NDLEA charges 32-year-old with peddling cocaine, heroin (Nation)
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA on Friday charged one 32-year-old Basit Gbolagade with cocaine and heroin trafficking before a Federal High Court in Lagos.
The NDLEA brought a two-count charge against Gbolagade in a suit marked FHC/L/559C/22.
In the charge, NDLEA alleged that Gbolagade committed the offences on Sept. 18
at Elegushi in Lekki, Lagos State.
In count one, the agency said that the defendant unlawfully dealt in 16g of cocaine, while in count two, it alleged that the defendant unlawfully dealt in six grammes of heroin. Read more
4 children get prosthetic limbs as Irede, NNPC/SNEPCo partner (Vanguard)
The Irede Foundation in partnership with NNPC/SNEPCo on Friday officially handed over five Prosthetic Limbs to four children in Lagos.
While three of the beneficiaries got a limb, Perry Odigie, whose lower limbs were amputated as a toddler received two artificial limbs for both legs.
Presenting the prosthetics in Lagos, Adegoke Areje who represented the Managing Director, SNEPCo, said imparting lives and giving back to the community were the centre of the blueprint of the organisation. Read more
Sanwo-Olu gets FG’s approval for $2.5b Badagry seaport (Punch)
Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has received approval to build the Badagry Deep Seaport which was approved by the Federal Executive Council in August.
A statement signed by Sanwo-Olu’s Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile, said the approval, which was given at the just concluded Lagos State Economic Summit (Ehingbeti 2022), authorises and provides the legal basis for the concession of the Badagry Deep Seaport following the issuance of the Full Business Case Certificate by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission last April.
According to the statement, the $2.5bn project, which would be funded through Public Private Partnership, would be built on approximately 496 hectares. It would have 2,470m quay length container terminal, 560m quay length break bulk terminal, 360m quay length OSB terminal and minimum of 18m depth.
It was expected to generate 250,000 direct jobs, enhance government revenue and operate under a build, operate and transfer concession agreement. Read more
Drug dealer jailed 7 years (DailyTrust)
Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court, Lagos, on Wednesday convicted and sentenced a drug dealer, Matthew Bobby Imonitie (26), to seven years imprisonment for being in possession of 4.033kg of a banned substance, methamphetamine.
The convict, Imonitie, was brought before the court by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The prosecutor, Mr Lambert Nor, told the court that Imonitie was arrested with the banned substance on August 29, 2022, on Kayode Street, Opic Estate, Agbara, Lagos State.
Following the drug dealer’s guilty plea, his counsel, Barrister Anthony Nnamoko, pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy in sentencing him. Read more
Sanwo-Olu hails GAC leader, Olusi at 86 (Independent)
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has congratulated Prince Tajudeen Oluyole Olusi, the Leader of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), the apex leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos, on his 86 years birthday.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile, on Thursday, Governor Sanwo-Olu described Prince Olusi as a visionary and respected leader, who has contributed immensely to the development and growth of Lagos State and Nigeria in all spheres of life.
He also hailed the former National Vice Chairman (South-West) of the Action Congress (AC) and son of the late King Sanusi Olusi, former Oba of Lagos, for his commitment, exemplary leadership and continued contributions to the development of Lagos State and the ruling party at the state, zonal and national levels.
Sanwo-Olu also commended Olusi for his commitment to public service, party politics and good governance, describing the GAC leader as an epitome of honesty, dedication and service, who has used his leadership positions to improve the lives of the people in his spheres of influence. Read more
ASUU directs members to resume work from 12.01 Friday (Guardian)
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has directed its members to resume all services hitherto withdrawn with effect from 12:01 on Friday.
The ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, President said this in a statement issued at the end of the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) emergency meeting on Friday in Abuja.
Osodeke said the meeting was called to review the developments since the union declared an indefinite strike action on Aug. 29.
He also said that for the avoidance of doubt, the issues include funding for revitalisation of public universities, earned academic allowances, the proliferation of public Universities, and visitation panels/release of white papers.
He added that others are the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) as a broad spectrum software to stop illegality and provide for an alternative payment platform in the university system and renegotiation of the 2009 Agreement. Read more
Labour shuts Egbin power plant over precarious working condition (Sun)
Organised Labour under the international workers organisation, IndustriAll in Nigeria, yesterday shut down operations of the Egbin power plant in Lagos alleging precarious working conditions of workers at the plant.
Nigeria unions, that are affiliates of IndustriAll include, the National Union of Textile , Garment and Tailoring Workers (NUTGTW), National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), National Union of Chemical Footwear Rubber Leather and Non-Metallic Products Employees (NUCFRLANMPE), Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).
Speaking at the picketing exercise, the Vice President, IndustriALL Global Union representing Sub-saharan Africa, Rose Omamo, said the global union has resolved to eradicate all forms of precarious work under any guise as well as intimidation of workers to belong to a trade union. The Vice President who was represented by the Regional President, John Adaji, who also is the President of the National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers in Nigeria, said, Egbin Power Plant which was unionized by the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) has become notorious for anti-union activities and promoting precarious work all in an attempt to intimidate the workers against belonging to the union. Read more
Chike, Cobhams, Styl Plus and Praiz to perform at Tee-A’s Rhythm and Blues (Tribune)
Multiple award-winning comedian and pioneer of standup comedy Tee-A will host a slew of Nigerian R’n’B royalties at his upcoming Rhythm and Blues Concert scheduled for the fourth quarter at the Eko Hotel and Suites.
Chike, Cobhams, Styleplus, PRAIZ, Alternate Sounds, and Iyanya, will be recorded as the debut headliner in the concert’s history that will annually celebrate the unique and classic rhythm and blues sounds originating from Nigeria.
Doubling as the show’s director, Tee-A, yet again, is set to record another successful production in the annals of the Nigerian entertainment industry following his highly successful shows: Live and Naked and Tyme Out with Tee-A.
Serving as an Ode to the R’n’B genre, the ace comedian whose career spans various other fields such as writing, presenting, as well as being an entrepreneur, noted that the R’n’B genre has played a significant role in the advancement of other music genres that have become mainstream today. Read more
Man strangles wife to death, prepares body as electrocuted corpse in Ogun (Leadership)
Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have arrested a middle-aged man identified as Oluranti Badejo, who allegedly strangled his wife to death, but later prepared her corpse as being electrocuted.
The 51-year-old Badejo, who resided at Orimerunmu quarters in the Mowe Ibafo axis of the Obafemi-Owode local government area of the State, allegedly snuffed life out of his 40-year-old wife, Folashade Badejo, during a scuffle between the two of them over minor disagreement.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Abimbola Oyeyemi, who disclosed this to journalists on Thursday in Abeokuta, the state capital, said Badejo was arrested on Wednesday following a complaint lodged with the Police at the Mowe Divisional Headquarters by the younger sister of the deceased.
Oyeyemi stated that the suspect, having realised the gravity of his crime, later used hot iron to burn parts of Folashade’s lifeless body in order to make people believe that she was electrocuted. Read more
Issa Rae says ”The Flash” continuing with Ezra Miller is ”example” of Hollywood protecting ”offenders” (People)
Issa Rae is calling out Hollywood and detailing the work that she believes the industry still needs to do.
The 37-year-old actress opened up about being a woman in the #MeToo era — and what she’d like to see changed within the entertainment industry.
“While I don’t support people jumping to immediate conclusions and I think it’s entirely fair for investigations to happen, I think it’s extremely important to, like the mantra says, ‘Listen to women,’ ” Rae said in an ELLE interview published Thursday.
Getting specific, the actress continued, “I’m gonna be real, the stuff that’s happening with Ezra Miller is, to me, a microcosm of Hollywood.” Read more
Funeral crasher’ says she’s been to send-offs for 200 strangers (Metro)
Jeane has a bit of an obsession with death. So much so that she estimates she’s been to the funerals of 200 strangers.
The 55-year-old has travelled the world since 2012 when she first crashed one by accident.
After noticing her regularly visiting graves, cemetery workers at her local haunt started to contact Jeane when the deceased didn’t have any family or friends.
They would then ask her to attend the funeral.
Now people ask her to join so that nobody will ever be buried or cremated alone. Jeane also spends time photographing and tidying graves. Read more
Sister Act 3 confirmed in the works, as Whoopi Goldberg reveals who she’d like to cast (Deadline)
If Whoopi Goldberg has her way, there will be a lot of new sistahs in Sister Act 3.
Speaking tonight on Comedy Central’s Hell of A Week with host Charlamagne Tha God, Goldberg listed Lizzo, Keke Palmer, and Nikki Minaj as among those she’d like to bring to the third edition of the film comedy.
Goldberg said the script for the new film will be delivered by the end of this month.
“I want everybody,” she said when asked about casting. “I want as many people who want to have some fun, because I really, desperately need to have some fun.” Read more
Liam Neeson in talks to star in Paramount’s Naked Gun reboot, Akiva Schaffer to direct (Variety)
Seth MacFarlane and Akiva Schaffer are officially courting Liam Neeson for Paramount’s “Naked Gun” remake. The “Taken” actor is in talks to lead the modern version of the ’80s slapstick film, Variety confirms.
Schaffer, the “Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers” filmmaker and Lonely Island member, will direct and executive produce the movie. Schaffer penned the screenplay with “Chip ‘n Dale” writers Dan Gregor and Doug Mand. MacFarlane and Erica Huggins are producing through their company Fuzzy Door.
Neeson sparked chatter online about reviving the ’80s comedy earlier this year, telling “People (The TV Show)” that McFarlane and Paramount had been pursuing him to resurrect the “Naked Gun” films. However, the actor has still yet to sign on the dotted line.
“It’ll either finish my career or bring it in another direction. I honestly don’t know,” Neeson told “People (The TV Show)”. Read more
Taylor Swift submits ‘Red (Taylor’s Version)’ for 2023 Grammys, Drake and The Weeknd snub submissions (NME)
Submissions for the 2023 Grammys are in, with the first round voting for next year’s awards kicking off yesterday (October 13).
There are a number of notable submissions and absentees from the 2023 submissions list, including six from Taylor Swift. Swift has put forward ‘Red (Taylor’s Version)’ for consideration in the Album of the Year and Best Country Album categories, eight years after the original ‘Red’ release lost in both at the 2014 awards.
Her other submissions include ‘All Too Well (10 Minute Version)’ for Record of the Year and Song of the Year, ‘I Bet You Think About Me (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)’ for Best Country Song and Best Country Performance, and the Phoebe Bridgers-featuring ‘Nothing New (Taylor’s Version)(From The Vault)’ for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. Lll
Beyoncé has entered two dance/electronic category nominations for the first time. She put forward her seventh studio album ‘Renaissance’ for both Album of the Year and Best Dance/Electronic Album, and its lead single ‘Break My Soul’ for Song of the Year, Recording of the Year and Best Dance/Electronic Recording. She’s won the most Grammy awards for any female artist and any male or female singer, with 28 wins over her career. Read more
Microsoft is changing Microsoft Office after 30 years (Metro)
Microsoft Office is changing. Sort of.
The actual product will stay the same. Don’t worry – Word, Powerpoint, Excel and the rest aren’t going anywhere.
But it won’t be called Microsoft Office any more. Instead, the tech giant has announced it’s rebranding to Microsoft 365.
Over the next few months, Office.com, the Office mobile app, and Microsoft’s Office app for Windows will all adopt new branding and icons.
Although the functionality of the apps will stay the same, there will be one big difference: the price. Read more
Elon Musk under federal investigation over Twitter deal (BBC)
Elon Musk is under a federal investigation related to his $44 billion takeover deal for Twitter.
The news came from a court filing made public on Thursday about the latest in ongoing legal disputes between the billionaire and the social network.
While the filing said he was under investigation, it did not say what the focus was.
“This game of ‘hide the ball’ must end,” the company said in the court filing.
Mr Musk did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Read more
Stade De Reims unveil Falcons defenders (Punch)
French Side, Stade De Reims have completed the signing of two Super Falcons Defenders Rofiat Imuran and Tosin Demehin from Rivers Angels.
Imuran and Demehin signed on the same day with the French Side and both are optimistic of a great time with the Reims-based side.
A few days before facing Paris FC in D1 Arkema, the SDR is strengthening defensively with the arrival of the two defenders who were both on parade for Nigeria’s Falconets at the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica.
“Very fast, solid defensively, able to project forward…”! While it’s difficult to sum up Rofiat’s qualities in just three adjectives, Amandine Miquel – who notably saw her new recruit against the France U20 team last August – admits that her running speed is her strong point: “ Beyond being very fast, Rofiat also has a very interesting defensive palette, especially in one-on-one duels. Her arrival is beneficial for the team and our defensive sector. Read more
Mikel Arteta hails ‘phenomenal’ display from Matt Turner in Arsenal’s win over Bodo/Glimt (Standard)
Mikel Arteta was full of praise for Matt Turner after the goalkeeper kept another clean sheet in Arsenal’s win away to Bodo/Glimt.
The American has started all three of the Gunners’ Europa League group-stage matches so far this season, playing his part in ensuring the Norwegian side were unable to score either in north London or on home soil in the Arctic Circle.
Turner only had to make one save in Arsenal’s 1-0 win, as Bukayo Saka’s fortunate strike proved to be the only goal of the game, but was quick off his line on a number of occasions to ensure balls in behind the Gunners’ defence did not materialise into anything dangerous.
It was a performance that the Arsenal boss was particularly impressed by, with Aaron Ramsdale’s comfortable position as the club’s number one putting pressure on Turner to deliver when he does get a rare opportunity in the side. Read more
ErikTen Hag wants more from Manchester United after Omonia scare (Eurosport)
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag admitted he wanted his team to score more often and earlier after they struggled to break down Omonia.
United had looked to be struggling on Thursday night in the Europa League against their opposition from Cyprus, when normal time saw the game move to 0-0 with minutes remaining.
However in the 93rd minute, midfielder Scott McTominay popped up with the winner to break their opponent’s hearts, and leave them on nine points with two games to go in the group.
That leaves them favourites to go into the knockout rounds alongside group leaders Real Socieded. Read more
Qatar’s World Cup chief warns against ‘One Love’ armband protest from team captains (IrishIndependent)
Qatar’s World Cup chief has spoken out against the tournament becoming a “platform of political statements” in response to plans by Harry Kane, Gareth Bale and other captains to wear “One Love” armbands, writes Ben Rumsby.
Nasser Al Khater, chief executive of Qatar’s supreme committee for delivery and legacy, declared his opposition to the increasing politicisation of the first Middle East World Cup and even admitted some critics of the event could be racist.
Fifa has yet to respond to a request three weeks ago by the Football Association and its counterparts in Wales, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark and Switzerland for their captains to be allowed to wear the One Love armband in a country criticised for its human-rights record and its criminalisation of same-sex relationships. England are ready to defy any refusal to approve the move and pay what could be a series of heavy fines.
Al Khater told Sky News: “This is a sporting tournament that people want to come [to] and enjoy. Turning it into a platform of political statements, I don’t think is right for the sport.” Read more
Iga Swiatek downs China’s Zheng Qinwen to reach San Diego quarter-finals (StraitsTimes)
World No. 1 Iga Swiatek tamed China’s Zheng Qinwen 6-4, 4-6, 6-1 on Thursday to ease into the quarter-finals of the San Diego Open and close in on an eighth title this season.
Swiatek, who nearly clinched an eighth trophy last week but lost in the final of the Ostrava Open in the Czech Republic, brought her form back with her to the United States where she claimed the US Open crown last month.
It will be Swiatek’s 12th quarter-final of the year.
“Qinwen, she has a different game style because she’s playing topspin on her forehand and the ball is flying pretty high,” said Swiatek, whose seven titles include two Grand Slams the French and US Opens. “So today I had to adjust to that. Read more
Phil Mickelson says LIV on rise and PGA Tour trending downward (ESPN)
Back in Saudi Arabia for the first time since his disparaging remarks about the source of LIV Golf’s funding, Phil Mickelson said Thursday he was glad he was on the “winning side” and that he sees the PGA Tour trending downward, and he also denied doing the notorious interview with writer Alan Shipnuck.
Mickelson had said a month ago that while the PGA Tour had all the best players in the world for the past 20 to 30 years, that would never be the case again.
He came out even stronger in a news conference for the LIV Golf Invitational-Jeddah, which starts Friday at Royal Greens in King Abdullah Economic City.
“I think going forward you have to pick a side. You have to pick what side do you think is going to be successful. And I firmly believe that I’m on the winning side of how things are going to evolve and shape in the coming years for professional golf,” Mickelson said. Read more
Undisputed champion Haney primed to punish Kambosos again in rematch (France24)
Undisputed lightweight world champion Devin Haney says he has “all the answers” to George Kambosos as they clash in a title rematch in Melbourne on Sunday.
The unbeaten American toppled the Australian on unanimous points in June to become the first undisputed lightweight champion in modern boxing history, since Pernell Whitaker in 1990.
A rematch was in his contract and they will meet again at Rod Laver Arena, best known as centre court for the Australian Open tennis and significantly smaller than the 41,000-capacity Marvel Stadium that hosted the first bout.
“Obviously he’s going to come in with a better game plan, so I’m going to need to be better than I was last time,” Haney, who has a 28-0 record with 15 KOs, told reporters. Read more
