Real Madrid fall to 0-1 defeat

Spanish champions Real Madrid suffered a shock 0-1 loss at home to promoted Cadiz on Saturday, their first La Liga defeat in over seven months.

Honduran forward Anthony Lozano put Cadiz ahead in the 16th minute.

This was after he darted between Madrid defenders Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane to meet a cushioned header from Alvaro Negredo and lifting the ball over keeper Thibaut Courtois into the net.

Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane made four substitutions at halftime in a bid to turn the game around and brought on Luka Jovic later on.

The Serbian striker soon put the ball in the net but saw his effort ruled out for a clear offside.

Vinicius Jr missed the target with a free header, while Karim Benzema struck the bar from the edge of the area.

Cadiz clung on to claim their first league win over Madrid since 1991 and their first ever away win against them.

The shock victory took Cadiz up to second in the league, level on 10 points with Madrid, who visit Barcelona next week in the Clasico.

If you concede an early goal against a team like this you really struggle, Madrid keeper Courtois said after his team suffered their first league defeat at home in more than a year.

The first half was very bad, we conceded two or three chances, we had a serious discussion at halftime and made a few changes but couldnt find the goal because they were very organised and defended very well.

We werent at our best today and if you arent at your best you cant expect to win games.

Zidane had hinted at rotating his squad for the match but fielded a strong team, not withstanding injuries to defenders Dani Carvajal, Alvaro Odriozola and forward Eden Hazard.

He took off captain Sergio Ramos at halftime and the defender was seen icing his knee as he watched on from the stands.

Madrid wearing an unfamiliar pink jersey in spite playing at home, tried in vain to break down Cadiz, who are back in the top flight for the first time in 14 years.

This is a historic win and we want to celebrate it, said match-winner Lozano. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Attempt on my life during EndSARS protest pre-planned Oyetola

By Victor Adeoti

Gov. Gboyega Oyetola of Osun on Sunday said the attempt on his life by assailants during Saturdays protest against the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squard(SARS) in the state was pre-planned.

Oyetola, in a state broadcast on Sunday in Osogbo, said preliminary investigation revealed that the commando style in which the assailants carried out their attack justified his claim that the act was pre-planned

According to him, the attempt on his life could not have been planned by the youths who constitute over 60 per cent of the voters who elected him into office.

Oyetola, who noted that he was properly evacuted to safety during the incident ,said no life was lost at the scene as no live bullet or cannister of teargas was fired at the rampaging political thugs.

Yesterday evening, political thugs and hoodlums made failed attempts on my life and those of my aides while identifying with our beloved youths who were engaging in legitimate protest against the alleged brutality of the now disbanded SARS.

My entourage and I joined protesters from Alekuwodo area to Olaiya Junction chanting solidarity songs with them and encouraging them along the way.

During the course of my address to the protesters to reiterate our cooperation and support, political thugs hijacked the exercise and hurled stones and dangerous weapons at us and vandalised several cars in my convoy, Oyetola said.

The governor also said the two lives reportedly lost was not during the attack on him.

According to him, one of the said deaths caused by a lone motorcycle accident occurred at about 12noon, long before he got to the protest ground.

He added that the second death was said to have occurred around Ayepe, about five kilometers away from Olaiya where the protest was held.

We sympathise with the families of the diseased and pray to God to grant them the fortitude to bear the great losses.

I have directed that the incidents be properly investigated with a view to ascertaining the causes of the deaths, the governor said.

Oyetola also said that government would be setting up a Judicial Panel of Enquiry in line with the directive of the National Economic Council to investigate all related cases of abuse and brutality by the disbanded SARS and the attack on him.

What happened on Saturday is objectionable, unacceptable and a blight to the Omoluabi ethos that the state of Osun stands for.

Osun youths who are the original #EndSARS protesters have travelled the long road of building a better Osun with us and we have been on the lane of delivering a better and prosperous Osun together.

This assassination attempt could not have come from them.

The protesters have engaged in peaceful demonstration for the first two days before it was later hijacked in the last five days.

In fact, we had cause to raise the alarm last Wednesday to the effect that the protest had been hijacked, Oyetola said.

The governor, however, enjoined all citizens to be peaceful and be law abiding, adding that all efforts would be made to protect them and their property.

Oyetola , who noted that government was on top of the situation, said that the perpetrators of the dastardly act would be brought to justice.

We commit to the cause of our youths and the #EndSARS protesters and shall do everything to ensure that their demands are met.

We shall not condone any act that will compromise the lives of our people and the hard-won ranking of our state as the most peaceful state in Nigeria.

As a responsible government, we will do everything in our powers to protect the lives and property of our people, the governor said.

Source: NAN News

Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed,

By Rotimi Ijikanmi

The Federal Government says the #EndSARS protest has been hijacked by hoodlums and people with ulterior motive to destabilise the country and bring down the Muhammadu Buhari administration.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, stated this on Sunday when he featured on a Radio Nigeria programme monitored by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

He said the Federal Government had met the demands of the group and implementing them.

Having met the demands, he said it was absurd that protesters were remaining on the streets causing mayhem, obstructing movements and inflicting pains on Nigerians.

When you look at the demands of the #EndSARS and the decisions of the Federal Government, it is clear that there is no single demand of the group that has not been met.

Therefore, one will begin to ask if there is any ulterior motive because what we have witnessed in the last few days is that they have moved their demands from five to seven.

As soon as the government approved one demand another one will follow .

From the five demands which were initially tabled and have been addressed, they are now including petrol price, national assembly salaries and allowances, electricity tariff among others.

Then you begin to ask yourself what exactly is the motive of the protests and who are those behind them, he said.

According to the minister, it is more nauseating that the protest has gone violent, claiming lives and causing injuries as well as destruction to property.

He said Saturdays assassination attempt on Gov. Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun who came out to identify with the protesters and address them was a clear indication that the protest had been hijacked.

Mohammed said the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Mohammed Bello, was equally turned back on the road by the protesters in Abuja.

Peaceful protest is synonymous with democratic tenets and to that extent we see the EndSARS protest as the manifestation of how far our democracy has developed

Regrettably, the protest has been hijacked by hoodlums and by people with ulterior motives bentat destabilising the country.

As of today, many people in many parts of the country simply cannot go out because people are being intimidated and roads have been blocked.

There was a report of a pregnant woman that died inside the ambulance simply because she could not get to the hospital because of the protesters.

This cannot be allowed to continue because where your right stops another persons rights begin.

While government will continue to engage, no responsible government will fold its arms and allow the state to be thrown into anarchy, he said.

NAN reports that the #EndSARS group has been protesting what it calls police brutality.

The protesters at inception came with five demands including that all arrested protesters be released and justice be given to deceased victims of SARS including compensation to their families.

They equally demanded that there should be an independent committee to oversee the investigations and prosecution of any member of SARS found guilty of extra judicial killings.

They demanded that all personnel of the disbanded SARS undergo psychological and medical evaluation as well as retraining before they should be redeployed to other services of the police.

The protesters also demanded that the salary of the police should be increased in a manner that will be adequately compensate for protecting lives and property of citizens.

In meeting the demands of the protesters, the minister said on Oct. 11, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) dissolved SARS accross the 36 state Police Command and the FCT.

He said the president on Oct. 12 addressed the nation, stating that the disbanding of SARS was a first step in the comprehensive reform of the police.

Mohammed said that On Oct. 13, the IGP ordered all defunct SARS personnel to report at Force Headquarters in Abuja for debriefing as well as psychological and mental examinations.

On the same day, the Presidential Panel on the Reform of SARS accepted the five-point demand of the protesters.

He said the National Economic Council (NEC) presided over by the Vice President with the 36 state governors and FCT Minister as members met on Oct. 15 and directed the immediate establishment of state-based Judicial Panels of Enquiry across the country.

The panels as directed by the Council are to receive and investigate complaints of police brutality and related extra-judicial killings with a view to delivering justice for all victims of the dissolved SARS and other Police units.

The NEC also directed governors to immediately establish state-based special security and human rights committee to be chaired by the governor in each state.

The committee is to ensure protection of human rights while members will include representatives of the youths, civil society groups and the head of the Police Tactical Unit in the state.

The governors are also to supervise the newly formed Police Tactical Unit and other security agencies located in states.

The NEC also mandated every governor to take control and initiate dialogue with the protesters in their states and the FCT.

The Council directed governors to set up a victim support fund so that those who have been victims of SARS brutality will be compensated.

The minister saidstates, including Ogun, had begun to implement the decisions of NEC.

Specifically, he said the Ogun government had setup an investigative panel of inquiry, a special security and human rights committee as well as victims support fund.

Source: NAN News

Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa addressing #EndSARS protesters in Delta State

By Ifeanyi Olannye

The Delta government has constituted an eight-member judicial panel of enquiry to investigate allegations of police brutality and extra-judicial killings in the state.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Chiedu Ebie, and made available to newsmen on Saturday in Asaba.

Ebie said that the panel, as approved by Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa, would receive and investigate complaints of police brutality or related extrajudicial killings in the state.

The SSG said the panel would investigate complaints from victims of the disbanded Special AntiRobbery Squad (SARS) or any other police unit, with a view to ascertaining their validity.

He said that the panel was also expected to recommend compensations and/or other remedies appropriate for each case.

According to him, the panel has Justice Celestina Ogisi (rtd.) as Chairman and Mr Omamuzo Erebe as Secretary.

He listed other members to include AIG David Igbodo (rtd), Mr Harrison Gwamnishu, representing the youths and Mr Godwin Oyovweadjebore, representing students.

The panel also has Mr Freedom Atsepoyi, Mr Eris Jewo-Ibi, representing the civil society groups and Mr Nicholas Osadolor, representing the Human Rights Commission.

Ebie said that the panel would be inaugurated on Oct. 19 at the Government House, Asaba.

Source: NAN News

Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed,

By Rotimi Ijikanmi

The Federal Government has warned that it will not allow the country to be thrown into anarchy following the violence that has trailed the #EndSARS protests.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, stated this on Saturday when he featured on a late night Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) news programme, Weekend File

The programme entitled, EndSARS Protest: The Way Forward, was monitored by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

The minister said Saturdays assassination attempt on the Osun Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, while addressing the protesters was a clear confirmation that the protests had been hijacked by hoodlums and people with ulterior agenda.

He noted that while the original conveners of the protests might have meant well, it was obvious that they were no longer in control of the initiative.

Peaceful protest is an integral part of democracy and that is why the Federal Government in the last 11 days has treated the protesters in a very civilised manner.

But, if you look at what happened to the governor of Osun state,it has gone completely beyond peaceful protest against excesses and abuse of power by the police.

There is no where in the world where a government will folds its arms and allow the country to descend into anarchy.

We are no longer dealing with #EndSARS but a volatile situation that can lead to anarchy if government does not take some very firm steps to protect the lives and livelihood of innocent Nigerians, he said.

The minister added that the protests have gone beyond being peaceful because lives have been lost and innocent Nigerians, including workers and students, are passing through harrowing experiences.

Specifically, he said because the protesters are blocking the roads and highway, workers are finding it difficult to get to their offices and back home while many Nigerians are stranded on the roads.

We have nothing against peaceful protest but there are civilised ways of doing so.

This is by going to a venue where you are not going to disturb other Nigerians because where your own right stops, other persons right begins, he said.

Mohammed said Nigerians should also see the protests as a smokescreen staged to undermine the administration and destabilise the country because all the demands by the protesters had been met by the government.

He reiterated that after the government had responded and met all the demands of the protesters, they ought to have nothing doing on the streets.

He recalled that the protesters on inception came with five demands including, that all arrested protesters should be released immediately and justice must be given to deceased victims of SARS including adequate compensation to be paid to their families.

The minister said the protesters equally demanded that there should be an independent committee to oversee the investigations and prosecution of any members of SARS found guilty of extra judicial killings.

He said they demanded that all personnel of the disbanded SARS must undergop psyhologicl and medical evaluation as well as retraining before they should be redeployed to other services of the Police.

The protesters also demanded that the salary of the police should be increased in a manner that will be adequately compensate for protecting lives and property of citizens.

In meeting the demands of the protesters, the minister said on Oct. 11, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) dissolved SARS accross the 36 states Police Command and the FCT.

He said President Muhammadu Buhari, on Oct. 12 addressed the nation, stating that the disbanding of SARS was a first step in the comprehensive reform of the police.

Mohammed said that On Oct. 13, the IGP ordered all defunct SARS personnel to report at Force Headquarters in Abuja for debriefing as well as psychological and mental examinations.

On the same day, the Presidential Panel on the Reform of SARS accepted the five-point demand of the protesters.

He said the National Economic Council (NEC) presided over by the Vice President with the 36 state governors and FCT Minister as members met on Oct. 15 and directed the immediate establishment of state-based Judicial Panels of Enquiry across the country.

The panels as directed by the Council are to receive and investigate complaints of police brutality and related extra-judicial killings with a view to delivering justice for all victims of the dissolved SARS and other Police units.

The NEC also directed governors to immediately establish state-based special security and human rights committee to be chaired by the governor in each state.

The governors are also to supervise the newly formed Police Tactical Unit and other security agencies located in states.

The committee is to ensure protection of citizens human rights while members will include representatives of the youths, civil society groups and the head of the Police Tactical Unit in the state.

The NEC also mandated every governor to take control and initiate dialogue with the protesters in their states and the FCT.

The Council directed governors to set up a victim support fund so that those who have been victims of SARS brutality will be compensated.

The minister stressed that with all the steps taken, the government has done more in meeting all the demands by the protesters.

He appealed to Nigerians to be objective in assessing the situation and to see that what is going on is beyond peaceful protest but an attempt by some people to destabilise the country.

Source: NAN News

UN-Secretary-General-Antnio-Guterres

By Harrison Arubu

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for peaceful and credible presidential election in Guinea on Sunday.

Guterres message was contained in a statement by his spokesman, Mr Stephane Dujarric, on Saturday amid high political tension in the run up to the polls.

Incumbent President Alpha Cond is seeking a controversial third term that has reportedly triggered deadly clashes between his supporters and those of the opposition.

Reports say the situation has worsened following the killing of a senior army officer, Col. Mamady Cond, by armed men on Friday.

The incident occurred amid reports of an attempted mutiny in which soldiers seized weapons to free some of their colleagues in detention.

On the eve of the presidential elections in Guinea, the Secretary-General calls on all national stakeholders to ensure that the polls are conducted in an inclusive and peaceful manner.

He also calls on all political leaders and their supporters to refrain from acts of incitement, inflammatory language, ethnic profiling and violence.

He urges the defence and security forces to act responsibly and with utmost restraint, the statement said.

It quoted the UN Chief as urging political leaders and their parties to explore legal means of resolving any dispute that may arise from the elections.

Guterres reiterated the commitment of the UN to supporting the countrys efforts at promoting national unity.

The 82-year-old president is running in the election after influencing a constitutional change to extend his stay in office in spite of criticisms.

He is facing his main rival, Cellou Diallo, whom he has defeated twice.

A winner needs not less than 50 per cent of the votes to emerge, failure of which there would be a second round on Nov. 24.

Cond, a former opposition leader, was first elected in 2010, and is seeking a third term of six years.

Source: NAN News

FC Barcelona player in an aerial contest for the ball

FC Barcelona fell to their first defeat in La Liga under new coach Ronald Koeman as they lost 0-1 at Getafe on Saturday.

Getafe forward, Jaime Mata, sent goalkeeper Neto the wrong way from the penalty spot to score the only goal in the 56th minute.

This was after FC Barcelona midfielder, Frenkie de Jong, had been penalised for treading on the foot of Djene Dakonam.

FC Barcelona had played well in the first half and almost took the lead when Lionel Messi thumped a shot against the post.

Antoine Griezmann missed an even clearer chance before halftime, blazing over when through on goal unchallenged.

Their loss followed champions, Real Madrids shock 1-0 defeat at home to Cadiz earlier on Saturday.

lt also left FC Barcelona ninth in the standings with seven points after four games, a week before the Clasico at home to Madrid. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Osun Mall looted by hoodlums

By Olajide Idowu

Suspected hoodlums on Saturday attacked Osogbo City Mall, vandalised shops and stole electronic gadgets, phones and laptops.

Eye witnesses told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the hoodlums stormed the mall on motorcycles at about 7pm, forcing security guards and shop owners to run for safety.

The attack came on the day the state governors convoy was allegedly attacked by #EndSARS protesters, leaving two people reportedly dead.

One of the eye witnesses, who preferred anonymity, told NAN that the fierce approach of the hoodlums sent everyone in the mall running for safety.

He said that the hoodlums came in large numbers and had a free day, as no policeman or any other security personnel intervened to save the situation.

They rode on over 20 motorcycles with about three passengers each on the bikes, and they came with dangerous weapons.

The private security guards at the mall had to run for safety, because they dont carry arms.

The hoodlums destroyed the glass doors of the electronics stores within the mall and carted away phones, laptops and other items, the witness said.

There were also reports of arson at a public facility in Osogbo, allegedly carried out by the hoodlums.

The Police spokesperson in the state, SP Opalola Yemisi, confirmed the incident and said that efforts were onto bring the situation under control and arrest the perpetrators. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Nigerian traders protesting in Ghana

By Fortune Abang

The Nigeria Union of Traders Association in Ghana (NUTAG), has carried out a peaceful protest over Ghanaian authorities refusal to open shops owned by Nigerians in that country.

The President of NUTAG, Mr Chukwuemeka Nnaji, who led the protest, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in a telephone interview that Ghanaian authorities refused to open their shops since 2019.

He noted that the Ghanaian authorities refusal to open the traders shops was despite several meetings between top officials of both governments of Nigeria and Ghana.

He said that the protest was to press the Ghanaian authorities to open shops owned by Nigerians living in Ghana, to enable them tackle economic challenges amid COVID-19.

According to him, the shops owned by Nigerians under lock and key since the past one year should be opened to enable the traders return to normal businesses, urging the Nigerian central government to evacuate them.

Nnaji said: I am in talks with my leader, Mr Ken Okoha, National President of Nigerian Traders, and he has assured us that he will take our case up to the highest level in Nigeria.

In fact, plans are on for him to move to institutions that are related to trade; I have known him for five years now and I know what he is able to do.

I am rest assured that the leadership of Nigerian traders are working towards achieving this goal; some of you, who still have funds, should also continue to help other traders.

Be law abiding citizens, COVID-19 is still on and lots of businesses are affected; many of us are living from hand to mouth due to the downturn.

If you do not have anything to do, stay at home; rest assured that at the end of October, if we are not evacuated, we will keep ourselves at the border.

Receiving the traders, Mrs Easter Arewa, Charge de Affair of Nigeria High Commission in Ghana, said that the government would remain committed to protecting Nigeria citizens.

According to her, the letter by Nigerian traders has been well received and their message will be conveyed to the highest authority.

Government is not resting on your case; it is because of you Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, Speaker of the House of Representatives, came to Ghana.

Likewise, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was here. In spite of his busy schedule, he came here and met with the leadership of NUTAG. He promised to continue with the cause on his return to Abuja.

He has not failed; very soon your situation will be addressed because a hungry man is an angry man. It is not nice to hear that in a brotherly country like Ghana, you are being treated like this.

We have Ghanaians in Nigeria too and they are treated as brothers, so do not worry. It is a government-to-government dialogue.

I believe, very soon, we will get to the end of this matter and we will all be at peace, Arewa said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Nigeria Youth Organisations (NYO) has enjoined Nigerian youth to support government efforts to reform the Nigeria Police to bring about modern policing with human face as promised by President Muhammadu Buhari.

He also urged them to stop the #EndSARS protest since it had been hijacked by some self centred element bent on disturbing the peace in the country.

The National President of the Organisation, Alhaji Abubakar Wali, made the call at a news conference on Friday in Abuja.

Wali said that all well meaning Nigerians must not play into the hands of those bent on creating scenarios like that of Syria or Libya, where lives were jeopardize as a result of unrest that emanated from protests.

The youth leader advised the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to establish the Police and Youth Relation Committee, where all fundamental demands and solutions to alleged police brutality and corruption shall be address.

We join all well-meaning Nigerians to condemn bad eggs in the police who perpetrate brutality against innocent citizens, and welcome necessary reforms that shall bring about modern policing with human face.

We commend the Nigerian youth and lovers of social justice for coming up with a patriotic stands to right the wrongs in our society.

However, we must as a point of necessity crave towards mutual trust of peace, unity, love, stewardship and accountability to the government and people, Wali said.

He also advised the Federal Government to establish a National Youth Development Commission to address major concerns bedevilling the youth across the three tiers of government in the country.

Wali also stressed the need for the National Assembly to ensure the passage of the Youth Right Bill as a panacea towards ensuring that youth rights and privileges are protected.

This will provide enabling environment for the youth to thrive, progress and contribute immensely to national development, Wali said.

He also appealed to Buhari to improve on critical areas of youth unemployment, women empowerment and social welfare for the citizens.

On his part, the leader of Ohaneaze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, Mr MaziOkwu Nnabuike, also enjoined youths to support the Federal Government to implement laudable reforms in the police.

Source: NAN News