OPC leader visits Jakande, canvasses selfless leadership (Guardian)
National Leader of Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Prince Osibote, has urged the nation’s leaders to emulate the selfless leadership lifestyle of former Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, even as he described him as a quintessential leader, nationalist and pathfinder.
Osibote, who spoke during a courtesy visit to Jakande’s residence in Lagos yesterday, said: “You brought hope to the indigents, who would not have had the opportunity to send their hapless children to school from primary to university level.
“The free education policy of your administration as the governor of Lagos State afforded the children of the poor, the less-privileged and the privileged in the society the ample opportunity and chance to realise their dreams, impact on the society and spread prosperity. Read more
Sanwo-Olu rejects ‘Your Excellency’ title (Punch)
The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has asked residents to stop using the title, ‘Your Excellency,’ for him, saying only God deserves such title.
In a statement on Wednesday, the governor said he preferred to be simply addressed as, ‘Mr Governor’ to deepen the citizen-government relations.
The statement read in part, “The Office of the Governor has been celebrated as the paragon of excellence, a temple of perfection and a throne of purity. This demi-god mystique spreads over the entire machinery of the executive arm of government, symbolising an authoritarian disposition on the governed. Read more
Women protest nude over demolition of structures (Nation)
Market women in Igbokoda, the headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, yesterday protested the state government’s plan to demolish illegal structures erected at the Igbokoda International Market.
During the protest, which lasted for hours, there was traffic congestion on the major roads in the town, as the protesters barricaded the roads leading to the market.
Government officials had removed what the government described as illegal structures in the market to ensure sanity.
But, the women opposed the government’s action.
They claimed that they were not properly notified. Read more
Osinbajo fails to delay 35 aides’ sacking (Punch)
Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo’s moves to delay the sacking of his aides were not successful, The PUNCH learnt on Wednesday.
An online newspaper, Daily Nigerian, had earlier on Wednesday reported that about 35 of the aides were sacked. However, The PUNCH could not independently confirm the exact number as of the time of filing the report.
It was learnt that the VP’s office had sought to delay the matter till the return of President Muhammadu Buhari to the country from London on November 17. Read more
CBN’s laudable pact with NIPOST (Vanguard)
THE Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, under the leadership of Governor Godwin Emefiele, has stood out as not just the major backbone, but also a flagship of President Muhammadu Buhari’s economic policy recovery efforts.
While the nation had waited in vain in 2015 for the Buhari administration to launch its blueprint towards rescuing our rapidly plunging economy, it took the Anchor Borrowers’ programme of the CBN introduced in November that year to stimulate the agricultural sector, resulting in the massive rekindling of the interests of Nigerians in farming. The result is a near self-sufficiency in poultry products and the resurgence in local rice production and investments in other agricultural sectors. Read more
Falana urges varsities to lift ban on student unionism (Guardian)
Lawyer and human rights activist, Femi Falana (SAN) has stressed the need for government to lift the ban on student unionism across tertiary institutions in the country, stressing that lack of student unionism in public and private universities is breeding zombies. Speaking at the 9th convocation of Caleb University, Imota, Falana said students are expelled for protesting against perceived injustice, which is contrary to the tenets of justice. Read more
Post-UTME fees charged by varsities not backed by law – Lawmaker (Punch)
The House of Representatives was on Wednesday divided over the motion to stop the conduct of post-UTME in the nation’s higher institutions.
The House was also reminded that the post-UTME fees usually charged by Nigerian tertiary institutions are not backed by any law in the country.
In a motion moved by Rep. Ademorin Kuye (APC-Lagos) during the plenary session, the lawmakers debated for and against the requirements of the motion. Read more
Residents protest estate decay, demand title documents (Punch)
Residents of Citiview Estate in the Warewa area of Ogun State have protested against the refusal of the developer, Propertymart Real Estate Investment Limited, to address the problems in the estate and give some of them title documents to their dwelling units.
The residents said the developer had refused to fix the damaged infrastructure in the estate despite several letters notifying it of the condition of the estate.
The homeowners, under the aegis of the Citiview Residents’ Association, during a peaceful protest at the developer’s office in the Magodo Phase II area of Lagos, on Thursday, noted that flood had damaged the entrance to the estate, making it extremely difficult for them to drive in and out. Read more
Impeachment inquiry: Trump berates Democrats in Louisiana (BBC)
US President Donald Trump has lashed out at his Democrat opponents in a defiant speech at a rally in Louisiana.
He was speaking after it was confirmed that public impeachment hearings will begin in Congress next Wednesday.
He accused the Democrats of trying to overthrow American democracy via a “deranged, delusional, destructive and hyper-partisan” process.
Mr Trump was in Louisiana to support the Republican candidate for governor in forthcoming elections. Read more
Roman Catholic Church Investigates Nuns’ Pregnancy (Guardian)
The Roman Catholic Church is investigating how two nuns became pregnant while they were on charity missions to Africa. This has caused concern among the church hierarchy.
As reported by Italian news agency ANSA, the nuns were sent to their home countries in Africa from their order in Sicily to complete missionary work.
The two women, from different orders in Sicily, were on separate charity assignments on the continent.
One nun, age 34, discovered she was pregnant after she was given an ultrasound following complaints of stomach pains. Read more
Schiphol airport: Pilot sparks hijack security alert in Amsterdam (BBC)
A pilot on a plane has accidentally set off a hijack alarm and sparked a major security alert at Schiphol airport in the Dutch city of Amsterdam.
Dutch military police tweeted at about 19:30 (18:30 GMT) to say they were investigating a “suspicious situation”.
Part of the airport – one of Europe’s busiest – was then closed off as police responded to the reported threat.
But about an hour later, Air Europa announced that a pilot had accidentally triggered the alarm. Read more
We are committed to Lagos Women Run 2019, Osobajo assures runners (Guardian)
Participants in Saturday’s Lagos Women Run will experience an atmosphere conducive for them to display the best of their ability, the major sponsor of the competition has promised.
The Lagos Women Run, now in its fourth edition, will flag off by 7.00 a.m. at the Tarawa Balewa Square, and move through Broad Street, CSS Bookshop, Central Bank of Nigeria, Tinubu Square, Apogbon, Eko Bridge, the coal thermal station and the National Theatre via the National Stadium with the finish line at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.
Thousands of women across age strata have registered for the run that promises to be a memorable outing for the participants, organisers, the government and sponsors alike. The run that will also be attended by other African countries is expected to prepare women for bigger marathon within and outside Nigeria and the African continent. Read more
Two Eaglets named for best U-17 World Cup goal (Punch)
Goals from two Golden Eaglets’ players, Ibrahim Sa’id and Peter Olawale, are in contention for the 2019 U-17 World Cup Goal of the Tournament.
FIFA featured the goals in a video analysis on Wednesday.
The football body said the goals selected are the best from matches played in the group stage of the tournament.
This is despite Nigeria’s exit from the tournament after losing 3-1 to The Netherlands in their Round of 16 game early Wednesday morning. Read more
Muhammed eyes Eagles return after heroics with HNK Gorica (Nation)
Former youth international Musa Muhammed has not given up hope of returning to the Super Eagles following his rich vein of form with Croatian First Football League side, HNK Gorica.
The 23-year-old former national U-17 and U-20 captain is currently one of his side’s consistent performer in the on-going season as GOR battle for glory on all fronts.
The 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup-winning captain only last week helped the club to the quarter finals of the Croatian Cup following a hard-fought 2-1 over Hadjuk Split where he was highly praised. Read more
Arsenal stumble again at Vitoria Guimaraes (Guardian)
Arsenal’s faltering form continued as a much-changed side limped towards the last 32 of the Europa League with a 1-1 draw at Vitoria Guimaraes on Wednesday.
Shkodran Mustafi’s header 10 minutes from time looked set to hand the Gunners a barely deserved three points and maintain their 100 percent record in Group F.
However, Vitoria secured their first point in the group thanks to Bruno Duarte’s acrobatic stoppage-time equaliser.
Arsenal remain well placed to reach the knockout stages as they top the group with 10 points from their first four games. Read more
Akpeyi keeps fifth clean sheet in South Africa (Punch)
Daniel Akpeyi kept his fourth successive clean sheet of the season in the Absa Premiership clash for Kaizer Chiefs, who defeated relegation-threatened Chippa United 2-0 at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Wednesday, Sports Extra reports.
The win stretched the Amakhosi’s lead at the top of the log to seven points ahead of second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns who have a game in hand.
Kaizer Chiefs have 25 points from 10 games while Sundowns have 18 points from nine games. Read more
Man City miss chance to reach knockouts as Walker ends game in goal (Guardian)
Manchester City missed the chance to qualify for the Champions League last 16 on Wednesday, being held to a 1-1 draw by Atalanta in a game they finished with right-back Kyle Walker in goal.
Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson came off at half-time with substitute Claudio Bravo sent off in the final 10 minutes.
City had gone ahead with an early Raheem Sterling goal on seven minutes at the San Siro, but Croatian Mario Pasalic headed in the equaliser four minutes after the break to earn his side their first Champions League point.
Man City are top of Group C with 10 points from four games, with Shaktar Donetsk and Dinamo Zagreb both on five. Read more
CAF appoints Senegalese ref for Eagles, Benin clash (Punch)
The Confederation of African Football has picked Senegalese official, Issa Sy, as the referee for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match between Nigeria and Benin Republic in Uyo.
This was contained in a statement by the Nigeria Football Federation on Wednesday.
The statement added that Sy would be assisted by compatriots Nouha Bangoura (assistant referee one), El Hadji Abdoul Aziz Gueye (assistant referee two) and Fatou Thioune (fourth official) at the encounter scheduled for the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, from 5pm on November 13. Read more
Rodrygo makes history as Madrid put six past Galatasaray (Guardian)
Rodrygo scored a sensational hat-trick and the fastest two goals in Champions League history on Wednesday as Real Madrid humiliated Galatasaray 6-0.
The 18-year-old had his double after just six minutes and 14 seconds at the Santiago Bernabeu before teeing up Karim Benzema to make it four, after Sergio Ramos had chipped in a penalty. Benzema then added a fifth late in the second half, leaving Rodrygo to complete his incredible treble in injury-time.
Madrid’s emphatic victory means they are virtually qualified from Group A, sitting five points ahead of Club Brugge, even if Paris Saint-Germain who are top look certain to claim first place. Read more
Rashford insists United can finish in top four (Punch)
Marcus Rashford believes Manchester United can still achieve their top-four ambitions this season despite a poor start that sees them 10 points off the Champions League places.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have won just three of their first 11 games and fell to a fourth defeat of the campaign at Bournemouth on Saturday.
Rashford concedes it will be tough to make the points up but has not given up.
“It’s going to be tough [to get into the top four] but it’s nowhere near impossible,’ he told Sky Sports. Read more
Fans want Garba sacked (Punch)
Fans have lamented the early ouster of five-time champions Golden Eaglets from the U-17 World Cup in Brazil, urging the Nigeria Football Federation to sack coach Manu Garba.
According to them, Garba has brought a set-back to the nation’s youth football with the team’s poor outing in Brazil.
In an array of comments monitored by our correspondent on social media on Wednesday, majority of the fans blamed Garba for Nigeria’s early elimination in the tournament.
Some of the fans wondered why Garba refused to change the team’s tactics after noticing a shortfall in the defence and midfield. Read more
Conte blasts Inter directors over poor planning (Punch)
Inter Milan coach Antonio Conte has lambasted the directors of his club for poor planning after seeing his team squander a two-goal half-time lead and lost 3-2 to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.
Conte repeated his complaint that his squad is too thin and players too inexperienced to battle on two fronts and suggested that club directors should face the television cameras as well as himself.
“Some important mistakes have been made at the planning stage, we can’t play both the Champions League and Serie A with such a small squad,” Conte said after Tuesday’s match. Read more