CBN redesigns 200, 500, 1,000 naira notes (Channels)
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Wednesday said it will redesign the N200, N500, and N1,000 notes.
CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, disclosed this during a special press briefing in Abuja. The new design and issues will be effective from December 15, 2022.
The action was taken in order to take control of the currency in circulation, according to the CBN boss.
The apex bank, Emefiele stated, has secured the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari to roll out new notes to replace the existing currency in circulation.
“In line with the provisions of Sections 2(b), Section 18(a) and Section 19, Seb section(a) and (b) (2007), the management of the CBN has sought and obtained the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari to redesign, produce, release and circulate new series of banknotes at N200, N500 and N1,00 levels,” he said. Read more
Fuel scarcity: LASTMA warns motorists obstructing traffic around filling stations (Guardian)
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has cautioned motorists obstructing the free flow of traffic while queuing up for fuel at different filling stations to desist.
The General Manager of LASTMA Bolaji Oreagba said this in a statement on Wednesday while deploying more officers of the authority on monitoring of traffic around filling stations across the state.
Oreagba disclosed that the deployment became imperative following reports of long queues around filling stations caused by motorists parking indiscriminately and blocking roads while queuing up and waiting to buy fuel.
Oreagba expressed displeasure at the disorderly behaviour of some drivers, who queue up haphazardly and disrupt traffic flow around various petrol stations. Read more
Strike: UNILAG will cover lost grounds – Dean (Vanguard)
Prof. Musa Obalola, Dean, Student Affairs Division, University of Lagos, has assured students of the university of its management’s support to ensure that they covered lost periods, with minimal pressure.
Obalola gave the assurance during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos.
He was speaking against the backdrop of resumption of academic activities in the institution after eight months’ strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
ASUU was demanding renegotiation of the 2009 agreement it entered into with the Federal Government, funding for revitalisation of public universities, and earned academic allowances, among other demands. Read more
Benue will vote against Atiku if he fails to apologise – Ortom (DailyTrust)
Governor Samuel Ortom says the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, must apologise to the people of Benue State if he indeed needs their votes in the 2023 general election.
Ortom said the apology must be made public because the presidential candidate lied against him recently during his outing in Kaduna State.
The governor demanded the apology when three council chairmen of Jemgba ethnic group led youths of their local government areas to Government House in Makurdi to express disgust over Atiku’s outburst and to endorse Ortom’s senatorial ambition.
Ortom said, “We vehemently condemn the statement against me. When it got to me, I protested to him (Atiku) through a WhatsApp message. He apologised but declined to make it public. You don’t address an elder like me in a room and dress me down in the public. At no point did I ever apologise to Atiku or tell him that Benue people were stealing my cows. Read more
Bamise: How Lagos BRT driver raped female passengers – Witness (Punch)
A Superintendent of Police, Goddy Ihende, has told a Lagos State High Court sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square that a driver of the Lagos Bus Rapid Transit, Andrew Ominikoron, who allegedly raped and murdered his passenger, Oluwabamise Ayanwole, always raped his victims in secluded places.
The witness said apart from the deceased, the defendant attempted to rape one Doctor Victoria Anieke.
He said the incident happened on December 29, 2021, when Anieke, who resided in Delta State, came to visit her parents and friend, who resided in the Ketu and Ikorodu areas of Lagos, respectively.
Ihende, who is the seventh prosecution witness, told Justice Sherifat Sonaike that the modus operandi of the defendant was to carry his victims alone and go to secluded places to rape them. Read more
5k supporters of Jandor to join APC on Thursday (Independent)
The Lagos State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will on Thursday receive 5,000 members of the Lagos4Lagos movement who are loyalists of the governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Olajide Adediran (Jandor) into its fold.
In an invitation sighted by DAILY INDEPENDENT, the 5,000 supporters of Jandor will be formally received into the APC at the state secretariat of the party located at Acme road, Ogba on Thursday.
Speaking ahead of the event, Hon. Seye Oladejo, the APC Publicity Secretary says the movement of Jandor’s supporters to APC is a confirmation that things have fallen apart for him and his governorship ambition dead.
“I guess a final nail on his still born ambition to be the governor. It’s a further confirmation that things have fallen apart for him and the center can no longer hold even from his homestead. Lagosians have observed keenly, in the past few days, the indifference of members of PDP to Jandor’s campaign”. Read more
Why I’m opposing Tinubu – Dele Momodu (Punch)
The Director of Communications for the Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Council, Dele Momodu, gave his reasons for opposing the candidacy of the All Progressives Congress standard bearer, Bola Tinubu.
Momodu in a statement on Tuesday said he loved ‘the man Tinubu’ but disagreed with ‘Tinubu the politician’.
He claimed that Tinubu had declined over the years, adding that he was no longer a man of his people, and that his allies could not tell him this “truth” for pecuniary gains.
Momodu, in his statement titled ‘FESTUS KEYAMO AND HIS ERRATIC VITUPERATION’ , also took a swipe at the APC campaign spokesperson, Keyamo, who had earlier written a piece concerning Momodu, where he said the latter was executing a cheap ‘hatchet job’ to impress his paymasters while tackling the APC. Read more
3 crushed to death, many injured in Lagos accident (Vanguard)
Three people were crushed to death while many others were injured, when a Red bus ran into a Yellow bus in an early morning accident, on Wednesday, in Ketu, Lagos State.
The incident occured at about 6.53am, inward Mile 12.
Road users who were heading for Mile 12/ Ikorodu have been held up in traffic gridlock as a result of the accident.
It was gathered that the bodies have been deposited in the morgue while those injured have been taken to the hospital for medical attention. Read more
Alleged N109b fraud: Ex-Accountant-General Idris, others re-arraigned (Nation)
Suspended Accountant-General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris was re-arraigned on Tuesday on a 14-count charge bordering on stealing and criminal breach of trust to the tune of N109.5b.
Idris was re-arraigned with three others before a new judge of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama, Justice Yusuf Halilu.
The other defendants are Godfrey Olusegun Akindele (a Technical Assistant to Idris); a director in the office of the AG-F, Mohammed Kudu Usman and a firm linked with Idris – Gezawa Commodity Market and Exchange Limited.
Idris and others were earlier arraigned on July 22 before Justice Jadesola Adeyemi-Ajayi, who sat as the court’s vacation judge. Read more
Shola Ama recalls historic Brit Award win: “I felt I hadn’t earned my stripes yet” (Metro)
When it comes to Black British music, Shola Ama is pretty much the cream of the crop.
After being discovered at the age of 16, the aspiring singer went on to enjoy a whirlwind of success with songs such as You Might Need Somebody, Taboo and Imagine, all of which became so big they took on a life of their own.
Shola has seen and done it all – won the top awards, signed to a major label and made a name for herself Stateside.
She also did it in a different time, where being discovered on social media and marketing herself on apps such as TikTok was nowhere close to becoming a thing. Read more
“I risked everything to make sure he was behind bars” (BBC)
You have a couple of hours to kill. A friend suggests you catch a new Hollywood film about one of America’s most prolific serial killers, starring two A-list actors. Another procedural thriller to while away a dark autumn evening? Go on then.
But while Tobias Lindholm’s The Good Nurse is definitely not short on psychological tension, this isn’t your typical sensationalist murder mystery fare.
Based on the book of the same name by journalist Charles Graeber, the film’s narrative focuses on the true story of how nurse Amy Loughren helped put a stop to the heinous actions of fellow medic and friend Charles Cullen, who killed dozens of patients in his care over more than a decade while working at several US hospitals.
Loughren and Cullen are played by Oscar winners Jessica Chastain and Eddie Redmayne. While Redmayne delivers a menacing and nuanced turn as the disturbing killer, the film’s cornerstone is the heroism displayed by Chastain’s character, a single mother suffering from a life-threatening heart condition while working in a physically and mentally demanding job, albeit one she loves. Read more
Radiohead drummer Philip Selway announces new solo LP ‘Strange Dance’ (RollingStone)
With Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood off with the Smile, Radiohead drummer Philip Selway has spent the band’s moratorium working on his third album Strange Dance, his first solo LP in eight years.
Ahead of the album’s Feb. 24 release, Selway has shared the first single, “Check for Signs of Life,” one of the 10 new songs Selway wrote at home on guitar and piano.
Strange Dance also finds Selway collaborating with cellist Laura Moody, Portishead’s Adrian Utley, composer Hannah Peel, multi-instrumentalist Quinta, and producer Marta Salogni.
“The scale of it was very deliberate for me, from the outset,” Selway said in a statement. “I wanted the soundscape to be broad and tall but somehow get it to wrap around this intimate vocal at the heart of it.” Read more
Selena Gomez cancels ”Fallon” appearance after getting COVID (People)
Selena Gomez is taking some time to rest after testing positive for COVID.
In an Instagram Story posted Wednesday morning, the singer and actress told fans she won’t be following through with a scheduled appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in promotion of her forthcoming Apple TV+ documentary Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me after coming down with the virus.
“I’m not going to be on Fallon tonight. I ended up getting covid but am resting and feeling ok,” wrote Gomez, 30, alongside a photo of herself laying down on a couch, covered in blankets and surrounded by her dogs, Winnie and Daisy.
The Only Murders in the Building star continued, “A friendly reminder covid is still out there. Get updated on your boosters. I was actually scheduled to get mine this week. Love you all.” Read more
Avatar director James Cameron slates Marvel and DC characters (DigitalSpy)
Avatar director James Cameron has criticised the characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Worlds of DC.
In an interview with The New York Times, Cameron took issue with the storytelling in the superhero films, calling the franchises out specifically.
“When I look at these big, spectacular films – I’m looking at you, Marvel and DC – it doesn’t matter how old the characters are, they all act like they’re in college,” he said.
“They have relationships, but they really don’t. They never hang up their spurs because of their kids. The things that really ground us and give us power, love, and a purpose? Those characters don’t experience it, and I think that’s not the way to make movies.” Read more
Zoe Saldaña says Jerry Bruckheimer took ”accountability” for bad film experience (HuffPost)
Zoe Saldaña reveals she got an important apology from producer Jerry Bruckheimer after detailing the bad experience she had on “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl” many years ago.
“It was my first exposure to a major Hollywood mega movie, where there were just so many actors and so many producers and so many crew members,” the “Avatar” actor told Entertainment Weekly on Tuesday, of her work on the 2003 film.
“We were shooting in different locations, and the environments were not that agreeable, sometimes, to our shoot days,” she explained. “I was very young, and it was just a little too big for me, and the pace of it was a little too fast.”
The “From Scratch” star said she didn’t have “a good experience” overall and felt “lost in the trenches.” Read more
Germany plans to legalise recreational cannabis (BBC)
Germany’s coalition government has agreed on a plan to legalise recreational cannabis use among adults.
Possession of up to 30g (1oz) for personal use would be allowed. Licensed shops and pharmacies would sell it.
The plan still requires approval by the European Commission and German parliament. Health Minister Karl Lauterbach said the plan could become law in 2024.
In the EU only Malta has legalised recreational cannabis. Read more
Flamingoes bow out after loss to Colombia (Independent)
Nigeria has bowed out of the ongoing FIFA U17Women World Cup at the semifinal following a 6-5 penalty loss to Colombia during their match on Wednesday.
Going into their semifinal clash, the morale of the Nigerian players was boosted by the presence of the NFF President, Ibrahim Gusau, who landed in India on Tuesday morning, October 25. The Flamingos started the match impressively against Colombia, but the North Americans took charge of the game just after 10 minutes.
Nigerian goalkeeper Omilana made good saves to deny Colombia girls from scoring in the first half as the first 45 minutes ended goalless.
The Flamingos defended well in the second half as the Colombians tried all their efforts to get the breakthrough. Nigeria would have even scored the winner at the death when Afolabi laid down a good pass for Etimi, but she was unable to score. In the penalties, Nigeria had the chance to win, but Edafe lost the decisive kick and Colombia went on to win 6-5. Read more
Italian pundit rates Osimhen above Vlahovic, Immobile (Punch)
For his aggressiveness and power, Nigeria international, Victor Osimhen, has been rated high by Italian pundit Matteo Bonnetti, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Bonnetti made this assessment during a show on CBS Sports, where he revealed that he would pick Super Eagles striker over Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic and Lazio talisman Ciro Immobile.
Osimhen joined Napoli from Lille two years ago for a record fee of €81m with ads-on.
Since arriving at Napoli, he has been at his very best despite struggling with injuries. Read more
England to host Brazil in women’s Finalissima in April (USAToday)
European champion England will host South American champion Brazil in the first Women’s Finalissima game in London next year, UEFA said Wednesday.
The showpiece game for women’s soccer will take place on April 6 at Wembley Stadium, three months before both teams go to the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Wembley also hosted an 87,000 crowd to see Lionel Messi star in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Italy in June at the inaugural Finalissima for the men’s continental champions.
England also won the Women’s Euro 2022 at Wembley, beating Germany 2-1 in extra time, on the same day in July that Brazil beat host nation Colombia 1-0 to win the Copa América Femenina title. Read more
Tottenham seek vital relief with early Champions League qualification as squad stumbles amid hectic schedule (Standard)
Tottenham will confirm their place in the Champions League knockout stage if they beat Sporting CP tonight and, in the circumstances, finishing the job with a game to spare would be a much-needed tonic for Antonio Conte and his weary players.
After back-to-back defeats over the past eight days, Conte claimed his stretched squad cannot be competitive in both the Premier League and Champions League during the gruelling pre-World Cup schedule.
Victory would ease the pressure on next Tuesday’s final group game in Marseille, particularly if the Ligue 1 side also lose at Eintracht Frankfurt, which would confirm Spurs as group winners and leave the visit to the south of France as a welcome dead rubber.
Conte has admitted his players are starting to feel the strain of playing every three to four days, but he effectively considers it impossible to rest the majority of his preferred XI, given the drop-off in quality to their replacements. Read more
Rory McIlroy: ”Out of control” PGA-LIV feud to continue for long time (ESPN)
World No. 1 Rory McIlroy said the feud between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf Series is “out of control” and warned it could leave the sport fractured for a long time.
In an interview with The Guardian, McIlroy described the atmosphere in the game as “us vs. them” and said the escalation of the feud will likely become “irreparable.”
The Saudi-backed LIV series has lured away some of the PGA Tour’s top members with huge sums of money, while those who joined the rival circuit have been suspended by the U.S.-based organisation.
LIV has filed a lawsuit accusing the PGA Tour of antitrust violations, while the PGA Tour has filed a counterclaim. Read more
Sauber hail Audi partnership as ‘‘key step’’ in journey to front of F1 grid (PlanetF1)
Confirmed that they will become an Audi works team from 2026, Sauber see this as a huge gain in their pursuit of success.
When the Volkswagen Group confirmed that their Audi brand would enter Formula 1 as a power unit manufacturer from 2026, when the new generations of PUs will be introduced, talk quickly moved towards which outfit they would supply.
And now there is no need for speculation, it is official that Audi and Sauber will link-up from 2026.
As part of the deal Audi will produce the power unit, while Sauber continue to manufacturer and develop the Formula 1 challengers which will be powered by it. Audi are also planning to buy a stake in the Sauber Group, this making the partnership different to Sauber’s current Alfa Romeo deal. Read more