Pastor seeks divorce, accuses wife of defamation (Vanguard)
A 48-year-old pastor, Nosa Abume, on Monday approached an Igando Customary Court in Lagos to nullify his 17-year-old marriage accusing his wife of defaming his character.
“My wife is making statement that is injuring my reputation, she keeps telling people that I am a chronic womaniser,,” he said.
The petitioner said that his wife had even invited the police to arrest him.
“She invited policemen to arrest me and they tortured me in their custody. Read more
Court remands applicant for allegedly shooting man in groin (Sun)
An Ikeja Magistrates’ Court on Monday ordered that a 27-year- old unemployed man, Lekan Ayeni, who allegedly shot a man in the groin area be remanded in a Correctional Centre.
The police charged Ayeni, whose residential address was not provided, with attempted murder, robbery and unlawful possession of firearm.
Magistrate K.A. Ariyo, who did not take the plea of Ayeni, ordered that he should be remanded at the Kirikiri Custodial Centre, Lagos.
Ariyo also directed that the police to return the case file to the state Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice. Read more
Sylvester Oromoni: Deploy social workers to educational institutions to stem tide of bullying in schools, NASoW tells FG, states (Independent)
The Nigeria Association of Social Workers (NASoW) has advised the federal, state and local governments to deploy social workers to all educational institutions across the country immediately.
NASoW which is the umbrella body of professional social workers across the country noted that this is necessary in order to stem the tide of bullying in schools across the country.
About five students of Dowen College, Lagos were alleged to have bullied and beaten 12-year-old Sylvester Oromoni to a point of coma.
The incident lead to the death of the student on November 30, 2021. Read more
Lai Mohammed faults UK, says adding Nigeria to red list discriminatory (Punch)
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has faulted the decision by the United Kingdom to place Nigeria on its red list over the new variant of COVID-19 named Omicron.
Mohammed who spoke at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday said the decision is unjust, unfair, punitive, indefensible, and discriminatory, adding that it is also not driven by science.
This is as he expressed the belief that the Presidential Steering Committee will respond to the decision by the UK.
He said, “As you are aware, Britain has put Nigeria on its red list and banned foreign travels from our country. This is as a result of the discovery of COVID-19 cases – Omicron variant – in Nigeria. Britain now joins other countries, including Canada, which have taken similar action against Nigeria over Omicron. Read more
Court hears suit against Bauchi APC Congress December 13 (Leadership)
A suit filed by Sarkin Arewa of Bauchi and a staunch member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Alhaji Hassan Mohammed Sheriff, will be heard on December 13, 2021.
The matter is before Bauchi High Court 2 where Sheriff is seeking an interim injunction restraining the APC, its national caretaker chairman, education minister Adamu Adamu and APC Extended Stakeholders’ Committee from parading the newly elected officials of the party in the state as its executive officers.
Joined in the suit as dependents are Yakubu Dogara, Bauchi State APC chairman – Babayo Aliyu Misau, APC screening and selection committee, APC Bauchi State secretary – Haruna Rikala, Mustapha Shehu Zarami, Bauchi APC Legal Adviser – Rabi’u Garba, and Bauchi State APC Treasurer –Shu’aibu Habi, and the 42 respondents.
In the suit filed before the court, the applicant who contested the seat of the state chairman of the party in the recent elections which saw the emergence of two paralleled chairmen, is seeking court injection against the defendants pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit filed before the court between the parties. Read more
Miss Nigeria 2021 calls for participation, N10m for winner (Sun)
Folio Group, one of Nigeria’s leading multi-media conglomerates and organisers of the Miss Nigeria beauty pageant, has officially announced the 2021 edition of the country’s oldest and most prestigious beauty pageant.
This year’s pageant, according to the organisers, comes with lots of surprises and mouth-watering prizes for the winners, while maintaining global standards in line with the renowned Miss Nigeria tradition.
The winner of the 44th Miss Nigeria which will hold on December 17, 2021, at the Landmark Convention Centre, Lagos, will walk away with N10 million, one year residency in a luxury apartment, a brand new car, and lucrative brand Ambassadorship opportunities.
The Chairman, Board of Directors, Folio Group, Fidelis Anosike, in a statement promised that the contestants, partners, and the public will be treated to a truly world-class pageant like never seen before in the Nigerian pageantry landscape. Read more
Osinbajo, Ooni, Oba of Benin to grace Owa of Idanre’s 45th Coronation anniversary (Vanguard)
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is expected to be the special guest of honour at the 45th coronation anniversary of the Owa of Idanre kingdom, Oba Fredrick Aroloye.
Traditional rulers expected include the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye, Enitan Ogunwusi, Deji of Akureland, Oba Aladelusi Aladetoyinbo, Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Victor Kiladejo and the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II amongst others across the country.
Governor of the state, Rotimi Akeredolu will be the Chief host.
Oba Aroloye ascended the throne in 1976 after his predecessor died at age of 144 years having reigned for 50 years. Read more
Indefinite outage in Abuja, Nassarawa, Kogi, Niger as AEDC shuts down (Nation)
The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) has shut down all operations of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) indefinitely owing to outstanding payment of about N41billion escrowed in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
The Union’s FCT chairman, Comrade Godfrey Aba at the shut AEDC Headquarters in Abuja, told The Nation “the industrial action will be withdrawn only when our demands are met.”
The action, according to him, has culminated in an outage in all AEDC franchise areas that include but are not limited to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Kogi, Niger, and Nassarawa.
According to him, it was expected that before the strike the Federal Ministry of Power would have intervened in the industrial crisis. Read more
UnitedHealth appoints Nigeria-born Wilson as chief medical officer (Tribune)
Nigerian-born Dr. Margaret-Mary Wilson has been appointed chief medical officer at UnitedHealth Group Inc.
UnitedHealth is an American multinational managed healthcare and insurance company based in Minnesota.
Wilson worked as a doctor with the Nigerian Police before moving to the United States.
The outgoing chief medical officer at UnitedHealth Dr. Richard Migliori is confident that Wilson’s appointment was well-deserved. Read more
James Bond boss confirms 007’s future after “No Time to Die” (DigitalSpy)
James Bond’s franchise overseer Barbara Broccoli has promised that 007 “will be back”.
For those who’ve witnessed the explosive death twist at the end of No Time to Die – killing off Daniel Craig’s incarnation after he saved Madeleine Swann and their daughter Mathilde – this news reiterates how the iconic secret agent is being recast.
At the recent Deadline Contenders Film: New York event – also attended by producing partner Michael G Wilson, star Rami Malek, special effects supervisor Chris Corbould and production designer Mark Tildesley – Broccoli shared: “We’ll figure that one out, but he will be back. You can rest assured James Bond will be back.”
While we’ll have to wait and see which actor gets the iconic gig, but as far as Craig successors go, Worlds of DC actor Henry Cavill isn’t ruling himself out of becoming the iconic spy. Read more
Far-right target critics with Twitter’s new media policy (BBC)
Far-right groups are using Twitter’s new private media policy to target anti-extremism accounts, activists say.
The social media giant last week said images or video of private individuals shared without permission would be removed on request.
Activists report that members of the far-right are using the policy to have accounts identifying them suspended.
Twitter said a number of accounts were mistakenly suspended following a flood of “coordinated and malicious reports”. Read more
US to host Summit for Democracy amid questions about its own (VOA)
On December 9-10, US President Joe Biden will host a virtual Summit for Democracy that will bring together world leaders, civil society and the private sector to “set forth an affirmative agenda for democratic renewal and to tackle the greatest threats faced by democracies today through collective action.”
The summit is part of Biden’s campaign pledge to strengthen democracy around the world at a time when autocratic governments are on the rise.
Here’s what we know about the event.
What is the goal?
The summit’s goals are to strengthen democracy, defend against authoritarianism, address corruption and promote human rights.
According to the Biden administration, leaders will be encouraged to announce “specific actions and commitments to meaningful internal reforms” in line with those goals. Read more
Afghans overtake Syrians as EU’s largest group of asylum seekers (Independent)
Afghans have replaced Syrians as the largest group of asylum seekers in the EU, with applications rising sharply since the fall of Kabul.
There were more than 17,000 asylum claims by Afghans in September, the first full month after the Taliban victory, up from 10,000 in August.
It ended seven consecutive years in which Syrians, who made 9,100 applications in September, had been the most frequent claimants.
The new figures from the European Asylum Support Office showed total claims in Europe at their highest since before the pandemic. Read more
Arthur’s killers ‘should never see the light of day again’: Grieving grandad calls for sentence review (Metro)
Peter Halcrow, 61, has said ‘no punishment could ever be enough’ for little Arthur’s killers as the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) confirmed their sentences are to be reviewed.
Stepmother Emma Tustin, 32, was found guilty of murder and father, Thomas Hughes, 29, was sentenced for manslaughter on Friday in a case that has shocked the nation.
The child suffered an unsurvivable brain injury after being fatally assaulted by Tustin in the hallway of her home in Solihull, on June 16 2020. She had previously abused, starved and poisoned him.
Tustin was handed a 29 year sentence while Hughes received 21 years but there are calls for harsher punishments for the pair. Read more
John Barton, former chair of easyJet and Next, dies aged 77 (Guardian)
John Barton, the chairman of the fashion chain Ted Baker and the former chair of easyJet and Next, has died.
Ted Baker said the veteran businessman, who was appointed non-executive chairman of the troubled fashion retailer last year, died suddenly.
“John was a source of great wisdom for me and for so many of us at Ted Baker, and we will hugely miss his support and guidance,” said Rachel Osborne, the chief executive of Ted Baker, who joined a month before Barton’s appointment in April 2020. “Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with his wife, Anne, and their family.”
Last week, the 77-year-old stood down as chairman of easyJet, ending a near nine-year stint during the most tumultuous period in the airline’s 26-year history. Read more
Evergrande sets up risk committee; inches closer to restructuring (Metro)
China Evergrande Group has set up a risk management committee that includes officials from state entities as the cash-strapped property developer inches closer to a debt restructuring.
The real estate firm, which is grappling with over $300 billion in liabilities, said on Monday that the committee would play an important role in “mitigating and eliminating the future risks” of the group.
On Friday, Evergrande said it would seek to restructure its offshore debt after acknowledging that it may no longer be able to meet its financial obligations, prompting the provincial government in Guangdong to step in to help manage the fallout.
“Evergrande’s been trying to sell assets to repay debt, but Friday’s statement basically says it is going to ‘surrender’ and needs help,” said Conita Hung, investment strategy director at Tiger Faith Asset Management. “This sends a very bad signal.” Read more
Boris Johnson survives High Court challenge over Priti Patel ‘bullying’ (Metro)
Boris Johnson and Priti Patel have survived a High Court challenge over bullying accusations.
The home secretary was found to have ‘unintentionally’ broken the ministerial code through her behaviour towards staff last year.
A Cabinet Office investigation was launched following the resignation of Sir Philip Rutnam, the department’s permanent secretary.
He sued the Home Office for unfair dismissal and alleged that staff felt Ms Patel ‘created fear’ in the department, allegations she strongly denied. Read more
Turkey, Asian nations shake up latest FIBA World Ranking Women (TalkBasket)
The latest edition of the FIBA World Ranking Women, presented by Nike has witnessed several nations from Asia and Africa being rewarded for their performances in the FIBA Women’s Continental Cups 2021, while Turkey moved up to No. 9 after a promising start to their FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2023 Qualifiers campaign.
The only nation on an upward trajectory inside the top 10, Turkey accumulated enough points in big wins against Slovenia and Poland to take them above Serbia, who played just one game in the November window.
While the results from the 2021 editions of the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup and the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket were already part of the last World Ranking publication after the Tokyo Olympics, the most recent ranking now also includes data from the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket 2021 and the recently concluded FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2021.
Korea headlined the list for the biggest movers with a jump of five places from No. 19 to No. 14 after reaching the Semi-Finals of the Women’s Asia Cup and securing a place in the forthcoming FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022 Qualifying Tournaments. Read more
‘This is what defines Rafael Nadal’, says young ATP ace (TennisWorld)
The Australian tennis federation, organizer among other things of the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of the year, has lost more than 100 million Australian dollars (about 70.8 million dollars or 62.2 million euros) due to the impact that Covid had in the tournament last year, in the 2020-2021 season.
According to the ocean federation’s annual report, the losses are due to many particular reasons, including the high cost of quarantines for tennis players, strict security measures, and restrictions on stadium audiences.
Tennis Australia, the official name of this organization, released the report and the reasons for these huge and heavy losses: “This result is in line with expectations and reflects the challenges in the business environment that we had to face during the Coronavirus Pandemic.”
Last year, to curb losses, the federation changed the fiscal period from June to September so that organizers could include the A $ 24 million lost in that period. Tennis Australia will hold the next Australian Open in January and also because of these losses, as well as obviously the safety of the people, added that it has adapted to Covid and for the Australian tournament it will require vaccination against Covid not only the public and the employees but also all the tennis players on the circuit. Read more
Igoche Mark vows to resuscitate domestic Basketball in 2022 (Leadership)
Founder and proprietor of Mark Mentors Basketball Club, Igoche Mark, has promised to resuscitate the dying domestic basketball leagues in 2022 across Nigeria.
Mark’s promise was contained in a statement signed by his media aide, Kingsley Aigbonoga and made available to LEADERSHIP Sports on Sunday in Abuja.
The statement said plans have been concluded to make 2022 filled with numerous basketball championships/invitational tournaments to make up for death and inactiveness of the domestic basketball leagues in the last four years of Musa Kida-led Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) board.
“We have concluded plans to make 2022, a year filled with numerous basketball championships/invitational tournaments in order to make up for the death/deficit experienced during the reign of those who led basketball in Nigeria before now. In the coming days, the timetable will be made available to the public. Read more
Race to Costa Rica 2022: Falconets thump hosts Congo 4-0 in Brazzaville (Vanguard)
Two–time World Cup silver medallists Nigeria continued from where they left off in the second round by hammering hosts Congo 4-0 in the first leg of their FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup African qualifying third round fixture in Brazzaville on Sunday.
Goals by Mercy Idoko in the 38th minute, Flourish Sebastine (47th minute), Esther Onyenezide (50th minute, from the penalty spot) and Deborah Ajibola (55th minute) condemned Congo, conquerors of Egypt, to counternancing a near-hopeless situation in the return leg.
The girls of Chris Danjuma completely dominated proceedings at the Stade Alphonse Massamba-Debat, and could have been up earlier than the 38th minute when Mercy Idoko, who accounted for four of the 11 goals that drowned Central African Republic, put them in front against the hosts.
To reach the third round, the Falconets had thumped their counterparts from Central African Republic 7-0 in their first leg encounter in Douala, before wrapping things up at a stroll in Lagos, with a further four goals to the kitty. Read more
Tyson Fury threatens legal action against the BBC if they include him on the Sports Personality of the Year shortlist (DailyMail)
Tyson Fury has threatened to take legal action against the BBC if he is named on the Sports Personality of the Year shortlist.
The heavyweight champion is among the favourites for the accolade and is expected to be included among the contenders, who will be officially unveiled next week.
He is adamant that he wants no part in the pomp and ceremony, however, and has even declared that the organisation will ‘hear from his solicitors’ if he is chosen.
It’s the second successive year he has taken the stance on being shortlisted.
Ibrahimovic: I’m a little scared to stop playing (Sky)
AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic says he wants to stay at the Serie A club for the rest of his career, admitting he is “scared to stop” playing due to the uncertainty of what comes next after retirement.
The 40-year-old Swede’s current contract expires at the end of the season, but Ibrahimovic has no plans to hang up his boots just yet.
“I want to play as long as possible. As long as I have that adrenaline, I will continue,” Ibrahimovic told the Italian talk show Che Tempo Che Fa on Sunday.
“Let’s put pressure on Milan here to give me an extension and I hope to stay at Milan for life. I still have objectives that I can achieve and I want to win another Scudetto. Read more
F1 fans fume at 10-second penalty for Max Verstappen for causing Lewis Hamilton to run into the back of him (DailyMail)
Formula One fans have hit out at the FIA for giving Max Verstappen a retrospective 10-second penalty in the wake of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix – a punishment that did not change the result of the race.
Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton’s title battle got very heated in Jeddah on Sunday night, with the pair clashing throughout a dramatic race and the latter eventually running out race winner.
Red Bull star Verstappen finished 16 seconds clear of Valtteri Bottas in second place, even with a five-second penalty handed to him during the race for an incident with Hamilton at turn one, meaning the race will go on to Abu Dhabi next week with the pair dead level in the drivers’ standings.
After the race in Saudi Arabia, both Verstappen and Hamilton were called to the stewards regarding a bizarre incident on lap 37, in which the Red Bull man was instructed to give the lead back to Hamilton, only for the Brit to crash into the back of him when he braked hard on the straight. Read more
Jude Bellingham investigated by German police after match-fixing comments on referee (DailyStar)
German Police are investing Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham following comments he made over referee Felix Zwayer on Saturday evening.
Bellingham was incensed at Zwayer’s decision to award Bayern Munich a penalty after Mats Hummels was deemed to have handled the ball.
Robert Lewandowski stepped up for the Bavarian side and smashed the ball home to hand Bayern the winner.
Dortmund had already been frustrated with Zwayer when they saw their own penalty claims waved away just a couple of minutes earlier. Read more