Lagos records zero conviction as 213 die in seven years, 145 building collapsed in 13 years (Punch)
No fewer than 213 persons have lost their lives in seven major building collapse incidents in Lagos State in the last seven years, The PUNCH has learnt.
This is just as at least 145 buildings have collapsed in the state between 2007 and now.
The 213 figure is the summation of casualties in seven different incidents between 2014 and 2020.
It was learnt that while the state government had taken possession of the building sites and threatened sanctions, there has been no known conviction. Read more
Lagos trains social workers on sign language (Nation)
The Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) has held a three-day training on sign language to stem the tide of gender-based violence (GBV) against people with hearing impairment.
The ministry’s Director of Domestic Violence Unit, Mrs Olorunfemi Oluwatoyin, said the initiative was to acquaint social workers with vital skills necessary to attend to GBV victims.
It was sponsored by the United Nations (UN) Women Spotlight Initiative.
Oluwatoyin was optimistic the training will boost communication between social workers and hearing-impaired persons. Read more
INEC Declares Anambra Election inconclusive, poll holds in Ihiala Tuesday (ThisDay)
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has declared the Anambra governorship election inconclusive.
This is because of the inability of the commission to deploy staff and materials to Ihiala local government area, as a result of security threat.
Returning officer in the election, Prof. Florence Obi said the election would now hold on November 9, to complement the 20 local government areas election result, already announced.
Obi said: “we have collated results for 20 local government areas, and Ihiala is still outstanding as the commission was unable to deploy to the area. Read more
DBN disburses N400b loans to 180,000 MSMEs in 4 years (Sun)
Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) Plc at the weekend disclosed that it has so far disbursed over N400 billion loans to over 180,000 Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) since it started operations in 2017.
The bank, which stated this at the maiden edition of its Techpreneur Summit in Lagos, noted that a good portion of the loans were to tech-based start-ups and other sectors of the economy.
Executive Director, Finance/Corporate Services of the bank, Mrs. Ijeoma Ozulumba, in her remarks at the Summit themed: ‘Starting Local, Scaling Global’, noted that in 2020, DBN disbursed N190 billion, and 7,000 of those MSMEs were accessing funding for the first time.
“This shows how important this event is to us, and the commitment of the Bank to alleviating the financing constraints faced by MSMEs. Read more
Oyo issues quit notice to illegal occupants (Guardian)
The Oyo State Government has vowed to deal with all illegal occupants of government properties, saying those involved should desist or face the wrath of the law.
The Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Olusegun Olayiwola, who gave the warning during his visit to some of the Government Reserved Areas (GRAs), said government will deal with anyone found occupying any of the state properties illegally.
Speaking at the Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja GRA along Lagos-Ibadan expressway, which covers about 100 hectares of land, Olayiwola said government was making holistic assessments of state government’s GRAs in Ibadan with a view to commence proper planning and development.
He added that government is putting measures in place to commence work on undeveloped land in GRAs in the state capital. Read more
3 Customs officers killed by smugglers in Oct –Comptroller General, Ali (Sun)
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has said that no fewer than three officers were killed by suspected smugglers during the anti-smuggling war in the month of October 2021.
Comptroller General of Customs, Hameed Ali, who made the disclosure in a statement signed by the Customs Public Relations Officer, Joseph Attah,
at the weekend, alleged a conspiracy of silence concerning the death of Customs anti smuggling operatives.
He said: ”In no distant past, we heard loud voices criticising NCS about injuries and purported killings of some Nigerians, in clear cases of violence against officers performing their legitimate duties. Read more
UNIABUJA kidnap victims recount ordeal (Leadership)
Academic staff members of the University of Abuja (UNIABUJA) who were abducted by bandits last Tuesday have narrated their ordeal in the hands of their abductors and how they miraculously survived.
The six victims, including children, were kidnapped at about 1am on November 2, 2021, when the gunmen stormed the University Staff Quarters, located in Giri, Gwagwalada and went away with them.
Their abductors demanded the payment of N300 million ransom until early hours of last Friday when the university management announced that they were rescued without any payment.
Sharing his experience with journalists, one of the victims, Professor Sumaila Joseph Obansa, whose two children were initially abducted by the gunmen before one of them was released to return that fateful day, said he never imagined he could go through the pains he went through in the hands of the abductors. Read more
Enugu ex-commissioner, Nnam, under fire after resignation (Sun)
Barely one week after his resignation as Commissioner of Lands and Urban Development in Enugu State, Dr. Victor Nnam, has come under severe criticisms from various quarters.
Nnam’s letter of resignation on Friday, October 29, 2021 has attracted knocks from some government agencies, organised labour unions as well as individuals who described the former commissioner as ‘arrogant, unfriendly and corrupt’.
Reacting to the commissioner’s resignation, the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), in Enugu state, insisted that investigation by security agencies, where it filed petitions against Nnam’s alleged takeover of the Union’s developed plot at Independence Layout, Enugu, must be logically concluded and appropriate measures taken.
Ugwueze, President of NULGE, Comrade Kenneth Ugwueze, in a statement made available to Daily Sun, said: “If the said letter actually arose from him, then he needs to search further the true meaning of diligence or, maybe, he was referring to a guilty conscience.” Read more
Aso Rock electrical installations repairs to gulp N5.2b in 2022 (Leadership)
President Muhammadu Buhari is seeking the National Assembly’s approval to spend N5.2 billion on maintenance of an undisclosed number of electrical and mechanical installations in 2022.
The figure is captured in the draft national budget estimate he submitted to the joint chambers of the federal lawmakers in October. This is an annual routine maintenance. Many people say the request is outrageous. The sum of N3.854 billion was allocated to this activity in 2021.
This newspaper had also reported that the President would construct the presidential wing at the state house medical centre – a 14-bed facility – with N21.97 billion in the same year if the National Assembly approves the budget.
Apart from that, the presidency is seeking to spend another N104.86 million on maintenance of office buildings in the Villa.
Vin Diesel makes an impassioned plea for Dwayne Johnson to return to the Fast & Furious film series (DailyMail)
Vin Diesel made an impassioned plea for Dwayne Johnson to return to the Fast & Furious franchise.
The 54-year-old performer sent the message to his costar, 49, through a post that was shared to his Instagram account on Sunday, which included a photo of the two acting in one of the series’ films.
The actor also wrote a lengthy message that was directed at the former professional wrestler, where he expressed his desires for the performer to return to the franchise.
Diesel began the statement by referring to Johnson as a family member and mentioning how the Fast & Furious series was coming to a close. Read more
Nick Cannon jokingly volunteers to give Saweetie babies (TMZ)
Saweetie says she wants children in her life — and one Nick Cannon seems to be ready to deliver … if she wants to take him up on it.
The rapper tweeted out her parental desires Saturday, writing … “I want some babies.” Short and sweet — no real other context either, but on its face … it sounds like she’s ready to be a mom.
While there were a number of normies in her comments who offered up their services to get that done — Nick actually stood out among the rest with a not-so-subtle offer of his own … retweeting Saweetie’s message and adding a few telling emojis.
There’s a curious face emoji, a ninja emoji, a laughing emoji, and a guy raising his hand emoji. The hand-raising says it all … NC seems to be down to provide, and as we know — is very well-equipped to do so. Read more
US reopens its borders to UK travellers after ‘more than 600 days of separation’ (Sky)
Vaccinated passengers are finally able to enter the United States from the UK, bringing an end to almost two years of coronavirus restrictions.
Thousands of travellers will jet off on transatlantic flights for long awaited reunions with family and friends, while British Airways and Virgin Atlantic will operate a synchronised departure from Heathrow to celebrate the end of the travel ban.
Their aircraft will take off from parallel runways at the west London airport at 8.30am before flying to New York JFK.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said it was a “significant moment” as transatlantic travel has “long been at the heart of UK aviation”. Read more
British man arrested in Ireland appears in court “after he phoned death threat to female MP” (DailyMail)
A British national in Ireland has appeared in court charged with making threats to kill a female Labour MP – three days after Sir David Amess was stabbed to death in an unrelated case.
Daniel Weavers, 41, who is originally from England but now resides in the Douglas area of Cork, was brought before a special sitting of Cork District Court on Sunday.
Weavers was detained in Douglas on Saturday by police with armed support and has been charged with making a menacing message via phone on October 18 contrary to section 13 of Ireland’s Post Office Act 1951, as amended in 2007.
The court heard Weavers made no reply when the charge was put to him by gardai in custody.
He was granted bail with a variety of conditions attached during Sunday’s hearing. Read more
West African regional bloc ECOWAS imposes new sanctions on Mali and Guinea (France24)
The West African regional grouping ECOWAS on Sunday hardened its stance against military-ruled Mali and Guinea, imposing new individual sanctions and calling on both countries to honour timetables for a return to democracy.
The Economic Community of West African States “has decided to sanction all those implicated in the delay” in organising elections set for February 27 in Mali, ECOWAS Commission President Jean-Claude Kassi Brou told AFP after a summit of the 15-nation group in the Ghanaian capital Accra.
He said Mali had “officially written” to Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo, who holds the rotating presidency of ECOWAS, to inform him that the Sahel country could not hold elections as planned.
“All the transition authorities are concerned by the sanctions which will take immediate effect,” Brou said, adding the travel bans and assets freezes targeted family members as well. Read more
Scott Morrison accused of failing to understand the ‘urgency’ of climate change (ABC)
Australia’s contribution to major global climate talks in Glasgow has been labelled a “great disappointment” by the United Kingdom’s top government advisor on climate change, who accused Prime Minister Scott Morrison of failing to understand the urgency of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Lord Deben, chair of the UK’s Climate Change Committee, an independent body that advises the UK government on emissions reductions, said progress had been made at the COP 26 talks in Glasgow but that Australia hadn’t helped.
“When Scott Morrison tried to explain what he was going to do between now and 2030, it was just a whole series of words,” he told ABC RN Breakfast.
“You cannot go forward without signing up to eliminating coal. We can’t go on using coal, and Australia has to come to terms with the fact it’s changing my climate and the climate of the rest of the world.” Read more
Iraqi PM Mustafa al-Kadhimi survives drone attack on his home (Telegraph)
Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi escaped unharmed in an assassination attempt by armed drone in Baghdad on Sunday, officials said, in an incident that dramatically raises tension in the country weeks after a general election disputed by Iran-backed militia groups.
Six members of Kadhimi’s personal protection force stationed outside his residence in the Green Zone were wounded, security sources told Reuters.
Three drones were used in the attack, including two that were intercepted and downed by security forces while a third drone hit the residence, state news agency INA quoted a spokesman for the interior ministry as saying.
A spokesman for the armed forces commander in chief said the security situation was stable inside the fortified Green Zone, which houses the residence, government buildings and foreign embassies, after the drone attack. Read more
Astroworld performer Roddy Ricch to donate earnings from festival to victims’ families (Mirror)
Roddy Ricch, who performed at the Astroworld Festival on Friday night in which eight people lost their lives, has revealed he plans to donate his earnings from the show to the families of the victims.
The singer took to the stage earlier in the day before tragic scenes saw members of the crowd die and others injured during Travis Scott’s set in Houston, Texas.
Now, the 23-year-old has took to Instagram to tell his followers of his plans.
Taking to his Instagram Stories, the rapper said: “”Please have the families of those who we lost yesterday reach out to @shawnholiday,” and tagged a member of his management team.
Jürgen Klopp accuses VAR of ‘hiding behind referee’ in West Ham defeat (Guardian)
Jürgen Klopp was left incensed with the referee, Craig Pawson, and his video assistant Stuart Attwell after Liverpool’s 3-2 defeat by West Ham on Sunday, claiming the officials had let down his players in regard to two key decisions and accusing Attwell of “hiding” behind Pawson on both calls.
West Ham have leapfrogged Liverpool into third after a barnstorming game at the London Stadium. Klopp congratulated the victors for the ruthlessness they showed from set pieces and on the counter-attack but he felt the game was shaped ultimately by the manner in which his side fell behind after four minutes and the decision not to send off Aaron Cresswell for his challenge on Jordan Henderson shortly afterwards.
West Ham took the lead via an Alisson own goal, resulting from the goalkeeper’s failure to deal an inswinging corner from Pablo Fornals.
The visiting players immediately protested against the decision, insisting to Pawson that Alisson had been fouled by Angelo Ogbonna as the pair rose to meet Fornals’s delivery. But after a VAR check conducted by Attwell it was decided the goal should stand, despite replays suggesting Ogbonna had collided with Alisson as he tried and failed to punch the ball away with his left arm which, as a result, drifted into the net via his thumb. Read more
Packers flounder, fall to Chiefs with Aaron Rodgers ruled out amid COVID-19 saga (USAToday)
Jordan Love may be the future for the Green Bay Packers, but this team still needs unvaccinated Aaron Rodgers for the present mission.
Love, 23, made his first NFL start on Sunday while Rodgers isolates after testing positive for COVID-19, and what a learning experience it was as the Packers fell to the Kansas City Chiefs, 13-7, at Arrowhead Stadium. The result snapped Green Bay’s seven-game winning streak (7-2) while Kansas City (5-4) has won consecutive games for the first time all season.
With some better support from the special teams, Love might have sparked an upset against a team that is still sputtering with its once-prolific offense.
The Packers had a missed field goal by Mason Crosby (40 yards), a blocked 37-yard field goal attempt and a muffed punt return that was recovered by the Chiefs and led to a field goal. Without those gaffes, Love would have had more of a fighting chance – especially with Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs offense missing so much rhythm. Read more
Doherty game time added boost for Kenny as injury woes clear (Independent)
Stephen Kenny’s injury worries ahead of the World Cup double-header against Portugal and Luxembourg have eased as Jamie McGrath and Jason Knight came through their weekend tests unscathed and reported for duty.
And there was also relief for the Ireland manager as what was feared to be a serious, potentially season-ending injury for Rotherham United forward Chiedozie Ogbene was not as bad as initially feared by his club and the in-form striker will be fit to play for his country.
Kenny was pleased to see Seamus Coleman clock up 90 minutes for Everton yesterday while Matt Doherty also got some badly-needed game time for Tottenham in that 0-0 draw, Doherty on for Lucas Moura for the last 20 minutes, his first appearance in eight games.
Andrew Omobamidele and Shane Duffy also made Premier League starts, with defenders John Egan and Enda Stevens starting as well for Sheffield United in their loss to Blackburn Rovers. Midfielders Knight (Derby) and McGrath (St Mirren) played 90 minutes for their clubs, pleasing for Kenny to see them fully fit after recent injury. Read more
Korir, Cockram prevail in Los Angeles Marathon (WashingtonTimes)
John Korir of Kenya made a break with 7 miles remaining to win the 36th Los Angeles Marathon on Sunday.
Natasha Cockram of Wales won the women’s race with a similar strategy.
The 24-year-old Korir, who was second here two years ago, finished in 2 hours, 12 minutes, 48 seconds, nearly six minutes better than countryman Edwin Kimutai (2:18:01). Eritrea’s Amanuel Mesel Tikue finished third in 2:18:17.
Korir’s older brother, Wesley Korir, is a two-time Los Angeles champion. Read more
Pierre-Hugues Herbert: Don’t know if I’ll have enough time to get fully vaccinated (TennisWorld)
France’s Pierre-Hugues Herbert has revealed that he is not vaccinated and that he could skip the Australian Open. Herbert, 30, lost the Paris Masters doubles final with Nicolas Mahut on Sunday. Herbert has suggested that he is not against taking the vaccine but indicated the he might not have enough time to get fully vaccinated in time for the Australian Open.
“It’s a bit complicated, because I personally am not vaccinated. And I don’t know today if I’ll have time to receive two doses and get fully vaccinated (by the time I should fly to Melbourne). Certainly the situation in Australia is not extremely open,” Herbert said after losing the Paris Masters doubles final, per We Love Tennis.
In 2019, Herbert and Mahut won the Australian Open doubles title to complete a Career Grand Slam as a team. A few days ago, ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi said the ATP won’t be able to do anything if the Australian government bans unvaccinated players from competing in Australia.
“We have known for a few days that you cannot go to Australia if you are not vaccinated. That can still change but it is their tournament,” Gaudenzi told L’Equipe. “If they decide to organise it with this rule, we can do nothing. Read more
Lewis Hamilton says Red Bull were ‘just too quick’ after Mexico City Grand Prix (BBC)
ime is running out for Lewis Hamilton to try to rescue this year’s Formula 1 world championship in the face of the relentless excellence of Max Verstappen and Red Bull.
Verstappen’s victory in Sunday’s Mexico City Grand Prix was his ninth in 18 races so far this season. No driver who has won that many races in a year has ever gone on to lose the championship. And, as things stand, the Dutchman does not look like bucking the trend.
Verstappen has a 19-point lead in the championship, edging ever closer to a clear win, with four races to go, and Hamilton, whose Mercedes team were outclassed in Mexico, has won only once in the past eight races.
“It’s of course looking good,” Verstappen said afterwards. “but also it can turn around real quickly.” Read more
NBA recommends Covid-19 vaccine boosters for players vaccinated just 2 months prior (RT)
The National Basketball Association (NBA) reportedly urged players to get Covid-19 booster shots. Some vaccinated players may face game-day testing already by December if they refuse the recommendation.
The NBA told players the new rules on Sunday, according to AP, and stressed that those who initially received the Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine are most in need of a booster jab. Citing its waning efficacy over time, the league called on players, coaches and referees who received the vaccine more than two months ago to roll up their sleeves for a booster dose of a different jab, namely Pfizer’s or Moderna’s.
Those who were vaccinated with either the Pfizer or the Moderna vaccine were advised that they will need a booster shot six months after initial vaccination.
Depending on what vaccine a player was originally given and when that vaccination took place, some players may already face repercussions for refusing a booster dose by next month. Read more