Nigeria vs Sierra Leone: Benin fans in awe as Osimhen, others storm stadium

 

Nigeria will slug it out against Sierra Leone on Friday, November 13, at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium in an African Nations Cup qualifier before travelling to Freetown for the return leg four days later.

Ahead of the game, the Super Eagles on Thursday, November 12, put finishing touches to their preparation as four points in the double header will cement a place for Gernot Rohr's men at AFCON 2022 to be staged in Cameroon.

The Super Eagles currently lead Group L with six points, having defeated Benin Republic and Lesotho in their opening two games.

Nigeria vs Sierra Leone take centre stage today and Benin fans were excited to see Osimhen, others Super Eagles stars as they arrived the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium for training. Photo: Emmanuel Osodi

However, in adherence to the directives from the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19, Nigeria's game against Sierra Leone will be played without fans.

This comes as a big blow to football loving fans in Benin who are eager to see the Super Eagles play for the first time in a long while as the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium last hosted the senior national team in 2011.

But that didn't stop football loving fans from marching to the stadium to welcome the players as they arrived for a closed door training.

One player in particular seems to be the fans' favourite as the players got down from the team bus and that is Victor Osimhen.

The Napoli striker was greeted with a loud cheer by the fans as some expressed their love for him while he made his way into the stadium.

The 21-year-old will be hoping to add to his goal tally in the qualifying series as he currently has 3 goals in 2 games.

Earlier.Victor Osimhen has expressed happiness over his return to the Super Eagles squad ahead of the African Cup of Nations qualifier against Sierra Leone.

The 21-year-old was unable to play for the Super Eagles in their last two friendly games against Algeria and Tunisia.

He has however back to the team and has explained that the game against Sierra Leone will not be easy, stressing that victory will be attained.

Double celebration: Actress Yvonne Nelson bags Master’s degree as she marks birthday

 

Talented Ghanaian actress, Yvonne Nelson, recently took to social media via her Instagram page to share the good news of her bagging her Master's degree.

The film star who clocked a year older on November 12, 2020, took to her page to celebrate her birthday and to also share her academic achievement with her numerous fans.

Nelson shared a photo of herself in her graduation gown and revealed in the caption that she had her Master's degree in International Relations and Diplomacy.

According to her, the month of November was a special one for her.

Yvonne Nelson. Photos: @yvonnenelsongh / IG.

In her words:

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY to me. This month is special. I gifted myself a MASTERS DEGREE in International Relations and Diplomacy."

See the post below:

In another post, the film star shared a video of herself getting dressed in her graduation gown and she used the opportunity to motivate her young fans. She told them to define their path, stay true to their process and avoid distractions.

She wrote:

“It's my BIRTHDAY . Young ones, Construct a well defined path for yourself. Stay true to the process and mute every distraction."

See the post below:

Nice one. Congrats to Yvonne Nelson.

In other news related to the actress took to social media to encourage fans by telling them that she was not perfect.

Nelson revealed this after sharing different photos of herself, some showing her clear skin and one showing her blemishes.

Kamala Harris’s husband ‘quits’ job for White House role

The United States vice president-elect, Kamala Harris’s husband, Douglas Emhoff, has reportedly quit his law firm job for a White House role.

The 56-year-old has left his private law practice to focus on his role at the White House. At the Law firm DLA Piper, he practised law in intellectual property and technology and its media, sports and entertainment sector, according to the firm’s website.

According to Wionews when the Biden administration takes over, Emhoff would break new ground as America`s first `second gentleman`.

Emhoff has been on leave from his law firm DLA Piper since Kamala Harris joined the Biden ticket.

AP reports that Emhoff`s decision reflects the Biden administration`s focus on avoiding potential ethical issues, in sharp contrast with the current Trump administration.

President Buhari reinstates suspended UNILAG VC Ogundipe, dissolves governing council

The federal government on Wednesday, November 11, reinstated the suspended vice-chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe.

Ogundipe's reinstatement was contained in a statement issued by the director of press and public relations, ministry of education, Ben-Bem Goong, in Abuja.

The statement which was titled, ‘Re: Report of special visitation panel to UNILAG, said the removal of Prof. Ogundipe as the vice-chancellor did not follow due process.

The suspended vice-chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe. Source: Daily Independent.

The statement read:

“President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the federal fepublic of Nigeria and visitor to the University of Lagos has approved the report of the special visitation panel to the University of Lagos.

Strike: Our members must not attend UI convocation ceremony - ASUU declares

“The highlights of the findings and recommendations approved by president are as follows – the removal of Professor Oluwatoyin T. Ogundipe as the vice-chancellor did not follow due process.

“The vice-chancellor was not granted an opportunity to defend himself on the allegations upon which his removal was based. He should accordingly be re-instated.

“All allegations made against the vice-chancellor and the management of the university before and after the constitution of the special visitation panel should be referred to regular visitation panel for a thorough investigation and necessary recommendations."

The statement further noted that the process adopted by the council in the appointment of Prof. Omololu Soyombo as acting vice-chancellor of the university was inconsistent with the provisions of the law relating to the appointment of an acting vice-chancellor.

The president ordered for immediate dissolution of the governing council headed by Wale Babalakin.

It also added:

“Mr. President after careful review of the report has approved all the recommendations of the Panel. Accordingly, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe is hereby reinstated as the vice chancellor of the University of Lagos.

“The governing council of the University of Lagos chaired by Dr. B. O. Babalakin is hereby dissolved. Mr. President hopes these steps will bring peace, stability, focus and direction to the university.”

Meanwhile,Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) at the University of Ibadan declared that the Senate of the university has no power to punish their members for protesting the appointment of the new VC.

It was reported that some members of the Senate of the institution had on Wednesday, November 3, threatened to punish SSANU and NASU members who participated in a protest against the ongoing selection process in the university

Prices of cooking oil increase in major markets

 

Prices of palm oil and vegetable oil have skyrocketed in major markets across the country, placing both commodities beyond the reach of many consumers.

A market survey conducted by newsmen  recently revealed that the prices of both cooking oil have risen by about 40 per cent compared to what they were priced some months ago.

At the Ogbete Main Market, Garki and Mayor markets a 5-litre keg of palm oil now sells for N2,450 as against N1,800 in the previous month.

A 70 Cl bottle now goes for N500 from N380 a few weeks back.

The survey also revealed that a 20-litre Jerry-can of palm oil is now selling between N14,000 and N15,000; as against N9,000 and N11,500 based on its processing pattern and grade.

Palm oil dealers, who spoke to newsmen at the various major markets, attributed the increase to an off-season of the palm fruits for the year.

Mrs Florence Abah a palm oil seller at Ogbete Main Market said that the price of oil as at September was between N350 and N400 per 70cl bottle, while 20-litre went for between N9,000 and N9,500.

Abah noted that scarcity of palm oil fruits had led to low productivity thereby, leading to a hike in the price of the commodity.

In the same vein, Miss Nonye Offor and Kafayat Salaudeen another seller of palm oil at Garki Market, said that a 25-litre Jerry-can in major markets in the metropolis goes for between N16,000 and N17,500.

According to a vegetable oil seller at Garki Market, Mr Romanus Uzo, he explained that the price of vegetable oil had increased significantly in all markets.

“We cannot actually say the reason for the increase in the price of vegetable oil, although almost every food item have increased in their prices.

“Some of our distributors said that bad road and increased transport fares are responsible for the increase,” Uzo said.

Also, Mrs Kate Mbonu, another vegetable oil seller at New Market said that 5 litres of Kings Vegetable Oil now goes for N4, 000 as against the previous price of N3, 400.

According to Mbonu, three litres of Power Vegetable Oil goes for N3,400 as against N2,800.

She added that the prices might further increase ahead of the Yuletide.

Mass testing key in containing virus spread

 

Ms. May Ikokwu, the Chief Executive Officer, Save Our Heritage Initiative (SOHI), says mass testing for COVID-19 is key in containing the spread of the pandemic in the country.

Ikokwu, also the Secretary-General, Coalition of Societies for the Rights of Older Persons in Nigeria (COSROPIN), said this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday.

She expressed concern over the traumatic experience of some persons infected with the virus as well as the economy of the country.

“The way forward is to increase our testing capacity and capabilities by ensuring mass testing.

“Sickness detected is half cured, so the moment the virus is detected, certainly quarantine and treatment will follow and the spread will reduce,’’ Ikokwu said.

She commended the Federal Government for its efforts in fighting the pandemic, adding that more still needed to be done to eliminate the virus.

Ikokwu called for intensive advocacy to sensitise Nigerians to the existence of the disease which according to her was still wreaking havoc.

The SOHI boss expressed concern over the perception by many people that COVID-19 virus was gone.

“ The fact that the virus did not ravage the country as had been predicted is no reason for the current complacency being observed.

“While at an Abuja suburb market recently, I was shocked to observe that a woman was the only one wearing a facemask, appearing like an oddity in the environment.

“Many people today no longer apply the safety protocols of washing hands, social distancing thinking that the pandemic is over.

“But the pandemic is very much around, a governor just tested positive, it is clear evidence that it is still around as 300 persons also tested positive to the virus.’’

Ikokwu urged Nigerians to present themselves for test in order to ascertain their safety.

She explained that it was wrong for people to stay away from testing because of fear or stigmatisation.

According to her, Nigeria has more than 61 testing centres across the nation and it is important we know our COVID-19 status.

Newsmen report that at the beginning of the pandemic, Nigeria’s COVID-19 testing capacity was around 200 tests a day which later increased to 1,000 tests per day.

Source: NAN

FRSC: Nigeria records 1,076 deaths from road accidents in three months

 

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says it recorded 2,656 road crashes and 1,076 deaths across the country in the third quarter of 2020.

The Corps’ Public Education Officer (CPEO), Assistant Corps Marshal, (ACM) Bisi Kazeem, made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja.

Mr Kazeem said that the road crashes and deaths occurred between July and September 2020, adding that FRSC had not relented in its efforts at reducing carnages on the highways.

He attributed most of the road crashes and deaths that occurred along various routes in the country within the period to over speeding.

“We recorded 2, 656 road traffic crashes. The number of vehicles involved were 4, 494. Out of this number, 1,076 persons were killed, 6,539 people were injured.

“A total of 6,868 people were rescued alive without injuries. The total number of people Involved is 14, 483.

“Speed accounted for a major cause of road crashes during the period, followed by wrongful overtaking, disobedience to traffic rules and worn out, fake and expired tyres.

“Crashes and accidents are preventable if we do the right thing,” he said.

Mr Kazeem urged the motoring public to cooperate with the Corps, saying that it would go a long way in preventing incessant crashes on the roads.

He also appealed to motorists to desist from buying used or fake tyres and opt for good ones in order to save lives and properties.

He said that the corps adopted advocacy, education and enlightenment approaches to sensitise the motoring public.

“This is to ensure that all categories of road users from the schooled to the unschooled are sensitised.

“We have also intensified mass sensitisation campaigns through the establishment of a Radio Station called National Traffic Radio 107.1 FM for all round sensitisation of mass categories of road users.

“This is also with the aim of promoting a better road culture, and, so far so good, this is producing desired result,” he said.

Mr Kazeem encouraged drivers to obey traffic rules, regulations and cooperate with traffic officers, as it was in their best interests and that of other road users.

Police deny new salary structure list circulating on social media, says it's fake

 

The Nigeria Police Force has on Monday, November 9, denied a new salary structure list that is being circulated on social media.

The list which broke down salaries across all the ranks of the police claimed President Muhammadu Buhari approved the new structure.

The least paid policemen according to the post list Police Constable (PC) II who are to earn N84, 000, while the highest, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), is to be paid N1.5 million.

IGP. Adamu. Picture source: The Sun

However, in a tweet on its official Twitter handle, @PoliceNG, the police described the list as a piece of fake news.

“Ignore the trending fake news, please.”The tweet stated simply:

Meanwhile, the posting of Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Sanusi Lemu and Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Usman Alkali Baba to new departments has been approved by Mohammed Adamu, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).

Lemu is now the DIG in-charge of the department of operations while Baba is now the DIG in-charge of finance and administration.

In another report, IGP Adamu has emphasised the need for Nigerians to embrace the community policing strategy in the country.

The police boss described community policing as the best strategy to combat crime in Nigeria.

The IGP made this known in Owerri, the capital of Imo state, during a one-day working visit to the state to assess the level of damage done by hoodlums who hijacked the peaceful #EndSARS protest