Decision day as Supreme Court rules on Atiku, Obi’s petitions against Tinubu (Sun)
The Supreme Court will today deliver judgment in the two surviving appeals filed by former vice president Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and his Labour Party(LP) counterpart, Mr. Peter Obi against the victory of President Bola Tinubu.
This is coming barely 72 hours after the apex court took arguments for and against the appeals from counsel to the parties.
The court communicated the judgment date to all the parties on Wednesday, through a notice that was signed by one of its registrars. Read more
Tinubu approves initiatives for improved healthcare delivery (Nation)
President Bola Tinubu has approved three initiatives targeted at improving healthcare delivery as well as directing funding for the sector towards delivering the best impacts in public health across the tiers of government.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate, who disclosed this on Wednesday while addressing journalists at the State House, Abuja, also said President Tinubu has instructed the Health Ministry to talk less and do more to deliver its targets.
Pate, who delivered his briefing with Vice President for Global Programmes at the Susan-Buffett Foundation, Prof. Seniat Fisseha, said Tinubu also directed his ministry to engage with development partners to birth new reforms that will improve the health and well being of Nigerians. Read more
DSS releases former EFCC chairman Bawa (Guardian)
The Department of State Service (DSS) Wednesday evening freed Abdulrasheed Bawa, the former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
“DSS confirms release of former EFCC chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, a few hours ago (today 25th October, 2023),” DSS said in a statement.
Bawa reunited with his family amid celebration shortly after his release from DSS custody after 134 days in detention. Read more
Lagos family protests land occupation by armed policemen (Punch)
Some members of the Oyetubo Jokotade family in the Sangotedo area of Ajah and their allotees on Wednesday protested against what they alleged as a disregard to a court ruling by the Lagos State Government.
The family members and the allotees, who were seen with placards, protested over the alleged continued occupation of their land by heavily armed policemen.
They also accused the government and its agencies of demolishing about 30 houses despite having the governor’s consent on the demolished buildings. Read more
Lagos Chief Imam dynasty, institution for stability – Sanwo-Olu (Tribune)
Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday, said the unbroken service by the House of Chief Imam of Lagos towards strengthening the peace and tolerance in the state over the centuries has elevated Lagos Central Mosque (Moshalashi Jimoh) as a critical faith institution promoting the stability in the state.
Governor Sanwo-Olu made the remark at the ceremony organised by the Lagos Central Mosque to mark 100 Years of Remembrance of the late Chief Imam Ibrahim Ankuri and 170 Years of the Turbaning of the late Chief Imam Nafiu Gana.
The Governor, his Deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, and members of the State cabinet physically graced the event held in the mosque hall at Nnamdi Azikiwe Street, Lagos Island. Read more
MohBad said he could handle dispute with Naira Marley – Father testifies (DailyTrust)
Mr Joseph Aloba, the father of deceased singer Ilerioluwa Aloba (a.k.a MohBad), on Wednesday, told a coroner’s court that the deceased had been living with singer Azeez Fashola (a.k.a Naira Marley) since December 2019.
Joseph testified during a coroner’s inquest into the death of his son.
The musician died on Sept. 12 and was buried the following day.
He was 27 years old. Read more
Lulu-Briggs, Cole appeal tribunal judgment on Rivers guber (Guardian)
Governorship candidate of the Accord Party (AP) in the last election in Rivers State, Dumo Lulu-Briggs, has approached the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal to challenge the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal judgment of October 2, which upheld the victory of Governor Siminalayi Fubara at the March 18 ballot.
Lulu-Briggs and his party, not satisfied with the ruling of the tribunal sitting at the Federal capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, delivered on October 2 by Justices Cletus Emifoniye, A. Adegoke and A.G. Sifawa, headed for the Court of Appeal on 27 grounds bothering on non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, maintaining that the trial tribunal erred in law, which occasioned a grave miscarriage of justice to the prejudice of the appellants.
Similarly, the governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the election, Tonye Cole, also appealed the victory of Fubara at the tribunal. Read more
Adamawa North: Senate swears in Yohanna as Abbo’s replacement (Channels)
The Senate has sworn in Amos Yohanna as the new Senator representing Adamawa North Senatorial District.
Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, who presided over the plenary on Wednesday, swore in Yohanna a week after the Court of Appeal in Abuja sacked the erstwhile lawmaker representing the district, Elisha Abbo.
While Abbo is of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Yohanna is of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Read more
Julien Baker once quit her job to play music with Joyce Manor (FarOut)
When Boygenius’ Julien Baker was growing up, she had a series of pivotal music awakenings. Her earliest musical experiences revolved around the church, having grown up in a devout Baptist family. But as a teen, she caught a clip of Green Day playing on television and soon found she was drawn to alternative music and the hardcore scene, too. Her folky lyricism often charts her relationship with religion, fusing it with the confessional tone of the emo bands she was so drawn to as a teen.
In her solo albums, particularly on Little Oblivions, Baker strikes an introspective tone in a way that’s frank and brutal. It packs the same emotional force as the punk and metalcore bands she was so enthralled with growing up. Plumbing the depths of her experiences with religion, addiction, and love, Baker told GQ some of her biggest influences were songs that had been “revolutionary” to her far earlier. Read more
Judge denies motion to dismiss case against Jonathan Majors, paving way for trial (THR)
New York Judge Michael Gaffey rejected a motion to dismiss the misdemeanour assault and harassment charges facing Marvel actor Jonathan Majors on Wednesday, clearing the way for a Nov. 29 trial.
The defense additionally filed a motion under seal requesting that certain evidentiary matters continue to be under seal, or outside of public view. The defense argued that this evidence contains “sensitive information” that could jeopardize Majors’ right to a fair trial. The state did not take a position on the motion, and Gaffey told press in the courtroom that they could submit papers in opposition by Nov. 6. Read more
The Rock waxwork museum makes skin tone fix after criticism (BBC)
A French museum says it has fixed a waxwork of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson after he complained about it.
The Grevin Museum in Paris proudly revealed the life-sized figure of the wrestler-turned-actor earlier this month and got a wave of criticism back.
One of the biggest was over the model’s skin tone, with fans accusing the creator of “whitewashing” the star, who has dual heritage. Read more
Hamas hostage release: Daughter of Yocheved Lifshitz speaks of relief (National)
A British woman has spoken of her relief that her 85-year-old mother, Yocheved Lifshitz, is now safe after being released from Gaza by Hamas.
Ms Lifshitz and fellow hostage Nurit Cooper, 79, were handed over to the Red Cross at the Rafah crossing on Monday evening and have been transferred to Israel.
Their husbands, including Ms Lifshitz’s father, remain in captivity. Read more
“Superfog” in Louisiana blamed for highway crashes that killed at least 7 people, officials say (CNN)
At least seven people were killed Monday in a slew of crashes along Interstate 55 in Louisiana’s St. John the Baptist Parish that involved at least 158 vehicles, state police say.
More than 25 people were taken to hospitals with injuries ranging from minor to critical, Louisiana State Police said in an evening news release. And many victims sought medical help on their own, authorities said.
Meteorologists earlier said “super fog” had heavily impacted the area, just west of New Orleans, around the time of the pileups. Super fog is a thick fog that develops in damp, smoky conditions and can send visibilities plummeting to less than 10 feet, according to the National Weather Service. Read more
Israel-UN spat intensifies after Secretary General says Hamas attacks ‘‘did not happen in a vacuum’’ (CNN)
A furious diplomatic spat between Israel and the United Nations has broken out, with Israeli officials calling for the resignation of Secretary General Antonio Guterres after he said Hamas’ October 7 attacks on the country “did not happen in a vacuum.”
At a Security Council meeting, Guterres called for a humanitarian ceasefire on Tuesday amid the deepening crisis in Gaza, and told the Security Council that “clear violations of international humanitarian law” are being witnessed.
He called Hamas’ October 7 murder and kidnap rampage “appalling,” and said “nothing can justify the deliberate killing, injuring and kidnapping of civilians, or the launching of rockets against civilian targets.” Read more
US House elects conservative Republican Johnson as speaker (VOA)
Republican Mike Johnson was elected speaker of the House of Representatives on Wednesday, ending lawmakers’ 22-day struggle to pick one of the top leadership positions in the U.S. government.
Johnson, 51, a three-term congressman and lower-level member of Republican leadership, won 220-209. He is now second in the presidential line of succession.
All 209 present House Democrats voted for Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Read more
Okogie inspires Suns to Warriors win (Punch)
D’Tigers star, Josh Okogie, made a clutch three-pointer and scored 17 points to help the Phoenix Suns defeat the Golden State Warriors 108-104 on opening night at the Chase Centre in San Fransisco on Wednesday.
With the absence of newly acquired All-Star guard Bradley Beal, Okogie was handed a place in the starting lineup alongside Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Jusuf Nurkic and Greyson Allen.
The Suns needed a win to start the season on a bright note and Okogie, in 32 minutes on the court, stood out as one of the best players on the night with his end-to-end hustle, also contributing 17 points, five rebounds, one assist and one steal.
Booker had a game-high 32 points eight assists and six rebounds. Durant recorded a double-double scoring 18 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists while Nurkic also produced a double-double in the win, contributing 14 points, 14 rebounds, and three assists. Read more
NFF fetes Kesington Adebutu at 88 (Nation)
The Nigeria Football Federation has congratulated Chief Kesington Adebutu, Chairman of Premier Lotto Limited, as the billionaire industrialist clocked 88 years of age on Tuesday, 24th October.
Adebutu, undoubtedly one of the most respected corporate titans on the African continent, founded the Premier Lotto Limited, popularly known as Baba Ijebu, and which is currently the Official Lotto Partner of the Nigeria Football Federation.
“The Nigeria Football Federation wishes to celebrate our father, Chief Kesington Adebutu as he marks the age of 88 in good health and sound mind. He is an outstanding success in the delicate terrain of running a global company that is also doing so much in the area of philanthropy. We appreciate him and his company for being the Official Lotto Partner of the NFF. Read more
Paris 2024 Olympics: Sports minister Calls for adequate preparation (Sun)
In a bid to elevate Nigeria’s presence and performance at the upcoming 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, the Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, has issued a compelling call to the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) to push the boundaries of their preparations.
The minister made the call during a meeting with the executive board of the NOC, led by its president, Engr. Habu Gumel at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
Senator Owan Enoh emphasised that early, robust preparations are not just essential but pivotal to the success of the nation’s athletes in their respective sporting disciplines. Furthermore, he underscored that such meticulous preparation could significantly enhance Nigeria’s chances of clinching medals at international competitions. Read more
Sergio Ramos makes feelings on Arsenal perfectly clear after Sevilla’s defeat to Gunners (Mirror)
Arsenal have proven they are on the same level as Real Madrid by beating Sevilla in the Champions League on Tuesday, according to Sergio Ramos.
The Gunners picked up a 2-1 win in Spain thanks to goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus. Martinelli rounded the goalkeeper to put Mikel Arteta’s team ahead just before the break and Jesus doubled their advantage with a stunning curling strike into the top corner.
Nemanja Gudelj headed Sevilla back into contention, but they couldn’t force an equaliser despite some late pressure. Victory moved Arsenal back to the top of Group B, a point ahead of Lens, who beat the Gunners 2-1 before the international break. Read more
Arteta “worried” after Jesus injury mars superb display (France24)
Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta said he was “worried” about Gabriel Jesus after the Brazilian forward was taken off with a hamstring injury in the 2-1 Champions League win over Sevilla on Tuesday.
The Brazil international scored a stunning goal and created another for compatriot Gabriel Martinelli as the Gunners got their European campaign back on track after a defeat at Lens.
Arteta lavished praise on the forward but admitted his concern over the injury which forced him off late in the game. Read more
Celtic fans asked not to bring Palestine flags to Champions League clash at Parkhead (RTE)
Celtic have urged their supporters not to bring flags and banners relating to the conflict between Israel and Palestine to Wednesday evening’s Champions League match against Atletico Madrid.
The club issued the plea on the day of the meeting with the Spaniards after the Green Brigade fans’ group encouraged supporters to “courageously fly the flag for Palestine” amid a conflict that has claimed thousands of lives.
“We have witnessed death, violence and destruction in the Holy Land in recent weeks, with thousands of people – men, women and children – killed, injured and displaced,” read Celtic’s statement. Read more