Why road projects drag — Fashola (Guardian)
The immediate past Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, says funding is a major factor that limits the completion of strategic road projects across the country. Fashola said this while responding to questions from senators at the ongoing ministerial screening by the Senate. He said that the limited budget allocation for the execution of critical infrastructure had resulted in government borrowing from multilateral corporations to fund the budget. Read more
MURIC endorses proscription of Shiites (Nation)
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has endorsed the proscription of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) otherwise known as Shiites by the Federal Government. In a statement issued on Monday in Ibadan by its Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, MURIC said the government action was imperative and decisive owing to Shiites’ violent disposition and disrespect to constitutional authority. “MURIC recognises the right of Shiites to practice their faith but strictly within recognised rules of engagement. Shiites must respect Allah-given fundamental rights of their neighbours. Read more
Anambra Federal Constituency: INEC closes defense at tribunal (Guardian)
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday closed its defense in the petition of Chief Ekene Enefe of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) against Rep. Vincent Ofumelu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Enefe is seeking the nullification of Ofumelu’s victory in the February 23 election for Oyi/Anayamelu Federal Constituency in Petition No. EPT/AN/HR/02/2019. Joined in the petition were PDP, INEC, Returning Officer for the constituency and the two electoral officers for Oyi and Anyamelu local government areas. Read more
Edo Assembly crisis: I’ll not issue fresh proclamation, says Obaseki (Nation)
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that he would not issue a fresh proclamation letter for the inauguration of the 7th Edo State House of Assembly. Obaseki stated that the Nigerian Constitution 1999 as amended, mandated state governors to issue proclamation only once for the inauguration of their Houses of Assembly and he has dutifully performed the function. Obaseki was reacting to publication in one of the National dailies that President Buhari directed him to issue fresh proclamation. Read more
Owerri residents count loss, appeal for Ihedioha’s intervention as flood wreaks havoc (Punch)
Residents of Owerri Municipal Council in Imo State have appealed to Governor Emeka Ihedioha to come to their aid, stating that flood has ravaged their buildings and other properties. Our Correspondent gathered on Monday that a three-day rain which started on Friday and ended on Sunday had destroyed household properties and commercial goods. The residents blamed the flooding on poor drainage system and blocking of the available drainage. Read more
We’ve recorded substantial gains in fight against human trafficking in Edo – Obaseki (Nation)
The Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has said that the state government has recorded impressive gains in the fight against human trafficking, which includes opening up economic opportunities for youths, building local capacity to drive economic growth and strengthening institutional capacity to check the trend. The governor said this in Benin City, in commemoration of the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons marked every July 30, by the United Nations and its sister agencies. Read more
Landlord, four children injured in Lagos building collapse (Punch)
A landlord and four children, including twin girls, were rescued on Sunday night from a partially collapsed two-storey building in Bariga area of Lagos Mainland. The incident occurred around 9:30 p.m at No.30, Ososa St., Bariga area of Lagos. Confirming the incident, Mr Adebayo Kehinde, the Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, said that there was no death recorded in the incident. Read more
20 masquerades allegedly attack Police station, injure three policemen in Benue (Punch)
A Makurdi Magistrates’ Court on Monday ordered 10 men who allegedly attacked a Police Station in Ado Local Government Area of Benue State be remanded in prison pending legal advice. The Magistrate, Ms Rose Iyorshe, did not take the plea of the suspects, but remanded them in the Makurdi Medium Prisons. The Police preferred against the suspects four counts of criminal conspiracy, trespass, attempt to commit culpable homicide, mischief and an act of terrorism. Read more
Five Sudanese protesters shot dead ahead of talks (Guardian)
Five Sudanese demonstrators including students were shot dead Monday during a rally attended by schoolchildren against a shortage of bread, a day before protest leaders and the ruling generals hold fresh talks. The authorities announced a night-time curfew in four towns following the deaths in the central town of Al-Obeid. The generals and protest leaders have already inked a power-sharing deal that aims to set up a joint civilian-military ruling body which in turn would install civilian rule. Read more
Greta Thunberg to sail Atlantic for climate conferences (BBC)
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has accepted a ride across the Atlantic by boat to attend two key climate conferences. The teenager will make the journey aboard the Malizia II, a high-speed 18-metre (60ft) yacht built to race around the globe. “We’ll be sailing across the Atlantic Ocean from the UK to New York in mid-August,” she tweeted. Read more
Putin opponent Navalny ‘poisoned’: lawyer (Guardian)
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was “poisoned” by an unidentified toxic substance but doctors have sent him back to jail despite his condition, his lawyer and personal physician said Monday. President Vladimir Putin’s top opponent was rushed to hospital on Sunday a day after almost 1,400 people were arrested at an unauthorised protest, in the largest police crackdown on dissent in recent years. Read more
Germany: Boy dies after being pushed in front of train in Frankfurt (BBC)
An eight-year-old boy died and his mother was injured when a man pushed them in front of a high speed train at Frankfurt railway station in Germany. An Eritrean man has been arrested over the attack, which happened on Monday morning. Witnesses said the man deliberately pushed the boy and his mother on to the tracks before trying to run away. He was chased and stopped by passers-by. Read more
Boris Johnson and girlfriend move into Downing Street (Guardian)
Boris Johnson and his girlfriend Carrie Symonds moved into Downing Street on Monday, becoming the first unmarried couple to occupy the British prime minister’s official residence. The change of guard at the famous address was prompted by Theresa May’s forced resignation under the pressures of the Brexit crisis. The British tabloids have been preoccupied ever since by the new mop-topped leader and his girlfriend — who worked on Johnson’s successful 2012 re-election campaign as London mayor. Read more
China jails award-winning cyber-dissident Huang Qi (BBC)
A Chinese court has sentenced a civil rights activist widely referred to as the country’s “first cyber-dissident” to 12 years in jail. Huang Qi is the founder of 64 Tianwang, a news website blocked in mainland China that covers alleged human rights abuses and protests. An official statement said he had been found guilty of intentionally leaking state secrets to foreigners. Read more
‘Jealous uncle murdered niece, 21, after having secret affair with her behind wife’s back’ (Metro)
A jealous uncle murdered his 21-year-old niece after having a secret affair with her behind his wife’s back, police say. Stephen Myers, 42, reportedly demanded to know where Winnie Mendoza had been all night after following her home as she drove through South Miami-Dade on Saturday night. An argument ensued, with Myers reportedly shooting Mendoza multiple times and killing her. Read more
Drug-resistant superbug spreading in Europe’s hospitals (BBC)
Superbugs resistant to emergency antibiotics are spreading in hospitals, a Europe-wide study shows. Drugs called carbapenems are used when an infection cannot be treated with anything else. The spread of resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae was “extremely concerning”, researchers from the Sanger Institute said. Read more
Elton John reflects on being ‘a broken man’ as he celebrates 29 years of sobriety (Metro)
Elton John has celebrated 29 years of sobriety, and we couldn’t be any more proud. The 72-year-old marked the incredible milestone by sharing a picture of his Alcoholics Anonymous sobriety coin onto Instagram. Alongside the snap, the father-of-two thanked all the people who had helped him get to where he is today. Read more
Man Utd: Romelu Lukaku left out of pre-season friendly squad (BBC)
Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku has been left out of the 26-man squad travelling for Tuesday’s pre-season friendly against Kristiansund. Lukaku was part of the pre-season tour of Australia and the Far East, but did not play because of injury. United remain in talks with Inter Milan over the Belgium international, 26, but there is no agreement over a fee. The Old Trafford club rejected a 60m euro (£54m) bid for Lukaku from the Italian giants earlier in July. Read more
Nicolas Pepe’s entourage explain why forward is joining Arsenal over Napoli (Metro)
A member of Nicolas Pepe’s entourage has revealed that Arsenal’s ‘sporting project’ was a key factor in the forward’s decision to snub Napoli and complete a transfer move to the Emirates. Arsenal are expected to announce Pepe’s arrival in the coming days after reaching a €80million (£72m) agreement with Lille for the 24-year-old attacker. Read more
Klopp says City showdown won’t influence Liverpool’s title bid (Guardian)
Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool’s Community Shield clash with Manchester City on Sunday will have no bearing on their battle for the Premier League title. The two sides will renew the rivalry that saw them take the title race to a tense final day last season. City eventually claimed their second successive Premier League crown by a single point as Liverpool’s bid for a first title since 1990 reached a painful conclusion. Read more
Gareth Bale: Wales forward withdraws from Real Madrid squad for Munich tournament (BBC)
Gareth Bale has pulled out of Real Madrid’s trip to Munich for a pre-season tournament, following the collapse of his proposed move to China. It is understood Bale is not in the right mental state to play after Real president Florentino Perez prevented him from joining Jiangsu Suning. Last week, Real boss Zinedine Zidane said the 30-year-old was “very close to leaving” having fallen out of favour. Read more
Reus named German footballer of the year (Guardian)
Borussia Dortmund forward Marco Reus was voted German footballer of the year on Sunday by respected magazine Kicker. The captain scored 17 Bundesliga goals as Dortmund narrowly missed out on the title last season to Bayern Munich. He received 158 votes from journalists with Bayer Leverkusen’s Kai Havertz coming second with 121. Bayern’s Joshua Kimmich was third on 35. Germany’s Juergen Klopp was chosen as coach of the year after inspiring Liverpool to Champions League glory. Read more
PSG ‘egos’ not easy for team – Julian Draxler (BBC)
The “egos” of some Paris St-Germain stars mean that “it is not easy for the whole team”, says the club’s German winger Julian Draxler. Draxler plays alongside Neymar – who has been linked with a move back to Barcelona – Kylian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani at the Ligue 1 champions. “All of them are exceptional players, it is hard to find in the world players of this level,” Draxler told AFP. Read more
Bayern gear up with questions over Mueller, Hoeness and transfers (Guardian)
A public training session in front of 2,000 fans on Sunday allowed Bayern Munich to show they are ready for a tough week of final preparations for the new season. Back from a tour of the United States, home friendlies against Fenerbahce on Tuesday and Real Madrid or Tottenham on Wednesday are followed by Saturday’s German Super Cup at last term’s runners-up Borussia Dortmund – the start of the real campaign for fans. Read more
Idrissa Gueye: Everton midfielder set for Paris St-Germain medical (BBC)
Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye is set to have a medical with Paris St-Germain as the Senegal international nears a move to the French champions. The 29-year-old joined Everton from Aston Villa for around £7m in 2016 and is reported to be set to leave for a fee of over £25m. Gueye has made 108 appearances for the Toffees in all competitions. Read more