Court restrains Lagos from taking over collapsed Ikoyi building (Channels)
The Lagos High Court has restrained the state government from taking over and demolishing the remaining two Ikoyi high-rise buildings constructed by Fourscore Heights Limited.
Justice Adewunmi Oshin ordered all parties in the suit to maintain the status quo pending the hearing and determination of a suit filed by fifteen subscribers of the various units of flats/penthouses/terraces/apartments being constructed in three high-rise buildings at 44BCD, Gerrard Road, Ikoyi.
Of the three high-rise buildings (namely Blocks A, B, and C), one of them, Block B (consisting of 21-storeys) collapsed in November 2021, killing 46 persons while 15 persons were rescued alive.
In the substantive suit, the subscribers, including a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Wemimo Ogunde; a former cleric of the Redeemed Church (RCCG), Pastor Adetola Odutola; an Oba-elect, Pastor Ghandi Olaoye are seeking general damages of N200 million and another N50 million as the cost of filing the suit. Read more
Investigations: LASTMA seeks collaboration with public complaints commission (Vanguard)
Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, has called for mutual working collaboration between it and the Public Complaints Commission for sustainable seamless traffic management and ensuring peace in the state.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr Bolaji Oreagba, who made the call during a courtesy visit of the commission to LASTMA Headquarters, Oshodi, Lagos added that it has become necessary for the collaboration as part of the ongoing reforms to reposition the agency.
Oreagba commended the commission for giving hope to the hopeless and making sure complaints are promptly resolved after diligent investigation.
He however, noted that most complaints from members of the public particularly motorists against officers of the authority are frivolous in nature and mostly done out of wooing public sentiments. Read more
Lagos to set up tertiary education trust fund (Nation)
The Lagos State Government will establish the State Tertiary Education Trust Fund to create a financial model that will sustain its universities, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said on Thursday.
He spoke when the Visitation Panel to the Lagos State University (LASU) presented its report to him at the State House in Marina.
Sanwo-Olu said the panel, set up on November 16, 2021, was set up to ensure the university management remains focused on performance and has a clean bill on where and what to do.
Establishing a tertiary education trust fund was part of the recommendations in the panel’s report, especially since the state now has three universities to cater for. Read more
IPOB threatens Uzuakoli community over land sale for correctional centre (Independent)
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has warned the people of Uzuakoli to refund the money paid to the community by Federal authorities to build a correctional centre or be prepared for dire consequences.
In a press release signed by the media and publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, the pro-Biafran group reiterated that its ban on selling of land “to the Fulani Government in the name of building projects is still effective”.
They lamented that “despite its warnings and enlightenment on the evil plans of Fulanization agenda, some criminals in Uzuakoli Community in Abia State have colluded with the Fulani Government to sell Uzuakoli community land in the name of building Federal Prisons”.
It said the transaction is a hoax and that the community leaders were deceived into believing that the government will build the correctional centre in their community and believed it was because of monetary gain. Read more
Ganduje to swear in 11 commissioner-designates Friday (Tribune)
The Kano State governor, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje will on Friday swear in the nine commissioner-designates.
The nominees, who have been screened and approved for appointment by the state House of Assembly, would replace members of the state Executive Council who resigned to contest positions in the 2023 general elections.
A statement by the Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba, indicated that the swearing-in ceremony is scheduled to hold at Sani Abacha Indoor Stadium, Kofar Mata, Kano by 2:00 pm.
Their respective portfolios will be revealed later by the governor after the new commissioners take the oath of office. Read more
How our health sector can be developed – Doctors (DailyTrust)
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) says the continent’s health system can be developed if monies are channeled appropriately to the sector like it’s been done in other countries.
The doctors said this on Daily Trust’s Twitter Spaces themed: ‘Brain Drain: How Are Nigerian Doctors Coping in This Environment?
Dr Godiya Ishaya, NARD President, told the people to stand up for what is right by electing those who have the interest of the continent at heart.
“The budgeting for the health sector has to be improved. When the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting was held in Abuja in 2001, there was a declaration that at least 15% of their budget should go to the health sector for the health system in Africa to develop. Read more
I was not aware I would play fake housemate – Modella (Nation)
Evicted BBNaija housemate Gabriella Abimbola aka Modella has confirmed she was not aware of going to the show as a fake housemate.
Modella, who stated to be auditioned like other housemates, said she was not given ample time to process her role as fake housemate, stating she was only informed in the morning as she prepared to join other housemates
The 26-year-old BBNaija Alumna was evicted on Sunday by the show host, Ebuka revealing her identity as fake housemates and to have executed her task in the Biggie’s house
She said: “ I was getting ready that morning, I had stayed in lockdown for two extra weeks, and I was already depressed. I got a call from them that they want to have a private session with me.
”They informed me I won’t be playing for the money and I had to make my decision now. Having spent so much and I was prepared, I made the decision. Read more
Police arrest 4 suspected ‘one – chance’, 419 syndicate (Nation)
Operatives of the Wuye Divisional Headquarters the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command have arrested a four-man suspected “one-chance” criminal syndicate in the wuye area of Abuja.
The police, after arresting the suspects, Monday James (male), Ubeh Peter (male), Precious Ofili (female), and Rita Nkemjika (female), rescued a victim and recovered N200,000 cash from them.
The suspects, who have been linked to masterminding and perpetrating a series of vehicular robberies (one chance) and its related fraudulently crimes (419), particularly in the Wuye axis and environs, have been on the Police watchlist.
Investigations revealed that on the said date around 11:30 am, an unsuspecting innocent resident, unfortunately, walked into their sneer.
The suspects having perfectly executed their criminal enterprise forcefully pushed the female victim out of a fast-moving car.
A statement on Thursday by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Josephine Adeh said: “The surveillance team of the Wuye division, who were on routine patrol, with the help of residents rushed to her aid, and gave the fleeing criminals a hot chase. Read more
EFCC arrests 13 illegal miners, impounds 5 trucks (Punch)
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ilorin Zonal Command, Kwara State, has confirmed the arrest of 13 suspected illegal miners operating in Kakafu village, in the Patigi Local Government Area of the state.
The spokesperson for the agency in the state, Ayodele Babatunde, in a statement, said the suspects were arrested on Tuesday during a joint operation which followed credible intelligence received by the EFCC operatives over some suspected illegal miners operating in the area.
Babatunde said the operation was carried out in conjunction with the state command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Federal Mines and Steel Development.
He said the illegal miners were arrested over alleged nonpayment of royalties to the Federal Government. Read more
Milli Vanilli biopic cast revealed in first-look photos (NME)
The first photos have been released from the upcoming Milli Vanilli biopic Girl You Know It’s True.
Directed by Simon Verhoeven, Girl You Know It’s True follows the story of duo Fabrice Morvan and Rob Pilatus who, after achieving international success in the late 1980s as Milli Vanilli, were involved in a scandal when it was discovered they didn’t sing vocals on any of their songs.
Newcomers Tijan Njie and Elan Ben Ali are set to portray Pilatus and Morvan respectively in the biopic, while Matthias Schweighöfer will play German music producer Frank Farian (pictured on Deadline).
Other cast members include Graham Rogers as Milli Vanilli’s US assistant Todd and Bella Dayne as Milli, described as Farian’s right-hand woman. Quirin Berg and Max Wiedemann serve as executive producers on the project. Read more
Cécile Gaget joins Ron Meyer, Sophie Jordan at Euro studio Wild Bunch as Head of Film (Deadline)
International sales and production veteran Cécile Gaget has been appointed as Head of Film at leading European indie studio Wild Bunch, as it expands under the leadership of CEO Ron Meyer and co-CEO Sophie Jordan.
Gaget, who takes up her role today (September 1), will lead the studio’s film group and report to Meyer and Jordan.
Her focus will be overseeing French acquisitions, distribution and local production as well as building an international production slate including English-speaking projects for Wild Bunch, which will act as producer and financier.
The appointment comes amid a period of great change for the company following the surprise arrival of veteran studio chief and CAA co-founder Meyer and former beIN Media Group executive Jordan as CEO and co-CEO last November. Read more
John Krasinski starts filming new movie ‘If’ with Steve Carell (UPI)
A Quiet Place filmmaker John Krasinski announced on social media that he has begun shooting his next project.
“Beautiful day to kickoff a movie! #IF,” Krasinski tweeted Wednesday.
Krasinski will co-star in the film with Steve Carell, his fellow former cast member from The Office.
Ryan Reynolds, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Fiona Shaw, Alan Kim, Cailey Fleming and Louis Gossett Jr. round out the ensemble. Read more
‘Clueless’ star Stacey Dash discovers that DMX died last year, mourns in tears (HuffPost)
“Clueless” star Stacey Dash said Wednesday she was ashamed for just discovering that rapper DMX died, crying in a TikTok video that he had “lost to that demon of addiction.”
DMX, whose first five albums hit No. 1 on Billboard, died in April 2021 of a cocaine-induced heart attack.
Dash appeared to be truly unaware of his passing and explained that she was scrolling through TikTok and came upon a DMX song that “saved me many times” ― only it had an #RIP tag on it.
“I know I am late. I didn’t know he passed away. I am heartbroken ― he was such a great guy,” she wrote. Read more
50 Cent bans Trey Songz from Houston tycoon weekend for ‘acting crazy’ (HipHopDX)
50 Cent has banned singer Trey Songz from one of his Tycoon Weekends for his alleged behavior involving women.
The (sometimes) rapper-turned-television executive made the announcement via Instagram on Wednesday (August 31). 50 included a photo of Songz with bold letters across it that read: “BANNED FROM TYCOON.
He added in the caption, “Last TYCOON he crashed a Wraith. This TYCOON he was acting crazy, wanting to fight and shit over the girls. He broke some sh*** up in his room. Nah tell @treysongz he can’t come. SMH.”
Trey Songz has faced numerous allegations of sexual assault, sexual harassment and sexual misconduct over the past few years. But last month, one woman came forward with claims she was offered $200,000 to paint Songz as the “next R. Kelly.” Read more
Francis Ford Coppola’s ‘Megalopolis’ casts Talia Shire, Shia LaBeouf, Jason Schwartzman and more (THR)
Francis Ford Coppola is rounding out the cast to his big-budget indie film Megalopolis.
The call sheet is now a family affair, with Coppola’s sister (and his Godfather star) Talia Shire and nephew Jason Schwartzman joining the project. Also joining the cast are Shia LaBeouf, Grace VanderWaal, Kathryn Hunter and James Remar.
Megalopolis notably marks LaBeouf’s highest-profile project since former girlfriend FKA Twigs detailed in a February 2021 lawsuit alleged abuse she suffered at his hands. The actor has been back in the headlines over the past week as he prepares to launch his film Padre Pio on Sept. 2 at the Venice Film Festival. He pushed back at filmmaker Olivia Wilde saying she fired him from her fellow Venice title Don’t Worry Darling, asserting that he quit and leaking text messages and a video from Wilde he says prove that point. The pop culture site Giant Freaking Robot first reported LaBeouf’s casting earlier this month. Read more
Zelensky describes Ukraine war as ‘horror film’ at Venice Film Festival opening (BelfastTelegraph)
Volodymyr Zelensky appeared on the opening night of the Venice International Film Festival, delivering a message in which he described the war in Ukraine as a 189-day-long horror film.
The Ukrainian president once again urged the world of cinema not to be “silent”, or become “fatigued” with news about the ongoing conflict.
The 79th international film festival kicked off on Wednesday night and runs until September 10.
In his pre-recorded and subtitled speech Zelensky told viewers that the story of Ukraine was one “beyond the limits of humaneness and common sense”. Read more
Trump team downplays sensitive files at Mar-a-Lago (BBC)
Lawyers for Donald Trump have argued that the storage of sensitive files at his Florida home “should have never been cause for alarm”.
His legal team said the FBI search this month was “unprecedented, unnecessary, and legally unsupported”.
Their filing comes on the eve of a court hearing about Mr Trump’s call for a third-party official to oversee the evidence taken from Mar-a-Lago.
Officials say the search was necessary due to obstruction by the Trump team. Read more
Super Falcons arrive Kansas ahead USA clash (Channels)
Nine-time African champions, Super Falcons, are in the United States of America on a two-match tour with the United States Women’s National Team.
The first of the two matches will take place at the Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas on Saturday, 3rd September.
Both teams, who have qualified for next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, will have a go at each other’s jugular once more at the Audi Field in Washington, D. C. on Tuesday, 6th September.
Coach Randy Waldrum has picked four members of the U-20 team that reached the quarter-finals at the just-concluded FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica. They are defenders Oluwatosin Demehin and Rofiat Imuran, and midfielders Esther Onyenezide and Deborah Abiodun. Read more
Clinton Mola: Blackburn Rovers sign defender on season-long loan from Stuttgart (BBC)
Blackburn Rovers have signed defender Clinton Mola from German Bundesliga side Stuttgart on a season-long loan with an option to buy.
The 21-year-old began his career with Chelsea and won the FA Youth Cup as part of their academy setup.
He went on to join Stuttgart in 2020 and helped them win promotion to the Bundesliga in his first season.
“He brings pace, ability and desire to fulfil his potential,” director of football Gregg Broughton said. Read more
Nigerian football system needs change – Emeruwa (Punch)
Head of Safety and Security Department, Confederation of Africa Football, Dr Christian Emeruwa, says the Nigerian football system needs an immediate change, for the game to progress in the country.
Emeruwa, one of the contenders for the Nigeria Football Federation presidency at next month’s poll in Benin City, stated this at a press conference in Lagos on Wednesday.
“The state of Nigerian football today is not the fault of people running football today, it’s the system they met on ground and we need to change that. If there’s no strong governance structure in place, nobody will take you seriously. The only way is to have a defined structure that will pilot itself. Inside the NFF house, you quench fire every minute. It’s more than the eyes can see,” Emeruwa, a former official of the NFF, said.
He also lamented the poor financial state of the NFF. Read more
Manchester City 6-0 Nottingham Forest: Erling Haaland scores first-half hat-trick (DailyMail)
Five matches into the season and Erling Haaland’s well over a third of the way to winning the Golden Boot. No, honestly. Go and check the calendar. And then check the previous winners.
Twenty-three has been the magic number in each of the last three campaigns. Twenty-two the one before that. Haaland has nine already. Carry on at this rate and he would obliterate all records.
One already went early on Wednesday night. No player has ever scored this many times in their first five Premier League appearances, Haaland beating the eight by Mick Quinn and a man named Sergio Aguero when plundering in his hat-trick seven minutes before half-time. Read more
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag sends message to Aaron Wan-Bissaka amid Diogo Dalot form (MEN)
Erik ten Hag insists he has faith in Aaron Wan-Bissaka as the right-back prepares to stay at Manchester United.
United have been open to jettisoning Wan-Bissaka this summer but have lacked a concrete offer for a right-back they signed for £45million rising to £50m in 2019.
Wan-Bissaka lost his status as first-choice right-back to Diogo Dalot in December and he has only started in five of United’s last 29 Premier League games.
United have held exploratory discussions with Barcelona right-back Sergino Dest but a move depends on whether there is a taker for Wan-Bissaka. Read more
Tiger Woods supports Serena Williams in the US Open (People)
Serena Williams is getting some support from the greats.
Serena, 40, is playing in the current U.S. Open and revealed in a first-person essay for Vogue that she plans to step away from her 27-years-long professional tennis career after the tournament. Fans and friends are flocking to see her play, among them golf legend Tiger Woods.
Woods was spotted in Serena’s personal box at the tournament, sitting next to her sister Venus Williams and cheering on his friend with a big smile that was shared by Venus.
The 46-year-old golf legend — in a hat, tee and jeans — was also sitting with girlfriend Erica Herman. Read more
Parker scores 22 as Sky defeat Sun to even series (CBC)
Candace Parker scored 22 points and the Chicago Sky evened the semifinal series with an 85-77 win over the Connecticut Sun in Game 2 of the WNBA playoffs Wednesday night.
Chicago coach James Wade said pregame that Chicago was “going to make shots” Wednesday after a lackluster 35.3. All five starters scored in double figures for Chicago.
Game 3 is in Connecticut on Sunday.
Jonquel Jones scored a team-high 23 points for the Sun on 10 of 17 shooting, adding seven rebounds and two blocks. Read more