Sanwo-Olu awards scholarship to children of deceased policemen (Thisday)
Police officers lynched in the wake of the violence instigated by the nationwide youth demonstration against police brutality will not die in vain, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has pledged.
The state government, yesterday, directed Lagos State Scholarship Board to award scholarships to the children of the slain officers up to the university level.
Twenty-nine Divisional Police Stations and 17 Police Posts were razed by hoodlums disguised as protesters. Read more
Tragedy averted as fire guts petrol station in Lagos (Punch)
Fire on Wednesday gutted a filling station, Yerevan Oil, in the Ogba area of Aguda, Lagos State.
PUNCH Metro gathered that immediately the fire started, emergency responders, who stormed the station discovered that it was caused by fuel spillage from a tanker laden with 33,000 litres of petrol.
The spokesperson, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Nosa Okunbor, said the fire was extinguished by officials of the agency and the Lagos State Fire Service. Read more
Aftermath of #EndSARS: We’ll set up Rebuild Lagos Trust Fund – Sanwo-Olu (Tribune)
Lagos State governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said the state government will set up Rebuild Lagos Trust Fund in the aftermath of the destruction in the state occasioned by fallout of #EndSARS protests that rocked the state and the entire country.
The governor also promised that the state would offer scholarships to children of policemen killed during the #EndSARS protest to university level, compensate their families, foot the hospital bills of injured officers, take care of their burial expenses, replace all damaged personal and official vehicles of police officers, as well as work towards insurance policy for police officers in the state. Read more
Lekki Tollgate shooting: Amnesty International releases ‘investigative timeline’ (Vanguard)
Following the controversies, claims and counter-claims that have been trailing the shooting at peaceful #EndSARS protesters at Lekki Tollgate, Lagos, on Tuesday, October 20, Amnesty International has released a timeline on what many have termed “Black Tuesday.”
Amnesty International had earlier said it was collating and authenticating videos and other evidence to map out what actually happened on that day.
However, the Army, in a statement, has denied shooting at the protesters, noting that the state government invited the Army to help restore order after chaos ensued. Read more
Mass arrest of looters threatens prison decongestion policy (Guardian)
Mass arrest and detention of suspected COVID-19 palliative looters across states of the Federation threatens Federal Government’s plan to decongest correctional facilities’ detention centres.
The country also stands the risk of a spike and rebound of the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic, following violation of social distancing protocols by citizens.
The Federal Ministry of Justice, in partnership with the Ministry of Interior and the Presidential Committee on Correctional Service Reform and Decongestion (PCCSRD), had embarked on a nationwide decongestion exercise shortly after the outbreak of COVID-19 to stifle the spread of the virus in the various correctional centres across the 36 states and the FCT. Read more
N3.9bn Residence Permit scam: Ministry official, firm land in EFCC (Punch)
The Nigerian Immigration Service said on Wednesday that it had dragged some officials of the Ministry of Interior before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over the N3.9bn deducted from the Combined Residence Permit Alien Card account.
The NIS also said a firm, Messes Continental Transfect Technique Limited, which executed the project, was also before the anti-graft agency.
The Comptroller General of NIS, Muhammad Babandede, stated this before the Senate Committee on Public Account when he appeared to defend an Auditor General’s query issued against the agency. Read more
Buhari, Lawan, greet Muslims at Eid-el-Malud, urge peaceful coexistence (Guardian)
President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, urged Nigerians to use the Eid-el-Malud to reflect on the virtues of Prophet Muhammed by showing love and understanding for fellow citizens and exhibit patience, honesty, sincerity, kindness and generosity in all their undertakings.
In a message to Muslims across the country, he urged all citizens and the youths in particular, to shun negative tendencies as manifested in the recent hijacking of peaceful protests to loot and destroy public and private property.
He also reiterated his earlier promise to bring police officers responsible for misconduct and the looters to justice. Read more
Senate panel tackles minister for siting 20 power projects in own LGA (Guardian)
Senate Committee on Power, yesterday, queried Minister of Power, Maman Saleh, for siting about 20 rural electrification projects in his Lau Council Area of Taraba State, describing the action as ‘official misconduct’.
Members of the committee said the minister acted against his oath of office to be fair to all, adding that the projects, which were captured in the 2021 budget of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) were uncovered during the minister’s budget defense of the agency, which is under his purview. Read more
Nearly 100,000 catching coronavirus every day in England (BBC)
Nearly 100,000 people are catching coronavirus every day in England, a major analysis suggests.
The study, by Imperial College London, says the pace of the epidemic is accelerating and estimates the number of people infected is now doubling every nine days.
The authors say we are at a “critical stage” and “something has to change”.
France and Germany have turned to forms of lockdown to control the virus.
The government here is sticking to its regional strategy. Read more
1,000,000 sign Marcus Rashford’s petition to end child food poverty (Metro)
Marcus Rashford’s petition to extend free school meals over the holidays has been signed by more than one million people. The Manchester United star’s campaign to end child food poverty has put the Government under intense pressure as it continues to gather pace and threatens a revolt among Tory MPs. Thousands of volunteers and small businesses, including takeaways, restaurants and pubs, have been inspired by the campaign and are now offering free food to children over the half-term. Read more
Satellite photos show construction at Iran nuclear site (CBC)
Iran has begun construction at its Natanz nuclear facility, satellite images released Wednesday show, just as the U.N.’s nuclear agency acknowledged Tehran is building an underground advanced centrifuge assembly plant after its last one exploded in a reported sabotage attack last summer.
The construction comes as the U.S. nears Election Day in a campaign pitting President Donald Trump, whose maximum pressure campaign against Iran has led Tehran to abandon all limits on its atomic program, and Joe Biden, who has expressed a willingness to return to the accord. The outcome of the vote likely will decide which approach America takes. Read more
US tries to block Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who would be first African WTO head (BBC)
The appointment of Nigeria’s ex-finance minister to lead the World Trade Organization (WTO) has been thrown into doubt after the US opposed the move.
On Wednesday, a WTO nominations committee recommended the group’s 164 members appoint Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
She would be the first woman and first African to lead the WTO.
But the US, critical of the WTO’s handling of global trade, wants another woman, South Korea’s Yoo Myung-hee, saying she could reform the body. Read more
Peru Extends COVID-19 State of Emergency Another Month (VOA) Peru is extending the restrictions aimed at containing the spread of the coronavirus for another month.
The state-owned Andina News Agency said Wednesday President Martín Vizcarra announced in a television address that the government approved the decree extending the state of national emergency through November.
The restrictions include a nighttime curfew, a ban on social gatherings and mandatory wearing of face masks in public. Read more
Adele insists she’s a ‘single cat lady’ amid Skepta dating rumours (Metro)
Adele has cheekily referenced her relationship status, insisting she is ‘single’ amid rumours that she and Skepta are dating. The Someone Like You hitmaker, who recently hosted Saturday Night Live, shared a snap of herself on the show, dishing out praise for those who helped her along the way. ‘Had the best time on SNL!’ the 32-year-old wrote. ‘Thank you to the most wonderful cast, crew, writers and producers. ‘What a sublime bunch of people you are. Lorne thank you for believing in me! Lindsay my sister for life, Maya my comedy and Mama hero! Plus the so up for it audiences at both the dress rehearsal and live show! Read more
Coronavirus: Macron declares second national lockdown in France (BBC)
French President Emmanuel Macron has announced a second national lockdown until at least the end of November.
Mr Macron said that under the new measures, starting on Friday, people would only be allowed to leave home for essential work or medical reasons.
Non-essential businesses, such as restaurants and bars, will close, but schools and factories will remain open. Read more
At last, NFF gets FIFA’s $1m palliative, $600, 000 mini stadia fund (Guardian)
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has revealed that it finally received the $1 million palliative promised it by world football governing body, FIFA.
The federation also said it has received $600, 000 from the football body for the construction of two mini stadia in the country.
Announcing the receipt of the funds on his twitter handle yesterday, NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, said the federation got the fund on Monday and has also reconfirmed what it is meant for from FIFA. Read more
Messi scores as Barcelona beat Juventus (BBC)
Barcelona provided “the best response” to the “turmoil” off the pitch by convincingly beating Juventus in the Champions League, says midfielder Sergi Roberto.
It has been a whirlwind few days for the Spanish giants as they lost 3-1 to Real Madrid in El Clasico on Saturday before the club’s president Josep Maria Bartomeu announced his resignation on Tuesday.
However, they made it two wins from two in this season’s Champions League group stage with goals from Ousmane Dembele and Lionel Messi seeing off a poor Juventus side, who had Merih Demiral sent off late on for picking up a second yellow card. Read more
Robert Whittaker calls rematch with Israel Adesanya ‘a hard fight’ (Guardian)
Top contender Robert Whittaker has described a potential rematch against UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya as ‘a hard fight,’ writes bjpenn.com.
After defeating Jared Cannonier in the co-main event of UFC 254, UFC president Dana White said Whittaker would likely be the next opponent for Adesanya. Of course, these two previously met at UFC 243 in October 2019. Whittaker was the champion heading into that fight but he lost his belt to Adesanya by knockout. Since then, Whittaker has won two straight fights against Cannonier and Darren Till to jump back into title contention, while Adesanya defended his belt against Yoel Romero and Paulo Costa. Read more
Substitute Rashford scores sublime hat-trick as Man Utd thump RB Leipzig (BBC)
Marcus Rashford came off the bench to score a clinical hat-trick as Manchester United continued their recent momentum by taking apart RB Leipzig in the Champions League.
England international Rashford came on just after the hour mark and netted three goals in 16 minutes, first running clear to calmly slot in, then smashing in a terrific second, before drilling home a third in stoppage time.
Teenage forward Mason Greenwood scored his first goal in the competition, latching onto Paul Pogba’s defence-splitting pass before drilling a precise, low finish into the far corner.
Greenwood produced another thumping effort straight at Peter Gulasci, while the visiting goalkeeper also kept out Anthony Martial’s poked effort. Read more
Frank Lampard provides Callum Hudson-Odoi injury update (Metro)
Frank Lampard praised Callum Hudson-Odoi’s display in Chelsea’s 4-0 victory over Krasnodar and played down fears over the forward’s fitness after he was pictured with ice strapping around his thigh in the second half. Hudson-Odoi was handed a rare start in Wednesday evening’s Champions League Group E clash and the 19-year-old England international seized his opportunity, scoring the visitors’ opening goal just before half-time. A flurry of late goals from Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic put the Blues out of sight to secure Lampard’s men their first win in the competition but there were concerns surrounding a possible injury to Hudson-Odoi, who was replaced in the 71st minute. Read more
Ziyech off the mark in emphatic Chelsea win (BBC)
Hakim Ziyech scored his first Chelsea goal as Frank Lampard’s side picked up three points in an emphatic Champions League win in Russia.
Ziyech, 27, swept in on his first start for the club to add to goals from Callum Hudson-Odoi, Timo Werner and Christian Pulisic as Chelsea returned to goalscoring ways in style.
Back-to-back goalless draws had signalled that Lampard had made strides in sorting out his side’s defence, and while they will face tougher opposition than Russian new boys Krasnodar, the manager will be delighted that his attacking riches also kicked into gear after midfielder Jorginho had missed an early penalty. Read more
Manchester United star Alex Telles tests positive for coronavirus (Metro)
Manchester United defender Alex Telles has tested positive for Covid-19, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed. The Brazilian has made just one appearance for the club since signing in a £13million deal from Porto this summer and his absence from Wednesday’s squad to play RB Leipzig left supporters worried that he had sustained an injury. However, Solskjaer confirmed to MUTV after his side’s 5-0 victory against the Bundesliga side that Telles has tested positive for coronavirus and will need to self-isolate for a period of two weeks and until he returns a negative result. Read more
