Customs intercepts dried shark fins, donkey genitals worth N1.23b in Lagos (Vanguard)
The Murtala Muhammed Airport Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted items suspected to be dried shark fins and dried donkey genitals worth N1.22 billion at the Lagos airport.
The command’s Area Controller, Comptroller Muhammed Yusuf, said this in a news conference in Lagos on Thursday.
Yusuf noted that this was through coordinated anti-smuggling activities in synergy with critical stakeholders. Read more
5 men arrested with bags of fake dollars, pounds sterling (Punch)
Magistrate Adeola Olatunbosun on Wednesday ordered that five men arraigned for possessing Indian hemp and two bags of fake foreign currencies be kept in police custody until legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecution is ready.
The suspects, Francis Omwukei, 26; Kingsley Ude, 33; Umar Idris, 37; Eyo, 27 and Bright Ahamefula, 26, were arraigned before a Yaba Magistrates’ Court on a two-count charge of possession of Indian hemp and fake foreign currencies; Pounds Sterling and US dollars.
The prosecutor, Rita Momoh, told the court that the defendants were arrested on August 9, 2023, at White Sand, Ijora, Lagos State. Read more
Sanwo-Olu rewards outstanding public servants with N25m, cars (Leadership)
As part of measures to boost the morale of public servants in the state, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu yesterday presented brand new cars and cash to outstanding personnel that distinguished themselves in the service of the state.
The governor at Year 2023 Special Luncheon of Outstanding Public Servants Officers, rewarded five personnel from the junior category with a cash sum of N5 million each while five personnel from the senior category got a brand new car each.
Sanwo-Olu assured that his administration would continue to show commitment to the needs and prioritize the welfare of the workforce for increased productivity. Read more
Military reveals number of troops killed by terrorists in Niger (DailyTrust)
The Military High Command, on Thursday, disclosed that no fewer than 3 officers, 22 soldiers were killed in Niger State while 7 were wounded by terrorists.
Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, Director Defence Media Operations, revealed this at Defence Headquarters, Abuja.
Buba told journalists that the Air Force jet that crashed in the Shiroro area of Niger State went to the scene to evacuate the victims. Read more
Adeleke, Obaseki, others present as Shettima presides over NEC meeting (Guardian)
Vice President Kashim Shettima is currently presiding over a meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) in the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Specifically, the Council, which is comprised of the governors of the 36 states of the federation, also has ministers in charge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Finance, as well as the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Group Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and some others as members.
Thursday’s meeting is expected to consider varying issues, including the Federation’s financial status among others generally. Read more
Tribunal: Kano decries attempt to bribe judge (Tribune)
The Kano State Government has expressed concern over a bribery alert raised by the Chairman of the Kano State National and State Houses of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal, Justice Flora Ngozi Azinge.
Azinge had said that there was an attempt to bribe a tribunal member with money to sway justice in favour of a lawyer’s client.
She lamented in open court before the commencement of the session on Tuesday in Kano, how senior lawyers mainly engaged in unethical practice. Read more
Lagos Muslims kick against Sanwo-Olu’s Commissioner-nominees’ list (Tribune)
The Muslim Community in Lagos has demanded a reversal of the list of Commissioners nominated by the State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The group during a peaceful protest on Wednesday, at the Lagos State House of Assembly protested against the low representation of Muslims in the appointment of Commissioners by Governor Sanwo-Olu.
Earlier Governor Sanwo-Olu had transmitted a list of 39 commissioner-nominees comprising eight Muslims and 31 Christians to the leadership of the State Legislative arm for screening and confirmation. Read more
Ajeromi Ifelodun community benefits from UNICEF, LSACA healthcare outreach (Guardian)
The Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA) in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the National Agency for the Control of Aids (NACA) yesterday put together a Community Outreach in the Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area, themed ‘Yaah Naija’ to offer children and adolescents the right sensitisation to prepare them for adulthood.
The community had healthcare workers offer HIV status check, COVID-19 vaccination and immunisation exercise for children.
Key stakeholders from UNICEF were in attendance to discuss necessary steps needed to move forward in the area of child and adolescent wellbeing. The living conditions of the local community in Ajeromi-Ifelodun were also paramount, while analysing key measures that would need to be taken to stir an improvement. Read more
Reports: Britney Spears and Sam Asghari split after 14 months of marriage (UPI)
Pop music icon Britney Spears and her husband, model Sam Asghari, are divorcing after 14 months of marriage, according to multiple media outlets.
TMZ broke the news Wednesday, stating Asghari, 29, moved out of the marital home after becoming frustrated with 41-year-old Spears’ erratic behavior and accusing her of cheating on him.
People.com also confirmed the separation with numerous unnamed sources, stating Asghari filed for divorce Wednesday. “They’re separated and it’s best for Britney,” NBC News cited one unnamed insider as saying. Read more
Over 60 Senegalese migrants feared dead at sea after boat rescued off of Cape Verde coast (ITV)
More than 60 Senegalese migrants are feared dead after a Spanish fishing vessel rescued a boat off the coast of Cape Verde.
Spain’s Maritime Rescue Service confirmed a Spanish boat named the Zillarri rescued 38 people, including four children, and recovered seven bodies from a Senegalese vessel on Monday after spotting it adrift.
On Thursday, authorities said the rescued boat originally had more than 100 people aboard. Read more
Bruce Springsteen cancels tour dates due to illness (Telegraph)
Bruce Springsteen has cancelled several tour dates after being taken ill.
The 73-year-old was due to play with The E Street Band at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Wednesday and Friday before the gigs were postponed.
A statement on X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter, to Springsteen’s account on Wednesday did not specify what condition he has. Read more
Michael Cera says he was a “little depressed” once Scott Pilgrim vs. the World filming wrapped (THR)
Michael Cera is revealing he had “so much fun” filming 2010’s Scott Pilgrim vs. the World that it was difficult for him once production wrapped.
In an interview with GQ, posted on YouTube Wednesday, the Barbie actor said while it was a long shoot for the Edgar Wright-directed movie, spending around nine months on set, he had such a great time with his fellow cast members.
“We just had the greatest vibe with everybody,” he recalled. “I think that trickled down from Edgar and the energy that he was creating. We all got to rehearse together and spend a lot of time together before we even started making the movie.” Read more
Sir Michael Parkinson, king of the chat show, dies aged 88 (Telegraph)
Sir Michael Parkinson, one of Britain’s most celebrated broadcasters, died on Wednesday night at the age of 88.
In a television career spanning seven decades, Sir Michael was known as one of Britain’s most renowned interviewers with his long-running chat show.
In a statement released to the BBC, his family said: “After a brief illness Sir Michael Parkinson passed away peacefully at home last night in the company of his family.
“The family requests that they are given privacy and time to grieve.” Read more
London police investigating alleged theft of gold, artefacts at British Museum (CNN)
An employee at the British Museum has been dismissed — and the Metropolitan Police has launched an investigation — after a number of items from the museum’s collection were found to be “missing, stolen or damaged,” the museum said in a statement Wednesday.
“The British Museum has launched an independent review of security after items from the collection were found to be missing, stolen or damaged. A member of staff has been dismissed, and the Museum will now be taking legal action against the individual,” the museum said. “The matter is also under investigation by the Economic Crime Command of the Metropolitan Police.”
“We have been working alongside the British Museum. There is currently an ongoing investigation — there is no arrest and enquiries continue,” the Metropolitan Police told CNN. “We will not be providing any further information at this time,” it added. Read more
Mob attacks churches in eastern Pakistan after blasphemy claim (Guardian)
Hundreds of Muslim men have attacked a Christian community in eastern Pakistan, vandalising several churches and a cemetery and setting scores of houses on fire, after accusing its members of desecrating a copy of the Qur’an.
Hundreds of people armed with sticks and rocks stormed a predominantly Christian area in Faisalabad on Wednesday. Images on social media showed smoke rising from church buildings and people setting fire to furniture.
The attack was triggered by a group of religious zealots accusing a local Christian family of desecrating the Qur’an, according to a rescue official at the scene. Read more
Michael Olise to Chelsea off after signing new deal as Crystal Palace chief taunts Blues (Express)
Michael Olise has signed a new four-year contract to remain at Crystal Palace and pour cold water on a move to Chelsea. The bombshell announcement made by Palace chairman Steve Parish came out of nowhere on Thursday afternoon, with the Blues previously thought to be making rapid progress behind the scenes.
Olise looked destined to test his talents at a higher level this season amid interest from Chelsea and Manchester City. Having reached double figures in Premier League assists last term, a £35 million release clause made him an attractive prospect in the transfer market.
Chelsea were thought to be making inroads after agreeing to meet the all-important figure. Reports in France even indicated that personal terms had been agreed between Olise and the Blues. Read more
CAF Confederation Cup: Edo provides 30 free buses for fans to cheer up Insurance against ASO Chief of Algeria (Independent)
Edo State Government on Wednesday in Benin announced the availability of no fewer than 30 luxury buses across the state to convey football fans to the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium to cheer up Bendel Insurance Football Club of Benin who will be hosting ASO Chief of Algeria in the first round preliminary match of CAF Confederation Cup on Saturday.
The buses owned by the Edo City Transport Service (ECTS), would be stationed at strategic routes in Benin City City, and other strategic areas outside the Edo State Capital.
According to the state government, the fans would be picked and returned back to their points of entry which include; Ramat Park, Ring Road by ECTS main Terminal at Mission Road, Ugbowo Uniben Main Gate, Oluku by NIFOR Junction. Read more
Harry Kane set for full Bayern Munich debut as Thomas Tuchel praises ‘‘immediate impact’’ (Standard)
Harry Kane has had an “immediate impact” on Bayern Munich’s dressing room atmosphere and is expected to make his first start for the German champions against Werder Bremen this Friday.
Hours after being announced as a Bayern player, the England captain came on as a 64th-minute substitute in Bayern’s 3-0 loss to RB Leipzig in the German Super Cup on Saturday and Kane later indicated that he might need time to adapt to his new team’s style after 19 years at Tottenham.
Coach Thomas Tuchel has nonetheless stated that Kane will start Friday’s game “if nothing happens today, nothing extraordinary,” and said he was fitting in well with the rest of the Bayern team. Read more
USA coach Vlatko Andonovski resigns after World Cup exit (ESPN)
Vlatko Andonovski has stepped down as manager of the U.S. women’s national team, sources confirmed to ESPN on Wednesday.
An announcement from the U.S. Soccer Federation confirming Andonovski’s exit is expected on Thursday.
Sources added that current assistant coach Twila Kilgore is likely to be appointed as interim coach for two friendlies against South Africa on Sept. 21 and Sept. 24, though that deal has yet to be finalized. Read more
Juan Martin del Potro shares emotional update on US Open plans as career hopes shattered (Express)
Juan Martin del Potro shared an emotional message to his fans after planning to return to the tennis court at the US Open. A former champion in New York, the Argentine has been sidelined since last February but is yet to officially retire. His hopes of reviving his career now look to be in tatters after admitting that his injury wouldn’t allow him to return.
Del Potro has been sidelined for 18 months after an unsuccessful attempt to return from his ongoing knee injury. The 34-year-old arrived at the 2022 Argentina Open for what fans thought was a comeback but he admitted it would likely be the site of his retirement.
There was hope that the former world No 3 would be seen on a match court at least one more time when he unveiled his plans to compete at the upcoming US Open and started training earlier this year. But Del Potro has now provided a heartbreaking update as he ruled out competing in Flushing Meadows this year and appeared to end all hopes of any type of return. Read more
Stokes set to play as batsman only at World Cup after ODI U-turn (France24)
England are prepared to play Ben Stokes as a batsman only when they defend their 50-over men’s World Cup title in India after the Test captain reversed his decision to retire from one-day internationals.
The all-rounder, troubled by a longstanding left knee injury that restricted his bowling during the recent drawn Ashes Test series at home to Australia, said playing in all three international formats was “unsustainable” when calling time on his ODI career 13 months ago.
The 32-year-old had planned to use a six-month gap until England next play Test cricket, away to India, in order to attend to his chronic problem. Read more