Lagos releases resumption dates for 2020/2021 school session (Nation)
The Lagos State Ministry of Education has approved resumption dates for the 2020 to 2021 school session.
According to the time table, both public and private schools below the tertiary level will resume the First Term academic activities on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020.
The term is expected to run until Dec.18, 2020 while the second term will begin Jan. 4, 2021, and run until April 16, 2021.
Mrs Abiola Seriki-Ayeni, the Director, the Office of Education Quality Assurance (OEQA) urged all public and private schools in the state to adhere strictly to the harmonised school calendar. Read more
COVID-19: Sanwo-Olu hails Lagos judiciary over innovative court proceedings (Vanguard)
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has commended the state judiciary for rising up to the challenges posed by COVID-19 in the justice sector.
Sanwo-Olu gave the commendation yesterday during the church service held at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, to mark the commencement of Lagos State Judiciary 2020/2021 legal year. A special Muslim service was also held at the Central Mosque, Marina where the Chief Judge, Justice Kazeem Alogba pledged his commitment to the effective administration of justice to boost public confidence in the judiciary.
Speaking at the church service, Governor Sanwo-Olu who was represented by his wife, Ibijoke noted that despite the disruptive impact of the coronavirus pandemic, the state judiciary continued to dispense justice through innovative measures. Read more
AIB releases preliminary report on Lagos Helicopter Crash (Nation)
The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) Monday released the preliminary report of the accident involving a Bell 206B Helicopter operated by Quorum Aviation Limited which crashed into residential buildings in Opebi area of Lagos on August 28, 2020.
According to the AIB report the helicopter had no fuel left in the fuel tanks after the crash.
Though the report indicated that the chopper was fitted with a long range extender fuel system, it, however, did not have capacity for fuel jettison.
Experts say the chopper could have crashed on account of inadequate fuel that could not get it two minutes away to the Lagos Airport. Read more
FG picks Lagos to host World Maritime Day (Vanguard)
The 2020 World Maritime Day, WMD, celebration will hold at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos on Thursday, September 24th, Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi has said.
In a statement signed by Magdalene Ajani, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation on Monday, this year’s celebration theme is “Sustainable Shipping for Sustainable Planet: The Nigerian Dimension.”
The 2020 World Maritime Day Celebration will be hosted by the Federal Ministry of Transportation in conjunction with the International Maritime Organisation. Read more
Live in peace with your neighbours, Buhari tells perpetrators of violence in Kaduna (Thisday)
President Muhammadu Buhari Monday appealed to the people causing mayhem in Kaduna State to learn to live with their neighbours in peace and harmony, without which he said development would be an illusion.
Speaking at the virtual opening of the Fifth Kaduna Economic and Investment Summit, with the theme: “KADInvest 5.0, Infrastructure, Industrialisation and Innovation,” Buhari urged the people to cooperate with government and security agencies to pave the way for desired peace and harmony.
A statement by the president’s media adviser, Mr. Femi Adesina, said Buhari submitted that development would only take place when energies were collectively channelled towards building as against the destruction of lives and property. Read more
Fayose loses elder sister (Punch)
A former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has announced the death of his elder sister, Mrs Moji Ladeji.
He made this known in a tweet on Monday.
Fayose described the deceased as “God-fearing”.
He said, “On behalf of my family, I announce the death of my immediate elder sister, Mrs Moji Ladeji. She died today, after a brief illness.
“We are pained by your departure, but consoled by the God-fearing and exemplary life that you lived. May the soul of Sister Moji rest in peace. Read more
KDSG attracts 25 new business worth $500m – El-Rufai (Guardian)
Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna state, says his administration has attracted 25 new businesses worth over $500 million as it continues to open up the business space in the state.
El-Rufai made the disclosure on Monday at the opening of the 5th Kaduna Investments Summit. He said that the over $500 million was invested by local and foreign companies.
The governor explained that the summit was one of the means through which the government showcase and market Kaduna State to national and international audiences as the prime investment destination in Africa. Read more
Okorocha: APC losing ground for relegating founding members (Nation)
A founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha on Sunday said the only thing keeping the party alive is the respect members have for President Muhammadu Buhari.
He said the party, which is writhing in the pains inflicted on it by internal crisis following the 2019 general elections, died the day its leadership abandoned the progressive and democratic ideals on which it was founded.
The former governor, who is also the senator representing Imo West, noted that apart from President Buhari, the other leaders of the political blocs that merged to form APC in 2015, were schemed out by those he called “forces” that later joined the party. Read more
Nigerian health workers suspend strike over hazard pay (Guardian)
Nigerian health workers have suspended a week-long strike over pay, COVID-19 bonuses and inadequate facilities, unions officials said Monday.
The labour action was the latest to hit Nigeria’s health sector as the authorities struggle to tame the virus that has so far infected 57,242 and claimed 1,098 lives.
“All health workers under the five Unions that make up Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations (AHPA) shall return to work on Monday,” they said in a joint statement. Read more
Botswana: Mystery elephant deaths caused by cyanobacteria (BBC)
Toxins made by microscopic algae in water caused the previously unexplained deaths of hundreds of elephants in Botswana, wildlife officials say.
Botswana is home to a third of Africa’s declining elephant population.
The alarm was raised when elephant carcasses were spotted in the country’s Okavango Delta between May and June.
Officials say a total of 330 elephants are now known to have died from ingesting cyanobacteria. Poaching has been ruled out as a cause of death. Read more
James Bond actor Michael Lonsdale dies aged 89 (Metro)
Actor Michael Lonsdale, known for his roles in the James Bond franchise, as well as The Name of the Rose, has died aged 89.
He died Monday afternoon at his home in Paris, with his agent Olivier Loiseau confirming the news to AFP.
L’Obs first broke the news of his death.
Lonsdale was known for countless roles, however one of his most famous was as Nazi villain Sir Hugo Drax in 1979 Bond film Moonraker.
In the iconic Bond film, opposite Roger Moore’s 007, Lonsdale played an industrialist planning to poison all humans on Earth before then repopulating the planet from his space station. Read more
World Alzheimer’s Day: The cost of caring for someone with dementia (France24)
Memory loss, confusion and unpredictable mood swings are just a few of the symptoms that characterise Alzheimer’s. To mark World Alzheimer’s Day on Monday, FRANCE 24 spoke with two people each caring for someone with the disease about how it has transformed their lives.
Alzheimer’s is the most common degenerative brain disease and the leading cause of dementia. In France, there are currently 900,000 people living with it. As the country’s population continues to age, an estimated 225,000 new cases are diagnosed each year.
The way Alzheimer’s slows the brain means that it affects not only the patient but also their loved ones. While some diagnosed with the disease decline quickly, others require long-term care and support.
Overall, some 3 million people were affected by the disease in France in 2020, according to the Alzheimer’s Research Foundation (Fondation recherche Alzheimer). This number includes patients, healthcare professionals and the hundreds of thousands of family members who act as unpaid caregivers. Read more
Richest 1% cause more than double CO2 emissions of poorest half of humanity – Oxfam (RT)
Environment Institute reveals carbon dioxide emissions rose by 60 percent from 1990 to 2015.
The report blames the wealthiest one percent for 15 per cent of those emissions.
That is more than twice as much carbon dioxide as emitted by the poorer half of the world.
The study also showed that the richest 10 percent of the global population, comprising about 630 million people, was responsible for about 52 percent of global emissions over that period. Globally, that 10 percent comprises those with incomes above $35,000 a year, and the richest one percent are those earning more than $100,000.
The report warns that rampant overconsumption and the rich world’s addiction to high-carbon transport are exhausting the world’s “carbon budget.” Read more
Expensive trainers actually bad for your feet, says science (Metro)
Wearing expensive trainers with the soles arching up is bad for the feet, according to new research.
Trendy shoes with ‘toe springs’ weaken muscles by putting too much pressure on the ball – increasing the risk of agonising conditions.
These include plantar fasciitis, more commonly known as heel pain. It affects one in ten people – and causes an excruciating stabbing pain on the bottom of the foot. Read more
Ex-defence minister appointed Mali interim president, junta leader named VP (France24)
Former Mali defence minister and retired colonel Ba N’Daou was named interim president on Monday while the leader of the junta that seized power last month was appointed vice president, state television announced.
Mali’s ruling junta has come under intense pressure from its West African neighbours to return power to civilians following the Aug. 18 coup that overthrew President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita.
West African leaders insisted last week that the interim president, who will oversee an 18-month transition period, be a civilian, while signalling they would accept a soldier as vice president. Read more
Twitter investigates racial bias in image previews (BBC)
Twitter is investigating after users discovered its picture-cropping algorithm sometimes prefers white faces to black ones.
Users noticed when two photos – one of a black face the other of a white one – were in the same post, Twitter often showed only the white face on mobile.
Twitter said it had tested for racial and gender bias during the algorithm’s development.
But it added: “It’s clear that we’ve got more analysis to do.” Read more
Nigerian Marvin makes Real Madrid debut (Nation)
Marvin Olawale Akinlabi Park of Nigerian descent made his debut appearance for Real Madrid first-team in their goalless draw against Real Sociedad in their La Liga opening fixture on Sunday.
He replaced Rodrygo in the 70th minute of the encounter but could not inspire the defending champions to victory at the Reale Arena.
The 20-year-old was the second player who made his Real Madrid debut in La Liga on Sunday after Sergio Arribas came on for Vinicius Junior.
Marvin moved to the Spanish capital in 2016 and rose through the youth ranks at Real Madrid after previous playing stints at Tranmere Rovers, Ciutat de Palma and Penya Arrabal. Read more
Dele Alli must earn his place at Spurs or risk exit (Guardian)
One of Jose Mourinho’s top priorities when he became Tottenham boss was to bring back the “real Dele Alli”. But he is still waiting for the midfielder to rediscover his best form.
The England international, who has the prized ability to unlock defences, has played just 45 minutes of football this season and his future at Spurs is in doubt.
Alli was substituted at half-time during the defeat against Everton in his side’s Premier League opener and did not travel to Bulgaria for a Europa League qualifier against Lokomotiv Plovdiv.
He was not in the matchday squad for the 5-2 win at Southampton on Sunday, instead forced to train at the club’s north London base while Son Heung-min scored four and Harry Kane added another. Read more
Mikel’s Stoke debut ends in defeat (Nation)
John Obi Mikel’s home debut ended on a losing note as Stoke City lost 2-0 to Bristol City in Sunday’s Championship game.
The former Chelsea star, who signed for the Potters in August after mutually parting ways with Trabzonspor, made his debut against Millwall.
In the game staged at the Den, the 33-year-old saw every minute of action as Michael O’Neill’s men settled for a 0-0 draw away from home.
Against the Robins at the Bet365 Stadium, Mikel held sway in the hosts’ midfield, albeit, they ended on the losing side courtesy of Nahki Wells and Andreas Weimann’s efforts. Read more
Ilkay Gundogan: Manchester City midfielder tests positive for coronavirus (BBC)
Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has tested positive for coronavirus.
The 29-year-old is observing a 10-day self-isolation period, the Premier League club confirmed.
As a result, the Germany international will miss City’s opening league game of the season against Wolves on Monday (20:15 BST).
“Everyone at the club wishes Ilkay a speedy recovery,” Manchester City said in a statement.
City winger Riyad Mahrez and defender Aymeric Laporte previously tested positive for Covid-19 but are now back in training. Read more
Crystal Palace chairman rubbishes reports of £25m deal with Liverpool for Rhian Brewster (Metro)
Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish has taken the unusual step of publicly rubbishing speculation linking his club with a big-money move for Liverpool youngster Rhian Brewster. The 20-year-old striker, who enjoyed an excellent spell on loan at Swansea City last season, appears to be surplus to requirements at Anfield – particularly after the £45million signing of Wolves attacker Diogo Jota. Jurgen Klopp is a fan of Brewster and in normal circumstances would probably only be prepared to loan him out, but a permanent sale – with a buyback clause – is being discussed. Read more
Arturo Vidal: Barcelona midfielder having medical at Inter Milan (BBC)
Inter Milan are set to complete the signing of midfielder Arturo Vidal from Barcelona.
Vidal began his medical in Milan on Monday, with the deal set to be concluded within the next 24 hours.
It will reunite the 33-year-old Chilean with manager Antonio Conte after the pair won three successive Serie A titles together at Juventus.
Inter do not open their league campaign until Saturday when they entertain Fiorentina. Read more
Frank Lampard defends Kai Havertz after Chelsea’s defeat to Liverpool (Metro)
Frank Lampard insists Kai Havertz still needs time to adapt after the midfielder struggled to make an impact in Chelsea’s defeat to Liverpool on Sunday.
The 21-year-old, who was signed from Bayer Leverkusen for £71 million earlier this month, made a low-key debut in the 3-1 win over Brighton last Monday.
Havertz was given a deeper midfield role against Brighton, but in the 2-0 loss to the Premier League champions at Stamford Bridge, the Germany international was played as a false nine with Timo Werner operating from a wider attacking position. Read more