Nigerians blow over N68b on UK visa applications in 1 year (Sun)
The British government raked in over N68 billion from processing over 225,000 UK visa applications from Nigerians between June 2023 and June 2024.
During the launch of Africa’s largest UK visa application center in Lagos this week, the British High Commission in Lagos quoted the Director of Visa, Status, and Information Services at UK Visas and Immigration, Marc Owen, saying, “In the year to June 2024, we processed more than 225,000 UK visas for Nigerian nationals across all categories and this new partnership demonstrates our continued commitment to ensuring our visa services are accessible, efficient and meet the needs of all applicants.”
The specific breakdown of visa types and their respective fees was not provided. However, information onvisa fees on the UK government website shows that a short-term visa (up to 6 months, single or multiple entry) cost $150, longer-term visas (valid for up to two years) cost $565, visas valid for up to five years cost $1,009, those for up to 10 years cost $1260, private medical treatment (more than six months up to 11 months) cost $262, while short term student visa for more than six months but not more than 11 months cost $262. Read more
FG hands over $3.02b Port Harcourt-Aba completed rail line to NRC (ThisDay)
The Federal Ministry of Transportation has handed over operationalisation of the completed 62-kilometer Port Harcourt-Aba section of the Eastern Narrow Gauge (Port Harcourt-Maiduguri) Railway Project to the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).
The official handover held in Port Harcourt, yesterday, was witnessed by the project contractor, CCECC Nigeria Limited, a Chinese firm, staff of NRC, project consultant, Khairi/Jamub SDN Limited, and others.
Speaking with journalists immediately after the handover of the railway which was inaugurated in May this year, Project Supervisor, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Ayo Dada, said the railway will bring development to the area, and also boost the economy of both the states and country. Read more
We have lost confidence of the people, says Ndume (Channels)
The senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, on Thursday said lawmakers have lost the confidence of the people, citing non-performance.
Ndume stated this during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
The lawmaker explained that from the 2023 general elections, only 25 senators who were part of the ninth Assembly made it back to the upper chamber. Read more
President Tinubu affirms Nigeria’s commitment to boost cooperation with France (VON)
President Bola Tinubu has affirmed Nigeria’s strong commitment to enhancing cooperation in key sectors such as food security, energy, solid minerals, education, and defence during a high-profile meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron.
At a joint press conference held at the Palais des L’Élysée on Thursday, President Tinubu highlighted the vast, yet largely untapped potential within Nigeria’s agricultural sector and beckoned international investors to capitalize on the nation’s welcoming investment climate.
“The French-Nigeria Business Forum is doing a lot already, but we need to do more on food security. We cannot help but invest in another country,” President Tinubu said. Read more
Sanwo-Olu, ex-council chairmen canvass support for LGs (Punch)
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday, canvassed support for the strengthening of local governments in the state and other parts of Nigeria.
The governor spoke during the Annual Retreat/Award Ceremony organised by the Association of Ex-Local Government Chairmen of Nigeria in Ikeja, Lagos.
The event brought together several past chairmen of local governments in Nigeria. Read more
Why COSCO vessel, E A Centaurus berthed at Lekki port (DailyTrust)
Indications have emerged on why one of the world leading shipping lines, COSCO, berthed at Lekki port recently.
It has been confirmed that COSCO agreed to add the nation’s first deep seaport because of it’s state of the art facilities.
Recalled that on November 8, 2024, in what could be described as a major boost to the Nigerian maritime sector and international trade, the management of Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise Limited (LPLEL), Lekki Freeport Terminal, and the Lagos Free Zone launched the COSCO, ONE (Ocean Network Express), and ZIM alliance services at Lekki Deep Sea Port. Read more
APGA leadership tussle: I’ve accepted Supreme Court verdict – Njoku (Nation)
Chief Edozie Njoku says he has resolved to abide by the Supreme Court judgment which removed him as the National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Supreme Court had, on Wednesday, declared Sylvester Ezeokenwa as the national chairman of APGA, thus bringing to an end the lingering leadership tussle which had rocked the party for years.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had, in his judgment, restrained Njoku from parading himself as the APGA national chairman. Read more
Senate honours Wayas, holds valedictory session (Tribune)
The Senate on Thursday held a valedictory session in honour of its Second Republic President, the late Dr. Joseph Wayas.
Wayas, who served as Senate President from 1979 to 1983, will be buried this weekend, 41 years after leaving office. He held the position during the administration of the late Alhaji Shehu Shagari.
Wayas passed away on November 30, 2021, in London at the age of 80 after a period of ill health. He was born on May 21, 1941. Read more
Cardi B reveals eye-watering income & monthly spending (HipHopDx)
Cardi B has lifted the lid on her personal finances, revealing how much she gets paid per show as well as the staggering amount of money she spends each month on living costs.
Speaking on X Spaces on Wednesday (November 27), the Bronx bombshell began by explaining how her relationship with money was shaped by growing up around drug dealers, who blew all of their illicit earnings instead of making smart investments.
However, watching them did give Cardi a “hustler mentality” which has powered her to fame and fortune. Read more
At least 15 killed, more than 100 missing as landslides bury Uganda homes (AlJazeera)
At least 15 people have been killed and more than 100 others are missing after heavy rains caused landslides in eastern Uganda.
Police on Thursday updated the death toll to 15 and said 113 others were missing after landslides in six villages of the mountainous district of Bulambuli the previous night.
Images on local media showed huge swaths of fallen earth covering the land in the village of Masugu, about a five-hour drive from the capital, Kampala. Videos and photographs shared on social media purported to show people digging for survivors in the village of Kimono. Read more
Lithuanian Drama Toxic wins top prize at 55th International Film Festival of India (Variety)
Lithuanian filmmaker Saulė Bliuvaitė’s Toxic took home the best film award at the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa. The jury, headed by Indian director Ashutosh Gowariker, recognized the film for its portrayal of adolescence and economic hardship.
Previously, at Locarno, Toxic won not only the Golden Leopard for Best Film in the fest’s premier International Competition — from a jury chaired by Austrian auteur Jessica Hausner — but also, in an unusual double, the top prize in the separately juried First Feature Competition. Read more
Bruce Willis seen in rare emotional photo at Thanksgiving amid dementia battle (Hello!)
Bruce Willis shared a sweet Thanksgiving moment with his daughters on Thursday, proving just how close the family are amidst his ongoing dementia battle.
The Die Hard actor was snapped sitting on a couch with his second eldest daughter, 33-year-old Scout, who was nose to nose with her father as she put her arm around him.
Bruce’s third daughter, Tallulah, 30, sat on the floor looking up at him with a loving gaze; in another snap, she touched his face affectionately. Read more
Rod Stewart accuses Gregg Wallace of ‘‘humiliating’’ his wife on MasterChef (Telegraph)
Sir Rod Stewart has accused Gregg Wallace of being a “tubby, bald-headed, ill-mannered bully” for “humiliating” his wife, Penny Lancaster, when she appeared on Celebrity MasterChef.
On Thursday, it was announced that Wallace, 60, had “stepped away” from his role on the cooking programme after the BBC began a sexual harassment inquiry following a Telegraph investigation.
Sir Rod, 79, described the news as “good riddance” and accused Wallace of having his treatment of Lancaster, a model and television personality, cut out of the programme. Read more
Sum 41 set to be inducted into Canadian Music Hall of Fame (MXDWN)
According to blabbermouth.net, the Canadian Academy Of Recording Arts And Sciences (CARAS) recently unveiled several major announcements, including that the Canadian punk rock icons Sum 41 will be inducted into the Canadian Music Hall Of Fame during the 54th annual Juno Awards. This will be done during a special presentation and performance presented by Juno premier sponsor TD Bank Group.
Earlier this year, the Grammy nominated band announced their breakup after 27 years of making music together. They released their final album, Heaven :x: Hell, back in March, which received rave reviews from the likes of Kerrang!,Dork, NMEand other publications. The band’s hit singles off the record, Dopamine” and “Landmines” have made waves in radio airplay over the last several weeks reaching number one on Mediabase Alternative charts.
“We’re excited to be back at the Junos and to receive this recognition,” said Sum 41. “We’ve come so far as a band since we first started and we look forward to celebrating in Vancouver with our fans and fellow Canadian artists.” Read more
Australia approves social media ban on under-16s (BBC)
Australia will ban children under 16 from using social media, after its parliament approved the world’s strictest laws.
The ban, which will not take effect for at least 12 months, could see tech companies fined up to A$50m ($32.5m; £25.7m) if they don’t comply.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the legislation is needed to protect young people from the “harms” of social media, something many parent groups have echoed. Read more
Nigeria beat Botswana, lift Cricket WCQ Trophy in Abuja (ThisDay)
Nigeria men’s cricket team, the Yellow -Greens have emerged the winner of the International Cricket Council T20 World Cup Sub-regional Africa Qualifier C concluded at the cricket oval of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja yesterday.
Nigeria beat Botswana by 77 runs to seal their unbeaten run in the five-match World Cup Qualifier.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, who was present at the final match, described the “victory as a perfect ending to a brilliant showing by the team” put in place by the Nigeria Cricket Federation led by Uyi Akpata. Read more
Ogunbote risks NPFL sanction over refs comments (Punch)
Shooting Stars coach Gbenga Ogunbote has been invited by the Nigeria Premier Football League board for an investigative hearing over comments he made after their southwest derby defeat to Ikorodu City on Sunday, November 17, in Lagos, The PUNCH reports.
The experienced gaffer is to appear before the NPFL Disciplinary Committee for an inquest on Tuesday, December, 3 by 10 am at the league’s secretariat in the Jabi district of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
According to a statement released by the NPFL, the board considers some of the positions he expressed as a breach of the code of conduct for NPFL coaches. Read more
Hojlund gives Amorim winning Old Trafford bow; Roma hold Spurs (JapanToday)
Manchester United marked Ruben Amorim’s first game at Old Trafford with a 3-2 Europa League victory over Bodo/Glimt as Rasmus Hojlund netted a double, while Tottenham were held by Roma on Thursday.
United trailed late in the first half against Norwegians Bodo/Glimt, but recovered to post a second straight Europa League win since sacking Erik ten Hag, having started the campaign with three consecutive draws.
“Half of the stadium doesn’t know me, I came from Portugal and I did nothing for this club. Yet the way they make me feel at home is special,” Amorim told TNT Sports. Read more
Megan Rapinoe defends soccer star embroiled in gender row (DailyMail)
Former United States women’s captain Megan Rapinoe has leapt to the defense of Barbra Banda amid fierce controversy surrounding the Zambia soccer player’s gender.
Banda, 24, is the latest women’s sports star facing questions over her gender after she was crowned BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year over in the UK this week, a decision which sparked outrage given she was left out of Zambia’s Africa Cup of Nations squad in 2022 on ‘gender eligibility grounds’.
It is believed team bosses became aware that the striker’s ‘testosterone levels’ were higher than those permitted by the Confederation of African Football, meaning she was excluded from her country’s squad at the major international tournament. Read more
Poland’s Swiatek accepts 1-month doping suspension (RTHK)
World number two Iga Swiatek has accepted a one-month suspension after testing positive for a banned substance, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced on Thursday.
Swiatek, 23, tested positive for the heart medication trimetazidine (TMZ) in an out-of-competition sample in August 2024, when the Polish player was ranked number one in the world.
The ITIA, however, accepted that it was caused by “the contamination of a regulated non-prescription medication (melatonin), manufactured and sold in Poland that the player had been taking for jet lag and sleep issues”. Read more
Verstappen “should start doing comedy” – Norris (BBC)
Lando Norris says Max Verstappen “should start doing comedy” after the Dutchman suggested he could have won the world title in Norris’ McLaren.
The Red Bull driver’s remarks are based on his belief that the McLaren was the faster car for much of the season.
“He can say whatever he wants. Of course I completely disagree, as I would,” Norris said. “He’s good, but yeah. It’s not true.
“I know what Max is capable of doing and I like his confidence but I can say whatever. Not possible.” Read more