RCCG pastor found stabbed, coughing blood (Nation)
A Lagos State High Court sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square Tuesday heard that a Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) pastor, Babatunde Dada, was found coughing blood after being stabbed and robbed allegedly by two teenagers that he helped off the streets and gave accommodation after getting them a job.
The teens, Farouk Mohammed, 16, and Kasali Jamiu, 19, said to be new converts to Christianity at the church branch in Festac where the pastor worked, are standing trial for the December 2, 2021 murder of Dada, 46, before Justice Sherifat Sonaike.
Mohammed and Jamiu were remanded following their arraignment before the judge by the Lagos State Government.
The duo was first charged on January 12, 2022 before a Yaba Chief Magistrate’s Court alongside two others, Mumuni Toheeb, 21, and Mubarak Soliu, 20, for allegedly receiving a Spark S Techno phone valued at N60,000, property of the deceased. Read more
NDLEA nabs wanted drug kingpin, seals hotels, mansions (Punch)
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has announced the arrest of one of two brothers, Onyeaghalachi Stephen, whom the anti-narcotics agency says serves as major sources of illicit drug supplies in the South-East and South-South regions of the country, after nine years of being on his trail.
The PUNCH reports that the Chairman of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), had asked the fleeing baron to turn himself in before the anti-narcotics agency smoked him out.
This was as he commended the officers and men of the agency involved in the operation as well as men of the military who supported them for their professionalism.
The agency in a statement by its Director, Media and Advocacy, Mr. Femi Babafemi, noted that Onyeaghalachi’s elder brother, Eze Stephen, who is also wanted, narrowly escaped during the overnight operation carried out simultaneously in their two locations in Umuahia and Ntigha Okpuola communities in Isiala Ngwa North LGA, Abia State. Read more
FG announces commencement of 14-day paternity leave (Guardian)
The Federal Government announced the commencement of a 14-working-day paternity leave for civil servants.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Folasade Yemi-Esan, disclosed this in a circular on Monday.
“Government has also approved paternity leave for serving male officers whose spouse delivers a baby. The period of the leave shall be fourteen working days,” Yemi-Esan said.
“Where the family of a male officer adopts a child under four months old, the officer will similarly enjoy Paternity Leave for a period of fourteen working days.”
Yemi-Esan said that the paternity leave was in line with the provisions of the Public Service Rules, 2021 Edition. Read more
Tinubu won’t relocate FCT to Lagos — APC PCC (Punch)
The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council has debunked a rumour it credited to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party that its candidate in the 2023 presidential election, Bola Tinubu, is planning to relocate Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory from Abuja to Lagos if he becomes president.
The Tinubu campaign council described the rumour as a “misinformation campaign” being promoted in the North-West by “some elders on the payroll of the Peoples Democratic Party.”
This is contained in a press statement signed by the Director, Media & Publicity, APC PCC, Bayo Onanuga, on Tuesday.
The statement stressed that Tinubu had no plans to relocate the country’s seat of power from its current Abuja location, adding that he would not do anything deemed to be against the constitution of the nation. Read more
Court sentences IGP to 3 months in prison for contempt (Channels)
Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon of the Federal High Court, Abuja has sentenced the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba to three months in prison for disobeying a court order.
Delivering the ruling, Justice Olajuwon issued the order following a suit filed by a former police officer, Patrick Okoli who claimed he was unlawfully and compulsorily retired from the Nigeria Police Force.
Earlier in November, Justice Chizoba Oji of a High Court Abuja convicted the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa for contempt and ordered that he should be committed to prison at Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja.
The judge held that Bawa was in contempt of the order of the court made on November 21, 2018, directing the commission to return to an applicant, his Range Rover and the sum of N40 million. Read more
Femi Kuti frowns at Tinubu, APC over unauthorised use of Fela song for campaign (Guardian)
The family of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti frowned at the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its presidential candidate Bola Tinubu for the use of the late artiste’s song for the 2023 election campaign.
Femi Kuti in a “disclaimer and notice of use without consent” for the Fela Anikulapo-Kuti family said the use of Fela’s popular song “Eko Ile” during one of its campaign activities for their 2023 presidential campaign was unauthorised.
The Kuti family said it wished to continue to be politically neutral.
“We the administrators of the estate of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti issue this disclaimer. We wish to state here for clarity, that the permission of the estate was not sought for the use of Fela’s music, Eko Ile, in the All Progressives Congress social media campaign currently making the rounds,” Fela Anikulapo-Kuti family said.
“We do not involve Fela’s music in any political campaign at home or abroad and choose to remain neutral. Read more
Chimamanda Adichie graces the cover of Marie Claire November issue (Guardian)
Famous Nigerian writer Chimamanda Adichie has been featured in the November issue of Marie Claire magazine.
In this issue, she speaks about her motherhood experience, representation, police brutality and more.
Chimamanda was adorned in a T-shirt branded with her famous comment, ‘‘We Should All Be Feminists’’.
Chimamanda asserted in the interview that although believing that marginalised groups in society, particularly black women, will have a better future, her optimism might sometimes waver. Read more
NANS begs Aisha Buhari to release detained student (Leadership)
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has apologised to the Wife of President Muhammadu Buhari, Mrs Aisha Buhari, over the arrest of a student of the Federal University, Dutse, Jigawa State, Aminu Mohammed, by security operatives.
Mohammed was alleged to have posted Aisha Buhari’s picture on Twitter with the caption “Su mama anchi kudin talakawa an koshi” (translated from Hausa, meaning ‘Mummy has gotten fatter by eating masses’ money’).
While initial reports were that Mohammed was arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS), NANS revealed that he was rather arrested by the Federal Capital Territory(FCT) Police Command, who traced Mohammed to Jigawa State where he was picked up, following the tweet.
NANS in a statement on Tuesday by its President, Usman Barambu, apologised to the First Lady for his release. Read more
Brit Awards rising stars announced and it’s Black girl joy with Flo, Cat Burns and Nia Archives nominated (Metro)
The Brit Awards’ new batch of rising stars nominees have been announced and, this year, it’s all about representation with three Black acts making the cut.
The trio have been shortlisted for the rising star award, which has seen Adele, Sam Smith and Florence and the Machine among past winners, ahead of the winner announcement on December 8.
Voters will have to decide whether they want Flo, Cat Burns or Nia Archives to scoop the top prize.
Reacting to the nominees list, one fan tweeted: ‘All of the BRIT AWARD rising stars for 2023 are black females and I love this for us.’ Read more
Julia Roberts celebrates twins Hazel and Finn’s 18th birthday with rare photo (PageSix)
Julia Roberts’ twins are all grown up!
The actress celebrated her and Danny Moder’s 18-year-old children, Hazel and Finn, with an adorable throwback photo.
“18,” the “Ticket to Paradise” star, 55, captioned the sweet snap of herself holding one of her babies while the other looked on. “Love you.”
The Oscar winner, who is also the mother of 15-year-old son Henry, wore a dress while standing in a kitchen in the Instagram post.
“It can’t be!!!!!!!” Rita Wilson commented on the photo. “Happy Birthday!!!!” Read more
Steven Spielberg has Covid, misses introducing Michelle Williams tribute at Gotham Awards (Deadline)
Steven Spielberg has Covid. Given that, the 75-year-old director missed his planned introduction of the Michelle Williams tribute at the Gotham Awards tonight in Manhattan.
Paul Dano, Williams’ co-star in the Spielberg-directed pic The Fabelmans, took the podium and read some background on — and recounted some personal memories of — the four-time Oscar-nominated actress. Dano recalled the pair being at the film’s Hollywood premiere and how they got to talking about being young actors in Los Angeles.
“Michelle said, ‘I remember just driving around town looking for work,’” he said. “And I thought, ‘Imagine if that teenage girl knew that at the midpoint of her career she’d be seeing a tribute award at the Gothams from none other than Steven Spielberg, and what would she have thought?’”
He later added: “And then I thought, ‘Well, what if we had to tell that girl that Steven got Covid?’ She’d be like, ‘What’s Covid?’ and that ‘Paul Dano was going to introduce you?’ She’d be like, ‘Who the f*ck is Paul Dano?’ Read more
Front Row takes Middle East on A Gaza Weekend ahead of Red Sea Film Festival regional premiere (Variety)
Dubai-based distributor and producer Front Row Filmed Entertainment has acquired Middle East and North Africa (MENA) rights to British-Palestinian filmmaker Basil Khalil’s action-packed drama “A Gaza Weekend” ahead of its regional premiere at Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Film Festival.
Front Row, which is a prominent distributor of indie films in the MENA region, picked up “Gaza Weekend” from London-based sales and production outfit Protagonist Pictures after it premiered positively at the Toronto International Film Festival in September.
Made by British-Emirati producer Amina Dasmal and Robin C. Fox, who executive produced, “Gaza Weekend” is set in a world where Israel is sealed off after a deadly virus outbreak and Gaza has become the safest spot in the region. British journalist (Stephen Mangan) and his Israeli girlfriend (Mouna Hawa) find themselves stuck on the wrong side of the border, needing the help of two Palestinian street merchants who promise them a way out in exchange for cash. Palestinian actors Adam Bakri and Maria Zreik also star. Read more
Kendrick Lamar’s Mr. Morale and The Big Steppers is BBC 6 Music’s Album of the Year (MusicNews)
Kendrick Lamar’s ”Mr. Morale and The Big Steppers” has been crowned BBC Radio 6 Music’s Album of the Year.
The hip-hop legend’s acclaimed 2022 LP beat the likes of Yard Act’s ”The Overload”, Wet Leg’s self-titled debut, Fontaines D.C.’s ”Skinty Fia” and Arctic Monkeys’ ”The Car” to the top spot.
Lauren Laverne announced the outcome on her BBC Radio 6 Music Breakfast Show on Tuesday (29.11.22).
Presenters at the UK’s top radio station were asked to vote. Read more
Cliff Richard delighted to be competing with Stormzy in the charts (Standard)
Sir Cliff Richard has said he is “happy” he is able to compete with Stormzy in the charts as he nears his 65th year in music.
The 82-year-old praised the grime star, 29, as “the most popular artist of the decade” as they went head-to-head for this week’s number one album.
Sir Cliff’s first new Christmas album in 19 years, Christmas With Cliff, currently sits just behind This Is What I Mean, the third album from Stormzy, in the midweek charts.
Appearing on This Morning, he said: “Nothing ever seemed to be possible in the early days. We were written off as one-hit wonders. We lived from day to day. Read more
Russia says nuclear talks with US delayed amid differences (ABC)
Moscow has postponed a round of nuclear arms control talks with the United States set for this week because of stark differences in approach and tensions over Ukraine, a senior Russian diplomat said Tuesday.
Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said the decision to put off the talks that were scheduled to start Tuesday in Cairo was made at the political level.
“We faced a situation when our U.S. colleagues not just demonstrated their reluctance to listen to our signals and reckon with our priorities, but also acted in the opposite way,” Ryabkov told reporters in Moscow.
Ryabkov claimed the U.S. wanted to focus solely on resuming inspections under the New START treaty and stonewalled Moscow’s request to also discuss specifics related to the weapons count under the strategic arms reduction pact. Read more
Super Eagles’ doors still open for new goalkeepers, says Shorunmu (Guardian)
Super Eagles goalkeepers’ trainer, Ike Shorunmu, has disclosed that the national team is open to trying more goalkeepers, whether home-based or from overseas, in the quest to build a good team.
Shorunmu told The Guardian at the weekend that the Eagle’s goalkeeping department is still going through a revamping process through which only the best players will be finally chosen to play for the country.
He expressed his desire to create healthy competition among goalkeepers in the team without sentiments.
“We are looking inwards to get credible goalkeepers from the domestic league. As you can see, the Nigeria Professional Football League has not been active and we cannot assess the goalkeepers right now.
“So, Uzoho will still remain the first-choice goalkeeper till a better keeper is discovered from the NPFL or any other league. Read more
Oliseh says son will represent Nigeria (Sun)
Former Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh has said his footballing son, Denzel, will represent Nigeria even though he is also eligible to play for Belgium and Morocco.
Denzel Oliseh was born in Belgium and his mother is Moroccan and so he could also play for either country.
However, Oliseh senior was clear on the country his son will represent.
Asked which country his son will play for, Oliseh senior replied to a Twitter user: “Naija” accompanied by emojis of thumbs up and prayer. Read more
2022 World Cup: Denmark, Australia ready for clash with dreams and legacies on the line (ESPN)
Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand knows there’s pressure on his side ahead of their high-pressure FIFA World Cup clash with Australia, but he and Socceroo boss Graham Arnold are targeting it as an opportunity to live dreams and leave lasting legacies.
Denmark and Australia will meet at the Al Janoub Stadium on Wednesday with both their round of 16 fates uncertain. A Socceroos win or a draw would eliminate the Danes and, short of a Tunisia upset of France, secure their progression to the knockout stages for the first time since 2006.
Denmark, conversely, must win and hope that Tunisia doesn’t stun the reigning world champions to salvage their campaign. Floated as a potential dark horse contender coming into the tournament, a group stage exit, especially at the hands of relative minnows Australia, would constitute a major letdown.
“I think it would be wrong and not being honest if I didn’t say there’s pressure,” Hjulmand said in his pre-match press conference. Read more
Onana releases official statement after leaving Cameroon at World Cup (FootballItalia)
Inter goalkeeper André Onana insists he put his ‘efforts and energy into finding solutions to a situation that a footballer often experiences’ but found ‘no will on the other side.’
The Cameroon international is flying back home after being omitted from the squad for their World Cup match against Uruguay on Monday.
Gazzetta reported on Tuesday morning that Onana is flying back home from Qatar after his national team temporarily decided to suspend him for disciplinary reasons.
Onana has explained the situation from his perspective with a statement published on his Instagram stories. Read more
Emma Raducanu officially becomes an MBE as Brit collects award from King Charles (Express)
Emma Raducanu has officially been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire after receiving her award from King Charles III on Tuesday. The 20-year-old was named in the 2022 New Year Honours List for her services to tennis after winning last year’s US Open as a qualifier and finally receiving her MBE during a ceremony at Windsor Castle.
Raducanu received her MBE on Tuesday, almost a year after being named in the 2022 New Year Honour List for her services to tennis. The British No 1 was named in the list at the end of 2021 following her historic US Open victory, where she became the first qualifier ever to win a Grand Slam title.
When the Honour List was published on the government website, it included an announcement on sports stars and read: “Emma Radacanu receives an MBE following her incredible US Open win.” While aged just 18 and ranked down at No 150 in the world, Raducanu won ten matches without dropping a set to come through qualifying and win the US Open in just her fourth-ever professional tournament.
She has now officially collected the award during an Investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle on Tuesday, with King Charles III presenting the 20-year-old with her medal. Read more
Alex Pereira accuses Khamzat Chimaev of rejecting UFC fight at new weight (Mirror)
UFC middleweight champion Alex Pereira has accused Khamzat Chimaev of turning down a light-heavyweight fight with him in Brazil in January.
The 185lb title holder won his belt from Israel Adesanya at UFC 281 in New York City earlier this month after a gruelling cut to make the middleweight limit. And while he wasn’t keen to make such a cut so soon after his five-round war with Adesanya, he was willing to allow Chimaev the chance to fight him with neither man making any sort of weight cut.
Pereira is one of the quickest fighters ever to win UFC gold, having had just eight MMA fights in his life and four in the UFC. And while he was willing to make a fast turnaround to fight for a fourth time within 12 months, he claims that Chimaev wasn’t keen and opted against taking the fight.
“I went to my managers and said, ‘Look, I just did a hard weight cut, I can’t make [185] for this right now, but tell the UFC I’ll challenge him to fight me at 205 in Rio.’ Chimaev didn’t want it,” Pereira revealed during an episode of The MMA Hour. “He’s a big guy, [I’m] a big guy, let’s do it at light heavyweight so we don’t have to worry about a weight cut. We offered 205 for Rio.” Read more