Passengers burnt to death near Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos (DailyTrust)
It was a black Sunday in Lagos when a commercial bus caught fire, killing seven passengers while others were injured.
The incident happened at the popular Iyana Oworo near the Third Mainland Bridge.
According to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), it was discovered on arrival at the scene that a commercial bus with 14 passengers was on fire.
The Bus was a Mazda with registration number KJA 699 GY.
It was gathered that the incident occurred due to recklessness and speeding by the driver which resulted in the fire with 12 passengers reportedly trapped. Read more
Newly married artisan burns self, blames abusive wife (Punch)
A resident of Iree, Osun State, Muritala Afolabi, on Friday, sustained serious injuries after setting himself ablaze.
Muritala was, however, rescued by some people who heard his cry as fire burnt his body.
He was rushed to a private hospital in Iree, where he was admitted.
Speaking with PUNCH Metro from his sick bed on Sunday, Muritala, a vulcaniser, said he decided to commit suicide having been subjected to emotional torture and frustration by his wife. Read more
Lagos task force impounds 150 Okada, goes after landgrabbers, other violators (Guardian)
The Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Enforcement Agency (Task Force) has arrested recalcitrant Okada operators, land grabbers and environmental law violators who refused to heed the warnings.
The suspects were arrested after a week-long operation carried out by the agency in Ogba, Apapa, Tradefair, Elemoro, Ojodu and others.
Speaking yesterday at the agency headquarters in Bolade, Oshodi, Lagos and its environs, Chairman of the Lagos Taskforce, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), Shola Jejeloye, said traces of okada operations had been noticed in the aforementioned areas and other parts of the state despite the ban on their activities, prompting the agency to carry out the necessary mop up exercises in the city.
Jejeloye disclosed that not less than 150 commercial bikes were impounded for willfully operating on restricted routes and flouting traffic rules in some others. According to him, 10 Okada passengers were also apprehended for driving on the restricted Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor and were charged to court, where they were fined N50, 000 or to serve three months in Badagry Correctional Centre. Read more
Lagos-Ibadan traffic: Police, kidnappers exchange gunfire, traveller rescued (Punch)
Men of the Ogun State Police Command have rescued a kidnap victim, Sheu Anafi, and arrested a suspected kidnapper, Ibraheem Abubakar, around the Kara Bridge end of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Oyeyemi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
Oyeyemi said the arrest was made on Saturday after his men invaded the hideout of the suspect and rescued the victim, who was one of the passengers whose vehicle was attacked by a gang of kidnappers.
He said, “Men of the command took the battle to the doorstep of the hoodlums following a report lodged at the Warewa divisional headquarters by a commercial driver. Read more
LCCI to maximise AfCFTA opportunities to drive regional market (Leadership)
The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has expressed readiness to extensively maximise the opportunities of the African continental free trade agreement (AfCFTA) to boost global and regional markets for start-up brands, big industries, tech hubs and multinational companies to facilitate trade amongst key markets.
The chamber gave the assertion while addressing at a press conference of the 2022 Lagos International Trade Fair (LITF).
According to LCCI, the 2022 LITF edition would drive business interest and focus on market integration for global players to participate for optimum awareness and trade promotions while strengthening ties with foreign partners to support African countries trade investment.
This, the chamber said, would deepen regional markets, integrate foreign partnerships, boost startups and encourage local and budding investors to facilitate trade across the world. Read more
LASTMA tasks LagosRide operators, drivers on traffic law obedience (Independent)
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has warned operators and drivers of Lagos Ride Taxi across the State to obey the State’s Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018.
General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Bolaji Oreagba disclosed during the weekend, when top management of Ibile Holdings Limited, owners of ‘LagosRide’ taxi led by its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Abiodun Amokomowo paid a working visit to LASTMA Headquarters at Oshodi, Lagos.
Oreagba said the warning became imperative to check excesses of operators/drivers who do not consider the safety of other road users as well as disregard traffic law while on the road.
He said, “Let me state here clearly that impunity of drivers of these LagosRide Taxi driving on BRT corridors/obstructions on major roads is becoming alarming and as a responsible and responsive agency of government, we would no longer condone their recklessness as we shall continue to apply the full weight of the Law on motorists found contravening any sections of the Traffic Laws”. Read more
Waterways authority to revive Lagos jetty, clear wrecks (Punch)
The Federal Government is targeting economic prosperity through the rejuvenation of the Ijora jetty in Lagos.
According to the National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, the Ijora jetty seems abandoned as a result of wrecks.
The Lagos Area Manager, NIWA, Sarat Braimah, who said this on Friday when the Authority commenced wreck removal at some waterways in the state, said there was no access to the Ijora jetty because of wrecks.
She said that as soon the wrecks were removed, the jetty could be used for so many other things. Read more
Entrepreneur, investor conference hold Sept 28
(Nation)
The faith-driven entrepreneur and Investor conference is slated to hold on September 29 and 29 in Lagos.
A statement by the host, Mrs. Oluremi Odunsi, CEO, Eridan Group and founder, Deepspace Africa, explained they will be a watch party at Eridan space, Oluwalogbon House, Plot A Obafemi Awolowo Way, Alausa, Ikeja.
Explaining further, Odunsi said the conference is an annual gathering of Faith-driven entrepreneurs and investors streaming to 300 cities around the globe.
The event, an initiative of faith-driven entrepreneur and Investor Ministries led by US based Henry Kaestner, who is a managing principal at Sovereign’s Capital. Read more
Family of 3 year-old boy who died in Lagos hospital demands justice (Guardian)
A three-year-old Child died on Friday at the Maternal and Child Care Hospital, Ogombo, Ajah due to alleged negligence.
His mother, Loveth Nwogu who spoke exclusively to The Guardian said her son had Nasal Congestion and she decided to take him to the hospital for proper treatment before resuming school on Monday.
According to her, the first night he was treated and given an injection, her bubbly child vomited and emptied his stomach before sleeping off. The second time was what took his life.”
She said the doctor and nurse who injected the child are nowhere to be found since the incident occurred. Read more
Rihanna to headline Super Bowl half-time show (BBC)
Pop superstar Rihanna will headline the half-time show at February’s Super Bowl in Arizona, the NFL has announced.
The nine-time Grammy winner broke the news by posting a photo of an NFL branded football to Twitter.
Organisers called the 34-year-old a “generational talent” in a press release issued on Sunday night.
The show is one of the most coveted slots in music, with this year’s 14-minute spectacle drawing in more than 120 million viewers, the NFL said.
The all-star line up included Dr Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J Blige and Kendrick Lamar. The show earned an Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety Special (Live). Read more
Police drop JK Rowling death threat investigation following Sir Salman Rushdie stabbing (Metro)
A police investigation into an ‘online threat’ to JK Rowling over her support for stabbing victim Sir Salman Rushdie has been dropped.
The Harry Potter author, 57, was warned that she would be ‘next’ after she said she ‘felt sick’ in response to the news Sir Salman had been stabbed on stage in New York.
At the time, Rowling shared screenshots of his account and posts, asking Twitter Support: ‘Any chance of some support?’
She then confirmed: ‘To all sending supportive messages: thank you. Police are involved (were already involved on other threats).’ Read more
Alec Baldwin welcomes 7th child with wife Hilaria and reveals sweet name (DigitalSpy)
Alec Baldwin and his wife Hilaria welcomed their seventh child on Thursday (September 22) revealing the sweet name they have chosen.
Sharing the news via a post on social media, and in keeping with her brothers and sisters names, the latest member of the Baldwin family has been named Ilaria – a strikingly similar name to her mum.
Hilaria posted a short reel to her Instagram, later reposted by her husband, which begins with her cradling the baby to her chest in the hospital as she looks overcome with emotion.
In the touching reel, baby Baldwin’s older siblings are introduced to their new little sister and each gets an individual cuddle. The video ends with some still snaps of the cute newborn. Read more
European arthouses bracing for energy price shock (Variety)
The lasting effects of the pandemic and skyrocketing energy prices in Europe mean continued hardship for arthouse cinemas in Europe, but some theater chains are finding new ways to survive and prosper, particularly when the movies work their magic.
That was the takeaway at Zurich Summit discussion between Christian Bräuer, managing director of Berlin-based Yorck Kinogruppe; David Laub, acquisitions and distribution executive at New York City-based A24; Stephanie Candinas, co-managing director of Zurich’s Arthouse Commercio Movie AG; and Sierra/Affinity’s Kirsten Figeroid.
“The short-term perspective is about gas prices – that threatens us the most,” said Bräuer. “In Europe most theaters survived [the pandemic] thanks to public support. Without public support, a lot of small theaters, arthouse theaters, would have had to close.”
The energy crisis could pose a far greater threat, however, as theaters face gas prices that have increased five-fold, which many smaller operators will not be able to afford. Read more
High School Musical cast look unrecognisable as they reunite after 14 years (DailyStar)
The cast of hit movie High School Musical look unrecognisable in a sweet reunion snap 14 years since the last film in the franchise came out.
Reuniting for a fun new project, three cast members from the original movie franchise that first came out in 2006, looked worlds away from their younger selves as they posed for a snap.
Lucas Grabeel – who played Ryan Evans; Corbin Bleu – who played Chad Danforth; and Monique Coleman – who played Taylor McKessie shared a sweet reunion snap to tease their fans.
The actors looked so different from how they did years prior when they were in their 20s at the height of the HSM hysteria. Read more
Roger Waters gigs in Poland cancelled amid Ukraine backlash (BBC)
Planned concerts in Poland by Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters have been cancelled amid outrage over the musician’s stance on the Ukraine war.
The concert’s promoter, Live Nation Poland, confirmed the cancellation but gave no reason for it.
The controversy was triggered by an open letter Waters wrote to Ukraine’s first lady, Olena Zelenska.
In it, he said, “extreme nationalists” in Ukraine “have set your country on the path to this disastrous war”. Read more
United Arab Emirates agrees to supply Germany with gas, diesel (RFI)
The United Arab Emirates agreed Sunday an “energy security” deal with Germany to supply liquefied natural gas and diesel as Berlin searches for new power sources to replace Russian supplies.
Emirati industry minister Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber called it a “landmark new agreement” that “reinforces the rapidly growing energy partnership between the UAE and Germany”, at a signing attended by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the UAE’s state news agency WAM reported.
Scholz was on a visit to the UAE as part of a Gulf tour that also included stops in Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
He met with Emirati President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, who said on Twitter afterwards they had discussed “further opportunities for cooperation in areas including energy security, emissions reduction and climate action”. Read more
Oshoala scores in Barca rout (Punch)
After failing to hit target in her first game of the 2022/23 season against Granadilla Tenerife last weekend at the Estadi Johan Cruyff, Super Falcons striker, Asisat Oshoala, scored her first goal of the season in style as Barcelona Femeni demolished Villarreal 4-1 at the Ciudad Deportiva Villarreal CF Vila-real on Sunday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Oshoala came on as a substitute in the champions’ opening day 2-0 victory over Granadilla Tenerife, but coach Jonatan Giraldez handed the Falcons star her first start of the season at Villarreal.
The former Arsenal and Liverpool forward grabbed the opportunity with both hands and rewarded the manager’s faith in her with a lovely goal to double Blaugrana’s lead.
The Catalans, who went unbeaten in the Primera División Femenina last season, showed their superiority from the kickoff, and they were rewarded with a goal from Mapi Leon in the 26th minute. Read more
Hakim Ziyech makes national football return after year out following controversy (Mirror)
Chelsea star Hakim Ziyech made a victorious return to the Moroccan national side after a controversial incident with former boss Vahid Halilhodzic saw him frozen out for over a year.
The former Ajax winger, 29, was already a 39-time capped international before the decision to exclude him from his nation’s set-up.
He had been accused by Halilhodzic of feigning injury last year to miss friendlies and made him miss the entire qualifying campaign for the upcoming World Cup, whilst he was also not named in the Morocco squad for the African Cup of Nations at the start if the year – the Atlas Lions only managing to reach the quarter-finals of the competition.
Speaking after that move, Halilhodzic said: “For me, the collective is more important. Anyone who doesn’t respect the team cannot play with me. Read more
Arsenal target Mykhaylo Mudryk makes exciting comment as he drops fresh transfer hint (Express)
Mykhaylo Mudryk has again dropped a fresh hint that he could be set for a move to the Premier League. Arsenal are one of the clubs interested in signing the Ukraine star, who himself claims he is currently only playing at 20 percent of his potential.
Mudryk emerged as a target for English sides in the summer. He has been dubbed the ‘Ukrainian Neymar’ due to his pace and trickery on the ball.
Arsenal wanted to sign a winger late in the summer but were unable to get a deal over the line. They are set to prioritise that position when the January window opens and Mudryk could be a possibility.
Speaking to The Times, Mudryk could not hide the fact he would love to play in the English top flight. He said: “Yes, yes, it is possible. The Premier League is the best league in the world and everyone wants to play in this league.” Read more
Brighton star Leandro Trossard admits he would join former boss Graham Potter at Chelsea (DailyMail)
Brighton star Leandro Trossard has said he would be open to joining former boss Graham Potter at Chelsea if ‘the opportunity arises’.
The Belgian international was Potter’s second signing after joining the Seagulls in 2019 and has gone on to become one of their most integral players in recent years.
Speaking to Het Nieuwsblad, Trossard said: ‘Our coach did leave for Chelsea now but speculation about me following him makes no sense.
‘If the opportunity arises, I want to go. But I want to play and not sit on the bench.’ Read more
Kenya’s Kipchoge breaks marathon world record in Berlin (DW)
Two-time Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge broke the record he set in 2018 by 30 seconds. This is the first Berlin Marathon held without restrictions since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kenyan athlete Eliud Kipchoge broke the marathon world record by half a minute on Sunday.
The previous record was also set by Kipchoge in Berlin.
Some 45,527 runners from 157 countries were registered to take part in the marathon. It was the first Berlin Marathon to be held without restrictions since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Read more
Team World roar back in tie-break to deny Andy Murray and Matteo Berrettini in doubles (Eurosport)
Team World are right back in contention in the 2022 Laver Cup after Felix Auger-Aliassime and Jack Sock beat Matteo Berrettini and Andy Murray 2-6 6-3(10-8) in the first match of Day 3.
In a rapid-fire 97-minute match, it was Berrettini and Murray who took the lead with an impressive showing in the first set, twice breaking the service of Team World.
Retiring legend Roger Federer was in the crowd, cheering on his team mates. At that point, it seemed as though Team Europe would be in position to close out the tournament by the early afternoon.
However, the script was flipped in the second as Auger-Aliassime and Sock fought back to force the super tie-break. Read more
Floyd Mayweather, 45 years young, knocks out MMA star Mikuru Asakura (USAToday)
Floyd Mayweather is 45. He could probably do this when he’s 75.
The unbeaten Hall of Famer knocked out Mikuru Asakura in the second round of a scheduled three-round exhibition in the Super RIZIN headliner in Saitama, Japan.
The 30-year-old Japanese mixed martial artist was game and had his moments, landing a few eye-catching punches. However, no MMA fighter has the boxing skills to compete on an even level with one of the greatest practitioners of the sweet science, even one who’s in his mid-40s.
And that’s by design. Mayweather has said he doesn’t want to trade punches with anyone who has a good chance of hurting him. Asakura couldn’t. Read more