BRT drivers on strike over ‘unpaid salary’ (Nation)
Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) vehicle drivers yesterday embarked on strike over alleged non-payment of their December salary and poor working condition. But the BRT sole operator, Primero Transport Services Ltd (PTSL), denied owing them salary, describing their action as politically motivated. The drivers locked the gates of PTSL headquarters at Majidun, Ikorodu, Lagos and prevented other workers from entering. They alleged that they were being owed December salary and bonuses. One of them, who preferred anonymity, alleged that they were owed November and December salaries and bonuses, but the company “hurriedly paid November salary on Christmas Eve.” Read more
Fuel tanker explodes in Enugu, burns petrol station, homes, shops (Vanguard)
A tanker explosion yesterday rocked a petrol station along Nike Lake road by Penoks Junction, Trans Ekulu, Enugu, in Abakpa town in Enugu State, destroying properties worth billions of naira. It was gathered that the blast was triggered by a cooking gas tanker loading products at about 9 am.The petrol station called Juhel petrol station was gutted by the resultant fire which also spread to nearby shops, vehicles and houses. Men of the fire service successfully put out the fire without reports of casualties. Following the fire outbreak, the Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi visited the scene of the tanker explosion where residents of the area commended the Enugu government for the swift intervention and expertise displayed by officers and men of Enugu State Fire Service in putting out the fire, without any loss of life. Read more
I dropped out of OAU, Ogun APC gov candidate admits (Punch)
The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, has said the contention over his academic credentials is an attempt at mudslinging, adding that he never claimed to have graduated from the Obafemi Awolowo University (formerly University of Ife). A suit filed earlier this month at a High Court in Abuja sought Abiodun’s disqualification from the governorship race for allegedly giving “false information” in the academic qualification he submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission. Abiodun, in an appearance on Sunday Politics, a live programme on Channels Television, however, said he had never misrepresented his educational credentials to anyone. Read more
Electing Atiku will retard Nigeria’s devt for 20 years – Osinkolu (Vanguard)
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ekiti State, Dr. Olusegun Osinkolu, said that it would be catastrophic for Nigerians to elect Atiku Abubakar, alleging that would hand over the country’s economy to a few cabal to manipulate at the expense of the masses. Osinkolu maintained that the best way to actualize the expected hope that would reshape the country for the better, is to re- elect President Buhari. Osinkolu, who is national adviser (Southwest), Buhari/Osinbajo National Support Committee, said the country’s economic prowess and political emancipation would be reversed by 20 years, if the opposition PDP returns to power in the next elections. Read more
It’s year to prove neutrality, CAN tells INEC (Guardian)
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has cautioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against taking sides in the general elections. In its New Year message yesterday, the association urged government not to involve the military in the polls, to prevent voter intimidation. It also tasked the police, the Nigerian Civil Defense Corps, and other security agencies not to compromise standards by working for desperate politicians. The statement signed by Mr. Bayo Oladeji, media assistant to CAN President Samson Ayokunle, reads in part: “The year 2019 is a crucial one to all Nigerians because it is a year of general elections. Read more
TraderMoni, relooting of Abacha loots — Fayose (Vanguard)
Immediate past governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose has described the Federal Government TraderMoni scheme as not only an avenue for advanced votes buying but direct “re-looting of the Abacha loots.” Fayose questioned the rationale in Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo leaving Abuja and spending about N25 million on maintenance of presidential jet as well as allowances for himself, aides, protocols, security and others just to share say N10 million. Fayose said if the Federal Government was sincere about TraderMoni, the fund should have been paid into bank accounts of beneficiaries so that the disbursement can be traced and properly audited, adding that “When I was governor, more than 20,000 people got N5,000 monthly stipend and the money was paid into their bank accounts.” Read more
Benue group raises alarm over influx of herdsmen (Guardian)
A group, under the aegis of MINDA Strategic Contact Group (MSCG), has expressed worry over the sudden influx of Fulani herdsmen and their cattle to Benue State in the lead-up to the new year. The group recalled the gruesome murder of 73 Benue indigenes by herdsmen exactly one year ago and several other killings including that of two Catholic priests and 17 parishioners in Mbalom. Prof. Joe Tor Iorlapuu, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial aspirant in the state, spoke on behalf of the group at a world press conference in Makurdi yesterday. Read more
Kim Jong-un warns of ‘change in direction’ (BBC)
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has said he is committed to denuclearisation, but warned he will change course if the US continues its sanctions. He made the remarks during his closely-watched annual New Year’s address. Last year’s speech set the country on an unprecedented path of international diplomacy with South Korea and the US. Mr Kim met US President Donald Trump to discuss denuclearisation in June 2018 but with few results so far. Last year’s rapprochement came after a turbulent 2017 marked by North Korea testing missiles that could reach the US mainland and an escalation in rhetoric between Pyongyang and Washington with both sides trading insults and threats of nuclear destruction. Read more
Macron attacks extremists in New Year speech (BBC)
French President Emmanuel Macron used his traditional New Year’s Eve speech to sound a warning to extreme elements among anti-government protesters. He promised to keep order “without complacency” and decried self-appointed “spokespeople for a hateful mob”. At least six people have died and some 1,400 have been injured since protests over fuel tax rises erupted last month. Earlier, in her annual address, Angela Merkel said Germany would play a greater international role in 2019. Read more
Van rams crowd in Tokyo’s fashion district (BBC)
A small van has ploughed into pedestrians celebrating the New Year on one of Tokyo’s most famous streets. Eight people were injured, one seriously, by the attacker who struck in the Harajuku fashion district shortly after midnight. The street, which was sealed off to traffic, was packed with people heading to a shrine for New Year’s prayers. A man was arrested, with a police spokesman telling AFP news agency he had an “intent to murder”. The 21-year-old was identified as Kazuhiro Kusakabe. Police told broadcaster NHK that he initially told then he had conducted a terrorist act, but then later claimed it was related to executions. It was not clear if he was referring to a specific execution or capital punishment in general. Read more
Enugu Rangers resume camping today, plan early trip to Maseru (Guardian)
Players and officials of Nigeria’s sole representative in the CAF Confederation Cup, Enugu Rangers will resume camping today in preparation for their final round of the competition’s qualifying series. The Flying Antelopes are pitched against Bantu FC of Lesotho, who will host the first leg of the qualifier in Maseru on January 11, 2019. Rangers have a short Christmas and New Year break since dispatching Algeria’s USM Bel Abbes to get to the final round of the qualifying series. Read more
Ferguson back at Man Utd training ground (BBC)
Former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has returned to the club’s training ground for the first time since suffering a brain haemorrhage. Ferguson, 77, met former striker and current caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Carrington on Saturday. The Scot did not attend any training sessions during David Moyes and Louis van Gaal’s managerial reigns, but was invited back by Jose Mourinho. “He enjoyed his time at the training ground,” said Solskjaer. “He had a few nice chats with the staff and he encouraged us.” Read more
Nasri joins West Ham on return from doping ban (Vanguard)
Former French international midfielder Samir Nasri returned to football on Monday following a doping ban by joining English Premier League side West Ham. Nasri will reunite with West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini, with whom he won one of his two Premier League titles at Manchester City, after joining the Hammers on an initial contract until the end of the 2018/19 season with an option to extend his stay. “Coming back to the most competitive league in the world, with a team full of ambition with a manager that I know… I’m really excited about it,” said Nasri. Read more
Wounded Arsenal welcome Fulham as Spurs aim for revival against Cardiff (Guardian)
Riding high until two weeks ago, Arsenal’s season has taken a sudden downturn that has thrown the focus firmly onto the club’s plans for the January transfer window. Prior to the visit to Southampton in mid-December, the Gunners had gone 22 games without defeat and while form had been more patchy since the end of October, the trajectory of Unai Emery’s side was undeniably on the up. Defeat at St Mary’s Stadium, however, triggered a run that has brought just one win in five games, including Saturday’s humiliating 5-1 defeat at league leaders Liverpool. Read more
Civil servant allegedly defiles 11-year-old boy (Nation)
A 52-year-old civil servant, Mohammed Lawal Ahmed, was yesterday arraigned at a Magistrates’ Court 8, Kawo, Kaduna, for allegedly defiling an 11-year-old boy. The suspect was said to have carried out the act on December 14, about 9am, by enticing the minor with sweets to his house and inserting his finger into his anus. A statement sent to the court by the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps said the boy’s mother later discovered the unholy act between the man and her son and raised the alarm, which led to his arrest. The statement said the suspect carried out the act at his house at CU2, Ikara Road, Sabon-Gari, Tudun-wada, in Kaduna South Local Government on December 14. Read more
Woman loses pregnancy after neighbour headbutts her (Punch)
A woman, Mrs Nkiru Peter, has lost her pregnancy after one of her neighbours’ sons ThankGod, allegedly gave her a headbutt. Peter, a resident of Odinaka Street, Afromedia, Ajangbadi in Lagos State, was said to have argued with her neighbour, identified as Mama ThankGod, over water usage. It was learnt that Mama ThankGod claimed that she pumped the water, which Peter’s domestic help, identified as Oluchi, had used without her permission. Oluchi was said to have denied using the water, which resulted in a quarrel between Mama ThankGod and Peter, with the former said to have called the latter a witch. Read more