Work to resume on Pen Cinema bridge, says Sanwo-Olu (Nation)
Residents and commuters at Agege-Pen Cinema axis will soon heave a sigh of relief, as Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has assured them of accelerated completion of the abandoned Pen-Cinema bridge. He said the contractor would soon be remobilised to site. The governor spoke yesterday while on an inspection tour of ongoing rehabilitation work on major roads in Iju area by the Lagos State Public Works Corporation. Read more
Anarchy looms over siege laid to Yorubaland, Alaafin tells Buhari (Punch)
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, has written to President Muhammadu Buhari to warn him about looming anarchy in the country if the siege laid to Yorubaland by herdsmen and kidnappers is not contained. Adeyemi, who catalogued the spate of insecurity in Yorubaland by herdsmen and their collaborators, accused Buhari of not bringing the culprits to book. He said the Yoruba had all it took to resort to self-help if the security in the zone did not improve and people guaranteed safety of lives and property. Read more
Fatoyinbo: Amnesty knocks police over invasion of Dakolos’ home (Nation)
Rights group Amnesty International (AI) yesterday condemned the police invasion of singer Timi Dakolo’s Lagos home over his wife Busola’s rape allegation against Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA) Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo. Policemen from the Special Tactical Squad (STS) under the office of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Adamu, on Saturday evening, stormed the Dakolos’ home in a white bus, allegedly to serve them an invitation letter. Read more
RUGA: NEC meets on livestock plan, grazing reserves get N3.2bn (Punch)
Amidst controversies over the Federal Government’s suspended Ruga project, there are indications that the National Economic Council will soon meet on the National Livestock Transformation Plan. The NLTP was approved by NEC and the Federal Government last year. It is a voluntary programme, which is aimed at rehabilitating internally displaced persons and developing ranches in any willing state of the federation. The Senior Special Assistant to the Vice-President, Mr Laolu Akande, in an interview with one of our correspondents on Saturday, said interested states and the Federal Government were still discussing the NLTP. Read more
We’ll work closely with Executive for development, says Lawan (Nation)
Senate President Ahmed Lawan has said that the Ninth National Assembly will work closely with the Executive for the development of the nation. The Senate President said the current National Assembly was determined to provide a united and purposeful leadership that will transform the security, economy and social wellbeing of all citizens. “We will work together with the Executive arm of government for the benefit of the people of Niger State and indeed the country to ensure that we achieve our common goal of taking Nigeria to the next level,” he said. Read more
Akeredolu seeks review of revenue formula over new minimum wage (Guardian)
Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has pleaded with the Federal Government to urgently review the revenue formula to enable states and local governments to pay the new N30, 000 minimum wage. He said Ondo State was not against the new minimum wage but that the Federal Government should review the revenue allocation sharing formula, by giving more money to states and councils to enable them implement the new minimum pay. Read more
Police arraign whistle-blower who accused Emefiele of N232bn fraud (Punch)
The police have arraigned a whistle-blower, George Uboh, for alleged defamation against the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele. The charge sheet, which an online medium, SaharaReporters, published on its website, was filed at the FCT High Court, Abuja, following a petition against the CBN governor for alleged N232bn fraud. Read more
Stop rewarding indicted VCs with appointments, ASUU tells Buhari (Guardian)
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has criticised President Muhammadu Buhari for allegedly compensating indicted persons, especially vice-chancellors with federal appointments. It stated this yesterday in a statement jointly signed by the University of Ibadan (UI) Chairman of the Union, Professor Deji Omole and the Ibadan Zonal Coordinator, Dr. Ade Adejumo. ASUU argued that the appointment of the Vice-Chancellor of Kwara State University (KWASU), Prof. Abdulrasheed Na’allah, who was indicted by the visitation panel under Governor Abdulfattah Ahmed as Vice-Chancellor, University of Abuja, makes a mockery of government’s anti-corruption campaign. Read more
ICPC to prosecute erring VCs over fake NYSC mobilisations (Guardian)
The Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is to prosecute vice-chancellors guilty of mobilizing unqualified candidates for the mandatory one-year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme. Chairman of the commission, Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, made the disclosure in response to the request by the scheme’s Director-General, Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim, during a courtesy visit to ICPC headquarters in Abuja. The host promised his visitor a prompt action once a case of fake mobilisation is reported and investigated. Read more
Group wants strategic intervention to curb malaria (Guardian)
The Civil Society in Malaria Control, Immunisation, and Nutrition (ACOMIN) has asked the federal government on the need for strategic intervention to curb malaria burden in the country. National Coordinator of ACOMIN, Ayo Ipinmoye, who made the call in Abuja advocated increased funding for malaria interventions at all levels of government in order to bridge the existing funding gap. He observed that malaria was a global public health problem and that of 15 countries that accounted for 80 percent of global malaria deaths in 2016, Nigeria has the highest-burden. Read more
Otedola takes over Sadiq Daba’s medical bills (Nation)
Frontline businessman Mr Femi Otedola has offered to foot the medical bill of ailing thespian, Mr Sadiq Daba. In a statement in Lagos, Otedola said: “I heard about Mr. Sadiq Daba’s health condition when it was brought to my attention through an online news story I read two days ago. “I was saddened to hear that he had taken ill again after overcoming his challenges from prostate cancer just two years ago. Read more
Rats ate deceased baby’s ear at Anambra hospital–Police (Punch)
A police report has cleared the mystery surrounding a baby’s missing ear at the Victory Children’s Hospital, Onitsha, Anambra State. The report, which was sighted by our correspondent on Sunday, exonerated the hospital and its workers from blame on the incident. The parents of the baby girl had in 2015, when the incident happened, accused the hospital management and staff of chopping off their child’s ear for ritual purposes. Read more
South Africa’s Cyril President Ramaphosa hits back in corruption row (BBC)
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa says he is mounting a legal challenge against an official report that concluded he had deliberately misled parliament over a campaign donation. He said the report by the country’s corruption watchdog was “fundamentally and irretrievably flawed”. Speaking to reporters, he also said it was appropriate for courts to make an impartial judgment on the matter. Read more
Iran tanker seizure: May to chair Cobra meeting on crisis (BBC)
The prime minister will chair the government’s emergency committee Cobra on Monday after a British-flagged tanker was seized by Iran in the Gulf. Theresa May is expected to receive updates from ministers and officials and discuss maintaining the security of shipping in the area. It comes amid reports ministers are considering freezing Iranian assets. Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt is expected to update MPs later on further measures the government will take. Read more
Imran Khan: Pakistan PM to meet Trump in bid to mend ties (BBC)
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan is due to visit the White House for his first face-to-face talks with US President Donald Trump. The meeting is part of a push to mend relations, which have been strained by the Afghan conflict. Mr Trump reduced security aid to Pakistan early last year, accusing the country of “lies and deceit”. Mr Khan said US assistance was “miniscule” compared with what the US-led “war on terror” had cost Pakistan. Read more
Trump says congresswomen he posted racist tweets about should apologise to the US (Metro)
Donald Trump has launched another attack on the four Democratic congresswomen he targeted in racist tweets last week, demanding they apologise ‘for the horrible (hateful) things they have said’. ‘I don’t believe the four Congresswomen are capable of loving our Country,’ the president wrote in a Sunday morning tweet. ‘They should apologise to America (and Israel) for the horrible (hateful) things they have said.’ Read more
Hong Kong protests: Armed mob storms Yuen Long station (BBC)
Dozens of masked men armed with batons stormed a train station in the Hong Kong district of Yuen Long on Sunday. Footage posted on social media showed the men, all in white T-shirts, violently attacking people on platforms and inside train carriages. Forty-five people were injured, with one person in a critical condition. The mob attack followed the latest pro-democracy rally in the centre of Hong Kong, where riot police had fired tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters. Read more
Ukraine election: President Zelensky’s party heads for win (BBC)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s party is set to convincingly win a snap parliamentary election, consolidating his political power. Exit polls suggest the Servant of the People party will have a majority in parliament – but will need a coalition partner to form a government. Mr Zelensky triumphed in April’s presidential poll – but has been unable to appoint the ministers he wants. Read more
Puerto Rico: Governor will not seek reelection after homophobic messages (BBC)
Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rosselló has said he won’t stand for reelection next year, after more than a week of protests calling for his resignation. A trove of sexist, homophobic and other profane messages between Mr Rosselló and his team were published on 13 July. The chats also included derogatory references to singer Ricky Martin’s sexuality, and offensive comments about the survivors of Hurricane Maria. Read more
Chandrayaan-2: India set to re-attempt Moon mission launch (BBC)
India is set to re-attempt the launch of its second lunar mission a week after it halted the scheduled blast-off due to a technical snag. Chandrayaan-2 will be launched at 14:43 local time (09:13 GMT) on Monday, space agency Isro said. It added the spacecraft was ready “to take a billion dreams to the Moon – now stronger that ever before”. The space agency hopes the $150m (£120m) mission will be the first to land on the Moon’s south pole. Read more
Salmon trapped in Canada landslide to be airlifted to safety (BBC)
Thousands of Canadian salmon are going to be airlifted to safety after getting trapped by a landslide. In June, officials found the rocks had blocked off a section of Fraser River in British Columbia, stopping the salmon from swimming upstream to spawn. Rescuers have spent weeks devising a plan to fly the fish by helicopter to a spot on the other side of the rockfall. Conservationists warn the fish need to be able to lay their eggs, or the local salmon population will be at risk. Read more
Kate and William share cute photos of birthday boy Prince George as he turns six (Metro)
Proud parents Kate and Prince William have shared three adorable portraits of their son Prince George to celebrate his birthday. The eldest child of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge – and the third in line to the throne – turns six on Monday. His hobby photographer mum, who recently succeeded the Queen as the figurehead of the Royal Photographic Society, snapped the shots in their garden recently. Read more
CAF unveils Enyimba, Kano Pillars, Rangers, Tornadoes’ opponents (Guardian)
The Confederation of African Football (Caf) has released the Champions League and Confederation Cup draws for the 2019/20 campaign, reports goal.com. Nigeria will be represented by last season’s Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) title winners, Enyimba and runners-up Kano Pillars in the Champions League. Enyimba has been pitted against Burkinabe side Rahimo in a two-legged first-round tie. Read more
Bility praises Pinnick, laments sorry state of African football (Guardian)
Musa Bility is regarded as one of the stormy petrels of African football. The former Liberian FA boss and Confederation of African Football (CAF) executive committee member, is known for his forthright approach to issues, especially when it concerns African football. The Liberian, it was, who first raised the alarm over the dictatorial tendencies of CAF President, Ahmad Ahmad, with his petition over CAF’s finances jolting many of the top officials of the continental football boy, yesterday expressed his dismay at the level the rot in CAF has reached. Read more
Amuneke begs IOC to replace stolen gold medal (Punch)
Ex-international Emmanuel Amuneke has made a plea to the International Olympic Committee to help replace his stolen Olympic gold medal, Sports Extra reports. The former Barcelona winger kept his medals in his home in Festac Town, Lagos but Amuneke said the Olympic gold medal, which he won at the Games in Atlanta in 1996 was stolen. “I have a special place in my home where I keep my medals so that on retirement, I could show my kids and that could spur them,” Amuneke told Sports Extra. Read more
Iwobi to Gunners: I’ll quit if I don’t play (Punch)
Alex Iwobi says he will be poised to compete for regular playing time at Arsenal if the London side signs Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha, but will consider leaving the club should he sit out many games the player told The Sun. Arsenal have reportedly had a £40m bid for£80m-rated Zaha turned turned down by Palace. But it’s uncertain that Unai Emery has given up on his push to bring the Cote d’Ivoire international to Arsenal. Read more
Why Man Utd manager Solskjaer will reject chance to sign Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale amid Zinedine Zidane row (Metro)
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will reject the chance to offer Gareth Bale an escape route from Real Madrid this summer, according to reports. Bale has won four Champions League trophies and a La Liga title at Real Madrid but his six-year spell at the Bernabeu appears to be drawing to a close. The Welshman has been committed to staying at Real despite his recent struggles at the Spanish club, but Zinedine Zidane reiterated this weekend that he wants the player sold. Read more
Stay off Etebo, Stoke City warn clubs (Punch)
Nathan Jones is looking forward to welcoming back Peter Etebo ahead of the new season and has warned clubs hoping to prevent his return to Stoke City they had better have ‘very deep pockets’. Etebo currently enjoying a fortnight’s break after starring as key man for Nigeria as the Super Eagles finished third at the Africa Cup of Nations. “If there had been any bids (for Etebo) we’d let you know but we don’t want to lose Etebo,” Jones told Stoke Sentinel. Read more
Arsenal expect to sign Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos ahead of Tottenham (Metro)
Arsenal expect to beat north London rivals Tottenham to the loan signing of Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos, reports say. Unai Emery is desperate to bolster his squad at the Emirates this summer following a campaign in which the Gunners tamely fell away to miss out on a top-four spot. In Emery’s first season in charge, Arsenal finished fifth in the Premier League – one point below fourth-placed Spurs – and lost the Europa League final to fellow London rivals Chelsea. Read more
Lowry claims first major with Open win (BBC)
Ireland’s Shane Lowry claimed a first major championship win with a dominant six-shot victory on 15 under par amid raucous scenes at The Open. Lowry started the celebrations early, his arms aloft as he squeezed through the crowds who swarmed the 18th fairway at Northern Ireland’s Royal Portrush. “This feels like an out-of-body experience,” said the 32-year-old. Read more
Mack Horton: Swimmer refuses to join rival Sun Yang on podium (BBC)
Australian swimmer Mack Horton has publicly reignited his feud with Chinese rival Sun Yang, years after accusing him of being a “drug cheat”. Sun pipped Horton to claim gold in the 400m freestyle at the World Aquatics Championships in South Korea on Sunday. Horton later refused to share the medal podium with Sun – who has faced fresh claims of violating doping protocols. Afterwards, Sun told reporters: “Disrespecting me was OK, but disrespecting China was unfortunate. Read more