Umahi, Minister of Works announces closure of Third Mainland Bridge for emergency maintenance

 The Minister of Works, Mr David Umahi has announced the emergency closure of the third mainland bridge in Lagos.

 Umahi, disclosed this on Wednesday during the second day of his tour of Lagos/Ogun State ongoing road projects, said the federal government would resurface the Third Mainland Bridge.

According to him, N60 billion had already been approved for the maintenance of the top and underneath. 

Umahi, a team of engineers and top directors of the Federal Ministry of Works took a boat from Ebute Ero Jetty to see structural members of bridges on the Lagoon.

The boat took Umahi who is a civil engineer and his team to inspect the Third Mainland Bridge, Carter Bridge, and Eko Bridge, the oldest of the three bridges linking the Lagos Island to the Mainland.

The minister also inspected the top of the Third Mainland Bridge. 

Need for emergency intervention 

Addressing journalists, the minister gave technical details of the deterioration of various underwater structural members of all the bridges and the need for emergency intervention to save them.

The minister said the government was concerned about the structural integrity of components underneath the three bridges linking the mainland and the Island

Tributes Pour as Nigerian Flag Designer Taiwo Akinkunmi Dies at 87

Nigerians across different social media platforms have continued to heap praises on the designer of the Nigerian Flag, Pa Taiwo Akinkunmi, who passed on today, August 30 2023 at the age of 87.

His son, Akinkunmi Akinwumi Samuel, announced his demise via his Facebook page on Wednesday.

He wrote, “Life is indeed transient; I can say boldly you live a life with a landmark. Continue to rest on, my father! Pa Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi (O.F.R) Great Man has gone.”

 Akinkunmi was awarded 100 pounds by the government when his design was selected as the Nigerian flag.

He has also been honoured with the MON (Member of the Order of the Niger) Award by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Following the news, Nigerians across their social media platforms have continued to commend his efforts across diverse social media platforms.

Read some reactions:

May he find rest in the bossom of our Lord Jesus Christ. But how well was he taken care of when alive by d Nigerian state with utmost respect and dignity? Just asking 🤷 @olumide61939198 

The national flags should be at half mast to mourn their creator 

@farouq_SG

Tinubu Will Not Intervene in Gabon's Political Crisis-Bashir Ahmad

 

Following the multiple reports that the Gabonese president, Ali Bongo has been deposed, Bashir Ahmad, a former social media aide to President Muhammadu Buhari, has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not intervene in the political crisis in Gabon.

There have been concerns about how Nigeria, who is the leader of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) would handle the situation in the country.

Recall that ECOWAS and African Union (AU) have rejected the coup in the Niger Republic and have been deliberating on moves to resolve the removal of a democratically elected president in the country.

In a post via Twitter, Bashir urged Nigerians to avoid any panic or concern about the ECOWAS leader, the Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu.

According to him, Gabon is not part of ECOWAS but a member of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS); hence, Nigeria will not intervene in the crisis.

He tweeted, “Calm down. Gabon is not part of ECOWAS; the country is a member of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS). So Nigeria, which is a leader of the ECOWAS, will not be intervening in the political crisis in Gabon, regionally.”

Meanwhile, Ahmad had earlier said it is disheartening that Africa faces a resurgence of political instability following a fresh coup in Gabon.

He said while Africa is simultaneously grappling with the ongoing crisis in Niger Republic, Burkina Faso and other nations, the pursuit of progress is being tested.

The former presidential aide added that the recent coup in Gabon serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of political transitions in Africa, adding that such coup incidents raise concerns about the continuity of progress in Africa.

Tinubu Attends NBA Conference

President Bola Tinubu on Sunday attended the MKO Abiola Stadium for the National Conference of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA).

Bola Ahmed Tinubu,Former Secretary to the Government of Federation,Bar Boss Mustapha and Tony Elumelu,during 63rd Annual General Conference Of Nigeria Bar Association, (NBA),at Capital City, Abuja.

At the event, the President declared that Nigeria will not sustain failed economic theory that sees to the wastage of 90% of its scarce revenue in the servicing of external debts in the midst of many challenges facing the country.

The conference was attended by the Attorney General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi; Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; Minister of Sports, Senator John Enoh; former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, past NBA Presidents and many senior government officials.

Why I Parted Ways With 9ice- ID Cabassa Reveals After 14 Years

 Popular Nigerian producer, Olumide Ogunade, better known as ID Cabasa, has finally revealed why he and former signee 9ice, fell out about 14 years ago.

Speaking with media personality Chude Jideonwo, Cabasa said that 9ice, born Abolore Akande, was upset by his decision to continue working with the latter’s ex-wife Toni Seun Payne.

Payne managed the artists under Cabasa’s Coded Tunes Record, a label that housed her estranged husband at the time 9ice, and rapper, Olamide.

Cabasa’s decision to continue working with Payne following the couple’s messy breakup did not sit right with 9ice, who eventually severed ties with the producer.

In a video shared Sunday on Instagram, Cabasa disclosed why he chose to keep Payne in his team.

According to the producer, he did it for 9ice and Payne’s son, Zion, who was born in 2008. 

“When I started pushing Olamide, you notice I brought Toni Payne, 9ice was angry but, he had no idea why I brought Payne in.

I have brought Payne in because I needed to keep Payne and Zion close to 9ice.

“I had my networks. Mr. Kupuloyi was my publicist. if I need anyone to move my artists around, I can find someone but I saw Payne and I noticed she wanted a reconciliation.

“I felt if she takes Zion abroad, 9ice may never see his son.”

Minister of Culture keeps Mum As NYSC Confirms She's A Serving Corps Member

Ms Hannatu Musawa, a lawyer, who was among the 28 Nigerians nominated by President Bola Tinubu as ministers last Thursday reportedly ignored calls and messages from pressmen today.

 

Following the confirmation by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC)  that Musawa, the minister of art, culture and creative economy, is a serving corps member.

This follows a claim by the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), a civil society organisation, that Musawa is undertaking the one-year mandatory youth service scheme while she is still a member of President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet.

Eddy Megwa, director of press and public relations at the NYSC headquarters, confirmed to newsmen today, that the minister is a corps member.

“Yes she is a serving corp member,” Megwa wrote in a message to TheCable when he was contacted for enquiries.

On Monday, President Tinubu swore in 45 ministers, including Musawa as members of the federal executive council (FEC).

But in a statement on Wednesday, HURIWA claimed that the culture minister is a member of NYSC, whose place of primary assignment is a law firm in Abuja.

When contacted by newsmen the minister did not answer calls put through her mobile phone, nor did she reply to messages sent to get her response.

The rights group asked the management of the NYSC to compel Musawa to focus on her national youth service or the ministerial appointment.

“HURIWA wondered why the correct status of Musawa wasn’t made known to the members of the public before the senate sensationally failed to screen her as it should,” the statement reads.

“HURIWA wonders about the kind of scrutiny being conducted by the Department of State Services so much so that it wasn’t disclosed that the minister is actually a youth corper.

The rights group alleged that years back, Musawa abandoned her NYSC in Ebonyi state but later showed interest in completing it.

The organisation added that the minister was mobilised this year and got posted to a law firm in Abuja before President Tinubu picked her as a nominee.

“She was confirmed by the senate without proper screening and sworn in by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as minister of arts, “HURIWA further alleged.

 The minister who hails from Katsina State, could not control her emotions on Tuesday when she broke down in tears while appearing before the Senate for screening.

Ms Musawa, a lawyer, was among the 28 Nigerians nominated by President Bola Tinubu as ministers last Thursday.

Serena Williams, husband welcome second child

 Serena Williams and her husband Alexis Ohanian have announced the arrival of  a second child. 

Her husband announced on Tuesday, adding that both were “happy & healthy” after the difficult birth of the tennis star’s first child left her fighting for her life.

“I’m grateful to report that our house is teaming with love: a happy & healthy newborn girl and happy & healthy mama,” her husband, Reddit founder Alexis Ohanian, posted on Instagram alongside a photograph of himself with a beaming Williams hugging both her daughters.

Addressing his 41-year-old wife, he told her she had “given me another incomparable gift  you’re the GMOAT,” a new maternal twist on the sporting accolade Greatest Of All Time.

In 2017 Williams, one of the greatest players in history, won the Australian Open  one of her many Grand Slam titles while she was pregnant with the couple’s first child, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr.

But months later she nearly died after she developed a blood clot in her lung after giving birth to Olympia via emergency C-section.

She spent six weeks bedridden after the pulmonary embolism, but battled back to make her return to competition just five months later in Fed Cup doubles alongside her sister, Venus.

Williams retired from tennis last year after becoming a superstar for a generation.

I’m ready to be a mom and explore a different version of myself,” she said after her final match last year.

Why I auditioned for Big Brother Naija 5 Times-Hilda Bacci Reveals

Famous chef, Hilda Effiong Bassey, better known as Hilda Baci, has explained why she auditioned for the Big Brother Naija reality show five times.

She said she planned to go on the reality show and become famous before staging her cooking challenge.

The Guinness World Record holder disclosed this while appearing on Cool FM Nigeria’s programme, The Big Friday Show, hosted by reality star, Tacha.

She said, “I tried to get on Big Brother [Naija] for a while. I think I auditioned about four or five times.

“The plan for the cook-a-thorn was still in the pipeline, so my goal was to go to Big Brother and then come out and do the cook-a-thorn.”

Newsmen recalls that Guinness World Records certified Hilda Baci as the new record holder for the longest cooking marathon by an individual.

Fans commiserate with Wizkid as singer loses mother

Fans of popular Nigerian singer Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun better known as Wizkid have continued to commiserate with him as he lost his mother.

Confirming the unfortunate incident to newsmen yesterday, the singer’s manager, Sunday Are, said, “Yes, she died this (Friday) morning at about 1.30 am.”

Before his mum’s passing, Wizkid often spoke glowingly about the support she gave him as an artiste. He also often gushed of his love for her. To underscore his love for her, the singer dedicated a song, ‘Mummy Mi’, to her. This was even as he talked about her in some other songs, including ‘Joy’ and ‘Jaiye Jaiye’. He also stated that a tattoo on his hand, which reads ‘Morayo’, was dedicated to her.

On her birthday in July 2019, Wizkid had taken to his Instagram page to celebrate her. The singer, who does not usually felicitate people on social media, posted a picture of her and wrote, “My backbone, prayer warrior, my life! I love you. I’ll do anything for you. I will do everything for you. (I wish you)

On her part, the artiste’s late mum also often spoke of her love for the ‘Essence’ singer. In an interview with Daily Post in April 2014, she had said, “I am so glad that he is my son and I’m his mother. I give God all the glory. God has kept him for us and He will continue to (do so).”

Remi Tinubu receives Super Falcons in Abuja

 The First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu on Monday received members of the Nigerian female football team, the Super Falcons, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The Super Falcons crashed out of the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, having lost through penalties to the English team, the Lionesses last Monday, August 7.

The First Lady last week held a similar meeting with the Nigeria female basketball team, D’Tigresses.

Details later…

'The whole economy is crumbling'- Nigerians react as naira tumbles to N950/$ at parallel market

Nigerians have continued to express their views on social media as the naira fell to an all-time low of N950 to a single dollar at the parallel market on Thursday, August 10 2023.

The figure represents N53 or 5.9 percent depreciation compared to the N897 it traded earlier this week.

Bureaux De Change (BDC) operators in Lagos said that there is high demand for foreign currency in the street market.

The street traders, popularly known as ‘abokis’ put the buying price of the dollar at N935 and the selling price at N950, leaving a profit margin of N15.

 Meanwhile, currency traders in the Agbara area of Ogun state said they are currently buying the local currency at N920/$ and selling it for N940 per dollar...

The report has continued to generate reactions online.

Read some of the reactions:

Might hit 1k by end of tomorrow ? We are finished!!!! Giant of Africa turn Zimbabwe 💀@ayinnu 

This @officialABAT will only hasten #RevolutionNow in Nigeria in how many months. The whole economy is crumbling.@Royalk_01 

Nigerians, please focus on online jobs that ay in dollars, content creation, tech, and other kinds of freelancing as a side hustle.

The Naira is falling and may not recover untill we have a government that knows what it's doing.

For now, be wise!!! @AdebayoGlover

Osinbajo Mourns Passing of Pastor Taiwo Odukoya

Nigeria’s Former Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo has described the sudden death of the founder of Fountain of Life Church, Pastor Taiwo Odukoya as devastating.

Osinbajo in a statement shared on his official Twitter handle on Thursday, described Odukoya’s death as devastating, noting that the firmness of his faith and the soundness of his scriptural expositions will be missed.

He wrote: “Dolly, I and our children are devastated by the news of the passing of our dear friend and brother, Pastor Taiwo. Our hearts and prayers are with Tolu, Jimi, Tobi, Timilehin and Jomiloju

"We will miss the firmness of his faith in the most difficult times, the soundness of his exposition of the scriptures, his fidelity to the true gospel of Jesus Christ, his childlike love of God translated so easily to worship, his transparency, his servant leadership, the affection and the love he showed so easily, his honesty, forthrightness and humility at all times.

He inspired a whole generation of (then) very young men and women, many of whom are now grandparents and still in Christ and will by His grace be until we meet him again at the resurrection. Amen.”

Divergent Responses as NLC Protesters Pull Down National Assembly Gate in Abuja (Read Reactions)

Mixed reactions have continued to trail the action of the protesters at the main gate of the National Assembly today, August 2 2023.

 Multiple reports revealed that the protest is led by the leaders of organised Labour, Joe Ajaero of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Festus Osifo of the Trade Union Congress 

asked security operatives stationed at the legislative building to open the gates to allow the angry workers to express their displeasure.

The President of NLC Joe Ajaero and TUC President Comrade Festus Osifo addressed the protesters at the Federal Ministry of Justice, calling on the Nigerian government to address the suffering being faced by the masses arising from the subsidy removal.

 

After an altercation between the protesters and security agents, the protesters pulled down the main gate of the complex. The security agents were overpowered by the surging crowd.

The protesters are currently heading to the second gate of the building and have vowed to also pull it down.

 

Recall that members of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and other aggrieved Nigerians on Wednesday trooped to the streets of Abuja, the nation’s capital to protest against the hardship caused by the removal of fuel subsidy by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

 

The protest kicked off from the popular Unity Fountain with members of organized labour displaying placards and banners.

The protesters expressed dissatisfaction with the hikes in fuel prices and the failure of the Tinubu administration to reverse “unfriendly policies targeted against the poor”.

Some of the inscriptions on their placards read: #BringBackOurRefineries; #LetThePoorBreathe; and #ALUTACONTINUA.

The action has stirred reactions on social media as Nigerians share divergent reactions to the action of the protesters.

Read some of the reactions:

@boodabmc

They will be repairing this with 200Million 🤦‍♂️

@IanKonrade

They pulled down the gate of the most useless institution in Nigeria. Watch them use billions to fix that gate

@Akinjoshua

I pray our government doesn't turn it into a bloodbath ceremony...