Strike: FG threatens Labour with contempt charge, NLC adamant (Punch)
The Federal Government on Monday asked the organised Labour to shelve its planned strike slated to commence on Tuesday (today).
The government reminded the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress of a restraining order issued by the National Industrial Court, Abuja, on Friday.
The TUC President, Festus Osifo, had announced at a press conference in Abuja on Monday that the labour action would commence on Tuesday (today) in protest against the alleged assault on the President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero by suspected thugs in Owerri, Imo State, on November 1. Read more
Presidency rejects Labour strike, blames Ajaero for Imo assault (DailyTrust)
The presidency has criticised the organised labour over its directive on nationwide strike as a result of the assault on Joe Ajaero, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President.
The organised labour comprising NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC), directed all affiliate unions of the two labour centres to implement the resolutions of the joint National Executive Council of TUC and NLC from midnight of Tuesday, November 14, 2023.
President of TUC, Festus Osifo, who addressed reporters at Labour House earlier in the day, said the strike would remain until “governments at all levels wake up to their responsibility.” Read more
LASU: Certificate racketeering perpetrated through defunct satellite campuses – Forensic firm (Vanguard)
The forensic firm contracted by the management of the Lagos State University, LASU, to investigate allegation of certificate racketeering in the institution, has said it has not concluded investigations into the matter.
This is just as the firm, Wealth Root, explained that findings so far showed that the act was being perpetrated through the satellite campuses of the university that were later scrapped.
In a statement on Monday by the General Manager, Mr Benedict Okohnma, the company also said there was no time the management of the university tried to interfere with the investigations. Read more
Diri, Uzodimma, Ododo win off-cycle governorship elections (Channels)
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has held the first off-cycle polls since the 2023 general elections with Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi State residents deciding on their governors for new four-year terms.
A total of 46,084 regular and ad hoc staff were deployed in the three states, according to the electoral body.
At least 126 national and international organisations were accredited with 11,000 observers deployed for the elections, while 80 media organisations applied to deploy 1,203 personnel, including journalists and technical/support staff. Read more
Outstanding NIMC debts threaten national identity card project (Tribune)
Outstanding NIMC debts threaten national identity card project
The failure by the National Identity Management Commission, (NIMC) to pay outstanding debt owed to its Front End Partners is threatening the enrollment of Nigerians for biometric capturing for the National Identity Numbers (NIN).
Investigation revealed that the Front End Partners engaged as enrolment agents in 2020, to complement the NIMC are being owed arrears of two years for services rendered to Nigerians through the agency.
One of the front end partners who spoke under condition of anonymity told Tribune that they were engaged in January 2020 when the federal government discovered that the NIMC outlets could not meet the target of enrollment of over 200 million Nigerians. Read more
Lagos task force denies involvement in Gbagada accident, begins probe (Punch)
The Lagos State Task Force has debunked reports stating that the agency was involved in the car chase which led to an accident and tragic death of two officials of the Lagos Waste Management Authority at Gbagada axis on Monday morning.
This was disclosed in a statement posted on the official X handle of the Lagos State Government on Monday evening.
According to the statement, the Chairman of the Agency, CSP Shola Jejeloye, stressed that no Lagos State Environmental Task Force official was involved in the car chase of a suspected traffic offender along the Gbagada axis, resulting in the crash that killed two LAWMA officials carrying out their duties by the roadside. Read more
Salis wants Tinubu to introduce mining education, be proactive on mining law (Guardian)
A New York-based lawyer and chartered accountant, Owolabi Salis, has said the Federal Government should be more decisive on the activities of illegal miners in the country.
He said many Nigerians are not aware that illegal miners, especially foreigners in collaboration with some bad eggs in the country, are responsible for over 60 to 65 per cent of the insecurity confronting the nation.
Speaking with The Guardian, Salis said these illegal miners often instigate, fund and orchestrate communal clash(es) to displace people from their land to get illegal access to natural resources. Read more
Obaseki, Shaibu congratulate Diri (Nation)
The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Philip Shaibu have congratulated the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, on his re-election and victory in Saturday’s Governorship election in the State.
In separate statements, the duo said the victory was well-deserved on account of his outstanding performance in the last four years, noting that the people’s power, as expressed during the poll, remained the most potent force in any democracy.
According to him, “I heartily congratulate my brother and friend, Senator Douye Diri on his reelection as the Governor of Bayelsa State. Read more
CAN mourns passing of Prophet Samuel Adefila Abidoye (Independent)
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) deeply mourns the passing of Prophet Samuel Adefila Abidoye, the revered spiritual leader of the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church Worldwide.
The condolence message was signed by Archbishop Daniel Okoh, the President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Monday in Abuja.
The message reads: “Prophet Abidoye, aged 103, departed yesterday, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of faith and service. Read more
Anne Hathaway was told her career would ‘fall off a cliff’ by 35 (FilmNews)
Anne Hathaway was told her career would be over by the time she hit 35.
The actress recalled that when she first started out in Hollywood, she was told that her career would not last.
During an interview with Porter, Anne explained that she “was warned that my career would fall off a cliff at the age of 35, which is something I know a lot of women face”. Read more
Presidential candidates in Madagascar call for election boycott as political crisis deepens (France24)
Six prominent presidential candidates in Madagascar told AFP on Monday they plan to boycott this week’s elections, worsening a political crisis engulfing the country.
The six, who are part of a larger grouping of opposition candidates holding almost daily protests for weeks, said they will not take part in Thursday’s vote and will urge their supporters not to cast their ballot.
“We will call (on people) not to go and vote,” said presidential hopeful Marc Ravalomanana, 73, one of two former presidents to join calls for a boycott. Read more
“Masters of the Universe’’ movie eyes new home at Amazon after Netflix exit (Variety)
In “Masters of the Universe,” He-Man’s nemesis is the evil wizard Skeletor. In Hollywood, his greatest threat has been a list of studio partners that have sidelined him from the big screen for nearly two decades.
The blond barbarian, based on a popular set of Mattel toys, may finally win the day. Amazon MGM Studios is in serious talks to mount a live-action “Masters of the Universe” movie from Adam and Aaron Nee, the writing and directing team behind The Lost City, according to multiple insiders. Conversations are taking place with Amazon after Netflix dropped a planned version of the Nee brothers film in July.
Netflix spent nearly $30 million in development costs over two years for the project, which was meant to star Kyle Allen (A Haunting in Venice). The streamer walked away when the tentpole’s budget, originally set for more than $200 million, could not be meaningfully reduced. Read more
The Simpsons’ co-creator says Homer will keep on strangling Bart (Deadline)
Homer Simpson is not about to change his ways.
Amid speculation that The Simpsons patriarch is about to stop strangling his son, Bart, the show’s co-creator has confirmed that Homer’s habit will die hard.
James L. Brooks told People: “Nothing’s getting tamed. Nothing, nothing, nothing … He’ll continue to be strangled — [if] you want to use that awful term for it. He’ll continue to be loved by his father in a specific way.” Read more
Jason Aldean and Kid Rock to embark on Rock the Country festival tour of small towns with special guests (People)
Jason Aldean and Kid Rock are hitting the back roads.
On Monday, the country musicians announced they will join forces for the Rock the Country tour, where they’ll be headlining seven “small town” festivals across the United States from April through July 2024.
Appearing at the top of the bill for all seven stops are Aldean, 46, and Kid Rock, 52, who will be joined by the likes of Miranda Lambert, Hank Williams Jr., Lynyrd Skynyrd, and others at select dates. Read more
King Charles celebrates 75th birthday with Highgrove party (BBC)
Community champions have joined King Charles III in celebrating his 75th birthday.
Guests included community stalwarts nominated by friends and family who are also turning 75 this year, to representatives from organisations marking the same milestone.
He was presented with a three-tier cake at an event at Highgrove House in Gloucestershire. Read more
Secret Service agents protecting Biden’s granddaughter open fire when 3 people try to break into SUV (ABC)
Secret Service agents protecting President Joe Biden’s granddaughter opened fire after three people tried to break into an unmarked Secret Service vehicle in the nation’s capital, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press.
The agents, assigned to protect Naomi Biden, were out with her in the Georgetown neighborhood late Sunday night when they saw the three people breaking a window of the parked and unoccupied SUV, the official said. The official could not discuss details of the investigation publicly and spoke to the AP on Monday on the condition of anonymity.
One of the agents opened fire, but no one was struck by the gunfire, the Secret Service said in a statement. The three people were seen fleeing in a red car, and the Secret Service said it put out a regional bulletin to Metropolitan Police to be on the lookout for it. Read more
Joshua, Wilder opponents revealed for Saudi clash (Punch)
Anthony Joshua has agreed to fight Otto Wallin in Saudi Arabia on December 23 with Deontay Wilder set to face off with Joseph Parker on the same night.
Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk were set to meet in their historic undisputed heavyweight title fight on that date in Riyadh.
However, the ‘The Gypsy King’s bruising night at the office against Francis Ngannou in October has seen that date pushed back to February. Read more
2023 Ballon D’Or Rankings: I am jealous of you, Mikel tells Osimhen (Leadership)
Former Super Eagles captain, John Mikel, has praised Victor Osimhen for his remarkable Ballon d’Or achievement, saying he is jealous of the Napoli star.
Osimhen was ranked number 8 in the 2023 Ballon d’Or award held in Paris, France last recently, becoming the first Nigerian to make the top ten of the Ballon d’Or.
Speaking with Osimhen on ‘Obi One Podcast’ on monday, Mikel said he thought he was the most decorated Nigerian player, but Osimhen has beaten him to that record, hitting a new milestone in the world. Read more
Italy, Netherlands, Wales aim to secure Euro 2024 qualification (France24)
Reigning champions Italy are preparing for a decisive qualifier with Ukraine for a place at Euro 2024, while former winners the Netherlands and 2016 semi-finalists Wales are also aiming to book their tickets to the finals in Germany.
The last two rounds of qualifying matches take place over the next week, and a total of 12 countries will secure their spots in next month’s draw in Hamburg for the tournament to go with nine who are already guaranteed to be there.
Continental heavyweights Spain, France, England, Belgium and Portugal have already qualified along with hosts Germany, Turkey, Scotland and Austria for the 24-nation finals which will run June 14 to July 14 next year. Read more
Hernan Crespo set to take charge at UAE club Al Ain (NewArab)
Al Ain-bound Argentine coach Hernan Crespo will arrive on Monday to formally sign his contract, the UAE club said.
Crespo will succeed Dutch coach Alfred Schreuder who parted ways with Al Ain last week after just six months in charge following media reports he would be moving to Saudi Arabia.
Al Ain made the announcement on social media platform X with a video clip reviewing Crespo’s career as a player and coach. Read more
Carlos Alcaraz facing shocking rankings fall after ATP Finals defeat (Tennis365)
Carlos Alcaraz started his ATP Finals campaign in the worst manner possible and now he could face a miserable end-of-season rankings blow.
The 20-year-old missed last year’s event through injury and his shaky late-season form continued with a 6-7 (3) 6-3 6-4 loss in his opening round-robin match.
Alcaraz came from a break down to win the first set on a tie-break, but immediately fell behind in the second and it was Zverev who was the steadier from there on in a contest that featured some spectacular shots from both players. Read more
Holyfield giving Oleksandr Usyk a strong shot to shock Tyson Fury (BoxingScene)
Former world champion Evander Holyfield is giving Oleksandr Usyk a good shot at shocking Tyson Fury and walking away with the undisputed heavyweight crown.
Like Holyfield, Usyk became the undisputed world champion at cruiserweight and later moved up to the heavyweight division.
Holyfield became the undisputed champion at cruiserweight and heavyweight – in the three belt era. Read more