President Tinubu appoints Maj Gen Oluyede as acting Chief Of Army Staff (Leadership)
President Bola Tinubu, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, has appointed Major General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as the acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS).
Major General Oluyede will act in the position pending the return of the indisposed substantive Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja.
LEADERSHIP reports that the Nigerian Army had insisted that Lt. General Lagbaja was hale and hearty and only away on deserved vacation. Read more
Abducted female doctor regains freedom after 10 months (DailyTrust)
Kaduna-based medical doctor, Dr Ganiyat Popoola, has regained freedom from captivity 10 months after she was kidnapped.
Popoola, a registrar in the Department of Ophthalmology at the National Eye Centre, Kaduna State, was abducted on December 27, 2023, along with her husband, Nurudeen Popoola, who is a Squadron leader, and her nephew, Folaranmi Abdul-Mugniy, who stays with them.
Daily Trust reports that the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) had embarked on a series of protests nationwide and repeatedly made calls on the Federal Government to secure release of the doctor. Read more
TCN restores power to North (Punch)
The Transmission Company of Nigeria has announced a partial restoration of power to seven states in the northern region of the country affected by the vandalisation of the Shiroro-Kaduna transmission line.
The states include Lafia, Makurdi, Jos, Kaduna, Kano, Bauchi, and Gombe States.
It electricity was restored to the area as of 4:56 pm, following a repair of the 330kV Ugwuaji-Apir transmission line 1. Read more
Bandits Kidnap 16 In Fresh Attack On Kebbi Village, Nine Still Held Hostage (Channels)
Bandits have reportedly abducted at least 16 people in a recent attack on Bena village and surrounding areas in the Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
Confirming the incident, the Secretary of the Security Committee in Wasagu, Lawali Umar, stated that the bandits ambushed victims working on their guinea corn farms and took them hostage.
Umar said that in a separate recent attack, bandits raided Tudun Wada area, abducting six people. Read more
High cost of power threatens university sustainability, Elizade VC warns (Vanguard)
Professor Kayode Ijadunola, Vice Chancellor of Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State, has sounded the alarm over rising energy costs, which he says threaten the sustainability of Nigeria’s universities by 2025.
Speaking at a press briefing ahead of the institution’s combined 8th and 9th convocation scheduled for November 6, Ijadunola highlighted that recent hikes in energy bills, especially from transitioning to the Band A electricity billing system, have placed immense financial strain on the university.
“The cost of energy has at least tripled in the last few months,” he explained, adding that power supply remains erratic, forcing the institution to rely on costly diesel-powered generators as backup. Read more
Rivers: Courts taking Nigeria back to dark days of June 12 – Atiku (DailyTrust)
As reactions continue to trail the judgement of a Federal High Court in Abuja on the Rivers State fund, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has cautioned the judiciary against acts capable of setting the state on fire.
Atiku, while expressing dissatisfaction over the ruling, lamented that Nigerian courts are playing a more ignoble role in fostering political crises across the country.
The court on Wednesday barred the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from disbursing further monthly allocations to the Rivers State Government, citing alleged constitutional violations by Governor Siminalayi Fubara. Read more
18-storey Ibom towers ready in 24 months – AKSG (Nation)
As part of its economic diversification efforts, the Akwa Ibom State Government has launched the construction of the 18-storey Ibom Towers in Lagos, with a commitment to complete the project within 24 months.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, led the groundbreaking ceremony, joined by former Akwa Ibom Governors, Udom Emmanuel and Obong Victor Attah, along with other prominent Nigerians.
The Ibom Towers project aims to boost revenue and GDP for both Akwa Ibom and Lagos States, contributing to economic resilience amidst Nigeria’s financial challenges. Read more
Prosper Africa supports Lagos fashion week, strengthens access for African fashion in US (Vanguard)
The Lagos Fashion Week, in collaboration with the U.S. government initiative Prosper Africa and Style House Files, hosted a pivotal panel discussion titled “Bridging Markets.” The event brought together prominent fashion and trade experts with the aim of enhancing access for African fashion designers to the U.S. market.
“Prosper Africa is proud to support Lagos Fashion Week, a pivotal resource connecting African fashion with the U.S. market,” stated Coordinator of Prosper Africa, British A. Robinson, “We look forward to increasing access for African designers to the American apparel market.”
Since its inception in 2011, Lagos Fashion Week has established itself as a vital platform for designers, buyers, and consumers, spotlighting the burgeoning trends within African fashion. As global recognition of Africa’s innovative craftsmanship and sustainable practices grows, the platform has become essential for discovering new brands that blend cultural narratives with ethical production. Read more
Lisa Kudrow pays tribute to Friends mother Teri Garr (BBC)
Lisa Kudrow has led the tributes to Oscar-nominated actress Teri Garr, who played her estranged birth mother in Friends.
Garr, who was also known for movies including Young Frankenstein, Tootsie and Close Encounters of the Third Kind, died at the age of 79 in Los Angeles on Tuesday.
In a statement, Kudrow said she was “a comedic acting genius who was and is a huge influence on me and I know I’m not alone in that”. Read more
Saoirse Ronan taken aback by ‘‘wild’’ reaction to women’s safety comments (Guardian)
Saoirse Ronan has said the reaction to her comment about women’s safety on The Graham Norton Show has been unexpected and “wild”.
The Irish actor appeared on the BBC chat show alongside the actors Paul Mescal, Eddie Redmayne and Denzel Washington last Friday. During the episode, Redmayne told the host, Norton, how preparation for appearing in The Day of the Jackal involved being trained in self-defence, including how to use a phone as a weapon.
Mescal questioned how someone would have time to take their phone out while being attacked, to the amusement of Norton and Washington, before Ronan said: “That’s what girls have to think about all the time. Am I right ladies?” Read more
Keke Palmer shares how being the victim of child-on-child molestation impacted her life: ‘I felt out of control’ (People)
Keke Palmer experienced extreme highs and lows during her childhood.
The second-oldest of four children born to Sharon, a teacher, and Larry, a Catholic deacon, Palmer, 31, whose birth name is Lauren, grew up in a small town outside Chicago. “We were impoverished, but I felt so much love and a rich sense of community,” the actress tells PEOPLE in this week’s cover story.
But at around age 5, she was sexually abused by a peer, a deeply traumatic event she mentions in her new book Master of Me: The Secret to Controlling Your Narrative, out Nov. 19. “People don’t really think about child-on-child molestation, but it’s something that exists,” she says. “I felt weird and violated, but I didn’t really know how to place it. I just knew I had all these weird feelings and thoughts, and I felt a little bit out of control and overwhelmed.” Read more
Angered over BRICS veto, Venezuela recalls ambassador to Brazil (AlJazeera)
Venezuela has pulled its ambassador from Brazil in a spat over Caracas’s failed recent bid to join the BRICS alliance of major developing nations.
Venezuela’s Foreign Ministry announced the diplomatic punch on Wednesday, slamming Brazil’s officials for “blocking” its BRICS membership and making “interventionist, rude statements”.
The ministry also summoned Brazil’s business envoy for talks, reported Reuters. Read more
The Grammys move from CBS to Disney in major 10-year deal (Deadline)
The Grammy Awards ceremony, which has aired on CBS for over 50 years, has a new home.
Disney has snatched the rights to the annual music awards show in a ten-year deal, a major loss for Paramount.
The Grammys will air on ABC, Hulu and Disney+ from 2027 as part of the deal, taking it through to 2036. Read more
Fired Disney employee allegedly hacked into company system to change allergen info on menus (CNN)
A fired Disney employee allegedly hacked into the company’s servers to alter its restaurant menus, including falsifying allergen information and printing profane language, according to a federal criminal complaint filed in Florida.
The complaint, filed October 23 in the US District Court for the Middle District of Florida, does not name Disney. David Haas, a lawyer representing the suspect in the case, confirmed to CNN that Disney is the company involved in the complaint, however.
Disney identified and removed all altered menus before they were shipped to restaurants, according to the complaint. Read more
North Korea launches missile toward the Sea of Japan in longest attempt so far (Fox)
North Korea, on Wednesday night, launched a long-range ballistic missile toward the Sea of Japan, a day after South Korean officials reported the North was preparing to test-launch an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), which reportedly had the longest flight time of any previous test.
Reuters reported that the Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement that the missile was launched at a sharply raised angle at 7:10 a.m. local time, from an area near North Korea’s capital of Pyongyang.
The Japanese government later said the missile fell into the sea at 8:37 a.m., or 87 minutes later. Read more
NFF lauds sullen Flamingos as team return home (Punch)
The Nigeria Football Federation has once again patted the Flamingos on the back for their virtuoso displays at the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Dominican Republic.
The team returned to the country on Tuesday night and was formally welcomed by the General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, who said the ladies put up a good fight and needed to be encouraged despite quarter-final elimination by the United States of America.
“The Nigeria Football Federation is proud of the Flamingos and the efforts they put into the competition. Two years ago, they defeated the USA on penalties at the same stage, on their way to collecting the bronze medals. That is football for you. Read more
Dikko resumes duty as NSC chairman, vows to create sports economy (Leadership)
Newly appointed chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, has resumed duties at the commission headquarters domiciled at Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, with a promise to change the narrative of sports from mere competitions for medals to sports development to engender a beneficial sports economy.
He officially took over from the immediate-past minister of sports development, Senator John Owan-Enoh, who warmly received and handed over the affairs of Nigeria’s sports to him in a brief ceremony in Abuna on Wednesday.
The new NSC boss, at the brief handover ceremony, said Nigeria’s journey towards a sustainable sports economy has begun. Read more
FIFA announces first Club World Cup sponsor with Chinese electronics firm branding VAR checks (JapanToday)
FIFA finally announced a first sponsor for its revamped Club World Cup on Wednesday in a deal that will brand video review checks at the tournament in the United States next year.
Chinese consumer electronics firm Hisense will have “branding appearing in the video operation room and on pitchside screens,” FIFA said in a statement, when match officials study key incidents in the 32-team tournament being played in 11 American cities from June 15 to July 13.
Though no previous FIFA tournament has had a sponsor for video reviews since the technology was approved before the men’s 2018 World Cup in Russia, Hisense was the official “VAR Screen Provider” for this year’s European Championship organized by UEFA in Germany. Read more
Mikel Arteta hails Arsenal wonderkid Ethan Nwaneri after screamer (DailyMail)
Ethan Nwaneri’s performance delighted Mikel Arteta but did not surprise him as the 17-year-old’s superb strike helped Arsenal to a 3-0 win over Preston and into the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.
The teenager bent in a fine first-half goal after Gabriel Jesus’s first strike since January had set Arsenal on their way, with substitute Kai Havertz adding the third early in the second half.
It was another stand-out Carabao Cup performance from academy product Nwaneri, who got his first senior goals with a brace in Arsenal’s 5-1 win over Bolton in the previous round. He might have had two at Deepdale too, but a late strike hit the crossbar. Read more
Ruud awakens Manchester United with thumping Carabao Cup win over Leicester (Independent)
Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Manchester United roared to an entertaining 5-2 victory against Leicester to reach the Carabao Cup quarter-finals as the post-Erik ten Hag era began with a bang.
The Red Devils called time on the Dutchman’s 29-month reign on Monday, leading to the club’s popular former striker stepping up from his role as assistant manager while a permanent head coach is recruited.
United are in talks to hire highly-rated Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim and the club appear to be safe in hands should negotiations drag on judging by Wednesday’s win against Leicester. Read more
Karl-Anthony Towns scores 44 to lead Knicks past Heat (UPI)
Karl-Anthony Towns wrestled for rebounds, while caressing in hook shots and throwing down rim shaking dunks en route to 44 points, leading the New York Knicks past the Miami Heat on Wednesday in Miami.
Towns scored 24 points in the first half and poured in another 14 in the fourth quarter of the 116-107 triumph at the Kaseya Center. He also totaled 12 rebounds.
“I thought Karl got off to a good start,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said. “I liked the way the team generated shots.
“We got Karl going inside, and our volume of threes went way up and we had a good rhythm on that. Then the defense got going in the second half.” Read more
Alonso treated for infection but will race in Brazil (BBC)
Fernando Alonso’s arrival at this weekend’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix will be delayed because of medical treatment for an intestinal infection.
The Aston Martin driver flew back to Europe following Sunday’s Mexico City Grand Prix to see a specialist, after falling ill before the race weekend.
The extra day’s treatment he received in Europe has delayed his travel to Brazil, Aston Martin said, and the two-time champion will miss Thursday’s media day. Read more