4 men bag life sentence for kidnapping in Ekiti (Punch)
An Ekiti State High Court, Ado Ekiti Division has sentenced four men to life imprisonment for kidnapping a 75-year-old woman in Ikere Ekiti.
The defendants – Adeoye Sunday, Adewusi Dare, Bamigboye Damilola and Ogunlayi Seun were also on Monday sentenced to five years imprisonment each for the offence of conspiracy.
The court, however, discharged and acquitted the fifth defendant, Ojo Tope of the charges levelled against them. Read more
Tinubu to leave for E’Guinea on official visit (NewTelegraph)
President Bola Tinubu will on Wednesday depart Abuja for Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, on a three-day official visit to honour the invitation of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo.
According to a press release issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Ajuri Ngelale, President Tinubu would meet with the Equatorial Guinean President at the Presidential Villa on arrival, where meetings would be held between the two leaders and agreements, particularly on oil and gas and security, signed.
The President would be accompanied on the trip by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, and other members of his cabinet who would be involved in the signing of agreements and review of opportunities to improve bilateral relations. Read more
Mohbad’s family opposes marking anniversary of late singer’s death (Leadership)
The family of the late Nigerian singer, Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, has appealed to organisations and individuals planning to mark the first anniversary of his death to suspend their plans.
In a statement signed by a member of the family’s legal team, Monisola Odumosu, the family emphasised their preference for a quiet period of mourning rather than reopening old wounds.
“It has come to the attention of the Aloba family that some organisations have been planning to celebrate the first anniversary of the death of our late son and singer, Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba (Mohbad). The Aloba family wishes to appeal to such interest groups to suspend such ideas. Read more
Court jails 5 internet fraudsters in Abuja (Channels)
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abuja Zonal Directorate said it has secured the conviction and sentence of five internet fraudsters.
A statement by the commission’s Head, Media & Publicity, Dele Oyewale on Tuesday, said the five convicts were jailed on Monday by Justice C.O. Agashieze of the Federal Capital Territory High Court on a one-count separate charge bordering on obtaining by pretence.
The convicts are; Desmond Ikpefua, Oyeniji Efosa Temitope, Exiobor Raphael, Emmanuel Gabriel and Samuel Owoicho. Read more
NYSC: UNICAL pro chancellor fingers officials in massive certificate forgery (DailyTrust)
The Pro Chancellor and Chairman of the 14th Governing Council of University of Calabar (UNICAL), DIG Udom Ekpoudom (retd) has alleged that some officials of the school are behind the massive certificate fraud revealed by the National Youth Service Corps on Monday.
Ekpoudom said that investigations had commenced to uncover the perpetrators.
He frowned at the discovery and vowed that any officials found culpable would be severely dealt with. Read more
NUC identifies poor governance, funding issues in Nigerian universities (Vanguard)
The National Universities Commission (NUC) has identified poor governance, academic corruption and inadequate funding as some of the critical issues affecting tertiary education in Nigeria.
The Acting Executive Secretary of the NUC, Chris Maiyaki, made this statement during the 2024 Registry Lecture at Babcock University, Ilishan, on Tuesday.
Maiyaki said there had been a decline in the nation’s university system over the past three decades, compared with the remarkable achievements of earlier periods.
NAN reports that the theme of the lecture is “Role Of The Administrator in Changing University Environment; Issues and Prospects”.
According to Maiyaki, Nigerian graduates were once celebrated both nationally and globally, but the current landscape is marred by social vices, manpower shortages, economic pressures and incessant strike actions. Read more
Afenifere lauds Oyebanji’s infrastructural drive in Ekiti (Tribune)
The Ekiti State chapter of the Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere has lauded the state governor, Biodun Oyebanji for his investment and commitment to the upliftment of the state’s infrastructure.
Afenifere explained that the governor in his almost two years in office has demonstrated uncommon commitment to the welfare and socio-economic development of the state.
The deputy chairman of Afenifere in Ekiti state, Bayo Idowu spoke to newsmen in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital on behalf of the state chairman Yemi Alade on Tuesday after a tour of major ongoing road projects across the state capital in the senatorial district. Read more
16 feared dead, 17 injured in Ibadan multiple accidents (Nation)
No fewer than 16 people lost their lives, and 17 others were injured in a series of accidents that occurred early Tuesday morning at Ajao, opposite Bovas filling station, on the Ojo/Iwo Road expressway in Ibadan.
The spokesman for the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Oyo, CRC Mayowa Odewo, attributed the accident to brake failure.
He said: “The accident occurred after a trailer carrying iron materials lost control and ran into multiple vehicles including a bus coming from the North with 18 passengers who are majorly children, the trailer also ran into a Micra, and Honda CR-V car 2002/2003 model. Read more
Treasures from Egypt’s last dynasty discovered in 63 tombs (AfricaNews)
A treasure trove of artefacts from Egypt’s last dynasty has been discovered in 63 tombs in the Nile Delta region and experts are working to restore and classify them, an official at the country’s antiquities authority said Monday.
The artefacts include gold coins and jewelry dating from Egypt ‘s late Ptolemaic and early Ptolemaic periods , and some pieces could be displayed in one of the country’s museums, said Neveine el-Arif, a spokeswoman for the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.
An Egyptian archaeological mission from the Supreme Council of Antiquities discovered the mud-brick tombs in the Tell al-Deir necropolis in the city of Damietta (Damietta governorate), the ministry said in a statement last month. Read more
Taylor Swift has the last laugh over Kanye West as she delivers savage blow (OK!)
Taylor Swift has served Kanye West a savage blow, having beaten him to the number one spot in the album charts, following his latest release.
Kanye’s run of 11 consecutive number one albums came to a halt as his new collaboration Vultures 2 with Ty Dolla Sign debuted just behind Taylor’s The Tortured Poets Department. Despite Kanye’s tumultuous year and controversial remarks, his album still managed to sell around 107,000 copies in its opening week, Billboard reports.
On the flip side, Taylor’s The Tortured Poets Department is dominating the charts in its 14th week at number one, while she wows fans on her sold-out global tour. Adding a twist to the rivalry, one of the tracks on Vultures 2 features a nod to Taylor, with Lil Wayne rapping: “I twist my Taylor spliffs tight at the end like Travis Kelce,” referencing her current beau, who plays for the Kansas City Chiefs. Read more
Charlotte Crosby reveals she was reduced to tears on Celebrity MasterChef as she details her “emotional” time filming (DailyMail)
Charlotte Crosby has revealed that she was reduced to tears on Celebrity MasterChef.
The Geordie Shore star, 34, appeared on Monday’s episode of The One Show with co-star Edith Bowman as they reflected on filming the celebrity cooking show.
Charlotte told hosts Alex Jones and Lauren Laverne that she had a false sense of security before filming, walking in with the attitude ‘I’m going to win this!’ Read more
Juvenile & Mannie Fresh react to Eminem sampling “Ha” on new album (HipHopDX)
Juvenile and Mannie Fresh have returned the love to Eminem after he sampled their classic hit “Ha” on his new album The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce).
On the back half of the track “Road Rage,” Em prominently samples the 1998 single which later featured JAY-Z on the remix.
Speaking with Hot 97’s DJ Drewski, the New Orleans rap legends opened up about Slim Shady borrowing from “Ha” and their thoughts on sampling. Read more
Halle Berry “got cool points’’ from daughter for introducing her to costar Mark Wahlberg (People)
Halle Berry is a cool mom!
The actress, 57, stepped out at the Los Angeles premiere of The Union on Monday, Aug. 12, and spoke exclusively to PEOPLE about how she earned “cool points” when her daughter Nahla Ariela, 16, met her costar Mark Wahlberg.
“Well, I got cool points when I introduced my daughter to Mark, because she loves Daddy’s Home,” Berry tells PEOPLE. “That’s one of her favorite movies. So when I got to introduce her to Mark, I think it was the first time in my whole career where she said ‘Oh, you know Mark Wahlberg? Okay you’re cool.’ ” Read more
Security guard disarms attacker after girl and woman stabbed in central London (CNN)
A security guard said he tried to save an 11-year-old girl and a 34-year-old woman as they were attacked by a man wielding a knife in London’s Leicester Square, one of the busiest tourist destinations in the English capital.
London’s Westminster Police said a man, believed to be the only suspect, had been arrested after the attack on Monday morning.
The guard, who gave his name as Abdullah, 29, told PA Media he was working at a nearby tea shop in the square when he “heard a scream” and saw the women being attacked by a man who appeared to be in his thirties. Read more
UN humans right chief demands release of 13 staff detained by Houthi rebels (UPI)
The United Nations renewed demands Tuesday for the release of 13 of its employees who have been held by Houthi rebels in Yemen for two months on what its says are trumped up spying charges.
U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk strongly condemned the storming of the UNHCR’s office in Sana’a by the Ansar Allah de facto authorities on June 6 and June 7 and called for the immediate and unconditional release of all U.N. staff detained in Yemen.
“Entering a U.N. office without permission and seizing documents and property by force are wholly inconsistent with the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations. This is also a serious attack on the ability of the UN to perform its mandate, including with respect to the promotion and protection of human rights, which my office is there to defend,” Turk said in a news release. Read more
Oshoala to face former club Barca August 27 (Punch)
Bay FC striker Asisat Oshoala will play against her former club FC Barcelona for the first time when her National Women’s Soccer League club host the Catalans in an international club friendly on Tuesday, August 27, The PUNCH reports.
The 29-year-old joined Bar FC from Barcelona in February and is expected to face her former teammate at their new home ground, PayPal Park in San Jose.
Bay FC CEO Brady Stewart shared his thoughts on the match that will take place in between the NWSL regular season: “Bay FC is building a global sports franchise grounded in the Bay Area. Both Bay FC and FC Barcelona are committed to growing women’s soccer here and abroad.
Burna Boy launches football academy (Leadership)
Nigerian Afrobeat sensation Damini Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, has launched a football academy ‘Burna Boy Football Academy’ with training centers in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt.
The football academy is aimed at creating an environment where the next generation of African players can learn the fundamentals of football, combined with education, discipline, and technique, to excel in life beyond the sport.
According to the academy’s website, the programme is open to players aged 4-15 and 16-21, with training sessions three days a week, lasting two hours per session. Read more
Sports Ministry under scrutiny after ‘disastrous’ Olympics (Channels)
After Nigeria failed to win any medals in the Olympics, sporting officials are under pressure from accusations of incompetence and calls for reform over what the sports minister branded a “disastrous outcome” in Paris.
While smaller nations on the continent came home with multiple medals, the Giant of Africa left empty-handed for the first time since the 2012 London Olympics.
Despite fielding continental champions like 100m hurdles record holder Tobi Amusan, Africa’s most populous nation did not live up to Olympic expectations. Read more
Brentford close in on Burnley’s Ireland centre-half Dara O’Shea to join his national team-mate Nathan Collins (IrishIndependent)
Brentford are closing in on a deal for Republic of Ireland centre-back Dara O’Shea which will make Burnley a profit on the £7 million they paid a year ago.
O’Shea has been a target for other Premier League clubs and Scottish champions Celtic, but Thomas Frank has been leading the charge for the 25-year-old and is expected to win the race to sign him before the transfer deadline.
Despite being the subject of interest, O’Shea started the season for Burnley and scored in their 4-1 win over Luton in his club’s first game of the Championship campaign. Read more
Jannik Sinner issues injury update ahead of Cincinnati Open as he makes ‘struggle’ confession (Tennis365)
Jannik Sinner has allayed fears that his recent injury woes will keep him out of the Cincinnati Open, but he does acknowledge that the event is one where he usually “struggles”.
The world No 1 missed the Italian Open in May due to a hip injury he sustained at the Madrid Open and two months later he was forced to skip the Paris Olympics due to tonsillitis.
After making his comeback at the Canadian Open last week, Sinner was once again troubled by his hip during quarter-final defeat to Andrey Rublev. Read more
Raygun offered surprise new job after Olympic Games disaster (DailyMail)
Australia’s women’s cricket team have cheekily offered Raygun a place in their squad following her Olympic Games performance in Paris.
Raygun, a 36-year-old university lecturer whose real name is Rachael Gunn, became the story of the Olympics over the weekend after failing to score a single point across in the inaugural women’s breakdancing competition.
The controversial performance featured kangaroo hopping, slithering like a snake and even using the iconic Aussie ‘sprinkler’ move. Read more