NIN-SIM verification chaos: NCC orders immediate reactivation of lines (Sun)
Following widespread complaints of SIM card deactivation due to unresolved NIN-SIM verification issues, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has ordered telecom operators to immediately restore affected lines.
Over the weekend, numerous Nigerians experienced disruptions to their mobile services as their SIM cards were blocked for failing to meet the NIN-SIM linkage requirements. This mass deactivation has caused significant inconvenience and frustration among subscribers
A visit to the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) in Ikeja, Lagos and some telecommunications companies’ customer service centres on Monday, showed that many subscribers visited the service centres in droves to rectify the issues with their linkage or to link their NIN to their SIMs. Read more
Tinubu signs 70k new minimum wage bill into law (Vanguard)
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has signed the new minimum wage bill into law.
Tinubu who presided over the Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting, at the Council Chamber in the State House, Abuja signed the N70,000 the new minimum wage into law.
Vanguard had reported how the Federal government and Organized Labour yesterday settled for N70,000 as the new minimum wage. Read more
Couple buy baby from Lagos traffickers, arrested during naming ceremony (Punch)
The Lagos State Police Command has rescued a two-month-old baby boy from a couple, Mr and Mrs James Uwam, during the naming ceremony of the child in the state.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, in a statement on Saturday, said the couple paid N2,350,000 to buy the baby from a suspected child trafficker, Loretta Nelson, who bought the baby from a pastor, Peter Udoh, for N1,450,000.
Hundeyin said Udoh bought the baby for N500,000 from another suspected child trafficker, Gloria Sunday, who allegedly stole the baby on July 11, 2024, a situation that prompted the mother of the baby to report the case to the police. Read more
Forum of LG Commissioners appoints Kano Deputy Gov as Chairman (ThisDay)
The Forum of Commissioners of Local Governments of the Federation has announced the appointment of Kano State Deputy Governor, Comr. Aminu Gwarzo as its new interim Chairman.
The decision was made during the forum’s maiden meeting held in Abuja, where commissioners from across the country gathered to discuss and strategise on key issues affecting local governments in Nigeria.
According to a statement, Gwarzo would bring his wealth of experience and a track record of excellence in local government to his new role, adding that the appointment is seen as a significant step towards strengthening local government administration and promoting collaboration among commissioners nationwide. Read more
APC chairmen plan solidarity rally, vow to defend democracy (Punch)
The Forum of All Progressives Congress State Chairmen has vowed that Nigerians and political stakeholders will resist any attempt to remove President Bola Tinubu from office.
The delegation of 37 state chairmen stated this at a media conference at the national secretariat of the APC in Abuja on Monday.
The APC chieftains’ warning was due to the growing tension generated by the anticipated August 1 to 10 #EndBadGovernance nationwide protest. Read more
Youths begin ‘‘say-no-to-protest’’ march in Lagos (Nation)
Youths in Lagos state on Monday, July 29, held a counter rally to say “no” to the planned August 1st nationwide protest.
Recall The Nation reported that some Nigerians were planning to protest against economic hardship in the country.
The demonstration, which is gaining traction on social media, has been scheduled to be held across all states of the federation as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, starting from August 1. Read more
Family urges Sanwo-Olu to restrain civil servants group against dubious takeover of land (Independent)
The families of Alori Kadunmishe of Igbo Ilogbo, Isefun, Ayobo Area of Lagos State has called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, to restrain a group of Senior Civil Servants in the State operating under the aegis of Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, Lagos State Branch, asking the State Governor, the Attorney General and the Head of Civil Service to compel the group whom they believe are acting for themselves but claiming to be working for the State Government to abide by the last ruling of a Magistrate Court in Ojo.
The call to the Governor was made by their solicitor on behalf of the family through a press conference, where he revealed that hitherto the group of Civil Servants have being coming frequently to the family land, disturbing and threatening the law abiding tenants and owners with orders to vacate the place, asking the Lagos State Governor to restrain the group from making further threats and stop the placement of ‘Notices’ on gates, walls and fences of residents asking them to vacate their properties for the purpose of dredging and excavation activities in the Area. Read more
Lauryn Hill and The Fugees add more dates to 2024 UK and European ‘Miseducation Anniversary’ tour (NME)
Lauryn Hill and The Fugees have announced extra dates for their ‘Miseducation Anniversary’ tour of the UK and Europe this autumn – read on for all the details.
Last month, the initial tour was announced, including two shows in the UK, with one in Manchester’s Co-Op Live Arena and the other at The O2 in London.
It is set to kick off in Tampa on August 9, taking in a total of 18 US shows, before heading across the Atlantic for the Manchester show on October 12, and London two days later. It was then set to wrap with shows in Paris and Amsterdam on October 18 and 22 respectively. Read more
Lady Gaga previews new album for fans outside of Paris hotel during Olympics (Consequence)
Lady Gaga gave an electrifying performance for viewers around the globe on Friday night with her performance at the Paris Olympics’ opening ceremony, but she treated French fans to something even sweeter — new music.
Two days after she graced the Seine with a performance of “Mon Truc en Plume,” Gaga took to Instagram on Sunday to thank her Parisian supporters. “I’m so deeply touched by my French fans this week outside the hotel,” she wrote in her story. “I’m gonna come out and say goodbye tonight with a few seconds of #LG7.” Read more
DRC : At least 7 killed during a stampede at music concert (AfricaNews)
At least Seven people were killed and many others were injured during a stampede at a music concert in Congo’s capital Saturday, authorities said.
The stampede occurred at the 80,000-capacity Stade des Martyrs stadium in the heart of Kinshasa where Mike Kalambayi, a popular Congolese gospel singer, was performing, Kinshasa Gov. Daniel Bumba said.
State television RTNC said seven people were killed in the chaos and some of those injured were admitted to intensive care. Read more
Only Murders star confirms show exit ahead of season 4 (DigitalSpy)
Only Murders in the Building has said goodbye to one of its guest stars ahead of season 4.
Jesse Williams, who played Mabel’s love interest and documentarian Tobert in the third season, has confirmed he will not be returning to reprise his role in the new season.
The Grey’s Anatomy star confirmed his exit in a new interview with People. Asked about his future on the Hulu series, Williams replied: “No, I’m not on that show anymore.” Read more
Paramilitaries gang rape girls as young as nine in Sudan, report warns (Independent)
A paramilitary group has been accused of gang raping girls as young as nine in war-ravaged Sudan in a damning new report.
Research by Human Rights Watch warned the group has perpetrated sexual violence against women, including rape, forced marriage, gang rape and child marriage – attributing a smaller number of incidents to the military.
The study looks at sexual violence towards women and girls in the Sudanese capital of Khartoum and its sister cities from the beginning of the conflict until February this year. Read more
Sinéad O’Connor documentary available to stream for free for 1 week in honour of the year anniversary of her death (People)
Music fans worldwide will get a chance to pay tribute to Sinéad O’Connor on the first anniversary of her death.
On Friday, July 26, Kathryn Ferguson — the director of O’Connor’s documentary Nothing Compares — announced that the film would be available to stream for free over the next seven days on La Cinéma Club.
“Since the film’s release in 2022, many people have reached out from around the globe, asking how they can view it,” Ferguson wrote on Instagram. “This includes many who lack access to streaming platforms or live in regions where the film isn’t available. Now, everyone can watch it and honour Sinéad’s extraordinary talent and her unwavering commitment to standing up for the oppressed.” Read more
Janet Andrewartha death: Neighbours stalwart dies aged 72 (Independent)
Neighbours star Janet Andrewartha has died aged 72.
Andrewartha was best known for her role as Lyn Scully on the long-running Australian soap, making her first appearance on the programme in 1999.
News of her death was announced by the official account for the series in a post shared on Sunday (28 July). Read more
Olympics: Sports minister hails D’Tigress’ victory over Australia (Punch)
The Minister of Sports Development, John Enoh, hailed Nigeria’s female basketball team D’tigress after defeating their Australian counterparts, 75-62 in the Olympics in Lilee, France.
The Special Assistant on Media to the Minister, Diana-Mary Nsan, disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Lagos.
Enoh, who said that the win was so inspirational to the entire Team Nigeria contingent competing in various sports, showered praises on the team for their outstanding performance. Read more
Nigeria’s Agada lifts Kansas City over Chicago in Leagues Cup (Vanguard)
Nigerian striker Willy Agada scored the deciding goal in the 76th minute to give Sporting Kansas City a 2-1 victory Sunday over visiting Chicago in the Leagues Cup.
Greek striker Georgios Koutsias opened the scoring for the Fire in the 22nd minute only for US defender Robert Castellanos of Kansas City to net the equalizer in the 39th minute.
The tournament features MLS and Mexico’s Liga MX teams in a World Cup-style event featuring three-team groups with each advancing two into knockout rounds. Read more
Ex-England defender finds new club after appealing for one LinkedIn (DailyMail)
A former England international has signed for the 16th club of his career after advertising his availability as a free agent on social media.
The defender asked social media network LinkedIn to ‘work its magic’ back in May after leaving fifth-tier Spanish club Malaga City.
Having started his career at Tottenham Hotspur, the 32-year-old has undergone an intriguing career so far, featuring for the likes of Swansea, Queens Park Rangers and Liverpool in England before representing a host of Turkish clubs including Fenerbahce and Alanyaspor. Read more
Aaron Anselmino confirms imminent “dream” transfer to Chelsea (SportsMole)
Boca Juniors defender Aaron Anselmino has confirmed that he is on the brink of signing a contract with Chelsea.
The Premier League outfit have been no strangers to acquiring young talent from South America since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital purchased the club in May 2022.
Chelsea face the real prospect of having more than half-a-dozen starlets from that part of the world in their senior ranks for the start of 2025-26. Read more
Panamanian gymnast Hillary Heron performs one of Simone Biles’ signature moves in an Olympic first (CBS)
A historic tribute to the G.O.A.T.
Panamanian gymnast Hillary Heron became the first to land a complicated tumbling move named after Simone Biles – while competing against the American superstar at the Paris Olympics.
Heron on Sunday completed a difficult double layout – now called the “Biles I” during a qualifying session on Sunday. No other gymnast except its namesake has ever performed the move during an Olympic Games. Read more
Italy World Cup winner takes damning stance on CT Spalletti (FootballItalia)
1982 World Cup winner Franco Causio believes Italy’s national team head coach Luciano Spalletti should have tendered his resignation after the disappointment of EURO 2024 this summer.
“If I’m honest, if I were Spalletti, I would have gone to Gravina first and then to the press to resign,” the former Juventus winger said in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport published on Saturday.
The former Napoli coach has been in the job for little under a year now, but was unable to get the team firing in time for the EUROs this summer. Read more