Ambode preaches goodwill, love at Christmas (Guardian)
Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday urged Nigerians to use the Christmas season to extend love and kindness to all mankind, especially the less privileged in society. Ambode said the love, care, selflessness and compassion, especially for the weak, vulnerable and less privileged that Jesus Christ represents was the real essence of the season, adding that his message to everyone is to put smiles on the faces of people who could not afford to return favours. His words: “Christmas is a season that explains the depth of God’s love for mankind and exemplary sacrifice that we should emulate in our relationship with our neighbours, irrespective of status and creed. This season is another opportunity to increase our acts of kindness and touch the less privileged. “Therefore, this Christmas means so much more than just mere merriment. It is an avenue to extend love to the less privileged in several ways. Read more
Buhari, APC hawking 2023 presidency — Atiku Campaign (Vanguard)
The Alhaji Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign team and the Pan-Yoruba Socio-Political Organisation, Afenifere, yesterday, picked holes in Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s advice to the South-West zone to back President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election so as to produce the next president in 2023. In a statement by its Spokesman, Prince Kassim Afegbua, the Atiku Abubakar Campaign took the criticism further by adding that the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, was hawking its 2023 presidential ticket because the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, made a similar offer to the South-East. Read more
Don’t ignore Aisha’s cabal allegation, AAMV tells Nigerians (Vanguard)
The Atiku Abubakar Media Vanguard, AAMV, has asked Nigerians not to dismiss the statement credited to Mrs. Aisha Buhari, that “two powerful men have hijacked her husband’s administration” with a wave of hand, saying such statement coming from the First Lady should be taken seriously. AAMV also raised concern over the absence of Mrs. Buhari and her children at the birthday celebrations of President Muhammadu Buhari on December 17. Its National Coordinator, Peresine Watchman, who spoke to Vanguard yesterday, urged Nigerians to support the aspiration of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, Dr. Peter Obi. Read more
There’s still hope for Nigeria, Kukah insists (Guardian)
Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah, has said that all hope was not lost for Nigeria to rise up and take its rightful place in the comity of nations. He stated this in his goodwill message to Nigerians on this year’s Christmas titled: Another Christmas, insisting that if Nigerians think about the difference between last year’s Christmas and this year’s, the message was that of hope.He advised that as believers in the supremacy of the will of God, “we should have no doubt that tomorrow will be alright. “I am still very convinced that this country, with all its foibles and weaknesses still has a great future. I am still convinced that God will do great things for the nation, not because of our efforts but in spite of them.” Read more
We’ll mount pressure on INEC to conduct credible polls — PDP (Vanguard)
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, vowed to mount pressure on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to conduct credible and transparent general elections in 2019. National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Kola Ologbodiyan said this at an interactive session with select journalists in Lagos. Ologbodiyan noted that the PDP has resolved to ensure that the 2019 general elections is not manipulated. He said: “What we have said as a party is that we will not accept rigging of the 2019 general elections. We will burst every rigging plan of the APC and President Muhammadu Buhari. It is manifest that President Buhari cannot win the elections because Nigerians have resolved, wholesomely, that they will not vote for him and that they will not vote for the APC. Read more
Otedola pulls out from Forte Oil (Vanguard)
Forte Oil Plc has disclosed plans by Nigerian billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola to sell his 75 per cent direct and indirect shareholdings in Forte Oil. Forte Oil in a statement signed by its General Counsel, Akinleye Olagbende stated that it has notified the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC and the investing community that its majority shareholder, Mr. Femi Otedola has reached an agreement with the Prudent Energy team, investing through Ignite Investments and Commodities Limited, to divest of his full 75 percent direct and indirect shareholding in the company’s downstream business. Read more
Save our shops, Onitsha machete dealers beg Obiano (Vanguard)
Traders dealing on machetes and knives at Onitsha Main Market, under the aegis of Machetes Line Association have appealed to Governor Willie Obiano never to allow the authorities of Onitsha Main Market Traders Association, OMMATU and by extension, the authorities of Onitsha North Local Government Council and the Amalgamated Traders Association of Anambra State, AMATAS to demolish their shops or revoke their allocation papers. They said they have their allocation papers for long now and have been paying their levies, taxes and rents to the appropriate government authorities as and when due and therefore, could not imagine the rationale behind the attempt to revoke their papers and even demolish their shops. Read more
Mexico’s Puebla governor Martha Erika Alonso killed in air crash (BBC)
The new governor of Mexico’s central Puebla state, Martha Erika Alonso, has died in an air crash, just days after being sworn into office. Her husband, Senator Rafael Moreno Valle, was also killed. Reports say Monday’s accident happened shortly after the aircraft – believed to be a helicopter – took off from the state capital of Puebla. Ms Alonso, 45, became the first female governor of Puebla after hotly contested elections. She was a member of the centre-right PAN party. The deaths were confirmed by Mexico’s new President, Andrés Manuel López Obrador. Read more
Sudan protests: Police fire tear gas at football fans (BBC)
Police in Sudan have fired tear gas at football fans demanding an end to President Omar al-Bashir’s rule as protests spread across the country. Hundreds of demonstrators blocked a road near a football stadium in the capital, Khartoum, on Sunday before clashing with riot police. Opposition figures say 22 protesters have been killed since Wednesday, but officials say the figure is much lower. The protests erupted after bread and fuel price rises were announced. But they have escalated into calls for an end to Mr Bashir’s 29-year rule. Read more
Nobody should feel safe in race – Klopp (BBC)
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says “nobody should feel safe” in the Premier League title race and insists Chelsea and Arsenal remain in the hunt. Klopp’s side will reach the halfway point of the season on 26 December at the top of the table after establishing a four-point lead.M Chelsea and Arsenal, who are fourth and fifth respectively, are 11 points behind the Reds with 20 games to play. “No-one should feel out of the race,” said Klopp. In eight of the past 10 seasons, the leaders on Christmas Day have gone on to win the Premier League. Read more