Deportations of undocumented migrants to begin after July 4 - President Trump announces

US President Donald Trump has said that the deportation of undocumented migrants will begin after July 4.  

“We will be removing large numbers of people starting sometime after July 4,” Trump said as additional report said that US Immigration authorities had earlier announced plan to launch a sweeping effort to deport recently arrived undocumented families.    

The operation is expected to target up to 2,000 families facing deportation orders in as many as 10 US cities, including Houston, Chicago, Miami and Los Angeles, according to a media report . A spokesman for the US  Immigration and Customs Enforcement declined to comment, saying,

“Due to law-enforcement sensitivities and the safety and security of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel, the agency will not offer specific details related to enforcement operations before the conclusion of those actions.” 

The Acting Director of ICE, Mark Morgan, said the agency would target for deportation families that have received a removal order from a US immigration court.  Morgan said ICE wanted to deport undocumented families who had recently arrived in the US to discourage more Central Americans from arriving.  

Trump had tweeted, before the formal kickoff of his 2020 re-election campaign, that ICE would begin removing “the millions” of undocumented immigrants in the US.  House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the country’s top Democrat, responded, saying, “The president’s new threat of a mass deportation dragnet is an act of utter malice and bigotry, designed solely to inject fear in our communities.”

Judge who ordered Diezani’s arrest dies

A High Court judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Justice Valentine Ashi, who ordered security agencies to arrest and produce the former Petroleum Resources Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, within 72 hours, is dead.

It was gathered that the judge died on Thursday June 27th in an Abuja hospital from an udisclosed ailment.

Authorities of the FCT High Court also confirmed the development but assured a formal statement will be issued on Monday, with the authority of the Chief Judge, Justice Ishaq Bello, The Nation reports.

“Some members the late Justice Ashi’s family has visited the court’s management to inform the court about the unfortunate incident. I can confirm that they said he died on Thursday in the course of an illness. But, the court will issue a formal statement on Monday,” a senior official of the court said.

Ashi had on 4 December, 2018, upon an ex-parte motion by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), ordered the agency, Nigerian Police Force (NPF), the Department of State Services (DSSS) and all other security agencies to arrest Alison-Madueke and produce her in court within 72 hours.

EFCC said added that its investigation showed that Diezani, as supervising minister of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, allegedly engaged in illicit and monumental fraudulent dealings in oil transactions, which she entered into on behalf of the Federal Government.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo denies supervising establishment of Ruga Fulani herdsmen settlements

The office of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has denied claims it supervises the establishment of cattle Fulani settlements known as “Ruga” in parts of the country.

The General Secretary of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria MACBAN, Baba Uthman Ngelzarma, had said Osinbajo’s office was in charge of implementing the programme nationwide.

“This Ruga settlement model is a component part of the livestock development and transformation plan that is being implemented under the Office of the Vice-President. It is a component part of it. All must agree with me that the crisis we are facing today has become a multi-dimensional one and so the approach must also be holistic. It was the desire of the Federal Government to take a holistic approach that gave birth to the Ruga settlement model and it is not only for Fulani herders.” he said

Reacting to his claim, Laolu Akande, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity, Office of the Vice President in a statement released on Friday June 28th, said  the Ruga initiative is different from the National Livestock Transformation Plan approved by State governors under the auspices of the National Economic Council (NEC) chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

The statement recalled that NEC on January 17, 2019, approved the plan based on the recommendations of a Technical Committee of the Council chaired by Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State.

Other State Governors on the committee and Working Group of NEC, its said are those from Adamawa, Kaduna, Benue, Taraba, Edo, Plateau, Oyo and Zamfara – mostly the frontline states in the Farmer-Herder crises.

The statement explained that the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP) 2019-2028 is a programme to be implemented in seven pilot states of Adamawa, Benue, Kaduna, Plateau, Nasarawa, Taraba and Zamfara (as decided by NEC in January), being States in the frontlines of the Farmer-Herder crises.

Afterwards, six other states have indicated readiness to also implement the plan. They are Katsina, Kano, Kogi, Kwara, Ondo, and Edo states, the statement said.

It added

 “The plan has six pillars through which it aims to transform the livestock production system in Nigeria along market-oriented value chain while ensuring an atmosphere of peace and justice.

“The six key pillars include economic investment, conflict resolution, justice and peace, humanitarian relief and early recovery, human capital development and cross-cutting issues such as gender, youth, research and information and strategic communication.

“In all the Federal Government will not impose on any State government regarding its land.”

Lai Mohammed to appear in court over N2.5bn NBC fraud case – ICPC

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has invited the immediate past Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed to appear before a Federal High Court, Abuja to explain his role in the alleged misappropriation of N2.5 billion Federal Government Digital Switch-Over (DSO), programme.

A statement from the spokesperson of the ICPC, Rasheedat Okoduwa said the minister is to appear in the case as a prosecution witness in the case against the Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Ishaq Modibbo Kawu. Kawu is being arraigned for alleged abuse of office and money laundering.

ICPC had filed a 12-count charge before Justice Folashade Ogunbanjo-Giwa, against Kawu, Lucky Omoluwa and Dipo Onifade, the Chairman and Chief Operating Officer of Pinnacle Communications Limited respectively, saying that the NBC director general misled the former Minister into approving government funds to a private company.

The statement from the anti-corruption statement said the former Minister’s involvement had come under questioning following the discovery by ICPC during investigations, that a government White Paper that governs the execution of the DSO programme was allegedly flouted by the head of NBC. She said Mohammed, had however admitted in a statement to the commission that he was misled by Kawu, as opined in court by a witness from ICPC, Osanato Olugbemi. She added that Olugbemi, led in evidence by counsel to ICPC, Henry Emore also told the court that the payment of N2.5 billion from NBC to Pinnacle Communications Limited, as seed grant was suspicious because the ICPC found out through its investigations that only government-owned company was approved to benefit from the grant according to the White Paper.

She added that

“the court also heard that the processes that led to the final payment of the fund to the private company were shrouded in secrecy as revealed by the minute from an NBC emergency board management meeting, where issues of carriage fees owed Pinnacle and not seed grant was discussed. He told the court that 47 suspicious transactions were originated by the Chairman of Pinnacle Communications, Omoluwa, immediately after the receipt of the funds on June 2, 2017''.

She said the transactions include payments of N363 million to one Idowu Olatunde, N274.4 million to one James Segun and N127 million to Dipo Onifade, the Chief Operating Officer of the company. The ICPC informed the court that Omoluwa refused to explain the reasons for the payments to Olatunde and James when asked by ICPC, but Onifade explained that he received the N127 million as legal fees he rendered to Pinnacle Communications Limited.

Jersey Island in UK gives conditions for return of N82bn Abacha loot

Jersey Island in the UK has said discussions are ongoing with the Federal Government to repatriate to Nigeria £211m (N82bn) looted by former military dictator, General Sani Abacha.  

Although authorities of the island said it couldn’t make a comprehensive comment on the issue, it stated that provided that an agreement was reached, the bulk of the loot would be returned to Nigeria via the United States.   

The said money was looted through the US but was recovered and confiscated in Jersey Island at the request of the US government. Jersey is the largest of the Channel Islands, which is a group of British-dependent islands between England and France, with a mix of British and French cultures.

Recently, a bank account containing £211m looted by the late Abacha was reportedly discovered on the island. The money was kept in accounts held by Doraville Properties Corporation, a British Virgin Islands company. Through an email, the Practice Director, Law Officers’ Department, Island of Jersey, Alec Le Sueur, confirmed that the island had been approached by the Nigerian government on the modalities of the loot return.

“In answer to your (first) question, I can confirm that this is the case and that discussions are underway,” the email read. Asked what modalities had been put in place between the Jersey Island and the Nigerian government to repatriate the fund and what percentage of the money would be deducted by the island before the loot would be released, Le Sueur said

“It is our policy not to comment on a case while discussions are still underway and therefore we are unable to comment on your other specific questions. Provided that agreement is reached on the terms of an asset return agreement, we can, however, confirm that the vast majority of the funds will be returned to Nigeria via the United States.”  

By the time Abacha died in office in June, 1998, he and his family were alleged to have stolen an estimated £5bn from the country’s coffers.  His then national security adviser, his son, and friend, were alleged to have played a central role in the looting and transfer of money to foreign accounts.

EFCC prosecution closes case in N702m fraud suit against Okupe

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Wednesday June 26th closed its case in a 59-count charge, bordering on money laundering, criminal diversion of funds to the tune of N702,000,000 (Seven Hundred and Two Million Naira) against former Senior Special Assistant to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on Media, Doyin Okupe.

Okupe is facing prosecution by EFCC before Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

A statement from the anti-graft agency released today June 26th, says at the proceedings which continued today, prosecution counsel, Ibrahim Audu, presented his last and sixth witness, Shuaibu Salisu, former Director Administration and Finance in the Office of National Security Adviser ONSA, who presently works with the National Intelligence Agency, NIA.

Salisu told the court that “Sometime in 2012, Chief Okupe came to the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, and after their discussion, I was directed to make a payment of N50 million (Fifty Million Naira) to him."

According to him, "Okupe provided his account details, where I paid the amount into the bank account of Value Trust Investment.”

He added that he was further directed by the ONSA to be paying N10 million monthly (Ten Million Naira) to Okupe for a period of over two years, which he said was reduced to a monthly N5million (Five Million Naira) towards the end of 2014 due to paucity of funds.

He said he made other payments to Okupe as directed, saying that at a point he was instructed to pay the defendant N6, 000, 000 (Six Million Naira).

Salisu further revealed that sometime in 2014, the then National Security Adviser, NSA, Sambo Dasuki directed that he paid the sum of N35million (Thirty-five Million Naira) to an account provided by Okupe and that he can also recall paying N50million (Fifty Million Naira) in cash to Okupe on Dasuki's directive.

He told the court that he only obeyed directives in all the payments he made to Okupe and didn't know what the monies were meant for.

When asked if there were evidences of the payments, the witness told the court that he usually provided Okupe with the payment vouchers, which he usually signed.

When also asked if all the payments were captured in payment vouchers, Salisu replied in the negative.

Speaking under cross-examination by Okupe’s counsel, Akinlabi Akinbade, the witness disclosed that Okupe was not the only person that received payments from ONSA. "Anybody that the NSA directs that payment be made to, we make payment," he said.

Under same cross-examination, the witness said he had no reason to believe that the payments he made were from an illegal source. "Why would I assume it was illegal? I was only directed to make payments," disclosing further that some of the payment instructions he carried out while working in the ONSA came verbally while some others came written, but that in the case of the payments to Okupe, all the instructions, he said were verbal.

The matter was adjourned to June 26, 2019 for the defence to open its case.

Egyptian footballer Amr Warda is kicked out of Africa Cup of Nations for 'sending aggressive and inappropriate sexual messages' to several women

The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) and hosts of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations have dismissed one of their players after he was accused of sexual harassment by several women.

The EFA announced on Wednesday that Amr Warda, a midfielder in Egypt’s national team who plays for Greek club PAOK had been dismissed from the national team for disciplinary reasons.

In a statement, the EFA said Warda had been dismissed from the national team’s camp in Egypt, which is currently participating in the African Cup of Nations. The EFA said that 25-year-old Warda’s dismissal comes following talks with the midfielder regarding his behaviour.

The announcement comes days after Warda found himself accused of cyber sexual harassment by a number of women including Egyptian-British model Merhan Keller who alleged that Warda, 25, had sent her inappropriate and aggressive messages. 

Keller also followed up her claims by sharing testimonies from a number of other women who'd contacted her saying they too received unwanted messages from the footballer.

Screenshots of messages and videos allegedly sent by Warda to women on Instagram were shared on Twitter, with some messages showing how Warda became aggressive when women rejected his advances.

'We have not reintroduced the monthly environmental sanitation exercise' - Lagos State Government

The Lagos State Government has debunked rumours making rounds on social media that it has reintroduced the monthly environmental sanitation exercise and vehicular restriction, urging residents to ignore it in its entirety.  

In a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of The Environment, Biodun Bamgboye, the government emphasised that no restriction will take place on the last Saturday of June 2019 or any other month for that matter until otherwise decided.  

He said there is no basis for the apprehension of some people that they may have their businesses or social engagements disrupted by the vehicular restriction between the hours of 7a.m and 10a.m, the restriction period for previous environmental sanitation exercise.

The Permanent Secretary added that one of the proactive measures undertaken by the Governor on his first day in office was to sign an Executive Order that borders on the declaration of zero tolerance for indiscriminate dumping of refuse all over the State and did not include a restriction for environmental sanitation exercise.  

Bamigboye reiterated the Governor's position that the monthly environmental sanitation exercise cancelled by the last administration, will only be reintroduced after necessary consultations and with the popular support of the majority of Lagosians. He added that the resolve of the present administration is to ensure that all machinery is put in motion to have a cleaner, safer and sustainable environment for all the residents.

“The present administration in Lagos State was not unmindful of the status of the State as the commercial nerve Centre of the nation and would ensure that the general public is duly notified if and indeed when a decision is taken on the reintroduction of the exercise,” he said.

Brother of Senegal's president resigns as head of the country's savings fund over alleged corruption

The brother of Senegal's president has resigned as head of a state-run savings fund after he named him in a report over alleged corruption.  

The report alleged that Aliou Sall was secretly paid $250,000 (£196,300) in 2014 by a gas company that sold its shares in Senegalese gas fields to BP.  Sall has denied the claims, calling them part of a campaign to make him "public enemy number one". Senegal's attorney general said an investigation had been launched.

"This unfortunate controversy is based only on untruths," Sall said in a statement. He had directed Senegal's Caisse des Depots et Consignations since September 2017.  

In 2012, Senegal's then government awarded exploration rights for two offshore oil and gas fields to Petro-Tim. The firm was part of Timis Corporation, run by Romanian-Australian business tycoon Frank Timis.  The company had no previous experience of oil and gas exploration and an investigation - ordered by President Macky Sall after he took office - concluded that Petro-Tim should lose its concessions.

According to a BBC investigation, his brother was later hired by Timis Corporation and paid $1.5m (£1.18m) over five years. Aliou Sall was also promised shares in some of Timis's companies which were worth $3m.

Woman arrested for posing as Sanwo-Olu’s aide at Italian Embassy to secure visas

A woman has been arrested for posing as an official from the Lagos State Governor’s Office at Italian Embassy in a bid to secure visas for some members of the public.

A statement released by the Deputy Chief Press Secretary to Governor Babatunde Sanwo-Olu, Gboyega Akosile, said the suspect, via an e-mail sent to the Embassy of Italy in Lagos, allegedly posed as an official of Lagos State government and sought the country’s visas for some unsuspecting Nigerians.

Akosile said the embassy however, wrote to the Governor’s Office to authenticate the claims, which were later found to be false. She was arrested and is currently being interrogated.

Akosile added that the lady denied the allegation, claiming that her email was hacked.

In the meantime, the office has warned members of the public not to deal with any persons who parade themselves as government representatives in consular matters.

Contentment is key - Femi Otedola replies follower who dropped a 'prayer' comment on his post

Nigerian billionaire, Femi Otedola who is currently on vacation in Paris, shared this photo on Instagram this morning.

One on his followers reacted to the photo by saying, 'you get money and I pray say God go bless you with more sir' and the billionaire simply responded, 'contentment is key'.

Super Falcons crash out of Women’s World Cup

The Super Falcons have crashed out of the ongoing Women’s World Cup in France after losing 3-0 to Germany today Saturday June 22nd.

They conceded two goals in the first half and conceded another in the second half as Germany coasted home to victory.

Nigeria came close to scoring early in the second half when Desire Oparanozie missed a tap in from a cross by halftime substitute, Rasheedat Ajibade.

Man, 50, who won $80million on lottery after he split from his wife is ordered to pay her half in divorce settlement

An American man who won an $80million lottery while he was getting divorced has been told he must give half in settlement to his estranged wife. 

According to Daily Mail,  50-year-old Richard Anthony Zelasko from Michigan must give his estranged wife Mary Elizabeth, 48, half of the money he received because an arbitrator handling their divorce deems it marital property. 

The couple from Pontiac, Michigan, who have three children together were married between 2004 and September 2011, when Mary Elizabeth filed for divorce. 

In 2013, while they were negotiating it, Richard won an $80million Mega Millions lottery. After taxes and fees, he walked away with a lump sum of more than $38million, the publication reported.

In court papers obtained by DailyMail, Mary Elizabeth claims that she was the breadwinner, earning between $100,000 and $120,000 throughout their marriage in her job as in advertising sales for Conde Nast while Richard earned $36,000. 

In his decision, arbitrator John Mills argued that while it was his first winning ticket, it was probably not the first ticket Richard bought during their marriage, often using their shared money to get it. 

'As losses throughout the marriage were incurred jointly, so should winnings be shared jointly,' he said. 

'It’s true that defendant spent $1.00 to purchase the winning lottery ticket, however, the dollar spent was arguably marital money and, as such, a joint investment,' he added. 

He also claimed that since their separation, Richard did not give Mary Elizabeth any financial support for their three children. 

In 2013, she was awarded $15million of the lottery money. Later again in 2014, the court awarded Mary Elizabeth monthly child support payments from Richard of more than $7,000. 

But the arbitrator who made the decision died without ever issuing Mary Elizabeth's award.  

Richard has been fighting the decision ever since but last week the Michigan Court of Appeals upheld the decision.  

Richard tried to have all of his decision vacated but the court denied it and appointed a different arbitrator. 

Lagos parades two LASTMA officers for alleged extortion

Lagos State Government has paraded two officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), who allegedly received gratification from a traffic offender.

The officers whose names were not revealed were summoned to the Governor’s office today Friday June 21st, following a petition from a lawyer to the offender. The two LASTMA officials allegedly received undisclosed amount of cash into their personal bank accounts as bribe to free the offender, who claimed to be driving on a one-way lane unknowingly.

During a fact-finding engagement with the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, the two officers admitted that they collected gratification from the offender, but claimed the offender paid the money to show appreciation. Dr. Hamzat condemned the act, noting that LASTMA officers did not have a brief to receive gratification from members of the public for carrying out their statutory duty.

The Deputy Governor disclosed that disciplinary actions would be taken against the erring officers immediately, adding that the punitive measures would serve as deterrent to other officers with similar motive to extort money from motorists.

“These two officials allegedly extorted money from an offender whose lawyer sent a petition to us. We have listened to their stories, but we are not convinced by their defence. For further action, the two officers have been referred to LASTMA for further investigation and possible disciplinary actions. The law must take its course. This effort is to inform members of the public that LASTMA is created to make life easy for all of us. In carrying out their statutory duties, no agency of government is allowed to harass citizens. We advise residents not to pay penalty into personal bank accounts of government officials. LASTMA and other agencies have their direct lines to lodge complaints. This administration will ensure people live peacefully in Lagos. We are not out to harass anybody. These two LASTMA officers will receive disciplinary actions if found guilty. They will be given fair hearing to prove their case, but if found guilty, the law would take its course.” Hamzat said

The General Manager, LASTMA, Mr. Wale Musa, who was at the meeting, also warned officers against extortion, saying the agency had stepped up its monitoring activities to eliminate extortion.

“No LASTMA officer has right to issue penalty ticket. We are ready to discipline erring officers. If they misbehave, the law will deal with them. The public should report any officer through designated numbers published on our website. We don’t condone indiscipline. The way we penalise violators of traffic laws is the way we will deal with our officers too.”

Meanwhile, the government has urged members of the public to report badly behaved officials of the agency to the appropriate authority.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who gave the directive on Friday, noted that government was currently investigating various complaints levelled against officers of the traffic agency. Full weight of the law, the Governor said, will be on any government official extorting members of the public.

NAFDAC announces a ban on Sniper, orders withdrawal of the product from open markets

The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has placed a ban on the sale of ‘sniper’ (insecticide) in open markets and supermarkets.

NAFDAC’s Director, Veterinary Medicine and Allied Products Directorate, Dr. Bukar Usman, who made this known on Wednesday at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan said that the agency had asked agro-dealers to stop the sale of the product in open markets and supermarkets.
 

According to him, sniper is an agro-cultural product meant to be used only in the farms and not for households. Usman maintained that the directive was not an outright ban of the product but a restriction of its use and availability to farms alone.
 

He also called on manufacturers and dealers to cooperate with NAFDAC to mop up the 100ml size of the product which was cheap and easily acquired, adding that all agro-chemicals meant for farms should not be used in households. “There are appropriate products for the control of mosquitoes and other household pests” he added.

Ex-Chelsea coach Maurizio Sarri officially unveiled as new Juventus manager

Former Chelsea coach, Maurizio Sarri has officially been unveiled as the new manager of Italian giants, Juventus.

The 60-year-old was unveiled by Director Fabio Paratici on Thursday morning at a press conference in Turin.

Sarri who managed Napoli for three years before leaving for Chelsea addressed his Neapolitan background.

“You need clear ideas on your journey. I supported Napoli because I was born in Naples and I got the idea we could be competitive at a national level, so I gave my all.

”In the last few months at Napoli, I had doubts between my affection for the club and fans, and my professional feeling the journey there had concluded.

”During my doubts, Carlo Ancelotti was introduced and that was probably my fault, as it was my doubt. I received offers, but preferred to go abroad, as I did not want to move directly to another Italian club.

”The Premier League was a great experience, but in the latter half, I felt professional and personal needs to return to Italy.”

On returning to Italy with Juventus, and the challenge ahead -

“Juventus gave me that opportunity and it’s the crowning moment of a career that for 80 per cent of it was extremely tough. I feel that I have respected everyone and I gave my all.

“When Juventus contacted me, the sensation was strong. I’ve never seen a club so determined to get a Coach in my 30 years here and that is what convinced me.

“I think we have a long path ahead of us. I was talking to the President about structures and organisation. Going around English stadiums, you realise how inadequate our arenas are. There needs to be a cultural shift, as you turn behind you on the bench and are surrounded by children.

”I think in terms of club organisation and tactically on the field, we still have the upper hand compared to England.

”I am excited by Serie A this season, because there is the return of Antonio Conte, Marco Giampaolo at Milan, the arrival of an exciting talent like Paulo Fonseca at Roma and at Sassuolo a man I admire a great deal, Roberto De Zerbi. I see a sparkling situation.”

On his choice to join Juve despite them being Napoli’s fierce rivals, he said:

“I had three years at Napoli, I made a choice out of respect to them to go abroad. With the need to come to Italy, I received an offer from Juventus and that’s it.

”In my life, I have respected everyone and given 110 per cent to every jersey I worked with. I’ll do the same with these colours, I cannot do more than 110 per cent.

”My choices were very logical, there’s no need to write a novel around it.

“Clubs are at the end of the day made up of people. I liked the unity I saw in the first approach from Juventus, as that is important for me. At the end of the day, you work for a club and what allows you to give another one per cent is the emotional bond with the people.

”I needed only a couple of meetings with them to realise how determined, strong and with a solid mentality they were. I like that.”

Caster Semenya accuses IAAF of using her as 'human guinea pig' amid hormone testing controversy

South African Olympic championk, Caster Semenya has accused world athletics' governing body the IAAF of using her as 'a human guinea pig' to test its testosterone limit for intersex athletes.

The 28-year-old double Olympic 800 metres champion was reacting to the publication of the Court of Arbitration for Sport's written decision to reject her appeal against the IAAF's 'eligibility regulations for the female classification (athletes with differences of sex development)'.

Back in May, the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland, ruled in favour of International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) that female athletes such as Semenya, who is intersex must take testosterone suppressants like the contraceptive pill to stay under the permitted level to continue competing as a woman in any running event between the 400m and the mile.

But the Swiss Federal Tribunal (SFT) temporarily lifted the regulations affecting Semenya until June 25 after hearing submissions from the IAAF and Athletics South Africa over an appeal against a May 1 Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) award upholding the rules.

At the recently held IAAF Diamond League meet in Morocco, Semenya was denied entry by the president of the Moroccan Athletics Federation to participate in the competition. 

In a statement released today, Semenya said: 'The IAAF used me in the past as a human guinea pig to experiment with how the medication they required me to take would affect my testosterone levels.

Even though the hormonal drugs made me feel constantly sick, the IAAF now wants to enforce even stricter thresholds with unknown health consequences. I will not allow the IAAF to use me and my body again.

'But I am concerned that other female athletes will feel compelled to let the IAAF drug them and test the effectiveness and negative health effects of different hormonal drugs. This cannot be allowed to happen.'

Real Madrid unveils Brazilian forward Rodrygo following £40m switch from Santos

Brazilian forward, Rodrygo has been unveiled as a Real Madrid player after completing his £40m switch from Santos.

A deal for the 18-year-old footballer was agreed between the two clubs last year. He joins Luka Jovic, Eder Militao, Ferland Mendy, Luca Zidane, and Eden Hazard on the list of new signings ready for next season. 

'I have talked about playing for Real Madrid forever, but if I have to go down to Castilla then I do not have a problem either - I have to be humble,' Rodrygo said, according to Marca.

Real Madrid Castilla is the reserve team playing in the Segunda Division B, the third tier of Spanish football.

Rodrygo who will be competing with the likes of Karim Benzema, Vinicius Junior, Luka Jovic, and Eden Hazard for a spot in the team's attack also added: '[Hazard] is a player that I always followed. I had him in the lock screen of my mobile. And now I will be able to play with him! And with Benzema and Vinicius, who are two phenomenons.' 

Chinese tech giant Huawei to lose astronomical $30billion in the next 2 years due to US ban

The world's second largest phone makers, Huawei, has revealed that the Chinese company will lose about $30billion in the next two years due to the US' stringent ban on its products and services.

The Donald Trump led US Administration this year, imposed a ban on all Huawei cellphones and component sales and also warned US based companies and its allies to avoid doing business with Huawei as the Chinese company spies on other governments using its equipments on the request of the Chinese government.

Tensions between the U.S. and the Chinese tech giant have escalated since Huawei’s chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou, Ren’s daughter, was arrested in Vancouver, Canada, in December at the request of U.S. authorities. Meng was accused of trying to evade U.S. sanctions on Iran by trying to sell equipment to the country, ever since then coupled with the US trade war on China, the US has imposed business restrictions on the Chinese giant.

"We never thought that the U.S.'s determination to attack Huawei would be so strong, so firm," Ren said Monday during a panel discussion at company headquarters in Shenzhen, stating Huawei’s sales revenue for the next two years will be about $100 billion — down from the previous target he made in February of $125 billion in 2019

 “…We cannot get components supply, cannot participate in many international organizations, cannot work closely with many universities, cannot use anything with U.S. components, and cannot even establish connection with networks that use such components.”
''The company's current situation is not caused by American businesses, but rather by certain politicians' different perspectives," Ren said while comparing the tech giant's current state to a "badly damaged plane." "I think both sides will suffer. No one will win."

In March, Tech giant, Huawei filed a lawsuit in the U.S. challenging the constitutionality of a national security law which prevents the U.S. government and its contractors from using Huawei equipment. 

58-years after Nigerian universities still slow in discoveries and inventions - President Buhari

President Buhari has urged Nigerian universities to intensify efforts at making discoveries and inventions that can assist the development of the country as he lamented their slowness in making discoveries and inventing things.  

The Nigerian leader made the call on Saturday in Dutsinma, Katsina State, in his address at the fourth convocation of the Federal University, Dutsinma (FUDMA). "It is not heart-warming that in our over 58 years of independence, Nigerian universities are slow in discoveries and inventions,” he said.  

The president, represented by Hafiz Abubakar, a professor, the former Deputy Governor of Kano State, said part of the speech would serve as a wake-up call to the nation’s universities.

“Research, critical thinking, moral dispositions, discoveries, and inventions should find natural habitats in our universities, as they do in several other universities in the world. Universities are supposed to be strong drivers of the country’s development initiatives for sustainable development,” he said.

He, however, said that his administration would continue to do everything possible to improve structures and facilities in the institutions and to enhance learning by training the required manpower through various interventions like TETFUND. Buhari also urged FUDMA to partner with Sokoto River Basin Development Authority to produce improved agricultural varieties and give the required scientific and extension support to the local farmers.

He said this would enhance the farmers’ productivity and economic viability.

Cyber-crime is giving Nigerians a horrible image in the international community - Falz

Falz has reaffirmed his resolve to continue condemning social vices in his songs, noting that cyber-crime has given Nigerians a horrible image in the international community.

“I’ve always said it from the beginning and maybe I was the first person to get a backlash on this. I’ve never been a fan of celebrating cyber-crime. When I said it in an interview, it got me a lot of backlash. I will say it again and again; cyber-crime is wrong, cyber- crime is giving us a horrible name especially outside Nigeria"he said.

Falz added that, 'It’s destroying our youths and a lot of people are feeling it’s the only option. I understand the sentiment of people being not privileged and feeling like they don’t have the opportunity and they feel this is the fastest way to get money. But people are out there actually putting in efforts, toiling, struggling to make it by doing legitimate stuff and not just taking from someone else.

One thing I believe in is that live your life, let others live theirs as long as you  living your life does not affect another person negatively. So long as you are taking from someone else, that is an offense even against humanity and it’s bad. I’ve never subscribed to it and I’ve never been a fan of celebrating it".

Olympic champion Caster Semenya denied entry into 800m race in Morocco

South African Olympic champion and intersex athlete, Caster Semenya has been barred from running the 800 metres in Morocco after she was denied entry into the competition, despite Switzerland's highest court rejecting an IAAF request for eligibility regulations to be reimposed on her.

International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) regulations had ruled that XY chromosome athletes with differences in sexual development (DSDs) like Semenya, can only race in distances from 400m to 1500m if they take medication to reduce their naturally-occurring testosterone levels. But the Swiss Federal Tribunal (SFT) temporarily lifted the regulations affecting Semenya until June 25 but could extend that further after hearing submissions from the IAAF and Athletics South Africa over an appeal against a May 1 Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) award upholding the rules.

The 28-year-old who wanted to contest the 800m in Rabat claimed on Thursday night that the president of the Moroccan Athletics Federation denied her entry into the IAAF Diamond League meet in Morocco on Sunday.

After being blocked entry to run in Rabat, where the South African won at the meet in 2018, a statement from Semenya's legal team read: 'Caster expresses grave frustration that she has been prevented from competing in the 800m in Rabat, in an apparent violation of the Swiss Supreme Court's order.

'She was notified on June 11 that the president of the Moroccan Athletics Federation has denied her participation. Caster is currently seeking clarity on the specific reasons for that decision, and she urges the IAAF to ensure its member federations comply with the law and the Supreme Court's orders of May 31 and June 12.' 

Speaking with BBC, Semenya: "No woman should be subjected to these rules. I thought hard about not running the 800m in solidarity unless all women can run free. But I will run now to show the IAAF that they cannot drug us."

The IAAF has also released a statement saying it has no say in who competes in the Diamond League events.

"The IAAF continues to comply with the Swiss Federal Tribunal's order dated 31 May to suspend the DSD Regulations in as far as they apply to the appellant," the ruling body said.

"It should be noted that the Diamond League meetings are not organised by the IAAF.

"Entry for any athlete into a Diamond League meeting is by invitation only from the meeting organiser."

Governor Sanwo-Olu increases salary of LASTMA officers by 100%

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has announced a 100 percent increase in the allowances of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority officials.

Sanwo-Olu announced the increase when he visited the LASTMA headquarters at Oshodi, Lagos. He promised that the increase would commence from the end of July 2019 while also saying that LASTMA officials would be entitled to free treatment.

“From the end of next month, we are going to double your allowance, from the end of next month. If you are earning N5,000 allowance, we are going to double it for you. It is Lagos State tax payer’s money we are going to be giving to all of you so the citizens are going to be expecting a new, reformed and more civil LASTMA officers, Any LASTMA official that is on duty and has reported one form of illness or the other should be treated free of charge.”

He commended the officials for their service to ensure a free flow of traffic and traffic management in the state. The governor also reiterated his promise to rehabilitate bad roads in Lagos while insisting the government would be strict with traffic offenders.

He tasked the LASTMA officials not to allow any offender go without paying fine saying, "if the person says he knows the governor, tell him to call the governor to pay the money for the offence.” Sanwo-Olu urged the traffic management officers to be civil when engaging road users.

“They (people) want a LASTMA officer that shows civility. Courtesy demands courtesy if you are going to even arrest or apprehend somebody, be courteous and respectful to them,” he added.

Real Madrid sign Ferland Mendy as they complete 5th signing of window and take summer spending up to £344m

Spanish giants, Real Madrid have just announced their fifth signing of the summer after completing a deal forLyon and France left-back, Ferland Mendy.

The 24-year-old has signed a six-year contract and joins Eder Militao, Eden Hazard, Rodrygo and Luka Jovic in moving to Zinedine Zidane's side as they look to rebuild after a disappointing campaign last season.

The French football star will be presented as a Real Madrid player at the Bernabeu on June 19, while Eden Hazard will be presented in front of the fans on Thursday.

Serbian striker Luka Jovic was unveiled today as the most expensive center-forward in the history of Real Madrid.

President Florentino Perez said on Wednesday: 'The start of an exciting new project for next season.' 

He added: 'This has not been the year we had hoped for and we are going to react with strength.' 

With the arrival of these players, Real Madrid have taken their summer spending spree up  to  £344m. 

Manchester United unveil Welsh winger Daniel James as first signing of the summer following £17m move from Swansea

Manchester United have unveiled Daniel James as their first signing of the summer after completing a £17million deal to sign the Wales winger from Swansea.

The 21-year-old agreed to a five-year contract worth £67,000-a-week at Old Trafford with the option to extend it by another year.

'This is one of the best days of my life and a challenge I am really looking forward to,' said James who only made his professional debut for Swansea in February last year.

'The Premier League is the best league in the world and Manchester United is the perfect place for me to continue to develop as a player.

'This is an incredibly proud moment for me and my family, however, it is tinged with sadness that my father isn't able to share this experience with us.

'I am looking forward to working with Ole, meeting the team and getting started.'

Speaking on his first signing of the summer, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said: 'Daniel is an exciting young winger with lots of skills, vision, exceptional pace and a good work ethic.

'He had a great season with Swansea City and has all the attributes needed to become a Manchester United player.

'We are delighted he has signed with our club and we are all looking forward to working with him. This is the perfect environment for Daniel to continue his development.' 

FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019: Nigeria beat South Korea 2 - 0

The Super Falcons of Nigeria have kept their hope of qualifying for the next round at the ongoing FIFA Women World Cup in France after beating South Korea 2 - 0 this afternoon.

An own goal from South Korean defender Kim Doyeon and smooth solo goal from Barcelona’s striker Asisat Oshoala were enough to wrap up the victory for Nigeria.

The goal by Asisat makes her the second Nigerian to score in two different Women's World Cup tournaments  (2015 & 2019),  after Rita Nwadike (1995 & 1999).

The win for comes after the Super Falcons suffered a 3-0 loss to Norway in their opening game.

Nigeria will now face host nation France in their final group game with hope of making it to the knockout stages.

The match will take place on June 17  at Roazhon Park in Rennes.

Real Madrid unveil Luka Jovic at the Bernabeu following £62m move from Eintracht Frankfurt

Luka Jovic has been unveiled as a Real Madrid player following his £62m move from German club Eintracht Frankfurt. 

The 21-year-old Serbian striker signed his Real Madrid contract and posed with the club's white shirt for the first time as he was unveiled at the Bernabeu on Wednesday June 12th.

Jovic signed a six-year contract with the Spanish giants to become the club's most expensive signing ever, behind Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, and fellow new signing Eden Hazard.

At his unveiling, Jovic said: 'I'm the happiest guy in the world, I'm going to give everything.

 "I'm excited and I'm sure I've made the best decision, I'll work hard to win titles with Real Madrid." 

Perez added: 'He was wanted by several big clubs in Europe but Jovic belongs to Real Madrid. It was his dream and today he is here. 

'You come from a club we consider a friend and a very demanding league. You have scored 27 goals but our fans are going to ask you for much more. You have before you the greatest challenge of your career.

'We are very proud of you because as they told us, this is the shirt you used to sleep with when you were little.' 

Luka Jovic bagged 17 goals in 32 appearances in the Bundesliga while adding 10 goals in 14 Europa League matches as Eintracht reached the semi-final stage of the competition.  

SSS begins nationwide crackdown on individuals posting inciting materials on the Internet

On Wednesday, the State Security Service announced a nationwide crackdown on individuals allegedly caught posting inciting materials on the Internet.

The SSS said it had recently observed that some social media users were distorting Nigeria’s history to promote ethnic violence and tip the nation into crisis, a development it said must be urgently reversed through state interference.  

SSS spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, said in a statement said that some “unpatriotic” Nigerians have been using social media platforms to make “unguarded public statements and/or use the social media platforms to instil fear in the minds of citizens”.

“These are reflected in the misleading statements and articles being circulated among unsuspecting members of the public. Such inciting materials oftentimes are designed to make or convey false accusations by one group against the other. They also resort to skewing historical narratives to suit their objective of masterminding ethnic violence in the nation. So far, some of the culprits have been arrested,” Afunanya said.

The SSS said it was “determined to ensure that the tribal chauvinists and mischief makers do not continue to exploit socio-political differences and Internet platforms to threaten the peace and stability of the country.” The service said regional and community elders should not only desist from making “unguarded statements” but also help shut down all ethnically-charged rhetoric by persons in their respective domains.  

The SSS vowed to “sustain the apprehension and prosecution of defaulters,” because it would not relent in its quest to prevent crimes and keep Nigeria as an indivisible country. 

Ekiti pastor arrested for faking his own kidnap to extort N3m from his congregation

The Ekiti state police command have arrested a a pastor with the Methodist Church, Ado-Ekiti, Adegoke Adewuyi, pictured left,  for allegedly planning his own kidnap with the aim of extorting N3 million from his congregation.

According to police sources, the clergyman had arranged with one Oluwadare Sunday to fake his kidnap. There were reports on Sunday June 9th that the clergyman had been kidnapped between Esa-Oke in Osun state and Aramoko-Ekiti in Ekiti. Sunday then got in touch with the church members, lying that the Pastor was in his custody and that he will only be released if they pay N3 million in ransom. Sunday informed the church members that the ransom had to be paid ion or before Thursday June 13th otherwise the clergyman will be killed.

Luck however ran out on him when he was arrested by policemen when he came to pick up the ransom at Okeyinmi area of Ado-Ekiti. Thereafter Sunday led the detectives to the hotel where the pastor had been hiding.

Quilox night club owner, Shina Peller, Akin Alabi resume as House of Representative members in Abuja

Quilox night club owner, Shina Peller and fellow businessman and owner of Nairabet, Oloye Akin Alabi have both resumed at the 'Green Chambers' as Federal House of Representative members.

While Shina Peller represents Iseyin, Itesiwaju, Kajola and Iwajowa at the ninth assembly, Akin Alabi represents Egbeda/Ona Ara federal constituency.