Naira crumbles to 920/$, fuel marketers push for fresh price hike (Punch)
Oil marketers, on Thursday, insisted on a possible hike in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol, following a further plunge in the value of the naira against the United States dollar.
The local currency weakened against the greenback at the black market from 900/dollar on Wednesday to 920/dollar on Thursday, raising further concerns about whether the pump price of petrol could be sold at the current price.
The naira which had hit 945/dollar at the parallel market about two weeks ago, rebounded last week. Read more
Vote out underperforming governors, Tinubu charges Nigerians (DailyTrust)
President Bola Tinubu has called on Nigerians to vote out governors who are not performing up to expectation.
The President made the appeal Thursday, at the Presidential Villa, while responding to the request of some Islamic scholars that the Federal Government should monitor the distribution of palliatives given to states to cushion the effects of removal of fuel subsidy.
Tinubu said he could not give order to the states as they are closer to the people.
According to him, he could only appeal to governors to implement the orders given to them. Read more
Diphtheria: Death toll hits 100 in Kano, 26 in Bauchi (Guardian)
Death toll from the deadly diphtheria infection in Kano State has risen to 100, as Bauchi State confirmed the death of 26 residents linked to the disease across 10 of the 20 local councils of the state.
Updated data from Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) revealed that the figures were as at July 30, 2023. The present figure is against 76 deaths reported in June.
The latest development is coming even when the state government said it required not less than six million doses of vaccines to combat the disease.
According to NCDC, 4,160 suspected cases were reported at the end of July, of which 1,534 were confirmed. Read more
Tinubu directs resolution of disagreements with UAE on Emirates airline, visa issuance (Tribune)
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday directed that the issues affecting relations with the Emirates Airline and issuance of visas to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Nigerians should be ‘immediately’ resolved.
Receiving the Letter of Credence of Ambassador of UAE, Salem Saeed Al-Shamsi, at the presidential villa in Abuja, he stressed his readiness to “personally’’ intervene in the dispute.
Emirates Airline suspended flight operations to Nigeria in October 2022 over the country’s inability to repatriate trapped funds. Read more
24 banks lose N9.75b in Q2 2023 as fraud rises 277% (Vanguard)
Deposit money banks in Nigeria have reported a sharp rise in fraud cases and the amount of money lost in the second quarter of 2023, Q2’23.
The latest report also shows that the number of insider involvement rose astronomically.
The total amount involved in the fraud cases during the period rose to N9.75 billion, up by a whopping 276.98 per cent from N2.58 billion in the preceding quarter, Q1’23. Read more
Tribunal sacks Lagos LP Rep
LP tribunal (Nation)
The National Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal sitting in Lagos has nullified the return of the Labour Party’s (LP’s) candidate, Seyi Sowunmi, as the House of Representatives member for Ojo Federal Constituency in Lagos State.
Instead, the three-man panel led by Justice Abdullahi Ozegya declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Lanre Ogunyemi, as the duly elected candidate of the election conducted on February 25, 2023.
The other members of the panel are Justice Ashu Ewah and Justice Muhammad Sambo. Read more
IPPIS failed to remit workers N26.6bn NHF in 2 years –FMBN (Sun)
The Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) has said the Integrated Personal Payrol information System (IPPIS) failed to remit N26.6 billion of workers contributory funds in two years.
Mr. Madu Hamman, managing director of FMBN, said this when he appeared before the House of Representatives Ad hoc committee probing the non-remittance to the National Housing Fund (NHF) and Utilisation, yesterday.
According to him, from October to December 2022, there were 40 per cent unremitted payments to FMBN resulting from revenue drive by the Federal Government and a total of N11.630 billion was involved. “From January to December 2022, N11.587 billion was not remitted as backlog payments for MDAs from IPPIS, while N3. 356 billion was not remitted from April to July 2021 as outstanding failed payments for 2021 from IPPIS.” Read more
Usher’s “Boyfriend” enters Top 10 on Billboard (RatedR&B)
R&B megastar Usher has made a new appearance on Billboard this week with his latest single “Boyfriend.”
The track, co-written by Camper and Rico Love, enters at No. 6 on Billboard’s R&B Digital Song Sales chart, led by Lizzo’s “Good As Hell.” It marks his 18th top 10 hit on this chart, which according to Billboard, counts “the week’s most popular downloaded songs, ranked by sales data as compiled by Luminate.”
Usher’s “Good Good” featuring 21 Savage and Summer Walker debuted at No. 1 on the R&B Digital Song Sales chart last week, marking his second time atop the chart. It’s now No. 2 at the time of publication. Read more
The scathing meaning behind “Bad Blood” by Taylor Swift (AmericanSongwriter)
Ask anyone to name a pop superstar in the 2010s, and into the 2020s, and they’ll likely choose Taylor Swift. Ask them to name an ever-present pop hit, there’s a good chance “Bad Blood” will come up, but what was Swift’s intended meaning behind the song?
The 33-year-old, Pennsylvania-born singer-songwriter has redefined pop stardom in the 21st century, remolding her image with each release and finding major success. Between the country-infused roots—which are also beloved by fans—that launched her mainstream career in the early 2000s, and the recent popularity of songs like “Anti-Hero,” which spent eight weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100 in 2022, Taylor Swift has not only contributed to modern hitmaking but shaped it.
Her career in the early-to-mid 2010s seemed to signal a shift in her target audience, as she entered more anthemic pop territory and abandoned the quaint, “girl with a guitar” persona found on her first three albums. Red, originally released in 2012 and rerecorded in 2021 as Red (Taylor’s Version), emboldened the artist’s image and introduced more pop elements into her songwriting. Read more
Trump booked in Georgia election interference case (DW)
Former US President Donald Trump has been booked at the Fulton County jail in Atlanta, Georgia, on charges that he conspired to overturn the outcome of the 2020 presidential election.
When he arrived at the jail on Thursday, his fingerprints and a booking photo, or a mug shot, were also taken, marking a historic first.
The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office released a mug shot of Donald Trump, marking the first time he was required to pose for a booking photoThe Fulton County Sheriff’s Office released a mug shot of Donald Trump, marking the first time he was required to pose for a booking photo.
Trump, who didn’t require a photo taken as he surrendered to law enforcement authorities in other cases, was booked as inmate no. P01135809, according to Fulton County jail records. Read more
BRICS admits 6 new members as bloc seeks bigger say in global affairs (AfricaNews)
The Brics (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa), meeting at their summit in Johannesburg, announced on Thursday a “historic” expansion of the emerging countries’ bloc, with the integration of six new members, including Iran, from January.
Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are also joining the group, which aims to increase its influence in the world, announced South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Chinese President Xi Jinping hailed this “historic enlargement” and predicted a “radiant future for the Brics”. As the bloc’s economic heavyweight, Beijing was in favor of this expansion, which was the focus of the 15th summit, which opened on Tuesday and ends this evening. Read more
Situation worsening in Niger as food prices rise, security deteriorates (VOA)
Conditions for people in Niger are getting worse, as security appears to be deteriorating, according to regional experts who spoke with VOA. Prices of staple foods such as rice and cooking oil have increased, while the country has endured more violence in the past three weeks than it had since the beginning of the year.
While life may seem normal in Niger because shops are open and people are going to work, what’s really happening is quite different, according to Laura Esposito, the country director for the Norwegian Refugee Council, who spoke to VOA from the capital, Niamey.
“In general, the living conditions of the population in the country are worsening due to the negative effects of the closure of the borders with Nigeria and Benin, where most goods come from, and due to the power cuts we are suffering in Niamey, but also other towns,” she said. “This brings scarcity of key goods and increase of prices of, for example rice, cooking oil, sugar.” Read more
China retaliates as Japan releases Fukushima water (BBC)
Japan has begun its controversial discharge of treated waste water from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean, sparking protests in the region and retaliation from Beijing.
China is the biggest buyer of seafood from Japan, and on Thursday it said it would block all such imports.
Japan says the water is safe, and many scientists agree. The UN’s nuclear watchdog has also approved the plan. But critics say more studies need to be done and the release should be halted. Read more
Wagner fighters issue menacing threat to Putin after Prigozhin ‘killed’ in plane crash (Metro)
Wagner soldiers have issued a menacing threat to Vladimir Putin just hours after their mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin was reportedly killed in a plane crash in Russia.
The 62-year-old was on board a private jet when it plummeted to the ground around 60 miles north of Moscow, Russian officials claim.
All 10 people travelling on the aircraft are said to be dead after Russia’s aviation authority released a list of names of the victims. Read more
Tobi Amusan loses world title, places 6th In 100m hurdle (DailyTrust)
Nigerian super athlete, Tobi Amusan, has lost the 100 metres hurdle race after finishing sixth in the final at the ongoing World Athletics Championship in Budapest on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Jamaican Danielle Williams won the title in a season-best of 12.43s and Olympic champion, Puerto Rico’s Jasmine Camacho-Quinn came second in 12.44s.
As United States American Kendra Harrison came third in 12.46s, Amusan came 6th in 12.62s in her third consecutive final and failed to defend her World Champion title. Read more
African Youth Scrabble Championships begin in Lagos (Guardian)
Some of the world’s best players have gathered in Lagos for the inaugural Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA) President’s Cup (PPC) and the African Youth Scrabble Championships (AYSC), which began yesterday at the Orchid Hotel, Ikota-Lekki and the Chrisland School also in Lekki.
According to the organisers, over 225 players drawn from Africa and the United States (U.S.) are competing for honours at the four-day twin event.
The African players in the competition are from Botswana, Cameroun, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, The Gambia, Uganda and hosts, Nigeria. Read more
Women’s World Cup: Gusau tells Reps NFF received $.96m appearance fee (Nation)
President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Gusau said yesterday that the federation received about $960,000 from the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) as participation fees for the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
Gusau who appeared before the House ad-hoc committee on the dispute between Super Falcons and NFF explained that the money was meant to prepare the team for the World Cup.
He said they could not use the money to pay allowances of players for the 2019 World Cup, but, adding that as of last week Friday, the match bonuses and allowances for the Super Falcons has been paid. Read more
Bayelsa Prosperity Cup X1 to participate in African Youth Cup in Cape Verde (Sun)
Outstanding 11 players in the just concluded Prosperity Cup Competition tagged Bayelsa Prosperity X1 has been listed among the teams that will feature in the African Youth Cup scheduled for. Cape Verde.
This was disclosed in a statement made available to newsmen by the Director of the tournament, Mr. Ono Akpe on Wednesday.
The DOT noted that preparations for the African Youth Championship in Cape Verde has commenced in earnest with over 60 players participating in the screening and trials in the last three weeks at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa, applauding the governor for having faith in the youths of Bayelsa. Read more
Man City sign winger Doku from Rennes for £55.4m (BBC)
Manchester City have completed the signing of Belgium winger Jeremy Doku from Rennes for £55.4m.
Last season’s Treble winners have agree a five-year contract with the 21-year-old, who scored 10 goals in 75 Ligue 1 appearances across three seasons.
Doku, who has 16 caps for Belgium, has taken the number 11 shirt.
“This is a great day for me, both personally and professionally. City are the best team in world football, so joining them is special,” Doku said. Read more
US Open first round draw revealed as Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Carlos Alcaraz find out who they’ll face (Metro)
Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Carlos Alcaraz’s first-round opponents at the 2023 US Open have been revealed after the draw was made on Thursday.
Djokovic, looking to secure a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title, faces French world No.85 Alexandre Muller in his opening match.
Their meeting means that Muller will have played both Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz at back-to-back major tournaments after he lost to the Spaniard 6-4 7-6 6-3 in the second round at Wimbledon. Read more