Oniru seeks governors, monarchs’ collaboration for development (Guardian)
The Oniru of Iruland, Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal, Abisogun II, has said that governors and traditional rulers should be able to work hand in hand to bring security and environmental health to people in the community hence, monarchs should be included in the governance process aside their traditional responsibilities.
He also said that Iruland was committed to national, environmental, and security development that would see to the overall growth and progress of not just Lagos State but Nigeria as a whole.
Oba Lawal, who spoke when the Governor of Ekiti State and Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Dr. Kayode Fayemi, paid him a courtesy call, yesterday, said that various developmental projects were already in place for the benefit of Iruland. Read more
14-year-old girl raped to death (Punch)
A 14-year-old secondary school pupil, Fathia Ojewoye, has been raped to death at the Agbeloba-Oriyonrin area of Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The teenager had on Wednesday been declared missing by her parents, but her corpse was found three days after with some of her personal effects in an uncompleted building in the area.
When our correspondent visited the residence of the deceased’s mother, who had separated from her husband, sympathisers were seen consoling her.
When PUNCH Metro attempted to speak to her, she asked to be left alone.
She, however, vowed to ensure that the killer(s) of Fathia, whom she gave birth to while in secondary school, was brought to justice. Read more
Sanwo-Olu promises ease of transportation in Lagos (Guardian)
Lagos State governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has given his assurance that the state would embark on programmes that would enhance ease of transportation in the state.
Speaking through the Commissioner for Information, Mr Gbenga Omotosho, at the inauguration of the Lagos Traffic Radio Live Report Motorcycles (Pilot Scheme), the governor, who commended the management of Traffic Radio for the innovation, described the feat as a symbol of creativity.
“I see this development as a kind of creativity because the purchase of these machines will enhance the work of traffic radio while it is symbolic because the management of Traffic Radio is thinking on how to improve on what they have been doing. I am looking forward to the time when everything we will be doing to ease transportation in Lagos will be driven by technology,” he said. Read more
Family accuses FCT SARS of raping, killing daughter, petitions IG (Punch)
The family of a 28-year-old graduate of the Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu, Ifeoma Abugu, has been thrown into mourning after she was allegedly sexually assaulted and killed by the personnel of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Federal Capital Territory Command, Abuja.
It was gathered that three policemen on September 10, 2020, around 5pm, stormed the residence of Ifeoma’s fiancé, Afam Ugwunwa, at Wumba village in the Lokogoma area of Abuja to arrest him.
PUNCH Metro learnt that in absence of Ugwunwa, the policemen arrested Ifeoma and took her away. Read more
It’s your portion to die, Clergyman tells Christians (Vanguard)
A clergyman, Rev. Bassey Umoh, has advised Christians to live a good life as it is the portion of every Christian to die.
Umoh in his sermon at the funeral of Chief Kalu Okonta, at his country home, Igbere, Abia, on Saturday, said what was not the portion of Christians however, was an untimely death.
The Minister-in-Charge of First Aba Parish of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria stressed the need for people to enjoy life while alive.
Also read: Obaseki means well for Edo, deserves overwhelming support, says Cleric
The clergyman, who was represented by Rev. Onyeani Kalu, said that “ good life does not translate to wealth. Read more
Wild jubilation as Obaseki defeats Ize-Iyamu, APC alleges foul play (Punch)
The Independent National Electoral Commission on Sunday declared the incumbent Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, as the winner of Saturday’s governorship election in the state.
The Returning Officer for the election, Prof Akpofure Rim-Ruke, who announced the result, said Obaseki polled 307,955 votes to beat his closest rival, Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the All Progressives Congress, who scored 223,619 votes.
Rim-Ruke, who is the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, stated that Obaseki, who contested on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, met all the criteria needed for him to be returned as governor. Read more
Senate PDP caucus hails Obaseki’s victory (Vanguard)
THE Senate Caucus of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, said Sunday that the re-election of Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has finally buried Godfatherism.
In a statement, Sunday by the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, PDP, Abia South, the Senators congratulated Governor Obaseki on his resounding victory in the governorship election in Edo State.
Senator Abaribe who noted that as sweet as the victory, it also signals new dawn and the ultimate end of Godfatherism in Nigeria politics. Read more
Subsidy root of all fraud in oil sector, says Kyari (Vanguard)
The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mele Kolo Kyari, has said that subsidy on petrol was removed because it was characterised by fraud perpetrated by members of a cabal.
According to him, the subsidy regime was no longer beneficial to the masses, who were the original target beneficiaries.
Kyari said that over N10 trillion was spent on fuel subsidy between 2006 and 2020 without a significant impact on the masses, but marketers, who were smuggling the subsidized petrol to neighbouring countries to make more profit, and others who faked documents to collect subsidy for fuel they never imported. Read more
Professional bodies decry high inflation, advocate PPP, homegrown solutions (Vanguard)
THE Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN), has suggested that for Nigeria to escape poverty and infrastructural deficit, Federal Government must engage Private-Public-Partnership approach, while local solutions should be found to funding and execution of projects.
The body made this known yesterday, at its 2020 Annual Colloquium tagged: ‘Oyo State Development Agenda: Strategic Thinking, Moving Forward,’ held at the NIS Building, Ikolaba, Ibadan.
The call was in response to the news of inflation in the country that has risen to 13.22%, which was the highest in the year 2020, as announced by the National Bureau of Statistics on Tuesday. Read more
FinCEN Files: HSBC moved Ponzi scheme millions despite warning (BBC)
HSBC allowed fraudsters to transfer millions of dollars around the world even after it had learned of their scam, leaked secret files show.
Britain’s biggest bank moved the money through its US business to HSBC accounts in Hong Kong in 2013 and 2014.
Its role in the $80m (£62m) fraud is detailed in a leak of documents – banks’ “suspicious activity reports” – that have been called the FinCEN Files.
HSBC says it has always met its legal duties on reporting such activity. Read more
Ivory Coast opposition calls for protests against Ouattara (Aljazeera)
Ivory Coast’s main presidential election challenger and a group of opposition parties have called for a civil disobedience campaign to stop President Alassane Ouattara’s bid for a third term on October 31.
The election is seen as one of the biggest tests of the stability of the West African nation since a disputed vote led to a brief civil war in 2010-11.
Ivory Coast’s Constitutional Council has cleared Ouattara, former President Henri Konan Bedie, and two other candidates to contest the vote. Read more
FinCEN Files: Sanctioned Putin associate ‘laundered millions’ through Barclays (BBC)
One of Vladimir Putin’s closest friends may have used Barclays Bank in London to launder money and dodge sanctions, leaked documents suggest.
Billionaire Arkady Rotenberg has known the Russian president since childhood.
Financial restrictions, or sanctions, were imposed on Mr Rotenberg by the US and the EU in 2014, which means Western banks could face serious consequences for doing business with him.
Barclays says it met all its legal and regulatory duties. Read more
Iran chides US as world refuses to reimpose sanctions (Aljazeera)
Iran has promised to inflict a “decisive response” against the United States for acting like a bully to adversaries and allies alike after Washington said it would reimpose UN sanctions – without United Nations’ approval.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani addressed the nation in a live televised cabinet meeting on Sunday, congratulating world powers for resisting US pressure to reinstate UN sanctions, saying the effort “has reached its definitive point of failure”.
US against the world over Iran ‘snapback’ sanctions
Today, he said, “will be a memorable day in the history of our country’s diplomacy”. Read more
Homes Burn as Winds Push California Fire into Desert (VOA)
Strong afternoon winds intensified a wildfire burning for nearly two weeks in mountains northeast of Los Angeles, prompting authorities to issue new evacuation orders Saturday for desert communities that lost some homes a day earlier.
Meanwhile, officials were investigating the death of a firefighter on the lines of another Southern California wildfire that erupted earlier this month from a smoke-generating pyrotechnic device used by a couple to reveal their baby’s gender.
The death occurred Thursday in San Bernardino National Forest as crews battled the El Dorado Fire about 120 kilometers east of Los Angeles, the U.S. Forest Service said in a statement. Read more
Trump’s plan to replace Ginsburg an abuse of power, says Biden (BBC)
Donald Trump’s move to replace the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg before the presidential election is an “abuse of power”, his Democratic rival Joe Biden says.
Mr Trump has said he will next week nominate a woman to replace the longstanding liberal justice.
Mr Biden has urged Senate Republicans to delay a confirmation vote.
Ginsburg, a liberal icon and feminist standard-bearer, died on Friday aged 87. Read more
Crowds flock to Notre-Dame as France holds its annual weekend of heritage celebration (France24) France’s annual weekend of heritage celebration is taking place, with the capital’s Notre-Dame Cathedral a highlight, notwithstanding the coronavirus pandemic.
Historic and cultural sites that are usually closed to the public opened their doors this weekend. FRANCE 24’s reporters were among the crowds at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. They watched carpenters demonstrate the medieval techniques that will be required to restore the cathedral after it was damaged by fire on April 14, 2019.
“These are the techniques that were in use at Notre-Dame in the 13th century, but which are still very much alive,” says François Calame, founder of voluntary group Charpentiers sans frontières (Carpenters without borders). Read more
Apochie eyes 10th KO against Rivera (Punch)
Nigerian boxer, Efetobore Apochie, is set to battle fellow unbeaten fighter, Richard Rivera, in a cruiserweight bout on November 4.
Apochie is unbeaten in his first nine professional fights winning all via knockout. His last fight was in a knockout win against Larry Pryor in October 2019.
The 32-year-old had been scheduled to fight American Joe Jones on April 25 but the bout was cancelled due to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.
Apochie’s opponent, Rivera, is also unbeaten in 18 professional fights, winning 13 of his bouts through knockouts and will be gunning for a 19th win against the hard-hitting Nigerian. Read more
US Open 2020: Bryson DeChambeau storms to first major title at Winged Foot, New York (BBC)
American Bryson DeChambeau produced a wonderful final-round display to win the US Open by six shots and claim the first major title of his career.
The 27-year-old was the only player to break par at the notoriously difficult Winged Foot, in New York.
Renowned for his big-hitting approach, the world number nine showed maturity and composure to card an impressive three-under 67 to win on six under par.
Matthew Wolff faded on the back nine, shooting 75 to finish second at level.
South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen, who finished third at two over, and Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy were the only non-Americans to place inside the top 10. Read more
Osimhen, young lad with head of 40-year-old – Gattuso (Vanguard)
Napoli’s coach Gennaro Gattuso on Sunday dished out rare praises on new Nigerian signing Victor Osimhen, describing him as “a young lad with the head of a 40-year-old”.
Osimhen became Napoli’s record signing when he joined from Lille in the summer for a reported 70 million euros.
Also read: Osimhen’s agent reveals why Napoli hitman picked Number 9
He was brought on for his debut after an hour of Sunday’s Serie A match and the Nigerian made an instant impact in their 2-0 win. Read more
Tyson Fury and coach Sugar Hill blast Anthony Joshua over sparring offer (Metro)
Tyson Fury and his coach Sugar Hill have slammed Anthony Joshua after the heavyweight backed out of an offer to spar the Gypsy King.
Joshua made the offer last December before Fury’s second fight with Deontay Wilder, but the unified champion never managed to link up with his rival in camp. WBC champion Fury was asked by Behind the Gloves about Joshua’s recent comments about him being close to retirement, before his trainer jumped in to answer the question. Read more
Mane nets double as Liverpool beat 10-man Chelsea (BBC)
Liverpool delivered a powerful statement of intent about their desire to retain the Premier League title with a comfortable dismissal of Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on another nightmare day for keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Jurgen Klopp’s champions were already in complete control even before Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen was correctly shown a red card on the stroke of half-time.
Referee Paul Tierney initially opted for a yellow card but reviewed Christensen’s desperate challenge on Sadio Mane as he raced on to Jordan Henderson’s pass.
Mane then punished Chelsea with two swift goals after the break to confirm Liverpool’s vast superiority, the second of which was the result of another calamity for Kepa.
Mane headed in Roberto Firmino’s cross after 50 minutes then chased down Kepa, whose botched clearance gave the forward the simplest of finishes. Read more
Toyota win Le Mans 24 Hours endurance race for third consecutive year (France24)
Toyota have taken their third successive Le Mans title thanks to the driving of Japan’s Kazuki Nakajima, who was at the wheel of the number eight car for the chequered flag at the Sarthe circuit, and Switzerland’s Sebastien Buemi.
New Zealander Brendon Hartley, the third member of the crew and who replaced double Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso in the line-up after the Spaniard’s wins in 2018 and 2019, previously won with Porsche in 2017.
The Rebellion of American Gustavo Menezes, Frenchman Norman Nato and Ayrton Senna’s nephew Bruno came in second, while Toyota’s other entry took third. Read more
Tour de France: Tadej Pogacar secures title as Sam Bennett wins in Paris (BBC)
Slovenia’s Tadej Pogacar confirmed his victory as the second youngest Tour de France champion in history after Sam Bennett won the final sprint in Paris.
Pogacar, 21, overhauled long-term race leader Primoz Roglic with a stunning time trial win on Saturday to claim the yellow jersey on his Tour debut.
With the race leader not challenged on the final stage, Pogacar finished comfortably in the peloton.
A jubilant Bennett crossed the line ahead of World Champion Mads Pedersen.
Bennett secured victory in the points classification to become only the second Irishman to win the green jersey, Sean Kelly winning four from 1982 to ’89. Read more