Police begin extradition of ‘KillaBoi’ over girlfriend’s murder (Punch)
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, has confirmed that it has commenced the extradition process of an Instagram influencer, Benjamin Nnanyereugo popularly known as KillaBoi, who has been arrested by Sierra Leonian authorities following complaints that he killed his late girlfriend, Augusta Osedion.
Hundeyin revealed this on Saturday, in an exclusive telephone interview with our correspondent.
“We have commenced the extradition process to bring KillaBoi into custody in Nigeria,” Hundeyin noted. Read more
Petrol price increased to N626.21 in September — NBS (Tribune)
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has reported that the average retail price of a litre of petrol increased from N191.65 in September 2022 to N626.21 in September 2023.
This information was provided in the Petrol Price Watch for September 2023, released in Abuja on Saturday.
According to the NBS, the September 2023 price of N626.21 represents a 226.75 per cent increase over the price of N191.65 recorded in September 2022. Read more
Presidents shouldn’t appoint INEC chairman – Jega (DailyTrust)
A former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Attahiru Jega, has called for an amendments to the Electoral Act, 2022.
He said though the country’s electoral law could be said to be the best in Nigeria’s history, it is not perfect; and there was the need for further amendments to remove ambiguities, clarify and strengthen some of its sections.
Jega spoke at a two-day retreat organised for senators by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State. Read more
Flooding: Lagos allays residents’ fears on Ogun River banks and coastline (Channels)
The Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, on Friday allayed the fears of residents along the Ogun-Osun river bank following reports of flooding experienced in these affected areas.
He assured of the state’s preparedness to contain any eventuality that may arise with the intensity of the flow of the runoff water from upland into Lagos.
Wahab, who made this remark while fielding questions from newsmen during a press briefing on the recent flooding situation along the basin of the Ogun river and lagoon coastline held on Friday at the Conference room of the Ministry, said it has become important that homeowners within these areas relocate immediately to higher grounds. Read more
Rita Dominic takes over Miss Nigeria Pageant (ThisDay)
After 16 years of organising the foremost beauty pageant in Nigeria, Miss Nigeria, Folio Communications is passing the torch to leading production company The Audrey Silva Company (TASC) owned by actress and producer Rita Dominic and renowned film director Mildred Okwo.
“The Miss Nigeria Pageant is a true representation of One Nigeria,” said Dominic. “The platform has over the years empowered young women from diverse backgrounds, ethnicities, and religions, and I am proud of what my husband, Mr Fidelis Anosike, founder of Folio Communications and Publisher of Daily Times newspaper has done with the brand for 16 long years. I am pleased to announce that he is handing over the reins to me and partnering with TASC.”
Dominic pointed out that her 25 years of film production experience in the entertainment industry has equipped her with the skills and knowledge necessary to take on Miss Nigeria, adding “I have been on board with him for a couple of years watching and learning from him and others. I look forward to the next phase of Miss Nigeria.” Read more
FG to cater for cancer survivors in new cancer plan (Guardian)
The Federal Government says it has made plans in a new policy for cancer survivors to be catered to adequately.
The Director-General, National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), Dr Usman Aliyu, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Abuja.
According to him, the plan is contained in one of the three cancer policies aimed at aiding cancer prevention and treatment in Nigeria the Federal Government will inaugurate soon. Read more
Mogaji Gbolagade congratulates Olubadan on 81st birthday (Nation)
The Family Head (Mogaji) of Lato Compound in Labo, Ibadan, Mogaji Gbolagade Abiodun, has felicitated the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun on the occasion of his 81st birthday.
In a statement by Gbolagade, he shared in the joy of sons and daughters of Ibadanland celebrating another milestone with the monarch, his family, Ibadan Traditional Council as well as friends and associates.
He said: “Let me say that Your Imperial Majesty’s track record of service to our nation has been inspiring, exemplary, and commendable, most notably beginning with your distinguished and meritorious political career as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Read more
N160m exotic cars for lawmakers, height of insensitivity — LP Chieftain, Faduri (Vanguard)
In the face of Nigeria’s worst economic downturn, former Labour Party presidential aspirant, Joseph Faduri, has lambasted the country’s lawmakers for their controversial purchase of N160 million exotic cars each, calling it the height of insensitivity.
This came at a time when many Nigerians are grappling with economic hardship, exacerbated by an unguided announcement of fuel subsidy removal and mounting unemployment.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Faduri voiced his dismay at what he described as the lawmakers’ reckless disregard for the plight of the average Nigerian. Read more
Meryl Streep and husband Don Gummer confirm they separated several years ago (DigitalSpy)
Meryl Streep and her husband Don Gummer have actually been separated for over half a decade, it has been confirmed.
In a statement issued to Page Six, a spokesperson for the Postcards from the Edge and the Don’t Look Up actress said: “Don Gummer and Meryl Streep have been separated for more than 6 years, and while they will always care for each other, they have chosen lives apart.”
It is reported that the pair were last seen together at the 2018 Oscars ceremony. Read more
Emily Blunt apologises for “fatphobic” comments made on The Jonathan Ross Show in 2012 (Sky)
Emily Blunt has apologised for comments she made on a chat show 11 years ago about a restaurant worker’s weight.
In a resurfaced clip from The Jonathan Ross Show – first broadcast in September 2012, the 40-year-old actress referred to a waitress who served her at a Chili’s restaurant in Louisiana as “enormous”.
The comments were part of a story she told about the waitress recognising her while filming the 2012 movie Looper. Read more
Humanitarian aid starts entering Gaza crossing from Egypt (AfricaNews)
Trucks carrying humanitarian aid for war-torn and besieged Gaza started passing into the Rafah border crossing from Egypt Saturday, a security source and an Egyptian Red Crescent official told AFP.
Egyptian state television showed several trucks entering the gate on the 15th day of the war between Israel and Hamas, the militant movement that rules the Palestinian enclave of 2.4 million people.
Israel has been bombing Gaza since Hamas’ bloody surprise attack on October 7. Read more
Jay-Z was almost charged $1.8m by Hype Williams for a music video (NME)
Jay-Z has revealed Hype Williams once quoted him $1.8million (£1.4million) to direct a music video for the rapper.
In a Complex feature celebrating the work of the legendary music video director, Jay-Z spoke about their collaboration for the 1997 song ‘(Always Be My) Sunshine’. The musician said back in the 90s, Williams often asked for between “$750,000 to $1 million dollars”. Jay-Z, on the other hand, was aiming for more “around $20,000 (£16,400)”.
According to Jay-Z, Williams’ vision for the music video was admittedly “grand”: “It was this whole circus. I think he had elephants. I think he may have given the idea to Busta. I don’t remember exactly what it was, but I remember being blown away by it.” Read more
Britney Spears deletes Instagram page after urging she “didn’t mean to offend anyone” (Mirror)
Britney Spears’ Instagram page has seemingly vanished after the singer urged that she ‘”didn’t mean to offend anyone” with her new memoir, “The Woman In Me”.
The 41-year-old star is about to rock the world with her bombshell memoir, and now just days before it hits bookshop shelves, her Instagram page appears to have disappeared. Frequently sharing dancing videos while donning skimpy dresses, lingerie, and bikinis, the star’s page is no longer visible.
When you click on Britney’s Instagram page on a web browser, it says: “Sorry, this page isn’t available. The link you followed may be broken, or the page may have been removed. Go back to Instagram.” Meanwhile, when searching for her on the mobile app, her account is completely gone. Read more
Biden says support for Israel and Ukraine is vital to US security (France24)
President Joe Biden made an impassioned call for the United States to show global leadership by backing Israel and Ukraine, saying in a speech from the Oval Office Thursday that defeating Hamas and Russia was a vital US interest.
Biden, 80, said he would make an “urgent” request to Congress on Friday for funding to help Ukraine and Israel, arguing that this was an investment for the United States’ future on the world stage for decades to come.
“American leadership is what holds the world together,” Biden said in just the second primetime speech to the nation of his presidency from behind the historic Resolute Desk. Read more
Pakistan’s self-exiled former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif returns home ahead of a parliamentary vote (ABC)
Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif arrived home Saturday on a chartered plane from Dubai, ending four years of self-imposed exile in London as he seeks to win the support of voters in parliamentary elections due in January.
Sharif, who was elected prime minister three times, is expected to face tough competition from the party of the former premier and his main rival, Imran Khan. He was ousted in a no-confidence vote in April 2022 and is currently imprisoned after a court convicted and sentenced him to three years in a graft case.
Sharif has been a fugitive since he failed to appear before a Pakistani court in 2019 following his conviction and a 10-year prison sentence on corruption charges. Read more
Newcastle join Boniface chase (Punch)
Newcastle have joined in the race to sign Nigeria international, Victor Boniface, following the striker’s impressive start to the 2022/23 season.
The 22-year-old has been a sensation in the Bundesliga this term, banging in seven goals in seven games.
Boniface joined Bayer Leverkusen for €20m from Royale Union Saint-Gilloise last transfer window but has blossomed into one of the most dreaded strikers in Europe. Read more
Wydad won’t escape defeat, Enyimba vow (Guardian)
Two-Time CAF Champions League winners, Enyimba FC of Aba, have said they won’t be intimidated by the pedigree of Wydad Athletic Club in tomorrow’s quarterfinal encounter of the maiden African Football League (AFL).
The match will hold by 7.00pm Nigerian time at the ‘Nest Of Champions’ Uyo.The People’s Elephant won their first NPFL match of the season against Akwa United last Sunday, a victory that will boost their morale for the tie against Wydad AC.
Enyimba FC striker, Eze Happy Ekwutoziam, has declared that they have all it takes to cage the Moroccans in tomorrow’s tie. Speaking to Enyimba media after their Thursday training ahead of the clash, Ekwutoziam said the players are aware of what is expected of them. Read more
USA captain Tyler Adams out 5 months after hamstring surgery (ABC)
United States men’s national team captain Tyler Adams will be out of action until next year following a second surgery on his hamstring, The Athletic reported Thursday.
The Bournemouth midfielder, 24, had the surgery two weeks ago and is expected to recover in about five months, keeping him out until at least mid-February, according to the report.
He underwent surgery on his hamstring after an injury in March while playing for Leeds United, then had a six-month layoff before joining Bournemouth for a Sept. 27 match against Stoke City in the Carabao Cup. He hasn’t played since that match. Read more
Oleksandr Usyk admits he’s troubled by injuries ahead of Tyson Fury fight (Mirror)
Oleksandr Usyk has admitted he is suffering from some “old injuries” ahead of his undisputed heavyweight title clash with Tyson Fury.
Usyk is preparing to face fellow heavyweight champion Fury as the rivals officially put pen to paper for a deal in Saudi Arabia after months of negotiations. Fury will first have to get past former UFC champion Francis Ngannou as they meet in a crossover fight next weekend to kick off Riyadh season.
Fury hasn’t fought since defending his world title against Derek Chisora last December whilst Usyk stopped mandatory challenger Daniel Dubois in August. Usyk plans to spend over three months in training camp preparing for Fury but will spend an extra two weeks rehabilitating from the injuries that are currently causing him some issues. Read more
Rune hoping to glean Djokovic secrets from new coach Becker (France24)
Holger Rune hopes his new coaching collaboration with Boris Becker will yield inside knowledge on world number one Novak Djokovic.
While the 20-year-old Dane has learned plenty already – he has beaten Djokovic in two of three previous meetings – there is no harm in getting the scoop from the man who coached the 24-time Grand Slam winner to six of his major titles from 2013-2016.
“It’s great to learn from players like (Boris) and from Rafa (Nadal), Roger (Federer) and Novak,” ATP number six Rune said on Saturday as he prepared for Monday’s start of the ATP Swiss Indoors in Basel. Read more
Ronnie O’Sullivan: World number one withdraws from Northern Ireland Open for “medical reasons” (BBC)
World number one Ronnie O’Sullivan has withdrawn from the Northern Ireland Open for “medical reasons”.
The seven-time world champion was set to face American Ahmed Aly Elsayed in his opening match on Sunday.
O’Sullivan, 47, is a three-time beaten finalist in the tournament having lost the 2018, 2019 and 2020 deciders to fellow Englishman Judd Trump. Read more