NDLEA arrests fake soldier, policeman, youth corps member for drug trafficking (Nation)
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said it has arrested a fake soldier, a fake policeman and a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member for drug trafficking.
Spokesman of the agency, Femi Babafemi, in a statement on Sunday, said they were among 663 drug traffickers and users arrested when operatives raided notorious drug joints in Lagos, Abuja, Benue and other parts of the country.
He said assorted illicit drugs weighing over 153, 256.876 kilograms were either destroyed or seized in the past week.
The statement reads: “In Lagos, the notorious drug haven, Akala in Mushin area of the state was on Friday 15th October raided by a combined team of 70 NDLEA operatives and 30 soldiers in a joint operation code named ‘ Operation Still Waters.’ No less that27 suspects were arrested while various drugs such as Cocaine, Heroin, Tramadol, Rohypnol and Cannabis, with a cumulative weight of 2,463.876 Kg were seized. Read more
#EndSARS: NEC warns against fresh protests, to prosecute erring policemen (DailyTrust)
In receipt of reports from judicial panels regarding #EndSARS protests set up in 28 states across the country and in the FCT, the National Economic Council (NEC) has resolved that payment of compensation to victims should proceed.
NEC said this should be done with each state, in collaboration with the federal government, establishing the modalities for the settlement of all monetary compensations awarded by the panels.
Equally, NEC, which is composed of all state governors and representatives of the federal government, chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, also unanimously resolved to ensure the prosecution of persons indicted by the panels.
The council specifically directed states “to immediately forward copies of final reports of the panels to their Attorneys-General for prompt arraignment and prosecution of all indicted persons. Read more
Arapagi: Lagos community where women daily battle against stillbirths, miscarriages (Punch)
Motherhood is supposed to bring joy but for women in Arapagi community, Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area, it is a sad tale of struggle and anguish.
Surviving childbirth in the off-grid community is by luck, as the options for pregnant women are to either give birth at home, or travel miles away to access basic maternal healthcare. Yet, Arapagi community is hosting multi-billion naira investments.
“My wife lost her pregnancy”
Mr.Ganiyu Musibau was pained while watching his wife on a blood-stained bed four months ago. Still haunted by the experience, he said his wife wouldn’t have lost the pregnancy if there was a functional health centre in Arapagi.
“My wife just started complaining of stomach ache in the night and before we knew it, I was seeing blood. By the time, I rushed her to the hospital the next day, the scan showed that she had lost the pregnancy,” he muttered. Read more
LAWMA, LG boss, others task Lagos residents on proper waste management (Sun)
Chairman of Epe Local Government, Hon. Princess Surah Olayemi Animashaun has promised to work with the Lagos Waste Management Authority ( LAWMA), by mobilizing residents to pay their waste bills and properly dispose of their waste.
She said this at the council secretariat, Ita Marun, Epe, when the Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Ibrahim Odumboni, took LAWMA’s community clean-up campaign to the Local government over the weekend.
Princess Animashaun commended the efforts of the agency and admonished residents to reciprocate LAWMA’s gesture by putting up an environment-friendly habit.
In his address, Mr. Odumboni expressed displeasure at the poor waste disposal habit of the people, as well as their poor response to payment of waste.
Also speaking, High Chief Agbon, who represented the Oloja of Epe, HRH Oba Kamorudeen Ishola Animashaun, lauded the effort of LAWMA but solicited for recruitment of more personnel to expand the existing workforce, as well as improved pay package to boost their morale. Read more
Avoid using makeup on election day, INEC tells Anambra women (Punch)
The Independent National Electoral Commission has advised female voters in Anambra to avoid using makeup during the November 6 governorship election in the state.
The commission said the advice becomes necessary because of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System the agency would deploy to capture voters’ faces during the poll.
The INEC State Deputy Director, Gender Desk, Chika Osuji stated this in Awka, Anambra State at a voters’ education and sensitisation forum for Persons With Disabilities And Women’s groups.
The programme was organised by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems, United States Agency for International Development and the Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening.
Osuji, said “The BVAS will be used during the Anambra gubernatorial election to enable voters to use their fingerprints during accreditation at the polling units.
“I know many women may not be able to engage makeup artists due to restriction of movements; but for those who can’t do without makeups, we appeal to you to minimise the level of the painting. If we can’t read your fingerprints we can read your face, and if we cannot read your face, you are not a registered voter, and we will not allow you to participate.” Read more
Emir of Bungudu regains freedom after 32 days in captivity (Guardian)
The Emir of Bungudu, Alhaji Hassan Attahiru, Sarkin Fulanin Bungudu, Zamfara state, has regained his freedom after 32 days of captivity in the hands of kidnappers.
Magaji Rafin Bugudu, Alhaji Abubakar Sahabi, disclosed this in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bungudu, on Sunday, saying that the emirate and family wished to thank everyone for their prayers and support during the trying period.
Sahabi commended the efforts of the Zamfara and Kaduna state governments for their tireless efforts in securing the safe release of the emir.
He added that although the emir was still in hospital in Kaduna for medical check up before returning home; “we are comfortable with his health condition. Read more
Why I don’t show off my family on social media –Gbenga Adeyinka (Punch)
Ace comedian, Gbenga Adeyinka, has revealed why he does not show off his family on social media.
In an interview with SUNDAY SCOOP, the 53-year-old said, “I celebrate my family on their birthdays, anniversaries, and other special days but I do not show them off regularly for personal reasons. I am not saying it is wrong to show off one’s family on social media but I do what is best for me. There were times people ask me why I do not bring my wife to my events. I reply by asking, ‘Why don’t I follow my wife to court too?’ My wife is a lawyer and the same way the court is her workplace, so is the stage my workplace.
“Being alive is my biggest achievement so far. Previously, I would think that creating one of the biggest platforms for comedy was my greatest achievement. More so, I used to think that staying this long in the industry and being the first person to start up a comedy magazine were my biggest achievements. However, COVID-19 made me realise being alive is my biggest achievement.’’Read more
2 students of Federal University Lafia, kidnapped (Vanguard)
Two students of the Federal University, Lafia, Nasarawa State were last night kidnapped by unknown gunmen
The kidnappers were said to have invaded mararaba community hosting the university between 7 -8pm shooting sporadically and succeeded in kidnapping two students of the Institution.
Meanwhile, unconfirmed report obtained by Vanguard this afternoon has it that, one Hon. Yahaya Adams (Major) first Son of Zafir Yahaya Adams has been kidnapped last night together with two other students.
The kidnappers are said to have made contact with the family at about 11.30pm last night demanding for a ramson of N25m naira. Read more
PTAD pays 24,000 pensionsers N7b (Nation)
The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) at the weekend said that it has paid over seven billion to 24,000 hitherto not on its payroll.
PTAD added that it did that after a review, computation, re-computation of the verified pensioner, adding that the computation exercise is ongoing.
Executive Secretary of PTAD Chioma Ejikeme said this in Ilorin, Kwara state capital during a-two day stakeholders meeting for pensioners in North Central.
She explained: “In 2020, I also approved the commencement of an expanded re-validation and re-computation exercise in a bid to on-board verified pensioners not on payroll, clear all outstanding pension arrears and resolve all complaints of short payments and outstanding gratuities for the civil service pensioners and their next of kin (NoK). Read more
Zoë Kravitz becomes Catwoman Selina Kyle in first look at hotly anticipated DC Comics film “The Batman” (Metro)
Get ready for a first look at Zoë Kravitz as Catwoman in new DC film The Batman.
The Big Little Lies star, 32, plays Selina Kyle in the upcoming flick, and fans have its director to thank for the exclusive snaps of her in character.
Taking to Twitter, Matt Reeves posted a never-before-seen image of Kravitz as Catwoman, in which she stares mysteriously off screen.
She dons a casual ensemble, wearing a white sleeveless top and her shoulder-length hair neatly parted to one side. Read more
How enslaved black man created world’s most popular whiskey (VOA)
Jack Daniel’s is the world’s most popular whiskey brand, but until recently, few people knew the liquor was created by Nathan “Nearest” Green, an enslaved Black man who mentored Daniel.
“We’ve always known,” says Debbie Staples, a great-great-granddaughter of Green’s who heard the story from her grandmother. … “He made the whiskey, and he taught Jack Daniel. And people didn’t believe it … it’s hurtful. I don’t know if it was because he was a Black man.”
But people believe it now — in large part because Brown-Forman Corporation, owner of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, has acknowledged the foundational role Green played in the brand’s development.
“The truth of the matter is, Nearest Green was the first head distiller of Jack Daniels whiskey,” says Matt Blevins, global brand director for Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey. “We’re very proud of this story and are very committed to amplifying it and acknowledging that. In the past, we did not amplify it the way that we could have in earlier eras, but we’re about the future and moving forward.” Read more
Sean Penn’s wife Leila George files for divorce after 1 year of marriage (PageSix)
Sean Penn’s love life just made a “U-Turn” back into bachelorhood.
The Oscar-winning star’s wife, actress Leila George, has filed for divorce after just over one year of marriage, the 29-year-old Aussie filing the dissolution in Los Angeles Superior Court on Friday, People reports.
The soon-to-be exes dated for four years before quietly tying the knot in July 2020. Days later, Penn, 61, confirmed their “COVID wedding” on “Late Night with Seth Meyers.”
“There are reports that you recently got married, is this true?” Meyers asked Penn at the time, to which the “Milk” actor raised his hand, showing off his wedding band. Read more
FESPACO: Pomp and colour as Africa’s biggest film festival starts (BBC)
The 27th edition of the Pan-African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO) is under way in Burkina Faso’s capital.
Thousands thronged the Palais des Sports complex in the Ouaga 2000 district to witness the start of Africa’s largest film festival, which runs from 16 to 23 October.
The event was initially planned for February this year, but was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Fespaco, which started in 1969, is an internationally recognised festival that attracts enthusiasts from across the world to celebrate films largely produced in Africa by Africans. Read more
Dwayne Johnson officially unveils Black Adam at DC FanDome with body-crushing clip (Metro)
The first official look at Dwayne Johnson in action as Black Adam has been revealed at the 2021 DC FanDome event.
The WWE icon and Jungle Cruise star introduced the clip on Saturday as the first of the fan streaming event’s big reveals, explaining that he and director Jaume Collet-Serra felt that had to bring a ‘little something’ with them for fans, while the film is busy in post-production.
Setting the scene, 49-year-old said: ‘This character, this film, this universe, has been a gigantic passion project of mine for a very long time.
‘It’s the kind of project I know comes along once in a lifetime. The truth is, I was born to play Black Adam.’ Read more
Michael Caine clarifies statement on retiring after latest film (PageSix)
Michael Caine has not retired from acting just yet.
“I haven’t retired and not a lot of people know that,” the 88-year-old actor tweeted on Saturday — one day after telling BBC Radio’s “Kermode and Mayo’s Film Review” that “Best Sellers” would be his last film.
“Funnily enough, it has turned out to be my last part, really,” the British actor said of the 2021 film, adding that he hasn’t worked “for two years” and has a “spine problem” that affects his ability to walk.
Host Simon Mayo pressed the two-time Oscar winner further to confirm that “Best Sellers” would be his last film. Read more
Actors of Indian descent proud to lead Broadway’s ‘Aladdin’ (VOA)
As kids growing up in different states, Shoba Narayan and Michael Maliakel shared a love of one favorite film — “Aladdin.” Both are of Indian descent, and in the animated movie, they saw people who looked like them.
That shared love has gone full-circle this month as Narayan and Maliakel lead the Broadway company of the musical “Aladdin” out of the pandemic, playing Princess Jasmine and the hero from the title, respectively.
“Growing up, there was such little South Asian and Middle Eastern representation in the American media, and Princess Jasmine was really all I had. She was a huge role model to me as someone who was intelligent and strong and independent and beautifully curious, and that’s who I wanted to be,” says Narayan, who grew up in Pennsylvania.
The pair arrived at “Aladdin” in very different ways. Maliakel is making his Broadway debut, but Narayan is a musical theater veteran, having made her Broadway debut in “Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812” and touring with “Hamilton” as Eliza Hamilton. Read more
Mohamed Salah’s agent jets into Liverpool for talks over new £500,000-a-week deal (Metro)
Mohamed Salah’s agent has jetted into Liverpool with talks over the club over a new £500,000-a-deal for the Egyptian winger.
The 29-year-old has just over 18 months to run on his existing deal at Anfield and talks over a new deal have progressed slowly, despite both sides intimating that they’d like to agree on an extension.
Salah had previously suggested he’d be open to a move to Spain but the financial climate has closed off that opportunity and he’s now keen to stay on Merseyside.
He is, however, keen to extract a record-breaking contract from the Reds to reflect his performance level and the Mirror say his agent was in the UK on Saturday to hold discussions with the club over a new deal. Read more
Conor McGregor accused of punching, breaking Italian DJ’s nose in Rome (NYPost)
Conor McGregor’s Saturday in Rome did not lack for adventures at opposite ends of the spectrum.
Hours after having his son baptized at the Vatican in the morning, McGregor allegedly punched an Italian DJ in the face and broke his nose at a party late that night.
Francesco Facchinetti claims the attack was unprovoked and that he and his wife had been partying with McGregor and his fiancée before the UFC star unleashed a punch in front of 10 witnesses at the St. Regis hotel. Read more
Cameron Norrie reaches Indian Wells final by beating Grigor Dimitrov (BBC)
Britain’s Cameron Norrie reached his first Masters 1,000 final at Indian Wells as he breezed past Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov in straight sets.
The world number 26 dominated the semi-final to win 6-2 6-4 in California.
Norrie’s run means he will replace Dan Evans as British number one and on Sunday he will challenge for the biggest title of his career.
The 26-year-old will face world number 36 Nikoloz Basilashvili in the final, after he beat American Taylor Fritz. Read more
Everton vs West Ham: Ogbonna sinks Everton on Moyes’ return (Punch)
West Ham manager enjoyed a winning return to Everton as Angelo Ogbonna’s header sealed a 1-0 victory at Goodison Park on Sunday.
Moyes spent 11 years in charge of the Merseyside club from 2002 to 2013 and is still regarded fondly by Everton fans.
But his relationship with Everton’s current boss Rafael Benitez is less cordial after the Spaniard irritated Moyes by labelling the Toffees a small club during his time at Liverpool.
Benitez apologised for that comment after his controversial appointment as Everton boss in the close-season. Read more
Knicks’ Mitchell Robinson still working way back into shape (NYPost)
Mitchell Robinson said he’s ready to start at center for the Knicks in the season opener Wednesday against the Celtics.
But that remains up in the air as head coach Tom Thibodeau has to make a key decision on his starting center.
Robinson played Friday for the first time in nearly seven months, logging 27 minutes off the bench in their preseason-ending win over the Wizards, and at times looking exhausted. Robinson collected nine rebounds — six on the offensive glass — but was 3-for-8 from the field.
“It wasn’t that bad, but it was bad,’’ Robinson said of his conditioning level.
Premier League: Iheanacho grabs assist as Leicester beat Man United 4-2 (Vanguard)
Kelechi Iheanacho’s assist sent Leicster City on their way to a famous 4-2 victory over Manchester United on Saturday – a win that ended United’s 29-game away unbeaten run.
A curling effort by Mason Greenwood from outside the box put the Red Devils ahead but Iheanacho stole a ball Harry Maguire should have cleared before passing to Youri Tielemans who scored a stunner in the 31st minute.
Iheanacho who opened his 2021/2022 goal scoring account last time out against Crystal palace was a thorn in Maguire’s flesh up until he was substituted. The assist is Iheanacho’s second of the season.
The victory for the Foxes also ended Manchester United’s unbeaten run on the road and left coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looking forlorn at the final whistle. Read more