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Man United sack coach Erik Ten Hag

Bankole ABE
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Man United sack coach Erik Ten Hag

ENGLISH Premier League (EPL) club Manchester United has sacked Erik Ten Hag as its manager. 

This was revealed in a statement by the club on Monday, October 28.

Ten Hag was sacked after spending two-and-half years at the club.

According to the club statement, Ruud van Nistelrooy will take over as the team’s interim manager.

“We are grateful to Erik for everything he has done during his time with us and wish him well for the future,” the club said.

The 54-year-old gaffer faced numerous challenges leading the club.

He escaped a summer sack by the club’s management after defeating rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup final in May 2024.

United finished the previous season in eighth place, which was their lowest-ever Premier League finish, and they were eliminated from the Champions League just before Christmas.

After nine games, Man United is currently 14th on the EPL table with eleven points and has secured just three wins from their opening nine matches.

Ten Hag’s final game was Sunday’s 2-1 defeat by West Ham.

United are also 21st of 36 teams in the Europa League table, having drawn their three opening fixtures.

Ruud van Nistelrooy has been named as interim manager.

The club said Nistelrooy, who joined the club as Ten Hag’s assistant last summer, would be in charge while they search for a permanent head coach.

The club’s board notified Ten Hag of the decision Monday morning after the team’s loss to West Ham at the London Stadium.

Since former coach Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, United is now looking for their sixth permanent manager.

Ten Hag, a former Ajax manager, took over in the summer of 2022 and guided the team to third place in the Premier League during his debut season.

He led United to their first trophy in six seasons with a 2-0 victory over Newcastle United in the 2023 Carabao Cup final.

In December 2023, British businessman Jim Ratcliffe purchased a 27.7% share in the club.

‘I will make you disappear,’ lawmaker says after threatening, slapping Bolt driver

Mustapha USMAN
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‘I will make you disappear,’ lawmaker says after threatening, slapping Bolt driver

A VIRAL video of a lawmaker representing the Aba North and South Federal Constituency of Abia State at the House of Representatives, Alex Mascot Ikwechegh, assaulting and threatening a delivery bolt driver, Stephen Abuwatseya, has sparked reactions from many Nigerians on social media.

Many who reacted to the video bemoaned the situation while calling for sanctions against the lawmaker.

The legislator appears visibly angry in the footage, engaging in a heated exchange with the delivery driver before resorting to physical intimidation, vocal threats and eventually slapping him.

The ICIR heard the lawmaker say he would make the driver disappear while boasting that nothing would happen.

The driver had asked Ikwechegh to come out and get the snail he was meant to deliver, but this, according to the driver, did not sit well with Ikwechegh, who resorted to dubbing the driver ‘disrespectful.’

“Do you know where you are? Do you know who I am? You think I will give you my money with the way you have spoken to me? You will not see any penny from me with this level of disrespect. You are very stupid,” the lawmaker said, as he went ahead to call the vendor and questioned how she had sent the driver in question.

“Can you imagine this rat? I can make this man (the driver) disappear from the whole of Nigeria, and nothing will happen. Can you imagine this rat? I am not going to give this boy one naira of my money. I pray that you insult me. Can you please insult me? I am not going to call my policemen to beat you up. I will beat you up. I will show you that I am a big brother to you. I will tie you up, lie you down, and lock you in my generator house.

“How dare you? Do you know who you are talking to? Do you know where you are? Because you saw me sitting outside here. Look at this monkey,” Ikwechegh said.

Ikwechegh then went ahead to slap the driver multiple times, noting that he would make the driver suffer.

The ICIR, however, could not confirm if the lawmaker went further to assault the driver beyond what was disclosed in the viral video.

The lawmaker could also be heard saying the driver should record him and petition the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

Later footage shows the driver, shirtless, claiming that Ikwechegh tore his clothes during the altercation. 

The incident, which reportedly occurred in the Federal Capital Territory, has sparked widespread outrage on social media, with citizens and advocacy groups condemning the lawmaker’s actions as an abuse of power.

But some other Nigerians said the victim might not get justice because of the prevailing impunity among the ruling class.

An X user, SeanKlean, wrote “Even if he sues for assault, as a member of the House of Representatives, I don’t think the police will do justice to this case. I strongly doubt the outcome favouring that Uber Driver. Do you know why? Because he’s a nobody. Just watch how the matter would be swept under the carpet.”

Another user, Vivian Umukoro, noted that in a country where the law is functional, people such as the lawmaker do not have a place in leadership.

“God is indeed merciful. People like this have no place in the corridors of power. “ I will make you disappear and nothing will happen. That’s the tune is a killer,” she said.

Also, Kelly Bonito, wrote “This can only happen in Nigeria. Tomorrow, he’ll run for another position, and I trust my fellow Nigerians will vote for him. We’ve seen it before: the woman who embezzled the palliatives meant to be shared with the public during the pandemic won the election she contested just last year, and the man who harassed the sales clerk at the sex toy shop also won his position.

“So, it’s no surprise if this one wins as well. In fact, this is the best CV they could have to secure a victory.”

SSANU, NASU begin indefinite strike Monday

Ehime ALEX
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SSANU, NASU begin indefinite strike Monday

THE joint action committee of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) have announced plans to commence an indefinite strike on Monday, October 28.

The committee announced this in a statement on Sunday, October 27,  jointly signed by the national president of SSANU, Mohammed Ibrahim, and general secretary of NASU, Peters Adeyemi.

They noted that the ultimatum given to the federal government over their members’ withheld salaries would expire on Sunday midnight.

The unions are demanding, among others, the payment of the four-month withheld salaries, improved remuneration, earned allowances and implementation of the 2009 agreements with the government.

The ICIR reports that the federal government had through the ministry of Labour and Employment invoked the ‘no work, no pay’ policy when the four university-based unions embarked on a prolonged strike in 2022.

In the statement, the unions said, “The last circular of the Joint Action Committee of Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities titled, ‘Latest development in respect of the withheld four months’ salaries’ referenced JAC/NS/VOL.III/32 dated 21st October 2024 refers.

“The circular under reference gave seven days to the federal government to do the needful in respect of our demands for payment of outstanding four months’ salaries and implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) sighed with the federal government on 20th August 2022 which expires midnight of Sunday, 27th October 2024.”

The unions had earlier given a 10-day ultimatum to the government to pay the withheld salaries to avoid shutting down activities in the universities.

It said, “It is quite appalling that we have issued several ultimatums thereafter with no positive result from the government, it is therefore obvious that the government is not positively disposed to our rightful and legitimate demands in spite of several interactions, dialogues, exchange of correspondences and assurances of payment all to no avail.

“We have exercised considerable and prolonged patience, allowing multiple deadlines to pass without receiving a satisfactory response to our demands by the government.”

With no positive response yet from the government, the joint committee said it has directed all its members in the universities and inter-university centres throughout the country to hold a joint congress in their respective campuses on Monday, 28 October, and proceed on an indefinite, comprehensive and total strike action as no concession should be given in any guise.

“All the state owned universities can also incorporate their local demands into this strike action as appropriate.

“Your strict compliance and adherence to this directive is mandatory for all NASU and SSANU branches in both federal and state owned universities as well as inter-university centres,” the joint committee added.

The ICIR had reported that the unions went on a seven-day warning strike over the withheld salaries issue in March this year.

SSANU and NASU had embarked on strike for five months between April and July 2022, to compel the government to meet their demands.

Obaseki, Okpebholo tango over alleged $45m Chinese loan

Ehime ALEX
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Obaseki, Okpebholo tango over alleged $45m Chinese loan

EDO State Governor-elect Monday Okpebholo has allegedly accused the government of the incumbent Governor Godwin Obaseki of spreading rumour that he is initiating moves for a $45 million loan from a Chinese agency to fund the construction of three flyovers in Benin City when sworn into office.

Okpebholo alleged in a statement by his media aide, Godspower Inegbe, on Sunday, October 27,  that those spreading the claim were affiliates of the outgoing administration.

According to the statement, viral photos from Okpebholo’s recent visit to the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, might have led to the circulation of the unfounded claims.

“We wish to alert the public to the misleading publication alleging that Senator Monday Okpebholo, the winner of the November 21 governorship election, is negotiating a $45.21 million loan with a Chinese agency to construct three flyovers in Benin City.

“We are compelled to set the record straight. The governor-elect, Senator Monday Okpebholo, was photographed at the office of the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria in Abuja, where he had been invited,” Inegbe claimed.

He said contrary to claims in some publications, Okpebholo did not honour the visitation to sign any memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the China Exim Bank for a loan.

“Rather, he is dedicated to finding ways to address the multiple loans amassed by the outgoing administration without corresponding development,” Inegbe stated.

He stressed that Okpebholo has no official capacity to procure loans on behalf of the state government, adding that he would be focused “on addressing the numerous debts accumulated by the outgoing administration without any visible development to show for it.”

However, the Edo State commissioner for information, Chris Nehikhare, has dismissed the allegation from Okpebholo that people from Obaseki’s camp were involved in the claims.

“It is not true. We have nothing to say about that. We don’t even know where the original statement they are reacting to came from. All we know is that the new government is coming in on November 12,” Nehikhare said.

The ICIR reports that Obaseki, will handover to Okpebholo on November 12, 2024

Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) won the September 21 governorship election in Edo state, emerging as the governor-elect.

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His closest rival and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Asue Ighodalo, who got the second highest votes appeared displeased with the result and is likely to pursue legal redress.

All seems not to be going well between the camp of Obaseki and that of Okpebholo ahead of the handover as the APC team had reportedly boycotted the joint transition committee set up to facilitate the handover from  Obaseki to  Okpebholo.

The incumbent government accused the APC transition committee led by Pius Odubu of not showing readiness to ensure a smooth and peaceful transition.

TCN blames its failure to restore power to North on insecurity

Ehime ALEX
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TCN blames its failure to restore power to North on insecurity

THE Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has blamed its inability to restore power to the North on insecurity.

It said it was working with the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) to repair the vandalised Shiroro-Kaduna line that led to the reduction of bulk electricity to Kaduna, Kano and other major cities in the North.

The general manager of public affairs at TCN, Ndidi Mbah said in a statement on Sunday, October, 27.

She stressed that the transmission company is working to restore the bulk power supply as quickly as possible amid the prevailing security challenges in the region.

The Shiroro-Kaduna transmission line, which supplies power to Northern Nigeria, was vandalised by insurgents and deploying engineers without security support was not feasible.

The transmission line is a critical infrastructure that supplies electricity to the region.

In the statement on Sunday, Mbah said the outage affecting Northern states for several days resulted from the vandalism of the Shiroro-Mando transmission line, stressing that insecurity in the area had delayed the immediate repair necessary to restore supply.

She hinted, however, that a temporary measure had been taken by the transmission company to reroute bulk power supply through the Ugwuaji-Apir 330kV line.

“TCN has been collaborating closely with the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) to work with our engineers to access the vandalism site to enable them to effect necessary repairs. This is vital to ensure the safety of lives during the repairs.

“We remain steadfast in our commitment to overcoming these challenges because we understand the place of electricity in the socio-economic lives of the people and the extreme inconveniences this situation is causing the government and all electricity customers in all the affected areas,” Mbah said.

She added that the company would not relent in doing everything possible to rectify the problems and restore power supply to the affected areas in the north.

The ICIR reported on Tuesday, October 22 that a significant power outage affected communities across Northern Nigeria, following the tripping of two critical 330kV transmission lines, worsening the ongoing energy crisis caused by multiple national grid collapses.

The outage began around 4:53 am and was triggered by the tripping of the Ugwuaji–Makurdi 330 kilovolt (kV) Line 2, which resulted in the loss of 243 megawatts of power.

Minutes later, at about 4:58 am, Line 1 also tripped, leading to a further loss of 468 MW, with attempts to restore power to both lines at 5:15 am and 5:17 am unsuccessful as the lines tripped again.

It affected communities in the North-East, North-West, and parts of North-Central of the region.

Gunmen whisk away Anglican priest in Anambra

Bankole ABE
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Gunmen whisk away Anglican priest in Anambra

GUNMEN have reportedly kidnapped an Anglican priest, identified as David Arinze Ajaefobi, in Anambra State.

Ajaefobi was the Archdeacon of Oyi Central Archdeaconry and Vicar of St. James’ Parish, Awkuzu, before he was kidnapped on Saturday, October 26.

A source told the Daily Post that Ajaefobi was abducted at around 9:00 pm on Saturday at the entrance gate of St. James’ Parish, Awkuzu, in the Oyi local government area of Anambra State.

According to the source, the abductors had not contacted the priest’s family to demand a ransom or to say why he had been kidnapped.

He added that prayer sessions for his safe release have been announced by the church.

An attempt to confirm the incident from the police public relations officer of Anambra State Police Command, Tochukwu Ikenga, was unsuccessful, as he did not respond to messages sent to his mobile phone nor pick up his call.

Anambra State had been the hotbed for the kidnapping of priests in recent months.

In June 2024, some yet-to-be-identified gunmen, kidnapped a priest of the Catholic Church.

The priest identified as Ike was reportedly taken by the kidnappers around Amagu intersection, Ndiokpaleke in the Ajali community in the state’s Orumba North Local Government Area, along with another individual.

According to local witnesses, the attackers double-crossed the car the priest was driving in as he and a few other people were returning from an early morning mass at the St. Michael Catholic Church.

The spokesperson for the state police command, Ikenga, confirmed the incident and stated that the police had started searching for the victims by using their operational and intelligence resources in hopes of rescuing them unharmed.

The Diocese of Ekwulobia also confirmed the abduction in a letter from the Diocesan Chancellor, Lawrence Nwankwo, calling for prayers for the safe release of the kidnapped individuals.

Another priest, Basil Gbuzuo, was abducted by unidentified gunmen on May 15 in the vicinity of Onitsha.

Gbuzuo was later freed a few weeks later after his captors received an undisclosed sum of money.

Abuja collapsed building built on illegally acquired land – Police

Bankole ABE
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Abuja collapsed building built on illegally acquired land – Police

THE  Federal Capital Territory (FCT) police command has confirmed the collapse of a building in Vidaz Estate, within the Sabon Lugbe extension, FCT.

According to the police, preliminary investigations revealed that the building was previously demolished by the FCT authorities due to its location in an illegally acquired area, but the structure was further compromised by scavengers who had been tampering with the remnants for scrap metal, leading to its collapse on Saturday, October 26.

This was disclosed in a statement released on Sunday, October 27, and signed by FCT police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh.

The police stated that five persons were successfully rescued from the debris, and there were no reported fatalities.

The police urge the public to respect the boundaries of demolished structures and construction sites to ensure safety and prevent similar occurrences in the future.

The ICIR reported on Saturday, October 26, that at least 40 people were reportedly trapped under the rubbles of the collapsed building in Sabon Lugbe, Abuja.

The incident occurred four days after the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, ordered the demolition of illegal buildings in the community.

Viral videos of the collapsed building show sympathisers attempting to see if they could rescue anyone from the debris.

The incident occurred a few months after a portion of a two-story residential building in the Kubwa neighbourhood of Abuja collapsed.

The ICIR reported that Wike ordered the demolition of all illegal buildings in the Sabon-Lugbe community on Tuesday, October 22.

Accompanied by heads of security agencies in the FCT, he paid an unannounced visit to the community, according to a statement signed by the assistant director, press, in the minister’s office, Rabi Musa Umar, and mailed to The ICIR after the visit.

The minister said buildings without proper documents from the FCT administration should be pulled down.

Describing the building owners as land grabbers, Wike noted that the structures were built without the approval of the development control department and in contravention of the land use provision of the FCT.

He further directed the director of the department of development control, Mukhtar Galadima, to work with security agencies and bring the structures down.

It is however not certain if the collapsed building has anything to do with the demolition order.

Some of the videos shared online from the tragedy show sympathisers blaming the minister for the collapse. A recent report by The ICIR highlighted major lapses in the FCT since Wike’s assumption of office as minister.

NNPP clears all chairmanship, councillorship seats in Kano LG poll

Bankole ABE
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NNPP clears all chairmanship, councillorship seats in Kano LG poll

THE New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has won the local government election in all 44 council areas of Kano State.

Chairman of the Kano Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC), Sani Malunfashi, declared the results at the commission’s headquarters in Kano on Saturday, October 26 after the polls.

Malumfashi said the state has exercised its constitutional mandate of planning, organising, coordinating, observing, and conducting local elections.

“The exercise was largely peaceful and successful in all ramifications. The commission therefore deeply appreciates the roles played by the critical stakeholders, notably security agencies, media organisations, leaders of political parties, civil society organisations, religious leaders, community leaders, and women organisations, towards the actualization of grassroots democracy in the state.

“The peaceful conduct of the exercise is a doubtless manifestation of the public acceptability of the exercise in terms of credibility, fairness, and decency,” the KANSIEC chairman stated.

According to him, six political parties: the NNPP, Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), African Action Congress (AAC), National Rescue Movement (NRM), Accord, and Action Alliance—participated in the election, with the NNPP sweeping all the available positions.

The ICIR gathered that residents of Kano complied with the state government’s movement restriction order issued ahead of the local government election in the state.

The state government, which issued the “no movement” order through the commissioner for information and internal affairs, Baba Halilu Dantiyi, said it was to ensure the smooth conduct of the state’s local government election.

The local government election in Kano has been enmeshed in controversy in the week leading to the election.

The ICIR reported that KANSIEC on Friday, October 25, affirmed its readiness to conduct the election across all the local government areas.

This followed a Kano State High Court ruling affirming its power to conduct the polls.

The ICIR reported that a Federal High Court stopped the election from holding when it sacked the KANSIEC chairman and its members a few days before the poll.

The court, in its ruling, delivered by Simon Amobede, stated that the KANSIEC chairman and other members of the commission were card-carrying members of the ruling NNPP.

The court gave the ruling on Tuesday, October 22, while delivering judgment in a suit filed by Aminu Aliyu Tiga of the All Progressives Congress (APC) against KANSIEC, the state attorney general and commissioner for justice, Haruna Isa Dederi, and 14 others.

The judge added that KANSIEC could not validly and competently conduct local government elections in respect of 44 local governments in the state until and unless qualified persons are duly and legally appointed as chairman and members of the commission, in line with relevant extant law.

However, announcing its readiness for the election and also reacting to the state high court ruling on Friday, October 25, the commission’s chairman, Malunfashi, asserted that only the state high court held jurisdiction over state and local government affairs.

 

 

 

 

No trace of survivors, debris of Port Harcourt helicopter crash – NSIB

Ehime ALEX
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No trace of survivors, debris of Port Harcourt helicopter crash – NSIB

THE Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) said it had yet to recover the debris of the chopper that crashed in Port Harcourt on Thursday, October 24.

The NSIB disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, October 26, signed by its director of public affairs and family assistance, Bimbo Oladeji, adding that no sign of survivors was found.

According to the statement, a team of NSIB aviation safety investigators and ministry of aviation and aerospace development representatives arrived at the Nuim Antan facility at 11:30 a.m. local time.

“Investigators conducted interviews with relevant staff to gather information pertinent to the ongoing investigation. The investigative team completed their on-site interviews and departed the FPSO by 3:24 PM.

“At approximately 6:15 PM, search operations were suspended due to diminishing daylight. Unfortunately, no debris, survivors, or bodies were recovered during the day’s search,” it said.

The helicopter, a Sikorsky SK76, with registration 5NBQG and operated by East Wind Aviation, was en route from Port Harcourt military base (DNPM) to the Nuimantan oil rig when it crashed.

A statement from the aviation and aerospace development ministry confirmed three persons dead in the helicopter crash, The ICIR reported.

The incident occurred at about 11:22 a.m. along the waterways in Port Harcourt.

The aircraft, having eight persons on board, ditched into the waters near Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean, the ministry confirmed.

However, in its statement on Saturday, the NSIB said the rescue team has yet to locate the debris from the helicopter or signs of survivors.

It, however, hinted that divers had successfully established a secured diving perimeter at an expected location of the wreck, which will guide the operations’ further search.

It said the perimeter depth has been measured at 40-50 meters, and additional diving equipment and resources will be deployed to aid in the continuation of its search.

“We acknowledge the tireless efforts of the amalgamated rescue teams and supporting partners. We will continue these operations with every resource necessary and appreciate the cooperation and patience of all stakeholders involved,” its director general, Alex Badeh, added in the statement.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) had on Thursday identified its officials as being onboard the crashed helicopter.

The electronic manifest of the flight revealed the names of the workers as: Tamunoemi Suku, Alu Lawrence, Etim Emmanuel, Kenneth Chikwem, Frank Oriamre, and Borris Ndorbo, and the pilot as Yakubu Dukas, the Punch reported.

Fire guts Lagos Blue Line track

Ehime ALEX
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Fire guts Lagos Blue Line track

A FIRE outbreak gutted the Lagos Blue Line track on Saturday, October 26, an official of the Lagos state government has confirmed.

The special adviser on media and publicity to the Lagos State governor, Gboyega Akosile, confirmed this, revealing that the incident occurred at about 4:12 pm.

“There was a fire outbreak on a small section of the Lagos Blue Line track at a spot opposite NEPA station by Eko Bridge inward Apogbon.

“No casualty is reported and no train service at the time of the incident,” he said.

According to Akosile, a team of safety and emergency personnel and other first responders had completely put out the fire.

“Lagosians in that axis can go about their business peacefully as the situation is under control. Kindly await further details on operations of the train from @Lamataonline,” Akosile added.

The Blue Line started passenger operation on September 4, 2023 with services from Lagos Marina to Mile 2.

The state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, was among the first passengers to ride on the metro rail.

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