Cabinet reshuffling: FG sets Oct 30 deadline for handover, merger of ministries (Nation)
The Federal Government has directed all outgoing ministers to complete the handing over and taking over processes on or before October 30.
This followed the reshuffling of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday leading to the discharge of five ministers, nomination of seven news persons for ministerial appointment, reassignment of ten ministers and restructuring of some ministries.
In a memorandum on Wednesday evening, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, outlined the transition process. Read more
FEC approves N740b road contracts (Tribune)
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved several significant road projects on Wednesday, including a ₦740 billion allocation for the Berger section of the Abuja-Kano highway.
This announcement was made by the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, during a press briefing at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, following a meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu.
Umahi emphasized the government’s strategy to tackle the existing backlog of infrastructure projects. Read more
Lagos Deputy Gov Hamzat urges action, says state threatened by climate change (Channels)
The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, has expressed fear that unless necessary measures are put in place, the state might be submerged under water in due course.
Hamzat cited the UK, and New York City as the towns where people are already moving away to safer places because of climate change.
Speaking today at the opening of a Strategic Stakeholders Meeting held at Radisson Blu Hotel, GRA, Ikeja, Hamzat noted that the biggest challenge in the country is that “we don’t know how to manage land and our physical planning laws.” Read more
Leverage technology in project management, Sanwo-Olu urges cabinet members (Tribune)
Lagos Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has charged members of the State Executive Council to embrace the importance of leveraging technology and data in project management in the state.
Governor Sanwo-Olu gave the charge on Wednesday at the One-Day Workshop on Effective Project Management organized by the Project Implementation and Monitoring Unit (PIMU) and the Projecting Management Institute, USA, held at the Marriot Hotel Ikeja.
The governor, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, while making the call, noted that the world is now in an era where digital tools and data-driven insights were transforming governance, saying that there was need for them to “remain ahead of the curve.” Read more
Restricted Routes: Taskforce intensifies clampdown on recalcitrant okada operators (Independent)
In a continued effort to enforce traffic laws in the Metropolis, the Lagos State Taskforce has launched a comprehensive operation targeting recalcitrant motorcycle (Okada) operators who persist in violating the ban on certain routes, highways, and bridges across the State.
The reinforced exercise according to a Press statement from the Agency has led to the impounding of 115 motorcycles within a short span of time across the State.
CSP Adetayo Akerele, the Chairman of the Lagos State Taskforce, disclosed that the latest enforcement operations were carried out in key areas such as LASU First Gate, Ipaja Gate, Governor’s Road, Igando axis, and Dopemu, where Okada operators were found blatantly flouting the state’s traffic regulations. The Agency, in collaboration with other security outfits, has vowed to maintain its zero-tolerance approach to violations on these restricted routes. Read more
IMF projects stability as naira drops to 1,654.09/$ (Punch)
The International Monetary Fund has reported that the naira is showing signs of stabilisation, attributing this to recent interest rate hikes and efforts by the Central Bank of Nigeria to address foreign exchange backlogs.
The IMF disclosed this in its latest Global Financial Stability Report, which was seen by The PUNCH on Wednesday.
According to the fund, the CBN’s interventions to clear overdue foreign exchange obligations have played a critical role in stabilising the currency. Read more
Benue Gov suspends justice commissioner over suit against EFCC (Leadership)
Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, on Wednesday, suspended the State’s Attorney General (AG) and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, Fidelis Mynim.
The Commissioner was suspended for joining the suit challenging the legality of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) without informing his principal.
LEADERSHIP reports that the Supreme Court had on Tuesday reserved judgement on the suit filed by 19 States of the federation. Read more
Tinubu charges Nigerians to embrace CNG (Vanguard)
President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, charged Nigerians to embrace the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), which he said had come to stay.Mr Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), said, while addressing State House correspondents, that the President gave the charge at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.“We are well aware that the President set up a Presidential Committee on the CNG to drive the CNG project. Read more
Cardi B wishes harm on Offset in vicious rant: ‘I never hated somebody so much’ (HipHopDx)
Cardi B has unloaded on Offset in an explosive social media rant, even wishing physical harm on her estranged husband.
The Bronx bombshell took to X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday (October 22) to air her grievances with the former Migos rapper in the midst of their ongoing divorce.
In a series of since-deleted posts, she wrote: “Bro I wish the worst on this man. I never hated somebody soooo much and these bitches be so [thirsty] to have him please take this man off my hands this garbage bag is to heavy!!” Read more
Ivanka Trump takes daughter to Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour weeks after dad said he ‘‘hates’’ her (Independent)
Ivanka Trump was spotted at Taylor Swift’s recent Eras Tour stop in Miami, Florida, over the weekend, weeks after her father, former President Donald Trump, declared his hatred of the pop superstar.
Ivanka’s attendance at the concert comes shortly after Swift, 34, publicly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, a move that prompted Trump to post “I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT!” in all caps on his Truth Social platform.
Citing sources, People confirmed that 42-year-old Ivanka and her 13-year-old daughter Arabella were in the crowd at Swift’s show at Hard Rock Stadium. Read more
Liam Payne revealed he wanted to marry girlfriend Kate Cassidy ‘within a year’ in one of his final notes before his death (People)
Liam Payne’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy is sharing one of the final letters the One Direction singer wrote before his death on Oct. 16.
On Oct. 23, the 25-year-old influencer posted several sweet photos of her with Payne on Instagram, revealing that she and Payne “manifested our lives together” a few weeks before his death.
In her tribute, she shared a sweet note the singer wrote that revealed his intentions to get engaged and married within the year. “I keep your note close, even though you told me not to look at it. It said, ‘Me and Kate to marry within a year/engaged & together forever 444,'” she wrote in a message featured in the gallery. Read more
Tarzan star Ron Ely dies aged 86 (BBC)
US actor Ron Ely, best known for playing the role of Tarzan in the 1960s television show of the same name, has died aged 86.
“The world has lost one of the greatest men it has ever known – and I have lost my dad.” the actor’s daughter, Kirsten Casale Ely, said in an Instagram post.
Tarzan originally aired on NBC television network from 1966 to 1968, during which time the actor broke a number of bones and was reported to have been attacked by animals while performing his own stunts. Read more
Ted Danson apologises to Kelsey Grammer for missing 30 years of friendship after Cheers (DailyMail)
Ted Danson and Kelsey Grammer started the healing process after an unspoken rift that lasted over 30 years.
The 76-year-old Danson had the 69-year-old Grammer on his podcast Where Everybody Knows Your Name, which he co-hosts with Woody Harrelson.
While Danson wouldn’t divulged specifics on what started the argument between them, he apologized to Grammer on the podcast. Read more
US says there’s ‘‘evidence’’ North Korea sent troops to Russia (Global)
The U.S. defense secretary said Wednesday there is evidence that North Korea has sent troops to Russia, calling it a “very, very serious issue” if they join the war in Ukraine on Moscow’s side and warning of possible consequences.
South Korea’s spy chief, meanwhile, told lawmakers that 3,000 North Korean troops are now in Russia receiving training on drones and other equipment before being deployed to battlefields in Ukraine.
The U.S. had not previously formally confirmed North Korea’s reported troop dispatch. Read more
After weeks of weather delays, NASA astronauts finally set to depart space station (NBC)
After weeks of delays due to inclement weather, three astronauts and a cosmonaut are finally set to leave the International Space Station on Wednesday, wrapping up an almost eight-month stint in orbit.
NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt and Jeanette Epps and Russian cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin are scheduled to depart the space station at 5:05 p.m. ET, undocking from the orbiting outpost in their SpaceX Dragon capsule.
Their return flight was delayed multiple times. First, an undocking attempt Oct. 7 was called off because of Hurricane Milton, which made landfall in Florida as a Category 3 storm. Read more
Chukwueze rated higher than Leao vs Brugge (Punch)
Former AC Milan coach Fabio Capello has praised Samuel Chukwueze’s impact in the Rossoneri’s Champions League 3-1 victory over Club Brugge on Tuesday night, rating the Nigerian’s performance above that of Rafael Leao, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The assessment came after Milan secured their first win in the new Champions League group phase format, with Chukwueze providing an assist after replacing Leao in the 60th minute of the encounter at San Siro.
In a heated debate on Sky Sport Italia’s post-match show, Capello and Paolo Di Canio analysed Leao’s performance, with both pundits underscoring Chukwueze’s superior contribution. Read more
Gusau congratulates Dikko on appointment as NSC chairman (CompleteSports)
President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau has warmly congratulated the newly-appointed Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, saying he has no doubt that the latter’s vast experience in football administration as a marketing expert, Chairman of Nigeria’s elite League, foremost international match commissioner, vice president of the Nigeria Football Federation and membership of FIFA and CAF Committees, has prepared him adequately to make a success of the big job.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR on Wednesday named Dikko, who served close to eight years as Chairman of the Nigeria Professional Football League (now Nigeria Premier Football League) and second Vice President of the NFF, as Chairman of the reintroduced National Sports Commission, throwing overboard the Federal Ministry of Sports Development. Read more
Barca thrash Bayern in Champions League; Liverpool stay perfect (JapanToday)
A Raphinha hat-trick handed Barcelona a 4-1 win against Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday, while Liverpool stayed perfect with a 1-0 win at RB Leipzig and Erling Haaland produced another moment of magic for Manchester City.
In a clash that pitted five-time winners Barca against six-time champions Bayern, it was the home side that stole the show thanks to a triple from Brazilian attacker Raphinha and a goal from in-form veteran Robert Lewandowski.
Harry Kane levelled after Barca’s first-minute opener for his fifth goal of the campaign but was helpless as his team collapsed to their second defeat in three Champions League outings. Read more
Japan wants to host 2031 World Cup to fire up women’s football (DailyMail)
Japan wants to host the Women’s World Cup in 2031 to ignite the domestic game and cut the gap on Europe and North America, the country’s football chief told AFP.
In 2011 Japan won the competition but they have since been overtaken, with women’s football booming in Europe in recent years.
“We would like to raise the value of women’s football here,” Japan Football Association president Tsuneyasu Miyamoto said in an interview at JFA headquarters in Tokyo, in front of a giant photo of Japan’s World Cup-winning team. Read more
Xander Schauffele’s comments speak volumes about Rickie Fowler relationship (Express)
Xander Schauffele praised Rickie Fowler as “one of the nicest guys” in golf, with the two preparing to tee off together at the Zozo Championship this week. The pair have been on different trajectories in the past few years, with Schauffele consistently challenging for majors and clinching two of them earlier this year, and Fowler dropping out of the top 100 at one point.
But both were in scintilating form during last year’s US Open, and together they managed to rip up the record books. At the end of the first round, Schauffele and Fowler both carded 62, equalling the lowest round in men’s major history.
Achieving the feat was mind-boggling enough, but the fact that two players did so on the same day was jaw-dropping. In his post-round press conference, Schauffele – now 30 – was asked for opinion of Fowler, and couldn’t have been more positive about him. Read more
World’s strongest man and British shot put record holder Capes dies (BBC)
Geoff Capes, the British shot put record holder and two-time world’s strongest man, has died aged 75.
Capes set the record for the longest shot put by a British man with a distance of 21.68m in 1980.
In a statement, Capes’ family said: “The family of Geoffrey Capes would like to announce his sad passing today, 23rd October.”Britain’s finest shot putter and twice world’s strongest man.” Read more