Senate holds valedictory service for late Ifeanyi Ubah (Channels)
The Senate suspended the house rules on Tuesday to admit family members and close relatives of the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah for the commencement of a valedictory session in his honour.
During the service, President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio began by zeroing in on the seat of their former colleague, draped with the Nigerian flag and four symbolic candles.
He noted that the day has been dedicated to the memory of the late Anambra Senator who died on the 26th of July, 2024 at the age of 52. Read more
13-year-old remanded for defiling toddler (Punch)
An Ogba Chief Magistrate Court in Lagos State, on Tuesday, ordered the remand of a 13-year-old boy (name withheld) at the correctional facility for boys. The 13-year-old was remanded at Oregun, for allegedly defiling a two-year-old girl.
The teen was charged before the court on a count of defilement preferred against him by the police.
The prosecutor, Inspector John Iberedem, told the court that the teenager allegedly committed the offence on September 23, 2024, at 8:25 p.m., at Ayodele Musa Street, Unity Estate, Egbeda, Lagos. Read more
CSOs, experts kick against N1.767t loan request (Leadership)
Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Nigeria and experts have opposed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s plans to borrow an additional N1.767 trillion.
The CSOs have questioned the Tinubu-led government’s continuous borrowing even as the president has written to the National Assembly, seeking approval to borrow the said amount.
Tinubu is seeking approval for a N1.767 trillion ($2.209 billion) new external borrowing plan in the 2024 Budget (Appropriation Act). Read more
Oil theft: Tompolo accuses navy of involvement in Illegal oil bunkering (Sun)
Former militant warlord and Chief Executive Officer of Tantita Security Services Limited (TSSL), High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly called Tompolo, has accused the Nigerian Navy of alleged complicity in the ongoing war against illegal oil bunkering in the region.
Specifically, he accused the naval high Command of frustrating efforts of the security outfit in combating the activities of major oil thieves, especially those involving their foreign collaborators who carried out their criminal activities on the nation’s territorial waters.
Raising the alarm while receiving the national executive of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) led by its National President, Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN), at Oporoza, Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State, yesterday, Ekpemupolo, accused the Navy of aiding and abetting of illegal bunkering activities within its coverage areas. Read more
Tinubu Seeks Amendment…
Tinubu Seeks Amendment Of NSIPA Act 2023 (NewTelegraph)
President Bola Tinubu has called on the National Assembly to amend the National Social Investment Programmes Agency (NSIPA) Act 2023.
The President’s request was conveyed in a letter to the House of Representatives, read by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas during Tuesday’s plenary session.
According to the letter, the Act aimed at enhancing transparency and data-driven implementation of social welfare initiatives. Read more
Rotary offers 70 free cataract surgery (Nation)
Seventy individuals have benefited from the Rotary Club of Agege’s free cataract surgery programme.
The initiative took place at Rotary Eye Clinic in ACE Medicare Centre, Ota in Ogun State.
The club’s Project Manager, Adekunle Akorede, said the initiative initially marked the 70th birthday of a past District governor who wished to sponsor surgeries for 70 people. Read more
Muftwang receives Tincity fashion show promoters (Independent)
Governor Caleb Manesser Mutfwang has pledged his administration’s support for promoting local fabrics and positioning them on the global fashion stage.
The Governor expressed satisfaction with the initiative of Miss Christal Bentu Fashion week noting that it aligns with his vision to elevate Plateau’s cultural heritage and boost tourism.
“It is gratifying to see our local fabrics being showcased at national and international levels. This initiative not only promotes our heritage but also has the potential to stimulate economic growth through tourism,” he remarked.
Governor Mutfwang announced that December 2024 has been designated as Tourism Month in Plateau State, beginning with the Plateau Unity Christmas Carol and Praise on November 29, followed by a series of activities to showcase the state’s cultural and economic potential. Read more
We’re victims of money bags, not kidnappers, Anambra family cries out to IGP (DailyTrust)
The Okwesi family in Akwuzu, Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State, has appealed to the Inspector General of Police, stating that they are not kidnappers, but victims of wealthy individuals trying to forcibly take over their land.
Charles Okwesi, chairman of the Okwesi family, who spoke to Daily Trust, claimed that the Chief Executive Officer of Pineleaf Estate, Bishop Dr. Onyeka Nzekwesi, used the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), to arrest them on their own land.
Okwesi recounted the family’s ordeal in the hands of the police, saying the estate owner wanted to intimidate them into giving up their land in Akwuzu. Read more
Judy Garland’s daughter delivers her verdict on “Wicked” movie in candid review (DailyMail)
Eighty-five years after her mother portrayed Dorothy Gale in The Wizard of Oz, her daughter is praising the movie adaptation “Wicked”.
“Wicked” is adapted from the famous Broadway musical, which was adapted from Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel that itself was based on L. Frank Baum’s original 1900 novel “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz”.
While The Wizard of Oz wasn’t a massive hit upon its theatrical release, the 1956 broadcast premiere helped bring the film to prominence, with the Library of Congress proclaiming it to be the most-watched film in history. Read more
Brazil hands over G20 Presidency to South Africa (AfricaNews)
Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva closed the Group of 20 summit on Tuesday and handed over the presidency to South Africa.
“After the South African presidency, all the G20 countries will have exercised leadership of the group at least once. It will be a good time to evaluate the role we have played so far and how we should act from now on,” said Lula da Silva.
Leaders of the world’s 20 major economies gathered once again on Tuesday with a lighter schedule after they issued a joint declaration the night before. Read more
Hong Kong jails 45 pro-democracy campaigners for subversion (BBC)
A Hong Kong court has sentenced dozens of pro-democracy leaders to years in jail for subversion, following a controversial national security trial.
Benny Tai, 60, and Joshua Wong, 28, were among the so-called Hong Kong 47 group of activists and lawmakers who were involved in a plan to pick opposition candidates for local elections.
Tai received 10 years while Wong received more than four years. A total of 45 people were jailed for conspiring to commit subversion. Two of the defendants were acquitted in May. Read more
Denzel Washington says there were rumours about Kevin Spacey decades ago (People)
Denzel Washington says many people in Hollywood had suspicions about Kevin Spacey decades before the House of Cards actor faced allegations of sexual assault and harassment.
On Nov. 19, Esquire published a five-part, first-person essay written by Washington, 69, in which the two-time Oscar winner remembered moments in his life and career ahead of the release of “Gladiator II”. While Washington reflected on attending the 2000 Academy Awards — at which he was nominated for Best Actor for his performance in The Hurricane — the actor recalled watching Spacey, 65, win that year’s award instead.
“I’m sure I went home and drank that night. I had to,” Washington, who also wrote much about his decision to live a sober lifestyle over the last ten years, wrote in the piece. “I don’t want to sound like, Oh, he won my Oscar, or anything like that. It wasn’t like that.” Read more
Halyna Hutchins’ mother refuses to attend world premiere of “Rust” in Poland (Standard)
The mother of late cinematographer Halyna Hutchins will not attend the world premiere of “Rust” as she claims it is an attempt for Hollywood star Alec Baldwin to “unjustly profit” from her daughter’s death.
“Rust” will debut at the Camerimage Festival in Poland on Wednesday, an event focusing on achievements in cinematography, three years after the prop gun US actor Baldwin was holding went off and fatally injured Ms Hutchins on the set of the western in New Mexico.
It comes months after a judge threw out the involuntary manslaughter case against Baldwin. Read more
Fleetwood Mac announce “fully authorised”, “definitive” documentary for Apple TV+ (NME)
Fleetwood Mac have announced a “fully authorised”, “definitive” documentary to chronicle the history of the legendary band – find out more below.
Yesterday (November 19), the band confirmed on social media that a feature-length documentary from director Frank Marshall is in the works for Apple Original Films and Apple TV+.
They wrote on social media: “It’s not a Rumour. From director Frank Marshall, this Apple Original Films documentary will take you on the epic journey of the generation-defining Fleetwood Mac.” Read more
Trump picks WWE cofounder Linda McMahon for education secretary (BBC)
Donald Trump has picked World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) co-founder and his transition co-chair, Linda McMahon, as his nominee for education secretary.
A long-time Trump ally, McMahon led the Small Business Administration during Trump’s first presidency and donated millions of dollars to his presidential campaign.
Announcing his pick on Truth Social, Trump said McMahon “will use her decades of Leadership experience, and deep understanding of both Education and Business, to empower the next Generation of American Students and Workers, and make America Number One in Education in the World.” Read more
Eguavoen rails over below par Super Eagles against Rwanda (Nation)
Interim head coach Austin Eguavoen has admitted that it was just a general bad day for the Super Eagles following Monday’s home loss to the Wasps of Rwanda in the 2025 African Cup of Nations qualifiers played in Uyo.
Despite scoring first at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, the Eagles conceded two quick goals to allow the Rwandans secure a famous win on Nigerian soil in their final game of the AFCON 2025 qualifiers.
Eguavoen admitted that the Eagles were poor and he questioned the lack of productivity of the team’s strikers who were unable to reproduce their impressive clubs form for the country. Read more
CAF Best: Lookman, Hakimi, Guirassy, Adingra, Williams make shortlist (VON)
The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF), has officially unveiled the Top Five Nominees in each of the Men’s Categories of the 2024 edition of the CAF Awards, set to take place in Marrakech, Morocco on 16th December.
Ademola Lookman (Nigeria/Atalanta), Simon Adingra (Cote d’Ivoire/Brighton & Hove Albion), Serhou Guirassy (Guinea/Borussia Dortmund), Achraf Hakimi (Morocco/Paris Saint-Germain), Ronwen Williams (South Africa/Mamelodi Sundowns) have all been lined up for CAF Awards 2024 Player of the Year Top Prize.
Other categories announced include Goalkeeper of the Year, Interclub Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, Young Player of the Year, Club of the Year, National Team of the Year. Read more
Guardiola agrees Man City contract extension (Sky)
Pep Guardiola has agreed terms on a new one-year contract extension with Manchester City, Sky Sports News understands.
Sky Sports News also understands Guardiola’s new deal includes the option of a further year until 2027.
Manchester City refused to comment when contacted by Sky Sports News.
The Athletic are reporting that an announcement is expected in the coming days. Read more
Tata Martino steps down as coach of Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami, AP source says (NBC)
Gerardo “Tata” Martino, who guided Inter Miami to the best regular season record in Major League Soccer history this season, is resigning as coach of the club, a person with knowledge of the decision said Tuesday.
Martino — who was hired in July 2023, right around the time that Lionel Messi debuted for the club — made the decision for personal reasons, said the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because it was not revealed publicly.
There are tentative plans for a Friday news conference with Martino and team officials. Inter Miami was eliminated in the first round of this year’s MLS Cup playoffs, and won’t gather for training camp to start the 2025 season until January. Read more
Roger Federer shares send-off message to Rafael Nadal as he nears retirement (People)
Roger Federer is saying a fond farewell to Rafael Nadal.
On Tuesday, Nov. 19, Federer, 42, posted an emotional tribute to his former sports rival Nadal, 38, on Instagram ahead of the tennis ace’s last tournament before retiring at the 2024 Davis Cup Finals, which begins on Nov. 19.
“Vamos [Let’s go], Rafa! As you get ready to graduate from tennis, I’ve got a few things to share before I maybe get emotional,” Federer, who retired from the game in 2022, wrote. Read more
Fifth Olympic runner disqualified from ‘‘dirtiest race in history’’ – 12 years after London Games (IrishIndependent)
Russian Tatyana Tomashova’s result in the women’s 1,500 metres at the 2012 London Olympics has been officially annulled, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) said on Tuesday.
Tomashova was banned for 10 years by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in September for anti-doping rule violations at the Games and stripped of her silver medal from the race, often described as the “dirtiest” in history.
She became the fifth of the 13 athletes in the final to receive a retroactive sanction for an anti-doping rule violation, the AIU said in a statement. Read more