Evans seeks plea bargain in kidnap trial (Punch)
Chukwudimeme Onwuamadike, alias Evans, has approached the Lagos State Government for a plea bargain in his trial over the attempted kidnap of the Chairman of the Young Shall Grow Motors, Vincent Obianodo.
Evans disclosed this through his counsel, R.B.C. Eke, on Friday before a Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja.
Evans is standing trial alongside his co-defendants, Joseph Ikenna Emeka, 29; Chiemeka Arinze, 39; and Udeme Frank Ubong, 43 on counts of murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to kidnap and selling of firearms, among others. Read more
Sanwo-Olu, Remi Tinubu, Elumelu, others for Eko Excellence Awards (ThisDay)
The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Senator Oluremi Tinubu and Dr. Awele Vivian Elumelu, have been listed for the Eko Excellence Awards for their outstanding roles in growing the economy and leading sustainable change in Lagos.
Others list for the Eko Excellence Awards are: Oba Rilwan Babatunde Aremu Akiolu, Dr. Kennedy Okonkwo, Allen Onyema, Mr. Obi Ezeude Momoh, Mrs. Makanjuola Comfort, and the Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa.
The Eko Excellence Awards is slated for Saturday November 23rd at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos at 5pm.
Speaking at a media briefing in Lagos, the Executive Secretary of the Eko Excellence Awards, Ms. Sanni Busola, disclosed that the event would be one of the largest gatherings of chief executives, business owners, political leaders, key managers of businesses and emerging leaders for an award and recognition in the history of Lagos. Read more
Endure pains of border closure- Osibanjo (Nation)
Vice President Yemi Osibanjo has urged Nigerians to endure the high cost of commodities occasioned by closure of the country’s borders.
Osibanjo said the closure of the borders was to ensure farmers in Nigeria are prosperous.
He spoke at a town hall meeting in Bénin City as part of activities of the ongoing National Festival for Arts and Culture.
The Vice President explained that part of the reason for the border closure was to get attention of neighbouring countries to take more seriously the the question of policing the borders. Read more
Sex for grades: My life under threat for ‘exposing’ KASU’s A.B Umar – Victim (DailyTrust)
A former Student of Ahmadu Bello University, Salamatu Bello, who claimed that she was sexually abused by a former lecturer of the University, A.B Umar, has said that her life is under threat for protesting against the employment of the lecturer by Kaduna State University (KASU). Salamatu denied allegation that she is being vindictive against the lecturer. Read more
Safiyya Ahmad wins BBC short story completion (Nation)
Safiyya Ahmad has won the 2019 BBC Hausa Short Story Writing Competition, with a story titled: “Maraici” (Ophanhood) after beating 25 other contestants.
Hajiya Bilkisu Yusuf, who is among the three judges, announced the winner at the Awards Night of the BBC Hausa Short Story Writing Competition held in Abuja on Friday.
Yusuf said Safiyya’s story was picked from 25 contestants shortlisted, adding that Safiyya, who is from Zaria in Kaduna state, is married with a daughter.
“Maraici” is the story of Karima, a girl, who was abandoned as a baby, grew up in an orphanage and was adopted by Hajiya Babba, a benefactor that puts her through primary and secondary education. Read more
UNIBEN gets second female VC (Guardian)
The University Of Benin (UNIBEN), yesterday, announced the appointment of Prof. Lillian Imuetinyan Salami as its new Vice Chancellor.
Salami, appointed as the 10th Substantive Vice Chancellor of the university, is to take over from Professor Faraday F. Osasere Orumwense.
Imuetinyan Salami is a Professor of Home Economics/Nutritional Education and hails from Edo State. Read more
Enugu residents disturbed by sharp hike in onion price (DailyTrust)
The price of onion in major markets across Enugu has increased sharply even as some residents lament its scarcity in the metropolis, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. A market survey conducted by NAN on Saturday revealed that the price of the commodity had increased when compared to what was obtained a few months back.
The residents were lamenting the scarcity of commodity and its sudden hike in price. Read more
FG orders NDDC contractors back to site within 21 days (Guardian)
The Federal Government has directed all mobilised contractors of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), who have not completed their projects, to report back to the site within three weeks.
The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, disclosed this yesterday when the Niger Delta Agitators Network (NDAN), Abuja Chapter, led by Safety Braye Samuel Numonde, paid a courtesy call on the ministry.
The Minister said the Federal Government cannot change the region unless it ensures that money meant for its development is spent judiciously. Read more
Corps member didn’t beat Kano boy to death —NYSC (Punch)
The management of the National Youth Service Corps in Bebeji Local Government Area of Kano State on Saturday reacted to the death of a primary three pupil of Old Mosque Islamiya, identified as Hassan Suleiman.
NYSC said that while it regrets the death of the eight-year-old boy, the reported account of how the death occurred was untrue.
NYSC said, “The attention of the NYSC, Kano State management has been drawn to the death of Hassan Suleiman, which compelled the management to put the records straight. Read more
Hilda Dokubo, Pamela Udoka, Yaw, others headline 2019 Special NUTAF (Guardian)
Popular stage and screen celebrities, Hilda Dokubo and Steve Onu, who is popular as Yaw, and Pamela Udoka are among the long list of thespians appointed Ambassadors for the special edition of the yearly Nigerian Universities Theatre Arts Festival (NUTAF), dubbed ‘Special NUTAF 2019.’
With the theme, ‘Theatre, Governance, and Globalisation,’ this edition, scheduled to hold between October 20 and 26, is aimed at enhancing talent and creativity among theatre arts students across the country’s universities.
Powered by the National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP), in association with the Nigerian Universities Theatre Arts Students Association (NUTASA) and the Society of Nigerian Theatre Artists (SONTA), this edition would play host a contingent of Theatre Arts students from 33 universities in Nigeria, supported by the National Theatre, Nigeria chapter of the International Theatre Institute (ITI-NIGERIA), MTN Nigeria, Zmirage, IATC and Ariiya Tickets. Read more
Women urge Pope Francis for Church voting rights (Guardian)
Catholic nuns taking part in a three-week Vatican assembly on the Amazon have urged Pope Francis to allow them to vote on the final document Saturday.
A green light from Francis would be a historic first. The Vatican has not publicly responded to the request, but an expert said it would be unusual for voting rules to be changed once the assembly, or “synod”, was underway.
Only “synod fathers” — bishops, cardinals and specially-appointed male representatives — are allowed to vote on the final document, which brings together a list of recommendations submitted to the pope. Read more
Dad of woman who sent chilling texts ‘from inside Essex lorry’ tells of heartache (Mirror)
Police have arrested a fourth person following the discovery of 39 bodies in a lorry in Essex. Deputy Chief Constable Pippa Mills said a 48-year-old man was arrested at Stansted Airport on suspicion of conspiracy to traffic people and manslaughter.
A mum and dad have spoken of their heartbreak after their daughter’s attempt to start a better life for herself in the UK seemingly ended in tragedy.
In the wake of the horrific discovery of 39 dead bodies in the back of a lorry in an industrial estate in Grays, Essex, work has begun to identify those who tragically lost their lives.
Yesterday it was reported Vietnamese 26-year-old Pham Thi Tra had sent a harrowing text to her mum saying she couldn’t breath and that her journey to the UK had not worked out as planned. Read more
Boston doctors perform first full face transplant on black patient (NewTelwgraph)
Surgeons in Boston have completed the first full face transplant on a black patient, a Los Angeles man who was severely disfigured when a drunk driver slammed into his car.
Robert Chelsea, 68, is also the oldest patient ever to undergo the 16-hour procedure, which involved a team of 45 physicians, nurses and other medical professionals at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in July, reports the New York Post.
“May God bless the donor and his family who chose to donate this precious gift and give me a second chance,” Chelsea said in a statement released Thursday. “Words cannot describe how I feel. I am overwhelmed with gratitude and feel very blessed to receive such an amazing gift.” Read more
Joe Biden says that his kids won’t work in the White House (NYPost)
Presidential hopeful Joe Biden said in an interview that he would not allow any of his children to work in the White House if he is elected president.
The Democratic candidate told “60 Minutes” that it’s “improper” to have the president’s children sitting in on cabinet meetings.
“I can just tell you this, that if I’m president, get elected president, my children are not gonna have offices in the White House,” Biden said.
“My children are not gonna sit in on cabinet meetings.” Read more
Man, 24, wakes up to discover he has become a multi-millionaire overnight (Mirror)
A 24-year-old man has become a billionaire overnight thanks to his parents who transferred him a quarter of the family company’s shares.
Eric Tse, who graduated with a finance degree from the University of Pennsylvania last year, was handed approximately HKD$2.98 bn (£296m) on Tuesday, making him the biggest shareholder of the Sino Biopharmaceutical company.
He was named an executive director and member of the company’s executive board committee, according to the company’s statement on Wednesday. Read more
Botswana’s new president vows to reform economy (Guardian)
Botswana’s newly-elected president Mokgweetsi Masisi vowed Saturday to make the economy his top priority in the diamond-rich country which is struggling with income inequality, high unemployment and a high rate of HIV.
“The overriding intention is to re-steer this economy in another direction,” Masisi said without giving much detail in his first media address since winning the closely-fought vote on Friday.
Botswana has been one of the world’s fastest-growing economies since independence in 1966, with business activity expanding by about five percent a year over the past decade, according to the World Bank in 2018.
It is one of the world’s biggest diamond producers but was hit hard by a drop in diamond prices in 2009 and a record drought in 2015. Read more
FIFA U-17 World Cup: Nigeria clash with Hungary again after 34 years (Nation)
WHEN Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets begin their quest for a record-extending win of the U17 World Cup in Brazil today facing Hungary at 9pm Nigerian time, it will be a re-enactment of their quarterfinal match 34 years ago when the Nigerians first won the trophy in China.
It has been 34 years since Nigeria shocked the sporting world to become the first country outside South America and Europe to win a global football tournament.
Coincidentally, it is also 34 years since Hungary last featured in the tournament after they were eliminated 3-1 by Nigeria in the quarter finals. Nigeria’s assistant coach, Nduka Ugbade was a star player in the Nigerian side, captaining the team to win the inaugural edition of the tournament. Read more
How Leicester City broke Premier League record with Southampton’s 9-0 win (Guardian)
Leicester City players celebrate a goal. Leicester City moved up to third with a record-breaking 9-0 win at 10-man Southampton last night. It rained goals at a wet St Mary’s Stadium as the fantastic Foxes secured the biggest-ever away win in the Premier League and matched the overall record set when Manchester United beat Ipswich Town 9-0 at home in 1995.Ben Chilwell scored the first after 10 minutes with a goal that involved Saints left-back Ryan Bertrand being retrospectively sent off. Read more
EPL: Arsenal fans snub seats, call for Emery removal (Punch)
Arsenal fans would be forgiven for having flashbacks as the Gunners needed two late Nicolas Pepe free-kicks to see off Vitoria Guimaraes in the Europa League on Thursday.
Empty seats at the Emirates, grumbles from those who were there and calls for the manager to go, it was very reminiscent of the final years of Arsene Wenger’s tenure before the Frenchman finally stepped aside in 2018.
Unai Emery was the man chosen to succeed Wenger as the first new Arsenal manager since 1996, but the club could be looking at another appointment soon with the Spaniard showing little sign of having improved the club’s fortunes over the past 17 months. Read more
Victor Osimhen: Can Lille Hold on to their Jewel? ThisDay)
After surpassing expectations, scoring eight goals and two assists in 11 appearances for Lille OSC so far, it came as a little surprise that the Premier League duo of Newcastle and Manchester United are scrambling for Victor Osimhen’s signature. Catalan giants, Barcelona, are not left out in the quest as they are still in search of Luis Suarez’s replacement. The big question, however, remains how well can the French side ward off these clubs from the Nigerian bride?
With Newcastle having just managed to score five goals in nine matches, it did not come as a surprise to anybody that the Magpies are in the market for a new striker and have set their sights on acquiring the services of Nigerian international, Victor Osimhen, who is currently on the books of Lille OSC of France. Read more
Manchester City back to second after lashing Aston Villa (DailyTrust)
Manchester City players celebrate a goal Goals from Raheem Sterling, Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan secured a 3-0 win for Manchester City against Aston Villa. David Silva, making a club-record 267th Premier League start, dragged his shot wide with the best chance of a frustrating first half for the champions.
But it took just 22 seconds after the break for Gabriel Jesus’ header to ricochet into the path of Sterling, who slotted underneath Tom Heaton. Read more
Sterling sparkles as Man City see off Villa (Guardian)
Manchester City closed the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool to three points as Raheem Sterling inspired a 3-0 win over Aston Villa on Saturday.
Pep Guardiola’s side survived a tame opening period as second-half goals from Sterling, Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan put Villa to the sword.
City’s second successive league victory lifted them above Leicester into second place and put pressure on Liverpool to beat Tottenham in Sunday’s clash at Anfield.
The only frustration for Guardiola was a red card for Fernandinho, who was dismissed after earning a second booking when he tugged at Keinan Davis in the 87th minute. Read more
Amunike backs Eaglets to conquer Brazil (Nation)
FORMER Nigeria U17 Head Coach, Emmanuel Amunike has expressed confidence in the handlers of the Golden Eaglets to deliver ahead of their opening game at the FIFA U17 World Cup against Hungary tonight.
Amunike said that Nigeria is capable of winning the tournament again but it would depend on teamwork and the players sticking to the game plan.
“These coaches handling the team currently were coaching members of my team while I was in charge of the Golden Eaglets, I trust they know what to do,” Amunike said. Read more
Tomori: Nigeria Never Showed Interest in Me (ThisDay)
Chelsea of England defender, Fikayo Tomori has given his reason for opting to play for England as against his fatherland, saying Nigeria never showed real interest in him.
The Chelsea defender was eligible to play for the Super Eagles, but Tomori has revealed that was never an option as the country’s authorities never got in touch with him.
The 21-year-old received his Three Lions call up during the last international break, although he did not feature in any of the two matches played.
While he could also have played for either Nigeria or Canada, Tomori revealed it was only England that showed interest in him and it would have been hard to turn them down. Read more
My daughter was right to choose Bahrain —Agbapuluonwu, Naser’s father (Vanguard)
Salwa Ed Naser was unarguably the star of the recently concluded 2019 IAAF World Championships in Doha, Qatar. She stunned athletics enthusiasts around the world with a 48.14 seconds run, the third all-time best performance.
She surprised, even herself and left race favourite Shaunae Miller-Uibo and the entire arena in amazement. And as she did her victory lap around the Khalifa International Stadium draped in the colours of Bahrain, Nigerians were left in awe, they wondered how an athlete with such immense talent could slip through the fingers of Nigerian sports officials to represent another nation. Read more
