Ondo Election: Money main attraction as voters fear their votes may not count, may opt for highest bidder (Vanguard)
As two million voters head to the ballot box, today, to decide who will be the next governor of Ondo State from a crowd of 17 candidates, many observers are worried over the role money will play.
There are concerns that vote-buying and selling will shape the exercise. Saturday Vanguard’s checks show that one of the parties has budgeted N25,000 to N30,000 to buy a vote in some “prime” locations.
To achieve this, it was further gathered that account details of potential voters had been collected. Comments among the people here in Ondo show the level they have lost confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process. They fear that their votes may not count. Only the money attraction may prevent unprecedented voter apathy. Read more
13 trafficked Nigerian girls rescued from Ghana (Channels)
Thirteen Nigerian girls who were trafficked to Ghana have been rescued, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) said.
The agency said their rescue brings “the total repatriated back to the country within five months to 163”.
In a statement by its Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, NiDCOM gave a breakdown of the rescued ladies. Read more
FAAN to shut down power at Lagos airport (Punch)
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has said it will, on Saturday, shut down power supply to the International Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, between 1:00 am and 4.30 am.
This was stated in a statement signed by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Obiageli Orah, and made available to Saturday PUNCH on Friday.
The FAAN said the power shutdown will be carried out with minimal disruption to flight operations and passenger facilitation. Read more
Yuletide: CBN rolls out measures to curb hawking of mints, hoarding (NewTelegraph)
To curb the abuse of currency associated with the yuletide season, the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN (CBN) has advised Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) to implement internal controls for responsible disbursement and accountability in respect of mint banknotes payouts at their outlets.
The CBN warns of imposing penalties on DMBs found supplying mint to currency hawkers.
This warning is contained in a circular signed by Solaja, Mohammed J. Olayemi, Acting Director, Currency Operation on Friday in Abuja. Read more
Police reject N174m offered by arrested fraudster (Sun)
Operatives of the Zone 2 Police Command, Onikan, Lagos, have rejected an offer of N174m bribe offered to them by a 28-year-old suspected internet fraudster, Patrick Akpoguma.
The suspect was alleged to have been involved in various types of internet-related fraud, including romance scams, identity theft, cyber hacking, cryptocurrency fraud, rituals and cultism.
The suspect, Akpoguma confessed to the crime, while speaking with journalists at Zone 2, Onikan, Lagos. Read more
CFAO makes presentation on CNG-powered bus, truck to NADDC, PCNGi at NAJA workshop (ThisDay)
CFAO Equipment, a subsidiary of CFAO Nigeria, has made a powerful appearance and presentation at a training workshop held recently in Lagos on alternative fuel. The company made presentations on two Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) powered products it distributes in Nigeria -the King Long bus and the Sinotruk Howo truck.
Aside from the automotive journalists, in attendance were the Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Michael Oluwagbemi, Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGi) and the Director General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), who were ably represented.
Organised by the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA), the theme for this year’s workshop was ‘CNG/LPG/EV Initiative: Challenges, Sustainability, Opportunities, Alternatives to Fossil Fuels in Nigeria’. Read more
Tinubu leads tribute as late COAS Lagbaja is buried at national cemetery (Tribune)
President Bola Tinubu on Friday has led the nation in paying final respects to the late Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, who was laid to rest at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, top government officials, senior military officers, and members of the diplomatic corps attended the solemn ceremony.
President Tinubu, Vice President Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum and Governor of Kwara State Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, Minister of Defence Badaru Abubakar, and Service chiefs laid wreaths in honour of the general. Read more
6 UI master’s degree graduands score 7.0 perfect grade (Nation)
No fewer than six graduands, who scored a perfect Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 7.0 at the Master’s degree level, were awarded their certificates at the 76th Convocation Ceremony of the University of Ibadan on Friday.
The six were among the 2,450 graduands from different disciplines who received their Master’s degree certificates on the third day of the institution’s convocation ceremony and 76th Founders Day.
One of the six graduands, Abiodun Oyeleye, who completed her Master’s degree programme in Wood Production, at the Faculty of Technology, UI, attributed the success to God and the help received from family and tutors. Read more
‘I think they got chicken’: Denzel Washington says gay kiss was cut from “Gladiator II” (Guardian)
Denzel Washington has speculated that anxiety was behind the decision to cut a same-sex kiss from “Gladiator II”.
Washington, whose performance as ruthless power broker Macrinus in Ridley Scott’s sequel has picked up considerable awards buzz, told Variety: “I actually kissed a man in the film but they took it out, they cut it, I think they got chicken.”
He added: “I kissed a guy full on the lips and I guess they weren’t ready for that yet. I killed him about five minutes later. It’s Gladiator. It’s the kiss of death.” Read more
French weapons system found in Sudan is likely violation of UN arms embargo, says Amnesty (AfricaNews)
Armoured vehicles manufactured by the United Arab Emirates and equipped with French defence systems have been captured by the Sudanese army during the civil war in Sudan, Amnesty International says.
The rights group said in a report on Thursday it had identified the UAE-made armoured personnel carriers (APCs) in various parts of Sudan, including the Darfur region, where they were used by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in its fight with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).
It added that the presence of the military vehicles on the battlefield “likely constitutes a violation” of a United Nations arms embargo that prohibits the transfer of weapons to Sudan. Read more
Sylvester Stallone calls Donald Trump the “second George Washington” (FarOut)
Sylvester Stallone has shared his support for president-elect Donald Trump. At an event in Palm Beach, the actor welcomed Trump to the stage and hailed him as the “second George Washington.”
On November 14th, Donald Trump hosted an event at Mar-a-Lago, the resort he owns in Florida. Celebrating his winning of the US Election, the president-elect made a speech at the America First Policy Institute, which is the think-tank founded in 2021 to promote Trump’s public policy.
The politician and actor Sylvester Stallone shook hands at the event after Stallone welcomed him to the stage with a grand introduction. During his speech, the Hollywood star likened Trump to his character Rocky Balboa, and drew connections between the politician and Jesus. Read more
David Lynch says he can ‘‘hardly walk across a room’’ in worrying health update (Independent)
Director David Lynch has said that he now needs a supply of oxygen and can only walk short distances after being diagnosed with emphysema.
Speaking to Sight & Sound magazine in August, the 78-year-old director of Twin Peaks and Eraserhead, revealed that he had the condition due to smoking throughout his life and said that, if he directs again, it will have to be remotely as he cannot “go out” due to fears he will get Covid. However, he did defiantly say that he would “never retire”.
In a new interview with People magazine, Lynch said that he now needs supplemental oxygen for most activities, adding: “I can hardly walk across a room. It’s like you’re walking around with a plastic bag around your head.” Read more
King Crimson songwriter and lyricist Peter Sinfield dies, aged 80 (NME)
Peter Sinfield, songwriter and lyricist for King Crimson, has died aged 80.
The band’s original roadie, lyricist, lights operator and live sound engineer passed away yesterday (November 14).
The news was shared by King Crimson and the band’s Robert Fripp on social media.
Although no cause of death was announced, Sinfield was said to have been suffering from declining health for several years. Read more
Christopher Luxon meets with China’s Xi Jinping (RNZ)
Christopher Luxon has been warmly welcomed by China’s President in Lima on the sidelines of the APEC Summit.
It is the first time Xi Jinping and Luxon have met, with the meeting scheduled for 30 minutes.
In his opening remarks, President Xi acknowledged the sound and steady growth between China and New Zealand and commended Luxon for his efforts building the relationship since he took office a year ago. Read more
Germany’s Scholz speaks with Putin, demands Russia withdraw from Ukraine (VOA)
A German government spokesperson said that Chancellor Olaf Scholz held direct talks via telephone Friday with Russian President Vladimir Putin during which he demanded the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine and that Russia show a willingness to negotiate a just and lasting peace.
A statement from German government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit said Scholz condemned Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and called on Putin to end it and withdraw troops.
The statement said the chancellor reaffirmed Germany’s unwavering determination to support Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression for as long as necessary. The brief statement did not include a response from Putin. Read more
NFF, teammates console Nwabali on father’s death (Punch)
The Nigeria Football Federation and Super Eagles players have commiserated with first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali following the death of his father on Friday morning, Saturday PUNCH reports.
The Chippa United goalkeeper announced the sad news on his Instagram page with a heartfelt tribute, writing, “Rest in peace, dad.”
NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, expressed shock at the timing of the death, which came a day after Nigeria sealed qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Read more
Ghana fail to qualify for AFCON 2025 after draw with Angola (Vanguard)
Ghana failed to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco after a disappointing 1-1 draw against Angola on Friday.
The Black Stars took an early lead through a stunning free kick by Jordan Ayew in the 18th minute.
Ayew’s perfectly executed strike dipped past Angola’s goalkeeper, offering a rare moment of optimism in what has been a challenging campaign. Read more
Paul Pogba eyes ‘‘next chapter’’ after Juventus exit confirmed (Independent)
Paul Pogba has reached a mutual agreement with Juventus to terminate his contract with the Serie A giants, the France international has announced.
The former Manchester United midfielder, whose Juve deal was set to expire in 2026, did not reveal his next destination, though the 31-year-old has been linked to Inter Miami.
Pogba was handed a four-year doping ban – following an initial suspension – in March, but can now resume playing next March after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) last month reduced his punishment to 18 months. Read more
Cristiano Ronaldo sends Ruben Amorim a heartfelt message (DailyMail)
Cristiano Ronaldo has sent a heartfelt message to new Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim as the club legend gave his verdict on the new Old Trafford chief.
Amorim began work as United’s new boss at the start of the week and delivered his first interview with the club on Friday since joining from Sporting Lisbon.
The 39-year-old shares more than just one thing in common with Ronaldo and the legendary goalscorer appears delighted to see one of his native coaches being given a chance at one of the world’s biggest clubs. Read more
Andre Ward respects the ‘‘hustle’’ of Jake Paul (BoxingScene)
Andre Ward has hailed Jake Paul for his commitment to making it big in boxing despite starting his career late.
Paul, a YouTuber who transitioned into boxing, is billed to face the biggest test of his career against legendary “Iron” Mike Tyson at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Saturday. The fight marks Tyson’s nearly two-decade return to the ring following a sixth-round KO loss to Kevin McBride in 2005.
The legendary Ward, who held multiple world championships at super middleweight and light heavyweight, praised Paul, 10-1 (7 KOs), for taking time to improve his boxing craft. Read more
Boulter and Raducanu put GB into BJK Cup quarter-finals (BBC)
Emma Raducanu made a winning return from injury before Katie Boulter followed with another victory to secure Great Britain’s place in the Billie Jean King Cup quarter-finals.
In the opening match of Britain’s first-round tie against Germany, Raducanu secured a 6-4 6-4 victory – on her sixth match point after an edgy finish – over Jule Niemeier in Malaga.
The 22-year-old was playing her first match in almost two months because of a foot injury, but produced an encouraging display in the 12-nation women’s team event on her latest comeback. Read more
