Police inspector faces trial for brutalising Punch photojournalist (Guardian)
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu, has ordered immediate detention and orderly room trial of one Inspector Adadu Innocent attached to PMF 22 Ikeja, for hitting and injuring Kayode Jaiyeola, a photojournalist with Punch Newspaper at Maryland, Lagos on Thursday, October 1, 2020 around 11.10am.
The police chief, who was monitoring the deployment and operational activities of officers and men of the command for the enforcement of the order against unlawful gathering and protest by some unpatriotic individuals, raced to the scene and personally moved the injured journalist to a police hospital at Area F, GRA, Ikeja, where the injured journalist was given immediate treatment. Read more
11-year-old raped to death in Lagos (Nation)
An 11-year- girl, Favour Okechukwu, was on Thursday raped to death.
The incident occurred at No 4 Olarenwaju street, Ejigbo, Lagos State around 3:00 to 4:00 am on Thursday.
Sources at Ejigbo Police station where the incident was reported confirmed the arrest of five suspects over the matter.
President, International Child Initiative and Women Development Foundation (ICI-WODEF), Mrs. Helen Ibeji told The Nation that the girl came back from school on Wednesday. Read more
2023: Lagos ex-commissioner, Abdullateef, resigns from APC (Punch)
A former Commissioner for Home Affairs in Lagos State, Dr AbdulHakeem AbdulLateef, has resigned his membership of the All Progressives Congress.
In his Independence Day message, AbdulLateef said his decision to resign was due to the rejection of his movement and governorship ambition by some “close leaders” he respected in the party.
The one-time lawmaker launched “Iyepe 2023” on Tuesday, a movement to galvanise Lagosians to develop more interest in politics and curb voter’s apathy. Read more
Ikeja electric suspends new electricity tariff (Guardian)
Ikeja Electric on Thursday said it has suspended the new electricity tariff for the next two weeks in compliance with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) directive.
“Dear Esteemed customers, this is to inform you that we have fully complied with the Order from the NERC to suspend the new Service Reflective Tariff (SRT) for the next two weeks,” Ikeja Electric said in its statement.
“Within this period, the tariffs for all customers shall be based on rates applicable as at 31 August 2020,” it added. Read more
Buhari presides over low-key independence parade at Eagle Square (Thisday)
President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday in Abuja presided over Nigeria’s 60th Independence celebration with Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo; former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon; former President Goodluck Jonathan and other personalities in attendance.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the low-key event, which took place at the Eagle Square, Abuja, was held strictly in compliance with the COVID-19 protocols.
Mr Buhari, who appeared in white traditional attires of Babbar Riga with a white cap, was accompanied by his wife, Aisha.
The president inspected the quarter guards before marching to the State Box to receive national salute. Read more
Gov Ishaku cautions Taraba communities against using arms to settle dispute (Vanguard)
Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba state has issued a stern warning to communities in the state against using firearms to resolve disputes.
The governor spoke while receiving the report of a Commission of Inquiry the state government constituted into the Shomo/Jole feud.
The Shomo and Jole tribes in Lau local government area of the state have over the years been embroiled in bloody conflicts, over the ownership of a fish pond. Read more
Nigeria at 60: NCWS wants govt to sign 35% affirmative action into law (Guardian)
The National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) has called on the Federal Government to sign into law the 35 per cent affirmative action, where women representation in power and decision making will be enhanced as Nigeria marks 60 years of independence.
The President of NCWS, Mrs Laraba Shoda, made the call in her independence message to Nigerians to commemorate the country’s diamond jubilee celebrations.
Shoda said the signing of the affirmative action into law would be the best gift from the government to Nigerian women.
She recalled that 25 years after the 1995 Beijing women conference, Nigerian women have continued to struggle for space in all spheres of life. Read more
US Felicitates with Nigeria at 60 (Thisday)
The United States Government has congratulated Nigeria on the 60th anniversary of her independence.
The US Secretary of State, Mr. Michael Pompeo, in a statement issued Thursday, said Nigeria is an important leader in West Africa and across the entire continent.
He stated: “The United States will continue to support the Nigerian people as you seek to collaborate with your neighbours to expand regional peace and security and counter violent extremists.
“Our countries share important democratic values and a similar entrepreneurial spirit, and we congratulate the Nigerian people for your commitment to tackling corruption, strengthening democratic institutions, and leveraging Nigerian entrepreneurship to promote economic recovery. Even now, the people-to-people partnerships between our two nations are helping Nigeria combat the threat posed by COVID-19.” Read more
North Korea conducts handwriting tests to find anti-government graffiti writer (NYPost)
The writing’s on the wall in the Hermit Kingdom.
North Korean officials are going house to house to find a vandal who scrawled anti-government graffiti on a public wall — forcing residents to undergo a handwriting test to prove their innocence, according to a report.
The aggressive hunt was sparked after the slogan “Down with party officials, who live well by exploiting the people” was scrawled on a fence around Unsan county marketplace, north of the capital Pyongyang.
“The local security department is in an uproar,” a resident of South Pyongan told Radio Free Asia (RFA). Read more
Winter is coming: Small businesses brace for cold and COVID (Aljazeera)
Karyn Kuhl loves strumming her guitar and belting out the Beatles’ Yellow Submarine to an audience of excited toddlers. Kuhl, a professional musician and the owner of Little Rock n’ Rollers, teaches weekly children’s music classes in New Jersey. But her business, and her income, fell by roughly half earlier this year as the lockdown kept her young students at home and the pandemic’s economic fallout closed the music store where she held classes.
But the arrival of warmer weather gave her the option to hold classes outside – helping to revive her businesses.
Throughout the summer and early fall, Kuhl’s kids and their grown-up caregivers socially distanced themselves on picnic blankets, sang, danced and signed up for more of her classes. But Kuhl wonders what will happen when colder temperatures inevitably drive those families back indoors – and her income back down. Read more
Google says it will pay news publishers $1bn over the next 3 years (NYPost)
Google will pay $1 billion over the next three years to global news publishers that it licenses content from.
It is a milestone moment for Google, which has for years been accused of taking advantage of publisher content while simultaneously siphoning off their ad revenue.
The new product, dubbed Google News Showcase, will roll out in Germany and Brazil, where it has signed up major newspapers, and will later extend to countries including India, Britain, Australia and Canada.
“This financial commitment – our biggest to date – will pay publishers to create and curate high-quality content for a different kind of online news experience,” Google CEO Sundar Pichai said in a blog post. Read more
US bans palm oil imports from Malaysian producer FGV (Aljazeera)
The United States has banned imports of palm oil from Malaysian company FGV Holdings following an investigation into allegations it uses forced labour, the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency said.
FGV, one of the world’s largest crude palm oil producers, and some other suppliers of the oil used in everything from food and cosmetics to biodiesel have long faced allegations from rights groups over labour and human rights abuses.
In response, FGV said “it is fully committed to respecting human rights and to upholding labour standards”. Read more
Chrissy Teigen and John Legend speak of ‘deep pain’ of losing baby (BBC)
Chrissy Teigen and husband John Legend have said they are in “deep pain” after losing their baby during pregnancy.
“We are shocked and in the kind of deep pain you only hear about, the kind of pain we’ve never felt before,” she wrote in a moving Instagram statement.
Her post was accompanied by several black and white photos, including one of her crying in her hospital bed.
Model Teigen and singer Legend have two children, and in mid-August revealed they were expecting a third.
In her latest post, Teigen revealed the Los Angeles-based couple had been planning to call the baby Jack.Read more
Chadwick Boseman’s final role pictured in first look at Netflix’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (Metro)
Pictures of Chadwick Boseman’s final role have been revealed, ahead of the release of Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. The adaptation of August Wilson’s 1982 play sees Viola Davis play ‘Mother of the Blues’ Ma Rainey in a fateful recording session, set against the backdrop racial tensions in Chicago in 1927. The film marks the last movie appearance of Boseman, who died aged 43 last month after a four-year battle with colon cancer. Netflix has released pictures from the drama ahead of Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’s release in December, and Boseman takes centre stage in the role of musician Levee. Read more
Harry and Meghan call to end ‘structural racism’ (BBC)
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have called for the end of “structural racism” in a piece written for a newspaper for Black History Month.
Prince Harry and Meghan said there had been changes in the UK in the past 30 years but “sufficient progress had not been achieved”.
They were writing in the London Evening Standard as they highlighted leaders in the UK’s black community.
The couple recently urged voters in the US election to “reject hate”. Read more
Hoffenheim defender Akpoguma switches to Nigeria (Nation)
Hoffenheim defender Kevin Akpoguma has confirmed he has switched his allegiance to the Nigeria national team, saying he is ready to play for the Super Eagles.
The centre-back was born to a German mother and a Nigerian father and has represented the Germany U16, U17, U18, U19, U20 and U20 teams, featuring in more than 60 games.
Akpoguma is, however, still eligible to play for the Super Eagles since he has not represented the European country at senior level.
The centre-back has been with Bundesliga side Hoffenheim since 2015 and made 18 league appearances for the Kraichgauer last season, helping them to finish sixth in the campaign.
The 25-year-old defender is excitedly looking forward to the new challenge with the three-time African champions. Read more
NPFL: What Ogunbote’s return means for Sunshine Stars (Vanguard)
It is seven years and 11 months since Gbenga Ogunbote departed Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side Sunshine Stars for supposed greener pastures – a search that has led him back to the Akure based club for a second stint as the head coach.
Reports of Ogunbote’s imminent return had been circulating the rumour mills for weeks until Sunshine Stars confirmed the news last week.
Following his departure from Sunshine Stars, Ogunbote had worked with Sharks FC, Shooting Stars, Giwa FC, Enyimba FC, Enugu Rangers, and recently led Lobi Stars to a fourth-place finish in the abruptly ended 2019-20 NPFL season. Read more
French Open 2020: Novak Djokovic reaches third round with ruthless win (BBC)
Novak Djokovic continued his dominant start to the French Open with a ruthless straight-set win against Lithuanian world number 66 Ricardas Berankis in the second round.
The world number one won 6-1 6-2 6-2, meaning he has lost just 10 games in his first two matches.
Djokovic, 33, is one of the favourites to win the tournament and put together an almost flawless performance to triumph in one hour and 23 minutes.
“I felt really good,” Djokovic said.
“I hope I can carry on like this.” Read more
Lakers barely needed LeBron James in Game 1 blowout of Heat (NYPost)
LeBron James made his 10th Finals appearance Wednesday in his 50th game in the championship round.
It stands to reason James might be on this stage surrounded by the strongest cast he’s ever had. The reason? James might not even be the best player on the Lakers.
The Lakers, after a slow start in which they fell behind by 13, punished the Heat with a devastating inside-out performance in a 116-98 win in Game 1. James’ partner Anthony Davis racked up 34 points, nine rebounds, five assists and three blocks in 38 minutes in the fan-less Orlando bubble. Read more
Uncapped trio Calvert-Lewin, Saka and Barnes in England squad (BBC)
Calvert-Lewin is in his first England squad after being selected for this month’s matches against Wales, Belgium and Denmark.
Leicester’s Harvey Barnes and Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka also get first call-ups.
Mason Greenwood and Phil Foden, who were sent home from Iceland last month after breaching coronavirus quarantine guidelines, have been left out.
But Harry Maguire, who was withdrawn from that squad while he faced a court case in Greece, is in the 30-man squad. Read more
AC Milan sign Norwegian striker Hauge (Punch)
Norwegian forward Jens Petter Hauge on Thursday signed a five-year contract with AC Milan, a week after scoring a goal against the Italian club in the Europa League.
The 20-year-old scored FK Bodo/Glimt’s second goal in a 3-2 third qualifying round defeat by Milan at the San Siro.
“AC Milan is delighted to announce the signing of Jens Petter Hauge from FK Bodo/Glimt on a permanent deal,” the club said. Read more
PSG coach Tuchel anxious for signings before transfer window closes (Guardian)
Paris Saint-Germain coach Thomas Tuchel claims his side cannot be expected to go on another run to the Champions League final unless new signings are made before Monday’s transfer deadline.
“We will do everything we possibly can and we will never accept excuses but we have to face up to the reality and that is that we have lost players,” Tuchel told reporters ahead of PSG’s Ligue 1 meeting with Angers on Friday.
PSG won every domestic trophy available in France last season before going on to reach the Champions League final for the first time, losing narrowly to Bayern Munich in Lisbon in August. Read more