After system upgrades…Bank customers lament persistent failed transactions (Leadership)
Bank customers are reportedly groaning under the strain of numerous failed transactions within the banking system.
While some unresolved issues persist, customers who have successfully resolved their cases claim they often had to lodge the same complaint multiple times before achieving a reversal.
Affected customers who spoke to LEADERSHIP yesterday called on banks to improve customer service delivery, lamenting that complaints were rarely attended to promptly. They argued this trend was prevalent across all central banks in the country. Read more
Fire guts Radio Nigeria Lagos office (Tribune)
A late evening fire incident was reported at the premises of Radio Nigeria located on Plot No. 35, Ikoyi Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, on Wednesday.
The fire outbreak, which was reportedly confined to the studio section of the U-shaped one-story building, was exacerbated by the flammable materials within the affected area.
This was disclosed by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), via its official X account on Wednesday night.
The incident, which began around 5:30 p.m., drew swift responses from firefighters stationed at Dolphin, Ebute Elefun, and Oba Oniru Fire Stations. Read more
Tragedy averted as tanker spills diesel in Lagos (Punch)
A tragedy was averted on Wednesday after a diesel-laden tanker fell and spilled its content on the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway area of Lagos State, thereby sparking panic amongst residents of the area.
PUNCH Metro gathered that the incident happened in the early hours of the day as motorists hurried to work.
Photos of the incident obtained by our correspondent showed some residents scooping the diesel that had spread along the road. Read more
Tinubu arrives in France (Channels)
President Bola Tinubu has arrived in Paris, France, on a three-day state visit.
Tinubu landed at Orly Airport in Paris at 5.10 pm local time on Wednesday. His visit to Paris is at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron.
The visit aims to bolster political, economic, and cultural ties between the two nations, with a focus on partnerships in agriculture, security, education, health, youth engagement, innovation, and energy transition.
Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, said Tinubu and his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, will on Thursday be hosted at the historic Les Invalides and the Élysée Palace by President Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron. The reception will include formal ceremonies and bilateral meetings. Read more
Senate screens Oluyede behind closed doors, set to confirm him (Vanguard)
The Senate has screened the acting Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede for appointment as the substantive COAS in a closed door session, just as there are strong indications that he will be confirmed today (Wednesday).
Addressing journalists shortly before the doors of the meeting venue were shut, Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Senator Abdulaziz Yar’adua, APC, Katsina Central said that the Army Chief was being screened in closed session for security reasons.
Yar’adua, who noted that the screening and legal confirmation process of nominees form an important part in legislative engagement, said that the Senate at its sitting on Tuesday, read the request of the President, seeking the confirmation of Oluyede’s appointment as Chief of Army Staff. Read more
Why North should serve interest of Nigeria, by Gowon (Nation)
Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd) has explained why he had so far refused to align with any political parties or joined partisan politics in the country.
The elder statesman gave the explanation on Wednesday in Abuja when he received the League of Northern Democrats (LND), led by a former Kano State governor and Sardaunan Kano, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau.
Gowon said his position had always been that whatever the north does must serve the greater interest of Nigeria. Read more
Hunted and executed: Suspended Sanwo-Olu aide’s comments stir probe call (Punch)
Controversy has continued to swirl around a statement made by Mr Wale Ajetunmobi, the suspended Senior Special Assistant on Print Media, to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Ajetunmobi had claimed in a now-deleted post on Sunday that some arsonists who burnt down Television Continental during the #EndSARS protests in the state had been “hunted and executed.”
Following the comment, many Nigerians on social media interpreted the comment as an admission of state involvement in suspected extrajudicial killings during the 2020 protests against police brutality and the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad. Read more
Supreme Court affirms Sly Ezeokenwa as APGA National Chairman (Vanguard)
The Supreme Court, on Wednesday, affirmed Mr. Sly Ezeokenwa, as the authentic National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA.
A five-member panel of the apex court, in two unanimous judgements, invalidated Chief Edozie Njoku’s claim to the national leadership position in the party.
It held that its earlier verdict on the appeal marked: SC/CV/687/2021, delivered on October 14, 2021 and corrected on March 24, 2023, which Chief Njoku purportedly relied on to lay claim to APGA Chairmanship, did not confer any enforceable rights on him. Read more
Ice Cube shares secret behind successful 32-year marriage (HipHopDx)
Ice Cube has revealed the secret behind his 32-year marriage to Kimberly Woodruff, with whom he shares five children.
Sitting down for a chat on Funky Friday, which is hosted by former NFL star Cam Newton, the rap legend opened up about his long-running marriage.
“We wanna be [married]. You gotta want it. I don’t want nobody to have my woman. She’s mine. And I’m hers,” he said. Read more
Lindsay Lohan reveals her “normal” daily routine in Dubai and the biggest difference from living in L.A. (People)
Lindsay Lohan keeps her day-to-day routine lowkey.
Ahead of the release of her new movie, ‘‘Our Little Secret’’, the actress, 38, spoke to Flaunt magazine about her life in Dubai with her husband Badar Shammas and their son Luai.
Not much is different when it comes to Lohan’s life in Dubai. Her day is laid back — she wakes up with her son, she said, and shares breakfast with him before she’s off to pilates or a trip to the park. Read more
Ringo Starr believes Barry Keoghan will play him in Beatles biopic (FilmNews)
Ringo Starr has seemingly confirmed Barry Keoghan will play him in a new Beatles biopic.
In a new interview with Entertainment Tonight, the legendary drummer appeared to verify reports that Keoghan has been lined up for Sam Mendes’ upcoming four-part film series about The Beatles.
“I think it’s great,” Ringo, 84, replied when asked for his thoughts on Keoghan reportedly being cast to play him. “I believe he’s somewhere taking drum lessons, and I hope not too many.” Read more
John Lennon’s handwritten letter asking Eric Clapton to start a band heading to auction (FarOut)
The draft of a 1971 letter written by John Lennon asking Eric Clapton to join a band with him is going to auction. The letter was written shortly after the Beatles split up, and Clapton was a close friend of the Fab Four.
Eight pages long, the letter sees Lennon address Clapton, writing: “You must know by now that Yoko and I rate your music and yourself very highly, always have.” After Clapton played in The Plastic Ono Band in 1969, Lennon had him on his radar to reunite for another musical project.
He continued, “I really feel that I/we can bring out the best in you — (some kind of security financial or otherwise will help) but the main thing is the music.” Lennon also reveals that he has other musicians in mind to play alongside them, too.
“I consider Klaus (Voormann), Jim (Keltner), Nicky (Hopkins), Phil (Spector), Yoko (Ono), you could make the kind of sound that could bring back the Balls in rock ‘n’ roll,” he continued. Read more
The Weeknd announces ‘‘Hurry Up Tomorrow’’ album release date (Billboard)
The Weeknd announced Wednesday (Nov. 27) that he’ll release his sixth studio album, Hurry Up Tomorrow, on Jan. 24, via XO and Republic Records.
The set will serve as the third and final installment of his latest trilogy, following 2020’s ‘‘After Hours’’ and 2022’s ‘‘Dawn FM’’. ‘‘Hurry Up Tomorrow’’ has so far been preceded by three singles: “Dancing in the Flames,” “Timeless” with Playboi Carti and “São Paulo” featuring Anitta. “Timeless” reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in October.
The Weeknd debuted these songs and more from Hurry Up Tomorrow during his one-night-only show at the Estádio MorumBIS in São Paulo, Brazil, in September before he took the stage at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena for the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Festival. In October, he performed at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium and Sydney’s Accor Stadium in Australia. Read more
“Several” Trump cabinet picks targeted with “bomb and swatting threats,” transition team says (Sky)
Several people nominated to roles in Donald Trump’s incoming cabinet and administration have been targeted by bomb threats and “swatting,” a spokesperson for the US president-elect has said.
The threats were made on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning and law enforcement acted quickly to ensure the safety of those targeted, Karoline Leavitt said.
In a statement, she said the incidents “ranged from bomb threats to ‘swatting'”, which is when a false crime is reported to bring an armed police response to someone’s home. Read more
Animal rights activist on US “most wanted terrorist” list arrested in UK after 2 decades (USAToday)
An alleged animal-rights extremist on the U.S. most-wanted terrorist list since 2009 in connection with the bombing of a California biotechnology firm has been arrested in the United Kingdom, the FBI said on Tuesday.
Daniel Andreas San Diego, 46, was arrested in an operation with several British law enforcement agencies and in coordination with U.S. federal agents, the FBI said in a statement. San Diego was added to the most wanted terrorist list for bombings around California targeting companies believed to be working with Huntingdon Life Sciences, a medical research company.
The FBI has said that San Diego openly expressed extreme views advocating the use of violence to achieve the goals of the animal rights movement. Read more
Sadiq wants more playing time (Punch)
Nigeria international Sadiq Umar has expressed his frustration at the lack of game time at Real Sociedad, adding that he hopes to prove his worth with regular time on the pitch, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
So far this season, Sadiq has made only six appearances for the Spanish side, starting just two of those games and coming in as a substitute on four occasions.
The 27-year-old has only managed to play a total of 205 minutes of action from a possible 1,260 minutes. Read more
Perfect Liverpool on top of Champions League; Dortmund also among winners (JapanToday)
Liverpool are the only team with a perfect record in this season’s Champions League after beating title-holders Real Madrid 2-0 in their heavyweight clash on Wednesday, with last season’s runners-up Borussia Dortmund among the night’s other winners.
The showdown at Anfield saw Real attempting to extend a run of eight games unbeaten against Liverpool.
However, Arne Slot’s Premier League leaders were too strong, with Alexis MacAllister putting them ahead early in the second half.
Kylian Mbappe endured a frustrating night and squandered a chance to equalise for Madrid after an hour when his penalty was saved. Read more
Van Nistelrooy set to be appointed Leicester boss (BBC)
Ruud van Nistelrooy is set to be appointed as Leicester City’s new manager.
The 48-year-old Dutchman would replace Steve Cooper, who was sacked after just 157 days in charge following Saturday’s 2-1 Premier League defeat by Chelsea.
Van Nistelrooy’s appointment comes two weeks after he left his role as interim head coach at Manchester United, following Erik ten Hag’s dismissal.
He oversaw three wins and one draw during his stint in charge at United, but departed after being told he would not be given a role in new manager Ruben Amorim’s backroom staff. Read more
Scheffler-McIlroy vs. Koepka-DeChambeau for $10m crypto prize (ESPN)
The PGA Tour-LIV Golf made-for-TV matchup on Dec. 17 featuring four of the sport’s biggest names will have a purse worth a minimum of $10 million in cryptocurrency, Front Office Sports reported on Wednesday.
The newly named Crypto.com Showdown will see Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy of the PGA Tour compete against Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau of LIV in an 18-hole event at Shadow Creek Golf Course in Las Vegas.
The purse will be paid in CRO cryptocurrency, the sponsor said. It’s unclear how much the winning and losing teams will receive. Read more
Tom Brady pulls up to Knicks-Mavs game before NFL Thanksgiving shift (DailyMail)
Tom Brady is in Dallas for his weekly NFL assignment with Fox, and the legendary quarterback enjoyed a night out on Wednesday at the Knicks-Mavericks game.
Brady, who will call the Giants-Cowboys Thanksgiving game on Thursday, was seen sitting courtside and chatting to Mavs coach Jason Kidd.
The pair was seen shaking hands with Jalen Brunson at the free throw line, with Brady smiling throughout the short interaction. Read more
‘It’s been a pretty wild ride’ – Ireland Sevens captain Harry McNulty to retire (RTE)
Ireland men’s Sevens captain Harry McNulty has announced his retirement from rugby, confirming his decision on social media.
The 31-year-old captained Ireland at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris and played more than 140 times for his country in his nine years on the programme. He participated in two Olympic Games, while he was also part of the squad that won bronze at the Sevens World Cup in Cape Town in 2022.
A former Munster academy wing/centre, McNulty was an original member of the Ireland Sevens team when the current professional programme was established in 2015 ahead of their first Olympic qualifier in Bosnia. Read more