wrote the story on which the first film was based, and Robert Israel.
Columbia argues that Gallo’s story, written in 1985 and called “Bulletproof Hearts,” was a work for hire via his company Sweet Revenge. Works for hire “are not subject to termination under Section 203 of the Copyright Act,” the studio says. Read more
Busta Rhymes to receive Lifetime Achievement Award at 2023 BET Awards (Vibe)
Just days before the 2023 BET Awards, Busta Rhymes was announced as this year’s recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award.
“Busta Rhymes is a multifaceted award-winning artist who has mesmerized audiences for decades with his original Hip-Hop sound and one-of-a-kind visuals,” said Scott Mills, CEO of BET. “He continues to leave an indelible mark on the culture that we hold dear, and it is with great pride that we present this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award to a visionary, a master of rhyme, and a true pioneer. His unwavering commitment to pushing boundaries, unapologetically expressing his art, and empowering generations of artists is a testament to his unparalleled legacy.” Read more
Wagner chief vows to “go to the end” to oust Moscow leadership (NewArab)
The head of the Russian mercenary group Wagner vowed Saturday to take all necessary steps to topple the country’s military leadership in Moscow, saying his forces would “destroy everything” in their way.
“We are going onwards and we will go to the end,” Yevgeny Prigozhin said in a new audio message after vowing to sideline Russia’s military leadership.
Yevgeny Prigozhin said his forces had entered the southern Russian region of Rostov but did not provide any proof and AFP could not independently verify his claims. Read more
I will always cherish Olusosun and its people – Osimhen (Guardian)
Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen, says he will always cherish Olusosun and its people after Nigeria’s rave of the moment in football paid a visit to the community he grew up in.
It was just like a carnival in Olusosun, an area close to Ojota in Lagos State on Thursday when Osimhen visited the area where he was born in a programme titled “Back to roots”.
Recall that after Osimhen led Napoli to win the Serie A title for the first time in 33 years, the community honoured him by placing a congratulatory message at the major entrance to the area. Read more
Tijani vows to emulate Olayinka stars at Prague (Punch)
Former Nigeria U-20 striker, Muhammed Tijani, is keen to surpass the impressive performances of his former compatriots at Slavia Prague after signing a long-term deal with the Czech Republic giants, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The 22-year-old recently completed a move from another Czech team Banik Ostrava and will join a list of players who had their roots at his Lagos-based academy, 36 Lion FC to play for the Red and Whites.
Tijani, who scored eleven goals for Baník Ostrava last season, signed a contract with Slavia Prague until June 2028 and is already training with the team. Read more
CONCACAF suspends 4 players after USA-Mexico brawl (France24)
CONCACAF meted out suspensions to Weston McKennie and Sergino Dest of the United States and Mexico’s Cesar Montes and Gerardo Arteaga on Friday in the wake of the stormy Champions League clash between the two nations.
The United States triumphed 3-0 in the semifinal match that saw both sides finish with nine men.
Montes was shown a red card for an ugly wild kick at Folarin Balogun and McKennie was dismissed for his role in the fracas which followed. Read more
Sergio Busquets: Inter Miami announce signing of Barcelona captain (BBC)
Inter Miami have announced the signing of Barcelona captain Sergio Busquets, reuniting him with former team-mate Lionel Messi.
Busquets, 34, announced in May he would be leaving the La Liga champions after 18 years at the club.
The midfielder will link up with Argentina forward Messi, 35, who confirmed this month he was moving to Inter Miami from Paris St-Germain. Read more
Leona Maguire leads Women’s PGA; Nelly Korda misses cut (ESPN)
Leona Maguire of Ireland birdied four of her final six holes for a 3-under 68 and a 1-shot lead over three players Friday at the halfway point of the KMPG Women’s PGA Championship at Baltusrol.
The winner Sunday in Michigan for her second LPGA Tour title, the 28-year Maguire had five birdies and two bogeys in shooting her seventh straight round in the 60s, dating to the final round at the Mizuho Americas Open.
At 5-under 137 at Baltusrol, Maguire had her first halfway lead in a major. The former Duke star is ranked 12th in the world. Read more
Lewis Hamilton warned about Mercedes doing ‘‘really badly’’ on purpose (F1News)
Mercedes, the dominant force in Formula 1 in recent years, could be contemplating an unconventional strategy to enhance their car performance for the 2024 season.
Sky Sports pundit Damon Hill believes that deliberately scoring worse results for the remainder of this year could provide the Silver Arrows with an advantage over their fierce rivals, Red Bull.
Despite notable improvements showcased in Barcelona, Mercedes acknowledged that they still have a considerable gap to bridge to match Red Bull’s car performance. Read more