24
N.E.W.S., Events, Weather, Sports, History, Records, Facts & More.....
Newsweek
The Left Is Demonizing Populists—For Pushing What the Left Once Believed | Opinion
Those who dare hold both Democrats and Republicans responsible for policies that benefit the only the rich get attacked by the Left.
Newsweek
Shocked Viewers Compare Hooters' Rules to Military: 'Most Strict Job I Had'
"Hooters rules feel an awful lot like misogyny," one user commented.
Newsweek
Flooding on Cruise Captured in Dramatic Video Prompts Comparison to Titanic
"Bro...where's Jack, he'll give you a whole float," a TikTok viewer wrote.
Newsweek
Dad Praised for Telling New Wife She Comes Second to His Daughter: 'Insult'
The father admitted that the comment left his wife upset and crying after an argument with his 14-year-old daughter.
Newsweek
Russia Deploys Helicopters to Capture Their Own Fleeing Deserters: Ukraine
Ukraine said "significant losses and the unwillingness to fight" were deteriorating the "moral and psychological condition" of occupying Russian troops.
Newsweek
Anna Kendrick Opens Up About Playing—and Being—an Emotional-Abuse Survivor
"I had...seen a lot of movies about abusive or toxic relationships, and it didn't really look like what was happening to me," the actress said.
Newsweek
King Charles Expresses 'My Love' for Harry and Meghan in First Speech
King Charles III offered the Duke and Duchess of Sussex an olive branch as he said of Queen Elizabeth II: "May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest."
SkySports | News
The Premier League’s original foreign players
There are 113 different nations that have been represented on the pitch in the Premier League era but thirty years ago, on the opening weekend of the competition, only 13 players in total came from outside the British Isles.
SkySports | News
Arsenal trio left out of Brazil's World Cup warm-up squad
Brazil coach Tite has snubbed Arsenal trio Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Magalhaes ahead of their World Cup warm-up friendlies.
The Economist: International
The Commonwealth will miss Queen Elizabeth
Will King Charles keep it going?
THISDAYLIVE
House C’ttee Summons DG of PENCOM
*Extends hearing on MTEF/FSP to September 15
Juliet Akoje in Abuja
The House of Representatives’ Committee on Finance yesterday summoned the Director General of National Pension Commission (PENCOM), Dr. Aisha Dahiru-Umar, to appear in person on Monday, September 12, to answer questions on the agency’s budget performance at the hearing and sent her representatives away.
The Deputy Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Abdullahi Saidu (APC-Niger), at the hearing yesterday in Abuja, said that the PENCOM boss has a record of not appearing before committees whenever there is need to answer questions, saying that he was not sure her representatives could answer the committee’s questions.
Saidu said that documents available to the committee showed that, PENCOM remitted only N1 billion into government coffers out of N20.7 billion it generated in 2021, which is not acceptable.
He said: “I do not know where to start because your director general is always unavoidably absent. I do not know why she is shying away from sitting with the committee and I think it calls on us to demand responsibility from her.”
He stressed that “I have seen some good numbers here; N20.7 billion generated against a projection of N20.8 billion, that is almost 100 per cent. But why will she shy away, she always has an excuse any time we ask her to appear.
“When you make tenable excuses, we can understand but in her case, she has become notorious in absconding. She plays truancy when it comes to appearing before the committees of the National Assembly.
“We will step them down today and call for the director general to appear on Monday,’’ he said.
The committee has also extended the hearing on Medium term Expenditure Framework/Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF/FSP) to Thursday, September 15.
Saidu said that the extension was to accommodate absentee agencies.
The lawmaker said that the committee would not hesitate to report agencies that fail to take advantage of the extension to make their presentation.
“We will continue on Monday and end on Thursday. After Thursday, any agency that fails to appear, we will let Nigerians know those who are shying away from their responsibility that the Constitution has placed on them.
“I have said it over and over that no one was forced to take up responsibility in government. You willingly accepted to serve the people, you willingly accepted to represent the people,” he said, adding that “the committee and by extension, the National Assembly will not tolerate any agency shying away from answering or taking responsibility for their mandate.”
THISDAYLIVE
Obaseki: Edo Produced 3.7m Tonnes of Solid Mineral Products in 2021
Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City
The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has disclosed that the state produced a total of 3.7 million tons of solid mineral products in 2021, and urged the private sector to increase its investment to enhance output.
Obaseki disclosed this yesterday during a two-day Solid Minerals Stakeholders’ Meeting in Benin that was organised by the Ministry of Mining, Oil and Gas in conjunction with the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) with the theme: “Addressing the Gaps in the Mineral Sector of Edo State.”
The governor, who was represented by the Edo State Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Joseph Eboigbe, said that the state ranked sixth in solid minerals output before his administration, but with improvement in the business environment, the state has scaled up to the fourth position.
He said: “The mineral production statistics 2021 released by the National Bureau of Statistics showed that Edo State achieved a combined output of 3.7 million tons of mineral products and we believe we can do better.
“As a state government, we are well aware of the provisions of the Constitution, the Nigerian Mineral and Mining Act of 2007 and other relevant regulations governing the mining sector with respect to roles of the federal and state governments. It should be emphasised that there are opportunities that fall within the concurrent jurisdiction.
“This provides the opportunity for the state to act and further enhance the sector as mining has the capacity to provide jobs in a manner comparable to agriculture.
“Our people can become gainfully employed through activities in the mining sector, hence, we are not deterred. There are ways that we can extract value at the level of the state.”
The governor also reiterated his administration’s commitment to providing conducive business environment for investors, noting: “Edo State will continue to provide a conducive business environment for legitimate miners to thrive because if the sector grows, Edo State will grow
“There’s no gainsaying the fact that a well-organised mineral sector is key to the diversification policies of the government. Mining may, in the near future, overtake crude oil exploration in national discourse.
“This is why efforts are being made to strengthen and improve our infrastructure and in the last few years. My administration has developed several critical sectors of the state’s economy like roads, land administration, security enhancement and electricity liberalisation, among others, in order to support the development of mining activities.”
He noted that the state now has the privilege of hosting BUA Cement and Dangote Cement, which would encourage more companies to invest in the state.
On his part, the Edo State Commissioner for Mining, Oil and Gas, Hon. Ethan Uzamere, said that the state is sanitising the mining sector and is open to investment to increase output.
Uzamere noted: “This forum is an opportunity to understand where we were, where we are, and what is required to move the sector forward. In addressing the gaps, we must look critically into giving direction to a state mining policy, adding value to licenses already issued to investors in Edo State, taking full advantage of the state’s security architecture, reducing the number of illegal operations in the sector, taking advantage of the harmonised system of revenue and pushing for more Public-Private Partnership arrangement to attract investment.”
THISDAYLIVE
Yorubas in Kwara Advocate Return to South West Geopolitical Zone
Hammed Shittu in Ilorin
A socio cultural group, Yorubas in Kwara State (YKS), under the aegis of Apapo Yoruba Kwara, has canvassed for the return of the Yorubas people in the state to South-west geopolitical zone of the country.
The group said that such move would go a long way to abide with the negotiated and agreed to by their founding fathers in the 2014 National Conference.
Speaking at a press conference in Ilorin yesterday, the Spokesman of the YKS, group, Mr. Samuel Adewoye, said that the immediate implementation of recommendations of the 2014 National Conference is sacrosanct, “as the 1999 Constitution (as amended) does not adequately guarantee and take care of the interest of all the ethnic nationalities.”
Adewoye, whose speech was read by Mr. Jayeola Omotoso, said that “there is no doubt that Nigeria is on the brink and in order to save it from total collapse, it is hereby strongly recommended that the federal government should urgently implement the recommendations of the 2014 National Conference by returning Nigeria to true federalism as negotiated and agreed to by our ounding fathers.
“The recommendations also included boundary adjustment, which would return Kwara State to the South-west geo-political zone.
“In respect of Kwara State Government, we emphasise the imperative of “restoring the dignity, honour and paraphernalia of Yoruba traditional institutions in the so-called Ilorin Emirate i.e. Asa, Moro, Ilorin West, Ilorin East and Ilorin South by grading and upgrading them like their counterparts in the other local governments of the state.
“Implementing without further delay the two subsisting court judgments already won by the good people of Moro, which were excluded them from the Ilorin Emirate.
“Putting machinery in motion for the immediate creation of local council development areas with particular reference to Ifelodun, Asa and Moro Local Government Areas, which constitute some of the largest local councils in the federation etc.”
The socio-cultural organisation also lamented the plethora of challenges of insecurity in the country via the activities of Boko Haram, bandits, terrorists, and herdsmen, saying that the situation had all combined to threaten the federal government out of its wits.
“The rapidity and frequency of these odious crimes have turned the country into an unsafe haven. The high sense of insecurity across the federation combined with the unwillingness of the power-that-be to restructure the country provide a fertile ground for the agitation for self-determination in the form of Yoruba Nation, Biafra Republic, Middle Belt Republic, South-South Republic etc.”
THISDAYLIVE
UNICEF Partners AUN on Social, Behavioral Change
Kuni Tyessi in Abuja
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the American University of Nigeria (AUN) Yola, Adamawa State, which would open new opportunities in the university’s capacity development in the field of Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) and strengthen its Communication for Development (C4D) strategy.
The Chief of Field Operations, UNICEF Nigeria, Mr. Opiyo Nixon, said that the strategic collaboration with AUN was the first of its kind in Nigeria.
Nixon said that the essence of the MoU is to encourage interested students and teachers in Nigeria to uptake C4D/SBC as a pathway to drive positive change in their communities.
He said: “This partnership with a prestigious citadel of learning like the AUN will also ensure that we sustainably preserve the field of C4D/SBC in Nigeria. It will also enable the field to empirically evolve and respond to modern issues and challenges facing our societies.”
Nixon explained that the UNICEF would continue to partner with higher institutions in both public and private universities to promote innovative SBC and foster a clear vision for bridging the C4D/SBC human capacity gap in Nigeria.
He said that the UNICEF would always be delighted to collaborate with stakeholders, including Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), the academia and others to foster evidence-based initiatives that would transform societies for children to thrive.
Nixon said: “Communication for development is central to understanding how and the context in which people make behavioural decisions.
“It is key in facilitating social change for finding new solutions to the challenges — such as out of school children, violence against children or child marriage, stunting, poor uptake of services, and others — that UNICEF works to address,”
The chief of field operations in Nigeria said that that the UNICEF has worked with individuals, households, communities, and governments, to understand how people make decisions about their lives, the context in which decisions are made, and how to catalyse social change for over 20 years through C4D as a participatory tool.
He noted that there has been a paradigm shift recently within the United Nations’ (UN) system, including UNICEF, to expand C4D beyond communication, and put a stronger focus on SBC by grounding it more on science.
“The MoU we are signing with AUN today, aligns with this shift. By virtue of our work in C4D, UNICEF has curated more than two decades of legacy, experience, and programming leadership in the field, in a post-graduate course in Communication for Social Change (MCSC), which has been adopted by several universities across the world,” Nixon said.
The Interim President of AUN, Professor Attahir Yusuf, said that the collaboration between AUN and UNICEF would aim at developing mechanisms and a body of knowledge to deal with changes for the benefit of society.
Yusuf, therefore, commended UNICEF for partnering with AUN, which runs wide-ranging development programmes that has direct impact on local communities.
THISDAYLIVE
Court Extends Order Stopping NBC from Shutting down 53 Broadcast Stations
Udora Orizu in Abuja
The Federal High Court in Lagos has extended the order stopping President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) from revoking the licences of 53 broadcast stations in the country and shutting down the stations for allegedly failing to renew their licences.
Justice Akintayo Aluko (Court 8) had on August 29, 2022, granted an order of interim injunction following the hearing of an argument on motion exparte by Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE). The order was granted pending the hearing of the Motion on Notice for interlocutory injunction.
When the case came up before the Court for hearing yesterday, Justice Daniel Emeka Osiagor extended the order of interim injunction pending the hearing of the Motion on Notice and adjourned the case to October 26, 2022, for hearing of the originating summons.
The Court extended the order of interim injunction following the hearing of an argument by SERAP and NGE counsel, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa.
SERAP and NGE had in August, filed a lawsuit against Buhari and NBC, asking the court for “a declaration that section 2 of the Third Schedule to the NBC Act used by NBC to threaten to revoke the licenses of 53 broadcast stations and to shut down the stations is unconstitutional and unlawful, as it violates freedom of expression.”
In the suit, SERAP and NGE had asked the court for, “an order of interim injunction restraining Buhari and NBC, their agents from revoking the licenses of 53 broadcast stations in the country and shutting their down operations, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed contemporaneously in this suit.”
The suit followed the decision by the NBC to revoke the licences of the 53 broadcast stations and shut down their operations within 24 hours over alleged N2.6 billion debt.
In the suit number FHC/L/CS/1582/2022, SERAP and NGE asked the court to determine whether section 10(a) of the Third Schedule to the NBC Act used by NBC to threaten revoke the licenses of 53 broadcast stations and shut them down is not in inconsistent with freedom of expression and access to information.
Newsweek
Lil' Kim Denies Megan Thee Stallion Collab Disses Nicki Minaj's Son
"To try and twist my words to have an excuse to take digs at my child is disgusting," the rapper wrote on Instagram.
Newsweek
Ukrainians Cheer Russia's Defeats After General Told Putin They Backed War
Videos reportedly show dozens of Ukrainians waving to troops liberating areas from Russian forces.
Newsweek
U.S. Targets Putin's 'Desperate' Use of Iran's Drones
"The United States is committed to strictly enforcing our sanctions against both Russia and Iran," one U.S. official said.
Newsweek
'Campfire Smell' Spreads to 2 Other States as Massive Wildfire Rages
The smoke from the Moose Fire in Idaho has consumed more than 125,000 acres since being reported a month ago.
Newsweek
Poland's New U.S. Helicopters Give NATO 'Awe-Inspiring' Flank: Ambassador
Ambassador Mark Brzezinski hailed the deal to acquire 96 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters from U.S. firm Boeing.
Newsweek
Trump Media May Lose Out on $1.3Bn as Merger Plans Falter Amid Money Woes
Digital World Acquisition Corp., which is a Special-Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC), plans to take the former president's media company public.
Newsweek
Bernard Shaw Dies at 82, Icon of TV News Remembered
Shaw was long regarded as the last neutral anchor in TV news.
SkySports | News
The football academy that rose from the London riots
It is a scorching afternoon in the Buckinghamshire countryside and, in a behind-closed-doors friendly at Wycombe Wanderers’ training ground, a Wycombe development squad are taking on a team from the Kinetic Academy in south London.
SkySports | News
Queen Elizabeth II: 1926-2022
Sky Sports looks back at Queen Elizabeth II's passion for sport, most notably horse racing.
The Economist: International
Some of the new king’s realms may become republics
The queen’s passing gives them an opportunity to break the link to the British crown
THISDAYLIVE
Bayelsa Empowers 1,260 Small- Scale Business Owners
Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa
Over 1,260 women and youths from the 105 wards in eight local government areas in Bayelsa State has received N200,000 each as empowerment package to boast their business and grow the state’s economy.
The empowerment programme, which was tagged “Women and Youths Empowerment Programme,” was flagged-off in February 2022 to empowered owners of Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) in the state.
The Chairperson of the Seven-man Committee for the Disbursement and Monitoring of the Scheme, Mrs. Faith Opene, who spoke during the cash disbursement in Yenagoa, reiterated the commitment of the state government under the administration of Governor Douye Diri, to boost the economy of the state through SMEs.
Opene said Governor Diri has assured business owners that his administration would empower two business owners per ward with N200, 000 across the eight local governments every month till the end of his first tenure.
Opene, who is also the State Commissioner for Women, Children Affairs, Empowerment and Social Development, urged beneficiaries to make good use of the money and own the economy of the state instead of leaving it in the hands of non-indigenes.
She said: “the programme is to encourage those that are already in business across the eight local government areas to grow their businesses.”
She said that there is no political consideration in the selection of the beneficiaries for the empowerment programme and warned beneficiaries that government would monitor if they used for the purpose it was meant for.
Some of the beneficiaries who got N200,000 cash each expressed their appreciation to Governor Diri, and assured him that they would make judicious use of the money.
Mrs. Ebomotimi Waripamo, who got N200,000, said the money would enable her to grow her local bread (Madiga) baking business.
THISDAYLIVE
2023 Election: Ortom Tasks APC on Sincerity, Fairness
George Okoh in Makurdi
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has challenged the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government to exhibit more sincerity in the conduct of next year’s general election.
Speaking at the headquarters of the International Republican Institute (IRI), Washington DC,when he paid a working visit to the institute, the governor, who was received by the institute’s Director, Africa Division, Gregory Kearns and the Deputy Director, Africa Division, Jenai Cox, said there were strong indications that the ruling party was interfering with the operations of the electoral body.
He maintained that Nigerians were apprehensive that some activities of the electoral body had not sufficiently demonstrated its independence.
Principal Special Assistant to the governor on Diaspora Affairs, Rev. Peters Ichull, explained that the focus of the interaction between the Governor and leaders of the institute, was for the organisation to know the fears of the opposition and the public regarding the 2023 general election.
For example, Ortom pointed out that the insecurity in the country where large communities were wiped out or chased out of their ancestral lands and replaced by bandits might be used as an excuse to prolong the tenancy of the ruling party.
He also averred that INEC’s incoherence regarding electronic transmission of elections was unsettling, adding that, “The fact that the umpire appears to shift the goalpost to accommodate the sloppiness of the ruling party in observing its ostensible firm timetable deadlines calls for concern,” and wondered how the election would be free, fair and transparent with such avoidable gaffes.
He expressed concern with the level of desperation and insensitivity of the APC, as demonstrated by their nomination of a Muslim-Muslim ticket, despite public protest, notingthat it has become clear that the Buhari government was not working in the interest of Nigeria and her citizens and thereby setting the stage for chaos in 2023, which would have global consequences.
Ortom, therefore, tasked the international election monitors and the international community to stand on the side of justice with Nigerians to deliver a credible election that ensures peace and protects democracy in Nigeria.
In his response, Kearns thanked the governor for his frank observations, which aligned with their mandate and reflected in their tactical pre-election report, saying it was important for Ortom as a critical stakeholder, political actor, and prominent figure in Nigeria to amplify his advocacy for credible polls.
He disclosed that IRI had earlier submitted a report to INEC, making recommendations on how to improve the election processes to conform with international best practices.
The IRI, he said, has helped spread democracy by holding workshops on strengthening multi-party-political systems, democratic governance, women’s empowerment, civil society, youth leadership and electoral processes.
THISDAYLIVE
Senatorial Primary Election: We Stand by Monitoring Team’s Report in Yobe North, Says INEC
Chuks Okocha in Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reiterated that it stands by the report of its monitoring team rather than a counter affidavit purportedly filed in the Federal High Court, Damaturu Judicial Division relating to the Yobe North Senatorial District primary election.
National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, in a press statement said the commission on the basis of that report did not publish the name and personal particulars of any candidate for the Yobe North Senatorial District.
Okoye stated that, notwithstanding the matter in Court and without prejudice to the consideration or likely outcome of the case in court, the commission maintained its earlier stand.
He said the commission will review its quality assurance protocols, including the preview by appropriate ranking officials of all processes filed on its behalf to ascertain their correctness in all material particulars with all reports and all information at its disposal before their presentation so that a situation like this is not repeated.
The commission has also instructed the external counsel briefed to handle this matter to reflect the correct position, which aligns with the report submitted by our Monitoring Team.
THISDAYLIVE
Osun Pledges to Collaborate with NYSC
Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo
Osun Governor Adegboyega Oyetola yesterday pledged to create strong ties between government and the National Youth Service Corps to achieve more successes in the area of cultural promotion.
The Supervising Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mr Olalekan Badmus, made the pledge on behalf of the State government in Osogbo during a courtesy visit paid on him by the new State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Osun State Chapter, Mrs. Olayinka Abdulwahab and the management of the agency.
He noted that both the state government and NYSC have been working together to promote Yoruba Culture from the time immemorial in order to foster unity among serving corp members.
Badmus also acknowledged that Governor Oyetola loves culture, hence the setting aside of a day to celebrate “Isese Festival” every year. He said he was delighted to receive NYSC State Coordinator while pledging that he will do everything possible to collaborate with the Agency to promote culture among the Corp members.
Speaking earlier, Abdulwahab expressed delight for the opportunity to serve in Osun and her readiness to join hands with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, so as to promote Culture in the State.
She disclosed that a day has been set aside for cultural festival known as “Cultural day” which, she opined, will give corps members the opportunity to showcase their different ethnic cultures. She further explained that she is ready to cooperate with the Ministry to showcase different cultures at a programme in which the Ministry will be invited to participate.
Abdulwahab also explained that the corps members in Osun have been performing excellently in cultural festivals nationwide.
She therefore, thanked Governor Oyetola for supporting the agency, adding that there is no issue with the Corp members serving in Osun.
In her own remarks, the Coordinating Director in the Ministry, Mrs. Solabomi Akinsola appreciated NYSC, Osun Chapter for her efforts in sustaining Culture and Tourism in Osun. She expressed the hope that the harmonious working relationship will continue to wax stronger and stronger.
THISDAYLIVE
Buhari Rejoices with NDLEA Chairman, Marwa, at 69
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated with the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Brigadier-General Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd), as he marks his 69th birthday anniversary today.
The president in a statement yesterday, by his Media Adviser, Femi Adesina, affirmed the dynamic leadership roles the Chairman of NDLEA has played in shaping the history of the country as Governor of Borno State, and Military Administrator of Lagos State, leaving behind lasting legacies of investment in people and infrastructure that keep memories of his service fresh and commendable.
Buhari hailed the initiative and reforms that Marwa instituted in NDLEA, borne out of his passion for a purposeful, result oriented and motivated agency that places the health and safety of the society first, particularly the youth, and networks with other security outfits, home and abroad, to rid the country of drug traffickers.
He recognised the arduous task before the Chairman and his team, believing the same patriotism and diligence that he has displayed over many years in the military and after retirement will continue to yield results.
The president prayed that the Almighty God would grant the Chairman of NDLEA more courage, strength and wisdom as he serves the country.