Sickness: Mr Ibu’s leg amputated (DailyTrust)
One of the legs of veteran Nollywood actor, John Okafor fondly known as Mr Ibu, has been amputated.
A statement via the actor’s verified Instagram page on Monday said this was done due to his medical conditions and to save his life.
It also noted that the veteran actor has undergone seven successful surgeries and there’s hope for him to survive but still needs financial support from Nigerians. Read more
APC to Obi: Drop your warped sense of entitlement to presidency (Tribune)
The All Progressives Congress has accused the Labour Party presidential candidate in last general elections, Peter Obi of a false sense of entitlement to the exalted seat of President of Nigeria.
The ruling party was reacting to the media briefing by Peter Obi where he dismissed the Supreme Court justice’s pronouncement on his appeal to the Presidential Election Petition Court judgement as miscarriage of justice.
National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Felix Morka in a statement on Monday night declared that cases are won on evidence and law, not public opinion. Read more
Abuja squatters get 7-day ultimatum to quit (Guardian)
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, yesterday, gave a one-week ultimatum to squatters and owners of make-shift settlements in Abuja to quit or face demolition.
Represented by the Joint Task Force of the Federal Capital Territory Administration and Director, Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima, the minister noted that serious intelligence reports were received particularly on robberies and other forms of criminality.
During a visit to Apo Dutse, Galadima saw how the squatters have re-emerged despite earlier demolition by previous administrations. Read more
Amid Cash Crunch… FG asks varsities, others to remit 40% revenue (Leadership)
The federal government has begun implementation of a 40 percent automatic deduction from internally generated revenues of federal universities and other partially-funded institutions.
The policy of 40 per cent auto-deduction of gross IGR is in line with the Finance Circular with reference number FMFBNP/OTHERS/IGR/CRF/12/2021 dated December 20, 2021.
The circular limits the annual budgetary expenditure from IGR of the partially funded federal government. Read more
Sanwo-Olu seeks residents’ support for cleaner Lagos (Punch)
The Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has called on residents of the state to support his administration’s vision for a cleaner Lagos.
The governor, who spoke via his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle on Monday, noted that the ‘Clean Up of Lagos’ vision demands out-of-the-box thinking and discipline.
“The clean-up of Lagos, getting rid of waste and reducing pollution is a shared vision and collective effort that demands out-of-the-box thinking and extreme discipline,” the governor said. Read more
By-laws against child marriage enacted in Lagos LGs (Vanguard)
A non-governmental organization, Bella Foundation for Child and Maternal Care, has said that it is saddled with the responsibility of advocating the enactment of the by-law against child marriage in all local governments in Nigeria especially in Lagos state.
This is coming after the organization launched its, ‘Too young to Marry’, magazine in Lagos state, to ensure the enactment of the by-law against child marriage in all local governments.
Speaking, the Founder, Bella Akhagba, Bella Foundation for Child and Maternal Care, disclosed that, the organization is advocating against child marriage through regular seminars, advocacy and workshop. Read more
Lions Club gets 3rd female president (Nation)
The Lagos Isolo Lions Club has installed a real estate expert, Mary Richards, as its 41st president.
She is the third female president of the club.
The installation was held during this year’s Investiture and Fund Raising Ceremony held at Samkoll Gardens, Lagos
Other officers are Wale Oyekanmi (First Vice President), Chief Ezekiel Obasanjo (Second Vice President), Adeleke (Secretary), Fasule Olasunkanmi (Asst. Secretary), Makinde Iyabode (Treasurer), Lola Shomefun (ClubTail Twister) and Prince Adele Akin (Club Tamer). Read more
FG warns US, other foreign missions on security advisories (Channels)
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Malagi, has cautioned the US Mission in Nigeria and other foreign missions in the country against “needless security advisories”.
The minister told reporters in Abuja on Monday that such advisories had far-reaching implications on the general polity as well as the country’s economy.
Malagi said the Federal Government was not resting on its oars to ensure that every inch of land and every citizen, resident and visitor in the country is secured. Read more
Plateau gov restates commitment to make state Nigeria’s agricultural hub (Sun)
Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has restated his commitment to revamping the agricultural sector toward boosting the economy of the state.
Mutfwang gave the assurance on Sunday at the 37th Reunion Service of Old Students of Boys High School, Gindiri.
GOSA comprises old students of both Boys and Girls Secondary Schools, Gindiri. Read more
Bradley Cooper “crashed” girlfriend Gigi Hadid’s epic girls’ night out with Taylor Swift (DailyMail)
Bradley Cooper reportedly “crashed” Gigi Hadid’s girls’ night out with Taylor Swift over the weekend.
The 48-year-old actor has been romantically linked to Gigi, 28, over recent months, and the celebrity duo were spotted leaving a nightclub in New York City at around 3am on Sunday.
A source told Entertainment Tonight: ‘After the ladies finished with their dinner, they went over to Zero Bond and some other friends joined – including Bradley Cooper. Read more
Jennifer Aniston ‘‘struggling’’ after Matthew Perry’s death “knocked her off feet” (Mirror)
Jennifer Aniston is struggling to cope following the death of former co-star Matthew Perry according to reports.
Jennifer was seen alongside her Friends co-stars attending Matthew’s funeral on Friday and is said to be the most affected of the remaining stars alongside Courteney Cox.
Matthew, who was famed for portraying Chandler Bing in the hit US sitcom, was found dead in his Los Angeles home after he reportedly drowned in his hot tub. The news emerged after a call to emergency services was made about a cardiac arrest. Matthew was later found dead at the scene. Read more
South Africa joins diplomatic boycott of Israel over Gaza war (AlJazeera)
The South African government has said it will recall all diplomats from Israel to “signal” its concern over the situation in Gaza.
Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, a minister in the president’s office, said on Monday that all diplomatic staff in Tel Aviv would be called to return to Pretoria for consultations, without providing further details.
“We are … extremely concerned at the continued killing of children and innocent civilians in the Palestinian territories and we believe the nature of response by Israel has become one of collective punishment,” Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor told a later press conference. Read more
Peanuts head to the Big City in 1st Apple TV+ movie (Variety)
Apple TV+ has announced a new original “Peanuts” feature film from WildBrain and Peanuts Worldwide. The film will follow Snoopy and Charlie Brown’s biggest challenge yet, as the “Peanuts” characters embark on “an epic adventure to the Big City, learning the true meaning of friendship, while meeting some surprising new friends along the way.” Production from WildBrain Studios will begin in 2024.
“Fans of all ages have been enamored with Peanuts on Apple TV+,” Tara Sorensen, Apple’s head of children’s programming, said in a statement. “With our unmatched library of Peanuts titles, and award-winning collection of stories that bring kids and families together, Apple TV+ is the preeminent home for Snoopy and friends, and offers a world class selection of series and films featuring the most globally cherished animated characters. We can’t wait for everyone to experience this heartwarming new adventure with Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the gang in the Big City.” Read more
Lauryn Hill says fans are “lucky” she made it on stage after cancelled shows (NME)
Lauryn Hill has responded to those who have complained about her missing recent shows, saying that fans are “lucky” she makes it on stage every night.
The former Fugees singer, who is currently on tour around North America celebrating the 25th anniversary of her Grammy-winning debut solo album ‘The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill’, has had to cancel or postpone multiple shows due to an ongoing vocal injury.
A concert in Philadelphia on October 22 had to be moved, while Hill was forced to cancel an October 30 show in Fort Worth, Texas. Read more
MrBeast builds 100 wells in Africa, attracting praise – and some criticism (CNN)
American YouTuber MrBeast’s latest video, in which he says he built 100 wells across Africa, has drawn a complex response online since it was published on Saturday.
Some Kenyan activists and journalists said he has spotlighted the failures of the Kenyan government, while MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, anticipates that he will be “cancelled” following the reaction.
The new wells will provide clean drinking water for up to 500,000 people in Cameroon, Kenya, Somalia, Uganda and Zimbabwe, Donaldson said, while an accompanying fundraiser to support local water aid organisations had raised more than $300,000 by Monday morning. Read more
UN chief says Gaza becoming “graveyard for children”, urges ceasefire (NewArab)
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday warned that the bombarded Gaza Strip was becoming a “graveyard for children,” as he urged an immediate ceasefire in Israel’s war on Gaza.
“The unfolding catastrophe makes the need for a humanitarian ceasefire more urgent with every passing hour,” he told reporters at the UN headquarters in New York.
“The parties to the conflict — and, indeed, the international community — face an immediate and fundamental responsibility: to stop this inhuman collective suffering and dramatically expand humanitarian aid to Gaza,” he said. Read more
Osimhen resolves court issues with brother-in-law (Sun)
Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen is expected back in Naples on Wednesday, after resolving his feud with brother-in-law, according to Italian sources, Il Mattino and Corriere della Sera.
Osimhen had been in Lagos recuperating from an injury he sustained during Nigeria’s international friendly game against the Green Falcons of Saudi Arabia in Portugal.
“Osimhen will return to Naples after the two weeks spent in Nigeria with the club’s authorization to keep up with the latest, complex family events. Read more
“Joshua will beat Fury, Ngannou” (Punch)
Deontay Wilder’s trainer Malik Scott believes Anthony Joshua will beat both Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou if he faces either of the two in a boxing ring.
Scott makes this judgment following Fury’s recent performance against Ngannou in Saudi Arabia as the Brit did not cruise to victory as many expected.
Cameroon’s Ngannou shocked the boxing world when he came close to defeating the WBC heavyweight champion in a 10-round non-title bout at Boulevard Hall in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia October 28. Read more
Tottenham’s Postecoglou says VAR “diminishing authority” of refs (ESPN)
Ange Postecoglou said VAR is “diminishing the authority” of referees after Tottenham’s 4-1 home defeat to Chelsea featured nine separate checks leading to 21 minutes of added time.
Spurs fell to their first Premier League loss of the season despite taking an early lead through Dejan Kulusevski as Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie were sent off either side of half-time.
Cole Palmer equalised with a 35th-minute penalty after Romero was dismissed on a VAR review for a late tackle on Enzo Fernández before Udogie saw a second yellow for a lunge on Raheem Sterling. Read more
Portland Timbers hire Phil Neville as the team’s new head coach (USAToday)
The Portland Timbers on Monday named former Inter Miami coach Phil Neville as the team’s new head coach through the 2026 season.
Neville replaces Giovanni Savarese, who was let go by the Timbers in August after more than five seasons with the club. Portland went to the playoffs in four of those seasons and reached the MLS Cup title game in 2018 and 2021.
The 46-year-old Neville, who had a long professional career playing for Manchester United and Everton, coached Inter Miami from 2021 until this June when he was dismissed. He was 35-42-13 as coach of David Beckham’s MLS club. Read more
Iga Swiatek sets a host of records to claim WTA Finals title in Cancun (Tennis365)
Iga Swiatek confirmed her return to the top of the WTA rankings with a stunning victory against Jessica Pegula in the WTA Final – and she broke a host of records en-route to her clinical success in Cancun.
The Polish star had far too much power for No 5 seed Pegula in a final held over to Monday due to persistent bad weather during the tournament.
Pegula had started solidly on her serve but swiftly unravelled, as Swiatek ruthlessly punished her American opponent’s errors to break twice in succession then serve out to love to take the opening set. Read more
San Francisco to host 2025 NBA All-Star game (StraitsTimes)
The 2025 National Basketball Association (NBA) All-Star game will be held at the Golden State Warriors’ Chase Centre home in San Francisco, the league announced on Monday.
The 74th edition of the mid-season showpiece will be held on February 16, 2025, NBA commissioner Adam Silver confirmed in a statement.
“We are thrilled to host our NBA All-Star festivities in the San Francisco Bay Area, where there is a long and storied history of basketball,” said Silver. Read more