Lagos begins minimum wage payment this month (Punch)
The Lagos State Government said it will commence the payment of the new minimum wage to the workers in the state with effect from November.
The Head of Service, Hakeem Muri-Okunola, in a circular issued on Wednesday, noted that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, had approved the implementation of the new minimum wage to improve the welfare and wellbeing of the public servants in the state.
Muri-Okunola, who noted that only workers at grade level one to six would enjoy the N35,000 minimum wage, added that the November salaries were delayed beyond the usual payday so that the state government could adequately process the payment of the new minimum wage. Read more
Man arraigned for ‘beating’ wife (Nation)
THE police in Lagos on Wednesday arraigned one 40-year-old Oluwatobi Ajibade, who allegedly beat up his wife.
Ajibade, who resides on Fakeye Street, Alagbole in Akute area of Lagos State, is facing a two-count charge bordering on maltreatment.
He, however, pleaded not guilty before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court.
The prosecutor, ASP Benson Emuerhi, told the court that the defendant committed the offences at No. 4, William Compound Oke-Aro, Ogba in Aguda area of Lagos. Read more
$1m scam: Board suspends Kirikiri prison boss, eight others (Punch)
The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board has approved the suspension of three officers and six other men of the Nigerian Correctional Service implicated in the $1m internet fraud.
The fraud was allegedly perpetrated by Olusegun Aroke, an inmate serving a 24-year term in the Kirikiri Maximum Security Custodial Centre in Lagos.
Those arrested include the Deputy Controller in charge of the facility, Emmanuel Oluwaniyi and DC Hemeson Edwin. Read more
Father arraigned for ‘defiling’ daughter (Nation)
AN Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday remanded a 43-year-old man, Amarachi Chukwuneke, in Kirikiri Correctional Centre, for allegedly defiling his six-year-old daughter.
Chief Magistrate, Mrs Olufunke Sule-Amzat, said Chukwuneke should be remanded pending advice from the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Sule-Amzat also directed that the case file should be sent to the DPP for advice. Read more
200-level student arrested for participating in NYSC (Punch)
The National Youth Service Corps has arrested a 200-level student who allegedly obtained a fake degree certificate and was undergoing the orientation exercise at the Zamfara State camp.
Our correspondent learnt that the NYSC last Friday apprehended the student, identified only as Rose, who was a 200-level Journalism undergraduate at a university in Benin Republic.
The NYSC Director-General, Brig. Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim, confirmed the arrest of the student to our correspondent. Read more
NACA: HIV prevalence dropped to 1.4 per cent in 2018 (Nation)
The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has said the prevalence rate of the Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) in Nigeria reduced from 4.4 per cent in 2005 to 1.4 per cent in 2018.
The agency said the reduction in the prevalence rate was the result of joint efforts of the Federal Government, communities working with government, partners and other donor agencies in the last 15 years. Read more
FG reviews stamp duty, raises threshold to N10,000 (Punch)
The Federal Government has reviewed the N50 stamp duty charges on electronic payments in the country after receiving backlash from Nigerians and industry stakeholders.
A Financial Bill currently before the National Assembly stated the N50 charge would be imposed on transactions above N10,000 as against payment above N1,000 that had taken effect across the country in September.
The bill exempted bank transfers between two accounts owned by the same person or organisation. Read more
Cambridge University’s Jesus College bronze cockerel to be repatriated (BBC)
A bronze cockerel at Cambridge University that had been looted in a British raid on what is now Nigeria will be repatriated.
The Benin bronze, known as an “okukor”, was bequeathed to Jesus College in 1930 by a former British Army officer.
In 2016 it was removed from display and the Legacy of Slavery Working Party (LSWP) has recommended it be returned.
Master of Jesus College Sonita Alleyne said they were not trying to “erase history”. Read more
Oldest person in America, Alelia Murphy, dies at age 114 (NYPost)
Alelia Murphy, the oldest person in America — and a Harlem resident born back when Theodore Roosevelt was president — has died, officials said Wednesday.
The oldest person in America — a Harlem resident born back when Theodore Roosevelt was president — has died, officials said Wednesday.
She was 114.
Alelia Murphy, who credited faith in God and abstaining from booze for her long lifespan, passed away on Saturday, according to a healthcare workers union her daughter belongs to. Read more
NBC puzzled over ‘America’s Got Talent”s Gabrielle Union drama (Page6)
NBC insiders are puzzled by a sudden slew of stories about Gabrielle Union’s allegedly terrible experience as a judge on its “America’s Got Talent.”
Union was let go from the show last week — along with co-star Julianne Hough — after a year of appearing as a judge.
On Wednesday, both Variety and Vulture published articles detailing a “toxic environment” at the show and alleged racism on set. Read more
Body found in freezer after wife’s death may have been there for 11 years – cops (NYPost)
A Utah man’s body was found in his deceased wife’s freezer — and it may have been there for up to 11 years, police said.
Paul Edwards Mathers’ remains were found intact — along with the body of his wife, Jeanne Souron-Mathers, 75 — during a welfare check in her Remington Park apartment, according to Tooele Police Department.
Foul play is suspected in the 69-year-old husband’s death, though an autopsy wasn’t able to determine a cause of death, authorities said. Read more
Trump tweets out doctored photo of his head on Rocky Balboa’s body (NYPost)
Looks like someone’s fixin’ for a fight.
President Trump on Wednesday tweeted out a doctored image of his head superimposed over the body of a chiseled Rocky Balboa, the hard-luck Philly tomato can-turned-champion immortalized on film by Sylvester Stallone.
The “Rocky III” poster-inspired tweet came out as the commander-in-chief was reportedly playing golf at his Florida Club while on Thanksgiving vacation at Mar-a-Lago, according to White House pool reports.
The photo, posted at 10:54 a.m., shows the 6-foot-3, 243-pound president looking straight ahead with a combative look on his face, over an image of Stallone’s ripped, 5-foot-10, 176-pound body, gloved fists at the ready and a championship belt around his waist. Read more
Tories on course for easy 68-seat majority, landmark poll suggests (Metro)
The Conservatives are on course for a majority of 68 seats, according to the polling company which accurately predicted a hung parliament in 2017. YouGov’s seat-by-seat forecast suggests Boris Johnson’s party will take 359 seats to Labour’s 211, with the SNP on 43 and the Lib Dems 13. Such a result would set Britain on course to leave the EU under Mr Johnson’s Brexit deal and hand Labour its second-worst postwar loss, with the party making no gains. Read more
Champions League: Chelsea, Lyon miss chance to make knockouts (Punch)
Chelsea and Lyon were left to wait for qualification to the Champions League knockout stages on Wednesday after failing to claim the wins they needed to book their places in the last 16.
Frank Lampard’s Chelsea were eight minutes away from sealing their spot at Valencia when Daniel Wass’ overhit cross crashed in off the post to earn the La Liga side a deserved 2-2 draw from a pulsating encounter.
The point puts Valencia top of Group H, level on eight points with Chelsea and one ahead of Ajax, who are hosted by bottom side Lille later on Wednesday. Read more
Frank Lampard identifies the two areas Chelsea must improve after thrilling Valencia draw (Metro)
Frank Lampard admitted Chelsea must give away fewer opportunities and convert more of their own chances following the side’s thrilling 2-2 draw at Valencia. The breathless Group H clash was end to end from start to finish and Carlos Soler was the man to break the deadlock with a calm finish which was immediately cancelled out by Mateo Kovacic just before half-time. Chelsea appeared on course for victory as Christian Pulisic gave them the lead and Kepa Arrizabalaga saved Daniel Parejo’s penalty, but Dane Wass grabbed a fortuitous equaliser for the hosts at the death. Read more
Former champions clash as Asoju-Oba Cup enters semifinal (Guardian)
It will be a battle Royale today at the 51st Asoju Oba Molade Okoya-Thomas Cup as current and former champions clash in the semifinal of the women’s singles at the Teslim Balogun Stadium.
Defending champion, Bose Odusanya and 2013 champion, Tolu Durosimi-Etti will be the cynosure of all eyes as both players battle for a place in the final scheduled for tomorrow.
Already, both players have started talking tough with Odusanya reiterating her resolve to hold on to the title. “I think I played against her when I won my first title in 2015 and this year will not be an exception, as I hope to take her down again. Read more
Minister urges schools to embrace sports (Nation)
MINISTER of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare has urged private schools in the country to participate in national tournaments in order to widen the pool of potential athletes that can represent the country in international events.
He further urged them to take part in the Nigeria University Games Association (NUGA).
Dare stated this on Tuesday when he received the Chairman of the Governing Council of Nile University, Professor Huseyin Sert, in his office in Abuja with a promise to create the necessary interface between private schools and sporting federations.
He said: “We have federations that train athletes and during international tournaments they bring them to us. You can bring your athletes to us. They can compete for the country and even go for Olympics. Read more
What Jurgen Klopp told referee before receiving yellow card during Liverpool’s Champions League draw with Napoli (Metro)
Jurgen Klopp has revealed the exchange he shared with the referee before receiving a yellow card during Liverpool’s Champions League draw with Napoli. A frustrated Klopp was shown a rare yellow card during the opening 45 minutes of Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Italian outfit Napoli on Wednesday evening. The Premier League leaders trailed 1-0 at half-time after Dries Mertens broke through and beat Alisson with a superb strike. Read more
Principals’ Cup drags Okowa, ex-Eagles stars to Asaba for final (Guardian)
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State is expected to lead many other top dignitaries to the Stephen Keshi Stadium as the final of the state’s Principals’ Cup sponsored by Zenith Bank takes place today. The final game is between Zappa Mixed Secondary School Asaba and School of Commerce, Warri are the two sides to vie for the coveted trophy today.
Three former internationals – Victor Agali, Ifeanyi Udeze and Nduka Ugbade have confirmed to be at the final event organized for all secondary schools in the state.The organisers have also revealed that some other football stars will be in attendance to boost the morale of the players competing for honours in the final.
Top officials of the sponsors, Zenith Bank, are expected to be at the event to present prizes to the winners and individual players, who excelled at the tournament, which is in its fourth edition.About 850 private and public secondary schools began the journey on September 30. Read more
Napoli draw keeps Liverpool waiting on last 16 (BBC)
Defending champions Liverpool will need at least a point in their final group game at Red Bull Salzburg to guarantee reaching the last 16 of the Champions League after a lacklustre draw against Napoli.
The Reds would have gone through as Group E winners with a win but fell behind midway through the first half when Dries Mertens beat the offside trap to finish from a tight angle.
Liverpool were far from their best in the first half as they struggled to put together the fast-flowing attacking football they are capable of, although went close to equalising on the stroke of half-time when James Milner was denied at the near post. Read more
Deontay Wilder calls out Mike Tyson after beating Luis Ortiz (Metro)
Deontay Wilder has urged Mike Tyson to praise him in public following his KO victory over Luis Ortiz. The 34-year-old retained WBC heavyweight title by knocking out the Cuban in the seventh round in Las Vegas on Saturday evening. Wilder claims that Tyson sung his praises at ringside during his rematch with Ortiz but is keen for the former undisputed world heavyweight champion to make his admiration public. ‘I had some people sitting by Mike [at my fight]. Mike gave me some praises, which I wish he would have said in public,’ Wilder told TMZ. Read more
Nuno Espirito Santo is a potential replacement if Arsenal sack Unai Emery (BBC)
Arsenal have identified Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo as a potential replacement for Unai Emery if the Gunners decide to sack the Spaniard.
Head coach Emery is under pressure after a winless run of six matches across all competitions.
Arsenal have only won four of 13 Premier League games this season.
BBC Sport understands that if Emery is sacked and Nuno is allowed to speak to Arsenal, then the Portuguese would be a strong contender to take over. Read more
Nigeria to battle U.S., Serbia, Mozambique for Tokyo Olympics ticket (Guardian)
Reigning African Champions, Nigeria will face world number one, United States of America, Serbia and Mozambique in the battle for a spot at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
This was revealed at a brief ceremony held in Switzerland yesterday to officially kick start the Olympics tournament qualification race. D’Tigress will play in Belgrade after being drawn in Group A.Reacting to the draw, the Nigeria Basketball Federation President, Musa Kida said qualification for the 2020 Olympics is possible despite admitting that it was a difficult draw.
“Being drawn against world number one (U.S.) and seven (Serbia) surely will not make the job easy, but I am optimistic that qualification for the Olympics is possible.“The men have already qualified and all eyes are on our women to also join their counterparts in Tokyo. D’Tigress are the reigning African champions and we hope this will count for something when they start the qualifiers,” Kida said.Kida hammered on the need for early preparation for the team if they were to stand a chance in the group. Read more