2 men sentenced to death for armed robbery in Lagos (Punch)
A Lagos State High Court in Ikeja has sentenced two men, Moshood Ogunshola and Wasiu Lekan, to death by hanging.
The convicts were arraigned before Justice S.S. Ogunsanya on two counts of conspiracy to commit robbery and armed robbery, which contravened the Criminal Justice Act of Lagos State.
The men pleaded guilty to the charges.
According to the prosecution counsel, Adebayo Haroun, the convicts robbed one Wasiu Rasaki of his motorcycle at the Ile Eja area of Ikotun while armed with a machete. Read more
Oworonshoki-bound lane of Third Mainland Bridge closes weekend (Guardian)
The Oworonshoki-bound lane of the Third Mainland Bridge will be closed totally to vehicular movement by midnight on Saturday, February 6, 2021, till 7 pm on Sunday, February 7, for removal of the last expansion joints on the lane.
A statement by the Ministry of Transportation explained that the closure is vital to enable the contractors to move their equipment to the lane within the given period without any interruption by vehicular movement on the bridge.
Explaining the planned closure, the Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Frederic Oladeinde, stated that the rehabilitation process is being enhanced to ensure that set deadlines are met.
Motorists from Ogudu, Alapere and Gbagada are advised to use Ikorodu Road, Jibowu and Yaba as alternative routes, while Iyana Oworonsoki-bound traffic from Lagos Island, Iddo, Oyingbo, Adekunle and Yaba should use Herbert Macaulay Way, Jibowu and Ikorodu Road as alternative routes. Read more
Lagos govt to phase out yellow buses (Punch)
The Lagos State Government says it plans to phase out yellow buses in accordance with its transportation masterplan of the state.
Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Frederic Oladeinde, said this in a virtual forum on Thursday, adding that the busses would be replaced by blue buses.
The virtual forum was titled ‘Transport and traffic conference’.
He said, “We are reforming the bus sector and over time, Lagos will phase out the yellow buses because the yellow buses are not conducive for a mega city like Lagos. That is why we are coming with blue buses you see around. Read more
Lagos government reiterates commitment to road projects (Guardian)
Lagos State Government, yesterday, reiterated its commitment to completion of ongoing rehabilitation and re-construction of Ijede-Ewu-Elepe, Oba Sekunmade and other roads in Ikorodu as promised.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Mrs. Aramide Adeyoye, who disclosed this during the inspection of some iconic road projects in Ikorodu along with members of the state’s House of Assembly, said that construction works on the road was advancing at a commendable speed because of the commitment of the state government to ease traffic challenges along that corridor and make the road available for both commuters and pedestrians.
She assured the residents that the scope and specifications for the projects remained unaltered, especially Oba Sekunmade Road, which is a strategic link to Ebute Jetty and the Ipakodo Lighter Terminal promoting multi-modal transportation and a major boost to the nation’s economy.
The Special Adviser, speaking on the 6.1 kilometres Ijede Road, reiterated the determination of the administration to ensure prompt completion of the road before the rains start fully. Read more
‘Housing Deficit May Increase To 25m By December’ (DailyTrust)
If concerted efforts are not urgently made to address Nigeria’s housing deficit, which has continued to increase astronomically, it may grow to 25 million by the end of this year.
The chairman of the organising committee of the Real Estate & Construction Expo tagged ‘RECON Expo 2021’, Somadina Anene, said this at a press conference in Abuja yesterday.
Anene, who is also the vice president of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, noted that the housing deficit, which stood at 17 million about four years ago, had continued to increase due to high cost of building materials, cumbersome land administration system, high interest rate on loans, among others. Read more
Earned allowance: UNN, ABU, UNICAL get lion share of released N40b (Sun)
Federal universities have received through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) their shares of the contentious Earned Allowance for payment to academic and non-teaching staff.
University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria and University of Calabar (UNICAL) received the lion share of the N40billion released.
The Federal Government had last week disclosed that the approved N40billion earned allowance for staff of federal universities had been made available for payment.
A breakdown of the amount revealed that UNN got N2, 892, 952billion out of which N2.1billion went to academic staff and 723,238million for three non-teaching staff; ABU received N2,660,525billion; N1.995billion went to ASUU members, three non-academic workers shared N665,331million while UNICAL got N2,345,942billion made up of N1.759,456billion for teaching staff and N586,485million for non-academic staff. Read more
University workers begin strike on Friday (DailyTrust)
The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), has maintained that it would proceed on the planned indefinite strike scheduled to begin on Friday, February 5.
President of SSANU, Mohammed Haruna Ibrahim, told Daily Trust in a telephone interview that the leadership of JAC met on Thursday and directed all the branches to mobilise all members of the unions and ensure there is total compliance.
Ibrahim said they had also written a notice to all branches to that effect, saying they were not going to back down until there are new resolutions from members of the union nationwide. Read more
Enugu warns against destruction of Miliken hills, other natural heritage (Sun)
Enugu Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources has warned those involved in the destruction of the Miliken hills’ natural heritage and other hills to desist from further plotting, allocating and destruction of the state’s natural heritage.
Commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources, Chijioke Edeoga, in a statement said: “Failure to adhere to this warning will attract severe action of the state government.”
Edeoga also stressed the utmost concern of the ministry over the illegal destruction of the historic Miliken hills hosting undulating and ancient road recently reconstructed and modernised by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s administration, as a new gateway to the city of Enugu and a vital alternative route for travellers plying the Enugu-Onitsha expressway.
During the inauguration of the 12km 9th Mile-Ekochin-Ngwo-Miliken Hill-New Market federal road, reconstructed and modernised by the state government, with streetlights for the first time since it was constructed in 1909 during the colonial era, Ugwuanyi described the road, particularly the 3km Miliken Hill section, as “our natural roller coaster; a great infrastructural asset and rich heritage of our coal city state. No road in our environment affords tourists and motorists the beautiful view of Enugu that this road offers.” Read more
Oyo farmers returning to communities seized by Fulani man (Punch)
The Deputy Chairman of Oyo State Council of Obas, Oba Francis Alao, who is also the Olugbon of Orile Igbon, said peace had returned to Kajola and other villages taken over by a Fulani man, Iskiku Wakil.
The Asawo of Ayete, Oba Emmanuel Okeniyi, and farmers in the villages had earlier raised the alarm that Wakil and his armed kinsmen pursued farmers out of the villages and destroyed their cocoa and cashew trees.
Olugbo said in an interview with our correspondent on Thursday that the Assistant Commissioner of Police in Oyo State in charge of operations called and told him that peace had been restored to the place.
The monarch said the police officer told him that Wakil, who was accused of pursuing farmers from their farms and destroying their economic trees, had fled the area. Read more
Stroke victims to be given psychedelic drug DMT in groundbreaking study (Metro)
Psychedelic drug DMT could help stroke victims recover by rewiring their brains faster, according the first clinical trial of its kind. It is hoped the substance, also known as the ‘the spirit molecule’, could even be given to patients as soon as they’re in the ambulance, minimising the damage and maximising their recovery. Algernon Pharmaceuticals, who set out the plan for their study this week, say participants will be given a microdose, which won’t make them ‘trip’, but will still help the neurons in their brain make new connections. Read more
US ‘to end support’ for Yemen offensive operations (BBC)
The US is set to announce an end to its support for offensive operations in Yemen, which has been devastated by a six-year war in which more than 110,000 people are believed to have died.
The policy change by the new president, Joe Biden, was announced by his national security adviser on Thursday.
Under Mr Biden’s two predecessors, the US backed a coalition led by Saudi Arabia against rebels in Yemen.
The conflict has left millions of Yemenis on the brink of starvation. Read more
Doctor who treated Alexei Navalny after poisoning dead at 55: reports (NYPost)
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who was poisoned last year.Moscow City Court via AP
The Russian doctor who was in charge of treating Alexei Navalny after he was poisoned by the nerve agent Novichok has died suddenly at age 55, according to multiple reports.
Sergey Maximishin died of a heart attack after being taken to the hospital where he worked on Wednesday night due to a spike in his blood pressure, Life.ru reported, citing a Russian Health Ministry spokeswoman.
“The doctor actually died of a heart attack, because he had a really stressful job and he actually lost people who were close to him,” said spokeswoman Galina Nazarova.
“It’s just the human heart,” she told the outlet. Read more
How to prevent that eggy smell when you hard boil eggs (Metro)
Whether they are scrambled, poached or fried, eggs can be delightful in a number of ways. But when we decide to boil them, they can sometimes give off an unpleasant smell that works its way through your home. Thankfully, a group of Australian parents have shared a simple way to prevent the odour that occurs when boiling eggs. Posting in a popular Facebook group, one mum wrote that she neutralised the eggy smell by adding a few teaspoons of white distilled vinegar to the saucepan. Other parents were quick to confirm that they had tried the trick and it had also worked for them. Read more
Marjorie Taylor Greene: Republican says she ‘regrets’ QAnon posts (BBC)
Republican lawmaker Marjorie Taylor Greene has expressed regret for past incendiary comments and support for conspiracy theories.
Her comments at the US House of Representatives come as lawmakers gather for a vote today on whether to strip her of committee assignments.
“I was allowed to believe things that weren’t true,” she said. “And that is absolutely what I regret.”
But Mrs Greene stopped short of an apology, and cast blame on the media. Read more
Apple shares jump amid reports that electric car deal is near (NYPost)
Apple’s stock price got some extra juice Thursday following reports that it’s close to inking a deal to produce an autonomous electric car.
The iPhone maker’s shares climbed as much as 1.9 percent to $136.48 after South Korean and American news outlets reported details of Apple’s potential partnership with Kia.
Apple would invest 4 trillion Korean won (about $3.6 billion) in Hyundai-owned Kia under the deal, which the companies are tentatively looking to sign on Feb. 17, according to Korean news website dongA.com.
Kia could start producing the “Apple Car” at its West Point, Georgia factory as soon as 2024, though the timeline could be pushed back, CNBC reported Wednesday. Read more
Midnight Train To Georgia songwriter Jim Weatherly dies aged 77 (Metro)
Musician Jim Weatherly has died aged 77, it has been confirmed. The country singer, who was best known for writing Gladys Knight’s hit single Midnight Train To Georgia, died at his home on Wednesday. Music Row mogul Charlie Monk confirmed the news to The Tennessean but did not disclose the cause of death. Tributes have poured in for Weatherly, with Senator Roger Wicker tweeting: ‘Gayle and I are saddened to learn of the passing of our friend Jim Weatherly. Read more
De’Aaron Fox thinks NBA holding All-Star game is ‘stupid’ idea (NYPost)
One of the NBA’s bright young stars is calling out the league’s plan to hold an All-Star-Game.
“If I’m going to be brutally honest, I think it’s stupid,” Kings star guard De’Aaron Fox told reporters Wednesday night after the Kings’ win over the Celtics. “If we have to wear a mask and all this for a regular game, then what’s the point of All-Star being back? Obviously, money makes the world go round, so it is what it is.”
The 23-year-old Fox is off to a fantastic start and could make his ill-timed first appearance this season. He’s averaging 22.3 points, 6.6 assists and 47.3 percent from the field. If he is selected for the game, Fox said he would attend to avoid a “hefty fine.”
While no deal is finalized, the NBA and players association is progressing towards an agreement, ESPN.com reported. Read more
D’Tigress captain, Elonu upbeat after 2020 Olympics draw (DailyTrust)
The Captain of D’Tigress Adaora Elonu yesterday said she and her teammates cannot wait to compete at the 2020 Olympic Games holding in Tokyo.
The Uni Girona Basketball Club of Spain forward who spoke from the team’s camp in Atlanta also said the players were unperturbed despite the ‘group of death’ handed them after the draws on Tuesday.
The D’Tigress were pitched against World number one, USA, France (fifth ranked team in the world) and host-Japan who are ranked number 10 in the world.
“I am so excited as well as the other players and we cannot wait to compete at the Olympics. We are always excited to see who we are going to compete against and I think they really put us in a group that we have to compete against the best.” Read more
Liverpool denied entry to Leipzig for Champions League last-16 clash due to coronavirus restrictions (Metro)
Liverpool’s Champions League round-of-16 first-leg tie with Leipzig will not be held in Germany, government officials have confirmed. The German government has forbidden travel into the country from areas which have recorded mutant strains of Covid-19 until February 17. German citizens and residents are exempt from this rule. The Merseyside giants, winners of the competition in 2004/05 and 2018/19, were due to face Leipzig on February 16 and it’s been confirmed no special allowances will be made for the clash. Klopp blames ‘fatigued minds’ after Liverpool fall to 1-0 defeat to Brighton Play Video Loaded: 0%Progress: 0% PlayMute Current Time0:00 / Duration Time6:15 Fullscreen There’s a possibility the two legs could be switched, with Liverpool entertaining Leipzig at Anfield on February 16 and the Bundesliga outfit to host at some stage in the future. Read more
Ex-Nigeria striker Odion Ighalo completes Saudi move (BBC)
Former Nigeria striker Odion Ighalo, whose loan spell at Manchester United ended recently, has completed a move to Saudi Arabian Pro League club Al Shabab.
The 31-year-old has left Chinese outfit Shanghai Shenhua after agreeing a two-and-a-half-year deal with the six-time Saudi champions.
Ighalo has already taken to social media to say his goodbyes to his parent club after Shenhua gave him permission to speak to the Saudi Arabian side.
“It’s sorted and everything is finalised – it should be announced late on Thursday or Friday,” one of the player’s representatives told BBC Sport Africa before the deal was made official.Read more
Thomas Tuchel outwits Jose Mourinho as Chelsea ease to victory over dismal Tottenham (Metro)
Thomas Tuchel announced himself as a managerial force in the Premier League as his Chelsea side battled to a hard-fought 1-0 victory away to London rivals Tottenham. Eric Dier’s clumsy foul on Timo Werner handed the visitors a golden opportunity to take the lead and Jorginho made no mistake with the resulting penalty, arrowing his strike low and hard to Hugo Lloris’ right in the 24th minute. Spurs, without their talisman Harry Kane, struggled to create much else across the 90 minutes but Serge Aurier put the ball on a plate for Carlos Vinicius right at the death, who rose well but sent his header wide. Read more
Al Ahly set up Club World Cup date with Bayern Munich (BBC)
Al Ahly are looking to improve on their best performance at the Club World Cup, when finishing third in 2006.
African champions Al Ahly set up a Club World Cup semi-final clash against German giants Bayern Munich after beating Al Duhail 1-0 in a nervy affair in Doha.
Hussein El Shahat opened the scoring for the Egyptians after thirty minutes as they controlled the first half, but the local Qatari champions fought back valiantly after the break.
The match was played at thirty per cent capacity at the Education City Stadium and despite Al Duhail playing in their home country, one would have been forgiven for thinking the game was in Cairo such was the crowd’s support for the Egyptians.
The solitary goal came after Congolese striker Walter Bwalya pounced on a mistake by Al Duhail’s Bassam Hisham on the edge of the box, teeing up El Shahat to whip home a right-footed shot and send the stadium into rapture.Eight minutes later, Bwalya thought he had increased the Red Devils’ lead but his coolly-taken finish was ruled out by VAR because of a marginal offside decision. Read more