5 die, 12 injured in Lagos-Ibadan road crash (Punch)
Five people died while 12 others were reportedly injured in an early morning crash on Sunday around the Foursquare camp, Ajebo on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway when a DAF truck with registration number KMC- 810ZB lost control after having a burst tyre and occupied the road while a Toyota bus with registration number TMA 244XA and another Mitsubishi pickup without registration number ran into the truck.
This was according to a statement from the Spokesperson of Ogun State Sector Command of Federal Road Safety Corps, Florence Okpe.
The injured victims were said to have been taken to Victory Hospital, Ogere, for medical attention while the corpses were deposited at FOS Morgue, Ipara Remo. Read more
Fresh hike in price of rice looms over scarcity of paddy (Guardian)
There are fresh indications on the imminent hike in the price of rice – considered as the most common staple food in Nigeria, in the next few weeks, going by the shutting down of rice mills in major rice producing states in the country.
A 50kg bag of rice, which sold for between N30, 000 and N35, 000 between December 2022 and February 2023, has increased to between N40, 000 and N45, 000, depending on the brand across markets in the country.
With the current development, the price of the cereal grain may likely increase to N50, 000 or more in weeks to come, as more mills are closing down due to scarcity of paddy, the main raw material for rice production. Read more
My father was assassinated in my presence’, Singer Teni recounts (Tribune)
Nigerian singer Teniola Apata, aka Teni Makaniki, has said the assassination of her father, the late Brig. Gen. Simeon Apata (retd.) in her presence greatly affected her.
Speaking in an interview with media personality Taymesan, Teni disclosed that she was two years old when gunmen stormed their Lagos home and murdered her father in the presence of the family.
The ‘Uyo Meyo’ crooner added that this affected her growing up as she has since developed trust issues. Read more
Fountain of Life Church names actor Jimmy Odukoya as successor of late father (DailyTrust)
The Fountain of Life Church (TFOLC), has announced Jimmy Odukoya, the son of Bimbo and Taiwo Odukoya, as the senior pastor of the church.
This was made known on Sunday during the church service.
Pastor Taiwo Odukoya, who was the former senior pastor of the church died in August 2023, in the United States. He was aged 67. Read more
UNICAL Sex Scandal: Women Affairs Minister apologises for her offensive comments (Sun)
The Minister for Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, has reaffirmed her commitment to defending and advancing the rights and welfare of Nigerian women, including the pursuit of justice when these rights are violated, in the wake of the criticism that has followed her leaked audio regarding the University of Calabar (UNICAL) sexual harassment case involving the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Prof. Cyril Ndifon, and sexual harassment allegations levelled against him.
In a statement issued by Director of Press and Publicity, Olujimi Oyetomi, Minister emphasised her unwavering dedication to upholding due diligence and the rule of law, recognizing that justice and fairness are the fundamental principles upon which equitable societies are built.
She stated: “I wish to express my sincere apologies to those who were offended by my comments and actions regarding the sexual harassment scandal at the University of Calabar. This is extremely regrettable as my intentions were sincere and aligned with my consistent advocacy for the welfare of Nigerian women and the pursuit of justice. Read more
NDLEA intercepts illicit drug at Lagos Airport, 5 pregnant teenagers in Imo (Leadership)
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted illicit drug consignments concealed in different items at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos State.
The NDLEA operatives also thwarted the attempt to smuggle drugs through a courier service in Lagos.
At the Lagos airport, NDLEA operatives on Tuesday, September 12 intercepted an intending passenger, Ugwu Peter Tochukwu, going to Oman, while trying to board a Qatar Airways flight. Read more
Tinubu nominates Jamila Ibrahim as Minister of Youth (Vanguard)
President Bola Tinubu has approved the nomination of Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim as Minister of Youth and Mr. Ayodele Olawande as Minister of State of the ministry.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, made this disclosure on Sunday, noting that the new nominations are subject to confirmation by the Nigerian Senate.
According to him, “President Bola Tinubu has approved the nomination of Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim to serve as the Minister of Youth, pending her confirmation by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Read more
FCTA to demolish illegal buildings in Abuja’s popular market (Nation)
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) says it would start the demolition of illegal buildings within the Area 1 Shopping Complex on Monday, September 18.
This is as the FCTA said that all the attachment shops and other illegal constructions, and wrong parking which hitherto made that place impassable to traffic would be removed and the whole environment cleaned up.
This development was arrived at by authorities of the FCTA which comprises the Departments of Development Control, Security Service, the Abuja Environmental Protection Board, as well as the Abuja Investments Company Ltd, in a meeting with traders of the market. Read more
Olivia Rodrigo’s ‘Guts’ outsells rest of UK album chart Top 10 combined (NME)
Olivia Rodrigo has picked up her second UK Number One album, with ‘Guts’ outselling the rest of the Top 10 combined.
The album racked up over 60,000 chart units in its first week, with debut album ‘Sour’ also re-entering the Top 10 following the second album’s release.
‘Guts’ has had the fourth biggest opening week for an album in 2023, following records by Lewis Capaldi, Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift. Read more
Helen Mirren believes gardening helps make her a better actor (FilmNews)
Helen Mirren believes gardening “probably” helps make her a better actor.
The Oscar-winning actress, who is an avid gardener, finds her hobby meditative and believes that it helps her get rid of any insecurities she may be holding onto.
“I think gardening probably helps me be a better actor,” Mirren told DuJour magazine. “It kind of cleans your brain. You can’t have an ego with a garden. The f**king plant just won’t grow where you want it to grow. It’s good for an actor to have the cobwebs and ego and insecurity go away for a little.” Read more
1 week after Libya flood, aid arrives for survivors (AlJazeera)
A week after a massive wall of water ripped through the Libyan coastal city of Derna sending thousands to their deaths, the focus has turned to caring for survivors.
Citing the Libyan Red Crescent, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said on Sunday that 10,100 people were still missing in the devastated city.
“These figures are expected to rise in the coming days and weeks as search-and-rescue crews work tirelessly to find survivors,” it said. Read more
Russell Brand posts video denying “serious unspecified allegations” made against him (ITV)
Actor and comedian Russell Brand has posted a video online saying he “absolutely” denies unspecified criminal allegations about his personal life outlined in two “extremely disturbing letters”.
Brand posted the video on his YouTube and social media accounts on Friday, saying he received the letters from a “mainstream media TV company” and a newspaper which he said included a “litany of extremely egregious and aggressive attacks”.
The comedian hasn’t revealed what the allegations are. Read more
Desperate Sudanese face endless wait for passports so they can flee the war (AfricaNews)
Marwa Omar was one of hundreds who lined up at dawn to try and get passports in Port Sudan. Fifteen hours later, she still had nothing to show for it.
A million people have crossed Sudan’s borders since April, fleeing the devastating war between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, according to the United Nations.
That figure would probably be higher, were it not for the fact that many like Omar needed passports renewed or issued from offices that shuttered their doors at news of the first gunshots on April 15. Read more
Steven Martin denies actress’ claim he was “horrid” on Little Shop set (UPI)
Comedy legend Steve Martin has denied allegations of abusive behavior made in a new memoir against him by Miriam Margoyles, his co-star in the 1986 movie musical, Little Shop of Horrors.
“When I first read Miriam Margolyes’ pejorative account of our scene in Little Shop of Horrors, I was surprised. My memory is that we had good communication as professional actors,” Martin said in a statement Friday.
“But when it is implied that I harmed her or was in some way careless about the stunts, I have to object. I remember taking extreme caution regarding the fake punch — the same caution I would use with any similar scene.” Read more
Pussy Riot and Nova Twins join forces for new single ‘‘Bad Trip’’ (NME)
Pussy Riot have teamed up with Nova Twins for a new single, ‘‘Bad Trip’’, which also features Argentinian producer Mykka.
The track is the Russian feminist punk group’s first new single since May’s ‘‘Chastity’’, which featured guest spots from Alice Glass and Boys Noize.
Pussy Riot leader Nadya Riot (formerly Nadya Tolokonnikova) said of the song: “Mykka played this beat for me and I got obsessed and begged her to give it to me. It sounds menacing and dominant. Read more
Serie A: Osimhen fires blank as Napoli hold Genoa (Punch)
Nigeria’s in-form striker Victor Osimhen saw his Napoli side salvage a 2-2 draw against Genoa on Saturday.
The defending champions Napoli were stunned by two goals from Genoa after 56 minutes of play. Giacomo Raspadori pulled one back for the visitors in the 76th minute, while Matteo Politano equalised for Napoli in the 84th minute.
Napoli sit in 5th place in the Serie A after four games played with 7 points. Rivals Inter Milan after their 5-1 win to AC Milan earlier, lead the table with 12. Read more
Finally, Amusan free as AIU fails to appeal ruling (Leadership)
The 30-day period of appeal opened to the Athletic Integrity Unit (AIU) to contest World Athletics not-guilty ruling and upturn of the provisional ban on Tobi Amusan elapsed on Saturday with no sign of the Nigerian athlete going through another waiting period.
Amusan was suspended for three whereabouts failures. She won two of the three cases listed against her.
Last August when the provisional suspension clamped on the women’s 100m hurdles world-record holder was lifted, AIU expressed disappointment and vowed to review the ruling in detail before deciding whether to exercise its right of appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) within the applicable deadline. Read more
Roy Hodgson “taken unwell” and forced to miss Crystal Palace’s visit to Aston Villa (Mirror)
Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson will miss his side’s trip to Aston Villa on Saturday through illness.
The Eagles travel to Villa Park for their crunch clash with their Premier League rivals but will have to do so without their manager. The 76-year-old will not be at the stadium, but will be in contact with coach Paddy McCarthy, who will take the team alongside Ray Lewington.
It’s unclear what illness has prevented Hodgson from fulfilling his duties but, in a statement released a couple of hours before their 3pm kick-off, the south London club said: “Unfortunately Roy Hodgson was taken unwell earlier today and is not at Villa Park. Read more
St Johnstone 0-2 Rangers: Danilo and Rabbi Matondo strike to ease pressure on Rangers boss Michael Beale (Sky)
The pressure eased on Michael Beale as Rangers hollowed out a 2-0 cinch Premiership win over St Johnstone but the Ibrox side again failed to hit the heights.
The Gers boss was under intense scrutiny following defeats to Celtic and PSV Eindhoven before the international break.
Danilo helped ease some of the heat when he headed the visitors ahead after 16 minutes before substitute Rabbi Matondo added a second in the 79th minute. Read more
Diego Arrua, Husband and trainer of Sabrina Maribel Perez, passes away at age 58 (BoxingScene)
Veteran boxing trainer Diego Arrua passed away Friday evening after suffering a heart attack during his wife Sabrina Perez’s interim title fight in Tijuana, Mexico.
The tragic news was learned less than two hours after Arrua collapsed in the corner between rounds nine and ten of Perez’s DAZN-aired interim WBC featherweight title defense versus Australia’s Skye Nicolson. Immediate medical attention was provided as Arrua was rushed to a nearby hospital before he was pronounced dead shortly after 9:30 p.m, local time.
“It is with deep sadness that we have been informed of the sudden death of Argentine coach Diego [Arrua],” WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman revealed on social media Friday evening. “The medical services did everything possible and he died at the QDEP general hospital.” Read more
Sainz wary of Russell threat after storming to Singapore pole (RN365)
Carlos Sainz is wary of the threat George Russell will pose in the Singapore Grand Prix from second on the grid thanks to a strategic advantage for Mercedes.
Sainz roared to pole in Singapore on a night Red Bull melted down, pipping Russell by less than a tenth of a second to secure his second straight P1 start after the Italian Grand Prix last time out.
Team-mate Charles Leclerc was third as Sainz out-qualified him for the third time in a row, and brought to an end Leclerc’s record of not being out-qualified by a team-mate at Marina Bay. Read more