Amosun, 3000 others defect to PDP in Ogun (Nation)
Over three thousand members of the Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN) in Ogun State have defected to the People’s Democratic Party(PDP), ahead of the Local Government elections expected to be conducted in the state next year and subsequent general elections in 2023.
The defectors led by the House of Representatives candidate of the ANN for Abeokuta South Federal Constituency, Akeem Amosun, in the last general elections, said that they elected to move to PDP to form a vibrant and formidable opposition in the Gateway State.
The former ANN members were received into PDP family on Thursday evening by former House of Representatives member; Hon. Ladi Adebutu and PDP chieftain, Sikurullai Ogundele. Read more
24-year-old man trapped in well in Lagos (Punch)
A 24-year-old man, Yusuf Olajide, accidentally fell into a well at Iju Ishaga area of Lagos on Thursday.
The man was said to be rescued by men of the Lagos State Fire Service.
The Chief Public Affairs of the service, Mr Dosunmu Jamiu, in a statement, said residents of the area initially thought the victim was dead.
He said, “Men from the Agege Fire Station carried out a rescue operation at No. 16, Oladimeji Oladipupo St., Enilolobo Bus Stop, Iju Ishaga. Read more
No going back on e-billing, says Ikeja Electric (Guardian)
Ikeja Electricity (IE) on Friday said there was no going back on the new E-Billing introduced by the company.
Mr Abayomi Bolorunde, Commercial Manager, Ikeja Electric, Akowonjo Business District, said this during a sensitisation roadshow on E-Bill/Meter Asset Providers (MAPs) at Agbado Oke-Odo area of Lagos.
He said that the system was introduced to improve service delivery to customers.
Bolorunde said customers desirous of physical bills could log on to the Ikeja Electric website and input their account numbers which would display their bills that could be printed out for record purposes. Read more
Judge, lawyers flee as DSS operatives invade court, rearrest Sowore (Punch)
Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court in Abuja abruptly suspended sitting and fled her court on Friday as operatives of the Department of State Service invaded the courtroom to rearrest Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, less than 24 hours of releasing him from earlier illegal custody.
Sowore’s lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), described the development as a “horrendous, bizarre, and barbaric contempt of court” never witnessed under “even the most brutal of past dictators that had ever ruled Nigeria”.
He added, “Under the military regime, the so-called enemies of the government would not be arrested in the web of the court which is considered a sanctuary. Read more
Sowore alleges attempt on life in court (Nation)
There was a lot of drama on Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja as the Department of State Services (DSS) rearrested Revolution Now Convener, Omoyele Sowore, and Olawale Bakare, barely 24 hours after they were released from custody.
They were rearrested on the grounds on fresh charges being filed against them, it was gathered.
Sowore alleged an attempt was made on his life as men of the DSS put him in a chokehold.
Sowore and Bakare’s appearance in court on Friday was a resumption of their trial over charges of treasonable felony for organizing the Revolution Now protest, which the government saw as an attempt to disrupt peace in the country. Read more
168 returnees arrive from Libya as 15,731 repatriated so far (DailyTrust)
Libya returnees A fresh batch of 168 “distressed and stranded” Nigerians from Libya arrived the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos in the early hours of Friday. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) received the voluntary returnees who were assisted by back to Nigeria by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) with the support of European Union (EU). ADVERTISEMENT The latest returnees brought the figure of Nigerians repatriated from Libya and 16 other countries to 15,731 from April, 2017 till date. Read more
Some misguided Nigerians just attacked me in Madrid – Amaechi (Vanguard)
The Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, Friday said that he was attacked by some misguided Nigerians in Madrid.
Disclosing this via his twitter handle, @ChibuikeAmaechi, the former governor of Rivers opined that they were fight-off by the Spanish police before they could do any harm.
Amaechi who tweeted that he was fine, equally commended Nigerians for their prayers and support. Read more
FG suspends 8 correctional service personnel over electrocution of inmates (DailyTrust)
The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) has approved the suspension of 7 senior officers and 1 junior personnel of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) over the electrocution of 5 inmates of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Lagos. The Public Relations Officer of the NCoS, Francis Enobore, who disclosed this in a statement on Friday, said the suspension was to facilitate unfettered investigation into the sad incident. Read more
Police officer shoots 18-year-old to death for retaliating slap (Nation)
Tension has now enveloped the people of Njaba local government area, following the gruesome murder of an 18-year-old boy, Awuzie Duru by a trigger happy police officer.
The incident, which happened inside the premises of a new generation bank branch at Umuaka, saw the policeman shooting the boy for retaliating a slap from the policeman, whose identity could not be ascertained.
It was gathered that the incident occurred on Sunday, December 1, when Awuzie (aka Aboy), who hailed from Isiozi Aka in the town, had gone to the bank to withdraw money from the bank’s ATM gallery.
One of the villagers, who witnessed the killing, told The Nation that when Awuzie joined the ATM line, other persons joined the queue behind him. Read more
Fraud: Kalu joins Dariye, Nyame in prison (DailyTrust)
Former Abia State governor, Orji Uzor Kalu (3rd right), being led away by officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service, shortly after his sentence to 12 years imprisonment by Justice Mohammad Idris of the Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday. Inset is the former governor entering into the court’s holden cell pending his transfer to the correctional centre Same fate awaits other looters – Presidency A former governor of Abia State, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, yesterday joined two former governors, Joshua Dariye (Plateau) and Jolly Nyame (Taraba), as an inmate in a correctional centre. Kalu, who is the Senate Chief Whip of the 9th Assembly, was found guilty by a Federal High Court in Lagos on fraud charges and remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre.
His conviction and sentencing to 12 years in jail yesterday came 12 years after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed N7.65 billion fraud charge against him. The EFCC had filed the charge in 2007. Read more
FRSC proposes N50,000 penalty for traffic light violations in 2020 (Punch)
The Federal Road Safety Corps has said that traffic light violations by motorists will attract a N50,000 fine from next year, noting that the offence was becoming worrisome.
Disclosing this in Abuja on Friday, the FRSC Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi said he had proposed to the Joint Tax Board that the traffic light violation fine should be increased from N4,000 to N50,000 to deter erring motorists.
Speaking at the first ‘ember month stakeholders forum’ organised by the FRSC in collaboration with the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, the Corps Marshal said his men would continue to arrest and sanction motorists using phones while driving. Read more
Intelligence is Sexy’ mentoring programme to take off soon (DailyTrust)
Mariam Mohammed A group of professionals, Isaac Okorafor , Dr Adaeze Oreh, and Ayobami Oyalowo, popular known as ‘The Godfather’ are joining hands to organise a short and fun mentoring programme. The programme which is tagged ‘Intelligence is Sexy’, is targeted at the Nigerian youth to re-orientate and sensitize them on the ideals of hard work, creativity and enterprise.
This is to allow them to become more active participants in the digital revolution and economy of today says Mariam Mohammed, the convener of the event. Read more
Taekwondo: Nwosu, others rise in World ranking (Nation)
FORTUNES have started smiling on the current African Champion, Chinazum Nwosu as the 25-year-old rose to the top 16 in the December 2019 World Taekwondo ranking released by the world body this week.
Nwosu who started the year at 32nd place in February moved 16 places and this increased pressure on her to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Other medalists at the All African Games also saw an improvement in their ranking in the latest update, with three of them breaking into the top 100 in the world.
Elizabeth Anyanacho, who is a student of the Federal University of Technology Owerri rose 35 places from 120th position to 85th in the female -67kg category. Read more
Akhator wary of Serbia threat (Punch)
Evelyn Akhator admits D’Tigress have been drawn in a favourable group at the FIBA Basketball Qualifying Tournament for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics but she hopes the reigning AfroBasket champions would be able to handle Serbia’s challenge effectively.
D’Tigress are grouped alongside world Champions USA, host country Serbia and fellow African country Mozambique for the Belgrade centre.
The OQT will be played between February 6th to 9th 2020 across four countries, China, Serbia, France and Belgium. Read more
Rainoil Tennis Open: Imeh, Emmanuel power into quarterfinals (Vanguard)
Two tennis players, Joseph Imeh and Sylvester Emmanuel, have qualified for the quarterfinals in their respective games in the ongoing Rainoil Tennis Open, men single defending champion.
Christian Paul, who was seeded 13, Imeh had to dig in deep to win at 7/6 (3), 5/1 to move closer to the title race.
It was at a tight first set, and Paul’s level tailed off in the second set as he retired due to injury.
Imeh’s opponent in Friday’s quarterfinal fixtures will be Godsgift Timibra, who advanced at the expense of Clifford Enosoregbe. Read more
Gulf Cup Semis: S’Arabia triumphs over Qatar, Bahrain downs Iraq (NewTelegraph)
Saudi Arabia have defeated hosts Qatar 1-0 to set up a showdown against Bahrain in the final of the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup.
Forward Abdullah Alhamddan scored the match’s only goal when he powered home a header in the 28th minute.
Despite creating a host of chances, Qatar’s Maroons were unable to find the back of the net and keep their title hopes alive. Read more
Solskjaer brands ‘Black Friday’ headline ‘worst front page ever’ (Guardian)
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has branded Corriere Dello Sport’s “Black Friday” headline “the worst front page” he has ever seen and offered support to Chris Smalling and Romelu Lukaku.
Roma defender Smalling, who is on loan from United, and Inter Milan forward Lukaku, were pictured either side of the headline on Thursday’s front page of the Italian newspaper, which was previewing Friday’s clash between the Serie A sides.
The former United teammates condemned the headline, which caused uproar in a country where a number of players have recently been targeted with racist abuse. Read more
Baresi praise for Van Dijk like being crowned by the king! – Klopp (Vanguard)
Jurgen Klopp felt Virgil van Dijk was unlucky to finish second behind Lionel Messi at the 2019 Ballon d’Or awards, but was pleased to see his performances praised by AC Milan great Franco Baresi after the ceremony.
Van Dijk helped Liverpool win the Champions League and finish runners-up in the Premier League with a record points haul in 2018-19, earning widespread praise for his performances in the heart of the defence.
The 28-year-old was rewarded for his exploits when he was named UEFA Men’s Player of the Year back in August, with many experts tipping him to go on and become the first defender to win the Ballon d’Or since Fabio Cannavaro back in 2006. Read more
Nwagua says win in Uyo marks turning point for Pillars (DailyTrust)
Kano Pillars forward Nyima Nwagua has said his side’s 2-1 win away to Akwa Starlets FC of Uyo at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Wednesday, marks the turning point for the four time champions to launch a challenge for another title. Coach Ibrahim Musa had come under fire from fans as his side were without a win in five attempts, going into the rescheduled MatchDay2 fixture in Uyo, and were yet to score in the current campaign.
Nwagua while admitting the team’s poor start to the campaign, said the victory against the new comers will now propel Pillars to put behind the nightmare of the past five match days. Read more
Manchester giants seek derby delight as Liverpool threaten to burst beyond reach (Vanguard)
Both sides of the Manchester divide will be hoping some derby delight can add impetus to disappointing seasons when City host United on Saturday, while Liverpool travel to Bournemouth aiming to surge further clear at the top of the Premier League.
Manchester United got a badly needed win for manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on Wednesday, inflicting a first defeat as Tottenham manager on Jose Mourinho as the Portuguese returned to Old Trafford.
The Red Devils were again reliant on Marcus Rashford goals as the England forward struck twice to take his tally to 12 in 13 games for club and country. Read more
Men’s World Team Squash Championship: Team Nigeria draws Wales, England, Colombia (Nation)
After Two decades, Nigeria is set to participate in Men’s World Team Squash Championship in Washington DC, USA from December 15 to 21.
The Nigerian team is in Pool B alongside five- time champion, England, Wales and Colombia. Nigeria will start their campaign on day one when they take on Wales on stage one.
The President Nigeria Squash Federation, Boye Oyerinde has said the team would put up a good performance in the championship considering the level of the players’ preparation. Read more
Pele’s last Brazil jersey sells for 30,000 euros in Italy (Guardian)
The jersey worn by Brazilian football legend Pele during his final match for the five-time world champions has sold for 30,000 euros ($33,000) in an auction in Italy.
The three-time World Cup winner wore the jersey in a friendly against Yugoslavia at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro in July 1971, the last time he played for Brazil.
Pele, 79, regarded as among the greatest footballers of all-time, scored 77 goals for Brazil in 92 appearances.
The shirt was the highlight of objects which went under the hammer at the Bolaffi auction house in Turin on Thursday. Read more