#EndSARS: Lagos panel submits report (Sun)
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has received the final report from members of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution for Victims of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS ) related Abuses in the State.
The report was submitted yesterday to the governor at the Government House, Ikeja, Lagos.
The panel submitted two sets of reports; a consolidated report on police brutality cases and the Lekki incident investigation.
On October 19, 2020, as part of recommendations put forward during the #EndSARS protests, the state government inaugurated the judicial panel to investigate petitions on police brutality in the state. Read more
NIStructE: Structural Distress Led to Collapse of 21 Storey Building in Ikoyi (ThisDay)
President, Nigerian Institution of Structural Engineers (NIStructE), Dr. Kehinde B. Osifala has said that structural distress, and serious inadequate engineering and management of several of the design brief changes on the project led to the collapse of the 21 storey building in Ikoyi, Lagos, recently.
Osifala, who stated this at a media briefing yesterday, as some of the major preliminary findings of an investigation conducted by the institution at the site of the collapsed building, said “It is our view that the outcome of our preliminary investigation will give a general indication of what likely led to the unfortunate incidence.”
He said “that this incident is a structural engineering disaster is certainly not in doubt, however, events of this nature and structural engineering problems in general, require careful and painstaking analysis and assessment of all the evidence and information relating to the collapsed building and the site, including the resulting debris, eye-witness accounts, and all other available details before arriving at a definitive statement.”
He said the Nigerian Institution of Structural Engineers (NIStructE), the professional body entrusted with the responsibility for Structural Engineering practice in Nigeria, immediately assembled an investigation team to visit the site and carry out a Preliminary Assessment of the incidence, and prepare an appropriate preliminary report. Read more
At 6% interest rate, Lagos State is closing housing deficit (ThisDay)
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has said at 6% simple interest rate, Lagos State was best committed to providing affordable housing for the teeming populace compared to any other organisation, state or federal government.
The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Housing, Moruf Akinpelu Fatai, at the 2021 Housing Summit, held recently in Abuja, said, “In Lagos we have commissioned eleven estates so far. What I’m selling at Iponri for N30 million I’m selling it in Igbogbo at N8.5 million. You pay 5 per cent and you pay the rest over the next nine years but we don’t allow you sell until you have finished paying at simple interest rate of 6 per cent.
“I challenge any organisation here in Nigeria, either federal or state that has been able to provide that.”
On urban renewal plans, Sanwo-Olu said, “We are looking at a position that in the next 20 years we have to be thinking vertical, we are looking at the Singapore and Hong Kong models, we have 50 hectares in Ijanikin so that the rail line can evacuate people into the island.” Read more
Sanwo-Olu, Ahmed chart pathway to public finance management (Guardian)
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, have stressed the need for the country to optimise spending, cut down on waste and excesses, and focus more attention on three exploring ways “to do more with less.”
They stated that the country’s revenue reforms, which are mainly focused on sustained improvement on non-oil taxes, had started yielding results, urging state governments to redouble efforts aimed at increasing Internal Generated Revenue (IGR).
The duo spoke, yesterday, at the National Council on Finance and Economic Development (NACOFED) conference, tagged: “Public Sector Finance Management in the New Normal (Post COVID-19),” held in Lagos.
Sanwo-Olu stated that a robust public finance management system is a critical pathway for the efficient and effective delivery of the dividends of democracy to the people and must therefore be carried out in a manner that is transparent and accountable to all. Read more
FG orders probe as Nigerian wrongly jailed in Cote d’Ivoire dies in prison (Punch)
A 23-year-old woman, Itunu Babalola, who was wrongly incarcerated in Cote d’Ivoire, is dead.
Babalola died on Sunday after suffering from diabetes.
PUNCH Metro had reported that Babalola, a trader based in Bondoukou, Cote d’Ivoire, was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment after a theft case she reported to the police was turned against her.
Our correspondent learnt that the victim had been in prison since 2019 after she refused to grant the request of a Divisional Police Officer to drop the case. Read more
COVID-19: Fake vaccination certificate now in Nigeria, FG warns (Sun)
The Federal Government has warned that a black market for illegal vaccination certificate procurement now exist in the country.
Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha on COVID-19, raised the alarm during the committee’s media briefing in Abuja, also disclosed that arrangements were in place to vaccinate 50 percent of Nigerians by the end of January 2022.
He said the Committee had reliable intelligence, which had proven that an illegal market had been created in the country, from where person who had not been properly vaccinated are now procuring vaccination certificate, meant to be issued to people who had been vaccinated.
He, however, assured that no vaccination certificate illegally procured would scale scrutiny whenever the need arises as all vaccination records have to be verified as authentic at every relevant point. Read more
NGOs vulnerable to terrorists financing – EFCC (Leadership)
Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa, has said that non-profit organisations involved in alleviating the humanitarian crisis in the North-East are vulnerable to terrorist financing abuse.
The EFCC chairman, who stated this at the flag-off of the non-profit organisation National Risk Assessment in Nigeria by the Special Control Unit against Money Laundering at the EFCC headquarters, Abuja, said the continued and increasing exposure of their activities coupled with the absence of a unified comprehensive regulatory and supervisory framework for the sector in the country remained a source of concern.
Bawa also said the situation had caused Nigeria to sustain a non-compliant rating in the Financial Action Task Force recommendation 8, which requires countries to review the adequacy of their laws and regulations that relate to non-profit organisations.
According to him, “As you are all aware, the Financial Action Task Force continues to identify, assess, and understand the money laundering and terrorist financing risks inherent in their systems for an efficient allocation of resources to address the identified threats and vulnerabilities. Read more
We haven’t been able to identify Vanguard reporter’s corpse – Family (DailyTrust)
Family members of the slain Vanguard reporter, Tordue Salem, has raised the alarm that they have not been able to identify the body of the reporter.
Tordue Salem, who covered the House of Representatives for Vanguard Newspapers, got missing on October 13 in Abuja.
The police, on Thursday, said the reporter was killed by a hit-and-run driver along the Mabushi road in Abuja and his body was discovered at Wuse General Hospital almost a month after the journalist was declared missing.
But Tordue’s inlaw, Dr Jeffrey Kuraun, who spoke when members of the House of Representatives Press Corps paid the family a visit in Abuja, urged the police to ensure a thorough investigation into the incident and ensure justice is done. Read more
Man cuts off Ogun mother’s ear while attempting to abduct baby (Punch)
A suspected fraudster, Sikiru Adeniran, has been arrested while allegedly attempting to abduct a baby in Idomu-Owo, Ilese, in the Ijebu North East Local Government Area of Ogun State.
PUNCH Metro gathered that Adeniran chased a young girl, Rodiat Iskilu, to where a woman, Basirat Bakare, was breastfeeding her twin babies.
After realising that Rodiat had escaped, the suspect allegedly descended on Basirat.
While reportedly trying to dispossess her of one of the babies, he allegedly used a sharp object to cut off her right ear. Read more
Yinka Badejo, widow of ex-Foursquare GO, dies at 72 (Nation)
Rev Mrs. Yinka Badejo, widow of Rev Wilson Badejo, ex- General Overseer of Foursquare Gospel Church Nigeria, is dead.
The Nation learnt she died after being ill for a while in the early hours of Friday, November 12, 2021.
The Nation had reported the death of her husband, Rev Wilson Badejo, on Saturday, August 7, 2021 at 74.
Family sources disclosed late Rev Mrs Yinka had been ill before her husband’s demise. Read more
3 people stung to death and over 500 injured as biblical storms wash scorpions into Egyptian streets (NYPost)
Scorpions washed into homes by heavy rain stung three people to death and left 500 injured in Egypt.
Hail and thunderstorms along the River Nile swept the scorpions, as well as snakes, away from their usual hiding places in the city of Aswan.
Terrifying video shows scorpions try to make it into one house as the flood water rises.
Egypt is home to fat-tailed scorpions that are among the most deadly in the world and can kill humans in under an hour. Read more
Israeli arms manufacturer participates in Dubai Air Show for first time (MiddleEastEye)
The Israeli arms manufacturer Elbit Systems opened a branch in the United Arab Emirates on Sunday, as relations between the two countries continued to thaw following last summer’s normalisation agreement.
Elbit had a booth in the Dubai Air Show representing Israel for the first time ever in this event. The show is running until 18 November and 80,000 visitors are expected.
Elbit Systems – founded in 1966, with headquarters in the coastal city of Haifa – has said that it aims to establish long-term cooperation with the Emirati armed forces.
“We believe that our broad portfolio of solutions positions us well to address the needs and opportunities in this region,” Ran Kril, the vice president of Elbit System’s marketing operations, said in a statement. Read more
US journalist Danny Fenster released from Myanmar prison (AlJazeera)
US journalist Danny Fenster has been released from a prison in Myanmar, three days after he was sentenced to 11 years behind bars for what Yangon said were breaches of immigration and “terrorism” laws, his employer and a former United States ambassador to the United Nations have confirmed.
Bill Richardson, the former US diplomat, said on Monday that Fenster had been handed over to him in Myanmar and would soon be on his way home via Qatar.
“This is the day that you hope will come when you do this work,” Richardson said. “We are so grateful that Danny will finally be able to reconnect with his loved ones, who have been advocating for him all this time, against immense odds.”
Richardson said he negotiated Fenster’s release during a recent visit to Myanmar when he held face-to-face meetings with Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Myanmar’s military ruler. Read more
UK police name suspected Liverpool suicide bomber, may have targeted Cathedral (TimesofIsrael)
Britain raised its terrorism threat level Monday, hours after an improvised explosion outside a hospital in Liverpool, as police named the suspected suicide bomber believed to have made the homemade device before dying in the blast.
Interior minister Priti Patel said intelligence officials had increased the threat assessment to “severe” — the second-highest level, meaning an attack is highly likely — following the second terror incident in a month.
Last month, veteran British MP David Amess was stabbed to death as he met constituents in southeast England, in an attack that prosecutors have said had a “terrorist connection”.
The blast outside the Liverpool Women’s Hospital shortly before midday on Remembrance Sunday destroyed a taxi and killed the passenger suspected of making the crude device, but only injured the driver. Read more
Cuba democracy protests thwarted after rallies banned and leaders arrested (Guardian)
Cuban authorities have snuffed out protests planned by activists to call for nationwide demonstrations for democracy and more freedom of expression.
After being caught off guard by unprecedented protests in July, the government acted in advance to ban the demonstrations planned for Monday, ran a media campaign arguing it was a US attempt at regime change, and placed protest leaders under house arrest.
Edel Pérez, 35, a television actor arrested in the July protests, was prevented from leaving his house by two plain-clothed state security agents. “I feel impotent and angry,” he said. “They are violating my constitutional rights.”
Cubans posted videos of arrests on Facebook, while activists who dared to go out were driven away in police cars, and others were bundled into vans. Read more
US condemns Russia for blowing up own satellite and creating space debris (Fox)
The United States condemned Russia on Monday for destroying one of its own satellites, which created debris that U.S. Space Command says could endanger space crews for decades.
Following reports that Russia shot down a satellite over the weekend using a direct-ascent, anti-satellite (DA-ASAT) missile, the agency told Fox News in a statement that it is “aware of a debris-generating event in outer space.”
Seradata, which operates a launch and satellite database, reported that the downed satellite belonged to Russia and was targeted in an anti-satellite test. U.S. Space Command confirmed that the satellite in question was defunct and from the Soviet era.
U.S. Space Command’s initial assessment of the wreckage determined that the debris will remain in orbit for years and perhaps decades, potentially endangering crew on the International Space Station as well as satellites from other countries. Read more
Bank of England governor ‘very uneasy’ about rising inflation (Guardian)
The prospect of a pre-Christmas increase in interest rates has loomed larger after the Bank of England governor told MPs he was troubled by the UK’s rising inflation rate.
Giving evidence to the Commons Treasury select committee, Andrew Bailey said he was “very uneasy” about the rising cost of living and had come close to voting for an increase in borrowing costs when Threadneedle Street last met to decide on interest rates earlier this month.
The governor sided with the majority when the Bank’s monetary policy committee (MPC) voted 7-2 to keep rates on hold at 0.1%, but made it clear he could change his mind at the next meeting in December.
“All meetings are in play,” he said, referring to the possibility that the Bank could start to tighten policy for the first time since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. “We are in the price stability business.” Read more
Owen Paterson: ‘Farce’ as government fails to complete lobbying role U-turn in Commons (Sky)
The sleaze row over MPs’ second jobs is set to drag on at Westminster after the government failed to bring a parliamentary conclusion to its U-turn over the Owen Paterson lobbying scandal.
Opposition MPs accused ministers of overseeing a “total farce” as government efforts to scrap its controversial attempt to overhaul parliament’s standards rules were blocked late on Monday night.
Nearly two weeks ago, Conservative MPs – encouraged by Prime Minister Boris Johnson – voted to save Tory ex-minister Mr Paterson from a 30-day suspension from the House of Commons, as well as create a new Conservative-dominated committee to rethink parliament’s disciplinary processes.
Amid a furious backlash at the move, Mr Johnson and the government performed a climbdown and promised a new vote on Mr Paterson being found to have breached lobbying rules as part of his £110,000 per year work for two private companies. Read more
Okoye backs Watford to avoid relegation (Punch)
Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has expressed confidence Watford, who he will join in January, will stay put in the Premier League come the end of the season.
Watford were relegated last season, but returned to the English top league by the first time of asking.
They are currently two points outside the drop zone after 11 matches.
Okoye, 22, will only join Watford next summer after a loan spell back at his Dutch club Sparta Rotterdam and he said he hopes he will finally join up with the club still in the top division. Read more
NUPRC, NMDPRA host maiden Petroleum Regulators Golf Tournament (Independent)
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and its counterpart, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) have concluded arrangements to host its 1st Golf Invitational Tournament on Saturday, November 20, 2021, at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja.
The golf tourney tagged the ‘Petroleum Regulators ‘ tournament will be a one-day event with players grouped into ladies, men and veterans categories.
In a statement signed by Paul Osu, the agencies noted that the format will be shotgun, stressing it implies that all the players will tee off simultaneously from different points in the course and finish almost at the same time.
According to the statement, the objective of the golf tournament was to create an atmosphere of relaxation and bonding as well as promote the well-being of players comprising of retired and serving staff from NUPRC/NMDPRA and our esteemed guests from the public and private sectors of the Nigerian economy. Read more
Rohr wants Eagles to score from open play (Punch)
Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr says he hopes to see his side score from open play when they face Cape Verde in Tuesday’s Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifier.
The Eagles got the job done against the Lone Star last Saturday, winning 2-0 via a pair of penalties to take maximum points and retain control of the group ahead of their final fixture at the Teslim Balogun stadium.
Victor Osimhen scored in the 15th minute from the penalty spot after Kelechi Iheanacho was fouled by Liberia keeper Boison Wynney while Musa came off the bench late on to add a 94th-minute spot-kick after Wynney committed another foul, this time on Napoli striker Osimhen.
“We were not able to score from open play but they were clear penalties against Liberia,” Rohr said ahead of the game. Read more
England will educate themselves over Qatar issues: Southgate (France24)
Southgate’s side qualified for next year’s tournament with a 10-0 demolition of San Marino in their last Group I match on Monday.
Qatar’s human rights record has been criticised by Amnesty International in relation to the World Cup and the treatment of migrant workers building infrastructure including stadiums for the tournament.
The Netherlands, Norway and Germany national teams have made protests ahead of the tournament and Southgate’s team are mulling whether to follow suit.
England defender Conor Coady said this week that Southgate’s squad would discuss how to express their concerns about human rights in Qatar once they have qualified. Read more
Harry Kane and Gareth Southgate rate Arsenal star Emile Smith Rowe’s first England start (Metro)
Harry Kane and Gareth Southgate have both hailed Arsenal star Emile Smith Rowe after he scored on his first England start during the 10-0 win over San Marino.
Smith Rowe has been in superb form for Arsenal so far this season, scoring four times and assisting on two occasions for the Gunners in their opening 11 Premier League matches.
After being selected for Gareth Southgate’s latest squad, the 21-year-old was given the nod to start against the minnows with England needing just a point to guarantee their spot in the World Cup finals in Qatar next winter.
And after assisting for Kane earlier on in the match, the 21-year-old capped off a dream night with an excellent finish in the second half following a neat flick from Roma striker Tammy Abraham to give England a 7-0 lead with half an hour to play. Read more
Switzerland snatches top spot from Italy to qualify for World Cup (Eurosport)
Switzerland dramatically stamped their ticket to the 2022 World Cup after a 4-0 win over Bulgaria saw them edge out Italy by the finest of margins.
Murat Yakin’s side started the match knowing they would require a favour from Northern Ireland against Italy in Belfast to finish top of Group C.
They got that favour as the European champions failed to make the breakthrough, drawing 0-0, meaning Switzerland qualified automatically for the 2022 World Cup while Italy dropped into the play-offs.
The hosts controlled much of the first half and came within inches of finding the back of the net just before the break as Noah Okafor guided a right-footed shot towards the back post only for the ball to strike the woodwork. Read more
ATP Finals: Novak Djokovic starts campaign strongly with straight sets win over Casper Ruud (Eurosport)
Novak Djokovic made a fine start to his bid for a record-equalling sixth end of season ATP finals crown courtesy of a straight sets win over Casper Ruud in Turin.
The Serbian world number one looked sharp throughout as he sank the Norwegian in an engaging Green Group opener by a 7-6 6-2 scoreline in one hour and 30 minutes.
The victory sees Djokovic tie with Ivan Lendl for the second most wins (39) in ATP finals history and was an indicator of just how serious he is about snaring this title for the first time since 2015.
Ruud made an early statement of his intentions not to be overawed on his debut at the tournament as a sizzling crosscourt forehand earned him an instant break point in the opening game of the contest. Djokovic then stumbled and fell to the floor at an untimely moment and a backhand error into the net gave the underdog the perfect start. Read more
Roger Federer’s coach provides Australian Open update and makes retirement prediction (Metro)
Roger Federer’s coach says it’s unlikely the 20-time Grand Slam champion will be making an appearance at the Australian Open in January.
The 40-year-old hasn’t played since losing in the Wimbledon quarter-finals in July before undergoing knee surgery.
However, his coach Ivan Ljubicic believes he still has a desire to return to competing in major tournaments as soon as possible and he predicts he won’t be retiring anytime soon.
‘I think the Australian Open is not a real possibility right now,’ Ljubicic told Stats Perform. Read more