1. The most saddening and rudely shocking news Nigerians home and in diaspora received over the weekend is of the passing of legendary and ace singer Olanrewaju Abdul-Ganiu Fasasi, popularly known as Sound Sultan and nicknamed Naija Ninja. Sound Sultan passed on to great beyond in the early hours of Sunday 11th July, while battling Angioimmunoblastic T-cell Lymphoma, a rare form of cancers that affect the lymphatic system (blood cells called T-cell).
Many recall how they had had good times together, spoken a few days before and it all just seems like a dream. As tributes and condolences poured in, the multitalented singer, songwriter, rapper and actor was described by close associates, friends and acquaintances as a solution provider, the think-tank, ideas box, wise one, the realest of all and the godly one with almost no vice. According to these revelations, Sound Sultan never took alcohol, smoke or engage in extra marital affairs. The Naija Ninja has been buried according to Islamic rites at Muslim Cemetery, New Jersey, United States, amidst tears and sadness. Aged 44, Sound Sultan is survived by his wife, three children, siblings and a legendary career and love in the hearts of many.
2. Before the ugly news of the passing of Sound Sultan, the world is still having to deal with the loss of the world-known Prophet TB Joshua, coming to terms with the reality that they will never see him again as he was finally laid to rest just as the previous week passed. TB Joshua had died on the 5th of June, 7 days to his 58th birthday, after conducting a service.
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According to his wife, she got in and saw his lifeless body on his seat – one of the most persecuted clergy has transitioned. Following a week-long activities which saw mammoth crowd gathering as well as the cream of the society from various parts of the world, TB Joshua’s body was finally buried in his church, the Synagogue Church Of All Nations SCOAN, Ikotun, Lagos.
3. Chidinma Ojukwu, the 21-year-old UNILAG student who is a murder suspect for the death of Super TV CEO, Usifo Ataga has reversed her initial statement of killing the former boxer. The young lady denied killing Mr. Usifo, saying he was killed when she got back from getting him food. In a recent interview with Crime Fighters where she explained that she accepted to killing Mr. Usifo because she stole his money and was scared she was going to be blamed because she was the last person seen with him and spending the night together, Chidinma Ojukwu said Mr. Ataga was someone who gets angry easily and was always busy. While also revealing that he was happy in his marriage that he was having issues with his wife. She said he was more or less just catering for his kids.
4. Feeding on this case, the last edition of the KOKO Weekly Magazine examined the culture of Sugar Daddies and the decadence it brings to the society. Reviewing How The Nigerian Society Has Helped Reinforce The Sugar Daddy Craze, the magazine names poverty amongst other things that leads on the sugar daddy craze. It also fixes the double standards the society exhibits in shaming ladies involving in the act, not considering the fact that most times, the men do the chasing and demand sex in exchange for roles in the movie industry, grades in the education sector, as well as promotion in workplaces. Enjoy the read and give your take. 
5. A story that will may gladden the hearts of Nigerians and deserted parties is that of the second chamber of the National Assembly, the House of Representatives, considering passing a law where the President or Governors who defect from the political party on whose platform they were elected to another while still in position lose their political seats. Presently, the constitution only prescribes such for National Assembly and State House of Assembly members. A member of the Peoples Democratic Party from Taraba State, Rimamnde Kwewum, has now sponsored a bill to extend the condition to the President, Vice-President, Governor and Deputy Governor.
6. The sixth edition of the talent hunt show which has got Nigerian singer Seyi Shay the most bashing – Nigerian Idol – has finally come to an end seeing Kingdom emerge the winner, to the delight of many. After audition months ago, Nigerian Idol produced 11 finalists – Faith Mac Ebiama, Comfort Alalade, Emmanuel Elijah, Clinton Francis, Beyonce Ajomiwe, Francis Atela, Dotun Deloye, Faith Onyeje, Akunna Okey, Daniel Ikechi, and Kingdom Kroseide. The two finalists to make it to the grand finale, Kingdom and Francis, have battled for the most-coveted title of the Nigerian Idol and Kingdom has emerged victorious. During the finale event, both finalists performed songs by Fela Kuti. While Francis sang ‘Yellow Fever’, Kingdom sang ‘Gentleman’. With this win, Kingdom earns the grand prize for the competition which includes a cash prize of N30 million, a brand new SUV, 6 track EP recording deal, 3 music videos included, an all-expense-paid trip to Seychelles, and a weekend getaway to Dubai for 2.
7. The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has announced that Sunday, July 11, will be the first day of Dhul-Hijja 1442AH. Dhul-Hijja is the 12th month of the Islamic calendar, in which Muslims perform the Ḥajj (Holy Pilgrimage) as well as observe the Festival of Sacrifice. In a statement on Sunday signed by Prof. Sambo Junaidu, the Chairman, Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council, Sokoto, the Sultanate said it had, on Saturday, received reports on the sighting of the crescent of Dhul-Hijja 1442AH. This translates that Nigerian Muslims will now observe the 2021 Eid-el-Kabir on Tuesday, July 20, which is equivalent to 10th of Dhul-Hijja 1442AH.
8. Not only is the sound of holiday drums gladdening to the heart but the graduation of Mary Katambi, one of the 276 girls abducted by Boko Haram members in 2014. Mary Katambi has just bagged a degree in Accounting from the American University of Nigeria (AUN), 7 years after a slim-chance of survival event she wouldn’t forget in her life time. in April 2014, the sect members stormed the Government Girls Secondary School (GGSS), Chibok in Borno state, and abducted the female students. Mary was one of the lucky few who managed to escape. Former President Atiku Abubakar, who owns the tertiary institution shared pictures of her, AfDB boss, Akinwunmi Adesina and himself from the convocation ceremony, celebrating her.
Read also: Goodnews! 2 Chibok Girls Graduate From University 7 Years After Regaining Freedom
9. Lagos has begun to prep her citizens on the rise of a third wave of the dreaded and deadly COVID-19, as the World Health Organisation said Africa has not even seen the worse yet, and is poorly prepared for it. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, over the weekend expressed concern over the increasing cases of coronavirus cases in the state. In an update on Sunday, Sanwo-Olu said isolation centres in the state have recorded a five per cent increase in occupancy in two weeks. According to him, it appears that there is a potential third wave in Lagos State. The Governor explained that as of July 7, Lagos State had recorded a total of 60,202 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Of this number, 55,135 have recovered in-community and 770 are currently being managed actively in the community. Meanwhile, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control said it has detected a confirmed case with the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant, also known as lineage B.1.617.2. in the nation a few days earlier. The NCDC in a statement said the variant was detected in a traveller to Nigeria, following the routine travel test required of all international travellers and genomic sequencing at the NCDC National Reference Laboratory, Abuja.
10. Stand up for the champion! Italy are European champions for the second time in their history after prevailing in a penalty shootout win over England at Wembley. At 1min 57 seconds, England had hit the first goal, the fastest ever in a European Championship final, representing the ideal start for England. Italy were understandably rocked by that early setback and struggled to come to terms with England’s relentless pressing, while Kane was a constant nuisance and unsettled the Azzurri’s tower of power Giorgio Chiellini.
Read also: COVID-19 Helped Improved My Music Career And Preserved My Brand – Bella Shmurda
Despite their shaky start, the visitors to Wembley still carried a threat, particularly through Federico Chiesa, who came within a foot of drawing his team level 10 minutes before the break with a rasping low drive from distance which had Jordan Pickford well beaten. Italy, befitting of a side that hadn’t tasted defeat for three years, regained their composure during the latter stages of the opening period and the half-time whistle was greeted with relief, as much as jubilation by the Wembley crowd.
The opening exchanges of the second period saw Italy start on the front foot, with Lorenzo Insigne twice threatening the England goal from distance, but the Three Lions held firm with Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips snapping into tackles and covering every blade of grass. A grueling period of extra-time passed off, aside from Jorginho’s horrific challenge on Jack Grealish, largely without incident as both teams made substitutions in a desperate attempt to find a winning goal which never materialised. The match, almost inevitably went to a penalty shootout which Italy won after costly misses from Marucs Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka. Shortly after the game, some England supporters who could not accept the loss attacked the Italian fans inside and outside the stadium. The angry fans also racially abused their Italian counterparts. Meanwhile, England players have been bombarded with despicable racist abuse after the Three Lions lost to Italy in the Euro 2020 final. Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka were flooded with abhorrent slurs and monkey and banana emojis on social media after missing penalties. The Metropolitan Police has launched an investigation, warning the ‘unacceptable’ behaviour ‘will not be tolerated’.
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