Customer molests food seller’s five-year-old daughter in Lagos (Punch)
A man, Nnamadi Emdriuokhe, has been arrested by men of the Lagos State Police Command for allegedly molesting a five-year-old girl in the Festac area of the state.
PUNCH Metro gathered that the suspect was caught inserting his finger into the victim’s private parts after purchasing food from her mother.
It was learnt that the suspect indulged in the act until the minor started bleeding from her private parts and he was caught in the act.
Residents, who were angered by the development, reportedly pounced on Nnamadi and beat him up. Read more
We’re tactically ready to resist any protest in Lagos, Police warn (Vanguard)
The Lagos State Police Command has expressed readiness to resist any form of protest, peaceful or otherwise, noting that the state was still smarting from the havoc wreaked on it in the wake of the #EndSARS protests that spread across the country.
The Command said the warning became necessary because the information from intelligence reports have it that there were plans by some persons to cause unrest in the state.
The spokesperson of the state police command, Superintendent Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said this in a statement, noting that processions or gatherings under any guise or nomenclature in Lagos State would not be allowed. Read more
NUJ cancels Lagos council election (Guardian)
Citing security report, the national body of the Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ) has cancelled this year’s election conducted by its Lagos State Council.
It was alleged that the Ministry of Information, which is a chapel in the body, was in favour of Leye Ajayi against Qasim Akinreti as the chairman.
A former secretary of the Lagos NUJ and national trustee of the union, Sylva Okereke, said: “What we agreed at the National Executive Council (NEC) was to carry out verification of membership in all the states, which we have started in the last one year. We have done the verification in Ondo, Ogun, Delta and other states and that’s what is obtainable everywhere. We did the same in Lagos. We verified members but unfortunately, we came today and someone is saying everybody that came must vote, where is it done? Read more
Seven feared killed as truck crashes into tricycles in Ogun (Punch)
Seven persons were, on Thursday, feared killed, while many others sustained injuries after a truck rammed into some stationary tricycles at the Bell Junction area of Ogun State.
PUNCH Metro learnt that the accident, which occurred around 10am, involved a truck, whose driver lost control and rammed into the tricycles and some commuters waiting at the bus stop.
It was gathered that the truck driver was heading for Idiroko Road, when he lost control of the vehicle and in an attempt to avoid crashing into the other vehicles, rammed into the stationed tricycles, killing seven persons and injuring many others. Read more
Coronavirus, Lassa, yellow fever not behind Delta, Enugu mystery deaths, says NCDC (Guardian)
Amid growing concerns about the ‘killer disease’ ravaging some settlements in Delta and Enugu states, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has ruled out coronavirus, Lassa and yellow fever as behind the deaths.
Its Director General, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, told The Guardian yesterday that: “The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control is aware of recent deaths in communities of Enugu and Delta states.
“We have deployed epidemiologists to support ongoing efforts. Initial samples from sick people returned negative for COVID-19, Lassa and yellow fever. We have collected more samples for further testing.” Read more
Health: FG seeks private sector partnership to stop medical tourism (Vanguard)
The Federal Government on Thursday sought the partnership of the private sector to stop medical tourism.
The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, spoke at the foundation laying of the transplant complex and the inauguration of the molecular laboratory of the Zenith Medical and Kidney Centre, Abuja.
Ehanire said the low involvement of the private sector in the healthcare subsector and the lack of confidence in the quality of the services rendered was one of the reasons most citizens seek medical care abroad. Read more
Police decry killing of driver, conductor of vehicle who crushed five pupils (Punch)
The Ebonyi State Police Command, on Thursday, said three of the five schoolchildren crushed to death by a truck conveying water at Onu-Nworie Egu village, Oshiri, in the Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, on Tuesday, were of the same parents.
The victims were pupils of St Michael’s Schools, Oshiri.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mrs Loveth Odah, who spoke to our correspondent in Abakaliki on Thursday, added that the Commissioner of Police, Philip Maku, held a two-minute silence in honour of the victims before the commencement of the day’s work. Read more
Fleeing suspected ritual killer nabbed in Ogun (Guardian)
A 20-year-old fleeing suspected ritualist, Festus Simon, accused of killing a 12-year-old boy in Ibadan, Oyo State, has been arrested by officers of the Ogun State Police Command.
According to a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Abimbola Oyeyemi, his arrest, effected on Wednesday, came on the heels of information received by the police at Sotubo Divisional headquarters, Sagamu, that the suspect, who killed his victim on October 1, fled his residence at Iyana Church area of Iwo Road, Ibadan, to Simawa Area of Ogun State under the pretense of looking for job in order to evade arrest. Read more
Poor diet linked to 20cm height gap (BBC)
Poor diets for school-age children may contribute to an average height gap of 20cm (7.9in) between the tallest and shortest nations, an analysis suggests.
It reports that in 2019 the tallest 19-year-old boys lived in the Netherlands (183.8cm or 6ft) and the shortest lived in Timor Leste (160.1cm or 5ft 3in).
Meanwhile the UK’s global height ranking fell, with 19-year-old boys being 39th tallest in 2019 (1.78m or 5ft 10in) from 28th tallest in 1985. Read more
Vladimir Putin plans to step down next year amid health concerns, report claims (NYPost)
Vladimir Putin is planning to step down next year as speculation swirls in Russia that the longtime president may have Parkinson’s disease, a report said Thursday.
Moscow political scientist Valery Solovei told The Sun that the Russian strongman’s 37-year-old girlfriend, Alina Kabaeva, and his two daughters are pushing him to leave office.
“There is a family, it has a great influence on him. He intends to make public his handover plans in January,” Solovei told the news outlet.
Solovei also suggested Putin may be suffering from Parkinson’s as the president has been seen recently exhibiting symptoms of the disease. Read more
Sudan holds first unisex fashion shows after Bashir ouster (Vanguard)
In a move that would have been almost unthinkable under ousted Islamist president Omar al-Bashir, Sudanese designers have organised a series of mixed-gender fashion shows to present their new lines.
The shows in upmarket Khartoum hotels saw female and male models parading down the catwalk together for the first time since before Bashir seized power more than three decades ago.
“In the old days, it was very difficult to organise a show like this. One would not dream of getting approval for it from authorities,” Sudanese designer Khaled Onsa told AFP.
“We used to face repression instead, but now we are ruled by a system that guarantees public freedoms.” Read more
Trump sons attack Republicans for ‘weak’ backing (BBC)
President Donald Trump’s two sons have rebuked Republicans for failing to back the president as he struggles to win re-election.
Mr Trump’s eldest son Don Jr accused the party of being “weak”. His brother Eric warned: “Our voters will never forget you if your [sic] sheep!”
The spat reflects an emerging rift between Trump disciples and the party.
The election still hangs in the balance but Democratic candidate Joe Biden appears to be closing in on victory.
Mr Trump has vowed to mount legal challenges to the vote-counting process after claiming, without evidence, that there is widespread voter fraud.
Senior Republicans such as Utah Senator Mitt Romney and Maryland Governor Larry Hogan have warned he is undermining the democratic process. Read more
Mutant COVID-19 strain in Denmark’s mink could cause ‘new pandemic’: scientist (NYPost)
The coronavirus mutation discovered in Denmark’s mink could spark a new wave of the illness in the country, scientists warn.
Authorities in Denmark — the world’s largest producer of mink furs — said five cases of the new virus strain had been recorded on mink farms and 12 cases in humans.
The mutation showed a decreased sensitivity against antibodies, meaning it could potentially cause a COVID-19 vaccine to be less effective, experts said.
“The worst-case scenario is that we would start off a new pandemic in Denmark,” Prof. Kare Molbak, a vaccine expert and director of infectious diseases at Denmark’s State Serum Institute told The Guardian. Read more
Trudeau and Macron speak after cartoon remark controversy (BBC)
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has spoken with his French counterpart amid controversy over recent comments he made about free expression.
Mr Trudeau expressed Canada’s solidarity with “the people of France” following the recent terror attacks.
A teacher was beheaded in a Paris suburb after showing cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad to some of his pupils.
Mr Trudeau’s remarks last week about freedom of expression were criticised in both Canada and France.
French President Emmanuelle Macron’s defence of the publication of the cartoons sparked protests in some Muslim-majority countries. Read more
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs throws epic 51st birthday party in Turks and Caicos (PageSix)
Perhaps taking a page out of Kim Kardashian’s tropical birthday party playbook, music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs threw an epic bash to celebrate turning 51 on Wednesday in Turks and Caicos.
DJ M.O.S. spun tunes while his wife, DJ Kiss, and several celebrity pals danced poolside. Mary J. Blige, Nas, French Montana, DJ Ruckus, Draya Michele and choreographer Laurieann Gibson were some of the VIPs who flocked to fête Diddy. During his set, M.O.S. played tracks by longtime Diddy pal and protégée Lil’ Kim, we hear. Read more
FG to partially reopen Abuja, Lagos National Stadia Monday (Guardian)
The Moshood Abiola Stadium Abuja and the Lagos National Stadium, which have been shut to the public for several months due to coronavirus outbreak and then to resuscitate the facilities, will be reopened partially on Monday, the Federal Government has disclosed.
The stadia will be opened daily from 7.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. According to a statement by the Ministry of Youths and Sports Development, to be reopened on Monday at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Abuja are the velodrome, tennis courts, practice pitches and practice tracks.
The stadium was closed as part of COVID-19 Prevention Protocols to stop the spread of coronavirus. Other facilities to be reopened are the handball, volleyball and basketball outdoors and indoors courts as well as the gymnasium Hall. Read more
Football matches to resume in Libya’s premier league (Vanguard)
It has now been several months without any football matches in Libya. Though many blame the Covid 19 pandemic for it, games in Libya’s premier league stopped even before the spread of coronavirus.
But to some good news now, games are about to begin. Nasser Fakroun, head coach of Al Ahli Benghazi can’t wait.
“The Libyan Football Federation has had its shortcomings for not starting the local league, we could have restarted the Libyan Premier League by now. Read more
Ozoemene sure of participants’ safety at Port Harcourt Club 1928 Ladies Open (Guardian)
Lady captain of the golf section of Port Harcourt Club 1928, Mrs. Patience Oghale Ozoemene, has assured intending participants in the club’s Ladies Amateur Open competition billed for December 4 to 6 of their safety during the tournament.
Explaining that the competition would comply with Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) directives on COVID-19, Ozoemene said the 29th edition, which has been affected by the coronavirus, would last for one week instead of the regular two or three days.
“We are trying to limit participants due to the COVID-19 and so, we are putting proper measures in place to comply with the new normal that operates all over the world. Read more
Arteta calls for VAR in Europa group games despite Molde win (BBC)
Mikel Arteta called for the introduction of the video assistant referee in Europa League group games despite Arsenal running out comfortable winners against Molde.
The Gunners reached the halfway point of Group B with a 100% winning record courtesy of a solid victory.
But it could have been more as Eddie Nketiah had what looked like a legal goal ruled out for offside after Nicolas Pepe’s pass, with Molde leading 1-0.
Unlike the Champions League, VAR is not being used in the group stages of the Europa League.
“I don’t think it makes any sense when we have the technology and we all believe it is the right call for everybody to do it,” said Arteta. Read more
Neil Lennon laments ‘lack of hunger and application’ in Celtic 1-4 Sparta Prague defeat (BBC)
Celtic’s “lack of hunger and application” was “unacceptable” in their 4-1 home defeat by Sparta Prague, manager Neil Lennon has said.
Lennon admitted his side’s hopes of qualifying from Europa League Group H have “probably” been ended.
And he vowed to change the “culture” among his players and that it could be achieved “very quickly”.
“This is definitely a turning point – it won’t happen again, that’s for sure,” Lennon said.
“We can’t accept that and the players know that as well. I can’t defend the players. I’ve tried to over the piece, but I can’t defend them tonight.” Read more
Mauricio Pochettino has ‘significant support’ from Man Utd squad to replace Solskjaer (Metro)
A significant portion of the Manchester United dressing room is in favour of Mauricio Pochettino being appointed as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s replacement. The Norwegian is under increasing pressure at Old Trafford following Wednesday’s humiliating 2-1 defeat to Istanbul Basaksehir in Turkey. It was United’s form in the Champions League that was keeping the water from the door for Solskjaer but the Red Devils’ place in the last-16 is under threat, while they sit just four points above the relegation zone in 15th place in the Premier League. Read more