Supreme Court Verdict: “This is not the end,” Obi tells supporters (Channels)
The candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 presidential election, Peter Obi, on Monday, said his dream for a new Nigeria has not ended with the October 26, 2023 verdict of the Supreme Court.
Obi spoke at a press conference in Abuja about two weeks after the apex court affirmed the February 25, 2023, electoral victory of President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Obi, who faulted the judgement of the apex court, however, agreed that the end has come to the legal battle of the last election. Read more
Housing deficit: Tinubu govt to build 30m new homes in 10 years (Sun)
The Federal Government, at the weekend, announced that it would build over 30 million new homes in the next 10 years as part of efforts to bridge the housing deficit in the country.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive of Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), Mr Madu Hamman, who announced this at the World Habitat Day anniversary, in Abuja, said that to this end, the bank intends to play a far more active role in integrating the informal sector into the National Housing Fund (NHF) scheme.
This, he noted, would widen the door of opportunity to over 85 per cent of Nigerian population that is currently neglected or ignored. Read more
Again, Court orders EFCC to release Emefiele immediately (Tribune)
Justice Olukayode Adeniyi of the High Court, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), sitting at Maitama, Abuja, on Monday, reiterated his earlier order directing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately release former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, or bring him before the court to be granted bail.
The judge had on November 2 given the order and adjourned hearing of Emefiele’s enforcement of fundamental right to today.
The embattled former CBN governor had joined the Federal Government, Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF); Executive Chairman, EFCC and the anti-corruption commission as respondents in the case. Read more
Save-Our-Soul: LASPOTECH retirees seek Sanwo-Olu’s interventions (Independent)
Ex-workers and retirees of the Lagos State Polytechnic (now Lagos State University of Science and Technology) Ikorodu, have for the umpteenth time appealed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to use his office as the Visitor to to the institution to effect the payment of all their outstanding entitlements.
The 2012 ex-workers, numbering about 140, said they served the institution productively spanning two and three decades and therefore did not deserve to be unfairly treated and subjected to hardship as they are currently going through.
The concerned retirees, in their wildest imagination, wondered why they are still being denied their entitlements many years after retirement, saying that the development has put them into a financial mess and consequently sent many to their early graves. Read more
Army rescues lady from plunging into Lagos Lagoon (Channels)
Troops of the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army have prevented a lady from jumping into the Lagos Lagoon.
This is according to a Monday statement from the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 81 Division, Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni.
“Nigerian Army (NA) soldiers operating under 81 Division NA have gallantly prevented a suicide attempt by one Mrs Francesca Spark who plunged into the Lagos Lagoon around 81 Division Officers’ Mess, Marina Lagos in an attempt to take her own life,” the statement read. Read more
Cross-Border traders abandon businesses over naira’s fall (DailyTrust)
Naira has continued a downward slide in the West African sub-region trading at N2,010 per CFA1000 at the close of business last Friday.
Naira traded at N1,870 per CFA1000 at the open market at the weekend. While, as of Thursday, it was sold at N1,800 at one of the nation’s busiest and most popular land borders, the Seme-Krake border in the Badagry area of Lagos.
The continuous downward slide of the naira has forced most traders in the cross-border business to abandon their businesses. Read more
Nigerian graduates are not half-baked, Prof. Ufuophu-Biri (Guardian)
The Rector, Delta State Polytechnic, Otefe-Oghara, Professor Emmanuel Ufuophu-Biri, has dispelled the notion that Nigerian graduates are half-baked.
In an exclusive interview with The Guardian, the renowned Mass Communication scholar pointed out that contrary to views in some quarters, Nigerian graduates are high-flyers in Post-Graduates studies outside the shores of the country.
While urging Nigerians to positively project our graduates as obtained in other parts of the globe, Professor Ufuophu-Biri described the practice of Nigerians labelling their graduates half-baked as ‘bad Public Relations technique’. Read more
Women, children killed, others abducted as gunmen attack Maulud procession in Katsina (Leadership)
Many people, including women and children, have been killed while others were injured when bandits attacked a procession of Maulud celebrants in Kusa village in Musawa local government area of Katsina State.
A total number of 18 persons were affected as many were admitted at the Katsina Orthopaedic Hospital for bullet extraction, while others were admitted at the Musawa General Hospital.
The bandits opened fire on the procession around 11:05pm on Sunday, during which many were also abducted from the scene. Read more
Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom party together in Las Vegas after her final residency show (People)
Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom are living it up in Las Vegas!
On Saturday night, Perry, 39, and Bloom, 46, headed to Wynn Las Vegas’ XS Nightclub after the last show of her Las Vegas residency, Play. The venue shared a carousel of snaps of the couple on Instagram in which they were pictured alongside DJ Alex Pall and Drew Taggart from The Chainsmokers.
The pair appeared to be in great spirits as they danced in the DJ booth with Pall, 38, and Taggart, 33. The “Firework” singer also grabbed the mic in the second photo, while she jumped up and down to The Chainsmokers’ 2017 hit “Closer” in the third slide. Read more
Thousands trapped by Somalia floods – UN (AfricaNews)
Thousands of people are trapped in flooded areas following heavy rains in Somalia’s Jubbaland state, the UN’s humanitarian agency says.
The heavy rains that started last month have elevated the water levels on the Juba river, causing flooding in riverine areas of the state, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (Ocha) said in a statement.
“In Luuq district, 2,400 people have been trapped in an area surrounded by water,” the statement added. Read more
Separatist gunmen kill at least 20 in Cameroon (AlJazeera)
Anglophone separatists have killed at least 20 people, and injured another 10, in a dawn raid in western Cameroon.
The gunmen attacked the village of Egbekaw, a neighbourhood in the town of Mamfe, setting houses on fire and killing men, women and children as they slept, local government official Viang Mekala told journalists on Monday.
English-speaking separatists have been fighting to carve out an independent state called Ambazonia in western Cameroon. Armed groups have clashed with government forces and carried out attacks, kidnappings and killings in the region since 2017. Read more
Elton John confirms he’s finished writing new album with Bernie Taupin (FarOut)
Despite his retirement from touring, Elton John has no plans to stop making music, with the legendary musician revealing he’s finished writing a new album with Bernie Taupin.
John made the revelation at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on November 3rd when he inducted Taupin into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The songwriter was part of the class of 2023, which also included Rage Against The Machine, Kate Bush, Sheryl Crow, Missy Elliott, George Michael, Willie Nelson, Chaka Khan, The Spinners, Link Wray and DJ Kool Herc.
During his speech, John discussed their monumental rise and their special relationship, noting: “Our success story is what it is, you all know… Through the years, we grew, and we grew, and we grew. We climbed mountains that we never thought were possible to climb, and we scaled heights that we never thought were possible to scale. And throughout that time, we never ever really had an argument.” Read more
A comedy spoof called ‘‘Barbenheimer’’ is in the works (NME)
An actual “Barbenheimer” film is in development to capitalise on the dual release phenomenon of Barbie and Oppenheimer.
The planned comedy is from B-movie mogul Charles Band, who has been making low-budget horror comedies since the 1970s.
In a mash-up of Barbie and Oppenheimer’s storylines, the film follows scientist doll Dr. Bambi J. Barbenheimer who lives in Dolltopia with her boyfriend Twink Dollman. When she ventures into the real world and sees the brutal treatment the dolls receive at the hands of human children, Barbenheimer decides to build a giant nuclear bomb to take it all out. Read more
Disney names PepsiCo exec Hugh Johnston as CFO (Deadline)
Disney today named Hugh F. Johnston its new chief financial officer as of Dec. 4, replacing interim CFO December 4, 2023, Kevin Lansberry, who will return to his position as EVP and CFO of the company’s Experiences segment.
Landsberry took over for former CFO Christine McCarthy, who left abruptly earlier this year for family reasons. The appointment of a new CFO fills a key leadership role as Disney faces a number of challenges, financial and strategic. The company is set to report its latest quarterly earnings on Wednesday.
Johnston, 62, currently serves as EVP and CFO from 2010, and vice chairman, from 2015, of PepsiCo. Read more
Nepal villagers cremate loved ones who perished in earthquake that killed 157 people (VOA)
Villagers in the mountains of northwest Nepal on Sunday cremated the bodies of some of those who perished in an earthquake two days earlier. The strong temblor killed 157 people and left thousands of others homeless.
The 13 bodies were carried to the banks of the Bheri River and placed on pyres made of stacked wood. Priests chanted Hindu prayers while family members cried as they covered the bodies of loved ones with flowers before setting them on fire in a cremation ceremony.
They were from Chiuri village in Jajarkot district, which authorities said was the epicenter of the quake, and where at least 105 people were confirmed dead. Another 52 were killed in the neighboring Rukum district, officials said. There were 184 people injured. Read more
Nigeria’s FIFA badge referee Akintoye selected for CAF Women’s Champions League (Vanguard)
Nigerian Elite Referee and FIFA badge, Yemisi Akintoye has been selected for the 2023 African Women’s Champions League taking place in Cote d’Ivoire from Nov. 5 to Nov. 19.
The University of Lagos graduate arbiter was one of the 17 referees shortlisted across Africa and one of the 12 selected after an intensive one-week pre-tournament course.
A statement on the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Monday confirmed Akintoye’s participation alongside other referees at the 2023 African Women’s Champions League. Read more
Milan drills Chukwueze ahead clash with PSG (Sun)
Super Eagles winger, Samuel Chukwueze was put to his pace by Milan, with a view to ascertain his fitness level after recovering from his injury which he sustained during duty with Nigeria against Saudi Arabia during the international break in October.
After the disappointing 1-0 defeat against Udinese on Saturday night, Milan resumed training at Milanello earlier on Sunday.
During Sunday’s session, Chukwueze and the duo of Theo Hernandez and Christian Pulisic were back in action and that was indeed good news ahead of the UEFA Champions League clash against PSG. Read more
Man City boss Pep Guardiola weighs in on refereeing standards amid Arsenal VAR controversy (MEN)
Pep Guardiola accepts that the emotion after a game is ‘difficult to handle’, as he discussed the continuing fall-out of Arsenal’s trip to Newcastle at the weekend.
Newcastle won the Premier League fixture 1-0, but Mikel Arteta said the decision to allow Anthony Gordon’s winning goal was “disgraceful” and “embarrassing”. Arsenal felt that the ball had gone out of play in the build-up, while there was also a potential foul and offside before Gordon stabbed home.
Arsenal followed up Arteta’s comments with a firm statement calling for urgent improvements to the standards of officiating, causing a stir with their reaction to the incident. Manchester City have not escaped their own refereeing controversies over the last two seasons, while a number of other decisions across the Premier League have resulted in apologies being given from refereeing body PGMOL. Read more
England to face Brazil and Belgium in March at Wembley in lead-up to Euro 2024 (Sky)
England will step up their Euro 2024 preparations with a double header against Brazil and Belgium in March at Wembley.
The Three Lions will face two of the other sides ranked inside the top five in the world by FIFA on March 23 and 26 respectively, in the final international break before Gareth Southgate names his squad for next summer’s European Championships finals in Germany.
England last faced Brazil in the build-up to the 2018 World Cup, with that match serving as one of the first outings of the 3-5-2 formation which would see them to their best finish at the tournament in 28 years. Read more
Lewis Hamilton and George Russell humiliation confirmed after Brazilian Grand Prix result (Express)
Mercedes’ miserable performance at the Brazilian Grand Prix means that Max Verstappen is now guaranteed to end the 2023 season with a points tally that is greater than that of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell combined.
Hamilton could only manage a P7 finish in the sprint race on Saturday, even falling behind AlphaTauri driver Yuki Tsunoda before the chequered flag. Things got even worse for the seven-time world champion on Sunday as he dropped from third to eighth after the red flag restart.
Russell’s weekend was even more miserable than his team-mate’s. The 25-year-old became agitated while stuck behind Hamilton during the early stages of the race before his form tailed off dramatically. He slumped to the outskirts of the top ten before an engine cooling issue forced the Mercedes crew to box the No.63 car and retire. Read more
Canada shoots for 1st-ever Billie Jean King Cup title at finals in Spain (CBC)
One year after Canada’s men snapped a lengthy tennis drought, the women have an opportunity to follow suit.
Canada has never so much as reached the final at the Billie Jean King Cup, the international women’s tennis tournament that launched as the Fed Cup in 1963.
But with a strong roster featuring 2021 U.S. Open finalist Leylah Fernandez, reigning U.S. Open women’s doubles champion Gabriela Dabrowski along with some veteran support, that drought could be over by Sunday. Read more