Lagos cancels 50% discount on public transport (Channels)
The Lagos State Government has cancelled the 50% transport fare discount on all Public Transport System which was implemented in response to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s directive on August 2, 2023.
In a public notice on Saturday, the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) announced a reversion to the old rates of public transport from November 5.
“The 50% rebate in transport fare in the regulated transport system in Lagos ends on Sunday,” the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority said in a statement on Saturday. Read more
Why our operatives are conducting stop-and-search at Lekki — NDLEA (Punch)
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has cleared the air on the presence of its operatives at Admiralty Way, Lekki, Lagos State.
The agency, while responding to an enquiry by comedian Bright Okpocha aka Basketmouth on Saturday, revealed that the stop-and-search exercise was to “protect residents from the activities of drug dealers and disrupt supply chain of illicit substances.”
The comedian had tweeted late Friday, “Are you people aware of the stop and search going on currently on Admiralty Way in LEKKI by members of your force? #ndlea_nigeria.” Read more
NSIB probes aircraft crash at Ibadan airport (Nation)
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) said it has begun investigation into the cause of the crash of an aircraft operated by
Flint Aero.
The crash was said to have occurred at the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, Ibadan on Friday night.
The aircraft with type HS25B departed Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Friday with seven passengers and three crew members on board. Read more
Gov Fubara apologises to Rivers people, commits to peace (Tribune)
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has apologised to the people of Rivers State for what he described as “the regrettable anxieties of the last few days” in the state.
In a statement issued and signed by himself late Friday, the governor restated his willingness and readiness “to embrace the path to lasting peace and tranquility with a commitment to consummating all efforts and initiatives by Mr. President and other well-meaning Nigerians, including my brother Governors and the Elders”.
Speaking on the political turmoil that engulfed Rivers State beginning Sunday October 30, 2023, he explained that his visit to the Rivers State House of Assembly on Monday morning was to inspect the extent of damage by a fire that engulfed the complex on Sunday night. Read more
Ikorodu residents resist planned demolition, demand compensation (Punch)
Residents of Agric -Owutu in Ikorodu have resisted the move by the Lagos State Government to demolish houses marked for demolition in the area.
According to a video clip made available to our correspondent on Friday, angry youths in the area gathered and prevented the officials of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development from embarking on the exercise on Thursday.
City Round gathered that the state government had planned to commence the removal of houses belonging to the residents due to the road construction along the Agric-Owutu-Isawo-Arepo Road. Read more
4 NSCDC officers feared killed in Rivers (Vanguard)
Four officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) are feared dead following an ambush by gunmen, suspected to be sea pirates, in Bakana community in Rivers.
A resident of the community who spoke on condition of anonymity told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt on Saturday that the incident happened in the early hours of Friday.
The resident said the officers were shot dead on Bakana River in Degema Local Government Area by sea pirates. Read more
Appeal Court fixes Monday for Kano governorship dispute (DailyTrust)
The Appeal Court sitting in Abuja has fixed Monday for hearing in the appeal of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) against his All Progressive Congress (APC) rival, Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna.
The governor had filed an appeal to challenge the nullification of his election by the Kano Election Petition Tribunal.
Daily Trust reports that a three-man panel of judges led by Justice Oluyemi Akintan Osadebay sacked Yusuf on September 20, 2023, by declaring 165,663 of his votes invalid because “they were not signed or stamped by INEC”. Read more
Ogun tackles Ondo over boundary dispute (ThisDay)
The Ogun State Government yesterday urged its Ondo State counterpart to caution its citizens encroaching on Ogun territory and launching attacks on Ogun indigenes in the communities bordering the two states.
The state Deputy Governor, Mrs. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, who doubles as the Chairman, Ogun State Boundary Committee, made this appeal in a statement issued in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
According to her, the encroachment on Ogun communities comes with assaults on citizens, most especially residents of Irokun Kingdom, and the culprits were allegedly from the Ilaje end of Ondo State.
She also condemned the imposition of Princess Adeyinka Abejoye Ogunyemi, as purported regent in the town in strong terms, describing it as illegal and an act of impersonation. Read more
Taraji P. Henson will “never forget the day” she booked “The Color Purple” (FilmNews)
Taraji P. Henson will “never forget the day” Oprah Winfrey told her she had booked a role in The Color Purple movie musical.
The Empire actress revealed in an interview with Essence that she initially didn’t answer the phone when Winfrey, who produced the new movie, called her to announce that she would be playing Shug Avery.
“I saved my recording. I don’t answer calls from numbers that I don’t know, and Oprah’s number comes up unknown,” she shared. “Tyler Perry hit me and was like, ‘Are you answering your phone?’ I was like, ‘Why?’ He said, ‘Girl, just answer the phone!’
“I’ll never forget the day. I was so nervous. What do you say to Oprah? I was practicing my, ‘Hi! Hello! Yes, Oprah!’ And finally she came on the phone and told me, ‘Shug Avery is coming to town!’ It was the best moment ever.” Read more
Kate Bush won’t attend Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony but feels blown away by the honour (People)
Kate Bush won’t be running up that road to the 2023 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
Hours before her induction into the Rock Hall’s 2023 class of musicians, the “Running Up That Hill” singer, 65, revealed in a statement that she won’t be attending the ceremony at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, on Friday evening.
“I am completely blown away by this huge honour – an award that sits in the big beating heart of the American music industry,” wrote Bush on her website. “Thank you so much to everyone who voted for me. I never imagined I would be given this wonderful accolade.” Read more
Former Guinea dictator Camara escapes from prison in jailbreak, justice minister says (France24)
The announcement by Justice Minister Charles Alphonse Wright came several hours after heavy gunfire erupted in the Kaloum district of the capital, Conakry.
Among the others who escaped were Claude Pivi and Blaise Goumou, Wright said.
“We will find them. And those responsible will be held accountable,” Wright told local Radio Fim FM. Read more
Robbie Williams opens up on “magical” Geri Halliwell romance after rehab stint (DailyRecord)
Robbie Williams has revealed that a summer romance he shared with Geri Halliwell was “magical” and much more than just a fling.
The former Take That singer, 49, has spoken out about some of the key women in his life in a new Netflix documentary that delves into his rollercoaster career and the personal problems he faced. The pair spent a long holiday together in the South of France back in 2000, with Robbie looking wistful as he cast his mind back to the “confusing” yet “magical” time.
Robbie admits on camera it was the happiest he had been in a decade with only his paranoia stopping it from becoming more serious, the Mirror reports. Read more
Russell Brand accused of sexual assault of movie extra (RTE)
Russell Brand has been accused of sexually assaulting an extra on a movie set in a new lawsuit filed in the US.
The woman, referred to in the New York State Supreme Court filings as Jane Doe, claims Brand attacked her in July 2010 on the set of the film Arthur.
While the UK’s Metropolitan Police are currently investigating multiple sex offence allegations against Brand, the US legal filing marks the first time sexual allegations have been made against him in a court of law. Read more
Ghana’s ruling party votes to elect candidate for 2024 ballot (AfricaNews)
Ghana’s ruling party voted on Saturday in primaries to elect its candidate for next year’s presidential ballot, with Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia widely favoured to win.
The West African country is undergoing its worst economic trouble in years, and the crisis is set to dominate the election campaign ahead of the December 2024 ballot to succeed President Nana Akufo-Addo.
Bawumia, a former deputy central bank governor, is touted by pollsters to win the New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidacy and face opposition National Democratic Congress candidate, ex-president John Dramani Mahama. Read more
Gaza: Israel strikes on ambulance convoy “horrific”, a “war crime” (NewArab)
Israel’s war on Gaza enters a 30th day on Saturday with continued intense aerial bombardment and ground attack on the besieged Palestinian enclave.
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) said in a statement on Saturday that one of its ambulances had been struck “by a missile fired by the Israeli forces”, about two metres (6.5 feet) from the entrance to Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City.
The strike on Friday killed 15 people and wounded 60 others, it said, mirroring figures released earlier by the health ministry. Read more
8 clubs to compete in boxing league (Punch)
At least eight clubs are expected to compete at the inaugural edition of the Yucateco Boxing League scheduled to begin November 6 at the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos.
Chairman of Yucateco Boxing Promotions, Omole Imadu, revealed this during a press conference at the Teslim Balogun Stadium on Thursday.
“More than 80 boxers, registered under 8 clubs will be battling for the prize money and the inaugural YBL trophy after the three-month-long league, “Every participant in the YBL will be well rewarded and we are looking forward to making the league bigger and better each season,” Imadu said. Read more
“Football world has yet to see the best of Osimhen’’, Says Amuneke
(Leadership)
Nigeria legend Emmanuel Amuneke has said more should be expected from Victor Osimhen after the Super Eagles striker finished eighth in the 2023 men’s Ballon d’Or.
The 24-year-old was the top African player in this year’s rankings, and became the highest-placed Nigerian in the award’s selection since its inception in 1956, thanks to a remarkable 2022-23 season in which he scored 26 Serie A goals to help Napoli win their first Italian title in 33 years.
Osimhen also became the highest-scoring African in a Serie A season, breaking the previous record held by 1995 Ballon d’Or winner George Weah, who is now president of Liberia. Read more
Fernandes’ late winner rescues Man Utd, eases pressure on Ten Hag (France24)
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes scored a stoppage time winner to ease the mounting pressure on Erik ten Hag with a 1-0 win at Fulham on Saturday.
The Red Devils looked set to drop points for the sixth time in their opening 11 Premier League games after another performance lacking invention at Craven Cottage.
But Fernandes’ strike from outside the box had just too much power for Bernd Leno in the 91st minute to offer some relief to his manager. Read more
Chelsea hit Villa for 6 to go 3 points clear (BBC)
Chelsea extended their unbeaten start to the Women’s Super League season with a ruthless victory over Aston Villa at the Poundland Bescot Stadium.
Goals from Millie Bright and Fran Kirby put the Blues in control at half-time, before Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, Ashley Lawrence, Aggie Beever-Jones and Niamh Charles compounded a miserable afternoon for Carla Ward’s home side.
Ward may come under pressure after this heavy defeat, with Villa sitting bottom of the table without a point yet this season. Read more
Pakistan stay alive as Fakhar Zaman inspires World Cup victory over New Zealand (National)
Swashbuckling opener Fakhar Zaman cracked a blistering century to save Pakistan from World Cup elimination in a rain-affected and dramatic 21-run victory over New Zealand at Bengaluru on Saturday.
The 33-year-old left-hander smashed 11 sixes and eight boundaries in his unbeaten 81-ball 126 as rain forced a premature end to the match with Pakistan 200-1 after 25.3 overs, chasing a revised DLS target of 342 in 41 overs.
Rachin Ravindra hit his third century of the tournament while Kane Williamson scored 95 to help New Zealand pile up 401-6 in their 50 overs. Read more
Audi strongly committed to F1, says Sauber’s Alunni Bravi (StraitsTimes)
Audi are strongly committed to Formula One but have kept a low profile because of future partner Sauber’s current relationship with Alfa Romeo, team representative Alessandro Alunni Bravi said.
Audi last year took a minority stake in the Swiss-based Sauber Group, who are competing until the end of this season under the name of Stellantis-owned brand Alfa Romeo with Ferrari engines.
Sauber is due to become the Audi factory team from 2026, but reports in Germany have suggested the carmaker is reviewing its plans. Read more