Agony on Lagos-Ibadan expressway (Nation)
December 2019 and January this year came with some bad news from the Lagos-Ibadan expressway. The newspapers captured the horror in screaming headlines: ‘Three die, three injured’; ‘Accident kills five, injured nine’; and ‘travellers groan as multiple tankers accidents blocked road’.
The road is like the ever bloodthirsty witch in Nollywood movies. The accident, which claimed three lives, happened at the Ishara-Ogere end of the road. The Ogun State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Clement Oladele, attributed the cause to ‘route violation (driving against traffic) around the construction zone’ along the expressway. Read more
ADC slays Lagos state govt over Okada, keke ban (Vanguard)
Hon. Olayiwola Abisoye, the Chairman, caretaker committee of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Lagos State chapter, has slammed the state government following the protests and public outcry that greeted its recent decision to restrict commercial motorcycles popularly called ‘Okada’ and tricycles called ‘Keke NAPEP’ in some parts of the state.
Hon. Abisoye said the decision was hasty and not properly managed to achieved the desired result of getting Okada and tricycle riders off some major roads in the state.
The Lagos State Government on February 1, 2020 commenced the restriction of commercial motorcycles popularly called ‘Okada’ and tricycles called ‘Keke NAPEP’ in some parts of the state. Read more
Lagos launches S.H.I.F.T. for improved service delivery to residents (Guardian)
In what can be described as a renewed commitment to the social contract between the government of Lagos State and its citizens, the Lagos State Commissioner for Establishments, Training and Pensions, Mrs. Jibola Ponnle, has said that her ministry will inspire paradigm shift towards improving service delivery to Lagosians.
Speaking at the launch of a new initiative, S.H.I.F.T, by the Ministry of Establishments, Training and Pensions, the commissioner emphasized the importance of harnessing the potential of the state’s workforce through new thinking and approaches to accelerate the attainment of the vision for a greater Lagos. Read more
Pastor flogs son to death over alleged witchcraft (Punch)
A pastor, Amos Kosini and his wife are on the run after the self-acclaimed cleric allegedly flogged his son, Faithful, to death over allegation of witchcraft.
It was learnt that two other children of his church member, Paradise and Godspower, also sustained severe injuries in the hands of the cleric and now in a critical condition at a hospital. Kosini was alleged to have used a wire to inflict injuries on the children.
The incident, according to sources, occurred at Ogirisen community of Elume, Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State while Kosini was conducting deliverance sessions on the children for allegedly possessing ‘evil spirits.’ Read more
PDP’s Diri sworn in as Bayelsa governor, sues for peace (Guardian)
Sen. Douye Diri of the Peoples Democracy Party (PDP) on Friday took the oath of office as Governor of Bayelsa.
Chief Judge of the State, Justice Kate Abiri, administered the oath of office for the Bayelsa governor, and his Deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
The swearing-in ceremony which took place at the Government House, Yenagoa, was a huge celebration among party supporters.
In an inauguration address, Diri declared that he would always work to achieve peace, love, and prosperity for the people. Read more
Two robbery suspects killed while attempting to steal tricycle (Punch)
Two armed robbery suspects have died while one was injured in a failed attempt to snatch a commercial tricycle in Katsina.
The spokesman for the Katsina Police Command, SP Gambo Isah, confirmed the development on Thursday evening at the command’s headquarters while parading some suspects recently arrested for various offences in the state.
According to him, the dead robbery suspects were Janaidu Abubakar, 23 of Sabon Titin Kwado and Nasiru Bala, 24 of Kwabren Darawa Quarters, both in Katsina. Read more
Coronavirus hits Africa as Egypt confirms first case (Nation)
Egypt on Friday confirmed a case of Coronavirus in its territory,the first in Africa since the deadly virus began ravaging China a few weeks back.
But the sufferer is not Egyptian, the ministry of health said in Cairo.
The ministry did not disclose the nationality of the person who is quarantined isolation in hospital.
It merely said that it “has taken preventative measures and is monitoring the patient… who is stable.”
Cairo has already notified the World Health Organisation. Read more
Having sex with more than 10 people ‘could be linked to increased cancer risk’ (Metro)
Having more than 10 sexual partners over a lifetime is linked to increased odds of getting cancer, researchers say. And women with a higher number of sexual partners are more likely to report a limiting, long-term condition, experts from the UK, Austria, Turkey, Canada and Italy found. The researchers analysed data from adults aged 50 and over in England, with 5,722 participants reporting how many sexual partners they had had. Some 22% of men and just under 8% of women reported 10 or more sexual partners. The researchers found a statistically significant association between the number of lifetime sexual partners and risk of a cancer diagnosis among men and women. Read more
Mali violence: At least 30 killed in spate of violence (BBC)
At least 30 people, including nine soldiers, have been killed in three separate incidents in Mali.
Twenty one were killed when gunmen attacked a village in central Mali, burning houses, crops and livestock.
A group of eight soldiers also died in an ambush, while another was killed during an attack on a military camp in the Gao region.
Mali has been blighted by instability since 2012 when an Islamist rebellion broke out in the north. Read more
A third of stroke survivors are ‘too scared’ to have sex says survey (Metro)
A new survey has revealed fears of having sex among stroke survivors. The research, conducted by the Stroke Association, found that one in three stroke survivors are ‘too scared’ to get back into the swing of things.
Furthermore, 57% said that having a stroke had significantly affected their sex lives, with participants expressing that they are afraid to have sex in case it causes another stroke. Out of the 1,000 stroke survivors who took part in the survey, one third also said having sex would be difficult. Read more
Trump says he has right to act on criminal cases (BBC)
US President Donald Trump has tweeted he has “the legal right” to intervene in criminal cases after his attorney general complained White House tweets were making his job “impossible”.
In his post, Mr Trump also denied he had ever meddled in any cases.
America’s top law officer William Barr on Thursday asked Mr Trump to stop his tweets, saying he would not be bullied.
Mr Barr spoke out after Mr Trump renewed his attack on the criminal trial of his ex-adviser, Roger Stone.
Prosecutors had recommended Stone serve a stiff sentence, but Mr Trump tweeted that was unfair. Read more
Athletes begin chase for 2020 Olympics qualification (Nation)
Home-based track and field athletes will today officially begin the race towards making the qualification standard for this summer’s Olympic Games at the AFN All-Comers meet at the Federal University of Technology in Akure.
The event, the first in a series of competitions in the 2020 AFN calendar will also afford the athletes the opportunity to evaluate how far they have gone in their training.
Godwin Ogogo, president of Nigerian Coaches Association is delighted with the turnout of athletes in Akure and said that the event would provide them the needed test as they battle for the qualification standard for the two major competitions this year, the African Championships in Algeria and the Olympics. “I am happy for the athletes who have been asking for competitions to not only test their readiness for the season but also battle to get the qualification standard for the two events. Read more
Adekuoroye excited over new world ranking (Guardian)
World bronze medalist at the Senior World Wrestling Championships, Odunayo Adekuoroye, has expressed happiness over her new status as the world’s number one, which came after her feats in the ranking series in Italy and Algeria.
Adekuoroye, who is competing in the 57kg, had won gold medals at the world ranking series tournaments in Rome and Algeria where the 2020 African Wrestling Championships was held prelude to the wrestling event in Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Speaking with The Guardian during to the week, the two-time Commonwealth gold medalist freestyle wrestler stated that her latest ranking would keep her abreast of the challenges that await her at the Olympic Games in August. Read more
Usain Bolt’s heir apparent? Meet Armand ‘Mondo’ Duplantis, the new star of track and field (BBC)
Armand Duplantis competes for his mother’s homeland, Sweden, despite being born and raised in the US.
“I don’t blame them for wanting me to have a crazy career like Usain Bolt. I am going to try and carry the sport as much as I can and I know the best way to do that is to jump really high.”
Having taken pole vaulting to new heights with a world record of 6.17m in Poland last weekend, Armand ‘Mondo’ Duplantis is addressing the question of whether he can be athletics’ next Usain Bolt.
It’s a big question – and on paper an even bigger ask for a 20-year-old athlete in his first year as a professional. Read more
Manchester City banned from Champions League for next two seasons over FFP (Metro)
Manchester City have been banned from the Champions League for the next two seasons by UEFA. The reigning Premier League champions have also been fined £25million for ‘serious breaches’ of financial fair play regulations.
The decision is subject to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). In response to the ban, Manchester City said they were ‘disappointed but not surprised’ and intended to appeal. Read more
Sancho and Haaland score again in Dortmund win (BBC)
Borussia Dortmund wonderkids Jadon Sancho and Erling Braut Haaland scored again as they beat Eintracht Frankfurt to move up to second in the Bundesliga.
Lukasz Piszczek fired Dortmund into the lead with a fine 20-yard strike.
England’s Sancho expertly controlled Axel Witsel’s pass out to the left wing, cut inside and slammed a low shot into the bottom corner.
Fellow teenager Haaland tapped home from six yards out before Raphael Guerreiro blasted in a fourth.
Sancho has netted 12 times in his past 14 games in all competitions. Read more
Gunners struggling to agree new deal with Saka (Punch)
Arsenal’s gem Bukayo Saka may walk out on the club on a free if the Gunners don’t strike a new deal with the teen soon.
The 18-year-old has proven his worth ever since he made his debut for the senior side in late 2018 under previous manager, Unai Emery.
But, with his contract already winding down, the North London side might lose him on a free as there has been no breakthrough in talks over a new contract, says the Telegraph.
Saka is highly rated by new boss, Mikel Arteta, who has integrated the 18-year-old in the first team since he took over as manager in December, filling in at left-back with Kieran Tierney and Sead Kolasinac out injured. Read more
VAR denies Wolves’ bid to close on top-four spot (BBC)
Wolves missed out on the chance to close the gap on the top four as they were held to a goalless draw by 10-man Leicester City amid more VAR controversy.
Just before half-time, Willy Boly looked to have opened the scoring for the hosts after a short corner routine but his close-range header was ruled out with Pedro Neto judged to be offside in build-up.
Leicester midfielder Hamza Choudhury was sent-off 14 minutes from the end of normal time after collecting two bookings in the second half.
But in a game full of incident and goalscoring chances, the main talking point was Boly’s disallowed effort. Read more
African football chiefs say corruption allegations ‘unfounded’ (Guardian)
African football chiefs hit back Friday at reported allegations by accounting firm PwC of the widespread misuse of tens of millions of dollars.
The executive committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) said the allegations, made as a result of an independent audit of the body, were “unfounded”.
The auditors found widespread problems, including the awarding of millions of dollars of development funds sent to CAF by FIFA, according to a report in the New York Times.
The report also cited payments for gifts and mentioned at least one example where funds were used to pay for a funeral. Read more
Amusan, Brume shine in Berlin (Nation)
Nigerian hurdler Tobi Amusan ran continues her good run after running 7.89secs to win the women’s 60m Hurdles while Ese Brume settled for second place with 6.79m in the
long jump event at the ISTAF Meet in Berlin, Germany.
The Commonwealth Games gold medalist finished ahead of Finland’s Nooralotta Neziri who edged out Netherlands’ Nadine Visser to third place. Neziri ran 7.99secs while Visser ran 8.01secs.
Amusan finished second last week at the World Athletics Tour in Poland in a race won by Belarus’ Alina Talay. Read more
Onuachu hails teammates, fans in Genk’s draw (Punch)
Nigeria striker, Paul Onuachu, has hailed the travelling fans after their 1-1 draw at Royal Antwerp in the Belgian Pro league on Thursday.
Onuachu opened the scoring for the visitors in the 12th minute, his eighth league goal of the ongoing campaign in 19 games before the hosts got their equaliser from a Joakim Maehle own goal in the 39th minute.
Speaking after the game, Onuachu says the players gave a good account of themselves in such a difficult terrain. “It was a difficult game, a very good fight from the boys. The traveling fans were amazing,” he wrote on Instagram. Read more