Lady sets lover ablaze over failed marriage plans (Guardian)
On the day Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, was reconciling a Channels Television reporter, Pius Angbo, and his wife, Ifeyinwa, over domestic violence, a lady, now at large, has set her lover ablaze at his Shaahu road residence in Gboko Local Government Area of Benue over his alleged refusal to marry her.
It was gathered from eyewitnesses that the lady set the house on fire around 1:30a.m. on Monday after her lover, simply identified as Jude, his mother and a little boy had gone to bed.
Occupants of the house were however lucky as none of them lost their lives in the inferno. Though the lover was badly burnt, his mother and the child suffered minor burns and they are now receiving treatment in a Gboko hospital. Read more
Mass transit: Lagos completes impact assessment studies, begins construction of Red-Line rail project (Vanguard)
The Lagos State Government, through, the State Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, LAMATA, has completed three levels of impact assessment studies for the construction of the state Rail Mass Transit, LRMT Red Line project, even as it announced the commencement of construction work.
Management of LAMATA, however, assured residents of areas hosting projects associated with LRMT Red Line project of adequate security arrangements for the safety of lives and property.
The rail project on completion of the first phase is projected to move more than 750,000 passengers daily.
The first phase would have nine stations at Oyingbo, Ebute Metta Junction, Yaba, Mushin, Oshodi, Ikeja, Agege, Iju, and Agbado and three pedestrian bridges at Oyingbo, Ilupeju Bye pass, and Ikeja. Read more
New chairman to empower Ikeja engineers (Punch)
The new Chairman, Nigerian Society of Engineers, Ikeja Branch, Mr Olutosin Ogunmola, has said he will focus on the empowerment of engineers in the branch.
He spoke in Lagos on Tuesday, during his inauguration as the 14th chairman of the branch, and inauguration of the 2020/2021 executive committee.
“Our mandate is to empower the engineers by creating the branch as a value center for the professional development of our members, and take engineering further by building the branch as an influential corporate citizen in Lagos State that takes the lead n championing a state-wide engineering development drive,” he said. Read more
Real Estate Regulation Bill scales 2nd reading in Lagos assembly (Independent)
A Bill to regulate Real Estate Activities in Lagos State and for other connected purposes has scaled second reading at the state House of Assembly.
The house passed the bill for second reading through voice votes conducted by the Speaker, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, on Tuesday in Lagos.
The speaker subsequently committed it to the House Committee on Housing to report back in two weeks. Read more
Maina’s briefcase companies had N3bn turnover – EFCC witness (BBC)
An Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s prosecution witness said on Tuesday that a former chairman of the defunct Pension Reformed Task Team, Abdulrasheed Maina, operated briefcase companies with N3bn turnover in their accounts without engaging in any business.
The anti-graft agency is prosecuting Maina before the Federal High Court in Abuja on charges of money laundering involving N2bn.
The ninth prosecution witness, Rouqayya Ibrahim, who is an investigator with the EFCC, said her team conducted “a concealed income analysis of the defendant.” Read more
Police nab two siblings operating ritual den in Osun (Guardian)
There was chaos in Yemoja area of Iwo, Osun State on Monday evening when policemen uncovered a ritualist den allegedly operated by two siblings identified as Tajudeen Monsuru and Tajudeen Lawal.
It was gathered that a woman identified as Mutiat Alani went missing and the police launched an investigation into the matter.
A resident, simply identified as Olaide, told newsmen that a manhunt was launched for the missing lady. “The telephone of the missing woman was tracked to one vulcanizer who told the police that he got the phone from one of the siblings. Read more
Marketers kick against N5 reduction in petrol pump price (Punch)
Against the backdrop of the N5 reduction in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) announced by the Federal Government, fuel marketers have said it is not possible to sell the product at N162 per litre amid the current market realities.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, had announced the petrol price cut at the end of a meeting with labour leaders which began around 9pm on Monday and ended at 1:30 am on Tuesday.
“Our discussion was fruitful and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, which is the major importer and marketers of petroleum products, and customers have agreed that there will be a slide down of the pump price of PMS and that the price cut will get us about N5 per litre and that the price cut will take effect from next Monday, a week today,” he had said. Read more
New Cross River Airport to begin operations in 2021 (Guardian)
The new International Passenger and Cargo Airport in Obudu, Cross River State, will commence operations from next year, as the state government has paid N900m compensation to affected host communities.
State Commissioner for Aviation, Dr. Jake Otu Enya, told journalists in Obudu that the major work was the runway and immediately that section was completed, the next stage would be for the contractor to mobilise to site.
“Sometime last week, we opened bids for the procurement of contractors to come to site for the construction work proper. So, what we are doing here is the preliminary, which is part of our own work as a state to reduce the cost of the project. Read more
Bridge collapses sending 30 posing beauty queens into dirty pond (Metro)
This is the moment thirty beauty queens were sent flying into a pond when a bridge collapsed. The Miss Thailand hopefuls were posing for pictures on a suspension bridge made from ropes for the competition in Chiang Mai. But the walkway could not hold their weight and dramatically buckled, plunging them into the murky water below. Read more
COVID-19: Singapore ‘cruise to nowhere’ ends after passenger tests positive (BBC)
A Royal Caribbean ship has returned to Singapore on day three of a four-day “cruise to nowhere” after a passenger tested positive for Covid-19.
The city-state’s “cruises to nowhere” – starting and ending at the same port without stops – launched last month.
They are an attempt to revive the hard-hit industry, which largely ceased worldwide after outbreaks on board but have since resumed in a few places. Read more
Plastic face shields don’t protect against Covid-19, study claims (Metro)
Plastic face shields don’t protect against Covid-19, according to new research. The shields – worn by many hairdressers and some key workers – were touted by industry experts as adequate alternatives to face masks. The Duchess of Cornwall donned just a face shield when she visited a charity training centre in Milton Keynes in September. Read more
How music is intertwined with social justice in Nigeria (BBC)
Lagos. 14 October 2020. The atmosphere is electrifying. On a regular day, Lekki toll gate in Lagos wears a different cloak; vehicles line up along interminable queues. There are no queues today. No one is hooting their horn to urge the toll workers to do sharp sharp make pesin commot here abeg (“Hasten up so we can all leave here”). The toll gate is blocked from both ends for the #EndSARS protests against the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (Sars), a Nigerian police unit, due to claims of police brutality. Demonstrators are singing along to the chorus of African China’s 2006 hit Mr President. One man is twirling his white T-shirt, now browned with sweat around the armpit region, in the air. Another holds a banner that reads “Stop killing our dreamers. #EndSARS now.” Read more
Gal Gadot says Wonder Woman 1984 is ‘hardest movie’ she’s worked on (Metro)
Gal Gadot has revealed the Wonder Woman sequel is the hardest film she’s had to shoot during her career. Wonder Woman 1984 is finally being released this month and the actress confirmed she and director Patty Jenkins ‘raised the bar’ in the highly-anticipated DC flick. The film sees the 35-year-old return as Diana Prince, aka Wonder Woman, but this time she’s living in Reagan Era America. Read more
Rich countries hoarding Covid vaccines, says People’s Vaccine Alliance (BBC)
Rich countries are hoarding doses of Covid vaccines and people living in poor countries are set to miss out, a coalition of campaigning bodies warns.
The People’s Vaccine Alliance says nearly 70 lower-income countries will only be able to vaccinate one in 10 people.
This is despite Oxford-AstraZeneca pledging to provide 64% of its doses to people in developing nations.
Steps are being taken to ensure access to vaccines is fair around the globe. Read more
WAFU tourney: Flying Eagles tackle Ghana for s’final spot (Punch)
The Flying Eagles face a daunting task of qualifying for the next round of the 2020 WAFU B U-20 Cup of Nations when they face Ghana in a crunch Group B clash at the Stade Charles de Gaulles, Porto Novo, Benin Republic on Wednesday, The PUNCH reports.
The tournament serves as qualifiers for the 2021 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Mauritania.
Ladan Bosso’s team were held 1-1 by Ivory Coast in their opening game on Sunday. Read more
Ronaldo scores twice as Juve beat Barca to win Champions League group (BBC)
Cristiano Ronaldo scored two penalties to take his Champions League goal tally to 134 as Juventus beat a “scared” Barcelona to seal top spot in Group G.
Ronaldo sent Marc-Andre ter Stegen the wrong way after being fouled by Uruguay defender Ronald Araujo.
Juve doubled their lead through Weston McKennie’s bicycle kick before Ronaldo added his second from the spot after Clement Lenglet handled.
“We weren’t aggressive,” said Barca boss Ronald Koeman.
“It looked as if we’d come out looking not to lose, as opposed to trying to control the game. We weren’t good, not even positionally.
“We looked scared.” Read more
Enyimba coach hopes to exploit Al Merreikh’s weakness (Punch)
Enyimba head coach Fatai Osho says his team are studying their next opponents in the CAF Champions League, Al Merreikh, and hope to exploit the weaknesses of the Sudanese giants.
The Aba-based side battle Al Merreikh in the Preliminary Round 2 after defeating Burkina Faso’s Rahimo FC 2-1 in the Preliminary Round 1.
Speaking with our correspondent on Tuesday, Osho said his side had learnt from their inability to convert their chances against Rahimo. Read more
Man Utd knocked out of Champions League by RB Leipzig (BBC)
Manchester United’s season suffered a huge blow as a defeat at German side RB Leipzig knocked them out of the Champions League.
Needing just a draw to progress to the last 16, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side conceded twice inside 13 minutes to leave their hopes in tatters before RB Leipzig added what ultimately turned out to be the killer third with 20 minutes left.
United staged their now customary second-half fightback thanks to a Bruno Fernandes penalty and Paul Pogba header, but ultimately fell short.
To rub salt in the wound, the goalscorer of the first and supplier of the second, Angelino, is currently on loan in Germany from Manchester City.
His superb low shot into the far corner after just two minutes was followed soon after by a chipped cross to the back post, where Amadou Haidara ghosted in to volley past David de Gea. Read more
Tino Anjorin promoted to Chelsea first team after injuries to Hakim Ziyech and Callum Hudson-Odoi (Metro)
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has confirmed Tino Anjorin has been promoted into his first team set-up after injuries to Callum Hudson-Odoi and Hakim Ziyech. The teenager made his full debut for the Blues in a 1-1 draw with Krasnodar on Tuesday night. The 19-year-old joined the club at the age of six but despite the excitement about his developement, Anjorin had only made two substitute appearances for the club before the visit of the Russian side. Read more
PSG and Istanbul players walk off (BBC)
Paris St-Germain’s game against Istanbul Basaksehir will resume on Wednesday after it was abandoned on Tuesday with a match official accused of using a racist term towards one of the away side’s backroom staff.
Istanbul allege fourth official Sebastian Coltescu used the language towards their assistant coach Pierre Webo.
Former Cameroon international Webo was shown a red card in an exchange on the touchline.
Istanbul players walked off the pitch in protest, with PSG players following. Read more