FHA Demolition: Tears, grief as Abule Ado landlords count losses (Punch)
Sitting dispiritedly on a wooden bench in front of his house which has become mountainous ruins of twisted metals, disjointed slabs and destroyed pieces of furniture, Mr Peter Lawrence, momentarily stared at sweaty scavengers hauling metal items into their carts.
The sadness in Lawrence’s eyes evinced grief. His house which was situated at King’s Royal Estate in the Abule Ado area of Lagos State, was demolished a few days ago, bringing his decades of toil and gain to an end within a day.
For many homeowners in the Festac Phase 2, the pride, joy and safety that come with owning a comfortable home have given way to dejection, despair and a deep sense of loss. Read more
Adeleke wants to revive LG administration in Osun – ALGON chair (Vanguard)
Resuscitation of Local Government administration in Osun state has been a major priority of the State Governor, Ademola Adeleke since he assumed office last year.
This was disclosed by Osun State Chairman, Association of Local Government of Nigeria, Osun state chapter, Sarafa Awotunde while speaking on the first anniversary of Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration in the state.
He said the third tier of government in the state had collapsed when Adeleke ascended the governorship seat, hence, concerted efforts to return life to the tier since the PDP returned to power last year. Read more
Dangote refinery to start with 350,000bpd crude — CEO (Punch)
The President/Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has said that the $20bn Dangote refinery in Lekki, Lagos would start with the refining of 350,000 barrels per day of crude oil.
Dangote, who disclosed this during an interview with the Financial Times, also stated that the refinery would receive about six million barrels of crude in December 2023.
“We’re starting with 350,000 barrels a day, “Dangote told the Financial Times, adding that a deal had already been clinched for the “first cargo of about 6mn barrels” for delivery next month. Read more
Corruption: Less than 1% of looted funds are recovered – University don (Vanguard)
African nations, including Nigeria, have been advised to take preventive steps against corruption and looting of public funds, as barely one percent of looted funds is recovered after such funds have been laundered abroad.
Also, the countries have been urged to stop the circulation of high currency notes, as such makes it easy to launder proceeds of corruption by criminal elements involved in such acts.
This was the submission of Prof. Ehi Eric Esoimeme while delivering a paper as the Guest Speaker during the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Opebi Rotary Club in Lagos on Saturday. Read more
Customs hold reunion, pledges improved welfare for retired officers (Guardian)
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has held a reunion, on the occasion pledged to improve the welfare of retired officers of the service.
It said that successful organizations invested in training and transition programmes to prepare retired professionals for their advisory roles.
Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, made the pledge in Abuja, during the reunion/sendforth for retired senior officers of Service, with the theme: ‘Our Customs Heroes.’ said that there is need for the NCS to tap former senior officers’ rich wealth of knowledge. Read more
Police deny torturing suspect to death in Ogun, commence autopsy (Channels)
The police authorities in Ogun State have denied torturing a suspected cultist, Seyi Samson, to death.
Samson was arrested by the Ogun State Police Command over cult-related activities and has been in police custody.
Reports emerged that the 39-year-old was tortured by the police while in custody, but the police said there is no iota of truth in the allegation. Read more
Rivers APC rejects Okocha as new caretaker chairman (Vanguard)
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has disowned the newly inaugurated chairman of the caretaker committee of the party in the state, Chief Tony Okocha.
According to the party, Okocha worked against the APC during the 2023 general elections, hence, he is not a member and cannot be the caretaker boss.
The Rivers APC Publicity Secretary, Darlington Nwauju, made the assertion on Saturday while speaking as a guest on Channels TV’s programme. Read more
Ibom Air takes delivery of 1st Airbus A220-300 (Leadership)
The former governor of Akwa Ibom state and founder of Ibom Air, Udom Emmanuel, was among those present at the weekend, when the state made history in Nigeria’s aviation industry with the delivery of the first of 10 brand new Airbus A220-300 series aeroplanes, earlier signed during his tenure in 2021.
Ibom Air was founded in 2019 during the administration of Udom Emmanuel and two years later, on Tuesday, November 16, 2021, he led a delegation from Ibom Air to the Dubai Air show where he met and reached a firm agreement with Airbus for the procurement of 10 new A220-300 series aeroplanes.
Subsequently, on Friday in Montreal, Canada, Emmanuel was with top management staff of Ibom Air that inspected and received the first aircraft at the Airbus’ Mirabel facility. Read more
Margot Robbie “can’t imagine” what would be in potential Barbie sequel (DigitalSpy)
Margot Robbie has opened up about a potential sequel to Barbie, saying she “can’t imagine” what would be in the movie.
Speaking to the Associated Press, Robbie discussed the possibilities of a sequel to Greta Gerwig’s record-breaking film, saying it wasn’t planned with any sequels in mind.
“I think we put everything into this one,” Robbie said. “We didn’t, like, we didn’t build it to be a trilogy or something. It was like Greta put everything into this movie, so I can’t imagine what would be next.” Read more
DR Congo’s Nobel Prize winner Mukwege stages large presidential campaign rally (France 24)
DR Congo’s Denis Mukwege, a Nobel-winning gynaecologist, staged a rally in his hometown on Saturday, promising to tackle corruption and conflict if elected president next month.
Addressing supporters in the eastern city of Bukavu, the renowned doctor said he would use political power to “put an end to war, put an end to famine” and to fight graft.
“Today it is normal to steal in the Congo, it is normal to corrupt,” said 68-year-old, in Swahili. Read more
Eazy-E’s son teases AI music from late N.W.A legend (HipHopDX)
Eazy-E‘s son, Lil Eazy-E, has said that N.W.A fans may get some new music from his late father soon — thanks to the magic of artificial intelligence.
Lil Eazy (real name Eric Darnell Wright Jr.) spoke to TMZ at the unveiling of his father’s street-naming ceremony in Compton earlier this week, where he revealed that AI could be instrumental in helping with the release of the music.
“We’ll see,” he said when asked about the prospect. “We’ll see how that’s coming, you know what I mean? There are, y’know, some hidden tracks out there, so we’ll see how that goes.” Read more
Shania Twain delivers a timeless set at Abu Dhabi F1 concert (National)
Shania Twain turned back the years with a hit-filled set at Etihad Park.
Performing as part of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix concert series, the Canadian singer reminded audiences why she dominated the 1990s pop landscape as she had the crowd singing along.
But she also showed there is plenty left in the creative tank with a splash of new material from her album Queen of Me, which was released in February. Read more
Palestinian teenager ‘dizzy with happiness’ to be freed (BBC)
Thirty-nine Palestinian teenagers and women were freed from Israeli prisons on Saturday after the ceasefire deal looked in peril.
They were released as part of an agreement which has seen 26 Israeli hostages taken on 7 October returned.
It takes the total number of Palestinians released since the start of the temporary ceasefire to 78. Read more
9-year-old Irish-Israeli hostage reunited with father after release (Standard)
A nine-year-old Irish-Israeli girl held hostage by Hamas has been reunited with her father.
Emily Hand was among a number of people to be freed by militants at the weekend in a deal which also saw Palestinians held in Israel released.
Video footage released by the Israeli Defence Forces has shown her running into her father Thomas’s arms at a location in Israel. Read more
Movie and TV props up for auction in Dublin (RTE)
Props from famous Irish movies and TV shows are set to go under the hammer in Dublin.
Convincing looking rifles from the 1996 hit Michael Collins as well as items from The Banshees Of Inisherin, My Left Foot and In The Name Of The Father, and popular television shows Father Ted and Normal People are among the trove.
The 1,800 extras and set dressings were all supplied by Historic Interiors, a prop hire business founded in 1986 and which has also furnished scenes from Game Of Thrones and The Crown. Read more
House of Arewa wins emir of Kano Dambe Championship (Guardian)
After two days of intense competition, House of Arewa have emerged champions of the inaugural Emir Ado Bayero Dambe Championship Cup held at Dorayi Palace in Kano.
The championship, organised by the African Warriors Fighting Championship (AWFC), the leading promoter of Dambe boxing, was part of events to celebrate the Legacy of Traditions, a yearlong festival showcasing Kano Culture with the Kano Emirate Council.
At the event, 16 athletes from Dambe houses of Arewa, Kudawa, and Gurumada competed in eight bouts with House of Arewa coming out victorious. Read more
NNL: Nasarawa United coach blames poor pitch for draw with EFCC (Leadership)
Nasarawa United head coach, Usman Adams has revealed that the playing pitch at the Old Parade ground stadium made it difficult for his team to secure victory against EFCC.
The Solid Miners played a goalless draw against EFCC in the matchday two fixture of the Nigeria National League.
The experienced tactician however expressed satisfaction with the point gained in the game. Read more
Terry Venables dies: Former England manager passes away aged 80 (BBC)
Former England manager Terry Venables has died at the age of 80 after a long illness.
Venables managed England from 1994 to 1996, most notably leading them to the semi-finals of Euro 96 on home soil.
He also had spells in charge of Barcelona, Tottenham and Australia.
“Valley of darkness”: Covid cost Dortmund 151m euros, says CEO (France24)
Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke told Sunday’s AGM the club had emerged battered but afloat from the Covid-19 pandemic with a cost of 151 million euros ($165 million).
The CEO said Dortmund had made “500 million euros in sales” including player transfers in the previous financial year, saying “economically nobody needs to worry about Borussia Dortmund.”
But he told club members he suffered sleepless nights at the time.
“We have left the valley of darkness behind us, but it cost us 151 million.” Read more
Jannik Sinner joins 3 players who have beaten Novak Djokovic after saving match points (Tennis365)
Jannik Sinner created a moment of tennis history as he came back from three match points down to beat Novak Djokovic at the Davis Cup Final in Malaga.
Sinner stunned Djokovic with wins in singles and doubles to send Italy through to the first Davis Cup final in 20 years.
Djokovic suffered an unwanted career first when he failed to convert three consecutive match points in a pulsating 6-2 2-6 7-5 singles loss against world number four Sinner. Read more
Taylor beats Cameron to become 2-weight undisputed boxing champion (AlJazeera)
Katie Taylor has avenged her only professional loss by beating Chantelle Cameron in a majority decision to become a two-weight undisputed boxing champion.
The Irishwoman improved to 23-1 after the judges scored the bout 98-92, 96-94 and 95-95 at Dublin’s 3Arena on Saturday night, six months after a majority decision went Cameron’s way in the same venue.
The 37-year-old Taylor, whose lightweight belts were not on the line, now adds Cameron’s world super-lightweight titles at 140 pounds. Read more