Nigerians condemn burning of JAMB mega CBT centre in Mbano (Nation)
Condemnation has trailed the burning of the newly commissioned complex of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in Mbano, Imo State.
The complex houses a mega Computer-Based Test (CBT) centre built by the Board.
It was gathered that the centre was broken into and reduced to ashes by an unidentified group. Read more
FG grants tax exemptions for oil and gas sector (Vanguard)
Determined to arrest the spate of divestments in the nation’s oil and gas sector, the Federal Government (FG) has announced a new fiscal regime with a wide range of tax exemptions in the industry.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, said the fiscal incentives were aimed at revitalizing Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
The tax exemptions were contained in circulars titled: ‘Value Added Tax (VAT) Modification Order 2024’; and in the ‘Notice of Tax Incentives for Deep Offshore Oil & Gas Production’, which are in accordance with the Oil & Gas Companies (Tax Incentives, Exemption, Remission, etc.) Order 2024. Read more
Okpebholo visits Uzodimma, says ‘we have blessings of God, Oba of Benin’ (Channels)
Edo State Governor-elect, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on Wednesday visited Governor Hope Uzodimma at the Imo State Government House in Owerri.
He was accompanied by his deputy, Honourable Dennis Idahosa; the senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshimhole and the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman in Edo State, Jarrett Tenebe.
Addressing Uzodimma in the Imo State capital, Okpebholo said he has the blessings of God and that of the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II. Read more
Rivers LG poll: Fubara declares Thursday, Friday public holidays (Tribune)
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has announced Thursday, October 3, and Friday, October 4, 2024, as public holidays to allow residents to return to their communities and actively participate in the Local Government elections scheduled for Saturday, October 5.
He made the declarations in a statewide broadcast to the people of the state at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
The Governor also announced strict restriction of vehicular movement of residents from midnight on Friday, October 4 to 5pm on Election Day. Read more
Alumni donate N7m solar panels to Queens College (Punch)
To commemorate 40 years of its graduation, the 1984 set of Queens College, Lagos, has donated solar panels worth over N7m to their alma mater.
The donation, which was part of the set’s reunion programme, took place on the school premises in Yaba, Lagos State.
The solar panel was installed to light up the JSS3 section of the school, comprising 12 blocks. Read more
Dept trains officials, students in AI, data skills (Nation)
The Mass Communication Department of Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH), Ikorodu, Lagos, in partnership with Dataphyte, a media research and data analytics organisation, has trained students and staff during a two-day workshop on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data journalism, equipping them with modern tools to excel in the field.
The workshop, which was held at the department’s Public Relations and Advertising (PRAD) Laboratory, was designed to enhance participants’ skills in producing data-driven stories and utilising AI in journalism. The training also provided an opportunity for educators to improve their knowledge for better teaching.
Head of the Mass Communication Department, Dr Steve Anu Adesemoye, represented by his predecessor Dr Prosper Zannu, praised Dataphyte’s contribution to journalism education and emphasised the department’s vision to lead in technology-enhanced journalism education. Read more
Odu’a Investment commends Sanwo-Olu for supporting company’s growth, repositioning (Tribune)
The Board of Odu’a Investment Company Limited has commended Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for his administration’s support to the growth and repositioning of the group while seeking more partnership with the state.
The board through its Chairman, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru gave the commendation when OICL board paid a courtesy call to the governor at the Lagos House, Ikeja.
Ashiru who applauded the state government for being proactive in the area of infrastructural development, quality education and good health services called on the governor to continue to support the group to achieve its vision of ‘being a world class conglomerate’ Read more
Makinde approves conversion of LG ad hoc workers to permanent staff (ThisDay)
Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has approved the conversion of ad hoc staff in the service of the 33 local government councils in the state to permanent staff.
The governor said that the decision was taken to bridge the gap in the workforce at the local government level, noting that the due process for the employment must be followed effectively and perfected within four weeks.
Governor Makinde disclosed this at the official inauguration of the newly-built Local Government House and Staff Training School, held at the Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan. Read more
Rich Homie Quan’s cause of death revealed weeks after tragic passing (HipHopDx)
Rich Homie Quan‘s death has officially been ruled an accident, as the cause has been confirmed by the Fulton County Medical Examiner.
According to the Medical Examiner’s report obtained by TMZ on Tuesday (October 1), the “Type Of Way” rapper’s death was a result of the toxic mix of fentanyl, alprazolam, codeine and promethazine.
The report also noted he showed no signs of trauma. Read more
Doctor pleads guilty in Matthew Perry overdose death (BBC)
A doctor charged in the drug-related death of actor Matthew Perry has pleaded guilty in the case.
Dr Mark Chavez changed his plea to guilty in a Los Angeles court to a charge of conspiring to distribute the surgical anaesthetic ketamine.
Chavez, 54, operated a ketamine clinic and sold ketamine lozenges to Dr Salvador Plasencia, who supplied them to Perry, the star of NBC sitcom Friends.
Chavez is one of five people charged in Perry’s death. The 54-year-old actor was found dead in his backyard jacuzzi in southern California in October 2023. Read more
Ken Page, voice of Oogie Boogie and original cast member of Broadway’s ‘‘Cats,’’ dies at 70 (Variety)
Ken Page, a theatre icon who brought Old Deuteronomy to life in the Broadway debut of “Cats” and delighted children everywhere by voicing Oogie Boogie from The Nightmare Before Christmas, has died. He was 70.
Page died Monday, Sept. 30, at home in St. Louis, Mo. His talent agent, Todd M. Eskin, announced the news Tuesday; no cause of death was given.
Page’s career spanned both stage and screen. He starred opposite Beyoncé in the 2006 film adaptation of the musical, voiced King Gator in the classic Don Bluth animated feature All Dogs Go to Heaven and Nicely-Nicely Johnson in the first Broadway revival of “Guys and Dolls” (his rendition of “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ The Boatt” was the stuff of legends). Read more
Rugrats live-action movie in the works from director Jason Moore and SNL team (THR)
Nickelodeon animation favorite Rugrats is getting new life from Paramount Pictures.
The studio is developing a feature adaptation of the long-running series that will be a hybrid of live-action and CG. Jason Moore (Pitch Perfect) is attached to direct the film Rugrats that is based on the series of the same name. Arlene Klasky, Gábor Csupó and Paul Germain co-created the show.
Saturday Night Live writing partners Mikey Day and Streeter Seidell penned the script for the movie. Producers on the project include Klasky, Csupó and Karen Rosenfelt. Read more
Luke Bryan breaks silence on Beyonce’s country album and explains CMA Awards snub (DailyMail)
Luke Bryan has offered a measured take on why Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter album hasn’t resonated with country music critics in terms of award show honors.
The country singer-songwriter, 48, was asked in an appearance on Andy Cohen Live on SiriusXM Monday about the superstar musical artist, 43, not receiving a single nomination from the Country Music Association Awards. (She also went winless amid 12 nominations at the People’s Choice Country Awards last week.)
The Leesburg, Georgia native responded, ‘It’s a tricky question because, obviously, Beyoncé made a country album and Beyoncé has a lot of fans out there that have her back. And if she doesn’t get something they want, man, they come at you, as fans should do.’ Read more
US prosecutors detail new evidence in Trump election subversion case (AlJazeera)
A federal judge in the United States has made public new evidence against Donald Trump in an ongoing election subversion case in Washington, DC.
Judge Tanya Chutkan unsealed a 165-page court filing on Wednesday that details the prosecution’s argument that Trump — in his final months as president — acted in a private capacity to overturn the results of the 2020 election.
The filing is the latest effort by Special Counsel Jack Smith to illustrate how presidential immunity does not apply to Trump’s actions. It presents perhaps the most complete case yet of the 78-year-old’s efforts to cling to power as his term expired. Read more
8 Israeli soldiers killed in clashes with Hezbollah in Lebanon (Guardian)
Eight Israeli soldiers have been killed and a number of others wounded in three exchanges with Hezbollah in heavy fighting inside Lebanon.
The largest group of soldiers, from the commando brigade and including an officer, was involved in a clash with Hezbollah in a village north of the Israeli border community of Misgav Am, while two other soldiers from the Golani brigade were killed in a separate incident.
Claims of significant losses had been circulating since early on Wednesday when Hezbollah had said it had inflicted casualties on a group of Israeli soldiers attempting to assault the Lebanese village of Odaisseh, not far from the border. Read more
Lookman shines as dominant Atalanta beat Shakhtar (BBC)
Ademola Lookman starred as Atalanta claimed a comfortable Champions League win over Shakhtar Donetsk at the Arena AufSchalke in Gelsenkirchen, Germany.
The Italians have now taken four points from their two Champions League fixtures this term after beginning their campaign with a goalless draw against Arsenal.
And this result never looked in doubt from the moment former Charlton and Everton forward Lookman created their 21st-minute opener with a curling delivery from the left that was flicked home by Albania captain Berat Djimsiti. Read more
Ex-Sunshine striker Yusuf makes Armenia league team (Punch)
West Armenia striker and former Sunshine Stars man, Ibrahim Yusuf, has for the second time been named in the Team of the Week of the Armenian topflight, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
He earned his place on the team after a blistering 45-minute performance last weekend.
Yusuf came on as a halftime substitute and grabbed a brace to inspire West Armenia to a 2-0 win over Alashkert last Saturday for their second win of the season. Read more
Villa stun Bayern, Real beaten in Champions League (RTHK)
Aston Villa repeated their famous 1982 European Cup final win over Bayern Munich as Jhon Durán’s winner beat the German giants 1-0 on Wednesday.
The Colombian striker caught Manuel Neuer off his line 11 minutes from time to make it two wins from two games for Villa in their first experience of Uefa Champions League football for 41 years.
Bayern arrived at Villa Park unbeaten and in free-scoring form since Vincent Kompany took charge.
After a comfortable 3-0 win over Young Boys in Switzerland two weeks ago, the visit of the six-time European champions was the sort of glamour tie Villa fans had been relishing and it did not disappoint. Read more
Lionel Messi scores surgical free kick as Inter Miami win MLS Supporters’ Shield (NBC)
Lionel Messi is at it again, claiming a 46th career trophy in a game worthy of a crowning Inter Miami the victor of their first MLS Supporters’ Shield.
Messi scored two including a surgical free kick and Luis Suarez also scored in Miami’s 3-2 win over Columbus Crew in Ohio on Wednesday, nailing down the best record in Major League Soccer for the 2024 season.
Inter Miami led 2-0 through Messi’s brace when Diego Rossi made it 2-1. Suarez restored the two-goal lead and then ex-Watford star Cucho Hernandez made it 3-2 with a penalty. Columbus was awarded a second penalty, but USMNT pool goalkeeper Drake Callender saved a tepid attempt. Read more
Michael Jordan’s NASCAR team joins lawsuit against racing organization, owner (UPI)
Basketball icon Michael Jordan and his NASCAR team are now among two teams suing the stock car racing organization and its owner for what the lawsuits allege are NASCAR’s monopoly over the sport and unfair terms for the teams, drivers and sponsors, according to new reports.
On Wednesday, Front Row Motorsports and 23XI Racing, a team co-owned by Jordan, jointly filed an antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR and its owner, CEO Jim France, in federal court in North Carolina’s Western District.
“We share a passion for racing, the thrill of competition, and winning,” reads a joint statement by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports released on Wednesday. Read more
Sergio Martinez and Paul Williams embrace years on from their Atlantic City fights (BoxingScene)
Former rivals Paul Williams and Sergio Martinez met for the first time since their two fights at the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame last weekend.
The event, which is becoming one of boxing’s annual must-attend attractions, saw the fighters reunite and embrace 15 years on from Martinez edging Williams by a majority decision in their first bout before the Argentine great scored one of the best knockouts of 2010 – if not all time – to stop Williams in two rounds in their 2010 return. Both fights were at the Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City. Williams had just two more contests before he was left wheelchair-bound following a motorcycle accident. Read more