FG proposes N26.01t 2024 budget, wants passage, signing before year end (Channels)
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Monday proposed N26.01 trillion for the 2024 fiscal year for submission to the National Assembly.
This is according to the Minister of Budget and Planning Atiku Bagudu who spoke after the Council meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu.
According to him, FEC pegged the price of crude oil at $73.96, exchange rate of $700, and oil production of 1.78 million barrels per day. Read more
PDP, LP fire FG as costs of food items drive inflation to 26.7% (Vanguard)
The main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP; and Labour Party, LP, yesterday, railed at the Federal Government and the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, as costs of food items, others pushed inflation to an 18-year high rise of 26.72 per cent in September.
The Presidency and APC kept sealed lips on the attacks with the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, fingering increases in prices of oil and fat, bread and cereals, potatoes, yam and other tubers, fish, fruit, meat, vegetables and milk, cheese, and eggs as the causes of the inflation spike.
Contacted, the Presidency declined comments and referred Vanguard to the Finance Minister, Wale Edun, who could not be reached as he is currently in Morocco for the World Bank/IMF summit. Read more
Third Mainland Bridge now a death trap, motorists lament (Punch)
Motorists have again raised concerns over what they described as the deplorable state of the Third Mainland Bridge.
They have called on the government to immediately fix the bridge which is the longest among the three bridges that connect Lagos Island with Mainland.
The about 11.8km bridge starts from the Oworonshoki end of the Mainland and ends at the Adeniji Adele Interchange on Lagos Island. Read more
Tension in NIPOST as Odeyemi defies protest, resumes as PMG (Guardian)
Amid protest against her assumption of office as Chief Executive Officer and Post Master General (CEO/PMG) of Nigeria Postal Service (NIPOST), Tola Odeyemi, nevertheless, resumed duty, yesterday.
Odeyemi, who defied the action by workers sympathetic to former PMG, Sunday Adepoju, thereafter, met with the board and management of NIPOST, promising that her tenure will lead NIPOST into a new era of innovation, modernisation and transformation, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
She also assured that her leadership will leverage technology to make NIPOST’s logistics, e-Commerce, and other postal services reliable, efficient and effective. Read more
Abbo: Akpabio orchestrated my sack from Senate, Orji Kalu is his next target (DailyTrust)
Elisha Abbo, sacked Adamawa North senator, has fingered Senate President Godswill Akpabio in the appeal court ruling which removed him from the office.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja voided the election of Abbo of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Abbo winner of the February 25, 2023 parliamentary election, but Amos Yohanna, his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rival, rejected the result and headed for the court. Read more
Killers of 7 DSS officers in Ikorodu convicted (ThisDay)
Justice Hakeem Oshodi of a Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja, has convicted two pipeline vandals; Clement Ododomu, and Tiwei Monday, finding them guilty of conspiracy and murder of seven officers of the Department of State Security (DSS) at Ishawo Creek of Ikorodu area on September 14, 2015.
While delivering the judgement, Justice Oshodi found both men guilty, but deferred sentencing of the convicts till November 14 after hearing the allocutus plea of the convicts.
The court found the 1st Defendant, Ododomu guilty of conspiracy to commit murder, murder, possession of firearms, and felony. While the 2nd Defendant, Monday, was found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder and felony. Read more
UNILAG CPE dept marks 50 years, laments neglect (Guardian)
The Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering (CPE) of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), yesterday, called for urgent attention as it rolled out a plan to mark its 50 years of existence.
It said the department needs attention in the area of infrastructure, which he described as currently very poor. It also complained of low number of staff, lack of modern equipment, low pay, japa syndrome, among others.
The department revealed that challenges of poor funding and neglect had negatively affected it in no small measure. Acting Head of the department, Faith Babalola, said the relocation of staff members (Japa syndrome) without replacement has posed a great threat to the proper running of the department. Read more
EFCC arrests wanted suspect for N2b fraud in Lagos (Leadership)
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested an unlicensed foreign exchange dealer, one Chike Nosa Agada for an alleged N2 billion fraud.
EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale said Agada, a 37-year old native of Udi local government area of Enugu State, was declared wanted by the EFCC on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, for obtaining money by pretense and stealing by conversion to the tune of N2billion
He was arrested by EFCC operatives at a residence in the Bourdillon, Ikoyi area of Lagos on Monday, October 16, 2023, during a sting operation by operatives of the commission, following credible intelligence linking him to the alleged fraud. Read more
Shettima to Nigerians in China: there’s light at end of tunnel (Nation)
Nigeria will overcome its present challenges, Vice President Kashim Shettima said yesterday in faraway Beijing, China.
It was during an interactive session with the Ambassador and Staff of the Nigerian Embassy in the Asian country, where he is representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Third Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Shettima noted that the president in the saddle has outstanding leadership qualities and the wherewithal to lift Nigeria to loftier heights. Read more
Madonna’s daughter Estere, sends fans into meltdown as she vogues on stage (Hello!)
At the O2 Arena in London, Madonna’s Celebration Tour kicked off with spectacular moments that left fans ecstatic.
Among the highlights of the evening was the performance of the iconic singer’s daughter, Estere, who effortlessly captured the audience’s attention.
Launching her highly anticipated tour, which spans 78 shows across 15 countries, Madonna offered her fans several surprises. Notably, she shared the stage with her children: Lourdes, 27, Chifundo ‘Mercy’ James, 17, and Estere, 11. Read more
DR Congo shipwreck toll rises to 47, says transport ministry (France24)
The initial report by authorities from the northwest Equateur province on Sunday said 28 bodies had been pulled from the river and dozens more were missing.
Speaking to a press briefing on Monday, Transport Minister Marc Ekila confirmed the new toll, but said “we were unable to get the records to determine the exact number of passengers on board” due to an “irregular situation”.
The accident was due to “overloading”, the minister said, while adding that “wooden boats” were not authorised to operate at night. Read more
Three’s Company actress Suzanne Somers dies age 76 (ITV)
Three’s Company actress Suzanne Somers has died at the age of 76 after living with breast cancer for more than 20 years, her publicist has confirmed.
The US actress and businesswoman was best known for playing Chrissy Snow on the American sitcom as well as Carol Foster Lambert on Step By Step.
A statement seen by the AP news agency from her long-time publicist, R Couri Hay, said: “Her family was gathered to celebrate her 77th birthday on October 16th. Read more
Joan Collins criticizes Barbie, says Warren Beatty talked her into abortion (NYPost)
At 90, Dame Joan Collins refuses to be part of the Silent Generation.
“I do say a lot of things that [make] a lot of my friends say, ‘You know, you can’t say that’. And I say, ‘Well, I do say it and I feel better for saying it’,” she told The Post.
The Dynasty icon does not shy away from saying what she really thinks about Hollywood, sexism, Ozempic and everything in between.
“Hollywood has changed a lot because it’s been taken over mostly by corporations, and corporations are the ones that are making the films now and choosing almost as if by rote,” she says, her inimitable British accent still able to cut glass. Read more
Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour film dances to No. 1 at the box office (Billboard)
Movie theaters turned into concert venues this weekend as Swifties brought their dance moves and friendship bracelets to multiplexes across the country. The unparalleled enthusiasm helped propel Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour to a massive, first place debut between $95 million and $97 million in North America, AMC Theatres said Sunday (Oct. 15).
It’s easily the biggest opening for a concert film of all time, and, not accounting for inflation, has made more than the $73 million Justin Bieber: Never Say Never earned in 2011. In today’s dollars, that would be around $102 million. And if it comes in on the higher end of projections when totals are released Monday (Oct. 16), it could be the biggest October opening ever. The one to beat is Joker, which launched to $96.2 million in 2019. Read more
Michaela Coel shocked that drama school where she suffered from racism promotes her on website (Standard)
Michaela Coel says the racism she suffered at her drama school has left her with PTSD.
The I May Destroy You star, who is an Emmy and Bafta Award winning actress, said the bigotry she experienced during her time at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 2009, was so deep it left an indelible scar on her.
During an interview with The Telegraph, Coel was told that there is a page dedicated to her on the college’s website celebrating her as a successful graduate. She replied: “Wow. That’s jokes. Okay.
“That’s interesting. I’m not gonna lie to you, I’ve got so much PTSD from my time in drama school I’ve never looked back. I genuinely find that is a source of DON’T GO BACK for me.” Read more
Van Morrison announces extra date after intimate gigs sell out (BelfastTelegraph)
Van Morrison has added an extra date as his intimate Belfast gigs sell out amid phenomenal demand.
The musician is set to perform at sold out concerts in the Limelight on Friday November 4 and Saturday November 5, 2023 after unveiling his 45th studio album, titled Accentuate The Positive.
High demand has resulted in a third night being added to the fully seated fixture. Read more
Eagles break 4-year friendly match jinx (Punch)
Nigeria on Monday laboured to a hard-fought 3-2 win against Mozambique at the Estadio Municipal De Albufeira Portimao in Portugal to end their 16 games without a win in a friendly game, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Jose Peseiro made nine changes to the squad that played 2-2 with Saudi Arabia on Friday, with only Francis Uzoho and Bruno Onyemaechi the two players retained by the Portuguese tactician, while Jordan Torunarigha and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru were handed their debut appearances by the Portuguese gaffer.
In defence, Peseiro played Bright Osayi-Samuel, Torunarigha, Kenneth Omeruo and Onyemaechi. Read more
Nigeria wins first West Africa Cricket Trophy in Lagos (Channels)
Nigeria’s Men Cricket Team, The Yellow-Green completed a clean sweep at the first West African Trophy concluded at the Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos on Sunday by winning all their ten matches at the event.
On Sunday, they routed Rwanda to 17 runs victory, their fourth win over the East Africa side during the twenty-match series that kicked off on Wednesday, October 4, 2023.
Nigeria had qualified for the finals of the West Africa Trophy after winning all her round-robin matches, which included playing Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Rwanda. Read more
Joshua frustrated as bout with Wilder gets March date (Guardian)
Anthony Joshua will have to wait until March at the earliest to face Deontay Wilder after the heavyweight showdown suffered a new delay, reports mirror.co.uk.
Joshua had hoped to fight his rival in either December or January in the Middle East, but will now take an interim fight before potentially facing the American in the spring. Joshua was last in action in August when he stopped Robert Helenius before it was announced the Finn had failed a pre-fight drugs test.
Joshua is also in a position to fight for the IBF world title should it become vacant after Tyson Fury’s undisputed clash with Oleksandr Usyk, which is pencilled in for December 23 in Saudi Arabia. And his promoter Eddie Hearn told iFL TV: “He wants to, he really wants to (fight). We’ve been on calls with him all week. There’s a lot happening with the IBF situation. We’ll have to see. I think he’s going to fight in December or January. Read more
Jonny Evans savours 2nd Manchester United chance after fearing career was over (Standard)
Jonny Evans is back at Manchester United and starting games under Erik ten Hag, but the Northern Ireland defender thought his career might have been coming to an end last season.
Evans, 35, made a surprise return to his boyhood club in the summer after his contract with relegated Leicester ended, initially on a short-term deal that allowed him to play during their pre-season campaign before he signed a one-year contract.
It came after an injury-ravaged campaign with the Foxes in which Evans was limited to just 14 club appearances, struggling to get over a persistent calf problem that left him wondering if his time was up. Read more
David Beckham and Gary Neville among mourners at Sir Alex Ferguson’s wife Cathy’s funeral (Mirror)
Former Manchester United duo David Beckham and Gary Neville have attended the funeral for Sir Alex Ferguson’s late wife, Lady Cathy.
It was confirmed earlier this month that Cathy had sadly passed away at the age of 84, leaving behind the former Manchester United manager and their three sons. A statement confirming the news read: “We are deeply saddened to confirm the passing yesterday [Thursday] of Lady Cathy Ferguson, survived by her husband, three sons, two sisters, 12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. The family asks for privacy at this time.” Read more
Wales shock Croatia to reawaken Euro 2024 hopes (France24)
Wales breathed new life into their chances of qualifying for Euro 2024 as Harry Wilson’s double earned a famous 2-1 win over Croatia in Cardiff on Sunday.
Rob Page’s men move above the World Cup semi-finalists into second place in Group D of qualifying with Croatia now at risk of missing a major tournament for the first time since the 2010 World Cup.
Page’s position was in doubt after a disastrous start to Wales’ qualifying campaign. Read more