Bakare: Tinubu plunged Nigeria into chaos by placing cart before the horse (DailyTrust)
Serving Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church (formerly Latter Rain Assembly), Pastor Tunde Bakare, on Sunday came hard on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the fuel subsidy removal, describing it as “impulsive”.
He said the poor people were being made to suffer for the corruption of a few powerful people benefiting from the subsidy regime, noting the President should have gone after those individuals, and not “punish” Nigerians.
In his state of the nation address titled, “Vice, Virtue and Time: The Three Things That Never Stand Still”, Bakare stated that the removal of subsidy is tantamount to killing Nigerians. Read more
Tinubu charges police graduands to embrace ethics, reject corruption in policing (Tribune)
President Bola Tinubu has called on 169 commissioned Cadet Officers, who graduated from Police Academy Kano, to put the nation at heart and exhibit their constitutional responsibility with utmost dedication and commitment.
This is just as President Tinubu charged the Graduands of the Nigerian Police Academy to adhere to the ethics of modern policing and shun all forms of corruption.
Speaking on behalf of President Tinubu, on Saturday Kano, the vice president, Senator Kashim Shettima, delivered his address during the Passing Out Parade of the 5th Regular Course Cadets, held at the Nigeria Police Academy Wudil, Kano. Read more
1 year after tragic flood incident, residents fear another mishap (Guardian)
Following the prediction of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) that flooding in some parts of the country, including Lagos State could be devastating this year, residents of Oyatoki and its environs have raised the alarm of the possibility of another tragic flooding in their area, similar to what was experienced last year.
Last year, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) through its Zonal Coordinator, South West, Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye, while providing a post-emergency phase assessment after the flooding incident around Oyatoki revealed that about seven people – three children of the same parents and four adults died.
He added: “About eight lives were also saved during the period, as a result of the flooding that was witnessed during the two-day continuous rainfall,” he said. Read more
Drug baroness, 4 kingpins arrested as NDLEA busts 3 syndicates in Lagos (Punch)
Operatives of a Special Unit of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency on Sunday arrested three major illicit drug syndicates in intelligence-led operations across parts of Lagos State.
According to a statement by the spokesman for the agency, Femi Bababfemi, the operations led to the arrest of a baroness and four other kingpins with multi-billion naira worth of Cocaine, Opioids, and Loud recovered from their hideouts.
The female head of one of the syndicates, Faith Ebele Nwankwo was arrested on Wednesday 9th August at her residence, House 6, C close, 3rd Avenue, FESTAC area of Lagos shortly after she returned from a warehouse at Plot 3432 Sola Akinsola Street, Divine Estate, Amuwo Odofin where she loaded eight cartons of tramadol 225mg into an unmarked white Honda Pilot SUV. Read more
Election Tribunal reserves judgment against Sanwo-Olu, Hamzat (ThisDay)
The Lagos State Governorship Election Tribunal has reserved judgment in the petitions against the election of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat.
The tribunal, led by Justice Arum Ashom said it would communicate a date for judgment to the parties after counsels adopted their final written addresses.
The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Dr Olajide Adediran, popularly called Jandor and his Labour Party counterpart, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, are challenging the return of the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) governorship candidate, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, as well as his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the March 18 governorship elections in Lagos State. Read more
Akeredolu not yet back, says Ondo Govt (Nation)
Ondo State Government has said that Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu is yet to return from his medical leave.
It said Governor Akeredolu was still in Germany where he went for medical treatment since June.
Ondo Assembly in July extended the Governor’s medical leave indefinitely. Read more
International Youth Day – You’re not alone, we’re behind youths – Tinubu (Vanguard)
President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerian youths of his optimum support towards achieving their full potentials.
The president gave this assurance in a statement via his verified X handle on Saturday to mark the 2023 International Youth Day.
Tinubu noted that the entire nation is standing behind the Nigerian as they pursue their various dreams. Read more
NAF airstrikes hit oil thieves, terrorists, others (Guardian)
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says it has simultaneously decimated several criminal elements in the last few days through airstrikes in various theatres of operation.
This is contained in a statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, on Sunday in Abuja.
In the Niger Delta Region, Gabkwet said that airstrikes were targeted at the nefarious activities of oil thieves which had continued to affect the general environment of the region as well as the oil output of the nation. Read more
Lionel Richie enrages fans, cancels concert 1 hour after shows start-time (Fox)
Some fans do not have endless love for Lionel Richie, as the famed performer was eviscerated online for canceling his joint concert with Earth, Wind & Fire an hour after the show was scheduled to begin.
“Due to severe weather and being unable to land in the NY and surrounding areas, I’m unable to make it to the show tonight. I’m so bummed,” Richie shared on X, formerly known as Twitter. Richie had performed Friday night in Boston.
Fans were skeptical of his explanation, questioning how bad the weather really was on the East Coast. Read more
We’re ready for dialogue, says Niger Junta (DailyTrust)
General Abdourahmane Tchiani, leader of the Niger junta, has said the military is ready for dialogue.
Since his gang overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26, Tchiani’s regime has shunned several peaceful overtures.
But speaking during a meeting with Islamic scholars from Nigeria, Tichani was quoted to have said doors were open to explore diplomacy and peace in resolving the matter. Read more
Miss Universe cuts ties with Indonesian organiser as sexual harassment allegations swirl (ABC)
The Miss Universe Organization has cut its ties with its Indonesian franchisee and will cancel an upcoming pageant in Malaysia after contestants complained to police, accusing local organizers of sexual harassment.
The New York-based organization said in a statement late Saturday it had decided to sever ties with PT Capella Swastika Karya, and its National Director, Poppy Capella.
Six contestants of a Miss Universe Indonesia pageant recently filed complaints with police, accusing local organizers of asking them to strip to their underwear for “body checks” for scars or cellulite, in a room with about two dozen people present, including men. Five of the contestants said they were then photographed topless. Read more
‘‘The Fantasticks’’ creator Tom Jones dies at 95 (USAToday)
Tom Jones, the lyricist, director and writer of “The Fantasticks,” the longest-running musical in history, has died. He was 95.
Jones died Friday at his home in Sharon, Connecticut, according to Dan Shaheen, a co-producer of “The Fantasticks,” who worked with Jones since the 1980s. The cause was cancer.
Jones, who teamed up with composer Harvey Schmidt on “The Fantasticks” and the Broadway shows “110 in the Shade” and “I Do! I Do!,” was inducted into the American Theatre Hall of Fame in 1998. Read more
Box Office: Last Voyage of the Demeter sinking after $2.6m opening day, Barbie and Oppenheimer sail on (Variety)
The Last Voyage of the Demeter, a new period horror film set aboard a merchant ship, is capsizing in its debut at the domestic box office amid the ongoing success of Barbie and Oppenheimer.
The Universal release — the studio’s second stab this year at a Dracula film after the action-comedy Renfield bombed in the spring — is facing some choppy waters after earning $2.62 million on its opening day from 2,715 locations, a figure that includes $750,000 in Thursday previews. The Last Voyage of the Demeter is projecting a fifth-place debut and a mere $6.5 million gross for its three-day opening weekend. Read more
Russian shelling in Ukraine’s Kherson region kills 7, including 23-day-old baby (CBS)
Seven people – including a 23-day-old baby girl – were killed in Russian shelling in Ukraine’s southern Kherson region on Sunday, the country’s Internal Affairs Ministry said.
Artillery shelling in the village of Shiroka Balka, on the banks of the Dnieper River killed a family — a husband, wife, 12-year-old boy and 23-day-old girl — and another resident.
Two men were killed in the neighboring village of Stanislav, where a woman was also wounded. Read more
At least 6 dead after migrant ship sinks in English Channel (UPI)
At least six people are dead and more than 50 have been rescued after a boat carrying migrants capsized and sank near Calais in the English Channel early Saturday morning, French and British officials said.
Two people still may be unaccounted for following the incident, which saw 58 people safely pulled from the water by British and French Coast Guards, according to French authorities.
A rescue operation involved more than a dozen French and British ships and two helicopters, Franck Dhersin, mayor of the French town of Téteghem, told reporters. Read more
“He Is Back”, fans hail Anthony Joshua after first knockout win since 2020 (DailyTrust)
British-Nigerian fighter, Anthony Joshua, defeated Robert Helenius, his opponent, via knockout in their heavyweight boxing bout at the O2 Arena in London on Saturday night.
The former heavyweight champion won the fight after he handed his opponent from Finland a brutal punch in the seventh round, making it his first KO win since he defeated Kubrat Puliev on December 12, 2020.
Joshua was originally set for his third clash with Whyte at the O2 Arena, having lost to his fellow Briton as an amateur before knocking him out in 2015. Read more
Umar returns after 11-month injury layoff (Punch)
Nigerian striker, Sadiq Umar, returned to action on Saturday in a La Liga game between Real Sociedad and Girona after 11 months of injury layoff, Sunday PUNCH reports.
The striker came in as a second-half substitute as the White and Blues played a 1-1 draw against the Catalans in their first game of the 2023/24 season.
Umar suffered a cruciate ligament injury in September 2022 and was taken off the field during a La Liga clash against Getafe. Read more
Kylian Mbappé in talks to extend PSG contract (ESPN)
Kylian Mbappé is in talks to extend his contract with Paris Saint-Germain and the club are now confident he is staying, sources have told ESPN.
Mbappé was reinstated to the PSG first-team squad on Sunday following a prolonged standoff with the club that saw him miss the preseason tour of Asia and the opening fixture of the Ligue 1 campaign, a goalless draw with Lorient.
Sources told ESPN that following positive talks on Saturday, Mbappé committed himself to PSG and promised not to leave on a free transfer when his contract ends next year. Club president Nasser al Khelaifi told the squad of Mbappé’s commitment. Read more
Fred: Fenerbahce complete deal for Manchester United midfielder (BBC)
Manchester United midfielder Fred has completed a move to Turkish side Fenerbahce.
The Brazil international, who joined United from Shakhtar Donetsk for £47m in 2018, called his time at Old Trafford “a true dream”.
“Today ends one of the most beautiful stages of my career,” the 30-year-old said on social media.
It is understood United will receive 10m euros (£8.62m), with an additional 5m euros (£4.31m) in potential add-ons. Read more
At last, Osimhen agrees N16.8b Napoli contract (Sun)
Despite immense pressure from family and friends to move to lucrative Saudi Arabian league, Victor Osimhen has finally resolved to remain with Napoli as he has agreed to pen a two-year contract extension that will keep him at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on improved terms, ending the speculations surrounding the striker’s future.
According to reports from Italy, Osimhen has worked out a new contract with Napoli that includes a release clause at €150m and a salary at €10m per season(about N16.8 billion for two seasons).
This new deal is expected to run to June 2027 and will see his wages sky-rocket to €10m per season including bonuses and a portion of his image rights.. Read more
Buffalo Bills’ Damar Hamlin makes impact in first game since cardiac arrest (Guardian)
Damar Hamlin reached another major milestone in his return to football by suiting up for Buffalo’s preseason opener against the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday.
It didn’t take very long for the Bills safety to make an impact in his first appearance in a competitive setting since going into cardiac arrest and needing to be resuscitated on the field during a game at Cincinnati on 2 January.
On his second defensive snap, Hamlin crashed the line and brought down running back Evan Hull for no gain in preventing the Colts from converting a fourth-and-1 at Buffalo’s 40. Hamlin was initially credited with an assist on the tackle, before being awarded a solo tackle. Read more