Lagos records lowest birth rate, Katsina is highest (Punch)
Nigeria’s economic capital, Lagos State, has the lowest number of births at 3.4 children per woman.
Conversely, Katsina State in the North-West has the highest birth rate at 7.3 births per woman.
The information is contained in the 2018 Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey key findings launched on Tuesday.
The report states that the birth rate in urban areas is much lower than that of rural areas. Read more
FEC okays N58.5 billion for road linking Niger, Kwara (Nation)
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday approved N58.488 billion for the construction of Bida-Sachi-Nupeko road and the Nupeko-Patigi bridge across River Niger, linking Nupeko and Patigi in Niger and Kwara States.
The FEC meeting was presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Briefing State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, said the project is to link Niger and Kwara together and facilitate connectivity from southwest to the north central and the northern part of the country. Read more
Border closure: Gombe rice millers count gains (Punch)
Some rice milers in Gombe State say they have recorded increased sales and patronage since the closure of the borders by the Federal Government.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Federal Government shut borders with neighbouring countries of Benin Republic, Cameroun and Niger Republic since August 2019.
President Muhammadu Buhari had on Aug. 28 at the Seventh Tokyo International Conference for African Development (TICAD7) in Japan said the closure was due to massive smuggling activities, especially of rice at the country’s borders. Read more
Female varsity graduates threaten to expose randy lecturers (Punch)
Female graduates of the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu University, Anambra State, have threatened to expose randy lecturers of the institution.
They alleged that five lecturers had sexually harassed several female students of the university, while some who would not succumb to their sexual advances were victimised.
They maintained that one of such lecturers allegedly turned his office into a hotel room, where he would sleep with female students.
Their statement titled, ‘Sex for Grades in Ojukwu University: A Scandal of Gigantic Proportions,” described the act as shameful. Read more
Ovularia is not dead, says Okpala (Nation)
One of the leading stars in The Masquerade, a television drama series now rested, Mrs. Lizzy Lizzy Ovueme, popularly known as Ovuleria, reported on social media and some online publications to have passed on is hale and hearty. She spoke with The Nation on phone from her Port Harcourt home indicating she is alive. Though did not speak much on phone, her voice sounded clear and sharp.
Chief Chika Okpala, who acted as lead character Chief Zebrudaya Okorigwe Nwogbo alias 4.30, in The Masquerade earlier confirmed that Ovularia is not dead and is alive ‘because I just spoke with her few minutes ago before your call came in. She is okay in Port Harcourt.’ Read more
Nigerian ‘sex slavery’ ring goes on trial Wednesday in France (Punch)
Twenty-four suspected members of a sex trafficking ring accused of forcing Nigerian women into prostitution in France go on trial Wednesday, the latest case to highlight the growing use of Nigerian migrants as sex slaves in Europe.
Nigeria was the main country of origin of the migrants arriving across the Mediterranean to Italy in 2016 and 2017, though their numbers have since dropped.
Many of the arrivals were women and girls lured to Europe with false promises of jobs as hairdressers or seamstresses, only to find themselves selling sex on arrival to repay their debts. Read more
Boeing whistleblower raises doubts over 787 oxygen system (BBC)
A Boeing whistleblower has claimed that passengers on its 787 Dreamliner could be left without oxygen if the cabin were to suffer a sudden decompression.
John Barnett says tests suggest up to a quarter of the oxygen systems could be faulty and might not work when needed.
He also claimed faulty parts were deliberately fitted to planes on the production line at one Boeing factory.
Boeing denies his accusations and says all its aircraft are built to the highest levels of safety and quality. Read more
Britain to offer DNA testing for all newborns (Punch)
Britain plans to offer DNA testing for all newborns to screen them for serious hereditary diseases and identify health risks in adulthood, reports said on Wednesday.
“This is brilliant news, just imagine how many lives can be saved when we know the genetic risks we face,’’ Health Secretary Matt Hancock tweeted.
The government-owned Genomics England will launch a trial of the testing programme in 2020 with the National Health Service, The Times reported. Read more
Xiaomi smartphone has 108 megapixel camera (BBC)
Chinese tech giant Xiaomi has unveiled the world’s first mainstream handset to feature a 108 megapixel camera.
The extra high-resolution sensor was developed by Samsung, which has yet to feature it in its own products.
The firms say the benefit is that it delivers “extremely sharp photographs that are rich in detail”.
However, one early test of the tech indicates that its images contain more digital distortions than those produced by lower-resolution smartphones. Read more Volkswagen to bring self-driving cars to market in 2025 (DailyTrust)
Volkswagen wants to make self-driving cars a commercial reality by the middle of the next decade, the German carmaker said on Wednesday. Alexander Hitzinger, VW’s Vice-president for autonomous driving made the announcement in Germany.
Tests have been carried out in Hamburg using five specially-equipped electric Golf models on a 3-kilometre route, which has “road side units” at 14 traffic lights to aid the vehicles. Read more
Extinction Rebellion: High Court rules London protest ban unlawful (BBC)
Extinction Rebellion has won a High Court challenge against the Metropolitan Police over a London-wide ban on protests.
The police imposed a four-day ban last month, prohibiting two or more people from the group taking part in protests dubbed the ‘autumn uprising’.
However, judges have ruled that the move was “unlawful” and officers had no power to impose it.
Lawyers for the group described the police action as “hastily imposed”. Read more
Chelsea spirit delights Lampard in ‘mad’ 4-4 Ajax draw (Guardian)
Frank Lampard believes his Chelsea side are going places after summoning the spirit to fight back from 4-1 down to salvage a 4-4 draw against nine-man Ajax on what he described as a “mad” night at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues seemed destined for a defeat as first-half own goals from Tammy Abraham and Kepa Arrizabalaga added to Quincy Promes’ header and a predatory finish from Donny Van der Beek handed the Dutch champions a 4-1 lead.
However, after Cesar Azpilicueta brought Chelsea back into the game at 4-2, the visitors were reduced to nine men by second yellow cards for Daley Blind and Joel Veltman in the move that led to the hosts being awarded their second penalty of the night. Read more
Fixture congestion: We cannot carry on like this, says Jurgen Klopp (BBC)
Jürgen Klopp says “we cannot carry on like this” after it was decided his Liverpool side will play two games in two days in December.
The Reds face Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup quarter-final on 17 December before playing the Club World Cup semi-final in Qatar the next day.
“We have to find solutions,” said Klopp. “The problems are obvious.
“Every year we do the same again. Some find it funny – ‘five games in three days – let’s see how it works out’.” Read more
Arsenal, Man Utd, Celtic target Europa League knockout berths (Guardian)
Last season’s Europa League finalists Arsenal and 2017 champions Manchester United can clinch places in the last 32 of the competition this week, while group leaders Celtic face a “titanic game” away to Lazio.
Arsenal has won just twice in nine Premier League outings but are chasing a fourth straight victory in Group F away to bottom side Vitoria Guimaraes on Wednesday.
Gunners boss Unai Emery has stripped Granit Xhaka of the captaincy in the wake of an emotional outburst towards supporters in last month’s draw at home to Crystal Palace. Read more
Sunshine Stars sensitize players, officials on new officiating rules (DailyTrust)
Sunshine Stars have continued preparations for the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) with a workshop on officiating anchored by retired FIFA badged referee, Henry Ogunyamodi in Ibadan yesterday. In a statement by the Media Officer of the club, Chris Okunnuwa, the players and officials converged at a conference room in their hotel after recuperating from the friendly matches in Ilorin for the interactive session on officiating. Read more
Xhaka stripped of Arsenal captaincy (Punch)
Arsenal manager Unai Emery confirmed on Tuesday that Granit Xhaka has been stripped of the club captaincy after an emotional outburst towards supporters.
The Swiss international swore and threw the captain’s armband to the floor after being booed as he was substituted against Crystal Palace 10 days ago.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who led Arsenal for Saturday’s 1-1 draw at home to Wolves, will take over as captain. Read more https://punchng.com/xhaka-stripped-of-arsenal-captaincy-2/
Tokyo 2020: Sports Ministry to camp athletes in Kisarazu City (DailyTrust)
Hon. Minister of Youth and Sports Dev. Sunday Dare in a handshake with the Mayor of Kisarazu city in Japan, Mr Yoshikuni Watanabe, Perm. Sec, Mr Olusade Adesola and the NOC President. Engr. Habu Gumel during a courtesy visit of the Mayor and his delegation on the Minister in Abuja. The Ministry of Youth and Sports Development on yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Kisarazu City, Japan for Team Nigeria to camp in the organic city ahead of the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare who jointly signed the MoU with the Mayor of Kisarazu City, Yoshikuni Watanabe, noted that the development tallies with the new direction of early preparation for tournaments. Read more
Ex-Monaco chief reveals Mbappe’s next club after PSG (Nation)
Former Vice President of AS Monaco Vadim Vasilyev has revealed the next club French forward Kylian Mbappe will join from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).
The French World Cup winner has been turning in excellent performances in Ligue 1 and Europe, but his future is subject to speculation, with top clubs in Spain making enquires about his availability.
Former Monaco VP Vadim Vasilyev: “Real Madrid offered us a lot more money than Psg for Kylian Mbappé, they wanted him at any cost. And now, I think it’s certain, Kylian’s next club will be Real Madrid” pic.twitter.com/SSl5sVSni3
— Mad. (@MadridEveryday) November 3, 2019
According to Vasilyev, Mbappe was always clear that he wants to join Real Madrid, but wanted to become an established star in France before making the high profile switch to the Galacticos.
“Why did he not sign at Real?,” Vasilyev revealed to Telefoot. Read more
Wenger evasive over Bayern job, Rangnick ‘not available’ (Guardian)
Arsene Wenger has not ruled himself out of the running for the vacant head coach role at Bayern Munich while Ralf Rangnick, another potential candidate, is reportedly not interested.
Wenger, 70, gave an evasive answer when broadcaster beIn Sports directly asked him about working at Bayern, who need a new head coach after Niko Kovac was dismissed on Sunday in the wake of Munich’s 5-1 drubbing at Eintracht Frankfurt.
Wenger, who speaks fluent German, coached Arsenal from October 1996 until May 2018 and admits he misses some aspects of coaching. Read more
Infantino planning Iran visit for game with female fans (Punch)
FIFA president Gianni Infantino plans to attend a league game in Iran where female fans will be allowed to attend.
Infantino recently wrote to the Iranian football federation expressing his intention to travel to Iran and watch a game with women present, according to a source.
For the first time in 40 years, several thousand women were able to watch Iran’s 2022 World Cup qualifier against Cambodia on October 10 at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran. Read more