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First the Headlines

  • Tinubu Confirms Participation in September UN General Assembly
  • Court Grants Final Forfeiture Order on 48 Assets Associated with Malami
  • Deadly Gas Truck Blast at Kogi Army Checkpoint Leaves Six Dead
  • Sanwo-Olu Visits Flood-Affected Communities, Promises Immediate Action
  • UK Economy Strengthens While Nation Awaits New Leadership
  • Argentina Capitalised on England’s Doubts, Says Scaloni After Semi-Final Win

Now the Details

Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Amb. Jimoh Ibrahim, on Wednesday, said President Bola Tinubu has confirmed his attendance at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States, scheduled for September.

"The President has generously agreed to attend the UNGA meeting of the United Nations. It is significant because Mr President has a speech to give to the whole world about the reform success in Nigeria, and that has been slated for September."

Tinubu’s address was scheduled for around 10:45 a.m. New York time, approximately 3:45 p.m. Nigeria time, a scheduling he said meant Nigerians would be able to watch the address live in their waking hours.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the final forfeiture of 48 assets linked to former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN).

The court had earlier granted an interim forfeiture order in respect of 57 assets, which the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleged were unlawfully acquired by Malami and others.

Malami was Attorney-General and Minister of Justice during the eight-year tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The assets identified by the EFCC include Rayhaan University buildings, agro-allied factory buildings and machinery, hotels, a pharmacy, a supermarket, primary and secondary schools, oil and gas filling stations, shops and other buildings.

No fewer than six people were killed on Tuesday night after a gas-laden truck exploded at an Army checkpoint along the Abuja-Lokoja Federal Highway in Kogi State.

The explosion reportedly occurred within the jurisdiction of the Chikara Division, triggering an emergency response by police officers, personnel of the Motor Traffic Division, and officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps.

"The truck, which was conveying gas cylinders, exploded as it approached the Army checkpoint, igniting a massive fire that spread to other vehicles. The fire also engulfed three other trucks, killing their drivers and motor boys. In all, six people lost their lives in the incident," an eyewitness said.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, yesterday, waded through floodwaters in Awoyaya, Ibeju-Lekki Local Council, as he led a high-powered government delegation on an inspection tour of flood-prone communities affected by recent heavy rainfall across the Lekki corridor, pledging that government would take action to prevent a future incident.

The governor visited Awoyaya, Ogombo, Sangotedo and the Chevron axis of Lekki and Ajah to assess the impact of flooding and evaluate the effectiveness of drainage channels and waterways in the area.

He said that the state government would continue dredging, clearing and expanding drainage infrastructure to ensure free flow of water, particularly in rapidly developing areas of the state. The governor warned that the rainy season was still ongoing and advised residents in low-lying and flood-prone areas to relocate temporarily to safer locations whenever necessary.

On Foreign News

Britain’s economy rebounded slightly in May with growth of 0.1 percent thanks to expansion in the services sector, official data showed Thursday as Britain awaits a new prime minister.

Gross domestic product (GDP) had contracted by 0.1 percent in April as the US-Iran war pushed up inflation after oil prices soared. The data comes as Andy Burnham prepares to take over as prime minister on Monday.

The OECD grouping of industrialised nations on Wednesday forecast that the UK economy was expected to slow to growth of 0.9 percent this year from 1.4 percent in 2025, before GDP output picks up to 1.1 percent next year.

On Sports

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni said his side sensed England had lost belief after taking the lead in Wednesday’s FIFA World Cup semi-final clash.

He insisted that the defending champions capitalised on the momentum shift to secure a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory and book a second consecutive appearance in the final.

Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez also said Argentina noticed England becoming increasingly defensive after taking the lead. The defending champion Argentina will face off with the 2010 winners Spain on Sunday.