LASTMA rescues driver as 40-foot container falls on Toyota Camry (Punch)
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority has rescued a driver after a 40-foot loaded container fell on a Toyota Camry with the registration number LSR 293 HJ at Mile 2, enroute to Apapa.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Director of the Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, Adebayo Taofiq, and shared on X.com on Monday.
According to the statement, a joint rescue team comprising LASTMA, the Federal Road Safety Corps, and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency rescued the victim alive and rushed him to the hospital for immediate medical attention. Read more
Absence of judge stalls Nnamdi Kanu’s N50b suit against FG (Nation)
The absence of Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, stalled a N50 billion suit filed by Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), against the Federal Government.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the matter, which was fixed for today, could not proceed because Justice Ekwo was on official engagement.
The judge was said to be sitting in another division of the court. Read more
Oluremi Tinubu joins 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence (Channels)
Wife of President Bola Tinubu and Senator, Remi Tinubu on Monday, joined the global community in commemorating the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, marking the start of the 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence.
Gender-based violence remains one of the most widespread human rights violations, with nearly one in three women worldwide experiencing physical or sexual violence in their lifetime.
In Nigeria, harmful practices like child marriage and female genital mutilation are still prevalent, often justified by cultural or religious norms. Read more
Nigeria’s GDP hits 3.46% in Q3 2024 (Tribune)
Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate in real terms grew by 3.46 per cent in the third quarter (Q3) of 2024 on a year-on-year basis.
The Q3 GDP growth is 0.92 percentage points higher than the 2.54 percent recorded in Q3 2023, data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Monday has shown.
Similarly, the Q3 GDP was higher by 0.27 percentage points relative to the 3.19 percent recorded in the second quarter (Q2) of 2024. Read more
President Tinubu congratulates ex-UN Diplomat Gambari on 80th birthday (VON)
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated former United Nations Under-Secretary-General on Africa, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, on his 80th birthday.
The president lauded the national icon’s global footprint, saying it represented a remarkable asset for Nigeria on the country’s return to democracy 25 years ago.
President Tinubu, who was represented by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, at the 80th birthday anniversary family reception organised to celebrate the diplomat, lauded the commitment of Professor Ibrahim in promoting peace across the globe and making the world a better place. Read more
Oyo recruits 5,600 primary school teachers, 80 caregivers (Leadership)
The Oyo State Government has employed 5,600 new primary school teachers as well as 80 caregivers in the state.
Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Nureni Adeniran who made this known on Monday in Ibadan, disclosed that the appointments were duly approved by Governor Seyi Makinde.
Adeniran stated that the newly engaged teachers and caregivers were the first batch to be employed from successful applicants in the recruitment exercise carried out recently by the agency. Read more
Stars gather in Lagos as National Theatre Festival Of Unity begins (Independent)
The stage is set for the biggest gathering of local and international entertainers in Lagos, as the National Theatre will, between December 13 and 14, play host to high ranking personalities.
The country’s commercial nerve centre of Lagos is expected to have the rendezvous with history.
“The National Theatre Festival of Unity will begin on Friday, December 13, 2024 in Lagos” a statement by the chairman of the Planning Committee, Mr Yunusa Mohammed, said. Read more
Bukola Saraki Celebrates Atiku At 78 (NewTelegraph)
Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki has celebrated the 78th birthday of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, describing him as a compassionate leader committed to Nigeria’s unity and progress.
In a birthday post shared on his verified X page on Monday, Saraki extended heartfelt wishes to the former Vice President, praying for Atiku’s continued blessings of good health, strength, and wisdom for Atiku.
Saraki wrote: “His Excellency, Alhaji @Atiku Abubakar, stands as a compassionate servant of the people whose lifelong dedication to the nation’s progress and unity has earned him the admiration of Nigerians across the globe. Read more
Best-selling novelist Barbara Taylor Bradford dies (BBC)
Author Barbara Taylor Bradford, known for best-selling novels including “A Woman of Substance”, has died at the age of 91.
Published in 1979, “A Woman of Substance” sold 30 million copies and spawned seven sequels and a TV adaptation, which is still the most-watched programme in Channel 4’s history.
It was the first of 40 novels by Taylor Bradford; others include the Ravenscar, Cavendon and the House of Falconer series. Read more
Namibia poised to elect first female president (AfricaNews)
Namibia’s Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah could become the country’s first female president if she wins the presidential election on Wednesday.
At least 1.4 million people, or about half of the population, have registered to vote in the elections, with 15 political parties running for president and seats in the National Assembly.
Results from special early polls held for Namibia’s foreign missions, seamen and security services announced by the Electoral Commission of Namibia this month indicate Nandi-Ndaitwah and her party, the South West Africa People’s Organization, or SWAPO, are in the lead. Read more
Manchester schoolgirls cast as starring roles in new blockbuster Wicked film (ITV)
Two schoolgirls are playing a starring role alongside Hollywood superstars – after being cast in the new blockbuster film Wicked.
Karis Musongole, 10, and Hattie Ryan, nine, joined Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo and Jeff Goldblum, to take part in the new film based on the popular Broadway musical.
Karis was cast as the young version of Erivo’s part Elphaba Thropp, while Hattie plays Curious Munchkin.
The pair, from Manchester, are both members at performing arts school Elm Arts Company in Failsworth, Oldham. Read more
Josh Brolin remembers James Cameron’s reaction when he turned down a role in Avatar (Gamesradar)
Josh Brolin says James Cameron had a surprisingly strong reaction when he turned down a role in Avatar.
“I heard he was angry,” the actor said during an appearance on In Depth with Graham Bensinger. “I understand it, because when you have something in your mind and you have a status and a power… you’re used to people feeling really grateful that you are offering it to them.”
Brolin didn’t reveal what the role was or why he turned it down, but added, “I don’t know if that’s the case with him because I don’t know him well enough. But it was based on the [project]. It wasn’t based on him.” Read more
Hugh Grant reveals how those Bridget Jones fight scenes ended in real-life chaos (HuffPost)
The fights between Hugh Grant and Colin Firth in the Bridget Jones movies were always equal parts dramatic and ridiculous, and it turns out that was the case behind the scenes too.
Hugh recently sat down for a video interview with Vanity Fair, in which he revisited some of his most iconic roles.
Among them was Daniel Cleaver, a character he played in the first two Bridget Jones movies, who wound up coming to blows with Colin’s Mark Darcy in both films. Read more
Pakistan detains over 4,000 Imran Khan supporters before Islamabad rally (AlJazeera)
Thousands of supporters of Imran Khan have been detained by police as Pakistan’s capital remains under lockdown in advance of a rally demanding the release of the jailed former prime minister and resignation of the current government.
Shahid Nawaz, a security officer in eastern Punjab province, said on Monday that police have already detained more than 4,000 Khan supporters, including five parliamentarians.
In a news conference, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said authorities will arrest more Khan supporters if they reach Islamabad’s Red Zone, which has been sealed off to protect government buildings. Read more
Trump names billionaire Scott Bessent as Treasury pick (CNN)
President-elect Donald Trump named billionaire Scott Bessent as his pick to serve as the next secretary of the Department of the Treasury.
“Scott has long been a strong advocate of the America First Agenda. On the eve of our Great Country’s 250th Anniversary, he will help me usher in a new Golden Age for the United States, as we fortify our position as the World’s leading Economy, Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurialism, Destination for Capital, while always, and without question, maintaining the U.S. Dollar as the Reserve Currency of the World,” Trump said in a statement announcing the pick Friday, confirming CNN’s earlier reporting.
“Unlike in past Administrations, we will ensure that no Americans will be left behind in the next and Greatest Economic Boom, and Scott will lead that effort for me, and the Great People of the United States of America.” Read more
Super Falcons: Madugu invites Nnadozie, Plumptre, 18 others for France (Nation)
Head Coach Justine Madugu has called up CAF Awards nominee, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, defenders Osinachi Ohale and Ashleigh Plumptre, midfielders Christy Ucheibe and Jennifer Echegini, and forwards Gift Monday and Rinsola Babajide among a list of 20 players for Saturday’s international friendly match against the Les Bleues of France.
US-based defender Michelle Alozie, Turkey-based Oluwatosin Demehin, midfielder Adoo Yina and forwards Mercy Omokwo and Ifeoma Onumonu are also invited to the encounter scheduled for the Stade Raymond Kopa in the city of Angers, with kick-off set for 9.30pm France time.
Midfield lubricator Toni Payne, now with Everton Ladies in England, as well as Rofiat Imuran and Shukurat Oladipo – who both starred for the Falconets at the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia in September – will also fly to France for the big match. Read more
Kwara boss rues defeat to Insurance (Punch)
Kwara United coach Tunde Sanni expressed disappointment following his side’s 3-1 loss to Bendel Insurance in their Nigeria Premier Football League Week 13 encounter at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin on Saturday.
Sanni admitted his team did not perform to their usual standards against the Benin Arsenal, describing the defeat as “a bad day in the office.”
“We didn’t play our normal game today. Kwara United play better than this. We just lost concentration; if not, we cannot lose heavily like this. Since the season began, we have hardly conceded two goals, let alone three,” Sanni lamented in his post-match interview. Read more
Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr out of Liverpool match (BBC)
Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr will miss his side’s Champions League game against Liverpool after sustaining a hamstring injury.
The Brazilian played the whole of Real Madrid’s 3-0 La Liga win against Leganes on Sunday.
Madrid, who are 18th in the 36-team Champions League table, travel to Anfield on Wednesday to face table-topping Liverpool.
The La Liga club named a 19-man travelling squad for the trip to Merseyside and there was no place for Vinicius Jr after he suffered “an injury to the biceps femoris in his left leg”. Read more
Man City can still do “very good things” despite slump, says Guardiola (France24)
Pep Guardiola said Monday that Manchester City can still achieve “very good things” this season despite their alarming run of five straight defeats.
City host Dutch side Feyenoord in the Champions League on Tuesday, chasing their first win in any competition since late October, but Guardiola remains bullish.
“I have the feeling that this season we will do very good things,” he told his pre-match press conference. “I don’t give up and I have the feeling we will be there.” Read more
Ex-rugby international Mullin jailed for three years over stealing from BOI (RTE)
Former rugby international Brendan Mullin has been jailed for three years for stealing over €500,000 from Bank of Ireland when he was the chief executive officer of its private bank a decade ago.
The 61-year-old from Stillorgan Road, Donnybrook, Dublin 4, had pleaded not guilty to false accounting and stealing more than €570,000 from the bank between 2011 and 2013, but was convicted by a jury earlier this month.
The court was told that Mullin now accepts the jury’s verdict. Read more
F1 standings after Las Vegas GP as Ferrari cut deficit to McLaren (Independent)
Max Verstappen was crowned F1 World Champion for the fourth time as the Dutchman finished above title rival Lando Norris at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
The Red Bull driver won his fourth straight title with two races to spare, as Norris can no longer catch Verstappen in the standings after he could only finish sixth.
Verstappen, meanwhile, finished fifth behind the Mercedes pair of George Russell, who won from pole, and Lewis Hamilton. Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc finished third and second for Ferrari. Read more
