Oshodi interchange: Lagos flags off inter-state commercial operation (Nation)
Commercial activities were flagged off by the Lagos State Government at the Terminal 1 of the Oshodi Transport Interchange (OTI) Tuesday.
At a ceremony described as monumental, the State’s Commissioner for Transportation Dr Frederic Oladeinde, urged Nigerians to take ownership of the facilities at the terminal to ensure that none were vandalised.
Oladeinde said the Terminal 1 would be the hub for inter-state transportation adding that 21 ticketing booths have been created for 21 destinations spanning the entire southwest, the Southeast, FCT, Abuja, and the Northern states. Read more
Truck loses control, crashes into shops in Lagos (Punch)
A flatbed truck carrying a 40-foot container lost control after it developed brake failure at the Iyana-Ipaja area of Lagos State.
The incident happened on Monday night at about 10pm, according to an official of the Lagos Neighborhood Safety Corps who declined to be named because he was not authorised to speak with the Press.
The LNSC official, who was among the numerous state officials at the scene of the incident, said the truck was descending the Iyana-Ipaja bridge while facing the road towards Agbotikuyo Agege end. Read more
Helicopter crash: We are at evidence gathering stage, says AIB (Nation)
Four days after it recovered the wreckage of a Bell 206 B 111 helicopter that crashed in the Opebi area of Lagos, Nigeria’s Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), said it was still at the evidence gathering stage in its probe into accident.
Chief Executive Officer/Commissioner of the AIB, Akin Olateru, who disclosed this Tuesday at a briefing in Lagos said the absence of a Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CvR), known in aviation parlance as ‘ Black Box ” will not in any way affect the gathering of valuable evidence concerning communication between the control tower and the crew that fly the helicopter.
Olateru, who said the AIB, had already reached out to the manufacturers of the Bell 206 helicopter and engine manufacturer said a team of proficient investigators from the bureau, were already working round the clock to unravel the cause of the crash. Read more
Electricity tariff increase takes effect Sept 1 – NERC, Disco (Punch)
In a surprise move, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has approved an increase in electricity tariff with effect from September 1, 2020 (today).
This comes three months after the tariff hike implementation slated for July 1 was halted by the National Assembly, which prevailed on the distribution companies to shelve the date to the first quarter of 2021 due to the current economic challenges in Nigeria.
But a NERC document seen by The PUNCH on Tuesday showed that electricity customers, except those receiving less than 12 hours of supply, would have to pay more for electricity starting from September 1, 2020. Read more
COVID-19: ASUU faults FG’s plan to reopen universities (Guardian)
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has faulted the plan by the Federal Government to reopen public universities in the country.
Prof. Lawan Abubakar, the Bauchi Zonal Coordinator of the union, who made this known during a news conference on Tuesday in Jos, said that the move could be “perilous’’.
Abubakar, who declared that ASUU was not in support of the plan, said that reopening of universities would further pose a grave danger to students and it would be inimical to the fight against the spread of coronavirus in the country. Read more
Senate challenges NDDC over alleged N20m palliatives (Nation)
The Senate on Tuesday challenged the Executive Director Projects of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr Cairo Ojuogboh, to publicly name the Senators that allegedly got N20 million each as COVID-19 palliative.
Chairman Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Ajibola Basiru (Osun Central) made the call in a statement in Abuja.
Basiru denied that no Senator “collected the sum of N20 million or any sum whatsoever from NDDC as COVID-19 relief fund of for any purpose whatsoever.” Read more
Adeboye declines interview after Villa closed-door meeting with Buhari (Punch)
The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Monday, received the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Both of them met behind closed doors at the President’s office.
They were joined at the meeting by the Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who is also a pastor at the RCCG. Read more
Nigeria’s Obinna Ukwuani appointed Chief Digital Officer of Bank of Kigali (Guardian)
A Nigerian Obinna Ukwuani has been appointed as the chief digital officer by the Bank of Kigali, Rwanda.
Ukwuani, a former Paystack executive, will lead the Bank’s Digital Factory Division for product innovation and development in Digital Banking. A role he has resumed since June.
This was announced by the bank in a statement in Rwandan media on Tuesday Morning.
Obinna has a degree in Economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and has worked in software, agriculture processing, and education sectors. Read more
Adesina sworn in for second term as AfDB president (ThisDay)
Reelected President of the African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, has been sworn-in for a five-year second term.
The swearing-in ceremony held Tuesday was attended by Heads of States, Governors and other stakeholders who joined physically and virtually.
The former Nigerian Minister of Agriculture was reelected last week to serve a second five-year term, with a 100 per cent vote of all Governors, and regional and non-regional members of the bank.
His first term as President of Africa’s premier development finance institution, comprising 54 regional and 27 non-regional member countries, focused on five key development priorities tagged the High 5s. Read more
Jacob Blake: Father ‘refuses to play politics’ as Trump visits Kenosha (BBC)
The father of a black man shot by police has refused to “play politics” with his son’s life when Donald Trump visits the city of Kenosha on Tuesday.
Jacob Blake’s shooting sparked a fresh wave of anti-racism protests in the US, prompting calls for President Trump to acknowledge him and his family.
The president will meet police officers on the visit, but not the Blake family.
The visit comes with “law and order” becoming highly politicised ahead of the 3 November presidential election. Read more
Anger in LA after black man shot by deputies; police say victim was carrying a gun (RT)
BLM demonstrators flocked to a site in South Los Angeles where a black man was shot and killed by deputies of the LA County Sheriff’s Department. The man was filmed running from the officers and reportedly had a gun on him.
The shooting happened on Monday after midday in the area of Budlong Avenue and 109th Place. According to the Sheriff’s Department, deputies were driving in a patrol car when they saw the man riding a bicycle, and decided to pull him over for a traffic violation. He left the bike and tried to run away.
When the deputies caught up with him, he fought back and punched one of them in the face. Read more
Charlie Hebdo: Magazine republishes controversial Mohammed cartoons (BBC)
French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo has republished cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed that made them the target of a deadly terror attack in 2015.
Republication comes a day before 14 people go on trial accused of helping the two Islamist attackers carry out their gun rampage on 7 January 2015.
Twelve people were killed, including famous cartoonists. Five people died in a related attack in Paris days later.
The attacks began a wave of jihadist strikes across France. Read more
Japan’s ex-foreign minister Kishida announces bid to succeed retiring PM Abe (RT)
Fumio Kishida, a Japanese MP who served as foreign minister in Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s second and third cabinet, will run to replace his retiring former boss as the new head of the Japanese government.
Last Friday, Japan’s longest-serving prime minister announced his plans to stand down due to health problems. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) will elect Abe’s replacement as party leader. Whoever is selected is virtually assured to become the next prime minister of the country since the LDP holds a majority in the Japanese parliament.
Kishida, 63, formally announced his decision to run for the leadership position on Tuesday. Long considered a contender for premiership, he passed on a previous opportunity in 2018 to make way for Abe. Read more
Man shocked after snakes crash through his roof (BBC)
A man in Australia got a shock when he returned home to find two snakes had crashed through his ceiling and were slithering around his Queensland house.
David Tate found one snake in his bedroom and another in the living room on Monday. They weighed 22kg (3.4 stone) between them.
Snake catcher Steven Brown said they were of “exceptional size”.
It’s thought the two male snakes could have been fighting over a female snake which has not yet been located. Read more
Turns out ‘nice guys’ don’t finish last, according to study (Metro)
Being selfish does not get you ahead and ‘nice guys’ do not always finish last after all, a new study has found.
Disagreeable people, who are selfish, combative and manipulative may be intimidating, but their lack of social skills means they are no more career-wise than nice people, scientists said. People who believe being ruthless is the fastest way to the top will be bitterly disappointed no matter what industry they work in, unlike extroverts who are the first to climb the corporate ladder, researchers discovered.
Selfish, deceitful and aggressive people were no further in their careers than people who were generous, trustworthy and nice, according to the study findings. Any advantages to being intimidating were offset by the disadvantages of having poor personal relationships with others. Read more
Ed Sheeran and wife Cherry Seaborn welcome daughter Lyra (People)
Ed Sheeran’s family “Photograph” has a new member!
Early Tuesday morning, the singer, 29, and his wife, Cherry Seaborn, 28, announced the birth of their baby girl in a sweet message on Instagram — revealing that their new bundle of joy was born the week prior.
“Ello! A quick message from me as I have some personal news that I wanted to share with you… Last week, with the help of an amazing delivery team, Cherry gave birth to our beautiful and healthy daughter – Lyra Antarctica Seaborn Sheeran,” Sheeran wrote alongside an adorable photo of a pair of baby socks on top of a blue and green blanket. Read more
Chukwueze to face Nwakali (Nation)
It would be battle of kindred brothers when the 2020/21 La Liga season kicks off as Samuel Chukwueze’s Villarreal are expected to host Kelechi Nwakali’s newly promoted Huesca in one of the season’s opening matches on September 13.
Both Chukwueze and Nwakali are undoubtedly the Siamese twins of Nigerian football having started their career at Umuahia-based Diamond Soccer Academy en route to playing pivotal roles when Nigeria won the FIFA U17 World Cup at Chile 2015.
While Chukwueze light up the La Liga last season with some eye-catching performances for the Yellow Submarines, Nwakali star when Huesca won promotion back to La Liga in July after a 3–0 win over CD Numancia to secure the Segunda title on the last matchday. Read more
Lille defender Gabriel Magalhaes joins Arsenal (Punch)
Arsenal have confirmed the signing of defender Gabriel Magalhaes from Lille on long-term contract.
Arsenal made this known in a press statement on its website.
The club said the 22-year-old Brazilian would wear our number 6 shirt.
Gabriel, whose full name is Gabriel dos Santos Magalhaes, started his career in Brazil with Avai FC, before joining Lille in January 2017.
During his time in France, Gabriel spent time on loan with Troyes in France and latterly in Croatia with Dinamo Zagreb. Read more
Marcus Rashford brings food brand giants together to tackle child food poverty (BBC)
Footballer Marcus Rashford has formed a taskforce with some of the UK’s biggest food brands to try to help reduce child food poverty.
The 22-year-old Manchester United forward successfully campaigned to extend free school meals this summer.
He has written to MPs, outlining the help he feels some families still need.
They include expanding the numbers who are eligible for free school meals – and offer them free food and activities during school holidays in England. Read more
Novak Djokovic unconcerned with expectations after dominant first-round win at US Open (RT)
Novak Djokovic said there’s no extra pressure as the world No. 1 battled his way into the second round of the US Open at Flushing Meadows.
Djokovic defeated Damir Dzumhur in straight sets, 6-1, 6-4, 6-1, to breeze into the second round of the tournament.
But some of his aggressive play and gesticulations during the match were more akin to a matchup at the sharp end of the tournament. He even found time to argue with the umpire during the matchup.
But, after extending his wining streak to 24 consecutive matches, Djokovic said he wasn’t feeling the pressure at the behind-closed-doors Grand Slam. Read more
US Open 2020: Naomi Osaka through but Coco Gauff out in New York (BBC)
Fourth seed Naomi Osaka overcame a scare to beat fellow Japanese player Misaki Doi in three sets and avoid a major shock in the US Open first round.
Osaka, who won the first of her two Grand Slams at Flushing Meadows in 2018, wobbled in the second set before recovering for a 6-2 5-7 6-2 victory.
Elsewhere, teenager Coco Gauff’s hopes of another Grand Slam run were ended by 31st seed Anastasija Sevastova.
But top seed Karolina Pliskova and sixth seed Petra Kvitova advanced. Read more
Ivan Rakitic: Sevilla sign Croatia midfielder from Barcelona (BBC)
Sevilla have re-signed Croatia midfielder Ivan Rakitic from La Liga rivals Barcelona.
Europa League champions Sevilla said Rakitic had signed a four-year deal.
The 32-year-old, who was at Sevilla between January 2011 and June 2014 before joining Barca, won 13 trophies at the Nou Camp, including four La Liga titles and one Champions League crown.
A Barcelona statement read: “The Andalusian team will pay FC Barcelona 1.5m euros plus 9m in variables.” Read more