FG denies subsidy return, more fuel stations shut (Punch)
The Federal Government, on Monday, denied reintroducing the subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol, amid the closure of many filling stations nationwide due to various challenges in the downstream oil sector.
It also said the pockets of queues observed by motorists in petrol stations across the country stemmed from hiccups in product distribution from the South to the North, not a lack of supply.
This came as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited also declared on Monday that it would have gone bankrupt in June this year had it been the President, Bola Tinubu, did not halt subsidy on PMS in May. Read more
A thousand aides won’t erase Tinubu’s scandals, says Atiku’s special assistant (Guardian)
Phrank Shaibu, Special Assistant to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has criticized the appointment of additional media aides by President Bola Tinubu, stating that not even a thousand media aides can salvage Tinubu’s reputation, which he believes is embroiled in scandals.
Shaibu’s comments came in response to the establishment of a new media directorate by the Tinubu administration and the appointment of five additional aides in various media-related roles.
The new aides include Mr. Fela Durotoye (Senior Special Assistant to the President — National Values & Social Justice); Mr. Fredrick Nwabufo (Senior Special Assistant to the President — Public Engagement); Mrs. Linda Nwabuwa Akhigbe (Senior Special Assistant to the President — Strategic Communications); Mr. Aliyu Audu (Special Assistant to the President — Public Affairs) and Mr. Francis Adah Abah (Personal Assistant to the President — Special Duties) Read more
Why there are fuel queues in some states – NNPCL (DailyTrust)
Mele Kyari, Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), has given reason for the return of fuel queues.
Queues started resurfacing across filling stations last week, with some persons saying there were plans to increase pump price.
But addressing state house correspondents on Monday, Kyari attributed the development to return to road blockades as drivers had to travel longer distance to avoid such experiences. Read more
Passports will be delivered to homes, offices, others — FG (Tribune)
The Federal Government, on Monday, disclosed that Nigerians who apply for passports will have it delivered to them at home, offices, and other places of choice from next year.
This is according to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, while speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2023 University of Lagos International Week, held in Lagos.
He stated that his ministry has started the automation of the process with a timeline, adding that Nigerians will soon begin to experience the “sweetness” of the passport application. Read more
Lagos suspends planned mass burial for #EndSARS victims (Punch)
The Lagos State Government says it has suspended its planned mass burial of the 103 corpses recovered in the wake of the October 2020 #EndSARS protest.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, told The PUNCH on Monday that the planned mass burial had been suspended, following the controversy generated by the announcement in July.
In a leaked memo dated July 19, 2023, the state government had said it would conduct a mass burial for the 103 corpses, The PUNCH reports. Read more
Coroner listens to testimony of late Sylvester Oromoni’s mum, adjourns to November (Channels)
The coroner, inquiring into the circumstances surrounding the cause of death of Sylvester Oromoni, a 12-year-old student of Dowen College, Lekki, on Monday, listened to the testimony of the deceased’s mom, Mrs Rosemary Oromoni.
Mrs Oromoni who appeared in court visibly shaken, rained curses on her son’s killers and broke down at intervals while giving her evidence.
In her testimony, she started by saying that she received a message from the school that her son was injured while playing football with some of his colleagues. Read more
Gen Gowon is alive, hale, Hearty, says aide (Leadership)
Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), has denied the rumour making the rounds on social media that he was dead, saying he is still very much alive and well.
A personal aide to General Gowon, Adeyeye E. Ajayi, disclosed this on Monday amid confusion occasioned by the social media report on the purported death of the former Head of State.
Ajayi quoted General Gowon as saying: “I am still around and well. I am not in a hurry.” Read more
Oyebanji’s wife teaches students for free at EKSU (ThisDay)
The wife of the Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, yesterday began a community service at the Ekiti State University (EKSU) where she has offered to teach students of Education Management for free, as a means of contributing to their development.
The first lady was in the classroom for about two hours to share knowledge with the students in the university where she began her career as an academic, and taught for 12 years before transferring her services to the University of Ibadan for family reasons.
Oyebanji said her gesture was borne out of her desire to leave her comfort zone in the Government House to do what she knows best-teaching and imparting knowledge on the students. Read more
NUT suspends strike following Wike’s intervention (Nation)
The Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Federal Capital Territory wing has suspended its ongoing strike for six weeks following intervention of the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike.
The Chairman of the union, Mr Stephen Knabayi, confirmed the suspension in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja yesterday.
Knabayi said that the strike was suspended from October 2, to November 13 to implement commitments by the Chairmen of the six Area Councils and the FCT minister. Read more
Shania Twain rocks bright red hair for surprise performance with Foo Fighters (People)
Shania Twain is rocking out in red!
The country star co-headlined the Austin City Limits festival with the Foo Fighters on Saturday and surprised fans by joining the rock band to perform “Best of You” to close out the night.
Debuting bright red locks and a bedazzled silver ensemble with sparkly fishnets, Twain, 58, hustled from her stage to join Dave Grohl and his bandmates for the surprise collaboration. Read more
Cameroon: Toll rises to at least 27 dead and 50 injured in floods (AfricaNews)
Death toll from floods in Cameroon’s capital, reaches 27 with more than 50 injured, Monday, as rescuers intensify the search for those missing following the deluge the previous day.
The rains unleashed floodwaters in the district of Yaoundé 2 of the country’s capital on Sunday, sweeping away buildings and reducing many to rubble.
One of the victims mentionned that some bodies have travelled a long way and have been found more than 100 meters from their homes. Read more
Netanyahu: Israel ‘Just Beginning’ Response to Hamas Attack (VOA)
Israel’s chief military spokesperson says Israel had reestablished control of areas near Gaza that Hamas militants stormed in the incursion that began Saturday.
In an address to his nation Monday night, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the country’s military forces are “just beginning” to fight back against Hamas militants, even as Israeli warplanes unleashed hundreds of airstrikes on the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip throughout the day.
Netanyahu urged the opposition in his right-wing government to “immediately establish a national emergency government without preconditions” during the war.
Israeli warplanes repeatedly hit Gaza on Monday, while the military said it mobilized 300,000 reservists ahead of “going on the offensive” in response to the surprise attack Saturday by Hamas militants. Read more
Ridley Scott says his 4-hour ‘‘Napoleon’’ director’s cut will premiere on Apple TV+ (IndieWire)
Ridley Scott wants streaming audiences to spend four hours in the world of “Napoleon.”
The Oscar-winning director confirmed a director’s cut of the upcoming period piece, starring Joaquin Phoenix as the French dictator, telling Total Film that a four-hour cut will be available on Apple TV+.
“I’m working on it,” Scott said of the edit. “It was four [hours] 10 [minutes] this morning. And so what will happen is, we’ll screen [the theatrical cut] first with Sony, and then it has its run, and then the perfect thing is that [the director’s cut] goes to streaming, and we have four hours 10 minutes.” Read more
50 Cent claims Diddy orchestrated 2Pac murder (HipHopDX)
50 Cent has a history of dragging Diddy‘s name through the mud, but his latest attack is perhaps his most explosive yet as he has accused the Bad Boy boss of orchestrating 2Pac‘s murder.
In an Instagram post on Monday (October 9), the G-Unit mogul claimed that the late rap legend’s killing was ordered by Puff, who he advised to “lawyer up.”
“Damn so pac got lined by brother love,” he wrote, referencing Diddy’s R&B moniker. “LOL Time to Lawyer up, shit might get sticky.” Read more
Russian journalist who protested Ukraine invasion on live TV is sentenced to over 8 years in prison, in absentia (NBC)
A journalist known for protesting the invasion of Ukraine during an evening broadcast on Russian state-owned television was sentenced to over 8 years in prison for her activism efforts, a Moscow court announced Wednesday.
Marina Ovsyannikova made headlines last year when she walked onto the set of Russia’s Channel One with a sign that said “No war” and “They are lying to you here.” She was sentenced in absentia on Wednesday to 8 years and 6 months in a Russian penal colony, a statement released by the Moscow prosecutor’s office said.
The Basmanny District Court in Moscow charged Ovsyannikova for spreading false information about the Russian army during a demonstration she staged last year about the war in Ukraine, unrelated to her on-air protest. Read more
Léa Seydoux, George MacKay sci-fi romance ‘‘The Beast’’ lands at Sideshow and Janus for U.S. (THR)
‘‘The Beast’’, Bertrand Bonello‘s time-hopping cosmic romance starring Lea Seydoux and George MacKay, has been acquired by Sideshow and Janus Films for the U.S. A theatrical release is planned for 2024.
The film, which had its world premiere in competition at the Venice Film Festival, later screened in Toronto and has just had its U.S. premiere at the New York Film Festival, was written and directed by Bonello (Saint Laurent), and is based on the Henry James novella ‘‘The Beast in the Jungle’’. Guslagie Malanda, Dasha Nekrasova, Martin Scali, Élina Löwensohn, Marta Hoskins, Julia Faure, Kester Lovelace, Félicien Pinot and Laurent Lacote also star.
Set in the near future where artificial intelligence reigns supreme and human emotions have become a threat, The Beast sees Gabrielle (Seydoux) attempt to purify her DNA by going back into her past lives. There, she reunites with Louis (MacKay), her great love. But she is overcome by fear, a premonition that catastrophe is on the way. Read more
Holyfield, Haye tip Joshua to beat Fury (Punch)
According to legendary American boxer, Evander Holyfield, Anthony Joshua is the only boxer who can beat the WBC world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, not Oleksandry Usyk.
Holyfield is now the third all-time great to say the British-Nigerian can challenge the ‘Gypsy King’.
Power-hitting legend George Foreman called it the fight he would like to see saying, “The one fight I want to see before I close my eyes out of boxing is Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua,” Foreman told talkSPORT. Read more
Okocha calls for NPFL proper management to attract investors (DailyTrust)
Former Super Eagles captain, Austin Jay Jay Okocha has reiterated his call for proper management of the Nigerian league to make it attractive to investors.
Okocha said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Lagos.
The mercurial midfielder, who started his journey to stardom in football with Rangers International FC in 1990, said he had earlier expressed an honest opinion about the Nigerian league being a less-fancied league. Read more
LeBron James’ youngest son Bryce gets Ohio State offer after visit (NYPost)
Another of LeBron James’ sons is at least considering playing college basketball in his father’s home state.
Bryce James, LeBron’s youngest son, made an unofficial visit this weekend to Ohio State, attending the Buckeyes’ football victory Saturday over Maryland.
The 16-year-old James spoke with Ohio State basketball coach Chris Holtmann at the game, according to social media posts, and he wrote on social media that he received an offer from the school. Read more
Carlos Alcaraz edges epic thriller against Dan Evans at Shanghai Masters (Express)
Carlos Alcaraz overcame a tough test to defeat Dan Evans 7-6(1) 6-4 at the Shanghai Masters. The top seed came back from a break down in both sets to advance to the round of 16 in what is his debut at the tournament. It was a monumental match, with one game lasting 19 minutes and the first set taking an hour and 28 minutes.
Alcaraz and Evans were facing off for the fourth time, just weeks after the Brit pushed the world No 2 to four sets at the US Open. After saving two break points in the opening game it was the 33-year-old who drew first blood, breaking to love and taking a 3-1 lead.
The pair then found themselves caught up in a 19-minute game as the top seed looked to get the break back. Evans had a game point to consolidate his lead as he chased down a drop shot from Alcaraz, responding with one of his own. Read more
Russell accepts Hamilton apology over “missed opportunity” (F1i)
The Mercedes team was keenly aware of throwing away a strong chance of a podium in the Qatar Grand Prix after George Russell and Lewis Hamilton collided at the start of Sunday night’s race.
Russell started on the front row alongside pole sitter Max Verstappen, who made very certain he kept the lead heading into the first corner by sweeping across in front of Russell down the starting straight.
However Hamilton was on the faster soft tyres and made his own bid for the front, leaving Russell squeezed in the middle. A collision was unavoidable and they ended up in the gravel, but Russell was able to get back on track. Read more
Rafael Nadal’s doctor provides encouraging update on the icon’s return (Tennis365)
Rafael Nadal’s doctor, Angel Ruiz-Cotorro, has issued an encouraging if somewhat vague update on the 22-time Grand Slam winner’s fitness.
Ruiz-Cotorro suggested that Nadal aggravated his psoas muscle injury by trying to play through the pain.
However, he feels that Nadal’s mental strength will carry him through the rehabilitation process. Read more