Old naira notes remain legal tender, says CBN (DailyTrust)
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has warned against the rejection of any bank notes it has issued in line with the provision of the CBN Act 2007.
This comes amidst fears that the old banknotes may cease to be legal tender by December 2023.
This was after 16 states of the Federation instituted a suit to challenge the legality or otherwise of the introduction of the policy. Read more
Court told how immigration officer assaulted colleague in Lagos (Guardian)
Justice Sherifat Sonaike of a Lagos High Court sitting in Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) was, yesterday, told how an immigration officer, Umar Mohammed, assaulted his colleague, Oluwafemi Adeyemi Badiru, while both were on official duty in Lagos.
The Lagos State government had filed a two-count charge marked LD/120518c/2022 against Mohammed, for unlawfully assaulting Oluwafemi Adeyemi Badiru by slapping him in his office and causing his nose to bleed.
The alleged assault on Badiru occurred on July 30, 2019, at Nigerian Immigration Service Ikeja, Lagos. The prosecution said his offences are contrary to Section 173, 174 (e) of the Criminal Law Ch. C17, vol. 3 Laws of Lagos State 2015. However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge. Read more
Lagos seeks stakeholders’ collaboration for improved drainage (Nation)
Lagos State Government is seeking the support of stakeholders on the development of a secondary drainage master plan for selected local governments, as part of efforts to reduce flooding.
At a stakeholders’ workshop, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said the state was keen on developing an implementation strategy to reduce flooding.
He said residents must work with the government to ensure flood risks were managed. Read more
Court releases Ex-CBN Gov. Emefiele on bail (Sun)
Respite came the way of detained former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele as a High Court of the Federal Capital(FCT) on Wednesday granted him bail.
After spending 151 days in custody, Justice Olukayode Adeiyi said Emefiele had stayed in government custody beyond the time frame stipulated by law.
Among other conditions attached to his bail, the former CBN governor must be released to his counsel, Matthew Burkaa (SAN), who must produce him in court any time the Federal government chooses to arraign him.
In addition, Emefiele is to deposit his travelling documents with the registrar of the court pending his arraignment. Read more
Lagos plans stable electricity for Imota rice mill (Punch)
The Lagos State Government has said it will ensure that the Imota Rice Mill in the Ikorodu area of the state and communities in its environs get a stable electricity supply to enhance the operations of the mill.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Mineral Resources, Abiola Olowu, disclosed this during an inspection tour of some ongoing/completed electrification projects at Imota and the environs, a statement said on Wednesday.
Olowu was quoted as saying that given the epileptic power supply to the area, “the state government had conceived and initiated some electrification projects towards proffering solutions to the inadequate supply of electricity to the mill.” Read more
Tinubu appoints 20 NPC federal commissioners (Tribune)
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of 20 persons to serve as Federal Commissioners in the National Population Commission (NPC) with nine current Federal Commissioners being appointed to a second term in office.
A statement issued on Wednesday by Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity) gave the names of the appointees as Hon. Emmanuel Trump Eke (Abia), Dr. Clifford Zirra (Adamawa), who is reappointed; Mr. Chidi Christopher Ezeoke (Anambra — reappointed), Barr. Isa Audu Buratai (Borno — reappointed), Bishop Alex Ukam (Cross River) and Ms. Blessyn Brume-Ataguba (Delta).
Also on the list are Dr Jeremiah Ogbonna Nwankwegu (Ebonyi), Dr Tony Aiyejina (Edo – reappointed), Mr Ejike Ezeh (Enugu — reappointed), Mr. Abubakar Damburam (Gombe — reappointed), Prof. Uba Nnabue (Imo — reappointed), Ms Sa’adatu Dogon Bauchi Garba (Kaduna) and Dr. Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa (Kano). Read more
Tears of joy as Kaduna Gov promises support for last freed Baptist student (Leadership)
There were tears of joy in Kaduna on Wednesday as Governor Uba Sani received Treasure Ayuba, a student of Bethel Baptist High School, who was recently released from bandits’ captivity.
While the other students were released in batches at different times, Treasure was the last kept in captivity by the bandits until a few days ago.
Emotions ran high as the state chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) that accompanied the freed young Ayuba to Government House recounted how much kidnap victims have been suffering in captivity. Read more
IGP appoints CP Johnson Adenola as principal staff officer (Vanguard)
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the posting of CP Johnson Oluwole Adenola as his Principal Staff Officer (PSO).
According to sources at the Force Headquarters, he is to replace CP Tunji Disu, who has been deployed to Rivers State Command.
A seasoned police officer, CP Adenola made significant contributions to both the Nigerian Police Force and international peacekeeping efforts. As an alumnus of Jubril Martins Memorial Grammar School, his educational journey began at a young age, shaping his path toward success. Read more
South Africa: Minister robbed, bodyguards stripped of their weapons (AfricaNews)
They “held a gun to my head”: South Africa’s transport minister said on Tuesday that she had been robbed near Johannesburg in a bizarre attack on the car in which she was travelling.
On Monday, Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga was driving along a major artery on the outskirts of the economic capital. According to the Ministry of Transport, the car was suddenly forced to a halt after driving over spikes that were probably deliberately placed in its path.
This “immobilised the car and allowed the criminals to steal valuables”, the administration said in a statement. Read more
CMA Awards opens with Jelly Roll, surprise performance by Wynonna Judd (UPI)
The 57th annual Country Music Association Awards got underway Wednesday night in Nashville, with country music singer and two-time CMA Entertainer of the Year Luke Bryan teaming up with retired football legend Peyton Manning to co-host for the second straight year.
Jelly Roll, who has five nominations including New Artist of the Year, opened the show at Bridgestone Arena with his hit song “Need a Favor” and a surprise appearance by country music legend Wynonna Judd.
The first award of the night went to Luke Combs for Single of the Year for his hit “Fast Car.” This is Combs’ first win in the category. Read more
Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Ernie Hudson return in first “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” trailer (Standard)
Supernatural entities had better beware as original Ghostbusters stars Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Ernie Hudson return in the first trailer for “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire”.
Continuing the story from the 2021 movie Ghostbusters: Afterlife, the latest installment of the beloved franchise which first began in 1984, will follow the family of the late Egon Spengler, including his daughter Callie (Carrie Coon) and two grandchildren Phoebe (Mckenna Grace) and Trever (Finn Wolfhard), as they take on a new threat to civilisation.
This time, they are facing up to a chilly haunting where they will have to figure out how and why residents of New York have been frozen to death in the summer. Read more
Tom DeLonge on the chances of Blink-182 making a Taylor Swift-style concert movie (NME)
Tom DeLonge has spoken about the possibility of Blink-182 making a Taylor Swift-style concert movie.
Speaking to Cinema Blend for an interview, DeLonge was asked about a Blink-182 movie similar to Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour. DeLonge revealed that “some versions” of a similar film has already been pitched to the band: “It always comes across the desk every few months. Some versions. We’ve talked about doing something on this next tour that we just launched, like, today.”
He went on to explain: “We’ve definitely talked about versions. You know, Taylor is a phenomenon. She can demand ticket sales. You and I both know how hard it is to get people to want to go to a movie theater. I don’t know if people would come to see Blink in a movie theater for the music, but they might come for the dick jokes. So maybe we focus on that?” Read more
SAG-AFTRA actors’ strike set to end (DigitalSpy)
The Hollywood acting strike looks set to finally end.
After 118 days on the picket lines, The Hollywood Reporter reports the SAG-AFTRA acting union has reached a tentative three-year agreement to end the strike with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).
The SAG-AFTRA TV/Theatrical Committee approved the deal with a unanimous vote late Wednesday (November 8), meaning the strike will end on 12.01AM on Thursday (November 9). Read more
US hits alleged Iran-linked ‘weapons storage’ facility in Syria (AlJazeera)
The United States has attacked an alleged weapons storage facility in eastern Syria it believes was being used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Iran-backed groups.
In a statement on Wednesday, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the “self-defence strike” was carried out by two of the air force’s F-15 fighters in response to recent attacks on US forces.
“The president has no higher priority than the safety of US personnel, and he directed today’s action to make clear that the United States will defend itself, its personnel and its interests,” the statement said. Read more
Vatican says transgender people can be baptized, serve as godparents (Global)
Transgender people can be godparents at Roman Catholic baptisms, witnesses at religious weddings and receive baptism themselves, the Vatican’s doctrinal office said on Wednesday, responding to questions from a bishop.
The department, known as the Dicastery of the Doctrine of the Faith, was vague however, in response to a question of whether a same-sex couple could have a Church baptism for an adopted child or one obtained through a surrogate mother.
Bishop Jose Negri of Santo Amaro in Brazil sent the doctrinal office six questions in July regarding LGBT people and their participation in the sacraments of baptism and matrimony. Read more
Why I chose Chelsea over Manchester United – Mikel Obi (Guardian)
Former Super Eagles captain John Mikel Obi has explained why he chose to join Chelsea over Manchester United, which was handled back then by legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Mikel was part of a controversial transfer saga that saw him initially join United but opt to move to Roman Abramovich-owned Chelsea.
Mikel was initially at United for a short spell and signed a pre-contract deal with the club in 2005 to leave Norwegian side Lyn.
He even held a press conference and was seen wearing their home kit. Read more
Offor hails Lokosa impact at Sporting Lagos (Punch)
Sporting Lagos coach Paul Offor was full of praise for striker Junior Lokosa for his impact within the team on and off the pitch after the striker scored a brace in their 3-0 win over Kano Pillars in a match-day seven game of the Nigeria Premier Football League at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos on Monday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Lokosa, who finished as the highest goal scorer in the league in 2018 while playing for Kano Pillars, joined the newly promoted side from Remo Stars before the start of the season.
He has however made a slow start in the NPFL this season, with just one goal in their first six matches before taking his tally to three with the brace against his former side. Read more
Real Madrid, Bayern qualify for Champions League last 16, Man Utd stunned (France24)
Real Madrid and Bayern Munich were among the clubs to qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League with two group games to spare on Wednesday, while Manchester United’s poor form continued as they slipped to a stunning 4-3 defeat against FC Copenhagen.
Last season’s runners-up Inter Milan and Real Sociedad also secured their tickets for the knockout phase, joining holders Manchester City and RB Leipzig in advancing to the last 16.
Madrid, the record 14-time European champions, made sure of their progress from Group C with a 3-0 home win over Braga after surviving an injury setback just before kick-off. Read more
Linfield Women: Phil Lewis leaves manager’s position by mutual consent (BBC)
Linfield have announced that Women’s Head Coach Phil Lewis has left the club by mutual consent.
Lewis has occupied the post since 2018, winning two NIFL league titles and a NIFL League Cup during his tenure.
He also oversaw the club’s first win in the Women’s Champions League, defeating second seeds PAOK Thessaloniki of Greece. Read more
Marina Stakusic helps Canada top host Spain in BJK Cup Finals (ESPN)
Teenager Marina Stakusic got the biggest win of her career to help Canada defeat host Spain 3-0 in Group C of the Billie Jean King Cup Finals on Wednesday.
The 18-year-old Stakusic, ranked No. 258 in the world, defeated No. 65 Rebeka Masarova 6-3, 6-1 to give Canada the first point of the day at La Cartuja Stadium.
Stakusic’s previous career-best victory had been against No. 152 Jaimee Fourlis in 2022. She had never beaten a top 100 opponent. Read more
Tiger Woods to own and play for Florida team in TGL, his tech-infused golf league (ABC)
Tiger Woods couldn’t be more involved with prime-time TGL unless he had built the arena. He helped develop the tech-infused golf league. He’s playing in it. And now he’s a team owner.
Woods and his TGR Ventures and David Blitzer, the investor who has ownership in all four major U.S. sports leagues, were announced Tuesday as owners of Jupiter Links GC, the sixth and final team for the first-of-its-kind golf league that starts in January.
Woods, Rory McIlroy and former Golf Channel president Mike McCarley are founding partners in TMRW Sports, the sports and entertainment company behind TGL. Read more