NSCDC officer, 2 others burnt as 2 motorcycles collide in Badagry (Vanguard)
An official of Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and two others were on Tuesday burnt beyond recognition following the crash of two motorcycles along Badagry-Seme expressway.
A witness told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Badagry that the collision, which occurred around 8a.m. at Iyaafin area, resulted in an explosion.
“The two men on the motorcycle laden with petrol were on top speed and collided with the NSCDC officer on official bike.
“Fire however broke out and inflicted various degrees of burns on them.
“They were later rescued and taken to Badagry General Hospital where they were later referred to LASUTH for further treatment,” he said. Read more
We won’t allow suspects without face mask in court – CJ (Punch)
The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba, has said suspects without face masks will be denied entry onto the premises of the court as part of safety measures against COVID-19.
He added that everyone coming into a courtroom must fill the attendance register for ease of contact tracing in the event of a positive COVID-19 case.
The Chief Judge said this in a September 28, 2020 circular, titled, ‘High Courts/Magistrate Courts in Lagos Full Resumption of Duties’.
Lagos courts resumed on Monday for a new legal year, the judges having concluded their annual vacation. Read more
BBNaija 2020: Lagos Govt awaits Laycon to pay tax in 2021 (Vanguard)
The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service, LIRS, while congratulating the winner of Big Brother Nigeria reality Tv show season 5, Olamilekan Agbeleshe, popularly known as ‘Laycon’ urged him to be ready to pay his tax in the year 2021.
The agency made this known in a tweet on Monday.
It said “Congratulations Laycon, winner of BBNaija Lockdown edition.
“More wins!! We look forward to seeing you in Y2021 as you pay your tax.” Read more
FG floors P&ID again, UK court orders release of $200m guarantee to Nigeria (Thisday)
Nigeria yesterday recorded another victory in its ongoing legal tussle with the Process & Industrial Development (P&ID) Limited as a London Commercial Court ordered the release of the $200 million guarantee for the stay of execution granted the country pending the appeal filed against the judgment of Justice Christopher Butcher for the execution of the Arbitral award of $10 billion to the company.
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, hailed the court’s ruling even as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, hailed the court’s decision, saying the $200 million will enhance Nigeria’s management of the exchange rate of its domestic currency, the naira, while ensuring monetary and price stability. Read more
Nigeria @60: FG shuts down federal secretariat from Wednesday (Punch)
The Federal Government has resolved to close down the federal secretariat complex Phases I to III from Wednesday afternoon because of an event marking the 60th independence of the country scheduled to hold at the Eagle Square on Thursday.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Folasade Yemi-Esan, disclosed this in a circular dated September 29, 2020 and titled “Closure of federal secretariat Phases 1-3 on Wednesday, September 30, 200 at 2pm.”
The circular was addressed to all permanent secretaries and chief executive offices of Ministries, Department and Agencies operating from the three complexes. Read more
Ritualists murder girl on her way to church, remove vital organs (Guardian)
Fear has gripped residents of Umusume community in Obiaruku, Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State, after the lifeless body of a young lady identified as Miss Anwuli Joy Agu was discovered on a school premises with some vital organs of the lady missing and her hair shaved off on Sunday.
The lady was murdered and dumped inside Esume-uku Primary School, Obiaruku, by some suspected ritualists. Upon discovery, the body was evacuated by policemen attached to Obiaruku division.
The Commissioner of Police, Hafiz Mohammed, confirmed the development, adding that the police were already combing everywhere since Sunday to arrest the hoodlums. Read more
Boat mishap claims four lives in Asaba (Thisday)
Four persons who were believed to be relocating from the banks of the lower Niger River in Asaba, Delta State, due to the threatening flood in the area have reportedly drowned at Omeligboma camp in Oko, a community in Asaba, the state capital.
The victims, whose identities could not be ascertained at the time of filing this report yesterday evening, were said to be on board the ill-fated boat in an apparent bid to escape the rising flood in the area when the tragedy struck.
The boat conveying ‘fleeing’ residents suddenly capsized, leaving the captain of the small boat as the only survivor as the accident occurred in the middle of the water. Read more
NCC gets committee for 2020 telecoms research proposals (Guardian)
The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, has inaugurated a 15-man Evaluation Committee to assess the 2020 Telecommunications based research from academics in the Nigerian tertiary institutions.
The committee chaired by Mu’azu Bashir, a professor of Computer and Control Engineering and Head of Computer Engineering Department at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, was inaugurated at the NCC’s Abuja office.
Danbatta said that the initiative is geared towards enhancing the telecom industry/ICT sector. Read more
Nigerian doctor bags World Bank SDG award (Punch)
A Nigerian medical doctor and Chief Executive Officer of Mobihealth International, Funmi Adewara, has been selected as one of the seven winners of the 2020 World Bank’s Global SDGs and Her Competition.
Adeware, alongside six other female entrepreneurs, was picked from a pool of 2,400 inspirational women worldwide who entered the competition.
According to a statement, the award ceremony will hold on the sidelines of the 75th United Nations General Assembly in New York City, United States of America.
The statement, titled, ‘World Bank rewards Mobihealth International, six others with SDGs award’, indicated that Adeware was recognised for founding “Africa’s first fully integrated telehealth start-up leveraging technology in harnessing Diaspora and local doctors and medical service providers through a secure electronic medical record and video software.” Read more
US election 2020: Trump and Biden clash in primetime debate (BBC)
US President Donald Trump and his White House challenger Joe Biden have fiercely clashed in the opening moments of their first live TV debate.
Mr Trump, a Republican, accused his rival of being beholden to socialists in his party, saying: “They’re going to dominate you, Joe, you know that.”
“I’m the Democratic party now,” retorted Mr Biden, a Democrat.
The 90-minute primetime duel in Cleveland, Ohio, is the first of three between the two rivals. Read more
UK records highest ever number of coronavirus cases in 24 hours (Metro)
The UK has recorded 7,143 more Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours, while a further 71 people have died with the virus. The number of daily new cases is the highest ever recorded in the UK. It is five times more than the number recorded four weeks ago, when 1,295 cases were reported. It’s likely the UK’s increased testing facilities have contributed to the large number of daily infections, when compared what was available in March, April and May. The nation has now seen 446,156 infections since the start of the pandemic, while the death toll stands at 42,072. Read more
Illicit money flows from Africa near $89bn, UN study says (Aljazeera)
Africa has lost nearly $89bn a year in illicit financial flows such as tax evasion and theft, amounting to more than it receives in development aid, a United Nations study has showed.
The estimate, in the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development’s (UNCTAD) 248-page report, is its most comprehensive to date for Africa. It shows an increasing trend over time and is higher than most previous estimates.
The report released on Monday calls Africa a “net creditor to the world”, echoing economists’ observations that the aid-reliant continent is actually a net exporter of capital because of these trends. Read more
Two-fifths of plants at risk of extinction, says report (BBC)
Two-fifths of the world’s plants are at risk of extinction, scientists have warned.
Researchers say they are racing against time to name and describe new species, before they disappear.
Plants hold huge promise as medicines, fuels and foods, says a report by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
But opportunities are being lost to use plants and fungi to address global issues such as food security and climate change. Read more
New York City to impose mask fines as COVID-19 cases climb (Aljazeera)
New York City will impose fines on people who refuse to wear a face-covering as the rate of positive tests for the novel coronavirus climbed above 3 percent for the first time in months, Mayor Bill de Blasio has said.
Officials will first offer free masks to those caught not wearing one. If the person refuses, they will face an unspecified fine, de Blasio told reporters on Tuesday.
“Our goal, of course, is to give everyone a free face mask,” de Blasio said. “We don’t want to fine people, but if we have to we will.” Read more
Helen Reddy: Australian singer of feminist anthem I Am Woman dies (BBC)
Helen Reddy, the Australian singer behind feminist anthem I Am Woman, has died aged 78.
Reddy died on Tuesday in Los Angeles, her family said in a statement on Facebook.
Her children Traci Donat and Jordan Sommers described her as a “wonderful mother, grandmother, and a truly formidable woman”.
“Our hearts are broken. But we take comfort in the knowledge that her voice will live on forever.”
Reddy had a string of pop and rock hits in the 1970s, but is best known for the 1972 anthem I Am Woman – a rousing tune which became prominent in the women’s liberation movement.
It went on to sell over one million copies and became a defining song of second-wave feminism. Read more
“Borat 2” ‘set to drop on Amazon Prime’ just in time for election day (Metro)
Borat 2 is reportedly set to drop on Amazon Prime next month just in time for election day.
The sequel to the beloved cult movie will be released on the streaming giant, with fans set to enjoy the catchily titled Borat: Gift of Pornographic Monkey to Vice Premiere Mikhael Pence to Make Benefit Recently Diminished Nation of Kazakhstan, according to Deadline.
The site reports that the Sacha Baron Cohen flick, which seems to focus on Vice President Mike Pence, will be released to Amazon subscribers in 240 countries and territories in October, 14 years after the original. Read more
French Open 2020: Novak Djokovic, Stefanos Tsitsipas & Matteo Berrettini through (BBC)
Novak Djokovic laid down the challenge to his French Open rivals by only dropping five games in a first-round win against Sweden’s Mikael Ymer.
The Serb top seed, who is bidding for an 18th Grand Slam and a second French Open, eased to a 6-0 6-2 6-3 victory.
After cruising to a 20-minute opening set, Djokovic ruthlessly maintained his level to win in an hour and 38 minutes.
“This is what my intentions will be, trying to get off the blocks very strong with a good intensity,” he said.
“Obviously these conditions are different than what we are used to here in the French Open.
Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara tests positive for coronavirus (Metro)
Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara has tested positive for coronavirus. The 29-year-old, who joined Liverpool from Bayern Munich earlier in the month, has exhibited ‘minor symptoms’ of the virus but is in ‘good health’, the Premier League club have said.
Thiago missed Liverpool’s 3-1 Premier League victory over Arsenal on Monday evening through injury. Liverpool said in a statement: ‘Thiago has tested positive for COVID-19 and is currently self-isolating according to the necessary guidelines. Read more
Ruben Dias: Manchester City sign Benfica defender on six-year deal (BBC)
Manchester City have signed 23-year-old defender Ruben Dias from Benfica on a six-year deal for about £65m.
Argentine centre-back Nicolas Otamendi has moved the other way for £13.7m.
Dias becomes City boss Pep Guardiola’s third significant summer signing, following the arrivals of defender Nathan Ake and forward Ferran Torres.
“To have the opportunity to join a club like Manchester City is a fantastic opportunity for me and one I couldn’t turn down,” said Dias. Read more
Heather Watson gives scathing assessment of British tennis after French Open exodus (Metro)
Heather Watson pulled no punches when assessing the state of British tennis after her first-round exit at the French Open.
Watson, the world No. 56 from Guernsey, was beaten in straight sets by France’s Fiona Ferro on Tuesday – a defeat that confirmed there would be no Brits in the second round of a Grand Slam for the first time since 2013.
Andy Murray, Johanna Konta, Dan Evans, Cameron Norrie and qualifier Liam Broady had already been knocked out in what was a painful tournament for the British contingent. Read more
Spurs beat Chelsea on penalties in Carabao Cup (BBC)
Mason Mount missed the crucial spot-kick as Tottenham edged past Chelsea on penalties after a 1-1 draw to reach the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
A total of nine penalties had been converted before Mount stepped up to take the 10th, but the England midfielder’s effort clipped the post and went wide.
Chelsea had dominated the first half and new signing Timo Werner netted his first goal for the club with a clinical finish into the bottom corner.
Spurs responded well after the break and debutant Sergio Reguilon’s side-footed effort from inside the area was pushed over the crossbar by Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, who was also making his first appearance for his new club. Read more
Drogba to receive UEFA President’s Award (Nation)
Former Chelsea and Cote d’Ivoire star Didier Drogba is set to receive the UEFA President’s Award for being a “leader and pioneer”, the European football governing body said on Tuesday.
UEFA said the award to the 42-year-old Drogba will also be for his “commitment to excellence on and off the pitch”.
The former Cote d’Ivoire captain will be honoured on Thursday in Switzerland at the draw for the group phase of the 2020/2021 UEFA Champions League.
“Didier is a hero to millions of football fans for his achievements throughout his glittering playing career,” UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said. Read more
William Troost-Ekong: Watford sign Nigeria centre-back from Udinese (BBC)
Watford have signed Nigeria defender William Troost-Ekong from Italian club Udinese on a five-year contract.
The 27-year-old centre-back was born in the Netherlands, where he began his career with Groningen.
He joined Udinese in 2018 and his move to Watford is the latest in a series of summer deals between the two clubs, which are owned by the Pozzo family.
“I believe in the project for Watford to get back into the Premier League,” the 27-year-old told BBC Sport Africa. Read more