Man arraigned for punching LASTMA woman, touching breast (Punch)
A 37-year-old man, Saheed Adisa, has been arraigned before Magistrate F.M Onamusi of the Ogba Magistrate Court, Lagos State, for allegedly assaulting an official of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, Salami Bukola, while she was on duty.
PUNCH Metro gathered that the defendant allegedly punched Bukola’s face and indecently touched her breast while she was carrying out her duties around the under bridge area, in the Ikeja area of the state.
Adisa is charged with five-counts bordering on assault, indecent body touch, and body injuries.
The charges read in part, “That you, Saheed Adisa, under the Ikeja Magisterial District, did assault one Salami Bukola, a LASTMA officer, by giving her fist blows on her face. Read more
How bandits force oppressed victims to release their wives, daughters for sex (DailyTrust)
The banditry situation in the North West is assuming a new dimension as armed gangs have continued to terrorise residents of Katsina, Zamfara and neighboring states.
In an interview with BBC Hausa, Dr Bashir Kurfi, a community leader said villages of Batsari, Dutsenma, Kankiya, Chiranci, Funtua, Safana, amongst others in Katsina, were under siege.
Kurfi said bandits and terrorists were occupying some villages, while the inhabitants were seeking refuge elsewhere.
“In so many villages the bandits also call households and ask them to send their wives, daughters or sisters to sleep with them.” Read more
Anxiety as truck explodes beside RCCG Camp (Vanguard)
There was anxiety along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Monday, as a truck laden with gas reportedly burst into flame beside the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG Camp.
Reports from the axis said people scampered for safety as the fire raged and affected some other trucks parked at the scene.
The incident occurred at about Noon but emergency responders from Lagos and Ogun States have swiftly contained the fire.
It was learnt that no life was lost and nobody sustained injuries. Read more
Wizkid gifts Candybleakz N20m (Nation)
Grammy Award winner, Ayo Balogun aka Wizkid has gifted rave of the moment, Candy Bleakz N20 milion to support her music career.
This was made known by Candy Bleakz herself via her Twitter page.
The ‘Tikuku’ singer said Wizkid gifted her the money to shoot her musical video.
“A very big thank you to Wizkid, Wizzy Baba nla. Wizkid just gave me 20million Naira to use to shoot Tikuku remix. Make una help me thank Wizkid oh! God bless you Wizkid,” she said in an appreciative video made for the Star Boy.
I have national agenda not special candidate – Obasanjo (Punch)
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has stated that he has no preferred candidate among those contesting the 2023 presidential election.
Obasanjo, who stated this in Minna on Sunday when he paid former Head of State, General Abdulsalam Abubakar a visit, said he only had a national agenda not a preferred candidate.
“I don’t have a special candidate, I have a national agenda.”
The former President also said he was in Minna to visit the former Head of State who had been indisposed. Read more
Why Ambode failed to get 2nd term – APC (Independent)
Dele Alake, the Director of Media and Communications of the Campaign Council of Bola Tinubu has given reasons why the former Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode didn’t get a second term in office.
Alake disclosed this while speaking on Sunday, expressing that the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu was not responsible for ending Ambode’s political ambition.
He said, “In a political competition, there must be supporters here and there. Yes, Fashola’s successor (Ambode) came into office; Asiwaju supported him as he supported Fashola.
“But let me use this opportunity to clear one point, a misconception that Ambode wasn’t given a second term. It is not true. Read more
Kwara Garment Factory to Create 2,000 Direct Jobs, AbdulRazaq Pledges (ThisDay)
Kwara State Governor, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq at the weekend said the state’s garment factory would generate 2,000 direct labour after its inauguration this year.
Speaking with dozens of APC supporters, youths, progressive social media influencers, the governor said the idea was to make Kwara a hub for garment production, which according to him could then benefit from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) of the United States and other economic benefits.
The governor added that other projects of the administration such as the visual arts centre, Adeta Yebumot Road, Ilesha Gwanara and Osi-Obbo-Aiyegunle Road, General Tunde Idiagbon Bridge, among others, would also be inaugurated in the fourth quarter of the year.
He explained that the N27.2 billion bond the administration took was being deployed for what it was meant, adding that the private bond was governed by very strict rules that protect public interest and disallow mismanagement of any kind.The governor said the delay in the bond issuance last year and the inflationary trend both affected the pace of the projects, although the challenges are being surmounted. Read more
PDP Crisis: Something will happen soon, says Wike (Channels)
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, on Monday, commented on the cracks within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying nothing has happened yet but “something will happen” soon.
According to the PDP presidential aspirant, nobody can threaten him as he will do what is right no matter the “gang up” or blackmail.
He spoke during the flag-off of Eneka Internal Roads in the Obio-Akpor area of the state.
Wike said, “Anybody who knows me knows that once I have made up my mind and I believe that what I am doing is right, if you like, let the whole people team up, as far as my conscience is clear, I will do what is right at all times; It doesn’t matter any gang up. Read more
Bandits chop off man’s hands in Zamfara (DailyTrust)
Bandits in Zamfara State have amputated the hands of a resident identified as Samaila Muhammad.
The victim was attacked after an incursion into his residence in Walo community of Kaura Namoda local government area of the state.
The brother of the victim, Abdullahi Mohammed, who was also injured during the attack, narrated how his brother’s both hands were cut off.
“My brother, Samaila and I are currently on admission in the hospital because I got a fractured arm and leg too.” Read more
NSCDC promotes 5,010 officers, men (ThisDay)
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has promoted 5,010 staff.
A statement issue during the weekend by the Spokesman of the NSCDC, Mr. Olusola Odumosu, said that the promotion was part of the corps’ efforts to improve the welfare and conditions of service of officers and men of the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) that promoted/upgraded 5010 officers and men of the corps across board.
Odumosu revealed that the promotion list comprised of personnels from the rank of Inspector of Corps II to Deputy Commandant of Corps (DCC), including officers upgraded/converted with effect from January 1, 2020 and January 1, 2021 respectively.
The Commandant General of the NSCDC, Dr. Ahmed Audi, said that the promotion exercise is part of his administration’s drive to encourage hard work, promote the culture of merit and reward excellence. Read more
NASA calls off new Moon rocket launch (BBC)
NASA has called off the launch of its big new Moon rocket – the Space Launch System (SLS).
Controllers struggled to get an engine on the 100m-tall vehicle cooled down to its correct operating temperature.
They had previously worried about what appeared to be a crack high up on the rocket but eventually determined it was merely frost build-up.
The SLS is the biggest rocket ever developed by NASA. It will be used to send astronauts back to the Moon.
The maiden flight, part of NASA’s Artemis programme, is just a demonstration with no one onboard. But ever more complex missions are planned for the future that will see people live on the lunar surface for weeks at a time. Read more
Meghan Markle hints she and Harry will make a documentary about their romance for Netflix (DailyMail)
Meghan Markle has hinted that the documentary she and Prince Harry are currently filming for Netflix could focus on their ‘love story’.
Speaking in an interview with The Cut, published today, the Duchess of Sussex hinted that her five-year-long romance with Prince Harry is one of the ‘pieces of her life’ that she has not yet been able to share with the public.
It had previously been rumoured that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were planning a fly-on-the-wall documentary series, in the style of Keeping Up With The Kardashians.
‘The couple has directly smashed rumors of a reality show, both in statements made to publications and in conversation with me,’ journalist Allison P. Davis notes in the article. Read more
National Cinema Day: hundreds of UK cinemas to offer £3 tickets (NME)
Hundreds of cinemas across the UK will offer customers £3 tickets this weekend (September 3) as part of a new National Cinema Day celebration.
More than 600 cinemas across the country including major chains and smaller independent venues will offer the cut-price tickets to celebrate the occasion.
The event comes from industry body Cinema First alongside the Film Distributors’ Association and the UK Cinema Association.
Cinema First chair Iain Jacob said: “There seems no better time than now to celebrate UK cinema-going, one of the nation’s favourite out-of-home leisure activities. Coming off the back of a very strong summer for the sector and looking forward to further film highlights over the rest of the year, we wanted to give everyone a chance to enjoy the big screen experience. Read more
IFC Films buys rom-com ‘Four Samosas’ (Variety)
IFC Films has acquired North American rights to “Four Samosas,” a romantic comedy set in the Little India neighborhood of Los Angeles. The film premiered at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival.
IFC will release “Four Samosas” in theaters and on demand on Dec. 2, 2022.
Ravi Kapoor directs and Venk Potula (“Veep”) leads an ensemble cast that includes Sonal Shah, Sharmita Bhattacharya, Nirvan Patnaik, Karan Soni, Summer Bishil, and Meera Simhan. The film centers on wanna-be South Asian American rapper, Vinny (Potula), who along with three friends — all of them first-time thieves — plans to rob a grocery store owned by his ex-girlfriend’s father, in order to steal her wedding diamonds and disrupt her pending engagement. Read more
The Shamen rapper stands by ‘Es are good’ claim as he backs use of ecstasy to treat PTSD (DailyStar)
The Shamen were faced with widespread criticism when now-famous drug anthem Ebeneezer Goode was released 30 years ago – but despite the backlash, the frontman stands by drug use as a powerful tool.
Richard West, widely known as Mr C, backs the claim that “e’s are good” in the song’s chorus – the E of course standing for ecstasy.
The 56-year-old spoke exclusively to the Daily Star ahead of the 30 anniversary of the number one hit’s release, on August 24, 1992.
Mr C, who is originally from Holloway in north London but now lives in LA, confirmed that the song IS promoting drug use but also added that it has warnings too and it should “never be abused.” Read more
Mable John, 1st female solo artiste signed by Motown, dies at 91 (Billboard)
Mable John, the first solo female artist signed by Motown Records founder Berry Gordy, has died. She was 91.
The veteran R&B singer passed away at her home in Los Angeles on Thursday (Aug. 25), her nephew Kevin John told The Detroit News. A cause of death had not been revealed at press time.
“We loved her and she was a kind person,” Kevin John said of his aunt, who was the older sister of R&B star Little Willie John.
In addition to being the first solo female artist signed to Motown (then Tamla), Mable John also recorded hit songs for Stax Records and she was a singer in Ray Charles’ Raelettes backing band. Read more
IAEA mission to Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant ‘on its way’ after shelling (NYPost)
Inspectors from the UN nuclear watchdog headed to Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia plant Monday as shelling around the facility continues — escalating fears of a radiation catastrophe.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director-General Rafael Grossi announced the highly anticipated trip to Europe’s largest nuclear plant on Twitter Sunday night, revealing that the mission will be arriving “later this week.”
“Assistance Mission to #Zaporizhzhya (ISAMZ) is now on its way,” Grossi, who is leading the team, tweeted. “We must protect the safety and security of #Ukraine’s and Europe’s biggest nuclear facility.”
The IAEA tweeted separately that the agency’s inspectors would assess physical damage, evaluate the conditions in which staff are working at the plant and “determine functionality of safety & security systems.” Read more
Ikhana calls for transparent NFF election (Independent)
Kadiri Ikhana, the former coach of the Super Falcons, has called for a transparent, free and fair election to usher in a new board of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
The former Super Eagles defender who was among the first set of squad that won Nigeria’s first Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 1980, said it is only a free and fair election, devoid of any form of intimidation that would usher in a new board.
Speaking to our correspondent on the fast approaching election, the former Confederation of African Football (CAF) Coach of the Year acknowledged the avalanche of candidates vying to replace the outgoing Amaju Pinnick as the president of the football house but said it was also equally good that there were options which he said are also healthy in choosing who runs Nigeria’s football in the next four years.
“All I am interested in is a transparent process so that whoever emerges will be the choice of Nigerians,” he said. Read more
Ross Barkley: Midfielder becomes free agent after leaving Chelsea (BBC)
Chelsea have announced midfielder Ross Barkley has left the club by mutual consent and is a free agent.
Barkley, who has 33 England caps but has not played for his country since 2019, has not appeared for Thomas Tuchel’s side this season.
The 28-year-old’s last game for Chelsea was a 2-1 win over Watford on the final day of last season, when he scored a 90th-minute winner.
“We wish him well for the rest of his career,” read a Chelsea statement. Read more
Nigeria lose to Ghana again as CHAN ticket hangs (ThisDay)
After Ghana’s Black Stars denied Super Eagles of Nigeria a place in this year’s FIFA World Cup in Qatar, another nightmare appears to be in the offing as we may miss qualifying for the 7th African Nations Championship (CHAN) meant for players domiciled in the various leagues in the continent.
Yesterday, the Salisu Yusuf-tutored Super Eagles B team were handed a 2-0 defeat by Ghana’s Black Galaxies at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium to make the return leg in Abuja a tall dream.
After an evenly-balanced first period, during which goalkeeper Adeyinka Adewale quickly redeemed himself after dropping the ball with a Ghanaian forward lurking, Daniel Barnieh shot the Galaxies ahead in the 50th minute from the penalty spot as Beninoise referee Issa Mouhamed punished a Nigerian infringement in the eighteen-yard box.
The Super Eagles fought valiantly to get even as the game wore on, to no avail, and were then open to a sucker punch as Seidu Suraj unleashed a shot from close range that Adewale could only punch into his own net with four minutes left.
The result leaves the Super Eagles B with some work to do ahead of the return leg, as both teams square off again at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja on Saturday evening. Read more
Antonio Conte: Spurs need at least two transfer windows to be ‘really complete’ (IrishIndependent)
Antonio Conte says he needs at least two more transfer windows to transform Tottenham into genuine Premier League title challengers.
Spurs have started the season strongly by taking 10 points from a possible 12 following Sunday’s 2-0 win at Nottingham Forest.
Head coach Conte has spoken with the club’s board about further bolstering his squad ahead of Thursday’s deadline following a series of arrivals earlier in the summer but insists he is content to work with the players already at his disposal.
Having been consistent with his selections in the opening four games, the Italian accepts he will now discover his side’s true strength as he prepares to rotate due to having two fixtures a week until the break for the winter World Cup. Read more
Kenyan cyclist dies in crash during gravel race in Vermont (NPR)
Kenyan cyclist Sule Kangangi died in a crash while competing in a gravel race in Vermont.
Kangangi was riding at a high speed in the Vermont Overland race Saturday when he crashed.
“Sule is our captain, friend, brother. He is also a father, husband and son. Gaping holes are left when giant’s fall. Sule was a giant,” his Team AMANI posted on social media. “Instead of leading us at the front of the pack, he will now lead us as our guiding pole star as we press forward in the realization of his dream.”
Rachel Ruto, the wife of president-elect William Ruto of Kenya, posted on Twitter that she was shocked to learn the sad news that he had passed away after a tragic crash. Read more
Serena Williams is celebrated in a new commercial narrated by Beyonce (DailyMail)
Superstars Serena Williams and Beyonce have teamed up in a new commercial to celebrate the 23-time Grand Slam winner.
Williams takes to the court at the US Open tonight when she faces world No. 80 Danka Kovinic on Arthur Ashe in the evening session – the standout tie on the first day of the Grand Slam.
The 40-year-old announced she’s ‘evolving’ from tennis earlier this month, meaning the tournament at Flushing Meadows is set to be her last.
Ahead of her swansong, American beverage company Gatorade released an advert paying tribute to Williams. The commercial, narrated by friend Beyonce, was revealed at the MTV VMAs last night. Read more
Lando Norris outlines major issue with McLaren car as Oscar Piastri decision imminent (Express)
Lando Norris has claimed McLaren’s DRS is “pretty shocking” and has been costing the team overtaking opportunities. The Briton predicted his car was capable of beating the Red Bulls in a straight line but then lost out when the rear wing flap opened.
Speaking on race day in Spa, Norris explained: “I think we were probably one of the quicker ones on the straights. Where we lose a lot is in DRS for some reason. In DRS we’re pretty shocked, some cars are a lot better than others.
“Like, in a pure straight line condition, I think yesterday we were quicker than Red Bull. But then the Red Bull opens DRS and gains another 15kph and is a completely different league to a lot of people, [so there’s] something we’re maybe missing with DRS.
“Maybe that makes our overtaking opportunities less than other people.” Norris was competitive across the free practice sessions, regularly setting times faster than the Mercedes and Ferraris. Read more