Tragedy, as 3 siblings, 1 other perish in Lagos boat mishap (Vanguard)
Tragedy struck again in Lagos when a boat suddenly capsized in transit late Sunday evening, killing all the four passengers, with three being from the same family.
The yet to be identified victims were said to be cruising to their destination when the high current swept the boat away before it capsized.
Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, confirmed this on Monday, while commiserating with the families of those who lost their loved ones in the mishap.
Raising a ‘Matter of Urgent Public Importance’ on the matter at a sitting presided over by the Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, the representative of Kosofe Constituency II, Femi Saheed, described the incident as “unfortunate.” Read more
Lagos orders coroner’s inquest into death of Bimbo Ogbonna (Guardian)
Lagos State government has ordered a coroner’s inquest to ascertain the cause of death in the case of the late Bimbo Ogbonna who allegedly died recently due to severe fire injuries.
The State’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), who gave the directive, stated that a thorough investigation will be carried out to ascertain the cause of death.
In a statement, on Tuesday, he said: “A Coroner’s Inquest has immediately been requested in line with Sections 14 and 15 of the Coroners’ Systems Law, Laws of Lagos State 2015, to determine the cause and circumstances of death”.
“Section 14(1) (d) of the Coroners’ System Law of the State: A report of death shall be made to any of the agencies for the report of death or the office of the Coroner and be subject to post-mortem examination where there is reasonable cause to believe that the cause of death was violent, unnatural or suspicious. Read more
Lagos to pupils: report cases of abuse (Nation)
Lagos State Government has urged pupils in the state schools to report cases of abuse whether or not they happened to them.
Director, Citizens Rights, of the Ministry of Justice, Ms. Adetutu Oshinusi, who gave the advice, also urged the pupils to know their rights and be ready to defend them when infringed upon.
Ms. Oshinusi stated this Monday at a sensitisation programme to students of Ijegun Community Primary School.
The sensitisation campaign is in furtherance of One Stop Child Justice Centre, an initiative of Directorate of Citizens Right, aimed at reducing the spate of child abuse in the state and ensuring that minors are protected from abusers. Read more
2023: Nigerians Must Reject Presidency By Proxy – Peter Obi (DailyTrust)
The Peter Obi Presidential Campaign Organisation has asked Nigerians to reject those who are planning to rule the country by proxy, saying that Nigerians can no longer tolerate turning governance into family and friends business.
The Obi -Datti Campaign was reacting to the challenge thrown to the Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Mr. Peter Obi by the Minister of State for Labour, Festus Keyamo for his son to organise a campaign rally in his state like Seyi Tinubu, APC flag bearer’s son, did for his father in Lagos.
The LP Campaign said the only thing that joins Obi and Tinubu is that they were once governors of states in Nigeria, “after that one became a parasite to the state government he served with his entire family while the the other left government house and he and any members of his family never collected a dime from Anambra state.”
The campaign in a statement in Abuja said “Unlike Tinubu and his household who have grown to be stupendously wealthy with no identifiable industry or means of making money outside the state government for over two decades”, Obi is not like that. Read more
Pastor Adeboye rechristened me Abraham, Father of All Nations – Tinubu (Vanguard)
Presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has said that he was rechristened Abraham the Father of All Nations by the general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye.
Tinubu made this disclosure while speaking with the Kano chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, on Monday.
The former Lagos State governor said the RCCG general overseer called him Father of All Nations the day his wife, Remi, was ordained a pastor in the RCCG.
Tinubu said, “The day my wife was ordained a pastor, I was there. Pastor Adeboye gave me the name Abraham. Read more
Akada Children’s Book Festival partners Chess in Slums to hold chess tournament at 2022 festival edition (Guardian)
As part of activities lined up to mark the 2022 edition of the Akada Children’s Book Festival (ACBF), organisers of the festival have announced their partnership with Chess in Slums Africa, a non-profit organisation that leverages the game of chess to lift disadvantaged children out of the endless loop of poverty and societal denigration.
Recognised as Nigeria’s first and largest book festival specifically designed for children, the ACBF will hold its first chess tournament in the festival’s history. Tagged “Beat the Champ”, the game will take place during the 4th Akada Children’s Book Festival on Saturday, the 29th of October, at the UpBeat Center in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos. Participants across Lagos and nearby towns can register for free to attend at https://tickets.akadafestival.org/.
“We are delighted to partner with Chess In Slums Africa to introduce the chess tournament at this year’s edition of the festival,” said Omawumi Ogbe, the Festival Director for the Akada Children’s Book Festival. On the importance of the chess tournament, she said that it is part of new activities introduced to the festival to improve critical thinking skills and exercise the mind of children.
The chess tournament will see participants of this year’s ACBF festival try to beat chess champion Ninilowo Jamiu in a fun tournament. A former apprentice mechanic before he was introduced to the game of chess by Chess In Slums Africa, Jamiu won his first chess medal in a tournament hosted by Chess in Slums in collaboration with DanhyPro, at Majidun, Ikorodu. Read more
FG inaugurates committee to reduce running costs of foreign missions (Channels)
The Federal Government has inaugurated the Presidential Committee on the Review of Numbers and Strategy for Resourcing Nigeria’s Diplomatic Missions Worldwide.
Among many things, the committee has a responsibility to “drastically reduce the cost of running Nigeria’s Foreign Missions” and document all assets of Nigeria’s Foreign Missions.
At the inauguration in Abuja on Tuesday, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha said Nigeria’s diplomatic missions overseas are faced with multifaceted challenges including “perennial indebtedness” which pose “attendant damage to our nation’s integrity”.
“Therefore, the establishment and deliberate composition of this Presidential Committee will enable Mr President (Muhammadu Buhari) tackle the root cause of the critical state of affairs of our Diplomatic Missions in particular and its impact on the image of Nigeria on the international arena in general. Read more
Stop deploying personnel to highest bidders, Ex-AIG tells Police (DailyTrust)
A retired Assistant Inspector General of Police, Ambrose Aisabor has decried the continuous killing of police personnel attached to VIPs across the country, asking the police authorities to stop deploying personnel to the “highest bidders.”
He said the good number of police personnel attached to individuals could be withdrawn to reduce the manpower pressure on the police against the backdrop of rising insecurity.
He spoke on the heels of last week’s attack on the convoy of the President of Omega Fire Ministries International, Apostle Johnson Suleman, where policemen were killed.
Also, two policemen were killed during a recent attack on Senator Ifeanyi Ubah who represents Anambra South. Read more
Victoria Beckham is down for a hologram Spice Girls tour but ‘‘couldn’t commit’’ to stage return (People)
While the Spice Girls may be Victoria Beckham’s go-to during karaoke, Posh Spice is not willing to commit to a revival tour — at least, not in person.
As Andy Cohen fielded an audience member’s question during Monday night’s episode of Watch What Happens Live, Beckham, 48, was hesitant to share any kind of commitment to a potential Spice Girls reunion tour.
“I had so much fun being in the Spice Girls,” she said. “But I think now with everything else I’ve got going on — with my fashion, and my beauty line, four children — I couldn’t commit to that.”
At Beckham’s denial, Cohen, 54, segued to ask if the ABBA hologram concert in London — orchestrated by former Spice Girls manager Simon Fuller — presented an opportunity the band would be open to. Read more
Russian court rejects Brittney Griner appeal over jail term (BBC)
A Russian court has rejected an appeal by US basketball star Brittney Griner against her nine-year jail term for drugs charges.
The court near Moscow upheld the sentence, with the state prosecutor calling it “fair”.
The double Olympic winner apologised for her “honest mistake” in her appeal hearing via video link, saying it had been “very, very stressful”.
Griner, 32, was convicted in August of smuggling and possessing cannabis oil.
It was not immediately clear whether all her legal routes had been exhausted. She is due to serve her sentence in a penal colony. Read more
I’m 43% Nigerian, Meghan Markle opens up (Punch)
The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, has opened up on her genetic heritage, revealing that she is 43% Nigerian.
Markle made this known in the latest episode of her podcast, Archetypes, where she expressed her desire to learn more about her roots, Mirrors reported on Tuesday.
In the episode, Markle discussed with American actress Issa Rae, Nigerian-American writer Ziwe Fumudoh, and professor Emily Bernards.
The Duchess of Sussex then stated that she took a genealogy test which revealed that she is 43% Nigerian. Read more
BBC and Disney Branded Television join forces on Doctor Who (BBC)
The BBC and Disney Branded Television – two giants of entertainment – have come together to transform Doctor Who into a global franchise for UK audiences and the rest of the world.
Under a shared creative vision, they will deliver this quintessentially British show to future generations on an unprecedented scale with Disney+ as the exclusive home for new seasons of Doctor Who outside the UK and Ireland. The announcement – which was made this morning by the next Doctor Who, Ncuti Gatwa, during an appearance on Live with Kelly and Ryan – begins a new collaboration between BBC and Disney Branded Television.
Both partners have aligned under returning showrunner Russell T Davies’ bold vision, who takes control of the TARDIS in 2023. He was responsible for Doctor Who’s revival in 2005 and is credited with propelling the show into one of TV’s biggest hits.
The new episodes will premiere on the BBC and Disney+ beginning in late 2023 for fans all over the world. Read more
Johnny Depp pictured returning to his hometown in Kentucky amid claims he might return to Pirates of the Caribbean (Standard)
Johnny Depp was pictured making a surprise visit to his hometown of Owensboro, Kentucky, over the weekend as he reunited with his loved ones.
Depp, 59, was seen posing for photos with fans during his trip as they were told to keep his visit a secret until his departure, Fox19Now reported. The actor had passed through en route to his next tourstop of Louisville with Jeff Beck.
Depp’s hometown return comes after he won his defamation trial against ex-wife Amber Heard in June, after he sued Heard, 36, over a 2018 Washington Post op-ed article.
It is now being rumoured that the actor is set “to return” to his iconic role of Captain Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, which he was previously dropped from following his legal battle with Heard. Read more
Kanye West dropped by Adidas over anti-semitism, ending lucrative Yeezy partnership (HipHopDX)
Kanye West has been dropped by Adidas over his recent inflammatory comments, marking the latest — and perhaps most significant — company to cut ties with the controversial rapper.
The German sportswear giant announced on Tuesday (October 25) its decision to terminate its lucrative partnership with Kanye with immediate effect, citing his anti-Semitic remarks.
“Adidas does not tolerate antisemitism and any other sort of hate speech,” the statement read. “Ye’s recent comments and actions have been unacceptable, hateful and dangerous, and they violate the company’s values of diversity and inclusion, mutual respect and fairness.
“After a thorough review, the company has taken the decision to terminate the partnership with Ye immediately, end production of Yeezy branded products and stop all payments to Ye and his companies. adidas will stop the adidas Yeezy business with immediate effect.” Read more
Italy’s Meloni commits to EU, rejects fascism in speech to MPs (Aljazeera)
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has confirmed her government’s support for the European Union, NATO and Ukraine in her first address to parliament, one month after her far-right party won an historic election victory.
The 45-year-old, who was sworn in as Italy’s first female leader on Saturday, on Tuesday also rejected any links with her country’s fascist past, saying she had “never felt sympathy or closeness to undemocratic regimes … including fascism”.
The prospect of a Eurosceptic, populist government leading the eurozone’s third-largest economy has sparked concern among Italy’s allies, particularly in the EU.
“Italy is fully part of Europe and the Western world,” Meloni told the lower house of parliament, adding that it would “continue to be a reliable partner of NATO in supporting Ukraine”. Read more
U-17WWC: If we can beat USA, we can beat Colombia – Flamingoes star, Usani (Vanguard)
Flamingoes defender, Miracle Usani has expressed confidence that the team will shock the world by winning the ongoing FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in India.
Bankole Olowookere’s girls made it to the semi-final for the first time after getting past USA 4-3 on penalties in the quarter-final.
The girls are now two games away from winning the title for the first time in India.
The Flamingos will, however, have to get past Colombia in the semi-final at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Goa, on Wednesday to make it to the final. Read more
World Cup: Falcons in good group, says Oshoala (Punch)
Five-time African Player of The Year Asisat Oshoala feels the Super Falcons have a big chance of qualifying for the next round of the 2023 Women’s World Cup, The PUNCH reports.
The Falcons are drawn against co-hosts Australia, Olympic champions Canada and debutants Ireland in Group B.
“I think we have a really good group. It’s the World Cup and it’s not meant to be easy or a walk in the park,” Oshoala told BBC.
“With the group we have, I feel we have a chance.Read more
Arsenal ‘‘willing to do anything’’ to seal swap deal for Mikel Arteta transfer target (Mirror)
Arsenal are said to be ‘willing to do anything’ to sign Lazio captain Sergej Milinkovic-Savic after failing to secure his signature in the summer.
The Gunners were knocked back in their attempts to sign the midfielder during the transfer window after failing to reach Lazio’s valuation of the player, who has been one of the standouts in his position across Europe in recent years following his move to Italy in 2015.
The 27-year-old remains a transfer target of Mikel Arteta’s and the Gunners are now prepared to go all out with a player-plus-cash offer in the hope of securing Milinkovic-Savic’s signature, as other clubs continue to circle.
According to Italian outlet Calciomercato, Arsenal are preparing to offer £52m-plus midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga in exchange for Milinkovic-Savic in an all-or-nothing deal ahead of the January transfer window. Read more
Xavi: Barcelona to watch Champions League fate in dressing room (ESPN)
Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez said the squad will gather to watch Inter Milan take on Viktoria Plzen in the Camp Nou dressing room with the “small hope” of seeing their flagging Champions League campaign revived.
Barca host Bayern Munich on Wednesday but will already have been sentenced to a second straight season in the Europa League knockout stages if Inter beat Plzen in Group C’s early game.
However, if the Czech side, who have lost all four of their group games so far, produce a draw or win at the San Siro, then Barca will be handed a Champions League lifeline.
“More than believing in miracles, we maintain a small hope that something can happen,” Xavi said in a news conference on Tuesday. Read more
Russian court denies Brittney Griner’s appeal of 9-year prison sentence (ABC)
A Russian court has denied the appeal of WNBA star Brittney Griner, who is facing nine years in a Russian prison on drug charges.
Griner appeared virtually at her appeal hearing on Tuesday and urged the court to reassess her sentence, saying that people found guilty of lesser crimes were given shorter sentences.
“I beg that the court takes in all of the stakes that were overlooked in the first court and reassess my sentence here,“ Griner said, apologizing for her “mistake” and saying that it has been “traumatic” to be away from her family.
Griner, a 31-year-old Houston native who plays professional basketball for the Phoenix Mercury, was detained on Feb. 17 at Sheremetyevo International Airport in Khimki as she returned to Russia to play during the WNBA’s off-season after she was accused of having vape cartridges containing hashish oil, which is illegal in the country. Read more
John McEnroe says Nick Kyrgios ”gets sidetracked by anxiety and fear” in candid assessment (Express)
John McEnroe gave an honest assessment of Nick Kyrgios in response to constant comparisons between himself and the 27-year-old Australian. The former world No 1 confessed that he believed Kyrgios was wrongly thought of as a “bad person” because of the “anxiety and fear” that took over when he wanted to do his best.
Kyrgios has repeatedly earned himself comparisons to McEnroe after becoming known as the “bad boy” of tennis thanks to some of his on-court antics that have seen him receive several fines and warnings over the years. And the seven-time Grand Slam champion has now addressed those comparisons as he made some candid observations of the Aussie, leaping to his defence.
“Thanks to Kyrgios there are many new tennis fans, and that is a positive thing,” the American tennis legend told Australia’s Sunrise on 7. “He has an electrifying style of play.” But the 63-year-old thought Kyrgios battled with a fear of failing and not being good enough.
He continued: “We are all afraid of failing and we try to overcome it to do the best we can. The best way is to believe that you can go out and do your job and show off your skills for as long as you can. It’s tough and Nick has a problem with it.” Read more