Headlines

“Kamala Harris has wiped out Donald Trump’s lead across seven battleground states, as the vice president rides a wave of enthusiasm among young, Black and Hispanic voters,” according to a Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll.

These states include: Georgia, Arizona, Michigan, Nevada and Wisconsin.

“Harris was backed by 48% of voters to 47% for Trump — a statistical dead heat — in the swing states that will likely decide November’s election. That’s a stronger showing than the two-point deficit for President Joe Biden before he dropped out of the race. The Democratic vice president overtook her GOP rival in Arizona and Nevada, and more than doubled Biden’s lead over Trump in Michigan.”

“The numbers suggest Kamala Harris has a shot at reassembling the voter coalition that propelled President Barack Obama to the White House — and a clearer path to victory than Biden, who’d struggled to galvanize the Democratic base”.

The race still remains a toss-up. Across the surveyed swing states overall — Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin — the gap between the candidates is within the poll’s statistical margin of error.

What’s more, Harris may currently be enjoying a “honeymoon phase” — in the words of Trump’s top pollster — and she faces a challenge to win trust on some issues vital to voters, notably her ability to manage the economy and immigration.

The FGN Power Company (FGNPC) announced the signing of a major Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Financing (EPC&F) contract with Elsewedy and Power China for the rehabilitation and construction of distribution lines under Phase I of the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI).

The contract, valued at US$118,148,469.72, involves the construction and rehabilitation of 2,670 kilometres of 33kV, 11kV, and 400V distribution lines across the country.

This project is designed to complement ongoing mid-stream transmission projects to secure power delivery to residential, commercial, and industrial clusters across Nigeria. By upgrading the distribution network, FGNPC aims to significantly increase electricity reliability and accessibility for millions of Nigerians.

The Honourable Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: “This project marks a significant step towards achieving our goal of reliable and sustainable electricity for all Nigerians. We are committed to working with top-tier partners like Elsewedy and Power China to deliver on this promise.”

Mr Kenny Anuwe, Managing Director of FGN Power Company, stated: “We are delighted to partner with Elsewedy and Power China on this transformative project. Their proven expertise and commitment to excellence make them ideal partners for delivering this critical infrastructure. Siemens, known for its strengths in advanced technology and innovation, does not specialise in distribution lines.

Therefore, it was a strategic decision to collaborate with Elsewedy, bearing in mind the successful partnership between both companies in Egypt. This partnership with Elsewedy Electric will ensure the highest quality and efficiency in delivering the necessary infrastructure. Together, we will combine our strengths and deliver comprehensive solutions to meet Nigeria’s growing energy and infrastructure needs.”

The project will deliver construction of 687 kilometres of new distribution lines (greenfield) and the rehabilitation of 1,983 kilometres of existing lines (brownfield). FGNPC has worked closely with Enugu and Benin DisCos and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to develop a comprehensive project definition aligned with industry standards and regulatory requirements.

Mr Islam Isharawy, Country Manager at Elsewedy, added: “We are honoured to contribute our expertise to Nigeria’s ambitious energy goals. This project represents a significant opportunity to upgrade Nigeria’s power distribution infrastructure.”

Mr Tino Dong, Vice President for Central and West Africa at Power China, commented: “Power China believes in the President’s vision for the power sector and is committed to high-quality and reliable power solutions as part of our interventions. We look forward to a successful collaboration with FGNPC and Elsewedy to bring improved power distribution to Nigeria.”

The leader of Oyotunji African Village in Beaufort County, South Carolina, USA, Adegbolu Abiogemo Adefunmi, also known as Oba Adejuyigbe Adefunmi II, was allegedly stabbed to death by his sister during a heated argument.

According to abcnews4, the incident occurred on Monday, July 29, 2024. South Carolina authorities received a report of the stabbing around 2:45 p.m. at the village on Bryant Lane, according to the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office.

The 47-year-old victim was taken to a nearby hospital but later died from his injuries.

The suspect, identified as Akiba Kasale Meredith, 53, fled the scene on foot but was found shortly afterward.

She has been charged with murder and is being held at the Beaufort County Detention Center. Meredith’s bond has been deferred.

The spokesperson mentioned that these ceremonies usually last two to three days.

Adefunmi was remembered fondly by locals, including workers at a nearby gas station who said, “The King would stop by every morning for a cup of coffee—he was a good man and will truly be missed.”

Oba Adejuyigbe Adefunmi II was the current leader of Oyotunji African Village, a cultural and spiritual center for the Yoruba people in America.

He succeeded his father, Oba Efuntola Oseijeman Adelabu Adefunmi I, who founded the village in 1970.

Under his leadership since 2005, the village has continued to reflect traditional Yoruba culture while modernizing.

The case is still under investigation by local authorities

As Nigeria braces for nationwide protests set to commence on August 1st, a troubling video has surfaced, showing thugs threatening market traders in Lagos.

The footage, which has circulated online, shows a group of individuals moving through the market and intimidating traders with severe threats if they do not comply with their demands.

In the video, one of the individuals is heard warning traders: “Nigerians, you are not the only people hungry.

“Do not come out on August 1st to protest. Well, if you get the mind to come out, see what will happen to you.”

The threats have raised alarm among the public and sparked concerns about the potential for violence and disruption as the protests approach.

The video’s emergence has intensified fears about the safety and security of those participating in or supporting the upcoming demonstrations against poor governance.

Watch the video below:
https://x.com/vanguardngrnews/status/1818278012523053166?t=aNmh_-Cgu4UUjlnFbVGJ2A&s=08

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has told Nigerians that while they protest against the government, he and other officials will continue to enjoy the benefits of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Akpabio made this statement at a meeting with the NDDC executive management, Niger Delta ethnic nationalities, and other stakeholders in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, few days ahead of the planned nationwide protests from August 1 to 10.

The protests, organized mainly by youths, are against poverty, unemployment, and hardship in the country.

While experts worry that the protests could cost the economy around N4 trillion and pose grave dangers to the already fragile economy, Akpabio remains unfazed.

He said, “All of us feel the impact of what is happening now. But we are aware it will be for a short while,” the senate president said.

“MD, I want to thank you for what you said. You said we are not interested in regime change, let us own this government. Those who want to protest can protest. But let us be there eating — I must thank the Niger Delta.

“So in conclusion, we acknowledge the fact that the impact of oil and gas activities in our region has done immeasurable damage to our people.”

The Senate President appealed to Nigerians to give the Tinubu administration more time to implement its policies.

He said, “As the Senate president, I want to appeal to all Nigerian youths to give this administration an opportunity for most of the policies to mature.”

The governor of Abia state, Dr. Alex Otti has expressed displeasure over the planned protest and it’s resulting implications for Abians and Nigeria as a whole.

In a statement he said that, “Some economic policies of the federal government, including the removal of the fuel subsidy, may not have yet produced the desired results as initially intended, but I urge our youths to pursue peaceful means to express their grievances rather than resorting to violence,”

“What Abians need now is a strong sense of peace and sustained development, not chaos.”

Our administration has made significant investments in infrastructure in Aba and Umuahia, and such infrastructure should be protected from those who may attempt to hijack the protest and cause mayhem.

Abia State civil servants have received the April tranche of the Wage Award, as promised by our administration, among other commitments. Therefore, I plead with Abia people to shun violence.

Simone Biles made her long-anticipated return to the women’s gymnastics team final at the Paris Olympics on Tuesday, where she is in pursuit of a fifth Olympic gold medal for the United States, and dispel memories of her abrupt withdrawal from the event at the Tokyo games.

A poised Biles began on the vault and soared high through the air as she performed the Cheng to earn 14.900 points, the highest score on the apparatus during the first rotation.

Biles, the most decorated gymnast of all-time, made a dazzling comeback on the Olympic stage on Sunday when she propelled the U.S. to the top of the team qualifying standings. The American also topped the all-around qualifying standings as well as for the floor exercise and vault apparatus finals.

Biles is set to compete on all four apparatus in the team final alongside teammate Jordan Chiles, who recorded a solid 14.400 points on the vault.

Sunisa Lee, who won the all around title in Tokyo, will appear on uneven bars, balance beam and floor exercise.

Jade Carey, the reigning Olympic floor champion, would normally have been on the apparatus instead of Lee but the 24-year-old struggled in her qualifying performance as she was feeling ill. On the vault, Carey recorded a solid 14.800.

The 27-year-old Biles is competing in her third Olympics after she unexpectedly pulled out from the team final at the Tokyo Games as she was suffering from the “twisties”, a condition involving temporary loss of spatial awareness experienced by gymnasts while performing high-difficulty elements.

Biles also withdrew from the all-around and a number of apparatus finals in Tokyo, raising questions about whether she would ever set foot in an Olympic arena again.

Reuters.

Four Police officers have been killed by gunmen in Imo State, South-east Nigeria.

Leading Reporters gathered that the incident occurred at about 6:30 p.m. on Monday along Owerri-Onitsha Road in Owerri, the state capital.

According to an eye witness, the hoodlums attacked the operatives at their checkpoint in the area.

“Yes. The gunmen attacked the policemen at their checkpoint close to Blossom Hotel and killed four of them,”

“They also shot at passers-by, but only one lady who used to do POS at the junction died at the spot. She was shot at close range,” he stated.

Another witness, said the attackers must have been enforcers of the illegal sit-at-home order, given their style of operation.

“Aside from the police people they killed, they were just shooting at people indiscriminately as if they wanted people to go home,” he said.

He lamented that the area had become a hotbed of gunmen attacks lately.

The police spokesperson in Imo State, Henry Okoye, has confirmed the killing. He said in a statement on Monday that the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) was behind the attack.

The operatives were ambushed while on a routine patrol at Irete, at the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway, he said.

Mr Okoye said the Commissioner of Police in Imo, Aboki Danjuma, has condemned the killing of the operatives and the civilian, describing it as a “gruesome murder.”

The spokesperson said the police commissioner “has deployed the command’s Tactical Units with the available operational assets and intelligence to go all out in synergy with other security agencies and hunt down the hoodlums responsible for the attack”.

The Controller General of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), Mr. Haliru Nababa, has designated all 256 prisons across the country as “red zones” in anticipation of the nationwide protests scheduled for August 1, tightening security measures to prevent potential breaches.

Nababa warned individuals or groups with no legitimate business to stay away from custodial centers, according to a statement by Abubakar Umar, the Service Public Relations Officer, in Abuja.

According to the statement, adequate security arrangements have been put in place to ensure that no correctional facility was “defiled”.

He added that the Ministry of Interior Joint Taskforce (MOIJTF) had been activated to provide extra security in and around custodial facilities nationwide.

The NCoS boss appreciated the continuous cooperation of members of the public in ensuring peace and tranquility in and around correctional centres nationwide.

The statement read:

“In view of the purported national protest scheduled to hold on Aug 1, the service wishes to inform the public that the Custodial Centres have been designated as red zones.

“Furthermore, the service wishes to enjoin the public that Custodial and Non-custodial Centres are critical national assets which are germane to public safety as well as national security.

“Tampering with or attacking them will lead to breakdown of law and order, and further exacerbate the security of the society in general”.

Nababa advised all members of the public to join hands with the Service to ensure the protection of correctional facilities.