Obi to Tinubu: Tell Nigerians the Age, Cost of the Presidential Jet (NewTelegraph)
The candidate of the Labour Party in 2023 presidential election Peter Obi has challenged the presidency to make public the amount it paid for the new presidential jet and how long the aircraft has been in existence.
Obi in a statement on his X handle Tuesday night, noted that transparency and accountability is the hallmark of any sincere and genuine leader.
He stated that now that the aircraft has been released by the French court, Nigeria taxpayers whose money was used to purchase the jet need to know how much it cost and how old the aircraft is and how long its been in operation. Read more
Wike dismantles park and pay in FCT (Sun)
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has announced the dismantling of the park and pay scheme in the nation’s capital.
Wike made the revelation during a live media parley on Wednesday in Abuja to mark his one year in office.
The Minister, however, frowned at the sharing formula, where the consultant takes 80%, and the FCT Administration takes 20%. Read more
Terrorism financing allegation… Labour, CSOs fume over police invitation to NLC president (Leadership)
There is palpable annoyance in the country’s labour movement and the civil society space following the invitation of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Joe Ajaero by the police over alleged terrorism financing.
Ajaero was billed to appear before the police yesterday, August 20, 2024, but he wrote to the Inspector General Police through his lawyers, requesting to appear on August 29.
Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have described the whole saga as an attempt to gag free speech while NLC’s legal representatives have formally requested that Ajaero’s interview be rescheduled. Read more
Northern leaders task FG, States to see Protest as a challenge (DailyTrust)
Top politicians and technocrats from the northern part of the country on Tuesday met at Musa Yar’adua Center, Abuja, to deliberate on the issues bedeviling the region and how to find relevant solutions to the issues.
The gathering under the auspices of League of Northern Democrats (LND) led by the former Governor of Kano State, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, has also tasked the three tiers of government to see the last #EndBadGovernance protest as a challenge to do what is right for the people.
Addressing reporters after the meeting, Shekarau said the group is committed to the development of the North through enlightenment and seeking for good governance. Read more
Driver injured as gas tanker overturns in Lagos (Punch)
A driver transporting gas in a tanker sustained injuries when his vehicle overturned along the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway on Wednesday.
The spokesperson for the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, Adebayo Taofiq, confirmed the incident in a statement obtained by PUNCH Online on Wednesday.
The driver’s identity had not been disclosed at the time of this report, but it was reported that he was receiving treatment. Read more
Police arrest 3 suspects for attempted kidnapping in Ikorodu (Nation)
The Lagos state police command has arrested three suspects in connection with an attempted kidnapping along Ebute Igbogbo Road, Ikorodu.
The suspects, identified as Taiwo Olayinka, 30, Azeez Sodiq, 33, and Saheed Moonstruck, 23, are currently in police custody.
The arrest was confirmed by the Lagos state police public relations officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, who disclosed that the suspects were apprehended shortly after the incident. Read more
Police smash robbery syndicate in Akwa Ibom (Leadership)
Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have smashed a robbery syndicate specialising in ambushing and robbing passengers as well as traders.
The state’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Timfon John, while parading one of the suspects at the Command’s headquarters in Uyo, said the incident occurred around Ekom Iman axis of the State.
ASP John said the police team acted swiftly following a tip-off from one of the victims, leading to the arrest of one suspect identified as Ukpono Ekopntak and recovery of two motorcycles used in the operation while others fled with police on their trail. Read more
Contracting traffic enforcement to non-uniform agents illegal – Court tells Osun govt (Vanguard)
An Osun State High Court, sitting in Iragbiji has declared the action of the State Government contracting traffic enforcement action on a non-uniform consultant as illegal.
Justice G. O. Lawal, who presided over the court while delivering judgment in a suit initiated against the State government and its consultant MSC Maintenance Systems Consult by Raufu Olaiya LTD and Rauf Olaiya, said delegating traffic law power to a body strange to the law was null and void.
The court, having resolved all the issues raised for determination in favour of the applicant and granted his reliefs, awarded the sum of N2million against the state government in favour of the applicant as damages for detaining his truck and goods unlawfully. Read more
Barack and Michelle Obama electrify Democrats but warn of tight race (BBC)
Michelle and Barack Obama gave resounding endorsements of Kamala Harris on Tuesday night at the Democratic National Convention, exhorting party supporters across the US to turn out and vote to defeat Donald Trump in November.
“Hope is making a comeback,” Mrs Obama told the crowd at the DNC in Chicago, echoing her husband’s campaign promise of “hope and change”.
In their back-to-back speeches, the Democratic Party’s most popular figures praised Ms Harris, while excoriating Trump – whose presidency was characterised by “bluster and chaos”, in the words of Mr Obama. Read more
Africa’s health agency says could start mpox vaccinations within days (AfricaNews)
Africa’s top public health agency says the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and other countries on the continent could start vaccinating against mpox within days.
The DRC is the epicentre of a more deadly strain of the virus that emerged last year and has subsequently spread to some 12 other African states, with confirmed cases in at least 3 countries outside the continent.
Last week, the World Health Organization declared the spread of the new strain a public health emergency of international concern. Read more
Alex Cooper brings ‘Call Her Daddy’ to SiriusXM in $125m deal (Complex)
Alex Cooper and her hit podcast Call Me Daddy have parted ways with Spotify.
CNN reports that Cooper has signed an agreement with SiriusXM to bring Call Her Daddy to the platform in an exclusive three-year deal worth $125 million — which is more than double what she made at Spotify, although Variety reports that a second source says the deal is valued at $100 million.
In addition to having exclusive rights for the advertising, content, events, and distribution for Call Her Daddy, SiriusXM will also have the same for the other shows on Cooper’s Unwell Audio Network such as Boyfriend Material with Harry Jowsey, Pretty Lonesome with Madeline Argy, In Your Dreams with Owen Thiele, and Hot Mess with Alix Earle. Read more
Ukraine launches significant drone attack on Moscow, mayor says (CBC)
Ukraine attacked Moscow on Wednesday with at least 11 drones, which were shot down by air defences in what Russian officials said was one of the biggest drone strikes on the capital since the war in Ukraine began in February 2022.
The war, largely a grinding artillery and drone battle across the fields, forests and villages of eastern Ukraine, escalated on Aug. 6 when Ukraine sent thousands of soldiers into Russia’s western Kursk region.
For months, Ukraine has also fought an increasingly damaging drone war against the refineries and airfields of the world’s second-largest oil exporter, though major drone attacks on the Moscow region — with a population of over 21 million — are more rare. Read more
Samuel L. Jackson and John David Washington leap from stage to screen in gripping ‘The Piano Lesson’ trailer (People)
Samuel L. Jackson and John David Washington are taking one of their recent onstage collaborations, “The Piano Lesson”, to the screen.
After Jackson, his wife LaTanya Richardson Jackson, John David and Ray Fisher combined forces to revive August Wilson’s play on Broadway in 2022, the pair are working with John David’s father Denzel Washington and the latter’s younger son, Malcolm Washington, to bring the story to Netflix.
The trailer that debuted Wednesday, Aug. 21, showcases Jackson, 75, as he reprises his role of Doaker Charles, and John David, 40, back as Boy Willie, in the story that takes place during the aftermath of the Great Depression in 1936 Pittsburgh. Read more
Taraji P. Henson’s TPH Entertainment names Jamila Jordan-Theus as head of development and production (Variety)
Taraji P. Henson‘s TPH Entertainment has hired Emmy-winning producer Jamila Jordan-Theus as head of development and production.
In her new role, Jordan-Theus will oversee scripted series, features and unscripted content for TPH Entertainment. Henson, the Golden Globe-winning and Emmy-, Oscar- and SAG Award-nominated actor, founded the banner in 2020. Read more
LISA, Halsey, Benson Boone and Lenny Kravitz to perform at 2024 MTV VMAs (Billboard)
Benson Boone, Halsey, Lenny Kravitz and LISA have been added to the roster of artists slated to perform at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards live on Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 8 p.m. ET/PT from New York’s UBS Arena.
This will be newcomer Boone’s first VMAs performance; LISA’s first as a solo artist. She performed with BLACKPINK on the 2022 show singing “Pink Venom.”
Halsey, who will be performing a new song off of her upcoming album, last performed on the VMAs in 2016. She teamed with The Chainsmokers for their collab “Closer,” a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. Read more
Colombia 2024: Falconets gear up for Australia friendly (CompleteSports)
Nigeria’s U20 girls, Falconets, have now fully recovered from their long trip to Colombia and are now set to confront their counterparts from Australia, in the first of two friendly matches organised by the Nigeria Football Federation to ensure team readiness for the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup taking place in that country, 31st August – 22nd September.
Coach Chris Danjuma and his crew, which now includes fitness trainer Chima Michael, have been taking the Falconets on drills since Monday, in preparation for the clash with the Aussies on Friday in particular, and for the World Cup finals generally.
The clash with the girls from Down Under has been scheduled for 10am Colombia time (4pm Nigeria time) on Friday, at the Club Banco de la República in Bogota. NFF’s FIFA Match Agent, Jairo Pachon has assured thenff.com that all arrangements have been concluded for the encounter. Read more
Osimhen unlikely to leave Napoli (Nation)
A German leading newspaper has stated that it is looking unlikely that Super Eagles attacker, Victor Osimhen would depart Napoli before the end of the current transfer window due to his outrageous transfer fee.
Osimhen has been one of the most sought-after players on the transfer market for over a year.
However, he has so far been able to avoid a departure with enormous demands but the striker has stated his desire to leave the Partenopei. Read more
Adesanya earned more than Du Plessis despite the loss (Punch)
Despite losing to Dricus du Plessis in a thrilling UFC 305 main event, Israel Adesanya reportedly earned more than the reigning champion.
The bout, which took place at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, saw Du Plessis successfully defend his UFC Middleweight Championship for the first time, forcing Adesanya to tap out in the fourth round.
The fight, which was the first-ever UFC title clash between two African fighters, held significant historical importance and generated substantial financial rewards for both competitors. Read more
FCT SWAN congratulates Siasia on return to coaching after FIFA ban (Leadership)
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has congratulated former Super Eagles coach, Samson Siasia, for his return to football coaching following the completion of his five-year FIFA ban.
This was contained in a communique issued at the end of their congress held at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja during the weekend.
The association urged the double Olympics medal winning coach to bring his extensive coaching expertise to advance football development in Nigeria. Read more
Chelsea quartet left out of Europa Conference League squad (SportsMole)
Raheem Sterling has been left out of Chelsea’s squad for the Europa Conference League playoff tie with Servette.
On Sunday afternoon, it emerged that the winger had been surprisingly omitted from the group for the Premier League opener against champions Manchester City.
Head coach Enzo Maresca insisted that it was purely “a technical decision” and it has since been widely claimed that the 29-year-old has been informed that he should not expect regular game time this season. Read more
Player sent off after appearing to urinate by pitch (BBC)
A footballer was sent off for unsportsmanlike conduct after appearing to urinate by the side of the pitch during a match in Peru.
Atletico Awajun striker Sebastian Munoz was caught on video seemingly relieving himself while waiting to take a corner as the opposition goalkeeper received treatment.
Despite the striker’s back being turned to the camera and away from the pitch, facing an area without spectators, players from Cantorcillo FC alerted the referee, who gave Munoz a red card. Read more