Lagos urged to intervene in chieftaincy tussle (Nation)
Members of the Hassan Royal Family at Okoole in Ibeju-Lekki Local Government of Lagos State have urged Lagos State government to intervene in the chieftaincy tussle rocking the town.
Two prominent members of the royal family, Alhaja Waidat Hassan and Mr. Jamiu Hassan, at a news conference in the town, said the state government’s intervention would prevent the breakdown of law and order that would likely result from the imposition of an unpopular candidate as ‘Baale’.
Waidat said: “We are members of the Hassan Royal Family, which produces the Baale of Okoole. The stool is vacant. We have candidates who have indicated interest in the stool, but the family is yet to support and present a candidate. The family is not happy that some members are fighting over the stool.
“We want peace and development in our town. We don’t want disunity and crisis. This is why we are calling on the government under the leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to intervene, in the interest of peace and justice.” Read more
LCCI elects Olawale-Cole as 24th President (Vanguard)
The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) yesterday elected Asiwaju Dr. Michael Olawale-Cole as it’s 24th President to steer the ship of the Chamber for the next two years. This followed the expiration of Mrs. Toki Mabogunje’s tenure of office, after serving the Chamber in the same capacity for two years.
In a statement made available to Vanguard, Dr Chinyere Almona, Director General, LCCI said: “Olawale-Cole emerged as President after a duly conducted election at the Chamber’s 133rd Annual General Meeting held on Thursday 2nd December 2021 at Commerce House, 1 Idowu Taylor Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
“A two-time Former Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, as well as Works and Transport in Lagos State, Olawale-Cole has served the Chamber previously in various capacities such as Deputy President, Vice President, Chairperson, Public Affairs Committee, Chairperson, Financial &General Purposes Committee among others.
“As a Council Member and a key Officer of the Chamber, he has brought his extensive knowledge and experience to bear and has provided inspirational leadership and direction for the success of the Chamber. His emergence as the President will enhance the Chamber’s role as the leading public policy advocate, promoting and protecting the interest of its members and the business community at large.” Read more
Customs arrests 2 suspects for alleged murder of officers (Guardian)
The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), yesterday, said it has impounded 907 kilogrammes wraps of Indian hemp (Cannabis sativa), cartons of expired Chinese drinks and kegs of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) at 25 litres each, meant to be smuggled to neighbouring countries, thereby creating artificial fuel scarcity in the country and other contraband goods worth N2.8 billion in six weeks.
Acting Controller of the unit, Hussein Ejibunu, while showcasing the seized items to newsmen in Lagos, said other recovered items, include, 13,342 bags of 50kg smuggled parboiled rice, 3,696 pieces and 175 sacks of used shoes labelled in the Chinese language, 285 cartons of Basmati rice, 464 cartons of Tomato paste, 694 bales of secondhand clothing, 1,224 cartons of frozen poultry products and 177 kegs of 25 litres packed vegetable oil.
Others are 5,413 cartons of medicaments without the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) certification numbers, 148 pieces of the used compressor, 231 pieces of used tyres, 56 units of used fridges, 28 units of used motorcycles, 2x40ft containers of charcoal meant for export, 5x20ft containers of rough and semi-processed wood meant for export, which causes deforestation in Nigeria and 59 vehicles used as means of conveyance, among others.
Ejibunu said 41 suspects were arrested in connection to the seized items, adding that 23 of them were granted administrative bail, while 18 are still in custody. Read more
#EndSARS: Frank rejects Lagos Govt’s White Paper (ThisDay)
Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timi Frank, has rejected the White Paper on the report of the Judicial Panel of
Inquiry on Restitution for Victims of SARS Related Abuses and Other Matters, issued by the Lagos State Government last Tuesday.
He also called on all #EndSARS activists never to partake in the planned ‘Peace Walk’ by the state Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, describing the move as tendentious and anti-youth.
Frank in a statement issued in Abuja yesterday said: “How can there be peace without justice? Sanwo-Olu should accept the truth about the #EndSARS massacre at the Lekki Toll Gate, apologise to Nigerian youths and pay adequate compensation to victims of the massacre if he desires to walk for peace.”
The former APC scribe, who is the ambassador of United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) to East Africa and Middle East, urged Sanwo-Olu to go through the JPI report and follow the truth courageously captured therein. Read more
Twitter ban hits 6 months as Nigeria awaits FG’s decision (Guardian)
In about two days from now, precisely December 5, it will be exactly six months since the Federal Government banned Twitter operations in Nigeria.
Though the Federal Government last week claimed that Twitter has met all the demands handed it before it can resume operations in Nigeria, Nigerians are, however, worried that the ban has not been lifted.
Recall that the Federal Government had announced the suspension of Twitter operations in the country on June 4, after the social media giant deleted a post by President Muhammadu Buhari for “violation of the company’s abusive behaviour policy.”
By June 5, the suspension was effected by telecommunications companies as Nigerians woke up to a Twitter shutdown across all platforms. Read more
Commuters stranded as drivers block Auchi-Benin Road over colleague’s kidnap (Sun)
Thousands of commuters were stranded on the Benin-Auchi Road, yesterday, as drivers blocked the route with their vehicles in protest, following the abduction of one of their colleagues, on Wednesday.
The blockade, which took place at the Ugha Community, along the road, left many travellers bemoaning their fate.
One of the drivers, while lamenting incessant abduction of their colleagues on the road by gunmen, said they took action to draw the attention of the authorities to their plight.
“One of our drivers was kidnapped on Wednesday, and we have reported to the police and nothing is being done to search for him. Another one was kidnapped several months ago and we are afraid he may have died. Read more
31 million PLWDs suffer as 23 states neglect disability rights (Guardian)
As Nigeria joins the rest of the world today to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), the over 31 million community of Persons Living With Disabilities (PLWDs) in the country has called on government at all levels to quit paying lip service to their plights and match words with actions by implementing the various domestic laws and international conventions.
The IDPD is a day set aside by the United Nations since 1992 to promote a better understanding of disability issues with a focus on the rights of PLWDs in every aspect of the political, social, economic and cultural life of their communities.
The theme for the 2021 IDPD is ‘Leadership and Participation of PLWDs toward an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post-COVID-19 world,’ with a focus on their empowerment for inclusive, equitable and sustainable development as envisaged in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
In a statement, yesterday, to mark the IDPD, Executive Director, Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD), David O. Anyaele, observed that this year’s event is the third commemoration of the day since the passage and assent by President Muhammadu Buhari of the disability rights Act that is designed to protect the more than 31 million citizens with disabilities. Read more
Grounded NNS Aradu needs $200m to refit, $700m to replace, says Senate (Nation)
The Senate has said the Federal Government will require $200 million to refit or $700 million to replace the Nigerian Navy Flagship (NNS) Aradu that is currently grounded.
The Upper Chamber urged the government to take over the naval ship as a presidential asset and resuscitate it for “national security, safety and pride”.
The Senate also resolved to convoke a roundtable of stakeholders, including the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) and Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), to re-fit and refurbish NNS Aradu to enable it protect Nigeria’s maritime domain.
The suggestion and resolutions of the Senate followed its consideration of a motion, titled: “Urgent need to resuscitate the Nigerian Navy Flagship NNS Aradu,” sponsored by Senator George Thompson Sekibo (Rivers East). Read more
Boma: Buhari should pay me for keeping jobless Nigerians busy (DailyTrust)
Reality star, Boma Akpore, has demanded to be paid for allegedly keeping some “jobless Nigerians” busy.
Boma, who was one of the controversial housemates in the 6th edition of the Big Brother Naija show, said this in an Instagram post.
The housemate has continually faced backlash and criticism over his romantic relationship with married housemate, Tega Dominic.
Both Boma and Tega were evicted from the show on the same day. Read more
“Frozen” star teases “Matrix Resurrections” fight with Keanu Reeves (DigitalSpy)
Frozen star Jonathan Groff has opened up about his on-screen fight with Keanu Reeves in The Matrix Resurrections.
While we don’t know the exact nature of the actor’s character in the upcoming sequel (though he’s definitely given off Agent vibes), we know that he will spar with Neo.
Reflecting on giving it his all for the fight scenes, theatre veteran Groff told Entertainment Weekly: “I think any anxiety that I had about fighting, any sort of ‘Oh my God, what am I doing here?’ energy, I just funneled into my commitment of being able to do it to the best of my ability. The minute I set foot on that mat, I was there to throw it down.”
The star also got a lot of help from Reeves, who has done his fair share of action roles over the last few decades. Read more
France rejects Boris Johnson’s call for joint British-French patrols in the Channel (Sky)
France has rejected the idea of a joint British-French patrol in the English Channel to deal with the rising number of migrant crossing – but said Paris officials are “ready to pursue our operational cooperation” with the UK.
Writing to Boris Johnson, French Prime Minister Jean Castex told his British counterpart that his country “cannot accept” either “British police or military patrol at our coast” as “a matter of our sovereignty”.
A Number 10 spokesperson said UK ministers “stand ready to discuss all options in the spirit of our close cooperation and partnership”.
It comes after the UK PM suggested earlier this month that a joint coast patrol of the Channel by both British and French officials could help to prevent the dangerous crossings. Read more
Ghislaine Maxwell trial: Housekeeper drove accuser ‘Jane’ to Epstein’s Palm Beach mansion aged 14, court hears (Independent)
Jeffrey Epstein’s former housekeeper testified that the first accuser in Ghislaine Maxwell’s sex trafficking trial was a frequent visitor to his Palm Beach mansion when she was 14 years old.
Juan Patricio Alessi, who worked at Epstein’s Palm Beach property for 12 years, gave evidence on day four of Ms Maxwell’s trial in New York’s federal courthouse.
Mr Alessi said Ms Maxwell was the “lady of the house” and maintained an iron grip over every aspect of life at the Palm Beach mansion.
Mr Alessi said he had picked up the accuser – who testified under the pseudonym Jane – from her school and home and drove her to Epstein’s home beginning in 1994. Read more
WHO: travel bans won’t keep cases out of countries (Nation)
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said travel bans will not keep Omicron COVID-19 variant infections out of countries.
But, it said if they are put in place, they should be used well to buy time.
“Dr. Anthony Fauci is right that if you do something as drastic as a travel ban, use it well to buy time,” WHO spokesperson, Dr. Margaret Harris, said about the top U.S. infectious disease expert’s comments about the effectiveness of temporary travel bans.
“But we do know that it won’t keep cases out. Usually, by the time where countries are aware that there is a risk of importation, that’s already happened.” Read more
Police Scotland pays £1m to family of woman left in crashed car for 3 days (Guardian)
Police Scotland has paid £1m in compensation to the family of a woman who died after being left for three days in a crashed car on the M9 motorway.
The force has settled a compensation action taken by the family of Lamara Bell, 25, after they sued over its failure to respond to a call from a farmer who had spotted a crashed car lying off the hard shoulder in 2015.
When police finally arrived at the scene three days later, after a second call from the public, they found Bell in critical condition and her partner, John Yuill, 28, dead alongside her. She died in hospital four days later, leaving two children, aged 5 and
10. The Record newspaper has reported that the children, now in the care of grandparents, will be awarded £500,000 each.
The force has already admitted there were avoidable failures in its call-handling system which “materially contributed” to her death, and issued an unreserved apology. It was found guilty in September of corporate criminal liability. Read more
Ex-Austrian chancellor Kurz quits politics: ‘I’m neither a saint nor a criminal’ (TimesofIsrael)
Austria’s former chancellor, Sebastian Kurz, said Thursday that he is quitting politics, two months after stepping down as leader amid corruption allegations.
Kurz said the recent birth of his first child had motivated him to take the step.
The 35-year-old said he had always done his best to “move our beautiful Austria a little bit in the right direction,” but acknowledged having made some mistakes during his 10-year career.
Still, Kurz insisted: “I’m neither a saint nor a criminal.” Read more
US House passes bill to avert government shutdown, with Senate vote to follow (France24)
The U.S. Senate is poised to vote on Thursday night to fund the government through mid-February, removing the risk of a partial shutdown, Democratic Majority Leader Chuck Schumer told reporters.
That vote would come hours after the House of Representatives voted 221-212 to approve the stopgap funding bill, which runs through Feb. 18. Only one Republican supported the measure.
“It is looking good that we are going to pass the CR tonight and make sure the government stays open,” Schumer said on Thursday.
He did not mention a proposal by a small group of hardline Republican senators to defund President Joe Biden’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for workers. It was not clear those Republicans had the votes to pass their proposal in the narrowly Democratic-controlled chamber. Read more
Prince Charles’s ex-aide coordinated with ‘fixers’ over honours nomination for Saudi billionaire, investigation finds (Sky)
Prince Charles’s former closest aide coordinated with “fixers” over an honours nomination for a Saudi billionaire who donated to his charity, an investigation has found.
Michael Fawcett resigned as the chief executive of the Prince’s Foundation after allegations against the ex-royal valet emerged.
He was also involved in directing money from the donor’s foundation to another charity, of which Charles was previously patron, according to the investigation.
Mr Fawcett quit after being accused in newspaper reports of promising to help secure an honorary CBE and British citizenship for Mahfouz Marei Mubarak bin Mahfouz, who denies any wrongdoing. Read more
NJ GOP lawmakers defy new statehouse COVID vaccine mandate, refuse to leave floor (Fox)
Several New Jersey Republican state Assembly members refused to comply with a new statehouse COVID-19 policy, walking past state police officers enforcing the rules and refusing to leave the Assembly floor.
“We’re standing up for people who haven’t gotten or can’t get the vaccine and those who have natural immunity,” Republican Assemblyman Jay Webber, one of the lawmakers who refused to comply with the new rules, told Fox News Thursday.
At issue was a new rule issued by Senate President Steve Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, both Democrats, Thursday that mandated lawmakers show either proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test from up to 72 hours prior to entering the Senate or Assembly chambers.
“The presiding officers have the authority to protect the safety of members, officers and employees of the legislature in performance of their official duties as well as that of the general public in connection with the conduct of the legislature’s official business,” a document signed by Sweeney and Coughlin said. Read more
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Man Utd message after scoring 800th goal in front of Ralf Rangnick (Mirror)
Cristiano Ronaldo insists he has no time to celebrate passing 800 career goals as he prepares for the start of Ralf Rangnick’s reign.
The Portugal star bagged a brace against Arsenal in front of the Manchester United interim boss who was in the stands due to visa issues.
Michael Carrick made it three games unbeaten as caretaker boss with a dramatic 3-2 win over the Gunners before announcing his exit from the club immediately after the full-time whistle.
Ronaldo etched his name in the record books once again as he became the first-ever player to reach 800 goals in his career during the win. Read more
Michael Carrick admits Arsenal’s ‘very strange’ goal by Emile Smith Rowe while David de Gea was down injured (DailyMail)
Manchester United bounced back from conceding a freak goal to beat Arsenal at Old Trafford as Cristiano Ronaldo broke the 800-goal barrier in a remarkable career.
A dramatic night ended with United caretaker manager Michael Carrick announcing that he is leaving the club with immediate effect as he handed over the reins to interim boss Ralf Rangnick.
Ronaldo’s double took his tally to 801 goals and made sure Carrick signed off in style after Arsenal had taken a bizarre lead when Emile Smith-Rowe scored in an unguarded net with goalkeeper David de Gea down injured.
‘At least I don’t have to talk too much about the Arsenal goal because we could have been here all night,’ smiled Carrick. ‘If it had been the winning goal it would have been a different conversation. Very strange.’ Read more
Inter Milan’s Christian Eriksen begins training with Danish club after cardiac rehab (ESPN)
Inter Milan midfielder Christian Eriksen has begun working out at the training ground of his youth club in Denmark following his rehabilitation after suffering a cardiac arrest at Euro 2020, a spokesperson for the club said on Thursday.
Eriksen, 29, has not played since suffering the cardiac arrest while running near the left touchline during Denmark’s opening game of the tournament against Finland in June and received life-saving treatment on the pitch.
“Eriksen reached out to us, and he is now training by himself,” a spokesperson for Odense Boldklub (OB) told Reuters.
“It’s natural for him since he played here in his youth and lives around the corner. We are very happy to be able to provide training facilities for him,” he said. Read more
Alonso, Vettel will miss “outstanding” Raikkonen when he exits F1 (Motorsport)
Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso believe an “outstanding” Kimi Raikkonen will not only be missed as a Formula 1 driver, but also as a person.
Raikkonen announced in September that the 2021 season will be his last in the sport, bringing a career that spans over 20 years to a close.
The 42-year-old Finn made his F1 debut with Sauber in 2001 and went on to win the 2007 title with Ferrari, scoring a total of 21 victories with the Italian squad and McLaren.
Vettel was Raikkonen’s teammate at the Scuderia from 2015 to 2018, and the four-time champion is one of the few drivers the Finn considers his friend. Read more
Peng Shuai ‘reconfirmed’ she’s safe in second video call with IOC, committee says (TheAthletic)
The International Olympic Committee held a second call with Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai on Wednesday and said she “reconfirmed” she is safe and well amid continued concerns for her wellbeing, the Olympics governing body announced Thursday.
The IOC’s call with Peng came the same day the WTA suspended all tournaments in China following the “censorship” of Peng’s sexual assault allegation against a former government official. The suspension went into effect immediately.
“We share the same concern as many other people and organizations about the wellbeing and safety of Peng Shuai,” the IOC said in a statement. “This is why, just yesterday, an IOC team held another video call with her.
“We have offered her wide-ranging support, will stay in regular touch with her, and have already agreed on a personal meeting in January,” the IOC said, adding Peng “appeared to be safe and well, given the difficult situation she is in.” Read more
Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson-Herah named Female World Athlete of the year (Voice)
Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson-Herah has won the Female World Athlete of the Year award after a record-breaking season.
The Olympic champion was awarded at this year’s World Athletics Awards, which was held virtually on Wednesday.
Speaking at the ceremony, Thompson-Herah said she plans to continue running fast and has her sights set on the next World Championships.
She said: “I went very close to the world record so you know, anything is possible. No spikes hanging up any time soon! Read more
Bet9ja Lagos SWAN Cup commences today (Nation)
The opening ceremony of the weeklong 2021 Bet9ja Lagos SWAN Cup celebration will take centre stage today at the Legacy pitch inside the National Stadium Complex, Lagos.
As part of activities marking the ceremony heralding the weeklong event, veterans in the sports writing business will lace up for a novelty football match while the Lagos SWAN women will file out against women referees known as Law 5 Queens.
This year’s event is proudly sponsored by Bet9ja with Lagos State Sports Commission, Owu, Nestle Nigeria, Nigerian Breweries, Intercontinental Distillery, Redbull, La Liga, Guarantee Trust Holding Company and Multichoice as partners.
The opening ceremony which will commence by 4pm will be graced by distinguished members of the society and friends of the association with the Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Gafaar Shakiru Oluwatoyin performing the ceremonial kick off. Read more