Lekki shootings: Sanwo-Olu has lost credibility, says FSD (Punch)
A group, the Federal Social Democrats, says the credibility and integrity of the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, have been diminished by the alleged shooting of #EndSARS protesters by soldiers at the Lekki tollgate on the night of October 20.
According to the group, the Lekki incident has eroded the admiration that Sanwo-Olu won with his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The group, in statement on Sunday signed on its behalf by Olutola Mobolurin, also condemned the harassment of #EndSARS protest leaders through the freezing of their bank accounts and stopping them from travelling outside the country.
The FSD’s statement was titled, ‘Statement by the Federal Social Democrats On the #EndSARS Movement and Violence in the Wake of Lekki Shootings.’ Read more
Be patient with government, Lagos lawmaker tells youths (Guardian)
A member of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Kosofe Constituency 1, Sanni Babatunde, has enjoined youths to be patient with government as it moves to address their demand for police reform.
Speaking at this year’s constituency stakeholders’ meeting organised by the House, Babatunde lamented the destruction that trailed the #EndSARS protest after it was hijacked by hoodlums, stressing however that the gains of the protest should be preserved for the evolution of a new Nigeria.
While commending the state government for the many proactive measures taken at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, and Lagosians for their cooperation during the lockdown, Babatunde reminded his constituents of the need to keep adhering to government’s preventive protocols, such as hand washing and use of face masks, to prevent a second wave of the pandemic. Read more
Lagos revs up rebuilding, healing efforts (Nation)
The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” These immortal words from Nelson Mandela were perhaps what fired Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu into action last week. Exuding confidence and determination in his office last week, he signed an Executive Order to fast-track the rebuilding of the state that is home to over 20 million people after the ENDSARS crisis that engulfed the state last month, which left many public and private assets in ruins.
The governor was joined by his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, and Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Moyosore Onigbanjo, at the signing of the Executive Order last Wednesday. Sanwo-Olu said it is time the state put behind the recent challenges behind it to be able to face the ‘daunting task of collectively rebuilding our Lagos.’ He said he is always happy and thrilled by the ability of ‘our Lagos’ to be the abode of several ethnic nationalities that cohabit peacefully and pursue their personal goals and ambitions. Read more
Ministry to close GRA street, others for railway project (Punch)
The Lagos State Ministry of Transportation has announced plans to temporarily close Adejobi Street, Agege; Adegbola Level Crossing and Works Road, Ikeja in continuation of the ongoing Nigeria Railway Modernisation Project (Lagos-Ibadan section) with extension to Lagos Port, Apapa.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the State Ministry for Transportation, the roads will be closed each day from 8:00 pm to 7:00 am on November 9, 11 and 12, 2020 for the scheduled construction.
The statement explained that this phase of construction works on the designated routes would focus on the closure of the track stress dispersion and locking at various level crossings. Read more
Lagos orders release of 253 detainees (Guardian)
For failure to establish a prima facie case against 253 persons arrested in connection with the criminality that followed the EndSARS protests, the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of Lagos State, Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), has directed the police to immediately release them.
He explained yesterday that between November 4 and 5, 2020, the police had forwarded to the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) 40 case files in respect of 361 persons arrested for criminal offences in connection with the protests for legal advice.
According to a statement signed by the Director, Public Affairs, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Kayode Oyekanmi, the legal advice has been issued in respect of the 40 case files received. Read more
Youths sympathise with Lagos over N700b loss (Nation)
Youth Coalition for Development (YCD) has sympathised with the Lagos State government and other victims of the destruction that occurred during the EndSARS protests across the country.
The coalition, in particular, expressed sadness that Lagos State lost over N700 billion through the destruction of structures and other valuable assets.
Read Also; Mayhem: Destruction in Lagos is mind-boggling, says Zulum
In a statement in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital, by its National President Aminu Aminu, YCD regretted that the protest degenerated into mayhem and loss of lives. Read more
Inside SARS Report: ‘Brutal police officers’ in 12 states named as Lagos, Abuja top list (Vanguard)
Amid the controversy over police brutality in Nigeria, especially by the now-disbanded unit of the security agency called Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Lagos and Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, have emerged tops on the list of states with ‘brutal policemen’, according to the Presidential Panel on Reform of SARS.
The panel, which called for and received 113 complaints on alleged human rights violations from across the country and 22 memoranda on suggestions on how to reform and restructure SARS and the police in general, sat in a public hearing and submitted its report to the Federal Government in November 2019.
It recommended 35 police officers for dismissal and 33 for dismissal and prosecution in 12 states and the FCT for alleged activities ranging from extrajudicial killing to illegal arrest, detention, biased investigation, torture, enforced disappearance, inhuman and degrading treatment, and violation of rights to fair hearing and dignity of the human person. Read more
Nigeria computer makers suffer low patronage amid high demand (Punch)
Nigeria computer makers are witnessing low patronage despite the high demand for tablets and laptops in the country.
They have decried the flouting of the Executive Orders 003 and 005 of the Federal Government, which stipulated support of local content in all public procurements.
Due to a change in work and learning models that require digital tools and Internet connectivity, the demand for tablets, laptops, mobile phones and other digital devices have soared globally.
Vendors of digital devices in Lagos Computer Village market confirmed that Nigerians thronged the market daily to buy new technology devices and accessories. Read more
ASUU urges FG to take out IPPIS as condition to call off strike (Vanguard)
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) urged the Federal Government to leave the Integrated Payroll Personnel Information System (IPPIS) as condition to call off its ongoing strike in the country.
Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, ASUU President said this in a statement made available on Sunday in Abuja that the ongoing strike may still linger if government failed to meets its demand.
Recall ASUU had embarked a nationwide strike on March 23 to press on its demands which include revitalisation, Earned Academic Allowances (EAA), renegotiation of the 2009 Agreement, Visitation Panels, among others.
According to Ogunyemi, Nigerians should bear with us. ASUU is doing their battle. Read more
From refugee to representative, US candidates celebrate election victories (VOA)
Oballa Oballa’s trek to Election Day was a long and improbable one.
He grew up in the Gambella region of Ethiopia, where he witnessed mass killings that took the life of his uncle and hundreds of others. He survived a two-week trek across treacherous terrain to reach a refugee camp in Kenya. He spent 10 years in camps where he often didn’t have enough to eat.
Now he has been elected to the City Council of his adopted hometown of Austin, Minnesota. He is the first refugee, first immigrant and first person of color to serve on the council. He said he never doubted he’d reach this destination.
“I’m so proud to call myself an American citizen, whereby I can serve and help the community,” he said. “The American dream is that anything I put my mind into, if I work hard for it, I can achieve it. That’s how I define my American dream.” Read more
Amid vote drama, Africans keen to help US with ‘electoral reform’ (AlJazeera)
In the early hours of Wednesday, at the height of the nail-biting election drama unfolding in the United States, the country’s embassy in Abidjan issued a statement urging Ivory Coast’s leaders to “show commitment to democratic processes” following last month’s disputed polls in the West African country.
The irony was hard to miss. Just hours earlier, incumbent President Donald Trump had called the vote a “major fraud on the nation” and declared himself the winner – even as ballots were still being counted.
“The leaders of Cote d’Ivoire should just cross out their country, write USA instead and send this straight back,” Chika Ejikeme, a 21-year-old Nigerian student said in a Facebook post, referring to the US embassy’s statement. Read more
At least 11, including civilians, killed in reported ISIS attack on security post west of Baghdad – report (RT)
Five members of a tribal militia and six locals were reportedly killed in an attack on an outpost outside of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad. The assault was launched by the ISIS terror group, AFP reported, citing security sources.
The attack took place in the area of al-Radhwaniya late Sunday, as militants attempted to take control over a monitoring outpost, overlooking the outskirts west of Baghdad, the agency reported, citing security sources.
The militants who descended on the tower in four vehicles targeted the outpost with grenades and rained down fire on the members of tribal Hashed forces, affiliated with the Iraqi government. The showdown apparently prompted locals to come to help fend off the onslaught. Read more
George W. Bush extends ‘warm congratulations’ to Joe Biden (USAToday)
Former President George W. Bush offered a congratulatory message to President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on Sunday, the day after Biden clinched his victory.
“I just talked to the President-elect of the United States, Joe Biden,” Bush, a Republican, said in a statement Sunday. “I extended my warm congratulations and thanked him for the patriotic message he delivered last night.”
Bush said he also called Harris to congratulate her on her historic election as vice president.
“Though we have political differences, I know Joe Biden to be a good man, who has won his opportunity to lead and unify our country,” Bush said. “The president-elect reiterated that while he ran as a Democrat, he will govern for all Americans. I offered him the same thing I offered Presidents Trump and Obama: my prayers for his success, and my pledge to help in any way I can.” Read more
Jeopardy! gameshow host Alex Trebek dies after cancer battle aged 80 (BBC)
Alex Trebek, the long-time host of American television quiz show Jeopardy!, has died at the age of 80.
Mr Trebek announced he had been diagnosed with stage-four pancreatic cancer in March 2019.
The Jeopardy! Twitter account said on Sunday he had “passed away peacefully at home” surrounded by family and friends.
Mr Trebek had hosted Jeopardy! since 1984, and had received numerous awards and honours for his work.
Known for his sharp wit and charisma, the Canadian-American presenter became the face of Jeopardy! during his three decades on the show, turning it into a ratings smash hit. Read more
Affordable Care Act seems likely to survive latest Supreme Court challenge (USAToday)
When the Supreme Court rescued the Affordable Care Act five years ago from the second concerted effort to have it struck down, Associate Justice Antonin Scalia mused, “We really should start calling this law ‘SCOTUScare.'”
The quip from the leader of the court’s conservative wing, who died the following year, was in response to his colleagues’ dual rulings in 2012 and 2015 upholding President Barack Obama’s signature legislative achievement, which came to be known as Obamacare.
Even Chief Justice John Roberts smiled at the remark, and for good reason. He has presided over the health care law’s protection since its enactment in 2010. And this week, as opponents drag the statute back into court again, he appears poised to have the last laugh.
On Tuesday, the high court will hear the latest major challenge to the law, one based on Congress’ elimination in 2017 of the tax penalty intended to prod consumers to buy health insurance. Challengers, led by Texas and backed by the Trump administration, contend that the mandate is unconstitutional without any tax to enforce it. Read more
An entire town goes on sale in Australia (Metro)
Looking for somewhere with space but without lots of people? Well, you could be the new owner of an entire town in Australia.
The remote township of Cossack on the West Australian coast is up for sale. At one point, many people lived and worked there in the pearling industry but over time, the population was absorbed into larger towns.
The industry based around collecting pearls was started in the town in the 1880s. By 1895, there were over 57 pearling vessels, employing more than 1000 people. Read more
Musa, Okoye arrive Eagles camp today (Punch)
The duo Ahmed Musa, and Maduka Okoye will arrive the Super Eagles camp on Monday (today), The PUNCH reports.
The Eagles training camp will open Monday (today) in Benin City for a 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sierra Leone billed for Friday, November 13, at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.
The reverse fixture will hold four days later Siaka Stevens Stadium, Freetown.
Musa arrived Nigeria on Friday from Saudi Arabia, where he recently parted ways with Al Nassr will be joined by Okoye who confirmed their arrival at the team’s hotel on Monday to The PUNCH. who made his second appearance Sparta Rotterdam and kept a clean sheet in Saturday’s 2-0 win against RKC Waalwijk on Saturday – their first league win of the season. Read more
Fans stunned as heavyweight slugger Luis Ortiz returns with 45-second knockout (RT)
Cuban fighter Luis Ortiz reintroduced himself as a bona fide heavyweight contender on Saturday, taking less than a minute to finish American Alexander Flores as he plots a path back to title contention.
Ortiz, 41, has suffered just two professional defeats in his career – both of them to Deontay Wilder – and questions had been asked in the lead-in to his first fight since being beaten in the seventh round by the ‘Bronze Bomber’ a year ago as to whether the wily, technical fighter could remain a threat to the three fighters generally considered to be heavyweight elite: Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Wilder.
Boxer Luis Ortiz put himself back in the heavyweight mix. © Getty Images
And while Flores represents a significant chasm in class compared to that trio, Ortiz couldn’t have done much more to impress as he landed a clubbing right hand to the body of his opponent, which folded him into the canvas and prompted the referee to wave off the fight in Los Angeles. Read more
Medvedev beats Zverev to win his 1st Paris Masters final (France24)
Daniil Medvedev won the Paris Masters for the first time by beating Alexander Zverev 5-7, 6-4, 6-1 Sunday for his eighth career title and third at a Masters event.
The third-seeded Russian secured just his second win against the fourth-seeded Zverev in seven matches, and his previous victory against the imposing German was also in a Masters final last year in Shanghai.
“I’m sure we’ll play many more matches together. We’ve known each other since we were 10, it’s great the journey we’re having,” Zverev said. “I hope I can do even better next year.” Read more
De Bruyne misses penalty as Man City and Liverpool draw (BBC)
Liverpool’s hopes of returning to the Premier League summit were frustrated as they fought out a high-quality draw at Manchester City, who paid a heavy price for Kevin de Bruyne’s missed penalty.
Reds manager Jurgen Klopp opted for an all-out attacking line-up at Etihad Stadium on Sunday, with in-form Diogo Jota included alongside the established front three of Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah.
Liverpool, who knew victory would see them leapfrog Leicester City and Tottenham, reaped an early reward when Salah put them ahead from the spot in the 13th minute after Kyle Walker brought down Mane – but City levelled just after the half-hour when Gabriel Jesus turned superbly before slotting past Alisson. Read more
Trent Alexander-Arnold ruled out of England duty after sustaining calf injury against Manchester City (Metro)
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has ruled defender Trent Alexander-Arnold out of the upcoming international break after the right-back sustained a calf injury in the Reds’ 1-1 draw with Manchester City on Sunday. The Premier League champions left the Etihad with a share of the spoils after Gabriel Jesus levelled following Mohamed Salah’s opener from the spot in the first half. Klopp was pleased with his side’s display but Alexander-Arnold was removed shortly after the hour-mark when he went down after sprinting back to defend a City counter-attack. Read more
Mourinho hails ‘special’ Kane after win (BBC)
Manager Jose Mourinho hailed Harry Kane’s “special” qualities after the striker’s 150th Premier League goal earned Tottenham victory at West Brom.
A third successive league victory temporarily lifted Spurs to the top of the table on Sunday before Leicester replaced them after their 1-0 win against Wolves.
A game of few chances seemed destined to end goalless after Hugo Lloris had kept out Darnell Furlong’s second-half header and a flurry of Tottenham chances had come and gone without reward. Read more
Zidane’s claims about Real Madrid legend Ramos aren’t as wild as they may seem (RT)
A few eyebrows will have been raised earlier this week when, speaking ahead of Real Madrid’s meeting with Valencia on Sunday, Zinedine Zidane claimed that Sergio Ramos was the best central defender ever.
“The best? He’s one of them, certainly,” the Real head coach told journalists ahead of this weekend’s La Liga clash, “[for] what he has done, what he is, and what he has shown in Madrid.
“I think he’s the best in history.” Read more