One-way: Soldiers beat policeman, LASTMA official in Lagos (Punch)
Some soldiers of the Nigerian Army on Wednesday morning beat up a policeman and an official of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority along Eko Bridge in Lagos.
According to information gathered, the soldiers were on one-way when the policeman and the LASTMA official stopped their vehicle and ordered them to turn back and take the right lane.
It was learnt that the situation became tense after confrontations as both parties could not come to an agreement.
The soldiers, who refused to turn back, reportedly pounced on the two officials and began to beat them. Read more
Lagos sensitises facility managers on risks management of high rise buildings (Independent)
The Lagos State Government has restated its commitment towards the sensitisation of facility managers on the importance of risk management in high-rise buildings in order to ensure the safety of lives and properties.
The Director-General, Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr Lanre Mojola, dropped the hint, at a forum in Alausa,Ikeja.
According to him, “This topic focuses on tall buildings in line with section 202 of the International Building Code which is recognised globally that any building from 75 feet (22,860 metres) and above is regarded as a tall building.
He said tall buildings are unique because they have their distinct ways of management from a regular building and this is due to the hazards that are embedded within them. Read more
Eko bridge closure: Traders, commuters lament hike in transport fare (Guardian)
Lagos residents and traders have lamented the closure of Eko (Apongbon) bridge, saying it is impeding free flow of traffic and subjecting them to untold hardship due to their inability to access places of work and shops freely.
The bridge was partially closed by the Federal Government following a fire incident that engulfed a section of the Bridge in the early hours of Friday last week.
Acting Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Forosola Oloyede, had in a statement, said the fire from under the bridge had damaged the Ijora Olopa section, around the area used as a frozen food market.
However, traders and residents lamented that the closure has left them to trek long distances with increase in transport fares. Read more
DSS to sanction personnel for begging at Lagos Airport (Leadership)
The Department of State Services (DSS) has opened an investigation against its personnel allegedly involved in begging and bribery at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos.
A legal luminary, Pelumi Olajengbesi had alleged that DSS operatives at the Lagos airport had resorted to begging, delaying passengers and seeking bribery from international passengers, who use the airport.
In his allegation trending on the social media, Olajengbesi said “it is actually embarrassing to the entire nation for DSS operatives vetting people coming into the country at the Lagos airport begging for money…. This is a wake up call for the DG DSS…”
Reacting to this last night, the DSS spokesperson, Dr Peter Afunanya said, “The attention of the Department of State Services (DSS) has been drawn to the allegation by one Pelumi Olajengbesi that the Service’s personnel at the engage in unprofessional conduct of sorts.
UniJos safe for students, staff, says VC (Vanguard)
Prof. Tanko Ishaya, the Vice Chancellor (VC), of the University of Jos, has assured parents that the university was safe for students, members of staff and visitors.
Ishaya said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Wednesday in Jos, reiterating that the university management had put modalities on ground to ensure the safety of students and staff.
He said that the management had deployed both internal and external security for intelligence gathering, within and around the campus, to promote safety and security at all times.
“We have been doing our best in terms of providing internal security; we are using both the internal and external security in the areas of intelligence gathering that will require the actions of the conventional security agencies. Read more
Buhari congratulates Nigerian-Americans on victory at U.S midterm election (Guardian)
President Muhammadu Buhari has extended congratulations to eight Nigerian-Americans on their victory in the U.S. midterm elections.
In Georgia State, Segun Adeyina, Gabe Okoye, Solomon Adesanya, Tish Naghise, and Phil Olaleye won their legislative seats as State Representatives in their Districts.
Similarly, Carol Kazeem won the Pennsylvania State Representative in District 159, Esther Agbaje was re-elected as Minnesota State Representative in District 59B, while Dr. Oye Owolewa was re-elected to the U.S. House of Representatives (Shadow Representative) in Washington D.C.
In prayerful wishes for a successful tenure in office, President Buhari also thanked them for their invaluable support and partnerships, over the years, with groups affiliated with the ideals and objectives of Nigerians in Diaspora associations in the United States. Read more
Again, Osinbajo presides over FEC Meeting (ThisDay)
For the second week running, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo Wednesday presided over the weekly hybrid meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at the State House, Abuja.
He stood in for President Muhammadu Buhari, who had on Monday, November 1, 2022, travelled to London, the United Kingdom, for a routine medical check-up.
Those attending the meeting holding at the Council Chambers are the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari; and the National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno (rtd). Read more
PDP G5 governors meet with Bala Mohammed (Channels)
Four members of the G5 governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are in a closed-door meeting with the Governor of Bauchi State Bala Mohammed in Bauchi.
The four G5 governors in the meeting include Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, Samuel Ortom of Benue State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, and Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State.
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State who was with his G5 colleagues to inaugurate some projects completed by Ortom in Benue State on Monday, was, however, absent from the meeting.
Wike says they are on a solidarity visit to Governor Mohammed and to also discuss ways they can intervene regarding some challenges surrounding his (Bauchi governor’s) re-election bid. Read more
Madonna’s daughter Lourdes Leon drops raunchy video for explicitly-titled song (Metro)
Lourdes Leon has well and truly emulated her mother Madonna in her racy new music video, and the apple really doesn’t fall far from the tree, does it?
Performing under the stage name, Lolahol, the 26-year-old released the video to the explicitly-titled song, er, C***tradiction on the Chemical X Records YouTube channel.
The sultry performance sees the pop offspring provocatively crawling through stables and gyrating on top of a table as she seduces the camera in revealing outfits.
Singing to a trance-like tune, Lourdes begins the video sitting on a mattress in a barn full of horses. Read more
US midterms: Republican ‘red wave’ looking more like a ripple (BBC)
Democrats may lose control of the House of Representatives and could yet lose the Senate as well, but still they will be breathing a huge sigh of relief.
They ran campaigns that focused on abortion rights and warnings that American democracy was in peril, while Republicans blamed President Joe Biden’s administration for the rising cost of living.
Exit polls suggest that the economy and inflation were the biggest concerns for voters, which should have benefited Republicans.
The party in power in Washington usually loses seats in the midterm elections and President Biden appears set to lose fewer seats than either Barack Obama or Donald Trump did at this stage in their presidencies. Read more
Vogue sues rappers Drake and 21 Savage over fake magazine cover promoting new album (NPR)
Condé Nast, the publisher of Vogue magazine, has filed a lawsuit against rappers Drake and 21 Savage for using a fake Vogue cover used to promote their new album, Her Loss.
In a 30-page lawsuit filed on Monday, Condé Nast argues that the “widespread promotional campaign” launched by the rappers for their latest album is “built entirely” on the use of Vogue’s trademarks — giving the false premise that the two artists would be featured in the December issue of the magazine.
Condé Nast is seeking at least $4 million in damages, or triple the rappers’ profits from their album and its “counterfeit” magazine — whichever is higher.
It’s unclear if the artists directly profited from the fake magazines, other than through publicity, as the magazines were not for sale. Read more
Little Simz teases possibility of writing new music (MusicNews)
Little Simz has teased the possibility of working on new music.
The 28-year-old musician – whose fourth album ‘Sometimes I Might Be Introvert’ won this year’s Mercury Prize – admitted fans can look forward to new material “eventually”, but she’s still staying coy.
Asked by Rolling Stone magazine if she’s writing new tunes, she laughed: “Could be. There will be more to come eventually.”
Little Simz insisted she wants to keep her plans to herself for the time being. Read more
BBC Studios acquires unscripted producer Voltage TV (THR)
BBC Studios, the commercial arm of U.K. public broadcaster BBC, has acquired Voltage TV, an unscripted production company whose credits include Inside the Factory for BBC Two, DNA Journey for ITV and The British Tribe Next Door for Channel 4.
The company is also currently in production on documentary series The Fake Sheikh for Amazon Prime and is also “involved in its first scripted project with a feature film in development with Lighthouse Film and TV about Prince Andrew’s infamous Newsnight interview.”
Financial terms of the deal weren’t disclosed.
The BBC’s main commercial arm has a long-standing relationship with Voltage TV, founded in 2013 by Sanjay Singhal and Steve Nam. Read more
Stranger Things boss lines up Star Wars movie (DigitalSpy)
Stranger Things‘ Shawn Levy is in talks to step behind the camera for an upcoming Star Wars film.
The producer and director of Netflix’s popular sci-fi series could soon be confirmed at the helm of a new film in the franchise, but not before he completes Deadpool 3 (via Deadline).
The hotly-anticipated third outing in Ryan Reynolds’ Merc with a Mouth saga will see Wade Wilson and Wolverine (played once again by Hugh Jackman) team up, as well as marking Deadpool’s official MCU debut.
Levy’s Star Wars film will be part of a slate bringing new directors on board, including Thor: Love and Thunder’s Taika Waititi and Wonder Woman’s Patty Jenkins. A newly announced movie will also be penned by Watchmen’s Damien Lindelof and is set to be directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy. Read more
At COP27 climate talks, US midterms make waves (RFI)
The US midterms made waves Wednesday at a UN climate summit on the shores of Egypt, with activists urging President Joe Biden to take bolder action against global warming regardless of the result.
Campaigners were optimistic that Biden’s $370 billion green energy legislation would not be thwarted even if Republicans take one or both houses of Congress.
But with Biden due to join the UN’s COP27 climate conference in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh on Friday, they also had a message for the US leader.
“I think it would be a catastrophic mistake if President Biden does not seize this literally once-in-the-universe opportunity now to be the climate president that the world needs him to be,” said Jean Su, energy justice programme director at the Center for Biological Diversity, a US environmental group. Read more
Search for Africa’s next WWE superstar berths in Lagos (Guardian)
World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), in conjunction with its Sub-Saharan Africa broadcast partner, SuperSport, has announced a continent-wide talent search to find Africa’s next WWE Superstar.
The campaign was announced, yesterday, in Lagos, which is the host city for a multi-day tryout scheduled for February 2023.
“The Search for Africa’s Next WWE Superstar” is now open to Nigerians and citizens of other African countries. Submissions will be accepted till December 18, an official said yesterday.
Interested candidates are to submit a video highlighting their potential to become a WWE Superstar. Successful applicants will be invited to participate in the Lagos tryout in February 2023. Read more
Eyes on the prize: Bayelsa Queens chasing CAFWCL final (Punch)
Bayelsa Queens have a date with history in the second edition of the CAF Women’s Champions League, as they face AS FAR Rabat in the second semifinal of the competition today, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The Prosperity Girls have already set a Nigerian record after scaling the hurdles of the group stage.
To advance, the Prosperity Girls finished second in Group B behind Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies, with 6 points from three matches.
The only game they lost was their first group encounter against the South Africans, and they followed it up with two impressive wins against TP Mazembe of Congo and Wadi Degla of Egypt.
Senegal forward Sadio Mane is a doubt for World Cup after leg injury (BBC)
Senegal forward Sadio Mane is a doubt for the World Cup after sustaining a leg injury while playing for Bayern Munich on Tuesday.
The 30-year-old came off after 20 minutes in Bayern’s 6-1 victory over Werder Bremen with an injury “to the head of his right fibula”.
The injury comes just 13 days before Senegal play their first game at the 2022 World Cup against the Netherlands.
“Further examinations will follow in the coming days,” Bayern Munich said in a statement on Wednesday. Read more
‘‘Devastated’’ England defender Reece James confirms he will miss World Cup (IrishIndependent)
Devastated England right-back Reece James has confirmed he will not be going to the World Cup.
The 22-year-old started the Three Lions’ last four matches and was a shoo-in for Qatar until sustaining a knee injury in the Champions League match against AC Milan on October 11.
Chelsea announced James was facing an eight-week lay-off – a timescale that would mean a return around the World Cup quarter-final stage.
James said at the time “the race against time is on” and vowed not to give up, but he has now confirmed he will not be in England’s 26-man squad on Thursday after speaking to manager Gareth Southgate. Read more
Hamilton explains origins of Bono’s ‘hammer time’ radio call (F1i)
Lewis Hamilton has shed light on how Mercedes race engineer Peter Bonnington’s famous “it’s hammer time” radio call came about.
The long-standing relationship between Hamilton and ‘Bono’ started in 2013, the Briton’s first season with Mercedes.
In 2014, Hamilton charged to his first world title with the Brackley squad, and Bono’s famous battle cry urging his driver to push to the max was first heard that season.
Amid Hamilton and Mercedes dominance, the call was frequently heard over the team’s airwaves at strategic moments of any given race. Read more
Israel Adesanya’s coach admits to lying to UFC star after brutal KO defeat (Mirror)
Israel Adesanya’s coach lied about getting the UFC star a fight following his brutal kickboxing KO loss to Alex Pereira in 2017.
‘The Last Stylebender’ will face arguably his biggest UFC middleweight title defence yet when he takes on former two-time kickboxing rival Pereira this Saturday night at Madison Square Garden headlining UFC 281. Adesanya has already faced the Brazilian twice during his time in the professional kickboxing ranks, losing on both occasions in 2016 and 2017 with the second one seeing him knocked out cold for the first time.
Adesanya took time away from competitive fighting action before returning and going on a winning streak in MMA where he eventually signed for the UFC. And the 33-year-old’s coach Eugene Bareman insisted he rejected opportunities for his star to fight to serve as his own medical suspension for fighters.
“I would’ve given him close to a year, almost a year,” Bareman said during an interview on the MMA Hour when discussing the aftermath of Adesanya’s KO loss to Pereira. “And to be honest, I’ll admit there would’ve been times when I lied about getting him a fight. He would’ve come back after three; it’s been a long time, but three months, six months, he would ask for a fight. Read more