Lagos dismantles illegal slaughter slabs (Nation)
Lagos State Government has dismantled an illegal slaughter in the Oke Rube axis of Alimosho Local Government Area of the state.
The state Acting Commissioner for Agriculture, Messrs Abisola Olusanya, who led the operation on Thursday, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the team arrested 10 butchers and confiscated two live cows.
NAN reports that the Monitoring, Enforcement, and Compliance Team in the state Ministry of Agriculture, began the dismantling of the slaughter slabs on September 1.
The team was constituted to ensure the sanitisation of the red meat value chain. Read more
Youth drug abuse: Lagos Assembly tasks parents on vigilance (Vanguard)
The Lagos State House of Assembly has called on the State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu to embark on an anti-drug campaign programme for all primary, secondary and tertiary schools as well as out of school students in the state.
The House also tasked all parents to be vigilant especially on the use of drugs by their wards.
While calling on the Governor to direct the Commissioners in the Ministries of Education, Information and Strategy, Youth and Social Development, the House also called on other relevant agencies to follow suit. Read more
Babalakin appears before unilag visitation panel (ThisDay)
The recused Pro-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, Dr Wale Babalakin, Thursday, appeared before the visitation panel set up by the Federal Government to unravel the immediate and remote causes of the crisis rocking the university.
Mr Babalakin, who was sighted within the vicinity of the governing council chamber at about 8:30 a.m, visited the campus for the first time since March this year, when he was declared persona non grata by the institution’s chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
Professor Ogundipe, who had earlier submitted a memorandum to the panel, had appeared on Monday to answer questions relevant to the panel’s enquiries. Read more
Filling stations adjust pump prices, sell petrol at N162 (Punch)
Less than 24 hours after the increase in the ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) was announced, some filling stations in Lagos and Ogun states have adjusted their pump prices, selling the product at between N150 and N162 per litre.
Our correspondent, who visited several filling stations along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, observed that Fatgbems sold a litre of petrol at N162; NNPC, N160; and Mobil, N159.9.
Enyo sold the product at N159.9 per litre; Capital Oil and Gas, N158; and Oando, N150. Read more
Court remands suspected Ibadan serial killer over another killing (Guardian)
An Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting in Ibadan, has remanded one Sunday Shodipe, 19, at Abolongo Correctional Centre over alleged killing of one Funmilayo Oladeji in Akinyele, Ibadan.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Shodipe, a resident of Akinyele area, Ibadan, was charged with one – count charge of murder.
The Senior Magistrate, Mrs Patricia Adetuyibi who did not take his plea, ordered him to be remanded at the Correctional Centre, pending advice from the state Ministry of Justice. Read more
Ogun State assures workers of improved welfare package (Vanguard)
Ogun State government has reiterated its commitment to further improve on the welfare of all its workers, irrespective of their status and affiliation.
The Special Adviser to the State Governor, and Managing Director of Ogun State Property and Investment Corporation, (OPIC), Arch. Abiodun Fari- Arole, said this in his remark during the inauguration of the new executive of the Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government Owned Companies, OPIC, branch, Abeokuta.
Arch. Fari-Arole said, one of the priorities of the Dapo Abiodun-led administration in the state is the commitment to issues relating to the welfare of its workers. Read more
ASUU rejects calls for reopening of varsities (ThisDay)
The Sokoto Zonal chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has kicked against calls for the reopening of Nigerian universities by some critical stakeholders in the country.
The union, citing unresolved COVID-19 pandemic issues and poor funding from the federal government, insisted that the nation’s universities are not safe for reopening.
ASUU Zonal Coordinator, Sokoto Zone, Mr. Jamilu Shehu, disclosed this on Thursday at a press conference at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University, Katsina. Read more
Navy arrests 8 suspected smugglers of foreign rice (Guardian)
The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Victory has arrested a 16-year-old and seven other suspected smugglers of 1,522 bags of foreign bags of rice in Calabar, Cross River.
Speaking to journalists during the parade on Wednesday, the Commander, NNS Victory, Commodore Idi Abbas, disclosed that the suspects were intercepted in two batches.
Abbas said that the first group of four men were arrested on Sunday around Tom Short Island with a large wooden boat containing 1,482 bags of foreign parboiled rice. Read more
Nigeria OSCAR Selection Committee calls for feature film entries (Punch)
The Nigerian Oscar Selection Committee has called for feature film entries by Nollywood filmmakers into the 93rd Academy Awards (Oscars).
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, Chineze Anyaene, the committee’s chairperson said in a statement on Thursday that the Academy Awards recently opened entries to honour the best new films released globally, with the event set to hold on April 25, 2021.
Anyaene noted that the country’s first submission in 2019 represented a pivotal moment for the industry. Read more
Man kills wife in row over ‘lack of sex’ (news.com.au)
A man allegedly shot and killed his wife after getting in a row over their lack of sex before opening fire on the couple’s neighbours.
Jason Michael Mesich, 48, allegedly killed Angela Lynn, 47, during an argument in the garage of their US home about the couple’s lack of sex, CBS Minnesota reports.
Mr Mesich is also accused of turning the gun on two of his next-door neighbours, sisters who were packing up a moving truck at the time. Read more
Prince Andrew reportedly met with Queen over Jeffrey Epstein scandal (NYPost)
Prince Andrew has met with his mother, Queen Elizabeth, to discuss the fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell sex-trafficking scandal, according to a new report.
The Duke of York headed to Balmoral Castle, the royals’ holiday home in Scotland, after last seeing the Queen in July amid the coronavirus pandemic, the Sun reported.
The topic of conversation is said to revolve around the ongoing investigation in the US into Epstein and Maxwell’s alleged sex-trafficking ring — and Andrew’s alleged involvement. Read more
‘Vote twice’, Trump tells North Carolina voters (BBC)
US President Donald Trump has told people in the state of North Carolina to vote twice in November’s election, despite this being illegal.
Mr Trump suggested voters vote once in person and a second time by post, in order to stress-test the system.
The president has frequently made false claims that postal votes are vulnerable to significant electoral fraud.
“Let them send it in and let them go vote,” he told North Carolina broadcaster WECT-TV on Wednesday.
“And if the system is as good as they say it is then obviously they won’t be able to vote (in person).” Read more
US prepares for pre-election COVID-19 vaccine rollout by November (news.com.au)
The US has urged states to get ready for a potential COVID-19 vaccine rollout two days before the presidential election.
Across the world, governments are hoping to announce a vaccine as soon as possible to reopen economies shuttered to contain an illness that has killed more than 850,000 people and infected over 25 million.
In a widely circulated letter, the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention asked states to sweep away red tape that could prevent a network of vaccine distribution centres being “fully operational by November 1, 2020”. Read more
5 children found dead in German apartment (BBC)
The bodies of five children have been found in a private apartment in the city of Solingen in western Germany, police say.
They gave few initial details about the discovery, with no information about the cause of death.
Emergency services were called to the residential block in the Hasseldelle area of the city on Thursday.
Police are reportedly treating the incident as a criminal act, and are expected to give further details later. Read more
Daniel Craig begins final outing as James Bond as No Time To Die trailer drops (Metro)
The latest trailer for Daniel Craig’s eagerly anticipated final James Bond movie, No Time To Die, has dropped, and it’s nothing short of epic.
In our fresh glimpse of the actor’s final outing as 007, he’s seen dodging cars and leaping from a bridge, before ominously declaring ‘the past isn’t dead’.
Fans are, of course, given a look at Rami Malek’s creepy villain Safin, with the trailer hinting he’s out for ‘revenge’. Read more
Star Wars: John Boyega says non-white actors ‘pushed to the side’ by Disney (BBC)
Actor John Boyega has said non-white characters were “pushed to the side” by Disney in the last Star Wars film.
The Londoner played Finn in the latest trilogy, which concluded last year.
But he said the film-makers didn’t know what to do with his and other diverse characters in The Rise of Skywalker.
“What I would say to Disney is do not bring out a black character, market them to be much more important in the franchise than they are and then have them pushed to the side,” he told GQ.
“It’s not good. I’ll say it straight up.” Read more
Lionel Messi in U-turn over Barcelona exit (Metro)
Lionel Messi is now seriously considering staying at Barcelona following a meeting between the club’s president, Josep Maria Bartomeu, and the Argentine’s father Jorge.
Messi stunned Barcelona last month by telling the club that he wants to leave this summer on a free transfer.
Barcelona, however, insist that the clause in Messi’s contract which would allow him to leave as a free agent has expired and are adamant that the 33-year-old’s €700 million (£624m) release clause will need to be activated in order for him to leave. Read more
Premier League rights: China deal terminated with immediate effect (BBC)
The Premier League has terminated its £564m contract with its Chinese licensee with immediate effect.
China was the English top flight’s most lucrative overseas television rights territory, with a three-season deal agreed in 2019.
It is understood the reasons for the termination are financial rather than political.
BBC Sport has been told streaming service PPTV withheld its latest payment of £160m, due in March. Read more
Madison Brengle chugs wine after US Open upset (NYPost)
Madison Brengle seems to be enjoying her US Open bubble experience.
Brengle ran into the stands to crack a bottle of wine on Wednesday night after her 6-2, 6-3 upset of No. 19 seed Dayana Yastremska in the second round of the US Open.
According to tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg, Brengle was greeted by fellow competitor Arina Rodionova with a mini-bottle of Sutter Home.
Brengle, 30, promptly shouted, “Alcohol!” and hustled into the stands after seeing her prize. Brengle defeated the Australian Rodionova in the first round of the event. Read more
NBA play-offs: James Harden’s late block helps Houston Rockets beat Oklahoma City Thunder (BBC)
A late defensive play by James Harden helped the Houston Rockets beat the Oklahoma City Thunder and set up a Western Conference semi-final against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Harden blocked a three-point attempt by Thunder’s Luguentz Dort with 4.8 seconds left to preserve the Rockets’ one-point lead in the series decider.
A Robert Covington free throw with 1.1 seconds left then sealed a 104-102 win.
Game one of the best-of-seven semi-final takes place on Friday.
Meanwhile, in the Eastern Conference, the Miami Heat beat Milwaukee Bucks 116-114 to go 2-0 up in their semi-final series. Read more
Top seed Karolina Pliskova reacts to US Open exit (Metro)
Karolina Pliskova became the highest-ranked casualty of the US Open thus far after a straight sets defeat to Caroline Garcia.
Pliskova was blown away by the Frenchwoman – who was once tipped to be a future world No. 1 by Andy Murray – in the first set but missed set point chances in the second as she went down 6-1 7-6 (6-2) in little over an hour and a half. It’s another disappointing Slam result for the world No. 3, who was a beaten finalist in New York in 2016, and she remains part of a select group of players who have reached world No. 1 but have not tasted success in the majors. Read more
Ronaldo limited in Portugal camp by foot infection (Guardian)
Cristiano Ronaldo missed a second training session in a row with the Portugal squad on Thursday due to a foot problem ahead of Nations League matches against Croatia and Sweden.
“The national team captain… has an infection in his right foot and is undergoing treatment with antibiotics,” the Portuguese FA said in a statement.
Ronaldo, 35, was restricted to a gym session on Wednesday.
Lille midfielder Renato Sanches has been ruled out of his country’s first two Nations League games with an undisclosed injury. Read more