Hello and welcome! In today’s trending news stories;
1. Zhongshang Fucheng Industrial Investment Ltd, a Chinese firm involved in the controversial seizure of Nigerian assets, has seized another Nigerian jet in Canada. This follows the recent seizure of three Nigerian presidential aircraft by a French court due to a dispute with the Ogun State Government. Although the company released one of the aircraft as a goodwill gesture ahead of a meeting between President Bola Tinubu and French President Emmanuel Macron, they have continued to enforce arbitration awards of over $70 million against Nigeria. The latest seizure includes a Bombardier 6000 jet, previously acquired for $57 million by Dan Etete, a fugitive involved in the corrupt sale of the OPL 245 oil field in 2010.
2. Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, inaugurated a committee to regulate and modernize traditional medicine practices, aiming to integrate them into the state’s healthcare system. The initiative includes supporting over 5,000 certified traditional medicine vendors from 28 local government areas with training and partnerships with healthcare institutions. The National Chairman of the Traditional Medicine Practitioners Association praised the Governor’s efforts and encouraged the creation of a Traditional Medicine Board to further integrate traditional practices into the healthcare system.
3. Vice President Kamala Harris concluded an extraordinary month in politics on Thursday, August 22 with a compelling speech at the Democratic National Convention. She rallied Democrats around themes of patriotism and cast Donald Trump as a threat to American principles, emphasizing his legal troubles and the severe consequences of his policies, particularly regarding abortion laws. Harris delivered a message of a return to pre-Trump normalcy, promising freedom from political chaos and a practical approach to governance. She shared personal stories, including her upbringing and career path, and was supported by allies who highlighted her work in protecting vulnerable populations. The event featured emotional testimonies from gun violence survivors and appearances by Harris’ family, who stated her commitment to critical issues like gun control and racial justice. The convention, held from August 19 to August 22, also saw strong celebrity support, culminating in a powerful finale that set the stage for the November 5 election.
4. Bolt has suspended several accounts and restricted inter-country ride requests. The issue started from an online rivalry initiated by South Africans, leading to a viral challenge where fake rides were ordered and canceled to frustrate drivers. This trend quickly spread, with some Nigerians joining in. The rivalry gained attention online, with users expressing frustration and concerns about digital harassment. Prominent figures, including former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, condemned the cyberwarfare, urging an end to what he termed “Cyber Xenophobia.” Bolt has since announced restrictions on inter-country ride requests to address the issue.
6. Less than a day after actor Lateef Adedimeji announced his new movie Lisabi, social media erupted with criticism, particularly on X. The backlash centers on his decision to collaborate with director Niyi Akinmolayan, who also directed the recently released Jagun Jagun by Femi Adebayo. Initially met with excitement, the announcement soon faced disappointment from fans who were concerned about Akinmolayan’s political affiliations and his stance on national issues. Critics argue that by choosing the same director, Adedimeji risks appearing unoriginal, especially since both films share a Yoruba cultural theme. There’s also frustration over the repetitive casting of actors in the Yoruba movie industry, which some believe limits opportunities for emerging talent. Akinmolayan responded to the criticism by expressing indifference, but his comments did little to soothe the anger. Despite the uproar, both Adedimeji and Akinmolayan have remained silent, fueling further speculation. Lisabi is set to premiere on Netflix on September 21, 2024, and fans are divided on whether the movie will live up to expectations amidst the controversy.
7. Nigerian singer Omah Lay revealed that a fellow artist, with whom he had planned to collaborate, stole the concept for his upcoming album after Omah Lay shared his ideas. Speaking on the Zach Sang Show, he mentioned that this incident forced him to re-record his album. Despite the setback, Omah Lay expressed confidence that his reworked album will be the greatest in Afrobeats history.
