Hardship: Endure, better days ahead, Finance Minister tells Nigerians (Tribune)
Amidst the hardships caused by federal government economic policies, Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, has urged Nigerians to continue to enduring with the assurance that relief is nearer for the people.
After a closed-door meeting with the Senate Committee on Finance, Edun stated that the initial challenges arising from the reforms are coming to an end, and positive indicators for better days are already beginning to emerge.
He said “The two critical reforms on market-based price of Premium Motor Spirit ( PMS) and foreign exchange, are now at the stage of results delivery and by extension, viability of the nation’s economy through restoration of fiscal viability. Read more
FG promises free cesarean sections for poor, vulnerable women (DailyTrust)
The federal ministry of health has launched an initiative that provides free cesarean sections for poor and vulnerable women across the country.
The initiative tagged 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 (𝐌𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐈) was launched during the Joint Annual Health Review ( JAR) organised by the ministry in Abuja.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, described the initiative as an ambitious commitment to reducing maternal and newborn mortality across Nigeria. Read more
Air crashes: NAAPE laments poor emergency response, rescue infrastructure (Sun)
The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) has raised concerns over the worrying state of Nigeria’s emergency response and rescue infrastructure and called on relevant stakeholders to take the necessary steps to close various gaps.
NAAPE’s position was necessitated by the recent crash of a Sikorsky SK76 helicopter with registration 5N-BQG, operated by East Wind Aviation that went down near Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean in Port Harcourt, Rivers State last month.
Additionally, the association has called for the inclusion of its members (pilots) on accident investigation panels, in line with global best practices, stressing that their expertise is essential for comprehensive and accurate assessments of crash causes. Read more
At editors’ conference, Tinubu says Nigeria’s economy gradually rebounding (ThisDay)
President Bola Tinubu, yesterday, said Nigeria’s economy was gradually making a rebound, attributing the progress to sustained reforms being implemented by his administration across various sectors.
Tinubu applauded the role of the media in the fight to enthrone democracy and the successes recorded by the country in its uninterrupted 25 years’ democratic journey.
The president spoke during the opening ceremony of the All Nigerian Editors’ Conference (ANEC) in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital. Read more
Sanwo-Olu’s wife preaches proper waste management (Nation)
Wife of the Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has advocated for proper waste management, especially in markets, to ensure a cleaner Lagos and better living for residents.
Mrs. Sanwo-Olu spoke at the Sabo Ultra-Modern Market Yaba, during a one-day seminar on Sanitisation and Security for Market Leaders in Yaba Local Council Development Area.
The seminar, organised by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, was to sensitise leaders on measures to prevent any forms of hazards within the markets. Read more
Lagos, JAMA JAMA empower 1,200 artisans with modern tools (Punch)
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has provided 1,200 artisans and tradesmen with modern tools and equipment, marking a significant step in their professional development.
The beneficiaries, drawn from 60 traders’ associations, were celebrated during the 12th graduation ceremony of the Lagos State Skill Acquisition Centres.
In a further effort to enhance the prospects of the newly trained artisans, the initiative is being supported by the JAMA JAMA App. Read more
Lagbaja: IGP orders Police to wear black band for 7 days (Channels)
Police personnel are to wear a black band for seven days in honour of the late Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun gave the directive in a statement signed by the Force spokesman Muyiwa Adejobi.
“Following the demise of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, has ordered officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force to wear black band throughout the 7 day mourning period,” the Thursday statement read. Read more
We’re poised to reclaim Agodi Government House in 2027 – Oyo APC (Independent)
The acting chairman of the All Progressives Congress APC in Oyo state, Alhaji Olayide Abas has assured that the Party would return to power by reclaiming the governorship seat from the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in 2027 stating that his optimism stemmed from the readiness of all stakeholders to work together as a member of the same family.
Abas made this submission on Wednesday while addressing party leaders and stalwarts from the six local government councils in Ibadan Outer City Zone who paid him a solidarity visit in Oke-Ado, Ibadan State Secretariat of the Party.
The visiting stakeholders led by Alhaji Kamoru Ajisafe, Chief Kunle Sanda, Hon. Lekan Adeyemo and Alhaji Isiaka Alimi expressed their strong belief in the ability of the former chairman of the Oyo State Hospital Management Board to steer the ship of the APC in the state while they also pledged their unflinching support and loyalty in the interest of party and its teeming members. Read more
Whoopi Goldberg says ‘‘Sister Act 3’’ script needs “readjustments” after Maggie Smith’s death (Deadline)
As Whoopi Goldberg prepares to complete the holy trinity of her Sister Act franchise, one late sister will be there in spirit.
The EGOT recently gave an update on that “Sister Act 3” is still happening after her former co-star Maggie Smith previously died at age 89 in September, but the script is currently being rewritten to adjust for her character’s absence.
“We’re having to make some readjustments because we just lost Maggie Smith, as you know,” she explained on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. “And so, we will get it done. We will get it done. It just is a shift.” Read more
Taylor Swift’s arrival at Chiefs game prompts Jason Kelce reaction before his apology (Mirror)
Jason Kelce couldn’t hide his excitement as Taylor Swift stepped into Arrowhead Stadium for “Monday Night Football” before the Kansas City Chiefs faced off against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The former Philadelphia Eagles legend, who was at the game in his new capacity as an ESPN analyst, witnessed his brother’s team clinch a 30-24 win. From her usual spot in the VIP suite, the pop sensation saw her beau, Travis Kelce, rack up 14 catches for 100 yards.
Clearly prioritising her personal life over politics, Swift skipped the last rally of Kamala Harris’ bid for the US presidency, choosing instead to support her partner in Missouri. Excitement brewed online as video clips surfaced showing the music icon arriving at the venue, with her partner’s brother visibly chuffed to see her. Read more
Dr Paul Stephenson: Civil rights campaigner and leading figure of Bristol Bus Boycott dies (Sky)
British civil rights campaigner Dr Paul Stephenson, best known for being one of the leaders of the successful Bristol Bus Boycott, has died aged 87.
Dr Stephenson helped to rally thousands of people for the 60-day boycott in 1963 after the Bristol Omnibus Company refused to hire black or Asian drivers.
The success of the boycott contributed significantly to the creation of the first Race Relations Act in parliament two years later. Read more
Argentine prosecutors charge 3 people linked to the death of former One Direction star Liam Payne (ABC)
Three people have been charged in connection with the death of Liam Payne, a former member of musical group One Direction who died after falling from the balcony of his hotel room in Buenos Aires last month, Argentine prosecutors said Thursday.
Prosecutor Andrés Madrea charged the three suspects, whose identities were not revealed, with the crimes of “abandonment of a person followed by death” and “supplying and facilitating the use of narcotics,” the prosecutor’s office said. Madrea also requested their arrest to judge Laura Bruniard, who ruled the three cannot leave the country.
Payne fell from his room’s balcony on the third floor of his hotel in the upscale neighborhood of Palermo, in the Argentine capital. His autopsy said he died from multiple injuries and external bleeding. Read more
Pete Townshend claims female One Direction fans are ‘‘fickle’’ and move ‘‘from one group to the other” (Independent)
Rock musician Pete Townshend has claimed that young female fans of bands such as One Direction are “fickle” and move “from one band to another quite quickly”.
The Who co-founder and guitarist, 79, is currently promoting his new multimedia project, The Seeker, a collaboration with his wife, composer and writer Rachel Fuller.
In a joint interview with Fuller in The Telegraph, Townshend discussed the “rock star condition” in the wake of the death of former One Direction star and solo singer Liam Payne. Read more
Kevin Costner accepts acting award while Yellowstone cast hit premiere after he snubbed final episodes (DailyMail)
Kevin Costner attended an awards ceremony in Germany on Thursday night while his former Yellowstone castmates assembled in New York for the red carpet premiere for the show’s final chapter.
The acclaimed actor and director received the BAMBI Award in the Actor International category for his acting excellence, visionary creativity, and outstanding contributions to the film industry at Bavaria Studios in Munich.
The German award, which is handed out annually by Hubert Burda Media, recognizes excellence in international media and television to personalities in the media, arts, culture, sports, and other fields ‘with vision and creativity who affected and inspired the German public that year’, both domestic and foreign. Read more
Trump names campaign manager Susie Wiles as his White House chief of staff (Guardian)
US President-elect Donald Trump has named Susie Wiles, the manager of his victorious campaign, as his White House chief of staff, the first woman to hold the influential role.
Wiles is widely credited within and outside Trump’s inner circle for running what was, by far, his most disciplined and well-executed campaign, and was seen as the leading contender for the position. She largely avoided the spotlight, even refusing to take the mic to speak as Trump celebrated his victory early on Wednesday morning.
Wiles’s hire is Trump’s first major decision as president-elect and one that could be a defining test of his incoming administration, as he must quickly build the team that will help run the federal government. Wiles does not bring government experience to the role, but has a close relationship with the president-elect. Read more
CAF WCL: Edo Queens storm Morocco for financial windfall (Punch)
Nigeria’s representatives in the 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League Edo Queens landed safely in Casablanca, Morocco for the competition, which is scheduled to kick off on November 9 and run through November 23.
The Nigerian and West African champions announced their arrival in a statement buttressed with pictures on their official X handle on Thursday, which read, “Touchdown in Morocco! We have safely landed and received a warm welcome from our hosts. We’re ready, focused, and excited for the journey ahead!”
Meanwhile, the Benin-City club look to bring back the trophy and become the first Nigerian club to do so in four editions of the competition, but they will also receive a financial windfall. Read more
Galatasaray down Spurs in Europa League; Man United end wait for win (JapanToday)
Victor Osimhen scored twice as Galatasaray inflicted a first Europa League defeat of the season on Tottenham with a 3-2 victory in Istanbul on Thursday, while Manchester United got their first win on the board by beating PAOK Thessaloniki.
The Turkish champions have 10 points from four games and have all but secured qualification for at least the knock-out play-off round, while Spurs sit in seventh place after losing their 100-percent record.
“We expected it to be a difficult match. We encountered a team as we expected. They have dangerous players,” said Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou. Read more
French minister slams “Free Palestine” banner at PSG football match (France24)
A giant “Free Palestine” banner unvelied at Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League match against Atletico Madrid was “unacceptable,” French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said on Thursday.
The banner unfurled by PSG fans on Wednesday night featured a drawing of a map including Israel, the West Bank and Gaza in the colors of the Palestinian keffiyeh scarf, which has become a symbol of support for Palestinian people.
Also on the banner were a character looking like a masked fighter, a tank and a Lebanon flag.
“War on the pitch, but peace in the world,” a message read below the banner. Read more
Swiatek exits WTA Finals after Krejcikova win (BBC)
Defending champion Iga Swiatek has been knocked out of the WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia after group rival Barbora Krejcikova beat Coco Gauff to secure her place in the semi-finals.
Polish second seed Swiatek thrashed Russian Daria Kasatkina 6-1 6-0 in her final group match – but was still relying on Gauff doing her a favour in Riyadh.
However, Wimbledon champion Krejcikova won 7-5 6-4 – having saved four break points in the game where she eventually served out the match – to move into the knockout stage at Swiatek’s expense. Read more
F1 drivers blast FIA chief’s ‘tone and language’ in swearing row (RFI)
Formula One drivers on Thursday blasted the “tone and language” used by FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem amid a row over swearing at press conferences.
In an open letter, the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA) also demanded that competitors be treated like adults.
Several drivers, including three-time world champion Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Monaco’s Charles Leclerc, were recently sanctioned by the FIA for swearing at a press conference. Read more
Chris Hoy on cancer diagnosis: “More grateful for each day’’ (ESPN)
Sir Chris Hoy has called for the NHS screening age for prostate cancer to be lowered, saying the move could save “millions of lives,” as well as reflecting on his own terminal diagnosis.
Hoy, 48, first disclosed that he had cancer in an Instagram post in February before revealing last month that he has been given between two and four years to live.Speaking to the BBC in an interview released on Tuesday, Hoy said: “If you’ve got a family history of it like I have, if you’re over the age of 45, go and ask your doctor. I’ve got a friend who, when I told him my news early on confidentially, he went and got a PSA test and it turned out he had cancer. He’s had treatment and he’s been given the all-clear.” Read more