How Dangote Refinery could be frustrated by Nigerian cabals — Obasanjo (Sun)
Nigeria’s former President Olusegun Obasanjo has stated how cabals in the nation’s oil and gas sector could frustrate the $20 billion Dangote Refinery being the sole beneficiary of refined petrol import.
Speaking against the backdrop of Dangote Refinery’s crisis with crude oil supply, Obasanjo in a chat with Financial Times said if all goes as planned, both Nigerians and foreigners will be encouraged to invest in the country.
He also pointed out that those involved in the sales of “refined products” for Nigeria feel the lucrative opportunities they enjoy will be lost. Read more
Protest: It’s shameful to attack mosques, churches – Defense Chief (Vanguard)
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa has said that it was a shameful act by miscreants to hide under the guise of protest and attack Mosques and Churches.
Musa who slammed those who vandalised the places of worship, reiterated that the military would not tolerate further acts of destruction by the hoodlums as was done in Kano, Kaduna and other places.
He said in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service monitored by our correspondent in Kaduna on Tuesday, that the Nigerian military loves democracy and shall protect it. Read more
BBNaija S9: Check out housemates up for possible eviction (NewTelegraph)
Big Brother has announced the housemates up for possible eviction on Sunday following the ongoing Season 9 of the reality TV show.
The Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) Season 9 tagged the “No Loose Guard” show have at least 22 housemates up for possible eviction after Mbadiwe twins became second pair to be saved.
New Telegraph reports that Mbadiwe twins, Ocee and Ozee, on Monday won the second week’s immunity challenge alongside team Streeze which includes, Mayor Frosh and Toby Forge who also won week two Custodian games on Sunday, are safe from this week’s nominations and eviction. Read more
NDLEA’s diving capability will discourage large cocaine shipments to Nigeria – Marwa (Nation)
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) has said the diving capacity of the Agency will discourage large shipments of cocaine to Nigeria.
Director, Media and Advocacy NDLEA Headquarters Abuja, Femi Babafemi, made this known in a statement on Tuesday, August 6.
According to the statement, the NDLEA Boss said this on the heels of the recent training and certification of officers of the Marine Command of NDLEA in basic diving, advanced open water diving and full-face mask diving. Read more
TCN restores power to affected areas in Lagos, Abuja, others (Punch)
The Transmission Company of Nigeria, on Tuesday, said that power supply has been restored to areas affected by arcing on the Benin-Egbin 330 Kilo Volt (kV) isolator at about 6:10 pm on Monday.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that arcing is an electrical discharge that occurs when electrons flow between two conductors, usually metal, in an environment with a gas or vacuum.
TCN General Manager, Public Affairs, Mrs Ndidi Mbah, said in a statement on Tuesday, that the arcing caused lines tripping and consequent loss of supply to some areas. Read more
Kidnappers demand N100m ransom for abducted Kogi LG Chair’s aides (DailyTrust)
Hoodlums have reportedly placed a ransom of N100 million on the abducted aides of Kabba/Bunu Council boss in Kogi State, Mr. Dare Zaccheaus.
The Kabba/Bunu Local Government boss, who was kidnapped along with his aides, had reportedly been abandoned by his abductors due on health grounds.
He was reported to have collapsed and unable to get up to continue the journey in the bush. Read more
Foreigners arrested over alleged involvement in protest, Kano Gov relaxes curfew (Channels)
The Kano State Police Command has announced the arrest of several foreign nationals believed to be sponsoring the protesters. This revelation came after a security meeting between the state’s Police Commissioner, Salman Dogo, and the Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf.
During the protests, which began as a call to “End Bad Governance,” some demonstrators were seen flying Russian flags, a development that has raised concerns among authorities. Following this, security forces intensified their operations, leading to the arrest of the foreign suspects.
“The police and other security agencies will clamp down on anyone attempting to tamper with the security of the state,” said Dogo, speaking to journalists after the meeting. Read more
Delta monarch pleads with protesters to stay action (Tribune)
The Ovie of the Great Idjerhe kingdom, His Majesty, Obukowho Whiskey PhD, Udurhie 1, has enjoined all protesters against #EndBadGovernance across the country to halt all actions, saying they’ve made their point.
In a statement made available to our correspondent on Tuesday morning, the journalist-turned-monarch appealed to the protesters to sheathe their swords and douse the tension.
HM Whiskey, who condemned the wanton destruction trailing the protest, urged a redirection of energy and human resources to dialogue and alternative dispute resolutions to address issues of national interest. Read more
Reneé Rapp brings out Chance the Rapper for surprise Lollapalooza 2024 performance (People)
Reneé Rapp had a special hometown surprise for Lollapalooza attendees this year.
On Friday, August 2, the “Tummy Hurts” singer, 24, shocked festival-goers by bringing out Chance the Rapper to join her onstage for her evening set at the annual event. The Chicago native, 31, came out to his 2016 hit “No Problem,” which he and Rapp both performed for the energized crowd at Chicago’s Grant Park.
At the end of her set, the Snow Angel performer thanked Chance “for just being Chance the Rapper,” excitedly adding, “I was geeked… I was so f—ing excited.” Read more
Kamala Harris is now Democratic presidential nominee (VOA)
Vice President Kamala Harris, a daughter of immigrants who rose through the California political and law enforcement ranks to become the first female vice president in US history, formally secured the Democratic presidential nomination on Monday — becoming the first woman of color to lead a major party ticket.
More than four years after her first attempt at the presidency collapsed, Harris’ coronation as her party’s standard-bearer caps a tumultuous and frenetic period for Democrats prompted by President Joe Biden’s disastrous June debate performance that shattered his own supporters’ confidence in his reelection prospects and spurred extraordinary intraparty warfare about whether he should stay in the race.
Just as soon as Biden abruptly ended his candidacy, Harris and her team worked rapidly to secure backing from the 1,976 party delegates needed to clinch the nomination in a formal roll call vote. Read more
Jelly Roll halts concert to help cancer survivor with “full-blown IV’’ (Fox)
Former convict turned beloved musician Jelly Roll took the time to help a fan in need at one of his concerts.
The country artist, who was headlining the Tailgate N’ Tallboys country music festival in Michigan late last month, was preparing to play his next song in front of a packed crowd when he noticed a young woman near the stage.
“First of all, there’s a young lady right here in the front of the crowd,” he said in a video shared by a fan on TikTok. The singer quickly turned his attention to finding his cameraman, wanting the tender moment to be captured. Read more
Go Compare singer to join Strictly line-up for 2024 (Sky)
The star of the Go Compare adverts – Welsh opera singer Wynne Evans – will be competing in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.
He will join singer and actress Toyah Willcox and TV doctor Punam Krishan, as well as comedian Chris McCausland and JLS star JB Gill who were announced on Monday.
The second group of celebrities to sign up for the juggernaut dance show this year was unveiled during Vernon Kay’s BBC Radio 2 show on Tuesday. Read more
Freddie Flintoff “cried every 2 minutes” and “didn’t leave house for months” after Top Gear horror crash (OK!)
An emotional Freddie Flintoff has opened up about the severe injuries and crippling anxiety he suffered following his Top Gear crash, which left him housebound for months and “crying every two minutes” for weeks. Discussing the December 2022 incident, the ex-cricketer shared that he’s been plagued by flashbacks and nightmares of the near-fatal event.
In a raw new TV documentary, viewers will see footage Freddie recorded at home, showcasing the extent of his facial injuries and capturing his fragile state.
Speaking to the camera with evident emotion, Freddie says: “Week and a half after my accident. Genuinely should not be here after what happened. This is going to be a long road back and I have only just started and I am struggling already. I need help. I really am not the best at asking for it. I need to stop crying every two minutes.” Read more
‘House of the Dragon’ to end with Season 4 (UPI)
House of the Dragon is set to end with Season 4.
Showrunner and co-creator Ryan Condal announced his plans for the Game of Thrones prequel at a press conference on Monday, explaining the story has already been mapped out.
Season 2 ended Sunday with the third eight-episode season expected to go into production next year. Read more
Police braced for more riots today as more than 400 suspects arrested (Mirror)
More than 400 suspects have now been arrested in the wake of violence around the country – there were 46 charges yesterday and 18 overnight, including Jordan Parlour, 28, who is accused of intending to stir up racial hatred on Facebook.
Police are ready for further disorder as they prepare for at least 30 potential gatherings tomorrow, sources say.
More than 400 suspects have now been arrested in the wake of violence around the country. Read more
Olympics: Nathaniel breaks 12 years jinx, Ogazi advances to men’s 400m semifinals (Leadership)
Team Nigeria’s Ezekiel Nathaniel broke a 12-year record to advance to the semifinals of the men’s 400m hurdles event at the ongoing Paris 2024 Olympic Games yesterday.
He secured his place in the semifinal by finishing second in heat 4 with 48.32 secs, becoming the first Nigerian to achieve the feat in 12 years after Amaechi Morton at the London 2012 Olympics. Read more
Paris Olympics: Nigeria’s Brume, Usoro, Ochonogor qualify for long jump final (Punch)
The trio of Ese Brume, Ruth Usoro, and Prestina Ochonogor secured their places in the women’s long jump final at the Paris 2024 Olympics on Tuesday.
This is the first time three Nigerian women have reached the event’s final in Olympic history.
Brume, an Olympic bronze medallist, shook off a shaky start that saw her in 9th place to leap 6.7 metres in her final attempt, earning automatic qualification for the final. Read more
Edo Queens sign 14 ahead of Champions League tourney (Nation)
Edo Queens have signed 14 new players ahead of this month’s West Zone B (WAFU-B) Women’s Champions League Qualifiers in Cote D’Ivoire.
Folashade Ijamilusi, who ended the 2023/2024 Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership season as the top goal scorer with eight goals, has joined the Benin City-based side from FC Robo Queens.
Moses Aduku’s side also announced the arrival of Bayelsa Queens top choice goalkeeper, Monle Oyono ahead of their trip to Cote D’Ivoire. Read more
‘I’m ready to give 100 per cent’ — Boniface eager to shine again at Leverkusen (CompleteSports)
Victor Boniface is looking forward to the new season at Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen.
Boniface enjoyed a successful first season with Die Werkself winning the double.
The forward scored 21 goals and provided 10 assists in 34 appearances for Xabi Alonso’s side. Read more
Paris 2024 Olympics: Kipyegon recovers from his jostling with Tsegay (AfricaNews)
Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon began her quest for a third consecutive Olympic 1,500m title on Tuesday, turning the page on an eventful evening that ultimately ended with a medal for her.
Kipyegon finished fourth in her first round and qualified for the semi-finals. The day before, in the 5,000m, Kipyegon had won a silver medal, which she lost following a disqualification for exchanging elbows with Gudaf Tsegay , before seeing it reinstated on appeal. Read more
UFC fighter survives drive-by shooting in Florida (BBC)
UFC fighter Ramon Taveras says a “group of armed men” tried to shoot him outside his mother’s house in Duval, Florida.
Taveras, 30, released doorbell footage of the incident on 29 July, which shows a car driving by and opening fire as he left the house.
The American, who was born and raised in Jacksonville, lost his brother to gun violence in 2019. Read more