FG to shut 3rd Mainland Bridge 24 hours for repairs (Punch)
The Federal Government on Thursday announced the closure of the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos starting from midnight of Saturday, October 21 to midnight of Sunday, October 22 to carry out repairs.
The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Mrs. Olukorede Kesha, in a statement, said the government was ready to begin comprehensive rehabilitation works on the bridge, starting with repairs of the critical portions.
Kesha said the Federal Government wished to inform the motoring public that it was currently working on plans to carry out comprehensive repairs of the Third Mainland Bridge. Read more
NNPC assures Nigerians of fuel sufficiency for 30 days (Guardian)
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has addressed the appearance of fuel queues noticed in some parts of Lagos and a few other locations around the country.
The Management of NNPC Retail Ltd. in a statement on Thursday gave the reason for the fuel queues.
It said they were a result of reduced Depot loadout in Apapa, Lagos State for a few days. Read more
Certificate Scandal: NADECO drags Tinubu before ECOWAS (Sun)
The National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) USA, has petitioned the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) over the alleged forgery of Chicago State University certificate by the Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu.
As a pro-democracy group dedicated to the preservation and promotion of democratic values in Nigeria and the sub-region, the group said that it was pertinent that it continued to push for the principles of justice, transparency, and integrity that are fundamental to the success of the esteemed regional body.
In a petition dated October 10, 2023 and addressed to the ECOWAS Secretariat, NADECO alleged the President Tinubu lacked the integrity and credibility to remain the Chairman of the subregional organisation. Read more
MohBad son’s DNA test must be done in my presence – Father (Nation)
Joseph Aloba, the father of the late Nigerian musician Ilerioluwa Olademeji Aloba aka MohBad, has insisted the DNA of the deceased’s son, Liam, must be done in his presence.
Recall that the need for a DNA test to determine the genuine paternity of the late singer’s kid has sparked heated controversy among Nigerians.
MohBad’s father emphasised the importance of a DNA test for his grandson in a recent interview with Stams TV, citing it as a matter of national concern. Read more
Netflix thriller puts Nigerian film on the world map (BBC)
The director of a Nigerian hit on Netflix, Editi Effiong, has told the BBC he has been blown away by the response to his film.
The Black Book has been top of the streaming platform’s charts around the world – recently ranking among the three most-watched films in countries as diverse as South Korea, Brazil and the US. And for nearly a week, it was the most-watched movie worldwide, marking a historic achievement for a Nigerian film.
Effiong said his action thriller had not only captivated audiences but also reshaped the perception of Nollywood, as Nigeria’s film industry is known. Read more
Nigeria’s 1st credit rating agency founder, Bode Agusto dies at 68 (Tribune)
Bode Agusto, Nigerian economist and founder of Agusto & Co, Nigeria’s first credit rating agency, has passed away at the age of 68.
Before his passing, Bode Agusto was an independent consultant in the world of economics, finance, and business strategy.
Agusto & Co., established in 1992, played a crucial role in introducing credit rating services to Nigeria. The company was officially licensed by the Securities and Exchange Commission, making it the nation’s very first credit rating agency. Bode Agusto led the company as Managing Director for 11 years. Read more
No Nigerian pry school teacher should earn less than N250k – lawmaker (DailyTrust)
The Chairman House of Representatives Committee on University Education, Abubakar Fulata, has said no primary school teacher should earn less than N250, 000.
Speaking at a one-Day National Stakeholders Workshop on the Development of a Roadmap for the Nigerian Education Sector (2023-2027) organized by the Federal Ministry of Education in Abuja on Thursday, the lawmaker said secondary teacher and lecturers should earn N500, 000 and one million naira respectively, if Nigeria wants to achieve quality education.
He said: “If you want quality education you must pay them to teach your children very well. Teachers must also be encouraged as it is obtained in the other climes.” Read more
FG adopting proactive measures to tackle NCDs, says Pate (Vanguard)
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has adopted a proactive approach to tackle non-communicable diseases (NCDs) with strong emphasis on prevention.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammed Pate, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.
NAN reports that according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), NCDs account for 29 percent of all deaths in Nigeria, with premature mortality from the four main NCDs—hypertension, diabetes, cancer, and malnutrition. Read more
Julia Fox remembers “surreal” audition at Madonna’s house for biopic (NME)
Julia Fox has recalled her “surreal” audition for Madonna’s biopic, which has since been indefinitely shelved.
The actor – who had her breakthrough role in Uncut Gems – was asked on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen on Sunday (October 15) about her time hanging out with the pop icon.
Speaking on the show, Fox said she first met Madonna at the Carbone restaurant in New York “years ago”, where she had dinner “with some really fabulous gays”. Read more
Gabon junta leader turns down presidential salary (AfricaNews)
Gabon’s military leader Gen Brice Oligui Nguema has given up his salary as president and will only receive a wage as commander of the republican guard.
He became the interim president following the overthrow of President Ali Bongo in August this year.
Junta spokesperson in an announcement on Wednesday said Gen Nguema took the decision because he was “aware of the social emergencies and many expectations of the Gabonese people”. Read more
Film star Donald Sutherland depicted in profile on new Canadian stamp (TorontoStar)
Donald Sutherland, celebrated star of stage and screen, can add a new accolade to his CV.
Canada Post has released a stamp featuring an image of the 88-year-old New Brunswick-born actor.
The Crown corporation says the stamp is meant to commemorate Sutherland’s storied career, which has seen him appear in more than 200 films and TV programs. Read more
Military: 1st French convoy withdrawing from Niger arrives in Chad (VOA)
The first French road convoy containing troops withdrawing from Niger following the overthrow of its president has arrived in neighboring Chad, the French military said on Thursday.
The convoy “has arrived without any particular problems” in the Chadian capital N’Djamena after nine days on the road, French general staff spokesman colonel Pierre Gaudilliere told AFP.
The troops will from there depart by air back to France. Gaudilliere said the road journey had taken place in coordination with Nigerien forces. Read more
Martin Scorsese had to curb Leonardo DiCaprio’s improvisation in “Killers of the Flower Moon” (FilmNews)
Martin Scorsese had to stop Leonardo DiCaprio from improvising.
The iconic filmmaker has reunited with DiCaprio and Robert De Niro for new Western epic “Killers of the Flower Moon”, and he has reflected on the actors’ respective approaches, with the former’s “endless” discussions and improvisation on set.
Speaking to the Wall Street Journal, Scorsese laughed: “Then Bob didn’t want to talk.
“Every now and then, Bob and I would look at each other and roll our eyes a little bit. Read more
Carla Bley, Jazz composer and pianist, dies at 87 (Variety)
Carla Bley, an influential jazz composer and pianist, died in her home in Willow, N.Y. due to complications from brain cancer. She was 87. Bley’s partner of over 30 years, bassist Steve Swallow, confirmed the news to The New York Times.
A pioneer of the free jazz movement, Bley led a big band with New York’s leading musicians, a sextet including Larry Willis and Hiram Bullock and a chamberlike trio with Swallow and Andy Sheppard. Bley was the original conductor and arranger of the Liberation Music Orchestra, the ensemble Charlie Haden formed in 1969, and continued to lead it in tribute, following Haden’s death in 2014.
She was known for her 1971 jazz opera “Escalator Over the Hill,” which helped establish her unique style of operatic jazz and featured artists such as Linda Ronstadt, Jack Bruce and Charlie Haden. In 1973, it was named album of the year by British publication Melody Maker and won a Grand Prix du Disque, France’s most prestigious award for musical recordings. Read more
Israeli airstrikes hit Gaza after ‘blunt’ Biden visit (VOA)
Israel carried out fresh airstrikes Thursday in the Gaza Strip, as British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak traveled to Israel with a message of support following a visit by U.S. President Joe Biden.
“You have suffered an unspeakable, horrific act of terrorism and I want you to know that the United Kingdom and I stand with you,” Sunak said.
Biden said after his brief visit to Tel Aviv Wednesday that he had candid discussions with Israeli leaders as they conduct military strikes that have taken more than 3,400 lives in Gaza in response to Hamas’ massacre of more than 1,400 Israelis on October 7. Read more
Ndidi wins Leicester City’s September goal of the month (Guardian)
Nigeria midfielder Wilfred Ndidi alongside teammate Stephy Mavididi were announced as joint winners of the Leicester City’s Goal of the Month award for September.
Leicester announced Ndidi and Mavididi as winners on their X handle.
Both players each polled 26 percent of the votes casted by fans. Read more
Dessers not at his best – Clement (Punch)
Glasgow Rangers new coach, Philippe Clement, has admitted that Super Eagles striker Cyriel Dessers is a player with a lot of quality but pointed out the fact that the Nigerian has not been playing his best football at the club, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Dessers joined Rangers from Cremonese in the summer in a deal worth €5m. However, the Nigerian attacker has failed to hit the ground running.
The Nigerian wasn’t prolific for the relegated Serie A outfits last season where he scored just seven goals in 29 appearances but his reputation in Holland is good and it was expected that we would replicate the same form for the Scottish giants. Read more
NPFL : Rangers can end title drought – Onyebuchi (Leadership)
Rangers defender, Ifeanyi Onyebuchi is upbeat on the chances of the team in the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, this season.
The Flying Antelopes last won the title in 2016.
Onyebuchi believes that with the quality of players in the team, they can claim the title. Read more
Italy can learn from England defeat, says Spalletti (France24)
Luciano Spalletti said Italy must learn from their 3-1 defeat against England at Wembley as he battles to secure qualification for the Euro 2024 finals in Germany.
Gianluca Scamacca finished off a well-worked move to give the Azzurri the lead on Tuesday but Harry Kane scored either side of a Marcus Rashford goal as England came from behind.
The victory guarantees top spot in Group C for England, leaving Italy, the defending European champions, and Ukraine to battle it out for second place. Read more
Northern Ireland 0-1 Slovenia: Shea Charles sent off for home side as Group H leaders win at Windsor Park (Sky)
Ten-player Northern Ireland returned to the all-too-familiar feeling of defeat as Adam Cerin’s early free-kick put Group H leaders Slovenia on the verge of qualifying for Euro 2024 with a scrappy 1-0 win at Windsor Park.
Saturday’s 3-0 victory over minnows San Marino ended Northern Ireland’s five-game losing streak but it proved only a temporary reprieve in an injury-ravaged qualifying campaign which has now seen Michael O’Neill’s side suffer five 1-0 defeats in eight games.
The defining moment of the match came early on. While there was no doubt about the quality of Adam Cerin’s fifth-minute free-kick, Northern Ireland were fuming at referee Istvan Kovacs’ decision to award it after Jamal Lewis barely clipped Benjamin Sesko on the edge of the box. Read more
Fritz starts Japan Open defence with a win (GulfTimes)
Defending champion Taylor Fritz won his Japan Open first-round match on Tuesday and said he felt “motivated and ready to play” after lightening his load ahead of the tournament.
The American has been one of the busiest players on the ATP Tour this season but he has taken his foot off the gas since the US Open, appearing in only the Laver Cup and Shanghai Masters.
He beat Britain’s Cameron Norrie 6-4, 6-3 to kick off the defence of his Tokyo title and said it was “probably an advantage that I might be less burnt-out”. Read more