Pastor’s house set ablaze over death of missing child in Ekiti (Guardian)
There was tense atmosphere yesterday at Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, as some aggrieved youths set ablaze the residence of a Redeemed Christian Church (RCC) pastor, over the death of a missing seven-year-old girl.
The incident occurred at Adehun Area in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital in the early hours of Tuesday after the lifeless body of the girl identified as Demilade was found in the pastor’s house.
A resident of the area, who spoke with The Guardian in confidence, said that the seven-year-old girl, who was sent on an errand was waylaid and butchered by the daughter of the pastor who was said to be mentally ill.
He said that Demilade had gone missing around 8:00 a.m. on Monday while on an errand to buy pap for her parents and siblings. Read more
Adhere to protocols or be deported, Sanwo-Olu tells foreigners (Nation)
Foreigners coming into the country through Lagos State must adhere to the COVID-19 travel protocols or face possible deportation, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu warned yesterday.
The governor also reiterated that all-inbound passengers for international flights must perform a Day 2 test within 48 hours of arrival into the country, as well as an additional Day 7 PCR test for all partially or unvaccinated inbound passengers.
“These tests are mandatory to assist the state monitor the inflow of positive passengers, which we have identified as a veritable source of our waves and community spread,” the governor said.
Sanwo-Olu, in a statement giving updates about the Coronavirus pandemic, said the “state would begin prosecuting those who refuse to submit themselves for these mandatory tests by blacklisting their passports for one year”. Read more
Ikoyi building: Sanwo-Olu vows to deal with saboteurs in govt, awaits panel report (Punch)
The Lagos State Government says there is a need to domesticate a model for financing mortgage, while stating that it has handed over 14 housing estates to individuals with a promise to deliver additional two estates.
The state government said there was a need for collaborations to resolve some of the issues affecting the built sector in the country.
The governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, stated this at the second Real Estate Market Place Conference and Exhibitions held in Lagos.
“The lessons of the very unfortunate incident on Gerald Road are not lost. This has been a difficult time. While we are waiting on the report from the panel of enquiry set up, I dare to say that a month before the incident, we had awarded certificates of fit for habitation and a certificate of completion with LASBCA; meaning that anybody that has property development of a certain number, needs to get a certificate of completion and certificate of fit for habitation. From a regulatory point of view, we had checked all of our boxes. We know that there may be people that want to cut corners, we know that for this size of this city, there might be officers that have taken actions that have reduced our names, we know. We are not saying that the government is perfect, but we are dealing with them. Read more
Rotary Club of Egbe launches seating arena, donates chairs, tables, others to Ejigbo PHC (Independent)
The Rotary Club of Egbe, Rotary International District 9110, Nigeria, hosted her Governor, launched a seating arena and donated chairs, tables and baby weigh scales (Microhealth Medical baby scale) to Tajudeen Jaiye Alabi Primary Health Centre (PHC), Ejigbo Local Council Development Area, Ejigbo, Lagos at the weekend.
Speaking during the commissioning of the seating arena and donation of the materials at the PHC, the District Governor, Rotarian Remi Bello, applauded the club President and members for the service projects executed at the PHC, noting that Rotary is more appreciated by what people see.
He said Rotary is service above self.
“Rotary is service, service and service, it is a service to humanity and we as Rotarians believes in service above self.” Read more
Lagos pays N34b on retirees’ accrued rights (ThisDay)
The Lagos State Government said it has paid a total of N34 billion as Pension Accrued Rights since the assumption of office by Governor Babajide Sanwo- Olu as the governor of the state.
The pension accrued rights represents an employees’ benefits for the past years of service up to June 2004 when the Pension Reform Act gave birth to the current Contributory Pension Scheme practiced in Nigeria.
Sanwo-Olu, disclosed this at the Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC) 90th batch mega bond presentation for retirees.
The governor, represented by the state Commissioner for Establishment Training and Pension, Mrs Ajibola Ponnle, said 8,707 retirees are enjoying their retirement benefits under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) since his administration came to power. Read more
LCCI tasks entrepreneurs on collaboration, sustainability (Guardian)
The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry has graduated about 73 entrepreneurs from this year’s mentoring programme, urging them to embrace collaborations and sustainable business growth practices.
The LCCI President, Michael Okewale Cole, during the graduation ceremony, said the chamber has continued to wax stronger in its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) especially, in the area of development of youth and Small and Medium Enterprise (SMEs) through its mentoring programmes.
He implored the new grandaunts to ensure that they make the best out of the opportunity to be good ambassadors of the programme, keep the flame glowing and encourage other entrepreneurs to benefit from the programme.
“In a space of years, the mentoring programme has groomed many entrepreneurs that have contributed to the development of the economy. Read more
HIV/AIDS no longer death sentence, says LSACA CEO (Punch)
The Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency, Dr Mosurat Adeleke, has said people diagnosed with HIV/AIDS can now heave a sigh of relief, saying that disease is no longer a death sentence.
Adeleke at the flag-off a statewide free HIV testing in Ikeja said early detection was key in treating the ailment.
She said, “We’ve collaborated with development partners, the private sector and we have decided to bring the flag off to Ipodo market in Ikeja because our target is to test as many people as possible. Our focus now is to end HIV by 2025, we want to eliminate new infections by 2030. We can only achieve this if everyone knows their status. We’ve reiterated several times that HIV is no longer a death sentence. If you know your status, you are entitled to free ART services.
“We decided to start the flag off at Ikeja LGA, because that is part of our targeted intervention. The intervention is to increase the awareness of the citizens to all the services that are available for HIV in the state.” Read more
FG MDAs bar unvaccinated visitors, Lagos to demand jab cards at parties (Punch)
Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha
Federal and Lagos State governments on Tuesday got tougher with the enforcement of their directives on compulsory COVID-19 vaccination.
The central government, which on December 1 disallowed unvaccinated civil servants from accessing their offices, on Tuesday barred visitors that were not vaccinated from government buildings in Abuja.
On its part, the Lagos State Government stated that all attendees of social events in the state must present their vaccination cards. Read more
We’ll continue to utilise Oyo’s resources for people’s benefit, says Makinde (Guardian)
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, yesterday, said that his administration would continue to judiciously utilise the resources of the state for the good of the people.
The governor, represented by the Head of Service, Alhaja Amidat Agboola, at the 2021 Public Service Forum, with the theme, “The Millennial Public Service: Springboard from Poverty to Prosperity”, held at the Theophilus Ogunlesi Hall, UCH, Ibadan, said that the welfare of the workers and pensioners were germane to his administration.
He said: “I feel highly delighted to be in your midst on the occasion of the year 2021 yearly public service forum. Let me join the Head of Service to welcome all civil/public servants to this year’s event, which should have been held last year but for the COVID-19 pandemic.
“As the current head of the leadership structure in Oyo State and with the resources of the entire state in our care, we made a pledge to judiciously use these resources for the good and benefit of the entire citizenry. This we have always done and we shall continue to do. Since the inception of this administration, I can boldly say that the welfare of the workers has been germane to us and we have never desisted in exhibiting this.” Read more
Zendaya wants to make a romance film that depicts a ‘simple love story about two black girls’ (People)
Zendaya wants to make a new kind of big-screen love story.
Speaking with her Euphoria costar Colman Domingo for Interview magazine, the 25-year-old Spider-Man: No Way Home actress explained the types of projects she wants to make in the future.
“You’ve been working since you were a kid, but you’re still a young woman. What are you looking forward to in your career? Is it expanding as a director? I know you’re producing now. Are you interested in that even more as well? What’s on the horizon?” asked Domingo, 52.
“All of that. I don’t necessarily have a plan. I’ve never really thought, ‘I have to do this by this time and I want to do this by that time.’ I just want to do the things that make me happy and bring me joy and fulfill me as an artist, as a person,” said the Emmy winner. Read more
Jason Momoa to Appear In Wonder Woman 3 as Aquaman with Atlantis at Stake (TheMix)
It seems as if DC Films and WarnerMedia might not know what a ‘solo film’ means anymore – or at the very least, choose to ignore it because they know where the box office is – as a new rumor claims that Wonder Woman 3 will feature more DCEU heroes than just Diana herself.
According to an alleged leak script obtained by That Hashtag Show, who stress that their scoop is subject to change and may be based on a previous version of the film’s current script, Jason Momoa will have a role to play in the threequel and so does Atlantis.
Apparently, both the undersea kingdom and Themyscira will be in the path of a new shared threat, which is alleged to be Arion, a former hero and demigod who has gone insane for an unknown reason.
During the film, Diana is supposedly warned about him and his psychotic break by Asteria, the ancestor and sister of the Amazons played by Lynda Carter in Wonder Woman 1984 and who initially wore the film’s signature gold winged armor. Read more
Trump’s former chief of staff risks criminal charges in Capitol riot probe (France24)
Donald Trump’s former chief of staff said Tuesday he was no longer willing to cooperate with the probe into January’s assault on the US Capitol, prompting investigators to threaten him with criminal prosecution.
Mark Meadows, who failed to appear before the congressional panel last month, is seen as a key witness to Trump’s role in efforts to overturn the election by undemocratic means.
Having initially snubbed a subpoena to testify before the House of Representatives committee, Meadows later reached an agreement on sharing information with lawmakers — before reversing course again.
“Now actions by the select committee have made such an appearance untenable,” Meadows’ attorney, George Terwilliger, said in a new letter to the committee circulated among US media. Read more
Chile legalizes same-sex marriage as major election draws near (Hill)
Chile’s government passed a law Tuesday to legalize same-sex marriage, a landmark decision in the historically-conservative and Catholic Latin American nation, according to multiple reports.
The South American country is headed for a major election in December and had been debating the legality of same-sex marriage for months, reports Reuters.
After Chile’s Congress passed the milestone law, Minister of Social Development Karla Rubilar said, “Today is a historic day, our country has approved same-sex marriage, one more step forward in terms of justice, in terms of equality, recognizing that love is love.”
Congress in both chambers overwhelmingly supported the measure by a wide majority, as Chile now joins 31 other countries in the legalization of same-sex marriage, according to The New York Times. Read more
Afghanistan: Girls’ despair as Taliban confirms secondary school ban (BBC)
Teenage schoolgirls in Afghanistan have told the BBC of their growing desperation as they continue to be excluded from school more than three months after the Taliban takeover.
“Not being able to study feels like a death penalty,” says 15-year-old Meena. She says that she and her friends feel lost and confused since the closure of their school in north-eastern Badakhshan province.
“We have nothing to do apart from housework… we are just frozen in one place,” says Laila, 16, whose school in Takhar province shut the day the Taliban seized power in August.
BBC interviews with students and headteachers in 13 provinces show girls’ frustration at still being barred from secondary school, despite assurances from the Taliban that they would be able to resume their studies “as soon as possible”. Read more
Russia reveals what Putin asked of Biden (RT)
In a “frank and businesslike” conversation Russian President Vladimir Putin asked his US counterpart Joe Biden for guarantees that NATO won’t expand further east or deploy offensive weapons to countries like Ukraine.
Moscow is “seriously interested” in obtaining “reliable and firm legal guarantees” excluding NATO’s further expansion eastward and deployment of “offensive strike weapons systems in countries adjacent to Russia,” the Kremlin said in a readout of Tuesday’s call between the two leaders.
Putin’s proposal came in response to Biden’s “concerns” about Russian troops allegedly threatening Ukraine and threats of US and allied sanctions against Russia, a subject that arose during the two-hour call. The Russian leader responded that it was NATO “making dangerous attempts to conquer Ukrainian territory” and “building up its military potential at our borders.”
When asked about this, Biden’s national security adviser Jake Sullivan said that the US has made “no such commitments or concessions.” Read more
Boris Johnson told to resign over Christmas party as damning video is leaked (Metro)
Boris Johnson has been told to resign after a video emerged appearing to show top Downing Street officials joking about a Christmas party they later denied occurred.
The Prime Minister was urged to stand down by the Westminster leader of the SNP, Ian Blackford, if claims made about the party turn out to be true – with the police now investigating.
Following a week of questions going largely unanswered, the allegations are gaining momentum after ITV published the new footage.
And the alleged incidents – said to have happened during lockdown or under Tier 3 restrictions last winter – are already being likened to Dominic Cummings’ infamous Barnard Castle trip, which infuriated the public earlier in the pandemic. Read more
All 120 partygoers who caught Omicron super-strain from one person at Norwegian Xmas work night out have mild symptoms (DailyMail)
None of the 100-plus partygoers who caught Omicron at a Norwegian Christmas party believed to be the world’s biggest coronavirus super-spreader event have fallen seriously unwell.
Doctors involved in tracing the outbreak say the infected are so far only suffering very mild symptoms like fevers, coughs, headaches and tiredness following the festive do on November 26.
Some 120 people who attended the Louise Restaurant and Bar in Oslo have tested positive for Covid, all of which are suspected to be Omicron but only 13 have been confirmed in a lab.
Seventy of the infected were employees of solar power company Scatec, who were celebrating their Christmas work night out, while the remaining 50 were other guests at the restaurant. The party was held in a closed room but guests reportedly mingled with other people in the restaurant after 10:30pm, when it turned into a nightclub. Read more
Thorbjorn Olesen says he ‘felt horrible’ after being accused of sexual assault (BBC)
Ryder Cup winner Thorbjorn Olesen says he was “embarrassed and felt horrible” after being accused of drunkenly sexually assaulting a woman on a British Airways flight in 2019.
Olesen has denied sexually assaulting a woman, assault by beating of a second woman and being drunk on an aircraft.
The Danish golfer, 31, gave evidence at Aldersgate House Nightingale Court in London on Tuesday.
He said he would never “consciously” risk his career by committing a crime. Read more
Ibadan agog for SSA Football Competition (Nation)
The sponsor of the annual Christmas/New Year SSA Football Competition, designed to engage youth representatives of the 11 Wards in Ibadan Northwest local government area of Oyo State, Hon. Segun Sheriff Adesina has announced December 12 to 20, 2021 as the date for this year’s edition.
The big event tagged: ‘Festival of Football’ will be held at the Federal Cooperative College Playing Ground, Eleyele, Ibadan, beginning from 1pm each day, according to a statement released by the organizer in Ibadan and made available to newsmen.
Adesina, who is popularly known as SSA, said the rationale behind the competition that began two years ago is to promote unity, peace and development of football in the local government area.
“The competition is also geared towards complementing the effort of our amiable, dynamic and visionary Governor, His Excellency, Engr. Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde in the areas of Sports Development and Youth Empowerment,” he said. Read more
Liverpool provide Luis Suarez second chance after Uruguayan was left in tears (Mirror)
Liverpool completed their perfect record in Group B of the Champions League on Tuesday night with a victory in Milan.
Goals from Mohamed Salah and Divock Origi sealed a comeback win for Jurgen Klopp’s side to ensure they made it six wins out of six in the group.
That victory was coupled with Atletico Madrid’s win over Porto in a bad-tempered encounter in northern Portugal, sending Diego Simeone’s side through in second place in the group.
It was a night which took in all the emotions for Atleti and particularly their striker Luis Suarez, who was crying on the bench after sustaining an early injury in the game. Read more
Australia joins US-led diplomatic boycott of Beijing Winter Olympics (France24)
Australia will not send officials to the upcoming winter Olympics in Beijing, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Wednesday, joining a US diplomatic boycott of the event.
Canberra’s decision comes amid “disagreement” with China over a slew of issues, from Australia’s foreign interference laws to a recent decision to acquire nuclear-powered submarines, Morrison said.
He also cited human rights abuses in the Xinjiang region and Beijing’s ongoing freeze on ministerial contact with Canberra.
“Australia will not step back from the strong position we’ve had standing up for Australia’s interests, and obviously it is of no surprise that we wouldn’t be sending Australian officials to those Games,” he said. Read more
Man City boss Pep Guardiola says Kyle Walker deserved to be sent off (DailyMail)
Pep Guardiola criticised Kyle Walker after the full-back was shown a potentially costly red card in Manchester City’s Champions League defeat at RB Leipzig.
The England defender was sent off for a needless hack at the legs of Leipzig goalscorer Andre Silva after 82 minutes of City’s 2-1 loss behind closed doors at the RB Arena.
With top spot in Group A already assured, City had little to play for in their final match of the first phase but the suspension that will now follow for Walker could have repercussions in the next round.
‘The red card hurts us, especially for the round of 16,’ City manager Guardiola said in an interview reported by uefa.com. Read more
Tyson Fury: WBC heavyweight champion to face Dillian Whyte in title defence (BBC)
Tyson Fury has been ordered to defend his heavyweight title against British rival Dillian Whyte.
The World Boxing Council has named Whyte as Fury’s mandatory challenger and the two parties have 30 days to agree a deal.
Fury retained his title with an 11th-round stoppage of Deontay Wilder in their third fight on 9 October.
Fury-Whyte is likely to take place in February or March next year, with Cardiff or Manchester potential venues. Read more
Real Madrid dispatch 10-man Inter to go through top of the group (France24)
Real Madrid will go through as group winners to the Champions League last 16 after Toni Kroos and Marco Asensio each scored in a 2-0 win over Inter Milan on Tuesday.
A comfortable victory at the Santiago Bernabeu, aided by Nicolo Barella’s red card in the 64th minute when Inter were one goal down, sends Madrid through top of Group D, five points ahead of the Italians, who advance as runners-up.
Inter had to win to claim first place but after weathering an early storm, Madrid were superior, Kroos’ goal putting them in control before Barella’s sending off and then a superb strike from Asensio made the result secure.
Madrid’s reward is they are guaranteed to avoid the likes of Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Manchester City when the draw for the knock-out stages is made on Monday, although Lionel Messi’s Paris Saint-Germain will be among those in the runners-up pot. Read more