Crime / News

Five feared killed as Customs chases rice smugglers in Katsina

Five residents of Jibia, Katsina State, were reportedly killed on Monday by Customs officials who were chasing rice smugglers in the area.

The killing has sparked a protest in the community.

Many other people are said to have sustained injuries in the accident and are receiving treatment at a local health facility, Premium Times has reported.

Witnesses said the vehicle of the Customs officials ploughed into a gathering while chasing the suspected rice smugglers, killing five persons instantly and injuring many others. “They were chasing rice smugglers at high speed. Their vehicle lost control and killed at least five persons, which prompted violent protests by the residents,” a source said, asking not to be named for security reasons.

“The Customs’ vehicle was vandalized by the angry protesters,” he added.

Neither the police spokesperson in Katsina, Gambo Isah, nor the Nigeria Customs Service has commented on the incident.…

Athletics / Basket Ball / Olympics / Sports

Five ‘Nigerians’ who won medals for other countries

There is hardly any top sporting competition in the world that Nigerian names don’t pop up even if the Green and White flag of the country is conspicuously absent.

From the American Super Bowl to the NBA and even the recent Euro 2020, participants with Nigerian lineage are always present.

The situation was not any different at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics even though Team Nigeria was actually on parade in Japan – returning home with two medals.

The 27-year old was part of the all-conquering Italian Men’s 4x100m quartet that stormed to gold in Tokyo.

Though Desalu is of Nigerian origin, he was born and raised in Italy and acquired full Italian citizenship in 2012.

“I have never been to Nigeria and, right now [2019], I don’t feel the need to go. I don’t even know the national anthem of Nigeria. My roots are in Africa and I don’t ignore them but I consider myself deeply Italian,” Eseosa said.

While Desalu is celebrating his gold for Italy, Nigeria failed to qualify for the men’s 4x100m event in Tokyo despite pushing hard after failing to attend the World Relays where they could have gotten a ticket more easily.

Ujah Chindu

Competing in his second Olympic Games for Great Britain after his debut in Rio, Ujah narrowly missed out on the 4x100m gold but would be pleased with the silver nonetheless.

Ujah’s father was an engineer who moved from Nigeria to England as a boy. The sprinter admits it was difficult convincing his father that a career in athletics was the right choice for him.

“I used to play football for my local club and was pretty good. Dad was not too impressed about football and he didn’t like the idea of me going pro. When I was doing athletics he thought it was just a hobby, and I set my heart on showing him that it wasn’t just a little thing on the side.

“He got a letter in the post when I was 17 saying I’d been selected for the …

BBNaija / Entertainment / News

Big Brother introduces 4 new housemates

Biggie surprised fans and viewers of Nigeria’s most-watched reality TV show on Sunday, August 8, 2021, when he introduced new housemates.

The new housemates were introduced to the viewers in between the live eviction show.

Here are the five new surprise housemates.

Michael says he is bringing excitement to Biggie’s house. “I’m coming for all the tasks. I am not a good loser and would do anything to win,” he said.

Michael who is an artist says the housemates should be ready to feel all his good vibes.

28-year-old Kayvee is from Ogba in Lagos state. He is bringing his handsome face to the show…vain like that! He doesn’t like rude people. He says he is bringing vibes and positive energy to the house. The photographer says he is going to show the world his view.

Kwara State-born Jumoke says she loves to enjoy herself. She hates bad vibes. She says she is bringing positive energy to the house.

The Lawyer says she is going to do everything all the lawyers who have been to show didn’t bring to the show. She wants us to watch out for her dance moves.

Queen who hails from Akwa Ibom state says she is the complete package. She hates gossip and is a nice person. She says she can be good, bad and ugly.

The 26-year-old philanthropist says she loves sleeping naked and the housemates should be wary of her ‘bad mouth.’

…
BBNaija / News

BBNaija 2021: Yerins, Niyi, Beatrice have been evicted

Sunday live eviction show kicked off with Big Brother’s unexpected plot twist of reintroducing four surprise new housemates.

As expected, Biggie’s surprise threw the housemates off balance but that did not stop the scheduled evictions.

The first housemate to be evicted was Yerins which going by viewer reaction was to be expected. Reacting to his eviction, the housemate who describes himself as a Polymath explained why he did not quite connect with some of the housemates.

Shockingly, Niyi followed next. In another surprising new twist, show host Ebuka Obi-Uchendu announced Beatrice as the third housemate to leave the show. On the reason for his early eviction, Niyi felt like his marital status played a huge part.

With the newly introduced housemates, the house is expected to be more intense than the past few weeks.

…
Music / News

Wizkid’s ‘Essence’ hits one million on Shazam, jumps to No. 59 on Hot 100

On August 6, 2021, Nigerian superstar, Wizkid’s smash hit, ‘Essence’ hit one million uses on Shazam.

The song, which currently sits pretty at No. 59 on the Billboard Hot 100 accumulated one million searches via the Apple-owned Shazam. In 2020, Master KG‘s ‘Jerusalema’ became the most Shazamed song in the world.

On July 31, 2021, ‘Essence’ also cracked the US iTunes top 50 chart.

A few weeks ago, the song cracked the top 50, which heralded is rise into the Billboard Hot 100. In 2020, Mr. Eazi‘s ‘Oh My God’ featuring Nicki Minaj topped the US iTunes chart within 24 hours of release.

On July 30, 2021, the song also rose to No. 67 on the Billboard Hot 100.

On July 20, 2021, the song rose to No. 72. This comes after the song which features another Nigerian singer Tems cracked the Billboard Bubbling Under Charts for the first time.

This marks a remarkable achievement for Wizkid and Tems, who are signed to the same label and for African music as a whole.

However, this isn’t Wizkid’s first time on the Hot 100 chart.

He got into the chart via his features on Drake’s ‘One Dance’ which hit No. 1 in 2016 and Beyonce’s ‘Brown Skin Girl’ which peaked at #76 in 2019.

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Crime / News

Igboho still in Benin Republic, but will return to Nigeria soon

The leader of the umbrella body of Yoruba Self-Determination Groups, Ilana Omo Oodua, Prof. Banji Akintoye, has disclosed that the body and other groups are working hard to secure the release of embattled Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, aka Sunday Igboho, who is on trial in Benin Republic.

The Nation reports Igboho has been in detention since July 19, 2021 when he was arrested by Interpol at the Cadjèhoun Airport in Cotonou.

He was arrested with his wife, Ropo, but the Cour De’appal De Cotonou ordered the release of the Germany-based wife of the activist, saying there were no allegations against her.

Akintoye in a statement made available to The Nation by his Communications Manager, Maxwell Adeleye, described some media reports (Not The Nation) that he has left Nigeria to escape the plots of the government to arrest him as untrue. Akintoye explained he is Benin Republic to coordinate and supervise how to legally rescue the embattled agitator, from government remand as soon as possible.

He stated that Igboho committed no offense against the Nigeria laws to warrant being arrested, intimidated or harassed and he’ll return back to Nigeria as soon as Ighoho is released by the government of Benin Republic to continue the struggle for the actualisation of Yoruba Nation.

He said: “Myself, the President-General and Professor Wale Adeniran (Chairman) of Ilana Omo Oodua, are currently in the Republic of Benin as reported, but not on the run.

“We are here to supervise and coordinate, by all legal and and other means, the struggle for the release of our son and patriot, Sunday Adeyemo Igboho, detained by the Government from custody.

“By demanding peaceful self-determination for the Yoruba Nation, i am not breaking any law, since self-determination is recognized by the International and Nigerian laws to be an inalienable right of every Nationality, large or small, in the world.

“I have earned a solid reputation as a highly respectable advocate of a peaceful self-determination struggle. I have even written a book on the subject which is already being used …

Basket Ball / Olympics / Sports

Kevin Durant leads U.S. to fourth straight gold medal

The United States men’s basketball team has won the gold medal after defeating France, 87-82, avenging the loss Team USA suffered in the opening game of group play. It is the fourth straight Olympic gold for the Americans.

 

As he has been for the majority of the tournament, Kevin Durant was spectacular for Team USA as he finished the win with 29 points to go along with six rebounds and three assists. Jayson Tatum stepped up to provide Durant with the most help on the offensive end, finishing with 19 points to join Damian Lillard and Jrue Holiday as double-digit scorers as the guards finished the game with 11 points apiece.

Javale McGee and Mum Pamela McGee become the first ever Mum and Son to win an Olympic Gold Medal in History.

Middleton and Jrue Holiday joined an elite class to have won a Championship and Olympic Gold in the same year

  • Kyrie Irving (2016)
  • Lebron James (2012)
  • Scottie Pippen (1996)(1992)
  • Michael Jordan (1992)

For France, Rudy Gobert and Evan Fournier led the charge finishing with 16 each, but in the end it wasn’t enough for France to win the gold as the Americans overcame another slow start to win the tournament.…

Boxing / Sports

Anthony Joshua vows not to be affected by absence of trainer Rob McCracken ahead of Oleksandr Usyk Clash

Anthony Joshua ahead of fight with Oleksandr Usyk: “He is changing his team because people have a wealth of knowledge. It’s been good having a wider team and working collectively.”

Joshua defends his IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight championships against Usyk on September 25, live on Sky Sports Box Office, meaning McCracken will miss a portion of the training camp.

“Everyone brings something different to the table.

“Usyk will bring in Vasiliy Lomachenko’s dad. He works with Russ Anber. I have a list of different nutritionists and strength and conditioning coaches that he will bring in for this fight. “He is changing his team because people have a wealth of knowledge. “It’s been good having a wider team and working collectively.…

Business / News

CBN refunds Nigerians N82b for failed bank transactions

Reprieve may have come the way of commercial bank customers, as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has facilitated their repayment of N82.2 billion for failed transactions. The apex bank said the recovery was based on verified complaints as of June this year.

CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, who made the disclosure yesterday in Calabar at the CBN Fair, observed that since customers have rights to redress, they should, without fail, report infractions.

He said: “Oftentimes, there have been sundry issues. Once we get these complaints, we investigate and if the issues are found to be true, we make sure refunds are made. As of June 2021, we have facilitated the refund of N82.2 billion to customers.”

Represented by the Acting Director, Corporate Communications, Osita Nwanisobi, the CBN boss explained that “as of June 2021, not less than 23, 536 complaints were received from which N82.2 billion was refunded.”

He charged customers to always provide factual information to enable the apex bank fact-find.

Emefiele said the CBN was undertaking 37 interventions in the areas of credit, health, commercial agriculture, real and electricity market stabilization sectors, among others.

“During the heat of the COVID-19 pandemic last year, we realized that the global economy was shut down, with families and businesses affected.

“The first thing CBN did was to roll out some interventions to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on livelihoods and businesses. It was a health crisis, and we needed to up our game in terms of health infrastructure,” he stated.

On the exhibition, Emefiele said the event “is to create awareness on our policies, intervention, and programs, as well as getting feedback from Nigerians on how they are impacting their lives and businesses.”

He submitted that with the establishment of SANEF Agent Bankers, about 95 percent of Nigerians would have a bank account opened by 2023, but advised customers to demand ‘Agent Certificate’ from anyone who claims to be a agent.…

Athletics / Olympics / Sports

Nigeria’s medal chase ends as Enekwechi, women relay team crash in Tokyo

Nigeria’s search for more medals at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games did not yield any fruit yesterday as a shot putter, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, and the women’s 4×100 meters relay team could not make the podium.

Nigeria had earlier in the competition won a silver medal through wrestler, Blessing Oborodudu and long jumper, Ese Brume.

Followers of the events in Tokyo always knew that it would take a miracle for Enekwechi and the relay girls to add to Nigeria’s medals due to their low ranking among the contestants.

Enekwechi was eliminated in the final round of the men’s shot put after throwing 19.74 meter to finish last in the 12-man contest, while the relay team could not go beyond the second preliminary round of the 4×100 meter.

Yesterday, Nigeria’s ambassador to Japan, Abubakar Moriki Husaini, hosted Team Nigeria in his residence in appreciation of their efforts at the Games.

Ambassador Husaini, in the company of his staff, thanked the contingent, especially the medalists, for making the country proud during the Olympics 2020.

Speaking at the event, Sports Minister, Sunday Dare, expressed his delight at the support received from the Nigerian Embassy in Japan, just as he thanked the athletes for their exploits in Tokyo.

He said, “I have to sincerely thank all the athletes and officials that have worked assiduously to make Team Nigeria a success. To compete and win medals at the Olympics is a great honor in the country of over 200 million people.

The Federal Government of Nigeria is proud of you all, but let me quickly add that the Ministry of Youths and Sports Development will take care of the treatment of Enoch Adegoke, Blessing Oborodudu, Oluwatobiloba Amusan, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi and Usheoritse Itsekiri plus any of the athletes that are nursing any injury.”…

Athletics / Olympics / Sports

Nigerian gold medalists to receive $15,000

The Federal Government has announced a reward of $15,000, $10,000, $7,500 respectively for gold, silver, and bronze medalists at the ongoing Tokyo Olympics.

This was disclosed by Simon Ebohdjaiye, who is the Director, Federation and Elite Athletes Department (FEAD), Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.

Ebohdjaiye stated this while speaking on Tuesday in Tokyo, shortly after wrestler Blessing Oborodudu won Team Nigeria’s second medal at the Games.

He said the reward was reviewed, due to the dedication of the athletes.

“Gold medallist will now be rewarded with 15,000 dollars, while silver and bronze medal winners will each get 10,000 dollars and 7,500 dollars respectively.

“The earlier award is 5,000 dollars for gold, 3,000 dollars for silver, and 2,000 dollars for bronze,” he said.

Oborodudu is the first Nigerian wrestler to win an Olympic medal, claiming silver in the women’s 68kg freestyle.

Earlier on, Ese Brume, who won the country’s first medal at the Games with a bronze in long jump.…

Entertainment / News

‘I had an 8 digit job waiting for me but I chose to be a DJ’ – DJ Big N

Nigerian DJ Nonso Temisan Ajufo popularly known as DJ BigN has revealed that he forfeited an 8 figure job to be a DJ.

The Mavin Records in-house DJ made this known while answering questions from fans via his Instagram page on Thursday, August 5, 2021.

“Truthfully aside from family, I had an easy way out already. I had an 8 digit job waiting for me already. I chose to go this route. It’s the love for music,” he wrote.

“It’s the look on people’s faces after I have entertained them. It’s how music can change someone’s mood instantly. I needed to champion that.”

BigN is one of Nigeria’s most popular disc jockeys.

In 2020, during the fifth season of Nigeria’s most popular reality TV show, Big Brother Naija, he was rated as the best performing disc jockey for their Saturday night parties.

He has released several Mavin-themed mixtapes, including the “Mavin All Stars” mixtape, the ‘Surulere Mixtape Volume 1’, and the “ENERGY Mixtape“, among others.

He holds a first degree in Psychology from the University of Lagos and an MBA from Coventry University in England.

…
BBNaija / Entertainment / News

BBNaija 2021: Pere says he is over crush on Maria

The anticipated Maria and Pere ship has crumbled before it got a fighting chance. Despite turning down his advances multiple times, Pere had tried to remain resolute in his pursuit of his fellow wildcard. It turns out the US military housemate is all burnt out as he recently revealed to co-housemate Beatrice that he was no longer attracted to Maria.

In the conversation shared on Thursday, Pere claimed that while he was once attracted to Maria, he was over it due to her continued resistance.

The day hasn’t been the best for Maria after she threw a mild tantrum. Grossed out by a conversation about toilets between Angel and Niyi, Maria trashed her breakfast in the sink.

…
Football / Sports

NPFL: Enyimba clinch CAF Champions League place, Sunshine escape relegation

The 2020/2021 Nigeria Professional Football League season ended on Thursday with the day’s high points in Enyimba International’s upward surge and Sunshine Stars’ escape from relegation.

With the competition’s title already gone since Match Day 37 to Akwa United, only one 2021/2022 CAF Champions League slot and one 2021/2022 CAF Confederation Cup ticket were at stake.

Enyimba surprised all with a 3-1 away win in Uyo against Dakkada FC to move from fifth to second and qualify to return to the CAF Champions League.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Aba-based 2019/2020 champions moved ahead of Nasarawa United, Kano Pillars and Rivers United of Port Harcourt, who all lost their matches. Kwara United also moved from sixth to third, upstaging on goals difference Nasarawa United of Lafia, who finished fourth after losing 1-3 to hosts Abia Warriors of Umuahia.

This was after they beat visiting Katsina United 3-0 in Ilorin to claim the 2021/2022 CAF Confederation Cup ticket.

Kano Pillars dropped to fifth after losing 0-1 to Heartland FC of Owerri, while Rivers United dropped to sixth after being involved in the day’s biggest talking point.

Sunshine Stars of Akure beat Rivers United 1-0 to dramatically escape relegation by moving into 16th place above Jigawa Golden Stars who lost 0-2 to MFM FC in Lagos.

Rangers International and Lobi Stars maintained seventh and eighth places respectively after home wins, with the Enugu side beating Plateau United 2-0 and the Makurdi side beating new champions Akwa United.

The losses meant nothing to both the Jos and Uyo sides, just as it is in the case of Wikki Tourists of Bauchi, who handed a 2-0 defeat to visiting Adamawa United of Yola.

The points gained did virtually nothing to boost or damage their final positions in the competition, just as the already-relegated FC IfeanyiUbah had no relief in beating Warri Wolves 1-0.

NAN reports that Adamawa United, FC IfeanyiUbah, Warri Wolves and Jigawa Golden Stars have all now been relegated into the 2021/2022 Nigeria National League.

Both Akwa United and …

Football / Sports

Manchester City Jack Grealish for £100m

The 25-year-old midfielder joins on a six-year deal after the Premier League champions activated the release clause in his Villa contract; the move eclipses Paul Pogba’s 2016 transfer to Manchester United and becomes the biggest in British football history.

Pep Guardiola has been a long-time admirer of Grealish with the player leaving Villa having made 213 appearances over the course of eight seasons, scoring 32 goals.

Man City also confirmed Grealish will wear the number 10 shirt, which was recently vacated by the departure of long-serving striker Sergio Aguero.

On the announcement, Jack Grealish said: “I am incredibly happy to have joined Manchester City. “City are the best team in the country with a manager considered to be the best in the world – it’s a dream come true to be part of this club.…

Crime / News

Masari to COAS: 10 Katsina LGAs under severe attack daily

Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State says 10 out of the 34 Local Government Areas in the state are under severe attack daily by the bandits.

The governor disclosed this when he received the new Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, on a courtesy visit on Thursday.

He told the COAS that 10 local government areas have been under repeated attacks from bandits who kill, rape, injure the people, burn houses and rustle cattle.

According to Masari, the Katsina State Government is totally unhappy with the current security situation in the state and therefore must be brought to an end. He restated that the issue of security in the country is a collective responsibility not only for the security agencies.

He said: “Here in Katsina, we have created three tiers of security success, from the community to the local, up to the state level, aimed at ensuring peace in our communities.

“We want peace restored as soon as possible and allow the military to go back to the barracks for the police to take over.”

The governor further assured the COAS of the state government commitments in offering all the necessary support to enable the military discharge its duties effectively.

Earlier, the COAS told the governor that he was on operational visit to the state to interact with the troops in order to know their challenges.

According to him, the visit was also to seek for the continued support of the state government and commended the governor for his logistic and equipment support.

Yahaya assured the governor that the military would continue to work with other security agencies in the state to ensure relative peace.

He further called on the public to support the army in the discharge of their duties, especially by providing them with necessary information on criminals.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the COAS had earlier paid a similar visit to the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmuminu Kabir-Usman, who also expressed serious concern over the issue of insecurity in the state.

The …

Football / Sports

Leo Messi not staying at FC Barcelona

Despite club and player reaching an agreement and their clear intention to sign a new contract today, this cannot happen because of financial and structural obstacles, Despite FC Barcelona and Lionel Messi having reached an agreement and the clear intention of both parties to sign a new contract today, this cannot happen because of Spanish LaLiga regulations on player registration.

As a result of this situation, Messi shall not be staying on at FC Barcelona. Both parties deeply regret that the wishes of the player and the club will ultimately not be fulfilled.

FC Barcelona wholeheartedly expresses its gratitude to the player for his contribution to the aggrandizement of the club and wishes him all the very best for the future in his personal and professional life.

youtube.com/watch?v=jqlxti9oYzw…