Nigeria’s inflation rises to 25.80%, says NBS (Punch)
Nigeria’s inflation rose to 25.80% in the month of August 2023, 1.72% points higher than the 24.08% recorded in the previous month according to the Consumer Price Index report for August 2023 released by the National Bureau of Statistics on Friday.
According to the report, the significant increase reflects the impact of the removal of petrol subsidies and the devaluation of the official exchange rate on consumer prices. Month-on-month inflation rose to 3.18% in the review month from 2.89% recorded in the prior month.
In terms of contribution to the year-on-year inflation, Food and non-alcoholic beverages (13.36%) contributed the most, followed by housing water, electricity, gas and other fuel (4.32%), and clothing and footwear (1.97%). Read more
We may exhume Mohbad’s corpse, say police (DailyTrust)
Police have said the body of fast-rising artiste Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, well known as Mohbad, may be exhumed for autopsy.
Series of allegations have trailed the death of the 27-year-old musician who was said to have been subjected to frustration after he severed relationship with his former record label.
Mohbad died on Tuesday after reportedly receiving injections for an ear infection and was buried in Ikorodu, Lagos on Wednesday. Read more
5 die in Anambra auto crash (Channels)
No fewer than five persons were killed in a road traffic crash Friday at the Odumudu Junction of Njete-Akwa Expressway in Anambra State.
The crash involved 10 people, three male adults and seven female adults. Five female adults were killed, two male adults and two female adults were injured, and one male adult was rescued unharmed.
The incident was confirmed by the Anambra State Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in a first information report made available to Channels Television. Read more
UNILAG bows to pressure, cuts down tuition fees (Tribune)
The authorities of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Akoka have finally cut down its obligatory and some other fees being charged to the students.
The university reduced the fees on Thursday evening following the marathon meeting that lasted for more than five hours with the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) held at the institution.
The meeting was at the instance of UNILAG management who invited NANS’ leadership to jointly find an amicable resolution to the crisis and continuous students’ protest that trailed the fees increment since July. Read more
We must work to give succour to the vulnerable – Lagos Commissioner for Youth (Guardian)
The Commissioner for the Ministry of Youth and Social Development in Lagos, Mobolaji Ogunlende, has called for unity as they plan to help the vulnerable people in the state.
On Friday, Ogunlende implored the staff to work with him as a team to achieve the mandate of the Ministry of Youth, part of which is to give succour to the vulnerable.
The Commissioner gave the charge during his first meeting at the ministry’s conference room with the management and staff. Read more
Mr Eazi unleashes his artistic brilliance with ‘‘The Evil Genius’’ exhibition in Accra (ThisDay)
Oluwatosin ‘Mr Eazi’ Ajibade, the Nigerian-born innovator and musician renowned for his creative talents, has embarked on an inspiring journey that melds the worlds of music and art. This time, he dons a curator’s hat with the unveiling of his art exhibition ‘The Evil Genius’, inspired by his new album of the same title. The exhibition exudes the essence of love, freedom, happiness, and the thematic tapestry woven into his album.
Collaborating with Gallery 1957, this artistic endeavour coincides with Accra Cultural Week, setting the stage for a fusion of cultural expressions.
“We are thrilled to exhibit his powerful and thought-provoking collection to our audiences,” remarks the gallery manager, Angelica Litta Modignani. Read more
Bayelsa Poll: Ohanaeze endorses Diri for 2nd term (Nation)
The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Bayelsa state chapter, has endorsed Bayelsa state Governor Douye Diri for a second term in office.
The group gave the endorsement after engaging in a solidarity march to rally support for Diri and his deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, ahead of the November 11, 2023 governorship election in the state.
The Ohanaeze leadership said though the group is apolitical, the Igbos in Bayelsa had resolved to work with the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and his running mate in the forthcoming poll due to their track record of achievements since assumption of office almost four years ago. Read more
AGF pledges to publish FAAC Allocation (Vanguard)
The Accountant General of the Federation, Dr. Oluwatoyin Madein, has reaffirmed her commitment to upholding and promoting the ideals of prudence, transparency and accountability in government financial transactions.
In a statement issued in Abuja, yesterday, the AGF said she will take requisite steps to permanently resolve observed and potential threats to the efficient and continuous implementation of all the financial management reforms initiative by the Federal Government.
Dr. Madein explained that since assumption of office, she has undertaken an in-depth review of the financial reforms and would leverage on the outcome of the review to inject new ideas and strategies into the projects to sustain the gains. Read more
Sean ‘‘Diddy’’ Combs releases new album, ‘‘Another One of Me’’ music video (UPI)
Sean “Diddy” Combs is back with a new album.
The 53-year-old rapper, actor and music producer released the album The Love Album: Off the Grid and a music video for the song “Another One of Me” featuring The Weeknd, 21 Savage and French Montana on Friday.
The “Another One of Me” video shows Combs, The Weeknd, 21 Savage and French Montana performing amid geometric planes and shattered glass. Read more
Miriam Margolyes reveals she flashed Martin Scorsese her breasts on film set (Standard)
Miriam Margolyes has recalled how Martin Scorsese got to see much more than her acting when she flashed him while working together on the 1993 film, Age of Innocence.
The actress, 82, appeared in the director’s adaptation of Edith Wharton’s novel of the same name playing the role of Mrs Mingott in a cast which also included Daniel Day-Lewis, Michelle Pfeiffer and Winona Ryder.
Opening up about her experience of working with the revered filmmaker in her newly released second memoir, titled Oh Miriam: Stories from an Extraordinary Life, she told how she decided to flash him and the film’s crew members after one particularly long morning. Read more
Sudanese leader’s diplomatic tour renews hopes for a peace deal (France24)
General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the de facto ruler of Sudan, arrived in Qatar Thursday on an official visit to discuss the ongoing crisis in his country. The trip, which comes after similar visits to Egypt and South Sudan in recent days, has prompted speculation that he is willing to seek a negotiated solution to the war that has been raging since April 15 between the Sudanese military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
By making three high-profile trips abroad in less than a week, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has fuelled rumours that negotiations may be underway to end the war between his troops and the RSF forces led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, a former ally – notably during the October 2021 coup that brought Burhan to power – turned political rival.
In late August, on his first official trip since the start of the conflict, Burhan was received by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo. Read more
Sexyy Red addresses deadly shooting near her music video (HipHopDX)
Sexyy Red has released a statement about the deadly shooting that took place near where she was filming a music video.
According to Local 10, one person was killed and another was injured on Thursday night (September 14) after gunfire erupted near the Oakland Park Flea Market Mall in Florida.
The shooting was reported just before 8 p.m. near the intersection of Northwest 31st Avenue and Oakland Park Boulevard.
Broward Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Gerdy St. Louis said deputies arrived to find two people suffering apparent gunshot wounds, with one pronounced dead at the scene and the other taken to a local hospital. Read more
Johnson & Johnson under investigation in South Africa over ‘excessive’ drug prices (AfricaNews)
US pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson is under investigation in South Africa for allegedly charging “excessive” prices for a key tuberculosis drug, the country’s antitrust regulator said on Friday.
The South African Competition Commission said J&J’s Belgian subsidiary, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, was also under investigation.
The Commission, which regulates marketing practices, said it opened an investigation this week based on reports that the companies ” may have engaged in exclusionary practices and excessive pricing” of bedaquiline , a tuberculosis drug sold under the brand name Sirturo. Read more
One Piece renewed for season 2 at Netflix (Variety)
The live-action One Piece series has been renewed for Season 2 at Netflix.
Netflix made the announcement on social media on Thursday, exactly two weeks after the series debuted on the streaming service.
Based on the popular manga and anime series of the same name, One Piece follows the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy, a young pirate who searches the Blue Sea for the mythical One Piece treasure. If he can do it, he will become King of the Pirates. Read more
Russian pilot believed he had permission to shoot down RAF spy plane (BelfastTelegraph)
A Russian pilot tried to shoot down an RAF spy plane believing he had been given permission to fire, according to a report.
Russia blamed a “technical malfunction” for causing the incident over the Black Sea on September 29 last year.
But intercepted communications suggest the pilot fired after receiving an ambiguous command from a Russian ground station. Read more
Boxer Ogunsemilore qualifies for Olympics, 2 others close (Punch)
Three Nigerian boxers have advanced to the final of the Africa Olympic qualifiers in Dakar, Senegal, with one boxer, Cynthia Ogunsemilore, already securing her spot at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Ogunsemilore qualified for the Paris Olympics after she knocked out Zambian Nkandu Felistars in round two of the women’s 60kg to progress to the final, which was enough to earn her a place in Paris.
“This is the time for me to shine, this is the time for me to be the world champion, for people to know me, this is the time my name will ring, my family name will ring, I am so so excited,” Ogunsemilore stated after her qualification. Read more
State Govt assures Lagos FC of support (Leadership)
The executive chairman of Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC), Sola Aiyepeku, assured Sporting Lagos FC of support as they prepare to make their debut in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) in the upcoming season.
Aiyepeku, who spoke to LEADERSHIP on the sideline of the unveiling of a newly equipped basketball court by a consortium of groups -National Basketball Association (NBA), French Agency of Development (AFD) and Dream Sports Africa in partnership with LSSC at the Campos Stadium in Lagos on Thursday, said the commission will give Sporting Lagos the needed support and charge the management to strive to remain in the premier league as it will augur well for its growth and brand.
“We have always supported every club that makes Lagos its base and Sporting Lagos is not different. What we have told and advised the club is that they should strive to remain in the premier league which will be tough. If they can do that, it will help the club to sell its brand and become more entrenched in the business of running a football club in the premier league.You know it is a privately owned club with a unique philosophy and I wish them the very best as league kicks off,” Aiyepeku said. Read more
Ex-Spain football boss in court over World Cup kiss scandal (France24)
Five days after resigning as Spain’s football chief, Luis Rubiales is due in court Friday on sexual assault charges over forcibly kissing women’s World Cup player Jenni Hermoso.
The 46-year-old has been summoned to Madrid’s Audiencia Nacional court at midday (1000 GMT) where he will appear before Judge Francisco de Jorge who is heading up the investigation.
At the hearing, which will be closed to the public, Rubiales will be questioned as a defendant in regards to allegations of “sexual assault”, a court statement said earlier this week. Read more
Arsenal CEO Venkatesham to leave the club next summer (ESPN)
Arsenal chief executive Vinai Venkatesham will leave the club next summer, the Gunners said Thursday.
Venkatesham has been with the Premier League team for 14 years in different roles.
“This was a tough decision, but it is time to pursue another challenge,” he said in the team’s announcement.
Venkatesham has held numerous positions at Arsenal including managing director and chief commercial officer. He became chief executive in 2020. Read more
NFL London: Tottenham extends 2-game agreement through to 2029 (BBC)
The NFL has extended its deal to play a minimum of two regular season games each year at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to cover the 2029 season.
An initial 10-year partnership was agreed in 2015 and was due to run from 2019 to 2028.
Opened in 2019, the north London venue is the first purpose-built American football stadium outside the US.
Since its first NFL game in October 2019, it has staged two per year, apart from in 2020 due to the Covid pandemic. Read more
Charles Leclerc bats off Helmut Marko comments in worrying Ferrari admission (Express)
Charles Leclerc has claimed that he isn’t buying into Red Bull’s fears about Ferrari’s pace ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix, suggesting that he is worried that the team could struggle in relation to their rivals on Sunday.
The Scuderia produced their most impressive weekend of the season in front of a jubilant Tifosi crowd last weekend with Carlos Sainz taking his first pole position of the season before battling fiercely against Max Verstappen during the early stages of the race.
While Verstappen and eventually Sergio Perez muscled their way through at Monza, Singapore could bring a different outcome if the Italian team can secure another pole position or even a front-row lockout, given how difficult overtaking can be at this circuit. Read more