More trouble for Lagos-Ibadan Expressway users (Tribune)
Travellers are in for a prolonged painful experience on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway as Julius Berger, the company handling the reconstruction of the road, will close another section of the road for four months starting from Monday.
Consequently, it will divert traffic on a strectch starting from Magboro to the Punch section of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway from October 21 to January 31, 2020.
There is an ongoing partial closure of the Lagos end of the expressway which started on September 2 for the ongoing reconstruction work on the 600-meter stretch between Ojodu Berger and the beginning of Kara Bridge. Read more
Lagos trader robs businessman, rapes housemaid in Abia (Punch)
A second-hand cloth and footwear dealer in Ojota, Lagos State, Promise Uzoma, has been arrested by the police for allegedly robbing a businessman in Aba, Abia State.
Uzoma also reportedly raped the man’s housemaid and fled with N250, 000, jewellery worth N3.9m and phones among other valuables.
He was apprehended alongside his gang member and cousin, Chukwuebuka Ogubuike by operatives of the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team. Read more
Why Lagos is flooded: Atlantic Ocean full, can’t take water from lagoon, govt alerts residents (Tribune)
The Lagos State government has alerted residents on the cause of rise in water level resulting in flooding in the densely populated state.
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tunji Bello, stating this in a release on Friday, said, the rise in sea water level as a result of the inability of the lagoon to discharge water into the ocean is causing back flow into the drainage channels.
But Bello said the officials of the state are working on different measures to remove the constriction and blockades that would allow easy passage for the resultant flooding. Read more
When flooding overran major cities across Nigeria (Guardian)
Since 2012, flood has remained a recurring menace in Nigeria. Lives have been lost; people have been displaced from their homes and their properties destroyed; farms have been submerged leaving farmers wailing due to the destruction of their crops. The losses are quite enormous.
Available records show that the 2012 flood, which began in early July, killed 363 people. It also displaced over 2.1 million people across the 30 of the 36 states of the federation where the flood occurred. The calamity earned the tag of being the worst in 40 years and affected an estimated seven million people with the damages and losses put at N2.6 trillion. Read more
I started but didn’t finish before I was caught, says rapist (Vanguard)
A man, identified as Mohammed Babangida, 30 years old has been arrested for allegedly defiling a 9-year-old girl in Adamawa State.
The man was picked up for the offence by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), following intelligence report from residents.
Babangida, who responded to questions from newsmen, said he had given the girl N50 and N20 on two occasions and it was on the third occasion when he gave her N50 that he attempted to rape her. Read more
Why it’s impossible to spread FG projects – Presidency (Vanguard)
The Presidency on Saturday said that it is impossible to spread Federal government projects when petty demands or politics is allowed to override the higher interest of the people.
The presidency also warned that, henceforth, the Federal government might be forced to re-allocate projects elsewhere if any State government or communities create unnecessary impediments in the allocation of land or access to such lands for federal projects. Read more
Clear backlog of passport applications, NIS boss orders Alausa office (Nation)
Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) Mohammed Babandede has sent a special task force to the Alausa Passport Lagos to clear the backlog of passport applications.
Assistant Comptroller General ACG in charge of Zone ‘A’ Mohammed Alfa who made this known in Lagos, stated that the task force, which is already in the Alausa office, has commenced operations.
He assured applicants that all applications will be cleared in a few days. Read more
Sex-for-Grades: Group wants severe sanctions on erring lecturers (DailyTrust)
An advocacy group, “Sofadondo” has called on authorities in Nigeria’s universities to make regulations that prescribe severe sanctions on lecturers that have sex with students for marks. Olamide Oni, the Abuja coordinator of the group, made the call on Saturday at a Dinner/Award presentation organised by the Student Union Government (SUG) of the University of Abuja. ADVERTISEMENT Oni said that the law was needed to curb the scourge of sexual abuses by lecturers in the country’s tertiary institutions. Read more
Insecurity: Nigeria overstretching the military, says Masari (Guardian)
Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State with a delegation of military officers from the Defense Headquarters, Abuja, led by Major General Leo Irabor, Chief of Defence Training and Operations (second left) at Katsina Government House… yesterday.
Katsina State Governor Aminu Masari, yesterday, said Nigeria was overstretching the military in the area of ensuring internal peace and security, especially in parts of the country affected by insecurity.
Masari, who stated this when the Chief of Defence Training and Operations, Defence Headquarters, Abuja, Maj-Gen Leo Irabor, visited him at Government House, stressed the need for the country to look at ways to address the issue. Read more
Seven killed in Gov Obaseki’s convoy accident (Tribune)
Seven people have been confirmed dead in a fatal auto accident which involved the advance team of Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki on Benin-Auchi Expressway.
The victims of the auto crash include five adults and two children, while several other persons including a driver in the governor’s convoy were also injured in the Saturday morning auto accident.
The advance team of Governor Obaseki were said to be on their way to Ambrose Ali University (AAU), where the governor is expected to attend the convocation ceremony of the university located at Ekpoma. Read more
Police evacuates 147 inmates in raid on Kaduna rehab centre (DailyTrust)
Police raids another youths rehabilitation centre, Evacuate 147 inmates , four foreigners. Photo by Mohammed Yaba Kaduna State Police Command on Saturday raided another youth rehabilitation centre popularly called Malam Niga’s Rehabilitation and Skill Acquisition Centre and evacuated 147 inmates at Rigasa Community of Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The police stormed the centre located at Kwanar Gurguwa in the community in the early ours and took away the inmates to Mando Camp. Daily Trust gathered that the State Governor Nasir El’rufai was at the venue during the raid. Read more
IMF backs Nigeria on border closure, urges speedy resolution of issue (ThisDay)
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has backed Nigeria’s closure of its borders with some neighbouring countries over issues bordering on illegal trade.
Mr Abebe Selassie, the Director of the African Department at the IMF, gave the position at a media briefing on the sidelines of the World Bank/IMF Annual Meetings in Washington.
He was responding to a question on weather the closure negates the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
Selassie said although free trade was critical to economic growth of the continent, it must be legal and in line with agreements. Read more
Nadal marries partner of 14 years in Mallorca (Punch)
Rafael Nadal married his partner of 14 years, Xisca Perello, at a castle in Mallorca on Saturday.
Nadal, the 19-time grand slam champion, tied the knot with 31-year-old Perello at La Fortaleza, with a reported 350 guests invited to a private ceremony.
Juan Carlos I, the king of Spain from 1975 to 2014, was believed to be among those in attendance while the Michelin-star chef, Quique Dacosta, was reportedly in charge of catering. Read more
Iwobi plays for 86 minutes, misses begging chance as Everton win (Nation)
Super Eagles winger Alex Iwobi was in action for 86 minutes on Saturday as Everton earned a 2-0 victory over visiting West Ham United.
The Nigerian international, who was replaced in the 87th minute by Icelander Gylfi Sigurðsson, was very impressive but missed what Everton fans considered begging scoring chance while Everton were one goal up thanks to Bernard who had shot the homers into the lead in the 17th minute.
The former Arsenal man had a one on one situation with West Ham goalkeeper Roberto Jiménez but fired a weak shot straight at the goalkeeper to the disappointment of some of the fans who had already jumped into celebration mood. Read more
War Against Racism: EPL to launch Anti-Racism balls (Nation)
The Premier League will roll out specially-designed footballs for the next two weeks as a show of commitment towards the fight against racism.
Top flight fixtures this and next weekend according to Sportsmail will be played with balls carrying the slogan ‘No Room for Racism’ – the name of the Premier League’s anti-discrimination campaign
In a week where racism in football has been at the forefront of the national agenda following the disgraceful abuse England players were subjected to in Bulgaria, the Premier League are re-asserting their anti-discrimination campaign. Read more
Alonso silences Newcastle taunts as Chelsea climb to third (Punch)
Chelsea climbed to third in the Premier League as Marcos Alonso clinched a 1-0 win that silenced the Newcastle fans who jeered the Spanish defender at Stamford Bridge.
Alonso’s blistering strike ended Newcastle’s stubborn resistance with 17 minutes left and provided the perfect riposte to the taunts from the stands.
The Chelsea left-back spent the second half of the 2013-14 season on loan at Newcastle’s arch rivals Sunderland and played in a derby win at St James’ Park. Read more
U-17 W/Cup: FIFA confirms Golden Eaglets list (Nation)
Golden Eaglets 21-man team will be among the 504 players expected to battle for honours as the FIFA U-world cup kicks off on October 26.
The squad list for the 24 participating countries has been confirmed by the world soccer ruling body with five time champions Nigeria hoping to continue build on the successes recorded in the past.
Considered the most successful side in the history of the tournament, the Nigeria won in 1985, 1993, 2007, 2013 and 2015 while losing in the finals on three other occasions in 1987, 2001 and 2009. Read more
El Clasico: Barcelona, Real chiefs reject venue switch (Tribune)
El Clasico: Spanish league ask to move El Clasico amid Catalan protests
Political protests and the chaos that has ensued across Catalonia had threatened to force the switch of venue for the first Clasico of the season, yet both Barcelona and Real Madrid have rejected the proposal out of hand.
LaLiga made the request to the RFEF on Wednesday morning after images appeared on news stations on Tuesday evening of fires breaking out across the region, yet neither club believes the move is necessary.
Barcelona believes the match must be played at the Camp Nou, whilst Real Madrid is of the opinion that if there are such security risks then the match should be postponed entirely rather than merely moved. Read more
Manchester United injury problems (DailyTrust)
Manager Ole Gunner Solskjaer is hoping he can use Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Luke Shaw, Victor Lindelhof and possibly Anthony Martial this Sunday against leaders Liverpool. All the players were in training at Melwood this week and showed definite signs of being fit to play a full match or at least in a substitute’s role. However, I have been told that Paul Pogba’s foot injury has not recovered sufficiently and he will sit out the match in the stands. He has been on light training in Dubai this week but returned to Manchester on Wednesday evening with a protective cast on his foot. Goalkeeper David de Gea is also out with a groin strain, but United have the more than capable Sergio Romero ready to stand in between the posts. Read more
Messi, Suarez, Griezmann all on target as Barcelona dispatch Eibar (Punch)
Barcelona’s ‘MSG’ is finally up and running as Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Antoine Griezmann all scored in a ruthless 3-0 victory over Eibar on Saturday.
Griezmann’s place in the newly-formed attacking trident has not been secure this season but the Frenchman opened the scoring at Ipurua before teeing up Messi and then playing the crucial pass for Suarez to make it three.
An authoritative Barca display thrusts them to the top of La Liga, for a few hours at least before Real Madrid play Real Mallorca, and dismissed suggestions the players might be affected by Friday’s postponement of the Clasico due to protests in Catalonia. Read more
‘Distractions by ‘Latinos, Chicas, ladies’ caused Anthony Joshua’s defeat’ (Guardian)
Derek Chisora believes Anthony Joshua lost to Andy Ruiz Jr in June because of ‘Latinos, chicas and the ladies’. Joshua was knocked out in the seventh round by underdog Ruiz and the British boxer lost all his belts as a result.
Chisora will spar with Joshua ahead of the rematch and has explained why Joshua lost. ‘The only problem – Joshua trained, it’s only he trained in Miami, you know, ‘ Chisora told Seconds Out. Read more
Liverpool’s Salah faces late fitness test, as Matip signs new long-term contract (Vanguard)
Liverpool’s Mohammed Salah is set to face a late fitness test for his availability for Super Sunday’s crunch fixture against Man United.
Salah, Egypt forward, injured his ankle in Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Leicester in the last game before the international break. Matip, the Cameroonian center-back, has been out since last month’s 1-0 win at Sheffield United.
Klopp refused to confirm whether the injured duo would be back for the trip to Old Trafford, but offered a positive update on the fitness of goalkeeper Alisson, who has been out since August. Read more
Eagles out of CHAN (NewTelegraph)
Nigeria’s home-based Super Eagles have failed to qualify for next year’s African Nations Championship (CHAN) despite beating Togo.
However, the 2-0 result they got at the Agege Stadium, Lagos on Saturday was not enough having lost the first leg 3-0. Read more