Ruben Amorim is expected to be confirmed as Manchester United’s new manager on Thursday after the club reached an agreement with Sporting Lisbon, reports said.

The Athletic said the 39-year-old would stay with the Portuguese league leaders for their next three games, including next week’s Champions League match against Manchester City.

He is expected to take charge at Old Trafford during the November international break, with his first game set to be United’s away trip to Ipswich on November 24.

Sky Sports said it was understood the Premier League club had paid Sporting an extra one million euros over and above his 10 million euro ($11 million) exit clause for an early release.

Sporting issued a statement to the Lisbon stock exchange on Tuesday confirming United were willing to meet the release clause.

United pulled the plug on Erik ten Hag’s two-year reign as manager on Monday after a 2-1 defeat by West Ham left them 14th in the Premier League.

Amorim quickly emerged as United’s number one option.

United caretaker boss Ruud van Nistelrooy oversaw a 5-2 victory against Leicester in the fourth round of the League Cup on Wednesday.

“I came here as an assistant to help the club,” said Van Nistelrooy. “I’m helping as long as I’m needed and in the future, in any capacity, I’m here to help the club build towards the future.”

Despite spending heavily in the transfer market in the summer, Ten Hag paid the price for United’s poor start to the season.

Prior to the win against Leicester, they had won just one of their past eight games in all competitions.

Ned Nwoko, the lawmaker representing Delta North in the Senate has stated that the economic reforms of President Bola Tinubu will not succeed as Nigeria allows multiple currencies in circulation, which undermines the Naira’s strength.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Nwoko highlighted that the economy is in disarray, and the widespread use of foreign currencies undermines the naira’s value.

According to Nwoko, Nigeria stands alone in permitting foreign currencies, such as the dollar, pounds, and euros, to circulate alongside its local currency, rendering the naira effectively worthless in global demand.

“Our economy as it is, is in tatters. It is in some kind of quagmire. It doesn’t matter how you look at it or policies you’re trying to introduce here and there, nothing will work,” the lawmaker said.

Drawing comparisons, Nwoko pointed out that other countries strictly maintain single-currency use, citing examples from the UK and the US, where foreign currencies must be exchanged at bureaux de change, and salaries are paid solely in local currency.

In contrast, Nigeria’s tolerance for foreign currency use hinders any substantial demand for the naira.

For Nigeria’s economy to stabilize, Nwoko proposed that foreign transactions within the country should require naira, forcing foreign buyers to seek out the local currency.

“Nothing will work as long as we keep tying the exchange rate to our consumption. When we became an independent nation we had naira and our currency was quite strong.

“Then suddenly, we began to have other currencies, dollar, particularly, and pounds and now Euro. There’s no country that I know in the world that has the use of multiple currencies.

“If you go to Britain with the dollar, you must change it at the BDC. You cannot pay for anything with the dollars in the UK. Everybody is paid their salaries in pounds in the UK. The same thing when you go to America. Everybody uses dollars.

“So, for things to work, assuming that we agree to phase out the use of foreign currency in Nigeria, what it means is that if you want to buy oil, gas or gold in Nigeria, it would require you to use only the naira.

“So, if they’re coming from the UK for example, they’d look for Naira so that they can transact because they know they can’t use any other currency.

“Currently, nobody looks for Naira because we’ve made it so easy for them to transact with other currencies. They can come here with any currency and that means effectively, there is no global demand for our Naira. Our money has no value beyond Naira.

“For things to work, we must prevent the use of foreign currencies and then people will start to look for the Naira. When they begin to look for Naira, our currency will appreciate,” he stated.

Nwoko has introduced a bill in the Senate advocating for a ban on foreign currency use within Nigeria to help restore the naira’s value and bolster the economy.

The Kogi State Police Command has arrested a 49-year-old physically challenged man identified as Ojochogwu Baba for having unlawful carnal knowledge of a 10-year-old girl in Kogi State.

The spokesperson of the State Police Command, SP William Ovye Aya, confirmed the incident in a statement on Wednesday, October 30, 2024.

Aya said the suspect was arrested at Wada Estate in Lokoja.

According to the PPRO, the suspect lured the minor to his house by sending her to buy alcohol and cigarettes for him.

He added that the suspect will be charged to court on completion of investigation.

Popular Nigerian singer cum politician, Bankole Wellington aka Banky W has confirmed the birth of his second child with his wife, Adesua Etomi.

He confirmed that his beautiful wife and actress gave birth to a baby boy.

Recall that on October 14th 2024, Adesua Etomi took to her Instagram page to share pregnancy photos stressing that she is expecting baby number 2.

He took to Instagram to share a video of him taking care of their first son, cleaning the house and helping the new mom out with the milk she pumped while referring to himself as a father of two.

He wrote;

“Partnership is 100-100, not 50-50. That means that in this season, I’ve been a chef, housekeeper, nanny, homework teacher, masseuse, and more all as part of my duty as a supportive husband and present father of two ????. And honestly, I couldn’t be happier. Supporting Women’s Economic Power means doing my part in our home. I’m also doing my part in the world – as I earn my Master’s in Policy Management at Georgetown University, I’m keen on advocating for working mothers everywhere. When we uplift our women, we uplift our world. Gentlemen, kindly do the needful ???????.”

Responding via the comment section, Adesua Etomi who is a nursing mother said; “The best partner in the entire world. Nobody else I’d rather be doing this life with. Love you bubba❤️❤️❤️.”

See the video he posted below;

On Wednesday, the House of Representatives urged the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Festus Keyamo to revoke airstrip licenses approved for Living Faith Church and other individuals.

The House kicked against issuance of airstrip licenses to private individuals and organizations, citing security issues.

The call followed the adoption of an urgent motion titled “NEED TO STOP ISSUANCE OF AIRSTRIP LICENSE TO PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS IN THE COUNTRY by Rep Sulaiman Abubakar Gumi during plenary in Abuja.

While moving the motion, Gumi noted that the Federal Government through Keyamo had confirmed the approval of an airstrip for Living Faith Church situated on Canaanland in Ota, Ogun State.

The lawmaker further explained that the founder of the church, Bishop David Oyedepo during the Tehillah Night Special edition at Covenant University Chapel, Canaanland, Ota, Ogun State also informed his congregation that the federal government approved an airstrip for the church.

He said, “Recall that in September 2014, a prominent religious leader was linked with a private jet used to convey $9.3m in cash to South Africa for the purchase of arms.

“The private jet which was seized by the South African authorities had two Nigerians and an Israeli on board.

“The country currently experiences security challenges through illegal importation/proliferation of firearms and ammunition, importation of illicit/hard drugs.

“Granting airstrip to private individuals and organizations will aid illegal importation of firearms and hard drugs into the country, thus heightening insurgency, kidnapping, banditry and other vices that are seriously affecting the socio-economic development of the country”.

The lower legislative chamber, however urged the Committees on Aviation and Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance.

Ten people were killed and seven others injured in a building collapse in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, on Thursday morning.

A statement from the Oyo State Fire Services Agency disclosed that the incident happened at 2 am at Jegeda Oluloyo area in Ibadan in Ona Ara Local Government Area of the state.

The statement added that while 10 persons were recovered from the debris, seven persons were rescued alive, adding that rescue efforts are reported to be ongoing as of the time of filing this report.

The statement read, “The Oyo State Fire Services Agency received a distressed call at around 2 am this morning at Jegede Olunloyo area, Ibadan, of which 10 persons have been recovered from the debris of the collapsed building, while seven persons were rescued alive. Rescue operation is still going on.”

When PUNCH Online contacted the General Manager of the state Fire Services, Yemi Akinyinka, he said, “We received a distress call from the people in the neighbourhood at 2 am.

“When we got there, ten people died outrightly. Three people had been recovered before we got to the place, and our men recovered four. They are still working.”

Henry Nathaniel Ekanem, a final-year student of the University of Port Harcourt in Rivers State, has been sentenced to 14 years in jail for internet fraud.

Ekanem was jailed on Wednesday, October 30, by Justice A. T. Mohammed of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt.

The development follows his arraignment by the Port Harcourt Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on seven counts bordering on obtaining money under false pretence and impersonation.

One of the counts reads: "That you, Henry Nathaniel Ekanem on or about 17th September, 2024, at Choba in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, with intent to defraud, did obtain the sum of Twenty Two United states of America dollars ($22)  from Diana Roskov by fraudulently representing yourself as Coran Capsha, manager of the singer, Chris Stapleton, a pretence you knew to be false and thereby committed offence contrary to Section 1(1) (a) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud- Related Offences Act 2006.”

He pleaded guilty when the charges were read to him.

In view of his plea, prosecution counsel, A. Abubakar called witnesses, tendered some documents as evidence which were admitted by the court and marked as exhibits. He thereafter prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendant accordingly.
 
F. T. Fred-Boufini, counsel for the defendant did not oppose the prayers by the prosecution. However, she prayed the court to temper justice with mercy, stressing that the defendant was a first-time offender with no previous criminal records.

However, Justice Mohammed convicted and sentenced the defendant to two years imprisonment on each of the seven counts or an option of fine of Two Hundred Thousand Naira (N200,000) payable into the Consolidated Revenue Account of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

 
The judge also ordered that all the phones recovered from the convict be forfeited to the government, being proceeds of crime.

The Joint Action Committee of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities said the ongoing strike is a long-term battle involving even vice-chancellors, bursars and registrars.

On Monday, the JAC of SSANU and NASU embarked on an indefinite strike over its four-month withheld salary.

Since then, activities have been grounded in universities across the country.

In an interview with The PUNCH on Wednesday, the National President of SSANU, Mr Mohammed Ibrahim, said university executives, including vice-chancellors, bursars, and registrars, did not receive salaries for four months.222A 

He said as a result, the universities would remain completely shut down until the payments were made.

He added that the unions reported massive compliance with the ongoing strike across all universities nationwide.

Ibrahim also revealed that there had been no invitation or any form of interference from the government.

He said, “It is a long-term battle because this strike also involves vice-chancellors, bursars, registrars, and other senior administrators who were not paid.

“The impact is significant, and no one from the government has reached out to us. We have withdrawn our services, and our members are resolute they will not return to work until all salaries are paid.”

He added that compliance with the strike was encouraging, achieving 98 per cent adherence.

“We have achieved 98 per cent compliance with the strike; it is a total strike if you look around. The remaining two per cent are those who held their congress today, and they will join fully tomorrow,” he said.

Both Ibrahim and Vice President of SSANU, Abdussobur Salaam, noted that there had been no official response from the government on the strike.

The former Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman, was relieved of his position last week, and a new minister, Dr Tunji Alausa, is expected to take over today, following President Bola Tinubu’s directive that former ministers should hand over by October 30.

Prof Mamman was among the five ministers relieved of their positions by the President after a Federal Executive Council meeting on Monday.

One of the issues facing the substantive minister, Dr Alausa, as he assumes duty today is the SSANU and NASU strike.

Salaam, however, said there had been no official communication from the government regarding the ongoing strike by the union.

“There’s no update on the ongoing strike, it continues. Some informal contacts were made between the minister of state for education and our union executives, but there’s been no real progress, just an informal appeal.

“This issue has persisted for a long time, with repeated promises that have not been fulfilled.

“All our ultimatums have expired, and we still haven’t received any alerts. The recent invitation was just an informal call on the phone. We urge the authorities to take decisive action; we have come too far and can no longer accept empty promises. If we don’t get the alerts we won’t back down, Salaam said.

A statement made available to The PUNCH on Sunday and signed by National President, SSANU, Ibrahim and General Secretary, NASU, Peters Adeyemi, said the ultimatum it gave the Federal Government over its withheld salaries expired on Sunday midnight.

The unions were demanding, among others, the payment of the four-month withheld salaries, improved remuneration, earned allowances and implementation of the 2009 agreements with the government.

Also, the National Association of Academic Technologists, on Wednesday, announced a nationwide protest over the five-month withheld salaries and unfulfilled agreements with the Federal Government.

NAAT also said it would picket the Ministry of Finance on November 14 for the failure to implement the President’s directive that the withheld salaries should be paid.

The protest is expected to commence at midnight on November 6, 2024, with all branches of the union across universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education mobilised to press home their demands.

The President of NAAT, Ibeji Nwokoma, who declared the protest after the union’s National Executive Council meeting in Abuja, also gave the Federal Government a two-week ultimatum starting from October 30, 2024, as a final opportunity to resolve their grievances.

Nwokoma, at the media briefing in Abuja, reeled out a list of long-standing demands that included the payment of five and a half months of withheld salaries and the full implementation of a 2009 agreement with NAAT.

He said the agreement encompassed critical items such as allowances for academic technologists, provisions for student training programmes, and the enhancement of staff-to-student ratios.

It urged the government to, among other things, release funds for upgrading university laboratories and to address the broader issues of underfunding and proliferation of public universities.

Recall that the union had previously issued a three-week ultimatum on September 30, 2024, which expired on October 21.

According to Nwokoma, the ultimatum ended without any acknowledgement from government agencies, including the Federal Ministries of Education and Labour and Employment.

NAAT expressed frustration over what it described as government “insensitivity,” pointing to the President’s recent approval of the withheld salaries that, according to NAAT, had not yet been actioned by the finance ministry.

NAAT’s president announced that, within the two-week window, local branches would convene congresses to conduct a referendum on whether to escalate the protest into a full strike.

It warned that if the government failed to act by November 13, 2024, it would embark on an indefinite strike which would potentially impact academic calendars and critical research activities across the tertiary education system.

The prepared text read, “It is quite unfortunate and regrettable too, that despite the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s waiver and approval to pay five-and-half month salaries owed NAAT members, the refusal by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy to effect this approval raises more questions than answers on the true commitment and sincerity on the part of the Federal Government in resolving the issues.

“Several efforts were made in the past including a series of letters, protests, visits, notices of ultimatums and several Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) freely entered between NAAT and Federal Government (i.e MOU of 2017, 2020, 2021 and 2022) as the result of efforts by Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment as conciliator of the Federal Government but all to no avail.

“Consequent upon the above, the union, having reviewed the situation critically, decided to give the Federal Government an additional two (2) weeks ultimatum, with effect from 30th of October 2024.

“Meanwhile, the National Executive Council has directed all her branches in universities, polytechnics and colleges of education to hold a nationwide protest to drive home our demands.

“Within the two-week ultimatum, branches have been directed to hold congresses and conduct a referendum to decide if the union will proceed on strike once the 14-day ultimatum expires on the 13th of November 2024.

“If at the end of the 14-day ultimatum no positive response from the government, the union will embark on a national protest which will culminate into a total and indefinite strike without recourse to government.

“It is hoped that the government will avail itself of this window to resolve the issues on the ground, with the view to averting any industrial action.

“This decision is in line with our concern for the tertiary education system so as not to disrupt the academic calendar which will eventually affect research and practical teaching; laboratory, workshop, farm and studio practices and the attendant monumental loss of resources.”