Lagos to tackle indiscriminate parking, free traffic (Punch)
The Lagos State Government has said it will regulate the indiscriminate parking of cars which hinders the flow of traffic across the state.
According to a statement on Thursday, the state Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Frederic Oladeinde, disclosed this during a press briefing in Alausa, Ikeja.
He said, “The Lagos State Parking Authority is empowered to remove all impediments arising from indiscriminate parking, thereby increasing the carriageway capacity on the roads, improving the flow of traffic, and reducing travel time.
“The yearly levy of N80, 000, an equivalent of N219 daily, is lower than charges of most private commercial parks, which is N500 to N1, 000 parking dues per hour, equivalent to over N182, 500 or N365, 000 yearly. The difference is clear as the government is quite considerate and responsive in making the environment conducive for all.” Read more
Police arrest 5 for alleged telecommunication cable theft in Lagos (Guardian)
The Police Command in Lagos State has arrested five suspected telecommunication cable thieves in the Ikoyi area of the state.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the arrest
in a statement on Thursday.
He identified the arrested suspects as Yekini Mohammed, 52; Mohammed Abdullahi, 37; Tukur Mukaila, 42; Abdulrazaq Abdulrahmon, 25; and Danladi Nura, 45.
Hundeyin said the suspects were arrested on Wednesday by officials of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) on patrol. Read more
LASU: Prof. Femi Faseun bows out of service amid rousing honour, accolades from MUSAN, former students, others (Independent)
The pioneer Head, Department of Theatre Arts and Music, Faculty of Arts, Lagos State University (LASU) and renowned music scholar, Associate Professor Femi Faseun, has promised One Hundred Thousand Naira (N100,000) prize money to the best graduating student from the Department of Music as he voluntarily retired from the services of the University.
Associate Prof. Faseun who is fondly referred to as Father of the Department, made this known as he was celebrated in grand style by the Alumni Association of Music Students (LASU Chapter) and the Music Students’ Association of Nigeria (MUSAN) with a musical concert on Wednesday, 7th September 2022 at the Faculty of Arts Auditorium, main campus, Ojo on the occasion of his voluntary retirement from the service of the university.
The Dean, Faculty of Arts, Prof. T.M. Salisu, while giving his farewell remarks, considered himself lucky to be part of the celebration. He asserted that the contributions of Associate Professor Faseun to the growth and development of Music and Theatre Arts in Lagos State University cannot be quantified. Read more
Sanwo-Olu appoints 11 new permanent secretaries (Guardian)
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has approved the appointment of nine permanent secretaries and two tutors-general/permanent secretaries in the state public service.
The new appointees are Osinaike Olusegun Olawale, Oyetola Idowu Olufunke, Oyegbola Olasunkanmi Mopileola, Dawodu Kikelomo Arinola, Toriola Abdulhafis Gbolahan, Abidakun Olubusola Ajibola, Aina Ololade Olasupo, Kasunmu Ibilola Olufolake, Sogunle Michael Olumide, Sotire Oluwole Olumide and Obajomo Ibrahim Amodu.
In a statement, yesterday, the state Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, said that the appointments were based on merit, as appointees were selected from the pool of qualified candidates, sequel to the executive development and screening exercise for eligible directors, which held in April 2022.
While confirming that the appointments of the nine new permanent secretaries are with immediate effect, Muri-Okunola, said that the swearing-in ceremony of all the appointees would take place today. Read more
2023: Elect leaders who’ll represent your interest, Fashola tells Nigerians (Sun)
Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, has urged Nigerians to weigh their options carefully when they cast their vote during the poll next year.
The former Lagos state governor, who was guest speaker during The Niche annual lecture with the theme: ‘2023 Elections and the Future of Nigeria’s Democracy’, in Lagos, yesterday, called on the electorate to elect only competent leaders who would represent their interest, and warned against selling of votes.
He said the calibre of people Nigerians elect in the forthcoming election would determine the quality of service that would be received.
He said: “What do we expect from the people you vote for at the election? Do you expect service or do you take money from them? If you collect money, you must understand that the gifts you accept from them were budgeted for from the funds meant for infrastructure and other things. The calibre of people you elect will also determine the quality of services you will get.” Read more
Clients drag firm to court over alleged breach of contract (Independent)
A firm, Brains & Hammers Limited, and its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Adebola Sheidu, have been dragged before a Lagos State High Court, by two of its clients, Messrs. J. Ajagbe and G.E. Ogie, over the company’s alleged breach of contract, infraction and failure to deliver the properties the duo started paying for since 2019.
The claimants in their originating motion ex parte numbered LD/6115GCM/2022, filed by their lawyer, Adetunji Adedoyin-Adeniyi of AAA Chambers, stated that they subscribed to the properties described as Unit D04 Coopest Beach Resort Estate, Behind NICON Town Osapa London, being one Unit of five-bedroom fully detached duplex with a maid’s room situate at Shell Coopest Resort Estate, Lekki, Lagos, as contained in the offer letter dated February 4, 2019 and Unit T6-09A Coopest Beach Resort Estate, Behind NICON Town Osapa London, being one Unit of four-bedroom terrace with domestic quarters situate at Shell Coopest Resort Estate, Lekki, Lagos as contained in the offer letter dated August 14, 2019; to which they have completed payments in line with their respective offer letters issued by the first defendant.
The claimants stated that the first defendant, Brains & Hammers Limited, has refused to issue requisite. Read more
Makinde replaces Tambuwal as PDP govs’ forum chair (Guardian)
The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has emerged as the new Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum.
Makinde emerged as the new chairman few minutes after the former chairman, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State resigns from the position on Thursday.
The oyo state governor emerged as the new chairman at the ongoing PDP National Executive Council Board meeting in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The PUNCH had earlier reported that the NEC passed a vote of confidence on the PDP National Chairman Senator Iyorchia Ayu, putting to rest the clamour for his (Ayu’s) resignation by some aggrieved party members.
A total of 397 members of the NEC including past national chairmen of the party, the immediate past Vice President of the country, Namadi Sambo, the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, among others were accredited for the meeting. Read more
US govt grants Hushpuppi’s appeal, reduces jail term to 11yrs (Vanguard)
US government has granted the appeal of Nigerian internet fraudster facing trial in the United States of America, Ramon Abbas, popularly known as Hushpuppi as his jail term reduced to 11 years.
Hushpuppi’s jail’s term reduction comes on the heels of his record which was revealed as part of his memorandum countering sentencing recommendations of prosecutors that showed he cleaned well and related well with other inmates.
He was claimed to be one of the best cleaners in the prison where he has been remanded since his arrest in 2021. It was gathered that his report card for Central Valley workshop for prisoners showed that, between July 2021 when he enrolled and November 2021 when he completed work, Hushpuppi put up “very good” in attitude, quality of work, dependability and productivity.
Hushpuppy had appealed to US Judge Otis Wright for temper justice with mercy and a lighter jail term after scoring high in the cleaning activities. Read more
Military Nabs B/Haram Informant In Asokoro, Combs Abuja Highbrow Areas (DailyTrust)
Tactical surveillance troops of the Nigerian military have arrested a Boko Haram informant, Mamuda Usman popularly known as Bado in Asokoro, a highbrow area in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The informant, according to the Military High Command, run errands for a suspected high-profiled Boko Haram Commander in Kaduna, who is on the wanted list of security agencies.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Musa Danmadami, who disclosed this to journalists at a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, also said that the military would not relent in rooting out all collaborators of terrorists in the country.
The disclosure is coming less than 48 hours after the Department of State Service arrested a Kaduna-based based Desert Herald publisher, Tukur Mamu, over alleged N2bn ransom racketeering.
Speaking at the briefing, Danmadami said, ”The tactical surveillance troops arrested a Boko Haram informant named Mamuda Usman (aka Bado) in Asokoro, the Federal Capital Territory. Read more
How Britain’s saddest day unfolded: Senior royals raced to Balmoral to be at Queen’s death-bed (DailyMail)
The nation is today shrouded in grief after the Queen died ‘peacefully’ at Balmoral yesterday at the age of 96.
As her distraught family gathered at her Highland home, the new King – who will be known as Charles III – last night spoke of their ‘greatest sadness’ and said her death would be ‘deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world’.
Crowds carrying floral tributes gathered at the gates of Buckingham Palace as well as Windsor and Balmoral Castles, numbed at the passing of not only an icon of grace, duty and dignity, but the single monarch that many have ever known.
Many will today wake up struggling to imagine their country without its Queen, who marked an historic 70 years on the throne in June. The news of her death sparked a wave of tributes both at home and abroad, led by the Prime Minister, who hailed the Queen as ‘the rock on which modern Britain was built’ and described her death as the end of the second Elizabethan age. Liz Truss concluded: ‘Today the crown passes, as it has done for more than a thousand years, to our new monarch, our new head of state, His Majesty King Charles III. God save the King.’ Read more
Netflix to ‘pause filming’ new series of The Crown following death of Queen Elizabeth II (DailyStar)
Streaming service Netflix has announced it will temporarily halt production of its hit series The Crown following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
The creator of the drama series said filming will be suspended “out of respect” for the late monarch and described the semi-fictional drama as “a love letter” to Her Majesty.
Queen Elizabeth II died at the age of 96 on Thursday (September), at Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire. She leaves behind four children, eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, including Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, Archie and Lilibet.
Prince Charles is now King and will take the title of King Charles III. Read more
Alison Boshoff: Oscar-winning designer is cut from Cruella sequel after Disney row over clothes range (DailyMail)
Respected British costume designer — and triple Academy Award winner — Jenny Beavan was lionised for the incredible clothes she created for the 2021 film Cruella.
Such was the buzz that people said the 101 Dalmatians origin story was worth seeing for her costumes alone; and few were surprised when she carried off the Oscar for best costume design last year.
However it can be revealed that she is not involved in plans for the sequel, Cruella 2. The film once again stars Emma Stone, but is set this time in the 1980s,
Disney has started asking other costume designers if they want to take on the job, with filming due to start next year. Read more
Dwayne Johnson brings ‘Black Adam’ trailer to Rams-Bills game (THR)
Dwayne Johnson touched down at SoFi Stadium Thursday night, with the actor bringing the new trailer for Black Adam to the Los Angeles Rams-Buffalo Bills game. The fresh look at the DC film also aired on NBC’s broadcast of Thursday Night Football.
Black Adam is a little more than a month away from its Oct. 21 release date and Johnson is ramping up promotional duties after taking the film to San Diego Comic-Con in July, where he appeared to hover above the 6,500-strong crowd.
Black Adam is Johnson’s first foray into the superhero realm, with the actor developing the project for more than a decade. It features an assortment of heroes, including Hawkman (Aldis Hodge), Cyclone (Quintessa Swindell), Atom Smasher (Noah Centineo) and Dr. Fate (Pierce Brosnan).
Johnson plays an antihero known as Black Adam who is thousands of years old and possesses an ancient power. Johnson’s Jungle Cruise director, Jaume Collet-Serra, is directing the feature. Read more
Tyler, The Creator gives Lupe Fiasco his flowers after NY concert (HipHopDX)
Tyler, The Creator has given Lupe Fiasco his flowers after watching the rapper perform his 2007 album The Cool in full this week.
Lupe’s sophomore effort The Cool officially turns 15 on December 18, and the Chicago rapper celebrated the occasion by announcing a short North American tour that kicked off in New York’s Central Park on Wednesday night (September 7).
Tyler was spotted in the audience, rapping along vigorously to every single word of Lupe’s “The Coolest,” but the Igor rapper later tweeted that his favorite moment came when the Chicago lyricist dedicated a song to him.
“Seen lupe do THE COOL in full last night,” Tyler tweeted out. “Amazing performer. gold watch the coolest but paris tokyo with the shoutout to me was….mannnnnnnnnn my heart jetted outta my body. loved.” Read more
Los Enanitos Verdes’ frontman Marciano Cantero dead at 62 (Billboard)
Marciano Cantero, lead vocalist and bass player of prolific Argentine rock band Los Enanitos Verdes, passed away on Thursday (Sept. 8), just two weeks after his 62nd birthday on Aug. 25.
Cantero (real name Horacio Eduardo Cantero Hernández) was in intensive care after undergoing surgery due to a kidney infection on Sept. 5, according to El Tiempo, which also revealed that the singer had one of his kidneys and part of his spleen removed at the Cuyo Clinic in his hometown Mendoza, Argentina.
The news of his passing was confirmed on the official Enanitos Verdes Instagram account, which simply shared a black ribbon as a public display of grief. A couple of hours earlier, the account posted a photo of Cantero with a caption that reads: “Today and always with you, Marciano,” alongside praying hand emojis.
Cantero, alongside Felipe Staiti (guitar) and Daniel Piccolo (drums), formed Los Enanitos Verdes in 1979, and became one of the biggest Latin rock bands of the ‘80s and ‘90s thanks to timeless hits such as “Lamento Boliviano,” “Luz De Dia,” and “La Muralla Verde.” Read more
US targets firms over Iranian drone production, shipment to Russia (Globe&Mail)
The United States on Thursday imposed sanctions on an Iranian company it accused of co-ordinating military flights to transport Iranian drones to Russia and three other companies it said were involved in the production of Iranian drones.
The United States accuses Iran of supplying drones to Russia for use in its war in Ukraine, which Tehran has denied.
The US Treasury Department in a statement said it designated Tehran-based Safiran Airport Services, accusing it of co-ordinating Russian military flights between Iran and Russia, including those associated with transporting drones, personnel and related equipment.
The Treasury also designated Paravar Pars Company, Design and Manufacturing of Aircraft Engines and Baharestan Kish Company, accusing them of being involved in the research, development, production and procurement of Iranian drones. Read more
Man Utd beaten after leading English football’s tributes to Queen Elizabeth II (Guardian) Manchester United led English football’s tributes to Queen Elizabeth II before their 1-0 defeat against Real Sociedad in the Europa League, while Roma boss Jose Mourinho was in mourning after the monarch’s death on Thursday.
United, West Ham and Arsenal players — the Premier League teams in action in Europe’s second and third tier tournaments — all wore black armbands after the Queen died aged 96 earlier in the day.
There were sombre atmospheres at Old Trafford and the London Stadium, with United and West Ham both holding a minute’s silence prior to kick-off.
West Ham fans sang ‘God save the Queen’ during their 3-1 win against Romanian side FCSB in the Europa Conference League.
The death of the nation’s longest-reigning monarch was announced after Arsenal had already kicked off at FC Zurich, so the Gunners had a minute’s silence before the start of the second half of their 2-1 Europa League win. Read more
Ballon d’Or football award winners to get NFTs (Punch)
The winners of this year’s Ballon d’Or, the top award for individual footballers, will receive digital tokens to go with their gleaming trophies, the organisers told AFP on Thursday.
The France-based award, run by the Equipe media group, has feted the beautiful game’s best players for 66 years, bestowing on them global acclaim and a trophy in the shape of a golden football.
But this year Equipe is seeking to move into the crypto sector, offering a range of digital tokens (NFTs) — free for the winners but with hundreds more being sold to the public.
Sport is awash with NFT projects as organisers, clubs and players seek to cash in on their fame.
The tokens are pieces of computer code stored on a blockchain, the digital ledger that holds information about digital assets.
They can be linked to a piece of art, a video game avatar or a real-world object, as with the Ballon d’Or.
NFTs are generally bought by people who hope to sell them on at a profit, their value based on supposed scarcity and collectability. Read more
Chelsea appoint Graham Potter as new manager (Guardian)
Graham Potter was appointed as Chelsea’s new manager on Thursday after leaving Brighton to replace the sacked Thomas Tuchel at Stamford Bridge.
Potter has agreed on a five-year contract to take charge of the Premier League club, who praised his “progressive football and innovative coaching”.
The 47-year-old earned widespread admiration for his work at Brighton.
He led Brighton to a ninth-place finish last season and took them up to fourth in the table this term while demanding entertaining and tactically astute performances from his players.
Potter’s first game as Chelsea boss will be a derby at west London neighbours Fulham on Saturday.
“I am incredibly proud and excited to represent Chelsea FC, this fantastic football club,” said the Englishman. Read more
NFF Election: I don’t have a favourite candidate – Pinnick (Vanguard)
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Amaju Pinnick has refuted allegations being made in some quarters that he has a preferred candidate he is backing to succeed him in office.
Speaking in his office on Wednesday when he met three members of his Executive board who are all interested in becoming the next NFF President, Pinnick said that the reason behind the meeting was to make it known to them that he does not have a favourite among them.
He said he has been working with them over the years, and that each of them is his candidate.
Pinnick said, “I have called this meeting to assure you all that I do not have a candidate in this race. Each and every one of you is my candidate because we worked and walked together in the past eight years, seeking the best for Nigeria Football. Read more
BOWFT: FC Robo rout Braveheart Ladies in 9-goal thriller (ThisDay)
The second edition of the Betsy Obaseki Women Football Tournament (BOWFT) started off on a thrilling note on Thursday, as FC Robo routed Braveheart Ladies in a nine-goal harvest in favour of the Lagos side.
The nine-goal haul is shared between three FC Robo players, with Lawal Taiwo netting five goals. Ijamiluyi Shade scored a hat-trick and Oladiti Rukayat found the back of the net once.
The game was played at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) Sports Complex, in Ugbowo, Benin City.
Oladiti Rukayat opened the campaign with a goal in the fifth minute, disrupting the Edo-based Braveheart Ladies. Read more
Premier League set to postpone games following the death of Queen Elizabeth II (IrishIndependent)
Britain’s entire sporting schedule today and possibly the weekend looks set to be suspended as national mourning begins after the death of Queen Elizabeth.
Premier League and Football League bosses are yet to confirm whether they will move the weekend’s action following the announcement from Buckingham Palace, but it is expected that the programme will be postponed.
A meeting of leading figures across sport took place yesterday afternoon as news of the Queen’s declining condition emerged.
Consensus was quickly reached among sporting chiefs that they should take it upon themselves to unite in postponing today’s action. Read more
Barca marvel at ‘wonder’ Lewandowski as Real face Benzema absence (France24)
With Barcelona rapidly hitting their stride after Robert Lewandowski’s prolific start in Spain, Real Madrid’s spotless early-season form will be put to the test in the absence of injured talisman Karim Benzema.
After a goalless draw on the opening weekend in La Liga, Barcelona have scored 16 times in four games — eight of which by Lewandowski, whose treble against Viktoria Plzen saw him become the first player to bag a Champions League hat-trick for three different clubs.
“I don’t know if he is the best striker in Europe but for us he’s the best,” Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez said after Wednesday’s 5-1 win over the Czech champions.
“He makes the team better, he helps us play out, he presses and brings us loads of solutions in attack. He is a player with tremendous maturity. It’s an honour to have him.” Read more
