Author: Amina Mohammed

The locker Kobe Bryant used for the majority of his legendary NBA career sold for $2.9 million on Friday in New York, as part of an auction of rare sports memorabilia at Sotheby’s. The price for the Staples Center locker, which Bryant used while playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, nearly doubled the $1.5 million it was estimated to fetch. Bryant, an 18-time NBA All-Star guard, was killed in a 2020 helicopter crash at age 41. He spent his entire NBA career from 1996-2016 with the Lakers. A maintenance worker saved the locker from being discarded in 2018 during renovations…

The Minister of Sports Development John Enoh has again raised questions about Favour Ofili’s omission for the 2024 Olympics, saying officials of the Nigeria Olympics Committee (NOC) have not slept since the discovery. Ofili was supposed to compete in the 100m race at the Games. Her name, was, however, omitted, a development that has raised questions among stakeholders. While giving an update about Ofili’s omission, Enoh said Nigerian officials are working on getting to the root of the matter. “The 100m race got off to a start today, sadly without Favor Ofili. I was on the matter until the early…

A former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has called on the #Endbadgovernance protesters, to shun violence and give peace a chance in the country. While addressing the tragic loss of lives during the nationwide hunger and hardship protest which commenced on Thursday, Obi in a statement late Friday via X, emphasised the importance of peaceful demonstrations. Obi stated, “I wish to most sincerely pass my condolences to the families of all those who lost their lives in the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protests. I deeply mourn these brothers and sisters of ours, who have lost their lives in their…

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said late Friday he had agreed with Fox News to debate Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris on September 4. “I have agreed with FoxNews to debate Kamala Harris on Wednesday, September 4th,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, but it was not immediately clear if Harris had agreed to the debate. Trump’s post came hours after Harris secured the Democratic party’s presidential nomination as party standard bearer in November’s election. Trump’s White House bid was turned upside down on July 21 when President Biden, 81, facing growing concerns about his age and lagging polling…

Pop singer Justin Timberlake pleaded not guilty on Friday to driving while intoxicated in a virtual appearance before a judge who ordered that his driver’s license be suspended in New York state, US media reported. On June 18, the 43-year-old entertainer was pulled over in the town of Sag Harbor, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) east of New York City, after police observed his BMW go through a stop sign and struggle to stay within road lanes. The officer who pulled over the “Cry Me a River” singer said he was in no fit state to drive. “His eyes were…

The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) has strongly condemned what it describes as “numerous incidents of attacks on journalists by security officials, particularly members of the Nigerian Police Force,” during the #EndBadGovernance protests across the country on Thursday. The CJID stated on Friday that these attacks have been substantiated by multiple video and photographic pieces of evidence, which have now been documented by its Press Attack Tracker. The CJID noted that video clips it received “show police officers physically assaulting, intimidating, and violating the rights of journalists in various parts of Nigeria.” The Centre has called on the…

Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged Nigerians to be patient, reassuring them that President Bola Tinubu understands their concerns and anxieties. The VP also disclosed that the president is aware of the activities of the oil subsidy cabal but added that he is determined to push on with the reforms despite the difficulties currently facing the country. Shettima’s appeal came in response to the nationwide hunger protest and the need for Nigerians to be patient with the president in light of the hardship occasioned by the removal of the fuel subsidy, the unification of the foreign exchange market, and other…

The South-East Caucus of the National Assembly has frowned at what it called ethnic profiling of the Igbo people of the South-East Nigeria for choosing not to join the ongoing nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests against hardship and hunger in the country, describing the development as dangerous and unfortunate. The federal lawmakers from the South-East said the decision of the Igbos to abstain from the mass protests was informed by the advisory from the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, governors of South-Eastern States, Parliamentarians, and business leaders. The Caucus, therefore, said despite the stance of the Igbos, it was surprised and disappointed that the race…

The Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured the conviction and sentence of 24 internet fraudsters to various jail terms by Justice G. O. Imadegbelo of Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City. The convicts are: Azubuike Godwin, Ejike Prince, Ebeli Onyeishi Precious, Uboh Nelson, Henry Frank Aizeyosagbov, Jeremiah Osazuwa Bright, Aigbovibosa Osarumwense, Destiny Osagie Monday, Kindrick Ugochukwu, Daniel Kenedy Evun, Orobosa Elvis Nosakhare, Eleadi Nice Chibueze, Edidiong Ndifreke, Stephen Holiness, Iyamu Edosa David, Nosakhare Aigbovibosa. Others are Raymond Clinton Osariemen, Uhumona Destiny Osayomwenbor, Amos Godwin, Odion Victor, Ayomide Michael, Elijah Akpan Effiong,…

Eighty-one suspected hoodlums have been arrested by Sokoto State Police Command in connection to the violence and vandalism that followed the nationwide protest against hunger in the state. The Sokoto State Police Command spokesman Ahmed Rufai in a statement said the hoodlums were arrested while unleashing violence on innocent citizens and vandalising government infrastructure in Sokoto metropolis. According to him, the timely intervention of the police and other security agencies halted the further spread of violence and escalation of looting in the metropolis. He said the state police Commissioner recognised the right of citizens to protest, but that the command…