#EndSARS: Lagos official urges youths to protect public assets against vandalism (Vanguard)
Mr Olufunsho Elulade, General Manager, Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory (LSMTL), on Tuesday, appealed to youths to protect public infrastructure in their locality against any act of vandalism.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Elulade said that public infrastructure were provided with taxpayers’ money, “so destroying them amount to hurting ourselves”.
Elulade was speaking against the backdrop of the damage done to LSMTL offices in Ojodu during the 2020 #EndSARS protests.
He said that the damage was minimal because some members of the public stopped hoodlums who hijacked the protest from wrecking further havoc on the facility and its operational vehicles.
He said operational vehicles of the Lagos State Public Works Corporation which shared the same compound with LSMTL were razed. Read more
#EndSARS anniversary: Organisers opt for car procession in Lagos (Nation)
Organisers of the #ENDSARS anniversary protests in Lagos said on Tuesday they would embark on a two-hour car procession through the Lekki Tollgate.
The decision followed the insistence of the Police Command on its ”no street protests” in any part of the state.
Two of the organisers — Folarin Falana and Adebowale Adedayo — made this known via social media posts yesterday Falana, a musician popularly known as Falz, is the son of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and rights activist, Femi Falana, Adedayo is a comedian known as Mr Macoroni.
The Abuja protests will be led by the 2019 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, and an activist, Deji Adeyanju.
Falala and Adedayo, who used their various platforms to share fliers about the carpool billed to hold between 8 am and 10 am today, explained that the decision was to prevent security forces from harassing participants.
They vowed that the youth cannot be silenced and would not be forced to forget those who lost their lives last October 20. Read more
LASTMA hunts driver who stripped naked, dragged official (Punch)
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority has threatened to prosecute bus drivers and motorists who attack men of the agency in the line of duty.
The LASTMA General Manager, Bolaji Oreagba, stated this while reacting to a video clip showing a driver, who stripped naked to fight an official of the agency.
Oreagba, in a statement on Tuesday, said the incident happened on Friday, October 15, 2021, around 11.44am at Jakande First Gate on the Lekki-Epe Expressway.
He said the bus driver was caught dropping off and picking passengers on the road in contravention of the Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018 (as amended).
“The driver was asked to leave the spot, but was defiant and refused the entreaties of the officer deployed to correct him.
“The positioning of the vehicle was in such a way that it created avoidable traffic congestion. The driver’s resistance made the officer resolve to impound the vehicle by removing the ignition key. Read more
NIS DG disguises at Lagos Passport Office, arrests ‘corrupt’ officers (Leadership)
Acting comptroller-general of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Isa Idris, on Monday, disguised as an applicant for an international passport at the agency’s Lagos State Command, Ikoyi, and apprehended some corrupt personnel.
He said some of the officers offered to engage in shady deals with him.
Idris, in an exclusive interview with PREMIUM TIMES on the phone, said he decided to walk in unannounced in order to gain firsthand experience of what Nigerians are going through “in the hands of unscrupulous officers of NIS.”
The acting CG said when he assumed office in September, he had pledged to tackle three things including addressing the challenges faced by Nigerians in their efforts to procure international passports, enhance border security and improve workers’ welfare.
He said his unscheduled visit to Ikoyi on Monday was to confirm the allegations against officers of the immigration offices in Lagos State including Ikoyi, Ikeja and FESTAC town. Read more
Nigeria hails U.S. return to climate change agenda (Guardian)
The Nigerian government has praised the Biden administration’s return to the global climate change agenda. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo disclosed this when he received at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, a U.S. government delegation led by White House Deputy National Security Advisor, Mr. Jonathan Finer, who is currently visiting Nigeria.
Osinbajo said: “We are happy that the U.S. is fully on board with climate change and back to the table on this issue. One has to commend the drive this U.S. administration has put behind climate change.”
Four years ago, the Trump administration announced U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement on climate change. But earlier this year, the Biden administration announced the restoration of America’s commitment to the Agreement.
Reiterating Nigeria’s position on transition from fossil fuels to clean energy, ahead of the net-zero emissions 2050 target, Osinbajo said: “We are concerned about what has been going on, especially around gas as an effective transition fuel and how many Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) and some countries are insisting that gas projects should be defunded. Read more
Charcoal exporters seek FG’s endorsement of its traceability system (Vanguard)
In a bid to lift the subsisting export ban on charcoal, exporters in the charcoal value chain has called on the Federal Ministry of Environment and other relevant agencies to verify, audit, endorse and accredit its traceability system.
This request was contained in a memo made available to journalists by Mr. Adesola Idowu, the spokesperson of the group and its legal representative, Barrister Florence Jones-Idowu on Sunday.
Some of the requests made by the group which is made up of 69 independent companies, to the federal government includes allowing duly certified charcoal exporters to export charcoal in Nigeria and for it to interface with the government to designate forest reserves to the charcoal export legality and compliance group to commence annual reforestation and enrichment in forest reserve parks for beautification and landscaping of roads.
It also called on the government at all levels to consider a 10 year window for all compliant charcoal exporters to produce 100 percent of the charcoal exported from Nigeria on duly registered commercial forest only.
Buttressing why government should lift the ban on charcoal export, Read more
IMB’s Q3 piracy and armed robbery against ships report: Moving in the right direction (Guardian)
There are strong indications that the security situation in Nigeria’s waterways up to the Gulf of Guinea is improving. The Q3 2021 report of the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) is loud and clear on this. This is cheering news for stakeholders in the Nigerian maritime industry in particular and the country in general.
The report says the Gulf of Guinea recorded 28 incidents of piracy and armed robbery in the first nine months of 2021, compared to 46 in the same period in 2020. What is of particular importance to us in the report is the fact that Nigeria reported only four incidents during the period, against 17 and 41 cases that were recorded in 2020 and 2018, respectively.
The IMB report shows that crew kidnappings in the region during the period dropped to only one crew member, compared to 31 taken in five separate incidents in Q3 2020. It is quite remarkable that the only crew kidnapping case recorded during the period under review was against the vessel at the port of exchange, while the average successful kidnapping location during the same period in 2020 was approximately 100 nautical miles from the land.Read more
Buhari hosts Turkish president, hails Gowon at 87 (Sun)
President Muhammadu Buhari began a two-day hosting of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey to official visit to Nigeria Tuesday, in Abuja.
According to a statement by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, Erdogan, accompanied by the First Lady, Mrs. Emine Erdogan, came into the country from Angola, and would depart to Togo at the end of his visit.
“In the course of the visit, the leaders of the two countries are expected to consider about two dozen Bilateral Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding, and they will authorie the signing of those on which there is a concurrence.
“In addition to the bilateral discussions, President Erdogan will hold one-on-one meeting with President Buhari and he is expected to commission the Turkish Cultural Centre in Abuja while his wife, Emine, accompanied by the First Lady, Mrs. Aisha Buhari is expected to commission the newly-renovated Government Secondary School in Wuse 11.Read more
EFCC Probe: Total Nigeria retires top executive (Nation)
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has launched a probe into alleged bribery and abuse of office involving a top official of Total E&P Nigeria Limited.
Following EFCC’s close up, the firm has retired the top Executive.
Based on the same bribery allegation an Executive Director was replaced by Total from the board of the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG).
Investigation revealed that the hasty retirement of the Executive Director was suspected to be a move to cover up the bribery scandal.
It was learnt that the EFCC had been on the probe in the last six months to uncover illegal deals in the oil sector.
All the parties to the bribery have been striving to bury the scandal because of its corporate implications.
It was learnt that the hasty retirement of the Executive Director was done to sacrifice him. Read more
“Squid Game” helps Netflix subscriptions pick up (BBC)
Netflix subscriptions picked up in the third quarter of 2021 as non-English language shows continued to be the streaming platform’s best performers.
The US firm added 4.4 million users in the three months to 30 September, more than double the previous quarter.
Korean TV series Squid Game was its biggest hit, watched by 142 million households in its first four weeks.
It comes as some Netflix staff prepare to walk out on Wednesday amid a backlash over comedian Dave Chappelle. Read more
“Millionaire Matchmaker” star Trevor Jones dead at 34 from rare disease (NYPost)
Trevor Jones, a former contestant on Bravo’s “Millionaire Matchmaker,” has died at 34.
The reality star’s family confirmed online that he passed away Oct. 9 from an “event” related to his Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a tissue-weakening disorder that can cause major blood vessels to spontaneously rupture.
“Millionaire Matchmaker” where he ended up dating “The Hills” star Stephanie Pratt. Ultimately, he went on to marry someone else.
“We’re devastated over here. He was the most gorgeous, sweetest, normalest, nicest person,” former “Matchmaker” host Patti Stanger told The Post. “I remember saying to him, ‘Can I clone you? We’re all in shock. Only the good die young. He was one of the nicest guys.” Read more
Queen urges nations to ‘rise to the challenge’ of tackling climate change (Metro)
The Queen has called on nations to work together to beat climate change, saying it is the greatest challenge facing the world.
She said global leaders, businesses and civil society have a ‘shared responsibility’ to help save the planet.
Her Majesty also said she is ‘proud of how the United Kingdom is seeking to secure a sustainable future’, but added: ‘There is still much more to do.’
The Queen’s comments, her first major intervention on environmental issues, come after she appeared to suggest last week that she was irritated by a lack of action in tackling climate change.
In an overheard exchange following the opening of the Welsh Senedd she appeared to express her exasperation just a few weeks before world leaders gather in Glasgow for the Cop26 UN climate change conference. Read more
Kate Middleton stuns in red as she makes second speech in 2 days (Metro)
Kate Middleton has warned that addiction rates are spiraling post-lockdown and it ‘could happen to any one of us.’
Giving the keynote speech at the launch of the Taking Action on Addiction campaign at the Bafta headquarters in London, the duchess said the pandemic has had a ‘devastating impact’ on the problem.
Kate, who was dressed in a pleated red skirt and matching turtleneck, highlighted the importance of tackling misinformation and misunderstanding surrounding addiction.
It’s after she urged world leaders to ‘act now’ at the first ever Earthshot award ceremony in London on Sunday. Read more
Victims of ‘paedophile Labour MP’ were ‘brushed aside’ by police (Metro)
Children who accused late Labour grandee Lord Janner of sexual abuse were ‘let down by institutional failings’, a damning inquiry has concluded.
Leicestershire Police officers investigating decades of claims against the politician ‘did not look beyond the often troubled backgrounds’ of the alleged victims, the report found.
The victims said they were abused in children’s homes in the county between the early 1960s and the late 1980s.
Detective Superintendent Christopher Thomas, who led a third investigation into Lord Janner, was accused by the inquiry of being ‘uninterested’ in the allegations.
Meanwhile his colleagues were described as being ‘quick to dismiss’ some of the children’s testimonies. Read more
Broken heart diagnoses on the rise in the US: study (NYPost)
Hearts are breaking at rising rates, researchers have found.
The life-threatening medical condition known as broken heart syndrome is being reported at increasing rates, according to a new study published Wednesday in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
The temporary condition, also known as Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, causes the heart muscle to become suddenly weakened and generally happens following a period of severe emotional or physical stress. While potentially life-threatening, most people recover within two months.
The disturbing study published Wednesday found that both men and women have been steadily increasing broken heart syndrome at rising rates during recent years, with women 50 to 74 seeing the sharpest increases. Indeed, the analysis of 135,463 cases of broken heart syndrome reported in U.S. hospitals from 2006 to 2017 discovered that women make up 88.3 percent of all cases and that older women experienced it at a rate six to 12 times higher than younger women and men. Read more
Comedian Phil Butler dead at 51 (Guardian)
Comedian Phil Butler Dead At 51
Comedian and magician Phil Butler has died at the age of 51. His cause of death remains unknown as it has not yet been announced.
Phil’s agents Chris Davis Management issued a statement following his sad passing.
Sharing a statement on Twitter, they confirmed:
It is with huge sadness we have to announce the passing of our friend and client Phil Butler. Our thoughts are with his friends and family. The world is a poorer place without him.
The talented magician and comedian had a long and successful career on the circuit and was especially active in the corporate and cruise ship markets.
Phil made history when he became the very first comedian to perform for troops on the front line in Afghanistan. After his time in Afghanistan, he received the Operational Service Medal for his duties in the conflicted land. Read more
Salah stars as Liverpool beat 10-man Atletico (BBC)
Mohamed Salah continued his superb form as Liverpool made it three wins out of three in the group stage of the Champions League by beating Spanish champions Atletico Madrid in a game of constant drama.
In a frantic, fantastic match in the Spanish capital between sides that were dazzling in attack but vulnerable at the back, the Reds saw an early two-goal lead wiped out by Antoine Griezmann’s double.
The France forward was then shown a straight red card early in the second half, allowing the visitors to reassert their authority and snatch a big win through Salah’s well-taken penalty, awarded for a clumsy barge on Diogo Jota by Mario Hermoso.
Jota almost turned villain, though, as his challenge on Jose Maria Gimenez resulted in a penalty being awarded – only for the referee to change his mind after being encouraged by VAR to view the incident on the pitchside monitor. Read more
UCL: Don’t underestimate Atalanta, Amad warns Man United (Punch)
Manchester United winger, Amad Diallo, has warned the English Premier League side ahead of their UEFA Champions League clash with his former club Atalanta on Wednesday.
Amad, who spoke to the club’s media, said it would be a big mistake for United to underestimate the Italian Series A side which currently tops Group F.
Atalanta, who travel to Old Trafford, were on the brink of reaching the Champions League semi-finals in 2020, before two dramatic late goals by Paris Saint-Germain stopped them.
They reached the round of 16 last season before succumbing to Real Madrid.
“First of all, we must not underestimate Atalanta,” warned Amad.
“If you underestimate Atalanta, you are making a huge mistake. Read more
Pep Guardiola reveals he spoke to Vincent Kompany ahead of Manchester City’s win over Club Brugge (Metro)
Pep Guardiola has revealed that he received tactical information from former captain Vincent Kompany ahead of Manchester City’s 5-1 Champions League win over Club Brugge.
Goals from Joao Cancelo, Kyle Walker, Cole Palmer and two from Riyad Mahrez gave City a comfortable victory over the current Belgium League champions, who scored a late consolation through Hans Vanaken.
Kompany, who won four Premier League titles during his 11-year spell at the Etihad, is now the manager of fellow Belgian side Anderlecht after retiring as a player in 2020.
Speaking after the match, Guardiola confirmed that he had reached out to the 35-year-old during the international break, who gave him some vital details about how Brugge play. Read more
Taiye Ayenuro shines as Delta retain National Youth Games title with 60 gold medals (Guardian)
Kano to host next edition, minister condemns age-cheat (Guardian)
Taiye Ayenuro was the star of the Sixth National Youth Games, which ended yesterday in Ilorin, Kwara State. Ayenuro’s exploits in the girls’ 100m, 200m, 4x100m relay was part of the reasons Delta State successfully defended its title with 60 gold, 26 silver and 28 bronze medals. Team Delta won the trophy for keeps for the second time, having ruled the Games since inception in 2013.
Team Lagos was second on the medals table with 19 gold, 25 silver and 28 bronze, while Team Edo finished third with 18 gold, 10 silver and 12 bronze medals.
At yesterday’s closing ceremony attended by Sports Minister, Sunday Dare, Team Delta cleared all the available medals in track and field. Read more
T20 World Cup: Format, squads, fixtures and everything you need to know (Metro)
Five years since the tournament last took place, the men’s T20 World Cup is now underway and the likes of England, India and West Indies are hoping to lift the trophy come the final on November 14.
The competition, initially scheduled to take place this time last year in India, was delayed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and moved to the United Arab Emirates and Oman.
The 12 best teams in world cricket are battling to be crowned T20 World Cup champions and Metro.co.uk is on hand to tell you everything you need to know about the tournament.
THE BASICS
The men’s T20 World Cup, formerly known as the World Twenty20, has been played six times, with India winning the inaugural tournament in 2007 and West Indies the reigning champions following their triumph in 2016.
The tournament will run from October 17 to November 14, with eight teams currently attempting to qualify for the main draw, and crowds at the stadiums will be capped at 70%.
Ireland, Namibia, Netherlands and Sri Lanka are battling for two spots in Group A, and Oman, Bangladesh, Scotland and Papua New Guinea are doing the same in Group B. Read more
Kyrie Irving-less Nets suffer ugly blowout loss to Bucks in opener (NYPost)
The Nets having to watch the Bucks get the championship rings they thought should’ve been theirs was a slap in the face. What Milwaukee did to them after that was a punch in the mouth.
Brooklyn got blitzed right out of the gate Tuesday against uber-physical Milwaukee, falling into a huge hole and dropping their nationally televised season opener 127-104 in a raucous Fiserv Forum. The sellout crowd of 17,341 came for the ring ceremony, and stayed to watch the Nets get their collective bells rung.
The Nets had lost all five of their trips to Milwaukee last season — regular season and postseason — and fell at home in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semis. With 10 new faces and one huge missing one in Kyrie Irving — sent home because of his refusal to adhere to New York City’s COVID-19 vaccine mandates — they were going to be a little disjointed. But this was far worse than they could’ve possibly feared. Read more