Ex-policeman bags life jail for killing football fan (Punch)
Justice Adenike Coker of the Lagos High Court, Ikeja, on Thursday, sentenced a dismissed cop, Olalekan Ogunyemi, to life imprisonment for killing a football fan, Kolade Johnson.
Ogunyemi, who was attached to the Special Anti-Cultism Squad of the Nigeria Police, shot Johnson in the lower abdomen on March 31, 2019, at a viewing centre at Mangoro, Ikeja, Lagos.
The victim was watching a football match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur when he was shot by the convict.
While delivering judgment in charge no: ID/9776C/2019 between the State of Lagos vs Ogunyemi Olalekan, Justice Coker found the defendant guilty of the charge and accordingly sentenced him to life imprisonment with the caveat of serving a minimum of 25 years’ imprisonment. Read more
LAWMA refrains from shutting down Ladipo market, vows to monitor waste disposal (Guardian)
Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), yesterday, refrained from shutting down Ladipo International Auto spare parts Market for environmental pollution, following improved waste management.
The agency, however, promised to keep a close watch on traders at the market.
LAWMA’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ibrahim Odumboni, had last week, said Ladipo and Oyingbo markets would be shut down till further notice over reckless waste dumping, refusal to pay for waste services, and general poor waste management.
But after meetings and consultations by the management of Ladipo market, the agency decided to give the traders another opportunity to turn a new leaf. Read more
ASUU appeals ruling, says FG has declared war (Punch)
Osodeke and Ngige
ASUU President, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke and Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige
The striking Academic Staff Union of Universities will on Friday (today) file an appeal against the ruling of the National Industrial Court which directed its members to resume work, The PUNCH has learnt.
Counsel for ASUU, Femi Falana (SAN), disclosed this in an interview with our correspondent in Abuja on Thursday.
ASUU has been on strike since February 14 to press home its demands for improved funding for universities and a review of salaries for lecturers, among other issues.
Justice Polycarp Hamman on Wednesday ordered the union’s members back to work. Read more
Lagos, UNICEF collaborate, launch Nigeria digital learning passport (Tribune)
As a way to strengthen digital learning in Lagos State and Nigeria by extension, the Lagos State government has collaborated with the United Nations Children’s Education Fund(UNICEF) to launch the Nigeria Digital Learning Passport.
The new digital solution platform, which is aimed at expanding easy access to quality education by children, youth and teachers from primary to secondary schools through the use of portable digital devices, was launched in Ikeja, Lagos, on Wednesday.
Speaking at the launch, the Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Mrs Folasade Adefisayo said even though Lagos State had adopted e-learning prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and increased the tempo at the height of the pandemic and even till now using radio, television and many other social platforms to teach and learn, the newly launched Nigeria Learning Passport would greatly boost digital learning in the state.
She commended UNICEF for coming up with the platform and partnering with Lagos State for its deployment in schools, saying the gesture shows that the global agency is really committed to contributing substantially to the development of education not only in Lagos State but in Nigeria as a whole. Read more
Assist govt tackle economic challenges, HoS tells stakeholders (Punch)
The Head of Service, Lagos State, Mr Hakeem Muri-Okunola, has advised individuals and institutions to generate new ideas to assist governments at all levels tackle economic and financial challenges.
According to a statement on Thursday, Muri-Okunola stated this during the 2022 procurement summit organised by the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency, in Alausa, Ikeja.
He said, “Individuals and institutions saddled with the responsibility of managing and regulating the financial resources of the government should proffer lasting and sustainable solutions to assist governments at all levels in the country to overcome the current economic and financial challenges.
“They need to participate actively in the proceedings of this summit so that creative ideas that would not only enhance the public procurement system but also add value to the taxpayers’ money being expended on the provision of goods and services for the people of the state could be generated.” Read more
Lekki-Epe road rehabilitation Phase 1 95% completed — LASG (Vanguard)
The Lagos State Government on Thursday said that the first phase of the rehabilitation and upgrading of the six-lane Eti-Osa/Lekki-Epe Expressway was 95 per cent completed.
The Special Adviser to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Works and Infrastructure, Mrs Aramide Adeyoye, disclosed this during an inspection tour of projects on the Lekki/Epe axis.
“Phase one, which is a total of about 18.75km, is 95 per cent completed. Anybody coming from Epe Junction to Eleko would see the way the whole road is transformed.
“Hitherto, the hues and cries were much, there were gullies and ditches all over the whole road. Read more
I want to heal the world through my music — Zaramy (DailyTrust)
Sonorous singer, Zaramy, has revealed why she delved into music. According to the singer born, Daniel Favour Chizaram, her aim is that her music heals the world and brings hope to people.
In a chat with Daily Trust, the up-and-coming singer who has a Diploma degree in music from the Obafemi Awolowo University, noted that her ambition is to create a positive change that will make people embrace their originality unapologetically.
We will decide our retirement as P-Square, says Peter Okoye
Waje, Tems, hint on music collaboration
Zaramy said, “I want the world to be healed through my music. I want to bring hope back to people with the lyrics of my songs. Dish out words that would penetrate their souls as my rhythm lights up their moods. With my works, I aim to create a positive change that will make people embrace their originality unapologetically.”
Regarding Nigerian superstar singers, Tems, Wizkid, Simi and Burna Boy, as her mentors in the music industry, the songstress stated that music for her is inborn as she began singing at age 8. Read more
Varsities won’t strike if politicians’ kids school here – Kate Henshaw (Nation)
Veteran actress Kate Henshaw has accused leaders of ‘nonchalance’ towards the plight of the students.
The seven-month-old strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has continued to attract concerns.
After several months of negotiation by ASUU and the Federal Government proves unyielding, the gym enthusiast took a swipe at the latter for the varsities still being shut.
Henshaw wondered whether universities would have been shut for even a single day if politicians’ children were schooling in the country.
Further irked by the recent public celebration accompanied with photos online of President Buhari’s daughter-in-law, Zahra Buhari’s emergence with a first class degree from a varsity overseas, the thespian empahsised the need for every youth to vote wisely in the forthcoming elections. Read more
Wale Ajenifuja emerges president Rotary Club of Akowonjo (Independent)
Rotarian Wale Ajenifuja has been installed as the 37th President of the Rotary Club of Akowonjo.
The event which took place at the Lagos Airport hotel also witnessed the induction of 2022-2023 board members and the launching of her humanitarian service projects.
The Club investiture chairman, Dr. Esther Olasunkanmi who spoke at the event, explained that the idea behind the investiture of the Club’s president and members of the board of directors was to raise funds and stir the ship of the Club for the next year.
Given a brief background of the Club, she said the Rotary Club of Akowonjo came into existence seven years ago with the hope of creating and ensuring humanitarian legacies in and outside communities of Akowonjo Local Government and its environs. Read more
If Nigeria were a business, Obasanjo would be CEO, says Ali Modu Sheriff (Nation)
A former Borno State governor and one-time National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff, yesterday held a closed-door meeting with former President Olusegun Obasanjo at the penthouse of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
Sheriff, who had long dumped the PDP for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), expressed optimism that his party would win the presidential election and subsequent polls in 2023.
He arrived Obasanjo’s residence around 9.15 a.m and went straight to for the closed-door meeting with the former President. Read more
Shania Twain and Martin Short join H.E.R. and Josh Groban in ABC’s Beauty and the Beast (DailyMail)
Just months after H.E.R. was announced as Belle in ABC’s Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration special, the cast is growing with Shania Twain and Martin Short.
Twain, 57, and Short, 72, will be playing Mrs. Potts and Lumiere, respectively, in the special, according to Variety.
They join H.E.R. as Belle, Josh Groban as The Beast, Joshua Henry as Gaston and Rita Morena serving as the narrator of the live-action/animated hybrid special.
The special was announced in early July, described as a, ‘two-hour animated and live-action blended special will pay tribute to the original Disney Animation’s “Beauty and the Beast” and its legacy.’ Read more
“The Woman King” star Thuso Mbedu reveals John Boyega’s ‘‘amazing’’ idea for a potential sequel (Variety)
Though nothing’s official yet, “The Woman King” star Thuso Mbedu isn’t ruling out a potential sequel for the Sony film, which premiered on Sept. 16.
Though Mbedu said director Gina Prince-Bythewood has made it known she doesn’t “believe” in sequels, her co-star John Boyega had an idea that may be too good to pass up.
“I texted Gina the other day about it,” Mbedu told Variety at the Tribeca Chanel Women’s Filmmaker Program cocktail celebration on Thursday night, for which she was serving as a juror. “Gina said she doesn’t believe in sequels, but John had a nice idea for the sequel… I told it to Gina and she was like, ‘Ah, actually that could work,’ and then started bouncing ideas and I’m like, ‘Gina, go to sleep!’ And she was like, ‘No my mind is ticking already.’ So, we don’t know. Only Sony will tell us.”
Boyega plays King Ghezo in the historical epic, which focuses on a group of all-female warriors who protected the West African kingdom of Dahomey in the 1820s. According to Mbedo, Boyega thinks there’s a more sinister side to explore within his character — the real version of which was a proponent of the slave trade. Read more
‘‘Abbott Elementary’’ star Sheryl Lee Ralph remembers Sidney Poitier at ‘‘Sidney’’ premiere
(TheWrap)
“Abbott Elementary’’ star Sheryl Lee Ralph reflected on having Sidney Poitier as a director for her film debut “A Piece of the Action” at the premiere Wednesday of the documentary film “Sidney.”
“When I met him, he did not let me down,” Sheryl Lee Ralph told TheWrap at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures premiere, noting that at the time she was a “newbie” to the industry. “A lot of people you meet, they let you down. He did not let me down in my very first film. He took such time with me, and I appreciated that so much. He took the time to be a great model for me.”
Fresh off of her first Emmy win, Ralph remembered the “great example of a man” who shaped her career, attending the screening alongside a cadre of celebrities gathered on Wednesday night to celebrate the premiere of the new Apple TV+ documentary “Sidney,” which is a testament to the legacy of the man at the center of the show.
For director Reginald Hudlin, everything from Poitier’s childhood to his efforts on behalf of civil rights to the making of his movies his family was “essential” to be told, noting that production used a two-day interview that Oprah Winfrey conducted with Poitier as a backbone for the film. Read more
Stormzy returns with epic new single ‘Mel Made Me Do It’, cameo-packed video (NME)
Stormzy has returned with his first solo outing in almost three years: an epic, seven-minute declaration of his legend status – featuring a guest verse from Stylo G and a striking monologue by Wretch 32 (narrated by actress Michaela Coel) – titled ‘Mel Made Me Do It’.
The track stands out with its minimalistic, progressive instrumental, buzzing along with sharp 808 beats and modulated string-work while Stormzy’s vicious flow keeps in the spotlight. Wretch 32’s monologue adds an emotional weight to the track, as Coel intones with a poignant gravitas: “Today, we speak about foundation. Many great Black influential giants have touched people, from soul to soul, throughout many generations.
“It’s often ‘greatness’ comes to mind, but footballing legends like Ian Wright greatness come to sight. Our DNA empowers us. We can make a song and dance out of everything. Our genes are enriched – it seems there is not a seam out of place in our fabric…” Read more
Lori Loughlin lands 1st movie role since prison in Great American Family’s “Fall Into Winter’’ (Variety)
Lori Loughlin is back with her “Full House” family on Great American Family. The actress, who has not led a film since 2018, will star in “Fall Into Winter,” a January movie for the network. Production begins in October.
“Lori is a genre-defining star that I have had the honour to call a close friend and collaborator for more than 15 years,” says Great American Media president and CEO Bill Abbott. “We have a shared vision for creating meaningful and memorable movies that resonate with our passionate fans, and I look forward to welcoming her back to Great American Family to anchor our 2023 winter programming slate.”
Abbott recently opened up to Variety about his high hopes to work with Loughlin again, noting that the pair talk three times a week and were deciding between two different scripts.
“She’s America’s sweetheart, regardless of whatever happened,” he said. “At the end of the day, she represents all that is positive about entertainment, and has had a stellar career — not only on screen, but also the way she’s conducted herself personally, in terms of being someone who has a track record of doing the right thing in the world at large, aside from whatever happened. I don’t know the details. She’s beloved and for good reason. We’re very proud of our association with her and we want to make her part of the fabric.” Read more
Dave Bautista disrupts a family vacation with apocalyptic news in the trailer for M. Night Shyamalan’s ‘‘Knock at the Cabin’’ (THR)
Something apocalyptic is coming in the first trailer for M. Night Shyamalan’s Knock at the Cabin.
In the first, nearly three-minute look at the upcoming Universal Pictures movie directed by the Old and Servant helmer, Jonathan Groff and Ben Aldridge play two fathers who take their daughter (Kristen Cui) on a trip to a cabin in the woods.
But as the family gets settled, their relaxing forest getaway morphs into something out of a nightmare when four people — played by Dave Bautista, Rupert Grint, Nikki Amuka-Bird and Abby Quinn — come knocking and take them hostage. And the reason they’re there might be more frightening than the predicament they’re in.
The four visitors have arrived to avert the apocalypse, and the family of three will have to make a difficult choice to stop the end of the world. While the trailer gives little else away outside of the basic plot — including the story’s beautiful yet eerie location and a glimpse of its familiar cast — the first look does, in Shymalan fashion, tease something twisty (and twisted). Read more
Britain doubts Russia’s partial mobilization plans (DW)
London has cast doubt over Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ability to acquire 300,000 reservists for the war against Ukraine. Elsewhere, Hungary wants sanctions against Russia lifted. DW has the latest.
Britain expressed doubts on Thursday over Russia’s ability to implement what President Vladimir Putin called a “partial mobilization” of 300,000 reservists for the war against Ukraine.
The skepticism has been fueled by a backlash expressed by some citizens in response to Putin’s order.
Despite Russia’s laws on dissent, protesters took to the streets in cities across the country. Nearly 1,200 Russians were arrested in anti-war protests in cities such as Moscow and St. Petersburg, according to the independent Russian human rights group OVD-Info. Read more
Amusan’s Oregon feat listed in athletics best moments (Nation)
With most of the outdoor international track and field action already concluded this year, the World Athletics looked back at some of the 22-standout moments with Tobi Amusan’s world record feat in the 100m hurdles event in Oregon making the top seven list.
In some of the season’s highlights published yesterday by the world athletics ruling body, standout performance from the World Athletics Championships Oregon22, World Athletics U20 Championships in Nairobi, the European Championships, the NACAC Championships, the Commonwealth Games, and various other regional and U20 area championships – of course, was on top of the Wanda Diamond League and the Continental Tour circuits.
Listing the 22 memorable moments from the 2022 athletics action, Amusan’s world record in the women’s 100m hurdles in Oregon, United States was celebrated.
With the ratification of her 12.12secs feat in the semifinal in Oregon, the World Athletics wrote:“At first many questioned the timing system. Could someone really break the world record by that much in a semifinal? But it soon became apparent that Tobi Amusan’s 12.12 clocking in the 100m hurdles at the World Championships was legitimate, as she went even quicker in the final with a wind-assisted 12.06.” Read more
Mauricio Pochettino targeting top job in Premier League, LaLiga or Serie A despite Nice interest (IrishIndependent)
Mauricio Pochettino is not interested in taking another job in France despite interest from Nice, with the former Tottenham head coach targeting a new club in the Premier League, LaLiga or Serie A.
Pochettino was sacked by Paris Saint-Germain in July after leading the Qatari-owned club to the Ligue 1 title and was replaced by Christophe Galtier.
PSG’s Ligue 1 rivals Nice are considering an approach to Pochettino as a replacement for Lucien Favre, who is at risk of the sack after just two wins from their opening eight games of the season.
But the Argentine has not spoken to Nice, who are owned by British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe, and is reluctant to continue working in Ligue 1. Read more
Wolves handed major Raul Jimenez injury boost as striker’s father reveals timescale (BirminghamLive)
Wolves striker Raul Jimenez could be back playing in just one week’s time, according to his father.
Jimenez is currently sidelined with a groin injury, which Mexico coach Gerardo Martino recently labelled serious and put down to chronic fatigue.
Now a Mexican newspaper is today carrying quotes from Jimenez’s father, who says the Wolves star could be back in action within a week or two and has “no nerves” about the possibility of missing the World Cup in Qatar.
“I am very happy, it is already very close (the World Cup), but Raúl, despite the injury he has, is very confident that in a week he will be playing again and let’s hope because we all think that this will be Raúl’s World Cup,” Jimenez Sr told Mexican newspaper Esto. Read more
Mancini ”not worried” despite absences for England clash (RFI)
Roberto Mancini said Thursday that he is not letting Italy’s injury crisis worry him before the Nations League visit of England, a team he says are one of the world’s best.
Mancini lost midfielders Marco Verratti, Sandro Tonali, Lorenzo Pellegrini and Matteo Politano in the lead up to Friday’s League A, Group 3 match at the San Siro, one of the European champions’ last until next year, because they failed to qualify for the upcoming World Cup in Qatar.
He told reporters on Thursday that AC Milan’s Tonali would miss the England match and Monday’s trip to Budapest to face group leaders Hungary as he “wasn’t in great condition” when he arrived at the Azzurri’s Coverciano training centre.
“I’m not worried. It’s a match that we’re taking on in a delicate period for us as we’re missing a lot of players,” said Mancini. Read more
Federer pairs up with Nadal for farewell match at Laver Cup (StraitsTimes)
Roger Federer will team up with long-time rival Rafael Nadal for the final match of his glittering career, Laver Cup organisers announced on Thursday.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion will play doubles with the Spaniard, who has won 22 Majors, at the O2 arena in London on Friday.
Federer and Nadal, representing Team Europe, will face US players Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock of Team World in the evening session.
Federer, whose most recent competitive match was a loss to Hubert Hurkacz in the 2021 Wimbledon quarter-finals, has been struggling with a knee problem and will not play singles in London. Read more
Red Bull deny Max Verstappen conspiracy claims as Sergio Perez lags behind (Express)
Max Verstappen has not been deliberately advantaged at Red Bull despite Sergio Perez struggling with the team’s updates, according to technical director Pierre Wache. Wache stressed the team did not favour the Dutchman on purpose with any benefit for Verstappen just a side-effect of developing the car.
He revealed Red Bull were still looking to find a way to help Perez as the Mexican continues to struggle to find form. He said: “You know, when we develop the car, then you go for the best performance development. It is suited more to Max, but it was not the purpose of the development. It was more developing the car.
“The weight is an aspect, for sure, but it’s part of the set-up of the car. At the beginning of the season, we didn’t have the possibility to move the weight, so it’s part of the set-up. I think it’s everything together and after you find your performance somewhere, it’s a little bit more tricky to set up the car.
“It went in the favour of Max. I think he’s able to drive any car. Now we have to find a way to give a car for Sergio to be performing and to compete.” Read more
Joseph Parker v Joe Joyce: Parker vows to stop ”hype train” (BBC)
Heavyweight Joseph Parker vowed to stop the Joe Joyce “hype train” in its tracks when they meet on Saturday.
The 30-year-old New Zealander is the underdog despite being a former world champion and says he is confident of a quick victory against the Briton, 37.
The pair will fight in Manchester for the WBO interim heavyweight title, with the winner in prime position to challenge champion Oleksandr Usyk.
“I see a lump, a big man,” Parker said at a media conference on Thursday. Read more