Massive flood looms in Nigeria as Cameroon set to open dam (DailyTrust)
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has warned Nigerians to prepare for the massive flood in the coming days as Cameroon is expected to open Lagdo Dam situated on Benue River.
NEMA revealed this in a recent statement signed by the Director, African Affairs, Ambassador Umar Salisu.
The agency affirmed that both Nigeria and Cameroon are to experience flooding, as Lagdo Dam authorities, will release modulated variable small amount of water. Read more
Lagos warns motorists against use of defective, no number plates (Guardian)
Lagos State government has warned motorists against the use of defective vehicle registration number plates on Lagos roads.
It also cautioned those driving vehicles without any plate number to desist from the unlawful act, saying it is against section 15 and 16 of the state’s Transport Reform Law 2018.
Explaining the anomaly of wrongful use of the number plate which has become rampant, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Abdulhafiz Toriola noted that covering of number plate without authorisation, use of faded number plate, use of damaged number plate, misuse of number plate and non use of number plate, all violates the law especially with the present security challenges facing the nation. Read more
5 kidnapped victims in Osun regained freedom after N7m ransom (Sun)
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Osun State has confirmed the release of the remaining five persons kidnapped last week Monday.
However, security sources disclosed that the victims were released after payment of N7 million ransom. NSCDC denied knowledge of the ransom.
The Iyalode of Oyan in Odo-Otin local government, Chief Grace Agboola, Surveyor Ige, Fadahunsi Apata, and three others were kidnapped at gunpoint along the Aworo/Asi area in Odo-Otin North LCDA, Monday night. Read more
Driver knocks down, kills sexagenarian in Ogun (Punch)
A 24-year-old driver, Quzeem Olaniyan, has knocked down and killed a 60-year-old man, David Rotimi, in an accident that occurred in Ilara along the Agbowa road via the Ogijo area of the state.
In a statement signed by its spokesperson, SP Omolola Odutola, on Sunday, the Ogun State Police Command said Olaniyan lost control of his Lexus ES 350 car with registration number KJA 363 JB Lagos while traveling outward from Ogijo to Agbowa and knocked down the sixty-year-old man who was walking just by the roadside.
Odutola stated that though the victim was earlier rushed to a nearby hospital, he was later confirmed dead by a doctor on duty. Read more
Tinubu flags off 2023 NBA conference, as 17,000 lawyers participate (Vanguard)
President Bola Tinubu, will today, flag-off the 2023 Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, in Abuja.
President of the NBA, Mr. Yakubu Maikyau, SAN, who made the disclosure to newsmen during a pre-conference press briefing, said the event would be the largest gathering of lawyers in the world.
According to him, as at press time, over 17, 000 legal practitioners in the country have registered to physically participate in the conference that would be held at the National Stadium in Abuja. Read more
Former Taraba PDP chairman Kona dies (Nation)
A former chairman of Taraba state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and governorship aspirant during the 2023 elections, Victor Bala Kona, reportedly died in Abuja after an illness.
A family source disclosed that Kona had been in a London hospital for treatment following “a complicated heart problem” and returned to Nigeria on Wednesday last week.
His health was said to have worsened again on Friday and was rushed to an Abuja hospital where he passed away in the early hours of Sunday, August 27. Read more
Wike bans congratulatory billboards in his honour (DailyTrust)
Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has banned lamp post billboards, full scale billboards and other such adverts congratulating him on his appointment.
In a statement by the Director of press of the ministry, Anthony Ogunleye, Wike was quoted to have said his decision was in the spirit of public service and commitment to responsibilities, in order to focus on the Renewed Hope agenda being championed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to the statement, the minister appreciated the warm wishes and support of the citizens, but asked that such billboards and advertisements be discontinued forthwith. Read more
LP not losing sleep over Lagos lawmaker’s sack by tribunal – Legal adviser (Punch)
The National Legal Adviser to the Labour Party, Kehinde Edun, has assured stakeholders and teeming supporters of the party that they are not losing sleep over the nullification of the lawmaker representing Ojo Federal Constituency in Lagos State at the House of Representatives, Seyi Sowunmi.
Edun, who disclosed the party’s position on the issue in a chat with our correspondent on Friday, said they have officially appealed the judgment.
Sowunmi was sacked on Thursday by the National Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal sitting in Lagos. Read more
Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa re-elected with 52.6% of the vote (AfricaNews)
Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa was re-elected for a second and final five-year term late Saturday in results announced much earlier than expected following another troubled vote in the southern African country with a history of violent and disputed elections.
An opposition party spokesperson said within minutes of Mnangagwa being declared the winner that they would reject the results as “hastily assembled without proper verification.”
Mnangagwa’s victory meant the ZANU-PF party retained the governmental leadership it has held for all 43 years of Zimbabwe’s history since the nation was re-named following independence from white minority rule in 1980.
Zimbabwe has had just two leaders in that time, long-ruling autocrat Robert Mugabe and Mnangagwa. Read more
Whitesnake guitarist Bernie Marsden dead aged 72 after health concerns (DailyRecord)
Legendary Whitesnake guitarist Bernie Marsden has sadly died at the age of 72.
The former musician’s sad death was announced by band frontman, David Coverdale, who confirmed that his fellow bandmate and close friend Bernie died on Thursday evening (August 24), with his family by his side.
The Mirror reports that the band leader wrote on social media: “I’ve just woken up to the awful news that my old friend and former Snake Bernie Marsden has passed.
“My sincere thoughts and prayers to his beloved family, friends and fans. A genuinely funny, gifted man, whom I was honored to know and share a stage with.” Read more
Duran Duran’s Andy Taylor reveals cancer is asymptomatic after palliative diagnosis (OK!)
Duran Duran’s Andy Taylor, 62, was diagnosed with stage-four prostate cancer in 2018 – but has revealed he is now asymptomatic.
Speaking to The Times, the guitarist said he had been given a round of medical intervention, which sees radioactive chemicals given intravenously.
Following him being unable to join the rest of Duran Duran when they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last year, Taylor spoke to a doctor who told him that there was a treatment for him that was targeted to see only cancer cells. Read more
Kevin Costner’s Ex requests $175k in monthly child support, a $46k increase, ahead of court hearing (People)
Christine Costner, in new court documents, is asking for an increase in child support from Kevin Costner.
In a briefing ahead of a court hearing scheduled for next week, Christine, 49, is requesting $175,057 per month in child support, an increase from the $129K she’s currently receiving, according to court documents obtained by PEOPLE.
Per the new legal documents, “forensics has determined that [Kevin’s] average cash flow available for support for the two-year period of 2021 and 2022 was $19,248,467 per year ($1,604,039 per month). Based on this cash flow, and a 50/50 parenting time share, the guideline child support, which is presumptively correct under California law, is $175,057 per month.” Read more
Toronto Film Festival dropped by long-time sponsor Bell Canada (Deadline)
Ahead of the start of the Toronto International Film Festival 2023, Bell Canada is dropping the event and will no longer sponsor it.
The telecommunications giant has been the lead sponsor since 1995 and will end the partnership with TIFF following this year’s festival.
“Bell has had a terrific partnership with TIFF for the past 28 years,” the tech company said in a statement posted by Variety. “We’re proud of our partnership to help make TIFF a leading global destination for film and to support Canadian content and talent on the world stage.” Read more
The 1975’s Matt Healy pays tribute to Lewis Capaldi at Reading Festival (BelfastTelegraph)
The 1975 frontman Matt Healy paid tribute to Lewis Capaldi during the band’s headline set at Reading Festival on Saturday.
Scottish singer Capaldi, had been lined up to play the festival, but, following his performance at Glastonbury this year, he announced on his social media accounts that he would be “taking a break” from touring.
The musician, who released the album Broken By Desire To Be Heavenly Sent earlier this year, said he is still “learning to adjust to the impact” of his Tourette’s. Read more
Barbie reveals behind-the-scenes video of Ryan Gosling’s “I’m Just Ken” (DigitalSpy)
Barbie fans were treated to an extended look at the making of “I’m Just Ken,” Ryan Gosling’s song in the hit movie which proved to be one of this summer’s bangers.
Ken’s self-aware anthem about feeling isolated in Barbieland touches on fragile masculinity and gender-based resentment and provides the film with its most flamboyant number, inspired by 1978 musical Grease.
In the newly released clip, Gosling can be seen rehearsing for the sequence, both at the studio and on set with his fellow Kens. They seem to be having the time of their lives, as is director Greta Gerwig, who is seen genuinely laughing when rewatching the scene on a monitor. Read more
I gained a lot in Budapest, says Ruth Usoro (Guardian)
US-based Nigeria long jumper, Ruth Usoro, says she gained a lot in her participation in the 19th World Athletics Championships, which ends Sunday in Budapest.
Usoro, a finalist at last year’s World Championships at Oregon, United States, narrowly missed out on making the final in Budapest on Day 2 of the championships. She was in the 12th and final qualifying spot with a mark of 6.60m, only to be tipped off the standings by Fatima Diame, who jumped 6.61m in her last attempt.
Speaking with The Guardian at the athletes’ training ground at the National Athletics Stadium in Budapest, Usoro said; “I am so glad I competed in this year’s World Championships. I give God the glory. I was close to picking the ticket to the final, but I narrowly missed the chance. Read more
Bayer Leverkusen completes signing of another Nigerian striker (Punch)
Forward, Nathan Tella has completed a transfer to German Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen from Southampton on a five-year deal, PUNCH reports.
The German club confirmed the arrival of the young striker in a short Twitter post on Saturday.
The post read, “Nathan Tella BABY! We are delighted to announce the signing of the 24-year-old Englishman on a deal until 2028!” Read more
Leon Balogun targets Super Eagles return (Leadership)
Rangers defender Leon Balogun has expressed his desire to play international football again.
Persistent injuries has forced Super Eagles coaches to omit the big centre-back from their squads for some time now.
Balogun was named in Nigeria’s squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon but couldn’t make it due to injury.
The 35-year-old is up and running again having made a surprise return to Scottish Premiership giants Glasgow Rangers this summer. Read more
Rangers’ new boss promises to restore club (Channels)
Recently-appointed chief executive officer of Enugu Rangers, Amobi Ezeaku, has pledged to make the club truly professional as he unveiled strategic plans to revive the Flying Antelopes.
Ezeaku made the pledge when he formally announced to pressmen of the club’s plans and programmes from 2023 to 2027 in Enugu.
“We intend to achieve this through professionalism and become one of the most admired and followed clubs in Africa.
“The plans will be achieved through three stands, which the club call “Rangers Trinity” in C. S. C. Read more
Tottenham beat Bournemouth to go top of the Premier League (France24)
Tottenham’s bright start under Ange Postecoglou continued as James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski struck in a 2-0 win at Bournemouth to go top of the Premier League on Saturday.
Postecoglou’s men have so far shrugged off the departure of the club’s all-time record goalscorer Harry Kane to Bayern Munich with new signing Maddison at the heart of most of their good work.
The England international’s first Tottenham goal on 17 minutes was just reward for the visitor’s dominance of the first half. Read more
Daniel Ricciardo set for surgery on broken hand as timeline given for F1 return (Mirror)
Daniel Ricciardo is set for surgery on his broken hand and could miss a number of Formula 1 races while he recovers.
He picked up the injury in practice on Friday, ahead of this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix. He has been replaced by Liam Lawson for the rest of this weekend at Zandvoort, but is expected to miss more than just this one race.
The AlphaTauri driver has left the Netherlands to travel to Barcelona for further assessment on his left hand. X-rays at a hospital local to the circuit on Friday showed he had broken a metacarpal, which could require surgery to correct. Read more