Mechanic bags 3 months’ community service for stealing generator (Vanguard)
A Sabo-Yaba Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State, on Thursday sentenced a 28-year-old mechanic, Rotimi Olowu, to three months of community service for stealing a Tiger power generator.
The Magistrate, Mrs O.Y. Adefope, handed down the sentence following Olowu’s guilty plea.
Adefope, who gave no option of fine, ordered that the convict should clean up the Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court premises every weekday for three months.
The convict, who resides at Gbagada, Lagos State, was arraigned on Sept. 20, on a count charge of stealing. Read more
Falana to Buhari: Don’t let police disrupt #EndSARS memorial protests (Independent)
Popular Nigeria’s human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN) on Thursday called on President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure he abides by his oath of office by making sure that the upcoming #EndSars memorial protests are not disrupted by the Nigerian Police.
Falana who made the call in a statement titled, ‘Nigeria Police Force Lacks Power to Ban Public Protests in Nigeria’ said President Buhari himself had once taken part in protest while he was running for office, therefore, he should respect the rights of citizens to freedom of expression.
Daily Independent had earlier reported that the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Hakeem Odumosu, had said the police would not allow anyone to stage another #EndSARS protest ahead of the one-year anniversary of the protests of last year. Read more
Wizkid’s ‘Made In Lagos’ smashes Audiomack’s record (Vanguard)
Nigerian celebrated musician, Wizkid, has become the first African artist to reach 300 million streams on Audiomack.
His new album, #MadeinLagos may be topping billboards and countdown counters around the globe, but a recent check on Audiomack, an on-demand music streaming and audio discovery platform that allows artists and creators to upload limitless music and podcasts for listeners through its mobile apps and website, reveals that Wizkid via his album, Made in Lagos, is the first African artist to reach the 300 million streams on the music site.
Made in Lagos is the fourth studio and second major-label album by the Nigerian singer. Read more
Police to deploy 34,587 personnel, 3 helicopters, for Nov 6 Anambra election ― IGP (Tribune)
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba on Thursday said a total of 34,587 personnel would be deployed for the November 6 gubernatorial election in Anambra State, promising that the Force was adequately prepared to ensure free and fair in the state.
This came just as the IGP warned subversive elements and political actors who would want to adopt undemocratic and illegal means to achieve their aspirations to bury such thoughts and to keep off the State in their own interest.
The IGP disclosed this in Abuja during a scheduled meeting with Police officers from the rank of Commissioners of Police (CPs) and above.
According to him, the deployment will consist of conventional police officers, Police Mobile Force, the Counter-Terrorism Unit, Special Forces, Explosive Ordinance Unit, Force Intelligence Bureau, INTERPOL, Special Protection Unit, and the medical team respectively. Read more
Polio: Kwara to vaccinate 1m children in second round (Tribune)
Kwara state government has said that a total number of one million children will be vaccinated in the second round of Polio immunization exercises in all the 16 local government areas of the state.
Speaking with the Tribune Online in Ilorin on Thursday, the executive secretary of the state Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Nusirat Elelu, said that Kwara state is one of the few states that have not reported any case of circulating Vaccine derived Polio Virus this year.
She noted that though Nigeria was certified wild Polio virus-free on August 25, 2020, there are presently some other related strains of the virus isolated in some states in the country. Read more
Soludo: APGA hails Supreme Court verdict (Vanguard)
The All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Thursday, commended the judiciary for their doggedness in defending the cause of democracy against those whose activities are inimical to national development and ethos.
National Chairman of the party, Ozonkpu Dr. Victor Ike Oye, made the remarks while reacting to the Supreme Court judgment which reaffirmed Professor Chukwuma Soludo as the APGA’s candidate for the November 6 governorship elections in Anambra State.
Dr. Oye, in a statement entitled, “Thank you all” issued in Abuja which a copy was obtained by Vanguard, called on APGA members all over the country to continue to work together for the growth and development of the party.
According to him, “Today the Supreme Court of Nigeria reaffirmed the leadership of APGA under me by unanimously dismissing the twin suit filed by one Jude Okeke and his cohorts. Read more
How fans should approach me in public – Actor Deyemi Okanlawon (Punch)
Nollywood actor, Deyemi Okanlawon, has lectured his fans on how they should approach him in public.
The actor said this via his Instagram page on Thursday, where he shared a screenshot in which a fan accused him of being a snob.
The fan had said, “I honestly don’t look at
any celebrity to greet them or talk to them to avoid unnecessary disdain. I’ve seen a number of them.
“I literally always just walk past them,even when it feels good to see my favorites but I greeted @deyemitheactor one time at Ebonylife building, I didn’t get any response. I just looked away and felt I shouldn’t have because I honestly usually don’t.”
In response, Okanlawon stated that the fan got the same energy he gave out, adding that fans should make sure they get his attention whenever they want to approach him. Read more
Groups call for needs-based, inclusive budgeting (Sun)
Needs-based budgeting across government was the discourse over the weekend at an event organised by Yiaga Africa as part of implementing the Spotlight Initiative project of the European Union and the United Nations.
With the theme “Enhancing Gender-Responsive Budgeting (Women & Girl Child in focus)”, the forum made up of CSOs, NGOs, representatives from MDAs at both federal and States level, experts observed with dismay that not only had a meagre/not well-tailored budget been appropriated in the past for people with disabilities and other challenges, but monitoring, implementation, accountability, and performance evaluation have been neglected- leaving the supposed beneficiaries to wallow in undue pains.
For people to really receive in real term what is appropriate to them as and when due, CSOs and NGOs, activists, human rights defenders, and other interested individuals were charged to follow the budget from the point of entry to the letter, using the Freedom of Information Act.
The forum advised that concerned persons in the Nigerian project should not be hasty to attack the federal government but should beam their searchlight on the state and local government and demand accountability and must note that Gender-Responsive Budgeting was not targeted at women and girl child, but boys and people living with disabilities. Read more
Govt, firm launch cash-for-trash project to reduce pollution, create jobs in Kano (Tribune)
Kano State Government in partnership with a private firm, Capegate Investment Company has said it has embarked on advocacy to encourage proper plastic waste disposal to reduce environmental pollution in the state.
This was just as the Commissioner for Environment, Kabiru Getso, said the trash-to-wealth project will empower Kano youths and also earn a legitimate income to the firm and government.
Group Chief Executive Officer of CapeGate, Alhaji Bashir Namadina, disclosed this at a stakeholders’ meeting with representatives of traders and the business community.
According to him, through its creation of waste-to-wealth initiatives, residents would be paid N200 every day for collection of waste services for proper disposal or in exchange for recyclable waste, thereby reducing the impact of climate change in the state. Read more
Leah Remini to guest host ‘The Wendy Williams Show’ (PageSix)
Leah Remini is stepping in to guest host the “The Wendy Williams Show.”
The actress will temporarily fill in for Williams as she continues her hiatus from the daytime talk show amid ongoing health complications.
“Wendy’s shoes are hard to fill, so we needed to find the right fit,” executive producer David Perler said in a statement obtained by Page Six on Thursday. “Leah will bring a lot of fun and energy to our viewers with a few surprises along the way.”
According to a press release, Remini, 51, will sit in for Williams next Tuesday through Friday for each hour-long episode. Read more
Beirut port blast: Gunfire erupts at protest against judge leading probe (BBC)
At least six people have been killed and 32 others injured in armed clashes in the Lebanese capital, Beirut.
The shooting began during a protest by the Shia Muslim groups Hezbollah and Amal against the judge investigating last year’s blast at the city’s port.
They said Christian snipers fired at the crowd to drag Lebanon into strife.
Huge tension surrounds the probe into the port explosion. Hezbollah and its allies claim the judge is biased, but the victims’ families support his work. Read more
“Four Seasons Total Landscaping” Documentary to Air on MSNBC (Variety)
It’s never too early to relive one of the few comical moments from the final, chaotic months of the Trump presidency. “Four Seasons Total Landscaping,” a documentary centering around Rudy Giuliani’s botched attempt to contest the 2020 election results, is airing on MSNBC on Nov. 7 — exactly one year after the infamous debacle. The film is less about the then-president’s lawyer accidentally booking a press conference outside a local landscaping company instead of the lavish Four Seasons Hotel, and instead focuses on a small business in Philadelphia that was unexpectedly thrust into the national spotlight when it agreed to host a political event in the middle of the presidential election. MSNBC Films acquired rights to “Four Seasons Total Landscaping” as part of the cable news channel’s attempt to bolster its presence in the documentary space. Read More
Coldplay: Band ready for backlash over eco-friendly world tour (BBC)
Coldplay’s next tour will partly be powered by a dancefloor that generates electricity
when fans jump up and down, and pedal power at the venues.
It’s part of a 12-point plan to cut their carbon footprint, two years after the band
pledged not to tour until they could do so in a more sustainable way.
Singer Chris Martin told the BBC in his first interview about the plans that fans will be on”kinetic flooring”.
“When they move, they power the concert,” he said. Read more
Letitia Wright denies airing anti-vaccine views on Black Panther 2 set (BBC)
Black Panther actress Letitia Wright has denied a report that she shared anti-vaccine views on the set of the hit film’s sequel.
The British star, who plays Shuri in the Marvel films, said the story was “completely untrue”.
In December, she was criticised for sharing a video making unsubstantiated claims about Covid-19 vaccine safety.
The Hollywood Reporter recently claimed she expressed similar views on the set of Black Panther 2 in Atlanta, Georgia.
The sequel to the record-breaking 2018 superhero movie was partly filmed in the city this summer and is due for release next summer. Read more
Prince William blasts space race after Bezos sends William Shatner into orbit (PageSix)
Prince William belittled the recent frenzy of space tourism on Thursday shortly after “Star Trek” star William Shatner dipped into space on Jeff Bezos’ rocket.
The Duke of Cambridge was speaking to the BBC about his initiative to “repair our planet” and encouraged billionaires to get their heads out of the clouds.
“We need some of the world’s greatest brains and minds fixed on trying to repair this planet, not trying to find the next place to go and live,” the prince said.
Shatner’s journey to space was the latest flight by Bezos’ Blue Origin venture.
The Amazon honcho is competing with Sir Richard Branson and Tesla’s Elon Musk to turn the great beyond into a lucrative industry. Read more
Mikel Arteta rules out January loan move for Arsenal youngster Gabriel Martinelli (Metro)
Mikel Arteta insists he remains ‘happy’ with Gabriel Martinelli and dismissed the suggestion the Brazilian forward could be sent out on loan in January.
The 20-year-old shot to prominence during his first season at Arsenal after he arrived as a virtual unknown from Ituano on the recommendation of the club’s former scout Francis Caggio.
Injuries have curtailed Martinelli’s progress since that breakthrough campaign and he hasn’t featured in the Premier League since the opening two weeks of the current season, a period during which Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang were recovering from illness.
Martinelli has since been restricted to appearing in the Carabao Cup since starting against Chelsea in a 2-0 defeat back in August, but Arteta is adamant the Brazil Under-23 international remains a key part of his long-term plans. Read more
NBBF Crisis: Sports Ministry Summons Kida, Umar As Players Stage Mass Protest In Abuja (Leadership)
The Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has summoned embattled chairman of the Caretaker Committee of Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), Engineer Musa Kida and former president of the Federation, Tijani Umar, to another emergency meeting over the lingering crisis in basketball.
The meeting which is slated for Monday, October 18, 2021, in Abuja is to find lasting solutions to the 4-year old feud that has tugged at the heart of the unity of basketball in the country. Read more
Ogun: Amokachi, Eguavoen, 2,000 delegates for Adron Games (Tribune)
About 2,000 delegates, including former Super Eagles players, Daniel Amokachi and Augustine Eguavoen, are expected to participate in Adron Games in Ogun State.
This was disclosed by the Group Managing Director of Adron Homes, Aare Adetola Emmanuel King, during the Ogun State Sports Writers Association (SWAN) Forum, held on Wednesday, in Abeokuta, the state capital.
He hinted that the participants at the games are expected to feature in 15 sporting activities, while eight banks, eight tertiary institutions would participate in the games.
The Adron boss represented by the Director-General of the company, Ayodeji Omoniyi, said the games will hold at the Gateway International Stadium, Sagamu, between November 18 and 20, 2021. Read more
Man Utd legend Gary Neville highlights two key problems for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (Metro)
Gary Neville insists Manchester United’s performances must improve and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer needs to deliver a trophy with Cristiano Ronaldo now in his side.
The Norwegian is yet to win silverware since taking over at the helm in 2018 and many feel this season could be his last chance.
Having signed Raphael Varane, Jadon Sancho and Ronaldo in the summer, Solskjaer now has a stronger squad at his disposal that should be challenging for the title.
Neville feels for now United have made the right decision to stick by the former striker.
‘If Ole had been the manager in the post Sir Alex Ferguson slip stream he’d be gone by now,’ Neville told Sky Sports. Read more
Pedri agrees new Barcelona contract with 1bn euro release clause (BBC)
Teenage midfielder Pedri has agreed a contract extension with Barcelona which includes a 1bn euro (£846m) release clause, the club has announced. The 18-year-old’s
new deal will run until 30 June 2026 and he is expected to officially sign it on Friday.
Pedri joined Barcelona from Las Palmas in August 2020 and played 53 times for them
last season – the most of any player at the club. He was also part of the Spain squad
that reached the Euro 2020 semi-finals. Read more
John Barnes credits Arsenal’s faith in Mikel Arteta for their recent turnaround
(Metro)
John Barnes believes Arsenal’s recent upturn in results is down to the club’s backing of manager Mikel Arteta.
Arteta was under fire from a large section of the fanbase after Arsenal started the season with three consecutive Premier League losses to Brentford, Chelsea and Manchester City.
Arsenal were without some of their best players during their early season struggles, with Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang, Ben White, Gabriel Magalhaes and Thomas Partey all spending time on the sidelines through either injury or Covid-19.
But the Spanish boss, helped by the return of some of his key players, has since turned things around at the Emirates, with the club currently on a four-match unbeaten streak in the top flight. Read more