We only experimented with server but not for 2019 elections, says INEC (Punch)
The Independent National Electoral Commission on Monday said that results of the 2019 general elections were not transmitted electronically to its server, stressing that the Commission only experimented the technology during some staggered elections held in 2018. The Commission said that the clarification was necessary because of rising controversies on the transmission of 2019 Presidential Election results from states to the INEC server. Read more
EU report captures views of Nigerians, says Obi (Guardian)
Former Anambra Governor, Peter Obi, has commended the European Union Election Observer Mission over its report, saying that it captured the concerns of some Nigerians on the 2019 general elections. Obi, in a statement issued by his Media Office on Monday in Abuja, described the report as a `vindication of a section of Nigerians’, who had raised issues on the outcome of the elections. Obi, Vice Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Feb. 23 Presidential election, said the EU report merely captured what some Nigerians knew and had been highlighting. Read more
Buhari condemns Borno viewing centre bombing (Punch)
President Muhammadu Buhari said on Monday that those who attacked a viewing centre in Mandarari, Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State, on Sunday would be punished by God. About 30 persons were said to have been killed in the multiple bomb blasts, suspected to have been carried out by Boko Haram. Another 40 victims were reportedly wounded. Read more
2019 Elections: Army absolves itself of Wrong doing (Nation)
The Nigerian Army has absolved itself and personnel of any wrongdoing during the 2019 general elections. It also dismissed allegations of attempted assassination, hijack of INEC materials as well as imposition of curfew in Rivers State as untrue. A statement signed by Army spokesman Col. Sagir Musa said the Army would, however, embark on administrative transfer of some personnel from the 6 Division in Rivers state to douse tension in the area. Read more
We would give preference to Nigerians applying for visas —China (Punch)
The government of the People’s Republic of China on Monday said that it would create more opportunities for more Nigerians to visit China in the years ahead. Mr Chu Maoming, Consul General of China in Lagos State, told the News Agency of Nigeria that the Consulate and the Chinese Embassy would facilitate visas issuance to more Nigerians. Read more
New Kano Head of Service tasks workers on punctuality (Nation)
The newly appointed Head of Service in Kano state, Dr Kabir Shehu, has tasked workers in the state public service on punctuality. A statement signed by his Public Relations Officer, Ismail Gwammaja, said public servants must wake up to their responsibilities. According to the statement, “the present administration resolved to reinvigorate service delivery to high standard to suit the current IT globalisation agenda.” Read more
Crime rate declining, IG claims (Punch)
The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has claimed that the crime rate in the country was declining, despite reports of violent killings and kidnappings across the country. The Zamfara Police Command on Sunday confirmed that 34 persons were killed by bandits in Tungar Kafau and Gidan Wawa communities in Shinkafi Local Government Area of the state last Friday. Read more
Ishaku reverses decision, imposes curfew on Jalingo (Nation)
Governor Darius Ishaku has imposed curfew on Jalingo -the Taraba state capital, following the outbreak of fresh crisis in some communities in Kona and ATC areas near Jalingo. Ishaku had earlier in a statement said there would be no curfew. In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Bala Dan Abu, the governor said…Read more
I’m not lobbying for NDDC position —Ondo dep gov (Punch)
The Ondo State Deputy Governor, Mr. Agboola Ajayi on Monday denied reports that he was lobbying for the top position in the Niger Delta Development Commission. Agboola alleged that the reports were orchestrated by some of his enemies to blackmail him. Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Leke Akeredolu, in a statement, the deputy governor said the report was allegedly sponsored by some disgruntled politicians in the state for the purpose of heating up the state ahead of 2020 governorship election in Ondo State. Read more
Gunmen abduct Catholic priest in Edo (Punch)
Gunmen have abducted a Catholic priest, Reverend Father Isaac Agubi in Edo State. Father Agabi who is the priest in charge of Holy Name Catholic Church, Ikpeshi, in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of the state was kidnapped last Sunday. It was gathered that the cleric was abducted along Auchi-Igarra road at about 5.00 p.m. while returning to his parish. Read more
What triggered more bloody conflicts in Nigeria than Boko Haram — UN (Nation)
A United Nations official said on Monday that land degradation and competition over access to land and water had triggered more bloody conflicts in Nigeria than Boko Haram. Ibrahim Thiaw, Executive Secretary of UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ankara, Turkey. “More lives have been claimed in conflicts over access to land and water than Boko Haram. Read more
Egypt’s ousted president collapses and dies during court trial (Metro)
Egypt’s former president Mohammed Morsi has collapsed in court during a trial and died, his family has confirmed. The 67-year-old, who rose to office in the country’s first free elections in 2012 and was ousted a year later by the military, had just addressed the court, speaking from the glass cage he is kept in during sessions and warning that he had ‘many secrets’ he could reveal, a judicial official said. A few minutes afterwards he collapsed, the official said. Read more
Harvard rescinds admission for Parkland student ‘over racist slurs’ (BBC)
A teenager who survived a gun massacre at his Florida high school has said he lost his spot at Harvard University over past racist remarks. Kyle Kashuv, 18, said the online comments were made when he was 16, and were done “in an effort to be as extreme and shocking as possible”. He had since apologised and on Monday shared what appeared to be a rescission letter from the university. Read more
France beat Nigeria after late penalty drama (BBC)
Hosts France finished top of Group A after a twice-taken penalty by Wendie Renard gave them a 1-0 win over Nigeria in an incident-packed finish in Rennes. The initial penalty – awarded after a video assistant referee review for a foul on Viviane Asseyi – hit the post. But keeper Chiamaka Nnadozie was ruled to have moved off her line early and Renard slotted the re-taken spot kick. Read more
Norway advance to World Cup knockouts as France top group (Guardian)
Norway went through to the last 16 of the Women’s World Cup on Monday after beating South Korea 2-1 with two penalties, while Wendie Renard confirmed top spot in Group A for France after downing Nigeria with a spot-kick of her own. Caroline Graham Hansen gave Norway an early lead from the spot after Cho So-hyun was judged to have grabbed Maria Thorisdottir in the third minute, before winning the decisive second penalty shortly after the break when she was chopped down by Kang Chae-rim. Read more
China, Spain through to World Cup last 16 as Germany win big (Guardian)
China and Spain played out a goalless draw that saw both sides advance to the last 16 at the Women’s World Cup on Monday, while Melanie Leupolz set Germany on their way to a comprehensive 4-0 win over South Africa. Both the Spaniards and former runners-up China knew a point in Le Havre would take them through to the knockout phase from Group B, and so they transpired to play out a 0-0 stalemate. Spain did threaten to take all three points late on, but China goalkeeper Peng Shimeng made key saves in the last 10 minutes, getting down low to keep out a Patri Guijarro strike and then reaching to tip over a Jennifer Hermoso effort. Read more
Arsenal name Ljungberg as Emery’s new assistant (Punch)
Former Arsenal midfielder Freddie Ljungberg has been appointed as Unai Emery’s new assistant in the London club’s first team, the English Premier League club announced on Monday. His appointment is part of a change in the club’s coaching staff. Ljungberg, who returned to Arsenal to coach the under-23 side last year, was part of “The Invincibles” side which won the north London club’s last league title in 2004. Read more
Tennis: Zverev survives scare to beat Haase in Halle (Punch)
German star Alexander Zverev survived a brief second-set scare to beat Dutchman Robin Haase 6-4, 7-5 and reach the second round of the ATP tournament in Halle on Monday. Second seed Zverev came back from 5-2 down in the second set to win in straight sets in front of his home crowd and set up a second-round meeting with American Steve Johnson. Zverev is among the favourites in Halle alongside Roger Federer, who faces Australia’s John Millman in his first-round game on Tuesday. Read more
Deontay Wilder insists he is still the No.1 heavyweight despite Tyson Fury’s win over Tom Schwarz (Metro)
Deontay Wilder believes his knockout power still makes him the No.1 heavyweight in the division despite Tyson Fury making a real statement with his victory over Tom Schwarz. The lineal champion stopped his unbeaten German opponent in the second round in Las Vegas on Saturday night, justifying Ring Magazine’s decision to name him as the top heavyweight going into the fight. Read more
Tyson Fury’s trainer Ben Davison hits back after Dillian Whyte criticism (Metro)
Tyson Fury’s trainer Ben Davison has dismissed criticism from Dillian Whyte after the Body Snatcher slammed Fury’s latest opponent, Tom Schwarz. The Gypsy King stopped Schwarz in the second round in Las Vegas on Saturday night in an extremely one-sided affair. Fury was expected to outclass the German and that is exactly what he did, landing at will, making him miss and then battering him into submission in the second stanza. Read more
