How Iya Funmi died in Mushin gas explosion after displacement from former ‘puff puff’ stand (Vanguard)
Emotions have continued to run high following the death of Iya Funmi in Tuesday’s gas explosion on Ojekunle Street, off Ladipo Street, in the Mushin area of Lagos State.
Iya Funmi was among the five that were recovered dead. But her case evoked deeper emotions among survivors and people who knew her.
The mother of two young children, Funmi and Emma, had moved her ‘puff-puff’ frying business to the location when her former business spot was sold and she was asked to leave.
The explosion
On Tuesday, November 16, she resumed at her sales spot to begin the business of the day. Read more
12 suspects arraigned over killing of police officer in Lagos (Channels)
Police authorities in Lagos State say they have arrested 12 suspects in connection with the murder of a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), Kazeem Abonde.
Abonde, a lawyer, was six months away from retirement before he was killed on September 23 during a raid on criminal hideouts at Ajao Estate.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Adekunle Ajisebutu, said the suspects who were nabbed after investigation would be charged to court on Wednesday.
“The arrest of one Ismaila Abdullahi Haruna, aged 23 years, and 11 other suspects was made possible as a result of a four-week intensive but diligent investigation carried out by crack detectives of the Command,” the statement read. Read more
Senate probes Lagos gas explosion (Punch)
The Senate on Tuesday demanded an investigation into the remote and immediate cause of the gas explosion at Ladipo Spare Parts Market area of Mushin Local Government Area of Lagos State.
The incident led to the death of at least five persons including a 10-year-old boy.
The decision of the Senate followed the approval of a motion of urgent public importance moved by Senator Solomon Adeola (APC, Lagos West).
He drew the attention of the Senate to yet another explosion in his senatorial district resulting in fatalities. Read more
Ladipo market explosion caused by acetylene gas – LPG retailers (Guardian)
The Liquefied Petroleum Gas Retailers (LPGAR), branch of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), says Tuesday’s explosion at Ladipo Spare Part Market, Lagos was caused by acetylene gas.
Its National Secretary, Mr Olukayode Solomon, made the clarification in a statement issued on Wednesday in Lagos while commiserating with the families of the victims of the explosion.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that five persons were killed in the explosion which occurred at an acetylene gas retailing outlet located at No. 33/35 Ojekunle St., Ladipo Spare Part Market, Lagos.
Solomon noted that the incident was not in anyway related to Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) which is popularly called cooking Gas. Read more
Ojodu LCDA meets stakeholders to deliberate 2022 Appropriation Bill (Independent)
The Ojodu Local Council Development Area on Tuesday met stakeholders and residents of the LCDA to deliberate on the 2022 budget, which the council chairman, David Odunmbaku is set to present to the legislative arm of the LCDA anytime soon.
The meeting, according to Odunmbaku, was also to foster a relationship between his administration and the people of the area.
The meeting held at the council secretariat afforded the council chairman the opportunity to interact with property owners and residents on the year 2022 Budget appropriation.
In his words, the council boss said, “Honestly, your support and understanding have been tremendous and remarkable. With this forum, we have commenced the Budget cycle for 2022 and we need to align ourselves with you to be sure that your needs are catered for. Read more
#EndSARS: Timi Frank tackles Buhari, Sanwo-Olu over Lekki tollgate massacre (Vanguard)
Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, on Wednesday, berated President Muhammdu Buhari over the Lekki Toll Gate incident that saw the killing of defenseless protest.
He equally berated the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, over the incident that took place in a state he is the chief security officer.
Frank in a statement in Abuja, said it is necessary to blame President Buhari and Governor Sanwo-Olu over the Lekki Toll Gate massacre since Buhari is the
Commander-In-Chief (C-In-C) of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and therefore must take full responsibility of the dastardly action of the army personnel against defenseless and peaceful protesters on that fateful night.
Frank, who is the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), Ambassador to East Africa and Middle East, insisted that Sanwo-Olu, as Chief Security Officer of Lagos State, is also to be blamed the crackdown on youth exercising their constitutional rights to assemble and protest against ills in society. Read more
Reps pass bill to make healthcare free to children for 2nd reading (DailyTrust)
The House of Representatives has passed for second reading a bill to make healthcare delivery for Nigerian children free and compulsory.
The bill, sponsored by Bello Kaoje (APC, Kebbi), was passed during the plenary on Wednesday.
Presenting the bill, Kaoje said the bill was read the first time in July.
He said that the proposed bill was occasioned by the fact that children’s health is different from that of adults because they are exposed to so many risks. Read more
Buhari celebrates Olanipekun @70 (Independent)
President Muhammadu Buhari has on Wednesday celebrated former President, Nigerian Bar Association, Wole Olanipekun, ahead of the latter’s 70th birthday.
In a statement titled, ‘President Buhari Greets Foremost Lawyer, Wole Olanipekun at 70’’, the President commended the ex-NBA boss for replicating himself in his four biological offspring, who are all lawyers.
The statement read, “President Muhammadu Buhari rejoices with former President, Nigerian Bar Association, Chief Wole Olanipekun on the occasion of his 70th birthday, November 18, 2021.
“The President salutes a life dedicated to jurisprudence and service to the country, which has pedestaled Chief Olanipekun as a former Attorney General/Commissioner for Justice in Ondo State, one time NBA President, Vice President Pan African Lawyers Union, Life Bencher among others. He is equally a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, and Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic, OFR. Read more
PDP tackles Akeredolu over son’s appointment as DG (Vanguard)
The appointment of the son of the Ondo state governor, Babajide as the Director General of Performance and Project Implementation Monitoring Unit (PPMIU) by his father, Rotimi Akeredolu has pitched him against the opposition Peoples Democratic Party in the state.
Governor Akeredolu last night nominated 14 commissioners, seven Special Advisers and his Son, Babajide as the DG of PPMIU.
This is coming a few days after a group, Ondo state Concerned Timber Merchants (OSCTIM) alleged a clandestine plot by governor Akeredolu to hand over the state forest reserve to a consultant company allegedly linked with his son, Babajide.
Reacting to the appointment of Babajide, the state PDP in a statement by its Publicity Secretary Kennedy Peretei in Akure described it ” is a flagrant abuse of office and affront on the people of Ondo State. Read more
Ciara and her kids will meet with Jill Biden at the White House to encourage vaccinations (People)
Ciara and her family are taking a trip to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue!
The 36-year-old singer and her three children – daughter Sienna Princess, 4, and sons Future Zahir, 7, and Win Harrison, 1, – will visit the White House today in a push to promote vaccinations for 5- to 11-year-olds, a White House official tells PEOPLE.
There, the family will meet with first lady Dr. Jill Biden and pediatrician Dr. Hina Talib to discuss the importance of vaccinations for kids in that age bracket. In late October, the FDA authorized the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use in children ages 5 to 11 in the fight against the viral disease.
“She has been eager to engage around vaccinations and particularly interested in promoting children vaccinations,” the White House official says of Ciara. Read more
Fox News host Jesse Watters suggests Kamala could be replaced as Vice President (Mirror)
Fox News host Jesse Watters implied that Biden may be considering removing Kamala Harris as Vice President after he said his network had heard ‘whispers’ of confirmation hearings in Congress.
‘Our Capitol Hill Correspondent Chad Pergram tells us he’s been hearing whispers suggesting there could be some new high-profile confirmation hearings on the horizon in the House of Representatives,’ said Watters during the segment.
‘Why is this a big deal? Because the house does not confirm normal nominees. But it does confirm vice-presidential nominees. Does this have something to do with Kamala Harris? It’s been no secret she’s been running out of favor with the Biden team,’ he added.
The host touched on reports over the weekend that the Biden-Harris post-election bliss, had worn out as aides became frustrated with her awkward laugh, ‘dysfunction and lack of focus,’ and low approval rate of just 28 per cent. Read more
Microsoft to host African programmers, developers at Innovate with C# (Sun)
Microsoft Africa Development Center (Microsoft ADC), the engineering centre for Microsoft, is set to kick off its first skill-based user group event on November 18, tagged “Innovate with C#”.
According to the organisers, Innovate with C# is an expert hands-on event for developers, engineers and programmers in Africa who build programmes and applications with C#, which is the most popular among Microsoft’s stack of languages that provides a broad spectrum of components covering business-oriented to system-oriented projects that is commonly used in the building of Website Applications, Windows Applications and Gaming.
Speaking on the Innovate with C# event, Mads Torgersen, Lead Designer of C# Programming Language and Program Manager at Microsoft, expressed excitement, adding that it is time to learn from African Developers.
‘It’s very exciting to see initiatives and events like this being organised to engage the C# Community across West Africa and Kenya. I am thrilled to be speaking about C# 10 at the Innovate with C# event by the Microsoft Africa Development Centre and to learn from the African developer community throughout the event.’ Read more
Afghanistan: Deadly bomb blast in Shiite neighbourhood in Kabul (DW)
A bomb blast killed at least one person in a neighborhood of Kabul populated largely by people from the Hazara Shiite minority on Wednesday, the Taliban confirmed.
The explosion happened in the Dast-e-Barchi district. One civilian was killed and six were injured, Interior Ministry spokesperson Qari Sayeed Khosty said on Twitter. Other witnesses reported more casualties.
“Our initial information shows the bomb was attached to a minibus. We have launched an investigation,” a Taliban official told the AFP news agency.
“I heard a huge explosion… when I looked around a minibus and a taxi were on fire,” he added. Read more
Crown Gospel Music Awards to be broadcast on SABC 2 (TheSouthAfrican)
Gospel artists, producers and several actors attended the 14th annual Crown Gospel Music Awards held at The Playhouse Theatre in Durban on Friday 12 November. The awards are set to be broadcast on SABC 2 on Sunday 28 November at 20:00 for gospel lovers to watch.
The Crown Gospel Music Awards were hosted by pastor and musician Khaya Mthethwa, who stole the show in a burgundy suit. As per The Citizen, the organisers of the awards praised the Idols SA season eight winner for handling the awards with “poise and refined mastery”.”
The Crown Gospel Music Awards’ founder Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule opened the awards with a heartfelt speech, thanking God for carrying over the awards for 14 years.
“Through the Crown Gospel Music Awards we have not only been able to celebrate artists but we created a platform where musicians can be recognised for their God-given talent.” Read more
US offering funding to increase COVID-19 vaccines internationally (PBS)
The Biden administration is making billions of dollars available to drugmakers to scale up domestic production of COVID-19 vaccines in the hopes of building capacity to produce an additional 1 billion shots per year to share with the world.
Under the new initiative, the Department of Health and Human Services’ Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority is soliciting pharmaceutical companies that have demonstrated the ability to make the more-effective mRNA vaccines to bid for government investment in scaling up their manufacturing abilities. Drugmakers Pfizer and Moderna produce the two U.S.-approved mRNA shots.
The Biden administration believes the boosted capacity of COVID-19 shots will help ease a global shortage of doses, particularly in lower- and middle-income nations, stopping preventable death and limiting the development of potentially new, more dangerous variants of the virus.
The initiative comes as the Biden White House has faced growing pressure at home and abroad over inequity in the global vaccine supply — as the U.S. moves toward approving booster shots for all adults while vulnerable people in poorer nations wait for their first dose of protection. Read more
Police say Liverpool bomber acted alone, bought parts over 7 months (NYPost)
The suspected terrorist who was killed when his homemade bomb exploded in a taxi outside a British hospital had planned the attack for at least seven months — and appears to have acted alone, police said Wednesday.
Emad Al Swealmeen, 32, died when the explosion ripped through the taxi as it pulled up outside Liverpool Women’s Hospital on Sunday morning.
The quick-thinking cabbie, who reportedly locked Al Swealmeen inside the vehicle, escaped with minor injuries.
The failed asylum seeker, who suffered from bouts of mental illness, rented a property in the city in April and had made “relevant purchases” for his bomb since “at least” that time, said Russ Jackson, who heads counterterrorism policing in northwest England. Read more
Touring Israel, Miss Universe says pageant should not be politicised (TimesOfIsrael)
The reigning Miss Universe said Wednesday that the long-running beauty pageant shouldn’t be politicized, even though its next edition is being held in Israel amid pressure on contestants to drop out in solidarity with the Palestinians.
The 70th Miss Universe pageant is being staged in the southern Israeli resort city of Eilat in December. Dozens of contestants from around the world will arrive there in the coming weeks to compete in national costumes, evening gowns and swimwear. They’ll also have their public speaking prowess tested with a series of interview questions.
But the pageant is in the spotlight for being held in Israel amid boycott calls against the country over its treatment of the Palestinians. At least one country has already called off its participation.
“Everyone with different beliefs, with different backgrounds, with different cultures, they all come together and when you are in there you forget about politics, about your religion,” Andrea Meza, the current Miss Universe, told The Associated Press ahead of a tour of Jerusalem’s Old City. “It’s just about embracing other women.” Read more
Naomi Osaka voices concern over Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai (BBC)
World tennis champion Naomi Osaka has become the latest athlete to voice concerns over the whereabouts of Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai.
One of China’s biggest sporting stars, Ms Peng has not been heard from since she made sexual assault allegations against a top Chinese official.
The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) said it had confirmed that she is “safe and not under any physical threat”.
However, they were not able to directly reach her. Read more
Table Tennis: Quadri, Olajide, three others for World Championship (Sun)
Barely a week to the start of the 2021 International Table Tennis championship, five Nigerian players are among the players that will compete for honours in the competition, BSNsports.com.ng can report.
Germany based Aruna Quadri will lead the quartet of Olajide Omotayo, Bode Abiodun, Edem Offiong and Cecelia Akpan to the tournament.
This historic event in Table Tennis, dating as far back as 1926, will showcase the world’s best table tennis players and it’s scheduled to serve off from 23rd-29th November this year in Houston, United States.
The World Table Tennis Championship was last held in Budapest in 2019. The Team edition was scheduled to take place in the Republic of Korea, in Busan last year was postponed and eventually cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more
Liverpool expect Andy Robertson to miss Arsenal clash with hamstring injury (Metro)
Liverpool expect Andy Robertson to miss Arsenal clash with hamstring injury
The left-back had to be subbed off against Denmark on Monday (Picture: Getty)
Liverpool are sweating over the fitness of Andy Robertson ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash against Arsenal after he picked up an injury playing for Scotland.
The left-back started Monday’s crucial World Cup qualifier against Denmark but was forced off the field in the 79th minute clutching the back of his leg and was replaced by Scott McKenna.
Fortunately for Scotland, they managed to double their lead through Che Adams shortly after Robertson’s withdrawal to secure a 2-0 victory that means they are seeded for the World Cup play-offs.
Liverpool expect Andy Robertson to miss Arsenal clash with hamstring injury
Robertson was forced off late on against Denmark (Picture: Getty)
But the Liverpool defender is now a major doubt to take on Arsenal with The Times reporting that he has sustained a hamstring injury. Read more
Premier League chairman Gary Hoffman resigns amid Newcastle takeover scrutiny (ChronicleLive)
Gary Hoffman has resigned from his role as Chairman of the Premier League.
The Premier League boss will step down from the role at the end of January 2022.
It follows on from backlash from Premier League clubs after the recent Newcastle takeover.
Mike Ashley’s £300m sale to the consortium consisting of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, PCP Capital Partners and the billionaire Reuben brothers was finally given the green light last month. Read more
Denmark to wear ‘human rights messages’ on training shirts at World Cup in Qatar (EveningStandard)
Denmark’s players will wear messages in support of human rights on their training kits at next year’s World Cup in Qatar.
The country’s qualification for the tournament was confirmed last month, but the Danish Football Association (DBU) have said they remain committed to work for positive change in Qatar.
Humanitarian organisation Amnesty International this week released a 48-page report claiming migrant workers in the Middle Eastern country continue to be exploited despite labour reforms in 2017, an accusation that Qatar has refuted.
The organisation also urged England, who qualified for the World Cup with victory over San Marino on Monday, to highlight human rights concerns. Read more
FIA insists it isn’t being killjoy over seatbelt ruling (Motorsport)
FIA Formula 1 race director Michael Masi insists that the fine handed to Lewis Hamilton in Brazil for undoing his belts is not meant to stop drivers celebrating race victories.
Hamilton was reported to the stewards for unfastening his belts on his slowing down lap after the flag, and after an investigation he was fined €5000, with a further €20,000 suspended to the end of 2022.
In their judgement the stewards noted that they were “sympathetic to the desire to celebrate” but added “it is fundamentally unsafe to undo the seatbelts while the car is in motion. Slow speeds in these cars are very fast for an unrestrained occupant.
“Further, F1 drivers set the example for junior categories. It is critical that junior category drivers learn the importance of using all the safety devices of the car at all times.” Read more
Staples Center to be renamed Crypto.com Arena on Christmas Day (TheSource)
Staples Center will be no more once December comes. According to ESPN, the famous arena in downtown Los Angeles will be known as Crypto.com beginning Christmas Day. Also on that day, the Lakers will host the Brooklyn Nets in the NBA’s annual Christmas slate.
The home to the Los Angeles Lakers, Clippers, Kings, and Sparks will no longer carry the name of Staples, ending a 22-year run. Crypto.com is paying a reported $700 million over 20 years for the rights to name the building.
Crypto.com is a cryptocurrency platform and exchange headquartered in Singapore and has already dabbled in sports spending in the last year, buying batches on the Philadelphia 76ers jerseys and other sponsorship deals.
“It’s kind of like just stripping the history here by calling it something else,” said Clipper star Paul George. Read more
England out-half George Ford to leave Premiership leaders Leicester Tigers (The42)
England out-half George Ford will join Sale Sharks ahead of the 2022-23 Gallagher Premiership season.
The 28-year-old, capped by England on 77 occasions, has signed a three-year deal.
Ford, who returned to Leicester Tigers in 2017, will now leave Welford Road for a second time, having previously joined Bath in 2013.
Following the announcement, Ford, who elected against taking up an option to stay with the Tigers, said: “It has been the most difficult decision of my career. I am proud and grateful to represent this great club at Leicester and I will give my all for the rest of my time at Tigers.” Read more