Command nabs suspected cultists for attacking vigilante group (Punch)
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested seven suspected members of the Eiye Confraternity for attacking a vigilante group, the Agbekoya, in the Ikorodu area of the state.
It was gathered that the suspects, Abolaji Arbayo, Josiah Offem, Oluwapelumi Oyeyinka, Lamidi Taofeeq, Ahmed Shittu, Zainab Nurudeen and Rabiu Ganiyu, had on Saturday attacked the vigilante group in a reprisal for the attack on one of their members.
PUNCH Metro learnt that the suspects inflicted machetes cuts and gunshot injuries on members of the group.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said in a statement on Sunday that the suspects were arrested around 2pm on Saturday by policemen from the Imota Division. Read more
#EndSARS: Don’t subvert truth before Lagos Panel, group warns Lagos govt, Amnesty Int’l (Guardian)
The Lagos state government and Amnesty International, AI, have been warned to allow the Judicial Panel of Inquiry set up to probe the allegation of brutality against the Special Anti-Robbery Squad in Lagos state to work without any form of interference.
A civil society organisation, Advocates For Social Justice, at a press conference in Abuja, yesterday, warned the Lagos government and the rights group against subversion of truth before the commission.
Mr. Agwu Gabriel Esq., Executive Director of the group said it is alarmed that a delegation from Lagos State Government is in London for a meeting with Amnesty International to exonerate Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwoolu, on the deployment of the military to manage the #EndSARS protest at Lekki Toll Gate on October 20, 2020. Read more
105 tested postive for HIV during COVID-19 lockdown in Ogun, says govt (Thisday)
No fewer than 105 persons have tested positive for HIV in Ogun State during the COVID-19 lockdown.
The Commissioner for Health in Ogun State, Dr. Tomi Coker, said this at a press briefing to mark the 2020 World AIDS Day with the theme “United to end AIDS in the midst of COVID – 19”.
Coker said statistics show that 20,827 people are living with HIV in the state.
According to Coker, with the figure, the state has the highest prevalence of the virus among South-west states. Read more
Grass-cutting fraud: EFCC re-arraigns ex-SGF Lawal today (Punch)
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission will today (Monday) re-arraign a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, and six others, for an alleged fraudulent N544m grass-cutting contract, The PUNCH has learnt.
This will be the second re-arraignment of the defendants, who were first arraigned before the late Justice Jude Okeke of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Maitama, Abuja on February 13, 2019.
Lawal, along with his younger brother, Hamidu Lawal, Suleiman Abubakar, Apeh Monday and two companies – Rholavision Engineering Ltd and Josmon Technologies Ltd – had pleaded not guilty to the charges when read to them before Justice Okeke. Read more
Buhari, Sanwo-Olu mourn celebrated journalist Ogunsanwo (Nation)
President Muhammadu Buhari and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu have mourned the former Editor of Sunday Times, Gbolabo Ogunsanwo.
They lauded the late Ogunsanwo’s contributions to media practice across Nigeria. The ex-Editor died on Friday.
In a statement on Sunday in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the President recalled the late editor’s impact on society through his then weekly column.
He prayed for the repose of Ogunsanwo’s soul. Read more
25m Nigerians to own N5m solar systems at N4000 monthly (Vanguard)
Designed to fundamentally address the challenge of power supply in the country, the Buhari administration is this week starting a Solar Home Systems, under the Economic Sustainability Plan, where with only about N4000 monthly over a 3-year period, 25 million Nigerians not served by the national grid, will outrightly own solar panels in their residences.
Mr Laolu Akande Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity in the Vice President’s office made the disclosure in response to media inquiries about the cost of the ESP Solar programme nick named SOLAR POWER NAIJA for which installations starts in December. Akande disclosed that the ESP Solar programme is being implemented by the Rural Electrification Agency, REA. Read more
Airlines hike airfares by 100% as operating costs rise (Punch)
The cost of air tickets along several routes have doubled due to the high demand for air travel in light of the rising insecurity in the country and cost of flight operations, findings by The PUNCH have shown.
Checks on several airline websites showed that even intending passengers who booked their flights days ahead of departure were also affected.
A check on Friday on the website of Max Air showed that a one-way ticket from Maiduguri to Lagos for Saturday was put at N100,000 while the same flight costs N70,000 for Monday. Read more
Bond prices to rise further as N419bn inflow fuels demand (Vanguard)
Prices of FGN bonds traded in the secondary market are expected to rise further this week due to anticipated increased demand fueled by inflow of N419 billion into the interbank money market.
Bonds prices have been on the upward trend in recent times, with yields declining, following near zero interest rates on treasury bills, which makes FGN bonds the only viable fixed income investment option for investors. The trend persisted last week, with average yield falling by 12 basis points (bpts).
Explaining the factors driving the bullish trend, analysts at Cordros Securities Limited, said: “We attribute the bullish performance to: Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)s dovish stance at the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting this week (last week); and the further decline in stop rates at the Nigeria Treasury Bill auction.” Read more
Biden announces all-female senior press team (BBC)
US President-elect Joe Biden has appointed an all-female senior press team, in what his office claims is a first in the country’s history.
The team will be led by Kate Bedingfield, former deputy campaign communications director for Mr Biden.
Jen Psaki, who was President Barack Obama’s White House communications director, will be press secretary. Read more
Anne Hathaway reveals being a mum during lockdown has been ‘a learning curve’ (Metro)
Anne Hathaway has opened up on the challenges of motherhood and admits being a mum in lockdown has been a ‘learning curve’. The actress, 38, shares two children with husband Adam Shulman; sons Jonathan, four, and one-year-old Jack. Discussing her family life in a new interview with Australia’s Stellar magazine, Hathaway revealed what it’s been like parenting during the pandemic. Asked what her biggest challenge was during lockdown, the Devil Wears Prada star joked: ‘During the lockdown? Can I curse? The f**king laundry?’ Read more
Black Lives Matter founders: We fought to change history and we won (BBC)
The year 2020 will be remembered for a lot of things – not least the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement around the world.
The organisation has led huge street rallies and high-profile campaigns against racism and police brutality.
Now the three women who founded the movement have told the BBC they believe it has transformed politics.
“Black people alongside our allies stood up to change the course of history and we won,” said Alicia Garza. Read more
English farm to cull 10,500 turkeys as concern grows over wave of bird flu from Europe (RT)
More than ten thousands turkeys will be slaughtered at a poultry farm in northern England, following the discovery there of H5N8 bird flu. The culling comes amid fears of an avian flu outbreak originating in Europe.
Medical authorities confirmed that avian flu had been found at a commercial turkey fattening farm near Northallerton, North Yorkshire. All 10,500 birds at the farm would be culled to limit the spread of the disease, which was identified as the highly contagious H5N8 strain. The British public were reassured that the outbreak does not pose a food safety risk.
The discovery of the disease comes amid reports of a string of swan deaths that have been linked to avian flu. Poultry farmers across England, Scotland and Wales were ordered earlier in November to implement strict lockdown-style measures at their facilities to help prevent the spread of the illness. Read more
Thousands forced to flee after volcano erupts in eastern Indonesia (Metro)
A volcano has erupted in Indonesia, sending ash and smoke up to four kilometres into the sky. More than 2,700 people have been forced to seek refuge, fleeing in terror from the natural disaster. The volcano is in the southern East Nusa Tenggara province. Raditya Jati, a spokesman for the country’s disaster mitigation agency, said in a statement that the eruption from the Mt. Ile Lewotolok volcano, about 2,600 kilometers east of Indonesia’s capital of Jakarta, had caused panic among those living nearby. Read more
NZ officials charge 13 parties over White Island volcano tragedy (BBC)
New Zealand’s health and safety authorities have filed charges against 13 parties over last year’s deadly White Island disaster.
Some 22 people died when the country’s most active volcano suddenly erupted last December with tourists on it.
Ten parties now face charges under the Health and Safety at Work Act, which carries a maximum fine of NZ$1.5m ($1.06m; £0.79m).
A further three have been charged as directors or individuals. Read more
Halsey hits out at the Grammys for snubbing The Weeknd (Metro)
Halsey has spoken out against The Grammys, after The Weeknd was noticeably snubbed during this year’s nominations. The nominations for the Grammys 2020 were revealed last week, with Beyoncé leading those listed, after landing a huge nine nods. Taylor Swift, Roddy Rich, Dua Lipa and Megan Thee Stallion were among the stars being recognised, but fans were left venting their frustration after The Weeknd failed to secure a single nomination – despite being tipped by critics to be a front-runner. Read more
Napoli thrash Roma 4-0, honour Maradona with special jersey (Punch)
Napoli players took to the pitch wearing a special Argentina-inspired jersey on Sunday in honor of club legend Diego Maradona, who died aged 60 on Wednesday, for their Serie A game against Roma, which ended 4-0.
The jersey with white and light blue vertical stripes, was specially designed to pay tribute to Napoli’s legendary number 10 who led the club to their only league titles in 1987 and 1990 and the UEFA Cup in 1989.
Players also wore black armbands, with a minute’s silence observed before the game, as in all matches in Italy, in memory of Maradona who spent seven years at Napoli. Read more
Raul Jimenez rushed to hospital after sickening collision with David Luiz (Metro)
Wolves striker Raul Jimenez was rushed to hospital after a sickening collision with Arsenal defender David Luiz in the early minutes of Sunday’s game at the Emirates.
Jimenez required over ten minutes of medical attention after he collided with Brazilian defender Luiz as the Mexican cleared at the front post from an Arsenal corner. Luiz needed several minutes of medical attention but thankfully he was able to make it to his feet and he managed to continue the game once the match was allowed to restart. Read more
Former Senegal, Fulham & Portsmouth midfielder Papa Bouba Diop dies aged 42 (BBC)
Former Senegal, Fulham and Portsmouth midfielder Papa Bouba Diop has died aged 42.
Diop made 129 appearances in the Premier League and also had spells in England with West Ham United and Birmingham City.
He played for Senegal at the 2002 World Cup, scoring the winner in the tournament’s opening game as his country beat France 1-0.
“Once a World Cup hero, always a World Cup hero,” Fifa posted on social media. Read more
Frank Lampard disagrees with Jose Mourinho over ‘pony’ title comments (Metro)
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has disagreed with Jose Mourinho’s claim that Tottenham are not in the title race after the Portuguese coach described his side as ‘just a pony’. The north Londoners remain top of the Premier League after a goalless draw between the two sides at Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea edging the chances in a tight, tactical battle on Sunday evening. Although Spurs maintained their position at the top of the table, Mourinho claimed afterwards that Chelsea were bigger contenders and his side were heavy underdogs. Read more
Diego Maradona’s doctor investigated over ‘manslaughter’ (BBC)
Argentine prosecutors are investigating Diego Maradona’s doctor for possible manslaughter following the footballing legend’s death four days ago.
Police in Buenos Aires have searched the house and private clinic of Leopoldo Luque as they try to establish if there was negligence in Maradona’s treatment following surgery.
The 60-year-old died of a heart attack at his home where he was recuperating. Read more
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hails James Ward-Prowse after Manchester United’s win against Southampton (Metro)
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer lavished praise on Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse after his side’s 3-2 win on the south coast. Edinson Cavani’s introduction at half-time inspired United to all three points at St Mary’s but it was the Saints that were in the ascendancy at the break. Ward-Prowse whipped a phenomenal corner onto the head of Jan Bednarek to put the home side ahead midway through the first half and he got himself on the scoresheet moments later when he struck a fantastic free-kick past David De Gea. Read more
Haas driver Romain Grosjean suffers burns after huge Bahrain GP crash and fire (BBC)
Grosjean walked away from the terrifying crash at the start of the Bahrain Grand Prix
Romain Grosjean is being treated in hospital for burns after a terrifying, fiery accident at the Bahrain Grand Prix.
The Frenchman’s Haas pierced the barrier, split in two and burst into flames on the first lap of the race, which was stopped.
Grosjean’s car was embedded in the barrier on its side and the driver appears to have been saved by the halo head-protection device. Read more