Senate sacks Danladi Umar as chairman CCT (Vanguard)
The Senate has invoked the provisions of Section 157 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended and sacked Yakubu Danladi Umar as the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT for what it described as unacceptable acts of misconduct.
According to the Senate, it became imperative to remove him from that sensitive position because his actions were unbecoming of a holder of such an office and his level of gross misconduct no longer acceptable.
The sack of Umar as Chairman of CCT was sequel to two third of Senators as 74 members signed, 10 senators present, totally 84 Senators. Read more
Family laments non-payment of late soldier’s gratuity (Punch)
The family of Fatai Bada, the late military officer who died in active service, has lamented the alleged unpaid gratuity of the deceased.
The father of the deceased, Rafiu Bada, who raised the alarm, told our correspondent that the gratuity had been left unpaid for over 18 years.
Speaking to PUNCH Metro on Tuesday, Rafiu said Fatai, who was his first child, joined the army in 1990. Read more
Alleged N2.7b Fraud: Company ex-Aviation Minister, Sirika, approved for Katsina airport contract not qualified —Witness (Tribune)
A witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the ongoing trial of the immediate past Aviation Minister, Senator Hadi Sirika and three others before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Tuesday said the company approved for the award of contract at the Katsina airport did not qualify to handle the job.
The former minister, who served under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, alongside his daughter, Fatima Hadi Sirika; son-in-law, Jalal Hamma and Al-Buraq Investment Limited is being prosecuted by the EFCC, on behalf of the Federal Government, before Justice Sylvanus Oriji, sitting at Maitama, Abuja, on a six-count charge bordering on abuse of office and contract fraud. Read more
Again, gunmen kill 2 policemen in Abia (ThisDay)
Hoodlums have again shot dead two policemen at a checkpoint in Ohafia, bringing to three the number of police personnel cut down in the last 72 hours.
Eye witnesses said that the incident happened Thursday morning at the checkpoint between Ebem and Asaga in Ohafia Local Government of Abia State.
Reports from the area indicate that fear and panic have gripped residents of the affected communities as people contemplate possible reprisal from security agents. Read more
D’Banj, Olamide, Yemi Alade to perform at African Military Games (NewTelegraph)
Popular Nigerian singers, D’banj, Olamide, Yemi Alade and Timi Dakolo are set to perform at the opening ceremony of the 2024 African Military Games in Abuja on Wednesday.
The Nigerian Army who made this known via its verified X handle wrote, “The stage is set and the legends are coming for the opening ceremony of #AMGA2024.
“Watch @Olamide, @iamdbanj, @yemialadee and @timidakolo light up the opening ceremony like never before. It’s happening tomorrow, 20th November 2024.” Read more
Tinubu sacks Nnamdi Azikiwe Council, VC as crisis worsens (DailyTrust)
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Anambra State, and the removal of Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh, the new Vice Chancellor, and Mrs. Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike, the registrar.
The council, led by Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, includes five other members: Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, and Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd. Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin.
In a statement, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, said the sacking of the governing council and officials followed reports that the council illegally appointed an unqualified vice-chancellor without following due process. Read more
Oshiomhole opposed son’s appointment as commissioner, says Edo deputy gov (Channels)
Deputy Governor of Edo State, Dennis Idahosa has revealed that Senator Adams Oshiomhole was against his son, Cyril Oshiomhole’s appointment as the Edo State Commissioner for Health.
Idahosa made the revelation during his appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Wednesday.
He also disclosed that Cyril is a seasoned medical doctor who has the capabilities to chair the Ministry of Health, and as such should not be denied such a privilege. Read more
Lagos Deputy Gov, experts to speak at 2024 CeBIH Annual Conference (Independent)
Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat and other dignitaries are expected to grace the 2024 edition of the Committee of e-Business Industry Heads (CeBIH) annual conference.
The conference is to showcase the significant transformation that Nigeria’s financial system has undergone over the past two decades, with the implementation of the Payment System Vision 2020 (PSV2020).
With the PSV2020 successfully laying out a strong foundation for the country’s current digital payment infrastructure, the new vision, the committee expects that this year’s edition, with the theme: “Payment System Vision 2030: Navigating Contemporary Issues in Driving Future Growth,” will build on the foundation already laid. Read more
Viola Davis just got even more iconic as Golden Globes name her the 2025 Cecil B. DeMille Award recipient (EW)
Legendary EGOT-winning actress Viola Davis’ legacy just got a little bit more iconic, as the Golden Globes has named her the 2025 Cecil B. DeMille Award recipient.
Bestowed for the 59-year-old’s accomplishments as an actress, the prestigious Cecil B. DeMille Award (named after the pioneering film director) puts Davis in an esteemed class of 69 past honorees, including previous winners Walt Disney, Lucille Ball, Judy Garland, Sidney Poitier, Barbra Streisand, Meryl Streep, Jane Fonda, and Oprah Winfrey, among others.
The accolade marks the latest in a growing number of awards the star has won across her acting career, and, for the first time, the Golden Globes will hold a separate ceremony on Jan. 3, honoring Davis (and the to-be-named 2025 Carol Burnett Award winner) outside of the 2025 telecast two days later. Read more
New study reveals highest-selling Black artists in live music (Consequence)
November is Hip-Hop History Month, and as we mark 51 years of the genre’s legacy (revisit our extensive 50th anniversary celebration here), a new study from viagogo has arrived highlighting how hip-hop continues to elevate Black artists on a global scale.
According to ticket sales data collected by viagogo, 19 of the 25 highest-selling Black live performers of 2024 are either hip-hop or hip-hop-adjacent acts.
Travis Scott — whose record-breaking “Circus Maximus Tour” earned over $150 million before wrapping last month — tops the list as the Black artist with the most ticket sales of the year, with the top five rounded out by Usher, Akon, Bryson Tiller, and Ne-Yo. Also placing in the top 25 are Chris Brown, Nicki Minaj, PartyNextDoor, Childish Gambino, Nas, and more. Read more
Dean Martin’s ‘Christmas’ carol hits adult contemporary chart — 72 years after it was recorded (Billboard)
Perhaps making the wait for a parking spot at the mall during the holidays not seem so long by comparison, Dean Martin’s “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” enters Billboard’s Adult Contemporary survey — nearly 72 years after the legendary entertainer recorded it.
The carol debuts on the ranking (dated Nov. 23) at No. 30.
The song was released at last on Oct. 14. Per a press release, it is Martin’s earliest known holiday recording, and his only recorded version of the classic carol, which Meredith Willson wrote in 1951. The performance is from a radio broadcast on Dec. 16, 1952, as part of NBC’s The Martin and Lewis Show that starred Martin and Jerry Lewis. (Their guest that week: Ginger Rogers.) Read more
Liam Payne’s mum and dad arrive at funeral for final goodbye to One Direction star (Mirror)
Liam Payne’s heartbroken parents Karen and Geoff have arrived at the funeral of the son, alongside the singer’s two sisters.
The One Direction singer’s loved ones have come together today to grieve the 31-year-old after he fell from his hotel balcony in Buenos Aires on October 16.
Liam’s father Geoff brought his son’s body back to the UK two weeks ago. Geoff flew out to Argentina after the tragedy and refused to leave his son’s side. He also took the time to greet fans of his son who had gathered outside the hotel where he died to pay their respects and grieve. Read more
Daniel Ek cashes out Spotify shares for the 5th time in 18 months (MusicTech)
Daniel Ek, among other top stockholder executives, have cashed out some of their shares in Spotify after share prices in the streaming service skyrocketed.
The streaming service confirmed it had “never been in a stronger position” when it published its Q3 earnings for 2024 last week, with its subscriber and user growth continuing to climb.
As a result, Spotify’s stock price jumped on the New York stock exchange, closing at an all-time high of $477.50 on November 14. Read more
Ridley Scott concludes interview by saying “I miss my brother,” 12 years after director Tony Scott’s death (People)
Ridley Scott is still feeling the loss of his brother, director Tony Scott.
At the end of a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the “Gladiator II” director had a heartbreaking answer when asked if he had anything else to add to the discussion: “I miss my brother,” said Ridley, 86.
Tony, known for directing Top Gun, Man on Fire and more, was 68 when he died by suicide on Aug. 19, 2012. He is survived by now-24-year-old twin sons, Max and Frank, with wife Donna, and his older brother, fellow producer-director and business partner Ridley. Read more
Western embassies in Kyiv shut due to Russian air attack threat (NPR)
The U.S. and some other Western embassies in Kyiv said that they would stay closed Wednesday for security reasons, with the American delegation saying it had received a warning of a potentially significant Russian air attack on the Ukrainian capital.
The precautionary step came after Russian officials promised a response to President Joe Biden’s decision to let Ukraine strike targets on Russian soil with U.S.-made missiles — a move that angered the Kremlin.
The U.S. Embassy said its closure and attack warning were issued in the context of ongoing Russian missile and drone attacks on Kyiv and anticipated a quick return to regular operations. Read more
CAF releases list of nations for 2025 AFCON (VON)
The final list of 24 Nations that have qualified for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 has been finalised following the completion of Match Day 6 of the Qualifiers last night.
The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 will be played in Morocco between 21 December 2025 – 18 January 2026. The last day of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 Qualfiers delivered drama, suspense and thrill.
The competition will feature all of the top 10 Nations in the Africa FIFA rankings (Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Nigeria, Algeria, Cote d’Ivoire, Tunisia, Cameroon, Mali, DR Congo) Read more
CAF Women’s Champions League: TP Mazembe stops Edo Queens from historic Final spot (Nation)
TP Mazembe’s 2022 disappointment has become a thing of the past after the Ravens officially secured their place in the final of the on-going CAF Women’s Champions League final after a 3-1 win over Edo Queens on Tuesday evening.
The Ravens came from behind to force the game into extra time after Emem Essien had initially scored what seemed to be the winner for the tournament debutants in the 65th minute.
However, the ever-green Merveille Kanjinga’s last minute gasp saw the encounter go into extra time in what would be a dramatic turn of events. Read more
Vieira named new head coach of Italian side Genoa (BBC)
Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira has been appointed as the new head coach of Serie A club Genoa.
The 48-year-old joins a club that is in 17th position in the Italian top flight, one point above the relegation zone.
The former Crystal Palace manager, who left RC Strasbourg in July, succeeds ex-Italy striker Alberto Gilardino, who had been in charge since December 2022.
Under 2006 World Cup winner Gilardino, Genoa had won two of their 12 league matches this season and were knocked out of the Coppa Italia by Sampdoria on penalties. Read more
Spurs appeal over length of Rodrigo Bentancur ban for Son Heung-min comment (Independent)
Tottenham have appealed against the length of ban imposed on midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur for comments he made about team-mate Son Heung-min.
The Football Association announced on Monday that the 27-year-old Uruguay international would serve a seven-match domestic suspension, covering six Premier League fixtures and a Carabao Cup quarter-final against Manchester United.
Bentancur was charged with misconduct in September over a television interview he gave in his home country in June, with the reference to Son’s race making it an aggravated breach. Read more
Rory McIlroy sends touching retirement message to “hero” Rafael Nadal (Mirror)
Rory McIlroy has paid tribute to his “hero” Rafael Nadal after the Spaniard’s iconic tennis career ended on Tuesday.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion retired after Spain’s elimination from the Davis Cup quarter-finals at the hands of the Netherlands in Malaga. The 38-year-old, who saw the latter part of his career blighted by injuries, was beaten in straight sets by Botic van de Zandschulp in his final match.
Despite bowing out on a sour note, tributes have poured in from across the world of sport for one of the greatest tennis players of all time. Golf superstar McIlroy was among them, sharing a heartfelt message on social media paying homage to Nadal’s achievements. Read more
F1 to move Canadian Grand Prix slot on calendar in drive to cut travel (JapanToday)
Formula 1 will move the Canadian Grand Prix to a new slot in May from 2026 in an effort to cut down on travel and its environmental impact.
F1 said Monday that the race in Montreal will move to “the third or fourth weekend in May each year” from its current June slot, where it’s currently in the middle of a succession of European races, forcing teams to travel across the Atlantic Ocean and back for a single weekend.
The decision has been agreed with the race’s promoter after consultation with Canadian authorities, F1 said. But it still needs to be approved by the sport’s governing body, the FIA. Read more