How I escaped death at Ladipo gas explosion — Mechanic (Punch)
A gas explosion occurred on Tuesday morning on Ojekunle Street in the Ladipo area of Mushin, Lagos State. The PUNCH learnt that the explosion happened around 8 am.
An official of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency confirmed the incident to The PUNCH. However, he declined comments on the number of injured persons.
A young man, who simply identified himself as Ahmed, revealed that he could have been part of the casualties in the gas explosion.
Ahmed who is a mechanic’s apprentice stated that his saving grace was a boy who got hit by a motorcycle. Read more
Take responsibility of government’s assets, Sanwo-Olu tells Lagosians (Leadership)
Lagos State governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, yesterday charged residents of the state to take responsibility for the government’s assets and treat them as their personal property.
The governor stated this while commissioning the newly built multi-level car park and facility building at Onikan.
Sanwo-Olu said with new facilities in place, the age long parking problem associated with the area had been addressed.
He charged residents of the state to make good use of the property and care for it like their personal property in order to attract more of it to the area. Read more
23-year-old Oluwaseun Adeyeye is Bells University overall best student (Independent)
Oluwaseun Adebimpe Adeyeye, 23, recently registered her name in the Bells University of Technology, Ota, Ogun State hall of fame of best graduating female students like Aishat Farooq, Chika Stephen, Oroh Eloho, Oyindamola Badejo, Hamzat Temitope and Alimi Gbemisola, among others. Twenty-three-year-old Oluwaseun Adebimpe Adeyeye emerged as the Best Overall Graduate student at the 13th Convocation of the Bells University of Technology (BELLSTECH), Ota, Ogun State.
Adeyeye, a female and graduate of Electrical Electronics from the Department of Electrical, Electronics and Computer Engineering, made 4.90 Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) to emerge as the overall best student for the session.
She attended John Mackey Primary School and Ataoja School of Science, both in Osogbo, Osun State. Read more
Nigerian Comedian, Cute Abiola declared missing (Vanguard)
Nigeria Comedian, Abdulgafar Ahmad Oluwatoyin, professionally known as Cute Abiola who is also a navy personnel has been declared missing
The Instagram comedian was declared missing by his fellow comedian, Mr Macaroni who shared the news on his official Twitter account and attached to the news, is the whatsapp message he received. The message states that, he has been detained on an order from the Nigerian Navy Headquarters and the last time Cute Abiola’s wife and associates heard from him was on November 15, 2021.
The Whatsapp message read;
“Ahmed Gafar is popularly known as The Cute Abiola left his house for office at Navy Town at 06:00Am on the 15th November, 2021 and got to the office at about 07:00am or thereafter. While he got to the office, he called his wife and associates that he had gotten to the office. Read more
Sanwo-Olu inaugurates visitation panel on LASU (Punch)
Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu has inaugurated a 10-man full Visitation Panel to identify and proffer solutions to challenges in Lagos State University, Ojo.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony, held at the Lagos House, Marina on Tuesday, Sanwo-Olu said the constitution of the panel further demonstrated the government’s commitment to making LASU among the best universities in the world.
He said that the government wanted LASU to be the best in terms of quality research, pedagogical and administrative excellence, as well as industrial harmony.
The governor said the setting-up of the full visitation panel was based on the recommendation of the Prof Bamitale Omole-led LASU Vice-Chancellorship Special Visitation Panel, constituted to resolve issues trailing the appointment of the university’s ninth Vice-Chancellor. Read more
#EndSARS: Afenifere, CNPP, PDP, Bode George, Falana, Moghalu, Ugwummadu, Nwanguma demand action (Sun)
The ghost of #EndSARS, the popular movement organised by youths across the country to protest police brutality, has come to the fore, over one year after, following the release of report of probe panel report in Lagos.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, had, on October 19, 2020, inaugurated the Judicial Panel of Inquiry to investigate alleged cases of brutality and human rights violations perpetrated by the police and operatives of the dissolved Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). The panel was also saddled with the investigation of the alleged shootings that took place on October 20, 2020, at the Lekki Tollgate.
On Monday, the Justice Doris Okuwobi-led panel submitted its report, stating that the armed forces shot and killed protesters at Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos last year.
The report accused Nigerian Army officers of having “shot, injured and killed unarmed helpless and defenseless protesters, without provocation or justification while they were waving the Nigerian flag and singing the national anthem and the manner of assault and killing could, in context, be described as a massacre.”
FG unveils sectors to achieve development plan (Leadership)
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) has listed seven critical sectors the federal government will use to achieve the targets set in the new National Development Plan.
Osinbajo, who spoke on Monday during a virtual interaction at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Country Strategy Dialogue on Nigeria, said the economy is set for effective growth and job creation with a renewed focus on digital economy, significant value addition in agriculture and other sectors including oil and gas, while boosting productivity generally.
The vice president, in a statement issued by his media aide, Laolu Akande, said, “The cornerstone of our strategy is boosting productivity by focusing on value addition as the guiding principle for all sectors, especially in agriculture, manufacturing, solid minerals, digital services, tourism, hospitality and entertainment.
“There will also be specific attention to review trade policies that are rather too broad and expand the supply sides in revenues, foreign exchange and electricity,” he said. Read more
Yari, Marafa want APC to lose Zamfara in 2023 – Shinkafi (DailyTrust)
One of the All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders in Zamfara State, Dr Sani Shinkafi, has alleged that a former governor of the state, Abdulaziz Yari and Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa are sabotaging APC’s chances of retaining power in the state in 2023.
Shinkafi, a former national secretary of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), in a statement, said the duo want a repeat of the 2019 governorship election scenario where the Supreme Court ruled against the party that it did not produce valid candidates for the elections.
Marafa had conducted parallel congress in the state last Saturday and later addressed a press conference on Monday in Abuja, where he picked holes in the way the Governor Mai Mala Buni leadership of the party was handling its affairs and threatened court action, while Yari boycotted the ward congress held in the state.
But in a statement on Tuesday, Shinkafi said the congress conducted by the Marafa-led faction had no legal backing and was unconstitutional. Read more
Seafarers union speaks on arrest of over 100 fake officers (Guardian)
Seafarers union, the Nigeria Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association (NMNOWTSSA), has dissociated itself from the arrest of over 100 illegal officers operating as Merchant Navy outfit.
The Trade Union Congress’s (TUC) affiliate union, commended the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, for the timely intervention of the arrest, noting that the seafarers’ fraternity has no connection with those apprehended.
The seafarers union described the arrest as a welcome development that will serve as a deterrent to other fake body extorting teeming Nigeria youths of their hard earned money.
In a disclaimer signed by the Secretary General of the union, John Okpono Aleakhue, the union explained that it represents Nigerian seamen both locally and internationally and operates within the ambit of the law, noting that it has no link with security activities. Read more
Buhari rejoices with Jonathan at 64 (ThisDay)
President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated with former President Goodluck Jonathan as he marks his 64th birthday anniversary on Thursday, November 17.
The President, in a release on Tuesday by his Media Adviser, Femi Adesina, on behalf of the government and Nigerians, rejoiced with former President Jonathan, on his 64th birthday anniversary and congratulated him for serving the country, and working for the peace and advancement of democracy on the African continent.
The President affirmed that Dr. Jonathan continues to expand the boundaries of leadership, teaching many in the country the power of focus, consistency and diligence, having served as Deputy Governor, Governor, Vice President, President, African Union Envoy and now, Chairman of the International Summit Council for Peace Africa (ISCP-Africa).
ISCP-Africa is an association of incumbent and former heads of state and their deputies, established in 2019 by the Universal Peace Federation, an organization in general consultative status with the United Nations (UN). Read more
Fatalities from mudslides in Canada after heavy rainfall (France24)
The body of a woman was recovered from one of the mudslides caused by extremely heavy rainfall in the Pacific coast Canadian province of British Columbia, authorities said Tuesday.
Police said search and rescue personnel were continuing to look for other possible victims from Monday’s slides.
David MacKenzie, the Pemberton District Search and Rescue manager, said his team came across seven vehicles at the slide site on Highway 99 near the town of Lillooet and police were trying to determine if there were any other bodies.
“It is a significant amount of debris. It makes it very difficult for our search crews. The mud is up to their waist. I can’t recall our team being involved in anything like this in the past,” he said. Read more
House Dems tee up vote to censure Rep. Paul Gosar over AOC, Biden attack tweet (NYPost)
House Democrats will vote Wednesday on a resolution to censure and remove from his committee assignments Republican Rep. Paul Gosar of Arizona for tweeting an animated video that depicted him striking Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez with a sword and attacking President Biden.
Gosar and New York’s socialist Democrat Ocasio-Cortez, better know as AOC, both sit on the House Oversight committee. He also currently serves as the ranking member of the Natural Resources Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.
Gosar came under fire after tweeting the anime video clip with the caption “Any anime fans out there?” just over a week ago, but deleted the post after speaking with Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), and released a statement saying he does not support violence, arguing it was “a symbolic portrayal of a fight over immigration policy.”
Top Democrats argued that Gosar was inciting violence against members across the aisle, with Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Calif.) introducing the censure resolution on Friday, which has garnered the support of at least 60 Democrats. A small number of Republicans also said they are open to supporting the measure. Read more
Yellen extends date for potential debt default to December 15 (VOA)
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told Congress Tuesday that she believed she would run out of maneuvering room to avoid the nation’s first-ever default soon after December 15.
In a letter to congressional leaders, Yellen said that she believed Treasury could be left with insufficient resources to keep financing the government beyond December 15.
Yellen’s new date is 12 days later than the December 3 date she provided in a letter to Congress on October 18, after Congress had just passed a $480 billion increase in the debt limit days before as a stopgap measure.
As she has done in the past, Yellen urged Congress to deal with the debt limit quickly to remove the possibility of a potential default on the nation’s obligations. Read more
Boris Johnson to face questions on sleaze and violence against women as allegations ramp up (Sky)
Boris Johnson is to face questioning by MPs about parliamentary standards as the row over sleaze continues.
The prime minister will appear in front of the liaison committee, comprised of the chairs of all Commons select committees, from 3pm today.
He will face questions on government standards, violence against women and girls, the COP26 summit and the budget and spending review.
The main focus is expected to be on standards after a series of scandals over the past few weeks, including Conservative MPs being whipped to review the standards system and reject a recommendation that Tory MP Owen Paterson be suspended for breaching lobbying rules. Read more
Spain scraps visa requirement for UK touring musicians (Guardian)
The UK’s music industry has welcomed the decision by the Spanish government to scrap post-Brexit visa requirements for UK artists on short-term tours, but warned significant issues still remain that will make many tours “impossible”.
Spain’s announcement means UK musicians and their crew will no longer need visas for engagements of less than 90 days, a change in policy that came after months of lobbying from trade groups on both sides.
The organisation UK Music, which has described the visa requirements as “costly and bureaucratic barriers that threatened the industry’s talent pipeline”, described the move as a “big victory”.
Jamie Njoku-Goodwin, UK Music chief executive, said the decision was a first step in the right direction but added: “The lifting of visa restrictions by the Spanish government is a hugely welcome move,” he said. “However, it is important to remember that major issues still remain, particularly cabotage [the transport of goods or passengers between two places in the same country by a foreign operator], which makes many tours impossible. Read more
Kanye West meets with Drake in Toronto, squashes beef (TMZ)
Kanye West and Drake have officially buried the hatchet … because they’re hanging out together in Drake’s hometown.
Ye just posted a pic on social media showing him standing next to Drizzy … with Rap-A-Lot Records honcho J Prince, making it a group photo.
There were rumors Tuesday that Drake and Kanye squashed their beef Monday night in Toronto … and Yeezy is eliminating all doubt with his post.
Not long after Kanye posted, Drake shared a video of him and Ye together … tagging their location in Toronto. It appears they were buddy-buddy while listening to Dave Chappelle rock the mic. Read more
Jonas Brothers’ family to expand Nellie’s Southern Kitchen restaurant with second opening in Las Vegas (DailyMail)
In 2022 the Jonas Brothers – along with parents Kevin Jonas, Sr., mom Denise, and youngest brother Frankie – are expanding their family business with a second opening of their restaurant Nellie’s Southern Kitchen.
The eatery will be taken to Las Vegas next year, replicating the flagship establishment in Belmont, North Carolina.
It was inspired by their late paternal great-grandmother, Grandma Nellie.
The announcement was made via the Nellie’s Southern Kitchen Instagram account on Monday. Read more
WCQ: Super Eagles survive Cape Verde scare to seal playoff spot (Soccernet)
The three-time African champions will fight for one of the five African slots in Qatar next year after playing out a draw with Cape Verde
Nigeria’s Super Eagles played out a 1-1 draw with Cape Verde to seal their place in the playoff round of the CAF 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
The Super Eagles knew they only needed a point going into their final group game against the Blue Sharks to take their place in the playoffs, and they managed to achieve that at the Teslim Balogun Stadium.
Gernot Rohr’s men got off to a very good start as Victor Osimhen put them ahead inside the opening minute. Read more
Adebola: The youngster who model his game after Marcelo (Punch)
It is the dream of every youngster to one day meet their role model and even get a chance to share the same dressing room with them, Adebola Ahmed, a 15-year-old footballer is no different.
The youngster, a product of Maradona FC in Ijaiye, Lagos, said in an interview with PUNCH Sports Extra that one of his biggest dreams was to one day meet Real Madrid and Brazilian defender, Marcelo, his role model.
Speaking about his role model in football, Adebola said, “Marcelo is my role model and I watch his game a lot so I can learn from him. He is one of the best full-backs I have ever seen and despite his age he continues to deliver whenever he is on the pitch.
“It will be a dream come true if I can get to meet him and nothing will excite me more than sharing the same dressing room with him.” Read more
Newcastle United confirm multiple changes to coaching staff under Eddie Howe (Metro)
A change in manager always means a change to the coaching staff as well and that is what has happened at Newcastle United, with the club confirming ingoings and outgoings under new boss Eddie Howe.
Former Bournemouth boss Howe was appointed as Steve Bruce’s replacement at St James’ Park earlier this month and brought with him Jason Tindall, who he worked with during his time with the Cherries.
The Magpies have now added three more former Bournemouth men, with First team coaches Stephen Purches and Simon Weatherstone coming in, and Dan Hodges joining the sports science department.
Howe is keeping hold of some of the existing members of staff, though, ensuring some stability with assistant head coach Graeme Jones, first team development coach Ben Dawson and goalkeeper coach Simon Smith staying on. Read more
Fans slam Rohr for starting Ighalo (Punch)
Fans have slammed Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr, for starting Al Shabab striker, Odion Ighalo, in their all-important final Group C Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifier against Cape Verde at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos on Tuesday.
Goals from Victor Osimhen in the opening minute of the encounter and Stopira in the sixth minute ensured that the game ended in a draw – the result see the Eagles go through to the playoff round of the qualifiers.
Rohr gave a starting role to Ighalo ahead of Leicester City striker, Kelechi Iheanacho with the former Manchester United player failing to make a mark on his first match since his return to the national team after a two-year hiatus.
Ighalo could have added to Nigeria’s tally in the first half but miscued his shot. Read more
Andy Halliday admits Rangers manager first choice has already slipped through their fingers (TheNational)
Andy Halliday is confident that Giovanni van Bronckhorst will be the perfect replacement for Steven Gerrard at Rangers.
The former Dutch international is favourite to take over at Ibrox after Gerrard departed Glasgow for Aston Villa this week.
It was reported that the Dutchman held talks with Rangers in London over the weekend while fresh reports claim Frank Lampard is not under consideration.
Halliday reckons van Bronckhorst would be a good fit for his former club, but he also revealed that he would have liked to have seen ex-Rangers coach Michael Beale offered the job. Read more
Canelo Alvarez gets WBC’s approval to fight Ilunga Junior Makabu for cruiserweight title (ABC)
Canelo Alvarez could chase a title in a fifth weight class.
At the WBC Convention on Wednesday in Mexico City, the organization approved the request of Canelo’s trainer and manager, Eddy Reynoso, to have Alvarez challenge Ilunga Junior Makabu for the cruiserweight championship.
Alvarez, ESPN’s No. 1 pound-for-pound boxer, became undisputed champion at 168 pounds earlier this month with an 11th-round TKO of Caleb Plant. A win over Makabu would make Canelo (57-1-2, 39 KOs) a five-division champion.
Alvarez has never competed at cruiserweight, so Reynoso needed to petition the WBC to order the title fight. Now that the fight has been approved, negotiations can begin, and if no deal is struck, a purse bid will be ordered. Read more
Tennis Stars Raise Awareness for Missing Retired WTA Veteran Peng Shuai (SportsIlustrated)
The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) chair and chief executive Steve Simon called for a “full, fair and transparent” investigation by the Chinese government on Sunday after retired tennis star Peng Shuai accused a former high-ranking member of the Chinese Communist Party of sexual assault.
This is the first public accusation of this nature against a senior Communist Party official, and since Shuai’s Nov. 2 post on Weibo, a Chinese social media platform, the WTA veteran has reportedly not been heard from directly.
Simon told The New York Times that WTA received confirmation from the Chinese Tennis Association (CTA) and other sources that the tennis star is “safe and not under any physical threat.” But, he added that no one at WTA has been able to speak directly with Shuai yet.
“If at the end of the day, we don’t see the appropriate results from this, we would be prepared to take that step and not operate our business in China if that’s what it came to,” Simon told The Times. Read more
