Doctors strike: FG expresses disappointment over industrial action (Tribune)
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has expressed deep disappointment over the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors’ (NARD) decision to commence a seven-day warning strike. This action comes despite ongoing negotiations and multiple pleas from the Federal Government aimed at addressing the doctors’ concerns and maintaining industrial harmony.
In a statement issued on Thursday by Assistant Director Ado Bako, the Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to improving the welfare and working conditions of healthcare workers, including resident doctors.
The statement highlighted the government’s recent efforts and progress in addressing many of NARD’s concerns. Read more
Price hike: FCCPC alleges gang up to exploit consumers by traders (Vanguard)
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC, has accused traders of gang up to exploit consumers through unreasonable pricing of goods and services in the country.
This comes as it issued one month moratorium to traders and other market stakeholders involved in exploitative pricing to crash the prices of goods or face the consequences.
The newly appointed Executive Vice Chairman of the FCCPC, Mr Tunji Bello, stated this on Thursday during a one-day stakeholders engagement on exploitative pricing held in Abuja. Read more
First lady unveils commemorative birth certificate (DailyTrust)
The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has emphasized that a robust and efficient civil registration system is key to National Development and Governance in the country.
Senator Tinubu who spoke at the official Launch of the 2024 UNICEF/RHI Commemorative Birth Certificate at the State House in Abuja on Thursday noted that the renewed drive for the registration of every life birth will assist the nation achieve Sustainable Development Goal 16.
The First Lady noted that “a robust and efficient civil registration system is key to Nigerians development and governance. This ensures that every live birth is recorded, and forms the basis for policy, planning, and service delivery that meets the needs of all Nigerians. This is more than an administrative task; it provides the foundation for our social security”. Read more
Sanwo-Olu’ wife unveils confab activities (Nation)
Lagos State governor’s wife and Convener of the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO), Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has unveiled activities for the 2024 National Women Conference.
She said governors of Akwa Ibom, Nasarawa and Osun; Umo Eno, Abdullahi Sule and Ademola Adeleke are among dignitaries expected at the conference, holding September 10 and 11.
The event, with the theme: ‘Soar Beyond Boundaries: Enrich Communities’, takes place at Lagos Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, at 9 am daily. Read more
Fake forex trader arraigned for fraud (Punch)
A 39-year-old man, Bassey Ikpi, accused of posing as a forex trader, was arraigned on Thursday before the Lagos State Chief Magistrate Court in Ebute-Metta for allegedly defrauding several individuals and companies of large sums in multiple currencies.
The defendant, who is facing four counts bordering on conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence, fraud, and breach of public peace, preferred against him by the police.
Ikpi allegedly obtained N1,066,311,503, $355,000, and €13,000 under fraudulent circumstances, from his victims. Read more
Emir names Kwara Gov Sardaunan Ilorin (DailyTrust)
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State has been named the Sardaunan Ilorin, a prestigious title that the Emir of Ilorin Dr Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari said compensates for the governor’s love for and investment in the culture and tradition of Nigeria’s southernmost Emirate.
That makes the Governor the second Sardauna of the ancient town. His predecessor — and the first person to hold the title in Ilorin — was the multi billionaire philanthropist Alhaji Umar Saro who died a few years ago.
Sir Ahmadu Bello, arguably the most venerated politician in the old northern Nigeria in living memory, was mostly known for his Sardauna of Sokoto title. Read more
Brain Drain: MHWUN seeks better welfare for health workers (Leadership)
The Medical and Health Workers‘ Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) has called for improved welfare packages to address the ongoing brain drain in the healthcare sector, commonly referred to as “Japa Syndrome.”
During the 50th session of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Abuja yesterday, MHWUN president Comrade Kabiru Sani Minjibir lamented critical challenges facing the health sector.
He noted that the migration of healthcare workers was largely due to poor welfare conditions, including unpaid salary arrears and the lack of necessary adjustments to salary structures. Read more
Aviation: Tinubu seeks stronger collaboration between Nigeria, Brazil (Tribune)
President Bola Tinubu has called on the newly appointed Brazilian Ambassador to Nigeria, Carlos Jose Areias, to prioritize the establishment of direct flights between Nigeria and Brazil.
Receiving the Letter of Credence from the Brazilian Ambassador on Thursday in Abuja, he reiterated his discussions with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil on the matter, in February, on the margins of the African Union Summit, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The President expressed Nigeria’s commitment to working closely with Brazil to strengthen bilateral relations and advance shared priorities, welcoming the country’s presidency of the G20 in 2024. Read more
Young Palestinian creator who shared glimpses of daily life during war dies (NBC)
Hundreds of online tributes have been left for a content creator known for sharing videos on social media about his life in the Gaza Strip during Israel’s war with Hamas.
Medo Halimy, 19, died after he was hit by shrapnel during an Israeli airstrike on Gaza’s southern city of Khan Younis on Monday, several of his friends told NBC News.
Halimy’s collaborator Talal Murad, 18, said in an Instagram message Thursday that he was catching up with his friend when he saw “a flash coming from above my head and followed by an explosion.” Read more
Venice says brava to ‘‘Maria’’ with 10-minute ovation for Angelina Jolie’s Maria Callas biopic (Deadline)
Pablo Larraín’s Angelina Jolie-starring “Maria” was met with a 10-minute ovation following its Venice Film Festival world premiere Thursday night.
The biopic of legendary opera singer Maria Callas, which is playing in Competition here in Venice, is a story about a woman who burned her voice and her life by doing what she loved. The film takes place near the end of her life.
On Wednesday, Netflix acquired U.S. rights to the Steven Knight-penned film. Read more
Carl Weathers honoured posthumously with a star on Walk of Fame (People)
Carl Weathers was honored posthumously with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
During a ceremony on Thursday, Aug. 29, the late actor and athlete received a Sports Entertainment Walk of Fame star, the second of its kind after Michael Strahan’s in 2023.
Presenting the star, which was sponsored by the Las Vegas Raiders, was emcee Sibley Scoles. Attendees at the ceremony also included Raiders alumni Grant Irons, Jim Plunkett and Phil Villapiano, according to the Walk of Fame organization. Read more
Noel Gallagher jokes about why he fell out with Liam in first “interview” since Oasis’ reunion (NME)
Noel Gallagher has given his first impromptu “interview” since Oasis reunited earlier this week – see what he had to say below.
The Britpop band announced a huge run of comeback gigs on Tuesday (August 27), dubbed Oasis Live ’25. Set to take place next summer, the trek will see brothers Liam and Noel perform on stage together for the first time since 2009.
On Wednesday (August 28), while seemingly out shopping at the Stone Island shop in London, Noel was approached for a chat by a man named Steve Sheward and his four children – he wholesomely explains to his kids that Noel is in his “legendary band”. Read more
In Venezuela’s diaspora, protests erupt against Maduro’s contested election (AlJazeera)
On the night of July 28, Gaby Arellano, a 41-year-old Venezuelan political refugee, watched her country’s presidential election unfold from Colombia’s capital, Bogota.
She expected the outcome to spark a new future for Venezuela. That hope, however, turned to disappointment and frustration when Venezuela’s electoral body claimed victory for incumbent President Nicolas Maduro.
The opposition has since accused the Maduro government of stealing the election. And Arellano has become one of the most prominent voices in a protest movement that has spilled beyond Venezuela’s borders, as citizens clamour for transparent voting results. Read more
Terror plot at Taylor Swift concert aimed to kill thousands: CIA official (Global)
The suspects in the foiled plot to attack Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna earlier this month sought to kill “tens of thousands” of fans before the CIA discovered intelligence that disrupted the planning and led to arrests, the agency’s deputy director said.
The CIA notified Austrian authorities of the scheme, which allegedly included links to the Islamic State group. The intelligence and subsequent arrests ultimately led to the cancellation of three sold-out Eras Tour shows, devastating fans who had traveled across the globe to see Swift in concert.
CIA Deputy Director David Cohen addressed the failed plot during the annual Intelligence and National Security Summit, held this week in Maryland. Read more
Israel agrees to brief pause in fighting so Palestinian children can receive polio vaccinations, U.N. says (CBS)
The United Nations World Health Organization said Thursday that it has reached an agreement with Israel for limited pauses in fighting in Gaza to allow for polio vaccinations for hundreds of thousands of children after a baby contracted the first confirmed case in 25 years in the Palestinian territory.
The vaccination campaign will start Sunday, Sept, 1, in central Gaza, with a “humanitarian pause” lasting from 6 a.m. until 3 p.m. for three days that can be extended by an additional day if needed, said Rik Peeperkorn, WHO’s representative in the Palestinian territories.
The effort — which has been coordinated with Israeli authorities — will then move to southern Gaza and finally northern Gaza for similar pauses, he told a U.N. press conference by video from Deir al-Balah in central Gaza. Read more
Osimhen accepts Chelsea’s €350k-per-week deal (Leadership)
Super Eagles star striker Victor Osimhen’s prolonged transfer saga may be heading to conclusion as the player has agreed to a weekly wage of €350,000 offered by English Premier League side, Chelsea etfor a move from Napoli.
UEFA-accredited Nigerian journalist, Oma Akatugba revealed this on his X handle – @omaakatugba – on Thursday.
Akatugba said the Nigerian striker initially demanded €500,000 per week, but Chelsea negotiated the figure down to €350,000. Read more
Awoniyi gets Forest backing after penalty miss (Punch)
Taiwo Awoniyi has received the backing of Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo after missing a penalty in Wednesday’s EFL Cup round 2 penalties loss against Newcastle.
The Nigeria striker, who has struggled with injuries since arriving at the club from Union Berlin, started from the bench in Forest’s first two Premier League games of the season, but he got his first start when they took on Newcastle on Wednesday.
Aside from failing to find the back of the net in regulation time, the 27-year-old also missed his team’s last kick in the ensuing penalty shootout, which saw Newcastle triumphing 4-3. Read more
Romelu Lukaku transfer: Napoli sign striker from Chelsea to set up Antonio Conte reunion (Sky)
Napoli have signed Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea, setting up a reunion with former manager Antonio Conte.
The Serie A side have paid a fixed fee of £25.2m (€30m) for Lukaku after hurdles involving image rights were resolved last week to pave the way for his return to Italy.
The 31-year-old has not played for the Blues for more than two years, spending the last two seasons on loan with Inter Milan and then Roma.
Warriors, Stephen Curry agree to record 1-year, $62.6M contract extension (UPI)
All-NBA guard Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors reached an agreement in principle for a 1-year, $62.6 million contract extension, a league source told UPI on Thursday.
The pact, which has yet to be signed, would keep Curry under contract with the Warriors through 2026-27. His salary that season is set to be the most ever earned by an NBA player in a single year.
Curry, 36, is preparing to play his 16th season with the Western Conference franchise. He entered the league as the No. 7 overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft. Read more
Sinner on course for US Open clash with Alcaraz as Osaka crashes out (France24)
Jannik Sinner won his 50th match of the year on Thursday to stay on course for a US Open semi-final duel with Carlos Alcaraz while two-time champion Naomi Osaka’s colourful return to New York ended in a dispiriting second round defeat.
World number one Sinner beat America’s 49th-ranked Alex Michelsen 6-4, 6-0, 6-2 to make the last 32 for a fourth successive year.
The 23-year-old Italian unleashed 28 winners and broke serve eight times.
“He’s a very tough opponent. We played each other in Cincinnati. I knew what to expect,” said Australian Open champion Sinner. Read more
Swimmer Takayuki Suzuki wins Japan’s 1st gold medal at Paris Paralympics (JapanTimes)
Swimmer Takayuki Suzuki brought Japan its first Paris Paralympics gold medal — and its first medal of any color — on Thursday, the first day of competition following a festive opening ceremony the day before.
The 37-year-old Suzuki, who has 10 medals from the past five Paralympic Games, added a gold to his already impressive medal cabinet by winning the men’s 50-meter breaststroke event in the SB3 class.
In other events, 15-year-old swimmer Taiyo Kawabuchi finished seventh in the men’s 400-meter freestyle event in the S9 class. Read more