How we’re tackling corruption in maritime operations –NPA MD (Punch)
The Nigerian Ports Authority is taking stringent measures to tackle unwholesome tendencies in maritime business to entrench confidence in the system, its Acting Managing Director, Mr Mohammed Bello-Koko, has said.
He told newsmen on Sunday in Lagos that one of the measures was a general
redeployment of security officials that had stayed for a long time on their beats.
“What we have discovered is that there are security officials that have been working within the area we call the red zone, which is the Tin Can, Apapa area, for four, five or six years, and they are still there.
“We have requested that they should be posted out of that location and a new set of people that will actually and truly work for Nigeria taken there. Read more
Lagos police investigate death of FAAN’s AGM (Nation)
The Lagos State police command, says it has begun an investigation into the death of Mr Abdulrahaman Musa, Assistant General Manager (AGM), Electrical Engineering Department, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria ( FAAN), Lagos.
The police spokesman in Lagos, CSP Adekunle Ajisebutu, confirmed the investigation to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday.
Ajisebutu, however, did not give details of how far the investigation had gone.
“The case is under investigation at Abattoir Police Division. Arrest is not to my knowledge yet,” he said. Read more
NDLEA arrests notorious drug dealer behind London-bound multiple consignments (Sun)
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency(NDLEA), has arrested a notorious drug dealer, Okoli Collins Ikenna, who is the mastermind of recent multiple attempts to export illicit drugs to London in the United Kingdom through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, and some courier companies in Lagos.
Okoli has been on court bail following his arrest in November 2020 and subsequent arraignment before a Lagos Federal High Court for attempting to export 15.700kgs of Methamphetamine to Australia.
A statement by the Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi said series of investigations into recent multiple attempts to export illicit drugs to the UK led to the arrest of the drug dealer on Tuesday 2nd November, when he was caught with 78 parcels of Cannabis, concealed in black soap packs labelled as Dudu Osun, with a total weight of 12.250 kilograms heading to United Kingdom.
Further investigation also revealed that Okoli is the one behind the attempt to export 7.350kgs of Cannabis to the UK on Thursday 21st October, a consignment that was intercepted at NAHCO export shed of the MMIA. Read more
Nigerians expecting too much from Mr President, says Fashola (Guardian)
Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola has said Nigerians are not fully aware of the role of each of the three tiers of government and they expect the President to do everything.
The former Governor of Lagos State, who was the guest speaker at the Yoruba Tennis Club public lecture, with the theme, ‘What can the President do for me?, said Nigerians must learn to channel some of their demands to their local council chairmen and state governors.
In his words: “Some say the office of the Vice President is just a spare tyre, but the statement is not factual, and that the VP has no power of his own is a lack of knowledge of the constitution.
Fashola who faulted the assertion that the Nigerian President is the most powerful President in the world stressed: “if you go through the constitution, you will find out that the office of the president is referred to 48 times. 23 instances refer to the power the President can exercise, nine of those powers are subject to the National Assembly, four instances refers to powers exercised by the president subject to other institutions, nine instances refer to the President function and duty, three instances refers to restrictions on the power of the President so, how is Nigerian President the most powerful in the world? So, some are conflicting the power of the president with the function of the President which is misleading. Read more
Anambra Poll: Soludo takes 10 of 11 LGAs declared (Vanguard)
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has started collating the results from the local government areas of the state after Saturday’s election.
Out of the 11 local government areas so far declared, the candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Professor Chukwuma Soludo has won 10, while the candidate of the Young Progressives Party, YPP, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah has won one.
The local government areas won by Soludo are Dunukofia, Awka South, Oyi, Ayamelum, Anaocha, Anambra East, Idemili South, Onitsha South and Njikoka.
The local government won by Ubah is his Nnewi North. Read more
Return of schools to missionaries yielding desired results in Ekiti ― Fayemi (Tribune)
Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has said that the return of schools to their original owners by his administration has started yielding desired results by way of healthy competition among old students to make an impact in their schools.
Fayemi who stated this at the weekend at Christ’s School, Ado Ekiti during the commissioning of the renovated Archive/Museum building by the Class of 1967/71 in commemoration of the 50th year of their graduation from the School, called on old students to always give back to their alma mater in order to ensure continuity of development in the school.
While commending the set for the wonderful work they are doing to elevate the school, especially fixing a project that binds all students together, the Governor assured them that he would rally support for them to ensure that they complete all they set their minds to do for the school.
The governor said: “And now that we have returned the school back to its original owner, the way old students are really competing healthily to pull back to the school is something I find most remarkable and my set is also involved in the competition as we have tarred the two roads in the boys and girls sections and I think the set after us did the old sickbay and now you are doing this. If we all pull back little by little, we would not only rekindle what this place used to be, we would have a brand new school we would be proud to send our children back to.
Why we want another airport in Edo – Deputy Governor (Vanguard)
The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Comrade Philip Shaibu on Sunday said the need to promote commercial activities and the presence of agro and natural resources in Edo North Senatorial District informed the reason the state government in collaboration with the federal government is nursing the establishment of a second airport in the state.
The Deputy governor stated this when he accompanied a team from the Federal Ministry of Aviation and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on an inspection tour of the proposed site for the airport.
Represented by his Chief of Staff, Jimoh Ejegbai Esq. Shaibu said “airports are important parts of economic infrastructure which significantly contribute to economic growth and overall development. When completed, the airport will fuel economic development in Edo North by attracting investors and promoting commerce due to massive raw materials naturally deposited in the district”.
He maintained that the Governor Godwin Obaseki administration is deliberate and methodical in ensuring that no economic potential is neglected but must be exploited by creating the enabling environment for investors to take over the driver seat through the provision of necessary infrastructure adding that the decision to establish the airport in the location was taken by the State joint committee and the choice of Uzairue was unanimous due to the high presence of industrial and agro processing factories in the area with access to good road network. Read more
Panic in A’Ibom community as gas well head explodes (Nation)
There was panic in Ebekpi community in Esit Eket local government area of Akwa Ibom State at the weekend when a gas wellhead operated by Savannah Energy limited exploded.
The explosion caused villagers in Ebekpi and other surrounding communities to scamper following the gas leakage, which occurred for over five hours.
When The Nation visited the scene of the incident, a fire service vehicle believed to have come from Eket fire service parked nearby.
The village head of Ebekpi, Chief Ama Bassey Joseph lamented the hazard caused by the eruption and called on relevant authorities to ascertain the level of environmental damage for possible compensation. Read more
Tongues wag as Jonathan, Sambo shun PDP functions (DailyTrust)
Tongues have continued to wag in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the lackadaisical attitudes of former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and his deputy, Namadi Sambo, towards the affairs of the party.
By virtue of the positions they occupied, the duo are seen as the national leaders of the main opposition party in the country. Both of them were in charge of the country’s affairs from 2010 to 2015 on the platform of the party before losing the 2015 presidential election to the incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
During the last weekend’s national convention of the party in Abuja, Jonathan and Sambo were absent. There have been reports that they are romancing with top shots of the ruling party.
Many were not shocked when Jonathan was absent during the just concluded national convention of the PDP as the former president has been shunning functions of the party that brought him to limelight. In the last two years, he has not been seen at functions of the party, both in Abuja and Bayelsa. Read more
UB40 founding member Astro dies after short illness (Sky)
UB40 founding member Astro has died at the age of 64.
The musician, whose real name is Terence Wilson, passed away after a short illness.
Announcing the news, the band said they are “absolutely devastated and completely heartbroken”.
“The world will never be the same without him,” they said in a statement.
“We ask you to please respect his family’s privacy at this incredibly difficult time.” Read more
Rapper Travis Scott ‘devastated’ after Astroworld festival deaths (Guardian)
The rapper Travis Scott has said he is “devastated” after the deaths of at least eight people at his Astroworld music festival and urged those with information to contact the authorities as at least two investigations, one of them criminal, got under way into the deadly crush.
Eight people were killed in a crowd surge at the Houston festival on Friday night, ranging in age from 14 to 27, and dozens were injured in a rush towards the stage shortly after 9pm, while Scott was performing.
Officials in Houston said autopsies on Friday’s victims were being performed as soon as possible so their bodies could be returned to family members, with the identities of some of the dead expected to be released on Sunday.
In statements posted to Twitter and Instagram, Scott said the police had his total support as they “look into this tragic loss of life” and would work with the Houston community to “heal and support” families in need. He said he could “just not imagine the severity of the situation” from the stage. Read more
Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx says he wants to release a children’s book in 2022 (NME)
Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx has opened up on his intent to release a children’s book next year, saying in a new interview that he and his wife are currently working on the title.
In a recent chat with The Aquarian (as reported by Blabbermouth), Sixx explained that his as-yet-untitled endeavour into the world of junior literature would follow the adventures of “this little girl who goes to all of these countries in her imagination”.
Hinting at what those adventures could entail, Sixx said the book’s lead could journey to Africa where “she has this little African boy or girl teaching her about that culture”, or to Wyoming, where she “learns about horses” before jetting off to Japan to learn “about the food and the culture and the language”.
Sixx set a 2022 release for the book, then expounded on his concept further in another interview with Radio BOB! He told the German broadcaster that his book is intended “for parents to read to kids about diversity and mostly around the last administration”, admitting that it “really bothered [him] how everybody was so divided” after Donald Trump served as the US’ 45th President. Read more
British man arrested in Cork charged over threat to Labour MP (Examiner)
A British man arrested in Cork on suspicion of making threats to kill an MP has been charged.
The man, 41, from England, was detained in Douglas on the south side of the city on Saturday.
The arrest was made as gardaí executed a search warrant at a residential property.
During the course of the search, a number of electronic items were seized. Read more
Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi survives assassination attempt (UPI)
Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi called for “calm and restraint from everyone” after he survived an assassination attempt Sunday from an explosive-laden drone.
“Thank God, I am fine and among my people,” he posted on Twitter.
The Iraqi military said Al-Kadhimi was unharmed.
Security forces were “taking the necessary measures in connection with this failed attempt,” the military said.
Treasury Department hits Iran with new sanctions
Security forces shot down two of three drones, according to Ministry of Interior Spokesman General Saad Maan, speaking to the state-run Al-Iraqiya news network. Read more
Palestinians pan Israel for opposing US consulate in Jerusalem (TimesofIsrael)
The Palestinians on Sunday slammed Israel for resisting the promised reopening of the US consulate in Jerusalem, a move that would restore Washington’s main diplomatic mission for the Palestinians in the city.
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said late Saturday there was no room in Jerusalem for another American mission.
US President Joe Biden has pledged to reopen the consulate, but the issue has been a sticking point between Israel and the US, as well as among some members of Congress. The consulate was shuttered by then-US president Donald Trump in 2019 and its staff was folded into the US embassy — which had been moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem a year earlier — in what the Palestinians view as a downgrading of their ties with the US.
Though reopening the consulate, which is located in the west of the capital and not East Jerusalem, could help mend US ties with the Palestinians ruptured under Trump, Israel says such a move would challenge its sovereignty over the city.
Phillip Schofield reunites with wife Steph as they head to Adele event in London (DailyStar)
This Morning presenter Phillip Schofield has reunited with his wife Steph, as the pair headed to the star-studded Adele concert on Saturday night.
Stepping out in the capital, the silver fox looked swish as he attended the hotly-anticipated event with his wife.
The couple looked glamorous as they attended the event, which took place in London.
Attended by an abundance of famous faces, the pair were glowing as they posed for the paparazzi on the red carpet while arriving at the London Palladium. Read more
Serena Williams: I’m definitely ready for Australian Open (TennisWorld)
After Serena Williams got injured in the first round of Wimbledon and missed the whole US Open too, she is now mentally ready to compete again in the top tier of WTA Tennis, as we can denote from her recent Jimmy Kimmel Live interview.
Asked if she will be ready for the Australian Open, Serena Williams made the audience cheer out of joy. “Yeah, I’m definitely,” said Williams. Before she
announced her intention to play at the Australian Open, Serena revealed that her hamstring injury suffered in the first round of Wimbledon is recovering well.
“My hamstring is better. It took a long time, it’s like forever, but it’s much better now,” said Serena. The American tennis icon also talked about how the pain emerged at the All England Club.
Australian Open was one of the two most productive Grand Slams for Serena Williams alongside Wimbledon, as the tennis icon won 7 singles titles in each of the two major tournaments. Read more
Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez knocks out Caleb Plant to become undisputed super-middleweight champion (Metro)
Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez is the undisputed super-middleweight champion of the world after a thrilling knockout victory over Caleb Plant in Las Vegas.
Having collected the WBC, WBA and WBO belts during an incredible run over the last 11 months, he has now unified the division by taking Plant’s IBF title after an 11th round knockout.
Canelo becomes just the sixth man to unify his division in boxing’s four-belt era after Bernard Hopkins, Jermain Taylor, Terence Crawford, Oleksandr Usyk and Josh Taylor.
He is the first man to achieve that feat in the super-middleweight division. Read more
Bodybuilding icon Shawn Rhoden dead at age 46 in latest tragedy for muscle world (RT)
The bodybuilding world is mourning after former Mr Olympia champion ShawnRhoden was found dead of a reported heart attack at the age of 46. Rhoden had made history by winning bodybuilding’s biggest prize in 2018.
The news of Rhoden’s death was confirmed by his trainer, Chris Aceto, while Generation Iron reported the cause was a fatal heart attack.
After turning professional in 2010, Rhoden rose through the ranks and was crowned Mr Olympia eight years later – at the age of 43 becoming the oldest man ever to win his sport’s most prestigious title.
In doing so, Rhoden dethroned the legendary Phil Heath, who had won the title for seven successive years. Read more
Tuchel left to rue Chelsea’s wastefulness as Burnley nick a late point at the Bridge (Independent)
This was the moment when Romelu Lukaku’s absence with a twisted ankle caught up with Chelsea. The game could hardly have been more one-sided and yet Thomas Tuchel’s side somehow found a way to blow it, their profligacy punished when Matej Vydra came off the bench to burgle a late point for Sean Dyche’s defiant Burnley side.
The frustration was immense for Tuchel, who knew that his side only had themselves to blame. Chelsea finished with 25 shots, seven of them coming inside the first 15 minutes alone, but only one of them went past Burnley’s goalkeeper, Nick Pope. Callum Hudson-Odoi, Ross Barkley and Kai Havertz were guilty of some poor misses and the longer it stayed 1-0, the likelier it became that Burnley would find a way to make the European champions pay for failing to make the most of their dominance.
Burnley, two points below Leeds in 17th place, could hardly believe their luck. It should have turned into a rout once Havertz had given Chelsea a half-time lead with his first goal in the league since August; instead it ended up as a reminder of why Tuchel bought Lukaku for £97.5m last summer. The former Internazionale striker surely would have finished Burnley off before half-time and while Chelsea havecoped well without him since his injury against Malmo earlier this month, they will be glad to have him available again after the international break.
Chelsea, their lead over Manchester City at the top now only three points, had threatened to overwhelm Burnley during the early stages. The tone was set by Hudson-Odoi ripping down the right flank during the early stages to test Pope, who was soon plunging down to his left to push Havertz’s glancing header away, and the only mystery was how Burnley managed to last 33 minutes before succumbing. Read more
Thomas Partey misses Arsenal’s clash against Watford due to groin problem (Metro)
Thomas Partey has missed Arsenal’s clash against Watford on Sunday due to a ‘tight groin’, the club have confirmed.
The Ghana international has played a pivotal role in Mikel Arteta’s side this season, especially in the wake of Granit Xhaka’s long-term knee injury.
But Partey was a surprise omission from the Gunners squad for Sunday’s Premier League meeting with Watford, with Ainsley Maitland-Niles replacing him in the starting XI.
Arsenal have stated that Partey is absent due to a groin issue which has ruled him out of action for the Gunners’ final fixture before the November international break. Read more
Aston Villa fans turn on Jack Grealish after his heartfelt message to sacked Dean Smith (DailyStar)
Jack Grealish has been targeted by Aston Villa fans online after posting a heartfelt message to Dean Smith following his dismissal as manager.
Villa announced on Sunday that Smith has been relieved of his duties after suffering five straight defeats in the Premier League.
The latest shortcoming, a 1-0 loss away at Southampton on Friday night, proved the final straw for the 50-year-old.
After winning the Championship playoffs in 2018/19, avoiding Premier League relegation a year later and securing an 11th-place finish last term, Smith was unable to build on that success this season, taking just 10 points from their first 11 matches. Read more
Wisconsin health care company ends relationship with Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers (Globe&Mail)
A Wisconsin health care organization has ended a nine-year partnership with Green Bay Packers star Aaron Rodgers after the quarterback detailed his reasoning for avoiding the three COVID-19 vaccinations endorsed by the NFL.
A statement posted on Twitter by Prevea Health said the company and Rodgers mutually agreed to end their partnership, effective Saturday. Prevea Health and Rodgers had been partners since 2012.
The statement said Prevea Health “remains deeply committed to protecting its patients, staff, providers and communities amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes encouraging and helping all eligible populations to become vaccinated against COVID-19 to prevent the virus from further significantly impacting lives and livelihoods.”
The move comes a day after Rodgers told “The Pat McAfee Show” he had sought alternative treatments to COVID-19 vaccination because he is allergic to an ingredient in two of the FDA-approved shots. Rodgers, who turns 38 in December, did not say what ingredient he was allergic to, or how he knows he is allergic. Read more