Ambode heads for 2nd term, picks APC gubernatorial form (Nation)
The Executive Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday picked his nomination form for second term race to govern the state. He picked the form at the All Progressives Congress (APC) Headquarters in Abuja. Ambode arrived around 12.30p.m with his entourage. Speaking on Ambode’s second term bid, former Chairman of Shomolu Local Government Area, Gbolahan Bagostowe, said “I think Ambode will win the primary and the election proper. I stand to be corrected, I don’t think any aspirant in APC can beat Ambode as of now. Read more
NCWS urges parties to reduce costs of nomination forms for women (Punch)
The National President, National Council of Women Societies, Nigeria, Mrs. Gloria Shoda on Monday urged political parties to reduce the cost of their nomination forms to enable women participate in the 2019 general elections. Shoda who made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja, that the cost of nomination forms was out of the reach of women that are interested in elective position. Read more
Igbo groups endorse IPOB sit at home order (Nation)
Twelve Igbo groups met in Enugu Monday with an endorsement of the September 14th sit at home ordered by the IPOB. The meeting which held at the residence of the leader of Eastern Consultative Assembly (ECA) Chief (Mrs) Maria Okwor, was also attended by traditional rulers, traders’ associations, Youth groups and students’ organizations. Read more
Army, Police caution IPOB over sit-at-home order (Nation)
The Army, Police and other security Agencies in Imo state, Monday warned members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) against disrupting public peace over the September 14 sit-at-home order. The state Commissioner of Police, Dasuki Galadanchi, Brigade Commander, 34 Artillery Brigade, Obinze, Brigadier General H.I Bature, and other Heads of Security Agencies, said they were ready to confront IPOB and other separatist groups. Read more
New Minimum wage not ready – NLC President (Nation)
President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba has said that the National Minimum Wage Committee was yet to submit its report to the President because it was yet to agree on a figure and the failure of the federal government to come up with a figure to be agreed upon. Wabba said in an interview in his office that while the committee has concluded its deliberation, the Minister of Labour told the Committee that the federal government needed to consult before coming up with its own figure, a position he said negates the earlier agreement to work within its timeline. Read more
2019: Buhari to receive presidential form tomorrow (Punch)
President Muhammadu Buhari will on Tuesday receive the presidential nomination and expression of interest forms. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the event will hold at the new Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, at 11.30am. NAN reliably learnt that a socio-political group, the Nigeria Consolidation Ambassadors Network, who bought the forms would be presenting them to the President. Read more
Catholic Church won’t Pay Ransom for Kidnapped Priests, Says Bishop (Thisday)
The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, has said that the Catholic Church will not pay ransom, and has never done so to free any kidnapped priest. Ezeokafor, who was reacting to the kidnap of a priest, Rev. Father Christopher Ogaga, in Aragba, Oviri-Okpe, Okpe Local Government, Delta State recently, and the eventual demand for N15 million ransom, said it will be foolhardy and unimaginable for the Universal Church to pay for the release of any abducted priest. Read more
Former IG, Abba picks senatorial forms (Punch)
Former Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba, has joined the race for the All Progressives Congress ticket for the Jigawa State central senatorial district. Abba picked his nomination and expression of interest forms at the National Secretariat of the APC in Abuja, on Monday. He told newsmen that he was in the race to bring quality representation for his constituents and contribute meaningfully to national development. Read more
Elusive justice for slain Ozubulu church worshippers (ThisDay)
About a year ago, 13 persons were killed in a Catholic Church in Ozubulu, Anambra State, and scores were injured, but justice is yet to be delivered in the case, as attempts to bring the perpetrators to book have been shrouded in controversy. David-Chyddy Eleke reports. In Amakwa, Amaofe community of Ozubulu in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State, Sunday, August 6, 2017 broke normally, like any other Sunday. As usual, the Catholic faithful trooped for the morning mass at St. Philips. In Amakwa, a predominantly Catholic community, as expected, the church was already filled up by 5.30am. Read more
Nike sales defy Kaepernick ad campaign backlash (BBC)
Nike sales appear to have increased in the wake of its controversial advertising campaign, using Colin Kaepernick as the face of the brand. Online sales grew by 31% in the bank holiday weekend after the ad launched, according to researcher Edison Trends. Read more
Les Moonves resigns from CBS after sexual misconduct allegations (BBC)
The head of US media giant CBS, Les Moonves, has resigned with immediate effect following allegations of sexual misconduct. CBS had been investigating Mr Moonves since allegations appeared in the New Yorker in July – and fresh accusations from six more women appeared on Sunday. Read more
Kofi Annan’s remains arrive in Ghana for funeral (Punch)
The remains of former United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, will arrive in Ghana on Monday, for the start of the three-day state funeral organised by the government of Ghana. The Kofi Annan Funeral Committee in consultation with the family of the Former UN Secretary-General released details of his burial in Accra, reports Citinewsroom. Read more
UK records first ever case of Monkeypox (Punch)
A Nigerian has been identified as the initial source of the first ever recorded case of Monkeypox in the United Kingdom. According to Guardian UK, the rare viral infection was recorded on Friday in a Nigerian national staying at a naval base in Cornwall. Read more
Manchester United: Zidane may replace Mourinho (Nation)
Zinedine Zidane has hinted he will be returning to work soon following multiple reports that he is favourite to replace Jose Mourinho if the Portuguese is sacked by Manchester United. The former France midfielder has been without a job since resigning from his position as Real Madrid boss after helping them to a third consecutive Champions League crown in May. Read more
Leading sports PR guru Mike Lee dies (Vanguard)
Mike Lee, who established sports public relations giant VERO Communications and masterminded campaigns such as Qatar’s stunning victory to host the 2022 World Cup, has died of a heart attack aged 61, the company announced Monday. Lee, who leaves a widow, Heather, a son Alex and a stepson Euan — had forged a successful career in the sporting world with a succession of highs leading to VERO’s creation. Having been UEFA’s director of communications, he enjoyed perhaps his greatest moment in the same role for London’s successful 2012 Olympic bid when they upset favourites Paris. Read more