I was once asked to leave the stage for P-Square -Flavour (Punch)
Nigerian high-life singer, Chinedu Okoli, popularly known as Flavour N’abania, has shared a story of his journey to stardom, recounting how he was once asked to leave the stage during a performance for P-Square, a popular Nigerian music duo.
In an interview released on Sunday by In My Opinion podcast, Flavour narrated how he began his music career as a choir conductor and drummer in the church.
“They saw how dedicated I was and introduced me to a man who owned a music company and trained young boys,” he said. Read more
Davido reacts to father’s N1b church donation (Nation)
Afrobeats superstar Davido has responded to his father’s generous donation of N1 billion to the Centenary Endowment Fund of the Cherubim and Seraphim (C&S) Church.
The Nation reported that Adedeji Adeleke made the donation in memory of his mother, Esther Adeleke, during her remembrance service.
Davido praised his father’s philanthropic efforts, stating that he loves to support the church and education. Read more
Oyo APC chairman dies in US (DailyTrust)
Isaac Omodewu, chairman of the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), is dead.
He was said to have died in the United States of America (USA).
Omodewu had left Nigeria in November 2023 for a medical trip.
He, however, succumbed to death after close to a year, receiving treatment for an undisclosed ailment in the USA, where he was a citizen. Read more
Isese Day: Lagos declares Tuesday work-free day (Nation)
The Lagos state government has declared Tuesday, August 20, as work-free for public servants to mark this year’s Isese Day celebration.
This was announced in a circular issued by the Head of Service, Bode Agoro.
According to the circular, the governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu had approved that Tuesday, 20th August, 2024 be declared a work-free day for public servants in the State. Read more
Gov Yusuf orders probe of alleged drug supply contract across 44 Kano LGAs (Tribune)
Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf has ordered an immediate investigation into allegations of a drug supply contract across the 44 Local Government Councils of the state.
This development may be related to recent allegations made by a popular skitmaker, who claimed in a video that the state government was involved in a drug supply contract.
Governor Yusuf has denied any knowledge of the contract and has directed the Chairman of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC), Bar. Muhuyi Rimingado, to conduct an investigation into the allegations. Read more
CITN urges states to emulate Lagos’ revenue portal (Leadership)
The Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) has commended the move by the Lagos state government on the launch of the Lagos State Revenue Portal (LRP) which is targeted at simplifying the state’s revenue administration process, calling on other states to emulate the move.
President and chairman of council of the institute, Samuel Agbeluyi, in a statement, commended the initiative saying it is critical to engendering confidence in the fiscal management and governance practices of the state government particularly revenues generated internally.
“The launch of the portal Leveraging on technology has the potential of improving tax and other regulatory payments compliance levels as simplifying the process would result in improved revenue collections for the State. Read more
Supreme Court reserves judgement on Bayelsa, Kogi guber disputes (Vanguard)
The Supreme Court, on Monday, reserved its judgement on separate appeals that are seeking to nullify results of the last governorship elections in Bayelsa and Kogi States.
A five-man panel of the apex court led by Justice Garba Lawal, adjourned to deliver judgements on the appeals, after all the parties adopted their final briefs of argument.
While the appeal seeking to invalidate the election of Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, was filed by candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the gubernatorial poll that held in the state on November 11, 2023, Chief Timipre Sylva, the appeal against Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi State was filed by the Social Democratic Party, SDP, and its candidate, Muritala Ajaka. Read more
NEMA delivers 1,528 metric tonnes of grains to Jigawa (Channels)
The National Emergency Management Agency has delivered 1,528.2 metric tonnes of assorted grains to support the locals in Jigawa State.
In a statement posted on X.com on Monday, the agency noted that the distribution was approved by President Bola Tinubu and managed by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
The grains are for allocation to vulnerable Nigerians across the 36 states and Federal Capital Territory. Read more
Jasmila Zbanic prepping sequel to Oscar nominee ‘‘Quo Vadis, Aida?’’ (Variety)
Oscar-nominated filmmaker Jasmila Žbanić is prepping a sequel to her harrowing war drama “Quo Vadis, Aida?,” which competed for best international feature film at the 93rd Academy Awards, Variety can exclusively reveal.
Speaking at the Sarajevo Film Festival, Žbanić said the film will explore the tragic consequences of the 1990s Bosnian War and the brutal massacre at the heart of her critically acclaimed Oscar contender, which follows a Bosnian UN translator (Jasna Đuričić) torn between family and duty in Srebrenica, where more than 8,000 civilians — mostly Muslim men and boys — were slaughtered in the worst act of mass killing on European soil since World War II. Read more
Taylor Swift’s dad Scott hands out chicken tenders to fans during London Eras Tour Show (People)
Taylor Swift’s dad, Scott Swift, is making sure Swifties are well-fed while watching his superstar daughter perform at the Eras Tour.
On Saturday, Aug. 17, TikTok user Stephanie Niemiec of New York City posted a video of herself and a friend receiving chicken tenders from Scott mid-concert at Wembley Stadium in London.
“Scott handing out chicken during [“Style”] somehow makes sense,” she wrote over the video, referring to Taylor’s hit single from 1989 and 1989 (Taylor’s Version). “Thank you for the chicken,” she said to Scott in the video before turning her phone around and adding, “The chicken is fresh.” Read more
Kenya plans to reinstate some taxes to raise $1.2b (VOA)
The Kenyan government plans to raise about $1.2 billion by reinstating some unpopular taxes contained in a finance bill that was scrapped in the face of deadly street protests, a government minister said.
President William Ruto had warned of a funding shortfall after he decided in June to drop the controversial tax hikes after a bloody day in Nairobi that saw the storming of parliament and police firing live bullets on demonstrators.
Finance Minister John Mbadi told private station Citizen TV on Sunday that the government was considering about 49 tax measures to try to raise roughly 150 billion shillings ($1.2 billion). Read more
Sicily yacht latest: British tycoon Mike Lynch missing after boat sinks in Palermo storm (Metro)
British tech tycoon Mike Lynch is among seven people missing after a £14 million yacht sank off the coast of Sicily early this morning.
Mr Lynch, once described as Britain’s Bill Gates, was on board the Bayesian when it was struck by a violent storm around 5am but was not one of the 15 people rescued.
A British mum who survived the sinking described the terrifying scenes as the vessel went down. Read more
Banksy’s London Zoo mural has been removed for “safekeeping” (NME)
Banksy’s ninth and final animal-themed mural across London has been removed by the London Zoo for “safekeeping”.
The nine-piece series first began on Monday (August 5) with a stencilled goat mural perching precariously on a ledge in Richmond, followed on Tuesday by two elephants almost touching trunks outside windows in Chelsea. Since then, Banky has revealed a new animal-themed mural every day until August 13.
Last Tuesday (August 13), the elusive Banksy premiered the ninth and final animal mural on the shutters of the London Zoo, which depicts a gorilla lifting up the shutters for other animals to escape. Read more
Father-son duo Dan and Eugene Levy to host this year’s Emmy Awards (Global)
Eugene and Dan Levy are bringing their father-son comedy stylings to the Emmy Awards.
The Canadian stars and co-creators of Schitt’s Creek say they are thrilled to host the awards ceremony next month.
“For two Canadians who won our Emmys in a literal quarantine tent, the idea of being asked to host this year in an actual theatre was incentive enough,” the pair said in a statement posted Friday to the Television Academy website. Read more
After 3-hour Blinken meeting, Netanyahu says Israel backs new US hostage proposal (TimesOfIsrael)
After a three-hour meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Jerusalem on Monday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu put out a statement publicly backing the latest US “bridging proposal” that was presented to Israel and conveyed to Hamas at the end of talks in Doha last week.
“The Prime Minister reiterated Israel’s commitment to the current American proposal on the release of our hostages, which takes into account Israel’s security needs, which he strongly insists on,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement issued in Hebrew and English.
The statement marked the first time Netanyahu publicly endorsed the latest US formula. Read more
Dominican Republic 2024: Flamingos begin first phase of final camping (CompleteSports)
Head Coach Bankole Olowookere has invited 35 players to the camp of Nigeria’s U17 girls, Flamingos, as the team commences the first phase of final preparations for the 8th FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals to be staged in the Dominican Republic later this year.
The Nigerian girls notched an awe-inspiring total of 25 goals in six matches in the qualifying race, routing the Central African Republic by six goals in each leg, dismissing Burkina Faso 7-1 on aggregate in the third round and turning back Liberia 6-1 on aggregate in the final round.
Extraordinary poacher Harmony Chidi, who set a jaw-dropping record of 13 goals in the qualifying series, tops the list of invitees alongside her strike partner Peace Effiong, with team captain Taiwo Afolabi, goalkeeper Chrstiana Uzoma and defender Prisca Nwachukwu also prominent. Read more
Osimhen ready to snub Chelsea for French giants (Punch)
Victor Osimhen is set to snub Chelsea and wait for long-time Paris Saint-Germain, who are now ready to make a final decision on his transfer, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The Blues have been seeking the signature of the Nigeria international all summer but were initially rebuffed by Napoli, with the 2022/23 Serie A champions insisting that his £113m release clause must be paid in full.
The 25-year-old is said to be ranking prominently on their wish list to lead their line during the 2024/25 season. Read more
Caitlin Clark overcomes slow start, sets assists record as Fever beat Storm (UPI)
Caitlin Clark made just one of her first six shots before going on to total 23 points and set the WNBA’s single-season assists record for a rookie, while leading the Indiana Fever to a win over the Seattle Storm.
Clark made 9 of 19 attempts, including 6 of 9 in the second half, and scored 15 points over the final 20 minutes of the 92-75 triumph Sunday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. She also recorded nine assists and five rebounds.
“It’s definitely cool,” Clark told reporters. “If you would have told me I’d lead the league in assists coming in here my rookie season, I probably would have told you you were lying. Read more
Olympic cyclist found dead in her apartment after ‘choking on food’ (Mirror)
Daniela Larreal Chirinos failed to show up at the hotel where she worked, concerned colleagues alerted the authorities.
An Olympic cyclist was tragically found dead in her apartment after reportedly choking on her food.
Daniela Larreal Chirinos, 50, failed to show up at the hotel where she worked, prompting worried colleagues to alert the authorities. Read more
Sinner beats Zverev to reach Cincinnati Open final (BBC)
World number one Jannik Sinner overcame Alexander Zverev in a three-set thriller to reach the final of the Cincinnati Open.
It took top seed Sinner three hours and seven minutes to seal a 7-6 (11-9) 5-7 7-6 (7-4) semi-final victory.
The 23-year-old Italian had lost all four of his previous matches against German Zverev but battled through a hip problem to advance to the final. Read more
Koepka wins LIV Golf Greenbrier in a playoff over Rahm (WashingtonTimes)
Brooks Koepka picked up his second LIV Golf League victory of the year Sunday when he shot 7-under 63 at The Greenbrier and beat Jon Rahm with a par on the first playoff hole.
Rahm, who lost a four-shot lead on the back nine at the Olympics two weeks ago, started the third and final round with a two-shot lead and closed with a 65. He birdied two of his last three holes to match Koepka at 19-under 191 and force a playoff.
In the playoff at the par-3 18th, Rahm went over the green and into the bunker, a tough shot in which one foot was in the sand. He blasted out to about 25 feet, and his par putt to extend the playoff caught the edge of the cup. Read more