PDP condemns protest against Ambode at Lagos Assembly (Nation)
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State has condemned the recent protest at the state House of Assembly, calling for the probe of former Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode. A statement by Mr Taofik Gani, Lagos PDP spokesperson on Thursday in Lagos, said that the protest lacked sincerity of purpose and obviously calculated at embarrassing the immediate past governor. Read more
Why Omoyele Sowore is still with us – DSS (Punch)
The Department of State Services has said the publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, was still in custody because his legal team had yet to serve it with a copy of the court order granting him bail. Spokesperson of the DSS, Dr. Peter Afunnaya said this in a telephone interview with our correspondent, in Abuja, on Thursday. Read more
DSS served with court order for Sowore’s release, Falana insists (Punch)
Omoyele Sowore’s lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), on Thursday debunked the claim by the Department of State Services that it had not been served with the court order directing the release of the activist from custody. Falana said Ayuba Adam of the Legal Department of the DSS received the court order on behalf of the agency on September 24, 2019 (Tuesday). Read more
Members’ posters for 2023 presidency, ploy to cause distractions, disharmony – APC (Nation)
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has distant itself from posters of its members contesting for 2023 presidency. The party says that such posters were posted by mischief makers and not from the party members. The National Publicity Secretary of APC, Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, who said this at a news conference in Abuja on Thursday, said that the party did not have any activity about 2023 elections than to focus on governance. Read more
Before you criticise Buhari, resign first from my govt, Umahi warns aides (Punch)
Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State, on Thursday, said he would sack any of his aides who insults President Muhammadu Buhari. Umahi was elected on the platform of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party. Umahi also warned that any of his appointees who insults any governor or downplays their achievements will have his or her appointment terminated. Read more
Why FG closed Nigeria’s borders — CG Customs (Guardian)
The closure of Nigeria’s borders by Federal Government was undertaken to strengthen the nation’s security and protect its economic interests, the Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), retired Col. Hameed Ali, has said. Speaking during a meeting with border stakeholders, comprising freight forwarders and security agencies on Thursday at Seme, Ali said that the closure was not intended to hurt anyone but to protect the nations interests. Read more
Minimum wage backlog may put FG in financial difficulty, Ngige warns (Punch)
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, has warned that delay in agreement for the full implementation of the new minimum wage of N30,000 may put the Federal Government and states in a difficult position to pay because of the backlog that will arise. Although the FG in August commenced payment for federal civil servants on levels one to six with the promise to pay arrears dating back to April 18 when President Muhammadu Buhari signed the bill into law, it had yet to reach an agreement with the organised labour on levels seven to 14. Read more
Legislative Agenda: Senate to focus on anti-corruption, education (Nation)
The Senate on Thursday resolved to focus its legislative agenda on mitigation of poverty, corruption and revamping of education, among other developmnent programmes. It also resolved to stimulate fiscal prudence, promotion of unity among Nigerians and housing as interventions for Nigerians. Read more
Kaduna Police rescue 300 chained persons from alleged Islamic centre (Punch)
The Police in Kaduna on Thursday raided a home, where they discovered 300 persons chained together in Rigasa, Igabi Local Government Area of the state. The policemen said they unchained the 300 people, including children. The Police said the victims were from Burkina Faso, Mali and other African countries. Read more
Tiv/Jukun leaders in Taraba agree to ceasefire (Nation)
The leaderships of the Tiv and Junkun waring factions in the Southern part of Taraba on Thursday, agreed to a ceasefire to allow the return of normalcy to the area. This was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of a two-day peace meeting held in Jalingo, Taraba, with representatives of the tribes, government officials and state security chiefs. Read more
ABU sacks 16 over sexual harassment, other offences (Punch)
Authorities of the Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, Kaduna State on Thursday fired 16 members of staff over offences involving sexual harassment, negligence of duty and corruption in the institution. It was gathered that the sacked staff members included lecturers from different department and faculties in the institution. Read more
ICPC recovers three ambulances, 500KVA Transformer from Senator Buruji Kashamu (Nation)
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Thursday said it has recovered three ambulances and a 500KVA Transformer which are Constituency Project items from Sen. Buruji Kashamu. The agency said the items were part of 2016 Constituency Projects meant to be distributed to Ogun East Senatorial District. Read more
Kidnappers abduct son of herdsman in Oyo, demand N1m ransom (Punch)
The Oyo State Police Command has rescued a three-year-old girl, Nimotallah Sulaimon, from a 39-year-old female suspected kidnapper. The suspect was paraded on Thursday in Ibadan at the police headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan. The police also arrested five suspected kidnappers who allegedly abducted the 17-year-old son of a herdsman, Shakiru Weti. Read more
Mugabe to be buried in home town after final twist in row (BBC)
The body of Robert Mugabe will be buried in his home town, following a final twist in a row over the former Zimbabwean leader’s resting place. Mugabe died this month aged 95 and a funeral was held in the capital Harare. The government had resisted his family’s wish for him to be buried in his home region of Zvimba, deciding that he should lay in Heroes Acre – a national monument and burial ground. Read more
Johnson defends language after criticism from MPs (BBC)
Boris Johnson has insisted he “deplores any threats to anybody, particularly female MPs”, after he described one MP’s safety concerns as “humbug”. The PM also said that “tempers need to come down” in Parliament. It follows a stormy debate, after MPs returned to Parliament following a Supreme Court decision that the suspension of Parliament was unlawful. Read more
Man tries to break into MP’s office after powerful speech slamming Boris (Metro)
A man has tried to break into the constituency office of Jess Phillips MP shouting ‘Fascist’. The Labour MP, who represents Birmingham Yardley, said a man has been arrested after trying to ‘kick the door’ of her constituency office while reportedly shouting that she was a fascist. Read more
US to send 200 troops, Patriot missiles to Saudi Arabia (Guardian)
The United States announced Thursday the deployment of 200 troops as well as Patriot missiles to Saudi Arabia to help the country’s defense in the wake of last month’s attacks on oil installations blamed on Iran. The Defense Department said the deployment would involve one battery of the surface-to-air missiles, along with four Sentinel radars used for air and missile defense systems. Read more
TV report left badly shaken after sex pest kisses her live on air (Metro)
A TV reporter has condemned a stranger who pretended to grope her backside then kissed her live on air. Sara Rivest recoiled at the man’s attempted embrace while reporting on a bourbon festival in Louisville, Kentucky, on Wednesday. She said ‘Ooohkay,’ then ‘That was not appropriate, let’s go to the story,’ as she regained her composure live on TV station WAVE. Read more
Baby took heroin and overdosed ‘after parents got high and passed out’ (Metro)
An 11 month-old baby took heroin and suffered an overdose after his parents got high on the drug and passed out, police say. The youngster required three doses of anti-overdose medication Narcan to revive him after unwittingly ingesting the heroin on Wednesday night. He was rushed to hospital afterwards, where he continues to receive treatment. Read more
Police officer unable to recognise wife after ‘heinous’ hit-and-run (Metro)
A police officer who knocked down in a hit-and-run while trying to stop a Mini yesterday has been named. Christopher Burnham, 48, suffered a fractured skull, a brain haemorrhage and a shattered knee at about 2.45pm yesterday in Radford, Coventry. He faces a ‘long road to recovery’ and was so badly injured he has been unable to recognise his own wife or help detectives hunt the driver, according to colleagues. Read more
Naga Munchetty ruling explained further by BBC as backlash grows (Metro)
The BBC has released a statement further explaining the decision to uphold a complaint against Naga Munchetty ‘breaking broadcast guidelines’ for discussing a racist comment from Donald Trump. Naga criticised Trump’s message that four Democratic women opposing him should ‘go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came’, speaking about her own experiences of racism in the process. Read more
Japan Airlines seat map helps avoid screaming babies (BBC)
Japan Airlines has introduced a feature on its seat booking system that shows where young children are seated. A “child” icon appears when a passenger is travelling with children aged under two years. One traveller said the feature let him know where babies “plan to scream… during a 13-hour trip”. Read more
Bus driver involved in fatal collision with schoolgirl had no licence (Metro)
A bus driver involved in an accidental collision which caused the death of a 15-year-old schoolgirl had no valid licence or insurance at the time of the crash, a court heard. Michael John Parker, 62, was behind the wheel of the double-decker which hit Sian Ellis outside King Edward VII College in Coalville, where she was a student. Read more
Lifeguard drowned trying to swim across reservoir for £20 bet (Metro)
A lifeguard drowned in a reservoir after taking on a ‘stupid’ £20 bet after drinking, an inquest heard. Wesley Wood, 36, challenged a friend to a race on a hot day in June last year. An inquest heard he turned to Darren Speirs and said: ‘I bet you £20 I can swim across faster than you.’ Read more
WAFU Cup: CHAN Eagles arrive Dakar (Punch)
Nigeria’s home-based senior players arrived in Dakar on Thursday for the second edition of the WAFU Cup of Nations which begins in the Senegalese city of Thies on Saturday. Director of Communications, Nigeria Football Federation, Ademola Olajire, disclosed in a statement on Thursday that the team of 21 players and six officials left Abuja for Abidjan. “The team then connected the Senegalese capital from there,” he said. Read more
Billy Gilmour reveals advice from Ross Barkley and Frank Lampard following Chelsea’s win over Grimsby (Metro)
Billy Gilmour has lifted the lid on the advice he received from Ross Barkley and Frank Lampard following Chelsea’s 7-1 victory over Grimsby. Goals from Barkley, Michy Batshuayi (x2), Pedro, Kurt Zouma, Reece James and Callum Hudson-Odoi sent Chelsea into the Carabao Cup fourth round in convincing fashion. Read more
FIFA sending delegation to ensure Iran allows women fans into match (Punch)
FIFA will send a delegation to Tehran to make sure women fans are admitted to the World Cup qualifying match between Iran and Cambodia on October 10. Former French World Cup winner Youri Djorkaeff told AFP on Thursday that he would be part of the delegation. “Iran is a hot topic and I am organising myself to be there on October 10,” Djorkaeff said. Read more
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer explains why he chose Axel Tuanzebe as captain vs Rochdale (Metro)
Ole Gunnar-Solskjaer made several changes for Manchester United’s narrow Carabao Cup win on penalties over Rochdale but the biggest piece of team news was his captain choice. Despite Paul Pogba returning to the starting XI and other experienced stars such as Sergio Romero, Phil Jones and Jesse Lingard all taking to the pitch, young Axel Tuanzebe was given the nod to lead out the club. Read more
La Liga: Sloppy Sevilla surrender two-goal lead away at Eibar (Punch)
Sevilla threw away a two-goal lead and with it the chance to go second in La Liga as they lost 3-2 to Eibar on Thursday. Julen Lopetegui’s side could have climbed above Atletico Madrid but instead slipped to their second consecutive defeat after conceding three times in 16 minutes at Ipurua. Read more
Michael Owen makes prediction for Manchester United’s Premier League showdown with Arsenal (Metro)
Michael Owen has predicted that Arsenal and Manchester United will share the spoils when Unai Emery’s side travel to Old Trafford on Monday evening. Both clubs have had frustrating starts to the season in the Premier League, but Arsenal will be encouraged after their 5-0 thumping of Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup in midweek. Read more
FIFA agrees limits to player loans, agent commissions (Punch)
FIFA has agreed steps that will limit the number of players clubs can send out on loan from next season and will also limit the amount of money paid to agents in commissions, world football’s governing body announced on Wednesday. In a statement, FIFA said it had taken “a series of key steps to protect the integrity of the system and prevent abuses” following a meeting of its Stakeholders Committee. Read more
Russian Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton ‘not favourite’ for remaining six races (BBC)
Championship leader Lewis Hamilton says he will not be favourite for any of the six remaining races this season. The Mercedes driver has a 65-point lead in the championship. But Ferrari have won the past three races – and Charles Leclerc has scored the most points in the past five. Read more
Russian Grand Prix: Charles Leclerc regrets Singapore outburst (BBC)
Charles Leclerc says he regrets what he believes was an over-reaction when he questioned Ferrari’s team strategy at the Singapore Grand Prix. Leclerc had led but was passed by team-mate – and eventual winner – Sebastian Vettel during the pit-stop period when the team gave the German priority. At the time, the Monegasque said on the team radio: “What the hell?” Read more
Operation Puerto: Spanish legal system ‘thwarted’ anti-doping investigation (BBC)
The “slow-paced Spanish legal system” has stopped anti-doping chiefs taking action against 11 drug cheats connected to a major blood-doping ring. The World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) was testing samples from athletes linked to Operation Puerto, which began in 2006. Read more