Veteran Nigerian comic actor Baba Suwe is dead (ThisDay)
The dark-skinned Nigerian comic actor Babatunde Omidina, better known as Baba Suwe has passed on. One of his children, Adesola, posted the news of his death on her Instagram page.
“This is to announce the sudden death of my father Mr Babatunde Omidina, the legend and rare gem ‘Baba Suwe’ 11/22/21,” read the post.
Born on August 22, 1958, Baba Suwe gained mainstream recognition after he featured in the movie ‘Omolasan’. His fame grew following his feature in ‘Iru Esin’. The Lagos State indigene started acting in 1971 and has featured and produced several Nigerian movies.
Baba Suwe’s life was not void of controversies. In 2011, he was accused of cocaine trafficking by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) but the allegation was dismissed by a Lagos High Court. The actor had said in interviews that the experience crippled his health. In 2019, Baba Suwe through the generosity of friends was flown to the United States for the treatment of diabetes. Read more
Tribunal awaits results of tests on Ikoyi building materials (Channels)
The Lagos State Tribunal Inquiry into the collapse of a 21-storey building in the Ikoyi area of the state has said it is awaiting the results of the tests conducted on the construction materials.
Mr Toyin Ayinde, the Chairman of the panel stated this on Monday during a press conference held at the Lagos State Waterways Authority Terminal Building, Ikoyi.
He said that the panel has conducted interviews with several eyewitnesses and stakeholders and would update the public on its proceedings.
“The tribunal began formal interviews with witnesses from Tuesday, 16th November 2021, in order to identify the roles played in the activities that led to the collapse of the building and received the report from the consultants who conducted verticality tests on the remaining structures standing in the premises of the collapsed building. The results of the tests on the construction materials are still being awaited,” Ayinde said. Read more
#EndSARS Panel Report: Hold government responsible if anything happens to me – Adegboruwa (Independent)
A member of the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Restitution for Victims of SARS Related Abuses and other matters, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), on Monday raised alarm over threats to his life Nigerians, saying Nigerians should hold the government responsible if anything happens to him.
In a statement he personally signed, Adegboruwa said some agents of the government, especially lawyers have been making inciting opinions about him on the outcome of the report. ” Since the submission of the report of the Lagos #EndSARS Panel, there have been lots of threats and attacks, by those suspected to be agents of the government, upon me, especially in the media’.
“I have not committed any crime beyond joining other eminent Nigerians with unblemished integrity, to accept the nomination of government on behalf of my constituency, the Nigerian Bar Association and the civil society and the indeed the masses of our people, for a national assignment.
“Two prominent lawyers of the government have openly incited opinions against me on national television, with mindless accusations. Read more
Lagos assures residents of improved basic education through EKOEXCEL (Sun)
Chairman, Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LASUBEB), Wahab Alawiye-King has said the state will not relent in leveraging technology to advance primary education through EKOEXCEL
The state governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu inaugurated EKOEXCEL (Excellence in Child Education and Learning) in 2019 to provide quality education to both the rich and the poor and upskill teachers through cutting-edge technology.
Speaking on the sidelines of the quarterly meeting of the Universal Basic Education (UBEC) Management with chairmen of SUBEBs in Nigeria themed ‘Enhancing Access, Equity and Standards in Basic Education Through Technology-Driven Initiatives,” held in Benin City, Edo State from November 15 to 18, Alawiye-King said leveraging technology to boost primary education through EKOEXCEL was a long-term strategy of the government.
Alawiye-King, who was elected SUBEBs Dean at the meeting, explained that though Lagos borrowed the idea from Edo State, it had adopted it to fit its peculiar requirements and that EKOEXCEL has been tailored to meet pupils’ individual needs. Read more
‘Meter bypass, illegal connection, biggest economic threats to KEDCO’ (Independent)
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO), Dr. Jamil Isyaku Gwamna, has described “meter bypass and illegal connections amongst others as the biggest economic threat to the company in recent time.”
Dr. Gwamna, according to a press statement issued Monday by the Company’s Head of Corporate Communications, Ibrahim Sani Shawai, also warned that KEDCO would no longer be lenient with anyone found engaging in meter bypass and illegal connections in its franchise areas.
He said the “era of coming to beg using third parties after committing such offences” were over as “anyone found will be made to defend themselves in court.”
The KEDCO boss said via the statement that, “The decision by the Management was taken to ensure that such ugly trends do not threaten KEDCO’s efforts at satisfying its numerous customers. Read more
Terrorism charge: Absence of interpreter stalls arraignment of Igboho’s aides (Punch)
The planned arraignment of Jamiu Oyetunji and Amudat Babatunde, two aides of Yoruba nationalist, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, could not hold on Monday before Justice Obiorah Egwuatu of a Federal High Court in Abuja due to the absence of an interpreter.
They are being prosecuted by the Department of State Service, an agency of the Federal Government on a five-count charge bothering on terrorism.
The charge dated August 31 was filed at a Federal High Court, Abuja, by S.M Bello, counsel for the claimant.
By the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/305/2021, the Federal Government claimed that the defendants were involved in acts of terrorism and possession of prohibited firearms. Read more
Be example to others – clergy chides Christian leaders, politicians (Independent)
Christians who are engaged in politics have been challenged to be a shining light for others to emulate in whatever position God has placed them by resisting corruption,
greed and other vices that runs contrary to the teachings they have learnt from childhood.
Niger state Chairman Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. (Dr) Matthias Echioda gave the counsel at the maiden edition of, Life and Leadership Conference which took place at Aloe Vera Hotel, Minna over the weekend.
It is also important for General Overseers (GOs) and other Church leaders to live up to the responsibilities of preaching the word to change the Nigerian society but most importantly, ensuring that their charisma blends with the words of their mouth and character.
He said, days were gone when politics is viewed as a ‘dirty game’, and therefore encouraged Christians to go into active politics but must be exemplary in adhering to the rules of the game, avoid cutting corners at the detrimental to their image and that of the religion. Read more
Insecurity: Security officials repel attack by Cameroonian militia (Champion)
Residents of Manga of Takum Local government of Taraba State have cried out of the constant killings in their Community by the Cameroonian militias.
The residents of the Community which shares boundaries with Cameroon narrated the role played by officials of the Nigerian Immigration Service during the invasion by Ambazonian militia.
Our Correspondent gathered that Cameroon stormed the village last week, killing the monarch and some of his subjects.
When the committee, which the Taraba State Government set up to look into the issue visited the community on Saturday, Abubakar Manga, spokesman of the village, said: “Thirteen people, including three children, were killed; while 20 others were missing, but for the immigration officials on ground at the time of the attack, the entire community would have been wiped out”. Read more
N342m fraud: Court convicts NEPZA employee (Punch)
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has secured the conviction of Dasel Nanjwan, an engineer with the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority.
Nanjwan was sentenced to three years imprisonment by the Calabar Division of Court of Appeal for holding a private interest in a N342 million contract regarding the replacement of warehouses and factories at the Calabar Free Trade Zone.
The convict was a member of the Federal Government technical committee in a negotiation with General Electric Africa on investments in the Calabar Free Trade Zone as well as the owner and sole signatory to the account of Kwop-ri Services, the company that won the contract.
The defendant was initially arraigned by the ICPC before a Calabar High Court presided over by Justice Emily Ibok on a five-count charge which includes knowingly holding a private interest in a N342m contract connected with an office which he is employed, an offence contrary to and punishable under section 12 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000. Read more
Dua Lipa annouces Tove Lo, Griff and Angèle as support for 2022 UK/European tour (NME)
Dua Lipa has announced the support acts for her forthcoming UK/European 2022 tour.
Tove Lo, Griff and Angèle, who featured on her 2020 single ‘Fever’, will support the star for her shows, which kick off in Manchester next April.
Announcing the acts, Dua Lipa wrote: “Slowly making my way around the world and the girls with me: Griff, Tove Lo and Angèle. COME SEE US ON THE FUTURE NOSTALGIA TOUR.”
The singer has also added a number of shows to her European tour, tickets for which go on sale this Friday (November 19). Read more
Israel: Minister calls for installing metal detectors at Al-Aqsa gates following Jerusalem shooting (MiddleEastEye)
An Israeli minister on Monday called for reinstalling metal detectors at the gates of Al-Aqsa mosque in occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City after a Palestinian and an Israeli from South Africa were killed in a shooting incident on Sunday.
Yoaz Hendel, the minister of communication, said that Israel “must make sure that no armed people enter Jerusalem”.
“The matter of the metal detectors must be re-examined. We have given up on this in the past and it is impossible to give it up in the future,” he said on Sunday.
Israel installed metal detectors in the summer of 2017 at the gates of Haram al-Sharif’s esplanade, known to Jews as the Temple Mount. The step was denounced by the Palestinians, who at the time refused to enter the compound through the Israeli barriers in protest. Read more
Sri Lanka begins trials connected to 2019 Easter bombings case (Globe&Mail)
A Sri Lankan court on Monday began the first of three trials connected to bombings that killed nearly 270 people on the island in 2019, amidst appeals for greater accountability from victim support groups.
In this trial, former national police Chief Pujith Jayasundara is charged with failing to act on repeated intelligence warnings of a possible terror attack.
A total of 855 charges of murder and attempted murder were read out as Jayasundara stood in the dock at the back of the courtroom. A total of 1,215 witnesses have been listed to give evidence but not all may be called, his lawyer said.
“Our position is the former police chief is not guilty. He did not intentionally aid or abet the attacks and there was no omission on his part that caused the attacks,” attorney Ranjith Dehiwala told Reuters. Read more
The Bidens will return to Nantucket for a Thanksgiving tradition with wonderful and painful memories (People)
The president and first lady will return to Nantucket for Thanksgiving this year, continuing a family tradition that they skipped in 2020 because of the pandemic.
Late last week the White House confirmed local reports that Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden will visit the Massachusetts island for the holiday like they’ve done since 1975, including as vice president and second lady and while Biden was a senator from Delaware.
The White House said the Bidens will travel to Nantucket on Tuesday night after celebrating Thanksgiving with service members in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, on Monday and then attending a “service project” in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday with Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff. (The president will also make a speech about the economy and addressing inflation, which has become an increasingly pressing issue for his administration.)
Last year, as public health officials warned Americans not to gather on the holiday because of COVID-19, the newly elected president and his wife spent Thanksgiving at their home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, with daughter Ashely Biden and her husband, Dr. Howard Krein. Read more
Israel’s Netanyahu faces key witness in corruption trial (Aljazeera)
A key prosecution witness has begun testifying in the trial of former Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who stands accused of fraud, breach of trust, and corruption.
Nir Hefetz, a former media adviser to the former prime minister and his family, gave his testimony to a Jerusalem District courtroom on Monday pertaining to regulatory favours Netanyahu allegedly awarded to media tycoons in return for positive press coverage and receipt of gifts.
In his opening testimony, Hefetz said that Netanyahu was a “control freak” when it came to his public image, and that “his control over everything relating to media matters and in his social media channels could not be higher”.
“Netanyahu spends at least as much of his time on media as he spends on security matters, including on matters an outsider would consider nonsense,” Hefetz told the court. Read more
Taliban issues new rules saying only men can appear in TV dramas (Independent)
The Taliban government in Afghanistan has banned television channels from airing TV dramas with women actors in its latest set of directives.
Women journalists and presenters have been ordered to wear hijabs, or head coverings, during appearances on television programmes.
The new guidelines were issued by the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice. It released eight new directives for television channels.
The new rules prohibit foreign and domestic films that promote “immorality” and are against the principles of sharia or Islamic laws. Men have also been barred from exposing body parts. Songs, comedies and entertainment shows considered insulting to religion or offensive to Afghan values have also been forbidden. Read more
Producer “Beats By Jayy” Dies of Covid-19 Complications (Guardian)
His death was confirmed in a statement from his family signed by Frank Chujor. The statement revealed that the musician and songwriter had died on Saturday, November 20, at age 28.
“Victor Chujor-Idowu aka Beats by Jayy aka Big Daddy Jayy will be in our hearts forever. October 11 1993 – November 20 2021.”
“It’s with a heavy heart that we announced the passing of multi-talented producer/singer/songwriter Victor Chujor-Idowu aka Beats By Jayy,” the statement reads.
“He passed away at the age of 28 following complications from COVID 19. He is survived by his mother and siblings.” Read more
Hollyoaks star Sarah Jayne Dunn hopes to swap soaps after Mandy Richardson exit (DigitalSpy)
Hollyoaks actress Sarah Jayne Dunn has revealed that she’d like to try out another soap after she exits her role as Mandy Richardson.
It was confirmed earlier this month that Sarah Jayne, who has played Mandy in multiple stints since 1996, would be leaving the Channel 4 soap following a dispute about her decision to share content on the website OnlyFans.
Speaking to Daily Star, Sarah Jayne has now revealed that acting continues to be her main passion and that she’d like to step onto the cobbles of Coronation Street following her exit from Chester.
“I love Corrie. I’m a Northern girl and Coronation Street has always been up there as something I’d love to be part of so that would be great,” she said. “I’ve had other opportunities and doors open since all of this so maybe for now my path is slightly different but I’m happy to see where it takes me for now.” Read more
Ronaldo sends message to Solskjaer after Man United sacking (Independent)
Cristiano Ronaldo has sent a good luck message to ‘outstanding human being’ Ole Gunnar Solskjaer who was sacked by Manchester United at the weekend.
The Norwegian finally paid the price for a dire start to the new season which saw United lose five of their last seven matches in the Premier League, culminating with a humiliating 4-1 loss away at Watford on Saturday afternoon.
United accelerated plans to part with their manager after an unconvincing start to the campaign just months after handing him a new three-year deal and backing him significantly in the summer transfer window.
Portuguese ace Ronaldo was amongst the top talent lured to Old Trafford under Solskjaer’s guidance with the Norwegian convincing him to take care of ‘unfinished business’ he still had at United. Read more
Southgate rewarded for England progress with new deal until 2024 (France24)
Gareth Southgate has been rewarded with a two-year contract extension after leading England to the final of Euro 2020, the Football Association announced on Monday.
Southgate, who also masterminded a run to the semi-finals at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, has transformed his team into serious contenders after years of underachievement.
Reports over recent weeks suggested the 51-year-old was set to sign a new deal, which had been due to end after the Qatar World Cup late next year.
“The FA is delighted to confirm Gareth Southgate and (assistant) Steve Holland have signed new contracts through to December 2024,” the FA said in a statement. Read more
Ghana FA call on FIFA to dismiss SAFA’S ‘hoax’ of an appeal and punish them severely! (TheSouthAfrican)
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) have called on FIFA to dismiss the South African Football Association (SAFA) appeal, calling it a ‘hoax’ and punish them severely!
SAFA wrote a complaint to FIFA over the officiating of Senegalese referee Maguette Ndiaye who awarded a dubious penalty to Ghana in a 1-0 win over Bafana Bafana, now GFA have responded.
Immediately after that game, SAFA made their intentions to appeal that decision as well as other questionable calls against Bafana Bafana, clear to FIFA and by Monday morning, had already addressed the media on a process they hoped to undertake the complaint in. SAFA decided to host a press conference to inform the public on their case and evidence, something the GFA did not seem to take kindly too.
Initially, GFA communications Director Henry Asante Twum seemed not to take offence to SAFA appealing the decision, saying that the association respects the decision of SAFA to take the matter to FIFA. But then in their official statement on Thursday, that tone changed to one which featured a rather disrespectful undertone.Read more
Mercedes to bring back Hamilton ‘rocket engine’ for Jeddah (F1i)
Mercedes says it will roll out in Jeddah next week the fresh engine that propelled Lewis Hamilton to victory in Brazil to take full advantage of the new venue’s high-speed characteristics.
In Sao Paulo recently, the Brackley squad added a fresh unit to Hamilton’s pool of hardware, a move that helped the seven-time world champion overpower championship rival Max Verstappen at Interlagos
Labeled as a “rocket engine” by Red Bull motorsport boss Helmut Marko, the unit is able to run at higher power settings thanks to its low mileage, and it could prove to be Hamilton’s most precious ally in Saudi Arabia.
“We’ve seen pretty big swings of performance over the recent races, [but] if we look at the track in Saudi, I think it should suit us,” said Mercedes trackside engineer Andrew Shovlin. Read more
WTA: Chinese tennis player’s call with Olympic chief is not enough (Metro)
Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai’s video call with the president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) does not address or alleviate the Women’s Tennis Association’s (WTA) concern about her well-being, the WTA said on Monday.
The whereabouts of Peng, a former doubles world number one, became a matter of international concern nearly three weeks ago, after she alleged that China’s former Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli had sexually assaulted her.
She appeared at a dinner with friends on Saturday and a children’s tennis tournament in Beijing on Sunday, photographs and videos published by Chinese state media journalists and by the tournament’s organisers show. But they have done little to quell concerns.
“It was good to see Peng Shuai in recent videos, but they don’t alleviate or address the WTA’s concern about her well-being and ability to communicate without censorship or coercion,” a WTA spokeswoman said in an e-mail. Read more
Barcelona wonderkid Pedri becomes the latest winner of the Golden Boy award (DailyMail)
Barcelona teenager Pedri has won the European Golden Boy award after a remarkable calendar year for the Catalans and Spain.
The 18-year-old midfielder played over 50 times in his first season for the LaLiga giants last term, before going on to be a key player for the Spanish national team at the European Championships and Olympic Games over the summer.
Pedri is now the first Barcelona player to win the award since Lionel Messi picked up the prize in 2005 and joins the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Erling Braut Haaland in claiming the honour in recent years.
England internationals Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham and Mason Greenwood were nominated for the award but lost out to the Barcelona midfielder. Read more
Man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after alleged attack at QPR vs Luton (Mirror)
A 26-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder as a result of an alleged attack that took place after QPR’s home clash against Luton Town.
Police discovered a 52-year-old man with a severe head injury at 9.50pm on Friday, near the Uxbridge Road junction with Devonport Road in west London.
The victim, who is from Luton, was taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service (LAS) paramedics while his family have been informed that he currently remains in a life-threatening condition.
The suspect remains in custody while the investigation is ongoing as police continue to urge anyone who may have either witnessed the alleged incident or any kind of disorder after the game to come forward. Read more
NBA stars Tony Parker and Nicolas Batum purchase Haras de Quetieville (RacingPost)
French basketball stars Tony Parker and Nicolas Batum have joined forces to buy Normandy stud farm Haras de Quetieville.
Former San Antonio Spurs point guard Parker is now well known as an enthusiast of the sport and has been involved recently in a show on French racing television channel Equidia.
He is the co-owner of Mangoustine, a two-year-old who won last month’s Group 3 Prix Miesque, as well as Listed Prix Saraca scorer Zelda.
Parker and his advisor Clement Tropres, had been looking for a property and were taken with the Quetieville site, a 86-hectare estate with 54 stables and a fine history, recently producing horses such as Wootton, American Devil and Max Dynamite. Read more