We must succeed by all means, Tinubu Declares (ThisDay)
President Bola Tinubu has declared that his administration would certainly succeed in its effort to turn the country around and deliver on the expectations of Nigerians, who voted him into office.
Tinubu spoke yesterday at the opening of a three-day retreat organised for ministers, presidential aides, permanent secretaries, and top government officials at State House, Abuja. The theme of the retreat was, “Delivering on the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
Equally, yesterday, Tinubu urged the National Assembly to approve his request to access $7.8 billion and €100 million external loans as contained in the 2022 – 2024 borrowing plan of the federal government. The request was contained in a letter he sent to both chambers of the National Assembly, which was read at plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Read more
Court restrains Rivers Assembly from impeaching Fubara (Channels)
A Rivers State High Court in Isiokpo Division in Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state has issued an interim order restraining the Rivers State House of Assembly and Speaker, Martin Amaewhule from carrying out any actions concerning the impeachment of the state Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
The motion ex parte was filed by Governor Sim Fubara through his lawyer, Damian Okoro (SAN), earlier on Wednesday.
Deputy Speaker, Dumle Maol, the Clerk of the House and the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi were also served the restraining order. Read more
Imo protest: 1 feared dead, others injured, Ajaero brutalised (Vanguard)
One person was feared killed and many others injured yesterday as the President of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Joe Ajaero, was abducted by security agents at the ongoing Organised Labour protest in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
This is as thugs descended on Labour leaders and other protesters, smashing vehicles, inflicting injuries and dispossessing handsets, money, ATM cards among other valuables from labour leaders and others that had gathered at the NLC State secretariat to begin the scheduled protest over pending labour issues.
The NLC President, other national leaders of NLC and their Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, counterpart, were at the State Secretariat in Owerri to begin the planned protest ahead of strike today (Thursday) over backlog of unpaid salaries and allowances among others perceived sins of Imo State government against workers in the State. Read more
Sanwo-Olu commissions Yaba bypass bridge on Thursday (Guardian)
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, will commission the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Red Line Overpass Bridge at Yaba on Thursday. The bridge is bound to improve traffic flow within the Yaba-Ojuelegba Axis into other parts of the state.
In a statement by the Head of Communication, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Kola Ojelabi, the T-shaped bridge takes traffic from Murtala Muhammed Way into Ojuelegba Road and vice versa over the rail tracks.
Traffic into Ojuelegba Road from Murtala Muhammed had been through a rail level crossing, and this often led to huge delays for train operations, apart from the high potential for accidents with vehicles and pedestrians. Read more
Money laundering: Court adjourns Mompha’s trial till Dec 19 (Punch)
Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court stting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Wednesday, adjourned till December 19, 2023 further hearing in the alleged N6bn fraud trial involving social media celebrity, Ismaila Mustapha, also known as Mompha.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission made this known on its Facebook page.
Mompha alongside his company, Ismalob Global Investment Limited, was arraigned by the commission’s Lagos Zonal Command, on January 12, 2022 on eight charges bordering on conspiracy, retention of proceeds of criminal conduct and laundering of funds obtained through unlawful activity, among others. Read more
Imo Protest: NLC president Ajaero hospitalised, rushed to Owerri FMC (Nation)
The president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Comrade Joe Ajaero has been rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owerri where he is receiving medical attention.
The NLC head of Information and Publicity, Comrade Benson Upah, disclosed that Ajaero’s right eye is completely shut.
The Nation reports Ajaero was whisked away by the heavily armed operatives at Union’s protest in Imo state on Wednesday. Read more
EFCC releases 58 OAU students arrested for suspected internet fraud (Channels)
The Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday released 58 out of 69 students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, earlier arrested for suspected internet fraud.
Earlier in the day, the anti-graft agency arrested the students EFCC in a midnight raid on hostels outside the campus. According to the commission, they were nabbed at Oduduwa Estate area of Ile-Ife following “actionable intelligence” on their suspected involvement in fraudulent internet-related activities.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Coordinator for South-West, John Alao confirmed the students’ release to Channels Television in a telephone conversation. Read more
NIS arrests 30 migrants in Ogun (DailyTrust)
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Ogun State Command, has arrested and paraded 30 young illegal migrants.
The State Comptroller of NIS, Abosede Olayemisi, said the illegal migrants from Benin and Congo were also involved in defrauding fellow migrants.
She said they were arrested in Abeokuta while defrauding their fellow nationals with promises of non-existent businesses. Read more
Olivia Rodrigo’s new song ‘‘Can’t Catch Me Now’’ featured in ‘‘Hunger Games’’ prequel (People)
Olivia Rodrigo’s new song is headed for the big screen!
The three-time Grammy winner, 20, has written and recorded the song “Can’t Catch Me Now” for Lionsgate’s upcoming film, ‘‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes’’.
On Wednesday, Lionsgate took over Times Square with a billboard announcement and also streamed the news during a special one-hour event broadcast live on TikTok.
The celebration was to celebrate tickets for The Hunger Games prequel going on sale and Rodrigo being the film’s secret unannounced musical artist, according to a press release. Read more
German president apologises for colonial-era crimes in Tanzania (AfricaNews)
Germany’s president on Wednesday (Nov.01) apologised for killings under colonial rule in Tanzania as he met descendants of Chief Songea Mbano executed for leading a revolt.
In Songea, southwestern Tanzania, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier vowed to seek answers to questions regarding the German East Africa era. The German East Africa was a colony part of the German possessions. It covered todays’ Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi existed from 1885 until the end of World War I.
“My dear family (of Songea, ed.), I mourn with you for Chief Songea, and for all the others who were executed. I wish to pay my respects to the victims of the German colonial rule. And as German President I would like to ask for forgiveness for what Germans did to your ancestors here,” Steinmeier said. Read more
Mali rebels say they have taken base vacated by UN peacekeepers (CNN)
Mali’s northern Tuareg rebels said they have seized a base in Kidal vacated by the United Nations on Tuesday, potentially leading to a showdown in the strategic city where Mali’s army is hoping to wrest back control.
The UN mission, known as MINUSMA, has until Dec. 31 to pack up after Mali’s military junta ordered it to leave in June. Its withdrawal from other bases has already prompted fighting between Mali’s army and the rebels, who are vying for control of areas vacated by the peacekeepers.
Kidal is the eighth MINUSMA base to close in central and northern Mali and is one of the most important. It lies in a zone historically controlled by the rebels that Mali’s junta wants to take back. Read more
Bob Dylan postpones Springfield show and adds New York City concert to U.S. tour (AS)
Bob Dylan fans who were planning to see the legendary singer/songwriter in concert on Wednesday, November 1, in Springfield, Massachusetts, will have to wait a bit.
Dylan’s show at Springfield Symphony Hall has been rescheduled for Sunday, November 12. According to a post on the 82-year-old folk-rock great’s Facebook page the show was postponed because of “mechanical issues at the venue.” All tickets purchased for the original date will be honored for the November 12 concert, while refunds will be available at the point of purchase.
Meanwhile, Dylan also recently added a concert to his current U.S. tour leg, a November 16 performance at the famed Beacon Theatre in New York City. Read more
Schitt’s Creek star Emily Hampshire apologises for Johnny Depp, Amber Heard Halloween costume (THR)
Emily Hampshire has apologized for dressing up as Johnny Depp and Amber Heard for Halloween along with a friend following criticism on social media.
The Schitt’s Creek star wrote in a statement on Instagram Wednesday, “I want to address what is one of the most thoughtless, insensitive, and ignorant things I’ve ever done. For Halloween, I stupidly thought it would be funny to dress as Johnny Depp and Amber Heard.”
She continued, “I am deeply sorry and ashamed for putting something that awful out in the universe. Domestic abuse is never, ever funny. These are real issues with real people and I REALLY regret my actions. In the future I will do better. I’m so sorry.” Read more
Walt Disney Animation Studios production workers vote to unionise with IATSE (Variety)
Walt Disney Animation Studios production workers have voted to unionize, the Animation Guild (IATSE Local 839) announced Wednesday.
In a National Labor Relations Board ballot count, 63 production employees (or 93%) — including production coordinators, production managers and production supervisors — voted to join the Animation Guild. Out of a total of 68 voters, five workers voted against. If neither of the parties files an objection to the result in five days, the union will be certified and labor and management can begin bargaining a first contract.
“Congratulations to the production workers at Disney Feature Animation,” the Animation Guild wrote on X/Twitter. “Today, they voted in an election to be represented by IATSE and TAG. With 96% voter turnout, 93% voted yes.” Read more
Donald Trump Jr testifies in New York civil fraud trial (BBC)
The eldest son of former President Donald Trump has said he did not work on the financial statements at the centre of a civil fraud trial that threatens the family’s property empire.
Donald Trump Jr, 45, appeared relaxed in the New York City court as he cracked jokes and denied wrongdoing.
His siblings, Ivanka and Eric Trump, are due to testify in the coming days.
The judge has already found the Trump Organization exaggerated its wealth and falsified business records. Read more
Super Falcons, Lionesses of Cameroon in titanic battle (Guardian)
After dispatching Ethiopia 5-1 on goals aggregate, the Super Falcons of Nigeria will tackle old rivals, Lionesses of Cameroon, in the next round of the 2024 Paris Olympics qualifying series, before a final playoff against either South Africa or Tanzania.
The Falcons have failed to qualify for the Olympics for the past 15 years.
On Tuesday in Abuja, they saw off Ethiopia 5-1 on aggregate to set up the titanic clash against Cameroon between February 19 and 28, 2024. Read more
NPFL: Remo claim bragging rights, Akwa secure 1st win (Punch)
Remo Stars claimed the bragging rights in Wednesday’s southwest derby in Ikenne after they thrashed Shooting Stars 3-0 to reclaim the top spot in the Nigeria Premier Football League, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Ahmed Akinleye opened the scoring for the Sky Blues in the 20th minute before Sikiru Alimi doubled their lead from the penalty spot five minutes before the break.
Alimi bagged his brace three minutes after the hour mark to extend Remo’s winning streak against the Oluyole Warriors in the NPFL. Read more
Manchester United boss Ten Hag admits team in a bad place (ABC)
Erik ten Hag admitted his Manchester United team are “in a bad place” after another humiliating defeat to Newcastle United, but insisted he’s “a fighter” as questions mount about his job at Old Trafford.
United lost 3-0 at Old Trafford for the second time in four days as Newcastle cruised into the quarterfinals of the Carabao Cup despite manager Eddie Howe making eight changes to his team.
The Dutch coach, who won three league titles with Ajax, was mocked by Newcastle’s fans throughout the game as they chanted that he would be fired in the morning. While there has been no suggestion Ten Hag’s position is under threat, United’s poor form is of growing concern. Read more
Mikel Arteta laments VAR absence but takes responsibility for Arsenal loss at West Ham (Standard)
Mikel Arteta refused to use a lack of VAR as an excuse for Arsenal’s defeat by West Ham in the Carabao Cup.
The Gunners were beaten 3-1 at the London Stadium and Arteta afterwards took responsibility for the loss.
Arsenal went behind in the first half to an own goal by Ben White and replays showed how Tomas Soucek was pulling goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale’s shirt. Read more
Iga Swiatek beats Coco Gauff at the WTA Finals. Gauff double-faulted 4 times in 1 game (NBC)
U.S. Open champion Coco Gauff double-faulted four times in a row while serving for the second set and wound up losing 6-0, 7-5 to three-time major title winner Iga Swiatek in round-robin action at the WTA Finals on a windy Wednesday night.
Gauff led 4-2 in the second set, then was a game away from forcing a third while serving at 5-4. The teenager from Florida went up 15-love, then dropped the game with the series of double-faults. After the fourth, Gauff spiked her racket, then picked it up and tossed it at her bench as she walked to the sideline.
That was part of a stretch in which the American lost nine points in a row and 12 of the last 13 against Swiatek, who improved to 9-1 against Gauff. Read more
Rugby Australia appoints panel to review Wallabies’ World Cup debacle (RNZ)
Rugby Australia has appointed a three member panel to review the Wallabies’ World Cup debacle
Former rugby internationals Andrew Slack and Justin Harrison, and high performance expert Darlene Harrison, have been appointed to a three-member panel to review Australia’s dismal 2023 season and World Cup failure under former coach Eddie Jones.
An inexperienced Wallabies squad bowed out of the World Cup group stage for the first time in the tournament’s history, triggering a storm of criticism of Jones and Rugby Australia. Read more