Labour strike cripples activities in Abuja, States (DailyTrust)
The indefinite strike by the organised labour Tuesday paralysed government and business activities at the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and in most states.
The Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress embarked on an indefinite strike on Tuesday in protest against the alleged assault on NLC President Joe Ajaero in Imo State on November 1.
Official activities across the six area councils of the FCT were grounded as workers joined in the strike action. Those who turned up at the secretariat of the FCT Administration were chased out of their offices by labour officials enforcing compliance. Read more
Nigerian rapper Oladips is dead (Channels)
Nigerian rapper Oladipupo Olabode Oladimeji, popularly known as Oladips, is dead.
The 28-year-old artiste died on Tuesday evening, two years after battling with an unknown ailment.
This was disclosed in a statement by his management via his verified Instagram page on Wednesday. Read more
Nationwide strike: NASS holds emergency meeting (Tribune)
The House of Representatives resolved on Wednesday to collaborate with their Senate counterparts in an attempt to bring an end to the ongoing nationwide strike initiated by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC).
The resolution was made during the plenary session following the adoption of a motion of ‘Urgent National Importance’, brought forward by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu.
The motion came on the heels of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) shutting down all the gates leading into the National Assembly complex, Abuja, in compliance with the directive of the Labour movement. Read more
Police launch manhunt for killers of Lagos politician (Punch)
The Lagos State Police Command said it had launched a manhunt for the suspected killers of a politician identified as Samsondeen Ali, in the Oworonshoki area of the state.
PUNCH Metro gathered that Ali was allegedly killed by two persons at the Precious Seed Community in Oworonshoki on Saturday after an argument ensued between him and the yet-to-be-identified hoodlums, suspected to be land grabbers.
A source in the community who spoke with PUNCH Metro on the condition of anonymity said Ali, who contested the councillorship position in the area, was attempting to erect a fence behind his house to stop illegal passage when he was confronted by the hoodlums. Read more
LP, PDP vs Sanwo-Olu: Our decision is unanimous, says Appeal Court (Nation)
The State and National Assembly Appeal Court sitting in Lagos has begun hearing the appeals filed by the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Olajide Adediran, and the Labour Party (LP), Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour against the victory of Babajide Sanwo-Olu as the validly elected winner of the March 18 election for the office of the governor of Lagos state.
The three-man panel told the court before reading their judgment that their decision was unanimous.
The judges began the proceedings at 3:06 pm. Read more
NSA urges labour to rescind strike, says attackers of Ajaero arrested (Vanguard)
The National Security Adviser, NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu has said that the federal government regrets the incident leading to the brutalization of the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress President, Comrade Joe Ajaero and condemns it in its entirety.
Ribadu who also disclosed that Ajaero’s attack and brutalization was against the rule of law and principles of freedom of association and freedom of expression, said that following directives to relevant agencies, some arrests have been made of the perpetrators.
The NSA subsequently appealed to the labour leadership to call off the current strike action and allow the dialogue process over the issues, underway, to be exhausted. Read more
Army troops kill bandit, recover ammunition in Kaduna (Guardian)
Troops from the Nigerian Army on Tuesday killed one bandit in Kaduna State while they also recovered some weapons and ammunition from terrorists and other criminal elements.
The spokesperson of 1 Division Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Musa Yahaya in a statement said the troops achieved this feat after acting on credible intelligence.
“In its effort to clear bandits, terrorists and other criminal elements from Kaduna forests, troops of 1 Division Nigerian Army acting on credible intelligence laid ambush on bandits arms and ammunition supplier at Chikun and Kajuru Local Government Areas of Kaduna State along road Kwant-Kabai-Kubusu on Tuesday, 14 November 2023,” Yahaya said. Read more
MTN plans 9mobile spectrum acquisition (Punch)
MTN Nigeria is in talks with 9mobile to acquire its operating spectrum.
The spectrum trade deal between Emerging Markets Telecommunication Services Limited and MTN Nigeria is still an ongoing conversation, according to sources close to the matter.
A source told The PUNCH, “There are ongoing conversations for the acquisition of their operating spectrum, which is the only one they have. Once we get the spectrum, we have got everything too. There is an ongoing conversation.
“Once we have the spectrum, it is more like we have taken over the company. The spectrum is what they use to operate, once they don’t have it again, they can’t. I can’t confirm how much is being discussed yet.” Read more
Dido signs record deal for new music (MusicNews)
Dido has inked a new record deal with Warner Chappell – including new music.
The ‘‘White Flag’’ hitmaker – who achieved global success with her 1999 debut album ‘‘No Angel’’ – is thrilled to be working with the label that supported her from the start of her career.
Dido, 51, said: “Warner Chappell have been there for me from the very beginning of my songwriting journey, well over 25 years ago. They gave me my start and helped me create the songs that were the foundations of my first record and then over the years continued to be family. I’m excited for all the things we will create together now.” Read more
Madagascar faces deadlock after majority of presidential candidates call boycott (France24)
Madagascar’s Andry Rajoelina is pushing ahead with a presidential election that could give him a second term, even as opposition protests roil the island nation and the majority of candidates have announced a boycott.
Rajoelina, a 49-year-old former DJ, initially faced 12 competitors for Thursday’s election. But a collective of 10 candidates on Monday said they would not take part, claiming the electoral process is full of flaws. They encouraged people to stay away from polling booths.
Those boycotting are a collective of former political rivals including former leaders Marc Ravalomanana and Hery Rajaonarimampianina. They have organised peaceful marches across the capital almost every day since late September but security forces have violently put them down, leading to serious injuries and dozens of arrests. Read more
Woman crushed at South Africa victory parade dies (BBC)
A young woman, whose leg was allegedly crushed by an armoured police vehicle at the victory parade of the South African rugby team in the city of East London, has died in hospital, local media report.
Minentle Noqhamka, 21, had her leg amputated after the vehicle hit her as the team was escorted away from the East London city hall on 5 November amid pushing and shoving by crowds of people, the News24 website reports.
At the time, police were quoted as saying that a case of reckless and negligent driving had been opened against the driver of the vehicle. Read more
Material from Prince’s butt-baring VMA suit up for auction, among other unforgettable items (Fox)
Prince’s hit music, riveting performances and bold fashion sense are just a few of the things he is remembered for after his untimely death.
Prince died on April 21, 2016, when he was only 57 years old.
Until Thursday, Nov. 16, fans and collectors can place bids online for the “Fashion of Prince Auction,” overseen by RR Auction. RR Auction is a Boston company that sells a wide variety of collectibles, memorabilia, autographed items and more. Read more
Will Smith brands Duane Martin sex claims ‘‘unequivocally false’’ (FilmNews)
Will Smith has denied an “unequivocally false” allegation that he had sex with actor Duane Martin.
During a recent interview with YouTuber Tasha K, a man named Brother Bilaal, who claimed to be Smith’s former friend and personal assistant, alleged he once walked in on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air co-stars having sex in Martin’s dressing room.
After the allegation went viral on social media on Tuesday, a representative for the
The Oscar-winning actor shut down the claim. Read more
Reese Witherspoon’s son slammed for showing off lavish NYC flat his parents pay for (Mirror)
Reese Witherspoon’s son Deacon has been forced to face nepo baby criticism after he showed off his lavish NYC apartment.
The 20-year-old invited TikTok star Caleb Simpson, who made a following of 7.8million by touring expensive homes, into his home to view the swanky college apartment. Deacon, a New York University student was slammed by viewers for being a nepo baby and failing to mention his “extremely wealthy parents.”
One viewer wrote: “Rich kids / nepo babies LOVE to avoid mentioning their extremely wealthy parents,” while a second added: “Let’s not forget that his mom and dad are wealthy celebrities,” referring to Deacon’s mum, Reese and dad, actor Ryan Phillippe. “He could afford the whole place if he wanted to!” Read more
Greta Thunberg pleads not guilty to public order offence (BBC)
Climate campaigner Greta Thunberg has appeared before magistrates to deny a public order offence after her arrest at a protest in central London.
The 20-year-old Swedish national was detained at a demonstration near the InterContinental Hotel in Mayfair on 17 October as oil executives met inside.
She pleaded not guilty at Westminster Magistrates’ Court to breaching Section 14 of the Public Order Act 1986.
Four other Fossil Free London activists pleaded not guilty alongside her. Read more
Eagles in buoyant mood ahead clash with Crocodiles of Lesotho (ThisDay)
All 23 invited players have arrived at the Super Eagles’ Four Point By Sheraton Hotel in Uyo ahead of Thursday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Crocodiles of Lesotho and then fly out to Butare in Rwanda to take on the Warriors of Zimbabwe in a Match-day 2 encounter on Sunday.
The encounter against Lesotho will kick off at 5 pm on Thursday.
With the arrival of the final batch of 11 players yesterday, Super Eagles had a light work out yesterday evening at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium and are expected to train behind locked gates today to perfect their game-plan against the visitors. Read more
Enoh recalls Qatar 2022 mishap, demands 2026 WC ticket (DailyTrust)
The Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, has called on the Super Eagles to start their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying series against Lesotho on a very strong note.
Nigeria trade tackles with Lesotho at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo tomorrow from 5pm, with three points at stake, and then fly to Butare in Rwanda to take on the Warriors of Zimbabwe in a Day 2 encounter on Sunday.
Speaking ahead of the match, Senator Enoh urged the technical crew and the players to put their best foot forward in these two games. Read more
Sir Jim Ratcliffe sets sights on 2 more Man Utd exits after Richard Arnold departure (Mirror)
Richard Arnold has become the first victim of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s radical Manchester United overhaul – with the chief executive stepping down.
Ratcliffe’s £1.3billion 25 per cent stake in United, which includes control of football operations, will be ratified by the Old Trafford board in the coming days. And the billionaire INEOS chief has wasted no time in starting his wholesale restructuring of United, by getting rid of Arnold, who had been in the role for just 19 months. With Arnold now gone, there are also major doubts over the futures of United Football Director John Murtough and Director of Football Operations David Harrison.
United have spent more than £1bn on players since Sir Alex Ferguson retired, for little success, with Ratcliffe said to have been stunned by the poor recruitment for such a huge outlay. He is set to bring in his own team to oversee the restructuring of United, with former cycling supremo Sir Dave Brailsford, currently INEOS Director of Sport, set for a prominent role. Read more
Napoli name Walter Mazzarri as new coach (IrishExaminer)
Italian champions Napoli appointed former manager Walter Mazzarri as their new coach, the Serie A club said on Tuesday.
The 62-year-old takes over from Rudi Garcia after defeat by Empoli left last season’s champions on 21 points, 10 behind leaders Inter Milan in the standings.
Napoli have lost three of their opening 12 league games, the other defeats coming at home by Lazio and Fiorentina, and – having drawn another three – sit fourth, two points behind third-placed AC Milan and eight adrift of Juventus in second. Read more
Ex-UFC champ Francis Ngannou ranked by WBC after Tyson Fury loss (ABC)
Former UFC fighter Francis Ngannou has been ranked No. 10 in the heavyweight division by the World Boxing Council (WBC) on Wednesday following a split decision loss to champion Tyson Fury in his professional boxing debut last month.
Ngannou, 37, faced Fury in a non title bout in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Oct. 28 and narrowly lost after scoring a third round knockdown against the undefeated WBC champion.
The WBC took the rare decision to award a ranking to a boxer with no professional wins at their 2023 convention. Read more
Record breaker Kohli and Iyer take India to 397-4 in New Zealand semi-final (France24)
Virat Kohli scored a record-breaking 50th one-day international hundred and Shreyas Iyer made a blistering century of his own as India piled up a commanding 397-4 against New Zealand in the World Cup semi-finals on Wednesday.
Kohli’s innings of 117 saw him surpass the mark of 49 hundreds he had shared with Sachin Tendulkar as his compatriot looked on from the stands at the Wankhede Stadium in a capacity 33,000 crowd featuring football star David Beckham.
Kohli put on 163 with Iyer, who made 105 off just 70 balls, including four fours and eight sixes. Read more