Lagos emergency workers threaten shutdown over five months’ salary arrears (Punch)
Lagos State may be having a crisis in its hands as some staff of the Lagos State Emergency Management Response Unit (LRU) have threatened to down tools over five months’ salary arrears. Aside from a large number of workers who had stopped going to work, our correspondent also gathered that the number of agents at the call centre had been depleted. The LRU is a unit created from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) for outdoor operations. Read more
Lagos ports have reached breaking points, says Gbajabiamila (Nation)
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, Thursday described the two Lagos Port Complexes of Apapa and TinCan Island as “overwhelmed and attained breaking points.” Gbajabiamila made this known during the opening session of a public hearing to determine why the Warri, Port-harcourt, Calabar, Onne and Onitsha River Port Complexes are not being put to maximal use. The speaker who was represented by Deputy House Leader, Hon Peter Akpatason, added that the ports are overstretched beyond their capacities and needs support of other ports for ease of doing business and improved economy. Read more
Nigerian Army begins recruitment (Guardian)
The Nigerian Army has announced the commencement of recruitment into the force for interested Nigerians. In a statement on Wednesday, the force’s acting military secretary Brigadier General Gabriel Ochigbano said the e-application portal for Short Service Commission (SSC 46/2020) and the Direct Short Service Commission (DSSC 25/2020) is now open. The application windows opened on August 14 and will last until 28th September 2019. Read more
National Assembly ready to work, says Lawan (Nation)
President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan has said that with the recent constitution of the relevant parliamentary committees, the 9th National Assembly is now more than prepared to work for Nigerians. Lawan spoke to journalists at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, shortly on arrival from his pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, in the early hours of Thursday. He was received on arrival by Senators Jibrin Barau, Michael Opeyemi Bamidele and his Deputy Chief of Staff, Mohammed Karage, according to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media to President of the Senate, Ola Awoniyi, in Abuja. Read more
N1.2bn alleged money laundering: Iwu yet to perfect bail conditions —Lawyer (Punch)
Mr. Ahmed Raji (SAN), Counsel to Prof. Maurice Iwu, former INEC chairman who was granted N1bn bail over alleged N1.2bn money laundering charge, on Thursday said that Iwu would soon perfect his bail conditions. Raji told a News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos that Iwu was still in custody. He said though the bail conditions were stringent, it would be perfected. NAN reports that Justice Chuka Obiozor of a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, had, on Friday August 9, admitted Iwu to bail in the sum of N1bn, with two sureties in like sum. Read more
Insecurity: Akeredolu bans motorcycles from expressway (Punch)
As part of measures to curb insecurity in the state, the Ondo State Government has banned the activities of commercial motorcyclists popularly known as ‘Okadas‘, from the state’s section of the Benin-Ore-Shagamu Expressway. The government said it took the decision following its observation that some unscrupulous elements were hiding under the guise of engaging in motorcycle business to perpetrate crimes on the expressway. This was contained in a statement issued by the Ondo State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Donald Ojogo, on Thursday. Read more
Fayemi ignores aggrieved 17 monarchs, swears in new council chairman (Nation)
Ekiti State Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi on Thursday rebuffed protestations by the aggrieved 17 prominent traditional rulers arising from the appointment of Alawe of Ilawe Ekiti, Oba Adebanji Alabi as the Chairman of the council. Dr. Fayemi, despite the pending litigation and controversy trailing the appointment, inaugurated Oba Alabi as the chairman of the Ekiti State Council Of Traditional rulers. Read more
Make us CSOs of our domains, Enugu monarchs tell govt (Punch)
Traditional Rulers in Enugu State have called on the state government to come up with a legislation that will officially designate them as the Chief Security Officers, CSOs of their respective kingdoms. The Chairman, Security and Peace Committee of Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers, Igwe Emmanuel Ugwu disclosed this on Thursday in an interview with newsmen in Enugu. Ugwu said that such legislation would promote and facilitate intelligence gathering in rural communities and urban centres. Read more
Police arrest 11 kidnap suspects at Plateau polytechnic staff quarters (Punch)
Forty- four suspects have been arrested by the police in Plateau State for various offences including eleven persons who recently attacked the Plateau State Polytechnic Staff Quarters and kidnapped some residents. The gunmen, had for the third time this year, raided the polytechnic’s staff quarters located at Heipang in Barkin Ladi Council Area of the State and abducted some residents including the younger sister of the institution’s Assistant Registrar, Miss Abigail Amos and a twelve-year son of the institution’s Chaplain, Kim Dido. Read more
Cross River seeks six months maternity leave for nursing mothers (Nation)
The Cross River State Primary Healthcare and Development Agency says it wants to increase maternity leave for working nursing mothers from three months to six months. State Nutrition Officer, Lady Regina Adie, said this at a media roundtable organized by the Agency with support from FHI360/Alive and Thrive, in Calabar on Thursday, to share perspectives on issues related to the promotion of optimal Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices in Cross River State. Read more
Bauchi’s ex Perm Sec dies during hajj pilgrimage (Punch)
A former Permanent Secretary in Bauchi State, Ado Santuraki Pali, has died while performing hajj in Saudi Arabia. His death was disclosed in a media statement signed by the Information Officer, Bauchi State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Mohammed Yunusa, and made available to newsmen in Bauchi. The deceased who hails from Pali District in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State was retired by the then Governor Mohammed Abubakar in 2017. Read more
Sudan to launch historic transition to civilian rule (Guardian)
Sudan’s military rulers and protest leaders on Saturday are scheduled to sign a landmark deal reached after a bloody uprising which is meant to pave the way for civilian rule. The ceremony will officialise a constitutional declaration inked on August 4 between the country’s Transitional Military Council and the opposition coalition of the Alliance for Freedom and Change. The deal brought an end to nearly eight months of upheaval that saw masses mobilise against the 30-year rule of Omar al-Bashir, who was eventually ousted in April. Read more
Libya capital flights suspended after deadly rocket fire (Guardian)
Flights from the Libyan capital’s sole functioning airport were suspended Thursday after deadly overnight rocket fire, a spokesman for the country’s unity government said. Moustafa al-Mejii of the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) said Wednesday night’s rocket fire “killed a guard and wounded several security agents tasked with protecting the airport”. The attack was carried out by “the militias of (military strongman Khalifa) Haftar from their positions south of Tripoli”, he told AFP, adding that flights to Mitiga were being diverted. Read more
‘They’re a disgrace!’ Trump says of two female lawmakers planning to visit Israel (Punch)
Israel would “show great weakness” if it allows a visit by two Muslim members of the US Congress who support a boycott of the Jewish state, US President Donald Trump said Thursday. First-term House Democrats Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, who are expected to visit Israel and the Palestinian territories at the weekend, are the first Muslim women to serve in Congress — and have been at the receiving end of Trump’s ire before. They are part of the so-called “squad,” a quartet of House Democrats, all women and all ethnic minorities, whom Trump has repeatedly attacked on social media and in campaign speeches. Read more
Greta Thunberg: Caroline Lucas reports Arron Banks to Twitter (BBC)
Green Party MP Caroline Lucas has complained to Twitter over a tweet by Brexit campaigner Arron Banks aimed at climate change activist Greta Thunberg. On Wednesday, Mr Banks referred to Ms Thunberg’s sea voyage across the Atlantic and tweeted: “Freak yachting accidents do happen in August…” Ms Thunberg, who chooses not to fly, is sailing from the UK to attend UN climate summits in New York and Chile. Read more
Brazil torture victim’s testimony triggers landmark case (BBC)
Details provided by the sole survivor of a torture centre in Brazil could lead to the imprisonment of a man accused of raping her during her captivity. The accused has so far been shielded by a 1979 amnesty law which prevents military officials from being prosecuted for crimes committed under military rule. But now a court has ruled that he should stand trial for the alleged rape of Inês Etienne Romeu, who managed to survive her time at the clandestine torture centre by pretending she had been “turned” by her captors. Read more
Man dies after falling overboard world’s largest cruise ship (Metro)
A man has died after falling overboard the world’s largest cruise ship while sailing in the US Virgin Islands. The man, who is believed to be Australian, fell off the Royal Caribbean Cruise ship on Thursday morning while travelling from St Kitts to St Thomas. Royal Caribbean said the Symphony of Seas ship was immediately turned around and a rescue boat was launched in a bid to save him. But after a full-scale search, his body was recovered by crew members. Read more
YouTube: LGBT video-makers sue claiming discrimination (BBC)
A group of YouTube video-makers is suing it and parent company Google, claiming both discriminate against LGBT-themed videos and their creators. The group claims YouTube restricts advertising on LGBT videos and limits their reach and discoverability. But YouTube said sexual orientation and gender identity played no role in deciding whether videos could earn ad revenue or appear in search results. A judge will now decide whether a jury will hear the case in California. Read more
Woman kills ex son-in-law, cuts off his testicles (Punch)
A woman has admitted to killing her son-in-law and cutting off his testicles in a row over money he owed her daughter after their divorce. The daughter called the police when her mother called to tell her what she had done. Dmitry Bogdanov, 32, died after being stabbed 27 times. According to Metro.co.uk, police said the suspect, 49, cut off his testicles after he collapsed at her home in Novgorod, Russia, and threw them out of her window. Read more
Boy, 14, charged for sex attacks on women outside Poundland and Lidl (Metro)
A schoolboy has been charged with sexually attacking women outside Poundland and Lidl stores. The 14-year-old has been charged with 13 counts of sexual assaults on women over four weeks in south-east London. He is accused of attacking the women outside shops, pubs and train stations between February 9 and March 4. Read more
Walmart reports strong earnings, defends gun sales (Guardian)
Walmart reported improved results Thursday on solid US sales and e-commerce growth and again defended its decision to keep selling some guns after a mass shooting at a Texas store. Net income was $3.6 billion, up from an $861 million loss in the year-ago period, when one-time costs related to its Brazil business dented results. Revenues rose 1.8 percent to $130.4 billion. Read more
Venice court fines top architect Calatrava in bridge dispute (BBC)
A Venice court has fined world-famous Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava €78,000 (£72,000) for alleged errors that made his Constitution Bridge on the Grand Canal more expensive. The controversial bridge was beset with problems after its opening in 2008. The Audit Court held Mr Calatrava responsible for going over-budget: the bridge cost €11.6m instead of €7m. Read more
Lil Nas X talks coming out after he was told being gay ‘would never be okay’ (Metro)
Lil Nas X has spoken about his decision to come out after he was told that being gay would ‘never be okay’. The star has recently appeared on the cover of Time magazine, and looked pretty suave when doing so in a bright red suit and his iconic cowboy hat. But while having all the fun with his outfit, he got pretty candid when taking some time to address his sexuality. Read more
Spain’s Levante loan Nigeria’s Moses Simon to Nantes (BBC)
Nigeria winger Moses Simon is ready for competitive challenge in France as has joins Nantes on a season-long loan from Spanish side Levante. Last season he scored once in 23 appearances for Levante, whom he joined last summer from Gent. The French Ligue 1 outfit have the option to sign the 24-year-old winger on a permanent deal at the end of the season. Read more
Frank Lampard rates N’Golo Kante’s performance against Liverpool (Metro)
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard says there’s ‘more to come’ from N’Golo Kante following his man of the match performance against Liverpool in the Super Cup. The Frenchman was unable to start Sunday’s defeat against Manchester United and he was sorely missed by the Blues, who were thumped 4-0 at Old Trafford. However, Kante managed 120 minutes in Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool in the Super Cup and he was named man of the match after their 5-4 defeat in the penalty shootout. Read more
Tammy Abraham: Chelsea condemn racist abuse towards striker (BBC)
Chelsea have condemned “abhorrent posts” aimed at Tammy Abraham after the club’s Super Cup defeat by Liverpool in Istanbul. Striker Abraham, 21, was targeted on social media with racist abuse after his side lost 5-4 on penalties. Liverpool goalkeeper Adrian kept out Abraham’s spot-kick to secure victory for the Champions League winners. “We are disgusted with the abhorrent posts we have seen on social media,” said a club spokesman. Read more
Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil & Sead Kolasinac ‘100%’ ready to play (BBC)
Arsenal manager Unai Emery is “100%” confident Mesut Ozil and Sead Kolasinac are mentally ready to play against Burnley on Saturday. The pair were left out of the Gunners’ season-opening win over Newcastle because of “further security fears” after being involved in a carjacking attempt by an armed gang in July. Midfielder Ozil and left-back Kolasinac have now returned to training. Read more
Uefa Player of the Year: Virgil van Dijk & Lucy Bronze among nominees (BBC)
Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk and England’s Lucy Bronze have been nominated for Uefa’s Player of the Year awards for 2018-19. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are the other nominees for the men’s award, won by Luka Modric last year. Bronze is shortlisted for the women’s award with Lyon team-mates Ada Hegerberg and Amandine Henry. The Lionesses right-back, 27, and the Netherlands’ Van Dijk, 28, are both in the final three for the first time. Read more
Osaka, Halep advance while Barty beats Sharapova in Cincinnati (Punch)
World number one Naomi Osaka and Wimbledon champion Simona Halep battled to three-set triumphs Wednesday at the ATP and WTA Cincinnati Masters while top seed Ashleigh Barty ousted Maria Sharapova. Reigning US and Australian Open champion Osaka needed more than two hours to outlast Aliaksandra Sasnovich 7-6 (7/3), 2-6, 6-2. The Japanese star will next face a third-round match against Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-Wei, who defeated American Jennifer Brady 7-6 (11/9) 6-3. Read more
Tokyo Triathlon: Jess Learmonth and Georgia Taylor-Brown disqualified (BBC)
Britain’s Jess Learmonth and Georgia Taylor-Brown’s were disqualified from the World Triathlon Olympic qualification event in Tokyo after crossing the finish line hand-in-hand. A photo finish initially gave Learmonth, 31, victory but the pair were later deemed to have broken a race rule. An appeal was rejected and compatriot Vicky Holland was upgraded to third. Read more