Adamawa flood claims 5, agency sensitises residents (Punch)
The Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency has confirmed that the flood has claimed no fewer than five lives in different parts of the state.
The Executive Secretary of ADSEMA, Dr Suleiman Muhammad, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Yola, the state capital, on Thursday.
Muhammad said several homes and business premises had also been affected by the flood in the Fufore, Yola South and Mubi South local government areas. Read more
Fuel Subsidy: NLC declares 2-day warning strike (Guardian)
The Nigeria Labour Congres (NLC) has declared a two-day warning strike which will begin on Tuesday, September 5, 2023.
NLC President, Joe Ajaero, made disclosed this on Friday during a press conference at the Labour House in Abuja,
According to Ajaero, the two-day warning strike is in protest against the Federal Government for failing to address the challenges caused by the removal of fuel subsidy. Read more
Palliatives: Rice price spikes as FG, states’ suppliers mop up markets (DailyTrust)
The scramble for rice by suppliers recruited by the federal and state governments is partly responsible for the spike in the prices of the commodity, multiple sources have told Daily Trust.
Traders in markets in some states told our correspondents that requests by contractors had led to an increase in demand without corresponding supply from millers.
Recall that the National Economic Council (NEC) had on Thursday, August 17, said that the federal government approved N5 billion grant to be given to each of the 36 states of the federation for the procurement of grains as well as five trucks of rice to each state as palliatives to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal. Read more
N5b subsidy palliative combination of grant, loan to states — FG (Tribune)
The Federal Government has cleared the air on the N5 billion oil subsidy palliatives it offered to states to cushion the impact of fuel subsidy removal, saying the money is a mixture of grant and loan, inferring that part of the funds would be repaid to the Federal Government.
It added that it has released N2 billion only to state governments.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Finance and coordinating minister for the economy, Mr. Wale Edun, when he addressed journalists at his maiden press briefing in Abuja on Friday. Read more
Woman cries out over son’s missing intestine in Lagos (Leadership)
A mother, Abiodun Deborah, has implored the Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwoolu, to initiate a thorough investigation into the disappearance of her 12-year-old son, Adebola Akin-Bright’s small intestine during his treatment at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) in Ikeja, Lagos.
According to her, their ordeal began when surgeons at LASUTH informed her of the disappearance of her son’s intestine following a corrective surgery on July 14, 2023.
Adebola began his medical treatment at Obitoks Medical Centre, a private hospital situated in Ile Epo, Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State, when complications arose from a surgery to address intestinal obstruction. Read more
Lekki Port commissions scanning facility to fast-track cargo clearing (ThisDay)
Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise Limited (the promoters of Lekki Deep Sea Port), has commissioned a state-of-the-art scanning facility, also known as Non-Intrusive Inspections System to fast-track the examination and evacuation of containers from the port.
The facility was commissioned by the Area Controller, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Lagos Free Zone Command, Mrs Dorothy Omogbehin in Lagos.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, Omogbehin, expressed confidence that the scanning facility would significantly optimise the inspection process and increase cargo turnaround time at the port. Read more
FRSC confirms death of official in Abuja tow truck accident (Guardian)
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed the death of its official in an accident that involved a tow truck belonging to the FRSC and a broken-down truck in Abuja.
FRSC spokesperson, Bisi Kazeem, in a statement, confirmed that the incident which occurred on Karu Bridge on the Nyanya-Maraba expressway killed the driver instantly and injured three other people.
Kazeem explained that the FRSC tow truck was towing a broken-down trailer and the corps marshal, Dauda Ali Biu expressed deep shock over the sad incident. Read more
Army warns against fake recruitment advert (Punch)
The Nigerian Army has dismissed as fake an online advert by fraudulent individuals claiming to be conducting recruitment on behalf of the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force.
This is contained in a statement by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, on Friday in Abuja.
Nwachukwu said the fake recruitment was done by dubious individuals in the name of one Maj.-Gen. Gwabin Musa. Read more
Nicki Minaj shares emotional new single ‘‘Last Time I Saw You’’ (NME)
Nicki Minaj has shared her emotional new single ‘Last Time I Saw You’, set to feature on her next album ‘‘Pink Friday 2’’.
In June, the Queens rapper revealed that she will be soon dropping her fifth studio album ‘‘Pink Friday 2’’, the sequel to her Grammy-nominated debut album ‘‘Pink Friday’’ – confirming that the album will be out this winter.
The track is more toned-down compared to most of Minaj’s output. Over the indie-inspired instrumental, she sings: “Beggin me to stay and then you walk away/ There’s something that you wanted to say/ I was in a rush and you say you were crushed/ But I said I’d be back, it’s OK.” Read more
George Clooney and Amal Clooney hold Hands as they leave Venice after her DVF Awards honour (People)
George and Amal Clooney’s Venice trip has come to a close.
After being photographed making a stylish arrival into the Italian city on Tuesday, the couple were snapped leaving hand in hand on Friday.
The smiling pair were spotted holding hands as they walked down a gangway to a waiting boat, with Amal, 45, rocking a black strappy knit dress and black sunglasses. She also carried a straw handbag and wore her hair in loose waves. Read more
Taylor Swift scares “Exorcist” sequel away from release date (EW)
Taylor Swift’s global stardom briefly threatened the box office prospects of the new Exorcist movie — but now the horror sequel is out of the woods.
The power of Swift compelled Universal Pictures to bump up the release date of “The Exorcist: Believer” by one week, to Oct. 6. The move came in the wake of the singer’s announcement that an Eras Tour concert film will hit theaters Oct. 13, the original date Believer was set to haunt the multiplex
Horror mogul and Blumhouse chief Jason Blum announced the shift on social media, cheekily writing, “Look what you made me do. The Exorcist: Believer moves to 10/6/23. #TaylorWins.” (Universal confirmed the move to EW.) Read more
Wim Wenders’ ‘‘Perfect Days’’ to open Tokyo Film Festival (THR)
The Tokyo International Film Festival will open on Oct. 23 with a gala screening of Wim Wenders’ Tokyo-set drama “Perfect Days”. The festival also revealed that Takashi Yamazaki’s Godzilla Minus One, the 37th film in the enduringly popular Godzilla franchise, will close the event.
Perfect Days is set for its Asian premiere at the festival and will be presented by Wenders who is also serving as the Jury President of this year’s competition. The German filmmaker’s bittersweet feature stars Koji Yakusho as a simple Tokyo toilet cleaner whose past is revealed as he encounters various people. The film has been a huge critical hit since it debuted at Cannes this year, winning the French festival’s Ecumenical Jury Prize and a best actor award for Yakusho.
In a statement, Wenders said, “I’m excited to be back at the Tokyo International Film Festival, happening 60 years after the death and therefore 120 years after Ozu’s birth, my declared master, which makes the occasion very special to me. I’m more than proud to present Perfect Days as the 36th TIFF’s Opening Film.” Read more
Luc Besson earns 6-minute ‘‘Dogman’’ standing ovation at 1st Venice after being cleared of rape charges (Variety)
“Dogman” director Luc Besson might be a newcomer to Venice, but following his film’s warm reception on Thursday, he’s likely to come back.
Though Besson’s Golden Lion contender polarized critics, with Variety’s Jessica Kiang sparing few words by calling it a “numbskulled nonsense movie,” audience members at the film’s gala premiere opted to spread the love at its world premiere, showering the film and filmmakers with six minutes of sustained applause. That tied the six-minute ovation Venice audiences gave Michael Mann’s “Ferrari” earlier in the evening on the second night of the prestigious festival. Read more
50 Cent would never intentionally strike anyone with a microphone, says lawyer (BelfastTelegraph)
A lawyer representing 50 Cent has told US authorities he would “never intentionally strike anyone with a microphone” after he allegedly became frustrated during a tour performance in Los Angeles.
The US rapper, real name Curtis Jackson, has become embroiled in claims he hurled a microphone at the crowd during a performance at the Crypto.com Arena as part of his Final Lap tour on Wednesday.
Video footage of the alleged incident has been circulating on social media, which appears to show the musician throwing his microphone twice into the crowd, following reports that the sound was faulty. Read more
Ex-Proud Boys leader Joseph Biggs sentenced to 17 years for US Capitol riot (AlJazeera)
A former leader of the far-right Proud Boys group has been sentenced to 17 years in prison for his role in storming the United States Capitol, as part of a failed attempt to overturn President Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory.
The sentence for Joseph Biggs, 33, marks the second-longest prison term handed down for anyone involved in the US Capitol riot on January 6, 2021. Biggs, along with three other members of the Proud Boys, was found guilty of seditious conspiracy and other felonies in May.
Before Thursday’s proceedings, Biggs apologised for his actions on January 6, crying as he asked for leniency in order to stay with his daughter, who he said was a sexual assault victim. Read more
Amusan drops, Brume gains in latest World rankings (Sun)
The brief suspension by Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) on Tobi Amusan has continued to wreak havoc in the performance of the former world 100m hurdles champion.
A recent release of ranking by the World Athletics (WA) showed that the reigning Commonwealth Games gold medalist has slipped down the rung of ladder in the ranking hierarchy.
Amusan dropped from her 10th placement just before the World champion in Budapest to 24th position, just days after she lost her number one spot in the women’s hurdles event to Puerto Rica’s Jasmine Camacho-Quinn. Read more
Ex-Falcons assistant coach, Mansur Abdullahi, joins Sokoto United (DailyTrust)
A former Super Falcons assistant coach, Mansur Abdullahi, has been appointed as Technical Adviser of Nigeria National League (NNL) side, Sokoto United ahead of the 2023/2024 season.
The former coach of Warri Wolves who disclosed this to Daily Trust yesterday said he was given the mandate to qualify the club for the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
He said even as the task is not an easy one, he is professionally qualified and motivated to carry to succeed. Read more
Enoh inspects National Stadium, vows to restore its glory (Leadership)
As part of his ongoing efforts to assess the state of major sports facilities in the country, Sports Minister John Owan Enoh yesterday inspected the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos.
Senator Enoh started his inspection from the stadium complex, where he visited the National Institute of Sports, the boxing complex, mainbowl of the stadium, sports medical centre, indoor sports hall and other facilities.
He also inspected the Games Village hostels, Legacy Pitch, Power House, as well as the courts for different sports. Read more
Villa add to Hibernian misery as Scottish trio crash out (RTE)
Aston Villa booked a place in the Europa Conference League group stage by sweeping aside Hibernian 3-0 on the night and 8-0 on aggregate.
Villa, who won the first leg of their qualifying play-off 5-0 last week in Edinburgh, underlined their superiority over managerless Hibs with goals from Jhon Duran and Leon Bailey before the interval.
Substitute Matty Cash struck his third goal in two games just after the hour-mark as Villa, hosting a European tie for the first time in 13 years, made it four straight wins in all competitions. Read more
US Open: Andy Murray suffers second-round exit at hands of inspired Grigor Dimitrov (Sky)
Andy Murray’s hopes of a deep run at the US Open were dashed as the former champion suffered a second-round exit at the hands of an inspired Grigor Dimitrov.
Murray, the 2012 champion, slumped to defeat against Bulgarian 19th seed Dimitrov with Britain’s former world No 1 a shadow of his old self in a disappointing 6-3 6-4 6-1 loss.
In the 12th meeting between two veterans, and seven years after their last one, 19th seed Dimitrov registered only his fourth win over the Scot. Read more
Errol Spence triggers rematch clause to fight Terence Crawford again (ESPN)
Errol Spence Jr. will get another crack at his biggest rival.
The former unified welterweight champion has activated his rematch clause to set up another fight against Terence “Bud” Crawford, Spence’s trainer, Derrick James, confirmed to ESPN on Thursday.
The rematch likely will take place at junior middleweight, marking the debut for both fighters in the 154-pound division. The date and location, along with other details of the fight, were not immediately known. Read more