Flood: Snake scare heightens in Lokoja as water recedes (DailyTrust)
Reptiles, particularly snakes, have reportedly taken over many homes in Lokoja, the capital of Kogi State, causing panic among residents who are returning home after a gradual receding of water.
Daily Trust on Sunday noted that residents of Ajara Quarters in the Marine area of Lokoja, Adankolo, part of Army Barracks area, Gadumo and Ganaja areas, whose homes were flooded, have been battling with influx of snakes in their homes.
A resident of Ajara Quarters, Abdulmaliki Usman, told our correspondent that he returned to his house due to receding floodwater, but there is no day they would not kill two to three snakes in their compound.
“We returned on Monday as the floodwater started withdrawing gradually in our area. Since then, we have killed up to 10 snakes, some in the compound and others in the rooms. We are now living in fear. But we thank God that we have not recorded any incident of snake bite,” he said. Read more
Nigerians react as pastor Tobi invites Oxlade to sing ‘Kulosa’ with choir (Independent)
Nigerians have reacted to the viral video of the Nigerian founder of Salvation Proclaimers Anointed Church, Tobi Adegboyega, singing with the hip-hop singer, Oxlade.
The pastor of the Pentecostal Church based in London posted a video of himself and choir members singing with the Nigerian artiste latest song, ‘Kulosa’.
This video sparked a lot of reactions on social media as many believe that a man of God shouldn’t be singing such a worldly song. Read more
Ekiti agog as Oyebanji takes over, says ‘I’ll make Ekiti land of abundance’ (Vanguard)
Jubilation rented the air, as Ekiti kete pavilion, located along new Iyin road, the venue of Sunday’s Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji’s inauguration was jam-packed and spilt over to the adjourning streets.
Vehicles parked on the road leading to the pavilion obstructed traffic in the area for several hours, and motorists had to take a detour to the old Iyin road.
Jubilant crowds in different ‘aso-ebi’ uniforms from different towns of the state as well as visitors that thronged the Ado-Ekiti from neighbouring states to witness the inauguration of Biodun Oyebanji occupied all the available seats in the pavilion and the main bowl was not left out as they struggle with police for space.
While addressing the people shortly after his inauguration, Governor Oyebanji, promised to run an all-inclusive governance that would make Ekiti a land where prosperity , Abu dance, unity and equity will thrive and blossom. Read more
Hawkers harvest bountifully as commuters groan in Lagos-Ibadan highway traffic (Punch)
Despite the hardship currently being faced by road users and passengers on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway due to the ongoing construction at Opic and Kara-Isheri which caused gridlock along the route, some highway hawkers are laughing all the way to the bank.
The hawkers who expressed excitement at the traffic on the road stated that they usually made more sales during the traffic.
One of them who is a popcorn seller, Jerry Coker, said he resorted to hawking on the highway because he was unable to raise money to further his education.
Coker told Saturday PUNCH that he had been making more sales from his goods since the section of the road unusually experienced heavy traffic. Read more
Baba Sala honoured by fans, family at maiden comedy festival (DailyTrust)
Fans and families of veteran comedian and dramatist, the late Moses Olaiya, popularly known as Baba Sala, on Saturday celebrated the late theatre icon at the maiden edition of the “Baba Sala Festival”.
The festival tagged, “LAFTAISM 1.0″, with the theme, “Effects of comedy in a challenged society”, was held at the National Arts Theater, Iganmu, Lagos.
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Speaking on the inspiration behind the festival, Mr Emmanuel Adejumo, also known as “Boisala”, a son of the veteran actor, said the festival was to celebrate and immortalise Baba Sala as he had done a lot for the nation.
“We are thinking of immortalising him so that generations coming can see, hear and know about his good works. This great icon has done a lot in terms of comedy and theatre arts in Nigeria.
“Baba Sala is a comedian and formerly a musician who inspired the likes of King Sunny Ade and Ebenezer Obey. Read more
Nnamdi Kanu not off the hook yet, National security council insists (Nation)
The National Security Council (NSC) rose from an emergency meeting yesterday with a declaration that the leader of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, is not yet off the hook, the Thursday quashing by the Court of Appeal of the terrorism charges against him notwithstanding.
Kanu’s counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, differed with government, saying his client must first be released even if other charges would be filed against him.
The NSC, which advises the President on “matters relating to public security”, also directed the National Security Adviser and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) to investigate the oil theft in the Niger Delta. Read more
Obajana cement plant: Kogi to drag Dangote to court (Guardian)
The last has not been heard of the Kogi-Dangote face-off over the ownership of Obajana Cement Plant as the Kogi State Government resolved yesterday to drag Dangote Cement Plc to court and reclaim what rightfully belongs to the people.
The decision to go to court was taken at an emergency meeting last Thursday night between key government officials led by Governor Yahaya Bello and stakeholders representing the different ethnic groups in the state.
A statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, stated that at the meeting, which ran into the early hours of yesterday, all stakeholders resolved to head to court in the interest of the people and generations to come.
He said the governor made it clear to the people that there was no going back on the state’s resolve to reclaim its asset, but sued for calm in the interest of peace. Read more
Niger Delta: 8 feared dead as flood releases pythons, dangerous sea animals into communities (Vanguard)
As a result of the devastating floods, pythons and other kinds of dangerous reptiles have found their way into communities in parts of Delta State. Residents now scamper for safety for fear of being killed.
The ravaging flood which has cut off parts of the East-West Road has continued to wreak havoc in communities along the bank of the River Niger. It has reportedly taken over eight lives, and destroyed crops and houses worth millions of naira in the state.
Meanwhile, some travellers on the East-West Road have been stranded as others resort to use of canoes to cross over to the other side to board vehicles to continue their journeys. Read more
Late Rico Swavey was drunk – Hospital (Vanguard)
The hospital, Doren Hospital where late BBNaija star, Rico Swavey was rushed to and subsequently died has exonerated itself and staff of any complicity following a video that went viral that the hospital staff had videoed the deceased instead of attending to him.
In the statement, Doren Hospital noted that although Rico Swavey was admitted into the emergency care unit of the hospital, medical staff administered first aid, and the good Samaritans who brought him in were told of the severity of the situation and the need for urgent neurosurgeon review.
The hospital further said it immediately referred the victim to Evercare Hospital in Lekki Phase. Read more
Pierce Brosnan shares ‘stupid comment’ that possibly cost him iconic screen role (Deadline)
It may look to outsiders that Pierce Brosnan has enjoyed the dream screen career, effortlessly moving from TV success in the 1980s to film superstardom in the 1990s.
However, the Irish actor has now revealed a bump in the road where, he believes, a casual comment may have cost him a huge and returning role.
Brosnan was already the established star of TV detective show Remington Steele – and appeared in films including The Fourth Protocol and Mrs Doubtfire – when he auditioned for the role of Batman for the film to be directed by Tim Burton.
As he this week told The Tonight Show, Brosnan thought a light quip might help him secure the role. Read more
Emma Corrin recalls removing clothes at director’s request despite feeling uncomfortable before #MeToo (Metro)
Emma Corrin has opened up on #MeToo and the importance of intimacy coordinators, explaining that they have previously removed clothes at a director’s request despite feeling uncomfortable.
The actor, best known for their role as Princess Diana in The Crown, said that before the #MeToo movement, they sometimes felt like they had to go along with things for the sake of their career.
‘I’ve done it myself. I’ve been on sets where I’ve been asked to do something and in the moment I’ve done it and then people have come up to me and been like, “Emma, why were you comfortable with that?”‘ they recalled.
‘And I was like, “I just felt I should because we were in the middle of a take and they asked me to take this piece of clothing off and I did it”. But when you’re at the start of your career you feel you have to go along with things.’ Read more
Several dead after fire at notorious Iranian prison (BBC)
Four prisoners have died and 61 have been injured following a major fire at Iran’s notorious Evin prison, according to an Iranian state news agency.
Sources inside the prison – which is known for housing political prisoners – have told BBC Persian the number of casualties is higher.
Videos shared online showed flames and smoke at the site in Tehran, and gunshots and explosions could be heard.
The fire followed weeks of anti-government protests across Iran.
Hundreds of those taking part in protests have been sent to Evin prison. It is not known whether the situation at the jail is linked to the demonstrations. Read more
Julia Roberts shines brightest at star-studded Academy Museum Gala (PageSix)
Julia Roberts was honored for her more than three-decade-long silver screen career at the star-studded Academy Museum Gala in Los Angeles Saturday night.
Roberts, 54, took home the Icon Award at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, which celebrated the global cultural impact of the Pretty Woman actress’ work.
“Over the course of her expansive and renowned career, Julia has embodied iconic characters and memorable roles,” said Jacqueline Stewart, Director and President of the Academy Museum, according to Deadline.
“We are thrilled to be honoring her continued excellence in the industry and contribution to the arts.” Read more
Ukrainian Deminers Remove Deadly Threats to Civilians (VOA)
Beside an abandoned Russian military camp in eastern Ukraine, the body of a man lay decomposing in the grass — a civilian who had fallen victim to a tripwire land mine set by retreating Russian forces.
Nearby, a group of Ukrainian deminers with the country’s territorial defense forces worked to clear the area of dozens of other deadly mines and unexploded ordnance — a push to restore a semblance of safety to the cities, towns and countryside in a region that spent months under Russian occupation.
The deminers, part of the 113th Kharkiv Defense Brigade of Ukraine’s territorial defense forces, walked deep into fallow agricultural lands on Thursday along a muddy road between fields of dead sunflowers overgrown with high weeds.
Two soldiers, each with a metal detector in hand, slowly advanced up the road, scanning the ground and waiting for the devices to give a signal. When one detector emitted a high tone, a soldier knelt to inspect the mud and grass, probing it with a metal rod to see what might be buried just below the surface. Read more
Ghislaine Maxwell claims fellow prisoner ‘plotted to murder her as she slept’ (Metro)
She said jail is ‘dangerous’ in a new interview (Picture: Getty Images/Reuters)
Ghislaine Maxwell has claimed a fellow inmate threatened to kill her in her sleep in one of her first interviews since she was put behind bars for child sex trafficking.
The disgraced former socialite, 60, has described her life in prison, complaining of maggot-covered food and recalling a ‘disgusting’ incident in which she resorted to eating Vaseline.
After being locked in a ‘rat-infested’ cell, she alleges to have seen guards selling drugs and to have been placed on suicide watch as ‘punishment’.
It comes after she was sentenced to 20 years in prison for recruiting underage girls to be sexually abused by her former partner Jeffrey Epstein. Read more
Ebola lockdown declared in two districts of Uganda (BBC)
A three-week lockdown has been declared in two districts of Uganda as the country battles an Ebola outbreak.
Bars, nightclubs, places of worship and entertainment venues will be closed in Mubende and neighbouring Kassanda, and a curfew will come into force.
The move is a U-turn for Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni, who previously said there was no need for such measures.
This latest outbreak has killed 19 people among 58 recorded cases.
However, the real number of deaths and cases may be higher. Read more
Olympic Eagles intensify training ahead of Tanzania clash (Punch)
The U23 Boys’ National Team, otherwise known as Olympic Eagles, on Friday continued their build-up ahead of the upcoming 2023 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations qualifying fixture against Tanzania clash against Tanzania.
Gold medallists in the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament in Atlanta, USA in 1996, silver medallists 12 years later in China and bronze medallists in Brazil six years ago, the Nigeria team is presently training in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
On Friday, the team went through series of drills and intense tactical training under the watchful eyes of the technical crew led by Coach Salisu Yusuf, with Kennedy Boboye, Abubakar Bala and and goalkeeper’s trainer, Suleiman Shuaibu also at hand. Read more
Juventus man Pogba will be ready for World Cup (FootballItalia)
According to L’Equipe newspaper, Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba is recovering well after knee surgery and should be ready to play in the World Cup for France next month.
Pogba is yet to make his competitive debut for Juve since returning as a free agent from Manchester United over the summer, as he sustained a meniscus tear in July.
He opted for conservative treatment in order to avoid an operation, hoping to ensure he wouldn’t be at risk for the tournament in Qatar, but that failed to bring the necessary improvements.
So Pogba did go under the knife and L’Equipe claim he is now recovering so well that he will be at the disposal of Bleus boss Didier Deschamps in the 2022 World Cup. Read more
Xavi: I will leave Barca if I think I’m not the solution (RFI)
Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez says he will walk away from his post if he feels he cannot help the team improve.
The Catalans are close to elimination from the Champions League after a draw with Inter Milan on Wednesday, despite heavy summer expenditure, and have faced criticism this week, ahead of the Clasico on Sunday.
“I know there’s a lot of pressure, a lot of criticism, this is Barca,” Xavi told a press conference on Saturday.
“I will not stop working and trying. The day that I’m not sure (of myself), I will leave. I will not be a problem for Barcelona, the day I see I am not a solution.” Read more
Leicester City have to ‘fight’ due to lack of summer transfer window spending- Rodgers (Eurosport)
Brendan Rodgers suggested that a lack of transfer spending was at the root of Leicester’s struggles after a draw with Crystal Palace on Saturday.
A 0-0 stalemate was enough to lift the former Premier League champions off the bottom of the table but Nottingham Forest could leapfrog them with their game in hand, and it was another frustrating display at the King Power Stadium.
Kasper Schmeichel left Leicester in the summer to join Nice, and Wesley Fofana was sold to Chelsea for around £80 million. Wout Faes was the only player of note brought in during the summer transfer window, and at the time Rodgers suggested that the Foxes were being circumspect due to the club’s finances.
Speaking to BT Sport after the match, Rodgers praised the effort from his players. Read more
Rickie Fowler leads Zozo, eyes 1st PGA Tour win since 2019 (ESPN)
Rickie Fowler shot a 4-under 66 on Saturday to take a 1-shot lead after the third round of the Zozo Championship, putting himself in position for his first PGA Tour win in 3½ years.
Fowler last won in 2019 at the Waste Management Phoenix Open.
Keegan Bradley also had a 66 and was a shot back at the Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club on the outskirts of Tokyo. Fellow American Andrew Putnam was a further shot behind after a 68 in the only PGA Tour event in Japan.
In a closely bunched field, 10 more players were between 3 and 5 shots off the lead. Read more
Carlos Sainz wants to be in the 2023 World Championship fight ‘from the start’ (PlanetF1)
Carlos Sainz has stated his goal for 2023 is to be in the title fight “from the start” having seen his candidacy quickly end in 2022.
Of the four Red Bull and Ferrari drivers fighting for the Drivers’ Championship, it was Sainz who was first to fall out of the running. He is currently P5, having slipped behind Mercedes’ George Russell, and has not finished higher than third since his win at Silverstone.
He is on course to finish more than 50 points behind his team-mate Charles Leclerc having outscored him during his debut season at Ferrari, and is targeting a quick start to 2023 to ensure he does not find himself in the same situation this time next year.
Speaking to Spanish newspaper AS, Sainz said his goal was to fight for the championship from the opening race of the season in Bahrain. Read more