Protest: Police take over 3rd Mainland Bridge, issue warning to NANS (Vanguard)
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has been warned by the Nigerian Police Force to steer clear of the third mainland bridge.
The police in the state on Wednesday deployed massive policemen around the bridge.
The spokesperson of the state police command Benjamin Hundeyin confirmed the deployment in a tweet posted on his verified Twitter handle.
Recall the students had some days ago grounded the activities at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja by protesting against the continued strike, embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities. Read more
ASUU rules out returning to classes through court order (Guardian)
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), yesterday, dropped a hint that lecturers cannot be compelled to return to classes in the event of an order by the National Industrial Court of Arbitration.
ASUU National President, Emmanuel Osodeke, made this known during a parley with Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Osodeke, accompanied by ASUU executives, likened the scenario to a court order to force a medical doctor to treat a patient.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the conduct of the Mallam Adamu Adamu-led Ministry of Education, he described the seven-month strike as symptomatic of the level of decay in the university system.
Claiming the ministry never called on ASUU for a meeting to explore avenues to end the strike, he said all his members got in return was a provocative no-work-no-pay policy. Read more
NANS rejects ruling against ASUU, says lecturers can’t be forced back to work (DailyTrust)
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has rejected an Industrial Court judgement which ordered Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) to suspend its ongoing strike immediately.
The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) in Abuja had ordered ASUU to immediately suspend the ongoing industrial action.
Justice Polycarp Hamman on Wednesday held that the strike was a breach of the Section 18(1)(2) of the Trade Disputes Act, which prohibits their action.
Reacting, the National Public Relations Officer of NANS, Giwa Yisa Temitope, described the ruling as a “black market judgment.” Read more
Why court ordered ASUU to call off strike action (Vanguard)
ABUJA–The National Industrial Court, NIC, sitting in Abuja, on Wednesday, ordered the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, to call off its over seven-month old strike action.
The court made the order in a ruling that was delivered by Justice Polycarp Hamman.
The ruling followed an application the Federal Government filed for an interlocutory order to compel ASUU which embarked on strike action since February 14, to return to the classroom.
FG’s lawyer, Mr. James Igwe had prayed the court to order the striking varsity lecturers to in the interim, return to work, pending the determination of the substantive suit before the court.
He maintained that the matter was not only urgent, but of a great national interest as millions of students have been at home for over seven months.
“Sections 47 of the Trade Dispute Act, TDA, gives your lordship the power to direct that no worker should continue to embark on strike pending when the applications are heard and determined”, Igwe argued. Read more
Wike/Atiku Face-off: Wabara justifies dissent group (Independent)
The Acting Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Board of Trustees (BOT), Senator Adolphus Wabara has declared that the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike and other members of the party that are aggrieved over the fallout of the presidential primaries of the PDP have good reasons to be aggrieved.
Wabara was in Benue state to discuss with Governor Samuel Ortom and possibly find solutions to the lingering crisis that erupted between the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar and Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State shortly after the emergence of Atiku as the presidential flag bearer of the PDP.
He however noted that the party’s BOT would liase with the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom who would create a conducive environment for the BOT to meet with the aggrieved parties.
Wabara, a former Senate President who is also the head of the reconciliatory team disclosed this in a chat with newsmen shortly after commissioning the 27-bedroom Aper Aku Lodge in Makurdi on Wednesday. Read more
Senate formally confirms Justice Kayode Ariwoola as CJN (Tribune)
The Senate on Wednesday formally confirmed Justice Olukayode Ariwoola as the Chief Justice of Nigeria.
At the resumption of plenary on Wednesday, Senate Minority Leader, Senator Ibrahim Gobir, moved two motions for the upper chamber to screen Ariwoola.
His motions were approved by the legislators when they were put to a voice vote by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan.
Lawan called for the screening exercise to be moved forward from where it was listed on the order paper. Read more
Rotary Club installs 12th president (Punch)
The Rotary Club of Abule-Egba metropolitan district 9110, Lagos has installed Ebenezer Adesola as the 12th imaginative president.
A statement said during the installation ceremony in Lagos which was attended by dignitaries from different sectors, Adesola, said it was normal for members of the district to expect more from him because his predecessors had raised the standard while in office.
“So I believe I should be able to do more than what they have done; I see this opportunity as a challenge and I am up to the task by the grace of God.”
He explained further that the club operated on a budget of N15m in 2021 and was already working on a budget of N20m. Read more
Sanwo-Olu’s wife tasks women on nation-building
(Tribune)
Wife of Lagos State Governor, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has urged Nigerian women to assume a rightful position in nation-building, describing them as pillars in the home and community and as such possessed greater influence in achieving the set-goal.
Dr Sanwo-Olu made the call while speaking at the maiden empowerment summit themed: “Women, Critical Catalysts for Development,” organised by the All Progressives Congress (APC) Professionals Council, which took place at NUT Pavillion, Alausa Ikeja.
Addressing the participants at the summit, training and empowerment programme, the governor’s wife represented by Mrs Anike Adekanye, the Tutor General/Permanent Secretary of Education District 2, Maryland, Lagos said the time had come for women to leave their comfort zones and take their rightful position in the country’s leadership mechanism.
The First Lady, while noting that women were pillars in the society and as such possessed greater influence in nation building, urging them to synergise and deploy their strength to be part of the governance of the nation. Read more
Kogi NDLEA arrests 4 suspected gunrunners (ThisDay)
The Kogi State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has handed over four suspected criminals who were arrested along Okene/Lokoja-Abuja Expressway to the Police Command for further investigations.
The NDLEA has arrested the four suspects on 17th September and were subsequently interrogated before handing them over to Kogi State Police command.
The Kogi State Commander of NDLEA, Abdulkadir Fakai Abdullahi while handing over to the police in Lokoja yesterday said two of the suspects were intercepted in a J-5 bus conveying 18 pump -action guns with 1300 cartridges/ammunition while the other two were arrested in a luxurious bus conveying 1000 live cartridges/ammunitions.
Fakai further explained that the fight against illicit drug was everybody’s business, and on stakeholders to continue to support the agency at all times.
The NDLEA boss highlighted some of the achievements made by state command in the last three months to include, arrest of 56 suspects with seizure of assorted drugs, conviction of seven accused persons and charging of 11 cases at the Federal High Court Lokoja. Read more
NBA may sue FG over plan to ban ‘ponmo’ (Nation)
The Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL), Dr Monday Ubani has threatened to sue the Federal Government if it makes good its threat to ban ‘ponmo’.
The cooked skin of cow is reputed as the poor man’s delicacy in the country
A statement on Wednesday by the rights activist, noted that ponmo “is the most common delicacy that is mostly enjoyed by the average citizen due to its affordability, and given that fish, meat and other sources of protein have become very expensive and thus unaffordable by the common man in Nigeria.”
Ubani queried the rationale behind government’s resolve to ban one of the very few staples that gives the common man joy.
He also wondered why Nigerian leaders “derive so much pleasure in inflicting pain and agony on the common man in every aspect of governance. Read more
Zlatan eulogises Olamide for helping musical careers (Nation)
Zlatan Ibile has publicly sung the praises of the YBNL boss, Olamide aka Baddo Sneh for helping his and many musical careers.
Zlatan’s praise for Olamide was further fuelled by the fact that Baddo plays the role of a pathfinder for these musical acts without being a braggart about it on social media or anywhere else.
The “Yeye boyfriend” singer, in a viral video, could be heard recounting how Baddo reached out to him and ensured his first song ever was recorded seamlessly.
“My song, first song, he called me on phone on Instagram, took me to another state. Till I was recording I didn’t believe I was going to record that song. He changed my life, he changed my career till today,” Zlatan said. Read more
Brad Pitt says debut art exhibition was born from ‘brutally honest’ reflection on failed relationships (Fox)
Brad Pitt is reflecting on his past failed relationships – through his art.
The “Once Upon a Time…In Hollywood” star debuted several works at the Sara Hilden Art Museum in Tampere, Finland last weekend.
Pitt said his collection is about “self-reflection.”
“It’s about, you know, where have I gotten it wrong in my relationships? Where have I misstepped? Where am I complicit?” he told Finnish broadcaster YLE. Read more
Jon Hamm’s “Corner Office” to open 30th edition of Raindance Film Festival (Variety)
Joachim Back’s “Corner Office,” featuring “Mad Men” star John Hamm, will open the 30th edition of London’s Raindance Film Festival (Oct. 26-Nov. 5). Austin Bragg and Meredith Bragg’s “Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game” will close the festival.
To mark its 30th anniversary, Raindance will screen iconic independent films that had their UK premieres at the festival, including “Pulp Fiction,” “Memento,” “The Blair Witch Project” and “Oldboy.”
Special screenings of new films include the world premiere of Stephen Moyer’s “A Bit of Light” (U.K.), starring Anna Paquin and Ray Winstone; director Moshe Rosenthal will take part in a Raindance masterclass and present the U.K. premiere of “Karaoke” (Israel); and the world premiere of Dilshad Husain’s British Asian feature “Banglatown.”
The festival’s homegrown strand for U.K.-produced features include Pushan Kripalani’s “Goldfish,” Elisabeth Felson’s “Night Burns Like Cigarettes,” Finn Bruce and Brook Driver’s “Swede Caroline,” Maysoon Pachachi’s “Our River… Our Sky” and Hassan Nazer’s “Winners.” Read more
Marvel to modify Israeli superhero after anti-Zionist backlash (JerusalemPost)
Superheroine ‘Sabra’ will be much different to her comic book counterpart in the fourth Captain America film.
Following Israeli actress Shira Haas’s casting as the Israeli superheroine and Mossad agent “Sabra” to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) last week, many took to social media with anti-Zionist posts, expressing outrage at the Israeli hero’s live-action debut.
Pro-Israel supporters rejoiced at the inclusion of an Israeli superhero in a Hollywood film, while anti-Israel social media users were outraged. “#CaptainApartheid” also began trending on social media shortly after the casting, the New York Times reported.
Marvel Studios’ response was “While our characters and stories are inspired by the comics, they are always freshly imagined for the screen and today’s audience,” Marvel Studios told Variety and CNN. “The filmmakers are taking a new approach with the character Sabra, who was first introduced in the comics over 40 years ago.” Read more
What to know about The Royal Vault, Queen Elizabeth II final resting place (Guardian)
The body of Queen Elizabeth II was finally laid to rest yesterday after a colourful, elaborate and intricate ceremony inside one of the royal vaults at King George VI Memorial Chapel.
Here is what to know about the Royal Vault.
The Royal Vault was constructed between 1804 and 1810 under the orders of King George III.
The King George VI Memorial Chapel is located in Windsor and is a part of St. George’s Chapel.
It lies beneath the chapel within the Windsor Castle grounds and was commissioned by Queen Elizabeth in 1962 as a burial place for her father, who died 10 years before. Read more
George Lucas’ $1b Museum of Narrative Art opening pushed back to 2025 (TheWrap)
The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art announced on Tuesday that the institution, which is now under construction in Los Angeles’s Exposition Park, will open in 2025.
In 2017, Los Angeles won the location sweepstakes over San Francisco for George Lucas’ one-of-a-kind museum, which will house art from films including Lucas’ own “Star Wars,” as well as photography, Renaissance paintings, and ancient Roman mosaics. When construction began in 2018, it was expected to open in 2022, then was delayed to 2023.
Sandra Jackson-Dumont, director and CEO of the museum, shared the “significant progress” already made on the five-story, 300,000-square-foot building, which will be surrounded by a park and gardens on its 11-acre campus.
She also told The Hollywood Reporter that the museum, which will include two 299-seat movie theaters, will house the Lucasfilm archive.
Man sets himself on fire in Japan in apparent protest at upcoming state funeral for Shinzo Abe (France24)
A man set himself on fire near the Japanese prime minister’s office on Wednesday in an apparent protest of the government’s decision to hold a state funeral for former premier Shinzo Abe, who was assassinated earlier this year, TV Asahi reported.
The man was taken to hospital suffering burns to his entire body, while a police officer who tried to extinguish the flames was also injured.
The man, in his 70s, was unconscious when first found but later told police that he had deliberately doused himself in oil, media said. A letter about Abe’s state funeral and the words “I strongly oppose it,” was found nearby.
Police declined to confirm the incident, which took place on what would have been Abe’s 68th birthday. Read more
Storm battering western Alaska causes widespread flooding (Globe&Mail)
A powerful storm sweeping north through the Bering Strait on Saturday caused widespread flooding in several western Alaska coastal communities, knocking out power and sending residents fleeing for higher ground.
The force of the water moved some homes off their foundations, and one house in Nome floated down a river until it got caught at a bridge.
The potent storm – what remains of Typhoon Merbok – has been influencing weather patterns as far away as California, where strong winds and a rare late-summer rainstorm were expected.
In Alaska, no injuries or deaths were immediately reported, said Jeremy Zidek, spokesperson for the Alaska Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. Officials had warned some places could see their worst flooding in 50 years and that the high waters could take up to 14 hours to recede. Read more
Osimhen to return against Ajax Oct 4 (Punch)
According to Italian publication Tuttonapoli, Serie A league leaders, Napoli, have been handed a major boost after reports emerged that Nigeria international, Victor Osimhen, would be available for the club’s next UEFA Champions League game against Ajax on Oct 4.
The Super Eagles striker sustained a hamstring injury in Napoli’s 4-1 battering of Liverpool in their Group A opening game of the Champions League Sept 7, before he was replaced just four minutes to the end of the first 45 minutes
The initial report suggested that the 23-year-old would be out for three weeks.
However, the former Lille forward has missed Napoli’s last three games before the international break and automatically has been ruled out of Nigeria’s international friendly against Algeria Sept 27. Read more
Roger Federer says he wants to remain involved in the game after retirement (StraitsTimes)
Tennis legend Roger Federer, who last week announced his imminent retirement, wants to remain connected to “the sport that has given me everything,” he said in an interview published on Tuesday.
The Swiss, a winner of 20 Grand Slam titles and one of the best players of all time, sparked a global outpouring of emotional reactions when he announced he would retire after this week’s Laver Cup.
Last Thursday, he admitted on social media that his battles with a knee problem had forced him to call time on a historic career that had earned him a reputation as one of the most elegant players the game has ever seen.
As he arrived in London for his final ATP event, he told Swiss broadcaster RTS that he was “relieved” to have made the announcement, and “very happy to have been able to have the career I have had”. Read more
Australian football hit by ‘harrowing’ racism claims (BBC)
The Australian Football League is investigating claims Aboriginal players at one of its most successful clubs were bullied by senior coaching staff.
Hawthorn Football Club players were reportedly isolated from family, told to leave their partners and one alleges he was ordered to end a pregnancy.
One of the coaches implicated has taken leave as the league investigates the “disturbing” claims.
They were uncovered by a review of the team’s treatment of Indigenous people.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) published details of the confidential report on Wednesday, as the league prepares for the grand final on Saturday. Read more
Katsina State FA Chairman visits injured Umar in Spain (Sun)
Nigeria Football Federation Technical Committee member and Chairman of Katsina State football Association, Aminu Kurfi, paid an unannounced visit to Real Sociedad of Spain and Super Eagles striker, Sadiq Umar at his home in Spain, where he is currently recuperating from a serious knee injury.
The 25-year-old Nigerian player picked up a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament injury in his team’s 2-1 loss at Getafe in the Spanish La Liga on Sunday September 11 and has been ruled out for the rest of the season.
News of the injury left his fans devastated following his big money move from Almeria.
Speaking in his capacity as a member of the NFF technical Committee, Kurfi said that the Nigeria football federation NFF and indeed the government and people of our great country are with Sadiq in prayers, hoping that he will bounce back stronger from this setback to do what he knows how to do best, which is scoring goals. Read more
Atletico Madrid denounces racist chants against Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior (CBC)
Atletico Madrid on Tuesday condemned the racist chants made by some of its fans against Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior and pledged to work with authorities to identify those responsible.
A group of Atletico fans outside the Metropolitano stadium chanted “Vinicius, you are a monkey” before Madrid’s 2-1 win in the city derby on Sunday. Atletico could face the closure of the Metropolitano for a few games depending on the outcome of an investigation.
“Our club has always been known for being an open and inclusive space for fans of different nationalities, cultures, races, and social classes, and a few cannot tarnish the image of thousands and thousands of Atleti fans who support their team with passion and respect for their opponents,” the club said.
“These chants provoke enormous repulsion and indignation,” Atletico added in its statement. “We will not allow any individual to hide behind our colours to utter insults of a racist or xenophobic nature.” Read more
Arsenal’s Champions League hopes in the balance (RTE)
Republic of Ireland captain Katie McCabe thought she had snatched a late winner for Arsenal as they took on Ajax in the UEFA Champions League qualifier on Tuesday night.
McCabe got on the end of a free kick and placed her effort into the roof of the net but was denied by the offside flag.
Jonas Eidevall’s side still have work to do to reach the group stages of the Women’s Champions League after being held to a 2-2 draw by last season’s Eredivisie Vrouwen runners-up.
The Gunners had fought back to lead in the first leg of their second-round qualifier at Meadow Park but were pegged back by a late equaliser. Read more
Presidents Cup players tamp down talk of US blowout (RFI)
There’s a blowout expected this week at the Presidents Cup, but you wouldn’t know it listening to favored Americans downplay their advantages and the Internationals talk of a stunning upset.
The United States boasts 12 of the world’s top 25 golfers, including top-ranked Masters champion Scottie Scheffler, for the team showdown that begins Thursday at Quail Hollow.
The Internationals, who counter with five of the world’s top 30, lost half a squad with defections to the LIV Golf Series, including British Open winner Cameron Smith, the world number three from Australia.
They have eight rookies and a sense of nothing to lose, but it would be an epic shocker for them to defeat one of the best American lineups ever assembled. Read more