Lagos to fast-track adoption of eGovernment, says Hamzat (Guardian)
The Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has assured that his administration will provide the needed leadership to fast-track the process that will lead to the full adoption of eGovernment.
Speaking yesterday at the Year 2020 Nigeria eGovernment Summit, with the theme ‘COVID-19: Impetus for accelerated eGoverance adoption in Ikeja, the governor who was represented by his deputy, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, stated that the government will continue to drive the process by sustaining investment in Information Technology infrastructure and partnership with all stakeholders including IT professionals in the private sector.
He said: “Given the global shift from the COVID-19 pandemic, the state government has deployed innovation and technology strategies in rendering e-government services. Read more
Court to rule on Mompha’s no-case submission Dec 9 (Vanguard)
A Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday further adjourned until Dec. 9, ruling on a no-case submission by an internet celebrity, Ismaila Mustapha (Mompha) standing trial for alleged N32.9 billion fraud.
Mustapha is charged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on 14 counts bordering on fraud, money laundering and operation of a foreign exchange business without authorisation by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
He was arraigned alongside a firm, Ismalob Global Investment Ltd.
He pleaded not guilty to the charge, and was granted bail in the sum of N100 million with one surety in the like sum. Read more
#EndSARS attack: Lagos Oriental Hotel reopens, offers discount to customers (Guardian)
The Western Metal Products Company (WEMPCO) Group, owner of Lagos Oriental Hotel, on Wednesday announced the reopening of the hotel to customers after attacks on the facilities in the aftermath of October #EndSARS protests.
The Managing Director, WEMPCO Group, Mr Lawrence Tung, made the announcement in a statement in Lagos by the firm’s Executive Director, Corporate Affairs, Taiwo Alli.
Tung reaffirmed the company’s commitment to the Nigerian economy through youth empowerment and continuous delivery of world-class hospitality services to foreign investors as well as other critical national stakeholders. Read more
Supreme Court dismisses suit against Bayelsa gov, deputy (Punch)
A seven-man panel of the Supreme Court on Wednesday affirmed Douye Diri as the duly elected governor of Bayelsa State.
In a unanimous judgement by Justice Sylvester Ngwuta, the apex court dismissed the six appeals filed against the governor and his deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
Justice Ngwuta, in his judgement, predicated the dismissal of the appeals on the withdrawal of the six appeals by lawyers of the appellants.
The appeals dismissed were filed by the Alliance for Democracy, Advanced Nigeria Democratic Party and Labour Movement, according to Channels Television. Read more
Obaseki proposes ‘unity template’ as key to tackling rising tension, COVID-19 (Thisday)
The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has reassured residents that his administration will continue to pursue policies and projects that will place the state on a sustainable path of economic prosperity and guarantee better livelihood, through a ‘unity template.’
The governor, in a statement, called for the support and collaboration of all Edo people, irrespective of religion or political affiliation, to actualize his government’s vision of Making Edo Great Again (MEGA).
According to the governor, “Together, as a people propelled by a common zeal in pursuit of progress and advancement, there is nothing that we cannot overcome if we have a consensus on how to move our state forward. What we need is what I call a ‘unity template,’ with which to overcome our challenges. Read more
Troops launch manhunt for bandits’ leader, others on Abuja-Kaduna road (DailyTrust)
Following the abduction of some commuters along Abuja-Kaduna expressway a few days ago, troops attached to the Land and Air Components of Operation Thunder Strike have identified bandits’ camp around Kuku area of Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
It was gathered that the troops, in a joint offensive operation on Tuesday killed scores of bandits in the area and they launched a manhunt for the criminals’ kingpin popularly known as ‘Major’ and other fighters that are yet to be neutralised.
Kano kidnapper in net for killing victim after collecting N.5m ransom
We can’t ask ASUU to call off strike – NLC
The Coordinator, Defence Media Operation, Maj. Gen. Enenche, who confirmed the killings of the bandits on Wednesday, said the operation was executed on the heels of credible Human Intelligence reports indicating that a cluster of huts and other structures at the location served as hideouts for a notorious bandits’ leader and his fighters. Read more
39-year-old man to die by hanging for killing lover (Punch)
An Abeokuta High Court on Wednesday sentenced a 39-year-old man, Musiliu Owolabi, to death by hanging for killing his lover, Afusat Idowu.
Owolabi, an automobile mechanic was convicted on one count of murder.
The Chief Judge of Ogun State, Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu, while delivering her judgment, submitted that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubts that Owolabi was guilty of the offence charged, hence, convicted him.
Dipeolu, said the offence committed contravened the provisions of section 319 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ogun 2006. Read more
Absence from meeting with South-South leaders not out of disrespect – Presidency (Vanguard)
The Presidency on Wednesday said that the absence of the Federal Government delegation at the planned meeting with governors and stakeholders of the South-South region was necessitated by an emergency security meeting summoned by the President and not out of disrespect.
Recall that the Federal Government delegation through the Office of Chief of Staff to the President had scheduled to meet with the governors and stakeholders of the South-South geopolitical zones on the ongoing dialogue with leaders of various geopolitical zones at the wake of the nationwide protests by youth tagged, #EndSARS Protests. Read more
UN: Nigeria Recorded 3,600 Rape Cases during Lockdown (Thisday)
The United Nations yesterday revealed that Nigeria recorded over 3,600 rape cases nationwide during the lockdown occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The global body expressed concerns over the spate of Gender-Based Violence in the country.
It also ranked Nigeria highest in drug use prevalence rate in the world with 14.3% as against 5.3% for the entire world.
The UN also said it was committed to continuing the cooperation with the Ministry of Women Affairs to strengthen the availability of data on violence against women and girls. Read more
Harvey Weinstein ‘seriously ill’ and in isolation in jail as doctors believe he has COVID-19 (Metro)
Harvey Weinstein is in isolation with a high temperature after taking a Covid-19 test.
The convicted rapist is reportedly seriously ill in Wende Correctional Facility in New York, with doctors believing he has contracted coronavirus.
According to TMZ, the 68-year-old has a temperature of 101 (38 degrees celsius) and is ‘doing poorly’. Weinstein underwent a Covid-19 test on Tuesday, and has already been placed into isolation for 72 hours. Read more
Congo declares end of Ebola outbreak, sees lessons for COVID fight (CBC)
Congo announced the end of an almost six-month Ebola outbreak in the west of the country on Wednesday as health authorities looked to apply lessons from the successful response to the fight against COVID-19 in Africa.
The Ebola outbreak, which infected 130 people and killed 55, emerged in June, weeks before a separate epidemic in the east drew to a close. That one killed more than 2,200 people, the second-most in the disease’s history.
“I am pleased to solemnly declare the end of the 11th epidemic of Ebola virus disease in Equateur Province,” Health Minister Eteni Longondo told a news conference. Read more
FAA certifies troubled Boeing 737 Max to fly again (USAToday)
Boeing’s 737 Max, the jetliner grounded for 20 months after two international crashes that killed 346 passengers and crew, was cleared to fly again Wednesday by the Federal Aviation Administration.
The troubled airliner’s return to the skies won’t be immediate. The grounded planes will need to be refitted with improvements mandated by the FAA and pilots will need to be retrained in procedures will need to make the necessary changes in the plane to make it airworthy and retrain crews. The model might even get a new name.
But the restoration of the Max’s airworthiness certificate is the most significant step yet in Boeing’s effort to resurrect the aircraft that devastated its reputation and led to congressional investigations that revealed shortcomings and even outright deceit when safety issues arose during the plane’s development. Read more
Australian kids baffle doctors after developing COVID-19 antibodies without ever testing positive (RT)
A bizarre case in Australia has stunned medical researchers, after children of Covid-19-positive parents developed extremely effective antibodies without ever testing positive for the virus themselves.
In a study published on Tuesday in the medical journal Nature Communications, researchers discuss a family of five in which both parents contracted Covid-19 after attending a wedding without their children in March.
Approximately one week after returning, the mother and father developed symptoms such as a cough, congested nose, fever and headache. Read more
China ‘cooked Indian soldiers alive with secret microwave pulse weapon’ (Metro)
Chinese soldiers managed to repel a band of Indian troops during a border standoff in the Himalayas by turning the occupied hilltops ‘into a microwave oven’, a scientist in Beijing has claimed. Jin Canrong, a professor of international relations at the city’s Renmin University, said the Indian soldiers were forced to retreat without a single bullet being fired when the People’s Liberation Army forces deployed a secret electromagnetic weapon. Speaking during a lecture, he said that they stuck to the no-live-shot rule by instead aiming pulses of radiation towards the hostile soldiers, triggering pain and irritation by heating up their skin. Read more
‘Balding’ Rockefeller Christmas tree ‘sums up 2020’ (BBC)
The Rockefeller Center’s Christmas tree is one of the most famous in the world. But the giant Norway spruce erected at the New York City landmark this year has left some less than impressed.
The 75ft (23m) tree arrived on Saturday and was lifted into position by crane.
It is set to be decorated in the coming weeks, and the lights switched on at a ceremony early next month.
But social media users have been quick to mock its “sparse” appearance, with some calling it an apt tribute to 2020. Read more
Man becomes instant millionaire when £1.4m meteorite crashes through his roof (Metro)
An Indonesian man became an instant millionaire when a meteorite worth £1.4 million crashed through the roof of his house. Coffin maker Josua Hutagalung, 33, said he was working next to his house when the space rock smashed into his living room in Kolang, North Sumatra back in August. He told local news website Kompas: ‘When I lifted it, the stone was still warm and I brought it into the house. ‘The sound was so loud that parts of the house were shaking too. And after I searched, I saw that the tin roof of the house had broken. ‘I strongly suspect that this rock is indeed an object from the sky that many people call a meteorite. Read more
Australian Open start in doubt because of Covid-19 quarantine measures (BBC)
There is considerable doubt as to whether January’s Australian Open can be staged in Melbourne as planned.
The Tennis Channel reports that Victoria’s government will not allow players to arrive in mid-December.
Tennis Australia had hoped they would be able to practise during the 14-day quarantine, before two weeks of action leading into the Australian Open.
Sources have since told BBC Sport that the state government’s decision is unlikely to change.
Victoria premier Daniel Andrews said the government was still working with Tennis Australia on quarantine arrangements. Read more
Arsenal defender Sead Kolasinac tests positive for COVID-19 (Metro)
The Bosnian FA have confirmed that Arsenal defender Sead Kolasinac has tested positive for Covid-19. Kolasinac, 27, played the full 90 minutes of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s 3-1 defeat to the Netherlands on Sunday but must now enter a period of self-isolation, meaning he will miss the side’s Nations League clash with Italy this evening.
Konyaspor goalkeeper Ibrahim Sehic has also been ruled out of the match after a positive test.
‘The results of that test have just arrived which show that our defender is positive for the coronavirus,’ a short statement read. Read more
Why Caster Semenya’s testosterone battle could be pivotal for women’s sport (RT)
South African runner Caster Semenya is continuing her battle against World Athletics, which has implemented rules prohibiting female athletes with a naturally high level of testosterone to compete internationally.
The two-time Olympic champion is to appeal to the European Court of Human Rights to overturn the regulations, which she believes are discriminatory, as they require her to artificially lower her natural testosterone levels.
The runner, who is not eligible to compete internationally under the current regulations, insists that testosterone-suppressing medicine would make her sick, claiming the ban is a clear violation of her human rights. Read more
Cavani sent off in Uruguay defeat by Brazil (BBC)
Everton forward Richarlison was on the scoresheet as Brazil beat Uruguay, who had Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani sent off.
Cavai received a straight red card after a video assistant referee review following a challenge on Richarlison in the second half.
Juventus midfielder Arthur Melo opened the scoring before Richarlison headed in a second on the stroke of half-time.
Uruguay were without Luis Suarez after he tested positive for Covid-19.
Despite hitting the woodwork twice in the first half and Martin Caceres having a goal ruled out for offside in the latter stages, the hosts failed to record a shot on target. Read more
Callum Smith sends message to Canelo Alvarez as world title fight is confirmed (Metro)
Callum Smith has vowed to beat Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and claim the throne as the king of the super middleweights when they two fight next month. Smith (27-0) will defend his WBA and Ring Magazine super middleweight titles against Canelo (53-1-2) on 19 December, with the venue yet to be announced. The fight may well take place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, where Canelo knocked out Callum’s older brother Liam in 2016 at super welterweight. The Brit will be the significant underdog against one of the pound-for-pound best in the sport, but is confident of defending his titles and becoming only the second man to beat the Mexican after Floyd Mayweather. Read more
Okocha confident present Eagles can produce African Footballer Of the Year Winner (DailyTrust)
A former captain of the Super Eagles, Austin Jay-Jay Okocha has expressed confidence that Nigeria has the prospect to produce African Footballer of the Year in future.
He said the present Super Eagles players are young and agile.
Okocha spoke to newsmen on the sidelines of an event where he unveiled the Bajaj RE250 Superkeke assembled by Stallion Auto Keke Limited.
The footballer who is the brand ambassador for the three-wheel vehicle however said the African Footballer title currently swings towards Sadio Mane of Senegal and Mo Salah of Egypt. Read more