Man loses memory after month-long coma in Lagos (Punch)
A man identified as Femi Ojo has lost his memory after spending three weeks in comatose at the Lagos State University, the state’s capital, Ikeja.
This was disclosed to our correspondent when he visited LASUTH to ascertain the conditions of the man on Tuesday.
Mr Ojo, who was still frail, could not speak or write when asked questions about him or his family. He only whispered “Femi Ojo” when asked about his name. Read more
FG working to minimise fake condoms, others, says Health minister (Channels)
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, on Friday said the Federal Government is working to minimise fake condoms and other items in the Nigerian market.
He stated this during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
“There are things that should not be in our system that actors may find ways to compromise and those are the minority,” he said. Read more
Court grants N10m bail each to 72 #EndBadGovernance protesters (Vanguard)
A federal high court in Abuja has granted bail of N10 million each to 72 defendants charged with participating in the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests.
Presiding Judge Obiora Egwuatu stipulated that each defendant must secure two sureties in the same amount. One of the sureties must be a civil servant at grade level 15 or higher, with a verifiable address within the court’s jurisdiction, while the other must be a parent of the defendant.
The court had originally set the arraignment date for 76 defendants, most of whom are minors. During the proceedings, many of the children appeared ill and malnourished as they were called to take their pleas. Read more
58-yr-old father of 4 commits suicide in Ondo (DailyTrust)
A 58-year-old man, Bamidele Omolayo, has committed suicide after allegedly poisoning himself with a chemical substance suspected to be ‘snipper’ in Ondo State.
Omolayo’s corpse was found on Thursday near a farm settlement at the Igburowo town in Odigbo Local Government Area of the state.
The shocking death of Omolayo, a father of four, had thrown the agrarian community into serious mourning as residents trooped to the scene to catch a glimpse of his corpse. Read more
LCCI outlines strategies to increase women inclusion in auto manufacturing (ThisDay)
The President and Chairman of Council, Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI), Gabriel Idahosa has said a more inclusive and dynamic automotive industry can only be achieved through the implementation of several strategies, such as deliberate establishment of mentorship programmes that can provide guidance and support for women navigating their careers in the automotive sector.
Idahosa stated this during a symposium organised recently by the Automobile & Allied Sub-Sectoral Group in collaboration with the Women Group and LPG & Natural Gas Group of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry. The theme was: “From Tokunbo to Manufacturing: The Role of Women Breaking Barriers and Driving Growth”. Read more
Tinubu has not started well, his decisions lack experts’ input – Onigbinde (Channels)
Seun Onigbinde, founder of civil advocacy and pro-accountability organisation, BudgIT, says President Bola Tinubu’s administration has started off on the wrong foot with his twin policies of petrol subsidy removal and unification of the foreign exchange windows.
“Honestly speaking, I don’t think they’ve started well. I think we are seeing a dearth of technocratic leadership. There is an over-extension of political opportunism. That is my problem with the government,” he said on the Friday edition of Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political programme aired on Channels Television.
Onigbinde said many of the decisions of the President lack the input of experts and his cabinet is being populated by politician-ministers who earned their seats as a political reward. Read more
Tinubu honours Iwuanyanwu’s legacy (Nation)
Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has praised the exceptional leadership qualities of the late Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, former President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, during his burial at Atta Ikeduru in Imo State.
Tinubu acknowledged Iwuanyanwu’s profound impact on Nigerian politics and society.
In his address at the Cathedral Church of St. Matthew, Atta, Ikeduru, on Friday, President Tinubu emphasized his administration’s commitment to securing a prosperous economic future for Nigerian children. Read more
No fake drugs in public hospitals, says Kano Agency (Leadership)
The Kano State Drugs and Medical Consumables Supply Agency (DMCSA) has said that there is no longer substandard drugs in the state’s public hospitals.
Director General of the Agency, Pharm. Gali Sule said the prevalence of fake and substandard drugs have been reduced to the barest minimum in all public health facilities across the state.
Pharm. Sule disclosed this during an interview with LEADERSHIP, explaining that the agency was able to curtail the challenge of fake and substandard drugs since it began the implementation of the Drug Revolving Fund (DRF) scheme. Read more
Saoirse Ronan says US gun violence means she doesn’t “feel safe” going to the cinema (NME)
Saoirse Ronan has said she doesn’t feel safe going to watch films at cinemas in the US because of gun violence.
The four-time Oscar nominee told Variety for their Awards Circuit Podcast that she finds it “horrifying” that she’s scared to go to the cinema because of gun violence. In the US, there have been several shootings at cinemas including screenings of The Dark Knight Rises in 2012 and Trainwreck in 2015.
Ronan explained: “There are people I’m close to who don’t feel safe and can’t go to New York anymore because they’re just randomly getting attacked in the street for TikTok content.
“I don’t feel safe going to the cinema because I’m not sure if someone’s going to pull a gun out. It’s horrifying.” Read more
White Lotus star Alexandra Daddario gives birth – announcing 1st child’s arrival with sweet Halloween post (OK!)
Alexandra Daddario has announced the birth of her first child with her husband, Andrew Form. The 38 year old star opted for an unconventional baby reveal by sharing a snapshot of their bundled-up newborn surrounded by bite-sized chocolates in their hospital cot. Hinting at a Halloween birth on 31.10. 24, Alexandra playfully captioned the photo: “I thought this was a weird bowl of candy.”
She has not revealed the baby’s name or gender.
Congratulatory messages poured in, including from Emily In Paris actress Lily Collins who exclaimed, “Omg congrats! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ” and Anyone But You actor Sydney Sweeney who echoed the sentiment with, “Congrats! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ” Last year Alexandra and 52 year old producer Andrew tied the knot. Read more
The Cure’s Robert Smith: “Singing new album live helps me grieve’’ (BBC)
The Cure frontman Robert Smith says performing songs from the band’s newly-released album, Songs Of A Lost World, helped him deal with the grief of losing close family members in recent years.
Speaking to BBC Radio 6 Music’s Huw Stephens, he said singing live became “hugely cathartic” in escaping the “doom and gloom” he felt.
“You just suddenly feel something. You feel a connection,” he added. “And that’s the reason why I still do it… that communal moment with a crowd. There’s something really, really wonderful about it.” Read more
Rapper Sexyy Red swaps sides for endorsement in 2024 presidential election (Independent)
Rapper Sexyy Red has officially voted for Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 US presidential election.
The 26-year-old artist made the surprise announcement on X/Twitter on Friday (November 1), writing: “I just voted!!! Don’t tell us what to do with our coochies!! #Kamala4President.” Her post included two pictures of herself standing in front of a black SUV, wearing “I Voted” stickers on her bottom.
The “U My Everything” rapper’s endorsement for Harris comes a year after she spoke out in support of former president Donald Trump.
‘‘Emily The Strange’’ animated feature in works from Bad Robot, Warner Bros Pictures Animation (Deadline)
Warner Bros. Pictures Animation and Bad Robot are teaming to develop Emily the Strange, a full-length animated feature based on the beloved character from artist Rob Reger and his company Cosmic Debris.
Set to pen the script is Pamela Ribon, the writer behind titles like Moana, Ralph Breaks the Internet and Nimona, who earned an Oscar nomination for her memorably titled 2022 animated short My Year of Dicks. Bad Robot is producing alongside Reger, who exec produces alongside Trevor Duke-Moretz. Read more
Huge Hollywood star “kicks himself” for turning Toy Story down as film could have been so different (Mirror)
Billy Crystal has said he was a “dope” to turn down the role of Buzz Lightyear in the Toy Story films.
The When Harry Met Sally actor, 76, who stars in the new Apple TV+ series “Before”, later voiced Mike Wazowski in Monsters, Inc, another Pixar and Disney animation.
He told The Graham Norton Show: “I was the dope that turned it down, but it wasn’t about the character, it was a business thing, and my agent said not to do it, so I passed. Then it comes out and it is genius.” Read more
Death toll from Spanish floods climbs to 205 as shock turns to anger and frustration (CP24)
Mud cakes her boots, splatters her leggings and the gloves holding her broom. Brown specks freckle her cheeks.
The mire covering Alicia Montero is the signature uniform of the impromptu army of volunteers who for a third day Friday shoveled and swept out the muck and debris that filled the small town of Chiva in Valencia after flash floods swept through the region. Spain’s deadliest natural disaster in living memory has left at least 205 people dead with untold numbers still missing, and countless lives in tatters.
As police and emergency workers continue the grim search for bodies, authorities appear overwhelmed by the enormity of the disaster, and survivors are relying on the esprit de corps of volunteers who have rushed in to fill the void. Read more
CHAN Qualifiers: Eagles regroup next week for Ghana clash (Punch)
Super Eagles B players are expected to regroup next week to continue their preparation for the 2025 African Nations Championship qualifying two-legged fixture against Ghana scheduled for December.
The team had its first training session in Abuja on Wednesday and concluded training for the week on Thursday before the players returned to their respective clubs for the weekend’s Nigeria Professional Football League matches.
The players showed flashes of brilliance during the two-day exercise, drawing encomiums from Super Eagles interim coach and Technical Director of Nigeria Football Federation Augustine Eguavoen, who said he was impressed with what he had seen of the players so far. Read more
2025 Invictus Games: Tinubu assures Team Nigeria of full support (Leadership)
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reassured Nigeria’s team of full government support as they prepare to compete in the Invictus Games, set to take place next year in Vancouver, Canada.
Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa, senior special assistant to the President on special needs and equal opportunities, delivered his principal’s pledge to the team during a sports training week organized by the Africa Unconquered Foundation (AUF) in Abuja.
He said President Tinubu’s administration remains deeply committed to inclusivity and to supporting servicemen and women who inspire the nation with their bravery and resilience. Read more
Ethan Nwaneri to decide next Arsenal fixture as Mikel Arteta makes Newcastle decision (Mirror)
Ethan Nwaneri will dictate how quickly he is thrust into a Premier League starting lineup according to Mikel Arteta.
The 17-year-old midfielder once again thrived when handed the opportunity in the Carabao Cup against Preston. The youngster overshadowed his teammates when he produced a wonder goal after 33 minutes in a 3-0 victory.
Nwaneri has proven lethal in front of goal in the domestic cup and scored a brace against Bolton earlier in the competition. The Arsenal academy product has yet to make his first Premier League start however, two years on from becoming the division’s youngest ever player when he made his debut against Brentford. Read more
Wolves chief handed two-game ban following controversial Man City loss (DailyMail)
Wolves sporting director Matt Hobbs has been handed a two-game ban by the FA after being found guilty of misconduct following Man City’s 2-1 win at Molineux last month.
Gary O’Neil’s side have endured a difficult start to the campaign but looked on course to secure an unlikely point against the champions.
However, John Stones controversially netted a stoppage-time winner for Pep Guardiola’s side with a VAR check ruling Bernardo Silva did not impede Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa from an offside position. Read more
Zverev beats Tsitsipas to reach Paris Masters semi finals (JapanToday)
Alexander Zverev advanced to the semifinals of the Paris Masters by beating Stefanos Tsitsipas 7-5, 6-4 on Friday and knocking the Greek player out of contention for the ATP Finals.
The third-seeded German saved the only break point he faced.
Zverev, the French Open runner-up, next faces 2022 champion Holger Rune for a shot at the title. He’s into his third Paris semifinals in the past four years, though he’s never won the hard-court tournament. Read more
Henri Matisse masters Juvenile Turf challenge (IrishExaminer)
Henri Matisse came out on top to land the Prevagen Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar.
Aidan O’Brien’s colt and his rivals were made to wait in the stalls after Aomori City broke through the starting gates and had to be reloaded.
When the field got away, the winner’s class showed as he overcame a wide passage to soar to success on a fruitful day for Ryan Moore and the Coolmore team. Read more