50,000 applicants for 1,000 teaching jobs in Lagos (Guardian)
Mr Suru Avoseh, a member, Lagos State Civil Service Commission, says no fewer than 50, 000 applicants had applied for one thousand vacant teaching jobs announced by the state government in 2019.
Avoseh made this known during the New Year Party organised by the Badagry Women Development Forum on Sunday in Badagry.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Lagos State Government had on Nov. 11 announced the plans to employ one thousand teachers into the public secondary schools across the state. Read more
Lagos records 1500 tricycles accidents from 2015 till 2019 (Tribune)
Lagos State government on Sunday announced that over 1500 accidents involving tricycles were reported across the state from 2015 till 2019 while over 70 people died and 250 injured within the same period, saying it was resolved to halt the abuse of traffic laws by motorcycle popularly called Okada and tricycle riders plying routes in the state as the menace can no longer be condoned.
Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, said this in a statement made available to newsmen, affirming that the ongoing enforcement of traffic laws would be stepped up across the state to check motorcyclists and motorists violating the laws.
The commissioner, who also disclosed that a total of 30 robbery cases involving motorcycles were reported in 2019, out of which 20 were foiled by the police, who arrested 25 suspects and recovered 48 arms and ammunition, declared that violation of traffic laws by commercial motorcyclists was unacceptable. Read more
Police arrest wanted traffic robber (Guardian)
The Lagos State Command of the Nigerian police has arrested a notorious traffic robbery suspect and a cult leader who was on police wanted list.
Lagos State police spokesman Bala Elkana in a statement said detectives from Bariga police station arrested Olowolayemo Sodiq, 23 on Saturday evening.
Bala said Sodiq has been on police wanted list for series of traffic robberies and cult violent attacks in Bariga.
Days before he was arrested, Sodiq conspired with one Bamidele Moses aka ‘Badoo’ to rob one Jude Saka of his Bajaj Motorcycle on Wednesday. Read more
Lagos leaders commend launching of “Operation Amotekun” (Nation)
Some community leaders in Lagos on Sunday lauded the South West governors’ initiative of launching the “Operation Amotekun” to curb security challenges in the region.
They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the new security outfit would help to strengthen the operations of regular security outfits.
NAN reports that governors in the region had on Jan. 9 launched the security outfit in Ibadan.
Commenting, Mr Bisi Yusuf, a member, Lagos State House of Assembly, said the essence of government was to provide security for the citizenry. Read more
Kwara police arrests 275 criminal suspects (Tribune)
Kwara State police command apprehended a total of 275 criminal suspects across the state in 2019, including those behind the kidnap of four Turkish nationals, rescued alive.
Speaking at end of year dinner and award night in Ilorin at the weekend, the state police commissioner, Kayode Egbetokun, charged officers under his command to sustain a peaceful atmosphere in the state.
“My dogged officers arrested 275 armed robberies and kidnap suspects last year alone with over 45 arms and ammunition recovered from them. Although, some of those criminals committed the offences outside Kwara State and ran down here with belief that it would be an hideout place for them, but they were eventually apprehended,” he said. Read more
I was told to prepare for the worst – Mother of conjoined twins separated in Abuja (Vanguard)
Goodness and Mercy Martins were born attached to each other at the heart, diaphragm and liver on August 12, 2018. Before now, it was unheard of in history that twins sharing such vital organs survived separation surgery in Nigeria.
So, within hours of their birth, the twins were referred from the Federal Medical Centre, Keffi, Nasarawa State to the National Hospital Abuja for emergency care owing to the complexity of their case.
Surgeons in Abuja spent over 14 months rehearsing the final separation procedure on a 3D simulation of a conjoined heart and other delicate organs.
To the amazement of their parents and the doctors, however, the conjoined sisters survived four complex surgeries to live independently. Read more.
5 Fashion Tips To Slay The Harmattan (Guardian)
Known for its characteristic dryness and dustiness, the harmattan weather is not the favourite of many.
As the coldness currently sweeps through Nigeria, we have gathered some style tips for fashion lovers to remain ‘peng’ this season!
Turtlenecks
You may have heard some folks talk about turtlenecks not being ideal for the Nigerian clime but turtlenecks come in handy during this harmattan season. Combat the cold and remain stylish by pairing your turtleneck long sleeve top with jeans or pants depending on your preference. Read more
Don, Cleric in court for alleged fake news, others (Nation)
A senior lecturer at the Department of Political Science Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba Akoko, Dr. Lanre Olu-Adeyemi and one Pastor John Abiodun have been dragged to the High Court sitting in Akure, Ondo state capital.
The duo was docked on seven- count charges ranging from conspiracy, publication of false news, perjury, impersonation, threatening violence amongst other.
While the case was mentioned for hearing at the Akure High Court five, the state prosecutor, Bar. Bose Tunde-Alarape, informed it has become too difficult to serve one of the defendants, Lanre Olu-Adeyemi, the notice of motion on the matter.
The presiding Judge, Justice Olabode Adegbehingbe however implored the counsel to engage all legal means at serving motions on the clients before the next date of adjournment. Read more
Yahya Jammeh warned not to return to The Gambia (BBC)
The Gambia has warned its ousted leader Yahya Jammeh not to try to return home from his exile in Equatorial Guinea.
Mr Jammeh’s safety couldn’t be guaranteed if he did return without permission, a government spokesman told the BBC.
A spokesman for Mr Jammeh’s party said he could arrive back at any time.
The Gambia’s neighbours forced Mr Jammeh into exile in Equatorial Guinea after he refused to accept his defeat in elections in December 2016. Read more
Rockets hit Iraq base hosting US troops (Guardian)
A volley of rockets slammed into an Iraqi airbase north of Baghdad where US forces have been based, wounding four local troops, the Iraqi military said on Sunday.
Its statement said eight Katyusha-type rockets landed on Al-Balad airbase, wounding two Iraqi officers and two airmen.
Al-Balad is the main airbase for Iraq’s F-16s, which it bought from the US to upgrade its air capacities.
The base had held a small US Air Force contingent as well as American contractors, but a majority had been evacuated following tensions between the US and Iran over the past two weeks, military sources told AFP. Read more
Queen and Prince Harry to hold talks over Sussexes’ future (BBC)
The Queen has summoned senior royals to Sandringham on Monday for face-to-face talks to discuss the future roles of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Palace officials told the BBC that Prince Harry, the Duke of Cambridge and the Prince of Wales would all attend, while Meghan is expected join the discussion over the phone from Canada.
The Sussexes say they plan to step back as senior members of the Royal Family.
There is no suggestion a conclusion will be reached at the meeting. Read more
Serena Williams wins Auckland Classic for first title in three years (BBC)
Serena Williams won her first title in three years and first since becoming a mother with victory over Jessica Pegula at the Auckland Classic.
The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion beat her fellow American 6-3 6-4.
It is the 38-year-old’s first singles title since she won the Australian Open in 2017 and her 73rd WTA title overall.
Williams, in her fourth decade on the WTA Tour, lost the Wimbledon and US Open finals in 2018 and 2019 and retired from the 2019 Rogers Cup final. Read more
FIFA ban: Siasia goes spiritual, says I fast and pray (Punch)
Embattled former Super Eagles coach, Samson Siasia, has lifted the lid on his current situation as he prepares to appeal his ban which has been scheduled for March 19, 2020, describing his predicament as a wilderness which won’t last for long.
Siasia was banned from all football-related activities for life following a match-fixing probe by the sport’s governing body, FIFA, last August after the adjudicatory chamber of their independent Ethics Committee found him guilty of having accepted to take bribes in relation to the manipulation of matches in violation of the FIFA Code of Ethics.
The 52-year-old, who insisted he was innocent, filed an appeal against FIFA at the Court of Arbitration for Sport against a life ban imposed on him by the sport’s world governing body. Read more
Liverpool set new benchmark with best start to season in European football history (SkyNews)
Premier League leaders Liverpool set a record for the best start to a domestic campaign in the history of Europe’s top five leagues with Saturday’s victory at Tottenham.
Jurgen Klopp’s relentless Reds are hurtling towards the Premier League title and Saturday’s 1-0 win on their first visit to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium moved the league leaders up to a staggering 61 points from their opening 21 games this season.
It means Liverpool’s points tally at this stage of the season surpasses the previous Premier League record of 59 points, set by Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in 2017/18 before they went on to win the title.
And if that wasn’t enough, Liverpool’s start this season has also bettered totals set by Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1, Barcelona in La Liga and Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga to stand alone as the greatest start to a top-flight season on the continent. Read more
Xavi favours summer return, Barca want immediate move (Guardian)
Barcelona remain hopeful they can persuade former player Xavi to make a dramatic return as coach immediately rather than in the summer, according to reports in the Spanish press on Sunday.
Xavi is currently in charge of Qatari team Al-Sadd, who confirmed on Saturday he has held talks with Barca.
The Spaniard who won pulled the strings at the heart of Barcelona’s midfield in their golden era admitted it is his “dream job” to take charge of the Catalans. Read more
Rashford double on 200th appearance sends Man Utd fifth (Nation)
Marcus Rashford marked his 200th Manchester United appearance in style by scoring twice as the Red Devils returned to winning ways by easily despatching bottom-of-the-table Norwich.
Rashford, 22, became the third youngest player to reach the landmark for the club and opened the scoring in the first half by stabbing home Juan Mata’s deep cross to the back post.
United dominated possession throughout the game and were rampant in the second half, England international Rashford netting his second after Brandon Williams was brought down in the box by Norwich keeper goalkeeper Tim Krul. Read more
Gedson Fernandes: Tottenham close to 18-month loan deal for Benfica midfielder (SkyNews)
Benfica midfielder Gedson Fernandes is close to joining Tottenham on an 18-month loan deal, after choosing the club over London rivals West Ham.
The 21-year-old, who has two senior caps for Portugal, is expected to fly into the UK next week to finalise the deal.
Benfica agreed deals with both Tottenham and West Ham but Fernandes is believed to have opted to sign for Spurs, who are managed by fellow Portuguese Jose Mourinho. Read more
Nadal renews call for ATP Cup and Davis Cup to merger (Vanguard)
World number one Rafael Nadal renewed his call Sunday for the new ATP Cup to merge with the Davis Cup, urging tennis chiefs to fix it “for the health of our sport”.
The inaugural 24-team ATP Cup, played in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth in a revamped start to the season, has proved a hit with many players and fans.
But it took place just six weeks after the new-look Davis Cup in Madrid, won by Nadal’s Spain, which also has countries competing against each other in a round-robin format.
One of the events is run by the men’s tour, the Association of Tennis Professionals, and the other by the International Tennis Federation. Read more
Barcelona suffer Suarez blow (Nation)
Barcelona have confirmed that Luis Suarez will undergo surgery on his right knee to address a troublesome injury issue.
The 32-year-old has been in great form so far this season, bagging 14 goals and 11 assists in 23 appearances for the Catalan giants.
Coupled with the lack of quality depth that coach Ernesto Valverde can call upon up front though, it will be a huge blow for Barca after they confirmed on their club site that the Uruguayan stalwart will undergo surgery on Sunday. Read more
Kalu not feeling loved at Bordeaux – Rohr (Punch)
Super Eagles head coach, Gernot Rohr, is of the opinion that Nigeria international, Samuel Kalu, is suffering at Bordeaux because he felt he was not getting the much affection he craved for, which had affected his confidence.
Kalu has struggled this season, scoring just one goal in 16 league appearances for The Girondins this season.
And his misery was compounded after the 22-year-old returned 10 days late to training after the break as he was stuck in the country for a passport renewal issue. Read more
Watford climb out the relegation zone with win at Bournemouth (Guardian)
Watford captain Troy Deeney hailed the impact of Nigel Pearson in helping the Hornets bounce back from “rock bottom” after a 3-0 win at Bournemouth took them out of the Premier League relegation zone for the first time this season.
Abdoulaye Doucoure and Roberto Pereyra struck either side of Deeney’s fourth goal in five games as Watford moved above their hosts, whose five-season stay in the top flight looks in serious danger of coming to an end.
“The gaffer and all the boys need to take a lot of credit,” said Deeney. “We hit rock bottom at some points this season but we’ve managed to get the fans involved and do the hard work on the pitch.” Read more