Apapa Gridlock: Lagos to takeover traffic management from PTT – Sanwo-Olu (Vanguard)
Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Monday, announced the setting up of a special team by the state government to takeover traffic management from the disbanded Presidential Task Team, PTT, with the aim of restoring sanity to the perennial gridlock in the area.
Sanwo-Olu, said a stakeholders’ meeting, involving representatives of the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, haulage transport unions, port operators among others will be convened next week to work out means of solving the protracted traffic gridlock in Apapa as well as having a more efficient, effective port operations in the general interest of the public.
The Governor made the remarks, when he led a delegation of the state Executive Council and stakeholders on the first hand assessment of traffic situation in Apapa ports and environ which lasted for about two hours. Read more
COVID-19: Lagos to inaugurate 10 oxygen centres (Nation)
The Lagos State Government will inaugurate 10 Oxygen and Sampling centres to improve management of severe-to-critical COVID-19 cases.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, disclosed this during a media briefing on the update of the second wave of COVID-19 in Lagos on Monday.
Abayomi said that the state would deploy oxygen therapy centres in high burden local government areas to manage severe-to-critical COVID-19 patients.
According to him, the centres were sited at the Mother and Child Centre, Eti-Osa; General Hospital Alimosho; General Hospital Isolo; Aguda Primary Healthcare Centre, Surulere; and General Hospital Gbagada. Read more
Displaced traders count losses as fire guts plank market in Lagos (Vanguard)
Scores of traders in Ketu plank market, Lagos State, were displaced, Sunday, even as they are currently counting their losses following an inferno which gutted their plank market.
Though the cause of the fire outbreak on the market located at Demurin street could not be ascertained but the traders have lamented the inferno saying it will have adverse effects on their source of livelihood especially at the Yuletide season.
The traders who claimed the incident has caught them unawares urged the state government to rally round them.
One of them, Mrs Yetunde Ewuoso said she lost items worths N9m to the inferno while another Madam Binuyo Olusola said she lost items worth N5.8m. Read more
Catholic Church backs Kukah, says Bishop spoke truth to power (Thisday)
The leadership of the Catholic Church in Nigeria has expressed support for the position expresed by the Bishop of the Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Hassan Kukah, on the state of the nation.
In a statement issued on Monday by the National Directorate of Social Communications of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria in Abuja, the church urged lovers of truth and justice to rise in defence of Bishop Kukah against the attack on his person and the attempt to discredit the simple obvious truth in his message.
Bishop Kukah had in his Christmas message to Nigerians lamented the endless woes, which he said had befallen the country.
He further said that the prospects of a failed state stares Nigeria in the face, with “endless bloodletting, a collapsing economy, social anomie, domestic and community violence, kidnappings, armed robberies” . Read more
Okowa urges NDDC to emphasize more on BOQ (Vanguard)
Delta State Governor Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has urged the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to put more emphasis on its Bill of Quantitatities( BOQ), to enable its road projects to stand the test of time.
Okowa gave the urge on Monday at Idumuje-Unor, Aniocha North Local Government Area of the state at a grand reception in honour of Justice Samuel Chukwudumebi Oseji on his elevation as Justice of the Supreme Court.
The Governor who was reacting to a passionate appeal by the community to prevail on NDDC to complete the Onicha-Uku/Idumuje-Unor Road awarded in 2012 said there was the need for a review of the contract because the value of the naira had weakened over the years. Read more
Kidnapped Kaduna PFN chairman, wife regain freedom (Punch)
Kidnapped Chairman of the Kaduna State chapter of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Apostle Emmanuel Bako, and his wife, Cindy, have regained freedom.
Gunmen, around 8pm on Christmas day, had invaded the Albarka Prayer Camp at Fadan Kagoma in the Jema’a Local Government Area of the state and snatched the cleric, his wife and one other person, identified as Douglas.
However, a statement on Sunday by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr Samuel Aruwan, said Bako and his wife were freed on Sunday.
The commissioner said the PFN secretary in Kaduna State, Rev. Tony Inwulale, also confirmed the development to the government. Read more
Human trafficking kingpin apprehended in Ogun (Vanguard)
Nemesis has caught up with a 35 years old human trafficking kingpin, Comfort Innocent, who was apprehended by men of the Nigeria Police Force, Ogun State Command.
The suspect was apprehended last Thursday, over the abduction and trafficking of two under-aged girls.
Vanguard gathered that her arrest followed a report by one Oluwaseun Aduratola and Sakirat Fasasi both residents of Siun Town in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of the state who reported at Owode Egba Police station that the suspect abducted their daughters namely Blessing Aduratola 15 and Hasisat Fasasi 16. Read more
Police working hard to free kidnapped Ekiti businessman, says CP (Thisday)
The Ekiti State Police Commissioner, Mr Babatunde Mobayo, has assured that the police will work with other security agencies in the state to secure the release of a businessman, Mr. Happiness Ajayi Okunola, who was kidnapped by unknown gunmen.
Okunola was abducted around 6pm alongside one Oluwaseun Fatile between Isan-Iludun road on Christmas day, while traveling on that route.
But for quick intervention of the police, Amotekun corps and some hunters, Fatile was rescued after the captors were given a hot chase into the bush, while Okunola was taken away into captivity. Read more
One million Americans vaccinated against Covid-19 (Guardian)
More than a million people have received their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine in the United States, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) director Robert Redfield said Wednesday.
“The United States achieved an early but important milestone today — jurisdictions have now reported that more than one million people have received their first dose of Covid-19 vaccine since administration began 10 days ago,” said Redfield.
In a call with reporters, Moncef Slaoui, chief advisor of the government’s Operation Warp Speed, said that the objective of immunizing 20 million people this month was “unlikely to be met.”
But he said the US was still aiming for 100 million people immunized by the end of the first quarter of 2021, and another 100 million by the second quarter. Read more
Europe rolls out mass vaccinations in bid to beat COVID-19 (France24)
EU countries on Sunday embarked on a vaccination campaign to defeat the “nightmare” of Covid-19, with the first to be immunised expressing emotion after their jab and leaders hailing a milestone in the fight against the pandemic.
The vaccine is a glimmer of hope for a continent yearning for a return to normal from a pandemic that has killed 1.76 million people worldwide since emerging in China late last year and caused at least 80 million confirmed cases, according to an AFP tally.
But polls have shown many Europeans are unwilling to take the vaccine, which could impede its effectiveness in beating the virus, while it will take months for large chunks of the population to be immunised.
“It is with deep pride and a deep sense of responsibility that I got the vaccine today. A small gesture but a fundamental gesture for all of us,” said Claudia Alivernini, 29, an Italian nurse who was the first in her country to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech jab Sunday morning. Read more
Saudi woman activist Loujain al-Hathloul jailed for five years (BBC)
A prominent Saudi female activist, who campaigned for women’s right to drive, has been sentenced to more than five years in prison.
Loujain al-Hathloul, 31, has already been in a maximum security prison for two and a half years.
She and other activists were detained in 2018 on charges including contacts with organisations hostile to Saudi Arabia.
International human rights groups have repeatedly called for her release.
But on Monday, the country’s Specialised Criminal Court, which was set up to try terrorism cases, convicted her of various charges including trying to harm national security and advance a foreign agenda.
It sentenced her to five years and eight months in prison. Two years and ten months of the sentence are said to have been suspended. Read more
Cardi B settles lawsuit with ex-manager (Guardian)
Cardi B’s legal issues with her ex-manager are finally over, and she is so pleased with the results. The rapper settled the dispute between her and Shaft, her ex-manager, who sued her for $10 million in 2018.
He claims he discovered her, and that she left him out in the cold once she truly blew up after the success of her first megahit “Bodak Yellow.”
Shaft claimed his team of writers/producers crafted that song for her, and not only that, he alleged he put her on the path to mainstream fame by getting her on VH1’s ‘Love & Hip Hop’ only to be denied proper payment when she secured millions thereafter. Read more
“Deadliest Catch” star Nick McGlashan dead at 33 (PageSix)
“Deadliest Catch” star Nick McGlashan died on Sunday. He was 33.
McGlashan’s family told TMZ that he passed away in Nashville. His cause of death has yet to be determined by the medical examiner.
McGlashan, who worked on the Summer Bay fishing vessel, appeared on the crabbing reality series from 2013 to 2020. Read more
How the streaming wars will change movies in 2021 (CBC)
There’s a moment near the beginning of Wonder Woman 1984 where General Antiope says, “The time will come, Diana, and everything will be different.”
How right she was.
This Christmas, the sequel to 2017’s Wonder Woman, which smashed box-office records, will open in theatres — but also on the streaming service HBO Max.
In Canada, with theatres closed in many major cities due to COVID-19 restrictions, customers can rent the film online for $29.99. For film fans who’ve gone a year without any big-screen comic-inspired chaos, it’s a convenient option. Read more
Lori Loughlin released from prison after two months (PageSix)
Actress Lori Loughlin is out of the big house.
The former “Full House” star was released from federal prison Monday in Dublin, California, where she was sentenced to serve two months for her role in a college admissions bribery scheme, according to the Bureau of Prisons.
The 56-year-old actress best known as “Aunt Becky” on the late-’80s sitcom and her fashion designer husband, Mossimo Giannulli, pleaded guilty in May to paying $500,000 to get their two daughters, 22-year-old Isabella Giannulli and 21-year-old Olivia Jade Giannulli, accepted into the University of Southern California as crew recruits despite not being rowers. Read more
Kwara win as NPFL resumes after nine-month break (Punch)
The Nigeria Professional Football League returned to action for the first time after a nine-month break with matches in six venues across the country.
The league had been on break after the 2019/20 season was suspended in March and subsequently cancelled in August following the outbreak of COVID-19.
Kwara United recorded the week’s only away victory, defeating last season’s league leaders, Plateau United, 2-0 at the New Jos Stadium.
The Afonja Warriors scored two quick second half goals through Jide Fatokun and Michael Ohanu in the 62nd and 67th minutes to snatch victory.
Also, MFM FC defeated Warri Wolves 2-1 at the Agege Stadium. All the goals were scored within the first 30 minutes, with Ebenezer Odeyemi and Muyiwa Balogun finding the back of the net for MFM in the seventh and 23rd minutes, while John Chinedu pulled one back for Wolves in the 27th minute. Read more
MFM turn back Warri Wolves 2-1 in season opener at Agege stadium (Vanguard)
MFM FC began their 2020/2021 Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) campaign with a 2-1 victory over visiting Warri Wolves at the Agege Township Stadium.
The Olukoya Boys started like a house on fire and did not hide their intention of bagging maximum points as the season kicked off after a long break induced by the Covid 19 lockdown.
MFM Coach Tony Buolus described his team’s first-half performance as the best he has seen for a while and praised his wards for taking their chances early in the game. Read more
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says he feels responsible for the club’s poor form (BBC)
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says he feels “responsible” for the “suffering” endured by those associated with the club during a torrid run of form.
Arteta’s side beat Chelsea on 26 December to secure a first win in the Premier League since early November.
The victory followed their worst start after 14 league games since 1974-75.
“It is draining, it is frustrating and it is painful,” said Arteta, whose team sit in 15th place in the Premier League before Tuesday’s match at Brighton. Read more
Onyekuru wants long-term transfer from Monaco (Vanguard)
A representative of Henry Onyekuru, who has failed to shine at AS Monaco, has said he hopes the forward gets a long-term loan or permanent transfer away from the Ligue 1 club.
Onyekuru, 23, who has a contract with Monaco till June 2024, has made only four appearances in Ligue 1 this season. He has been linked with a return to Turkish giants Galatasaray, where he has already posted two loan spells.
Al-Jazeera in the Emirates have also been mentioned in connection with Onyekuru.
“There are rumours. It comes to my ear. Galatasaray are an important option for Onyekuru. Transfer or loan, we’ll see. But I hope it will be for the long term,” Onyekuru’s agent is quoted by les-transferts.com. Read more
Lionel Messi: Barcelona striker wants to play in US (BBC)
Barcelona captain Lionel Messi says he hopes to one day play in the United States but is unsure of his future when his contract runs out in June.
The Argentina forward, 33, can begin negotiations with overseas clubs in January.
Speculation over his future has been intense since he handed in a transfer request in August.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do yet,” Messi told Spanish television channel La Sexta.
“I’m going to wait until the season ends. I would like to play in the United States and experience life and the league there, but ultimately come back to Barcelona in some capacity. Read more
Napoli want Osimhen ready for Juventus clash (Punch)
Napoli are hoping striker Victor Osimhen will be ready for the Super Cup clash against rivals Juventus in January.
The Nigerian sustained a shoulder injury during the Super Eagles’ Africa Cup of Nations tie against the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin November 13.
“The player (Osimhen) is in Belgium for recovery and will return to Italy next Wednesday, 24 hours after the resumption of training,” according to Tuttomercatoweb via La Repubblica.
“Only when he is visited by the Canonical doctor can a precise date be fixed. Napoli – we read – hopes to be able to call him for Wednesday 6 January against Spezia or, at most, the following Sunday for the match against Udinese away. Read more
Edinson Cavani: Manchester United want to extend striker’s contract (BBC)
Manchester United are already looking to extend Edinson Cavani’s contract, says manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The Uruguay striker, 33, joined on a one-year deal in October, with the option of a further year.
He has started only one Premier League game but has scored three goals in eight games and came off the bench to create Bruno Fernandes’ goal at Leicester on Saturday.
Solskjaer said he expects a new deal to be agreed.
“Edinson has a few years left in him so I wouldn’t say anything else,” said Solskjaer. “He has made a great impact and I trust him.” Read more