Why Chinese company abandoned work on new terminal at Lagos airport (Independent)
More facts have emerged on why the Chinese construction company, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), the contractor in charge of construction of the new terminal building at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, abandoned the project midway.
Daily Independent learnt that apart from the debt owed the contractor by the Federal Government, the planned concession of Lagos airport by Sen. Hadi Sirika is also a contributory factor.
A source close to the construction company, who didn’t want his name in print, confided in Daily Independent on Tuesday that the plan to include the Lagos airport among the four airports slated for concession by the government was a source of worry to the company.
The company, it was learnt, is confused on how to recoup its investment once the terminal was concessioned as arranged by the government. Read more
Nigeria Customs: Covid-19, exchange rate, responsible for hike in import duty (ThisDay)
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), yesterday gave a detailed explanation to reasons duties on cargoes imported into the country are going up.
According to the deputy national public relations officer of the service, Timi Bomadi, the reasons for the increase in valuation of imported cargoes was due to the Covid-19 pandemic that disrupted global supply chain and the increase in exchange rate.
Specifically, he said, “Since value assessments are based on the currencies of exchange when calculating duty payable on imports, we are compelled to also factor in the exchange rate. Even when the cost, insurance and freight values remain unchanged over time, the fact that the exchange rate varies, implies that there must be a commensurate increase in assessments and duty payable. Read more
FG probes fraud in COVID-19 vaccination (Sun)
Federal Government said it had uncovered fraud in the administration of COVID-19 vaccines that had to do with people trying to get vaccination cards without being vaccinated.
In response, it said the State Security Services (SSS), ICPC and other law enforcement agencies have been engaged to investigate and prosecute persons and their accomplices attempting to fraudulently acquire vaccination cards.
Specifically, government said it recently arrested and was prosecuting a staff of the FCT State Primary Healthcare Development Board, who was involved in the criminal act.
Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Faisal Shuaib, told journalists at a press conference in Abuja, that the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) was unhappy with the fraudulent attempts and has urged those attempting such acts to desist henceforth. Read more
6 grandchildren escape death as Ondo collapsed building kills 90-year-old, landlord held (Punch)
A 90-year-old woman, Mrs Rhoda Olom, has been killed in a collapsed building at Fanibi area of Akure, the Ondo State capital.
The six grandchildren of the late nonagenarian, who were with her when the incident happened, were reportedly injured in the incident, which occurred around 3am on Tuesday.
An eyewitness told our correspondent that the entire house did not collapse, but an apartment of the old building, where the deceased and her grandchildren were living.
PUNCH Metro gathered that the collapsed apartment was attached to the main building from the back a few years back, without an approval from the state government. Read more
Ogun agency ex-boss debunks misappropriation claim, urges audit (Guardian)
The former Managing Director of Ogun State Property and Investment Corporation (OPIC), Babajide Odusolu, has denied the allegation of financial misappropriation levelled against him by the Ogun State House of Assembly.
Odusolu, who denied the allegation during a press conference yesterday, in Lagos, said the allegation was false in its entirety.
He said that he was being headhunted just as many of his colleagues that served under former Governor Ibikunle Amosun. Odusolu said all the issues raised against him had been addressed during his appearance before the House, following the lawmakers invitation for the period under review. Read more
Prophetess dies 48 hours after conviction for manslaughter (Tribune)
Two days after being convicted for manslaughter and sentenced to life imprisonment, Edina Loveday-Worleru, a prophetess in Rivers State has reportedly died after a brief illness.
She died after being committed to the prison complex for her jail term.
The prophetess was convicted and sentenced on Thursday, by Justice Adolphus Enebeli of a State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt for manslaughter, but died on Saturday, two days later.
Edina, who was the prophetess of a spiritual Church in Rumuche Community, Emohua Local Government Area of the state was said to have prepared a poisonous substance in the name of love portion for one Onyema Bright Worlu, to administer in her man-friend, Israel Georgewill’s food sometime in 2012. Read more
NCDC announces 3 additional Covid-19 related deaths, 513 new cases (Vanguard)
Edo SSG loses brother to COVID-19
Fourteen states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have announced 513 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, according to figures released on Wednesday morning by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control,(NCDC).
The NCDC added that the 513 new cases, bring the total number of infections in the country to 202,704.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the additional 513 COVID-19 infections, on Tuesday indicates an increase from the 393 cases reported on Monday.
It added that lagos state led the chat with 132 news cases, higher than the 86 cases it recorded the previous day. Read more
51 days after, resident doctors vow to continue strike (Punch)
The National Association of Resident Doctors has insisted that it will not call off its ongoing strike until its demands are met.
The association said this despite the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire’s meeting with its leadership on Monday.
The PUNCH learnt that Monday was the first time Ehanire was meeting the leadership of NARD without the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, since the strike started 51 days ago.
Before now, Ngige has been the one spearheading meetings with representatives of NARD in a bid to end the strike. Read more
Toyin Abraham speaks on ‘beef’ with Funke Akindele (DailyTrust)
Nollywood actress, Toyin Abraham, has spoken on the alleged beef with Funke Akindele Bello, her colleague in the industry.
In a radio interview, Abraham said she has no problem with Akindele and she did not know where that speculation came from.
She said, “She’s my senior colleague and someone I respect a lot so I don’t know what people are talking about. She is one of the few I look up to but you know, sometimes people don’t understand that we are colleagues not family so you can not be talking to all your colleagues.
“We talk, we follow each other, if I see her, I will kneel down and greet her but the point is that a lot of people do not understand that we are working in the same industry. You don’t have to be my close friend. Trust me, forget social media.” Read more
Jennifer Hudson ‘in informal talks’ to star in Disney’s Hercules live-action remake after she pitched dream role (Metro)
Jennifer Hudson recently made a pitch to Disney for a role in the upcoming live-action remake of Hercules, and it may have worked as she’s now said to be in talks with the studio.
Last year, it was confirmed that Avengers: Endgame directors, the Russo Brothers, had signed on to produce the Hercules makeover with Wonder Woman 1984’s Dave Callaham set to write the script.
The new live-action instalment is expected to remake the classic 1997 animation, which saw Tate Donovan, Danny DeVito and James Woods among the stars who voiced leading characters.
In a recent interview, Aretha actress Jennifer made no secret of her desire to land a starring role in the upcoming blockbuster. Read more
Britney Spears’ conservatorship to be explored in new Netflix doc (NYPost)
“Hi. My name is Britney Spears.”
The 39-year-old singer’s recognizable voice anchors a new teaser trailer that dropped Tuesday for Netflix’s forthcoming documentary, “Britney vs Spears.”
In the clip, Spears can be heard leaving a voice message for her lawyer on January 21, 2009, at approximately 12:29 a.m.
“Hi. My name is Britney Spears. I called you earlier. I’m calling again because I just wanted to make sure that during the process of eliminating the conservatorship…” she says in the trailer.
Britney Spears’ lengthy and controversial 13-year conservatorship will be examined in “Britney vs Spears.” A full trailer will be released on Wednesday, Netflix said, and a release date has not been revealed. Read more
Melbourne earthquake: Tremor rattles southeast Australia (BBC)
A 5.8 magnitude earthquake has rattled southeast Australia, damaging buildings in the city of Melbourne.
The earthquake happened about 09:15 local time (00:15 GMT) on Wednesday at Mansfield, not far from the Victorian state capital.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said “we have had no reports of serious injuries and that is very good news”.
The earthquake was also felt in neighbouring South Australia and New South Wales (NSW). Read more
Gabby Petito identified as body found in Grand Teton National Park, death ruled a homicide (Metro)
The body found in Bridger-Teton National Forest has been identified as Gabby Petito. Her death has been ruled a homicide, according to the FBI.
The remains found on Sunday in a remote section of the Wyoming national forest are those of Gabrielle Venora Petito, the van-life blogger who went missing after going on a cross-country road trip with her fiancé, Teton County Coroner Dr Brent Blue confirmed Tuesday evening.
The cause of Petito’s death remains pending final autopsy results, the FBI’s Denver Division shared.
Petito, 22, was last heard from on August 25 during a road trip visiting national parks in Colorado, Utah and Wyoming with her fiancé Brian Laundrie. Read more
Willie Garson, beloved ‘Sex and the City’ actor, dead at 57 (NYPost)
Willie Garson, the actor who played the beloved character Stanford Blatch in “Sex and the City” and its upcoming reboot, “And Just Like That,” with real-life best friend Sarah Jessica Parker, has died. He was 57.
“Willie Garson was in life, as on-screen, a devoted friend and a bright light for everyone in his universe,” an HBO Max spokesperson told The Post. “He created one of the most beloved characters from the HBO pantheon and was a member of our family for nearly twenty-five years. We are deeply saddened to learn of his passing and extend our sincere condolences to his family and loved ones.”
The New Jersey native reportedly passed amid a cancer battle, TMZ reported, and family confirmed his death on social media.
His son Nathen, whom he adopted in 2009, wrote a heartbreaking post that he’s glad his dad “can be at peace now.” Read more
Sarah Dash, singer and co-founder of LaBelle, dies at 76 (Guardian)
Sarah Dash, American singer and member of the legendary R&B group LaBelle, who had a US No 1 hit with “Lady Marmalade,” has died. She was 76.
Dash’s bandmate Patti Labelle announced her longtime friend’s death on social media.
“We were just onstage together on Saturday and it was such a powerful and special moment!” Labelle said on Twitter. “Sarah Dash was an awesomely talented, beautiful and loving soul who blessed my life and the lives of so many others in more ways than I can say. And I could always count on her to have my back! That’s who Sarah was … a loyal friend and a voice for those who didn’t have one.” Read more
Holders Man City fight back to thrash Wycombe after early scare (BBC)
Riyad Mahrez scored twice as holders Manchester City came from behind to thrash League One Wycombe and reach the last 16 of the Carabao Cup.
The visitors took a shock lead through Brandon Hanlan, but Kevin de Bruyne levelled seven minutes later.
Mahrez claimed his double either side of half-time, with Phil Foden and Ferran Torres also beating veteran goalkeeper David Stockdale.
Substitute Cole Palmer, 19, added the sixth with his first goal for the club.
He ran from the halfway line before curling in a fine left-footed shot from 20 yards. Read more
10 athletes to represent Nigeria at 2022 Winter Olympics (Punch)
Following the successful completion of its inaugural Olympics Trials in Lagos on Saturday, the Bobsled and Skeleton Federation of Nigeria has stated that 10 athletes would represent Nigeria at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics Games.
Technical Director, BSFN, Dr. Seun Adigun, disclosed this in Lagos.
“Ten athletes will be named for the Winter Olympics.
“We will have two athletes for Bobsled, two in the Monobob women’s team, two athletes for the Bobsled men’s team, two male Skeleton and two female Skeleton athletes for the national team,” Adigun, who played a key role in Nigeria’s debut at the last Winter Olympics Games in Pyeongchang, Sourh Korea, said. Read more
Emma Raducanu pulls out of Chicago event after her stunning US Open triumph (Metro)
Emma Raducanu has delayed her return to tennis action following her magnificent US Open victory earlier this month after pulling out of next week’s Chicago Fall Classic event.
Raducanu won her first ever Grand Slam at Flushing Meadows without dropping a single set and her potential return to action was in the event which starts on September 27.
But the teenager’s fans will now have to wait until the first week of October to see her back on the court, when she is expected to compete at the BNP Paribas event at Indian Wells.
The 18-year-old joins fellow stars Coco Gauff, US Open semi-finalist Aryna Sabalenka and current World No.6 Sofia Kenin in withdrawing from the competition in Chicago. Read more
Minamino double as Liverpool progress (BBC)
Takumi Minamino scored twice as Liverpool beat fellow Premier League side Norwich City at Carrow Road to reach the Carabao Cup fourth round.
The visitors led after four minutes as Minamino produced a sharp turn and finish from Divock Origi’s knockdown.
Caoimhin Kelleher denied Norwich an equaliser before half-time, saving Christos Tzolis’ penalty with his foot.
Origi headed in Konstantinos Tsimikas’ cross five minutes after the break and Minamino slotted in a late third. Read more
Oshoala, Onuachu reign as NFF-Aiteo Awards honours 1999 Super Falcons (Guardian)
Super Eagles’ striker, Paul Onuachu and Super Falcons’ Captain, Asisat Oshoala, were the stars of the night at the 2021 NFF-Aiteo Awards held at the Eko Hotels, Lagos, on Monday.
Dedicated to the 1999 class of Super Falcons, the third edition of the yearly awards was a gathering of top football personalities from across the world, including FIFA Secretary General, Fatma Samoura, CAF President, Patrice Motsepe and South Africa’s Danny Jordaan, as well as top Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) officials.
Onuachu, who was one of the top strikers in Europe last season, won the Best Performance of the Year (Men; Overseas-based) award, while Oshoala was declared Best Performance of the Year (Women; Overseas-based). Read more
Why US Ryder Cup team isn’t worried about having slew of rookies (NYPost)
Will youth serve or be served at the Ryder Cup this week?
Will it kill or be killed?
These are the most pressing questions facing the U.S. Ryder Cup team as it prepares for the 43rd edition of these matches, which begin on Friday at Whistling Straits, with a record six rookies on its 12-man team, twice as many as the Europeans.
To put into context just how much younger and inexperienced the American side is, its six players who have Ryder Cups experience have combined to win 25 ½ points in their history — the same number of points Europe’s Sergio Garcia has won on his own in his nine appearances.
A few good young men.
The U.S. has a lot of them, which impresses 48-year-old European veteran Lee Westwood, who’s accounted for 23 career points in his 10 Ryder Cup appearances. Read more