Commercial activities grounded as cultists engage in supremacy battle (Vanguard)
Commercial and social activities on Thursday, August 25 were grounded in Ijanikin/Otto communities as cultists within both communities engage in a fierce supremacy battle.
The crisis started last week when the annual masquerade festival started. Cultists reportedly took advantage of the masquerade processions to unleash terror, as they went on rampage in Ijanikin Community.
It was learned that at about 9 am on Thursday, Otto and Ijanikin cult boys engaged in a free for all fight, shooting sporadically in the air forcing traders, business owners, and residents to scamper for safety.
Many commuters, who were going to work were stranded at the bus stops, while some had to trek for hours because of the chaotic situation. Read more
Sanwo-Olu opens Badagry Int’l Slave Market Museum (Nation)
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Wednesday inaugurated the Slave Market Museum International in Badagry, Lagos.
The one storey building museum on Vlekete Road comprises six galleries which are Middle Passage gallery, Badagry gallery, Travails gallery, Enslavement gallery, Slave Dealers gallery, and Liberation gallery.
Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Sherifat Folashade Jaji, said the museum was an important part of the Slave Route Project initiated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1994 at the International Conference on Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade in Whydah, Republic of Benin.
He said it was at the conference that UNESCO enjoined member nations whose countries were affected by this trade to develop projects along the slave route. Read more
2023: Obasanjo, Obi, Wike, Duke, others meet in London (Vanguard)
The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, may be far from over as former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi, yesterday, met with Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State in London.
This is even as the presidential candidate of the PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, yesterday, met with Governor Wike in London for reconciliation talks.
The meetings came after the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu, had on Monday night, met with the Rivers governor and his allies also in London.
Though details of the meeting among Obasanjo, Obi and Wike were not disclosed, it was gathered that it was in connection with negotiations and alliances, ahead of the 2023 presidential election. Confirming the meeting, Chief Akin Osuntokun, former Political Adviser to Chief Obasanjo, told Vanguard that the leaders met in London. Read more
IMEA 2022 Awards: Ika Etumese Foundation, others To host music & comedy expo in december (independent)
Ika Etumese Foundation, in conjunction with Ika People Worldwide Association (IPWA) and other development partners, is set to host the Maiden edition of the Ika Music And Entertainment Awards (IMEA).
The event will also showcase the exposition of Awards, Music And Comedy featuring “the Denge Pose Master Babafryo, Philo De Iron Lady, Gospel Singer, Ngozi Okoh, Ohue Oyibo Junior, Vee Strings and a host other Ika born Comedians.
In a press statement made available to some group of Journalists on Wednesday in Asaba, Delta State by the founder of the foundation, Chief Ika Etumuse, the Egbebeli-Ugoebeli 1 of Igbodo Kingdom said that the project is aimed at showcasing the rich Ika Cultural Heritage and talented Sons and daughters in the Arts, Culture and Entertainment to the World.
Chief Etumese stated that the globally acclaimed Comedians that will grace the occasion included amongst others: Dome Bright De Comedian, MC Napoleon Peter, MC Laftamouth, MC Responsible, MC Beeskit, MC Dada Ben, MC Occupy and a short movie by Percy Monday Edoki all live at Fountainhead Resorts Crescent Owa Ekei, Delta State on 18th of December, 2022. Read more
Stop comparing Davido, Burna boy, Wizkid- CKay (Nation)
Afrobeat singer Chukwuka Ekwean aka Ckay has admonished fans to stop comparing Davido, Burna boy and Wizkid.
He cautioned fans from berating a particular artiste’s effort in a bid to promote their favourite, noting the three artistes possess distinguishing qualities.
Sharing lessons he learnt from the trio, the 25-year-old singer stated Davido has taught him that getting plaques with afrobeat songs is possible.
Wizkid, he said, has shown him that where you come from doesn’t limit how far you can go and Burna Boy has made him realize that delay is not denial. Read more
FG mulls concessioning of Abuja-Kaduna rail surveillance (DailyTrust)
The Federal Government is looking at the best options in terms of the surveillance of the Abuja-Kaduna rail line, including concessioning it in a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.
The Minister of Transportation, Muazu Sambo, disclosed this to State House reporters yesterday after the Federal Executive Council.
The government had in the 2022 budget earmarked N71, 671,088,783 for the installation of acoustic sensing security surveillance system for Abuja-Kaduna rail project.
The minister stressed the need to have surveillance facilities to monitor the tracks. Read more
Family values can bring world peace – Olukoya (Sun)
The general overseer of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries worldwide, Pastor Daniel Olukoya, has said that family values can bring lasting peace in the world.
Pastor Olukoya, who was speaking last Sunday in Abuja during the dedication of a multi-level international headquarters annex of the ministry, named Prayer, Praise and Power Cathedral,
said people should be conscious of who they propose marriage to, as their choice of spouse might make or mar them.
According to him, families should pray very hard for progress in their homes as generational curses may draw families back.
He said, “One may be born in deficit, because one member of one’s ancestors had introduced failure to the generations, even the unborn, if the right corrections are not made. Read more
Experts want common position for Africa at COP 27 (Punch)
Experts and analysts have urged Africa to forge a common position and make an assertive case for a just transition that supports the continent’s efforts to deal with climate emergency.
The advice was issued at the recently held virtual seminar to facilitate effective dialogues on COP 27, ahead of the next Conference of the Parties in Egypt (COP 27), dubbed Africa’s COP.
According to them, the event was an opportunity to make the rest of the world to fully address Africa’s concerns and back up previous and future commitments with actual action.
The keynote address at the seminar was delivered by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment of the African Union Commission, Josefa Sacko. Read more
Robbie Williams doc series in the works at Netflix, Asif Kapadia producing (THR)
One of the original bad boys of 1990s pop is getting the no-holds-barred documentary treatment.
Netflix has revealed it is producing an unscripted series about Robbie Williams, the former Take That member who famously split from the band in 1995 and would go on to have a hugely successful solo career. Asif Kapadia, who landed an Oscar for his Amy Winehouse feature doc Amy, is exec producing, while Joe Pearlman, best known for the hugely acclaimed Bros. music doc Bros: After the Screaming Stops, directs.
The series will launch in 2023 and is described as an “unfiltered, in-depth examination of a global icon and natural-born-entertainer who had to navigate the highs and lows of being in the limelight for more than 30 years.” The project will cover the intense media scrutiny Williams faced, plus adulation and addiction, professional and personal break-ups, reunions, recovery and the impact they have had on his mental health. Read more
How Beverly Hills, 90210 Stars Brian Austin Green and Tori Spelling are honouring Joe E. Tata (E-news)
The cast members of Beverly Hills, 90210 are remembering their late co-star.
Brian Austin Green, Tori Spelling and Jennie Garth shared tributes for the late Joe E. Tata, who played Nat on the Fox series, after he passed away on Aug. 24.
On Aug. 25, Tori shared a heartfelt message to Instagram in honor of Joe, who she deemed as “one of the kindest, funniest, most professional, amazing humans I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with and more importantly being friends with in my entire life.”
Tori went on to say how Joe reminded her of her father, Aaron Spelling, because they “were so much alike.” She recalled how Joe’s character Nat walked Tori’s character Donna down the aisle during the series—something Tori said she “wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.” Read more
Lin-Manuel Miranda teams with John Kander on new Broadway musical (Deadline)
Start spreading the news! A new musical loosely based on Martin Scorsese’s 1977 film New York, New York will begin performances on Broadway, theatre to be announced, in March 2023. Opening night will be in April, with Tony and Olivier Award winner Susan Stroman on board to direct and choreograph.
The show — of course it’s called New York, New York — will feature numbers written for the movie by legendary songwriting duo John Kander and Fred Ebb (Chicago, The Scottsboro Boys, Cabaret). Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton) will write additional lyrics for new Kander tunes, Deadline has learned.
Four Kander and Ebb songs were used in Scorsese’s MGM film, including the fabled title track that will definitely feature big in the Broadway show.
Casting breakdowns for New York, New York were being issued today. The production is believed to have a cast of 31 and an orchestra of 19 musicians. Read more
Stars in appeal to save Edinburgh’s King’s Theatre (BBC)
Actors including Brian Cox and Alan Cumming have issued a plea to save an Edinburgh theatre at risk of closure.
The King’s Theatre closed to undergo redevelopment in 2022, with a reopening planned for mid-2024.
Redevelopment costs were set at £25m but are now likely to cost 20-30% more than originally budgeted.
Capital Theatres, which runs the King’s, said that if the funding gap was not closed by December, the theatre could close its doors forever. Read more
Ewan McGregor to star in Showtime limited series ‘A Gentleman in Moscow’ (TheWrap)
“Star Wars” franchise actor Ewan McGregor has lined up his next role. The actor will star in and executive produce the upcoming Showtime limited series “A Gentleman in Moscow.”
The series, from eOne, in association with VIS, the international studio division of Paramount Global, is an adaptation of Amor Towles’ novel.
McGregor will play Count Alexander Rostov “who, in the aftermath of the Russian Revolution, finds that his gilded past places him on the wrong side of history,” per a description from Showtime. “Spared immediate execution, he is banished by a Soviet tribunal to an attic room in the opulent Hotel Metropol, threatened with death if he ever sets foot outside again. As the years pass and some of the most tumultuous decades in Russian history unfold outside the hotel’s doors, Rostov’s reduced circumstances provide him entry into a much larger world of emotional discovery. As he builds a new life within the walls of the hotel, he discovers the true value of friendship, family and love.” Read more
Donald Trump says he’s ‘innocent as a person can be’ and rips Joe Biden’s claim he knew nothing about raid (Metro)
Former President Donald Trump has declared himself ‘innocent’ and slammed his successor Joe Biden’s claim that he knew nothing about the FBI raiding Mar-a-Lago to seize documents.
Trump ranted on his Truth Social platform early Thursday, the day of the Justice Department’s deadline to submit a redacted version of the search affidavit.
‘Even though I am as innocent as a person can be, and despite MY campaign being spied on by the Radical Left, the FISA COURT being lied to and defrauded, all of the many Hoaxes and Scams that were illegally placed on me by very sick & demented people, and without even mentioning the many crimes of Joe and Hunter Biden, all revealed in great detail in the Laptop From Hell,’ Trump wrote, ‘It looks more and more like the Fake News Media is pushing hard for the Sleaze to do something that should not be done!’ Read more
Adesanya ready to make heavyweight move’ (Punch)
Israel Adesanya’s manager Tim Simpson believes the UFC middleweight champion is ready to make the move up to the heavyweight division of the sport.
“He’s mentioned he wants to go back up to 205. Obviously, the last time he came up short. But I think he would be very comfortable in that division again if that’s what he wants to do,” Simpson told MMA Junkie.
“It’s really up to him and Eugene [Bareman, Adesanya’s head coach at City Kickboxing] on the athletic side. But I think he has business he wants to attend to at 185 first. He says he wants to fight everybody of his era in that weight class, which he almost has done.
“He wants to go down as the greatest of all time in that division, and there’s an opportunity to stay there and keep fighting. But the door’s open to light heavyweight, even heavyweight. He’s had success at heavyweight in kickboxing, too.” Read more
General Assembly to decide on expanded NFF, says Dare (Nation)
One of the key recommendations of the 10 Year Football Development Masterplan report is the expansion of the NFF General Assembly and Executive Committee.
The report suggested an expansion of the voting delegates at the NFF elective congress from forty four(44) to one hundred and eleven(111) and a slight increase in the number of Executive Committee members from fifteen (15) to sixteen(16), to accommodate a woman in line with FIFA’s thinking and new global practice.
The Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development Sunday Dare has said the final decision on this recommendation lies with the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) General Assembly. Read more
Knocks for Dare, Pinnick as tired Falconets arrive (Punch)
Following the arrival of the Super Falconets from Costa Rica late Wednesday night, angry Nigerians continued to hit hard at the sports ministry and the Amaju Pinnick-led Nigeria Football Federation board following the team’s harrowing experience in Turkey, on their way from the U-20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica.
The Falconets contingent, who boarded Turkish Airlines on Monday, was on transit in Istanbul, after crashing out from the tournament, following a 2-0 defeat to The Netherlands on Sunday.
However, following a flight delay in Colombia, the airline that was scheduled to fly them from Istanbul to Abuja on Tuesday, had left before their arrival at the Turkish capital city, with the entire team made to endure a frustrating 24-hour stay at the Istanbul Airport.
Early on Wednesday morning, the social media was flooded with pictures of the players sleeping on bare floor and chairs at the airport, which drew the ire of their compatriots. Read more
Joshua lacks confidence against Usyk – Wilder (Punch)
Deontay Wilder believes that Anthony Joshua’s lack of confidence played a major role during his rematch defeat to Oleksandr Usyk on Sunday morning.
Pundits have commented that Joshua delivered an improved performance in Saudi Arabia following his loss to Usyk last year but it wasn’t enough as the Ukrainian retained his heavyweight titles via split decision.
Wilder, who is set for a ring return on October 15 against Finland’s Robert Helenius, believes Joshua showed a lack of confidence in the build-up to the fight and has questioned the 32-year-old’s mentality.“Sometimes you just look at both fighters, and sometimes the eye test will tell it all,” Wilder told ESNews on Wednesday.
“The body language is telling a story, the way the momentum of a fighter is telling a story, you could look at Usyk and tell how confident he was, how the tables have turned, you could tell he owned it, he feels like who he is. Read more
Ralph Hasenhuttl confirms Southampton’s Che Adams stance amid interest from Everton and Leeds (TalkSport)
Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl has
‘categorically’ ruled out selling Che Adams this summer.
The striker has been heavily linked with a move to Everton in recent weeks with the Toffees reportedly open to paying £25million in order to complete a deal.
The move has been a priority for Frank Lampard’s side who are desperate to bring in a top-level striker following Richarlison’s move to Tottenham earlier this summer, while Anthony Gordon continues to be pursued by Chelsea.
Leeds United have also been linked with a move during the last two summers. Read more
Wesley Fofana: Leicester without Chelsea target for visit to Stamford Bridge as transfer uncertainty continues (Sky)
Wesley Fofana will be unavailable for selection for Leicester’s visit to Chelsea this weekend, amid ongoing uncertainty about his future.
Fofana has emerged as Chelsea’s main defensive target, and Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers was asked about his availability for Saturday’s trip to Stamford Bridge and the likelihood of Fofana staying beyond the end of the transfer window.
“He won’t be available for the weekend and has trained with the U23 squad,” Rodgers told reporters.
“I’m not sure [if a deal will get done], my concentration is on the players that we have, and the team. I can’t lose energy. If something will be done it will be done with the clubs. Until that happens we just have to work with what we have.” Read more
Mercedes to make nostalgic change for Belgian GP as Lewis Hamilton reverts to old style (Express)
Mercedes are set to make a nostalgic change to their W13 Formula 1 car for this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix as the Silver Arrows prepare to celebrate 55 years of AMG. Both Lewis Hamilton and George Russell will see their respective numbers included within vintage AMG logos emblazoned on the sides of their two cars as part of a tribute to the high-performance Mercedes branch.
AMG has a rich history within motor racing having been involved in the sport ever since its inception back in 1967 when founded by German engineers Hans Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher. To honour 55 years since AMG’s formation, Mercedes will pay a special tribute to the high-performance subsidiary at Spa this coming weekend.
Both Hamilton and Russell’s Silver Arrows will feature a special signet and a large vintage starting number on the sides of their cars. The emblem is a nod to the 300 SEL 6.8 AMG – otherwise known as the ‘Red Pig’ – which claimed victory in its class at the 1971 Spa 24 Hours race. The F1 Safety Car, a Mercedes AMG GT R, will additionally display the anniversary signet.
Opening up on Mercedes’ commemorative design tweak, CEO and Team Principal Toto Wolff said: “AMG is synonymous with racing and high-performance. For 55 years they have been at the forefront of pushing what is possible on four wheels, both on the racetrack and the road. I look forward to getting out on track in the Red Pig this afternoon, an icon in motorsport history.”