Senate asks Wike to revisit CCTV project in Abuja (Channels)
The Senate has asked the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to revisit the issue of the Abuja closed-circuit television (CCTV) project, where a N500 million contract to install cameras within and outside the Federal Capital Territory failed.
This resolution comes after a motion moved by Sen. Ned Nwoko representing Delta North raised the alarm over the spate of kidnappings in the FCT.
The latest, according to him, is his senior legislative aide, Chris Agidy, who alongside 18 others was kidnapped from their homes in the Galadimawa area of Abuja. Read more
Made-in-China Adire: Alake constitutes committee to tackle adulterated Egba indigenous fabric in local markets (Sun)
Poised to stem the negative economic effects of adulterated Adire textile on the local makers of the indigenous fabrics, the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, has constituted a committee to check the influx of Made-in-China Adire into Itoku and Asero Markets in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
Inaugurating the committee headed by the Aro of Egbaland, Oluyinka Kufile, on Tuesday, at the Ake Palace, Abeokuta, the monarch said the China Adire is fast taking toll on the indigenous Adire makers, which he said would adversely affect the economy of the State in particular, and Nigeria in general.
The monarch urged members of the committee to investigate where the adulterated Adire fabric is being produced and brought into the market. Read more
N440m bulletproof SUV in Lagos budget not for Chief of Staff – Commissioner (Vanguard)
Lagos State Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Ope George, said the N440 million bulletproof SUV earmarked in the recently released 2023 Lagos Procurement Budget was not for the state Chief of Staff.
George stated this in an interview on Arise Television on Tuesday.
Recall that Governor Babajide Sanwo Olu had come under criticism for overbloated spending in the state’s recently published 2023 Lagos Procurement Budget. Read more
MWUN to Oyetola: ‘‘National Shipping Line proposal dead on arrival if workers remain unpaid’’ (Tribune)
The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has said that the proposal by the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, to refloat a new national shipping line after the liquidation of the first Nigerian national shipping line (NNSL) is dead on arrival if the unpaid entitlements owed to the aged seafarers who worked on the first national shipping line are not paid.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the President-General of the MWUN, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, the maritime workers said that the Blue Economy has not been given a clear-cut definition and mode of operation, hence the need for more clarification
According to the MWUN statement, “The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Hon. Adegboyega Oyetola, who was in Lagos recently, made a projection of refloating the Nigeria National Shipping Line (NNSL) after 28 years of its liquidation. Read more
Police teargas protesting Osun judiciary workers (NewTelegraph)
The Osun State Police Command on Wednesday morning, fired teargas canisters at Osun Judiciary workers, who gathered at the entrance of the State High Court, Oke-Fia, Osogbo, to protest against alleged maltreatment by the Osun Chief Judge, Honourable Justice Adepele-Ojo.
Protesters could be seen in groups chanting songs and holding placards with various inscriptions such as Judiciary staff deserves better treatment”, “We are tired of oppression and stagnation”, “Unlawful suspension of Judiciary staff without recourse to Judicial Service Commission is barbaric” and “Unlawful Dismissal of judiciary staff against the public service rules” among others.
However, police in Osun have fired teargas canisters and shot into the air to disperse the protesters. Read more
Insecurity: Army will change narratives, drive robust strategic approach – COAS Lagbaja (Nation)
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja on Wednesday, November 22, reassured that the Nigeria Army would continue to remain focused in its drive to change the security narrative in the country through the robust implementation of kinetic and non-kinetic strategies that span it lines and measures of operations.
The Army chief said the best approach to dealing with contemporary security challenges in the country is by ensuring synergy that drives the collective strength of individuals and organisations to defeat the common enemy.
Lagbaja spoke as the Guest of Honour while declaring open the 2023 Nigeria Army Civil-Miliatry Cooperation 4th Quarter Media Chat held at the 8 Division of the Nigeria Army Sokoto Command Guest House.
Nasarawa Guber: Appeal Court fixes Thursday for judgment (DailyTrust)
The Appeal Court sitting in Abuja has fixed Thursday for judgment in the Nasarawa State governorship election dispute.
Governor Abdullahi Sule of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had filed an appeal against the verdict of the tribunal which sacked him and declared David Ombugadu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as winner of the election.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Sule winner of the governorship election but Ombugadu headed for the court. Read more
Ex-agitators want Tinubu to probe upfront sales of crude oil in Buhari govt (Sun)
Niger Delta ex-agitators have called on President Bola Tinubu to probe the allegation that at the twilight of the past administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, crude oil was sold upfront and the money taken away.
The National Secretary, First Phase Ex-Agitators, Nature Dumale, insisted that Tinubu should investigate the allegation that crude oil was sold three years in advance shortly before he took over the mantle of leadership.
Dumale in a statement at the weekend said the development was part of the reason for the foreign exchange crisis and the worsening inflation in the country. Read more
Judi Dench reveals she accidentally made naked FaceTime call while wishing someone happy birthday (People)
Judi Dench is opening up about her embarrassing moments.
Speaking on The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2 on Wednesday, alongside her friend and co-author Brendan O’Hea, Dench, 88, revealed that she once mistakenly FaceTimed someone while naked.
The actress explained, “Fint [Dench’s daughter Finty Williams] rang me one morning… and said, ‘It’s Chris Logan’s birthday and he’s having a walk with [actor] Ben Whishaw in Regent’s Park… please wish him happy birthday?’ “ Read more
Russian actress killed in Ukrainian strike while performing to soldiers (BBC)
A dance hall in occupied Ukraine where Polina Menshikh was performing was hit by Ukrainian shelling on 19 November.
The actress was reportedly giving a show to celebrate a Russian military holiday.
Ukraine said about 20 Russian soldiers were killed in the strike, but Russian authorities have not commented on this. Read more
ECOWAS parliament seeks to lift sanctions on Niger Republic (Vanguard)
The Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS Parliament has urged the Heads of State and Government in the region to lift the sanctions imposed on the Niger Republic.
The Head of State in ECOWAS had last July imposed sanctions on the Niger Republic to protest the ouster of President Mohamed Bazoum by certain military officers led by erstwhile Presidential Guard Commander, General Abdourahamane Tchiani.
The Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Ali Ndume, who addressed journalists after the opening session of the parliament, declared that states in Nigeria—about seven of them bordering the Niger Republic—are at the receiving end of the sanctions. Read more
Bradley Cooper defends ‘‘Maestro’’ nose prosthetic after “Jewface” controversy (NME)
Bradley Cooper has addressed the controversy surrounding his decision to wear a prosthetic nose in the upcoming film, “Maestro”.
The actor plays Jewish conductor Leonard Bernstein in the biopic, which is also co-written and directed by Cooper. Following the film’s first trailer, some criticised the decision to use a fake nose to play the character.
Speaking about the controversy during an interview on CBS Mornings on Tuesday (November 21), Cooper explained how they nearly considered not using the prosthetic. Read more
K-pop band Blackpink receive honorary MBEs from Britain’s King Charles (StraitsTimes)
King Charles on Wednesday presented K-pop band Blackpink with honorary Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) medals in the presence of South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol during his state visit to the United Kingdom, Buckingham Palace said.
The quartet – Jennie, Jisoo, Lisa and Rose – chatted, laughed and took photographs with the British monarch as he presented the medals.
“It’s amazing you’re still talking to each other after all these years,” King Charles jokingly said to the band at the ceremony. Read more
The Brian Jonestown Massacre concert ends abruptly with onstage brawl (FarOut)
A recent The Brian Jonestown Massacre performance at Melbourne’s Forum Theatre descended into chaos last night when frontman Anton Newcombe had an onstage fight with guitarist Ryan Van Kriedt.
The show was the ninth of the band’s 12 that were planned across Australia and New Zealand but abruptly ended after just six songs as the brawl broke out. Clips have now been shared of what transpired, showing leader Anton Newcombe breaking into a physical altercation with Ryan Van Kriedt after instructing him to leave the stage.
“Cut off this guy’s mic, put down my guitar, party’s over, captain,” Newcombe told the guitarist. “We actually don’t need you. Go. Put my guitar down on the stage and think about what’s happening.” Read more
US foils plot to kill Sikh separatist in America, report says (National)
US authorities thwarted a plot to kill a Sikh separatist in the United States and issued a warning to India over concerns the government in New Delhi was involved, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday, citing unnamed sources.
There was no immediate response from India’s Foreign Ministry, or from the US embassy in New Delhi, to requests for comment on the report.
The Financial Times said the sources did not say whether the protest to India resulted in the plot being abandoned, or if it was foiled by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Read more
Napoli may sell Osimhen €120m next summer (Punch)
Victor Osimhen’s suitors have received a boost in their plans to sign the Napoli man as transfer insider, Ben Jacobs, believes that clubs could sign the Nigerian striker for €120m in the summer.
English Premier League club Chelsea amidst a host of other elite clubs are looking for a new striker and have their eyes on the 24-year-old. Osimhen is expected to leave Napoli next summer in the wake of a social media controversy as his contract negotiations drag on.
Osimhen is highly rated in the European circuit and has a huge fee on his head. However, speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Jacobs said that the Nigerian’s price tag could drop if he doesn’t sign a new deal with the Serie A champions before the end of the current campaign. Read more
Argentina’s World Cup-winning boss, Lionel Scaloni says he may resign (Vanguard)
Argentina’s World Cup-winning boss Lionel Scaloni has hinted at resignation after five years in the role.
Scaloni made the shocking announcement after Argentina’s 1-0 World Cup qualifying win over Brazil in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday.
“Argentina needs a coach who has all the energy possible and who is well,” said Scaloni.
“I need to stop the ball and start thinking, I have a lot of things to think about during this time. Read more
Celtic fined for fans’ display of Palestinian flags in UCL draw (ESPN)
Celtic have been fined £15,200 ($19,000) after their fans waved Palestinian flags during their UEFA Champions League match against Atlético Madrid last month in Glasgow, UEFA said on Wednesday.
The flags, which numbered in the hundreds, were deemed to be “provocative messages of an offensive nature,” UEFA said in a statement.
Fans, who had been warned by the Scottish club not to display flags before the Oct. 25 game, could be heard singing “You’ll Never Walk Alone” while holding the Palestinian flags in a video shared widely on Instagram. Read more
Premier League CEO intervenes in effort to block Liverpool January transfer deal (Mirror)
Fulham’s chief executive has flown out to Brazil for talks with Fluminense star Andre to prevent Liverpool and Manchester United from signing the midfielder.
Andre has starred for the Brazilian giants, making 55 appearances in all competitions and helping them to win the Copa Libertadores for the first time in their history. He has done that at the age of just 22, drawing the eye of several top clubs.
Both Liverpool and United are seeking to upgrade their options in midfield options in the January transfer window. But it is the Cottagers who now appear to be leading the race to sign the Fluminense starlet. Read more
Red-hot Djokovic hoping for “final push” for Serbia in Davis Cup (France24)
Novak Djkovic said Wednesday he is aiming to carry his superb form into the Davis Cup and winning the competition with Serbia this week is one of his “greatest goals”.
The 36-year-old great has won three Grand Slams this year, with an all-time best tally of 24 and clinched his seventh ATP Finals title on Sunday in Turin, beating both Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
Djokovic and Serbia, who last won the Davis Cup in 2010, face Great Britain on Thursday in the last eight. Read more
History for LeBron James as LA Lakers advance in NBA in-season tournament (StraitsTimes)
LeBron James claimed another piece of National Basketball Association (NBA) history on Nov 21, becoming the first player to break the 39,000-point barrier as the Los Angeles Lakers routed the Utah Jazz to reach the knockout stage of the league’s new in-season tournament.
The 38-year-old, needing just five points to reach the milestone heading into the game, etched his name into the record books with a three-pointer in the first quarter of Lakers’ 131-99 win.
The star forward, who passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar last season to become the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, saluted the crowd as his achievement was announced. Read more