Bus driver escapes death in Lagos after brake failure (Vanguard)
A private bus driver luckily escaped death on Wednesday, after the vehicle suddenly developed a critical brake failure, before ramming into the median near Area B, at the intersection with Point Road, in Apapa area of Lagos State.
The victim was rescued alive due to prompt response by men of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority LASTMA.
The General Manager, LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, who confirmed the incident said the driver of the bus was on high speed when the incident occurred. Read more
Lagos-Calabar highway: Property owners reject N18b compensation (Punch)
Property owners along the Lagos-Calabar Highway have rejected the Federal Government’s compensation offer, describing it as insufficient compared to the actual value of their properties.
In an exclusive interview with The PUNCH, a retired banker, Emeka Mewu, said the compensation he was offered was a merger sum compared to the value of his property.
He said, “My property was valued at over N400m, both the land and developments thereon, which were four bungalows, but I was just given N3.3m. The most essential value is the land itself, the cost of the land was so enormous that I had to sell two of my properties in different locations on the mainland in order to acquire this particular one.
“The Lagos State Government did not stop us or ask us not to build, and this particular part of my land was not gazetted for this alignment.” Read more
Lagos seals church, others over noise pollution (Nation)
The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), on Wednesday, said it had sealed off some churches alongside recreational centres over noise pollution in the state.
LASEPA made this known through a statement on its X handle.
“In a bid to address noise pollution and other environmental violations, LASEPA took action, closing down several establishments across different parts of the state. Read more
Police bust ‘one-chance’ syndicate in Abuja (Tribune)
Operatives of the FCT Police Command have busted an armed robbery “one-chance” syndicate in the nation’s capital, Abuja.
The FCT Commissioner of Police, Tunji Disu, disclosed this to newsmen on Wednesday during the parade of suspects at the command headquarters.
He explained that the FCT Police Command, in its continuous effort to rid the FCT of all forms of crime and criminality, had arrested twelve armed robbery suspects, commonly known as “one-chance” operators. Additionally, six vehicles believed to be their operational vehicles were recovered, along with one locally made Beretta pistol. Read more
Minister attributes grid collapses to vandalism, lack of maintenance (Vanguard)
The Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu, has attributed frequent grid collapses to vandalism and lack of maintenance in the past.
Adelabu, receiving the report of the committee set up to address grid collapses in Abuja on Wednesday, stressed that most 2024 incidents resulted from vandalism and theft of power equipment.
He said lack of good maintenance and external factors also contributed to the collapses. Read more
PSNAFSA mourns passing of Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, former Chief of Army Staff (Independent)
A non-governmental organization under the aegis of the Prayer and Support for the Nigerian Armed Forces & Other Security Agencies(PSNAFSA) has expressed profound sadness over the passing of former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.
Known as a dedicated and visionary leader, Lt. Gen. Lagbaja’s contributions to the Nigerian Army and the broader military landscape have left a lasting impact. His passing on November 5, 2024, marks a significant loss for the nation.
In a statement signed by its convener, AMB Mary Abayomi- Fatile, PSNAFSA said: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, a remarkable leader who left an indelible mark on the Nigerian Army in particular and the Military in general. Read more
Oborevwori, others to grace premiere of Decade Boy (Nation)
Ogwashi-Uku, the headquarters of Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State, will be agog as it hosts Delta State’s Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and others for the public presentation of Decade Boy, a movie which chronicles the story of how idle young persons are lured into hard drug addiction.
Among other guests scheduled to grace the event are Prince Ned Nwoko, Rt. Hon. EmomoTimi Guwor, Hon. Chief Isaac Anwuzia and the chief host and council chairman, Pastor Jude Chukwunwike.
The event, which is scheduled for Friday, November 8, 2024, at the event centre in the town at 2:00 pm will take place under the chairmanship of business mogul, Chief A.C Okocha; with the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Princess Pat Ajudua as the mother of the day. Read more
Minimum Wage: Makinde pays Oyo workers ₦80k, consolidates NBS rating (DailyTrust)
The Oyo State Government has approved a minimum wage of ₦80,000 for the State workforce.
In a statement by the State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, the Technical Committee set up by the State Government recommended and got approval from Governor Seyi Makinde for the implementation of the new salary scale.
This new scale will be implemented as soon as the consequential adjustments process is completed by the committee which comprises of Government and Labour top officials. Read more
Kamala Harris concedes election but vows to fight on (AlJazeera)
delivered a televised concession speech to the nation after a whirlwind campaign that failed to stop Republican Donald Trump’s return to the White House.
“While I concede this election, I do not concede the fight that fuelled this campaign,” she told supporters on Wednesday at her alma mater, Howard University, a historically Black college.
Harris pledged to continue fighting for women’s rights and against gun violence and to “fight for the dignity that all people deserve”. Read more
Angelina Jolie’s “Maria” performance compared to Denzel Washington as Malcolm X by acclaimed director (DailyMail)
An acclaimed director has compared Angelina Jolie’s performance in “Maria” to Denzel Washington’s turn as Malcolm X.
Angelina, 49, has been at the center of a hum of Oscar buzz ever since a trailer dropped last month for her upcoming Netflix movie.
“Maria” stars Angelina as the legendary opera singer Maria Callas during her final decline in Paris amid her failed comeback in the 1970s. Read more
Ariana Grande supports those feeling ‘immeasurable heaviness’ after Donald Trump wins US election (Metro)
Ariana Grande has offered her support to heartbroken members of the public after Donald Trump won the US Presidential Election on Tuesday, defeating Kamala Harris.
In the early hours of this morning, the businessman declared himself the winner as both Fox News and NBC confirmed his triumph over the Democrat candidate and Kamala Harris.
The Vice President has officially called Trump to concede defeat, after he won key states across the country including Georgia, Pennsylvania and Texas – the result also tipped in his favour overnight from Indiana, West Virginia, Mississippi, Alabama and Oklahoma all voting red. Read more
Liam Payne’s body being flown back to the UK (PageSix)
Liam Payne’s body is finally being flown back to the UK from Argentina to be laid to rest today, sources confirmed to Page Six.
The One Direction singer’s body has been held in the country since he tragically toppled over his hotel balcony in Buenos Aires and died on Oct. 16.
He is being taken home for burial by his devoted father Geoff Payne, who has been in the South American city along with the singer’s longtime bodyguard since the accident. Read more
Chris Evans looks so different with long hair and shaggy beard in latest outing (Hello!)
Chris Evans turned heads in London this week with a surprising new look. The Captain America actor, 43, stepped out at Potters Fields Park to promote his latest action film, Red One, sporting a dark, shaggy beard and silver-rimmed glasses.
Swapping his signature clean-cut style for something more rugged, Chris paired his new facial hair with longer, slicked-back hair, a black tee, fitted jeans, a denim jacket, and brown suede boots. Fans were quick to notice the transformation, which complemented his more laid-back style.
Chris attended the London event with co-stars Lucy Liu, Dwayne Johnson, and J.K. Simmons, but the actor’s fresh look certainly stole the spotlight. Read more
Robert Pattinson and Bong Joon Ho’s ‘‘Mickey 17’’ shifts to April after Michael Jackson biopic moved to fall (Variety)
Bong Joon Ho fans will have to wait a little bit longer to see the director’s long-awaited return after Parasite. Warner Bros. has shifted the Robert Pattinson-led sci-fi film “Mickey 17” to April 18, 2025, three months after the previous release date of Jan. 31, 2025.
The new date allows the film to screen in IMAX and hopefully capture audiences over the Easter holiday. The upcoming Michael Jackson biopic “Michael” from director Antoine Fuqua was originally set for the April 18 slot, tying up IMAX and premium large format screens, but was pushed to Oct. 3 by Lionsgate earlier this week, prompting Warner Bros. to make the switch. Read more
Germany’s far-right AfD to expel members over links to ‘militant’ groups (AlJazeera)
The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) political party has said it will throw out three of its members who have been arrested on suspicion of having joined an “extremist” paramilitary group.
The political party’s announcement comes after eight people were arrested and at least 20 properties were searched during a police operation on Tuesday.
The operation targeted the Saxonian Separatists, a group authorities consider a domestic “terrorist organisation”. It was founded in November 2020 and is driven by racist ideology and conspiracy theories. Read more
CHAN Eagles gear up for Ghana clash (Punch)
Super Eagles B on Tuesday started the second phase of preparation for their two-legged Africa Nations Championship qualifier against Ghana in December, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The first phase ended on Thursday, with the players released to their clubs ahead of the weekend’s Nigeria Premier Football League matches. They resumed on Tuesday, with 26 players reporting to camp.
The remaining nine players were expected to arrive on Wednesday as the team embarks on a two-week intensive training, whose schedules and arrangements will be made known by the NFF in the coming days. Read more
AFCON 2025: Eguavoen unveils Super Eagles squad for Benin, Rwanda games (Leadership)
Captain William Ekong, Atalanta of Italy’s Ademola Lookman, effervescent winger Moses Simon, reigning Africa Player of the Year Victor Osimhen and 19 other players will seek for six points against Benin Republic and Rwanda in the closing rounds of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign this month.
Coach Augustine Eguavoen has also called goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali and Maduka Okoye, defenders Calvin Bassey and Bright Osayi-Samuel, as well as midfielders Frank Onyeka, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi, and forwards Kelechi Iheanacho, Victor Boniface and Samuel Chukwueze.
Home-based defender Victor Collins will join up with the group for the first time, and there is a return for gangling forward Sadiq Umar, who plays for Real Sociedad in Spain. Read more
Aston Villa gives away bizarre penalty for handball to gift Club Brugge the lead in Champions League (JapanToday)
Aston Villa gave away an unusual penalty for handball in its Champions League game against Club Brugge on Wednesday when defender Tyrone Mings picked the ball up after receiving a short goal kick from goalkeeper Emi Martínez early in the second half.
Mings apparently thought the ball was not yet in play and walked forward to pick it up with his left hand and returned it to place it at the corner of the six-yard box.
Brugge captain Hans Vanaken converted the penalty in the 52nd minute to give Brugge a 1-0 lead, placing the ball to Martínez’s left as the goalkeeper dived to his right. Read more
Man United hit with huge FA fine after fiery Chelsea clash as Ruud van Nistelrooy issue emerges (MEN)
Manchester United have been hit with a huge Football Association fine after they passed the disciplinary threshold during their meeting with Chelsea on Sunday.
The clash between these two teams has historically been often a feisty one, and it was no different at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon. Bruno Fernandes was only able to give Man United the lead after Robert Sanchez gave away a penalty, whilst Lisandro Martinez caused controversy when picking up a yellow card that prompted a Premier League statement once VAR deemed it unworthy of an upgrade to a red card. Read more
Australian breaker Raygun retires after ‘upsetting’ Olympic backlash (StraitsTimes)
Breaker Rachael “Raygun” Gunn’s signature kangaroo bounce will not be seen on a competitive stage again after the Australian declared she could not bring herself to battle following the backlash over her Paris Olympics performance.
University lecturer Gunn became an overnight sensation after losing all three of her round robin battles by a combined score of 54-0 when breaking made its Olympic debut at the Place de la Concorde.
The 37-year-old was mocked online and in the mainstream media for everything from her unorthodox moves – including kangaroo hops and imitating a sprinkler – to her green official team kit. Read more
Zheng into last four of Finals as Sabalenka loses (BBC)
Zheng Qinwen crushed Jasmine Paolini to reach the WTA Finals last four as an already-qualified Aryna Sabalenka lost to an inspired Elena Rybakina.
China’s Olympic gold medallist Zheng showcased her power in an easy 6-1 6-1 win that eliminated Italian Paolini.It left the 22-year-old with a 2-1 group-stage record, with her sole loss coming against Sabalenka on the first day of the tournament. Read more