House rejects N5b presidential yacht, raises student loan allocation to N10b (ThisDay)
The House of Representatives has rejected the N5 billion budgetary allocation for presidential yacht and increased student loan allocation from N5.5 billion to 10 billion.
President Bola Tinubu had in a supplementary budget presented to the National Assembly earmarked N5 billion for presidential Yacht.
The Chairman of the House of Representative’s Committee on Appropriation, Abubakar Bichi Abubakar, disclosed this while briefing journalists on Thursday. Read more
Senate approves N2.1t supplementary budget (Vanguard)
The Senate has approved President Bola Tinubu’s 2023, N2.1 trillion supplementary budget for the 2023 fiscal year.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, hit the gavel announcing the approval after putting the report to a voice vote by Senators.
This was a sequel to the adoption and debate of the report of the Senate Committee on Appropriations during Thursday’s plenary.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Adeola Olamilekan, had laid the committee’s report which was adopted and debated before Akpabio put it to voice vote and Senators across party lines voted in favour. Read more
$53m Debt: Judge threatens to order Emefiele’s arrest (Punch)
The Federal High Court in Abuja has given former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, till January 25 to appear in court to explain the circumstances surrounding the $53m judgment debt arising from the Paris Club refund.
Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a short ruling on Wednesday, gave Emefiele another opportunity to appear in court in person or he would issue a warrant for his arrest.
The development followed a plea by Emefiele’s counsel, Audu Anuga (SAN), that all efforts to ensure that his appearance in court had been unsuccessful as he was still in custody. Read more
Sanwo-Olu commissions Yaba Overpass Bridge (Nation)
In fulfillment of his recent pledge the Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Thursday, November 2, cut the tape to open the Yaba Overpass Bridge for use.
The Yaba Overpass is one of the four that the state government has lined up for commissioning.
The remaining overpasses waiting to be commissioned are at Oyingbo, Mushin, and Ikeja Overpass. Read more
Incessant explosions: Lagos sets safety standards for retail gas operators (Tribune)
The Lagos State government has introduced safety standards for retail gas operators within the state to mitigate the recurring incidents of gas explosions and fires that frequently result in the loss of lives and properties.
Mr Lanre Mojola, the Director-General of the Lagos State Safety Commission (LSSCOM), emphasised this during his keynote address at a one-day training program for gas retailers conducted in collaboration with the State Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.
Mojola pointed out several factors contributing to explosions, including the adulteration of gases, mishandling of cylinders, and the use of industrial and cooking gases near potential sources of ignition. He also cited the proliferation of gas retail outlets and the inadequate training of operators and users in safely handling gas as additional causes.
Ajaero responding to treatment after Imo ‘‘attack’’ – Labour Leader (Channels)
The General Secretary of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Nuhu Toro, has provided an update on the condition of the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, following his arrest in Imo State on Wednesday.
Channels Television reported that Ajaero was arrested in Owerri, the capital of Imo State on Wednesday during a protest by workers in Imo State over an alleged “serial and habitual abuse and violation” of their rights by the state government.
According to the police, Ajeoro was taken into custody for his protection, but the NLC said he was brutalised after his arrest. Read more
Edun, Customs CG meet to align with Tinubu’s 8-point agenda (Guardian)
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, recently met with the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, to align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 8-point agenda.
The Ministry of Finance disclosed this in a statement on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday after Edun and Adeniyi discussed the NCS’ strategy for the alignment.
“They discussed the NCS’ strategy for alignment with the President’s 8-point agenda, including the all-important national single window implementation,” the Ministry of Finance posted. Read more
Natasha Akpoti sworn in as Kogi Central Senator (DailyTrust)
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has sworn in the new senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The oath of office was administered on Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Clerk of the Senate, Mr. Chinedu Akubueze during plenary on Thursday.
After taking the oath, the new Senator was handed a copy of the Senate Standing Rules by Akpabio. Read more
Kate Beckinsale exits dental surgery with ice pack and wheelchair (People)
Kate Beckinsale left the dentist in a wheelchair with an ice pack wrapped around her face!
On Wednesday, the actress, 50, revealed how she looked after a dental procedure. “Just for balance and to answer a question I am sometimes asked ‘do you ever take a bad picture’ may I direct you to the absolute D— MAGNET that left the dentist surgery this morning,” Beckinsale wrote in her caption.
In the snap, the Underworld: Blood Wars actress crossed her arms as she sat in a wheelchair with an ice pack strapped around her head and chin. Beckinsale’s mouth was also slightly open, with what appeared to be cotton gauzes placed inside. Read more
Killers of two tourists and their guide shot dead – Ugandan army (AfricaNews)
At least 11 militants, including the attackers who murdered two tourists and their tour guide at the Queen Elizabeth National Park, Western Region of Uganda last month have been killed.
The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) spokesperson Lt Col Deo Akiiki said the attackers were gunned down on Tuesday night on Lake Edward, near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The UPDF reported that British citizen David Barlow and his South African wife Emmaretia Geyer were shot dead on their honeymoon in the 17 October attack. A Ugandan tour guide Eric Alyai – who is survived by his wife and one-year-old child – was also killed in the attack. “We immediately launched a massive operation to track down the militants from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF)” says Lt Col Deo Akiik. Read more
Glastonbury 2024 coach and ticket sale cancelled with new date issued (Mirror)
Glastonbury Festival organisers have scrapped tonight’s sale for coach tickets for the 2024 weekend – hours before the release in a shock move that has left fans reeling.
Festival ticket sales have been delayed by two weeks “out of fairness” to certain customers who did not realise their registration had expired. It comes after some older profiles were suddenly deleted, with people claimed they had not been made aware of the problem.
The statement, which came just four four hours before tickets with coach travel were due to go on sale, was shared on social media today and reads: “This year’s Glastonbury ticket sale has been moved back by two weeks. This is to ensure that everyone who would like to buy a ticket is registered and therefore eligible to purchase one. Read more
Jason Aldean finally names 1 change he’d make to his controversial music video (HuffPost)
Jason Aldean reveals what he would change about the controversial “Try That in a Small Town” music video if he gave it another go.
“I would do it over again, every time,” said Aldean of the video in a “CBS Mornings” interview before adding, “minus the setting, knowing what I know now, obviously, you know, knowing that that was gonna be a thing, you know, maybe you look at doing it somewhere else.”
The country singer has previously gone to bat for the song and its accompanying visuals, which feature shots of Aldean performing at the site of the 1927 killing of Henry Choate, a Black teen lynched by a Tennessee mob. Read more
HBO Chief Casey Bloys concedes fake Twitter accounts were a “very dumb idea” (THR)
In the wake of allegations that his division used fake Twitter accounts to undermine TV critics posting tepid reviews of HBO programming, network chief executive Casey Bloys addressed the claim during a meeting with the press on Thursday.
At a presentation of HBO’s 2024 content slate, Bloys cast the Twitter accounts as part of a pandemic era “dumb idea.”
“For those of you who know me, you know that I am a programming executive, very, very passionate about the shows that we decided to do, and the people who do them and the people who work on them, I want the shows to be great,” Bloys said, adding: “So when you think of that mindset, and then think of 2020 and 2021. I’m home working from home, spending an unhealthy amount of time scrolling through Twitter. And I came up with a very, very dumb idea to vent my frustration.” Read more
Australian woman charged with murder over suspected death cap mushroom poisonings (CNN)
Australian police have brought murder charges against a woman who served a lunch earlier this year that led to the deaths of three people from suspected death cap mushroom poisoning.
Victoria Police confirmed a 49-year-old woman was charged with three counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder after being arrested in connection with the case Thursday morning.
Local media, including CNN regional affiliates and national broadcaster ABC, identified the woman as Erin Patterson, 49, who police have previously identified as the person who cooked and served the meal that ended in the deaths. When asked to confirm the woman’s identity, Victoria Police declined to comment. Read more
Russia says Ukrainian drones launched an attack near Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (StraitsTimes)
Russia on Thursday said Ukraine was risking a nuclear disaster after nine Ukrainian drones were shot down by Russian forces near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear station, Europe’s largest atomic power plant.
The Zaporizhzhia plant, which has been under Russian control since early March 2022, has six Soviet-designed VVER-1000 V-320 water-cooled and water-moderated reactors containing Uranium 235.
Four of the reactors are shut down while two of the reactors – No. 4 and No. 5 – are in so-called ‘hot shutdown’ mode, according to the Russian operator of the plant. Read more
Okoye plays first game in 14 months (Punch)
Super Eagles goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye, made his debut for Udinese in Wednesday’s Coppa Italia round of 32 clash at home to Cagliari, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
It was Okoye’s first game in 14 months since he completed a four-year deal with the Italian club in the summer.
The 23-year-old spent one season at Watford and made only two appearances following his arrival from Eredivisie side, Sparta Rotterdam, last year. Read more
Gusau affirms NFF commitment to futsal, beach soccer (Nation)
In the frame of providing inspiration, support and encouragement to all aspects of the Nigeria Football sector to grow and attain some level of sustainability, the Ibrahim Musa Gusau-led NFF has pledged to support futsal and beach soccer to return to full-steam activities.
Speaking during a courtesy call by a team from Futsal Nigeria, a private entity that is partnering with the NFF officially to promote and project the game of futsal (5-A-Side football) in Nigeria, Gusau recalled that the country previously participated in a Futsal World Cup qualifying fixture against Egypt a decade ago, and has actually made its mark in beach soccer in the continent and globally before a deliberate hiatus some years ago.
“Some years ago, we decided to stop taking part in beach soccer at international level until such a time that we have grown the game locally with a stable league and clubs that have true passion for the game. I believe that we have achieved that now, and it is time that we encourage and support futsal and beach soccer again to return to full action. Read more
Real Madrid forward Rodrygo extends contract until 2028 (BBC)
Brazil forward Rodrygo has signed a new extended contract at Real Madrid until 2028 with a reported release clause of one billion euros.
The 22-year-old has scored 39 goals in 179 games for Real and also has 18 Brazil caps.
The forward joined the La Liga club aged 18 from Brazilian side Santos.
During his time at Real he has won two La Liga titles, the Copa del Rey, the Uefa Champions League, the European Super Cup and the Club World Cup. Read more
“Fighter” Ten Hag vows to solve Man Utd crisis (France24)
Erik ten Hag insisted he will fight to save Manchester United’s troubled season after their dismal League Cup exit against Newcastle piled increased pressure on the beleaguered boss.
Ten Hag’s side slumped to a miserable 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford for the second time in four days as Newcastle dumped United out in the fourth round.
Hot on the heels of their limp Manchester derby loss to Pep Guardiola’s champions on Sunday, United’s latest calamity added to the growing feeling that Ten Hag is in danger of being sacked. Read more
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix “not at risk” of cancellation amid Middle East unrest caused by Israel-Hamas war, says F1 (Sky)
Formula 1 says the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is “not at risk” of cancellation despite unrest in the region caused by the Israel-Hamas war.
Following speculation on social media on Thursday morning that “safety concerns” could lead to the race being cancelled, F1 released a statement dismissing the claims regarding the event, which is scheduled to take place from November 24-26.
The rumours are understood to have been triggered by a UK Foreign Office update on Sunday, which said British tourists visiting the United Arab Emirates should be wary of the increased threat of terrorist attacks. Read more
Wayne Barnes announces retirement after refereeing Rugby World Cup final (Guardian)
Wayne Barnes has officially announced his retirement after refereeing 111 Tests, making his last match the World Cup final between South Africa and New Zealand.
Barnes, 44, brought to a close nearly three decades of refereeing having started in his teens, by saying it was the right time for him and his family to hang up the whistle. He spoke of his pride at taking the reins across five Rugby World Cups and 26 Six Nations matches, and, having been attacked himself on social media in recent years, pledged to continue to support officials against online abuse and threats in his retirement. Read more
