Coco Chanel’s Influential Fashion On Display At London Exhibit

By

-

September 13, 2023

With displays ranging from tweed suits to an array of little black dresses, a new London exhibition looks at the work of one of fashion’s most famous names – French designer Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel.

Opening at the V&A museum on Saturday, “Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto” is the first British exhibition dedicated to the designer’s creations and longstanding influence on fashion. Her famed tweed suits, loose fitting and low-waisted dresses and dazzling evening gowns are among the outfits on display.

It includes pieces from across the career of the famous fashion designer, from one of her earliest creations in 1916 to ballgowns and suits from the 1970s.

Her designs, accessories and perfumes, particularly Chanel No.5, were hits and today the Chanel fashion house, founded in 1910, remains one of the world’s most famous luxury brands.

National Book Awards Drops Drew Barrymore As Host Over Strike Row

By

Koko Lawrence

-

September 13, 2023

0

Drew Barrymore has been dropped as host of the US National Book Awards after controversy about her TV show returning during the ongoing Hollywood strike.

Earlier this week, the talk show host and actress said the programme’s return would be in line with strike rules.

But the show’s writers were among those who picketed the studio in New York after it resumed filming.

On Tuesday, the National Book Foundation said it had rescinded her invitation to host its ceremony.

“The National Book Awards is an evening dedicated to celebrating the power of literature, and the incomparable contributions of writers to our culture,” it said in a statement.

“In light of the announcement that The Drew Barrymore Show will resume production, the National Book Foundation has rescinded Ms Barrymore’s invitation to host the 74th National Book Awards Ceremony.”

National Book Foundation bosses had previously lauded her work championing books on her show.

The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has been on strike since the beginning of May over concerns about pay, conditions and the use of AI, with actors joining the writers in July.

French Montana Donates 500 Canoes To Makoko Community

By

Koko Lawrence

-

September 13, 2023

0

Famous American rapper Karim Kharbouch popularly known as French Montana, has donated 500 canoes to the Makoko Community in Lagos state, where he shot the video of his latest song ‘wish u well’.

Makoko, a suburb in Lagos, Nigeria, served as the backdrop for the “wish u well” music video, capturing the resilient spirit and vibrant culture within the city.

The visuals serve as a love letter to Makoko for Montana and Swae, who spent time together learning about the way of life and connecting with the people.

Speaking about his motivation for embarking on this project, Montana said he witnessed firsthand how water is both a lifeline and an obstacle in Makoko. so, the boats are essential tools for transporting the residents of Makoko and goods and services.

He said: “as an immigrant from morocco, giving back to communities in Africa, the place that raised me, is so important. When I was filming, I met local leaders who talked about the daily struggles and aspirations of the wider community.

I was moved by their spirit and positivity, which inspired me to get involved and to help impact change.”

Also, the American rapper, employed the services of local artisans in the production of the 500 canoes, which will boost the local economy and support the livelihood of the community members.

With a production rate of approximately six boats per week per contractor, delivering all 500 ships is billed to conclude within four months, by December, just in time for Christmas.

However, this is not the first time the artiste would be giving back to society; six years ago in Uganda, alongside the release of the diamond record “unforgettable,” Montana embarked on a vision with the local community while filming the music video with Swae Lee to build the Suubi health center.

Lagos Lawmakers Call for Flood Prevention Cleaning

By

faith Jegede

-

September 13, 2023

0

Lawmakers in Lagos have called on the Ministry of Environment to commence immediate clearing of drainage channels and canals across Lagos.

Kehinde Joseph representing Alimosho Constituency 2 raised the issue under ‘Matter of Urgent Public Importance’ at plenary.

He said heavy rains as predicted by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency have damaged some houses in his constituency, while some buildings have been submerged by flood with properties destroyed.

The lawmaker complained of blocked drainage channels and canals, saying there was need for the Ministry of Environment to act urgently while the Ministry of Information should carry out sensitization of Lagosians to stop indiscriminate dumping of refuse.

Hon. Temitope Adewale representing one of the constituencies of Ifako Ijaiye suggested the reintroduction of environmental sanitation to make residents clear their gutters.

Hon. Ladi Ajomale said flooding in his constituency was disheartening, while Hon. Rasheed Shabi said there was need for stringent policies to be put in place.

He tasked the Local Government chairman to take the responsibility of clearing and fumigating the drainages in their areas.

Deputy Speaker Mojisola Meranda, who presided over the plenary, urged the relevant agencies to expedite action. She also called on each of the Local Governments to do the needful while LAWMA should be ready to play its role.

Meanwhile, the House confirmed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s nominee, Tolani Akibu, whose name was initially stepped down by the lawmakers.

Lagos Assembly Summons LAMATA Over Non-use Of Yoruba Language

By

faith Jegede

-

September 13, 2023

0

The Lagos State House of Assembly asked the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) to appear before it over its refusal to make announcements in Yoruba on its train service.

The House noted the importance of the Yoruba language for passing information to passengers on the trains since it would help some of them, especially new users, easily understand what to do.

The House further noted that since 2017 when the bill on compulsory teaching of Yoruba language in schools was passed, the state had made conscious efforts to encourage the use of the language in public places, adding that this should be sustained.

The Lagos Blue Rail Line was originally conceived by the first civilian governor of the state, Lateef Jakande in 1983.

The project which was inaugurated in 2003 and took 23 years to complete, serves a metropolitan state with a diverse population.

Electricity: NERC Unveils Power Outage Reporting App

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

-

September 13, 2023

0

The Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has launched a power outage reporting system to address customers’ complaints and power disruptions in the country.

Chairman of NERC, Sanusi Garba at the launch in Abuja said the app would assist the commission in monitoring and ensuring that distribution companies complied with set tariffs.

According to Garba, the app was in line with NERC’s mandate to introduce regulations that protect the rights of consumers, adding that it provided a timeline within which DisCos were expected to address complaints by the customers.

Power Outages: DPR, NERC Plan New Strategy To Address Gas-Fired Plants

“I think a lot of you can recall that we recently launched a new consumer protection regulation that provides timelines within which public utilities, and especially distribution companies (DisCos), are required to resolve complaints by customers.

“So, this particular app that we have launched is supposed to assist the commission in monitoring that DisCos are complying with the standards set out in that regulation,” he said.

He further noted that plans were ongoing to put smart meters on feeders for accurate data or near real-time data.

“We decided to start this launch with Abuja. There’ll be a national rollout for all distribution companies. Such a massive application would require some test run and so on. So, AEDC is like a guinea pig for the app but we’ll quickly extradite the rollout to other distribution companies but obviously the DisCos where we are having the highest level of complaints would be ranked higher in terms of the rollout,” he said.

The managing director of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, Christopher Ezeafulukwe said customers’ feedback was critical for the Discos as it helps the company to improve its service delivery.

“I dare say feedback from our customers is actually for the distribution company, what I would call our feedstock. It is the raw material that we need to be able to deliver the services that we contract to provide.

“One big takeaway is that the app we’ve launched is a product of collaboration between the commission, the distribution company, and eventually the customers.

“It then implies that it’s going to be a win-win for all of us. On the part of the regulator, it’s already been said that there will be greater oversight and not just oversight for oversight sake, but to ensure that value is not just being created but sustained and protected.

“For us this will actually help catalyse more data-based decisions on our part,” he said.

Also speaking, the commissioner of consumer affairs, NERC, Aisha Mahmud explained that the app was launched in partnership with DisCos.

She said: “The app utilises a multi-channel approach. We liaised with the different distribution companies and obtained a lot of data on their customers. So, if you’re a customer of a DisCo and you are being supplied by the DisCo, your information is already stored in that app.

“If you have a complaint on any outage, there are multiple channels. There is a web app and a mobile app, so you can download it on your phone through Apple or Google store. You just need your meter number.

“You download the app, you put your meter number and after that, you log in your complaint and the app will automatically send a confirmation to the customers on that particular feeder of yours to find out if there is really an outage.

“If there is, then we need about two to three customers to confirm that there is an outage on that feeder.

“As soon as they confirm that, the app will send that confirmation to the DisCo with a resolution timeline and as soon as the DisCo resolves this complaint, then the DisCo will update the app saying ‘we’ve resolved this complaint’ and the app will automatically send another confirmation request to those customers on that particular feeder.”

Minister Slam Customs on 6,000 Abandoned Containers at Ports

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

-

September 13, 2023

0

The Federal Government has condemned the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for allowing over 6,000 abandoned and overtime containers to litter the nation’s seaports, especially at Apapa and Tin-Can Island Ports, and obstructing ease of doing business at the port.

Speaking in Lagos on Wednesday, Adegboyega Oyetola, minister of Marine and Blue Economy, made the condemnation during his visit to the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) as part of his ongoing maiden visit to the agencies under his ministry.

Oyetola expressed worries that the 6,000 abandoned and overtime containers are presently occupying ample spaces at the nation’s seaport terminals without having any impact on the nation’s economy.

He promised to engage the management of the Nigeria Customs Service towards finding lasting solutions to the issue of overtime containers to decongest the port and create space for fresh business.

“We have overtime cargoes that have been in the port since 2011, particularly in Tin-Can and Apapa Ports have about 6,000 abandoned cargoes. I want to believe that it is likely to happen in other ports. There must be a time frame by which a cargo can stay otherwise declared abandoned,” he said.

According to him, the Ministry will also engage Customs on the issue of 100 percent physical examination, which delays cargo clearance and add demurrage as well as storage costs to importers.

“We will encourage Customs to use scanners to reduce delay in cargo clearance. We will pursue the establishment of Single Window through the Port Community System,” he said.

NPA Begins Removal of Overtime Cargoes

Pointing out that the nation’s seaports especially the Apapa and Tin-Can Island Ports are very old, Oyetola said his management will pursue the establishment of new ports by replicating the Lekki Deep Seaport model in several places.

“My concept of port development is Public Private Partnership because government do not have to own or run the port wholly. A lot of revenue can be generated by partnering with private operators,” Oyetola said.

On his part, Rotimi Anifowose, director of Planning for the NSC, said the implementation of the Nigerian Port Process Manual (NPPM) by the Port Standing Task Team, has sanitised Joint Boarding of Vessel, Joint Cargo Examination and Operation Free the Port Corridor.

“The activities of the team saved the Nigerian economy an average vessel demurrage of $20,000 per day between 2021 and 2022. This ultimately translated to the sum of $12,350,000 which is equivalent to N5.4 billion using 2022 official exchange rate,” he said.

He, however, called the Minister’s attention to the need to expedite action on the proposed national fleet, which is to be wholly private-sector driven and is expected to address the challenges of low national tonnage capacity, loss of shipping jobs and loss of freight earnings to foreign vessels.

He also called for the amendment of the Nigerian Shippers Council Act to institute effective port economic regulation and empower the Council to work effectively.

Earlier in his welcome address, Emmanuel Jime, executive secretary of the NSC, said the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy was created in recognition of the very strategic importance of creating fundamental developments to the nation’s economy.

He said the Shippers’ Council makes policies that drive the industry, adding that the Council is an agency that can assist the government in ensuring that Nigeria becomes a maritime hub in the West and Central African sub-region.

Nigerians to Start Clearing Goods From Cotonou Ports

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

-

September 13, 2023

0

The acting Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, on Tuesday, announced that Nigerian importers would soon be able to clear their goods from the ports in Cotonou, Benin Republic.

He disclosed this in Abuja at the end of a two-day working visit by the director-general and senior officials of the customs service of Benin Republic.

Customs personnel from both countries entered into various agreements during the two-day meeting in order to boost trade relations between Nigeria and Benin Republic, as well as curb smuggling.

While responding to a question at the event, Adewale said, “We are building confidence in the system offered by the Republic of Benin, our importers are using their ports and vice-versa. If there are people in Benin Republic who want to use our ports, we try to build trust in our systems.

“And by virtue of this agreement, what it means is that Nigerian importers willing to use the ports in Cotonou can have their goods cleared in those ports because there would be an opportunity for them to pay duties on goods that are liable for payment of duties.

Customs To Renew Relations With Cameroon, Chad

“We can account for the duties on those goods in the ports of arrival. So they will now be free to enter Nigeria.”

Reacting to concerns about vehicle smuggling, he said, “It goes beyond vehicles. Any goods arriving in Cotonou ports, duty can be accessed and payment can be made and from there, it comes into the Nigerian territory.

“It is just like what happens when goods come in through Lagos or Port Harcourt; it is pretty much the same. But we have not got there. We have agreed in principle that we can operationalise this.

“So the steps that we are going to take to get us to that particular destination is what we are going to be working on. It was mentioned in the communique that we are going to establish timelines when we hope to achieve that particular milestone.”

Adewale said the partnership between both nations would enhance customs administration, trade facilitation and regional cooperation.

He added, “The occasion we celebrate today marks a significant milestone in our journey to strengthen collaboration, eliminate barriers, and promote legitimate trade within the West African region.

Christiano Ronaldo Did Not Offer Hotel To Quake Victims – Management

By

Angel Gimalo

-

September 13, 2023

2

There were rumours that Cristiano Ronaldo sheltered victims of the Morocco earthquake, but management of the hotel has now rubbished those claims.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s hotel in Morocco has reportedly denied claims that it offered to shelter victims of the devastating earthquake which rocked the city.

As per various reports, the Marrakech hotel opened its doors following a 6.8 magnitude earthquake in North African country.

The earthquake from the High Atlas mountain rocked the nation, with over 2,000 lives lost.

The quake reportedly struck 45 miles southwest of the tourist hub of Marrakesh, the nation’s fourth largest city, sweeping through villages in the hills of the Atlas mountain range.

The Moroccan city suffered serious devastation which left some survivors scrambling for places to take shelter following the destruction of their homes.

Following the unfortunate incident, the world has reacted with prayers and wishes, with reports that former Manchester United and Real Madrid superstar, Ronaldo, offered some solace with his hotel.

However, despite praises for the Portuguese legend for his compassion and care, another report has now rubbished the claims.

According to France-based Liberation, the 174-room Pestana CR7 Hotel says the information making the rounds is false.

“This is false information,” the report quoted the hotel. “All the customers we have at the moment have made a reservation normally.”

The Ronaldo hotel is graded as a four-star, just below luxury and includes an outdoor pool, fitness centre, restaurant, and terrace.

Soccer Star Lionel Messi Purchases $10.8m Waterfront Florida Property

By

Angel Gimalo

-

September 12, 2023

0

Argentine soccer star Lionel Messi and his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, just plunked down $10.8 million for a waterfront Fort Lauderdale, Florida property in an off-market deal.

The 10,486-square-foot residence, at 91 Compass Lane, is in the Bay Colony gated community. It boasts eight bedrooms, 9½ baths and a three-car garage — along with a pool and two docks.

It’s also near the Inter Miami soccer stadium. Messi — who won the World Cup for his native Argentina in December — joined Inter Miami in July. The team is owned by David Beckham, Jorge and José Mas, and other investors.

Built in 1988, the home sits on 0.44 acres on a cul-de-sac, with 170 feet of waterfront. It was created by designer Lori Morris and featured in Florida Design magazine.

The home opens with a 27-foot-high domed ceiling, and also features a chef’s kitchen, a home gym and spa, an entertaining lounge, a home office and a massive 1,600-square-foot main bedroom suite.

Samuel and Donna Simpkin, of Compass, repped Messi. The sellers, John and Stacy Dickerson, paid $9 million for it in May 2022.

Messi also owns three luxury condos in Sunny Isles Beach.