Fleeing Lagos task force officers shoot banker for protesting car damage (Punch)
A Branch Manager with Wema Bank, Bamidele Ajala, has been shot by personnel of the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Enforcement Unit (task force) in the Oshodi area of the state.
PUNCH Metro gathered that the officers shot the 39-year-old in the hand while they were fleeing with a yet-to-be-identified LT commercial bus driver, who bashed his car.
Our correspondent learnt that the driver crashed into Ajala’s vehicle around Oshodi, inward the Airport Road last Tuesday.
After the crash, the banker said the driver claimed that he lost control of the vehicle when some area boys working with the task force officials dragged steering with him to force him to stop. Read more
One year after #EndSARS, 300 protesters still in Kirikiri, says victim (Guardian)
One year after what victims described as genocide against #EndSARS protesters, 300 of them are still in Kirikiri Correctional centre in Lagos prison.
The victims were arrested on October 20, 2020, when soldiers stormed the Lekki toll gate in Lagos and allegedly shot at protesters, who had gathered that Tuesday, following a movement to end the excesses of the now disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), an armed of police formed in 1992 to combat armed robbery and other serious crimes.
Protesters and passerby were reportedly shot and killed by troops deployed by the Nigerian army, who had earlier denied involvement in the shooting, while manyt were arrested at random after the protest for arson, illegal gathering and armed robbery.
The movement started nationwide on Thursday, October 8, 2020, after weeks of outrage and anger with videos and pictures showing police brutality, harassment and extortion across the country. Read more
Nollywood actress accused of brutalising Lagos nanny over son’s treatment (Punch)
A nanny, Motunrayo Azeez, has accused a Nollywood actress, Wunmi Toriola, of brutalising her over allegations of drugging her son at their residence on Medina Estate in the Gbagada area of Lagos State.
PUNCH Metro learnt that Toriola, who went to work on Friday, left her son in the care of Azeez.
Our correspondent gathered that the nanny went to pick the boy after school hours and took him home.
When they got home, Azeez claimed that she fed the child and took him outside the compound to play.
Shortly afterwards, the nanny said she discovered that the boy was running a temperature and she gave him some medication.
Matters took another turn when Toriola, who was monitoring the situation on a CCTV device connected to her mobile phone, became angry.
“She asked why I gave the baby drugs without her permission and I apologised for that, but she started accusing me of always drugging her son to make him sleep and I told her that yesterday (Friday) was the first time I would give him the drugs: Paracetamol and Vitamin C, with the cough drug she bought. Read more
IPPIS: Why some lecturers are getting N6000 salary – Accountant General (DailyTrust)
The Office of the Accountant General of the Federation has replied to some aggrieved university lecturers who are complaining about a shortage in their salaries.
The AGF office was responding to series of complaints from university lecturers, especially the University of Maiduguri, saying they submitted their data late and most of the data were wrong.
The lectures claimed they are being short paid as some receive as low as N6000 per month after they migrated to the IPPIS platform.
But in a swift reaction, the Director IPPIS, OAGF, DR Nsikak Ben, said the lecturers’ claims were largely misplaced as they were the architect of their travails. Read more
FG completes 700km of railway (Sun)
The Federal Government said it has completed about 700kilometre of railway lines currently running commercial activities within the country.
Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, said the mileage was part of about 5000km to 6000km of rail projects the administration planned to embark on. He named the Abuja -Kaduna Railway, Itape-Warri and Lagos-Ibadan rails as projects that had been completed by the administration.
He said over N1 billion has been paid into a special account as the ministry’s contribution to repay part of the loan collected for the rail projects.
”We have awarded a contract to three more companies, if you add this ones I have mentioned, and one is 225km Itape-Warri, one from Lagos to Ibadan is 156km, then the one from Abuja-Kaduna is about 186km, so close to 700km of rail completed and carrying out commercial activities. Read more
Ex-NIMASA DG, others sued over institute’s leadership crisis (Leadership)
The leadership dispute in the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) has been dragged before a Federal High Court in Abuja, with some aggrieved members alleging plot to manipulate the institute’s national council elections scheduled for October 23.
In a suit, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1217/2021, the plaintiffs – Alban Igwe and Alex Okosun, accused the institute’s outgoing leadership of plans to manipulate the electoral process in favour a former director-general of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) – Ufom Ekong Usoro.
In a fresh suit filed by their lawyer, Felix Onolememen, the plaintiffs queried Usoro’s qualification to contest for the institute’s national president position and prayed the court to among others, nullify Usoro’s candidature in the CILT’s 2021 national council election.
The defendants in the suit are the Incorporated Trustees of the CILT, its national president, Ibrahim Jubril; its national executive director, Paul Ndibe; the chairperson, electoral committee, Hajia Moji Ajimoh and Usoro.
According to the plaintiffs, in their statement of claim, they planned to contest the positions of national president and deputy national president, but that they could be edged out if the current leaders were allowed to carry through their alleged plot to install Usoro. Read more
We’ve no business with INEC, says IPOB (Punch)
THE leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission, to face its business of conducting elections, saying it has no business with it.
This is as IPOB said it found laughable plans by the Nigeria Police Force to deploy 33,000 policemen and three helicopters to Anambra State during the November 6 governorship elections, adding that the aim was to kill more innocent Igbos in the state.
The secessionist group was reacting to a statement credited to INEC, which reportedly said that it would meet with IPOB to dialogue and negotiate as the governorship elections in Anambra State draws nearer.
IPOB Director of Media and Publicity, Emma Powerful, stated this in a statement, on Sunday, a copy of which was made available to The PUNCH.
The statement read in part, “Following the statement from the Independent National Electoral Commission that it is coming to negotiate or dialogue with IPOB over the forthcoming Anambra governorship election, we the global family of the Indigenous People of Biafra ably led by our great leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu wish to reiterate once again that we have no business with INEC. Read more
Military amputees to get assistance from firm (Leadership)
All officers who were amputated as a result of the war against insurgency can get back to their feet with artificial body parts, the chief executive officer (CEO) of SunTech, Prince Sunny Ukachukwu, has assured.
LEADERSHIP reports that there are a number of wounded soldiers receiving treatment at the Kaduna Army Reference Hospital and other places who had their body parts amputated as a result of the war against insurgency.
Ukachukwu who said he now has the facility to take care of the needs of the military personnel amputated, added that anyone who suffered body dismemberment can get back to his or her feet.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja yesterday, Ukachukwu said they could produce the customised body parts within three days.
“Once the patient puts on the trial sucket and he or she is comfortable, within two days, we are done with the artificial body part work,” Ukachukwu said, adding that the patient will be trained for two weeks.
On the war against Boko Haram and other terrorist groups which has caused some military personnel to suffer some injuries leading to amputation, Ukachukwu said SunTech is willing to remedy the situation so that the officers can get back on their feet. Read more
Chivita celebrates World Juice Day (Sun)
Leading fruit juice brand, Chivita held its 3rd Annual Chivita World Juice Day. This year’s edition of the event provided the platform to educate and encourage consumers to be focused in taking control of their own well-being with fruit juices as part of their daily nutrition for wellness. It was also an opportunity to showcase creative expressions with Chivita fruit juices from mixologists, availing discerning consumers the license to create their own exciting recipes and experience the combos to boost their health their way. The theme for this year’s edition of the event, “Fruit Juice: Powering my Health My Way”, calls on consumers to step forward and be involved in taking practical steps in lifestyle modifications, self awareness and choosing to consume food and drinks that enhance daily nutrition by actively including fruit juices to boost their health and well-being, but most importantly, achieving this on their own terms.
In her welcome speech, the Marketing Director of CHI Limited, Mrs. Toyin Nnodi, stated that the focus for this year’s Chivita World Juice Day was to challenge consumers to take control of their health on their own terms by including fruit juices as a part of their daily nutrition for wellness. Read more
Drake’s “Certified Lover Boy” bounces back to No. 1 on Billboard 200 Chart (Billboard)
Drake’s Certified Lover Boy rebounds to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart (dated Oct. 23) for a fourth nonconsecutive week in the lead, as the set bumps up from No. 2 with 94,000 equivalent album units earned (down 14%) in the US in the week ending Oct. 14, according to MRC Data.
Certified Lover Boy spent its first three weeks at No. 1 (Sept. 18-Oct. 2-dated charts), and then stepped aside to the No. 2 slot for the past two weeks, as YoungBoy Never Broke Again’s Sincerely, Kentrell debuted at No. 1 (Oct. 9-dated chart) and Taylor Swift’s Fearless (Taylor’s Version) returned to No. 1 (Oct. 16 chart).
The Billboard 200 chart ranks the most popular albums of the week in the U.S. based on multi-metric consumption as measured in equivalent album units. Read more
Earthshot Prize: Costa Rica wins £1m from William’s Earthshot prize (BBC)
Two best friends who grow coral and the country of Costa Rica are among the winners of the first ever Earthshot Prizes.
The annual awards were created by the Duke of Cambridge to reward people trying to save the planet.
There were five winners announced in London, each receiving £1m.
Prince William was joined by stars including Emma Watson, Dame Emma Thompson and David Oyelowo for the ceremony at Alexandra Palace. Read more
No end in sight to volcanic eruption on Spain’s La Palma – Canaries president (Independent)
There is no immediate end in sight to the volcanic eruption that has caused chaos on the Spanish isle of La Palma since it began about a month ago, the president of the Canary Islands said on Sunday.
There were 42 seismic tremors on the island on Sunday, the largest of which measured 4.3, according to the Spanish National Geographical Institute.
“There are no signs that an end of the eruption is imminent even though this is the greatest desire of everyone,” President Angel Víctor Torres said at a Socialist party conference in Valencia, citing the view of scientists.
Streams of lava have laid waste to more than 742 hectares (1,833 acres) of land and destroyed almost 2,000 buildings on La Palma since the volcano started erupting on Sept. 19.
About 7,000 people have been evacuated from their homes on the island, which has about 83,000 inhabitants and forms part of the Canary Islands archipelago off northwestern Africa. Read more
Jay-Z due to testify in NYC lawsuit over ‘reneged’ perfume deal (NYPost)
Rap mogul Jay-Z is expected to get grilled on the witness stand over claims he reneged on a deal to promote his own perfume.
The 51-year-old artist, whose real name is Shawn Carter, is named in a breach of contract lawsuit filed by Parlux Fragrances accusing him of failing to peddle the Gold Jay-Z fragrance line under a 2012 agreement.
Jury selection in the civil case begins Monday.
Parlux filed the lawsuit in Manhattan Supreme Court in 2016, claiming the “Empire State of Mind” rapper declined to push the perfume, including on “Good Morning America” and in Women’s Wear Daily. He’s also accused of refusing to do a promotional appearance at Macy’s. Read more
Lil’ Kim says Nick Cannon is now her manager (Billboard)
Lil’ Kim’s career is being guided by Nick Cannon.
The rapper revealed her current connection to Cannon in Complex’s interview series “Hiking With Rappers,” for which she joined host King Keraun on some Los Angeles trails, but spent more time chatting about her career in a golf cart.
Lil’ Kim at first insisted she jogs five miles and takes a hike every day but later admitted, “I never hiked a day in my life, and I don’t like it.”
Nick Cannon Says There’s Only One Person Who Could Do a ‘Verzuz’ Battle With Mariah Carey
When asked about what’s next for her, Cannon’s name entered the conversation — since he’s apparently helping her make those decisions. Read more
Massachusetts man who faked own death over Covid relief scam sentenced (BBC)
A Massachusetts man who tried to scam a Covid-19 business aid scheme and faked his own death to evade authorities has been sentenced to 56 months in prison.
David Staveley falsely claimed to co-own four large businesses in need of nearly $544,000 (£399,000) in support from a federal government programme.
After being charged last year, Staveley staged a suicide and fled using false identities and stolen licence plates.
He is the first person to be charged with fraudulently seeking the loans.
Sudan crisis: Pro-army demonstrators call for military rule in Khartoum as political tensions rise (Independent)
Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets in Sudan’s capital of Khartoum this weekend to call for the dissolution of the joint military-civilian government, urging the army to take control of the country.
Politician tensions have been rising in the African nation over the power-sharing arrangement between military and civilian groups, which was introduced following the toppling of its former president Omar al-Bashir in 2019.
Sudan’s fragile transition to democracy was threatened earlier this year by a failed coup attempt in September which was linked to supporters of the ousted former leader.
Pro-military demonstrators called for armed forces chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Sudan’s joint military-civilian Sovereign Council, to seize control of the country on Saturday, arguing that the current’s prime minister Abdalla Hamdok had failed. Read more
Perfect Napoli reclaim top spot after Osimhen’s ‘most important’ goal (Guardian)
Napoli returned to the top of Serie A on Sunday after Nigerian international Victor Osimhen scored the only goal in a hard-fought 1-0 win against Torino.
AC Milan had moved to the top of the table after battling back from two goals down to beat Hellas Verona 3-2 at the San Siro on Saturday.
But Napoli moved back to the summit after Osimhen, who had scored for his country in a 2-0 win against the Central African Republic in World Cup qualifying last week, headed the 81st-minute winner.
Lorenzo Insigne’s weak first-half penalty was saved and Mexico international Hirving Lozano hit the post before Osimhen made the most of an attempted clearance that ricocheted off team-mate Eljif Elmas.
“It was the most important goal of my career,” said Osimhen. Read more
Cameron Norrie wins Indian Wells title with victory over Nikoloz Basilashvili (BBC)
Cameron Norrie became the first Briton to win the Indian Wells title when he fought back from a set and a break down to beat Nikoloz Basilashvili.
Norrie, 26, won 3-6 6-4 6-1 against the Georgian to seal one of the biggest titles in tennis.
“I’m so happy, I can’t even describe it,” he said on court.
His exploits in California have propelled Norrie to British number one and he is in the running to reach the elite season-ending ATP Finals.
Norrie will rise to a career-high 16th in the world, having started the year ranked 74th, after a stunning season where he has reached six finals and won 47 matches. Read more
Issele-Uku school leads 25 others to Zenith/Delta Headmasters’ Cup zonal play-offs (Guardian)
Ogbe-Utu Primary School, Issele-Uku, is among 25 schools that have qualified for the Zenith Bank/Delta Headmasters’ Cup zonal play-offs following the conclusion of the preliminary round.
The developmental football fiesta organised for all primary schools in Delta State is sponsored by Zenith Bank Plc.
The preliminaries started on September 30 with 378 registered schools competing for honours in all the local councils in the state.
Other schools that are through to the zonals include Royal Foundation School, Ngbile Primary School, Kiagbodo, Uduaka Primary School, Oghara, Abraka Memorial Primary School, Abraka, Zenith Rock Primary School, Asaba, Makpa Primary School, Oginibo, Ogidi Primary School, Agholoma, Owa Model Primary School, Owa, Peakrise Academy, Agbor, Bovi Primary School, Ozoro, Okpolo Primary School, Ogbe Primary School, Effurun, Ojomba Primary School, Koko and Pessu Primary School, Warri. Read more
Chicago Sky win their first WNBA championship over Phoenix Mercury (NYPost)
Candace Parker returned home to bring Chicago a championship. She did just that, leading the Sky to the franchise’s first title.
Allie Quigley scored 26 points and Parker added 16 points, 13 rebounds and five assists and Chicago beat the Phoenix Mercury 80-74 on Sunday in Game 4.
“This one is so sweet,” a champagne-soaked Parker said. “To do it with this group. I love this group, I love this team. And to do it here at home, it was just supposed to be.”
Courtney Vandersloot added 10 points and 15 assists for the Sky, who won the series 3-1, rallying from a 72-65 deficit with 4:42 left. Chicago scored the next nine points to take a two-point lead on Stefanie Dolson’s layup. She then added another basket to make it 76-72 with 45.8 seconds left. Read more
Mark Allen edges out John Higgins to win Northern Ireland Open in classic battle (Metro)
It was a memorable atmosphere in the Waterfront Hall, with the Northern Irishman receiving unsurprisingly rousing support, but Higgins being cheered on enthusiastically as well all the way to the deciding frame.
The match was a tremendous tussle throughout, with barely anything between them for the majority of the contest as it wound its way to 6-6 and the tension continued to mount.
Higgins took the lead for the first time in the match at 7-6 and it seemed the perfect time for the four-time world champion to find his best form as he then made a brilliant 136 to go 8-6 ahead.
Allen was not to be brushed aside so easily though and he battled his way back to 8-8, showing incredible fighting spirit in a uniquely tense atmosphere. Read more
Kean scores winner as Juventus beat Mourinho’s Roma (BBC)
Moise Kean scored the only goal as Juventus beat Jose Mourinho’s Roma to earn a fourth Serie A victory in a row.
Everton loanee Kean knew little about the winner as Rodrigo Bentancur’s effort inadvertently came off his head and went in after 16 minutes.
Close to half-time, Jordan Veretout saw his penalty saved by Wojciech Szczesny after Tammy Abraham was brought down.
Abraham had put the ball in the net as he was fouled, but referee Daniele Orsata had already blown for a penalty. Read more