UFC middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has expressed an interest in venturing into professional wrestling (WWE) but has said he won’t want to be involved in it for a long period.

While discussing his prospect of venturing into professional wrestling with “The Halfcast Podcast”, Israel Adesanya made it clear that, rather than committing to a full-time WWE career, he said he would prefer making one, two, or possibly three appearances.

He said, “I always thought maybe I would, but I think I’ll do like stints like one, two, or maybe three but not like a weekly thing”.

The 34-year-old Nigerian-born Australian mixed martial artist opened up about his concerns about taking a full-time job with WWE by stressing that he liked to write his own stories and not let others choose the characters or the overall course of the story.

Hence, Israel Adesanya believes that committing to a lengthy spell in wrestling will be a betrayal of his identity and what he represents.

“I like to write my own story, I don’t want a writer writing my story and making me a heel this month and then the good guy this month. I’d rather just write my own story and yeah, I just feel like it’ll take away from me and it’ll be a disservice to myself. If I let someone else write my story and dictate how I’m perceived”, he said.

On who inspires him to consider a spell in wrestling, Adesanya said, “Watching him (Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson) on the mic, just roast five people five minutes straight and that’s just like a stand-up show. You know, playing with the mic and that kind of stuff, it seeps in and then you take bits and pieces, you’re inspired by those things.”

The contract extension talks between Italian Serie A champions Napoli and the representatives of Nigeria international, Victor Osimhen, have reportedly been halted due to unresolved aspects of the deal.

Since the 2022-2023 season ended in which Napoli won their first Scudetto in 33 years, the Italian giants have been trying to extend Osimhen’s contract even though it is set to expire on June 30, 2025.

Reports from an Italian publication, Football Italia claimed that Roberto Calenda, who represents Victor Osimhen, communicates frequently with Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis over the pending contract extension. Despite multiple discussions, no agreement has been reached yet.

So far, Calenda has had six meetings with Napoli over the contract extension of Victor Osimhen but nothing has been accomplished from the meetings.

Reports claimed that De Laurentiis has placed about £150 million price tag on Osimhen who scored 26 goals and provided 5 assists in 32 games last season.

The reigning Italian Serie A champions are anxious to sign the 24-year-old Nigerian striker to a new long-term contract, but talks have not yet resulted in a new agreement amidst interest from clubs throughout Europe.

According to Football Italia, Osimhen is willing to continue with Napoli but wants a release clause that would provide him some security for the future.

Tuesday’s meeting between Calenda and Napoli was intended to resume contract discussions; however, as highlighted by Corriere dello Sport via TMW, Calenda left without reaching a new arrangement.

Reports claimed that the negotiations are hanging on the failure of the parties involved to agree on Osimhen’s wage demands and the release clause Napoli are proposing.

The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Comrade Philip Shaibu, has approached the Court to seek protection from his boss, Governor Godwin Obaseki, to avoid an imminent impeachment and removal from office.

In a motion of notice brought before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja and made available to the media on Thursday, the Applicant (Shaibu) sought an order of interlocutory injunction stopping the Respondents or their agents from harassing, intimidating, embarrassing or preventing him from carrying out the functions of his office as Deputy Governor of Edo State including attending State Executive Council (SEC) meetings and other functions pending the determination of the substantive suit.

The Court papers, which listed the Inspector General of Police, State Security Service, the Governor of Edo State, Speaker of Edo House of Assembly and the Chief Judge of Edo State as Defendants, were sighted by our Correspondent.

Further investigations revealed that in the past two months, all have not been well at the Denis Osadebey Avenue seat of power in Benin City between Governor Obaseki and his Deputy, Shaibu.

Trouble started when Comrade Shaibu was seen in a viral video with Senator Adams Oshiomhole during the inauguration of the 9th National Assembly in Abuja.

Sources further alleged that a few days after the Abuja viral video, the governor summoned all PDP members of the State House of Assembly to his mansion, excluding his deputy, which was extremely unusual.

The deputy, who was briefed about the meeting, drove directly to the governor’s mansion but was rebuffed and stopped by the DSS personnel, who told him he was not on their list of invitees.

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Operatives of a private firm, Tanita Security Services on Wednesday intercepted a Nigerian Navy boat escorting a vessel loaded with crude oil suspected to be stolen in Delta State.

The vessel, MT PRAISEL, was being escorted by a Nigerian Navy boat led by a commander.

The private security firm intercepted the vessel in the Koko area of the state.

Despite resistance by the Nigerian Navy boat, “Tantita operatives stood their ground with the backing of the national security adviser (NSA) and the chief of naval staff (CNS) and have taken the suspicious vessel into custody,” a source said.

The Tantita operatives were conducting a routine patrol when they spotted the vessel.

The vessel was flying a Togolese flag, but the operatives had intelligence that it was carrying stolen crude oil.

When the Tantita operatives attempted to board the vessel, they were met with resistance from the Navy boat. Cdr Musa threatened to deal decisively with the Tantita operatives, but they refused to back down.

The NSA and the CNS were eventually contacted and they gave the Tantita operatives the authorisation to take the vessel into custody.

When contacted, the Nigerian Navy spokesperson Commodore Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan said a statement on the issue would be released soon.

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Consumer Nigeria Plc on Thursday disclosed that it will shut down its production line in Nigeria due to unfavourable economic situation.

The company said it plans to stop operations after evaluating the options for moving to a third-party distribution model for its pharmaceutical products.

The company is well-known for its products such as Augmentin, Neosporin, Panadol, Sensodyne, Advair, Ventolin, Theraflu, among others.

GSK Nigeria announced the development in a statement sent to the Nigeria Exchange Limited (NGX) on Thursday and signed by Frederick Ichekwai, the company secretary.

The company said it is working with its advisers to agree on next steps and plans to submit a scheme of arrangement to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which if approved, will see it return cash to shareholders except its parent company, GSK UK.

The company, which employs over 290 people, assured that all necessary legal proceedings would be met as regards employees and shareholders.

‘In our published Q2 results we disclosed that the GSK UK Group has informed GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria PLC of its strategic intent to cease commercialization of its prescription medicines and vaccines in Nigeria through the GSK local operating companies and transition to a third-party direct distribution model for its pharmaceutical products,” the statement reads.

“The Haleon Group has also separately informed the Board of its intent to terminate its distribution agreement in the coming months and to appoint a third-party distributor in Nigeria for the supply of its consumer healthcare products.

“For the above reasons, and having, together with GSK UK, evaluated various other options, the Board of GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria Plc has concluded that there is no alternative but to cease operations.

“Today we are briefing our employees whom we will treat fairly, respectfully and with care, meeting all applicable legal and consultation requirements.

“The Board is conscious that shareholders will have many questions; we have been working assiduously with our professional advisors to agree on next steps and we will be shortly submitting to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) a draft Scheme of Arrangement which may, if approved, see shareholders other than GSK UK, receive an accelerated cash distribution and return of capital.

“The Board acknowledges the support of the GSK Group in its intentions to make this possible, full details of which we hope to publish shortly. In the meantime, however, we cannot give you assurance of the final terms of any scheme, or that any scheme will be approved by the SEC or by shareholders.

“Shareholders are advised to seek professional advice and continue to exercise caution when dealing in the company’s shares until a further announcement is made.”

According to our correspondent, the Federal Ministry of Finance has ordered that all directors who have spent eight years in the directorate cadre tender their notices for early retirement in accordance with the new tenure limit introduced for directors in the Federal Civil Service.

A memo signed by the ministry’s Director of Administration, Mariya Rufai, and dated August 3, 2023, was sent to all directors and heads of ministry units.

The Federal Government instituted a tenure policy for Permanent Secretaries in the newly revised rules. Though the rule states that Permanent Secretaries will now serve for four years, it also states that their tenure is subject to renewal based on performance evaluations. It also states that directors who serve for eight years must retire at the end of the period.

Our correspondent also learned that the Federation’s Head of Civil Service, Folashade Yemi-Esan, called for the PSR to be implemented immediately in a memo to all ministries.

Following her directive, the Ministry of Finance in the memo said;

I write to refer you to the “2021 Revised Edition” of the Public Service Rules which takes effect from 27th July 2023. Consequently, all Directors (SGL 17) who have spent eight years and above on the post are by this Internal Circular directed to submit their notice of retirement in line with Section 020909 of the revised PSR effective from the date stated thereof.

Accordingly, all affected directors are advised to commence the process of documentation with the Administration Department for compulsory retirement by virtue of the section under reference.

Furthermore, the Directors in question should formally hand over to the most senior officers in their respective Departments and surrender all official documents including Identification Cards as well as official vehicles (if any) before exiting.

Please bring the content of this internal circular to the attention of all concerned for strict compliance.

The Coalition for the Protection of Democracy (COPDEM) has cautioned lawyers representing the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Tinubu at the ongoing Presidential Election Tribunal (PEPT) not to intimidate judges or the judiciary in general.

The warning comes 48 hours after the PEPT reserved its decision on the petition brought by Labour Party (LP) Presidential candidate Peter Obi against the proclamation of All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Bola Tinubu as the winner of the February 25 election.

In their final written statement before the tribunal, Tinubu’s lawyers, led by Wole Olanipekun (SAN), stated that the FCT is the 37th state for election purposes and that any other interpretation would “lead to chaos, anarchy, and alteration of the very intention of the legislature.”

COPDEM, however, told media in Abuja on Thursday that Chief Olanipekun’s statement to the tribunal was a threat to justice and democracy.

The group’s spokesperson, Danjuma Garba Musa, said that Olanipekun’s submission could intimidate the Appeal Court justices hearing the case.

COPDEM, therefore, asked President Tinubu to disown and immediately dissociate himself from such anti-democratic aberrations if he was not party to it.

The group said:

The threat to the judiciary and the rule of law is a major concern in addition to the increasing public outcry over the high-handed removal of subsidy that has plunged more Nigerians into poverty.

Any threat to the judiciary is a threat to democracy, COPDEM believes in the rule of law and justice. Justice is the ultimate pillar of any democracy; it must be done and be seen to be done.

COPDEM is in support and advocates for the absolute independence and integrity of the judiciary as fundamental to the success of our democracy and for the peace and unity of Nigeria as a nation.

It is a threat to the judiciary and rule of law for a senior advocate of Nigeria to presume and invoke anarchy in Nigeria if the victory of his client Bola Tinubu is overturned by the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) before the whole world.

Former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, has advised leaders of Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) to shelve the idea of military intervention in Niger Republic.

Recall that a military junta seized power in the West Africa nation last Thursday after a bloodless coup that ousted democratically elected president, Mohammed Bazoum.

In an emergency meeting on Sunday in Abuja, ECOWAS leaders orders the coupists to reinstate Bazoum as president within seven days or face military action.

Reacting to the unfolding developments, Atiku bemoaned the gale of coup in the sub region in recent years.

In a statement on Thursday, Atiku said “The military intervention in the Republic of Niger has created tension across the West Africa sub-region, and it is a development that has caused international attention to that neighbouring country of ours.

“The putsch is even more worrisome because the number of states that have witnessed military intervention in the last three years in the subregion is increasing.

“Of course, the world expects Nigeria to take up leadership in ensuring that the crisis of political leadership in the Republic of Niger is not just curtailed but also ensuring the restoration of democratic governance in that country.

“While the expectations that fall on Nigeria as the sub-regional leader is not a quick fix, it must be expressed that the role taken so far by the Economic Community of West African States has been commendable.

“As the ECOWAS continues to work towards reinstating democracy in the Republic of Niger, it must be reinforced that the regional body should not travel the road of military hostilities that may exacerbate the status quo.

“The crisis in the Republic of Niger requires diplomatic engagements, and that must mean that the channels for dialogue should be well sustained.

“While the world expects Nigeria to take a leading role in this process of peaceful conflict resolution, it must be clear to the military insurrectionists in the Republic of Niger that the world cannot afford to wait for too long before this crisis is resolved reasonably.

“This is undoubtedly a challenging time for the West African region. However, any actions taken towards the prompt resolution of the crisis in the Republic of Niger must prioritize democracy as the ultimate victor”

Embattled President of Niger Republic Mohamed Bazoum has called on African and World leaders to help restore his country’s democracy.

Naija News recalls that Bazoum has been in detention since the military overthrew his government on July 26.

In an article he wrote from detention which was published on Washington Post, Bazoum said the coup must end, and the junta must free everyone they have unlawfully arrested.

According to him, the act carried out by a faction of the military was unjustifiable.

The Niger Republic president said, “I write this as a hostage. Niger is under attack from a military junta that is trying to overthrow our democracy, and I am just one of hundreds of citizens who have been arbitrarily and illegally imprisoned. This coup, launched against my government by a faction in the military on July 26, has no justification whatsoever. If it succeeds, it will have devastating consequences for our country, our region and the entire world.

“Our government came to power through a democratic election in 2021. Any attempt to overthrow a lawful government must be opposed, and we appreciate the strong and unequivocal condemnations of this cynical effort to undermine the remarkable progress Niger has made under democracy. The United States, the African and European Unions, and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have been loud and clear: This coup must end, and the junta must free everyone they have unlawfully arrested.”

He added that contrary to claims by the military junta which toppled his government, the West African country has witnessed an unprecedented growth and development since he became president two years ago with no major attacks witnessed in the country.

“The coup plotters falsely claim that they acted to protect Niger’s security. They allege that our war against jihadist terrorists is failing and that my economic and social governance, including partnerships with the United States and Europe, has hurt our country.

“In fact, Niger’s security situation has improved dramatically — facilitated by the very partnerships the junta opposes. Foreign aid makes up 40 percent of our national budget, but it will not be delivered if the coup succeeds.

“To the south, where we face the terrorist group Boko Haram, there have been almost no attacks for two years, and refugees are returning to their villages. As a testament to this reality, our partners, including the U.S. Agency for International Development, are shifting their operations from humanitarian aid to development initiatives such as building sustainable energy, improving agricultural productivity and educating the next generation of Nigerien leaders.

“The country’s north and west have likewise suffered no major attacks since I took office in 2021. Thanks to our allies’ support and training from partners, including the Indiana National Guard, Niger is now the safest it has been in the past 15 years.

“Notably, Niger’s security situation is significantly better than that of our neighbors Mali and Burkina Faso, whose governments, both installed by military takeovers, support the illegal coup. Rather than addressing security concerns by strengthening their own capacity, they employ criminal Russian mercenaries such as the Wagner Group at the expense of their people’s rights and dignity,” he added.

He listed some of the successes achieved by his administration to include maintaining peace in the country and revitalising the economy.

He added, “My government has been similarly successful in terms of economic and social governance. After a slow recovery from covid-19 in 2021, our per capita growth rate more than tripled to 7.4 percent last year.

“2022 was Niger’s first year without a single school day lost to strikes from teachers or students. Workers did not go on strike in any major sector, and my administration signed landmark agreements with unions to create a safer and more stable working environment across the nation.

“In March, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Niger ‘a model of resilience, a model of democracy, a model of cooperation.’”

He added that within the period the military junta took over power, meaningful developments being experienced in the country are already being reversed.

“We cannot afford to lose this momentum. Recognizing the threat that Niger’s potential fall poses to the region, our neighbors in ECOWAS have announced unprecedented sanctions, including a ban on exports and imports of oil, and a suspension of cross-border financial transactions.

“These measures are already demonstrating what a future would look like under an autocratic junta with no vision or reliable allies. The price of rice rose by 40 percent between Sunday and Tuesday, and some neighborhoods have begun to report shortages of goods and electricity.

“In Africa’s troubled Sahel region, Niger stands as the last bastion of respect for human rights amid the authoritarian movements that have overtaken some of our neighbors. While this coup attempt is a tragedy for Nigeriens, its success would have devastating consequences far beyond our borders,” he said.

Bazoum warned that “the entire central Sahel region could fall to Russian influence via the Wagner Group, whose brutal terrorism has been on full display in Ukraine,” with the open invitation of the coup plotters.

He warned that Boko Haram and other terrorist movements will take advantage of Niger’s instability, and use the country as a staging ground to attack neighboring countries and undermine peace, safety and freedom around the world.

“They will ramp up their efforts to target our youths with hateful anti-Western indoctrination, turning them against the very partners who are helping us build a more hopeful future,” he added.

The Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri on Thursday announced the appointment of forty-seven media aides.

Governor Fintiri made the announcement in a post on Microblogging platform, Twitter.

The governor expressed confidence that the team would serve the people effectively.

The statement reads; “I’m pleased to announce the appointment of the following members to constitute my media team:

SPECIAL ADVISERS:

1. Dr. John Ngamsa – Special Adviser Media and Strategy

2. Babayola Tongo – Special Adviser Media

SENIOR SPECIAL ASSISTANTS:
1. George Kushi – Senior Special Assistant Media and Publicity

2. Ijafiya Domiya – SSA Digital and Visual Communication

3. Sherif Alhassan – SSA Electronic Media

4. Muhammed Tukur – SSA New Media

5. Nurudeen Kama – SSA New Media

6. Pius Iliya – SSA New Media

7. Awal Hamza- SSA New Media

8. Thomas Terry – SSA Visuals (Photography)

9. Barrister Sunday Wugirah – SSA Public Affairs

10. Victor Dogo – SSA Social Mobilization

Special Assistants Social Media and Content Creation:

1. Mohammed Faisal

2. Miracle Musa

3. Abubakar Idris

4. Nafiu Abubakar

5. Prince Solomon Yakubu Tumba

6. Abdullahi Damare

7. Vandi Yusuf

8. Emmanuel Tumba

9. Jonathan Jude

10. Auwal Hamza

11. Jamila Tanko

12. Mohammed Rayan Yunuda

13. Paul Barnabas

14. Suleiman Garga

15. Zailani Abba Kawu

16. Elijah Sambo

17. Benan Wyclif

18. Nasir Kasim

19. Wali Ibrahim Facebook

20. Mamse Adamu

21. Muhammed Girei

22. Sani Garta

23. Emmanuel Lakami

24. Ibrahim Assad

25. Musa Elson

26. Hierarchy Harold

27. Micah Simon Tihze

28. Jameel Kolere

29. Joan Daniel

30. Jibril Musa

31. Halima Bala

32. Nacha Waziri

33. Ahmadu Hamidu

34. Ijabani Ijahu

35. Hamanbello Idris Special Assistant (Master Of Ceremony Government Events).

Meanwhile, Nigerians have taken to Twitter to react to the announcement of the Governor.

See some reactions to the development on Twitter below:

@sire_sommy, one Somto Anaerobic said: “47-man media team? Even Nollywood cast no reach like this!”

@Diadribs wrote: “I was scrolling down to see the end of the list ?”

@amudaDewale said: “How do you plan to reduce cost of governance with so much advisers on media only. Will they be operating Adamawa radio station or th station cos why do you need about 50 ppl? Haba”

@NwagweEverest wrote: “Maybe this man wants to open a media production company to rival Universal Studios.”

@iam_bussie said: “So you are Soo clueless you need 47 persons to handle your media department. At a time we are asking for trimming in cost of governance.Wahalai it can never be well with you people thinking you can use government coffers as a means to reward people.”

@leeyah2k wrote: “I will never understand this because this crew is highly unneeded ???”

@theamazaing_ama said: “This guy’s media team is larger than Zikoko, TechCabal & Stears put together with no prospect of generating revenue ?”

@Chydee wrote: “Lmfaoooooooo. The fact that he has all these people in his media team, and they still thought it was a good idea to post this means that they’re all grossly incompetent. Na that one pain me pass”

@OjiUgo_uwa: “These people in government are not interested in cutting down the cost of governance. I mean why does a state Governor need 2 Special Advisers, 10 senior special Assistants and 35 special assistants on social media kini kan ??‍♀️??‍♀️??‍♀️??‍♀️”

@okekecc: “Sir, you missed out some names, it should have been 100 appointees.”

@viqforlan: “Let’s say you even appointed 47 media aides, announcing it on Twitter shows you’re not reading the room or feeling the pulse of the nation.
It’s really a shame. You fell off.”