Ondo court dissolves 23-year marriage as woman changes children names to lover’s (Vanguard)
A Customary Court sitting in Akure, Ondo state, has dissolved a 23-year marriage between a Lagos-based church founder, Prophet Obayan and wife, Prophetess Chibuzor Obayan, and resolved the paternity of their four children.
The estranged wife, Chibuzor, had changed the names of the children to that of her new lover, who was a former member of the husband’s church.
Prophet Obayan founder of Divine Prophetic Solutions Prayers Ministry located at off Arowojobe Street, Ladipo, Lagos, had dragged his estranged wife to the court in Akure, to challenge the “snatching of his four children by a member of his church”, and sought the return of the paternity of the children. Read more
Corruption: Don’t bring returns to my office, IGP warns police officers (Tribune)
The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun has disclosed that he is not expecting returns from any police officer, charging them to be diligent in the discharge of their constitutional responsibility.
The Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 11, Paul Ojeka Odama, who conveyed this message to the officers during a working visit to Oyo Police Command, Ibadan on Wednesday, advised them to shun any act capable of tarnishing the image of the Force.
The IGP, according to him, made his stance known on the issue of corruption. Read more
Tinubu backs Umahi over war against contractors (Sun)
President Bola Tinubu has backed Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, on plans to use concrete for construction of roads across the country, against what he called a “gang-up” by some road contractors opposed to the policy.
He made the disclosure to State House Correspondents after he met with President Bola Tinubu at Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.
According to him, some contractors with the backing of what he called “enemies within” have ganged up to frustrate the policy, and President Tinubu has given him the go ahead to resist the blackmail and do what is right and for the benefits of Nigerians. Read more
Army discovers bombs in Ikeja 21 years after blast, begins clearance
(DailyTrust)
The army authorities have discovered explosives at the scene of the Ikeja bomb blast, 21 years and nine months after.
The explosion which occurred on January 27, 2002 at the Military Cantonment in Ikeja is believed to have killed at least 1,100 people and displaced over 20,000 with many others injured and rendered homeless.
Bombs and other explosives mistakenly went off in the armoury section of the barracks. Read more
International Day of Girl Child: MSSN Lagos warns against discrimination of Muslim students (Vanguard)
The Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Lagos State Area Unit has called on the government to ensure that all Muslim students are free to express their faith in an inclusive and tolerant society.
The Amirah (Female Head) of MSSN Lagos, Rafiah Tijani, in a statement on Wednesday, noted that no girl should face any form of discrimination for her decision to wear the hijab.
Tijani stated, “MSSN Lagos stands as a staunch advocate for the rights of Muslim students in Lagos State. Read more
MMA2 raises tariffs for car park, VIP lounge (Punch)
Operators of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two, Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, on Tuesday, announced a rise in car park and lounge services tariff at the airport terminal.
BASL said the tariff review was due to the new economic reality in the country, and the decision had long been held down, in clear economic solidarity with the airport terminal users. This was despite its inevitability, until it became inevitable for smooth and excellent operational purposes.
The tariff adjustments will affect car park and VIP lounge tariffs only, and will be effective from the 1st of November 2023. Read more
Missing Manhood: Delta Police arrest false alarmist, launch manhunt for mob (Leadership)
The Delta State Police Command has arrested one 18-year-old Ebube Linus, for raising false alarm over his purported missing manhood while on transit with an old woman on a commercial tricycle in Asaba, the State capital.
In a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Bright Edafe, on Wednesday, titled, ‘SAY NO TO JUNGLE JUSTICE’, he said the incident happened on Sunday, October 8, 2023, wherein after the suspect raised the false alarm, about 100 touts pounced on the woman and almost lynched her when Policemen arrived the scene and rescued her.
He added that the incident was recorded and it has now gone viral, vowing that the Police Command will go after all involved in the attack on the woman and be made to face the full wrath of the law. Read more
Alake to governors: You have no right to ban mining activities (Nation)
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, cautioned state governors who have imposed bans on mining activities within their states.
He emphasized that no state governor possesses the rightful authority to meddle with mining operations within their states for any reason.
The minister said for a State to wake up and say it is regulating mining activities is like a state waking up to ban oil exploration which is downright illegal. Read more
Jada Pinkett Smith admits she and Will Smith were separated for six years before Oscars slap (FilmNews)
Jada Pinkett Smith has admitted that she and Will Smith are still figuring out their marriage.
During a new interview with People, the talk show host opened up about her marriage to the King Richard star.
“We’re still figuring it out,” Jada, 52, said of their marriage.
The actress revealed that she and Will had been separated for six years before the Oscars in 2022, which saw the I Am Legend actor, 55, slap comedian Chris Rock after he joked about Jada’s shaved head. Read more
Niger military rulers order UN official out within 72 hours (AfricaNews)
Niger’s military rulers have demanded that the head of the United Nations’ diplomatic mission in the country leave within 72 hours.
In a statement dated October 10, Niger’s foreign ministry accuses the UN of using “obstacles”, to stop the west African nation from fully participating in last month’s UN General Assembly.
Madam Louise Aubin has been in post since January 2021. Read more
John Cena apologises for criticising Dwayne Johnson’s pivot to acting (People)
John Cena admits that he’s also been a longtime fan of his WWE competitor, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
At the recent WWE press conference for WWE Fastlane, the wrestler-turned-Hollywood-actor was asked about his former feud with Johnson, including how he criticized the Jumanji actor both on and off-screen.
At the end of Cena’s portion of the conference, he was asked to acknowledge whether or not his earlier criticisms of Johnson now mirror his similar career moves. Read more
Ugandan MPs reject birth control for 15-year-old girls (BBC)
Ugandan lawmakers have rejected a government proposal to allow 15-year-old girls to access birth control pills to reduce high levels of pregnancy.
Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa called the idea “devilish”, saying it would “formalise [the] defilement” of girls.
A senior health ministry official said the “stigma” around young people using contraceptives should end. Read more
Martin Scorsese says “Perfect Storm” Barbenheimer came at the right time for cinema (THR)
Martin Scorsese is part of the majority of people who think Barbenheimer was a “wonderful” thing.
During an interview with the Hindustan Times, the Oscar-winning director explained that the combination of the drastically different movies and the summer box office sensation they caused was truly “something special.”
“It seemed to be, I hate that word, but the perfect storm,” he told the publication. “It came about at the right time. And the most important thing is that people went to watch these in a theater. And I think that’s wonderful.” Read more
U2 changes ‘‘Pride’’ lyrics to honour hundreds of music fans slaughtered in Israel festival massacre (Variety)
U2 struck a topical, tragic note in the band’s show Sunday at Sphere in Las Vegas, adding “Pride (In the Name of Love)” to the set and dedicating it to the hundreds of music fans killed at a music festival in Israel, referring to them as “stars of David” in rewritten lyrics.
“Sing for our brothers and sisters — who themselves were singing at the Supernova Sukkot festival in Israel,” Bono said. “We sing for those. Our people, our kind of people, music people. Playful, experimental people. Our kind of people. We sing for them.”
After leading the crowd in a wordless refrain, Bono continued, “In the light of what’s happened in Israel and Gaza, a song about non-violence seems somewhat ridiculous, even laughable, but our prayers have always been for peace and for non-violence… But our hearts and our anger, you know where that’s pointed. So sing with us… and those beautiful kids at that music festival.” Read more
Israel-Hamas war: Gaza runs out of electricity as “major strikes” launched against Israeli city (Sky)
Besieged Gaza has run out of electricity as Israel continues its bombardment in response to a brutal Hamas attack over the weekend.
Israeli warplanes bombed the Gaza Strip overnight and into Wednesday, reducing buildings to rubble and reportedly striking over 450 targets in a conflict that has claimed at least 2,100 lives in total.
Hamas’s armed wing, meanwhile, says it is carrying out “major strikes” in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon, claiming it is “in response to the continued displacement of civilians”. Read more
Okoye invited for Super Eagles friendlies against Saudi Arabia, Mozambique (Guardian)
Maduka Okoye has been called up to the Super Eagles ahead of this month’s international friendly games against Saudi Arabia and Mozambique.
Okoye’s invitation was announced on the Super Eagles X handle on Wednesday.
Okoye was not in the initial 25-man squad released by head coach Jose Peseiro for the two games. Read more
Super Eagles adopt ‘‘Let’s Do It Again’’ mantra for 2023 AFCON trophy quest (Leadership)
Nigeria’s Super Eagles have adopted the catch-phrase ‘Let’s Do It Again’ as they battlecry towards winning a fourth Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title in Cote d’Ivoire early next year.
The proposition was tabled and unanimously endorsed before the final AFCON 2023 qualification match against the Falcons and True Parrots of Sao Tome and Principe in Uyo last month, and was the basis for players and officials donning a tee-shirt with the same inscription after the match at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo. The Eagles won 6-0.
Nigeria won the 1980 AFCON that she hosted, and also won the 1994 edition in Tunisia and the 2013 finals in South Africa. National Team captain, William Ekong, said the playing body and crew have taken to the new mantra like bees to honey. Read more
Ex-Sir Alex Ferguson coach demands Erik ten Hag take responsibility for mess at Man Utd (Mirror)
Former Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen believes Erik ten Hag must take responsibility for his side’s struggles this season, with the Red Devils having made a poor start to the new campaign.
United currently sit tenth in the Premier League and bottom of their Champions League group, having suffered six defeats in 11 games across all competitions. And Meulensteen, who was part of Sir Alex Ferguson’s coaching staff for six years, feels the blame lies with Ten Hag due to United forking out over £400m on new players since he took charge.
Among those big-money signings are the likes of Andre Onana, Lisandro Martinez and Antony, whom Ten Hag previously worked with at Ajax, with Chelsea the only Premier League side spending more money on players across the same period. “He has brought in all the players and cannot say that he has not been supported,” Meulensteen told ESPN. Read more
Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson expected to feature against Arsenal after wrist surgery (Standard)
Nicolas Jackson remained in London during the international break to undergo minor surgery on his wrist.
The Chelsea striker had been called into the Senegal squad for their upcoming games against Cameroon and South Sudan but withdrew in a bid to fix the injury.
Jackson had been sporting a split in his past two appearances, the last of which saw him score against Burnley as Mauricio Pochettino’s side secured back-to-back Premier League wins. Read more
LIV Golf’s bid for world ranking points denied by OWGR board (ESPN)
LIV Golf is playing only for cash, not world ranking points, after the Official World Golf Ranking board determined it could not fairly measure the 48-man league with the other 24 tours around the world.
The OWGR rejected the application from Saudi-backed LIV Golf, first submitted in July 2022 after the league had already played two of its 54-hole, no-cut events.
“We are not at war with them,” Peter Dawson, chairman of the OWGR board, said when contacted by The Associated Press. “This decision not to make them eligible is not political. It is entirely technical. LIV players are self-evidently good enough to be ranked. They’re just not playing in a format where they can be ranked equitably with the other 24 tours and thousands of players trying to compete on them.” Read more
Big names Casper Ruud and Jannik Sinner crash out of Shanghai Masters in round of 16 (StraitsTimes)
The shocks kept coming at the Shanghai Masters on Tuesday as the 91st-ranked Fabian Marozsan gave himself a belated birthday present by beating eighth-seeded Casper Ruud to reach the quarter-finals, before sixth seed Jannik Sinner was also ousted.
The unseeded Marozsan won 7-6 (7-3), 3-6, 6-4 and will next face Poland’s 16th-seeded Hubert Hurkacz, who beat home player Zhang Zhizhen 7-6 (8-6), 4-6, 7-6 (7-4).
He was joined in the quarter-finals by the 26th seed Sebastian Korda, who fended off a late fightback from the 20th seed Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina to go through 7-5, 7-6 (8-6). Read more