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FG declares Monday as Eid-ul-Mawlid holiday

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The Federal Government has declared Monday, September 16, 2024, as a public holiday to mark the celebration of the Eid-ul-Mawlid. Eid-ul-Mawlid is the commemoration of the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the declaration on behalf of the federal government in a statement by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Magdalene Ajani, on Friday. While congratulating the Muslim Ummah on the occasion, he implored them to use the opportunity of the period to pray for enduring peace and a more prosperous egalitarian nation. The minister urged the Muslims and all Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of patience, sacrifice, and resilien  

Minimum wage: NYSC to spend N307.6bn on corpers’ allowances

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The National Youth Service Corps  may spend as much as N307.6bn on the mobilisation and payment of allowances to corps members, The PUNCH reports. This amount is based on the increase in corps members’ allowances, which rose from N33,000 to N77,000, as announced by the NYSC in a statement released in September 2024.  The increase followed the signing of the new minimum wage bill into law in May 2024. On average, the NYSC mobilises between 1,200 and 1,500 corps members for the orientation exercise across camps in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. The mobilisation occurs in three batches annually—A, B, and C. This results in an average of 55,500 corps members per batch, bringing the total number of corps members mobilised in a year to 333,000. With each corps member now receiving N77,000, the total payment for one batch amounts to N25.64bn. Over the course of the year, this brings the total amount allocated for corps members’ allowances to N307.6bn. In the 2025 bu...

Mohbad’s brother, friend arrested outside Lagos court

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The younger brother of the late singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, aka Mohbad, has been arrested by operatives of the Nigeria Police on the premises of the Magistrates’ Court in the Ogba area of Lagos State. Adura was said to have been whisked away on Wednesday alongside his friend, Ibrahim Koleosho, aka King White, shortly after attending a legal proceeding regarding a phone he sold to one Damola Ayinde. There is a report that Mohbad’s mother, Abosede, clashed with Yomi Fabiyi during a press briefing held in January over allegations against the late singer’s brother, Adura. This followed a petition filed by Fabiyi on Friday, December 13, 2024, alleging that the deceased’s brother initiated an Instagram chat wherein he claimed to have video evidence of how Mohbad died. Fabiyi in the petition he posted on his social media handles alleged that the chat went on with Adura demanding the sum of N3m to be paid in Bitcoin in exchange for the video evidence. However, Adura denied the allegation stating...

Rivers State Emergency Rule: FG deploys 10,000 troops against vandals as opposition, NLC protest

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The Federal Government has deployed 10,000 Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps personnel to curb further attacks on oil pipelines against the backdrop of the blasts at oil installations in Rivers State between Sunday and Tuesday. The NSCDC spokesperson, Afolabi Babawale, confirmed the deployment of anti-vandal operatives to The PUNCH on Wednesday, stating that the operatives were tasked with protecting critical infrastructure and preventing pipeline vandalism, particularly in the Niger Delta. “The NSCDC hereby warns against destruction and vandalism of critical national assets and infrastructure across the Niger Delta as over 10,000 operatives have been deployed to collaborate with other security agencies to provide adequate peace and security of lives and property,” Babawale said. This came as the opposition lawmakers and Organised Labour protested the imposition of emergency rule in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu. Tinubu in a national broadcast on Tuesday announced the su...

Davido’s manager Asika proposes to girlfriend

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Nigerian music superstar Davido’s long-time manager, Asa Asika has proposed to his girlfriend, Leona Adesanya. The proposal, which was captured in a viral video, shows the talent manager guiding Adesanya to the venue, where he then popped the question. The video also captured friends and well-wishers cheering in the background as Davido proudly said, “He is my boy”. Davido also took to Instagram to share the heartwarming moment, declaring, “we got a BIG wedding to plan. I’m proud to say I saw ur ring first.” This comes a few months after his wedding to Chioma Rowland. The couple tied the knot in an elaborate ceremony at the Eko Hotel and Suites in June.  

Filmmaker, Pascal Atuma to release movie on “Japa” syndrome featuring Omoni Oboli, others

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Nigerian filmmaker, Pascal Atuma, who resides in Canada, is set to release his latest movie titled “Imported Wives,” which explores marriages affected by the Japa syndrome, featuring a stellar cast of Omoni Oboli, Nancy Isime, Mama Gee, Ngozi Nwosu, Linda Osifo, Joseph Benjamin and others. Atuma, who is both the director and producer of the film, disclosed to journalists in Lagos during a press conference ahead of the release. that the movie took him a year and eight months to complete. According to Atuma, the film highlights what occurs when men bring wives from villages in Africa to marry and then ‘import’ them abroad to start a new life. Atuma explained, “This movie reflects my growth as a filmmaker based on my past experiences. For me, a movie must be substantial. It was shot in Nigeria and Canada, but the auditions were conducted in the U.S.” He continued, “The movie follows a man in the U.S. or Canada who returns to Nigeria to marry a wife and bring her back. Once the wife settle...

Sex has become trade everywhere — Actress, Chioma Ivoke

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In a reaction to the notion that “sex-for-roles” syndrome exists only in Nollywood, actress Chioma Ivoke, in an interview with Potpourri says nothing is farther from the truth as she maintains that sex is a weapon being used as a means to an end everywhere there are human interactions. She stated, “Sex for roles in all ramifications is messy to not just the girls but the guys as well. However, sex has become a trade for a lot of things in diverse firms and fields, not just confined to Nollywood or the entertainment industry. This is a condemnable act that should be curtailed or eradicated if possible.” On maintaining her privacy despite her public profile, Ivoke explained, “The thing one must understand is that social media is a marketplace where everyone across the globe might meet and as such, one must be disciplined enough to keep what is meant to be private private no matter the social media pressure.” When asked about balancing decency with flaunting her sex appeal, she said, “Wel...

Messi scores twice on return from injury as Inter Miami defeat Philadelphia Union 3-1

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Lionel Messi dazzled in his return from injury Saturday, scoring two goals in the space of four minutes and adding an assist in Inter Miami’s 3-1 Major League Soccer victory over the Philadelphia Union. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner hadn’t played since injuring his right ankle during the Copa America final on July 14, when he helped Argentina to victory over Colombia. Since then he had missed eight MLS games for his club and this month’s World Cup qualifiers for his country. Messi hadn’t played for Inter since June 1, but he didn’t miss a beat as he was inserted into the starting lineup. “The truth is that I’m a little tired,” he said after the match. “The heat and humidity in Miami don’t help much either, but I really wanted to come back, I had been off of the field for a long time. “Little by little I was training with the group, feeling good and that’s why we decided that I would start, and I’m very happy — very happy.” Miami coach Gerardo Martino was delighted to see his star c...

Germany opens doors to 250,000 Kenyan workers

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Germany has signed an agreement to allow 250,000 skilled and semi-skilled workers from Kenya to migrate under a new labour migration deal aimed at addressing workforce shortages in Europe’s largest economy. The agreement, which focuses on controlled and targeted migration, was signed by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Kenyan President William Ruto in Berlin. As Kenya faces increasing challenges in providing employment and adequate income for its young professionals, Germany is experiencing a shortage of skilled labour. The deal offers a solution to both countries’ issues, creating opportunities for Kenyans to work in Germany while addressing the country’s labour demands. In a pilot phase of the program, five Kenyan bus drivers have already arrived in Flensburg, northern Germany, as part of the larger plan. Migration agreements like this one have become a key element of Germany’s broader efforts to manage immigration and labour shortages effectively. The deal will also simplify the re...

Sowore released after brief detention at Lagos airport

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The Nigerian Immigration Service initially detained Omoyele Sowore, the convener of the #RevolutionNow Movement, at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Sunday immediately after his return to Nigeria. This occurred on the same day that members of the Take It Back Movement and other activists gathered at the airport in anticipation of his arrival. Sowore had been in the United States with his family. His flight departed from Washington Dulles International Airport at 6:14 AM EDT and landed in Lagos at approximately 9:43 AM WAT. When contacted on the telephone, Sowore disclosed that he was detained by the Nigerian Immigration Service and that his passport was seized. He stated that no reason was given for his detainment, and officials told him they were acting on instructions from higher authorities, needing to call Abuja for further direction on the matter. Sowore later confirmed his release via his X handle, stating, “I have just been released by the Nigerian Immigration ...

Unanswered questions one year after Mohbad’s death

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Despite continuous investigation to unravel the true circumstances surrounding the death of late singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, aka Mohbad, the air remains thick with unresolved questions and lingering grief. On September 12, 2024, while his family quietly commemorated the first year anniversary of his death, the shadows of uncertainty loomed larger than ever. Fans and loved ones are left grappling with a profound sense of loss and a desperate yearning for clarity. The singer had died in controversial circumstances on September 12, 2023 and there has been no concrete account for what led to the death of the late singer, though there have been wide and wild speculations from diverse quarters. In this piece, Saturday Beats takes a look at significant steps that have been taken towards the unraveling of the reason behind his death so far Inconclusive autopsy results Despite the fact that the body of the late singer was exhumed for the purpose of an autopsy to determine his death on September 2...