Tinubu swears in 7 new ministers (Channels)
President Bola Tinubu has sworn in seven newly-appointed ministers at the Council Chambers, Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Those sworn in include Nentawe Yilwatda as the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction; Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi as the Minister of Labour & Employment; Bianca Odinaka Odumegwu-Ojukwu as the Minister of State Foreign Affairs.
Others are Jumoke Oduwole (Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment (Trade and Investment), Idi Mukhtar Maiha (Minister of Livestock Development), Yusuf Abdullahi Ata (Minister of State, Housing, and Urban Development), and Suwaiba Said Ahmad as the Minister of State Education. Read more
Appeal Court acquits ex-CJN Onnoghen (Punch)
The Court of Appeal, Abuja division, on Monday, overturned the conviction of the Umar Danladi tribunal, which found a former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, guilty of false asset declaration.
The appellate court, in a judgment, discharged and acquitted Onnoghen from the conviction delivered against him by the Code of Conduct Tribunal.
The conviction, which was delivered on April 18, 2019, was dismissed following the resolution of the issues that led to his trial and conviction. Read more
Lagos announces 3 months traffic diversion at Mile 2 (Nation)
The Lagos State Government has announced that traffic will be diverted at Loop 1 on the Apapa bound lane and Loop 4 on the Badagry bound lane at Mile 2, for about 15 months for the construction work of the Transport Interchange Terminal that will integrate Rail, Bus, Water and Non–Motorised Transportation.
Commissioner of Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, who disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists yesterday, said the construction will commence on Monday, November 11, 2024, and completed on Monday, February 16, 2026.
Consequently, a number of alternative routes have been provided for motoring public to use; motorists heading to Oshodi from Apapa will have through traffic and vice versa. Read more
Many shops destroyed as fire guts Lagos market (DailyTrust)
A market in Ajah in the Lekki area of Lagos State has been gutted by fire which destroyed properties and goods worth millions of naira.
The fire was said to have started around 9 pm on Sunday, with several shops and stores affected.
The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, in a statement said the agency, in collaboration with the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Services, swung into action to contain the fire. Read more
LITF, opportunity for Nigeria to be part of Africa’s $29t economy projection —NACCIMA (Tribune)
THE Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) has described the annual Lagos International Trade Fair (LITF) as an opportunity for businesses in Nigeria to contribute to a collective market that has the capacity to expand the size of Africa’s economy to $29 trillion by 2050.
The National President of the association, Honourable Dele Kelvin Oye, made the remarks at the flag-off ceremony of this year’s edition of the fair, in Lagos, over the weekend.
The NACCIMA boss, represented by the Director General of the association, Mr Kola Obadimu, commended the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), organisers of the annual event, for coming up with a ‘premier’ platform that has continued to showcase the best of Nigeria’s enterprise and provide new avenues for trade and investment across borders. Read more
Abdulrazaq approves bonus for Kwara workers to ease economic burden (ThisDay)
Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has approved a financial bonus that is equivalent to the monthly PAYE obligation for every civil servant in the state, including local government workers.
The emergency support measure will last for at least three months, according to a statement by the Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Hauwa Nuru.
“This bonus has been approved as a buffer to bridge the gap that the correct PAYE deduction may have wrought on the newly implemented minimum wage. It is meant to serve as a soothing balm as workers adjust to the PAYE that was just correctly implemented in line with the Personal Income Tax Act,” she said. Read more
NDLEA thwarts international drug syndicate, seizes N4.49b cocaine (Nation)
The bid by members of an international drug syndicate that operates between Brazil, Ethiopia and Nigeria to smuggle into Lagos a total of 845 wraps of cocaine weighing 18.72 kilograms has been thwarted and consignments recovered by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
It said they thwarted the efforts of an international drug syndicate that operates between Brazil, Ethiopia and Nigeria to smuggle 845 wraps of cocaine weighing 18.72kg worth N4.49 billion into the country.
Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters Abuja, Femi Babafemi, in a statement on Sunday said the drugs were intercepted and seized at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja. Read more
Investigate death rumour about Sultan of Sokoto, MURIC urges IGP (Leadership)
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to investigate the source of the rumour of the death of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III.
The group, in a statement issued by its founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, also called on the Police authorities to prosecute those behind the diabolical rumour.
The statement read: “Our attention has been drawn to a false rumour of the death of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, which broke out on Tuesday, 29th October 2024. Read more
Margot Robbie welcomes 1st child with Tom Ackerley (Hello!)
Margot Robbie has given birth to her first child, according to The Mail on Sunday. The Barbie star and her husband Tom Ackerley reportedly welcomed a baby boy last month.
According to the publication, Margot went into labour two weeks ago, shortly before her due date. It’s believed Tom’s parents are preparing to fly to Los Angeles to meet their grandchild.
The couple are yet to publicly announce the arrival or reveal their baby’s name. Read more
Ben Affleck ends Jennifer Lopez feud speculation with rare 3-word statement (Independent)
Ben Affleck has ended speculation about his relationship with Jennifer Lopez amid their divorce.
Shortly after Lopez issued her first public statement on the couple’s divorce, there have been many reports about whether the estranged couple were separating amicably.
Showing there are no hostilities between the pair, actor-director Affleck gave a glowing response when asked about his ex-wife’s performance in her new film, “Unstoppable”. Read more
Tyler, The Creator’s “Chromakopia” debuts at No. 1 with second highest rap sales of 2024 (HipHopDX)
Tyler, The Creator’s Chromakopia has shot to number one on the Billboard 200 with considerable first-week sales.
The Odd Future founder’s eighth album debuted atop the chart after earning 299,500 equivalent units, according to Billboard.
Of that figure, 157,000 came from on-demand streams (which totaled 212.55 million), while album sales accounted for 142,000. The remaining 500 was from TEA (track equivalent album) units. Read more
American sensation Noah Kahan revealed as fourth BST Hyde Park headliner alongside Gracie Abrams (Standard)
Folk-pop star Noah Kahan has been announced as the fourth headliner for BST Hyde Park next summer.
The 27-year-old artist will perform on Friday, July 4, 2025, adding to an already impressive lineup. He’ll be joined by special guest Gracie Abrams, who is currently dating actor Paul Mescal.
Though the full list of stage acts is still under wraps, Kahan will share the headlining roster with country star Zach Bryan, Hugh Jackman, and Jeff Lynne’s ELO. Read more
Disney+, Ex-cricket star Freddie Flintoff team up for doc following near-fatal Top Gear crash (THR)
Disney+ and Freddie Flintoff have teamed up for an untitled original documentary film with exclusive access to the former cricket star.
The 90-minute doc, produced by South Shore, will look back at Flintoff’s life and cricketing career for England that saw him win two Ashes series, famous cricket showdowns played biennially between England and Australia, and become a national sporting hero.
It will follow his time as a presenter on A League of Their Own and BBC One’s Top Gear. During filming for Top Gear in late 2022, a life-altering car crash left Flintoff with severe facial injuries and broken ribs. The sports star reportedly agreed to a £9 million ($11.6m) financial settlement with BBC Studios following the crash. Read more
Spain deploys more troops to Valencia to help with flood recovery as protests are planned (ABC)
More soldiers have been sent to Spain’s flood-hit east on Monday where rescuers have scoured underground carparks for bodies and protests bubbled over the government’s handling of a disaster that has killed at least 217 people.
The army sent about 5,000 soldiers over the weekend to help distribute food and water, clean up streets and guard against looters.
A further 2,500 would join them, Defence Minister Margarita Robles told state-owned radio RNE. Read more
8 people on trial in France over teacher’s beheading (Sky)
Eight people are going on trial in Paris accused of terrorism charges over the beheading of a teacher four years ago.
Samuel Paty, 47, was murdered by an Islamic extremist near his school on 16 October 2020 in an attack that shocked France.
Police shot dead an 18-year-old Russian of Chechen origin, Abdullah Anzorov, soon after the attack.
Mr Paty was attacked after holding a class on freedom of expression for his middle school students when he showed caricatures of the Prophet Mohammad – an act considered blasphemy by many Muslims. Read more
Verstappen breaks Schumacher’s record of 896 days as top F1 driver (NLTimes)
Max Verstappen made Formula 1 history on Sunday, not only winning the Brazilian Grand Prix but also breaking Michael Schumacher’s record for the longest streak of consecutive days leading the race series’ driver standings. With 897 days at the top, Verstappen surpassed Schumacher’s 896-day reign, a record held since 2003.
The Dutch Red Bull driver’s eighth win of the season came after a ten-race drought, solidifying his dominance in the 2023 Formula 1 season. Starting in 15th place after a challenging qualifying session, Verstappen skilfully completed the race at São Paulo’s Interlagos Circuit. Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly of Alpine finished second and third, respectively, while Verstappen’s closest rival, Lando Norris, fell to sixth place after starting from pole position. Read more
CAF ruling: Nigeria vows to protect citizens in Libya (Punch)
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting its citizens in Libya following a recent ruling by the Confederation of African Football against the Libyan Football Association.
The CAF decision cited Libya for alleged mistreatment of the Nigerian team during a Nations Cup Qualifying Match.
The Ministry, in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Amb. Eche Abu-Obe on Sunday, confirmed that Nigerians in Libya are safe and going about their daily activities without interference. Read more
Our goal is to qualify for 2025 AFCON, 2026 World Cup – Lookman (Leadership)
Super Eagles winger Ademola Lookman has reiterated that the team’s major goal is to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Lookman, who recently finished 14 in Monday’s Ballon d’Or award in Paris, stated this in a chat with 54footballx, where he said that the players remain committed to achieving the results.
The Atlanta star also urged the players to be consistent in every game they play. Read more
Arsenal icon ‘‘shocked’’ by Edu exit as Arteta faces fresh ‘‘challenge’’ amid poor form (Football365)
Martin Keown says Edu Gaspar’s reported decision to leave Arsenal came as a “shock”.
It was reported on Monday morning that Edu will leave his role as the club’s director of football, in a ‘major blow’ to manager Mikel Arteta.
Former Arsenal midfielder Edu joined the club as technical director in 2019 before stepping up to the director of football role in November 2022. Read more
Real Madrid’s Ancelotti: “Football has to stop” amid Spain floods (ESPN)
football in Spain should have been put on hold after flash floods in Valencia left at least 217 people dead.
Madrid’s LaLiga game at Valencia — which was due to be played on Saturday — was postponed, along with Villarreal’s game with Rayo Vallecano, but the remaining eight top-flight matches in Spain went ahead.
LaLiga has been collaborating with the Red Cross to raise money for those affected by the flooding, after thousands of homes and businesses were damaged, and transport links disrupted, in one of the most severe natural disasters in recent Spanish history. Read more
Alexander Zverev makes unusual decision just minutes after winning Paris Masters (Express)
Alexander Zverev started an unusual tradition at the Paris Masters. And he continued it even after winning the tournament.
There was no time for celebrating after the German captured his seventh Masters 1000 title.
Moments after lifting the distinct tree trophy inside the Accor Arena, Zverev was straight back on the small indoor practice courts. Read more