THISISLAGOS MIDDAY NEWS UPDATE MARCH 17, 2018
Lagos govt set for showdown with herders, others (Vanguard)
Amid wide condemnation against proposed grazing zone for herdsmen across the federation, the Lagos State Government, yesterday, said that the ban placed on unauthorised movement of animals especially live cattle across the state still subsists, stressing that persons found culpable in the act would henceforth be prosecuted.
Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Oluwatoyin Suarau who stated this while reviewing reports of animal transportation and stray animals, noted that the menace of releasing cattle along major roads and highways within the metropolis was unacceptable, adding that the state government was committed to stopping illegal movement of animals across the state. Read more
Scores arrested over ethnic violence in Lagos (Tribune)
One person was feared killed in the Ojota area of Lagos State on Friday as persons said to be Hausa scavengers renewed hostilities with their Yoruba counterparts around Kotomola area of the community.
The Saturday Tribune also gathered that following the violent clashes, over one hundred people were arrested during an operation in the area led by the deputy commissioner of police in the state, Muhammed Alli. Read more
Agege Adopts Ambode, Obasa, Ogundimu For Another Term (Independent)
Agege community of Lagos State on Thursday unanimously endorsed Akinwunmi Ambode, the state governor; Mudashiru Obasa, House of Assembly speaker; and Oluyinka Ogundimu, representing Agege Constituency 2 in the House of Assembly for another term in office.
The community at a rally agreed that the trio should be supported to return to their offices to continue their laudable performances. Read more
NJC appoints 60 judges in 25 states (Tribune)
NJCThe National Judicial Council (NJC) on Friday announced the appointment of 60 judicial officers for ratification by governors of their respective states.
Among the appointees were the Chief Judges of Ondo and Plateau States, Justices O.O Akeredolu and Yakubu Dakwak, respectively.
NJC’s Director of Information, Mr. Soji Oye, said in a statement that the council made the recommendations at its 85th meeting. Read more
Nigerians should ask Executive to account for 97% of nation’s resources in its care –Sabi-Abdullahi, senate spokesperson (Punch)
Did you expect the kind of reactions that have followed your ‘Hate Speech Bill’ since the day it was introduced?
Absolutely, I expected it because it is a very sensitive and interesting matter. Because it has to do with hate speech, many people are worried. There are two divisions here: Some people are worried that their freedom of expression will be taken for granted, and I want to say no, the bill is not intended to take anyone’s freedom of expression for granted. It is to guarantee freedom of expression because the truth of the matter is that when you are discussing or analysing issues, even if they are religious or ethnic, so long you are not doing them with the vile intention of hurting the other person and defaming their person and their known dignity, then you also are granted to make your mind. Read more
INEC alleges illegal registration centre in Kwara State (Punch)
The Independent National Electoral Commission says it has uncovered an illegal voter registration centre in Offa, Kwara State. INEC Administrative Secretary in Kwara, Mr. Paul Atser, made this known in a statement in Ilorin on Friday.
“It has come to the notice of Independent National Electoral Commission, Kwara State, that some unscrupulous persons are carrying out illegal registration of voters in Offa Local Government Area,” Atser said. Read more
How Banky W blessed my life –Maskerkraft (Punch)
In a recent interview with Saturday Beats, ace music producer, Masterkraft, has revealed the role Banky W played in his life before he attained stardom. Although he was awarded as the worst dressed guest during Banky W’s engagement, the beat maker said that ever since the first job he did for Banky W, the singer vowed to make him famous. A promise he kept to.
“The turning point in my life came after I produced a song and they wanted to feature a rapper on it. They called MI and after he listened to it, he asked for the producer. He did not even believe that the song was produced in Nigeria. Read more
Davido set to open restaurant for new girlfriend, Chioma (Vanguard)
Despite allegations reports that Chioma Avril Rowland, the official girlfriend of Nigerian superstar Davido has been bedded by many of her school guys, the singer has continued to shower love and affection on the Economics undergraduate.
Recently the music crooner, Davido, took to social media to announce that his girlfriend’s restaurant would be launched into full service soon. Read more
Zuma faces corruption charges (Independent)
South Africa’s former President, Jacob Zuma, is to face prosecution for 16 charges of corruption, Chief Prosecutor Shaun Abrahams has confirmed. Mr Abrahams said he believed there were “reasonable prospects of a successful prosecution.”
The charges which Mr Zuma denies – include counts of fraud, racketeering and money laundering. Mr Zuma, 75, was forced to resign as president last month by his party, the ruling African National Congress (ANC). Read more
An Assassin’s Tool Kit: When Guns Are Not Enough (NYTimes)
In the ruthless worlds of espionage, global politics and the criminal underground, there are many grim ways to die: Tea laced with polonium. A face full of the nerve agent VX. A gentleman’s umbrella that shoots ricin pellets.
Sometimes the assassination attempts leave a mystery in their wake, as in the case of the Russian double agent Sergei V. Skripal and his daughter, Yulia Skripal, who were poisoned by a type of military-grade nerve agent called Novichok in Salisbury, England, this month. Read more
Mexican election front-runner offers referendums, could end term early (Reuters)
Mexican presidential front-runner Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Friday he will hold a referendum on his performance every two years if he wins election in July, and would cut his six-year term short if he loses the consultation.
The leftist, who is running for president for the third time, promises to end corruption and fight inequality without disrupting the economy. Critics fear he will put the brakes on economic reforms brought in by President Enrique Pena Nieto. A former Mexico City mayor, Lopez Obrador has a wide lead in most opinion polls. Read more
John F Kennedy’s lost ‘last’ speech recreated (BBC)
The voice of John F Kennedy has been used to reconstruct the speech he was due to deliver on the day he was assassinated. President Kennedy was on his way to the Dallas Trade Mart to address the Citizen’s Council when he was shot and killed on 22 November 1963. Edinburgh company CereProc used audio and text from 831 of his speeches to recreate his words. Read more
FIFA okays VAR for World Cup (Punch)
Video assistant referee technology (VAR) will make its debut at the World Cup in Russia this summer despite lingering opposition from within and outside football, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said Friday.
“We are going to have in 2018, for the first time, a World Cup with VAR,” said Infantino after a meeting of the FIFA Council which, as expected, rubber-stamped the go-ahead given by the rule-making International Football Association Board (IFAB) in Zurich two weeks ago. “This has been approved and we are really very happy with this decision.” Read more
Europa League: Musa, Iwobi to clash (Vanguard)
Arsenal have been drawn to face CSKA Moscow in the quarterfinal of the UEFA Europa League, and two Nigeria international wingers Alex Iwobi and Ahmed Musa are in line to feature for their respective teams. The Gunners saw off AC Milan 5-1 on aggregate to qualify for the quarterfinal while CSKA Moscow went through via the away goals rule.
Hale End Academy product Iwobi has played four matches in the competition, same with Leicester City loanee Musa, who bagged his first goal in the Europa League against Lyon last night. The first leg will be played at the Emirates Stadium in London on Thursday, April 5, while the second leg comes up in the Russian capital a week later at the VEB Arena. Read more
FIFA budgets $6.56BN income tied to 2022 World Cup in Qatar (Foxsports)
FIFA expects to earn $6.56 billion in a four-year financial cycle to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, despite a drop in ticket and corporate hospitality sales. FIFA’s 2019-2022 budget projects rises of more than $400 million each in broadcasting and marketing income over the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Still, FIFA says ”smaller stadiums for the 2022 FIFA World Cup” should mean ticket and hospitality sales of $500 million will be $75 million less than in 2015-18. Read more
Arsenal consider transfer swoop for £34million AC Milan star (Caughtoffside)
Arsenal are reportedly among the clubs in the running to seal the transfer of AC Milan striker Andre Silva less than a year after he joined the club for £34million. This is according to the Daily Mirror, who also claim Wolves are lining up an ambitious move for the Portugal international as long as they secure promotion to the Premier League for next season.
Silva has long looked one of the top young forwards in European football, though it’s fair to say things have not worked out for him at the San Siro so far Read more
Mourinho: We will fight again (ManUtd)
A determined Jose Mourinho insists that Manchester United can compete for UEFA Champions League glory next season, after missing out on a place in Friday’s quarter-final draw. Shortly after the draw was made, the boss spoke to the media ahead of the Reds’ Emirates FA Cup quarter-final against Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford on Saturday evening.
After the disappointment of going out to Sevilla in midweek, Mourinho was asked by reporters in his press conference at the Aon Training Complex whether United can seriously challenge for major trophies with further investment. Read more
Rob Evans relishing Wales’ Six Nations battle with France (Skysport)
Wales prop Rob Evans is ready for the “big challenge” that awaits against France in Saturday’s Six Nations finale in Cardiff. Victory for Wales should be enough to finish second behind runaway champions Ireland. And that runners-up spot has occupied Welsh minds this week as Warren Gatland’s men look to complete a clean sweep of Six Nations home wins this season.
“It is a huge game for us,” Scarlets forward Evans said. “We are just looking to put in a big performance to end the campaign. Read more
Black man beaten at Charlottesville rally ‘cleared of assault’ (BBC)
A black man who was beaten in Virginia at a far-right rally has been cleared of assault charges in connection to the incident, US media report. A judge found DeAndre Harris, 20, was acting in self-defence when fights broke out at the protest last August in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Violent clashes erupted at the white nationalist rally to protest the removal of a Confederate statue. Read more
At least six dead as people-smuggling boat sinks off Greek coast (Guardian)
The bodies of six people have been recovered from the sea off a Greek island in the eastern Aegean following the sinking of a suspected people-smuggling boat, Greece’s coastguard said.
A large search and rescue operation was under way to locate about a dozen more people believed missing. Read more
Adrian Lamo, hacker who turned in Chelsea Manning, dies aged 37 (Guardian)
Adrian Lamo, the computer hacker who turned in whistleblower Chelsea Manning to law enforcement, has died at the age of 37, according to authorities in Kansas. Lamo, who testified about Manning’s release of documents to WikiLeaks, was confirmed dead on Friday by authorities in Sedgwick County.
The coroner’s office has not responded to inquiries about the cause of his death. Manning, a former soldier whose leaks exposed the nature of warfare in Afghanistan and Iraq, was released from military prison last year after Barack Obama commuted her 35-year sentence. Read more
