Concern over fate of 20 abducted medical students (Leadership)
After six days in captivity, there is anger over the inability of the authorities to secure the release of the 20 medical students kidnapped in Benue, Benue State.
The second vice president of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Dr Ushakuma Anenga, disclosed that the abductors of the 20 medical students of the Universities of Maiduguri and Jos had opened negotiations with their families.
In a telephone conversation with our correspondent, Dr Anenga said the abductors of the undergraduates were demanding N50 million for their release. Read more
Police summon Ajaero over alleged terrorism (DailyTrust)
The Nigeria Police Force has summoned Joe Ajaero, the National President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), for questioning.
He was invited over an alleged link to terrorism financing, cybercrime and other allegations.
This was contained in a letter issued from the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police Intelligence Response Team, Department of Force Intelligence. Read more
Forceful removal: Appeal Court to hear ex-CJN Onnoghen’s appeals filed since 2019 (Nation)
The Court of Appeal in Abuja will today hear three appeals filed by a former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, against the judgment of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) which ordered his removal from office in 2019.
The Court of Appeal informed parties in the matter of the hearing date in a notice it issued through its Registry, which The Nation sighted yesterday.
The notice reads: “Please, take notice that the above matter is listed for hearing on Tuesday, August 20, 2024 at 9 o’clock in Court Appeal, Abuja Division. Please, take note that this serves as a hearing notice.” Read more
Special security arrangement: Southern farmers protest (Sun)
Farmers and stakeholders in the agricultural sector in the southern part of Nigeria have protested the Defence Headquarters’ deployment of military personnel to protect only farmers in the north against terrorists and bandits’ attacks. They said the exclusion of farmers in the South in the security arrangement was shocking and strange.
The military yesterday announced that it has deployed its troops to farmers across the Northern states, especially the North West, and North Central regions to ensure a hitch-free farming season and tackle food insecurity and inflation.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj Gen Edward Buba disclosed this in a statement issued recently . Read more
Lagos marks World Humanitarian Day with road walk (Punch)
The Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, on Monday, commemorated the 2024 World Humanitarian Day with a road walk awareness campaign, advocating women empowerment.
The event, according to a statement shared on Instagram on Monday, held in Ikeja, the state capital and brought together officials from the ministry, Non-Governmental Organisations, and representatives from registered women-focused groups.
At the event, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Bolaji Dada, emphasised the importance of women empowerment and support for vulnerable families, stressing the need for unity in the face of challenges. Read more
Isese Day: LASU shifts examinations (Vanguard)
In compliance with the directive of the Lagos State government declaring August 20 a public holiday to mark Isese Day, the management of the Lagos State University, LASU, has shifted papers scheduled for that day as part of the ongoing second semester examinations in the institution.
A statement signed on Monday evening by the Coordinator, Centre for Information and Public Relations Mrs Oluwayemisi Thomas-Onashile, said the decision followed a circular from the state government directing compliance with the observance of the holiday. Read more
Tinubu sacks Jalal Arabi as NAHCON Chairman (ThisDay)
President Bola Tinubu on Monday sacked Jalal Arabi as Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), less than a year into his tenure.
The president immediately appointed Prof. Abdullahi Usman as his replacement.
Presidential spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, in a release stated that President Tinubu has approved the appointment of Prof. Usman as the Executive Chairman of the NAHCON. Read more
FG raises alarm over attacks on humanitarian workers in Nigeria (DailyTrust)
The Federal Government of Nigeria has raised the alarm over continuous attacks on humanitarian workers in the country.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Monday to mark World Humanitarian Day 2024, under the theme ‘ActForHumanity,’ the Federal Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Tijani Ahmed, said this year’s campaign addresses the alarming rise in attacks on humanitarian workers and civilians.
“In Nigeria, humanitarian workers have frequently found themselves in the crossfire of non-state armed groups. Between 2020 and 2024, there have been 49 reported incidents affecting 79 humanitarian workers. Read more
Taylor Swift meets survivors of Southport stabbing incident (MusicNews)
Taylor Swift has met with some of the families from a deadly UK mass stabbing at a children’s dance class in July.
The singer was shocked last month when a crazed knifeman stormed a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport, killing three schoolgirls and injuring 10 more.
Over the weekend, Taylor returned to Wembley Stadium in London where she has been performing a string of sold-out concerts – and welcomed some of the families affected by the atrocity to join her backstage. Read more
Michael Oher “so angry mentally” with portrayal in The Blind Side (NME)
NFL star Michael Oher has said he is “so angry mentally” with the fallout from the film The Blind Side and his subsequent conservatorship battle.
The former Super Bowl winner and his adopted family rose to fame following the release of the 2009 film, starring Sandra Bullock and Tim McGraw. The movie was based on Oher’s life and charted his rise to fame as a football star with the help of the Tuohy family, who took him in when he was homeless.
However, last year, Oher filed a lawsuit claiming he was under the impression that he had been adopted by the Tuohy family, only to later learn that rather than an adoption, it was in fact a conservatorship agreement. Read more
Talk show host Phil Donahue dies aged 88 (BBC)
US talk show host Phil Donahue has died at the age of 88, his family has confirmed to the US media.
The presenter died at his home on Sunday after a long illness and surrounded by family, according to a statement issued to NBC’s Today show.
Donahue, who created and hosted The Phil Donahue Show, was considered the “king of daytime talk” in the US.
Over his career, Donahue interviewed well-known figures including Nelson Mandela, Muhammad Ali, Sammy Davis Jr, Sir Elton John, Whoopi Goldberg, Robin Williams, Dolly Parton and Michael J Fox. Read more
2 teens charged with murder in shooting death of General Hospital actor Johnny Wactor (People)
Four people have been arrested in the death of General Hospital actor Johnny Wactor, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced on Monday, Aug. 19.
Robert Barceleau and Sergio Estrada, both 18, were charged with murder amid the investigation into Wactor’s death. Leonel Gutierrez, also 18, and Frank Olano, 22, were also charged with lesser counts. The LAPD’s Central Bureau Homicide Division is conducting the investigation.
Barceleau, Estrada and Gutierrez were charged with one count of attempted robbery with personal use of a firearm and one count of grand theft with an allegation of principal armed with a firearm. Read more
Eamonn Holmes reveals he is off on ‘‘summer holiday’’ after he was absent from GB News (BelfastTelegraph)
Eamonn Holmes has confirmed he is off on a “summer holiday” after reports picked up on the Northern Irishman being absent from the GB News line-up on Monday, as the programme saw a presenter shake-up.
Holmes co-hosts the show with Isabel Webster from Monday to Wednesday, but he didn’t appear on the latest broadcast.
Instead, viewers were greeted by GB News regular Nana Akua, who took over hosting duties alongside Webster. Read more
George Santos pleads guilty to 2 counts in federal corruption case, faces years in prison (USAToday)
Former Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., who was expelled from the House of Representatives after being indicted on 23 federal counts including fraud and misusing campaign funds, pleaded guilty Monday in federal court to two of the charges.
The Long Island Republican faces a mandatory two-year minimum sentence after pleading guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. But Judge Joanna Seybert estimated the term could range from six to eight years behind bars when he is sentenced on Feb. 7, 2025. Santos also agreed to pay nearly $374,000 in restitution and to forfeit $205,000.
Santos had faced trial in September on charges including laundering campaign funds to pay for his personal expenses, charging donors’ credit cards without their consent, and receiving unemployment benefits while he was employed. Read more
Iran cyber operations targeted Trump, Harris campaigns – US inquiry (RNZ)
The United States on Monday accused Iran of launching cyber operations against the campaigns of both US presidential candidates and targeting the American public with influence operations aimed at fanning political discord.
“We have observed increasingly aggressive Iranian activity during this election cycle,” said a statement by the FBI, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, which oversees the defense of government computer systems.
The statement confirmed charges made earlier this month by the campaign of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump that Iran hacked one of its websites, triggering an FBI investigation. Read more
Onye advocates Siasia-Okpala combo for Super Eagles’ Post (ThisDay)
With barely two weeks until the Super Eagles’ opening match in the AFCON 2025 qualifying round of matches, former Nigeria international, Kingsley Onye, who is better known as “Mature” has called on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) that they are running against time.
“We are courting another disastrous opening just as we have turned the World Cup qualifier to be”, remarked the former left-sided defender from his base in the UK.
To him, not having a coach in place, two weeks before a major competition implies a poor approach to the qualifiers. “The popular saying goes that to fail to plan is to plan to fail”, remarked Onye who in the 1980s featured for major Nigerian clubs such as the defunct Leventis United, Iwuanyanwu Nationale and Enugu Rangers which remains the club after his heart, even till now. Read more
Jamie Vardy speaks on goading Tottenham fans with brutal title jibe after Leicester heroics (Standard)
Jamie Vardy taunted Tottenham’s travelling fans after scoring the equaliser for Leicester in Monday night’s eventful 1-1 draw in the Premier League.
The former England striker, 37, made a remarkable recovery from injury to start and captain the newly-promoted Foxes in the opening game of their top-flight return at the King Power Stadium, when it had initially appeared that new boss Steve Cooper would have only youth strikers to call upon for his first competitive match in charge with Zambian international Patson Daka also now sidelined for several months following ankle surgery. Read more
Germany captain Gundogan retires from international football (RFI)
Germany captain Ilkay Gundogan announced his retirement from international football on Monday after leading his country at Euro 2024, citing “a certain tiredness” both physically and mentally.
“After a few weeks of reflection, I have come to the conclusion that it is time to end my national team career,” Gundogan wrote on social media.
“I look back with great pride on 82 international matches for my home country – a number that I could never have dreamed of when I made my debut for the senior national team in 2011.” Read more
Sabalenka wins 1st title since Australian Open (BBC)
Aryna Sabalenka won her first title since January’s Australian Open by powering past Jessica Pegula in the final of the Cincinnati Open.
The Belarusian needed 76 minutes to wrap up a 6-3 7-5 victory for the 15th title of her career and her sixth at WTA 1,000 level.
The result ended a nine-match winning streak for American Pegula, who defended her Canadian Open title last week. Read more
Samoan cricketer Darius Visser smacks record-breaking 39 runs in one over (Fox)
Stuart Broad can breathe a sigh of relief.
Samoan cricketer Darius Visser has broken the men’s T20I record for most runs in an over, blasting 39 runs from six legal deliveries during the T20 World Cup Sub Regional East Asia-Pacific Qualifiers on Tuesday.
Facing Vanuatu seamer Nalin Nipiko at Apia’s Garden Oval No. 2, Visser cleared the boundary rope six times during the 15th over of the innings, which featured three no-balls. Read more
Thierry Henry resigns from France youth post after Paris Games (ESPN)
Thierry Henry has resigned from his role as manager of France’s youth teams after earning a silver medal at the Paris Olympics, the French Football Federation announced on Monday.
Henry, who won the 1998 World Cup with his country as a player, cited “personal reasons” as the motivation for his decision in the FFF news release.
“I have to thank the FFF and Philippe Diallo [president of the FFF], who gave me this amazing opportunity,” Henry said. “Winning a silver medal at the Olympics for my country will remain one of the proudest achievements of my life.
“I am incredibly grateful to the Federation, the players, the staff and the supporters who allowed me to live out a magical experience.” Read more