NAF strikes Boko Haram’s Commander’s hideout in Kaduna (Guardian)
The air component of Operation Whirl Punch, operating in the North-West and North Central zones, has successfully eliminated several terrorists in an air bombardment in the Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Spokesperson for the Nigerian Air Force Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet confirmed this in a statement on Sunday.
According to Gabkwet, the operation was carried out based on intelligence indicating the presence of a terrorist kingpin known as Boderi along with his brother Nasiru and other members at their hideout in Tsauni Doka village in the area. Read more
If he coughs, I will dance – Wizkid declares love for Shallipopi (Vanguard)
Grammy-winning Nigerian singer, Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun popularly known as Wizkid has declared love for colleague Shallipopi and his music.
Demonstrating his admiration for Shallipopi, Wizkid stated that he would gladly dance if the fast-rising singer even coughs.
The Grammy award singer shared this on his Instagram story while listing names of his favourite Nigerian artistes. Read more
Don’t build on wetlands, Lagos warns developers, residents (Nation)
The Lagos state government has warned against developing the wetland bordering Magodo Phase II to prevent heavy flooding.
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, gave the warning on Monday, November 20, during an inspection tour of some areas to assess the level of compliance with demolition exercises.
Wahab warned that developing the wetland will be disastrous and detrimental to everyone. Read more
Judge’s absence stalls ex-Lagos speaker, Ikuforiji’s trial (Punch)
The trial of a former speaker of the Lagos House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, over alleged money laundering was on Monday, stalled because Justice Mohammed Liman of the Federal High Court did not sit.
The case which was first fixed for continuation of trial on November 15, could not proceed at the last adjourned date as the court did not sit and it was, consequently, fixed for November 20.
On Monday, the case also could not proceed as the court did not sit following a letter by defence counsel, seeking an adjournment of the case to a more convenient date. Read more
Lottery Regulation: Supreme Court fixes date to hear Lagos, Ekiti suit against FG, 34 other states (Channels)
The Supreme Court has fixed March 13, 2024, to hear a suit filed in 2008, by the Attorney General of Lagos State against the Federal Government in respect of who controls and regulates the gaming and lottery sector.
Ekiti State was joined as co-plaintiff in the suit following an order of the court made on October 6, 2020.
The attorneys general of 34 other states were joined as defendants by the Supreme Court on November 15, 2022. Read more
Democracy not working for Africa because it was forced on it — Obasanjo (Guardian)
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Monday in Abeokuta said democracy has not been working as a system of government in Africa because it was “forced” on the continent.
Obasanjo stated this in his address at a high-level consultation on “Rethinking Western Liberal Democracy for Africa”.
The former president said the Western style of democracy failed in Africa because it does not take into consideration the views of the majority of the people. Read more
Involvement of judges in elections should be eliminated – Falana (DailyTrust)
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has said judges’ involvement in Nigeria’s elections should be completely eliminated.
Falana, who spoke on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics programme, said the Nigerian electorate should determine who governs them and not a few judges.
He was referring to recent court judgements that have sacked some governors. Read more
Appeal Court dismisses Uba’s appeal, affirms Alia’s election as Benue governor (Guardian)
The Court of Appeal in Abuja, on Monday dismissed an appeal brought before it by the Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Titus Uba challenging the election of Hyacinth Alia as the elected Governor of Benue State.
The Appellate Court in a unanimous judgment resolved all the three issues formulated for determination against Uba and PDP for various reasons.
Justice Onyekachi Aja Otisi who delivered the lead judgment dismissed the allegations of nonqualifications made by Uba against the Deputy Governor, Samuel Ode. Read more
Taylor Swift wins big at Billboard Music Awards, taking home 10 trophies (AS)
Taylor Swift has won big at the Billboard Music Awards, taking home 10 awards in a dominant showing. It comes as little surprise to Swifties as the music icon led with 20 nominations for the BBMAs.
With the BBMAs going digital and Swift touring internationally for her Eras Tour, the singer recorded a message backstage at one of her shows about the accomplishment. Swift thanked all of her fans for their support.
“Well, this is unreal,” she said in the video. “The fact that you guys have given me 10 Billboard Awards—I’m talking to the fans specifically. None of this happens without you. The Billboards base everything off of what you are listening to and what you’re passionate about, and I’m so honored that this year you made The Eras Tour so magical. You went and saw the movie, you cared about my re-recordings. I just love you so much.” Read pplmore
Shakira pays $7.6m fine to settle Spanish tax fraud case (MusicNews)
Shakira has paid a $7.6 million (£6 million) fine to settle her tax fraud case in Spain.
The Colombian pop star told the presiding magistrate, José Manuel del Amo, that she had agreed to a deal with Spanish prosecutors as her tax evasion trial began in Barcelona on Monday.
According to the Associated Press, the Hips Don’t Lie hitmaker replied, “Yes,” to acknowledge the six counts of failing to pay the Spanish government 14.5 million euros ($15.8 million) in taxes between 2012 and 2014. Read more
Modern English release new single ‘‘Crazy Lovers’’ (FarOut)
Modern English has unveiled their newest single, ‘Crazy Lovers’, from their upcoming album, “1 2 3 4”.
According to the band’s Robbie Grey, producer Mario J. McNulty, who is known for collaborations with the likes of David Bowie, Lou Reed, and Nine Inch Nails, served as the essential element behind the creation of ‘‘Crazy Lovers’’.
“Originally, it was a very slow song that the producer Mario J McNulty suggested we speed right up,” Grey said. “It was a great idea and gives it a lot of life, energy as well as a cool groove.” Read more
Adam Sandler reveals the career advice he gave 2 daughters as he admits to ‘‘learning with them’’ (People)
Adam Sandler’s girls are following in his footsteps.
The actor’s daughters Sadie, 17, and Sunny, 15, voice characters in his new animated movie Leo. And at the Los Angeles premiere of the Netflix flick on Sunday, Adam opened up to PEOPLE about the advice he has shared with them about their careers so far.
‘I tell them to make sure you feel good about what you do and how hard you worked, and you judge yourself,” says the 57-year-old. “Don’t let too many people try to get in your head. If you feel like you gave it your all, that’s all you can ask.” Read more
Defense secretary Austin arrives in Kyiv in surprise visit meant to reemphasise support for Ukraine (CNN)
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin arrived in Kyiv on Monday, in a surprise trip to Ukraine to reemphasize the US’ support for the embattled country amid other pressing challenges abroad.
“The message that I bring you today, Mr. President, is that the United States of America is with you,” Austin told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. “We will remain with you for the long-haul. What happened here in Ukraine – that not only matters to Ukraine but it matters to the rest of the world. It certainly matters to the United States of America.”
According to a Defense Department news release, Austin traveled to Ukraine to “reinforce the staunch support of the United States for Ukraine’s fight for freedom.” Read more
ChatGPT founder Sam Altman hired by Microsoft, days after OpenAI let him go (TimesOfIsrael)
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella on Monday announced the hiring of OpenAI’s Sam Altman and other members of his team, days after the co-founder of the venture behind ChatGPT was fired.
OpenAI’s board sacked Altman on Friday, with US media citing concerns that Altman was underestimating the dangers of its tech and leading the company away from its stated mission — claims his successor as CEO has denied.
Altman shot to fame with the launch of its artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot last year, which ignited a race to advance AI research and development, as well as billions being invested in the sector. Read more
‘Ndrangheta: Over 200 gang members sentenced to total of 2,200 years in jail after one of Italy’s biggest ever mafia trials (Sky)
The three-year trial involved mafiosi, entrepreneurs and politicians, and included charges of murder, corruption, drug trafficking, money laundering and extortion.
Over 200 gang members have been sentenced to a total of more than 2,200 years in prison after one of the biggest mafia trials in Italian history.
More than 300 defendants have been on trial since January 2021, accused of being members of the powerful crime group, ‘Ndrangheta.
Founded in the 18th century in Calabria, it has grown to become one of the world’s most powerful, extensive and richest criminal organisations. Read more
Nigeria FA have no money to pay off Coach Peseiro (DailyTrust)
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) would fire coach Jose Peseiro if they had the money to pay him off after two poor performances in World Cup qualifiers, according to executive committee member Nse Essien.
Nigeria’s qualification for the 2026 World Cup is already in serious jeopardy after they managed only two draws in their first two qualifiers against Lesotho and Zimbabwe.
Walter Musona scored direct from a free kick to put Zimbabwe ahead in the first half and Leicester forward Kelechi Iheanacho equalised midway through the second half. Read more
Angry fans slam Eagles poor performance against Zimbabwe (Punch)
Following another unimpressive performance against Zimbabwe in the 2026 World Cup qualifier, some fans have once again slammed the Super Eagles labelling their display a shameful outing, The PUNCH reports.
Jose Peseiro’s men put up an underwhelming performance as they laboured to a 1-1 draw against the Warriors in the second game of the qualifiers.
The draw means the Eagles have just two points from a possible six points having drawn their first game against a lowly-ranked Lesotho side at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Thursday. Read more
Lionel Messi: 6 of Argentina captain’s shirts from Qatar World Cup triumph to be sold at auction (BBC)
Six of the shirts worn by Lionel Messi during Argentina’s World Cup-winning campaign are to be sold at auction.
Captain Messi, 36, lifted the trophy after they beat France on penalties in last December’s final in Qatar.
His shirt from the final is included in the set of six, which are expected to fetch more than £8m in the auction hosted by Sotheby’s in New York. Read more
Barcelona’s Gavi set to miss rest of season with ACL injury (ESPN)
Barcelona midfielder Gavi is unlikely to play again this season after the Catalan club confirmed he tore his anterior cruciate ligament while playing for Spain on Sunday.
Gavi, 19, has also suffered an associated injury to the lateral meniscus and will undergo surgery later this week.
Barça will provide a timeframe on his recovery after the operation, but Gavi is expected to miss the rest of the campaign and is also a major doubt for Euro 2024 and the Olympic Games with Spain next summer. Read more
Horner calls for changes to ‘‘brutal’’ Las Vegas schedule (F1i)
Christian Horner says F1 needs to take a few lessons away from its inaugural Las Vegas GP weekend, insisting the event’s “brutal” schedule left everyone “slightly f***ed.
Grand Prix racing’s return to the entertainment capital of the world forty years after its last visit to Sin City, was a two-part affair with a catastrophic opening day followed by a spectacular display of racing on Saturday evening.
Carlos Sainz’s costly encounter while out on track at the start of FP1 with a water valve cover destroyed the Spaniard’s Ferrari chassis. Read more
Hannes Strydom: Former South Africa 1995 World Cup winner dies in car accident (Sky)
Former Springbok lock Hannes Strydom has died in a car accident, South African Rugby confirmed on Monday, the fifth player from their victorious 1995 World Cup team to pass away.
Strydom, 58, was a pharmacist by trade and played 21 Tests between 1993 and 1997. He started the 1995 final where the home side defeated New Zealand 15-12 to take the crown in front of a beaming Nelson Mandela at Ellis Park.
“He was a hard-working lock who never shied away from getting stuck in and doing the dirty work,” SA Rugby president Mark Alexander said in a statement. Read more