Once Upon A Time – June 30 – 2002 – First World Cup Held In Asia, Brazil Beats Germany In Record 5th Title

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June 30, 2023

1520 Spanish conquistadors are expelled from Tenochtitlan following an Aztec revolt against their rule under Hernán Cortés during “La Noche Triste” (the Night of Sadness).

1860 Famous debate on Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution held at the Oxford University Museum and dominated by arguments between Thomas Henry Huxley and Bishop Samuel Wilberforce

1905 In Russia, the “Potemkin” arrives at Odessa, where sailors take the bodies of dead crewman ashore; sailors join civilians in revolutionary actions of the ‘1905 Revolution’

1908 A giant fireball, most likely caused by the air burst of a large meteoroid or comet flattens 80 million trees near the Stony Tunguska River in Yeniseysk Governorate, Russia, in the largest impact event in recorded history

1934 “Night of Long Knives” – Adolf Hitler stages a bloody purge of the Nazi party

1938 Superman 1st appears in DC Comics’ Action Comics Series issue #1

1992 South African ANC President Nelson Mandela meets with UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali at Dakar

1997 British lease on the New Territories in Hong Kong, established by the Second Convention of Peking, expires

Historical Events Today Events in 2023

Today in Film & TV

1955 “Johnny Carson Show” debuts on CBS-TV

Today in Music

1992 “End of the Road” single released by Boyz II Men (Grammy Award Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals and Best R&B Song 1993, Billboard Song of the Year 1992)

Today in Sport

2002 FIFA World Cup Final, International Stadium, Yokohama, Japan: Ronaldo scores twice as Brazil beats Germany, 2-0 to win record 5th title; first World Cup held in Asia

MORE FACTS…

1937 The world’s first emergency call telephone service is launched in London using the number 999

1898 Winton Motor Carriage Company publishes the first known automobile ad in Scientific American using the headline “dispense with a horse.”

Famous Weddings

1831 Soldier and future Confederate General Robert E. Lee (24) marries Mary Custis (22) at Arlington House, Arlington Virginia

1949 Austrian-American filmmaker Billy Wilder (43) weds American actress and singer Audrey Young (27), until his death in 2002

1973 Prime Minister of Canada Joe Clark (34) weds lawyer Maureen McTeer (21)

A massive mysterious explosion in eastern Siberia that destroyed wildlife and felled a vast number of trees remains a mystery to this day – June 30, 1908

Subsidy Removal: FG Saves N400bn in 4weeks – Operators

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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June 30, 2023

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Operators within the downstream oil and gas sector have said the federal government has racked in N400 billion due to fuel subsidy removal in the last 30 days.

National President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Chinedu Okonkwo disclosed this in an interview on Friday.

Recall that in a meeting with oil and gas operators in February, Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, NNPCL, had stated that the country spends N400 billion monthly on fuel subsidies.

Speaking on the state of the sector owing to the removal of the subsidy and changes in the Country’s foreign exchange market, Okonkwo said that the deregulation has a long time impact.

According to him, the development would either lead to an increase in fuel price or a decrease depending on the market-determined price of forex.

He added that the impact on the masses would gradually decrease by introducing Compressed Natural Gas, CNG, into the sector.

“You know how much the government is spending monthly on fuel subsidies payment, but that expenditure to the tune of dollars or Naira will be saved.

“The government has indeed reduced spending on fuel subsidies, though the thing is biting, so we have drafted an alternative in Compressed Natural Gas, CNG,” he said.

NPA Begins Removal of Overtime Cargoes

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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June 30, 2023

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The Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA has commenced the evaluation of overtime cargoes at the ports to pave the way for efficient operations at the port.

A statement by NPA said that the moves to evacuate over time cargoes at the ports were intensified when the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, led an inter-agency team comprising the NPA, Nigerian Customs and the Nigerian Shippers’ Council on an assessment tour of overtime cargoes littering the ports.

The statement also said that over time, Lagos and Tincan Island Port complexes and the terminals, including Ikorodu Lighter Terminal, have been occupied with 3,200 units of overtime cars and about 3,295 units of overtime containers, respectively, while the eastern ports have a combined total of 956 overtime containers.

The statement read in parts, “This awkward situation, apart from constraining terminal spaces required for seamless cargo handling operations in the ports, has contributed to the deterioration of port infrastructure, which are designed as transit locations as opposed to holding dead weight tonnages for years, which these age-long overtime cargoes constitute.”

According to the statement, the decision to auction the overtime cargoes was agreed upon by the stakeholders.

“Following the inspection tour, which was held on Friday and Saturday, June 23rd and 24th, respectively, an all-stakeholders sensitisation involving shipping lines and associations of freight forwarders and clearing agents was convened on Monday, June 26th, 2023, where it was unanimously agreed that all cargoes and containers that have overstayed their required time at the ports should be auctioned “in-situ” (In their current locations) and removed immediately from the ports.”

The statement added that to assure transparency and inclusiveness, the modalities to govern the auction process will be finalised by all stakeholders after a similar sensitisation meeting with stakeholders in the eastern ports of Warri, Rivers, Onne and Calabar.

The Managing Director of NPA, Mohammed Bello-Koko, had at several fora sought the cooperation of the NCS to ensure the speedy removal of overtime cargo from the ports and terminal yards to free up space and preserve the durability of the capital-intensive port infrastructure.

Tinubu Vows To Stop Nigeria’s Bleeding Finances

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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June 30, 2023

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday admitted that the nation’s finances is really bleeding as he vowed to stop the bleeding and reposition the country in the right direction.

He also said he decided not to participate in the arbitrage entrenched in the country’s commercial system in order to rescue the nation from collapsing.

Tinubu spoke at a banquet organised for him by the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, at the State House, Marina.

According to Tinubu, “We need to stop the bleeding of our finances through speedy actions of fuel subsidy, we had no choice, from there, we must reengineer the effectiveness of control and management of our resources in order to meet the obligation owed to Nigerians by politicians.

“We are on and I am standing here reassuring you that I will not relent in working with all of you with available resources.”

He added: “We can’t afford to go under, we can’t afford to be Father Christmas to neighbouring countries. We can’t just afford the petrol subsidy and it is getting a hold on the foreign exchange.

“I could say I want to share in the benefits and participate in the arbitrage, but God forbid. No! that is why you elected me, you chose me to bring about changes that will benefit not only you but your grand children and our tomorrow.’’

The President also thanked everyone who believed in positive Nigerian project with him, promising to bring about changes that would benefit all, operate an open door policy and as well re-engineer the financial system of the country to enviable heights.

Why I Chose to Unify Exchange Rate, Refused to Partake in Arbitrage – Tinubu

The host, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-olu, promised to join hands with the President’s administration in rebuilding Nigeria to an unprecedented height.

At the event were the Vice President, Kashim Shettima; First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, National Assembly members, led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House of Representatives Speaker, Tajudeen Abass.

There were also Governors Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Hope Uzodimma (Imo), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarrawa), Babagana Zulum (Borno), Alex Otti (Abia), Fr. Hyacinth Alia (Benue), Bassey Otu (Cross River), Duoye Diri (Bayelsa), Yahaya Bello (Kogi) and Acting Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo).

Former minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola; Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat; former Governors Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos) and Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano) and former Lagos Deputy Governor Femi Pedro, were present.

There were also Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote and Rasak Okoya, among others.

Military Orders Members Senior To Service Chiefs’ To Retire

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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June 30, 2023

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The Nigerian military high command has directed officers who are senior to the newly appointed Service Chiefs till Monday to voluntarily retire from service.

This was contained in a statement from the Defence Headquarters and signed by Maj-Gen. Y Yahaya for the Chief of Defence Staff.

The massive retirement in the military will affect scores of major-generals, brigadiers- general, air vice marshals, and admirals in the Nigerian Army, Air Force, and Nigerian Navy respectively.

The retirement of high-ranking officers across the three services in line with a long-standing military tradition of retiring officers who were senior to the service chiefs.

The affected senior officers who are expected to file in their voluntary retirement are officers above the NDA Regular Course 39.

Tinubu Removes All Service Chiefs, Others, Appoints New Ones

The latest top retirement in the Nigerian Armed forces is connected to the latest appointment of Service Chiefs by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on June 19.

The new Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Christopher Musa is a member of 38 Regular Course, the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral, Emmanuel Ogalla, and the Chief of Air Staff, and Air Vice Marshal, Hassan Abubakar are members of 39 Regular Course.

There are, however, senior officers who are of Course 37 and 38 still in service. According to military tradition, senior officers are not to take orders from their juniors. The affected officers are expected to turn in their voluntary retirement applications not later than Monday July 3.

The memo read: “It would be recalled that the President, Commander-in- Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently appointed new CDS and Service Chiefs on June 19, 2023.

“In order to preserve and uphold the tenets of the military profession which values hierarchy and service discipline, it is important that all officers whose officer cadet courses run seniority above that of the current Service Chiefs disengage from the Service.

“Consequently, I am directed to respectfully request Services to direct all officers with seniority on com- mission above that of NDA Regular Course 39 to submit their applications for voluntary retirement from Service with immediate effect. I am to add that affected officers are to submit their applications to their respective Service Headquarters no later than Mon July 3, 2023.”

EU Observers Say Nigerians Committed to Democracy, Reform Needed

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Mana Balagbogbo

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June 30, 2023

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The European Union Election Observation Mission (EUEOM) has presented its final report on the Nigerian 2023 general elections, highlighting both positive aspects and enduring systemic weaknesses. The report highlights six priority areas for reform, including removing ambiguities in the law, establishing a publicly accountable selection process for INEC members, and ensuring real-time publication of and access to election results.

The EUEOM also noted that the elections showed the commitment of Nigerians to democracy, but also exposed enduring systemic weaknesses. The mission called for political will to implement its recommendations in order to improve democratic practices in Nigeria. The 2023 general elections were anticipated as a crucial milestone for democracy, but corruption allegations tainted the process; including voter suppression, vote buying, manipulation of rolls, compromised officials, and lack of accountability.

The presidential election, perhaps the most competitive in recent history, saw Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) being elected. He was sworn in as president on 29 May. The election is being contested in court by the two other candidates: Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) and Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Ambode makes comeback to politics

By

Mana Balagbogbo

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June 30, 2023

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Akinwunmi Ambode, a former governor of the state of Lagos, has made a stunning comeback to the political scene. On Thursday, after meeting President Bola Tinubu in Lagos, Ambode broke the curse. The two met during a ceremony for Tinubu that was hosted by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Ambode visited Sanwo-Olu at the state house for the first time since leaving office as governor more than four years ago when he attended the function. Tinubu acknowledged Ambode’s attendance at the occasion by saying, “I’m pleased Ambode is here. I’m grateful, Akin.

During the Sallah break, the ceremony was conducted to welcome Tinubu, who was visiting the state for the first time in his capacity as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. On Tuesday, Tinubu arrived in Lagos following a seven-day journey overseas. Remember that there were rumors of a poor relationship between the current governor, Sanwo-Olu, and his immediate predecessor, Ambode, due to the contentious way in which Ambode was ousted from office, preventing him from serving a second term.

On the occasion of Ambode’s birthday, Sanwo-Olu also recently paid a visit to him in his Epe residence, where they exchanged pleasantries. Deputy Governor Dr. Femi Hamzat, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abass, and the President’s Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, chairman of Nigeria Governor’s was among the notable individuals present at the Grand Reception.

Board, NGF, Additionally, there is Governor of Kwara State Abdul Rahman Abdul Rasaq, former Governor of Lagos State Babatunde Fashola, Minister of Works and Housing Akinwunmi Ambode, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, business mogul Aliko Dangote, Governor of Abia State Alex Otti, former Governor of Delta State James Ibori, and Chairman of the Lagos State Governor’s Advisory Council, Tajudeen Olusi, Chieftains of the All Progressives Congress, or APC, among others.

In the meantime, President Tinubu has emphasized the necessity for governors of all stripes to collaborate with his government at the federal level in order to restore Nigeria’s economic viability for the sake of the nation’s future generations. Speaking to the group, Tinubu thanked them for their unwavering support and the confidence they placed in him before, during, and after the elections. He said, “This is a challenging time for us all and we must try our best to change it for the better. All I want to say here today is to say thank you all.”

“I appreciate you helping the people of Nigeria comprehend. In terms of the economics, we must act quickly to address fuel subsidies and stop the drain on our ancestors’ wealth. We were powerless. In order to fulfill our duties to Nigerians, we are re-engineering the economy through efficient resource management. We’re going. I can assure all of you (Governors) that we would collaborate with the 25 million citizens of Nigeria. We cannot go down the path of acting like Father Christmas to our neighbors. We may certainly share in the benefits, but we simply cannot afford the fuel subsidies that are consuming our foreign cash.

“For that reason, you chose me. You selected me to make the necessary adjustments that will benefit not just you but also your grandchildren and the future. We have not yet begun. The nation’s budgetary system needs to be overhauled. We must adhere to true federalism. We’ll cooperate and maintain an open-door policy to pull Nigeria back from the edge and restore its economy to health. You will reap rewards in this nation; we will prosper for the benefit of our offspring and Nigeria’s future. I’m pleased Ambode is here. I’m grateful, Akin. The President has previously paid visits to Oba Sikiru Adetona, the Awujale of the Ijebu Kingdom, and Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo III, the Alake of Egbaland.

Competiton as groups vie to produce Principal Officers at the Senate

By

Mana Balagbogbo

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June 30, 2023

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The All Progressives Congress, APC, National Working Committee, NWC, is anticipated to announce the candidates for Senate Majority Leader, Deputy Majority Leader, Chief Whip, and Deputy Chief Whip. A source told the media that it must be done with President Tinubu’s approval, who recently returned to the nation following official and private trips to Paris and London.

Choosing Godswill Akpabio (Akwa-Ibom/South-South) as President of the Senate, Jibrin Barau (Kano/North-West) as Deputy President of the Senate, Tajudeen Abbas (Kaduna/North-West) as Speaker, and Benjamin Kalu (Abia South-East) as Deputy Speaker, the party announced the zoning formula for the 10th National Assembly on May 8, 2023.

“You can expect that the president will be very interested in other positions that are primarily party affairs if he played a critical role in the emergence of the Senate President, House Speaker, and their deputies, which are elective positions,” a top APC source told the media.

There are signs that the other senior officers’ appearance might not happen until mid- to late-July. Reason: Renovations to the National Assembly’s offices are still ongoing. This indicates that the plenary meeting on July 4 may be held in a temporary chamber. The APC hierarchy has also yet to express their opinion on the matter. The National Executive Committee, or NEC, has scheduled a meeting for July 11. Prior to that, the National Caucus of the party would meet on July 10.

If the plenary is postponed, the meeting would examine, among other things, the choice of the remaining primary officers. Salihu Moh. Lukman, National Vice Chairman for the North-West, exerted significant pressure, and the Senator Abdullahi Adamu-led NWC eventually addressed the situation.

There are signs that the other senior officers’ appearance might not happen until mid- to late-July. Reason: Renovations to the National Assembly’s offices are still ongoing. This indicates that the plenary meeting on July 4 may be held in a temporary chamber. The APC hierarchy has also yet to express their opinion on the matter. The National Executive Committee, or NEC, has scheduled a meeting for July 11. Prior to that, the National Caucus of the party would meet on July 10.

If the plenary is postponed, the meeting would examine, among other things, the choice of the remaining primary officers. Salihu Moh. Lukman, National Vice Chairman for the North-West, exerted significant pressure, and the Senator Abdullahi Adamu-led NWC eventually addressed the situation.

ARREST OF TWO SUSPECTED ARMED ROBBERS, RECOVERY OF ONE PUMP ACTION GUN, TWO LOCALLY MADE CUT-TO-SIZE GUNS AND CARTRIDGES

By

Mana Balagbogbo

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June 30, 2023

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PRESS RELEASE
ARREST OF TWO SUSPECTED ARMED ROBBERS, RECOVERY OF ONE PUMP ACTION GUN, TWO LOCALLY MADE CUT-TO-SIZE GUNS AND CARTRIDGES

CP Wale Abass assures residents of the command’s commitment in the fight against crime and criminality, noting that it will be improved, maintained, and sustained.

On the 25th June 2023 at about 2030hrs, the DPO Sapele division, CSP Harrison Nwabuisi received a distress call from a victim (name withheld) that at about 2030hrs, as he alighted from his car, a suspected armed robber attacked him with a gun, cut his gold chain from his neck valued #700,000 and took to his heels. The DPO Sapele division immediately alerted the patrol team deployed around that axis. They swung into action and arrested the suspect named Lucky Sunday ‘M’ age 25yrs Otumara village Jesse, one cut-to-size double barrel locally made pistol, three life cartridges, one torch light phone, and the stolen gold chain were recovered from the suspect. Investigation is ongoing.

In an earlier development, on the same date at about 1523hrs, while police operatives from Sapele division were on visibility patrol around Sapele and environs, there heard some suspected cultists chanting ‘ARO MATE’. The policemen swiftly moved to the area where the suspects on sighting the police took to their heels, leaving behind a victim they were holding hostage with the intention to murder him. The victim was rescued unhurt and reunited with his family, and one pump action gun was recovered. Investigation is ongoing.

On the 26th June 2023, at about 0135hrs, the DPO Agbor division CSP Idris Haruna received a distress call of an ongoing armed robbery operation along Uromi Junction Agbor. The DPO CSP Idris Haruna Promptly responded, led operatives of the division to the scene where the hoodlums on sighting the police took to their heels and escaped into a nearby bush abandoning one cut to size locally fabricated gun, one expanded cartridge. The victims (names withheld) aged 41 years and 36yrs, both of Agbor community were rescued unhurt. They stated that they were attacked on their way from Agbor-Obia area towards Uromi Junction Agbor. Exhibit in custody, investigation has commence and effort is on to arrest the fleeing suspects.

DSP. BRIGHT EDAFE,
POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,
DELTA STATE COMMAND,
ASABA.

Clark’s attacks on Okowa, avoidable, unnecessary – Delta youth leaders

By

Mana Balagbogbo

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June 30, 2023

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Delta Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders have described the attacks of elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark on immediate past Governor of the state, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa as avoidable and unnecessary. President of the Itsekiri National Youth Council and Coordinating Chairman Delta State Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders’ Forum, Comrade Weyinmi Agbateyiniro stated this on Wednesday when a delegation of the Forum visited Delta Traditional Rulers’ Council at their secretariat in Asaba.

The youth leaders told the monarchs they were at the secretariat to seek their intervention in curtailing the seeming inter-ethnic feud that could emanate from the said attacks on the ex-Governor. According to Agbateyiniro, as youth leaders we cannot sit and watch things go wrong in our dear state especially as we see the former Governor as our role model because he paved way for youths to grow in the state.

“We view our foremost leader, Chief Clark’s attacks and petition against Okowa as avoidable and unnecessary media trial of the former Governor and we urge the Council to intervene,” Agbateyiniro stated. Responding, Chairman Delta State Council of Traditional Rulers and Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, HRM Maj. Gen. Felix Mujakperuo, Orhue I, thanked the youth leaders for showing concern and for following the path of peace.

He said the Council will consider their request and communicate their resolution to the youth leaders. “We are proud of you for following the mature way of peace and for not allowing crisis to reign in the state. We will deliberate on this matter and communicate back to you,” he stated.