Tinubu writes National Assembly to raise 2024 budget by ₦6.2t (Channels)
President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, requested the Senate to amend the 2024 Appropriation Act and the 2023 Finance Act by increasing the budget by ₦6.2tn.
Tinubu’s request is contained in a letter addressed to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and read at plenary on Wednesday.
The president in the letter, said the move was pursuant to section 58, sub-section two of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended. Read more
Final year student stabbed to death over N150 in Bayelsa (Punch)
There is outrage in Amassoma, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State following the stabbing to death on Monday of a final-year student of the Niger Delta University.
Community sources said the victim, Francis Palowei, was at the Sand Dump, a popular spot among the students for relaxation and socialising when some youths in the area stabbed him to death when he failed to give them N150.
Palowei, who hailed from the Obrigbene community in the Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, was expected to graduate on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, when the university will hold its next convocation. Read more
FRSC Corps Marshal visits Prof. Soyinka in Lagos (Leadership)
In his ongoing maiden visit to Lagos State, the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, on Tuesday, paid a courtesy call on renowned Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, at his Lagos residence.
During the visit, the Corps Marshal extended belated 90th birthday wishes to Prof Soyinka, expressing his deep respect and admiration for the literary giant.
Prof Soyinka commended the FRSC for its dedicated efforts in ensuring safer roads and promoting responsible driving habits. He provided valuable insights on enhancing the Corps’ services for the betterment of the nation. Read more
Niger government clears air over alleged slapping of Imam (Sun)
Almost two weeks after a viral video showed Niger State Governor, Rt Hon Umaru Mohammed Bago, ordering security personnel to remove a man claiming to be an Imam during the Fidau prayer for the late wife of the Deputy Governor, the state government has clarified the incident.
The video, widely circulated on social media, captured the Governor instructing his security detail to remove the man during the Fidau prayer for the late Hajiya Zainab Yakubu at the Deputy Governor’s residence.
The video showed the Governor requesting a cleric to offer prayers. However, the man in question stood up and volunteered to lead the prayer instead, contrary to the Governor’s request for a cleric. Read more
Nigeria’s Ben Tukur elected ICAO AFI plan Chairperson (DailyTrust)
Nigeria’s Representative to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Council, Mr Ben Tukur, has been elected as the 5th Chairperson of the ICAO comprehensive regional implementation Plan for Aviation Safety in Africa (AFI Plan).
This significant appointment took place during the 27th meeting of the AFI Plan Steering Committee, held as part of the 9th AFI Aviation Week in Libreville, Gabon.
Mr Tunde Moshood, Special Assistant on Media and Communications to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, in a statement in Abuja, said the election of Tukur as chairperson underscored Nigeria’s commitment toward aviation safety standards in Africa. Read more
Durosinmi-Etti advises Chrisland graduates to pursue excellence (ThisDay)
Professor of Radiation and Clinical Oncology Francis Abayomi Durosinmi-Etti has advised the graduating students of Chrisland Schools to pursue excellence and remain true to themselves and their aspirations.
He said this at the joint valedictory service for the class of 2024 (The Phenomenal Stars), themed ‘Propelled for Greatness’, which saw 336 students from the Festac, Lekki, Idimu, VGC and Ikeja campuses graduate.
Durosinmi-Etti encouraged the graduates to face life’s challenges with courage, seize opportunities with enthusiasm, and tackle setbacks with determination. He emphasized that although the future might be uncertain, their passion and knowledge will equip them to shape their destinies and significantly impact Nigeria and the world. Read more
Notorious armed robber nabbed in Ibadan after motorcycle theft in Nsukka (Vanguard)
A suspected armed robber believed to be responsible for a series of crimes in the Nsukka area of Enugu State, including motorcycle snatching, sexual assault, and kidnapping, has been apprehended in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.
The suspect, who identified himself as Emeka Sunday from Enugu-Ezike, allegedly snatched a motorcycle at gunpoint from Mr Stephen Amadi in Lejja, Nsukka on April 19th.
In an interview with newsmen, Amadi claimed that on April 18th, the suspect had asked to be given a ride home and then, halfway through the journey, pulled a gun on him (Amadi) and robbed him of the motorcycle. Read more
Tributes paid to student, 17, who drowned on school trip to Sussex beach (independent)
Tributes were paid to a young futsal coach who “brought joy to everyone he met” after he died on a school trip to a beach to celebrate the end of term.
Samuel Oluwagbenga, 17, was part of a group of students from Uxbridge College in west London, who were visiting West Wittering in West Sussex on 2 July.
The teenager reportedly got into difficulty in the sea in what has been described as a “tragic accident” by his college principal. He was airlifted to hospital but died. Read more
Movie armourer seeks dismissal of her conviction or new trial in fatal shooting by Alec Baldwin (ABC)
A movie armourer has asked a judge to dismiss her involuntary manslaughter conviction or convene a new trial in the shooting death of a cinematographer by actor Alec Baldwin, alleging suppression of evidence and misconduct by the prosecution.
In a court filing Tuesday, defense counsel for armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed argued her case should be reconsidered because prosecutors failed to share evidence that might have been exculpatory.
Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer last week brought Baldwin’s trial to a sudden and stunning end based on misconduct of police and prosecutors over the withholding of evidence from the defense in the 2021 shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film “Rust.” Read more
Viggo Mortensen criticises movie franchises as “predictable” and “not usually well-written” (NME)
Viggo Mortensen has criticised movie franchises as “predictable” and “not usually well-written” in a new interview.
Speaking to Vanity Fair, Mortensen was asked why he never made another franchise film after starring in Peter Jackson’s Lord Of The Rings as Aragorn.
He said that while he has nothing against franchises per se, he says many aren’t well written enough to capture his attention. Read more
Tell Me Lies actor Jackson White says musician father Jack White has died: “I love you dad forever’’ (DailyMail)
Actor Jackson White announced the passing of his father Jack White in an Instagram post on Tuesday.
The 28-year-old actor posted a collection of images of his late father, who was a drummer, while paying memorial in an emotional caption.
‘This guy taught me everything,’ said White, who plays Stephen DeMarco on the Hulu drama opposite girlfriend Grace Van Patten, 27. ‘We had ups and downs, as a man has with their father. But in the end it was just love … he’s not in pain anymore.’ Read more
Female tourist slammed after she ‘simulates sex’ with prized statue in Florence (Mirror)
The tourist has been slammed for being “disrespectful” after she was seen climbing up to Giambologna’s Bacchus in the Borgo San Jacopo area of Florence in Italy
A female tourist has sparked outrage after bizarrely was caught “stimulating sex” with the treasured statue of Bacchus in Florence.
The blonde woman, whose identity and nationality have not been revealed, has been slammed for being “disrespectful” after she was seen climbing up to Giambologna’s Bacchus and kissing the prized Italian bronze statue. The tourist also stood in front of the sculpture while grinding as her friends took photos of the act. Meanwhile, a second woman in black shorts and a white t-shirt was pictured kneeling in front of the stature, imitating a sex act. Read more
Stormzy and Maya Jama split up for 2nd time (MusicNews)
Stormzy and Maya Jama have called time on their relationship once again.
The rapper and TV presenter announced on their Instagram Stories on Wednesday that they had parted ways once again after almost a year back together.
“We’ve been laughing whilst drafting this because we never, ever, in a million years thought we’d be the couple announcing a breakup, but for the sake of clarity and, more importantly, to allow us the space and grace that’s needed for us both to be able to navigate this next bit of our lives with peace, we thought it might be best to,” they wrote in their joint statement. Read more
King Charles sets out new U.K. government’s agenda in gilded ceremony (NBC)
Britain’s King Charles set out Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s legislative agenda on Wednesday, promising a government of service focused on reviving the economy and tackling issues from an acute housing shortage to a cost of living crisis.
In a ceremony full of pageantry, before an audience of robed lords and lawmakers, Charles read out the laws the government is prioritizing after Starmer’s center-left Labour Party won a large majority at this month’s election.
The package of more than 35 bills will focus on growing the economy, reforming planning laws to make it easier to build homes and speeding up the delivery of major infrastructure projects, improving transport and creating jobs. Read more
Bangladesh government raids opposition HQ, asks universities to close after 6 die in protests (VOA)
Authorities in Bangladesh urged all universities to close on Wednesday, the day after at least six people died in violent protests over the allocation of government jobs and police raided the headquarters of the main opposition party.
Dhaka University, at the center of the violence, decided to suspend classes and close its dormitories indefinitely, a university official told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak to the media.
The University Grants Commission asked all public and private universities to close until further notice, in order to protect students, but the request did not have legal force and it was not immediately clear how many universities would comply. Read more
Waldrum addresses Plumptre, Ayinde absence as Falcons face Canada (Punch)
Super Falcons head coach Randy Waldrum agrees injured Ashleigh Plumptre and Halimatu Ayinde will be sore misses for the team at the Olympics, describing them as top-quality players, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The American tactician bared his mind on the sad development ahead of today’s international friendly against Olympic champions Canada, starting at 6.30 p.m. Spain time (5.30 p.m. Nigeria time) at the La Quinta Football Centre, Malaga, Spain.
He gave the assurance that there are other players ready to fill the voids, appreciating the camping exercise, and several quality players coming through the ranks and anxious to make a mark at the Olympics. Read more
Luka Modric, 38, signs new Real Madrid contract (DailyMail)
Luka Modric has signed a new contract to keep him at Real Madrid for another year.
The midfielder’s current deal ran out this summer, and any negotiations were put on hold because of Modric’s participation in Euro 2024 with Croatia, who exited at the group stage.
He has been with the club since 2012, joining from Tottenham in a £33 million deal and he has gone on to win a plethora of accolades with Los Blancos since. Read more
West Ham agree loan deal with Nice for defender with £26.8m option to buy (SkySports)
West Ham have agreed a deal with Nice for Jean-Clair Todibo, but it is understood the defender’s preference is a move to Juventus.
The deal is a loan with a £26.8m (€32m) option to buy, although there is no agreement between the Hammers and the player yet.
Juventus remain interested in the France international but have yet to agree a deal with Nice, who are owned by Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS. Read more
Chelsea signs England soccer star Lucy Bronze (UPI)
Chelsea signed England defender Lucy Bronze to a two-year contract, the Women’s Super League franchise announced Wednesday.
“To know I’m a Chelsea player still feels a little bit surreal,” Bronze said in a news release. “It’s obviously a club I know so much about and have done for such a long time. I’m really excited to be back in England. My family are so excited as well to get to more of my games.
“I’m excited to be in London, to see what the capital holds and to be at a club that is renowned for winning so many trophies.” Read more
I won’t retire from basketball despite missing Paris Olympic Games –D’Tigress star, Ogoke (CompleteSports)
D’Tigress star Sarah Ogoke has debunked rumours that she wants to retire from basketball after missing out on the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Recall that Ogoke was omitted from a 16-strong list that will represent Nigeria at the showpiece in France.
However, Ogoke, in a Twitter Spaces conversation with NBBF media, stated that she has to take the back seat for personal reasons that will be disclosed later. Read more
Fernandez faces disciplinary action over alleged racist chant (BBC)
Chelsea have begun disciplinary proceedings against midfielder Enzo Fernandez after he posted a video on social media that the French Football Federation said included an alleged “racist and discriminatory” chant.
On Tuesday the FFF said it would file a complaint to world governing body Fifa over the video featuring a song sung by some of the Argentina squad about France’s black players.
Fernandez’s Chelsea team-mate Wesley Fofana, who has one cap for France, posted an image of the video on Instagram, describing it as “uninhibited racism”. Read more