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  The Indian state of Gujarat has said that more than 60 people were killed in a bridge collapse on Sunday.  The government minister Brijesh Merja, according Times of India told the media that the newly renovated bridge collapsed around 6:30pm on Sunday. “More than 60 people have died,” the official, who was at the scene of the tragedy, was quoted as saying. He earlier revealed that some people died after being rescued. According to reports, dozens of people have been injured and a rescue operation is ongoing. The Home Minister of Gujarat, Harsh Sanghavi, said the tragedy occurred at around 6:30pm local time on Sunday, when 150 people were on the bridge. WATCH THE VIDEOS BELOW:  According to the witnesses, there may have been up to 500 people on the bridge at the time. The 230-metre bridge was built in the 19th century, during British rule. It reopened to the public this week, after a six-month renovation. It is believed the structure was unable to support the weight of t...

  The trial hearing of former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, and his wife, Beatrice over organ trafficking scheduled for Monday, will not hold, the Central Criminal Court popularly known as Old Bailey, United Kingdom has said, according to report.  Recall that Ekweremadu and his wife, on July 23, 2022, were being charged with Dr Obinna Obeta, on allegation of wanting to make payment for the procurement of an organ for their daughter, Sonia, from one David Nwamini. Following the allegation, Ekweremadu was detained in a UK prison after the June 23 arrest. It was gathered that the court said it will not be sitting due to the non-availability of Sonia, whose case was established. “The court official didn’t categorically say whether the Ekweremadus’ sickly graduate daughter, Sonia, is now a defendant in the case, for which her parents were arrested. The Old Bailey official said they won’t have to wait for long, as the “case will be re-listed for sometime during the week,”...

  Afrobeat legend Femi Kuti is now a Knight. The ‘Sorry Sorry’ singer was awarded the title of Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters – Chevalier de l’Ordre d’Arts et Lettres – in France last weekend. The honour came for the Grammy nominee during an Afrobeat exhibition in Paris, France, known as Rebellion Afrobeat. In his appreciation speech, Kuti thanked the organisers while imploring world leaders and France to change policies that aren’t favourable to Africa and its nations. “ Thank you very much, I truly appreciate this recognition and the involvement of the French cultural system from the start of my career at a point when many people did not accept my path as a musician. France has allowed me to express my music and I believe has understood my political views as a pan-Africanist through this medium before recognizing me with this honour. “ Africa must be free to express itself completely and to sit with partners to build a unified world of Justice, love, and peace. The world...

  Sean Combs popularly known as Diddy, has officially become Hip-Hop’s new billionaire, as he replaces Kanye West who reportedly lost $2billion in a day and dropped to an estimated net worth of $500million. A new report by former Forbes entertainment editor, Zack O’Malley Greenburg, on Friday reveals that Diddy becomes the third hip-hop artiste to ever attain the billionaire status, after Jay-Z and West, with a total net worth of $1billion. Asides his ‘Bad Boy Records’ label, Diddy also has his other businesses like Ciroc and Revolt to thank for his new billionaire status. West, who now goes simply by “Ye,” lost his billionaire status following his recent outburst of anti-Semitic remarks that prompted Adidas to pull the plug on the wildly lucrative footwear deal that made him a billionaire two years ago. Jay-Z reclaimed the top spot on the list from West as hip-hop’s richest artist with a net worth of $1.5billon, since he became the genre’s first billionaire in 2019.

  The Court of Appeal has granted the application filed by the Nigerian government to stay the execution of the judgement which ordered the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). On October 13, a three-man panel of the Appeal Court ruled that the rendition of the IPOB leader from Kenya in June 2021 by the Nigerian government was illegal. Therefore, Kanu who is facing trial for treasonable charges was discharged and acquitted by the appellate court. However, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, insisted that Kanu cannot be released from the custody of the secret police, the Department of State Services as he still has other charges against him. The Nigerian government thereafter appealed the judgment of the appellate court at the Supreme Court and applied for a stay of execution of the Appeal Court ruling which had ordered the immediate and unconditional release of Kanu from detention. In his decision...

  In the face of a record inflation rate, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), within the week, announced the redesigning of Naira’s higher denominations in a bid to take control of money in circulation. The apex bank set January 31st as the deadline to phase out the existing N200, N500, and N1,000 notes out of circulation and replace them with new notes. The CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele, while announcing the new policy, said over 85% of Naira notes are outside the vaults of the commercial banks. The CBN governor said specifically, out of the N3.23 trillion in circulation, over N2.27 are out of the vaults of the commercial banks. “To be more specific, as at the end of September 2022, available data at the CBN indicate that N2.73 trillion out of the N3.23 trillion currency in circulation, was outside the vaults of Commercial Banks across the country; and supposedly held by the public,” he said. This situation takes away the power of the CBN to regulate money in circulation through mo...

  The United Kingdom’s General Medical Council has licensed fresh 91 Nigerian-trained doctors. It was gathered that the accreditation of the 91 doctors occurred over 15 days between October 10 and October 25, 2022. The total number of Nigerian-trained doctors in the UK now stands at 10,387. There are 5,210 associate specialists, 2,318 doctors in training, 1,837 general practitioners, and 1,273 specialists among the 10,387 doctors. The accreditation of the 91 doctors came amidst cries by the Nigerian Medical Association against the brain drain bedevilling the health sector. Apart from doctors, other categories of health workers are also migrating. It was also gathered that the statistics also showed that between January 1, 2022, and September 30, 2022, about 1,307 Nigerian-trained doctors were licensed in the UK as Nigeria continues to battle one of the worst situations of brain drain in its history. However, Nigerian doctors who got medical qualifications in schools outside the cou...

  Abubukar Malami (left) and Nnamdi Kanu   Despite the court ruling asking Nigeria to return the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to Kenya and pay him N500 million as compensation, the Federal Government is not inclined to free him based on several factors, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has said. Malami told some newsmen in an  exclusive interview yesterday that the rendition of Nnamdi Kanu could not be used as the only basis to free the IPOB leader of other offences allegedly committed by him against the Federal Government of Nigeria. The Justice minister explained that the government was holding on to Kanu on account of four major issues, which were preceded by the rendition matter for which the court cleared him. Malami said: “To release or not to release Nnamdi Kanu is a function of law and the rule of law for that matter. In arriving at a decision whether to release or not release, is one; you look at...

  Justice M.G. Umar of the Federal High Court sitting in Enugu has fixed November 9 to hear the motion seeking to regularize the suit seeking to declare Senate Ike Ekweremadu's seat vacant. Ekweremadu, one-time deputy President of the Nigerian Senate, who hails from Mpu community in the Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu State, is representing Enugu West senatorial district at the upper legislative chamber of the National Assembly. Meanwhile, Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice are standing trial in the United Kingdom over an alleged conspiracy to harvest the organ of one David Ukpo. The couple were arrested by the Specialist Crime Team of the Metropolitan Police in London in June 2022. Sequel to his long absence in Nigeria to represent his constituency at the Senate, an Enugu-based lawyer, Ogochukwu A. O. Onyema who contested the Peoples Democratic Party primary election for the Enugu West senatorial ticket with Ekweremadu in the 2019 election, is seeking a court order declaring ...

  Barbadian singer and businesswoman, Robyn Rihanna Fenty popularly known as Rihanna, has announced the release of her new single, the first after a six-year hiatus from the music industry. Rihanna, who has in the past years focused on her thriving fashion and beauty empire, will be releasing “Lift Me Up”, a soundtrack to Marvel movie, ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.’ Rihanna teased a video of the track via her Twitter page on Wednesday, and captioned the post, “Lift me up. 10.28.2022.” Rihanna co-wrote “Lift Me Up” with Nigeria’s Tems; music producer, Ludwig Göransson; and Black Panther’s director, Ryan Coogler,  Billboard  reports. The track which will be released on November 4, was written as a tribute to the lead star of the first Black Panther film, Chadwick Boseman, who died in 2020 at the age of 43. In a press statement, Tems said, “After speaking with Ryan and hearing his direction for the film and the song, I wanted to write something that portrays a warm embrac...

  Nigerian singer and rapper, Erhiga Agarivbie, popularly called by his stage name Erigga, has advised his fellow men not to channel all their income on investments. He said that sometimes men need to use 10 percent of their money to have a good time by womanizing. Erigga, in a tweet on his Twitter handle, explained that people also die, which means that if one should focus only on investments and not enjoyment, it would yield profits which the man won’t be able to spend. “Anytime u cash out try dey use 10% carry woman, no be every time investment, people dey die too no forget.” he tweeted. The singer had earlier given his opinion ahead of the 2023 general election, as he spoke about the heated exchange on social media between Nigerians supporting different politicians. Erigga urged Nigerians to vote for whoever favours them as he said he has never seen the child of any politician fight dirty to defend their parents online.

  Priscilla Ajoke Ojo, the daughter of a famous Nigerian actress, Iyabo Ojo and a brand influencer, has reacted to the rumour of her alleged leaked sex tape. Following a recent bedroom video that went viral on Instagram, Priscilla took to social media to call out her accusers to bring out more evidence for their claim as they didn’t have enough evidence on her. She said if it were true, they would have shown her face. The 21-year-old brand influencer stated that not only could they not show her face but they were also unaware of the large birthmark behind her legs. “So I heard a blog has my sex tape, aww awwn, why don’t you show my face? like? Show my face in the tape, lets see. Secondly, I have a birthmark at the back of my legs, a very big birthmark. So try again”.

  Adidas has cut its Yeezy partnership with Kanye West days after he showed a “White Lives Matter” T-shirt design at Paris Fashion Week. It was gathered  that Adidas said it would review the Yeezy partnership with Kanye West over his anti-semitic comments. The German sports brand, therefore, said recent comments and actions from West, who has officially changed his name to Ye, had been “unacceptable, hateful and dangerous, and they violate the company’s values of diversity and inclusion, mutual respect and fairness”. The company said it would take a “short-term” hit of €250m (£217m) to its income for this year after deciding to stop the brand’s business with immediate effect. It is to end production of items under West’s Yeezy brand and stop all payments to the musician and his companies. In 2020, the partnership brought in nearly $1.7bn in revenue for Adidas, according to Bloomberg, and was due to expire in 2026. The revenue loss will be a setback for Adidas, which recently w...

  A Federal High Court, sitting in Umuahia, Abia State, has shifted the judgement of the extraordinary rendition suit filed by the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to Wednesday, October 26, and not Thursday as earlier announced. Aloy Ejimakor, special counsel to Kanu, announced the adjustment on Monday. Ejimakor said this via his Twitter handle, saying, "Few hours ago, I was notified by the Federal High Court, Umuahia that the #MNK 'extraordinary rendition' judgment which was fixed for 27th October, 2022 has been moved backwards by one day to 26th October, 2022." It was gathered on last Wednesday that Ejimakor expressed hope that the Federal High Court in Umuahia, Abia, would deliver judgement in the extraordinary rendition suit. Ejimakor said the suit would not be affected by the recent Appeal Court ruling in favour of Kanu. According to him, the Federal High Court in Abia will sit on October 27 to judge Kanu’s case. A three-mem...

  The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Monday reserved judgment in an application by the Federal Government seeking a stay of execution of the court’s judgment that ordered the release of the Indigenous People of Biafra leader, Nnamdi Kanu. Justice Haruna Tsanami announced that a date for the delivery of judgment would be communicated to the parties when ready. While arguing the application, the Federal Government told the Court of Appeal that Kanu poses threat to national security and must be held in detention to maintain peace. In a motion for a stay of execution of the October 13 judgment delivered in favour of Kanu, the Federal Government’s counsel, David Kaswe, while arguing the motion, informed the Appellate Court that Kanu had earlier demonstrated to be a flight risk when he fled the country when granted bail on the terrorism charges against him at the Federal High Court in Abuja. “My Lords, our concern, the concern of the Federal Government, is the threat the release of Kanu pos...

  The CEO and record producer of Mavin Records, Michael Collins Ajereh popularly known as Don Jazzy has revealed why he is still single at 39 years old. Don Jazzy, in a post on his Instagram page, said that he is threading carefully. The singer, who was once married, disclosed that he doesn’t want to be a scape goat again. He had last year revealed that he got divorced when he was 22 year old and since then had stayed away from love and marriage because he was hurt. Speaking in a video on Sunday, Don Jazzy said, “I’m threading carefully because I don’t want to be a scape goat. Once beaten twice shy. I dey hear word. “Ashawo dey my eyes that’s why I don’t want to commit again. I don’t know when I will commit”.

  Nollywood actor, Gideon Okeke, and his wife have split.  Okeke who didn’t reveal the reason for their split urged Nigerians to pray for his family. The father of two, who confirmed the separation on Instagram, said the experience has humbled him. “You wouldn’t believe it if I told you that I’m separated from my marriage right? “No you wouldn’t. So grab a seat. It is in the interest of clarity and clear conscience that this becomes imperative. But yea…’breakfast reach me too. Las las’. “It’s been a hard hot pill I’ve had to swallow and boy, it sure humbles one. This public service announcement wouldn’t be so important (to me), but for the trap that I find fame to be sometimes. Gagged. “But as I look to the future. I pray for my boys. Such lovely boys. Please put us all in your prayers, no pity party. “They need mum and dad sane, sound and strong for the fulfillment of their best interests and we are working towards it. Hard! I thank God. And I thank you for rooting for us. On...

  Anambra State government has explained that it suspended all casino and gaming services in hotels, restaurants and bars over alleged fraudulent activities perpetrated in the centres. The government also stated that it has not banned the operations of Bet9ja and other similar betting outfits in the state. A statement jointly signed by the commissioners for Culture, Entertainment and Tourism, Homeland Affairs, Comrade Don Onyenji and Chief Chikodi Anara; and the Chairman Anambra State Internal Revenue Service, Mr Richard Madiebo, accused hotels, restaurants and bars, operators of casino games machines of non-transparency, in payment for games winning which it said were serious abuse of the global best practice. The statement invited representatives of all the affected businesses to a meeting at the Dora Akunyili Women Development Center, Awka for revalidation. THE STATEMENT READ: “The Anambra State government has observed the fraudulent and criminal activities through which casino ...

  As ripples over the recent National Honours Awards given to some Nigerians are yet to settle, a group under the aegis of Citizens Awareness Against Corruption and Social Vices Initiative (CAACASVI), has petitioned the Federal Government, urging it to review some of the awards on some personalities. CAACASVI in a letter on Friday addressed to the Minister of Special Duties and Inter- Governmental Affairs, Senator George Akume and copied to President Muhammadu Buhari, titled ‘Appraisal and Demand on 2022 National Honours Awards’, said a rigorous review of the award should be carried out in line with extant rule governing the National Merit Award.  The letter signed by Comrade Olumuyiwa Onilede Executive Director, CAACASVI, stated that the outcome of the review must lead to stripping off some of the awardees of their awards. Among those the group wants their awards to be stripped off are musicians Teni, Tubaba, Burna Boy and Tech Entrepreneur, Ezra Olubi. It said the request is...