Crime / News / Security / Transportation

We have 28 checkpoints on Katsina-Jibia Road, but only five legal — Customs

Retired Colonel Hameed Ali, the Comptroller-General, Nigeria Customs Service, has ordered the immediate removal of all illegal checkpoints along Katsina-Jibia Road.

Ali gave the order when he paid a condolence visit to the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmuminu Kabir, on Monday.

The CG, represented by ACG Uba Mohammed, Zonal Coordinator, Zone B, Kaduna, said the Service had approved only five checkpoint along the Katsina-Jibia Road.

The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that the ACG had in a similar visit to Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State disclosed that there were about 28 checkpoints along the road. The ACG said: “On behalf of the CG, I have ordered for the immediate removal of all checkpoints along the road, except the approved five.

“Henceforth, only five checkpoints should remain along Katsina-Jibia Road.

“The police operatives along the same route should also look into the issue.

“Our visit to the state is to condole the state government, the Katsina Emirate Council and the people of Jibia Local Government Council over the recent accident involving our border drill operatives.

“This visit is occasioned by the ugly incident of August 9, 2021 where a near crisis was averted, resulting from an unforeseen vehicular accident, an incident which claimed lives and incapacitated a host of others.

“Unfortunately, that mishap, though an operational hazard, should have been averted with the deployment of the requisite safeguards.”

Mohammed said the CG had set up a committee to investigate the cause of the incident, adding that the Service would also take responsibility for the medical bills of those wounded in the accident.

While condoling the Emir, Ali reiterated the Service’s readiness to adopt proactive measures to forestall future occurrence of the incident.

In his response, the Emir said the incident, which claimed many lives, was unforgettable as it had been happening for a very long time.

Kabir said: “I always have sleepless nights over this issue and that of banditry in our communities.

“I believe that lack of proper information dissemination between the public and the security operatives is one …

News / Security

Jos Killings: Only justice can stop reprisals — MURIC

The Islamic human rights organization, Muslim Rights Concern has again demanded stiff punishment according to the law for the killing of 23 Muslim travelers on August 14, 2021.

The group insisted that reprisal killings will continue unless justice is swiftly and effectively served.

MURIC stated this on Tuesday in a statement issued by its Director and Founder, Prof. Ishaq Akintola.

The statement said: “Once again we are constrained to reiterate our strong condemnation of the brutal killing of Muslim travellers which occurred on Saturday, 14th August, 2021 at Rukuba, Jos, the Plateau State capital. The attack was carried out by Irigwe Christians mourning their lost ones. That attack was wicked, callous and animalistic. “However, we are of the opinion that killing with impunity will not stop unless justice is swiftly and effectively served. A situation where every brutal killing is anchored on a previous attack is Bohemian and unacceptable. It smirks of a society whose norms, values and law enforcement machinery has totally broken down. This must not be allowed to happen.

“This cycle of reprisal killings can be traced back to the Zango-Kataf crisis of 1992. Subsequent killings would have been averted if the reports and recommendations of the Okadigbo panel had been implemented. But criminal elements continue to hide under the canopies of religion and ethnicity to unleash mayhem on innocent people because of the laxity in the system.

“What we need therefore is systemic change. State governments must stop providing cover for criminals. This aptly applies to the situation in Plateau State today as we find Governor Lalong giving a ludicrous excuse to extenuate the sadistic killing of innocent and unarmed Muslim travelers. Unfortunately this is not the first time Lalong will aid and abet the killing of Muslims.

“We therefore reiterate our demand that the investigations into this latest massacre must be handled by the Federal Government. For this reason, we commend the strong intervention of the Inspector General of Police and the Nigerian Army in the restoration of normalcy in Jos and its environs. We …

Covid 19 / News

COVID-19: Nigeria registers 8,197 infections in 15 days

Nigeria has registered 8,179 COVID-19 infections in 15 days, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control said on its website on Tuesday.

It said the country confirmed 584 additional infections on Monday, from the 541 recorded on Sunday, bringing the total cases to 183,087.

The public health agency added that the number of known active cases stood at 13,554, an increase from 13,152 reported on Sunday.

Again the agency did not state the percentage of variants of concern made up of the known active cases across the country.

The NCDC reported four COVID-19 related fatality within the last 24 hours.

It noted that the country, in 15 days, had also reported 72 fatalities, noting that the figure was more than double the 31 deaths its registered in July.

The agency added that about 2,648,684 samples had been tested for COVID-19 in Nigeria, a country with an estimated 200 million population.

The NCDC stated that the 584 confirmed cases were from 14 states and the FCT.

Lagos (201), Rivers (149), FCT (82), Ondo (73), Ekiti (17), Cross River (13), Oyo (11), Ogun (9), Delta (8), Osun (8), Bayelsa (4), Kaduna (4), Kano (2), Kwara (2) and Sokoto (1).

It said a multi-sectoral national emergency operations center, activated at Level 2, continued to coordinate the national response activities.

The NCDC said a total of 178 people had recovered and were discharged from various isolation centers in the country on Monday, with total recoveries nationwide since the onset of the pandemic clocking 167,310.…

Entertainment / Music / News

Eminem’s 19-year-old adopted child comes out as non-binary

American rapper Eminem’s 19-year-old child comes out as non-binary. The teenager has also asked to be called Stevie.

Stevie made this known in a recent TikTok video, said they’ll use the pronouns they/she/he going forward.

Formerly known as Whitney, Stevie showed their journey to become “more comfortable” with their body and self as their appearance changed over the years.

Eminem adopted Stevie, who is his ex-wife Kim Scott’s biological daughter with Eric Hartter, in 2005 when he had briefly reconciled with Scott.

Stevie came out as bisexual in 2017 and requested at the time to go by the pronouns she/they.

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BBNaija / Entertainment / News

BBNaija 2021: 5 interesting and surprising highlights after the Saturday Night Party

Big Brother Naija’s Saturday Night Parties are known to be lit but the after-party moments remain unmatched.

After the 3rd Saturday Night Party in Biggie’s house, some of the housemates gave viewers so many reasons to stay awake.

For those who slept off, here are some of the interesting, mind-blowing and embarrassing moments from the after party.

Okay, guys, we all know these two have been steadily cruising on a yet-to-be-named ship since Michael arrived in the house.

Things got heated after the party as Jackie B confronted Michael over his wandering eyes with some of the female housemates (Angel in particular).

Michael and Jackie B left viewers dumbfounded as they went on and on about the status and boundary of their yet-to-be-defined relationship. Many believed Michael outsmarted Jackie in the argument with the use of some complex and unnecessary words.

While the party was going on, Boma and Queen, another undefined ship, had their little argument. After the party, Boma told his friends, Emmanuel and Sammie that he didn’t want to be put in a box by Queen. According to him, ‘I be Okro.’ (Whatever that means).

When he decided to have the conversation with Queen who was tipsy, it ended in a shouting match. Boma kept on screaming at Queen and it took Emmanuel to savour the heated moment.

Cross has become notorious for making the housemates drink excessively during the Saturday night parties. Well, this weekend, he probably drank past his limit.

The former pro-footballer spent the early hours of the morning staggering, making so much noise and falling from one bed to another.

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BBNaija / Entertainment / News

BBNaija 2021: Arin, Princess have been evicted from the game

The show has come to an end for some of the nominated housemates this week. Before the evictions, show host Ebuka Obi-Uchendu touched based with some of the housemates, highlighting issues from the week.

With Pere, Ebuka questioned his eviction of Whitemoney from kitchen duties especially on why he felt the supposed monopoly was a strategy.

Arin’s eviction was the first to be announced on the Sunday live eviction show. Recall the fashion designer and arts collector was nominated alongside Saskay, Tega, Princess, Nini and Emmanuel.

The next housemate and final housemate to exit the show this week was Princess. Princess surprisingly stopped the housemates from giving her a farewell hug. She also announced her all time crush in the house was Cross not Whitemoney as she had persistently shared.

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News / Transportation

Police confirm death of 21 persons as Jigawa culvert collapses

The Jigawa State Police Command has confirmed the death of 21 persons in Sunday’s road mishap that occurred in Gwaram Local Government Area of the state.

The spokesman of the command, ASP Lawan Shiisu, confirmed the incident to newsmen in Dutse on Sunday.

Shiisu said the incident occurred after a Hummer Bus, conveying 18 passengers from Kano State to Adamawa State, and an unregistered lorry with three passengers fell into a broken culvert covered with flood water.

He said: “Today, at about 6am, we received a distress call from Radabi Village that an accident occurred on the Gwaram-Basirka Road. “The accident occurred after one Hummer bus with Reg. No. FYK 406 ZA, and a Canter lorry fell into broken culvert full of water.

“Victims were evacuated to Basirka Hospital, where 21of the passengers were confirmed dead by a medical doctor.”

He said one of the passengers, 26-year-old Simon Chinapi from Mubi in Adamawa State, survived.

According to Shiisu, the Commissioner of Police, Aliyu Tafida, has visited the scene and directed prompt and discrete investigation into the incident.…

News / politics

House of Representatives Hon. Adedayo Omolafe dies suddenly

A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Adedayo Omolafe, is dead.

According to available information, the member of the House of Representatives was not ill before he suddenly became unconscious on Sunday night.

Omolafe was said to have been rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, where he died at about 2am on Monday.

The Rep, popularly known as Expensive, represented Akure South/North Federal Constituency. Before then, he had served as the Chairman of Akure South Local Government Area. Before then, he had served as the Chairman of Akure South Local Government Area.…

BBNaija / Entertainment / News

BBNaija 2021: My mom had me at age 16 – Angel

‘Shine Ya Eye’ housemate, Angel recently warmed the hearts of viewers with a story of how her mother had her as a teenager.

Angel made the shocking revelation during the housemates’ Thursday task where her team presented a painting of a pregnant woman pushing through hurdles. While detailing the painting, Angel shared how her mom got pregnant with her at age 16 and was forced to get an abortion.

After the failed procedure, her young mom chose to keep her and suffered through rejection from her family and community. “My mom suffered slut shaming and still had to go to school,” Angel revealed.

As expected, Angel’s team emerged victorious for the beautiful painting and emotional story.

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Entertainment / News

Kim Kardashian says Kanye West helped her not be a ‘people pleaser’

American reality TV star Kim Kardashian has revealed how her estranged husband, Kanye West helped her not be a ‘people pleaser. The mother of four made this known on the “We are supported by …” podcast.

“I got to a point — and maybe [it was] being in a relationship with Kanye for a decade, someone that absolutely didn’t care about likeability factor or what any of perception of him was as long as he was true to himself — that taught me so much in the best way of just being me and living in the moment,” she told the hosts. “You don’t have to please everyone as long as I’m myself and as long as I’m doing it the way that I want to do … like you have one life and you’re living it for you.”

The reality TV star said she previously considered herself a “people pleaser,” but now thinks otherwise.

Kim and Kanye’s official divorce news first broke in February 2021.

This came weeks after speculations about their marriage collapse.

Kim and Kanye were married in 2014 and have four children, daughter North, 7, son Saint, 5, daughter Chicago, 3, and son Psalm, 2.

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News / Transportation

FG reopens Eko Bridge, begins repair of airport flyover

The Federal Government has announced the reopening of Eko Bridge, which had been under repairs, to traffic on from Friday (today).

The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Olukayode Popoola, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.

Popoola said the 10-week rehabilitation works on Eko Bridge was completed on schedule.

He also said traffic would be diverted for the rehabilitation of the burnt Lagos Airport flyover from August 13. He said: “The Alaka to Costain section of Eko bridge which was closed to traffic since 4th June, 2021 will now be opened on Friday 13th August 2021.

“The Honorable Minister of Works and Housing thanks the motoring public for their cooperation while the rehabilitation work was ongoing.”

Popoola added that additional works to be carried out on the Eko Bridge would not require closure.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Eko Bridge was shut on June 4, with traffic diverted for the second phase of the rehabilitation of the Costain-bound section of the bridge.

Popoola also said traffic diversion towards the rehabilitation of the burnt Airport flyover bridge in Lagos would be from Friday until September 22.…

Entertainment / Music / News

Download Wizkid’s ” Essence ” feat Justin Bieber and Tems

WizKid don’t need no other body, but he put somebody else on the remix of his hit “Essence,” featuring Tems: Justin Bieber.

The remix officially dropped Friday (Aug. 13) after one day’s notice, when the Nigerian superstar teased “something special” was coming on his socials before announcing the official remix featuring the Canadian pop star, who called it “the song of the summer” on his Instagram.

“Essence” debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 in July at No. 82 after the Tems-assisted song was released in October 2020 from Wiz’s album Made in Lagos. The sultry Afrobeats/R&B club jam has been steadily climbing the tally over the last five weeks, rising to its current position of No. 54 in the week ending Aug. 14.

“That song has become emblematic of being back outside,” Tunji Balogun, who was recently announced as the new CEO/chairman of Def Jam and signed WizKid to RCA Records in 2017, told Billboard. “Then, a narrative on the internet started about the song being the song of the summer — and we took that energy and ran with it.”

Download “Essence” remix below.

Download ” Essence ” Remix feat Justin Bieber x Tems

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Entertainment / Music / News

Ladipoe welcomes baby with partner

Nigerian rapper Ladipo Eso popularly known as Ladipoe has welcomed a baby with his partner.

The music star took to his Instagram page on Wednesday, August 11, 2021, where he shared a photo and video of himself and his baby.

“My second NO. 1 this year 🤲🏾🙏🏾,” he captioned the video and photo.

Congratulations to the music star, we are sure he loves the way he is feeling now

 

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News

IPOB threatens monarchs

The Indigenous People of Biafra has threatened to deal with traditional rulers, presidents general and youth leaders of communities who report their subjects to security operatives as members of its Eastern Security Network.

The group issued the threat in a statement made available to newsmen by its spokesman, Emma Powerful, on Thursday.

It said: “We have got reports of traditional rulers and president generals and youths leaders who terrorize youths in their community by tagging them IPOB members and ESN operatives.

“The only crime of the youths is standing up for their rights and resisting the sale of community land to Fulani herdsmen.

It’s an abomination for a traditional ruler and president general in Biafraland to report youths in his communities to terror-friendly Nigeria Army just because he feels the youths are standing in his way to sell the community’s land to the Fulani herders.

“We, therefore, warn all such treacherous monarchs to retrace their steps or brace up for the consequences of their evil action.

“We want to sound it clear that henceforth, any traditional ruler that reports his subjects to the Nigeria Army or Navy to torture them for opposing their plans to sell community land to Fulani herdsmen shall get ready to answer to our ancestors.

“Such evil traitors are not worthy to live how much more occupy the titleship stool in Biafra land.”

In a particular instance, IPOB gave a seven-day ultimatum to monarchs in Atani and other communities in Ogbaru, Anambra State to facilitate the unconditional release all the youths arrested in the area by the Nigeria Navy.…

Crime / Law / News

31 Northern lawyers volunteer to defend Kyari

 

No fewer than 31 lawyers of Northern extraction have volunteered to defend the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, over allegations of fraud in the United States of America.

This was disclosed to newsmen by one of the lawyers involved, Sunusi Bappah Salisu, in Abuja on Thursday.

A well known internet fraudster, Ramon Abbas, aka Hushpuppi, had in a statement to the Federal Bureau of Investigation of the United States of America, mention Kyari in a fraud cases involving $1.1 million.

Hushpuppi alleged that he gave Kyari N8 million to arrest one of those involved in the fraud, Vincent Chibuzor.

Based on this, a District Court in the United States of America ordered the FBI to arrest Kyari and bring him to court in the US.

But Salisu said 31 lawyers from the Northern part of Nigeria had offered their services to Kyari, who is from Borno State.

He said: “In apparent response to recent calls for support for Abba Kyari by the Coalition of Northern Groups, a group of about 31 young northern Nigerian lawyers, has volunteered to render legal services to the embattled Deputy Commissioner of Police.

“We would raise questions involving the possibility of the occasioning of breaches to Kyari’s fundamental rights entrenched in Articles 6 and 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Right, which essentially state that every individual shall have the right to liberty and to the security of his person and every individual shall have the right to have his cause heard.

“This comprises the right to an appeal to competent national organs against acts of violating his fundamental rights as recognized and guaranteed by conventions, laws, regulations and customs in force.”…

Entertainment / Movies / News

Taraji P Henson says she shot ‘Acrimony’ in 5 days amid filming ‘Empire’

‘Empire’ star Taraji P. Henson has opened up about her iconic role in Tyler Perry’s 2018 psychological thriller, ‘Acrimony’. In a recent Instagram post, Henson revealed that she filmed her role in five days while on the set of FOX’s television series ‘Empire’.

“I filmed my role in Acrimony in FIVE DAYS in the middle of playing Cookie on @Empire!! Tyler Perry told me I could do it, so of course, I believed him . I was soooo afraid I would fail because I had no time to get into character (so I thought)!

“I learned something new about my instrument on this production. We also had no time for a lot of takes so EVErY scene was about two takes…maybe three and then it was time to move on 🥵!! WOW.” 

Also starring Lyriq Bent and Crystle Stewart, the film follows Melinda, a faithful wife who becomes enraged when she discovers she has been betrayed. The film sparked quite the reaction on social media that lingered for months.

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Entertainment / Foreign / Music / News

Beyonce talks about her struggles with insomnia and diet

American singer Beyonce got candid about her struggles with insomnia and diet in her recent interview with Harper’s Bazaar.

The music star who covered the magazine’s ICONS issue spoke about her mental and physical health.

“I’ve personally struggled with insomnia from touring for more than half of my life. Years of wear and tear on my muscles from dancing in heels. The stress on my hair and skin, from sprays and dyes to the heat of a curling iron and wearing heavy makeup while sweating on stage,” she said.

The mother of three and wife to billionaire rapper Jay-Z also talked about how she struggled with her body image.

“In the past, I spent too much time on diets,” she said. She said all that has changed.

“My health, the way I feel when I wake up in the morning, my peace of mind, the number of times I smile, what I’m feeding my mind and my body — those are the things that I’ve been focusing on,” she said.

She also revealed that she started building a hemp and honey farm during the lockdown for her family’s use.

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Football / News / Sports

Messi signs two-year contract with PSG

Lionel Messi has finally signed his eagerly anticipated Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) contract to complete the move that confirms the end of a career-long association with Barcelona and sends PSG into a new era.

PSG said in a statement that the 34-year-old Argentina star signed a two-year deal on Tuesday night with the option for a third season.

“I am excited to begin a new chapter of my career at Paris Saint-Germain,” Messi said.

“Everything about the club matches my football ambitions. I know how talented the squad and the coaching staff are here. I am determined to help build something special for the club and the fans, and I am looking forward to stepping out onto the pitch at the Parc des Princes.”

No salary details were given but Messi is set to earn approximately 35 million euros ($41m) net, according to the Associated Press news agency, who spoke to a person with knowledge of the negotiations on condition of anonymity before the contract was signed.

“I am delighted that Lionel Messi has chosen to join Paris Saint-Germain and we are proud to welcome him and his family to Paris,” PSG chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi said.

“He has made no secret of his desire to continue competing at the very highest level and winning trophies, and naturally our ambition as a club is to do the same.”

Messi will wear the number 30, as revealed in a video by the club, the number he had when he began his professional career at Barcelona between 2004-2006.

Throngs of PSG fans gathered at Le Bourget Airport in Paris to welcome Messi, who was wearing a T-shirt that read: “Ici c’est Paris” (This is Paris).

The words are a long-familiar refrain from a favored fan chant at Parc des Princes stadium, where Messi will be presented to them before kickoff of Saturday night’s game against Strasbourg.

Such was the fans around his arrival that police had to push back to stop metal barriers from toppling over at the airport as fans surged forward to …

BBNaija / Entertainment / News

BBNaija 2021: Housemates Maria & Queen clash over Pere

New ‘Shine Ya Eye’ housemate Queen has wasted no time in getting into her first dramatic episode in the house.

The housemate recently fell out with new deputy head of house, Maria. Things heated up between the ladies after Maria made a snide comment about Queen being in the house for two days and claiming to know Pere enough to comment about his personality.

In an attempt to express her displeasure at Maria, the ladies got into a heated exchange that caught the attention of the housemates.

Watch the video:

The past few days has seen multiple gbas gbos sessions among the housemates. A few hours ago, Sammie and Angel got into a session where she alleged Sammie slut shamed her over a truth or dare game.

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Entertainment / Movies / News

‘You can be whatever you want to be’ has led many to their untimely death’ – Williams Uchemba

Nollywood actor Williams Uchemba has objected to the popular quote ‘You can be whatever you want to be.

According to the movie star in a lengthy post shared via his Instagram page on Tuesday, August 11, 2021, said that quote has led many people to their untimely death.

“One of the biggest lies I believed all my life, and till date still see people make the same mistake, is the lie that YOU CAN BE WHATEVER YOU WANT TO BE. This sentence has led so many people to their untimely death, frustration and hopelessness,” he wrote.

“Imagine telling a sofa you can be a fridge or a fridge you can be a bed if you believe. Before the manufacturer of the sofa even started manufacturing it, he already knew the purpose of the sofa and the problem it would solve. The manufacture finished the product in his mind even before he started.”

The philanthropist went on to say that every individual on earth was created for a different purpose but, the biggest problem they face is how to discover their purpose.

He advised people trying to find their identity to be what God wants them to be and not what they want to be.

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