Abandoned and Shamed: Pains, burdens of divorced women in the north (DailyTrust)
Many women are accusing men in Northern Nigeria’s predominantly Muslim society of divorcing them recklessly and leaving them with the financial burden of caring for their children. In this special report by Daily Trust on Sunday, divorced women shared their experiences, their pain and the burden they bear.
At 21, Hafsat Ismail is a divorcee. Living in the suburban neighbourhood of Unguwan Dosa, in Kaduna State, Hafsat’s marriage to a young man of her choice had crashed after only six months. Marriage, she says, is complicated and hers was further intricated by domestic violence that often landed her in the hospital.
A few days into her marriage, the 21-year-old said the man she married for love had suddenly turned on her, hitting her at the slightest provocation and at some point, almost killing her. Six months later, at the twilight of the COVID-19 lockdown in Kaduna State, the marriage broke down completely. However, Hafsat said before the marriage came to an end, her ex-husband had made two divorce pronouncements; an action he denied in an attempt to win her back.
“This time around, he divorced me in front of witnesses. My marriage was very troubled, within its six months lifespan, I had escaped from my matrimonial home more than 20 times,” Hafsat said. Read more
Why I haven’t taken antiretrovirals since my HIV diagnosis in 1992 –Medical doctor (Punch)
Dr. Patrick Matemilola has lived with HIV for almost 30 years having been diagnosed with HIV in 1992. He, however, says he has never taken antiretroviral drugs to subdue the virus but has been able to stay healthy and maintain a CD4 count above 600. The former National Coordinator, Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria said he has for years depended on daily intake of fruits, eating a balanced diet, living a positive lifestyle and doing regular exercise to stay healthy.
Getting infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus can be life-changing. Most people feel devastated after testing positive for the virus. Some people like Dr. Patrick Matemilola, have however managed to live positively with the virus
When Matemilola was diagnosed with the virus in 1992, he felt surprised but noted that it wasn’t a complete shock to him.
As a medical practitioner, he took his diagnosis in stride and has been living a healthy, happy, and fulfilling life with the virus for almost thirty years.
The 68-year-old doctor got to know his HIV status after the blood he donated to save a patient who needed a blood transfusion at his private clinic was screened. Read more
NDLEA arrests 72-year-old man, 5 undergraduates over 5,721.92kg of hard drugs (Guardian)
A 72-year-old man and five undergraduate students are some of the suspects the NDLEA arrested in a week-long operation to seize hard drugs and arrest offenders.
The raids, across nine states and at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, yielded 5,721.92 kilogrammes of Indian hemp and other drugs.
The 72-year-old man, Emmanuel Akanbi was arrested at Odofin Camp, Uso, Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State with 2,050kg of Indian hemp.
The varsity students belong to the American University of Nigeria, (AUN) Yola, and the University of Maiduguri.
NDLEA’s Director, Media and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi said in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja that one Okorie Onyeribe was arrested at the MMIA on Dec. 3. Read more
Our door still open to repentant defectors, says Lagos APC (Tribune)
Aftermath of the defection of members of Lagos4Lagos, a faction of the Lagos state All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the party says its door remains open to receive and rehabilitate repentant defectors.
While acknowledging the constitutional right of the leaders and members of Lagos4Lagos to associate with any party of their choice, Lagos APC through its Spokesperson, Hon Seye Oladejo, said the defectors have finally found a home in a homeless PDP.
Oladejo disclosed that Lagos APC remains undaunted by a group whose departure, he described as good riddance to bad rubbish.
He stated further: “We acknowledge the constitutional right of the leaders and members of the group to associate with any party of their choice without sparing a thought for morals, principles, antecedents, perennial history of political defeats and inconsistency in their selling point. Read more
Police arrest sergeant suspected of killing driver in Osogbo (Guardian)
The Osun Police Command, on Sunday, said it has arrested a Police Sergeant suspected of shooting to death a driver at Kobogbogboe/Ota-efun Area of Osogbo on Friday.
In a statement by the command’s Spokesperson, SP Yemisi Opalola, the suspect will be arraigned in court after completion of police orderly room trial.
It said that the arrest and detention of the suspect was part of efforts of the command “to curtail all forms of indiscipline and acts of unprofessionalism”.
“The Osun Police Command has arrested and detained the police officer, Sgt. Moses Samuel, who shot at one Mallam Kabiru Babai ‘m’ 33, on Friday, Dec. 3, around Kobogbogboe/Ota-efun Area, Osogbo.
Enough is enough, Southern Kaduna youths tell bandits (Vanguard)
Southern Kaduna youths have vowed to no longer remain quite and allow terrorists attack their communities, abduct their people and occupy their forests.
The youths under the aegis of the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) Youth Wing, told the rampaging bandits that ” enough is enough ” ,calling on the people and residents of the area to rise up and defend themselves .
” We must defend ourselves against terrorists that have now found a safe haven in our forests,” they said.
This was contained in a statement issued by the National Youth Leader of SOKAPU, Comrade John Isaac. Read more
Miss Africa Pageant to address indecent dressing, promote tourism – FCTA (Sun)
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) says the ongoing Miss Africa Pageant would further unite Africa, discourage indecent dress culture, promote tourism and empower the Africa woman.
Mr Austine Elemue, the Special Assistant on Media to the FCT Minister of State, made the explanation in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that over 61 delegates from different African countries, have arrived in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, to participate in the pageant.
Receiving the delegates at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, the Secretary of FCT Social Development Secretariat, Mrs Hadiza Kabir, said the essence of the pageant is to discourage indecent dressing culture and promote tourism potentials in the FCT. Read more
Former COAS, Wushishi dies in London at 81 (Guardian)
A former Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Gen Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi (rtd), yesterday, died in London.
Wushishi, who served as Chief of Army Staff (COAS), from October 1981 to October 1983 during the Nigerian Second Republic, was born in Wushishi North Nigeria and of Nupe from Niger State, in 1940.
He joined the army on April 21, 1961, and attended the Nigerian Military Training College, Kaduna and then the Mons Officer Cadet School, Aldershot in the United Kingdom. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant on January 12, 1962. He later attended the United States War College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
He also severed as a member of the United Nations Peace Keeping force in Congo in the early 1960s and was appointed Deputy Commandant, Army School of Infantry in July 1975.
Wushishi served as Federal Commissioner for Industries (January 1975 – March 1976) and was a member of the Supreme Military Council from 1976 to 1978, before serving as Chief of Army Staff (COAS) between October 1981 and October 1983 during the Shehu Shagari administration. Read more
Only 3.% of Nigerians vaccinated against COVID — FG (Vanguard)
The Federal Government says only about three per cent of Nigeria’s population has been vaccinated against COVID-19 largely due to poor access to the vaccine by developing countries.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed said this in Madrid, Spain at the 24th General Assembly of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).
In a statement issued on the event, Mohammed warned that lack of vaccination by developing countries would provide a fertile ground for the COVID-19 virus to mutate, thus threatening the progress already recorded even in the developed countries.
The statement was made available to the media by Mr Segun Adeyemi, Special Assistant to the President (Media), Office of the Minister of Information and Culture. Read more
Worshippers abducted from
Kaduna church regain freedom after 1 month in captivity (DailyTrust)
The 60 members of Emmanuel Baptist Church, Kakau Daji, Kaduna, kidnapped by suspected bandits have regained freedom after a month in captivity.
Daily Trust reported on 31st October how the bandits stormed the church during a service and abducted no fewer than 60 members.
A few days later, the bandits killed three of the victims, leaving two critically injured after demanding ransom.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN)’s Chairman, Kaduna State Chapter, Rev Joseph John Hayab, who confirmed their release to Daily Trust on Saturday, said other nine people abducted at a different village were also released alongside the church worshippers on Friday evening. Read more
Sandra Bullock recalls NSFW slip-up from filming nude scene in “The Proposal” with Ryan Reynolds (Metro)
Sandra Bullock has revealed an embarrassing faux pas that happened during the filming of a naked scene for her hit comedy film The Proposal, and how her co-star Ryan Reynolds ‘was just so cool’ in the face of the accident.
The two acting colleagues have ‘known each other since we were prepubescent’ as the 57-year-old put it, adding: ‘We go way, way, way, way back.’
Setting the scene on the About Last Night podcast with Adam Ray, she recalled: ‘We had to do the naked scene that day and we had a closed set, which means no one’s allowed to be on there, just hair and makeup coming in to fluff and hide.’
‘Ryan and I have these flesh-coloured things stuck to our privates, my hair is strategically over the nipples and Ryan’s little – not little, at all! It’s just whatever’s there, and I don’t know because I didn’t see it, didn’t look! – is protected and caressed and stuck in wherever it needs to be stuck.’ Read more
Middle-class cocaine users could lose passports and driving licences in drugs crackdown (Mirror)
Middle-class cocaine users could have their passports and driving licences taken away in a government crackdown, Boris Johnson has suggested.
The Prime Minister said there is a group of people who use drugs to fuel a “lifestyle” without being sucked into the cycle of prison.
“These people think it’s a victimless crime – it isn’t,” Boris Johnson, who has admitted trying cocaine as a teenager, told the Sun on Sunday.
“We are going to look at new ways of penalising them. Things that will actually interfere with their lives, so we will look at taking away passports and driving licences.” Read more
Donald Trump had McDonald’s brought to hospital while he was treated for COVID-19 in October 2020 (DailyMail)
Donald Trump’s love affair with fast food carried on even when he was hospitalized with COVID-19 as the then-president ordered McDonald’s to be brought to his room at Walter Reed Hospital, according to an upcoming book by his former chief of staff.
In The Chief’s Chief, Mark Meadows writes Trump didn’t seemingly lose his sense of taste, as some COVID sufferers have reported, when he demanded takeout during his October 2020 hospital stay.
‘They had to eat with face shields on at the doctor’s orders, which didn’t thrill any of them,’ the book, Meadows writes in the book, which comes out Tuesday.
Trump’s love for McDonald’s and other fast food chains is well-documented. According to a book by his former aides Corey Lewandowski and David Bossie, his four ‘major food groups’ are McDonald’s, Kentucky Fried Chicken, pizza and Diet Coke. Read more
Macron announces Saudi-French initiative to solve crisis with Lebanon (MEE)
French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Saturday during a trip to Jeddah a Saudi-French initiative to solve a diplomatic row between several Gulf states and Lebanon.
Macron, who held talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, said Riyadh had committed to supporting reforms in Lebanon, helping it solve its crisis, and preserving its sovereignty, the Saudi television channel Asharq TV said.
In October, Riyadh expelled Lebanon’s envoy to the kingdom, recalled its ambassador to Beirut and banned Lebanese imports after then Lebanese information minister George Kordahi made critical remarks about Saudi Arabia’s role in the Yemen war.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain took similar steps against Lebanon following the Saudi move. Read more
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck enjoy family cinema outing following his talk of their ‘beautiful’ reunion (Metro)
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck were spotted on a casual family trip to the cinema on Saturday afternoon in Westwood, Los Angeles.
The star-powered duo, who are in the flush of Bennifer 2.0, having rekindled their relationship a few months ago after 17 year apart, looked relaxed and casual as they strolled in step and with their arms around one another, and the kids in tow.
Jennifer, 52, and Ben, 49, received the VIP treatment upon arrival, with the manager of Westwood’s Regency Theatre personally escorting them inside.
J-Lo looked off-duty chic in ripped jeans, Timberland boots and an eye-catching green, pink and purple floral jumper. Read more
Botswana’s reported COVID-19 cases decrease despite presence of Omicron (VOA)
Botswana’s reported COVID-19 cases have declined despite the detection of the highly transmissible omicron variant of coronavirus. Botswana was one of the first two countries in the world, along South Africa to report cases of the Omicron variant.
While COVID-19 cases are surging in neighboring South Africa, Botswana has reported a decrease.
Last week, Botswana reported 19 cases of the new omicron variant after it was first detected in four diplomats visiting the southern African country.
But COVID-19 Task Force scientific advisor Mogomotsi Matshaba says the country’s overall figures remain low, with only 27 cases recorded between Monday and Thursday. Read more
Suffolk: Do not panic over Omicron, says health official (BBC)
People should not “be panicking” over the Omicron variant and still see friends and family over Christmas, a county’s top health official said.
Suffolk’s director of public health, Stuart Keeble, said he would not be surprised if the Covid-19 variant was discovered in the area.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said on Saturday there were 160 cases of Omicron in the UK.
Mr Keeble said: “The fact is viruses mutate and that is what they do.” Read more
Bellingham suggests referee’s past history played role in Bayern defeat (Guardian)
Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham risks being punished by the German Football Federation after claiming costly decisions by the referee in Saturday’s 3-2 defeat by Bayern Munich were to be expected given he was implicated in the worst match-fixing scandal in German history.
The 18-year-old England international was furious the referee Felix Zwayer had not awarded a penalty to his side in the second-half before giving one to their opponents for a Mats Hummels handball.
Bayern’s Robert Lewandowski tucked it away to extend his side’s lead at the top of the table to four points over Dortmund.
“You can look at a lot of the decisions in the game. If you give a referee who has match-fixed before the biggest game in Germany, what do you expect?” Bellingham told Norwegian channel Viaplay.
Bellingham was referring to Zwayer’s alleged role as a 23-year-old linesman in the scandal involving referee Robert Hoyzer.
The latter confessed to taking Croatian mafia money in return for affecting the outcome of German Cup and lower division matches including awarding penalties for fictitious offences. Read more
2022 Davis Cup Finals: Great Britain awarded wild card alongside Serbia (Sky)
Great Britain have received a wild card for the 2022 Davis Cup Finals.
Britain, led by Leon Smith, and fellow recipient Serbia will now not need to play in the qualifiers in March to reach next year’s tournament.
They both join this year’s finalists the Russian Tennis Federation and Croatia, who will compete for the trophy later on Sunday in Madrid, in earning free passage.
“All our GB players love coming together for these weeks and are keen to have another crack at the trophy again in 2022,” Smith said in a statement released by the LTA. Read more
Ralf Rangnick explains why Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard missed his first Manchester United match in charge (Metro)
Ralf Rangnick has explained why he named an unchanged team for his first Manchester United match in charge and says Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard were absent for Crystal Palace clash after ‘feeling pain’ in training.
The German was appointed United’s interim boss on Monday and will be in charge until the end of the season, when he moved into a consultancy role at Old Trafford for two more years.
While Rangnick officially joined the Red Devils at the start of the week, caretaker manager Michael Carrick was in the dug-out for his third and final match on Thursday night in the 3-2 victory over Arsenal.
Rangnick was in the stands for that fixture and picked the same side that beat Arsenal for Sunday’s visit of Patrick Vieira’s Crystal Palace. Read more
Devin Haney ready to travel to Australia for undisputed lightweight fight with George Kambosos after JoJo Diaz win (BBC)
Devin Haney is ready to travel to Australia for a fight with George Kambosos to become the undisputed lightweight champion.
Haney, 23, retained his WBC belt with a stylish points victory over JoJo Diaz in Las Vegas with Kambosos – the new unified lightweight champion – watching at ringside.
“Let’s make it happen. The fans want to see it,” Haney told Kambosos.
Kambosos wants the fight to happen in his native Australia in early 2022. Read more
2 Super Eagles stars standout performers in Rangers convincing win over Dundee (Soccernet)
Nigerian internationals Joe Aribo and Calvin Bassey were brilliant for the Gers as the champions made light work of the visitors
Nigerian international Joe Aribo made the vital breakthrough with the opening goal as Rangers handed Dundee FC a comprehensive 3-0 thrashing at the Ibrox on Saturday.
In the absence of Leon Balogun, compatriot Calvin Bassey continued to fill in for the Gers at the heart of the defence and was solid as the home side kept another clean sheet.
Dundee were always going to be a tough nut to crack for the reigning champions, with the visitors winning three of their last four games. Read more
West Ham beat Chelsea with ‘freakish’ goal that leaves Edouard Mendy ‘in the mud’ (DailyStar)
West Ham United beat Chelsea on Saturday with a ‘freakish’ goal that left goalkeeper Edouard Mendy ‘in the mud’ according to fans.
Arthur Masuaku stole all three points for the hosts with a swerving cross that beat Mendy at his near post and complete a thrilling comeback victory.
Chelsea had twice taken the lead through Thiago Silva and Mason Mount during the first half, before Jarrod Bowen levelled the match in the 56th minute.
Mendy was also at fault for the Hammers’ first goal after he fouled Bowen inside of the penalty area having delayed clearing the ball after a weak back pass. Read more
Golf analyst Brandel Chamblee: ‘No doubt’ Tiger Woods plays PNC Championship (NYPost)
Tiger Woods hasn’t publicly announced a return date to golf, but those close to him believe they have a good idea when it will be.
The PNC Championship on Dec. 18-19 has an open spot, according to Golf Channel, and that could belong to the rehabbing Woods.
“Not a doubt in my mind that Tiger is playing the PNC,” Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee said Friday during Golf Central Pregame.
One factor is Woods, who needed surgery to repair a shattered ankle and two leg fractures suffered in a horrific car crash in February, doesn’t have to walk the course like a typical tournament. Also, he would be able to play with his son Charlie. Read more