Police officer crushes 1 to death, injures 3 others in Ogun (Vanguard)
A Senior Secondary School student of Mayigi Community High School, Ilase in Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State, Miss Adeleye Eniola was on Thursday crushed to death by a police officer attached to Ilaro Divisional headquarters, in Yewa South local government area of the State, simply identified as Freedom.
The incident was also said to have left three other students injured.
Reacting to the development, a youth group, under the aegis of ‘Ipokia Local Government Youth Forum’, alleged that the police officer hit the girl while pursuing a motorist who refused to give him money at a checkpoint. Read more
Over 50 bandits killed in Taraba – Police (Channels)
No fewer than 50 suspected bandits terrorising communities across the Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State in what is a breakthrough in the fight against banditry.
While the feat was achieved on Tuesday in the North-East state, the spokesman of the Taraba State Police Command Abdullahi Usman told Channels Television on Thursday that the bandits were killed by police operatives in collaboration with other security agencies.
He said the coordinated operation followed an outcry by locals which led to the ambush and killing of the bandits. Read more
Ondo Deputy Gov presides over executive council meeting (DailyTrust)
The deputy governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Thursday presided over the State Executive Council (SEC) following the resolve of the state assembly to maintain status quo that will keep him on as deputy to the ailing governor, Rotimi Akeredolu.
Following the meeting, the state cabinet was said to have resolved to allow “peace reign” following the political impasse in the state.
This was part of the decision reached after the over three hours meeting of the state executive meeting held on Thursday, at the Governor’s Office in Akure. Read more
Nigeria scales EITI assessment, scores 72 points (Guardian)
Nigeria has successfully completed the final global assessment of Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), securing an overall score of 72 points out of 100.
Chaired by former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark, the International Board of EITI disclosed the results after an 11-month evaluation.
The assessment highlighted Nigeria’s excellence in three crucial areas: outcomes and impacts (92 points), implementing transparency-driven reforms (71.5 points) and stakeholders’ engagement (52.5 points). Read more
Controversy over Lagos ownership will soon end — Erelu Dosunmu (Vanguard)
The Erelu Kuti IV of Lagos, Abiola Dosunmu has said that the controversy over ownership of Lagos will soon be put to rest with her new initiative.
Dosunmu, who is also the Erelu Yeye Oodua, stated this at a briefing on the inauguration of Erelu Yeye Oodua Cultural Renaissance Centre. The event will be held on December 3 in Lagos.
She said one of the reasons her foundation instituted the new centre was to address such controversy relating to history, culture, arts, lifestyle and other issues about Africans. Read more
Immigration opens Igbogbo passport office today (Punch)
The Nigerian Immigration Service will open a Passport Front Office in the Igbogbo-Baiyeku Local Council Development Area of Ikorodu, Lagos State, today (Friday).
The Igbogbo Passport Office will decongest the Ikoyi Passport Office and reduce the processing and waiting time for passport applications.
Speaking with The PUNCH in a telephone interview on Thursday, the Passport Control Officer, Nigerian Immigration Service, Igbogbo Passport Officer, Ikorodu, Deputy Comptroller Muyiwa Odunubi, said the new passport front office, which would be unveiled around 12.30 pm today, is situated on Owolabi Sodara Street, Bola Ahmed Tinubu Way, Igbogbo. Read more
Improved power supply underway, says Adelabu (Nation)
Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu yesterday said the objective of making the 2023 Electricity Act is for improved energy supply. He vowed that the citizenry will soon record improved power supply nationwide.
He spoke at the 3rd Workshop of the Power Correspondent Association of Nigeria (PICAN) in Abuja.
The theme of the workshop was: “Resolving Nigeria’s Power Crisis: The Implication of the Electricity Act 2023.” Read more
Muhammad, Shekarau urge government to leverage Islamic finance (Guardian)
President, African Islamic Economic Foundation, Baba Yunus Muhammad, has urged Federal Government to leverage Islamic finance to build a sustainable healthcare in the country.
Speaking at a one-day international summit on Islamic financing as an alternative funding source for primary healthcare in Nigeria, organised by Islamic Economic Foundation and Duke Consult, with the support of Development Research and Projects Centre (DRPC), yesterday in Abuja, Muhammad stressed the need to pay attention to healthcare in Nigeria, and called on government to explore sources of financing healthcare in Nigeria to ensure healthcare affordability and accessibility.
He noted that digital technology and Islamic Finance could play key role in revolutionising healthcare and has the power to bring healthcare services to those who need it most, bridge the gap between healthcare providers and patients, allowing for timely intervention and improved outcomes. Read more
Warner Bros offer first glimpse at Anya Taylor-Joy in Mad Max prequel (Standard)
Anya Taylor-Joy stars alongside Chris Hemsworth in the first look of the much-anticipated Mad Max prequel.
The film, titled “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga”, will see Taylor-Joy in the title role exploring the backstory of a character previously played by Oscar-winner Charlize Theron in the acclaimed 2015 blockbuster Mad Max: Fury Road.
Academy Award-winner George Miller’s eagerly-awaited follow-up tells the story of a young Furiosa (Taylor-Joy) who has been kidnapped from the Green Place of Many Mothers by the warlord Dementus – played by Hemsworth. Read more
Rescue operation for 15 lions in war-torn Sudan (AfricaNews)
Hungry, vulnerable and scarred by more than seven months of relentless conflict in Sudan, 15 lions were evacuated from the outskirts of the capital to the east of the country by the Four Paws organization, during an ultra-sensitive mission in a war zone.
Lions, hyenas, wildcats, birds: in all, “nearly 50 animals” were evacuated last week by Four Paws from a reserve near Khartoum managed by the Sudan Animal Rescue Center, the Austrian association said in a press release.
An hour’s drive south-east of Khartoum, the Al-Baguir reserve is “near a military base that is fighting”, Osman Salih, founder of the Sudan Animal Rescue Center, told AFP. Read more
Gambian sentenced in Germany over editor’s murder (BBC)
A court in Germany has sentenced a Gambian man to life in prison for his role in a paramilitary unit that killed opponents of former ruler Yahya Jammeh.
Bai Lowe, 47, was a driver for the unit known as “the Junglers”, and was convicted of crimes against humanity, murder and attempted murder.
Among the crimes he was linked to was the killing of newspaper editor Deyda Hydara in his car in 2004.
The unit was widely seen as a death squad targeting opponents of Mr Jammeh. Read more
Tom Holland says he only wants to play Spider-Man again if it does “justice to the character” (THR)
Tom Holland said he “would be a fool” not to play Spider-Man again but admitted he would only do it if the storyline does “justice to the character.”
The actor opened up to Collider at a recent press conference with the Critics Choice Association about potentially returning for a fourth installment in the beloved Marvel franchise, especially after the 2021 blockbuster hit Spider-Man: No Way Home.
“All I can say is that we have been actively engaging in conversations about what it could potentially look like for a fourth rendition of my character,” Holland explained. “Whether or not we can find a way to do justice to the character is another thing.” Read more
Taylor Swift leaves Travis Kelce behind to see Beyoncé concert film in London (Fox)
Beyoncé was front and center to support Taylor Swift at opening night of “The Eras Tour” film premiere in October, and Swift returned the favor for Queen Bey Thursday night in London.
Swift sparkled, wearing a shimmering silver Balmain gown as she walked the red carpet at the “Renaissance: A Film By Beyoncé” movie premiere just days after wrapping the first leg of her world tour.
Taylor had only a day or two to reunite with her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, before jetting off to England to catch the British debut of Beyoncé’s film. Read more
American Symphony: Jon Batiste on filming private anguish behind his musical success (BBC)
Grammy-winning musician Jon Batiste has said making a documentary with his wife at the height of his career was an “act of faith”, as the recurrence of her life-threatening cancer meant they had no idea how their story would end.
American Symphony follows Batiste enjoying top honours at 2022’s Grammy Awards, while writer and artist Suleika Jaouad was receiving treatment for leukaemia.
She was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia in 2011, and 10 years later she wrote Between Two Kingdoms: A Memoir of a Life Interrupted, a best-selling book on her experience and recovery. Read more
Russia’s top court bans international LGBTQ movement (CNN)
Russia’s Supreme Court has declared what it called the “international LGBTQ movement” an extremist organization and banned all activities associated with it in the country.
The landmark ruling on Thursday is set to further erode the rights of Russia’s LGBTQ community, who have faced an intensifying crackdown in recent years, as President Vladimir Putin seeks to shore up his image as defender of traditional moral values against the liberal West.
Russia’s highest court found in favour of a motion filed by the Ministry of Justice which claimed the LGBTQ community risked “inciting social and religious discord”, in violation of Russia’s Law on Countering Extremism, according to a statement from the UN condemning the decision. Read more
NPFL: Finidi laments Enyimba loss (Punch)
Enyimba coach, Finidi George, has rued his side’s 1-0 home loss to Remo Stars in Wednesday’s Nigeria Premier Football League rescheduled matchday five encounters in Aba insisting that his team deserves more from the encounter.
The reigning champions slumped to a disappointing 1-0 loss to Daniel Ogunmodede’s side after Samad Kadiri’s thumping header secured a memorable win for the Sky Blues.
Enyimba created several chances in the game but was kept at bay by Remo Stars goalkeeper Kayode Bankole. Read more
VAR will be used in NPFL before end of my tenure — Gusau (Tribune)
President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Musa Gusau, said the Video Assistant Referees (VAR) will be introduced into the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) before the end of his tenure in 2026.
Gusau stated this at the maiden retreat for board members of the NPFL which was held on Wednesday in Abuja.
He said the NFF will leave no stone unturned to see that Nigeria referees benefit from the VAR training which will be organised by the West Africa Football Union (WAFU) in January 2024. Read more
Aston Villa: 4 police officers injured after clashes with Legia Warsaw fans at Villa Park (Sky)
Police say 39 arrests were made and four officers were injured during “disgusting” clashes with Legia Warsaw fans on Thursday night.
Missiles were thrown at police as Legaa fans were held in a coach park near Villa Park ahead of their side’s game against Aston Villa, which the hosts won 2-1.
The match did start on time but no Legia fans were allowed into the stadium ahead of kick-off. Legia accused Villa of reneging on their agreement regarding the away ticket allocation, but Villa said the decision was made over safety concerns. Read more
Germany hosts Euro 2024 draw as contenders to learn fate (France24)
The draw for Euro 2024 takes place in the port city of Hamburg on Saturday when France, England and the other leading contenders will learn the path to potential continental glory that awaits them next summer.
The Elbe Philharmonic Hall, overlooking the river which runs through Germany’s second-largest city, will be the venue for the draw, just over six months before the start of the tournament which runs from June 14 to July 14.
Not everyone’s minds will be on next year’s finals just yet as the draw takes place in a city plunged into sub-zero winter temperatures and with top-flight club football the centre of attention across the continent. Read more
Tiger Woods fades late to shoot 75 in 1st round of Hero World Challenge (StraitsTimes)
Tiger Woods struggled late to fire a three-over par 75 on Thursday in the opening round of the Hero World Challenge, his first competitive round since the Masters last April.
The 15-time major winner followed birdies with bogeys three times in the first 12 holes at Albany Golf Club in the Bahamas before closing with a double bogey at No. 15, bogeys at Nos. 16 and 17 and a par at the 18th hole.
“I made a lot of shots. I don’t think I got a lot out of it,” Woods said. “I was rusty, I didn’t have my feels and conditions were tough early. Read more
NFL suspends credentials of videographer who was involved in backflip celebration with Miami Dolphins’ Tyreek Hill (CNN)
The NFL suspended the credentials of a videographer who was involved with an on-field touchdown celebration by Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill – and in response, Hill said he will pay the videographer’s salary.
The incident took place during the Dolphins’ October 15 win against the Carolina Panthers. After scoring a touchdown, Hill grabbed a camera from University of Miami student Kevin Fitzgibbons on the field sidelines and performed a backflip selfie.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Fitzgibbons said he shared a friendship with Hill, describing him as “one of my best friends.” Fitzgibbons said Hill noticed him standing in the sidelines after scoring the touchdown and “surprised me by grabbing my phone and doing a backflip.” Read more
