LASEMA partners hospitals, agencies to improve emergency response (Punch)
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency has partnered with public hospitals and other agencies to enhance emergency response efforts and reduce loss of life during crises.
The initiative was unveiled on Thursday during the agency’s strategic session on emergency response protocol, with participants drawn from across the various Lagos State-owned hospitals and the state Ministry of Health.
Representatives from the Lagos State Health Scheme, Lagos State Health Facilities Monitoring and Accreditation Agency and the Lagos State Ambulance Service were also in attendance. Read more
Inferno: Sanwo-Olu unveils fire stations, urges safety consciousness (Leadership)
In light of fire outbreaks in the state, Lagos State Governor Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday, tasked Lagosians to be more safety-conscious.
The governor, who spoke at the unveiling of new fire stations at Ijegun-Egba and Ijede, Ikorodu, said the two new stations were sited where they are most needed. He added that they have been equipped to handle domestic fires, industrial accidents, and any other emergencies.
“But this is more than just a building; it’s a lifeline. It’s here to save lives, reduce response times, and ensure our first responders can reach those in need as swiftly as possible,” said the governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Abimbola Sailu-Hundeyin at the Ijede commissioning and the Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, Sesan Tunde Ogundeko, at the Ijegun-Egba commissioning. Read more
Lagbaja: Funeral service of late COAS ends; interment follows (Vanguard)
The Funeral Service in honour of the late Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, who passed on at the age of 56 on Nov. 5, has ended at the National Christian Centre Abuja.
The remains of the late Army Chief arrived at the church at 11:17 am in a military motorcade and was ushered in by the military ‘pipe band’ and horsemen.
The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, and other top government functionaries, including the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, were in attendance. Read more
FEC okays N250b fund to address housing deficit, revitalise mortgage financing (Tribune)
In a bid to tackle Nigeria’s severe housing deficit and stimulate long-term economic growth, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a N250 billion real estate investment fund aimed at providing affordable, long-term mortgages to Nigerians.
The initiative was announced by Minister of Finance, Wale Edun on Thursday after a FEC meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
It is designed to address the country’s critical 22 million-unit housing gap while creating jobs and boosting private sector investment in the housing sector. Read more
Keyamo in Maiduguri for strategic review of General Muhammadu Buhari Int’l Airport (NewTelegraph)
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has conducted a pivotal one-day working visit to Maiduguri, the Borno State Capital, in a strategic review of General Muhammadu Buhari Airport, with a view to upgrading it to international status.
Keyamo was in Maiduguri with a delegation from the Ministry, including other critical stakeholders like the Customs, DSS, Immigration, NDLEA, and others, and were warmly received by Governor Babagana Umara Zulum.
He was accompanied by Chief Executives from key aviation agencies, including the managing director of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Olubunmi Kuku, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Engr. Farouk Umar, the DG of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo ably represented Engr. Balang and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet). Read more
Ikenna Nwagboso to Exit emPawa Africa 2025 (ThisDay)
Global Head of Label Services and Partnerships at emPawa Africa Ikenna Nwagboso will step down from his role in January 2025, the company has announced.
Nwagboso co-DJ with Mr Eazi in 2018 and has been pivotal in shaping emPawa’s impact on the African music scene, overseeing the careers of artists like Joeboy, Fave, and Tekno, while securing key partnerships with YouTube Music, Kobalt, and Beyoncé’s Parkwood Entertainment.
Notably, Nwagboso was integral to the success of emPawa’s flagship programs, emPawa 100 and emPawa 30, which have launched over 130 emerging African artists.
Joeboy, one of the program’s earliest successes, credits Nwagboso with playing a key role in his rise to international stardom. Read more
Supreme Court dismisses suit challenging constitutionality of EFCC, others (DailyTrust)
The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed the suit by 16 states against the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), challenging the constitutionality of the acts establishing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and two others.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the other agencies are the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).
A seven-member panel of justices, in a unanimous judgment, held that the suit was unmeritorious. Read more
Ondo Poll: Tinubu calls for peaceful exercise, commends INEC’s preparedness (Channels)
President Bola Tinubu has called for a violence-free governorship election in Ondo State and commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its readiness for the exercise.
“As Ondo State prepares for its off-cycle governorship election, President Bola Tinubu urges all political stakeholders and the electorate to uphold peace and decorum and fulfil their civic responsibilities without fear before or after the elections,” presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said in a Friday statement.
“President Tinubu anticipates a democratic process in the state that will genuinely reflect the people’s will and power to freely choose their leaders.” Read more
Nicole Kidman takes dig at Martin Scorsese (FilmNews)
Nicole Kidman has cast aspersions on director Martin Scorsese for having only male protagonists in the vast majority of his films.
The Oscar-winning actor listed every director she has ever worked with while accepting the American Film Institute’s prestigious Life Achievement Award earlier this year.
But when asked by Vanity Fair in an interview published this week if there are any notable names she still has her eye on, the Moulin Rouge star admitted she would love to work with Scorsese – with a caveat. Read more
Lebanese government to prioritise ceasefire efforts amid Israeli escalation (National)
Lebanon’s government is prioritising efforts to achieve a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah on the basis of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said on Friday, as he welcomed visiting senior Iranian officials.
His comments came as Israel escalated its ground offensive in the country and maintained its bombardment of Beirut’s southern suburbs and Hezbollah-controlled areas, as well as conducting strikes on areas that are not linked to the Iran-backed group.
He spoke during a visit by Ali Larijani, senior adviser to Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Mr Mikati emphasised the importance of implementing the UN resolution “and not taking positions that generate sensitivities among any Lebanese group or serve the interests of one group at the expense of the other”. Read more
Taskmaster confirms cast for New Year special (DigitalSpy)
Taskmaster has unveiled the cast for its New Year’s Treat.
Following on the heels of the season 18 finale, Little Alex Horne and Greg Davies will return over the festive period with a brand new crop of celebrities for a special episode.
The first celebrity contestant confirmed for the New Year’s Treat is This Morning and Good Morning Britain‘s money-saving expert Martin Lewis. The financial advisor has hosted ITV’s The Martin Lewis Money Show since 2012. Read more
Conan O’Brien to host 2025 Oscars Ceremony (Variety)
Emmy-winning comedian, writer, producer and former late-night host Conan O’Brien has been tapped to host the 97th Oscars, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Tuesday.
This marks O’Brien’s first stint as host, coming after two consecutive years with Jimmy Kimmel as emcee. The ceremony is also coming off winning an Emmy for outstanding variety special (live), from a ceremony that yielded over 20 million viewers.
True to form, O’Brien responded with humor to the announcement. “America demanded it and now it’s happening: Taco Bell’s new Cheesy Chalupa Supreme. In other news, I’m hosting the Oscars,” he said. Read more
Hugh Grant refuels Colin Firth ‘‘rivalry’’ as “Bridget Jones 4” trailer arrives (Independent)
Hugh Grant has reignited his ongoing “feud” with his Bridget Jones’s Diary co-star Colin Firth.
The pair starred alongside each other in the 2001 adaptation of Helen Fielding’s novel and will reprise their characters for the forthcoming fourth instalment of the franchise.
Grant has mocked Firth’s fleeting role in the film, who only appears in Bridget’s memories in the newly released trailer as his character, Mark Darcy, has died in a tragic accident. Read more
George Strait to receive Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award at 2024 CMA Awards (People)
George Strait will be the 2024 recipient of the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2024 Country Music Association Awards.
In an announcement made on Tuesday, Nov. 12, Strait is set to accept the award at the ceremony which takes place on Wednesday, Nov. 20.
“There have been few other artists as authentically Texas and authentically Country as George Strait, and country music fans all over the world have been better for it,” Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer said in a statement. “As a three-time CMA Entertainer of the Year and the most nominated artist of all time, he serves as an inspiration and icon to many of the great, new artists we know today. I am thrilled we are awarding him with this deserving honor.” Read more
Musk meets Iran UN ambassador on defusing tension under Trump (NewArab)
Elon Musk, the tech billionaire closely allied with US President-elect Donald Trump, met Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations in a bid to defuse tensions between Tehran and Washington, The New York Times reported Thursday.
The newspaper quoted anonymous Iranian sources as describing the meeting between the world’s richest person and Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani as “positive.”
The two met for more than an hour at a secret location on Monday, the newspaper said. Read more
Osimhen equals Odegbami’s Eagles record (Punch)
Victor Osimhen tallied Segun Odegbami’s Nigeria scoring record of 23 goals with his effort that pulled the Super Eagles level in Thursday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying Group D draw against the Benin Republic, which ended 1-1 at Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan in Ivory Coast.
The Napoli loanee, who has taken the Turkish Super Lig by storm in the colours of Galatasaray, rose above a sea of Cheetahs defenders to nod home on 81 minutes, his 23rd in 38 appearances for Nigeria since making his debut in 2017.
He thus matched the feat of Segun Odegbami, who scored the same number of goals in 47 appearances for Nigeria between 1976 and 1981. Read more
France vs Israel: Paris ramps up security as Israel says France “must” ensure fans’ safety at football match (FirstPost)
The UEFA Nations League match between France and Israel at the Stade de France on Thursday (Friday in India) is set to take place amid strict security arrangements amid fears of a clash between pro-Palestine groups and Jewish football supporters.
The match which is scheduled to start at 8.45 pm local time (1.15 am IST on Friday) will reportedly be attended by only 13,000 fans in a stadium of 80,000 capacity due to a call for a boycott, but there’s danger of a large group of people from both groups gathering outside the stadium in the Saint-Denis locality.
Meanwhile, Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has urged France to do everything possible to ensure the safety of Israeli fans. Read more
Ian Wright fears England face “bigger issue” than Harry Kane row after Greece win (Express)
Ian Wright fears England have a “bigger issue” to contend with after nine players pulled out of the squad before the win over Greece. Ollie Watkins’ first-half finish, an Odysseas Vlachodimos own goal and Curtis Jones’ flick saw the Three Lions clinch a vital 3-0 win in Athens on Thursday night.
Before the match, nine players – Jarrad Branthwaite, Aaron Ramsdale, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Levi Colwill, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer, Jack Grealish and Phil Foden – withdrew from the squad.
England captain Harry Kane made his thoughts abundantly clear on the England drop-outs, saying: “It’s a shame, obviously. It’s a tough period of the season and maybe that’s been taken advantage of a little bit.
“I don’t really like it if I’m totally honest. England comes before anything and any club situation.” That has sparked a debate Read more
Daniil Medvedev makes stunning Jannik Sinner ‘‘Big 4’’ claim after ATP Finals defeat (Tennis365)
Jannik Sinner confirmed his position as a group winner at the ATP Finals in Turin and then received a glowing tribute from his latest victim Daniil Medvedev.
Sinner triumphed 6-3, 6-4 over Medvedev in an hour and 13 minutes to add to his victories over Alex de Minaur and Taylor Fritz and take top spot in the Ilie Nastase Group.
The top seed, winner of both the Australian and US Opens this year, said in quotes on atptour.com: “I’m trying to find new ways to improve as a player. I’m trying to win as many matches here as I can. Read more
Australia drop Suaalii to bench for Wales Test (BBC)
Australia have dropped new star centre Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to the replacements bench for the Autumn Nations Series match against Wales in Cardiff on Sunday.
Suaalii is replaced by Samu Kerevi in one of six personnel changes made by head coach Joe Schmidt to the side that edged a thriller 42-37 against England at the Allianz Stadium in Twickenham.
Captain Harry Wilson is missing because of concussion with flanker Seru Uru coming in and Rob Valetini moving to number eight. Read more
England clinch T20 series with edgy three-wicket win over West Indies (Sky)
England wrapped up a series win over West Indies as an edgy three-wicket win in the third T20 international in St Lucia earned them an unassailable 3-0 lead with two to play.
Chasing a seemingly modest target of 146, England twice looked in trouble, when reduced to 37-3 inside the six-over powerplay and then at 75-4 in the 11th over.
But 41 from Sam Curran and 39 for Liam Livingstone – dropped twice by Nicholas Pooran on six and eight, and again by Shimron Hetmyer on 21 – proved pivotal in steering England over the line. Read more