LC ends strike, asks members to prepare for indefinite action (Leadership)
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday ended its two-day warning strike over unmet agreements by the federal government on the consequences of fuel subsidy removal, with a directive to all workers to resume work today.
NLC national president, Comrade Joe Ajaero, who announced the end of the strike in a press statement in Abuja, warned however that the warning strike was not the end of the struggle, but a precursor to a possible indefinite nationwide strike later in the month if the government fails to address its demands.
The labour centre described the warning strike as a success which demonstrated the readiness and resilience of Nigerian workers and citizens to defend their welfare and rights and hold the government accountable to adhere to established statutes. Read more
Lagos moves to end child deaths (Punch)
The Lagos State Government has unveiled a document containing strategies to achieve the vision of reducing and ending preventable newborn deaths and stillbirths in the state.
The document titled ‘Lagos State Every Newborn Action Plan’, which was unveiled and disseminated to health sector stakeholders at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, recently was developed in line with the Nigerian Every Newborn Action Plan and the Lagos State Strategic Health Development Plan II, a statement said on Wednesday.
Speaking at the unveiling of the document, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Olusegun Ogboye, noted that the LaSENAP document is aimed at scaling up evidence-based and cost-effective interventions that will serve as a concerted effort towards translating global, national and state commitments into a meaningful change for newborns. Read more
Sanwo-Olu hails Tinubu on well- deserved victory at tribunal (Independent)
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has congratulated President Bola Tinubu on the well-deserved victory at the Presidential Election Petition Court, which delivered its verdict in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the President on Wednesday in Abuja.
Reacting to the court verdict, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the APC members across Nigeria and the President, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, worked very hard for the victory enjoyed at the February 25th presidential election
The governor noted that Wednesday’s Presidential Election Petition Court’s decision, which was in favour of the President, is comforting and also an affirmation of the will of over eight million Nigerians who filed out to cast their ballots for the APC and President Tinubu as their choice. Read more
PDP rejects PEPC judgement (Tribune)
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the verdict of the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) which affirmed the election of President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday.
A statement issued after the court ruling by Debo Ologunagba, National Publicity Secretary, stated: “Few moments ago, the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) delivered Judgment in the Petition filed by our Party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its Candidate, Atiku Abubakar against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the declaration of the APC and Senator Tinubu as Winner of the February 25, 2023 Presidential election by INEC.
“As a party, we have had an initial review of the Judgment as delivered by the PEPC and we unequivocally reject the said Judgement in its entirety. Read more
Atiku, Obi plan appeal as election tribunal dashes bid to sack Tinubu (Punch)
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, and his Labour Party counterpart, Peter Obi, have rejected Wednesday’s judgment of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal affirming the election of President Bola Tinubu.
The Legal Adviser to the Labour Party, Kehinde Edun, vowed to challenge the judgment at the Supreme Court.
Also, Atiku’s Lead Counsel, Chris Uche, SAN, said he had received instructions from his client to file an appeal at the Supreme Court. Read more
54 countries to attend Africa Internet Governance Forum in Nigeria (ThisDay)
Nigeria is set to play host to 54 African nations and other continental Internet governance stakeholder blocs at the 2023 Africa Internet Governance Forum (AfIGF 2023) in Abuja.
This year’s event, being the 12th edition of the annual forum, is being hosted by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on behalf of the federal government, and is scheduled to take place at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, with the theme, ‘Transforming Africa’s Digital Landscape: Empowering Inclusion, Security, and Innovation.”
The Forum will serve as a platform for meaningful dialogue and collaboration on Internet Governance among various sectors and regional initiatives to advance digital connectivity, address Internet Governance challenges, and empower Africa through digital transformation. Read more
Reps panel summons Edun, AGF, HoSF over failed mass transit schemes (Guardian)
The House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee investigating the failure of mass transit schemes in the country, yesterday, summoned Accountant General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Madein and Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, to appear before it.
It also invited the Minister of Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite and Head of Service of the Federation, Folasade Yemi-Esan to make an appearance over the matter.
The panel chairman, Afam Ogene, said the affected officials are needed to give information regarding disbursements for the various failed mass transit schemes. Read more
5 escape death in Ureje River as flood ravages Ekiti (Vanguard)
Five persons, on Tuesday, narrowly cheated death on Ureje River in Ado Ekiti, as the river overflowed its bank along Federal Polytechnic Road, Ado Ekiti, wreaking havoc on the surrounding buildings.
The five persons were said to be coming from the Ureje area, and made frantic efforts to navigate the heavily flooded bridge, when they were overrun by fast-flowing water, which carried them into its valley.
An eyewitness told journalists in Ado Ekiti, yesterday, that the victims, who could have been drowned, were saved by some Hausa divers, who waited at the bridge to help the elderly cross the flooded spot. Read more
Dame Shirley Bassey stamps issued as Royal Mail celebrates Welsh singer’s 70 years in showbiz (Sky)
A set of stamps honouring Dame Shirley Bassey’s 70 years in showbiz has been issued by Royal Mail – its first set dedicated to a solo female music artist.
The eight stamps in the main set show the Welsh singer performing during her illustrious music career at venues as diverse as a London nightclub and the opening ceremony of the 1999 Rugby World Cup.
Dame Shirley, now 86, is pictured on a TV show in 1963, near the start of her time in music, and as recently as 2013, at the Oscars ceremony. Read more
Lizzo, Sylvia Rhone to be honoured at the 2023 Black Music Action Coalition Gala (Variety)
The Black Music Action Coalition has announced Lizzo and Sylvia Rhone as additional honorees at the 2023 BMAC Gala. Lizzo, an award-winning singer, songwriter and musician, will be presented with the Quincy Jones Humanitarian Award, while Rhone, Epic Records chair and CEO, will be awarded the Clarence Avant Trailblazer Award.
“The Black Music Action Coalition is proud to honor Lizzo and Sylvia Rhone at this year’s Gala, as they join a group of trailblazers who have made immense impact within the music industry and beyond,” said Willie “Prophet” Stiggers, co-founder and chair of BMAC. “We applaud their dedication to pushing boundaries, amplifying Black voices and crashing through those glass ceilings creating space for Black women.”
Lizzo will be honored for her “philanthropic work and commitment to social justice,” announced BMAC, following her continued donations to organizations like Planned Parenthood, Black Girls Smile, Save Our Sisters, the Bail Project and her Annual Juneteenth Giveback. Read more
Freddie Mercury’s prized piano and a “Bohemian Rhapsody” draft are champions at a lucrative auction (ABC)
Freddie Mercury’s prized piano that he used to compose “Bohemian Rhapsody” and other hits by Queen sold for more than $2 million Wednesday as some of the late singer’s massive collection of flamboyant stage costumes, fine art and original lyrics were auctioned in a sale that broke records.
Items connected to the operatic “Rhapsody,” the band’s most enduring hit, brought a premium with hand-written lyrics to the song selling for about 1.4 million pounds ($1.7 million) and a gold Cartier brooch saying “Queen number 1” given to each band member by their manager after the song topped the charts, selling for 165,000 pounds ($208,000).
A Victorian-style silver snake bangle Mercury wore with an ivory satin catsuit in a video for the song — long before the days of MTV — set a record for the highest price ever paid at auction for a piece of jewelry owned by a rock star, Sotheby’s said. Read more
Taylor Momsen says she was known as ‘‘Grinch Girl’’ in school and was “made fun of relentlessly” (Deadline)
Taylor Momsen got an early start at fame starring alongside Jim Carrey on How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The then-child star played the role of Cindy Lou Who in the 2000 film at the age of seven.
While making an appearance on the podcast Podcrushed, which is hosted by her former Gossip Girl co-star Penn Badgley, Momsen recalled the struggle she had at school from starring in the holiday movie.
“First of all, The Grinch changed my life in a multitude of ways — one of them being I was made fun of relentlessly,” Momsen said. “Every time I would start a new school or go somewhere else, I don’t even think the kids knew my name. I was just a Grinch Girl.” Read more
Ukraine War: 17 killed during attack on market in ‘‘peaceful city’’ (BBC)
President Zelensky has condemned a “deliberate” attack on Ukraine’s “peaceful city” of Kostyantynivka.
At least 17 people, including a child, were killed in the blast, which took place on a busy market street in the middle of the day – a rarity.
Kostyantynivka, in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, is near the front line.
Videos on social media show a bright orange explosion at the far end of a street where people were out shopping. Russia is yet to comment on the attack. Read more
Great Wall of China severely damaged by two workers with an excavator, police say (USAToday)
Part of the Great Wall of China has been severely damaged by two construction workers using an excavator, local authorities said Thursday.
The two workers, a 38-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman, were detained after causing irreversible damage to the wall, police said.
Authorities said they received reports about the damage on August 24 and that the case was under further investigation. Read more
Russia’s Wagner Group to be declared a terrorist organisation by the UK (Sky)
Russian mercenary group Wagner will be declared a terrorist organisation, the Home Office has said.
A draft proscription order will be laid in parliament on Wednesday, which will make it illegal to be a member of, or support the Russian group in the UK.
Certain proscription offences can be punishable by up to 14 years in jail.
As part of the order, Wagner’s assets can be categorised as terrorist property and seized. Read more
Osimhen and Oshoala set African record for Nigeria in Ballon d’Or nomination (SoccerNet)
Nigerian international players, Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala, have achieved a historic feat by both being nominated for the 2023 Ballon d’Or award, Soccernet.ng reports.
This nomination marks a significant milestone for Nigeria, making it the first country to have male and female football players nominated for the prestigious award in the same year.
Osimhen, representing the Super Eagles, has made a significant impact in the Italian Serie A, where he has garnered numerous accolades. Read more
NPFL board contradicts self on reasons for kick-off postponement (DailyTrust)
The Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) board has contradicted itself following the postponement of the 2023/24 season for the second time.
The NPFL board announced the postponement citing the need to have members focus on the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), which holds in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
The Super Eagles will be playing their final AFCON qualifier against Sao Tome and Principe on Sunday. Read more
Lionel Messi heads list of men’s Ballon d’Or nominees after World Cup win (ITV)
Lionel Messi heads the list of nominees for the men’s Ballon d’Or after leading Argentina to World Cup glory.
Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka were also included on the 30-man shortlist for the prestigious prize, which was published by organisers France Football on Wednesday.
Messi, already a record seven-time winner of the annual prize for world player of the year, is again the favourite. Read more
Spain’s Hermoso files criminal complaint over Rubiales kiss – prosecutor (IrishExaminer)
Spanish soccer star Jenni Hermoso has lodged a criminal complaint over the unsolicited kiss by football federation boss Luis Rubiales after Spain’s victory in the Women’s World Cup, the national prosecutor’s office said on Wednesday.
Hermoso gave her testimony on Tuesday and the complaint will be processed “as soon as possible”, the prosecutor added.
With the complaint, Rubiales could face criminal charges in addition to the ongoing inquiry by Spain’s top sport court for “serious misconduct” and an investigation by world soccer governing body FIFA, which has provisionally suspended Rubiales from office. Read more
Madison Keys ousts Wimbledon champ, storms into US Open semis (ABC)
American Madison Keys breezed past reigning Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova 6-1, 6-4 on Wednesday night to reach the US Open semifinals, fending off all nine break points she faced.
Keys, a 2017 US Open finalist, suffered a handful of early exits at Flushing Meadows in recent years but has excelled in the 2023 tournament and appeared right at home in prime time under the bright lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Vondrousova, the No. 9 seed, withdrew from her doubles campaign after a three-set test from American Peyton Stearns in the fourth round left her with a sore arm, and she had little firepower left for the quarterfinal affair. Read more
Rory McIlroy to go on Mykonos stag do a week before Ryder Cup (Telegraph)
Rory McIlroy has promised Europe captain Luke Donald he will behave when he goes on a stag do on the Greek party island of Mykonos a week before the Ryder Cup.
Donald was laughing as he relayed the pair’s discussion at the world No 2’s house in Florida recently.
“Yes, the issue did crop up,” Donald said here on the eve of the Irish Open. “Rory understands that he is not 21 or 22 any more. Read more