Why Lagos-Ibadan Expressway remains 40% completed —Works controller (Punch)
As the Federal Government prepares for partial closure of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Monday for repairs, the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mr. Adedamola Kuti, says the project is still 40 per cent completed. Kuti told the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos on Sunday that the project, earlier targeted to be completed in 2017, would be finished by 2021/22 because the Federal Government had included some features that were missing in the old design. He listed the additional features to include underpasses, footbridges, flyovers, toll plazas and road expansion. Read more
Wadume is still in our custody – Police source (Nation)
The suspected kidnapper, Alhaji Hamisu Bala Wadume is still in Police custody. The suspect who was freed by Army personnel and later re-arrested by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force is presently in Police custody. Also, several people have been arrested in the last few days in connection to crimes led by him. Read more
Arrest order: We will carry out Ashura procession, Shi’ites dare IG (Punch)
The Islamic Movement in Nigeria has said that the move by the police to arrest its leaders and members nationwide was targeted at curtailing their religious freedom and liberty. The group stated that the planned arrest was aimed at preventing its members from conducting their religious mourning obligations, noting the Federal Government, has since 2015, exploited the commencement of the first month of the Islamic calendar “to persecute, kill and maim Shi’ites.” Read more
Presidency dismisses reports on Daura flood victims, pledges more assistance (Guardian)
The Presidency on Sunday described as false and untrue that President Muhammadu Buhari turned his back on the Daura community in Katsina State, which was hit by massive floods on Aug.29. Malam Garba Shehu, the President’s spokesman in a statement in Abuja on Sunday, said contrary to the allegations pre-assessment relief materials were dispatched to the victims within 48 hours of the floods. Read more
PDP knocks Buhari over escalating insecurity (Nation)
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has berated President Muhammadu Buhari for his failure to take decisive steps to end bloodletting and guarantee a stable, peaceful and secure nation. The party said it’s completely inexcusable that as an individual, occupying the seat of the Commander-In-Chief, President Buhari has failed to organise his parade and articulate a decisive and operable strategy to effectively end violence in the nation. Read more
Support military, others with prayer, Adeboye urges Nigerians (Punch)
The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, on Sunday called on Nigerians to support the military and other security agencies with prayers in their task of addressing security challenges in the country. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Adeboye made the call at his monthly telecast message, with the theme “Our True Shield and Defence”, via the church’s television at the Redemption Camp, Ogun State. Read more
Fashola alerts public to fake Facebook account in his name (Nation)
Works and housing minister Babatunde Fashola has alerted members of the public to a fake Facebook account opened in his name and warned people against falling prey to the antics of the scammers behind it. Fashola, in a statement by Mr Hakeen Bello, his Special Adviser on Communications, said that the fake account, which had his name and picture, was opened by dupes and scammers. The statement was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Sunday in Abuja. Read more
Zamfara Ruga project to be jointly funded by state, LGA’s (Nation)
Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara state has issued strong warning to the constructor handling the proposed Ruga project to ensure that all building materials are purchased locally within the state unless they are not available. Similarly, the governor stressed that hundred percent of the labour force must be sourced from within the state. Read more
Release Agba Jalingo unconditionally, NBA’s ex-VP Ubani tells Police (Punch)
An ex-vice president of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Monday Ubani, has urged the government to release, unconditionally, journalist and activist, Agba Jalingo, who is being held by the Police. The Police arrested Agba Jalingo in Lagos over some publications on an online forum, crossriverwatch.com, and also on Facebook, and he has been held in protective custody since Friday when he was arraigned at the Federal High Court, Calabar Judicial Division, on four counts bordering on acts of treason, treasonable felony, and more. Read more
Mosque Demolition: Call Wike To Order, Groups urges FG, Governors (Nation)
Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has called on the Federal Government, northern governors and National Assembly members to call the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike to order over alleged demolition of mosque in the state. CNG in a press conference by its spokesman, Abdulazeez Sulaiman, held in Kano on Sunday, described the demolition of the mosque and alleged declaration of Rivers State as a Christian state as a brazen disregard to the secular setup of the country by Wike. Read more
JAMB to use NIN for 2020 UTME registration (Nation)
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has said it would use the National Identity Number issued by the National Identity Management Commission for the conduct of 2020 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination. JAMB Registrar, Prof Is-haq Oloyede, stated this when the Director of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms, Mr Dasuki Arabi, visited him at the headquarters of the board in Abuja. He said the introduction of the NIN to UTME was in line with the directive of the Federal Government that NIMC should be the primary data collection centre. Read more
Hell’s Gate: Kenya tour group swept away by flash flood (BBC)
Two people have been confirmed dead and five others are missing after a tour group was swept away by a flash flood during heavy rains in a Kenyan national park. The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) said the incident at at Hell’s Gate National Park involved five Kenyan nationals, a local tour guide and a “foreigner”. Two bodies were recovered during a search-and-rescue operation, which is still under way. Read more
12 dead in Mali building collapse (Punch)
Twelve people were killed on Sunday when a three-storey building under construction collapsed “like a house of cards” in the Mali capital Bamako, the government and local media reports said. Twenty-six people were rescued alive from the partially occupied building after it collapsed just before dawn. “Thanks to the determination of the emergency services, a young girl of around four years has just been pulled out of the rubble alive. Read more
UN chief pledges support for DR Congo army (BBC)
The head of the UN has promised continuing support for the army of the Democratic Republic of Congo in its fight against armed groups. Visiting the eastern city of Beni, Secretary General Antonio Guterres said it was necessary to go on the offensive against the rebels. Some 16,000 peacekeepers are deployed in the country, making it one of the largest UN missions in the world. Read more
US service member killed in Afghanistan (Guardian)
An American service member was killed in Afghanistan, the US-led NATO mission said Friday, the latest US fatality as talks between the US and the Taliban continues. “A US service member died during combat operations in Afghanistan, August 29, 2019,” NATO’s Resolute Support mission said in a statement. The death brings to at least 15 the number of members of the US military to be killed in action in Afghanistan this year, just as Washington is seeking a way out of its longest war. Read more
Hurricane Dorian: Bahamas slammed by category five storm (BBC)
Hurricane Dorian has made landfall in the north-west Bahamas as a monster category five storm with sustained winds of up to 180mph (285km/h). The “extremely dangerous” storm is the strongest hurricane on modern record in the area, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) says. Grand Bahama residents have been evacuating from its predicted path. A storm surge could be life-threatening and as high as 23ft (7m) in places, officials warn. Read more
Hezbollah fires rockets into Israel from Lebanon (BBC)
The Lebanese Shia Muslim militant group Hezbollah has fired several anti-tank rockets into northern Israel in retaliation for a reported Israeli drone attack in Beirut last week. Israeli military sources confirmed rockets had been fired at an Israeli army base and military vehicles. The Israeli army responded by attacking targets in southern Lebanon. Read more
Baby girl airlifted to hospital after being mauled by family pet (Metro)
A baby girl had to be airlifted to hospital after she was bitten on the head by a Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Her devastated granddad said the dog belonged to the family and she was mauled at home in Wales. It happened at a house on Mynydd Isa, Flintshire on Saturday afternoon. She was flown to Alder Hey in Liverpool where she is currently receiving treatment. Read more
Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters block airport (BBC)
Pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong have blocked roads to the territory’s airport, disrupting the operation of the major Asian transport hub. Trains to the airport were halted and roads blocked. Passengers had to walk to the terminal. Most flights operated as normal, but delays were reported. Thousands of black-clad protesters then tried to enter the terminal building but were stopped by riot police. Read more
Brazil president to undergo surgery for fourth time (Guardian)
Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro will undergo surgery to correct an incisional hernia, his fourth operation since he was stabbed nearly a year ago during his presidential campaign, his office said Sunday. A statement from the president’s office said the problem resulted from previous surgeries. Bolsonaro tweeted a photograph of himself flanked by his doctors in Sao Paulo. “Everything indicates I will ‘enjoy’ some 10 days’ vacation with them shortly,” he said. Read more
Andre Ayew: Ghana forward to stay at Swansea City (BBC)
Swansea City’s record signing Andre Ayew is to remain with the Championship club. The Ghana forward spent last season on loan at Fenerbahce and had been expected to leave this summer. Ayew, 29, said he had received offers from several clubs ahead of Monday’s European transfer deadline but had opted to stay at the Liberty Stadium. Read more
Unai Emery provides update on Alexandre Lacazette’s injury after Arsenal’s draw with Tottenham (Metro)
Unai Emery has confirmed that the hamstring injury Alexandre Lacazette sustained during Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham is not serious. Spurs appeared to be in control of the north London derby after goals from Christian Eriksen and Harry Kane gave Spurs a two-goal lead inside the opening 40 minutes at the Emirates. However, Alexandre Lacazette scored an exquisite solo goal on half-time before Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang volleyed home an equaliser in the 71st minute and the points were shared. Read more
Manchester City: Aymeric Laporte injury a problem after Pep Guardiola told to limit spending (BBC)
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola was told to limit his spending this summer – and it could leave him with a central defensive headache. City are yet to discover the full extent of the injury Aymeric Laporte sustained in Saturday’s 4-0 win against Brighton. But Guardiola says “it doesn’t look good” and knows any absence will leave him with just two senior centre-backs. Read more
Arsenal captain Granit Xhaka speaks out on penalty mistake in north London derby (Metro)
Granit Xhaka has thanked Arsenal fans for their support in the north London derby and acknowledged the ‘mistake’ he made that gifted Tottenham a two-goal lead. The Gunners went behind early on at the Emirates after Christian Eriksen tapped in from close range following a weak save from Bernd Leno, with Spurs given the chance to double their lead shortly before half-time. Read more
Real’s Bale sent off after scoring twice (BBC)
Gareth Bale was sent off in stoppage time after scoring two goals to rescue a point for Real Madrid against Villarreal in La Liga. Bale, who seemed set to leave Madrid this summer, was shown both yellow cards in stoppage time after ending his 169-day league scoring drought. Villarreal had taken an early lead through Gerard Moreno but Bale opened his account on the stroke of half-time. Read more
Sidelined Boateng set to leave Bayern for Juventus (Guardian)
Frozen-out Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng will move to Juventus before the end of the summer transfer window on Monday, according to German media. According to magazine Kicker and daily Bild, Italian champions Juve are in the hunt for an experienced defender following Giorgio Chiellini’s cruciate knee ligament injury, and Boateng reportedly begged the club to let him leave. Read more
Lukaku racially abused at Cagliari (BBC)
Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku was racially abused by Cagliari fans as he scored from the penalty spot to give his club a 2-1 victory in Serie A. He is the latest black player to suffer abuse from Cagliari fans, prompting calls for action to be taken. Lukaku, 26, stood and stared at fans behind the goal – where monkey chants had come from – after scoring. Read more
Lazio & Roma share points in derby (BBC)
Luiz Alberto scored a second-half equaliser as Lazio secured a point in a pulsating Rome derby with Roma. Roma took the lead when Aleksandar Kolarov struck from the penalty spot after Sergej Milinkovic-Savic handled inside his own area. Ciro Immobile and Joaquin Correa both hit the post minutes later as Lazio searched for the leveller, while Nicolo Zaniolo remained a threat for Roma. Read more
Serena Williams speaks out on ankle injury scare after reaching US Open quarter-finals (Metro)
Serena Williams suffered an injury scare during her straight sets win over Petra Martic, with her troublesome ankle problems returning late in the match. Moments before the 23-time Grand Slam champion moved a set-and-a-break up, she rolled her ankle when bursting to the net and fell to the ground, requiring treatment moments later in order to continue to play. Read more
Roger Federer beats David Goffin to reach US Open quarter-finals (BBC)
Roger Federer cruised into the US Open quarter-finals, thrashing 15th seed David Goffin 6-2 6-2 6-0 in just 78 minutes. The Swiss five-time champion fell a break down early in the first set but then won six games in a row to establish control in the fourth-round match. Federer, 38, hit 34 winners while Belgian Goffin could only manage eight. He will face Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov in the last eight. Read more
Johanna Konta fights back against world No. 3 Karolina Pliskova to book US Open quarter-finals debut (Metro)
Johanna Konta recovered from a set-and-a-break down to defeat world No. 3 Karolina Pliskova to book her spot in the quarter-finals of the US Open for the first time and become the first British woman to reach this stage in 36 years. The Brit has been in magnificant form in New York and overcame her toughest test yet, showing great spirit as she clawed her way back into the tie. Read more
Roger Federer reacts to heartwarming Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka US Open moment (Metro)
Roger Federer hailed the ‘camaraderie’ on show between Naomi Osaka and Cori “Coco Gauff” following the pair’s US Open clash. The Swiss – who thrashed David Goffin to book his spot in the quarter-finals – watched the third-round meeting between the young superstars on Saturday night in which world No. 1 Osaka triumphed 6-3 6-0 over the the 15-year-old sensation. In the immediate aftermath of the straight sets win, Osaka invited a tearful Gauff to give a post-match interview on court before becoming emotional in her own address to the Arthur Ashe crowd. Read more