Bisi Abiola trying to secure release of step-sons from detention (Thisday)
One of the wives of the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola, Mrs Adebisi Abiola yesterday in Lagos said that she and other members of the family were trying to persuade the police to release on bail two sons of the late politicians currently detained by the police.
In a statement issued by a counsel to the Abiola’s family and widow, Mr. Debo Adeleke, Abiola’s widow said other members of the family were already making efforts to secure the release of Kasim and Aliu who were arrested on suspicion they had a hand in the robbery before the police were served with the suit.
According to the statement, Kassim Abiola and Aliu Abiola were arrested by the police because of their conduct during the investigation. Read more
How we fled poverty but ended up with rapist employers – Nigerian women working in the Middle East (Punch)
Eight years after graduating from one of the state-owned universities in the South-West without a job after several unsuccessful applications and interviews, Helen Omoniyi (not real name) decided to seek greener pastures in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.
She left Lagos on one Monday in June 2016 on a journey that she hoped would turn her life around. As she left the shores of a country she had spent 28 years of her life, her mind pondered on many things all through the flight to Dubai, a rich city in the UAE known for luxury shopping, and ultramodern architecture, among others.
“I couldn’t bear the shame of being jobless anymore, so I thought if leaving Nigeria would be my last resort, so be it,” Omoniyi told our correspondent via a WhatsApp call.
On the day she left Nigeria, she had mixed feelings, though, saying she was excited as well as doubtful, not knowing what the future held for her in Dubai. Read more
Lagos State Government, Century Group urge professionals to embrace HSE culture (Vanguard)
The Chief Executive Officer, Century Group, Ken Etete, has commended health and frontline workers for their noble services on the on-going pandemic in the country.
Ken made this known at the weekend during the second edition of the Health and Safety Environment (HSE) summit with the theme; “HSE IN OUR DNA: Recycling to Wealth”.
He disclosed that the virtual summit was a product of the foundation laid by the Government of Lagos State in keeping the state safe; a model which has encouraged his company to take HSE seriously.
“The uncompromising standards of oil and gas, aviation and manufacturing industries have set the bar high and Century Group is proud to follow your footsteps. Read more
Lagos CP orders re-arrest of freed motorcyclist who hit pedestrian (Punch)
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, has directed the Divisional Police Officer, Olosan Police Station, Mushin, to re-arrest a commercial motorcycle rider freed after knocking down an apprentice, Damilola Ogunsanya.
The okada rider was allegedly riding against traffic around Five Star bus stop on the morning of August 31 when he hit Ogunsanya, who was going to work together with a friend.
It was gathered that Ogunsanya’s friend and passersby held the rider and handed him over to the Olosan Police Station while the victim who sustained injuries was rushed to a hospital.
The teenager reportedly suffered a cut to his ear while his head was also affected by the impact of the crash.
However, there was uproar when the family of the victim learnt that the Investigating Police Officer, identified as A.O. Idowu, allegedly released the rider and his motorcycle. Read more
Relocation: New ‘Computer Village’ ready in 24 months – Developer (Vanguard)
Mr Jimmy Onyemenam, Developer, Bridge Ways Investment, says it will take 24 months for the first phase of the new Information Communication Technology (ICT), market at Katangowa, to be completed.
He said this would facilitate the relocation of the ICT market (Computer village) in Ikeja.
Onyemenam disclosed this during a visit to the new site, by the executives of the Phone and Allied Products Dealers (PAPDA), and other stakeholders of the Computer village.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Bridge Ways LTD is the Lagos State Government approved developer for the new ICT market. Read more
Abiodun advises foreign govts, investors to replace aids with partnership (Thisday)
Ogun State Governor, Mr Dapo Abiodun has urged foreign governments and investors to work out symbiotic partnership programmes with sub-national governments in the federation rather than doling out development aid to them.
For the impact of donors and philanthropies to be felt, Abodun argued, there was the need for them to have a deep understanding of the challenges of the people and come up with detailed strategies of addressing them.
Abiodun stated this while speaking at a virtual humanitarian and philanthropic roundtable organised by Foreign Investment Network (FIN) on Friday, saying the people would only participate and take ownership on projects that address their concerns. Read more
Man confesses to killing 60-year-old aunt (Punch)
A 23-year-old man in the Ipokia area of Ogun State, Dansu Asogba, has confessed to the killing of his 60-year-old aunt, Iyabo Dansu, after an herbalist reportedly threatened to invoke the spirit of the deceased against her killer.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Ogun State, Abimbola Oyeyemi, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.
Oyeyemi explained that the suspect was arrested following his confession.
According to the PPRO, the suspect was arrested following a report by two children of the deceased who reported at Ipokia Divisional Headquarters. Read more
NUT commiserates with flood victims (Guardian)
The National President of Nigeria Union of Teacher (NUT), Comrade Nasiru Idris, has commiserated with the affected floods victims, most especially, teachers across the Kebbi State, and Nigeria, as a whole.
Nasir, who spoke through the state NUT boss, Comrade Issa Umar, while addressing journalists in Birnin Kebbi, yesterday, said the tragedy occurred when the country was facing economy challenge.
The NUT National President, who was shocked when he heard of the disaster, told those affected that government is working hard to ensure that victims are compensated. Read more
Daddy Freeze apologises to Oyedepo (Punch)
Broadcaster, Ifedayo Olarinde, aka Daddy Freeze, has apologised to the founder of Living Faith Church (aka Winners Chapel), Bishop David Oyedepo, for calling him a “bald-headed fowl.”
Daddy Freeze, who is the Convener of the Free the Sheeple Movement and Leader of the Free Nation in Christ, said this in a video on Saturday.
The broadcaster had come under fire from several reputable clerics, including the Senior Pastor, Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Dr Paul Enenche; and the founder of Salvation Ministries, Pastor David Ibiyeomie, for verbally attacking Oyedepo.
Daddy Freeze, while apologising to Oyedepo, said he did the video two years ago, adding that it only went viral recently. Read more
Mali military backs 18-month transition government as talks close (Aljazeera)
Mali’s military government has pushed through a political charter to establish an 18-month transition government that could lead to the appointment of a soldier as interim president, despite objections from the coalition that led anti-government protests before last month’s coup.
Approval for the road map, meant to chart the country’s course after the August 18 coup that toppled President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, came on Saturday after three days of negotiations between the military government, political leaders, and civil society groups.
International powers, fearful that political instability will undermine a fight against armed groups across West Africa’s Sahel region, have pushed for a swift transition back to civilian rule. Read more
Coronavirus: Oxford University to resume vaccine trial after pause (BBC)
Trials of a Covid-19 vaccine being developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University will resume after being paused due to a reported side effect in a patient in the UK.
On Tuesday, AstraZeneca said the studies were being paused while it investigated whether the adverse reaction was linked with the vaccine.
But on Saturday, the university said it had been deemed safe to continue.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock welcomed the news that the trials would resume.
“This pause shows we will always put safety first. We will back our scientists to deliver an effective vaccine as soon as safely possible,” he added. Read more
Weather aids fight against US wildfires, but death toll climbs (Aljazeera)
Improved weather conditions on Saturday offered some hope to weary firefighters battling massive wildfires on the United States’ West Coast, authorities said, but the death toll linked to the fires has been steadily rising and tens of thousands of people are displaced.
Oregon Governor Kate Brown said on Friday that more than 40,000 people had been evacuated from their homes since the fires began, while nearly 500,000 residents were under three different evacuation alert levels.
The state advised some residents to pack and be vigilant, some to be ready to flee at a moment’s notice, and others to leave their homes immediately, Reuters news agency said. Read more
Halle Berry left ‘speechless’ after nearly $20M offer from Netflix (PageSix)
Halle Berry is gearing up to release her new film, “Bruised,” receiving a massive offer from streaming giant Netflix that left the actress and newbie director “speechless.”
Variety reports the streaming service is prepared to spend close to $20 million for the worldwide distribution rights to Berry’s directorial debut, currently screening as a work-in-progress at the Toronto Film Festival.
In response to the reported offer, Berry, 54, took to Twitter to share her astonishment over the generous figure.
“I am speechless. Thank you @netflix for believing in my vision, cannot wait for y’all to finally see #BruisedTheMovie.” Read more
Talks between Afghan government and Taliban open in Qatar (Aljazeera)
After nearly two decades of war that has killed tens of thousands, peace talks between the Afghanistan government and the Taliban have opened in Qatar’s capital.
Key speakers at Saturday’s opening ceremony at a hotel in Doha included Abdullah Abdullah, chairperson of Afghanistan’s High Council for National Reconciliation, Taliban deputy leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
The negotiations, where the two warring sides will sit face-to-face for the first time, will start on Monday.
For his part, Abdullah spoke about seeking a dignified and lasting peace. Read more
US film “Nomadland” triumphs at Venice Film Festival (BBC)
US film Nomadland has won the Golden Lion prize at the Venice Film Festival, the first such event held with live audiences since the Covid-19 outbreak.
The film, by Chinese-born Chloé Zhao, stars Frances McDormand as a widow who lives as a nomad after the 2008 crisis.
Mexican director Michel Franco’s thriller New Order and historic drama Wife of a Spy by Japan’s Kiyoshi Kurosawa both won Silver Lions.
Those watching the films in Venice’s cinemas had to wear masks. Read more
Margot Robbie says ‘most difficult scene’ she’s ever shot is in “The Suicide Squad” (Metro)
Margot Robbie has teased some pretty epic scenes in the upcoming The Suicide Squad movie, revealing they were the ‘most difficult’ scenes she’s ever shot. The actress, who plays Harley Quinn, made the revelation during a DC FanDome Q&A with fans, as they asked what the toughest scene to film was. She explained: ‘I don’t want to give it away… When you watch the movie, it’s probably about halfway through. ‘There’s an insane sequence that Harley does which was one of the most difficult things I’ve ever shot onscreen. ‘And we shot it in like four days and I remember looking at the schedule and being like “Oh my god, we’re not going to be able to do this. This is gonna be impossible.”’ Read more
US Open 2020: Naomi Osaka beats Victoria Azarenka to win third Grand Slam title (BBC)
Naomi Osaka demonstrated her growing maturity to fight back against Victoria Azarenka in a compelling US Open final and claim her third Grand Slam title.
Japanese fourth seed Osaka, 22, won 1-6 6-3 6-3 for her second US Open title.
Osaka was overwhelmed in the first set and was in danger of trailing 3-0 in the second before recovering to win 10 of the next 12 games to take momentum.
Belarusian Azarenka, in her first major final since 2013, was broken for 5-3 in the decider before Osaka served out.
Osaka shrieked with joy as she took her second match point, then calmly lay on the court and stared at the New York sky as she contemplated her latest achievement.
Osaka’s level raised considerably as 31-year-old Azarenka was unable to maintain the intensity she showed in a one-sided opening set. Read more
Celtics dethrone defending champion Raptors in hard-fought Game 7 win (NYPost)
It took every bit of seven games, but Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics are headed to the Eastern Conference finals.
And they dethroned the NBA champions to get there.
Tatum scored 29 points, Jaylen Brown had 21 and the Celtics topped the Toronto Raptors 92-87 on Friday night in Game 7 of the East semifinal series.
Marcus Smart scored 16 points and Kemba Walker added 14 for third-seeded Boston. Read more
Debutants shine in Arsenal EPL victory (Punch)
Debutants Gabriel and Willian impressed as Arsenal blew away promoted Fulham in the opening game of the Premier League season.
Former Chelsea winger Willian had a hand in all three goals and Gabriel – a £23m signing from Lille – scored in his first game in English football.
Arsenal were highly impressive, while Fulham caused themselves too many problems at the back.
Both sides have played and won at Wembley – twice for the Gunners – in the 48 days since the last Premier League season finished. Read more
Mo Farah wins Antrim Coast Half Marathon but misses British record (BBC)
Four-time Olympic champion Mo Farah won the Antrim Coast Half Marathon held on Northern Ireland’s scenic coastline.
Farah followed up last week’s one-hour world record run in Brussels on his return to the track with another impressive display on Saturday.
He stretched clear in the closing stages of the race to claim victory in one hour 27 seconds.
The 37-year-old finished 12 seconds ahead of Marc Scott, with Ben Connor a further 16 seconds back in third.
Belfast’s Stephen Scullion thrilled the home fans with a superb race in fourth, posting a Northern Ireland record of 61:08. Read more
Conor McGregor denies accusations after UFC star is arrested on suspicion of indecent exposure (Metro)
Former UFC king Conor McGregor has reportedly been taken into custody in Corsica for alleged indecent exposure.
According to reports, the Irishman was arrested following the incident. A press release from the prosecution reads: ‘Following a complaint filed on September 10 denouncing facts likely to be qualified as attempted sexual assault and sexual exhibition, Mr. Conor Anthony McGregor was the subject of a hearing by the services of gendarmerie, under the regime of police custody.’ Read more
Lionel Messi plays for Barcelona in pre-season friendly win (BBC)
Lionel Messi made his first appearance for Barcelona since his failed attempt to leave the club, playing in their friendly with Gimnastic de Tarragona.
The 33-year-old Argentine submitted a transfer request in August but decided to stay last week because no club would be able to afford his release clause.
Messi started in the 3-1 win over third-tier Nastic after the club confirmed he would remain as captain.
He was replaced along with the other starters at half-time. Read more