Tomorrow is ‘Operation Show Your PVC Day’, PFN tells Christians (Tribune)
President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Bishop Wale Oke, has declared June 26 as a Permanent Voters Card (PVC) Sunday as part of the efforts to mandate Christians to fully participate in the 2023 general election.
Oke made this declaration at the PFN secretariat during a national executive council meeting held in Lagos, while addressing the press, urging Christians to ensure they get their permanent voter cards and follow the clear directive in collaboration with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) from the Christian fathers on the casting of their votes.
“We will not be partisan, but not going to sleep. I declare June 26 as PVC Sunday, in which prayers will be offered and communion administered to worshippers in Pentecostal churches across the nation,” he added.
He said worshippers would be mandated to show their PVCs at churches and that the effort will bring about collaboration with Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to use strategic churches as registration centres. Read more
Late gospel singer Osinachi’s body arrive for burial (Nation)
About two months after her demise, the remains of late gospel singer, Osinachi Nwachukwu have arrived for interment in Abia State.
The singer’s body was received in her home town in Amakpoke Umuaku community, Abia around 12:00pm.
The Nation reports Osinachi, who sang the popular song ‘Ekwueme’ died on April 8, 2022.
Prior to the final internment on Saturday, a night of worship was held in Abuja on Thursday, June 23 while a Night of Prayer was also held in Isochi, Umunoci in Abia state yesterday, June 24. Read more
Council vaccinates residents against measles (Guardian)
Olorunda Local Council Development Area of Lagos State has commenced sensitisation on measles vaccination in the community to eradicate the spread of the disease.
The Executive Chairman of the Council, Samson Olatunde, urged the residents to support the government’s initiatives on the provision of better healthcare services, through the prevention of deadly diseases among children.
He made this known during the commencement of measles vaccination for children at all primary health centres in Olorunda LCDA, based on the flagged-off of the first round of the Year 2022 Integrated Measles Vaccination Campaign by the Wife of Lagos State Governor, Dr. Claudiana Sanwo-Olu. Read more
LASTMA debunks setting bus ablaze, condemns attack on officials (Punch)
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority has debunked the claim that its officials set a bus ablaze in the Obanikoro area of the state.
The Assistant Director, Public Affairs, LASTMA, Olumide Filade, in a statement on Friday, said the management of the agency, after assessing the trending video where it was alleged that officials of the agency were complicit in the act, refuted the claim.
He said, “Attention of the management of the LASTMA has been drawn to a video trending online since Thursday, June 23, 2022, alleging complicity of LASTMA officials in the burning of a bus at Obanikoro area on Ikorodu Road by an uninformed blogger on Facebook.
“LASTMA management after due diligence on the video sympathises with the vehicle owner but categorically denies complicity of any of its officers in the incident portrayed in the video. Read more
Lagos school premieres short drama series on YouTube (DailyTrust)
Greensprings School in Lagos is set to release a short drama series on YouTube, titled ‘It Still Takes a Village’ as part of efforts to raise awareness on the importance of creating an enabling society that protects and encourages every child to prosper.
The all-students-cast series, which is scheduled to premiere on June 30, 2022 on the school’s YouTube channel, highlights the values of the age-old communal parenting where parents cared for each other’s children regardless of whether the child is theirs or not.
The first episode of the series will be released on June 30, while a new episode is expected to be added every two weeks.
Chief Strategy Officer of the school, Uche Ogbu, who disclosed the premiere of the series, lamented that the culture of collectively raising a child through shared responsibility by various members of the society is being eroded by modern technologies and lifestyles. Read more
Hike in diesel: LAWMA reiterates commitment to clean Lagos (Vanguard)
Lagos Waste Management Authority, LAWMA, has reassured residents of firm commitment to a clean environment in the state despite the challenge of diesel scarcity .
It however, appealed to residents to always bag and containerise their waste for seamless evacuation.
Managing Director of LAWMA, Mr. Ibrahim Odumboni, stated this on Friday while monitoring the environment, adding that efforts were being intensified, to clear any backlog of refuse, and to stop acts of indiscriminate waste disposal around the city.
He said: “We have redoubled our efforts, working round the clock to ensure that we evacuate all waste anywhere around the city. Although the scarcity and high cost of diesel has been a major challenge, as all service providers’ trucks run on diesel, nonetheless, we are doing the needful and leaving no stone unturned, to maintain a clean environment and prevent health hazard to the people. Read more
Electoral Act: NASS hails Supreme Court verdict, says Malami misled Buhari (Punch)
The National Assembly has hailed the verdict of the Supreme Court on the suit filed by the President, Major General Mohammadu Buhari (retd.), and the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, seeking to void the provision of Section 84 (12) of the Electoral Amendment Act 2022.
A seven-member panel of the Supreme Court, led by Justice Musa Dattijo Mohammed, had, in its judgment, on Friday, unanimously held that the President, having assented to the law, could not turn around to fault its provisions.
Other members of the panel were Justices John Okoro, Amina Augie, Mohammed Garba, Abdu Aboki, and Ibrahim Saulawa.
The court upheld all the grounds of objection raised by the National Assembly, through its lawyer, Dr Olukayode Ajulo, against the competence of the suit, marked: SC/504/2022. Read more
Refugees Commission opens library for IDPs in Abuja (Sun)
The Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) has launched a library for IDPs in Waru, Abuja for the purpose of educating Persons of Concerns and giving them a high sense of belonging.
According to the Federal Commissioner, Ms Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim the Project Educate All’, has been conceived in line with the commission’s work plan to address the growing challenge and learning needs of displaced persons as well as to ensure accelerated learning in emergency settings in line with global practices.
She applauded the resilience of the IDPs, teachers, Head Master, IDP leaders, Parents of the pupils, adding that “it is our job to ensure that these children become the best version of themselves.”
She thanked President Buhari and the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq for their support for strengthening humanitarian policies and interventionist response programmes and projects, in the particular interest of all persons of concern and the nation at large. Read more
3 stolen cars from Nigeria recovered by INTERPOL in Niger Republic (Leadership)
The International Police (INTERPOL), has intercepted and recovered three cars, stolen from Nigeria in the neighbouring Niger Republic.
Nigeria Police Force PRO, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the achievement was recorded following credible intelligence and physical support from operatives of INTERPOL Niamey, which led to the trailing of a trans-border car theft syndicate and the eventual recovery of their loot.
The investigation which lasted for several days led to the recovery of a Toyota Camry with Chassis No: 4T1BE46K47U673141; Mercedes Benz 2012 550GL with Chassis No. 4JGBF8GE8CA762560, and a Hyundai vehicle with Chassis No: KMHDH41EBDU54686.
Reacting to the achievement, Nigeria’s inspector-general of Police, IGP Usman Baba, commended the cooperation and synergy between the 194 member-countries of the International Criminal Police Organisation, which has facilitated worldwide police cooperation for enhanced crime control. Read more
Eminem, Snoop Dogg join up for new song ‘From the D 2 to the LBC’ saluting their hometowns (USAToday)
Eminem has teamed up with Snoop Dogg for a powerhouse hip-hop partnership — while hinting at a new album on deck.
“From the D 2 to the LBC,” a nod to Eminem’s hometown of Detroit and Snoop’s of Long Beach, California, hit streaming services overnight Friday, accompanied by a video that finds the two rappers morphing into animated Bored Ape-style characters.
“It’s been a minute. This probably should have happened a while ago,” Eminem says to introduce the song. He and Snoop have appeared on record together before, but Friday’s single is their first head-to-head duet collaboration.
Both spit rapid-fire rhymes in the three-and-a-half-minute track, which was produced by Eminem and features his longtime musical partner Luis Resto on piano. The song’s chorus features a pair of area-code shoutouts: Read more
Lizzo pledges $1m to planned parenthood and abortion funds after Roe v. Wade ruling (THR)
Lizzo is taking action after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Friday to overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 case that protected a woman’s federal right to have an abortion.
The “Grrrls” singer is set to embark on her tour in support of her upcoming album Special this fall, and she pledged to donate $500,000 to Planned Parenthood and the National Network of Abortion Funds (NNAF) from the profits.
“Live Nation agreed to match— to make it 1 MILLION dollars,” she tweeted.
“The most important thing is action & loud voices,” she added in a follow-up tweet. “@PPFA @AbortionFunds & organizations like them— will need funding to continue offering services to people who are most harmed by this ban. Read more
Diddy to perform with Faith Evans, Mary J Blige and more at BET Awards (ET)
This year’s BET Awards will be a huge night for Sean “Diddy” Combs! On Friday, the network announced that the media mogul will not only be honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award, but he’ll also give a star-studded performance retrospective on his musical legacy as a producer and artist.
The music mogul will take the stage for a tribute performance featuring Mary J. Blige, Jodeci, Nas, Lil’ Kim, Busta Rhymes, The Lox, Bryson Tiller, Faith Evans and The Maverick City Choir as he receives the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award during the show’s airing on Sunday, June 26 at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
The award honors industry giants who have not only significantly shaped culture through their extensive careers, but who have also been transformative leaders that consistently inspire generations by setting a true standard of excellence. Past Lifetime Achievement Award recipients include industry legends such as Whitney Houston, Prince, Queen Latifah, Anita Baker, Mary J. Blige, Samuel L. Jackson, Lionel Richie and New Edition.
“Diddy has always been a pioneering force in our community, breaking barriers, achieving unprecedented heights, blazing new trails, and, in so doing, raising the bar for all of us,” BET CEO Scott Mills said in a statement. “His virtuosity is matched only by his range — from music to media, culture, business, and philanthropy — Diddy has exemplified Black Excellence. We are delighted to have this opportunity to use our biggest stage to recognize the extraordinary accomplishments of our friend Diddy.” Read more
Marvel Studios sets Comic-Con return (Deadline)
Marvel Studios will be back at San Diego Comic-Con this summer, for the first time in three years, Deadline can confirm. The studio’s President Kevin Feige broke the news this afternoon during a virtual press conference for its anticipated upcoming feature, Thor: Love and Thunder, from director Taika Waiti.
“We’ll be at Comic-Con next month, which we’re excited about,” said Feige, according to multiple reports. “So yes, we’re excited to go and talk about the future.”
Marvel last stopped by the San Diego Convention Center in July of 2019, after electing to sit out both the Comic-Con@Home events put on virtually in July of 2020 and 2021, and last year’s stripped-back November confab.
The projects Marvel will tout at Comic-Con 2022 have not yet been disclosed. But its upcoming releases on the film side include Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (November 11), Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (February 17, 2023), Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (May 5, 2023), The Marvels (July 28, 2023) and Mahershala Ali starrer Blade. Upcoming TV projects include the animated I Am Groot (August 10), She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (August 17), The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, Echo, Secret Invasion, Agatha: House of Darkness, Armor Wars, Ironheart and X-Men ’97. Read more
Jennifer Aniston makes surprise appearance on Daytime Emmys to pay tribute to her dad John Aniston (ET)
Jennifer Aniston reeled off all the achievements her father, John Aniston, has accomplished in his storied career in television, making it convincingly clear why he deserved the 2022 Daytime Emmy’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Friends star appeared remotely during Friday’s show to honor her father, who for nearly four decades has played the role of Victor Kiriakis on Days of Our Lives. John’s co-star, Suzanne Rogers, came out first with a brief spiel before turning things over to Jennifer, who appeared on video.
“This is truly a special moment for me,” she said. “It’s an opportunity to not only pay tribute to a true icon in the daytime television world, but it’s also a chance to recognize the lifelong achievements of a great and well-respected actor, who also happens to be my dad.”
She added, “For over 30 years, his dedication to that show has gained him respect and admiration of his fellow actors, deep friendships and thrilled millions of fans around the world. His career is literally the definition of lifetime achievement.” Read more
Chris Hemsworth made Miles Teller ‘raise his game’ while making Spiderhead (FilmNews)
Miles Teller credits his Spiderhead co-star Chris Hemsworth for raising his game on the set of their new movie.
Spiderhead is a sci-fi thriller set in the near future where convicts are offered the chance to volunteer as medical subjects to shorten their sentences.
Chris plays Abnesti, who runs the penitentiary testing mind-altering drugs, while Miles stars as inmate Jeff – and the Top Gun: Maverick actor had nothing but praise for his co-star.
“He’s really just a gamer,” Miles enthused to Collider. “I think that the more stuff outside of Thor that he does and people are able to see, I think they’ll really start to speak about him as just a great actor, not as Thor, superhero, any of that stuff. And those parts are really hard to do. Having dabbled in it a little bit with all the green screen, that’s really tough and I think Chris is just, he can do whatever he wants, man. There’s not a single performance that he’s not capable of, and he absolutely raised my game.” Read more
2 dead, 14 wounded in Norway nightclub shooting, police say (ABC)
Two people were killed and 14 wounded on Saturday in a shooting at a nightclub and in nearby streets in Norway’s capital Oslo, Norwegian police have said.
A suspect believed to be the sole perpetrator was apprehended, police told reporters.
The crime scene extended from the London Pub via a neighbouring club and onwards to a nearby street where the suspect was apprehended a few minutes after the shooting began, police spokesman Tore Barstad told the newspaper Aftenposten.
The London Pub is a popular gay bar and nightclub in the centre of Oslo. Read more
Why I joined Nottingham Forest – Taiwo Awoniyi (Punch)
Super Eagles forward, Taiwo Awoniyi, has revealed why he joined Nottingham Forest in the English Premier League.
The striker recently completed a £17.5m move to The Reds ahead of the 2022/2023 premier league season.
Speaking with the Nottingham Forest press on his transfer, the forward explained that his decision was influenced by the team’s coach, Steven Cooper.
“What stood out about Forest were the meetings with the Head Coach and the discussions we had. I can see how ambitious and dedicated he is to his job,” the striker said. Read more
Swiatek ‘overwhelmed’ by seeing legend Serena back at Wimbledon (Guardian)
World number one Iga Swiatek said Saturday she is “overwhelmed” to see Serena Williams back at Wimbledon, one year after the US legend limped away from the All England Club.
Williams, a seven-time champion at the tournament, and still chasing an elusive 24th Grand Slam title, will be playing her first singles match since her tearful, injury-enforced withdrawal in the first round in 2021.
“I saw her yesterday, I was pretty overwhelmed,” said Swiatek, the recently-crowned French Open champion.
“I didn’t know how to react. I wanted to meet her. I saw that she had so many people around her. I don’t know her team. It was pretty weird. Read more
Wayne Rooney leaves Derby hot seat as City agree €49m deal for Kalvin Phillips (IrishIndependent)
Wayne Rooney has resigned his position as Derby County manager and left the club with immediate effect.
The League One club issued a statement yesterday evening to announce that the former England captain had left after expressing his desire for a change. The toll of the last 18 months and the club’s decline into administration and eventual relegation from the Championship extinguishing his passion for the job.
“Over the course of the summer I have been closely following developments regarding the ownership of Derby County,” Rooney said in a statement. “Today I met with the administrators to inform them of my decision that it was time for me to leave the club. In fairness to them, they tried tremendously hard to change my decision but my mind was made up.
“My time at the club has been a rollercoaster of emotions, both highs and lows, but I have to say that I have enjoyed the challenge. Personally, I feel the club now needs to be led by someone with fresh energy and not affected by the events that have happened over the last 18 months. Read more
Dean Henderson has already outlined his Manchester United plan after Nottingham Forest loan move (MEN)
Dean Henderson has already outlined his Manchester United plan when he returns from his expected loan move to Nottingham Forest.
Henderson is set for a move to the City Ground having failed to overtake first-choice goalkeeper David de Gea at Old Trafford. The 25-year-old’s last spell away from the club was at Sheffield United where he enjoyed a successful period which included helping the Blades gain promotion to and staying in the Premier League.
In the 2021/22 campaign, the England U21 international stayed at the Theatre of Dreams in an attempt to become the club’s No.1. Just five appearances, none of which were in the league, followed for Henderson and he now looks set to join Steve Cooper’s side on a season-long deal.
Speaking last year about his time at Bramall Lane, Henderson opened up on his aims for the future. He told Manchester United’s official club website: “I went to Sheffield United on loan in the Championship, and then that was big because you go from playing in front of 6,000, 7,000, 8,000 to then playing in 30,000-seater stadiums. Read more
Chun tightens grip at Women’s PGA Championship (France24)
Chun In-gee extended her lead at the Women’s PGA Championship on Friday, firing a three-under-par 69 to open up a six-stroke advantage at the halfway stage as she hunts down a third major title.
The 27-year-old South Korean had demolished Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland, in Thursday’s first round, shooting a course record eight-under-64 that left awed rivals in disbelief — and five shots adrift.
Chun found the going slightly harder on Friday, opening with three early birdies before back-to-back bogeys checked her progress just before the turn.
However, she regained those two strokes with birdies on the 10th and 18th to maintain a vice-like grip on the lead heading into the weekend on 11 under with a 36-hole aggregate 133. Read more
Iga Swiatek beats out Simona Halep, receives honour to open play on Centre Court (TennisWorld)
The Wimbledon organizers have announced world No. 1 Iga Swiatek will open play on the Centre Court. Wimbledon traditionally allows defending champions to open play on the Centre Court but for this year they were forced to find a replacement.
Ashleigh Barty, who won Wimbledon last year, announced a shock retirement from tennis this past March. Swiatek, who has been the top-ranked WTA player for three months now, has now been given the honor to open to play on the Centre Court.
Reportedly, it was a battle between Swiatek and Simona Halep.
In 2019, Halep won Wimbledon after beating Serena Williams in the final. Read more
Lamperti defends title in US criterium nationals
(VeloNews)
It was like deja vu today in downtown Knoxville as Luke Lamperti (Trinity Racing) took an astounding repeat win at the 2022 US Pro Criterium National Championships in Knoxville, Tennessee. Gavin Hoover (Legion of Los Angeles) took second place, and Scott McGill (Wildlife Pro Cycling) rounded out the podium in third.
This win marks the second year in a row 19-year-old Lamperti has upset juggernaut crit squads Legion and Best Buddies — an accomplishment made even more impressive as the solo representative of Trinity Racing Team.
With Kendall Ryan (Legion of Los Angeles) repeating her 2021 victory earlier in the evening, there was a fair amount of speculation when the men’s field rolled to the start line that Luke Lamperti (Trinity Racing) might follow suit, repeating his prior strategy to claim a second title.
“You have a little bit more knowledge coming back a second year and how it plays out,” Lamperti said. “I think you have to come out of that last corner ideally first. And with two guys off the front, it kind of came down to the two bigger teams Best Buddies and Legion to bring it back, so there can be benefits riding by yourself. When you win something, you always want to go back and win it the next year. So it was definitely a goal.” Read more