Good day! Below is a Summary of News Stories Across Nigeria and Abroad:
1. Former Governor of Bauchi State, Isa Yuguda, on Monday said that up until the time of its removal, the fuel subsidy has mostly been a scam run by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) in conjunction with marketers and other stakeholders in the oil sector. Yuguda who also was former minister of state for transport, disclosed this when he appeared as a guest on a Television program. According to him, he was privileged to serve as the chairman of a subcommittee between 2008 and 2009 under the economic meltdown period and he chaired the committee on subsidy where everything about the scam from the initiative was discovered. CHANNELS
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2. The Chairman of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency, on Monday, in Abuja, revealed that the agency arrested 31,675 drug offenders and seized 6,252 tonnes of illicit drugs nationwide since February 2021. He said 5,147 of those arrested have earned jail terms, including 35 barons. The NDLEA chief said some of the prosecuted offenders have forfeited their ill-gotten wealth to the government. Marwa described these as part of efforts to rid the country of illicit drugs and the attendant consequences of drug abuse on youth. He also revealed that the NDLEA commissioned a Drug Abuse Call Centre with a 24/7 toll-free helpline, 0800 1020 3040, to attend to individuals with drug challenges and their families. PUNCH
3. Some pilgrims from Osun state observing the 2023 hajj in Saudi Arabia have protested over the poor quality of food allegedly served by the State Pilgrims Welfare Board. In a viral video seen on Monday, the pilgrims were heard complaining about the quality of food they were served. The pilgrims could be seen discarding food packages that had been delivered. Reacting to the development, the board’s administrative secretary, Bolaji Sanni, in a statement on Sunday, admitted that the chapter lacked adequate native Yoruba delicacies in the service provider’s food menu. But, the board has assured the necessity for its inclusion in subsequent meals. VANGUARD
4. Oyo State Magistrate Court sitting in Iyaganku, Ibadan, has remanded skit maker, Abdullahi Maruff Adisa, popularly known as Trinityguy, in prison for allegedly sexualising a minor in his viral skit video. The Nigerian Police Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi had last week called for the skit maker’s arrest following a trending video of his dangerous pranks. Oyo State Police Command in a statement on Friday announced that the skit maker and parent of the little girl in the viral video were quizzed by the Command and would appear in court Monday 26 June 2023. Appearing before the Magistrate counsel to the defendant, Oludare Adebayo urged the court to grant his client bail. Magistrate PO Adetuyibi while denying the bail application, said the allegation against the skit maker is currently receiving the attention of the state Ministry of Justice. DAILY POST
5. The Cross River State Police Command has confirmed the discovery of the corpses of three medical students involved in the Marina Resort boat mishap in Calabar on Saturday. Speaking to journalists on Monday, the state Commissioner of Police, Gyogon Grimah, said the bodies recovered included those of two males and one female. According to report three students were missing, while 11 others under the aegis of the Nigeria Medical Students Association (NIMSA) were rescued on Saturday after a speedboat capsized at the Calabar resort. CHANNEL
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6. More than 10,000 people have registered as refugees in South Sudan after fleeing the conflict in Sudan, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (Ocha), has said. While, overall, 130,000 people have fled into South Sudan since the fighting started in April, most of them were South Sudanese returning home. Ocha said the latest influx continues to compound a dire situation as the arrival numbers are projected to continue to increase as fighting continues. Among those arriving include unaccompanied or separated children, the elderly, persons with disabilities, those with urgent medical needs, single- or female-headed households and pregnant women, Ocha added. Many arrivals have witnessed, or were subjected to, violence and exploitation such as extortion and looting, including during their journey to South Sudan. BBC
7. Nigerian duo of Olubisi Oyewusi and Mauzi Zaanu have qualified for the 2023 World Combat Games, after beating their Ghanaian opponents at the 12th African Armwrestling Championships in the former Gold Coast. In the women’s 90kg category, Oyewusi qualified for the World Combat Games after overcoming Alberta Ampomah. While Zaanu sealed her ticket in 55kg class after beating Rachael Lankai in a playoff bout. Also, Team Nigeria armwrestling placed overall third best as they won a total of 33 medals (10 gold, nine silver and 14 bronze) equalling 247 points. This year’s World Combat Games is scheduled to hold in Saudi Arabia later this year. LEADERSHIP
8. Nigerian Superstar musician Damini Ogulu popularly known as Burna Boy has won the award for Best International Act at the Black Entertainment Awards (BET) 2023. Burna beat compatriot Ayra Starr, Aya Nakamura, Central Cee, Ella Mai, K.O, L7nnon, Stormzy, Tiakola and Uncle Waffles to emerge winner in the category. The Nigerian singer, who has had amazing last couple years, was not present at the show but his mother Bose Ogulu, who also doubles as his manager received the award on his behalf. His 2022 album Love, Damini was a worldwide success. He also took home a BET Award in the same category in 2019 and 2021. CHANNELS
9. Super Eagles legend, Austin Okocha, was in Florida on Friday to honour a legends’ game organised by former teammate, Ronaldinho, and again reminded fans of his mesmerising skills. Tagged ‘The Beautiful Game’ the second edition of the exhibition game in Orlando City was a reunion of former stars and current players and an assortment of other celebrities at Exploria Stadium. The teams were captained by Brazilians Ronaldinho and Roberto Carlos with Nigeria’s Okocha filing out alongside the great Ronaldinho in midfield. The former Nigerian captain opened the scoring in an exciting game which was disrupted by a tropical downpour as well as a procession of young fans who took advantage of the slow momentum to interrupt the game by running onto the pitch in search of a selfie with one or more of their footballing idols. PUNCH
10. Ukraine’s Deputy Defence Minister, Hanna Maliar, says some 130 sq km (50 sq miles) of territory has been reclaimed by Ukraine along the southern front line since the country’s counter-offensive was launched earlier this month. According to Maliar, the village of Rivnopil, which lies in the occupied Donetsk region, is among the latest places to be retaken from Russia. The BBC has not independently verified this. Meanwhile, the acting mayor of the Kherson region has denied that Ukraine has gained a foothold on the left bank of the Dnipro River. BBC
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