BRT driver arraigned for manslaughter (Punch)
The Lagos State Police Command has arraigned a Bus Rapid Transit driver, Bohan Abiodun, before a Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ogba for manslaughter.
PUNCH Metro had reported that on September 30, 2020, Abiodun, while driving around 4am, rammed into a commercial motorcycle conveying two passengers to a destination in the Ile-Igbo area of Abule-Egba, Lagos State.
The motorcyclist was reportedly plying the BRT route without switching on the headlamp of his motorcycle when tragedy struck.
The rider and one of the passengers died on the spot, while the other passenger was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. Read more
Lagos Assembly speaker says #EndSARS violence devastated state economy (Vanguard)
Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, declared in Ikeja on Tuesday that the October #EndSARS protests devastated the Lagos State economy.
Obasa made this known when Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu presented the state’s 2021 budget to the Assembly.
Lagos State plans to spend N1,155,022,413,005 in the 2021 budget entitled: “Budget Of Rekindled Hope’’.
The Speaker said that the devastating effects of the disruptions that followed the #EndSARS protests in the state were beyond imaginations. Read more
Sanwo-Olu proposes N1.155trn for 2021 (Punch)
Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday presented budget estimates of N1.155trn to the state House of Assembly for approval for the 2021 fiscal year.
The 2021 budget estimates is titled, ‘Budget of Rekindled Hope.’
The budget is N234.5bn higher than the 2020 budget after it was reduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But it is lesser than the initial 2020 budget of N1.68trn by N53.5bn.
According to Sanwo-Olu, the 2021 budget has a total revenue of N962.528bn, and a total internally generated revenue of N795,744bn. Read more
No ransom was paid on kidnapped girls, Zamfara insists (Nation)
Zamfara State has maintained its position that no ransom was paid for the release of the 26 girls kidnapped from Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State.
Governor Bello Matawalle’s media aide, Zailani Bappa, at a news conference yesterday, said: “The girls’ release was made possible through the government’s peace initiative. Right from the negotiation with the bandits, to the time of their release, the government of Zamfara felt it was saving the lives of Nigerians, not minding where they hailed from.
“Fortunately some parents of the victims who were unhappy with the information that N6.6 million was collected from them for their girls’ release are here to tell the truth.” Read more
Stock Market extends rally, gains N852bn in two days (Thisday)
The Nigerian stock market gained N852 billion in the first two days of this week as investors remained upbeat.
The market, which has remained bullish, gained N641 billion on Monday and extended its rally with an additional gain of N211 billion yesterday.
This lifted the capitalisation of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) to N17.059 trillion while the NSE All-Share Index (ASI) climbed to 32,647.10.
The NSE ASI rose four per cent on Monday and rose by another 1.3 per cent yesterday, bringing the gain in two days to 5.3 per cent. Read more
CBN accuses #EndSARS campaigners of terrorism (Punch)
The Federal Government was able to freeze the accounts of 20 #EndSARS campaigners after telling a Federal High Court in Abuja that the funds in their accounts might have been linked to terrorist activities.
This is according to a written address in support of a motion ex parte filed by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
The CBN had in the second week of October frozen 20 accounts and thereafter approached the court to seek an ex parte order to freeze the accounts.
In the case with suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1384/2020, filed before Justice A. R. Mohammed, the CBN, however, made no mention of the fact that the 20 accounts were owned by persons involved in the #EndSARS protests, but told the court that the funds might have emanated from terrorist activities. Read more
Air Force opens training centre in Makurdi (Nation)
Chief of Air Staff (CAS) Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar has said the remodelled School of Air Intelligence in Makurdi, Benue State, will strengthen the fight against insurgency.
At the opening of the NAF School of Air Intelligence at NAF Base in Makurdi, Abubakar reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to reposition the Air Force into a highly professional and disciplined force through capacity building.
He said the renovated facilities will ensure effective, efficient and timely training and employment of personnel. Read more
How N2.2bn was spent on prayers against Boko Haram – EFCC (Vanguard)
An EFCC investigating officer, Mr Adariko Michael, on Tuesday alleged that N2.2 billion was spent on prayers in Nigeria and Saudi Arabia to win the war against insurgency in the country.
Michael was giving evidence as the first prosecution witness (PW1) in the trial of retired Col. Sambo Dasuki, former National Security Adviser (ONSA) to President Goodluck Jonathan in the alleged two billion dollars arms deal fraud.
Others charged with Dasuki are a former General Manager with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Aminu Baba-kusa, Acacia Holdings Limited and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited. Read more
Zulum seeks multi-stakeholder team to track Boko Haram financiers (Thisday)
Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, has urged the federal government to build on the conviction of six Boko Haram sponsors by the United Arab Emirate (UAE) by setting up a multi-stakeholder team with trusted representatives to fish out more sponsors of the terrorist group.
A statement yesterday by the governor’s spokesman, Malam Isa Gusau, said Zulum commended the UAE for the conviction of six Nigerians for Boko Haram funding.
The statement said the governor was happy that for the first time in 11 years, headway was being made on tracking some alleged financiers of Boko Haram terrorism that has resulted in the death of thousands of citizens, displacement of millions as well as the destruction of private and public assets worth $9 billion in Nigeria. Read more
Newly discovered primate ‘already facing extinction’ (BBC)
A monkey that is new to science has been discovered in the remote forests of Myanmar.
The Popa langur, named after its home on Mount Popa, is critically endangered with numbers down to about 200 individuals.
Langurs are a group of leaf-eating monkeys that are found across south east Asia.
The newly described animal is known for its distinctive spectacle-like eye patches and greyish-coloured fur.
It is at risk from habitat loss and hunting.
Scientists have long suspected there might be a new species in Myanmar, based on DNA extracted from the droppings of wild monkeys, but evidence has been hard to find. Read more
Men – want to improve your sperm quality? Just add nuts (Metro)
Staying fit and healthy isn’t just a precursor to a long and happy life, it can also have a dramatic impact on a man’s ability to have kids. Researchers in Spain have published a new study suggesting that adding nuts to a healthy diet can have a dramatic impact on sperm quality. The team, from Universitat Rovira i Virgili in Spain, say that consuming tree nuts like almonds, hazelnuts and walnuts affects methylation – the biochemical process human DNA goes through. DNA methylation has an impact on certain genes throughout the body. For example, it may stop tumor-causing genes from turning themselves on and causing cancer. Read more
Apple unveils first Mac computers powered by its own M1 chip (BBC)
Apple has revealed its first Mac computers powered by chips of its own design.
In June, the company announced it would transition away from the Intel processors it had used since 2006.
Apple said the advantages of using the M1 chip included better battery life, instant wake from sleep mode, and the ability to run iOS apps.
It added it had optimised all of its own Mac apps, but now needs to convince other developers to do likewise.
The new computers include new versions of its: Read more
Free films will be hidden inside Google Maps (Metro)
Some of Britain’s most rewatchable and nostalgic movies are being scattered across Google Maps to watch for free in a virtual lockdown Easter egg hunt. Google is encouraging people to rediscover and download films including Skyfall and Wallace and Gromit: Curse of the Were-Rabbit, in collaboration with the British Film Institute (BFI). Around 40 of the 50 top rewatchable films from the last 50 years, as chosen by the BFI, will be hidden in UK locations relating to where they were set, discoverable on Google Maps. Clues will be released ahead of the Google Pixel Presents Mobile Cinema launch at the end of November. Read more
Biden defends Obamacare as top court hears case (BBC)
President-elect Joe Biden has vowed to defend the Affordable Care Act, the public health insurance scheme passed when he was vice-president, as the US Supreme Court considers a case attempting to strike down the law.
The Democrat said the court effort was an attempt by “far-right ideologues” to undermine access to healthcare.
The comments come as the US faces an unrelenting coronavirus pandemic.
Democrats made protecting the law a key election issue. Read more
Hayley Atwell grapples with co-star in intense Mission: Impossible fight scene (Metro)
Hayley Atwell has been spotted looking completely fierce as she films a fight scene for Mission: Impossible 7. The actress, known for playing Peggy Carter in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, was seen shooting at the Doge’s Palace in Venice. She’s shown grappling with her co-star Esai Morales during an intense fight scene. In one shot, the pair grab at each other’s throats, while another shows her pointing a weapon at him. However, it doesn’t all seem to go Hayley’s way, as Esai grabs both of her wrists at one point, while another photo shows her looking fearful as he holds her by the neck as they film the scene. Read more
Peru clashes over President Vizcarra’s impeachment (BBC)
Clashes have broken out in the Peruvian capital, Lima, between security forces and protesters angry at the impeachment of President Martín Vizcarra.
Riot police were out in force to keep the demonstrators back, using tear gas and jets of water.
The police tried to keep hundreds of people away from the Congress building.
On Monday, Congress voted to impeach Mr Vizcarra over allegations he handed out government contracts in return for bribes. Read more
Sierra Leone’s Kamara comes out of retirement for Eagles clash (Vanguard)
Sierra Leone striker Kei Kamara has come out of international retirement to re-join his country’s national team ahead of their upcoming 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The Leone Stars will play Nigeria in Benin City on Friday and host the Super Eagles four days later in Freetown. It comes a year after the former Norwich City and Middlesbrough player announced his international retirement on the eve of Sierra Leone’s opening 2021 qualifier against Lesotho in Freetown which ended 1-1.
Kamara. who now plays for MLS club Minnesota United in the United States, is one of 16 foreign-based players invited by Leone Stars coach John Keister. Read more
Saudi Ladies International: Maha Haddioui welcomes Saudi Arabia ‘progress’ (BBC)
The first Arab professional on the Ladies’ European Tour says Saudi Arabia is making “improvements” as it prepares to host its first women’s golf events.
The Saudi Ladies International begins this week, with a separate team event set to take place from 17 November.
Professional women’s golf has never taken place before in the kingdom, which has faced widespread criticism for its human rights record.
“To me it’s huge improvement,” said Moroccan professional Maha Haddioui.
“To be part of something so huge, a moment in history, to me it’s a new Saudi when it comes to a lot of things and to be part of that is really big. Read more
Khabib Nurmagomedov’s manager hints at one more UFC fight (Metro)
Khabib Nurmagomedov’s manager has hinted that his client is set to return to the UFC Octagon, despite retiring after his win over Justin Gaethje last month. The UFC lightweight champion took his record to a perfect 29-0 with a dominant victory over Gaethje in Abu Dhabi, submitting the Highlight in the second round of their title bout in October. After the win, the Eagle stunned viewers by declaring that he would be retiring, having made a promise to his mother that he would not continue to fight after the death of his father earlier in the year. Read more
Greg Clarke resigns as Football Association chairman after remark about black players (BBC)
Football Association chairman Greg Clarke has resigned over the “unacceptable” language he used when referring to black players.
Clarke said he was “deeply saddened” for the offence he had caused by using the term “coloured footballers”.
The comments came as he was talking about the racist abuse of players by trolls on social media to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) select committee via video link.
Clarke said his words were a “disservice to our game”.Read more
Tiger Woods hails Bryson DeChambeau for ‘never been seen before’ transformation (Metro)
Defending Masters Champion Tiger Woods believes Bryson DeChambeau will be the man to beat at Augusta this week following the American’s astonishing transformation over the last 12 months. Woods, 44, is seeking his sixth green jacket in Georgia but DeChambeau is the favourite going into an unprecedented November Masters. The 27-year-old has added 40lbs of weight over the last year and that enabled him to hit a 344-yard driving average on the PGA Tour in 2020. Read more
Pakistan Cricket Board gets its first female director (AlJazeera)
Alia Zafar has been named as one of the independent directors on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), becoming the first female to have been appointed to the post in the cricket-crazy South Asian nation.
Zafar, a human resources executive, was included among four new PCB directors. The others are finance executive Javed Kurieshi, economist Asim Wajid Jawad, and corporate executive Arif Saeed.
Zafar, who has worked in senior positions in the corporate sector, was appointed for a two-year term. Read more
Neuer warns fixture backlog has players ‘at their limits’ (Guardian)
Germany captain Manuel Neuer said on Tuesday top players are at their physical “limits” due to this season’s condensed fixture list resulting from the knock-on effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
Neuer has already made 14 appearances for club and country in seven weeks since the campaign started.
“There has never been a season like this before and hopefully there will never be again,” the Bayern Munich goalkeeper told website Sportbuzzer. Read more