Grandpa in police net for seizing and selling daughter’s baby for N700k (Guardian)
Police in Oyo State have arrested a grandfather for seizing his daughter’s day-old-baby in Oyo town and selling same to a baby factory in Abia for N700,000.
Five accomplices of the grandfather were arrested at the baby factory.
Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Mr Adebola Hamzat, told newsmen in Ibadan on Saturday that the grandfather took the baby girl from her teenage mother, Sarah Chukwuka on July 10.
He was later arrested at his hideout in Ibafo, Ogun State. Read more
First Lady welcomes rescued Chibok girl, to sponsor her education (DailyTrust)
The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, yesterday received Rebecca Kabu, one of the 277 Chibok schoolgirls who were abducted by Boko Haram in 2014, at the Presidential villa, Abuja.
She received Rebecca along with the wife of the vice president, Hajiya Nana Shettima.
Mrs Tinubu pledged to ensure that Rebecca was well taken care of medically and fit to return to school willingly. Read more
How high-wire politics scuttled el-Rufai’s cabinet confirmation (Leadership)
There are strong indications that the security report by the Department of State Security against Nasir El-Rufai, one of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ministerial nominees, leading the Senate to hold back from confirming him may have emanated from high-wired politics involving the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill, chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
The insinuations being promoted is that all the political gladiators involved in scheming out El-Rufai are looking far ahead to the post-Tinubu years and are worried a cabinet post could put him in prime position to be a political force to reckon with.
After confirming 45 of the president’s nominees, the Senate did clear former Kaduna State Governor. It also did not confirm Stella Okotete of Delta State and Abubakar Danladi of Taraba State citing “security checks”. Read more
Why we can’t slash transport fares – Lagos bus drivers (Punch)
Commercial bus drivers in Lagos State have failed to comply with the government’s directive to reduce transport charges by 25 per cent.
Commuters have lamented that they did not notice any reduction in prices, with fares fluctuating depending on the availability of passengers and level of traffic.
But the bus drivers stated that slashing transport fare would negatively affect their business. Read more
Latinwo, one of Nigeria’s egalitarian leaders passes on at 80 (Sun)
One of the Nigeria’s egalitarian leaders, Chief Sir Salaudeen Adebola Latinwo, a retired Group Captain in the Nigeria Air Force and former military Governor of Kwara State is dead.
A reliable family source informed that he died in his London home yesterday (Friday) in his sleep at the age of 80.
Born into the famous and mega rich family of Late Aliu Onaolapo Olatinwo of Offa in Offa Local Government Area of Kwara State on 12th July, 1943, Latinwo was one of the 43 children of 10 wives of his father.
He attended the St. Mark’s Primary School Offa from 1950 to 1956. He later proceeded to Offa Grammar School from 1957 to 1961 where he obtained his West African School Certificate. Read more
NGO trains 100 women farmers on climate-smart agriculture in Ikorodu (ThisDay)
A non-governmental organisation, the International Centre for Environmental Health and Development (ICEHD), has trained 100 women farmers on climate-smart agriculture capacity building in Ikorodu, Lagos.
The Programme Manager, Miss Mercy Joshua, said the training was with the provision of farming tools to strengthen their capacity to access skills, resources and opportunities to address climate challenges.
According to her, it will assist in boosting their farm production and enhance food security. Read more
My heart bleeds over Zaria mosque collapse — Speaker Abbas (Vanguard)
The Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has described the death of some persons due to the collapse of Zaria central mosque as disheartening and devastating.
Speaker Abbas, who represents Zaria Federal Constituency of Kaduna State, said he received the news of the unfortunate incident with shock, noting that he was pained by the death and injury of his constituents in the mishap.
In a press statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, the Speaker said his “heart bleeds” as a result of the incident, noting that it was the most heartrending news he received in recent times. Read more
Kaduna Guber: Tribunal fixes Sept 4 for adoption of final written addresses (Tribune)
The Kaduna Gubernatorial Election Petition Tribunal has fixed September 4, 2023, for the adoption of final written addresses.
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has firmly held his position at the Kaduna Gubernatorial Election Petition Tribunal amidst the petition brought forth by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Isa Ashiru that the petitioners have abandoned their case due to the premature service of their application for pre-hearing notice.
During the Friday sitting, the Governor’s counsel, Chief Duro Adeyele (SAN), reaffirmed their position and explained that they have no reason to call any witnesses to give testimony. Read more
Dolly Parton, Jelly Roll and more pay tribute to The Judds with album (AmericanSongwriter)
A star-studded list of artistes from country music and beyond will celebrate the music of The Judds with a new tribute album. Set for release on October 27, A Tribute to the Judds will feature reimagined version of 15 tracks made famous by th beloved duo.
Wynonna Judd will join Trisha Yearwood for a new take on “Cry Myself to Sleep,” the moving single she and her late mother, Naomi Judd, took to No. 1 in 1986. An all-star cast of artists from country, bluegrass, R&B, and beyond will sing the remaining career-spanning tracks on A Tribute to The Judds.
Dolly Parton and Lainey Wilson team up for their take on “Mama He’s Crazy,” while husband and wife Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani put their stamp on “Love Is Alive.” The album opens with a new version of the duo’s feminine anthem, “Girls Night Out,” performed by Reba McEntire, Carly Pearce, Jennifer Nettles, and Gabby Barrett. Read more
Scene removed from Jeon Somi’s ‘Fast Forward’ music video after plagiarism allegations (NME)
Jeon Somi’s agency will remove an animated character from the music video of one of her latest songs after viewers accused it of plagiarism.
The video in question comes from the visual accompaniment for the South Korean singer’s single ‘Fast Forward’ – the lead track of her new EP ‘Game Plan’. The track and music video both debuted on Monday (August 7).
Following its release, some viewers have pointed out how the character in the original video resembles the artwork style of Japanese cartoonist, Rumiko Takahashi and her characters illustrated in the manga series Urusei Yatsura (1978-87). Read more
Sacha Baron Cohen to revive Ali G character in new stand-up tour (NME)
Sacha Baron Cohen is set to revive the character of Ali G for a brand-new stand-up tour.
According to Variety, Cohen has been working on the tour for a while, and it will see Ali G make an appearance in some form. It’s currently unclear if he’ll be in character for the entirety of the performance, or just a part of it.
Cohen first introduced Ali G in the late ’90s on Channel 4‘s The 11 O’Clock Show. The series saw him interview a number of international personalities while in character as an exaggerated British roadman from Staines-upon-Thames. Read more
Selena Gomez ends feud rumours as she steps out with kidney donor and BFF Francia Raisa (Mirror)
Selena Gomez appears to have ended her rumoured feud with former bestie and kidney donor Francia Raisa after they were seen enjoying a lavish night out.
The pair were seen strolling hand in hand as they stepped out to the exclusive eatery Giorgio Baldi in Los Angeles on Friday night. Songstress Selena, 31, showed off her curvaceous figure in a skimpy black ribbed mini dress with a slit to the thigh as she joined her friend for the outing.
Wearing her hair in a sleek up-do, the Only Murders In The Building star completed her look with a pair of sky-high leopard print stilettos and a red and gold sequinned bag. She added a touch of glamour to her face with a bold red lip and striking winged eyeliner. Read more
Quentin Dupieux’s Yannick wins Locarno Best European Film Prize (THR)
Quentin Dupieux’s Yannick, a French satire about high culture, low-brow critics and the intersection between art and entertainment, has won the Europa Cinemas Label prize for best European film at the 76th Locarno Film Festival.
The crowd-pleasing but very dark comedy stars Raphaël Quenard as the titular Yannick, a theater-goer who has the audacity to stand up in the middle of a (frankly horrible) play and tell the actors just what he thinks of their work. “This show isn’t entertaining in the slightest! I’ve paid for a seat to cheer myself up, but all it’s doing is adding to my problems…I feel worse than I did before. And I’ve already got a shitty life.”
A debate with the actors ensues and things take a frightening turn when Yannick decides he wants to rewrite the evening’s script. Read more
Killer Mike shares JAY-Z’s reaction to his new album ‘‘Michael’’ (HipHopDX)
Killer Mike and JAY-Z‘s relationship began with their 2002 collab “Poppin Tags” – and Hov is still tapping in to this day.
The Atlanta native was a guest in a new episode of Math Hoffa’s My Expert Opinion podcast published on Friday (August 11). While reflecting on his relationship with the Roc Nation mogul, Mike shared some praise he sent his way over his recent album, Michael.
“I be tripping out now when I wake up, get up, moving around and see a text from him just out of nowhere,” he said. “Like, ‘Peace God. I see what you did. Just sending some encouragement your way.’ He’s still a very grounded, cool human being. I appreciate all the love and encouragement.” Read more
Eiffel Tower evacuated after bomb threat (National)
The Eiffel Tower was briefly evacuated and closed to the public after a bomb threat on Saturday.
The three floors of the Paris landmark were cleared because of what turned out to be a false alarm.
SETE, the body which runs the site, said that bomb disposal experts and police were scouring the area, including a restaurant on one of the floors. Read more
Inspiring story of victorious D’Tigress Coach, Rena Wakama (DailyTrust)
Saturday, August 5, was another memorable day for Nigerian basketball as the national women’s team, D’Tigress won their fourth consecutive title after a thrilling 84-74 victory over Senegal in the final of the 2023 Afrobasket tournament in Kigali, Rwanda.
With that victory, the Nigerian side made history to become only the second team ever after Senegal to win four consecutive titles.
It will be noted that the team went 12 years without a title but the drought ended in 2017 when they were crowned champions again.
That moment signalled a new beginning for the team as they followed up with victories in 2019, 2021 and now 2023. Read more
EPL: Everton in talks with Alex Iwobi over new contract (Leadership)
Everton manager, Sean Dyche, has confirmed that the Toffees were still in talks with Alex Iwobi over a new contract.
Iwobi is in the final year of his contract at Goodison Park.
The Nigeria international was close to signing a new deal last season, but talks were put on hold following the club’s relegation fight.
Dyche hinted that the Merseysiders were keen to keep the versatile midfielder at the club. Read more
Harry Kane leaves Tottenham for Bayern Munich in search of trophies (USAToday)
England captain Harry Kane completed his move to Bayern Munich from Tottenham on Saturday in soccer’s biggest transfer of the summer as the striker goes in search of the first major trophies in his career.
The transfer fee for Kane could hit more than 100 million pounds ($110 million), which breaks the Bundesliga transfer record and is a huge sum for a player who would have been out of contract next year.
“Buzzing to have signed for such a massive club with an incredible history, can’t wait to get started!” Kane wrote on his social media channels. Read more
Australia edge France on penalties to reach the semi-finals of the Women’s World Cup (RTE)
Co-hosts Australia beat France 7-6 in a dramatic penalty shootout to reach the last four of the Women’s World Cup for the first time after their quarter-final finished deadlocked following extra-time on Saturday.
Australia goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold saved three French penalties and missed one herself in the shootout but it was teenager Vicki Becho hitting the post with the 12th spot-kick that opened the door for the hosts.
Cortnee Vine showed nerves of steel when she stepped up to fire the ball past Solene Durand into the bottom right corner of the net and send the Matildas into a semi-final against England on Wednesday. Read more
Miami GP delivers massive financial boost to local economy (F1i)
Formula 1’s second Miami Grand Prix that took place last May was a massive boon to the local economy according to a recent report.
The event held at the Miami International Autodrome located around the Miami Dolphins’ Hard Rock Stadium enjoyed its premiere in 2022.
But this year’s attendance was in excess of 270,000 fans across the event’s three days, which equated to an increase of visitors of roughly 40,000, a growth that has encouraged organizers to expand grandstand capacity at the venue for next year’s race. Read more
Anthony Joshua fight nearly collapsed over Robert Helenius glove demands (DailyStar)
Robert Helenius demanded to wear the same gloves as Anthony Joshua as a row left their heavyweight clash in doubt on Friday.
The Finnish man mountain was fuming with the gloves chosen by his rival ahead of Saturday’s clash at the O2. Helenius, 39, was not impressed with the padding in the Leone gloves that AJ’s camp manager David Ghansa picked out for his man to wear.
Joshua was not in the room when the row erupted as Helenius’ team demanded a change of gloves. The Finn was given a choice from various brands but was not happy with Joshua’s pair, which was chosen from a collection of Leone ones. Read more