Fuel scarcity looms in Lagos, its environs as tanker drivers begin strike Monday (Vanguard)
Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, Friday directed members of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers, PTD, in Lagos zone, to shut fuel distribution in and its environs over take-over access roads to tank farms and fuel depots by containerised trucks, among other grievances.
The union is also protesting the deplorable state of the roads and alarming extortion of tanker drivers by security operatives in Lagos and its environs.
NUPENG in a statement by its President and General Secretary, Prince Williams Akporeha and Olawale Afolabi, respectively, lamented perceived failure of various authorities in the State to address three major issues that have severely caused pains and harrowing experiences on the hapless Petroleum Tanker Drivers in the State for several months now. Read more
ICPC probes LUTH CMD for ‘reckless spending, fund diversion’ (Punch)
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission says it is investigating the Chief Medical Director of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, Prof. Chris Bode.
The spokesperson for the ICPC, Mrs. Azuka Ogugua, confirmed the investigation but said she could not provide details.
The agency told our Correspondent that the CMD is under investigation over alleged budget splitting, reckless spending and diversion of funds in the hospital. Read more
Sanwo-Olu pledges to revitalise agric sector (Vanguard)
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on Friday pledged to revitalise the agriculture sector in the state toward boosting food production.
Sanwo-Olu made the pledge during the inspection of the Songhai Model of the Agricultural Youth Empowerment Scheme (AGRIC YES) located in Avia-Igborosun in Badagry.
The governor said having inspected the project, he realised that there was a need for the state intervention to improve the entire project. Read more
Lagos communities where police harass, extort youths (Punch)
Over two months after his encounter with policemen from the Lamgbasa Police Station in Ajah, memories of torture are still fresh in Akeem Adejumo’s psyche – a nasty past he wished was never part of his life.
His father sent him on an errand to Badore – some kilometres away from their Green View Estate in Ajah – in his (the father’s) Pathfinder Jeep.
On his way home, he saw an elderly neighbour who took a ride with him. As the journey continued, three policemen reportedly led by one Inspector Sunday trailed and accosted him after he dropped off the man. Read more
Man attempts to bribe policemen after stealing iPhone 11 from passenger in Lagos (Tribune)
A man was on Friday arrested in the Ipaja area of Lagos State for stealing an iPhone 11 from a passenger inside a tricycle and even went ahead to bribe policemen so as to allow him to escape.
The man, Ismaila Yusuf, was arrested by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Lagos State Police Command on Friday afternoon after the owner of the phone recognised him and raised the alarm which prompted the officers to give him a hot chase.
According to the RRS in its Twitter handle, when the man, who even has an identity card, was eventually arrested, he pleaded and offered to give them bribe which the officers rejected, leading to his eventual arrest. Read more
‘Sitting of Edo Assembly outside premises is nullity’ (Guardian)
The purported sitting last Thursday of 17 members of Edo State House of Assembly outside the Assembly premises is a nullity, according to Abeny Mohammed (SAN).
Mohammed, a human rights lawyer, in a chat with The Guardian in Ilorin, cited the Supreme Court decision in the case of Olakoju, describing any legislative assembly outside the premises of the House as null and void. He said since the concerned lawmakers had allegedly submitted themselves to the decisions of the law court by taking their matters before the court of competent jurisdiction, the onus was on them to allow for judicial pronouncements rather than resorting to self-help. Read more
Fiki, Eeflat treat fans to “Love to the beat” (Vanguard)
For an industry struggling to come to terms with the present pandemic reality, and fans lamenting the state of things, efforts of many an artiste have been geared towards lifting the moods of fans while keeping their trade going.
Afrobeats artistes, Fiki and EeFlat, have come up with a song for the season, one which they hope will uplift people’s spirits.
The single, ‘Love to the beat’ was released on streaming platforms last week and is reportedly attracting viewers in large numbers.
Following their recent song together, fans have begun pointing out the chemistry between Fiki and EeFlat as the two singers appear to complement each other with ease. Read more
COVID-19: World Bank approves $114.28 m for Nigeria (Guardian)
The World Bank has approved $114.28 million financing to help Nigeria prevent, detect and respond to the threat posed by COVID-19 with specific focus on state level responses.
According to a statement from the bank on Friday, the amount includes $100 million credit from the International Development Association (IDA) and $14.28 million grant from the Pandemic Emergency Financing Facility.
It stated that the Federal Government would provide grants to thirty-six states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) through the COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Project (CoPREP). Read more
US records more than 2,000 coronavirus deaths in single day — the most since May (NYPost)
The US saw more than 2,000 coronavirus fatalities in a single day for the first time since May — as the country’s total death toll soared to a staggering 160,000 on Friday.
There were at least 2,060 deaths reported nationwide during a 24-hour period from Wednesday night to Thursday night, according to the AFP, which cited data from Johns Hopkins University.
As illness numbers spiked, top infectious disease doctor Anthony Fauci warned there’s “trouble ahead” for some major US cities. Read more
Kerala plane crash: 17 dead after Air India plane breaks in two at Calicut (BBC)
An Air India Express plane with 190 people on board has crashed at an airport in the southern state of Kerala, killing at least 17 people, officials say.
The Boeing 737, en route from Dubai, skidded off the runway in rain and broke in two after landing at Calicut airport, aviation officials said.
The flight was repatriating Indians stranded by the coronavirus crisis.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “pained by the plane accident”.
The rescue operation at the crash site has now been completed and survivors have been taken to hospitals in Calicut and Malappuram, according to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Read more
Liberty University’s Jerry Falwell Jr. takes leave of absence amid backlash (NYPost)
Jerry Falwell Jr. has agreed to take an indefinite leave of absence from his role as president and chancellor of Liberty University, the school announced Friday.
The private evangelical Christian university issued a one-sentence statement making the announcement.
The statement said the Executive Committee of Liberty’s board of trustees, acting on behalf of the full Board, met Friday and requested that Falwell take leave, “to which he has agreed, effective immediately.” Read more
Woman in hospital after whale encounter (news.com.au)
A woman has landed in hospital after a close encounter with a whale off the coast of WA, the second such case in a week.
Perth woman Alicia Ramsay, 30, suffered bruised ribs and cuts after her collision with the 30-tonne creature, according to 9 News.
She was snorkelling as part of the Ningaloo Discovery Whale Shark tour when a female humpback and her calf arrived.
Ms Ramsey said the humpback swiped her with her fin when her calf swam between the snorkellers and its mother. Read more
Harvey Weinstein hit with yet another sexual assault suit (PageSix)
Harvey Weinstein was hit with a new lawsuit Friday by a woman who says he sexually assaulted her at film festivals in France and Canada.
The accuser, who filed the Manhattan federal suit under the pseudonym Jane Doe, claims the fallen Hollywood mogul and convicted rapist first approached her at the Cannes Film Festival in 2007 when she was a 22-year-old aspiring actress.
Weinstein told the woman he wanted to discuss her career and set up a meeting in his Majestic Hotel suite with her and his assistant, according to the suit. Read more
US election 2020: China, Russia and Iran ‘trying to influence’ vote (BBC)
William Evanina, Director of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center, warned of ongoing foreign interference in the vote
China, Russia and Iran are among countries seeking to influence the US presidential election this year, a top US intelligence chief has warned.
A statement issued by the director of US counterintelligence said foreign states are using “covert and overt influence measures” to sway the vote.
These nations “have a preference for who wins the election,” it added. Read more
Cameron Diaz reveals why she quit acting (PageSix)
Cameron Diaz quit acting five years ago and she couldn’t be more at “peace.”
During Wednesday’s “In goop Health: The Sessions” with Gwyneth Paltrow, the “Charlie’s Angels” star said Hollywood’s intensity was a major factor in her decision to step back from the spotlight.
“It’s a strange thing to say, I know a lot of people won’t understand it, I know you understand it, but it was so intense to work at that level and be that public and put yourself out there,” said Diaz, 47. “There’s a lot of energy coming at you at all times when you’re really visible as an actor and doing press and putting yourself out there.”
When asked how she felt about walking away “from a movie career of that magnitude,” Diaz said she felt a sense of calm. Read more
Man City beat Real in Champions League (BBC)
Manchester City finished off the job they started back in February by deservedly overcoming Real Madrid to reach the Champions League quarter-finals.
Pep Guardiola’s side will now face Lyon in the one-game knockout format in Lisbon after inflicting Zinedine Zidane’s first elimination from the Champions League, the French manager having won it three times in his three previous seasons in charge.
It was a victory City fully merited as their intense pressing game forced Real into numerous mistakes, with France World Cup-winning defender Raphael Varane in particular unable to cope with the pressing of Gabriel Jesus. Read more
Liverpool dominate nominees for Premier League season awards (Vanguard)
Liverpool dominate the nominations for the Premier League Player of the Season, Young Player of the Season and Manager of the Season awards for 2019-20.
Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year Jordan Henderson, along with team-mates Trent Alexander-Arnold and Sadio Mane, are up for the league’s Player of the Season prize.
Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne, Golden Boot winner Jamie Vardy, Southampton striker Danny Ings and Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope are the other nominees. Read more
Ronaldo scores twice but Juventus knocked out by Lyon (BBC)
Lyon survived a Cristiano Ronaldo-inspired comeback from Juventus to hang on and book a Champions League quarter-final against Manchester City.
Leading 1-0 from February’s first leg, the French side were handed a soft early penalty which Memphis Depay converted in style.
That left Juve needing to score three times to progress and Ronaldo got one back from the penalty spot. Read more
Osimhen: I want to emulate Maradona at Napoli (Punch)
Striker Victor Osimhen hopes to make history with his new Italian club, Napoli, like South American legends Diego Maradona, Gonzalo Higuain and Edinson Cavani did at the club, Saturday PUNCH reports.
Osimhen, 21, joined Napoli on a five-year contract with an option of an additional year in an African record €81m deal including bonuses.
Maradona inspired Napoli to two Italian championships in the 1986/87 and 1989/90 seasons, while Higuain and Cavani etched their names in the folklore of Napoli with their goalscoring heroics. Read more
Robin van Persie returns to Feyenoord as coach (BBC)
Former Arsenal and Manchester United striker Robin van Persie has returned to boyhood club Feyenoord as a coach.
Van Persie, 37, had a final season as a player with the Dutch side in 2018-19 and will now work under manager Dick Advocaat to help the forwards.
“It is not an official position so it’s hard for me to give it a title,” said the former Netherlands international. Read more
Nigerian basketball player, Ojo, dies during training in Serbia (Punch)
Michael Ojo, a Nigerian basketball player who previously played for Red Star Belgrade, died at the age of 27 during a training session in the Serbian capital on Friday, the club said.
“We are deeply saddened by the news”, Red Star’s spokesperson Igor Vujicin told AFP.
The club couldn’t confirm the cause of death, but local media reported that Ojo suffered a heart attack.
Born in Lagos, the 2.16 metre (7ft 1in) centre played for Florida State University in the United States before coming to Europe to start his professional career. Read more