Petrol Scarcity: FG threatens to revoke licenses of oil marketers (NewTelegraph)
Amid the persistent petrol scarcity across the country, the federal government, on Saturday, threatened to revoke the operating licences of oil marketers who were found guilty of hoarding Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise known as fuel.
Saturday Telegraph had earlier reported that Abuja, Niger, Nasarawa, Kaduna, and several other states have been affected by the continued petrol scarcity at some filling stations.
Ogbugo Ukoha, Executive Director of Distribution Systems, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure at the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), gave the warning during an inspection tour in Abuja. Read more
UNICAL mobilised bread seller who didn’t attend school for service – NYSC (DailyTrust)
Director General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Yushau Ahmed, has said that one of the “graduates” fraudulently mobilised for the scheme by University of Calabar, Cross Rivers State, is a bread seller who did not attend the institution.
This is coming on the back of 101 certificates that were recently voided by the scheme, making it 178.
Ahmed commemded the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Professor Florence Obi for her forthrightness to have earlier hinted at the scheme on the mobilisation of unqualified graduates from her institution. Read more
LAGESC, police, Army round up 68 miscreants in Lagos (Punch)
A joint operation involving the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps, the Nigerian Police Force, and the Nigerian Army has resulted in the arrest of 68 miscreants in various parts of Lagos Island.
The state Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this in a post and videos shared on X.com on Friday.
He wrote, “During a joint operation between the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps, the Nigerian Police Force, and the Nigerian Army, 68 miscreants were arrested while conducting surveillance operations of the coastal road, Ikoyi, Oniru Beach, and other parts of Lagos Island. Read more
Mpox spreads: 44 cases, one death recorded in West Africa — ECOWAS (Tribune)
The ECOWAS Regional Centre for Surveillance and Disease Control has reported a continuing outbreak of monkeypox in the region, with 44 confirmed cases and one death recorded by the end of Epidemiological Week 33 in 2024.
Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, and Ghana are currently the most affected countries within the ECOWAS area.
The report, released on Friday, August 16, and shared with journalists on Saturday, highlights ongoing concerns about Mpox, also known as monkeypox. Read more
Don Jazzy, D’banj to collaborate on new album “The Entertainer Sequel” (Leadership)
Famous Nigerian singers, D’banj and Don Jazzy have reunited to release a new album ‘The Entertainer Sequel’.
D’banj made the announcement on his Instagram page, sharing the video of a short play featuring Don Jazzy, TV host Jimmie Akinsola, actor Gideon Okeke and others.
The album, which is a follow up to D’banj’s 2008 ‘The Entertainer’ album, includes remixes of popular songs like ‘Fall in Love’, ‘Feli Feli’, ‘Igwe’ and ‘Suddenly’. Read more
‘‘We won’t rest until students are rescued alive,’’ NMA writes Egbetokun (Channels)
The Nigerian Medical Association has, in a letter, called on the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to ensure the release of the 20 medical students abducted on their way to Enugu for a conference.
The letter dated August 16 read and signed by the NMA Secretary-General, Dr Benjamin Egbo said, “I write on behalf of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to urgently bring to your attention a grave situation involving the abduction of 20 medical students.
“These students, comprising 12 from the University of Jos and 8 from the of Maiduguri, were en route to a conference organized by the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students (FECAMDS) in Enugu when they were kidnapped.” Read more
NJC to probe 27 High Court judges over alleged judicial misconduct
The National Judicial Council (NJC) has constituted four probe panels to investigate 27 high court judges in what the country over various alleged judicial misconduct brought against them.
The council equally issued letters of advice to Justice O. M. Olagunju of Oyo State High Court to be circumspect as a judicial officer before acting, even in the most challenging situation.
Justice Olagunju was said to have used uncouth language in a letter addressed to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, challenging Council’s decision and its Policy Direction on appointment of President, Court of the Customary Court of Appeal, Oyo State. Read more
Tinubu congratulates Babangida at 83 (Nation)
President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Nigeria’s former head of state, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, on his 83rd birthday.
This is contained in a statement by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, on Saturday in Abuja.
He noted Babangida’s endeavours toward the development of the nation, especially in infrastructure and other areas. Read more
Nicki Minaj announces supporting acts and teases new music for 2nd leg of Pink Friday 2 World Tour (HipHopDX)
Nicki Minaj has officially unveiled the supporting acts for the forthcoming second leg of her Pink Friday 2 World Tour.
Taking to Instagram on Friday (August 16), the Head Barb revealed she’d be bringing fellow Young Money alum Tyga on the road with her, as well as BIA and dancehall artist Skillibeng.
“Let’s just say you won’t wanna miss it. Y’all know I’m an honest pink lady,” she wrote. “#GagCityReloaded will be a beautiful, magical dream come true. Better than the 1st half & that wasn’t easy to do. New looks, set list changes, other secrets, ummmm new music? Lemme think about it. Thank you to the team doing this with me again. They’re simply the best. Read more
Ryan Reynolds reacts to wife Blake Lively’s film It Ends With Us dethroning Deadpool sequel at the box office (DailyMail)
Ryan Reynolds has shared what he thinks about his wife Blake Lively’s movie It Ends With Us surpassing his Marvel film Deadpool & Wolverine at the box office.
The Hollywood Reporter noted on Thursday that the romantic drama has beat out the superhero comedy this week, after the former hit theaters on August 9.
Speaking with Sunday Today, the 47-year-old Canadian actor expressed unwavering support for his other half, 36. Read more
Grammy-winning producer seeks to dismiss rape lawsuit (BBC)
The-Dream has written songs for Rihanna, Britney Spears, Mariah Carey, Justin Bieber, and Kanye West
Grammy award-winning producer and songwriter The-Dream is seeking to have large parts of a sexual assault lawsuit filed against him thrown out.
The 47-year-old, born Terius Gesteelde-Diamant, was accused of rape and sexual battery in June by a former protégé, Chanaaz Mangroe, who performed as Channii Monroe.
In response, Mr Gesteelde-Diamant, who has written songs for Beyoncé, Rihanna, Justin Bieber and Mariah Carey, denied the allegations. Read more
Fire at London’s Somerset House threatens works by Van Gogh, Cezanne (VOA)
A fire broke out Saturday at Somerset House, a large arts venue on the River Thames in central London.
Smoke billowed from the building and flames could be seen coming from the roof as firefighters on tall ladders showered it with water.
The cause of the fire was not yet known, the London Fire Brigade said. Fifteen engines and about 100 firefighters were deployed. Read more
Chris Martin and Dakota Johnson “happily together” amid split claims (FilmNews)
Chris Martin and Dakota Johnson are still together and have not split, reports have claimed.
Fans of the celebrity couple were stunned on Friday when it was reported they had ended their seven-year romance and called off their engagement.
But now a representative of Dakota, 34, has rubbished the news, telling People, “They are happily together.”
The Fifty Shades actress and the 47-year-old Coldplay frontman first got together in 2017 – a year after the Yellow singer finalised his divorce from Gwyneth Paltrow. Read more
Gaza records 1st polio case in 25 years as UN urges vaccinations (NewArab)
Gaza has recorded its first polio case in 25 years, the Palestinian health ministry said on Friday, after UN chief Antonio Guterres called for pauses in the Israel-Hamas war to vaccinate hundreds of thousands of children.
Tests in Jordan confirmed the disease in an unvaccinated 10-month-old from the central Gaza Strip, the health ministry in Ramallah said.
According to the United Nations, Gaza, now in its 11th month of war, has not registered a polio case for 25 years, although type 2 poliovirus was detected in samples collected from the territory’s wastewater in June. Read more
India to hold 1st assembly elections in Kashmir in 10 years (GulfToday)
India on Friday announced three-phased assembly elections in Kashmir, the first in a decade and in a new political environment after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government in 2019 stripped the Muslim-majority region of its semi-autonomy and downgraded it to a federally controlled territory.
Since those changes the region has remained on edge, governed by a New Delhi appointed administrator and run by bureaucrats with no democratic credentials.
The new polls will be held between Sept.18 and Oct.1, India’s Election Commission said at a news conference in the capital, New Delhi. The vote will take place in a staggered process that allows the government to deploy tens of thousands of troops to prevent any outbreak of violence. Votes will be counted on Oct.4. Read more
NPFL clubs get ultimatum to launch websites (Punch)
The board of the Nigeria Premier Football League has directed all the clubs in the country’s topflight to start operating functional websites within the next month.
This was part of the decisions reached at a one-day summit for club media directors, which was held in Makurdi, Benue State on Friday.
According to the league body, the move is to support social media platforms to drive engagement and secure revenue streams from such platforms. Read more
Ipswich Town 0-2 Liverpool: Salah and Jota goals ensure Slot era starts with all three points (Football365)
Liverpool forwards Diogo Jota and Mohamad Salah spoiled Ipswich’s Premier League return and handed new boss Arne Slot a debut victory.
Ipswich were back in the top flight for the first time in 22 years after consecutive promotions under Kieran McKenna and edged a tight first half in front of a buoyant Portman Road crowd.
Liverpool, who finished third in Jurgen Klopp’s last season, went up a level after the break with Jota able to force the opener on the hour mark after an assist by Salah.
Salah went from provider to scorer five minutes later with a smart finish and it proved enough to ensure Slot made a triumphant start with a 2-0 win on the road. Read more
We must help “extraordinary talent” Mbappe adapt: Madrid’s Ancelotti (France24)
With Kylian Mbappe set to make his La Liga debut for Real Madrid on Sunday against Real Mallorca, coach Carlo Ancelotti said the superstar needs to adapt to his new club.
The France captain scored on his long-awaited first Madrid appearance as Los Blancos beat Atalanta to win the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday.
The 25-year-old striker, who arrived at the end of his Paris Saint-Germain contract, was not at his best but finished lethally after Fede Valverde sent the reigning Spanish and European champions ahead. Read more
Israel Adesanya breaks down in tears at UFC 305 press conference (DAZN)
It is not unusual for things to get heated at a UFC press conference, the list of examples is endless.
But what is unusual is for the war of words to end in tears, and that is exactly what happened at the UFC 305 press conference in Australia on Friday.
Reigning UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis touched a nerve when throwing insults towards former champion Israel Adesanya.
Adesanya accused Du Plessis of bringing his family into the argument, and had tears in his eyes as he told the crowd: “He touched a subject there, because I do this for my family, I do this for the people I love and I’ll fight for you forever.” Read more
New Zealand exact revenge on Argentina with try scoring blitz in Rugby Championship (IrishExaminer)
New Zealand rode a first-half try blitz to a 42-10 victory over Argentina in the Rugby Championship at Auckland’s Eden Park on Saturday to avenge last week’s shock loss to the Pumas in Wellington.
Damian McKenzie, skipper Ardie Savea, Caleb Clarke, Will Jordan and Beauden Barrett all crossed to give the All Blacks a 35-3 lead at halftime despite teeming rain and strong winds at the spiritual home of New Zealand rugby.
Jordan added his second try soon after the break to drive home the advantage but the Pumas managed to stem the flood of tries before scoring one of their own through Juan Cruz Mallia in the 72nd minute. Read more
Ipswich sign Kalvin Phillips on loan following capture of Sammie Szmodics (IrishExaminer)
England international Kalvin Phillips has joined newly-promoted Ipswich on a season-long loan from Premier League rivals Manchester City.
The 28-year-old midfielder, who spent the second half of last season with West Ham, could make his debut in Saturday’s clash with Liverpool at Portman Road.
“This is a day I’ve been waiting a number of weeks for now and I’m very happy to be here,” Phillips told the Tractor Boys’ website. Read more