Minimum Wage: Retirees demand increase in monthly pensions (Nation)
Following the agreement on a new minimum wage of N30, 000, pensioners have also urged federal and state governments to consider a national minimum pension for them. National President of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Dr. Abel Afolayan, said this became necessary because of the ridiculous amount being paid to retirees. Afolayan, in a statement made available to reporters in Ado Ekiti on Thursday by NUP Chairman in Ekiti State, Elder Ayo Kumapayi, said pensioners should not be left out in wage increase to tackle post-retirement poverty. Read more
Nigerian govt spends N3.5 million monthly to feed El-Zakzaky – Lai Mohammed (PremiumTimes)
Nigeria’s Information Minister, Lai Mohammed, has claimed that the government spends about N3.5 million monthly to feed a Shiite cleric who has been detained by the government for over two years. Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, leader of the Shiite IMN movement has been detained since December 2015 after soldiers clamped down on his supporters killing at least 347 of them. The army accused them of blocking a public road being used then by the army chief, Tukur Buratai. Read more
Three dead in Lagos boat accident; five missing (PremiumTimes)
Three persons have been confirmed dead after a boat carrying 20 passengers capsized between Liverpool and Coconut under Bridge in Lagos. Adesina Tiamiyu, the general manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), said the incident happened on Wednesday at 8:20 pm. Mr Tiamiyu said the rescue team was still searching for five other missing passengers. Read more
2019: Sanwo-Olu tasks campaign groups on reconciliation of aggrieved members (Vanguard)
The All Progressives Congress, APC, Lagos State chapter, Governorship Candidate, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has stressed the need for various campaign groups of the three senatorial districts to embark on reconciliatory moves of all aggrieved members to engender total victory for the party’s candidates in the 2019 general polls. Read more
Buhari declares a state of emergency on water supply, sanitation (Punch)
President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday declared a state of emergency on Nigeria’s water supply, sanitation, and hygiene sector. According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the President made the declaration while inaugurating the National Action Plan for Revitalisation of Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Read more
Senate probes alleged fund diversion for Buhari’s re-election (Guardian)
The Senate yesterday ordered an investigation into an alleged use of the Federal Government’s special intervention project funds for President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election. In a motion yesterday, Senate Minority Leader Biodun Olujimi claimed that the funds had become “politicised” as beneficiaries were being asked to write their names, gender and details of permanent voter cards (PVCs). Read more
Trump-Russia probe ‘under threat’ after Sessions fired (BBC)
The US inquiry into alleged Russian meddling during the 2016 election could be under threat after President Donald Trump fired Attorney General Jeff Sessions, top opposition Democrats say. Nancy Pelosi, who leads Democrats in the House of Representatives, called the decision a “blatant attempt” to end or impede the investigation. The probe has been criticised by Mr Sessions’ successor Matthew Whitaker. Read more
Why Prince Charles has been accused of ‘meddling’ in the past (SkyNews)
Prince Charles has become well-known for his forthright views on a range of issues. But while some have praised his dedication and campaigning zeal, others have accused him of trying to influence government policy. Read more
South Africa to talk to Tanzania over journalists’ detention (BBC)
Journalists Angela Quintal and Muthoki Mumo, both working for the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), were detained in Dar es Salaam by people who said they were Tanzanian immigration officials, the CPJ says. In a statement, the CPJ says: “The officials searched the pair’s belongings and would not return their passports when asked. Quintal and Mumo were then escorted from the hotel and have been taken to an unknown location.” Read more
India, not China, to take center stage in Netflix’s expansion plan in Asia (CNBC)
Netflix is on a mission to expand its audience across Asia, and the country set to account for the bulk of that growth is India — not China. Asia’s young and increasingly digital population presents an “incredible opportunity” to ramp up the company’s international subscribers, Netflix’s chief content officer Ted Sarandos told CNBC on Thursday. Read more
Jose Mourinho revels in silencing Juventus fans as he hails Manchester United’s win over a ‘super team’ (Independence)
Jose Mourinho lauded his players after securing a stunning comeback victory that the Manchester United manager milked in front of the Juventus fans. Cristiano Ronaldo’s magnificent volley had Juve on course for victory but it was the visitors who would land a stunning blow in a Champions League clash to cherish. Juan Mata’s superb free-kick four minutes from time sent the visitors wild, but the best was yet to come as an Ashley Young free-kick was unwittingly bundled in at the back post by Juventus’ Alex Sandro to give United a last-gasp win. Read more
Antonio Conte taking Chelsea to court for remaining salary (Sky)
Antonio Conte has refused to meet with Chelsea and is insisting on taking them to court for the rest of his salary, Sky Sports News understands. The Italian, who recently turned down the Real Madrid job, feels he should be paid what he is contractually owed out of respect, following his sacking earlier this year. Read more
Trevor Noah To Feature “Son Of Patricia” On Netflix (Guardian)
Trevor Noah’s autobiography book,” Born A Crime”, was basically an ode to his mother, who shaped him into the man that he is today. The film ” Son Of Patricia” is based on his best-selling book- Born A Crime. The comedian, Trevor, will be presenting his second comedy special on Netflix, on the 20th of November called ‘Son of Patricia’. Read more
D’Banj Signs Deal With Sony (Silverbird)
The kokomaster D’banj has signed an undisclosed deal with Sony Music Africa that has to do with the DKM record label. It is a major move for DKM record label, according to Michael Ugwu, a Sony Music Entertainment West Africa lead. Read more
Missy Elliot becomes first female artiste nominated for Songwriters Hall of Fame (Punch)
American singer, Missy Elliot, acclaimed as ‘one of Rap’s greatest voices’ in the world, has been nominated for the 2019 Songwriters Hall of Fame. Elliott is the first female rapper nominated for the prestigious prize and can also become the third rapper to enter the organisation following recent inductees JAY-Z and Jermaine Dupri. Read more
Eight family members die in fire accident (Punch)
Eight members of a family died after a fire believed to have been caused by an electricity malfunction broke out at a house in Northern Bangladesh, rescuers said on Thursday. Firefighter Sirajul Islam said three people died immediately when the fire began to burn after the family went to bed on Wednesday night inside their locked one-story tin-roofed home in Joypurhat district’s Arambagh. Read more
Dismissed banker raids ATM gallery, steals N14m (Punch)
A dismissed banker, Emmanuel Onuma, has been arrested by the police for breaking into the Automated Teller Machine gallery of his erstwhile employer and stealing N14m. The 34-year-old was said to have carried out the heist at the Garki, Abuja branch of the new generation bank on October 19, 2018. Read more