Alleged car theft: Magistrate threatens bench warrant against Naira Marley (Punch)
A Lagos Chief Magistrate, Mr Tajudeen Elias, has given hip-hop musician, Azeez Fashola, alias Naira Marley, till January 14, 2020, to appear in court, else a warrant will be issued for his arrest.
The police had charged Naira Marley alongside his brothers, Idris and Babatunde, and cousin, Kunle Obere, with car theft.
While Idris, Babatunde, and Obere were arraigned before Elias on December 16, Naira Marley was absent from court.
The magistrate had adjourned till December 31 for Naira Marley to appear to take his plea. Read more
Fire razes popular ‘Kara’ Market on New Year’s eve (Nation)
A section of the popular cattle market also known as ‘Kara’ close to the Berger Garage along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway was gutted by fire on Tuesday morning.
The correspondents of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that visited the market gathered from some eyewitnesses that no less than 40 shops, five storage facilities, 20 residential rooms and cash, all worth millions were lost to the inferno.
They added that the goods in the shops and storage facilities include provisions , animal feeds and food items.
Some of the operators at the market speaking to NAN expressed thanks to God that no life was lost from what they described as a ‘ mysterious’ fire. Read more
Female LASTMA officer, policeman crushed to death in Apapa – Opeifa (Punch)
Two traffic officers and a policeman lost their lives in Apapa, Lagos since the Federal Government commenced an initiative to restore smooth traffic in the area.
Executive Vice-Chairman of the Presidential Taskforce on Apapa Restoration of Law and Order in Apapa, Mr Kayode Opeifa, made the disclosure on Tuesday when he paid a courtesy visit to the Lagos Office of the News Agency of Nigeria.
He said several people, including himself, had at one time or the other sustained injuries in the course of trying to bring sanity to Apapa, which had been on traffic lockdown over the years. Read more
New Year: Darius urges Taraba people to forgive one another (DailyTrust)
Governor Darius lshaku of Taraba state has urged people of the state to forgive one another and be more tolerant. The call was contained his 2020 New Year message to people of the state in which he called on the citizen to eschew bitterness.
Darius made the call through his senior special assistant on media and publicity, Mr. Bala Danabu. Read more
We’ll not disappoint you in 2020, APC assures Nigerians (Nation)
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has assured Nigerians it will not disappoint them but will intensify efforts at delivering more dividends of democracy in 2020.
In a statement on the New Year celebration signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Issa Onilu, the APC said that the faithful execution of policies and programmes of this current administration would be further intensified in this New Year.
The party said that government’s successes in plugging revenue leakages, checking violent extremism, oil sector reforms, anti-corruption, economic diversification, curbing waste, infrastructure development among other achievements are profound testament. Read more
New Year: KEDCO customers to enjoy steady power supply– MD (DailyTrust)
The Managing Director of Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO), Dr. Jamil Isyaku Gwamna has said customers will have enough to enjoy in terms of power supply in the New year. In a statement by the spokesman, Ibrahim Sani Shawai, Gwamna restated KEDCO’s commitment to ensuring that all customers get innovative packages in service delivery in the New Year. “One thing about KEDCO is that we believe in improvement and innovative approach to doing things. In 2020, we will not be the same; that I can assure all our customers. Read more
Fire engulfs Jos market, razes 14 shops (DailyTrust)
A section of Katako Market in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State has been consumed by fire with 14 shops reportedly burnt completely. Daily Trust correspondent, who visited the scene of the incident, reports that the whole of the affected section of the market was razed down.
Lawal Kamal, the chairman of Body B, who confirmed the incident to Daily Trust today, narrated that the fire started at about 3:30am and had completely destroyed the section before the arrival of fire fighters. Read more
Burna Boy and Rema’s songs make Barack Obama’s 2019 “Songs of the Year” (Guardian)
Former President of the United States of America, Barack Obama has shared his favorite songs of 2019 and our very own stars made it to his list.
From Lizzo’s “Juice”, Wale & Jeremih’s “On Chill”, to Beyoncé & Jay Z’s “Mood 4 Eva” and our very own Mavin Records‘ Rema’s “Iron Man” (also featured in the Obama’s summer playlist) and Burna Boy’s “Anybody” who were the only Nigerian stars on the 35-song list.
Sharing his favorite music for the year 2019, Obama wrote:
From hip-hop to country to The Boss, here are my songs of the year. If you’re looking for something to keep you company on a long drive or help you turn up a workout, I hope there’s a track or two in here that does the trick. Read more
2020 time to work for a better future – Atiku (DailyTrust)
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said the year 2020 is time to work for a better future, adding that government should respect the rule of law and initiate policies that would benefit Nigerians. Atiku in a statement by his Media Office Tuesday said the year heralded a brand new decade and required all to stay together more than ever before to take on, head front, the common enemy of insecurity bedevilling the nation. Atiku, the 2019 presidential candidate of the PDP said government must do things differently within the year and make deliberate effort to improve the material wellbeing of the people, by lifting millions of Nigerians out of the extreme poverty belt at a start, and to prosperity. Read more
Iraqi protesters storm US Embassy after airstrike kills 25 (Metro)
Angry protesters shouting ‘down, down USA’ have attacked the US Embassy compound in Baghdad. Dozens of angry Iraqi Shiite militia demonstrators broke a main door at the compound and set fire to a reception area this morning. The protesters had smashed security cameras on the wall around the embassy, rattled the main gate and set on fire three empty trailers used by the guards. Journalists then saw the crowd as they tried to scale the walls of the embassy, in what appeared to be an attempt to storm it, shouting ‘down, down USA!’ and ‘Death to America’ and ‘Death to Israel.’ Read more
Angola court orders seizure of Isabel dos Santos’ assets (BBC)
An Angolan court has ordered the seizure of the assets and bank accounts of the billionaire daughter of ex-President José Eduardo dos Santos.
The seizure appears to be part of an anti-corruption drive by the current government in oil-rich Angola.
The administration of President Joao Lourenço is seeking to recover $1bn (£760m) it says it is owed by Isabel dos Santos and her associates.
She has repeatedly denied wrongdoing during her father’s term in office. Read more
Sydney enters 2020 with huge firework display despite raging bushfires (Metro)
Fireworks have lit up the sky above the Sydney Harbour Bridge as Australia welcomed 2020 in style. The iconic display went ahead despite mounting pressure to abandon the celebrations as raging wildfires continue to devastate large swathes of the country. Pyrotechnics planned for the nation’s capital Canberra were called off in response to Australia’s most devastating wildfire season on record. But Sydney’s fireworks got the go ahead after Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he ‘can think of no better time to express to the world just how optimistic and positive we are as a country.’ Read more
Picasso painting attacked at Tate Modern (BBC)
A man has been charged with criminal damage after a £20m Picasso painting was attacked at the Tate Modern art gallery in London on Saturday.
The venue has taken the artist’s 1944 painting Bust of a Woman off display while the damage is assessed. It was reported to have been ripped.
At Camberwell Green Magistrates’ Court, Shakeel Massey, 20, from north London, indicated that he will deny the charge.
He has been remanded in custody until a pre-trial hearing on 30 January. Read more
UK government raises minimum wage (Guardian)
Britain’s minimum wage is to increase by more than four times the rate of UK inflation from next year, Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government announced Tuesday.
A 6.2-percent increase from April takes the so-called national living wage for workers aged 25 and over from £8.21 to a minimum £8.72 ($10.79 to $11.52, 9.63 euros to 10.27 euros).
Johnson, whose Conservative party’s recent general election victory came with support from economically struggling pro-Brexit areas, said it was the biggest increase since 2016. Read more
Israel Abia ends 2019 as NPFL leading scorer (DailyTrust)
Israel Abia celebrates after scoring in the 4-2 victory over Nasarawa United in the NPFL. Sunshine Stars forward, Israel Abia is the leading goal scorer with seven goals in 11 matches played in the ongoing 2019/2020 Nigeria Professional Football League season. Closely following him is Enyimba hit man, Victor Mbaoma and Katsina United’s Tasi’u Lawal who are both on six goals respectively.
Abia Warriors’ Jimoh Oni is third on the list with five goals while Akwa United’s Ndifreke Effiong, Dakkada’s Isaac George, Lobi Stars’ Sikiru Alimi and Plateau United’s Ibrahim Mustapha are all on 4 goals each. Read more
Brisbane International: Maria Sharapova handed wildcard (BBC)
Russia’s Maria Sharapova will compete at the Brisbane International in January after receiving a wildcard.
The 32-year-old former world number one played just 15 matches in 2019 because of a long-term shoulder injury.
Five-time Grand Slam champion Sharapova last played a competitive match in the first round of the US Open in August. Read more
Foreign players to leave Chinese League over new salary regime (DailyTrust)
The Chinese Super League may be facing an exodus of foreign stars following the introduction of a new salary cap of £2m-a-year – approximately £42k-per-week. A host of footballing talents such as Marouane Fellaini, Oscar and Marko Arnautovic were offered the chance to become very high earner in the Chinese Super League.
While the new salary cap does not affect any current contracts, the former stars who moved to Asia will have to take a huge pay cut if they opt to renew their contracts at their respective clubs. Read more
Plateau Utd’s coach targets continental ticket (Nation)
Despite losing 3-0 to Abia Warriors on Sunday, the chief coach of Plateau United Football Club Abdu Maikaba has revealed that his target in the on-going Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) is to finish in the top three at the end of the season and qualify for continental championship.
Maikaba while explaining the current success of the team said maintaining the top spot in league (NPFL) was as a result of quality players recruited before the season started.
The former Akwa United tactician stated that players in the team have imbibed his philosophy and they are ready to fight till the end of the season barring injuries. Read more
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hints at two January signings after Erling Haaland blow (Metro)
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is hopeful of making at least one signing in the January transfer window following Erling Haaland’s decision to join Dortmund. The Norwegian met with Haaland in Salzburg earlier this month in a bid to convince the teenager to join United. However, Dortmund confirmed a deal for the striker on Sunday with United insisting that they could not agree to elements of the contract that were being demanded by Haaland’s agent, Mino Raiola. United had been hopeful of securing Haaland’s signature and his decision to reject the Red Devils is a bitter blow for Solskjaer. Read more
India to compete at Commonwealth Games (DailyTrust)
India will compete at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games after fears its athletes could boycott the event when shooting was omitted from the schedule. The announcement comes after Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) officials held talks with Indian representatives in New Delhi. India was unhappy after shooting – a sport it traditionally performs well in – was dropped as a medal event. Read more
Medinah, Woods & Olympic gold – 10 highlights of the golfing decade (BBC)
It was a decade in golf that saw epic team wins by the widest and narrowest of margins, accompanied by historic comebacks and stellar individual performances, with many coming from UK players.
Here is our chance to reflect on those past 10 years, a fascinating period during which there was plenty of room for golfing magic, madness and mutiny – and that was just Phil Mickelson!
Looking for a little bit of everything, here are my top 10 moments in golf from the past decade. Share your own favourites in the comments section. Read more
Nishikori out of Australian Open, ATP Cup (DailyTrust)
Japanese star Kei Nishikori pulled out of the Australian Open and the inaugural ATP Cup Monday as he continues to struggle with an elbow injury that has kept him out since the US Open. The former world No 4, who has slipped to 13, said he was disappointed not to be able to begin his season as hoped for in January. “Unfortunately I have to pull out of the ATP Cup and the Aussie Open,” he said in statement. Read more
Frank Lampard tells Chelsea to hijack Manchester United’s transfer move for Moussa Dembele (Metro)
Chelsea are reportedly lining up a bid to sign Lyon star Moussa Dembele in the January transfer window. Dembele’s stock has risen significantly since his £20million move from Celtic last year. The 23-year-old forward has scored 29 goals in 62 appearances across all competitions and is regarded as one of the most lethal finishers in Ligue 1. Both Manchester United and Arsenal are known to be keen on Dembele and Chelsea have upped their interest in the Frenchman in recent weeks as they scour the market for attacking reinforcements. Read more
Haruna hails youthful Eagles under Rohr (Nation)
Former Nigeria international Lukman Haruna has applauded the exciting and youthful Super Eagles under German coach Gernot Rohr, even as he advised against bringing spent forces back to the team.
Haruna, a FIFA U-17 World Cup winner in 2007, said he was impressed with the quality at the disposal of the German coach ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Qualifiers.
“We have a very good team at the moment and for me, I think we should give room for the new players,” the 29-year-old midfielder who stars for the Super Eagles at South Africa 2010 World Cup said in Lagos yesterday. Read more
Mikel is best ball passer in Turkey (Guardian)
Former Nigeria captain John Obi Mikel is the best passer in the Turkish Super Lig at the moment, reports allnigeriasoccer.com quoting football statistics experts, Whoscored.
The Trabzonspor midfielder has averaged a passing accuracy of 93.7 per cent in the 12 matches he has featured in the Turkish top-flight this season to place first in the ranking.
Besiktas duo Atiba Hutchinson and Domagoj Vida are joint second with a passing accuracy of 91.7 per cent, followed by Istanbul Basaksehir’s Carlos Ponck (90.9 per cent) and Galatasaray’s Mario Lemina (90.4 per cent). Read more
