Shakeup in NIS as Ikoyi, Festac, Alausa get new PCOs (Sun)
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), has moved the three Passport Comptrollers (PCOs) in Lagos and replaced them with new ones.
The PCOs affected are Ikoyi, Festac and Alausa.
The new PCO for Ikoyi,is A.O Bawaji, while the former PCO ,A.I Liman has been transferred to the State Command Headquarters, Ikeja.
RL Bukar takes over the Alausa office while U.S Umar is the new PCO Festac and former PCO Festac has been moved to State Headquarters, Ikeja.
In a Statement by Deputy Comptroller of Immigration ( Human Resources ), AB Yarima, for the Ag. Comptroller- General of NIS, he stated that the reshuffling is with immediate effect and advised that the affected officers should ensure total compliance. Read more
Danish denies killing Nigerian wife, daughter (Nation)
A Danish, Peter Nielsen, accused of killing his Nigerian wife and daughter, on Tuesday told a Lagos High Court at Tafawa Balewa Square that he did not kill them.
Nielsen testified as the 10th defence witness.
He was led in evidence by his counsel, Mr Olasupo Shashore, who told the court that the evidence of the defendant was very crucial to his defence.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nielsen is accused of killing his Nigerian wife, Zainab, a singer, and their three-year-old daughter, on April 5, 2018. Read more
Gunmen kill 16 worshippers in Nigeria mosque attack (Guardian)
Gunmen have killed 16 worshippers at a mosque in central Nigeria, a government official said Tuesday, in the latest violence in the restive region.
Scores of gunmen on motorcycles stormed Maza-Kuka village in Mashegu district of Niger state on Monday and opened fire during morning prayers, said Ahmed Ibrahim Matane, the secretary to the government.
“The bandits shot dead 16 people inside the mosque while they were praying,” Matane told AFP.
Three worshippers were injured in the attack, one of them critically, he added.
Matane said one other person was killed in nearby Kaboji village as the gunmen fled the area. Read more
Release Kanu, Igboho, embrace dialogue, actor Yul Edochie tells FG (Punch)
Nollywood actor, Yul Edochie, has appealed to the Federal Government to release embattled leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu and Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Igboho.
The actor, who has declared his interest to run for presidency in the 2023 general elections, took to his verified Facebook page on Tuesday, to make this appeal.
He wrote, “I appeal to the Federal Government to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Igboho, and follow the line of dialogue and peace.
“A country that already has so much challenges facing it, the use of dialogue in this issue will go a long way in establishing peace and unity.” (sic) Read more
Akeredolu’s bombshell: Men have failed Nigeria, let women take over (PMNews)
Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) on Tuesday said men politicians have failed the nation and that women shoul be allowed to take over.
Akeredolu was the special guest of honour at the hybrid 2021 Conference of the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials, COWLSO, held at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island with the theme “Awake”.
He said there should be increased women participation in politics of the country.
According to Akeredolu, “men have never led this country properly,” emphasising men need women in order to address urgent needs of the country. Read more
2023: We’ll only support those who support us, Nigerian women tell political aspirants (Sun)
Nigerian women have warned those planning to contest for governorship or presidential seats, that they will only support those who support them in 2023.
The women made up of entrepreneurs, professionals across major sectors, media executives, Nollywood among others, gathered in their numbers in the Federal Capital Territory on Monday to honour Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State with a distinguished ‘Hero of Women Inclusion Award’ at the grand finale of the Nigerian Women Arise for Nigeria (NIWAFON) awareness campaign.
The women said they support Governor Bello because according to them, he has surpassed the United Nations’ 35 per cent affirmative action by appointing women in strategic positions in his government.
The President, National Association of Women Entrepreneurs, Vera Ndanusa, who led the women entrepreneurs to the awareness programme noted that Nigerian women are behind the Governor for his unflinching belief in their ability to resolve knotty issues and right the wrongs in Nigeria. Read more
Don decries noise pollution from worship centres (Nation)
Prof. Solomon Ikibe, a music expert, says some worship places in the country are guilty of noise pollution.
Ikibe, a lecturer of Performing Art, University of Ilorin, made the observation at the 203rd Inaugural Lecture of the university on Tuesday in Ilorin.
Delivering a lecture on ”So it’s Sol in Music as Man uses Science in Communication”, he said that high volume from musical instruments in worship places constituted noise pollution.
According to him, research shows that excessive high volume of sound is constantly released on congregants and audiences. Read more
Oba of Benin bans former head servant (Nation)
The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, has banned Roland Ogbebor, a former Omuada (Head of Servants) to his Royal Majesty.
He has been accused of impersonation and other “sacrilegious acts.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ogbebor’s ban was announced on Tuesday through a prepared statement by the Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council (BTC), Mr Frank Irabor
He said that the former head servant has been involved in land grabbing, extortion, intimidation, impersonation and fraud since his suspension in 2018. Read more
Court orders probe of Emene killings (Nation)
An Enugu State High Court has ordered the State Government to set up a judicial panel of inquiry to investigate the killing of 22 unarmed Igbo youths in Emene.
Justice Chinyere Ani gave the order in her judgement in Suit No. E/569M/2020 brought by the applicants, the Registered Trustees of Christian Network and Community Development and Anor. The Governor of Enugu State & Anor were the respondents.
The court held that the applicants’ case had merit.
The court declared: “That the 1st respondent is hereby ordered to institute a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to unravel the cause(s) of unlawful and illegal killing of 22 unarmed youths at Emene, Enugu, Enugu State, on 23 August, 2020.” Read more
COVID-19: 60,000 vaccinated in Osun (Vanguard)
Mr Leke Ogunsola, the Chairman of Osun Primary Healthcare Development Board, on Tuesday said that more than 60,000 people had received full COVID-19 vaccination in the state.
Ogunsola made this known at Osogbo while defending the budget of the agency before Osun House of Assembly’s Joint Committees on Finance and Appropriation.
He said that no fewer than 200,000 people had also taken the first dose of COVID-19 vaccination and would be collecting the second dose soon.
The chairman said that the state recently completed the second phase of polio vaccination.
He thanked the state’s executive and legislative arms of government for support. Read more
Kate Hudson and more stars strip down to their underwear for a cause (PageSix)
Throughout October, A-listers have been sharing stripped-down selfies in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The social media campaign comes on the heels of Kit Undergarments’ similarly star-studded initiative last year, which saw celebrities like Lisa Rinna and Selma Blair posing in pink underwear to spread awareness and raise research funds.
This time around, the brand teamed up with ThirdLove on a special “Kits to Kick Cancer” collection. During the month of October, the underwear labels are donating $10 to the Women’s Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) every time someone posts a photo in their ThirdLove x Kit underwear using #KitsToKickCancer and tagging @thirdlove and @kitundergarments.
The WCRF, part of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, supports research, education and outreach aimed at developing more effective approaches to the early diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of women’s cancers. Read more
Virginia ‘criminal couponer’ who robbed $31.8 million used funds for high-end vacations (USAToday)
A Virginia Beach woman who sold $31.8 million worth of counterfeit coupons to shoppers used the money to fund high-end home renovations and vacations, according to new information released by the FBI.
Lori Ann Talens, 41, was sentenced to 12 years in prison last month after pleading guilty to mail, wire and health care fraud. Her 43-year-old husband, Pacifico Talens Jr., was sentenced to more than seven years in prison for his role in supporting the scheme.
According to the FBI, Talens used the profits to buy high-end home renovations including an in-ground swimming pool, new sunroom and new kitchen. Her family also enjoyed shopping, eating out and high-end vacations at a deep discount.
Talens, tabbed as the “criminal couponer,” by the FBI, used her graphic design skills to manipulate barcodes for coupons at nearly any store in the country. In total, she collected $400,000 over three years from shoppers who used the coupons. She also used the coupons to help fund a lavish lifestyle, with investigators finding around $1 million worth of coupons when searching the Talens’ home. Read more
Nia Long opens up about fiancé Ime Udoka’s Boston Celtics hiring (Guardian)
Hollywood superstar Nia Long has disclosed that her fiancé and former Nigeria D’Tigers captain Ime Udoka was the epitome of calmness when he got the phone call confirming him as the head coach of the Boston Celtics.
Perhaps more than any other team in the National Basketball Association, the Boston Celtics – 17-time champions of the world’s foremost basketball league – have reshaped their organization. Of all the changes that have occurred over the last several months, though, the Celtics’ coaching switch was arguably the biggest as they handed Udoka the task of restoring the Beantowners’ lost glory.
Despite the enormity of it all — not to mention the fact that the Celtics post is Udoka’s first NBA head-coaching job — the former captain of the Nigerian men’s national basketball team and long-time assistant coach was apparently calm when he got hired. At the least, that’s what his partner, Long, observed.
While one might expect there to be champagne and fireworks the very moment Udoka learnt of his appointment, Long revealed that his reaction was pretty understated. She also disclosed that she was actually the one who flipped out. Read more
Biden rejects Trump’s latest claim of executive privilege over Jan. 6 documents (NBC)
The White House on Monday rejected another executive privilege request by former President Donald Trump over documents sought by a House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
In a letter obtained by NBC News, White House Counsel Dana Remus told the National Archives that President Joe Biden has determined that Trump’s effort to keep a new batch of Jan. 6 records out of Congress’ hands “is not in the best interests of the United States.”
She added, “Accordingly, President Biden does not uphold the former President’s assertion of privilege.”
CNN first reported on the letter. Read more
Dave Chappelle’s documentary being pulled by distributors amid controversy (NYPost)
Dave Chappelle says his documentary is being scrapped by distributors amid the controversy surrounding his latest Netflix special, “The Closer,” which sparked accusations of transphobia.
Film festival invitations to show the film, which chronicles the outspoken comic’s efforts to hold stand-up shows in his neighbour’s cornfield in Ohio during the pandemic, have been pulled, Chappelle said in a video clip posted to Instagram.
To circumvent the film festivals, the documentary, which was directed by Oscar-nominated filmmakers Julia Reichert and Steve Bognar, will be screened on a tour of 10 cities — including New York, San Francisco and Indianapolis, Chappelle said. Read more
Hiker lost for 24 hours ignored rescuers’ calls because ‘they didn’t recognize the number’ (NBC)
A hiker in Colorado, who was lost for 24 hours, ignored rescuers’ phone calls because “they didn’t recognize the number,” authorities said last week.
The hiker was reported overdue at about 8 p.m. on Oct. 18, according to a statement from Lake County Search and Rescue. The person who called said the hiker started at Mount Elbert from the South Trailhead at 9 a.m. and had not returned.
Lake County Search and Rescue searched multiple areas for the hiker, but could not find the person. “Multiple attempts to contact the subject via their cell phone were unsuccessful,” the statement said.
The hiker returned home on Oct. 19, more than 24 hours after beginning their hike. The person was not identified. Read more
Elizabeth Hurley headlines ‘Christmas in the Caribbean’ from MSR Media (Variety)
Elizabeth Hurley (“The Royals”) will star in romantic comedy “Christmas in the Carribbean.” Principal photography will commence this week in the islands of St Kitts and Nevis.
The film is produced by MSR Media’s Philippe Martinez, who will also direct, and Highfield Grange Studios’ Alan Latham.
Written by Martinez and Nathalie Cox, the film will follow Rachel (Hurley), a hopeless romantic who is jilted at the altar. Not to let her Christmas in the Caribbean honeymoon go to waste, Rachel and her two bridesmaids jet off to the islands, where love blossoms and she has to make a life choice.
The cast also includes Caroline Quentin (“Bridgerton”), Nathalie Cox (“My Dad’s Christmas Date”), Edoardo Costa (“Non-Stop”), Hadar Cats (“Next Generation Role Model”), Downtown Julie Brown (“A Year in Music”) and Rafael Martinez (“NCIS: Los Angeles”). Read more
Andy Murray considering Davis Cup U-turn as Leon Smith calls up four players (Metro)
Andy Murray admits he could still be convinced to play in the Davis Cup next month despite previously ruling himself out of contention.
Captain Leon Smith has announced Cameron Norrie, Dan Evans, Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski will all represent Great Britain in this year’s tournament and has left a fifth space open.
Tennis fans will be hoping Murray fills that spot, but earlier this month the Scot suggested he wouldn’t feature as he wanted to allow his body to rest ahead of the 2022 season and also felt he didn’t merit a spot based on his current level of performances. Read more
FIFA slams 2-year ban on Cofine FC coach, NFF says (Guardian)
The coach of Cofine Football Club of Uyo in Akwa Ibom, Remi Amadi, has been slammed with a global ban of two years from all football-related activities.
Ademola Olajire, the Director of Communications at Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), in a statement on Tuesday said the ban was imposed by world football governing body FIFA.
“The world body’s Disciplinary Committee conveyed this decision to the NFF, and it is a consequence of a similar ban imposed on the coach by the Federation’s Disciplinary Committee at its meeting of Aug. 16,” he said.
Olajire added that the NFF Integrity Unit had forwarded the said decision of the Federation’s Disciplinary Committee and all the relevant documentation to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee. Read more
NFL referee Carl Madsen dies after working Chiefs-Titans game (NYPost)
Carl Madsen, one of the longest tenured replay officials in NFL history, died Sunday.
The NFL confirmed Monday that Madsen passed away while on his way home from Sunday’s Titans-Chiefs game in Tennessee. Madsen was 71. His cause of death is unclear.
Madsen was driving home to Weldon Spring, Missouri, when he reportedly had a medical issue. Upon arrival, Metro Nashville police found Madsen unconscious.
Police spokesperson Don Aaron said officers broke open a car window, removed Madsen from the vehicle and performed chest compressions. He reportedly was taken to St. Thomas Midtown Hospital, where he later died. Read more
T20 World Cup: South Africa win as West Indies suffer second defeat (BBC)
Defending champions West Indies are heading towards an early exit from the T20 World Cup after a second successive comprehensive defeat.
Three days after they were bowled out for 55 by England, West Indies saw South Africa cruise to an eight-wicket victory in Dubai.
The Proteas chased down 144 with 10 balls to spare and claim their first win of the tournament.
However, the match is likely to be remembered for South Africa wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock’s withdrawal after refusing to take a knee. Read more
PSG midfielder Verratti to miss 4 weeks with hip injury (Guardian)
Paris Saint-Germain and Italy midfielder Marco Verratti faces four weeks out after injuring his hip during the 0-0 draw with Marseille at the weekend, his club said Tuesday.
Verratti was replaced late in the first half of Sunday’s game and is set for another spell on the sidelines, having already missed a month of the season with a knee injury.
He was also granted extra time to recover at the start of the campaign following Italy’s Euro 2020 triumph.
The 28-year-old will be unavailable for Ligue 1 games against Lille and Bordeaux and the Champions League match at RB Leipzig on November 3.
He faces a race against time to be fit for the trip to Manchester City on November 24 after the international break.
Kylian Mbappe could also miss Friday’s visit of defending champions Lille due to a sinus infection, while Sergio Ramos is expected to rejoin group training next week. Read more
Sir Alex Ferguson still backs Ole Gunnar Solskjaer despite Liverpool debacle (Metro)
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer retains the support of Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford, with the Scot one of the few remaining defenders of the Norwegian.
An embarrassing 5-0 defeat to rivals Liverpool on Sunday has piled the pressure on Solskjaer and his board held crisis talks on Monday to evaluate his position.
Though Solskjaer looks set to remain in charge for Saturday’s game against Tottenham, the mood music has undoubtedly shifted after Sunday’s loss to Liverpool.
Solskjaer is said to have lost large swathes of the dressing room this season, with many players feeling his tactics are not up to scratch and lag behind the likes of Pep Guardiola, Thomas Tuchel and Jurgen Klopp. Read more