‘I hypnotize my victims with charms before robbing them’(DailyTrust)
The suspected pickpocket, Monday Francis A 24-year-old suspected pickpocket, Monday Francis, arrested by operatives of the Lagos State Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), has explained how he had been successfully removing valuables from the pockets or bags of his victims without the knowledge of the owners.
Francis said when succeeding in his pickpocketing job was getting more difficult, he decided to introduce the use of charms into it. “I met a juju priest who promised to give me a charm that he called ‘Touch and Go’. Read more
Bayelsa/Kogi elections: Bello, Wada, Diri, Lyon clash in eight battleground LGAs (Punch)
The candidates of the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party for the governorship polls in Bayelsa and Kogi states will engage in a fierce battle in at least eight local government areas considered to be the battleground places for today’s election.
According to Saturday PUNCH findings, the two leading parties may coast to victory in no fewer than 21 LGAs considered to be their strongholds in the two states.
In the eight Bayelsa State LGAs, the ruling PDP is expected to engage the main opposition APC in the Yenogoa Local Government Area considered as a major battleground, while both parties may divide the remaining seven councils in the ratio of three to four. Read more
Minimum wage: Lagos set to pay N35,000 (DailyTrust)
The Lagos State Government and the Labour unions have agreed on the modalities for the implementation of the new minimum wage even as the state governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu vowed to begin payment of N35,000 as the new minimum wage with effect from November. This emerged after the series of meetings and engagements between the Lagos State Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JNC) and Lagos State Government.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) attended the meeting. Read more
Lagos Deputy Governor causes commotion on aircraft (Nation)
Passengers on board an Abuja-bound aircraft from Lagos sometime last week were thrown into commotion at the sight of the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat, in the economy class of the aircraft.
The deputy governor was scheduled to attend an official function in Abuja on that day but all the airlines contacted said that only tickets for economy class were available. Determined to make the trip, Hamzat told his aides that he did not mind flying with economy ticket. Read more
Hit-and-run truck driver arrested for killing motorist in Lagos (Punch)
The police have trailed a truck driver, Iliyasu Wasiu, to his hometown in Igboho, Oyo State, where he fled to after killing a motorist, Tochukwu Nnochirionye.
Wasiu, the driver of a Daf truck with the number plate, LSD 742 XK, reportedly caused a multiple accident on Otedola Bridge, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway which resulted in Nnochirionye’s death.
Officials blamed the fatal crash on the brake failure of the truck leading to the collision that involved a Toyota Hilux with the number plate, KRD 797 XN driven by the deceased and a BRT bus marked EPE 679 XT. Read more
Delta policemen collect N150,000 school fees from student at gunpoint (Punch)
Weeks of tireless efforts to raise his school fees paid off on Monday when his parents credited his bank account. The next day, Efe Ifie didn’t waste time. Excited that he would be able to pay his tuition fees before the December deadline, the 300 level student of Civil Engineering at the Delta State University took his travel bag and left for school at noon.
As the journey progressed, he basked in the excitement that the worries over raising the school fees were over. Little did he know that a shocker was awaiting him some kilometres away along Sapele-Warri Road. Some armed policemen at a checkpoint stopped the bus he was travelling in and reportedly compelled him to cough up N150,000 meant for the school fees and his feeding. Read more
PDP, Atiku’s allegations against Buhari remain unproved —Supreme Court (Punch)
The Supreme Court on Friday said all allegations raised by the Peoples Democratic Party and Atiku Abubakar, challenging President Muhammadu Buhari’s victory at the February 23 presidential election, were unproven.
Atiku, a former vice-president who contested the election against Buhari, claimed he won the election.
Justice Inyang Okoro said this while giving reasons why the apex court on October 30 dismissed the appellants’ appeal that challenged the judgment of the presidential tribunal. Read more
Two die, 17 vehicles burnt in Ogun tanker fire (Nation)
Two persons and 17 vehicles, including 11 trucks, were burnt when a truck bearing petroleum product burst into flame when it tumbled to the ground.
The accident which occurred on Thursday evening at the Ota corridor of the Lagos – Abeokuta expressway, also left six persons with grave injuries.
The charred remains of the two persons were evacuated to the General Hospital, Ifo while the injured were rescued to General Hospital, Ota, all in Ogun State.
Among the trucks burnt were one on the fleet of Dangote Cement company and another truck loaded with beverages(sachets of Milo). Read more
African Unite Concert: South African lawmaker, Malema assures Burna Boy of safety as local artistes kick against his performance (Punch)
South African opposition politician, Julius Malema, has assured Nigerian singer, Burna Boy, of his safety during his performance at the African Unite Concert scheduled to hold on November 24 in the country.
Via his verified Twitter handle, Malema, who is the founder of Economic Freedom Fighters and legislator said that he was looking forward to being entertained by Burna boy and that there was “no mascot” who can stop him from performing in South Africa.
Malema tweeted, “Looking forward to receiving and being entertained by my brother @burnaboy here at his home called South Africa. There’s no mascot that can stop him from performing, he’s one of our own and we will protect him. We must resolutely oppose regionalism led by political illiterates.” Read more
Flooded Venice battles new tidal surge (BBC)
Flooded Venice has been hit by a new high tide of 160cm (5.3ft), giving residents no respite from a crisis costing millions of euros.
World-famous St Mark’s Square, a magnet for tourists, has been closed, and schools are shut for a third day.
The Italian city’s famous waterbuses – the vaporetti – have stopped running.
The 187cm peak on Tuesday was the highest level for more than 50 years, damaging cultural monuments, businesses and homes. More than 80% of the canal city was flooded. Read more
South Africa post office murderer given life for killing Uyinene Mrwetyana (BBC)
South African post office worker Luyanda Botha has been handed three life sentences after admitting to the rape and murder of 19-year-old student Uyinene Mrwetyana.
Her killing in August sparked large protests over the high levels of violence against women in the country.
There were brief cheers in the court on Friday as the sentence was handed down.
“This judgment won’t in any manner replace Uyinene but we do appreciate it,” her uncle said, IOL reports. Read more
Hong Kong protests: China condemns ‘appalling’ attack on official in UK (BBC)
China has condemned what it called an “appalling attack” by protesters on Hong Kong’s justice secretary in London on Thursday evening.
Teresa Cheng fell and was treated for an arm injury in hospital after being jostled by about 30 supporters of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement.
Chinese official Geng Shuang said some in the UK “supported violent acts… to create chaos” in its former colony. Read more
| Aribo excited with home debut (Punch)
Glasgow Rangers Midfielder, Joe Aribo, is excited after making his first home appearance for Nigeria in Super Eagles 2-1 win over Benin in a 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the Godswill Akpabio international stadium in Uyo on Wednesday. Aribo has previously featured twice for the national team in international friendly draws against the Ukrainian and Brazilian national teams, scoring in both encounters. And the former Charlton Athletic player, who made his first competitive start for the team in Uyo is thrilled by the home support from the home crowd, while also revealing that it is an honour wearing the country’s jersey. Read more Awaziem hopes to add Crocodiles to causality list (Punch)
Super Eagles defender, Chidozie Awaziem, is happy to have helped Nigeria open their 2021 AFCON qualifiers with a win over neighbours, Benin Republic, in Uyo and is ready to add Lesotho to the casualty list. Nigeria came back from behind to beat the Squirrels 2-1 on Wednesday after falling behind to a fifth minute Stephane Sessegnon’s strike. And ahead of the showdown with the Crocodiles Leganes defender, Awaziem, wants to make it two wins in a row. He wrote on his instagram handle, “A good way to start AFCON qualifiers, plus three points, next stop, Lesotho.” Read more Ifeanyi Anaemena: Although I’m home-based, I haven’t suffered discrimination in Super Eagles camp (DailyTrust) One of the two Home-based players in the present Super Eagles squad, Ifeanyi Anaemena has said since he joined the team for the 2021 AFCON qualifying matches against Benin Republic and Lesotho, he has not experienced any form of discrimination from the foreign based players. The captain of Enyimba FC also spoke to Trust Sports on the chances of his club in the 2019 CAF Confederation Cup. Read more Man United’s Daniel James won’t be bullied (DailyTrust) The Premier League is tough on gifted, fast wing type players who can zip past defenders and leave them standing. Think Eden Hazard, Louis Saha and Leroy Sane. Now they have been joined at the elite table by Manchester United’s Daniel James. In last weekend’s game against Brighton, defenders Lewis Dunk and Dan Burn were both booked for tough tackles on James in their attempt to stop him. This week James has turned the tables on the bullying tactics and said, “Last season I had a lot of hits. If a defender hits you and you stay down, he might just think he has got the better of you. But if you get up immediately and keep going, that is important. It sends out a message that you are not soft and won’t be pushed around.”
Enyimba spank Nasarawa United 3-1 as Rangers dim Sunshine Stars (DailyTrust) Austin Oladapo Former champions, Enyimba have secured their first league win of the season following a 3-1 victory over Nasarawa United in the rescheduled Match Day 1 of the Nigeria Professional Football League. The Aba Warriors drew the first blood in the 19th minute through a penalty which was coolly converted by Austin Oladapo following a collision between the Nasarawa United keeper and Martin Usule who had to be stretchered off. Read more |
Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers: Algeria crush Zambia (BBC)
Kenya held Egypt 1-1 and defending champions Algeria crushed Zambia 5-0 in Thursday’s 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Debutant Mohammed Kudus clinched victory for Ghana over South Africa while Mali and Guinea ended 2-2 after four goals in 19 minutes.
Elsewhere Comoros upset Togo, Gabon held DR Congo and Mozambique were too strong for Rwanda. Read more
Odusanya eyes fifth title (Nation)
Rose Odusanya is aiming to set a new record at the annual Asoju Oba Molade Okoya-Thomas Table Tennis Cup as the women’s singles defending champion looks to win for her fifth consecutive title at the 51st edition of the longest-running table tennis tournament in Nigeria, which comes up later this month.
Odusanya, who is yet to convince the national handlers to be invited to the national camp told NationSport yesterday that she is poised to shield away anybody that may want to claim her title having won the trophy for four years in a row in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.
“I don’t see anybody stopping me again this year because I have become a de facto champion of the competition. I started my training for the championship early because I don’t want to be caught unaware by any unknown player this year. Read more
Chelsea star Tammy Abraham slams unacceptable England fans for booing Liverpool’s Joe Gomez (Metro)
Tammy Abraham revealed he and his England teammates were disgusted with the treatment Joe Gomez was subjected to by his own fans during last night’s 7-0 win over Montenegro. England’s historic 1,000th international match was marred by a section of supporters who booed the Liverpool centre-half following his introduction as a second-half substitute. The 22-year-old was involved in a bust-up with Raheem Sterling earlier this week which prompted Gareth Southgate to axe the Manchester City star from lats night’s match. Read more
Man City lose appeal to CAS over Financial Fair-Play investigation (Punch)
Manchester City has lost their appeal against the decision of UEFA to refer the English champions to its adjudicatory chamber over alleged Financial Fair Play violations, the Court of Arbitration for Sport said on Friday.
City reacted angrily when they were referred to the adjudicatory chamber of UEFA’s club financial control body by its investigatory chamber in May. Read more
Rohr ranks Kalu’s goal best (Nation)
German coach Gernot Rohr has picked Samuel Kalu’s winner in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo 0n Wednesday as one of the best goals under his spell as Super Eagles’ manager.
The win coincided with Rohr’s 40th match in charge of the Eagles since his first match in the 1-0 home win against Tanzania in an international friendly on September 2, 2016.
Though Kalu’s goal was 59th goal scored by Nigeria in both friendly and competitive matches since the former Bordeaux coach took over the reins of the Super Eagles, the 66-year-old was excited like a kid given a chocolate bar as he purred over the magical goal scored by the Bordeaux striker against Benin. Read more