Despite Tinubu’s assurances, US issues travel advisory to citizens (Guardian)
Two days after the United States Deputy Treasury Secretary, Wally Adeyemo visited Nigeria as part of US efforts to strengthen economic ties between both countries and a day after President Bola Tinubu, presently in the U.S. for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), advised Nigerians in abroad to return home, the U.S. government has warned its citizens to reconsider travelling to Nigeria due to increased risk of crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, and armed gangs in the country.
An updated travel advisory issued on September 20 by the U.S. Department of State included a flat “do not travel” warning for Borno, Yobe, Kogi, and Adamawa states due to terrorism and kidnapping; Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara states due to kidnapping.
A similar travel advisory was issued for Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers states (with the exception of Port Harcourt) due to crime, kidnapping, and armed gangs. Read more
Apprehension in Jos as Plateau tribunal delivers judgement on guber poll today (Sun)
There is apprehension in Jos, the Plateau State capital, and its environs as the governorship election pPetition tribunal gets set to deliver judgement on the gubernatorial election in the state.
Daily Sun gathered that the tribunal gave notice of the judgement date to the litigants.
The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the election conducted on March 18, Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, had approached the tribunal, asking it to void the declaration of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) counterpart, Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, as the winner of the election. Read more
MohBad: Sympathisers ‘‘dispersed with teargas’’ at Lekki tollgate (Punch)
Protesters and fans of the late Nigerian singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba known as Mohbad, were on Thursday night allegedly dispersed with teargas at the Lekki Tollgate, Lagos State.
The protesters held a candlelight procession in honour of the late singer on Thursday.
While announcing the protest on Monday night via the official X handle of the deceased, the management said it did “appreciate the outpouring of love from fans across the world to the ones who’ve organised events in their communities as a way to honour and pay respect to our shining light. We say thank you. Join us for Mohbad’s candlelight procession and tribute concert.” Read more
Clogged drains in Lagos to get attention (Nation)
Clogged drains in Lagos State are to get attention, Environment and Water Resources Commissioner, Tokunbo Wahab said yesterday when he visited drainage projects and channels.
He was accompanied by the Special Adviser on Environment, Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, with two permanent secretaries – Lekan Shodeinde (Drainage/Water Resources) and Gaji Omobolaji (Environmental Services).
Addressing reporters at Ilubirin Housing Estate, Wahab urged residents to desist from dumping refuse in canals and drainage channels. Read more
‘‘I’m sorry,’’ Shaibu apologises to Gov Obaseki (Vanguard)
After what looked like a protracted crisis, the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, apologised to his boss, Governor Godwin Obaseki, on Thursday and begged for forgiveness.
He apologised after his investiture by Catholic Men Organisation Nigeria, CMN.
Speaking to journalists shortly after the investiture, Shaibu asked Obaseki to forgive and forget, just as he announced that he had relocated to his new office in accordance with the governor’s directive. Read more
Wike revokes 165 plots of land in Abuja (DailyTrust)
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Wike, has approved the revocation of 165 plots of Land in the serviced Districts of the Federal Capital City over non-development.
Director of Information and Communication in the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Muhammad Hazat Sule, disclosed this on Thursday.
The notice for the revocation as compiled by the Land Department was approved by the Minister, who cited continuous contravention of the terms of agreement as encapsulated in the 1978 Land Use Act as reason. Read more
Zamfara Gov distressed by killing of abducted VON journalist Danjibga, orders probe (Leadership)
The Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, has expressed distress over the abduction and subsequent murder of a veteran journalist, Hamisu Danjibga, a reporter for the Voice of Nigeria (VON) domiciled in the State.
The governor, on Thursday, expressed deep sadness over the killing of the journalist whose body was discovered in a soak-away in Gusau, the State capital.
In a statement issued by his Spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, Governor Lawal said his government has ordered security operatives to initiate a prompt investigation into the murder of the journalist. Read more
NEDC to establish Boko Haram museum (Vanguard)
The Managing-Director, North East Development Commission (NEDC), Mohammed Alkali, said they are working closely with the University of Maiduguri and other stakeholders to establish a Boko Haram museum.
The MD who also recieved a ‘Peace Ambassador Award’ disclosed this on Thursday during the commemoration of International Day of Peace 2023 in Maiduguri, said the museum is aimed to give the narratives of Boko Haram insurgency in a positive way to create social changes.
The occasion took place at the Elkanemi Hall, University of Maiduguri, with the Vice Chancellor, Professor Aliyu Shugaba as Chief Host.
“We are discussing with the university and other stakeholders to see how the museum would be established to preserve the relics and literature to tell the stories for the next coming generation” he said. Read more
Nicki Minaj hits out at music industry ‘‘snitches’’ covering for swatting culprit (HipHopDX)
Nicki Minaj has hit back at what she’s calling music industry “snitches,” while also appearing to take aim at Cardi B for allegedly “calling the cops” on her husband, Kenneth Petty.
Petty, a convicted sex offender, was sentenced to 120 days of house arrest on Wednesday (September 20), after threatening Cardi B’s husband, Offset, on Instagram Live.
In response, Nicki first took to Instagram on Thursday (September 21) to claim that there were “snitches” in the upper echelons of the music industry that were preventing her swatting perpetrator (or perpetrators) from being brought to justice. Read more
Sophie Turner sues Joe Jonas demanding their children return to England (Standard)
Game of Thrones star Sophie Turner is reportedly suing her estranged husband Joe Jonas for the return of their two young children to England.
US broadcaster NBC said legal documents filed on behalf of Turner accuse Jonas of refusing to handover the children’s passports.
It comes after the celebrity couple announced their split this month after a four-year marriage. Read more
Will Smith announces hip-hop podcast (MusicNews)
Will Smith is set to host a new limited series podcast titled Class of ’88.
On Thursday, the 54-year-old announced that he will be hosting a new podcast series, Class of ’88, which will celebrate hip-hop from 1988 and will feature iconic artists including Queen Latifah, Salt-N-Pepa, Rakim, Darryl ‘DMC’ McDaniels and more.
“Hip-hop has been a central part of my life for over four decades,” Will has said. “I’m hyped to share my first-hand experiences and those of some of hip-hop’s greatest legends as we delve into the origins of one of the most influential genres of music in history.” Read more
Kenya marks 10th anniversary of deadly Westgate mall attack (AfricaNews)
It’s been 10 years since a group of Somali al-Shabab militants attacked a major shopping mall in Nairobi Kenya, killing more than 60 people.
On Thursday Kenyans gathered to commemorate the deadly attack on September 21, 2013, infamously known as the Westgate Mall attack.
_”Innocent lives were lost, and our sense of security was shattered. But today, as we gather to remember those who were taken from us too soon, we also gather to celebrate something much more powerful than the senseless of violence that befell us a decade ago. We gather to celebrate the resilience of our nation.”,_Jeremy Van Tongeren, Chairman, Kenya Security Industry Association said. Read more
Michael Caine suggests his upcoming film ‘‘The Great Escaper’’ may be his last (THR)
At 90 years old, Michael Caine is reflecting on his extraordinary life and career ahead of the release of what he has implied might be his last film.
During a recent interview with The Telegraph, the Oscar-winning English actor opens up about his role in “The Great Escaper”, in which he stars opposite Glenda Jackson, who died at 87 in June, just months after filming ended.
The Oliver Parker-directed film is based on the true story of a British World War II veteran, Bernard Jordan (Caine), who escapes from his care home to attend the 70th anniversary of the D-Day celebrations in France. Read more
Gabon residents say they support junta’s arrest of ousted Bongo cabinet (VOA)
The public in Gabon appears to support the military junta’s arrest and detention of the son of ousted president Ali Bongo and members of his cabinet. Military officials in the capital, Libreville, charged them this week with crimes, including treason and corruption.
Marches have been held in several towns in a show of solidarity with junta’s action.Andre-Patrick Roponat, the state prosecutor for Libreville, reads names and tells Gabon’s National Television that two of the 12 persons arrested on August 30, shortly after Gabon’s military seized power from Ali Bongo, will regain their freedom.
He says three people, including Sylvia Bongo Ondimba, ousted president Ali Bongo’s wife, are being held under house arrest. He was speaking Wednesday evening. Read more
Australian Eurovision entry Danny Estrin reveals he has cancer as tour postponed (RTE)
This year’s Australian Eurovision Song Contest entrant Danny Estrin has revealed his band Voyager are postponing their European tour following his cancer diagnosis.
Five-piece Perth rockers Voyager, who came ninth in Liverpool in May, had been due to perform across Europe and the UK next month.
In an Instagram post from Voyager, Estrin said: “Last week I was dealt some life-altering news: I’ve been diagnosed with cancer that requires immediate treatment.
“I am absolutely devastated that we cannot perform on our forthcoming European tour, especially after this incredible Eurovision year we’ve had.” Read more
2023 AFCON: Nigeria placed in pot 2, may face Senegal, Egypt (Guardian)
Nigeria’s Super Eagles have been placed in Pot 2 ahead of the draw for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) revealed the pots on Thursday.
Other teams also placed in Pot 2 alongside the Super Eagles are Cameroon, Ghana, Mali, Burkina, Ghana and DR Congo.
This means the Super Eagles could be in the same group with hosts Côte d’Ivoire, AFCON champions Senegal, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt or Morocco. Read more
Fans rue absence of Kwara football team at National Youth Games (DailyTrust)
Football fans and enthusiasts in Kwara State have continued to rue the absence of the state football team at the ongoing 7th National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta State.
Executive chairman of Kwara Sports Commission (KSC), Bola Mogaji, had removed all ball games except handball from the list of events to be participated in by the state’s contingent which departed on Wednesday.
He said the decision was dictated by Kwara’s area of strength and paucity of funds. Read more
Liverpool, West Ham score comeback wins in Europa League, Brighton loses in European debut (TorontoStar)
Liverpool marked its return to the Europa League on Thursday with another come-from-behind 3-1 victory, this time over Austrian club LASK in Linz.
Luis Díaz had a clinical finish into the roof of the net in the 63rd minute to put the visitors ahead after receiving a low cross from midfielder Ryan Gravenberch, who was given his first start for the Reds since his summer transfer from Bayern Munich.
Mohamed Salah came off the bench and completed the second-half comeback with a goal in the 88th minute. Read more
Man Utd seek to stop rot as Arsenal host Spurs (France24)
Manchester United face old nemesis Vincent Kompany at Burnley this weekend in desperate need of a Premier League win while Arsenal host in-form Tottenham in a tantalising north London derby.
Struggling Chelsea take on Unai Emery’s Aston Villa and new-look Liverpool will look to make it five wins in a row against West Ham.
AFP Sport picks out three talking points ahead of the action in the English top flight. Read more
Harry Kane: Bayern Munich respond after Daniel Levy confirms Tottenham buy-back clause (Standard)
Bayern Munich sporting director Christoph Freund says the Bundesliga giants are “planning long-term” with Harry Kane.
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy this week confirmed that Spurs inserted a buy-back clause in their more than £100 million deal to sell the England captain last month.
It is thought that clause gives Tottenham the option to match any future bids for Kane, who has made a good start to life in Germany and scored in Wednesday’s 4-3 Champions League win against Manchester United. Read more
Billy Sharp on track to out-do Lionel Messi Inter Miami stat after impressive LA Galaxy start (Mirror)
Billy Sharp’s bright start to life in MLS has continued as he notched a hat-trick for LA Galaxy, meaning his record since moving to the US is now rivalling Lionel Messi’s.
The Sheffield United legend’s arrival stateside may not have received the same level of fanfare as the Argentine icon but he has been quick to make an impression. After notching six goals in his first six games, the veteran striker is showing that he has lost none of his finishing prowess.
His hat-trick of strikes in the Galaxy’s 4-3 win over Minnesota United was the latest example of his impressive start. A trio of poacher’s goals, his exploits ensured the Californian outfit took all three points from a dramatic Western Conference encounter. Read more