Strike: FG, Labour on collision course (Sun)
/The Federal Government and the organised labour appeared to be headed on a collision course over the planned nationwide strike.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) had at the end of a joint National Executive Council meeting on Tuesday declared an indefinite strike beginning from Tuesday, October 3 to press home their demands.
But the central government, through the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, yesterday, warned that embarking on the planned action would amount to a gross violation of a subsisting order of the National Industrial Court. Read more
NUPENG, ASSBIFI mobilise members for action (Nation)
Members of the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI) have been put on notice for the industrial action billed to start October 3.
NUPENG and ASSBIFI are affiliates of the NLC and the TUC, resprectively.
Two Labour centres – Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) rose from their National Executive Council (NEC) with a resolution to shut down the country if the October 1 address of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu failed to address their demands. Read more
Umahi: Calm returns as union intervenes in workers’ protest (Guardian)
Normalcy has returned at the Federal Ministry of Works, Abuja, after some members of staff staged a peaceful protest, yesterday, over the decision of the Minister, David Umahi, to lock them out of their offices for late coming.
The protesters, who were heard chanting “Umahi must go,” expressed displeasure over Umahi’s action, which they said did not take into cognisance the fact that they reside in areas outside the city centre.
One of the members of staff, who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity, said: “Most of us live in areas as far as Suleja in Niger State, some in Gwagwalada, Keffi, Abaji, Kuje,Kwali and Kaduna road. Read more
MohBad: Lagos Police arrest Sam Larry (Punch)
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested controversial Lagos socialite, Balogun Eletu, aka Sam Larry, over an ongoing investigation into the circumstances leading to the death of the singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, aka Mohbad.
The Lagos State Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the development to our correspondent in a late Thursday night telephone interview.
“Yes, Balogun Eletu aka Sam Larry is now in our custody. He is currently assisting with the ongoing investigation,” Hundeyin said. Read more
Tribunal quashes APC’s petition against Akwa Ibom Gov Eno (Channels)
The Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State has dismissed a petition brought by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Akanimo Udofia, challenging the election of Pastor Umo Eno of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of the March 18 poll.
Udofia sought the disqualification of Pastor Eno’s election on the grounds that he presented forged documents to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and also did not score the highest number of valid votes in the March 18, 2023 Governorship elections.
Udofia also accused the 2nd respondent of being convicted by an Abuja Magistrate Court, hence not qualified to be fielded for elections. Read more
LIRS tasks business organisations on Consumption Tax compliance (ThisDay)
The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) has urged owners of restaurants, hotels, and event centres operating in the state to contribute to the state’s development by prioritising the monthly collection and remittance of a five per cent consumption tax on all consumables and personal services.
The State on June 22, 2009, enacted the Hotel Occupancy and Restaurant Consumption Law of Lagos State otherwise called Hotel Consumption Law, which imposed consumption tax at five per cent on the value of goods and services consumed in hotels, restaurants and event centers within the state. The tax base is the total cost of facilities, consumables or personal services supplied to a consumer in, by or on behalf of the hotel, restaurant or events centre. Read more
Obaseki accepts Shaibu’s apology, says to err is human (Vanguard)
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has accepted the public apology made by his deputy, Comrade Philip Shaibu, noting that as a person of faith, he was under obligation to accept the apology.
In a letter titled, “Re: Public Apology By The Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu,” the governor said in good faith he trusts that the public apology as expressed by Shaibu is genuine and followed by contrite steps to improve his conflict resolution skills.
The letter read: “I have noted the public apology made by the Deputy Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu. This apology followed an aberrant behaviour that contradicts what the people of Edo State stand for. Read more
Tribunal judges differ on Kaduna governorship election (Leadership)
In a split judgement of two to one, the governorship election petition tribunal sitting in Kaduna, has upheld the victory of Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State in the last governorship election.
While two of the judges ruled in favour of a rerun election in some local government areas, the lead judge opted to declare the governor the winner of the contest.
Consequently, the tribunal declared the governor winner of the March 18, 2023 governorship election on the ground that the petition by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was filed out of the pre-hearing time and that the petitioner failed to prove that the poll was rigged. Read more
Covenant ranked best as UI, FUTA, others make top 10 varsities in Nigeria (Tribune)
Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, has been named the best university in Nigeria according to The Times Higher Education (THE) 2024 World Universities rankings.
The University of Ibadan ranks second, followed by the Federal University of Technology, Akure, in third place, and the University of Lagos in fourth place.
Ladoke Akintola and Lagos State universities, which appear at the 11th and 12th positions respectively, are the only state universities on the list. Read more
Pink kicks out man protesting circumcision mid-concert (EW)
First it was a bag of ashes, then a wheel of cheese, and now an anti-circumcision protest has interrupted a recent Pink concert.
During a show in San Antonio on Monday night, the Grammy-winning pop star had a concert goer removed after he disrupted the performance by yelling about circumcision and displaying a message on his phone calling the practice “cruel and harmful.”
As captured on fan footage posted to social media, Pink had just entered the acoustic section of her concert and was sitting near enough to read the message. She paused to look as the protester leaned forward and held up his phone. Read more
Dozens of soldiers killed in suspected jihadist attack in Niger (France24)
The deaths come as former colonial power France prepares to withdraw an anti-terrorism force stationed in the country at the request of its new military leaders, who seized power in a coup two months ago.
Niger’s defence minister, Salifou Mody, said in a statement that a military unit had been “violently attacked by several hundred terrorists” in the town of Kandadji on Thursday, adding that seven soldiers were killed in the fighting.
“During an intervention” launched in response to the attack, “a tragic traffic accident led to the loss of five of our brave soldiers”, he continued. Read more
Johnny Depp begins directing new movie “Modì” (FarOut)
Filming has officially commenced in Hungary for the upcoming movie Modì, the second directorial effort from Johnny Depp, which follows the life of Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani.
Starring Italian actor Ricardo Scamarcio as the critically acclaimed painter, Modì also boasts a cast including Al Pacino as international art collector Maurice Gangnat, and French actor Pierre Niney (of Yves Saint Laurent fame) as an artist and close friend of Modigliani, Maurice Utrillo.
Depp’s sophomore feature will also feature Italian actress Luisa Ranieri, who previously appeared in director Paolo Sorrentino’s The Hand of God and provided the voice for the Italian dub of Virana in Disney’s Raya and the Last Dragon, both in 2021. Read more
Iraq archbishop calls for prayers after tragic wedding fire (CNA)
A fire that ripped through a wedding venue in northern Iraq has killed more than 100 people in a majority-Christian town still rebuilding after years of ISIS occupation.
The hall in Qaraqosh on the Nineveh Plains burned Tuesday night during a Syriac Catholic wedding celebration. Witnesses and civil defense officials told the BBC that the fire was sparked, with hundreds of guests present, by fireworks set off as the bride and groom danced.
Archbishop Bashar Warda, who leads the Chaldean Catholic Archdiocese of Erbil, said in a Sept. 27 statement to EWTN News that “patriarchs, bishops, and priests from all faiths gathered today in Qaraqosh to bury those who had perished.” Read more
Pet Shop Boys announce reissue of hard-to-find album ‘‘Relentless’’ for 30th anniversary (NME)
Pet Shop Boys have announced a reissue of their hard-to-find LP ‘‘Relentless’’ in honour of its 30th anniversary.
The synth-pop duo – comprised of Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe – released their fifth studio album ‘‘Very’’ back in 1993. The record reached the Number One spot in the UK charts and includes the band’s singles ‘‘Can You Forgive Her?’’ and ‘‘Go West’’, which remain two of their most popular tracks.
At the time, the Pet Shop Boys released ‘‘Very Relentless’’, a limited edition of the album that included a six-track dance LP. ‘‘Relentless’’ was also released as a rare standalone vinyl that was limited to 500 copies. It featured six dance tracks spread across three 12″ records and became a highly sought-after Pet Shop Boys artefact. Read more
Video shows Army soldier arriving back on US soil, 2 months after he crossed into N. Korea (NYPost)
The American soldier who sprinted into North Korea across the heavily fortified border between the Koreas two months ago arrived back in the US early Thursday, video appeared to show.
Pvt. Travis King’s release was secured with the help of ally Sweden and rival China, the White House said Wednesday.
North Korea abruptly announced earlier that day that it would expel the soldier. Read more
Taiwan unveils 1st domestically-made submarine to help defend against possible Chinese attack (CBS)
Taiwan unveiled its first domestically-developed military submarine Thursday, as the democratic, self-governing island ramps up its defenses with anxiety building about the possibility of China launching an attack.
“Even if there are risks, and no matter how many challenges there are, Taiwan must take this step and allow the self-reliant national defense policy to grow and flourish on our land,” Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen said at the unveiling ceremony.
The diesel-electric submarine, called “Haikun,” cost $1.5 billion and still needs to undergo further tests before it’s deployed. It will be handed over to the Taiwanese navy in 2024, CBS News partner network BBC News reported. Read more
2024 U-20 WWCQ: Falconets progress to third round as Mauritius withdraw (Guardian)
Nigeria’s U-20 women’s national team, the Falconets, have progressed to the third round of the 2024 U-20 World Cup qualifiers without kicking a ball.
In a statement by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on their X handle, the Falconets’ second-round opponent, Mauritius, have withdrawn.
The first leg was initially scheduled to take place between October 6th and 8th in Mauritius. While the return leg was billed between October 13th and 15th in Nigeria, Read more
Osimhen puts social media storm aside to score for Napoli (Tribune)
Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen put his social media storm with Napoli to one side to score as they return to winning ways with a 4-1 victory over Udinese on Wednesday.
Last season’s Scudetto winners entered this fixture after a three-match winless run in Serie A, which had turned up the heat on new coach Rudi Garcia.
Osimhen’s missed penalty kick in last weekend’s stalemate at Bologna was then followed by a bizarre post on Napoli’s official TikTok account. Read more
Paul Heckingbottom: Sheffield United boss has “support” of owner Prince Abdullah (BBC)
Paul Heckingbottom says he has the backing of Sheffield United’s hierarchy to continue as manager in the wake of a humiliating defeat to Newcastle.
The Blades were thrashed 8-0 at Bramall Lane on Sunday – the heaviest league defeat in their history.
Heckingbottom has received assurances from club owner Prince Abdullah and chief executive Stephen Bettis in the aftermath of the defeat to the Magpies. Read more
‘‘Greenwood, die’’ chants condemned by Getafe after Man Utd star makes first La Liga start (Football365)
Getafe have condemned “derogatory and intolerant” chants aimed towards the team this season.
The LaLiga club say the chants have occurred repeatedly and issued a statement following Wednesday night’s 2-2 draw at Athletic Bilbao.
Earlier this month, Mason Greenwood, who joined Getafe on loan from Manchester United on transfer deadline day, reportedly met with chants calling for him to die when he made his debut in a 3-2 defeat at Osasuna. Read more
Eddie Jones backed as “right person to lead Australia” by Wallabies assistant Pierre-Henry Broncan (Sky)
Wallabies assistant coach Pierre-Henry Broncan believes Eddie Jones is “the right person” to lead Australia out of their Rugby World Cup slump.
Australia are on the brink of pool-stage elimination for the first time in World Cup history after defeats to Fiji and Wales.
Fiji need five points from their last two games against Georgia and Portugal to send the Wallabies packing and confirm a last-eight place alongside Wales from Pool C. Read more
Lakers’ LeBron James prepping for 21st season “like a rookie” (ABC)
The Los Angeles Lakers’ plan to help LeBron James extend his unprecedented prime into the 21st season of an illustrious career involves adding talent around him, not so much cutting his minutes.
“Bron, he does a great job taking care of himself,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said Thursday at a news conference ahead of the start of L.A.’s training camp next week. “The team that’s around him now, the pieces that we have in place, those guys are going to step up and do a lot of heavy lifting early.”
James, who will turn 39 in December, averaged 35.5 minutes per game last season, which was a tick down from the 37.2 minutes per game he logged in 2021-22 but was still more than he played in any of his first three seasons with the Lakers. Statistically, James was still impactful — averaging 28.9 points on 50% shooting with 8.3 rebounds and 6.8 assists — but a torn tendon in his right foot caused him to miss 27 games. Read more