Deposit bad naira notes in bank before Monday - CBN tells Nigerians

Nigerians have been directed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to deposit bad naira notes in banks before Monday September 2. 

CBN said it is recalling the bad currencies to improve the overall quality of the Naira notes in circulation. Naira notes expected to be deposited in banks include those which are weak and could easily tear at further handling or processing, mutilated notes that are partially or permanently damaged but which clearly still has more than half of its original size together.

Europa League Draw Arsenal vs Frankfurt Manchester United vs Astana Wolves vs Besiktas

The Europa League Group Stage draw for 2019/20 has been revealed. 

Lagos Government intercepts truck loaded with 123 persons and 48 motorcycles from Jigawa

The Lagos state government on Friday August 30, intercepted a truck from Jigawa state loaded with 123 persons and 48 motorcycles in Agege area of the South-West state. 

Legendary German Goal Keeper Oliver Rolf Kahn named as next Bayern CEO

German champions, Bayern Munich have announced the appointment of former captain Oliver Kahn, returning as a board member next year and as CEO in 2022.  

Champions League Group Stage draw revealed: Bayern Munich vs Tottenham Chelsea vs Valencia PSG vs Real Madrid

The Champions League Group Stage draw for 2019/20 has been revealed. 

Current champions, Liverpool will face Napoli, Salzburg, and Genk in (Group E), while last season’s finalists Tottenham Hotspur, will take on Bayern Munich, Olympiakos and Red Star Belgrade in (Group B). 

Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk beats Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to win UEFA Player of the Year

Virgil van Dijk has been crowned UEFA's 2018/19 Men's Player of the Year. 

The Liverpool defender beat Barcelona star Lionel Messi and Juventus superstar Cristiano Ronaldo to win the award at a ceremony which took place in Monaco, France on Thursday, August 29, 2019

Nigeria was created by Colonialists to provide raw materials for industries in Europe - Pastor Sam Adeyemi

Pastor Sam Adeyemi, founder of Daystar Christian Center, has called on Nigerian leaders to lead a national discussion for the creation of a new Nigeria. According to him, Nigeria as created by the colonials, was created to provide raw materials for industries in Europe. 

Alexis Sanchez finally completes loan move to Inter Milan from Manchester United

Alexis Sanchez has completed his loan move to Inter Milan from Manchester United after fallen out of favour at Old Trafford.

Ekiti State Assembly summons Fayose, ex-Speaker, others over alleged financial impropriety

The Ekiti State House of Assembly has summoned former Governor Ayodele Fayose to appear before it to throw light on alleged misappropriation of local government funds while in office.    

Harvard new student denied entry into the US because of social media posts made by his friends

A foreign student newly admitted to the prestigious Harvard University has been denied entry into the United States of America because of social media posts his friends made.

According to Washington Post, Palestinian Ismail Ajjawi, 17, arrived at Boston Logan International Airport on Friday night, but immigration officials detained him for eight hours.

Ajjawi was interrogated for hours and his phone and computer were searched. Afterwards, they revoked his visa and sent him back home.

Nigeria slashes visa fees for US citizens

Barely 24 hours after the US authorities increased the cost of visa application for Nigerians under a tit for tat policy, FG has announced a reduction in the amount payable by citizens of the U.S seeking Nigerian visas.

1999 constitution is the reason Nigeria remains poor - Afe Babalola

Renowned legal practitioner, Afe Babalola has stated that the 1999 constitution is the reason Nigeria remains poor. 

Chief Afe Babalola made the claim after being conferred with the African Role Model and the African Union Agenda 2063 Ambassador awards by the African Union Economic Socio-Cultural Council on Tuesday August 27. 

Nigeria's Raymond Ekevwo becomes Africa’s fastest man

Nigeria’s Raymond Ekevwo became Africa's fastest man with a record time of 9.96secs which gave him the much needed victory in the 100m event at the ongoing 2019 African Games.

Ekevwo was closely followed by another Nigerian Usheori Itsekiri, who came third in a record time of 10.02secs at the 100m final in Morocco.

This is Nigeria's first gold in the men’s 100m at the African Games since 2007.

Barcelona unveil giant statue outside Camp Nou in honour of late club legend Johan Cruyff

Barcelona have unveiled a giant statue outside their famous Nou Camp stadium in honour of late club legend, Johan Cruyff.

Lagos State House of Assembly inaugurates committee to probe the administration of ex-Governor Akinwunmi Ambode

The Lagos State House of Assembly has inaugurated a committee to probe the administration of ex-Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.  

As part of its mandate, the Honorable Fatai Mojeed led committee is mandated to investigate the purchase of 820 buses that had been scheduled for public transport in the state.

The embattled ex-governor is also under investigation by EFCC on alleged cases of mismanagement of state funds.

Lionel Messi congratulates 16-year-old Ansu Fati from Guinea-Bissau after he became the youngest player to start for Barcelona since 1941

Anssumane Fati, a young football player from Guinea-Bissau became the youngest Barcelona player to play for the club since 1941 during the 5-2 win against Real Betis on Sunday evening (August 26).

Taylor Swift tops Forbes' list as the Highest-Paid Woman in Music

Forbes's ranking of the world's highest-paid women for music for 2019 is out, and Taylor Swift secured the top spot

Court orders Johnson & Johnson to pay $572 million for its role in Oklahoma’s opioid crisis

On Monday, August 26th, a judge  found Johnson & Johnson responsible for fueling Oklahoma’s opioid crisis and ordered the health care company to pay $572 million to remedy the devastation brought by the epidemic on the state and its residents.

"The reason Nigerians are known for scamming is because we are smarter than a lot of people" - Jidenna

Nigerian born US singer, Jidenna has revealed the reason why Nigerians are known for scam all over the world.  

South African government seizes a plane belonging to Air Tanzania in Johannesburg

South African authorities have seized a plane from Tanzania's national carrier. The Airbus 220-300 was due to fly from Johannesburg, South Africa, on Friday to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania but it was impounded.

Flood renders hundreds of people homeless in Adamawa State

The Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency (ADSEMA) says heavy rain on Friday, August 23rd which lasted for hours has displaced substantial number of people across the state.  

I was shocked when my name was missing on Buhari’s ministerial list- Adebayo Shittu

Adebayo Shittu, the immediate-past Minister of Communication, says he was shocked when he found out his name wasn't on the Ministerial list for the 2nd term of President Buhari.

For the second year in a row Scarlett Johansson tops Forbes’ list of highest paid actresses in the world

For the second year in a row, Scarlett Johansson has topped Forbes’ list of the highest-paid actresses, earning $56 million including an eight-figure cheque for her upcoming Black Widow film and an impressive back-end payment of about $35 million for the $2.8 billion-grossing Avengers: Endgame.

Former England Chelsea and Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips retires from football aged 37

Shaun Wright-Phillips has announced his retirement from football at the age of 37.

Wright-Phillips made the announcement appearing on Sky Sports' Soccer AM this morning.(August 24).

Stop using security agencies to silence Nigerians - Soyinka tells Buhari

Prof. Wole Soyinka has alleged that the Buhari-led administration is using security agencies to silence Nigerians.

Presidency denies reports that Ministers have been banned from having direct access to President Buhari

The Presidency has denied recent media reports that the new Ministers have been banned from having direct access to President Buhari.

Recall that at the 2-day retreat for the Ministers designate, President Buhari informed them that all correspondents and scheduling of meetings must go through his Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari. This implied that all the Ministers must go through Kyari to fix appontments with President Buhari for them to see him.

Samuel Chukwueze wins Villarreal’s Revelation Player of the 2018-2019 season

Super Eagles of Nigeria star, Samuel Chukwueze won Villarreal’s Revelation Player of the 2018-2019 season during the club’s Peña Pardals Grocs Awards.

Oyo State House of Assembly confirms 27-year old Seun Fakorede as commissioner for youth and sport

The Oyo State House of Assembly has confirmed Seun Fakorede, a 27-year-old, as commissioner for youth and sport.  

I gave Kaduna and Kano two ministerial slots because of the votes they gave me – Buhari

President Buhari on Thursday August 22, revealed that he gave Kano and Kaduna two ministerial slots because of the votes he got from the states in the 2019 Presidential election. 

The President disclosed this during a courtesy visit to the Emir of Zazzau, Dr Shehu Idris at his palace in Zaria, Kaduna State.

“Kaduna and Kano are the only two states I gave two substantive positions in my council. So, I have appreciated your votes and paid you back by giving you ministers of environment and finance”, he said. 

President Buhari also vowed to make Nigeria better by making sure his cabinet works for the good of the country and for Nigerians. 

“Before you push everything to me, I am just reminding you that I will do my best and I will make sure that the new cabinet is working for the good of Nigeria and Nigerians,” he said.

“Kaduna and Kano are the only two states I gave two substantive positions in my council. So, I have appreciated your votes and paid you back by giving you ministers of environment and finance" he added. 

Buhari garnered 1,464,768 votes in Kano and 993,445 votes from Kaduna in the last Presidential elections in which he emerged victorious. 

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain agrees new long-term deal with Liverpool until 2023

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has signed a new long-term contract until 2023 with European champions,  Liverpool.

Miguel joins others to condemn the lack of worldwide outrage over the Amazon rainforest fires

A number of people, including American singer Miguel, have raised alarm as the Amazon rainforest, considered the lungs of the earth because it provides 20% of the world's oxygen, has been on fire for weeks and little is being done about it.

Concerned individuals and organisations have taken to different social media platforms to raise awareness of the wildfires in Brazil while drawing a comparison to the attention the Notre Dame got earlier this year when it was on fire.

Complex

✔@Complex

The Amazon Rainforest has been on fire for 3 weeks.

People around the world are blasting Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro for his lack of response#PrayforAmazonia http://cmplx.co/3VZQk32 

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3:56 PM - Aug 21, 2019

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They condemned the billionaires of the world for turning a blind eye to the Amazon rainforest fires by not giving it the kinds of attention they gave to the Notre Dame.

Maldives Voice@MaldivesVoice4

The Amazon Rainforest is on fire• It produces 20% of the world's oxygen #AmazonFire #PrayforAmazonas

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6:10 AM - Aug 22, 2019

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Sharing a photo of the burning rainforest, American singer Miguel wrote: "Don’t pray for Brazil or the Amazon. Pray for yourself . The amazon provides 20% of our oxygen every year and it’s burning at a record rate right now and for the past 18/19 days. This is a WORLD emergency and affects all of our security. "

He added in another post: "Don't pray for the Amazon. Pray for yourself... And your children. And your children’s children. The amazon provides 20% of our oxygen every year and it’s burning at a record rate right now and for the past 18/19 days. This is a WORLD Emergency and effects all of our security. Still, the media has not made this a priority. You can’t afford to ignore this.

 

Below are reactions from others.

Buhari has reduced ministers to Abba Kyari’s clerical aides and Its completely unacceptable - PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party has accused President Buhari of reducing ministers to his Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari’s clerical aides with the directive that they (ministers) must channel all their meeting requests to him through Kyari.

PDP's National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, in a statement said it was an indication that Nigerians would not enjoy good governance during Buhari’s second term.

The PDP invites Nigerians to note President @MBuhari’s contemptible approach to governance and disregard to ministerial portfolios as portrayed in the recent degrading of ministers to clerical aides of Chief of Staff, Mallam Abba Kyari.

— Official PDP Nigeria (@OfficialPDPNig) August 21, 2019

“The directive also suggests that Mr President as the Minister of Petroleum Resources will also go through the Chief of Staff on policy matters. He has abdicated his responsibility and ceded it to his Chief of Staff.”

Ologbondiyan also said such demotion of ministers was unacceptable, counter-productive, adding that it only reduced governance to a domestic affair.  

The President had on Tuesday, at the close of the two-days retreat organised for the ministers, asked them to always go through Kyari for meeting requests and through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, for issues relating to the Federal Executive Council.

“As I said yesterday (Tuesday), in terms of coordinating communication, kindly ensure that all submissions for my attention or meeting requests be channelled through the Chief of Staff while all Federal Executive Council matters be coordinated through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation in order to speed up the process of decision-making.”

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson tops Forbes list of highest-paid actors in 2019

Forbes's ranking of the world's highest-paid actors for 2019 is out, and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnsonsecured the top spot

According to the publication, Johnson, whose 2019 film credits include Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw as well as the WWE-themed comedy-drama Fighting with My Family, made $89.4m (£73.7m) between 1 June 2018 and 1 June 2019.

Chris Hemsworth came in second place with estimated earnings of $76.4 million, and Robert Downey Jr.. came in third with reported earnings of $66 million.

According to Forbes, the earnings estimates are based on a number of factors, including data from Nielsen, ComScore, Box Office Mojo and IMDB. Interviews with "industry insiders" are also taken into account. The estimated figures are pretax, and fees for agents, managers and lawyers are not deducted.

Check out the full list of World’s Highest-Paid Actors Of 2019.

?1. Dwayne Johnson

Earnings: $89.4 million

2. Chris Hemsworth

Earnings: $76.4 million

3. Robert Downey Jr.

Earnings: $66 million

4. Akshay Kumar

Earnings: $65 million

5. Jackie Chan

Earnings: $58 million

6. Bradley Cooper (tie)

Earnings: $57 million

6. Adam Sandler (tie)

Earnings: $57 million

8. Chris Evans

Earnings: $43.5 million

9. Paul Rudd

Earnings: $41 million

10. Will Smith

Earnings: $35 million

Ed Sheeran failed music course at college but still became global best-selling pop star

It has been revealed that Ed Sheeran, who has sold more than 150 million records worldwide, actually failed music at college.

Lagosians are in trouble - Former Governorship aspirant, Babatunde Gbadamosi reacts to Joe Igbokwe's confirmation as 'Special Adviser'

As Tweeted by Former Governorship aspirant, Babatunde Gbadamosi in reaction to Joe Igbokwe's confirmation as Special Adviser for Drainage and Water Resources.

Racquel Bailey finally lands a role on Tyler Perry's show after paying for a billboard ad to get his attention

Despite receiving a light scolding from Tyler Perry for pulling a billboard stunt to get his attention, Racquel Bailey can now for say for sure that her $2,000 investment paid off as she was offered a spot in the ace producer and actor's new project. 

Recall that Tyler politely chastised the actress for escalating her attention-grabbing tactics with a billboard. He also told her she will be offered a spot in his movies if she comes out good at his auditions which has no entry fee. 

'This is not the way to get my attention if you’re looking for a role in one of my shows. Please DON’T DO THIS, SAVE YOUR MONEY!! This is the third time that someone has done this. PLEASE STOP! To audition is FREE!! I’m sure you can use that money for a better purpose,' he wrote in the lengthy caption.

'I love that you want to work with me, and I love that you invest in yourself. But when you do things like this it puts my team on high alert and makes me look at you sideways. I know the message that you want to send is a positive one, but this comes across as the opposite.

'And by the way, you were great in THE NIGHT OF! It was my favorite show a couple years ago. I ALREADY SAW YOU!! So just audition and keep your money!! Again, I appreciate your effort, but that’s not the way to work for me. God bless you dreamer. I have no doubt you will make it one day!!' he added.

The 32-year-old actress however moved on from that and has been cast in a recurring role in Tyler Perry's new drama “Sistas". Racquel spent last week in Atlanta at Tyler Perry Studios, which was where she strategically placed her billboards in May. 

TMZ reported that she will be playing the police officer who had a past relationship with one of the lead characters. Perry was on set directing the episode in which Bailey will appear ... a dream come true for her.

Her billboard stunt was quite successful as she was contacted by several casting directors thereafter, got about 20 auditions  and landed 2 roles before the "Sistas" gig. She also has an audition with some known directors coming up soon.