Abuja Land: FG may revoke land allocations, demolish 6,000 buildings, slums (Punch)
The Federal Government may demolish no fewer than 30 illegal settlements and slums and over 6,000 illegal buildings in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, as part of measures to restore the nation’s capital’s master plan.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who dropped the hint on resuming office on Monday, said all illegal buildings distorting the Abuja master plan would be pulled down.
Wike vowed to flatten all illegal buildings even if they belonged to a minister or an ambassador. Read more
I went to Big Brother Naija audition 5 times — Hilda Baci (Leadership)
Celebrity chef, Hilda Effiong Bassey, a.k.a Hilda Baci, has revealed that she went for Big Brother Naija reality TV show audition five times without success.
She said she planned to go on the reality TV show and become famous before staging her record-making cooking challenge.
The Guinness World Record (GWR) holder disclosed this while appearing on Cool FM Nigeria’s programme, ‘The Big Friday Show’, hosted by reality TV star, Tacha. Read more
Troops rescue another Chibok schoolgirl 9 years after abduction (Channels)
Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued a twenty-seven-year-old Chibok schoolgirl Mary Nkeki nine years after her abduction.
She was paraded at the headquarters of Operation Hadin Kai Theatre command in Maiduguri, Borno State on Monday.
Being number fifty-five on the list of abducted schoolgirls, Mary said her Boko Haram husband Adam facilitated her escape after he surrendered to the Nigerian Army troops. Read more
Tinubu to Ministers: I’ll hold you to standard we promised Nigerians (Tribune)
President Bola Tinubu on Monday warned members of his new cabinet that he would hold them to the standard he promised Nigerians during his campaign to be elected.
He gave the alert after presiding over their oath-taking in the conference centre of the presidential villa in Abuja, where he admonished them not to see themselves as representing particular regions, ethnicity, or state.
He said having been screened and confirmed by the Senate in line with the constitutional obligation, and the 45 ministers will superintend over the ministries of the federal government in “this administration of renewed hope.” Read more
Fuel price rise 9.5% above official price in some states — NBS (Vanguard)
Some states in Nigeria are groaning under arbitrary increases in the pump price of petrol beyond the official post-subsidy prices.
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) report titled, “Premium Motor Spirit (Petrol) Price Watch” for July 2023, showed that Borno state topped the price chart at N657.27 per litre, overshooting the post-subsidy adjusted official price of N600.35 per litre for that region by 9.5 per cent.
Abia state followed with N643.15, while Gombe State ranked third with N642.22, thus overshooting the adjusted prices by 7.13 per cent and 6.9 per cent respectively. Read more
UNTH doctors still on strike days after NARD suspended action (Guardian)
More than one week after the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) called off its nationwide industrial action, resident doctors at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku Ozalla, Enugu State, have continued the strike action, following the non-payment of two months arrears of salary owed their members employed under local arrangement by the hospital.
It was also gathered that the development came on the heels of the inability of the hospital management to regularise the employment of over 160 doctors employed in 2011 to fill the vacuum created by dearth of medical personnel.
It was further learnt that when the doctors were employed, they were promised that they would be converted to regular resident doctors, and, thereafter, join the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) after six months in practice. They have, however, been in practice since then, and not sure when their conversion would come. Read more
FIRS steps up plan to prevent tax evasion by firms (Nation)
All shipping companies operating within Nigeria’s territorial waters have been given December 31st, 2023 deadline by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to settle any outstanding tax returns.
The deadline was contained in a public statement issued yesterday and signed by Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Muhammad Nami. The order came after two previous statements issued by the FIRS in June and December 2021.
The two earlier directives outlined the basis of taxation for international shipping lines and urged them to sort out their tax responsibilities within three months. Read more
We won’t tell lies to defend govt – Information Minister (DailyTrust)
Minister of Information and National orientation, Muhammed Idris, has said the ministry will not need to tell lies to defend the government rather “we will always say it as it is.”
Speaking when he assumed office after his inauguration, he said the ministry and the government will be transparent and truthful while giving out information.
He said the government would own up where it errs or make any mistake and try to adjust where necessary. Read more
Ekpo outlines ambitious agenda for gas industry (Sun)
Minister of State (Gas), Petroleum Resources, Ekperikpe Ekpo, has expressed his commitment to unlocking Nigeria’s vast gas resources for economic prosperity and environmental sustainability.
Ekpo, who spoke after his inauguration, emphasised the pivotal role of the gas ministry in driving Nigeria’s energy transformation.
“It is a privilege to serve our great nation in this capacity. I am also grateful to the President for finding me worthy of representing his government in this very noble task of setting out a clear and concise agenda and robust implementation roadmap for the exploitation of Nigeria’s enormous, yet untapped gas resources.” Read more
New Jersey locals are mad over mob scene caused by Taylor Swift and other celebs (Delish)
Jack Antonoff and Margaret Qualley’s wedding in Long Beach Island, New Jersey, drew busses (not literally, prob more like private jets) of celebs for a weekend of celebration.
The guest list included A-listers like Taylor Swift, Cara Delevingne, Zoë Kravitz, Channing Tatum, and more. While you might think that Long Beach Island locals were be thrilled about a star-studded takeover, they decidedly…were not.
In fact, LBI regulars were reportedly fuming over the fanfare surrounding Antonoff and Qualley’s nuptials. Bars and restaurants were mobbed during their stay. Other local hotspots were shutdown entirely for the wedding festivities. The ceremony and reception reportedly took place at Parker’s Garage and Bird and Betty’s in the Beach Haven area. Read more
Samaria cuts ties on new song “Tight Rope” (RatedR&B)
Emerging singer Samaria is coming to her senses about a poisonous love on her new track “tight rope.”
On the self-help track, Samaria decides to end a painful relationship for her own peace. “Keep me hostage just for your comfort / Taking one hundred percent of me / Got to leave you where you at / Should’ve known better than that,” Samaria sings, with a sense of clarity.
Anyone who has been torn between leaving a love they thought was irreplaceable will find this song relatable. Read more
Travis Scott’s UTOPIA stays at No. 1 for 3rd straight week (AmericanSongwriter)
For the third week in a row, Billboard has announced that Travis Scott’s fourth studio album UTOPIA sits atop the Billboard 200. Selling 185,000 units in the third week since its July 28 release, a nearly 40,000 unit increase from week 2, UTOPIA has now tied the Houston rapper’s 2018 album, Astroworld, for the most weeks at No. 1 of any Scott album.
The longest-running rap album at No. 1 since Drake’s September 2021 album, Certified Lover Boy, which peaked at three weeks, UTOPIA has a good chance to go for a fourth week, considering there weren’t too many major full-length releases this past week, aside from Quavo’s Rocket Power. However, the last time Quavo put out a solo album, in the form of Quavo Huncho in 2018, the LP peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200, selling 99,000 units in its first full week. So, if Scott’s project is able to continue trending the way it has been, his weeks-long reign at No. 1 should extend to four weeks. Read more
Donald Trump to turn himself in over Georgia election case (DW)
Donald Trump will hand himself over to authorities in Georgia later this week, the former US president said on Monday.
“I’ll be going to Atlanta, Georgia, on Thursday to be ARRESTED,” Trump said on his own social media platform Truth Social.
He claimed the indictment was politically motivated in an effort to derail his reelection campaign.
Trump and 18 other co-defendants have until noon (1600 GMT) on Friday to surrender. Trump’s personal lawyer, John Eastman, said he plans to hand himself over to Fulton County authorities on Wednesday. Read more
South Africa beefs up security ahead of BRICS summit (AfricaNews)
South Africa’s government said all the preparations were ready including security elements that have been beefed up ahead of the main event.
South African Police minister Bheki Cele said the security forces of the country “are ready”, and they have been ready for some time, he assures incoming leaders, delegates and citizens that they will do whatever it takes to make sure that the summit takes place in a safe and secure environment and no one should be “scared”.
“We’ve pushed up the capabilities, but we have been there all the time and we shall be there long after BRICS” he added. Read more
Protests in Syria over government decision to lift fuel subsidies (MEMO)
Hundreds of Syrians burnt tyres, blocked roads, and chanted anti-government slogans in the mainly ethnic Druze city of Sweida on Thursday to protest worsening economic conditions and this week’s gasoline price hikes, Reuters report.
According to the report, demonstrators near a main city square called for the overthrow of President Bashar Al Assad, witnesses said, echoing chants from 2011 pro-democracy protests that were violently crushed by security forces and sparked a long-running conflict.
“Long live Syria and down with Bashar Al Assad!” protesters chanted near police headquarters and the governor’s office as security forces nearby avoided confrontation. Read more
President Biden, first lady visit Maui to hear from survivors after devastating wildfires (ABC)
President Joe Biden visited Maui on Monday to observe the damage and recovery from devastating wildfires on the Hawaiian island that started earlier this month.
Biden and first lady Jill Biden arrived around 11:20 a.m. local time and greeted Gov. Josh Green with hugs after exiting Air Force One.
The aftermath of a wildfire is visible in Lahaina, Hawaii, Aug. 17, 2023.
Jae C. Hong/AP, FILE
After taking an aerial tour in Marine One, the Bidens, Green and other elected officials walked through Front Street in Lahaina, which is still filled with charred debris. Read more
Super Falcons ranked 10th Best Team at 2023 Women’s World Cup (DailyTrust)
Football governing body, FIFA has ranked Nigeria’s senior female football team, Super Falcons the 10th best team of the just concluded 2023 Women’s World Cup.
The Super Falcons had an impressive performance at the World Cup, playing four games. They started with a goalless draw against Canada, then surprised Australia with a 3-2 victory. Another goalless draw followed against the Republic of Ireland.
In the round of 16, they proved to be a tough opponent for the Lionesses, holding them to a goalless draw after 120 minutes of play. Unfortunately, they lost in a penalty shootout. Read more
“I’m back,” Richardson crowned new women’s 100m world champion (Vanguard)
Sha’Carri Richardson made up for missing the Tokyo Olympics due to a drug ban to sensationally win the women’s 100 metres world title in Budapest on Monday in a championship record of 10.65sec.
The 23-year-old American stormed home from lane nine to edge Jamaican duo Shericka Jackson, who ran 10.72sec, and five-time champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who clocked 10.77sec.
Richardson missed the delayed Tokyo Games in 2021 after testing positive for marijuana at the US trials. Read more
Spanish FA chief’s antics upstage women’s World Cup triumph (DW)
Under normal circumstances, all the talk in Spain on this Monday would be about how the country’s national team had won the World Cup for the first time. Instead, the country — and the wider world — is discussing an incident that occurred during the awards ceremony.
When Jenni Hermoso, Spain’s No. 10, stepped up onto the podium to be congratulated by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Spain’s Queen Leticia and Spanish FA (RFEF) President Luis Rubiales, Rubiales first kissed her on the cheek. Then he grabbed the 33-year-old by the head and kissed her on the mouth.
“What was I supposed to do? I didn’t like it,” Hermoso said afterwards during a post-match livestream. Her reaction was mild in comparison to the reactions of some others. Read more
Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo, first African to win silver at World Athletics Championship (AfricaNews)
By way of comparison, the year he turned 21, Usain Bolt – his “idol” even if he doesn’t “really remember watching him”, because he “never thought he could make a living from athletics” as a child – didn’t yet know what it was like to run the 100 m in under 10 seconds.
Before coming to athletics, which he only took up seriously around “2018-2019, when I realized I could become a professional”, Tebogo, raised by a single mother with his younger brother, played soccer, “as a winger because of my speed”. But the man who wrote a page in his continent’s sporting history on Saturday ultimately preferred to play an individual sport.
“I think that after this medal, the continent and the country will think about organizing more races, and big races that people want to see,” hopes Tebogo, who divides his training between Gaborone, the capital of Botswana, South Africa and Europe throughout the year. Read more
Neville criticises Man Utd’s handling of Greenwood investigation (BBC)
Gary Neville says Manchester United’s handling of the Mason Greenwood investigation has been “pretty horrible” and lacked strong leadership.
Greenwood, 21, will leave the club by mutual agreement after a six-month internal investigation.
It came after charges against the player, including attempted rape and assault, were dropped in February.
“It was clear from day one that he wouldn’t play for Manchester United again,” said former defender Neville. Read more
Carlos Alcaraz left in tears after losing to Novak Djokovic in Cincinnati thriller (Metro)
Carlos Alcaraz was pictured in tears after losing the 2023 Cincinnati Open final to Novak Djokovic in a thrilling match one week before the US Open.
World No.1 Alcaraz beat Djokovic in the Wimbledon final last month but the Serbian great got revenge over the young Spaniard at the Masters 1000 event.Alcaraz had championship point in the second set and saved four in the third set but was unable to stop Djokovic from lifting the trophy with a 5-7 7-6 7-6 win. Read more