Why I didn’t hand over to Osinbajo when travelling in April —Buhari (Punch)
President Muhammadu Buhari has said that he decided not to hand over power to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo when he travelled to the United Kingdom on a private visit from April 25 to May 5, 2019 because there was no constitutional requirement for him to do so. The President further stated that the only time he needs to hand over to Osinbajo is when he is proceeding on leave or going to be out of the country for more than 21 days. Read more
Peter Obi’s media aide weighs in on attack on Chimamanda Adichie (Guardian)
Media Aide to former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, Val Obienyem, who is also an author and barrister, has condemned recent attacks on author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Obienyem wrote in an opinion piece, in response to attacks on Adichie for writing an article about the dispute in the Guardian newspaper entitled, ‘My Hometown Under Siege’. The primary focus of her article was ongoing sponsored harassment and intimidation of Abba community residents. Read more
Osun begins screening of Commissioner, Special Adviser-nominees Monday (Nation)
The Osun State House of Assembly has released the time table for the screening of Commissioner and Special Adviser nominees. The screening exercise split into four batches will start from Monday, and end on Friday. There will no screening on Tuesday because of the national public holiday for the celebration of the nation’s 59th independence anniversary. Read more
Two men drown in Ondo (Punch)
A commercial motorcyclist also known as Okada rider, identified as Idowu Akomolafe and one Abiodun Olomiye reportedly drowned on Friday evening in Ondo State. While Akomolafe was found dead by the roadside at Ijoka area of Akure, the state capital on Saturday morning, Olomiye reportedly drowned when he went swimming in a river in Uso town in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Friday evening. Read more
Ekiti APC suspends LG primary elections indefinitely (Nation)
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Ekiti State Chapter on Saturday said it has postponed the local government primary elections in two local government areas of the state. The ruling party’s shadow primary which was scheduled to hold on Saturday was suspended indefinitely in Ado and Ikole Local Government over security concern while the elections held in other 14 local councils. Read more
FG recognises 82 outstanding civil servants (Punch)
A retired Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Aliyu Bisala, and 81 other civil servants were recognised for their outstanding performance by the acting Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Folasade Yemi-Esan, at a dinner and award ceremony held to mark the end of the 2019 civil service week at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja on Friday. Read more
Nigeria loses bid to host 2021 ICASA conference – NACA DG (Guardian)
Nigeria has lost the bid to host the 2021 edition of International Conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Africa (ICASA 2021). Dr Gambo Aliyu, the Director-General of National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) said this in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Abuja. Aliyu, who blamed the loss on the inability of Nigeria to massively register votes during the bidding, regretted the development but expressed optimism to hosting future ones. Read more
FG blocks 2.2 million improperly registered mobile telephone lines (Punch)
The Federal Government on Saturday disclosed that it has blocked a total of 2,277,311 improperly registered lines. The development followed a directive issued to the Nigeria Communications Commission by the Minister of Communications, Dr. Isa Pantami. Read more
Ikpeazu sacks ASEPA GM over poor sanitation in Umuahia (Nation)
Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has directed the immediate sack of the General Manager of Abia State Environmental Sanitation Agency (ASEPA), Mr Okechukwu Apugo. A release by the Commissioner of Information, Chief John Okiyi said that Apugo was sacked over poor sanitation situation in Umuahia, the State capital. Read more
1,000 ghost workers exposed in Niger (Nation)
Over 1000 ghost workers have been exposed in Niger state following the verification conducted by a committee set up by the Niger State Government. Some of the civil servants in the state were also discovered to be collecting double salaries while further investigations showed whose names appear in the payment vouchers but are not in the nominal roll of the state government. Read more
Provide security, freed ASUP chairman tells FG (Punch)
The Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics at the Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igbo Ora, Mr Oluyide Opadijo, has asked the state Governor, Mr Seyi Makinde, and President Muhammadu Buhari to be alive to their responsibilities of ensuring security in the country. The ASUP chairman spoke after he and five others were released by suspected kidnappers last week. Read more
Imo bans use of polythene bags for waste disposal (Nation)
Imo State government has banned the use of polythene bags to dispose refuse in the state, reiterating its determination to restore the state to its premier position as the cleanest and most beautiful state in the country through sustained aggressive environmental sanitation exercise. The Chairman of the State Sanitation Committee and former governor of the state Chief Ikedi Ohakim disclosed this shortly after monitoring this month’s state environmental sanitation exercise within the Owerri capital city and its environs, jointly with officials of the State Environmental Transformation Commission (ENTRACO) led by the General Manager, Alex Emeziem. Read more
Though I raped, I’d not allow my daughter to be raped –Man arrested for raping a 14-year-old (Punch)
Sanusi Usman, a 25-year-old single man resident in Gombe, was recently arrested for raping a 14-year-old girl he had held hostage overnight. He tells CHIMA AZUBUIKE how he perpetrated the act. Read more
Mugabe funeral: Zimbabwe ex-president laid to rest in Kutama (BBC)
Zimbabwe’s former President Robert Mugabe is being laid to rest in the rural village where he was born, three weeks after his death at the age of 95. He is being buried in the courtyard of his home in Kutama, about 90km (55 miles) west of the capital Harare. Mugabe died in a Singapore hospital on 6 September, nearly two years after a coup ended his 37 years in power. Read more
Meghan ‘shows solidarity’ at memorial of murdered South African student (BBC)
The Duchess of Sussex has tied a ribbon at a memorial to a South African student, at the post office where she was raped and murdered last month. Meghan has also personally passed on her condolences to the mother of 19-year-old Uyinene Mrwetyana. The duchess made the visit to “show solidarity” with protesters against gender-based violence, a post on her official Instagram account said. Read more
Boris Johnson’s referral to watchdog ‘politically motivated’ – No 10 (BBC)
A move to refer Boris Johnson to the police watchdog is “a politically motivated attack”, a senior government source has said. The watchdog will decide whether or not to investigate the prime minister for a potential criminal offence of misconduct in public office while he was London mayor. It is alleged businesswoman Jennifer Arcuri received favourable treatment due to her friendship with Mr Johnson. Read more
Three more elephants killed in Sri Lanka, bringing toll to seven (Guardian)
Wildlife officials found three more dead wild elephants in central Sri Lanka Saturday, raising the number believed to have been poisoned by angry villagers to seven. The animals were found at a forest reserve near Sigiriya, a fifth-century rock fortress and UNESCO-protected heritage site, police said. “Since Friday, we have found the remains of seven cow elephants, including a tusker,” police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera said. Read more
Trump impeachment inquiry: Pompeo subpoenaed by House Democrats (BBC)
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has been ordered by Democrats to turn over documents relating to the Trump administration’s dealings with Ukraine. In a letter, the heads of three House committees subpoenaed Mr Pompeo to produce the documents within a week. It is the latest move in rapidly escalating impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump. Read more
Afghan presidential election: Heavy security as polls open (BBC)
People have voted in Afghanistan’s presidential poll amid heavy security and bomb attacks from insurgents. More than 70,000 security forces were deployed across the country to counter Taliban militants who have vowed to target polling stations. The twice-delayed vote is taking place after Taliban-US peace talks collapsed earlier this month. Read more
‘French Spiderman’ arrested after climbing 42-floor German skyscraper (Metro)
An urban climber dubbed the ‘French Spiderman’ has been arrested following his latest daring exploit – scaling a skyscraper in the German city of Frankfurt. Alain Robert, 57, was escorted away from the 500-foot Skyper tower in the heart of the country’s financial capital. It took him just 20 minutes to top the 42-floor glass structure as passers-by gawped at him making his way up without any safety equipment – or permission. Read more
Boeing 737 NG: US regulator orders inspections into cracks (BBC)
US aviation regulators have ordered inspections of Boeing 737 NG aircraft after cracks were found on some planes. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said Boeing discovered the cracks “while conducting modifications on a heavily used aircraft”. Similar cracks were found in a small number of additional planes, the agency said. Read more
Pensioner with dementia accused of murdering wife of 50 years unfit to stand trial (Metro)
An elderly man with dementia, who is charged with stabbing his wife of 50 years to death, has been found unfit to stand trial. Michael Hubbard, 82, is accused of murdering wife and mother to his two children, Frances, 76, at their sheltered housing bungalow in Brooke, Norfolk. But the pensioner, who has been held in a secure mental health unit ever since her death, has no understanding of his murder charge, said the defence. Read more
Canada killings: Teenage fugitives confessed to murders, police say (BBC)
Two teenage fugitives in Canada confessed to killing three people in videos recorded before they took their own lives, police say. A nationwide manhunt for the pair was launched after the murders in northern British Columbia in July. Kam McLeod, 19, and Bryer Schmegelsky, 18, were found dead 3,300km (2,050 miles) away in Manitoba on 7 August. Read more
Homeless cat lands a job at a law firm after people complained about him hanging around (Metro)
Send congratulatory catnip to Leon the cat, for he has received a promotion that’s worthy of celebration. Leon may not have been qualified for the job. He may not have passed exams or attained any official education. Thus he’s an icon for getting high up on the career ladder in an untraditional way. We can all learn from him. Read more
Brazil friendly will be good test for Super Eagles, Sports Minister says (Guardian)
Sunday Dare, the Minister of Youths and Sports Development, on Saturday in Abuja said the upcoming friendly game between Nigeria and Brazil would expose the Super Eagles’ strengths and weaknesses. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that three-times African champions Super Eagles will take on Brazil at the Singapore National Stadium in Kallang on Oct. 13. Read more
Semi Ajayi Savours 2-0 victory over Queens Park Rangers (Nation)
Super Eagles defender Semi Ajayi sang victory song on Saturday as West Brom beat homers Queens Park Rangers 0-2 in the English Championship. The Nigeria international was in action for full 90 minutes doing the clearing job to ensure that Park Rangers never recovered playing at home in front of their vociferous fans notwithstanding. Read more
Equatorial Guinea: Angel Lopez steps down as national coach (BBC)
Equatorial Guinea coach Angel Lopez has quit his job just one year after taking over, saying he needed a new challenge. His decision comes after Equatorial Guinea edged South Sudan 2-1 on aggregate earlier this month in the preliminary round of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers. ‘Nzalang Nacional’ were next due to start the group phase of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers away to Tanzania and at home to Tunisia in November. Read more
Liverpool extend lead with hard-fought win at Sheffield United (Guardian)
Liverpool moved eight points clear at the top of the table, but were made to work hard for a 16th straight Premier League win as Georginio Wijnaldum’s fortunate strike handed the visitors a 1-0 victory at Sheffield United on Saturday. The European champions looked short on invention against the well-organised Blades until Wijnaldum’s shot from the edge of the box 20 minutes from time trickled between the legs of United goalkeeper Dean Henderson. Read more
Liverpool face investigation over ineligible player in MK Dons win (Punch)
The Football League in England is investigating Liverpool to find out if the English Premier League club potentially fielded an ineligible player against MK Dons on Wednesday. Liverpool had beaten League One side MK Dons 2-0 in the third round of the League Cup. Read more
Ten-man Spurs hold on to beat Southampton (BBC)
Tottenham ended a bad week by beating Southampton in an action-packed encounter – despite being reduced to 10 men for an hour and a shocking blunder by keeper Hugo Lloris. Having lost to Leicester before being beaten by League Two Colchester in the Carabao Cup, Spurs’ spirits were lifted as £53.8m club record signing Tanguy Ndombele scored with a powerful deflected finish. Read more
Jorginho and Willian score as Chelsea see off Brighton (BBC)
Chelsea deservedly beat Brighton to make it nine wins out of nine in league games against Brighton – an all-time Premier League/Football League record. The Blues deservedly led at Stamford Bridge when Jorginho scored a penalty after Adam Webster fouled Mason Mount. Albion, who have not won in the league since the opening day, briefly rallied and Dan Burn’s header hit the crossbar. Read more
Frank Lampard confirms Jorginho has replaced Ross Barkley as Chelsea penalty taker (Metro)
Frank Lampard confirmed Jorginho has replaced Ross Barkley as Chelsea’s primary penalty taker following Saturday’s win over Brighton. The England international missed a crucial spot kick against Valencia 10 days ago, spurning the opportunity to earn a point for his side on matchday one of the Champions League. Read more
Ten-man Barcelona edge past Getafe (BBC)
Luis Suarez and Junior Firpo got the goals as Barcelona moved back into La Liga’s top four with victory at Getafe. Suarez latched on to Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s long clearance before lifting the ball over onrushing Getafe goalkeeper David Soria. Firpo doubled the visitors’ lead, slotting home after Soria had spilled Carles Perez’s goal-bound effort. Read more
Nantes win at Lyon to go top in France (Guardian)
Nantes moved to the top of Ligue 1 on Saturday when they kicked off the weekend’s matches with a 1-0 win at Lyon that tipped the hosts deeper into crisis. Lyon had the best of the chances but conceded the only goal in freakish fashion just before the hour. As Samuel Moutoussamy broke into the home area, left back Fernando Marcal slid in and attempted to poke the ball out for a corner. Read more
Ronaldo scores on return from injury as Juventus win (BBC)
Cristiano Ronaldo returned from injury with a goal as Serie A champions Juventus maintained their unbeaten start to the season by beating SPAL. Ronaldo had missed the win over Brescia with an adductor problem, but powered home a header in the second half. Juve took the lead through Miralem Pjanic’s stunning curling strike on the stroke of half-time. Read more
Russian GP: Charles Leclerc takes fourth pole in a row (BBC)
Charles Leclerc produced another spectacular performance to take pole position for the Russian Grand Prix. The 21-year-old took his fourth pole in a row for Ferrari as Lewis Hamilton pipped Leclerc’s team-mate Sebastian Vettel to second, 0.402secs adrift of Leclerc. Hamilton beat Vettel by just 0.023secs with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen fourth ahead of Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas. Read more
