Anxiety as Sanwo-Olu tests positive, El-Rufai in isolation amid second COVID-19 wave (Punch)
Nigerians are beginning to express anxiety due to reports of a likely second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, amid an economic recession and job losses reputedly caused by the first wave of the pandemic.
This is as the Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Saturday tested positive for COVID-19, while his Kaduna State counterpart, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, also on Friday evening announced that he was going into self-isolation as one of his family members and a government official tested positive for the virus.
It was the second time El-Rufai would go into isolation since February when the index case of the coronavirus was recorded in the country.
Sanwo-Olu’s status was confirmed about 24 hours after he went into self-isolation when one of his close aides tested positive for the virus. Read more
Don Moen, Sinach, Tope Alabi, Nathaniel Bassey, others lead worship at The Experience ’15 global (Guardian)
Don Moen, Sinach, Nathaniel Bassey, Tope Alabi and Eben are among the award-winning gospel artists from across the globe that featured at the 15th edition of this year’s The Experience, held on Friday in Lagos.
Other artists include Onos, Travis Greene, The Planetshakers, Ada, Mercy Chinwo and others powerful singers.
The programme, which is a yearly event envisioned by Pastor Paul Adefarasin of House On The Rock since 2006, attracted people from across Africa, Asia, Europe, North/South America, Australia and Antarctica as they connect to The Experience. Read more
We’ve made some arrests over death of Saraki’s in-law, Dapo Ojora – Police sources (Punch)
Some people have been picked up by the police in connection with the death of the late Lagos socialite, Dapo Ojora, Sunday PUNCH has learnt.
It was learnt that the arrests were premised on suspicion surrounding the death of the polo buff, who died of gunshot on Friday.
Dapo was one of the sons of the boardroom titan, Otunba Adekunle Ojora, and brother of former Senate President Bukola Saraki’s wife, Toyin.
A reliable police source disclosed to our correspondent that the suspects included the deceased’s home help, whose identity was not disclosed. Read more
Buhari sacks Akpabio’s IMC, appoints sole administrator at NDDC (Thisday)
President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday sacked Prof Kemebradikumo Daniel Pondei led Interim Management, IMC and appointed Effiong Okon Akwa as the new interim administrator of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Akwa, according to a statement by the president’s media adviser, Mr. Femi Adesina, who is the acting Executive Director, Finance and Administration of the Commission, will oversee the affairs of NDDC until the completion of the ongoing forensic audit.
Adesina said Akwa is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
He said his appointment in that capacity had become imperative following the plethora of litigations and a recent restraining order issued against the Interim Management Committee of the NDDC by a Federal High Court in Abuja. Read more
Yuletide: FRSC urges motorists to obey traffic rules (Nation)
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has advised motorists to obey traffic regulations in order to avert road crashes during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
The FRSC Sector Commander in Ebonyi, Mrs Stella Uchegbu, gave the advice on Saturday during the corps sustained ‘Ember’ months safety campaign at the Ochoudo motor park, Abakaliki.
Uchegbu said that the ‘Ember’ months have become synonymous with unwholesome practices by drivers resulting in untold and preventable fatalities on the roads.
“Dangerous overtaking, overloading, use of mobile phones while driving, lane indiscipline, excessive speeding and use of extra lights have become the hallmark of drivers, especially during the festive period. Read more
Cleric urges political class to re-engineer Nigeria’s economy (Guardian)
The Presiding Bishop, Calvary Kingdom Church Int’l, Lagos, Archbishop Joseph Ojo, has lamented Nigeria’s slow pace, likening the nation to the biblical little sister of Solomon, whose growing up was impeded by so many factors.
He spoke against the backdrop of the on-going yearlong 60th Independence Anniversary celebration.
At 60, he said, Nigeria could not breastfeed its citizens and as such, there is nothing to celebrate. He acknowledged that Nigeria is divinely endowed with so many mineral/human resources, but lacks the leadership to harness the resources to its advantage. Read more
We have since moved on, do same – Peter Okoye blasts P-Square fans (Vanguard)
Nigerian singer, Peter Okoye of the defunct music group – P-Square, has addressed concerning fans asking that he and his twin brother, Paul reunites.
The 39-year-old in a lengthy Instagram post said that it is not about what the fans want but what he and his brothers want.
According to him, change is constant and people should embrace change, with regards to his relationship with his brother and their music group, as they have moved on.
He wrote, “It’s just 24hrs before my long awaiting single Follow My Lead drops! Let me get this off my chest before some people start their usual preaching. Listen, nothing lasts forever and change is constant. Every day they continue barking! Read more
Buhari, Tinubu, govs, ACF, NPAN mourn Leadership publisher, Nda-Isaiah (Punch)
The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Saturday, expressed shock and sadness over the death of the publisher of Leadership Newspapers, Sam Nda-Isaiah.
Nda-Isaiah died on Friday evening at 58.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, in a statement titled ‘Nda-Isaiah; He was a friend and ally, says President Buhari,’ said Buhari condoled with Nda-Isaiah’s family, friends and associates.
“The country has lost a man of conviction, a resolute and dogged believer in a better Nigeria. He will be sorely missed. This is a massive fish gone out of the media ocean,” Buhari was further quoted as saying of the pharmacist, renowned columnist, and one-time presidential aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress. Read more
Buhari condemns bandits’ attack on Katsina school, orders reinforcement of security (Guardian)
President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the attack carried out by bandits’ at the Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, Katsina State, charging the security agencies to go after the attackers to ensure that no student gets missing or harmed.
The president made the remarks in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Saturday.
He urged the school authorities to carry out an audit of the population of the students following shootings in and around the school that sent hundreds of them fleeing and scrambling over perimeter walls. Read more
Biden eyes New York’s Andrew Cuomo for Attorney General, AP reports (RT)
Projected President-Elect Joe Biden is allegedly considering New York Governor Andrew Cuomo for Attorney General in his administration, the AP news agency reported citing a source.
Cuomo is one of the politicians on Biden’s shortlist, alongside the recently defeated Alabama Sen. Doug Jones, former US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit Judge Merrick Garland, and former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates, AP reported on Saturday, citing an unnamed source with “knowledge” of the situation.
Cuomo’s name has been floated as a possibility for attorney general in the past, though he has claimed he has no plans to join the administration. Read more
First round of US Covid-19 vaccinations to begin on Monday (BBC)
The US public will start receiving the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine from Monday after it was authorised for emergency use, officials say.
The first three million doses of the vaccine would be shipped “across all states” this weekend, said Gen Gustave Perna, who is overseeing distribution.
The vaccine offers up to 95% protection against Covid-19 and was deemed safe by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
On Saturday, the US recorded a daily toll of 3,309 Covid-related deaths. Read more
Paolo Rossi: Italian World Cup hero’s home burgled during funeral (BBC)
The home of Italy’s 1982 World Cup hero Paolo Rossi was burgled during his funeral service on Saturday, local reports say.
The footballer’s funeral was held in the north-eastern city of Vicenza after he died on Thursday at the age of 64.
Italy’s Ansa news agency said Rossi’s wife, Federica Cappelletti, returned home from the ceremony to find their home in Tuscany had been broken into.
A watch belonging to Rossi and cash were among the items reported stolen. Read more
Country music pioneer Charley Pride dies from Covid complications aged 86 (Metro)
Country pioneer Charley Pride has died today aged 86 from complications related to Covid-19. The gifted entertainer, who was famous for tracks including Kiss An Angel Good Mornin’, Is Anybody Goin’ to San Antone, and Mountain of Love, died on Saturday, with the news being confirmed on his official website. Pride, who became the first Black member of the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2000, was born to a Mississippi sharecropper on March 18, 1934. Read more
Steel Magnolias actress Carol Sutton dies from Covid-19 (BBC)
Celebrated US actress Carol Sutton, 76, has died from coronavirus complications in her home city of New Orleans where she began her career on the stage.
She was being treated in hospital and died on Thursday night.
For half a century, she appeared in Hollywood films and TV series including Steel Magnolias, Queen Sugar, and True Detective.
Stars, directors and politicians who knew Sutton have been paying tribute to her. Read more
“Sister Act 3”: Cast, release date and everything we know so far (Metro)
Fans are full of joy after Sister Act 3 was officially confirmed to be heading to Disney Plus. Whoopi Goldberg will be rocking her nun’s habit once again as we check in with the legend that is Deloris Wilson (aka Sister Mary Clarence) in the highly-anticipated sequel. We last saw the 65-year-old character’s leading a choir during 1993’s Sister Act 2:Back in the Habit, and fans can’t wait to hear what beautiful music she creates with a new bunch of characters. If this all wasn’t exciting enough, Tyler Perry has also signed on as a producer for the flick. Read more
Tensions flare in Washington as Trump supporters rally against election results (CBC)
Conservative groups alleging without evidence that US President-elect Joe Biden stole the US election gathered for protests across the country on Saturday, including one in Washington, D.C., that turned violent at times as police broke up sporadic clashes after dark.
Organizers with Stop the Steal, linked to pro-Trump operative Roger Stone, and church groups urged supporters to participate in “Jericho Marches” and prayer rallies.
But groups of pro-Trump Proud Boys protesters and Antifa counter-protesters brawled in downtown Washington on Saturday night. Police moved in quickly to separate them, using pepper spray on members of both sides, Reuters witnesses said. Read more
Anthony Joshua knocks out Kubrat Pulev to raise hope of Tyson Fury bout (BBC)
Unified world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua mixed power and patience as he knocked out Kubrat Pulev to bolster hopes that a historic fight against Tyson Fury could soon be a reality.
The British heavyweight drilled his mandatory challenger to the canvas twice in round three in a chaotic flurry that saw Pulev smiling while under attack and turning his back when under fire, only to somehow make the bell.
Joshua, perhaps fatigued by the chaos, stepped off the gas and allowed Pulev to at least offer some mild threat, but a barrage of uppercuts in the ninth dropped Pulev and a straight right hand wiped him out seconds later.
The 1,000 fans granted access to Wembley Arena saw a blend of the boxing skills and crushing punches that have helped build Joshua into the attraction he is. Read more
Iwobi’s Everton end Chelsea’s 18-match unbeaten run (Punch)
Chelsea spurned the chance to go top of the Premier League as Gylfi Sigurdsson’s penalty earned Everton a vital 1-0 win in front of 2,000 fans at Goodison Park.
A first defeat in 18 games, excluding penalty shootouts, leaves Frank Lampard’s men still two points adrift of Tottenham and Liverpool at the top of the table.
They can extend that advantage to five points when they are in action on Sunday.
Victory lifts Everton up to seventh and within just one point of the top four. Read more
Paul Pogba speaks out on his Manchester United future after derby stalemate (Metro)
Paul Pogba claims he is ‘1000% involved’ at Manchester United, playing down suggestions his future lies away from Old Trafford. Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola has repeatedly stoked rumours that the 27-year-old was set to leave United, and spoke in an interview on the eve of the crunch Champions League clash at RB Leipzig about his client’s unhappiness. Raiola claimed the midfielder would not sign a new deal beyond 2022 – which saw United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer respond after the costly 3-2 loss in Germany that he hoped the agent realised football is about teams rather than individuals. Read more
Real beat leaders Atletico in Madrid derby (BBC)
Defending champions Real Madrid inflicted a first defeat of the season on La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid to move within three points of the summit.
Casemiro’s 15th-minute header from Toni Kroos’ corner gave the hosts a deserved lead at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium.
Dani Carvajal’s excellent second-half strike from outside the box rebounded off the post and in off the back of Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak.
Real climb to third, while Atletico remain one point above Real Sociedad.
Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid as it happened
Both sides safely progressed to the Champions League last 16 with 2-0 victories in midweek, as Real beat Borussia Monchengladbach to win Group B and Atletico Madrid overcame RB Salzburg to finish second to Bayern Munich. Read more
William Saliba sends pointed message to fellow Arsenal outcast Matteo Guendouzi (Metro)
William Saliba has risked the wrath of Mikel Arteta by describing himself as having been ‘locked up’ in social media exchange with fellow Arsenal outcast Matteo Guendouzi. Much was expected of the teenage defender upon his return from Saint Etienne where he spent last season on loan. Saliba is still, however, waiting to make his senior debut despite having signed for the Gunners in a £27million deal over 18 months ago. The 19-year-old was not included in Arsenal’s Premier League or Europa League squad and has instead been forced to settle for the occasional outing for the club’s Under-23 side. Read more
Oshoala scores hat-trick in Barca 7-0 win (Punch)
Asisat Oshoala scored a hat-trick on Saturday as Barcelona Femenino continued their good run with a thumping 7-0 win over Valencia Femenino at the Ciudad Deportiva de Paterna stadium.
The Iberdrola side picked up from where they stopped following their impressive performance against PSV Eindhoven in the UEFA Women Champions League in Eindhoven.
Oshoala was on target against PSV as Barcelona won 4-0 and was the heroine once again on Saturday, as she put three goals past Valencia goalkeeper, Enith Salón. Read more
