Counting of votes commences in Kogi guber poll (Vanguard)
Counting of votes has begun in most polling units in Lokoja, at the end of voting by accredited voters.
In polling unit 065 ward A, Sabon Gari, INEC officials and party agents were seen counting the votes, after sorting them out party by party.
The story was the same at the polling unit 067 ward A, Kogi Hotel Tourism Board, counting was undoing. Read more
Driver allegedly kills passerby in Lagos (Punch)
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority has arrested a private vehicle driver after he allegedly killed a passerby in Ogba, Lagos State.
This was disclosed in a statement made available to PUNCH Metro by the Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, Adebayo Taofiq, on Saturday.
According to the statement, Adebayo confirmed that the initial inquiry showed that the driver of an unregistered white “Mercedes Benz car with registration number CLA 250 over-sped and lost control, striking an innocent bystander who died instantly. Read more
PDP’s Melaye wins polling unit despite poll boycott (Nation)
The governorship candidate of the People Democratic Party (PDP), Dino Melaye, has been declared the winner of his polling unit.
Melaye garnered 210 votes to defeat the All Congress candidate (APC), Ahmed Ododo, who pulled 22 votes while Leke Abejide of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) came a distant third with 7 votes.
The National Rescue Movement, People’s Redemption Party, African Democratic Party, 001 and Social Democratic Party got 001, 002, 001 and 001 respectively. Read more
Prices of goods may rise as import clearing rate hits N783.17/$1 (Leadership)
Customs duty payable on imported items at the nation‘s seaports has increased after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), adjusted the the official exchange rate used by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), for import duties and levies from N770.88/$1 to N783.174/$1.
With this adjustment, the prices of imported goods which Nigeria practically depends on will escalate further in the coming days with attendant untold hardship on many Nigerians.
LEADERSHIP reports that the CBN had on June 24th, adjusted the exchange rate from N422.30/$1 to N589/$1, on July 6th, it was adjusted to N770.88/$1 Read more
Security Agents playing on the side of PDP – Sylva (Channels)
The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the November 11, 2023 governorship poll in Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and security agents of harassing his supporters.
Sylva spoke on Saturday after he cast his vote at Ward 4, Unit 4 in the Brass Local Government Area of the South-South state.
The APC candidate fingered security agents “especially the Army”, alleging that they are “playing on the side of the PDP”. Read more
Jonathan appeal to National Assembly to block off season election, in Nigeria (Guardian)
Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan has appealed to the National Assembly to ensure they do all it takes to block off season election in Nigeria, as is not a best practice.
He stated this on Saturday, in his hometown Otuoke, in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa, saying it’s not a global best practice.
According to the former President, congratulated the three states of Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi, for the success of the conduct of the election. Read more
Army Chief mourns 1st female General (ThisDay)
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has commiserated with the family of late retired Maj.-Gen. Aderonke Kale, the first female Major General in the Nigerian Army who passed away on Wednesday in London.
This is contained in a statement by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, on Saturday in Abuja.
Lagbaja described the demise of Akale as a great loss to the Nigerian army, describing her as a shining veteran who exuded unequalled commitment, diligence and unquestionable loyalty to the army and the nation. Read more
‘‘The Delborough Lagos’’ is country within country, says Idahosa (Leadership)
President/CEO of Del-York International and Fahrenheit Global Security Solutions, Mr. Linus Idahosa, has described ‘The Delborough Lagos’ as “a country within country”.
Idahosa, who was recently appointed as a Board Member of the facility, made the remarks in an interview with journalists shortly after his official inauguration into the Board of what is being hailed as one of Africa’s most iconic luxury brands ahead of its upcoming commissioning in Lagos.
The Delborough Lagos is a well-appointed and elegant establishment with sophisticated state-of-the-art luxury facilities located in Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria. Read more
Kenyan preacher at centre of deadly doomsday cult found guilty (AfricaNews)
Paul Mackenzie, the Kenyan preacher at the centre of a doomsday cult that led to the deaths of more than 400 people, was found guilty on Friday, but not of their killings.
The senior resident magistrate in the town of Malindi, Olga Onalo, instead found Mackenzie guilty of operating a TV studio and distributing films without a licence from the Kenya Film Classification Board.
The preacher has been in police custody for more than six months now since he was arrested in April, following the discovery of hundreds of bodies in mass graves in a forested area across his 800-acre property in the coastal county of Kilifi. Read more
Vatican Museums announce new hours, ticket price, and entrance (CNA)
The Vatican Museums have announced a series of novelties beginning both this month and after the new year, in anticipation of the 2025 Jubilee Year.
Beginning Nov. 17, the Vatican Museums will open an additional entrance every Friday and Saturday for those who wish to only visit the Necropolis of the Via Triumphalis, the ruins of an ancient Roman burial ground located on Vatican property.
The entrance to the archeological site will be the St. Rose Gate of the Vatican, which is located off of Risorgimento Square, about halfway between St. Peter’s Square and the main entrance to the Vatican Museums off of “Viale Vaticano.” Read more
Music icon Rick Astley to host BBC’s New Years Eve show this Hogmanay (DailyRecord)
Singer Rick Astley will host the BBC’s New Year’s Eve show this year.
The 57-year-old musician said the news, which was announced today, was an “honour”, before adding: “It’s always been part of my New Year’s ritual to watch the show and take in the amazing fireworks, so to be part of it this year is fantastic. Here’s to a great night.”
With the working title, Rick Astley Rocks New Year’s Eve, the event will be held at the Roundhouse in Camden, London. Read more
Country musician Craig Morgan honours military on Veterans Day (Fox)
Craig Morgan encourages Americans to respect service members every day, and especially on Veterans Day.
The 59-year-old country music star, who recently reenlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve, exclusively told Fox News Digital that the annual day of remembrance is important for a number of reasons.
“It’s a very special day to celebrate those who served,” Morgan said. Read more
Ed Sheeran launches limited edition ‘‘Autumn Variations’’ acoustic guitar (NME)
Ed Sheeran has launched a new limited edition ‘Autumn Variations’ acoustic guitar that fans can purchase now.
Posting on Instagram, Sheeran said he wanted to mark the release of his last album, ‘‘Autumn Variations’’ with the launching of a new acoustic guitar.
Sheeran launched a line of signature acoustic guitars in 2019 with Northern Irish guitar company, Lowden. In an interview with the company’s founder owner George Lowden at their launch in 2019, Sheeran said how it’s “any kid’s dream” to have a signature guitar [via Rolling Stone]. Read more
John Bailey, Ordinary People Cinematographer and former Film Academy President, Dies at 81 (THR)
John Bailey, the cinematographer on Ordinary People, Groundhog Day, As Good as It Gets and dozens of other notable films who endured two “stressful” terms as president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, died Friday. He was 81.
Bailey died in Los Angeles, his wife, Oscar-nominated film editor Carol Littleton (E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial), announced.
“It is with deep sadness I share with you that my best friend and husband, John Bailey, passed away peacefully in his sleep early this morning,” she said in a statement. “During John’s illness, we reminisced about how we met 60 years ago and were married for 51 of those years. We shared a wonderful life of adventure in film and made many long-lasting friendships along the way. John will forever live in my heart.” Read more
Arab, Muslim blocs meet in Saudi Arabia to discuss Gaza conflict (RFI)
Arab leaders and Iran’s president gathered in the Saudi capital Saturday for a summit meeting expected to underscore demands that fighting in Gaza end before the Israel-Hamas war draws in other countries.
The emergency meeting of the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) comes after Hamas militants’ 7 October attacks that Israeli officials say left about 1,200 people dead, mostly civilians, and 239 taken hostage.
Israel’s subsequent aerial and ground offensive has killed more than 11,000 people, also mostly civilians and many of them children, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Read more
Neglected at home, Langa athletes find succour in the south (DailyTrust)
Nigeria is a country blessed with several traditional games. Though such sporting activities have faded away due to lack of support and the dominance of Western sports, there are some that have persevered and are growing in leaps and bounds.
Such traditional sports are embedded in the cultural beliefs and practices of the people. They also played a significant role in teaching children about the structure of their societies.
Although there are so many traditional sports in Nigeria, the most prominent ones that are recognised by the Traditional Sports Federation of Nigeria are abula, langa, ayo, dambe and kokawa. But to the disappointment of most Nigerians, these trado sports have continued to get a cold shoulder from organisers of the National Sports Festival (NSF). Read more
NLO Cup gets November 24 kick-off date (Leadership)
Ancient city of Kano and the natural beauty of Uyo will host 16 best teams in the grassroots league in the maiden Nationwide League One- NLO Cup billed to kick off on Friday, November 24 through Saturday, December 9, 2023.
Speaking with NLO Media Channel, Chief Operating Officer Olushola Ogunnowo rolled out plans for the first edition of the NLO Cup.
“The Nationwide League One, as the third cadre league in Nigeria has decided to showcase some of the best teams in the grassroots league in a tournament tagged “NLO CUP” that will cap the activities of NLO. Read more
Real Madrid chief Perez labels new UCL format “absurd” (ESPN)
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez said on Saturday the European Super League is “more necessary than ever” and called UEFA’s new Champions League format “absurd” in a speech to the club’s members.
In an 80-minute intervention at the club’s Annual General Meeting, Perez reiterated his support for the dormant Super League project, criticised the standard of Spanish refereeing and VAR and hit out at LaLiga over its management of clubs’ income from TV rights.
Perez has been the Super League’s most vocal advocate since its attempted launch in April 2021. Read more
Manchester United confirm Jonny Evans injury blow (SportsMole)
Manchester United have revealed that Jonny Evans will be missing “for the next few weeks” with the injury that he suffered against Copenhagen in the Champions League last week.
The Northern Ireland international has recently been first pick alongside Harry Maguire in the middle of the Red Devils defence, and he was again given the nod over Raphael Varane for the contest with Copenhagen.
The experienced centre-back was forced off the field with a muscular problem in the early stages of the European contest, though, and Man United head coach Erik ten Hag said on Friday that the 35-year-old would be absent for the team’s Premier League clash with Luton Town on Saturday. Read more
Czech Republic wins doubles to beat United States 2-1 and reach Billie Jean King Cup semifinals (USAToday)
Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova sent the Czech Republic into the semifinals of the Billie Jean King Cup by beating American duo Danielle Collins and Taylor Townsend 6-3, 7-5 in their decisive doubles match on Friday.
Siniakova and Krejcikova completed a 2-1 comeback against the U.S. team on the indoor hard court in Seville to eliminate the Americans. The Czechs will face Canada in Saturday’s semifinals. Italy will face Slovenia in the other semifinal on the indoor hard court in Seville.
“The U.S. were there, just waiting for the winning moment,” said Czech captain Petr Pala. “It got to the wire and it could have gone either way, but we have a world-class doubles team.” Read more
Leona Maguire slips back as Emily Pederson sets midway pace at The Annika (RTE)
Emily Kristine Pedersen of Denmark used a hot start to her second round to post a five-under 65 and take over the lead at The Annika at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida.
Pedersen’s 12-under 128 broke the tournament 36-hole scoring record by one shot. She was one off the pace to start the day but now sits two strokes ahead of Japan’s Minami Katsu, who posted a 67. Thailand’s Jasmine Suwannapura shot 65 and moved into third at 9 under.
Leona Maguire dropped to a share of 45th after a one-over 71. The Cavan woman is 10 shots behind Pedersen on -2 after a round that featured two birdies and three bogeys. Read more