No respite for Nigerians as petrol scarcity bites harder in Abuja, Lagos, others (Guardian)
The scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popular known as petrol, which again, resurfaced in some parts of the country, noticeably Abuja and Lagos, yesterday, may have further compounded the woes of Nigerians, who are currently battling lack of healthy diet due to rising inflation, forex challenges to do business, poor electricity supply amidst rising insecurity across Nigeria.
Indeed, yesterday in Abuja, Lagos, Benin, Osogbo, Ibadan and other cities, as monitored by The Guardian, the situation is fast becoming worse amidst the current administration’s poorly planned subsidy removal as most fuel stations were shut.
Fuel stations that managed to open were greeted with long queues in some of the cities. Black marketers dispensed fuel for as much as N1000 per litre, largely in the Federal Capital Territory. Read more
NYSC mourns corps member killed in Kaduna (Tribune)
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has mourned the death of a Corps member, Joel Grace Chalya KD/23A/4386, killed on Wednesday in Abuja.
Late Chalya who until her death resided at Barnawa GRA area of the state after her morning devotion with other Corps members, jogging when she was attacked by hoodlums who stabbed her and made away with her phone.
This is contained in a statement issued by the NYSC’s Spokesperson, Mr. Eddy Megwa on Thursday in Abuja. Read more
Navy intercepts 11 suspected stowaways en route Ghana (Vanguard)
The patrol team of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS), BEECROFT, has apprehended 11 individuals suspected to be stowaways on board the GWANGZHOU Highway Panama vessel.
The Commander, NNS BEECROFT, Commodore, Kolawole Oguntuga, said on Thursday in Lagos, in a statement, the vessel was en route to Ghana at the time of the incident.
Oguntuga was quoted as saying by the Base Information Officer, Sub-Lt. Happiness Collins, that the stowaways were discovered in concealed areas of the stern gate of the ship on Oct. 17. Read more
Atiku, Obi versus Tinubu: Legal fireworks on Monday (Nation)
The Supreme Court will on Monday hear the appeals by Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi challenging the affirmation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s victory in the February 25 poll.
It will also hear the appeal by the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), as well as a motion by Atiku for leave to tender new evidence.
An October 19 hearing notice has been issued to the parties.
A seven-member panel of justices of the apex court will sit on the matter. Read more
Tinubu files motion to stop FBI, others, Atiku mocks (Sun)
President Bola Tinubu has moved to block six US government intelligence agencies from releasing documents relating to a 1993 Illinois court judgment, where he forfeited $460,000 in two of his bank accounts.
The forfeiture was the outcome of an investigation that linked some money in several of Tinubu’s bank accounts to proceeds from the heroin trafficking of Adegboyega Akande and Abiodun Agbele.
President Tinubu’s move came after PlainSite founder, Aaron Greenspan, with the collaboration of Nigerian investigative journalist, David Hundeyin, sued the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the State Department, on June 23, 2023, over their denial of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests to release the files on President Tinubu’s forfeiture lawsuit. Read more
ICAN celebrates Akintola Williams’ achievements (Punch)
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria has said that no society grows to an enviable height without the contributions of its citizens.
The President of ICAN, Dr Innocent Okwuosa, stated this in Lagos, during a press conference to commemorate the life and times of the doyen of the accountancy profession in Nigeria, the late Pa Akintola Williams.
He urged Nigerians to think beyond themselves and see the bigger picture of service to humanity. Read more
Fake couple jailed for dealing in cocaine (DailyTrust)
A fake couple, llonzeh Kingsley Onyebuchi and Ilonzeh Roseline Nonyelum, and their matchmaker, Ngene Emmanuel Onyedikachi, have been sentenced to 22 years in prison for trafficking cocaine.
Delivering judgment, Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court, Lagos, on Thursday, sentenced the convicts to a total of 22 two years imprisonment with options of fines on each of the charges.
During their trial, it was discovered that Ilonzeh Kingsley Onyebuchi’s real name is Uwaezuoke Ikenna, while Ilonzeh Roseline Nonyelum is Igwebuike Florence Nkechi. Read more
President Tinubu appoints new BOI chief Olusi (Channels)
President Bola Tinubu has appointed Dr. Olasupo Olusi as the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank of Industry (BOI).
This was announced in a statement on Thursday by the presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, saying the appointment is for a term of four years in the first instance.
“The President’s approval of Dr. Olusi’s appointment follows the voluntary resignation of former BOI Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Olukayode Pitan,” the statement read. Read more
Frozen musical star Samantha Barks welcomes 1st baby with husband Alex Stoll (People)
Samantha Barks is ready for a lifetime of warm hugs!
The 33-year-old singer, who played Elsa in West End’s production of Frozen, and husband Alex Stoll welcomed their first baby together, son Rafael Richard Barks-Stoll, on Monday, Oct. 16, sharing the exciting news in a joint Instagram post on Thursday.
In the black-and-white photo, Stoll holds the couple’s newborn baby’s hand as he rests on a pillow. “Welcome Rafael Richard Barks-Stoll, born on 16th October,” they wrote in their caption. “My heart could burst with happiness.” Read more
Niger junta leaders claim ousted President Bazoum attempted to escape (VOA)
Niger’s junta said Thursday that it had thwarted an escape attempt by ousted President Mohamed Bazoum who has been imprisoned by the military since a July 26 coup despite international calls for his release.
The interim authorities said that Bazoum and his family, with the help of accomplices in the security forces, planned to drive a vehicle to the outskirts of the capital Niamey and catch a helicopter to neighboring Nigeria.
“The strong reaction of the defense and security forces made it possible to foil this plan to destabilize our country,” a military spokesman said on national television. Read more
‘‘Ferrari’’ trailer explores the deadly passion and terrible joy of automotive mogul’s life in Adam Driver-led biopic (THR)
In the first full trailer for Neon‘s Ferrari, the Italian automotive mogul’s personal and professional lives collide.
The new Michael Mann-directed film stars Adam Driver as Enzo Ferrari, the ex-Formula 1 racer who built his own factory and established the Ferrari brand. Set during the summer of 1957, the movie’s two-minute teaser plays on a well-repeated concept in quantum mechanics: Two objects cannot occupy the same space at the same moment in time. The full look follows a previously released teaser trailer.
Ferrari is testing the limits of his new cars, resulting in sometimes explosive and even deadly crashes. At the same time, he is grappling with the life he built with wife and business partner Laura (Penélope Cruz) amid the death of their son, Dino, and his other family with mistress Lina Lardi (Shailene Woodley) and their son, Piero. Read more
Graham Nash to sell music catalog to iconic artists group (AS)
Graham Nash has entered into a deal with brand development and marketing company Iconic Artists Group, which will acquire and develop his music catalog spanning his entire career. Details on the terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
The agreement will cover a range of assets from Nash’s more than 60-year career, from his early band the Hollies through the different iterations of Crosby Stills Nash & Young, and his solo work. Read more
Peter Gabriel announces release date for new album “I/O” (FarOut)
Peter Gabriel has finally announced a release date for his new studio album I/O, which is set to be shared on December 1st.
The LP is set to be released through Real World Records, and in an unconventional step, Gabriel has already individually shared all of the 12 tracks which appear on the record. He’s also played all of the songs live during his recent tour of Europe and the United States. I/O marks Gabriel’s first studio album of original material in over 20 years.
Announcing the release, Gabriel said: “After a years-worth of full moon releases, I’m very happy to see all these new songs back together on the good ship i/o and ready for their journey out into the world.” Read more
South African president and Dutch royals foster diplomacy and address global conflicts (AfricaNews)
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa welcomed the Dutch royal couple, King Willem-Alexander and his wife Queen Máxima of the Netherlands at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Thursday.
Their majesties were on a state visit at the invitation of the president to focus on strengthening the ties and partnership between the Netherlands and South Africa.
While reflecting on the colonial history between the two countries, Ramaphosa took the opportunity to speak on the ongoing conflict between Russia and the Ukraine, as well as the Israel-Hamas conflict that has left thousands dead and many more wounded. Read more
Climate activist Greta Thunberg arrested while protesting in London (Fox)
Climate activist Greta Thunberg has been arrested in the U.K. during a protest outside a gas and oil industry conference.
The Metropolitan Police force in London said Wednesday that the 20-year-old Swedish activist, who rose to international fame when she addressed a United Nations climate event in New York City, was among dozens of protesters charged amid a demonstration outside the luxury InterContinental Hotel during the Energy Intelligence Forum. She has been detained by police or removed from protests in Sweden, Norway and Germany, Reuters reported.
Thunberg and 25 others chanted “Oily money out” and sought to block access to the hotel on Tuesday, police said. They were then detained and taken to a police station. Read more
Oparanozie explains why few ex-Falcons stars are in football administration (Guardian)
Former Super Falcons star, Desire Oparanozie, has said that former women national team players don’t get opportunity in football administration because they don’t have a vibrant union to fight their cause like their male counterparts.
Speaking in Lagos at the yearly general meeting of the Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL), Oparanozie said that ex-Falcons players could contribute to the development of the country’s football if the relevant federal and states’ bodies give them the chance in the various football associations.
“Ex-Falcons players are not well recognised as their male counterparts because they don’t work as a unit to get their deserved positions in football administration.
“We have intelligent women players in the Falcons that can help develop Nigeria football. All ex-Falcons players need to do is to keep doing their best to improve the game in their own little way and take up any opportunity that comes their way.” Read more
Eagles team to beat at AFCON – Obafemi (Punch)
With 86 days to prepare for the 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, Atlanta ‘96 gold medallist, Abiodun Obafemi, has sent a note of warning to the Super Eagles, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The former defender hinted that it has always been a tradition for teams to put up their best performance when facing the Eagles.
While they avoided a confrontation against one of the North Africans, Jose Peseiro’s men were, however, handed a tricky start to their campaign with a game against the Elephants. Read more
Newcastle interested in signing free-scoring Nigerian striker Boniface (Vanguard)
Newcastle are planning to sign on-form Bayern Leverkusen striker, Victor Boniface.
According to The Sun, the scouts of the Premier league side watched Boniface while in action for Nigeria in a friendly match against Saudi Arabia in Portugal last weekend.
The 22-year-old has been in stellar form this season and has scored nine goals as well as provided three assists in 10 games for the Bayern Leverkusen, this season. Read more
United States men rout Ghana as Gio Reyna nets 2 goals (ESPN)
Giovanni Reyna scored his first goals for the United States since 2021 in an impressive 4-0 friendly win over Ghana at Geodis Park in Nashville, Tennessee, on Tuesday night.
The Americans bounced back in fine fashion following a 3-1 loss to Germany on Saturday, as Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun found the back of the net after Reyna opened the scoring in the 10th minute.
It was just Reyna’s second game back with the U.S. since last year’s World Cup — where he was used sparingly because of off-field issues — and he took advantage of his spot in Gregg Berhalter’s starting XI to score his first goal with the national team since June 9, 2021, against Costa Rica. Read more
Neymar injured, Nunez scores as Uruguay secure qualifier victory over Brazil (IrishExaminer)
Darwin Nunez and Nicolas de la Cruz scored to give Uruguay a 2-0 win over Brazil in their 2026 World Cup qualifier on Tuesday as Neymar was forced off late in the first half after suffering what appeared to be a serious knee injury.
Nunez opened the scoring in the 42nd minute with a diving header, and Brazil’s night went from bad to worse two minutes later when Neymar went down after tussling for the ball with De la Cruz.
Visibly distressed, Neymar left the pitch on a stretcher after receiving treatment for several minutes. Read more
Newcastle United release Sandro Tonali statement in relation to illegal betting investigation (DailyStar)
Newcastle United have issued a statement in relation to the illegal betting investigation opened into summer signing Sandro Tonali.
The Italian midfielder was recently sent home from international duty after the Italian Prosecutor’s Office and Italian Football Federation (FIGC) opened up an investigation into alleged illegal betting activity. Tonali joined the club in a mega-money move from AC Milan in the summer transfer window and has already made seven Premier League appearances, contributing one goal.
However, Tonali could be set for a lengthy suspension as he has reportedly admitted to betting on matches while he was playing for AC Milan. In response to the allegations, the midfielder’s club has issued a statement of their own. Read more