Sanwo-Olu denies fraud, Assembly orders probe (Punch)
The Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Tuesday, addressed the concerns raised over the procurement process in the state, describing as untrue the allegations that he used state funds to pay N200m to lawyers who defended his election in court.
He also described as erroneous the claim that N2bn was spent by the Office of the Deputy Governor to purchase rechargeable fans, rechargeable lights, and refrigerators, among others.
But the state House of Assembly on Tuesday ordered a probe into the allegations “to establish the facts of the story.” Read more
Nigeria, Germany sign $500m renewable energy pact (Sun)
Nigeria and Germany have signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) on the supply of gas from Nigeria to Germany and another $500 million worth of renewable energy projects in Nigeria.
A statement by presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, said President Bola Tinubu witnessed the signing of the two MoU on the sidelines of the 10th German-Nigeria Business Forum on Tuesday in Berlin, Germany.
The signing is part of the burgeoning economic partnership between Nigeria and Germany as well as a further expansion and strengthening of their bilateral ties. Read more
Lagos Fire Service arraigns man for assaulting official (Guardian)
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, yesterday, arraigned one Waheed Balogun before the Special Offences (Mobile) Court sitting in the Oshodi for assaulting an officer of the agency, who was on duty in the Ikotun area of Lagos on October 1, 2023.
The Deputy Director, Public Affairs of the Service, Ololade Agboola, who stated this, revealed that the suspect was arraigned before Magistrate A.A. Adesanya of a Special Offences (Mobile) Court.
She explained that the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has formally taken legal action against the 40-year-old man, for an alleged assault on a Firefighter during official duties on Monday, October 1, 2023, at 167 Egbe Road, Cele Egbe, Ikotun, Lagos. Read more
Vandal to die by hanging, accomplice bags 16 years (Punch)
A Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja on Tuesday sentenced a vandal, Clement Ododomu, to death by hanging and Tiwei Monday to 16 years imprisonment at the Nigerian Correctional Service.
Justice Hakeem Oshodi who had handed down the verdict on October 11, 2023, convicted Ododomu and Monday after he found them guilty of the offences of murder and conspiracy.
The judge had reserved judgment for Tuesday, November 14, 2023, but the judgment could not go on due to the Nigerian Labour Congress strike action. Read more
CRMI, UNILAG collaborate to foster research, devt in risk management (ThisDay)
The Chartered Risk Management Institute (CRMI) and the University of Lagos (UNILAG) have escalated efforts on strategies that would lead to the development of academic programmes for continuous capacity building in risk management and related disciplines.
This was disclosed during a courtesy visit of top management of the institute led by the President, Prof. Ezekiel Oseni to the Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies, UNILAG, yesterday in Lagos.
Oseni stressed the need to harness the opportunity that comes with in-depth research and knowledge sharing between practice and the gown. Read more
4,000 flights, 250,000 passengers patronise Chinua Achebe airport in 23 months (Vanguard)
No fewer than 250,000 passengers have passed through the Chinua Achebe Airport, formerly Anambra Passenger and Cargo Airport, Umueri, since it was inaugurated for commercial operations in Dec. 2021.
Martins Nwafor, Managing Director of Chinua Achebe Airport, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Umueri on Tuesday.
Nwafor said about 4,000 airlifts had passed through the airport with an average of six flights per day. Read more
Senate asks FG to immortalise national flag designer Akinkunmi (Channels)
The Senate on Tuesday asked the Federal Government to immortalise the late designer of the national flag Pa Taiwo Akinkunmi.
Akinkunmi died in Ibadan on August 29.
After the motion moved by Sen. Sharafadeen Abiodun representing Oyo South, the lawmakers observed a minute of silence.
They also called on the Federal Government to conduct a state burial in his honour for his befitting role in the design of the national flag. Read more
Soludo presents N410bn 2024 budget for Anambra (Vanguard)
Gov. Charles Soludo of Anambra on Tuesday presented N410 billion 2024 budget to the state House of Assembly for approval.
Speaking at the ceremony, Soludo said the budget tagged- ‘Changing Gears: the transformation agenda begins’, was aimed at beginning the transformation agenda and implementing a new masterplan to build a liveable and prosperous homeland.
He said that the budget was made up of N313.9 billion capital expenditure, representing 77 per cent and N 96.2 billion recurrent expenditure, representing 23.46 per cent. Read more
Nicki Minaj responds to Nigerian fan’s complaint (BBC)
A Nicki Minaj fan in Nigeria has said she was overwhelmed after the star responded to one of her posts on X.
Ramat Victory had expressed disappointment that her country was not included on the rapper’s 2024 tour.
The star replied urging her to sign her city up on the tour website, hinting that it could make a difference to where she performs. Minaj, using the Pidgin language, then said “Naija no de carry last” meaning “Nigeria never comes last”. Read more
Susan Sarandon dropped by talent agency following rally comments on muslim and jewish people (ET)
Hollywood icon Susan Sarandon and In The Heights actress Melissa Barrera are receiving backlash for making controversial comments amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
On Tuesday, Sarandon, 77, was dropped by United Talent Agency while Barrera, 33, was cut from the upcoming Scream sequel, which she was set to star in for their use of language deemed as anti-Semitic.
During a recent pro-Palestine rally in New York City, the Thelma and Louise star called for a cease-fire in the Middle East and made comments that many perceived as directing hate towards Jews. Read more
Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan to kick off another chapter of The Karate Kid franchise (CNN)
Get ready to wax on, wax off, yet again.
Perennial favorite film franchise The Karate Kid will return next year with a new movie scheduled to go into production soon, Sony Pictures announced on Tuesday.
The film will feature Ralph Macchio – who was the titular “Kid” in the first three movies in the franchise – and Jackie Chan, who took over from Oscar nominee Pat Morita in the role of the older martial arts master who acts as mentor in the 2010 reboot. Read more
Ludacris says he’ll “definitely” release new music in 2024 after “taking a step back” and “living some life’’ (People)
It’s almost time for new Ludacris tunes.
In a new interview with BET.com, the Grammy-winning rapper revealed he plans to put new music out in 2024 and reflected on retreating from releasing albums since 2015’s Ludaversal to spend time “living some life.”
“Some music projects will be coming out next year,” said Ludacris, 46, before explaining the new material isn’t quite ready yet. “I don’t wanna fake, I don’t wanna stutter-step. I don’t wanna be like [André] 3000 and say, I got an album coming out. I don’t know.” Read more
Ed Sheeran surprises fans at London’s O2 during 50 Cent concert (BelfastTelegraph)
Ed Sheeran surprised fans during US rapper 50 Cent’s London O2 performance with a rendition of Shape Of You.
The British superstar appeared on stage from inside a box which read “there is a monster in this box” to sing his 2017 hit track from his much-loved Divide album.
Sheeran documented his arrival on his Instagram story, telling his 46 million followers: “Right so I’m off to sing, 50 Cent has invited me to the O2 to sing Shape Of You and I’m going to walk on stage and go ‘who likes In Da Club, here’s Shape Of You’.” Read more
Israel, Hamas agree to ceasefire deal that also sees captives exchanged (CBC)
Israel and the Hamas militant group agreed to a ceasefire early Wednesday that would see a pause in fighting in Gaza and the release of some captives on both sides, marking the first agreement of its kind since the war began six weeks ago.
Under the deal, which the Israeli cabinet approved early Wednesday, Hamas is to free 50 of the roughly 240 hostages it is holding in the Gaza Strip during a four-day ceasefire. Israel said it would extend the lull by an additional day for every 10 hostages released.
The government said the first hostages to be released would be women and children. Read more
China: Human Rights Watch accuses Beijing of closing and destroying mosques (BBC)
China is closing, destroying and repurposing mosques, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has alleged in a new report.
The crackdown is part of a “systematic effort” to curb the practice of Islam in China, HRW said.
There are about 20 million Muslims in China, which is officially atheist but says it allows religious freedom.
Observers, however, say there has been an increased crackdown on organised religion in recent years – with Beijing seeking greater control. Read more
Unbeaten WBF Champion Abbey battles Kayage on Dec 3 (Punch)
Nigeria’s boxing sensation and WBF Intercontinental champion, Aina Abbey, will be keen to extend her undefeated streak as she gears up for a thrilling showdown against Tanzanian Lulu Kayage on December 3, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Abbey, with an impressive record of 10 wins, 9 of them knockouts, will square off against Kayage (8-10-4-2KOs) in a highly anticipated female international Flyweight contest at the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos State.
Under the banner of LeBond Management, Mary Abbey has emerged as a force to be reckoned with in the world of boxing. Her remarkable track record, marked by a series of dominant victories, positions her as a formidable champion in the Flyweight division. Read more
Moses Simon begs, says Super Eagles ’ll bounce back (Sun)
Simon, who plays as a forward or left winger for Ligue 1 club, Nantes reassured Nigerians that they will bounce back to winning ways.
As obtained on his official X account, Simon said: “Not the result we wanted but we will surely bounce back. Big apologies to our fans, you deserve better than the performance against Lesotho and Zimbabwe. Read more
I was treated like a piece of used material – Enyeama reflects on exit from national team (Vanguard)
Super Eagles legend, Vincent Enyeama has disclosed that he stopped following Nigerian football for many years as he was treated unfairly during his exit from the national team.
The former Lille shot-stopper, while answering a question on the current state of the Super Eagles goalkeeping department, stated that he has not been following as he was hurt and only recently started following Super Eagles games.
He made this known during an interview with Hotsportsng. Read more
Euro 2024 round-up: Croatia secure last automatic qualifying spot ahead of Wales (RTE)
Croatia became the 20th and last team to qualify automatically for Euro 2024 as Ante Budimir’s goal earned them a 1-0 win at home to Armenia.
Zlatko Dalic’s side went into Group D’s final fixtures two points ahead of Wales, who knew they would need to beat already-qualified Turkey to have any chance of finishing in the top two.
Neco Williams’ early goal gave Wales hope but Yusuf Yazici’s controversial second-half penalty – awarded after the hosts had three stronger spot-kick appeals rejected – earned Turkey a 1-1 draw and the point required to top Group D. Read more
Palestine supporters come out in force for 2026 World Cup qualifier against Australia (National)
Palestinian flags and keffiyeh scarf were seen all across Kuwait’s Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium during their World Cup qualifier against Australia on Tuesday.
Thousands of Palestinians and their supporters turned out at the 60,000-seat venue for the game against the Socceroos – Palestine’s first in front of fans since the start of the war with Israel.
Defender Harry Souttar’s 18th-minute goal was all that separated the teams in a 1-0 win for Australia. Read more
Transgender players banned from international women’s cricket by ICC (Guardian)
The International Cricket Council has become the latest sports body to ban transgender players from the elite women’s game if they have gone through male puberty.
The ICC said it had taken the decision, following an extensive scientific review and nine-month consultation, to “protect the integrity of the international women’s game and the safety of players”.
It joins rugby union, swimming, cycling, athletics and rugby league, who have all gone down a similar path in recent years after citing concerns over fairness or safety. Read more