US raises alarm over possible attacks in Abuja (Guardian)
The United States Embassy in Abuja, yesterday, issued a fresh travel advisory, saying it has intelligence of an elevated risk of terror attacks in the country, specifically in Abuja.
In an emergency information for American citizens in the country titled: Security alert and tagged Travel Advisory Level 3, which was posted on its website, it said: “There is an elevated risk of terror attacks in Nigeria, specifically in Abuja. Targets may include, but are not limited to, government buildings, places of worship, schools, markets, shopping malls, hotels, bars, restaurants, athletic gatherings, transport terminals, law enforcement facilities and international organisations. The U.S. Embassy will offer reduced services until further notice.”
A social media user, Imran Ibrahim, confirming the Embassy’s advisory, wrote: Read more
Lagos hoodlums brutalise politician fighting for children’s custody (Punch)
A politician, Hamisu Magaji, has demanded justice after hoodlums allegedly brutalised him on his way to a destination around Toyin Street, in the Ikeja area of Lagos State.
PUNCH Metro gathered that Magaji was going to visit a relative in the area when the hoodlums allegedly attacked him with weapons.
However, the spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, said Magaji was attempting to take custody of his four children when the matter degenerated.
Magaji said after the hoodlums allegedly brutalised him, some good Samaritans rushed him to a hospital. Read more
Expert says high salt intake affects kidneys (DailyTrust)
A medical expert, Dr Ihuoma Eugene, has warned Nigerians against high intake of salt, saying it is dangerous to health.
Eugene, a brand ambassador of Hospital, Jos, Plateau State, explained that excessive intake of salt raised blood pressure which might lead to stroke, heart failure and heart attack.
He said, “A high salt diet can damage the lining of the stomach, causing inflammation of the stomach, thereby increasing the risk of stomach cancer and ulcer.
“Some people are very careless with the rate at which they consume salt. They are killing themselves gradually. Read more
Land reform to address Lagos housing deficit –Sanwo-Olu (Punch)
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Tayo Bambose-Martins, says the ongoing land reforms show the firm commitment of the government towards addressing the challenge of housing deficit in Lagos State.
The governor disclosed this at the just concluded Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria, Lagos State Chapter, on Thursday.
He said, “We appreciate that a dearth of affordable housing affects the low income citizens who pay an inconsistent share of their income for housing or live in inadequate housing that is hard to reach from their employment and access to health and other social services.
“Since the inception of this administration, we have commissioned more than 15 affordable and decent housing projects and delivered more than 3,526 housing units across the State. Read more
University of Roehampton London launches Lagos office (ThisDay)
The University of Roehampton London has launched a new local office based in Lagos to support partners and students across Nigeria and increase opportunities for Nigerian students to study at the London-based university.
The office, which has been operational since early this September, will be officially declared open in a private ceremony on Tuesday 25 October this year.
Prof Jean-Noel Ezingeard, Vice Chancellor, University of Roehampton London said, “The University is committed to supporting students from Nigeria to realise their ambitions of studying in the UK.
“It is a privilege to be visiting Lagos for the launch of our new office which will help support our partners and prospective students with expertise and guidance throughout the application process.” Read more
Former ASCSN president takes over union’s Lagos secretariat (Sun)
Former expelled president of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), Innocent Bola Audu, with other expelled members and some retired staff of the union, on Friday, forcefully took over the national secretariat of the union in Lagos, with the support of some unidentified police officers.
According to the secretary-general of the ASCSN, Alade Bashir Lawal, the incident, which took place at 4.50 p.m., Friday, October 21, 2022, saw the expelled members forcefully gaining access to the secretariat after the close of work and carting away sensitive documents, including cheque books, computer items, cash, and so on.
“Bola-Audu and his cohorts, in company of thugs, cultists, and fake security operatives, invaded the ASCSN national secretariat, bro,ke doors to various offices claiming that the court had given them order to invade the ASCSN national secretariat, and vandalize the entire office,” the ASCSN secretary-general alleged.
Lawal, in a press statement, regretted that Bola-Audu, who is standing trial in an Abuja court for alleged human trafficking and exploitation of vulnerable persons, is moving about freely and endangering the lives of the national secretariat’s staff of the union who are facing constant harassment. Read more
Lasisi Elenu welcomes 1st child with fianceé (Vanguard).
Nigerian skit maker, Nosa Afolabi popularly known as Lasisi Elenu has welcomed his first child with his fiancée.
Announcing the news on his Instagram page on Sunday, he noted how blessings come in different shapes and sizes.
The skit-maker said he is short of words as he felt lost just admiring and appreciating the goodness of God.
He further described his wife as ‘one hell of a woman’, whose strength is unarguably from the highest source. Read more
Travel Ban: FG evacuates 542 Nigerians stranded in UAE (Leadership)
Following the ban on Nigerians seeking to visit Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), the federal government has evacuated back to Nigeria a total of 542 Nigerians stranded in UAE, yesterday.
The returnees, who arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja on board Max Air chartered flight yesterday at about 4:29am, consisted of 79 males, 460 females and three infants.
They were received by a federal government team led by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and airport officials, security agencies including National Commission for Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), NAPTIP, Nigerian Diaspora Commission, NDLEA, Nigerian Correctional Service, Nigerian Customs Service, Port Health Services, NCDC and others.
According to a statement by head of NEMA press unit, Manzo Ezekiel, the returnees, on arrival were screened by the health officials, profiled by various relevant agencies and cleared by Nigerian Immigration Service before being given a token of transport fare by NEMA before leaving the airport. Read more
TikTok blamed by filmmaker for allowing abusive comments on video (BBC)
A video on TikTok about sexual consent has been swamped with comments from men accusing women of alleging assault.
Many of them mention Andrew Tate, the controversial influencer who has been banned from several platforms for his misogynist views.
The two-minute video, from an account with about 1,700 followers, has been viewed more than 1.2 million times.
Its creator Emmeline Hartley says she believes TikTok’s algorithms are driving more hate towards the film.
People using TikTok are served content based on a mixture of videos they have previously liked, and on which people like them have watched and commented. Read more
L.S. Dunes tackle hatred and fear on biting new single ‘Bombsquad’ (NME)
L.S. Dunes have returned with their third single, a raging assault on political fanatics titled ‘Bombsquad’.
In a press release, frontman Anthony Green (formerly of Circa Survive) said the lyrics for ‘Bombsquad’ stemmed from a poem he’d written in the wake of the United States Capitol attack – when on January 6, 2021, far-right zealots violently stormed the Capitol building in Washington, DC to “protest” Donald Trump’s loss in the previous year’s Presidential election.
“In the midst of the pandemic,” Green wrote, “people were trying to take down the government because a con-man politician couldn’t admit that he had lost the election, not for any legitimate grievance or protest. The song is a rage against society’s depressing and destructive forces.” Read more
Jamal Edwards posthumously honoured at Rated grime awards for ‘pioneering’ work (Standard)
Music entrepreneur Jamal Edwards has been posthumously honoured with the legacy prize at the Rated Awards, which celebrate UK rap and grime.
The DJ, who found fame after setting up the music platform SBTV in 2006 and died on February 20 at the age of 31, was acknowledged for being an “unprecedented force” in British rap and a “pioneer” in the music industry.
His mother Brenda and sister Tanisha were presented with the award during the ceremony held in central London on Sunday, which was hosted by Big Zuu and Julie Adenuga. Read more
Marlon Wayans defies cancel culture, says comedies like ‘‘White Chicks’’ are “needed” (Deadline)
Marlon Wayans is pushing back on political correctness and said that he will not change his comedy style to survive in this day and age and appease the current generation.
In a recent interview, Wayans was asked if a movie like 2004’s White Chicks could “thrive” and not fall into “cancel culture.”
“I think they’re needed. I don’t know what planet we’re on, where you think people don’t need laughter, and that people need to be censored and canceled. If a joke is gonna get me canceled, thank you for doing me that favor,” he told Buzzfeed. “It’s sad that society is in this place where we can’t laugh anymore. I ain’t listening to this damn generation.”
White Chicks is a comedy directed by Keenan Ivory Wayans about two Black FBI agents, played by Wayans and his brother Shawn, who go undercover as women in whiteface to solve a kidnapping plot. The film was nominated for five Razzies including Worst Picture, Worst Actress, Worst Director, Worst Screenplay and Worst Screen Couple. Read more
Korea Box Office: Black Adam goes top with limp $3.2m opening (Variety)
Much anticipated Warner superhero movie, “Black Adam” predictably took top place at the South Korean box office over the weekend. But it did little to arrest the current downturn in what used to be the world’s fourth largest theatrical market.
“Black Adam” earned $2.33 million between Friday and Sunday, according to data from Kobis, the tracking service operated by the Korean Film Council (Kofic) and $3.14 million in the five days since its opening on Wednesday.
The film played on more than 1,500 screens and achieved a 47% market share in Korea. In comparison, “Black Adam” earned $67 million in North America from 4,350 screens.
Its opening was weak by most local standards, too. “Black Adam” only ranked as the tenth best opening in Korea of 2022, a year when cinemas were operating at reduced capacity for four months. Read more
Zuri Craig, America’s Got Talent finalist and Tyler Perry collaborator, dead at 44 (People)
Zuri Craig, known for his time competing and making it to the finals on season 10 of America’s Got Talent, has died. He was 44.
The singer died Friday, according to an announcement shared by his family Sunday on his ZoReMi Entertainment’s Instagram page, featuring a collage of images from Craig’s life and career. A cause of death was not provided.
“It is with profound sadness that we announce the transition of our beloved son, brother and friend, Zuri Craig,” they wrote. “We thank you in advance for your prayers. Please honor our privacy during this unimaginable time of mourning.”
Competing with Jeffrey Lewis as one half of the Craig Lewis Band, Craig made it to the finals of America’s Got Talent season 10 in 2015. After performing covers of James Brown’s “This is a Man’s World” and Mary J. Blige’s “I’m Goin’ Down,” finished in fifth place. Read more
Boris Johnson drops out of the race to be the next UK prime minister (NPR)
Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced Sunday he will not run to lead the Conservative Party, ending a short-lived, high-profile attempt to return to the prime minister’s job he was ousted from little more than three months ago.
His withdrawal leaves former Treasury chief Rishi Sunak the strong favorite to become Britain’s next prime minister — the third this year — at a time of political turmoil and severe economic challenges. He could win the contest as soon as Monday.
Johnson, who was ousted in July amid ethics scandals, had been widely expected to run to replace Liz Truss, who quit last week after her tax-cutting economic package caused turmoil in financial markets, was rapidly abandoned and obliterated her authority inside the governing party.
Johnson spent the weekend trying to gain support from fellow Conservative lawmakers after flying back from a Caribbean vacation and held talks with the two other contenders, Sunak and House of Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt. Read more
Henry Nwosu facing health challenges –Jalla (Sun)
Former Captain of the Super Eagles Henry Nwosu (MON) is facing a health challenge and needs urgent medical assistance, BSNSports.com.ng reports.
The mercurial midfielder and youngest player in the Green Eagles team that won the African Nations Cup in 1980 for the first time, according to Harrison Jalla, Chairman PFAN Task Force is down with an ailment that requires urgent medical attention.
“I did put a call through to him (Henry Nwosu) to inquire about his health, when I heard about his deteriorating condition. But I could hardly hear him as he had a faint speech. Read more
Tottenham manager Antonio Conte calls for ‘money’,’time’ and ‘patience’ (BBC)
It was only a few months ago that Antonio Conte was talking about “miracles” and celebrating Champions League qualification.
Now the spotlight is on the Tottenham boss for all the wrong reasons.
Back-to-back Premier League defeats after a solid start to the season have left third-placed Spurs five points off the top having played one game more.
They also have much-improved Newcastle, 2-1 winners at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday, breathing down their neck in fourth. Read more
David Beckham hails England Lionesses for inspiring his daughter Harper, 11, after their sensational Euros success (DailyMail)
David Beckham has hailed the England Lionesses for inspiring his daughter Harper after their sensational Euros success this summer.
In a video tribute to the women’s football team, the former England captain, 47, thanks them for their ‘unity’ and ‘bringing it home’.
The Lionesses are to receive a special Inspiration Award at the Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards for their win and the incredible impression they made on thousands of young girls across the country.
The former Manchester United player will be seen in a video message to be played at Monday night’s ceremony, saying: ‘Thank you very much, girls for inspiring my daughter and making her kick a ball around again with her dad.’ Read more
United States GP: Lance Stroll penalised for Fernando Alonso crash (GMS)
Lance Stroll has been given a three-place grid penalty for the Mexico Grand Prix and also a pair of penalty points on his super licence for his crash with Fernando Alonso in the US.
The two drivers will be team-mates at Aston Martin next season and they’ll certainly want to avoid a repeat of Sunday’s incident at the Circuit of the Americas, with Stroll spinning and crashing out of the Grand Prix after a late move to defend from Alonso who had been looking to overtake.
Incredibly, Alonso would go on to finish the race in P7 despite at one point being airborne during the collision, and he joked after the race that the opponent always comes off worse when there’s a tussle with an Alpine.
He can obviously smile about that now but ultimately the accident was a serious matter and could have been a hell of a lot worse all things considered, and thankfully both drivers were okay after the shunt. Read more
Rory McIlroy wins CJ Cup, returns to world No. 1 (ESPN)
The final steps on Rory McIlroy’s long road back to No. 1 go down on the scorecard as bogeys, which made him laugh. All that mattered Sunday was winning the CJ Cup in South Carolina, and that made him cry.
McIlroy reclaimed the No. 1 ranking for the ninth time by holding off Kurt Kitayama and enduring a nervous moment at the end with a three-putt bogey that gave him a 4-under 67 and a 1-shot victory.
More than the ranking, it was realizing how far he had come with so much support behind the scenes that made his voice slightly choke with emotion.
“This tournament last year was the start of me trying to build myself back up to this point,” McIlroy said. “I had a really rough Ryder Cup. I think I was outside the top 10 in the world — it’s not a position that I’m used to being in.” Read more
Chisora: Joshua couldn’t fight Fury due to complications with sponsors, promoters (BoxingScene)
Derek Chisora believes Tyson Fury is allowing Anthony Joshua to live in his head and spends too much time talking about AJ.
Chisora will face Fury, for the WBC heavyweight title, on December 3rd at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The upcoming bout will be their third time meeting in the ring – and Chisora is a massive underdog. Fury won a twelve round decision over Chisora when they met for the first time in 2011, and then Fury battered him for a stoppage win in their 2014 rematch.
Fury and Joshua had been in talks for a year-end showdown, but their talks fell apart. Joshua is not expected to fight until early 2023. Read more