Hello and welcome! In today’s trending news stories;
1. Isah Bawa, the Emir of Gobir in Gawata, Sokoto State, was killed by bandits after being abducted three weeks ago. The 74-year-old traditional ruler was kidnapped alongside his son and others while returning from an event. In a video, Bawa pleaded with the government to pay the ransom, but negotiations failed, and he was killed after the Asr prayer on a Tuesday. His son was later released after a ransom of N60 million and five motorcycles was paid. The Emir’s body was buried by his captors, and his son is receiving treatment at a hospital in Sokoto. President Bola Tinubu condemned the attack and promised decisive action against such acts of terror.
2. Former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi attended the 11th International Leaders Forum (ILF) in Chicago. The forum, held alongside the Democratic National Convention (DNC) from August 19-22, is organized by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) to allow global leaders to observe the American democratic process. Obi, along with other prominent global leaders, was invited to participate. The event featured notable figures like Oprah Winfrey, who emphasized the importance of democracy, and various Democratic leaders who criticized former President Donald Trump while supporting Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, the Democratic vice-presidential candidate
3. The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has fined Fidelity Bank Plc N555.8 million for data breaches. This fine, amounting to 0.1% of the bank’s 2023 gross earnings, followed an investigation that began in April 2023. The NDPC, empowered by the Nigeria Data Protection Act signed into law by President Bola Tinubu in June 2023, is responsible for enforcing data protection compliance through fines and other measures. The NDPC is working with various stakeholders to develop a standard global document on data protection and has licensed 194 professionals to help organizations comply with the law.
4. Cristiano Ronaldo continues to make history, this time by breaking records on YouTube. After dominating social media with 112.6 million followers on X, 170 million on Facebook, and 636 million on Instagram, the 39-year-old Portuguese football icon launched his YouTube channel, “UR Cristiano.” The channel became the fastest ever to reach 1 million subscribers and set a new world record by hitting 10 million subscribers in just 24 hours, surpassing the previous record held by “Hamster Kombat,” which took seven days. Early content includes a quiz with his partner Georgina Rodriguez and a discussion about handling pressure. The channel currently has 14 million subscribers.
5. Nigerian forward Paul Julius, aged 20, has tragically died in a car accident in Cyprus. The accident occurred on the Paralimni-Protaras road, just three weeks after Julius joined Cypriot club Enosis Neon Paralimniou from the Egyptian side El Gaish. The club expressed deep sadness over his unexpected death, acknowledging his determination and resilience. They offered their condolences to his family and loved ones, stating that his memory will live on despite his absence.
6. Nigeria international and Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface has been suspended for one match and fined €25,000 for making an offensive gesture during the German Super Cup match against Stuttgart. After scoring in his team’s victory, Boniface allegedly showed his left middle finger to the opposing players. As a result, he will miss a German Cup match against Carl Zeiss Jena but will be available for Bayer Leverkusen’s Bundesliga opener against Borussia Mönchengladbach. Both Boniface and his club have accepted the disciplinary ruling, making it legally binding.
