COVID-19: Sanwo-Olu okays reopening of schools Monday, January 18 (Vanguard)
Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu has approved and directed that all public and private schools in the state to resume for second term 2020 /2021 academic session with effect from Monday 18th January, 2021.
The Federal Government had earlier directed all schools to resume on January 18, 2021 after “due consultation” with stakeholders.
The decision was reached after a meeting with stakeholders, including Governors, Commissioners of Education, Proprietors and heads of institutions, staff unions and students.
Director General, Office of the Education Quality Assurance, OEQA, of the state Ministry of Education, Mrs Abiola Seriki-Ayeni, in a statement on Friday, said Commissioner for Education, Mrs Folasade Adefisayo, therefore, urged all school managers to enforce strict compliance with all subsisting protocols to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the state. Read more
COVID-19: 8,043 active cases under Lagos Home Based Care – Commissioner (Sun)
The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, says there are 8,043 active COVID-19 cases being managed under the state’s Home Based Care.
Abayomi made the disclosure through his verified Twitter account @ProfAkinAbayomi, on Friday, while giving the state’s COVID-19 update for Jan. 12.
The commissioner said that there are currently 193 cases under isolation at the state’s COVID-19 care centres.
Abayomi also said that 2,263 tests were conducted on the reported date, out of which, 542 new COVID-19 infections were confirmed in the state. Read more
Lagos bakery workers who robbed employer with fake pistol arrested (Punch)
No fewer than 13 suspects arrested in connection with traffic robberies around the Old Toll Gate and Ojota areas of Lagos State, are undergoing investigation at the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Yaba.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, in a statement on Thursday, said the 13 suspects were transferred to the SCIID on the orders of the state Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, adding that the suspects were arrested by men of the Rapid Response Squad.
He identified them as Akeredola Taiwo, 33; Oriyomi Solola, 28; Olanrewaju Sikiru, 25; Hakeem Ridwan, 22; Joseph Ovie, 33; Muhammadu Aminu, 32; and Monday Nweke, 35.
Others are Emmanuel Anthony, 24; Onyeka Muoghara, 40; Salaudeen Rilwan, 32; Kayode Dele, 31; Silas Manner, 27; and Favour Elijah, 26. Read more
LASU dissociates self from reports sponsored by unrecognised “LASUITES” (Independent)
The management of Lagos State University (LASU) has issued a release dissociating the university community from certain reports being sponsored by a group of individuals with insidious intention against the institution on some news media both social and traditional.
The release signed Ademola Adekoya, the Coordinator, Centre for Information, Press and Public Relations (CIPPR) states that:
The attention of Lagos State University Authority has been drawn to some falsehood, unfounded and unverified reports and stories being circulated on social media platforms and on the pages of some traditional media by individuals or a group of individuals who are NEITHER members of the University Community NOR members of our respected staff and students’ Unions. Read more
Reopening: Obey COVID-19 protocols or be delisted, NAPPS tells school owners (Punch)
The National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools has threatened to delist schoolS that refused to comply with COVID-19 protocols when they resume.
The National President, Chief Yomi Otubela, made this known in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH.
He explained that the association has set up a task force team that would ensure compliance.
“We are more than ready to resume. Any member that refused to obey the guidelines given by the Federal and state governments will be reported to the appropriate authorities and delisted. We are sure that our members will not default,” he added. Read more
Fake COVID-19 vaccines In circulation, NAFDAC raises alarm (DailyTrust)
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raised alarm over fake COVID-19 vaccines in circulation in the country.
Speaking during a virtual press conference on Friday, the Director General of the agency, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, enjoined the public to be wary of them.
She said the agency has not received any application from COVID vaccine manufacturers yet and therefore no vaccines have been approved by it.
She said: “There are reports of fake vaccines in Nigeria.
“NAFDAC is pleading with the public to beware.
“No COVID-19 vaccines have been approved by NAFDAC.
“Fake vaccines can cause COVID-like illnesses or other serious diseases that could kill. Read more
Court Remands 5 Men For Alleged Arson, Robbery (Independent)
An Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court on Friday, ordered that five men who allegedly broke into some shops and set fire, be remanded in Police custody, pending legal advice.
The police charged Sulaimon Sherif, 27; Monsuru Rasheed, 28; Babatunde Isiaka, 30; Lekan Suleiman, 21′ and Kazeem Alabere, 20 with even-counts bordering on conspiracy, breaking and entry, theft and arson.
The Magistrate, Mrs Olajumoke Akande, who did not take plea of the suspects, ordered the police to return the case file to the Oyo State Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP). Read more
Prepare for death, says Chief Imam (Nation)
The Chief Imam of Lagos State, Sheikh Sulaimon Oluwatoyin Abou-Nolla, has urged Muslims to prepare for death, as it comes unannounced.
He spoke during the Fidau (prayer) for the former president of the Eko Club and Arowosadini of Lagos State, Chief Abdul Ganiu Williams, at the Eko Club, Lagos.
Abou-Nolla advised Nigerians to increase their good deeds and ensure good relationship with God.
“Preparing for death is a lifetime’s job. It begins from the day you were born till the day you eventually die. Death is inevitable, every soul shall taste death; so let us be well prepared for our death, because all our deeds will be accounted for after our death. Do not allow your love for wealth and worldly affairs to ruin your hereafter,” he added.
He described the late Williams as a peace lover, who was never found wanting when it came to promoting good deeds and peace in the state. Read more
Bobi Wine claims victory as Uganda awaits final election results (France24)
Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine on Friday claimed victory in a presidential election, rejecting early results which gave President Yoweri Museveni a wide lead as a “joke”.
“I am very confident that we defeated the dictator by far. I call upon all Ugandans to reject the blackmail. We have certainly won the election and we’ve won it by far,” he told journalists.
The 38-year-old former ragga singer turned politician has been the main rival to Uganda’s veteran leader who has been in power since 1986 and is seeking a sixth term in office.
The internet remained down for a third day as vote counting continued, with provisional results from 29 percent of polling stations giving Museveni an early lead of 63 percent while Wine trailed with 28 percent. Read more
NYC tenants owe over $1.1 billion in unpaid rent, survey says (NYPost)
New York City’s rent-regulated tenants owe more than $1.1 billion in back rent, with nearly 20 percent of them more than two months behind on their payments, according to a new survey.
The findings by the Community Housing Improvement Program — a group that represents landlords of rent-regulated units — also show that about 50,000 tenants are more than $15,000 behind in their rent, which is about a year of missed payments.
The findings by the Community Housing Improvement Program — a group that represents landlords of rent-regulated units — also show that about 50,000 tenants are more than $15,000 behind in their rent, which is about a year of missed payments.
The revelations, derived from surveying 40,000 rent-regulated units, comes as New York state is set to receive $1.3 billion in rental assistance from the federal government as part of the latest COVID-19 relief package. Read more
US says Capitol rioters meant to ‘capture and assassinate’ officials: court filing (CBC)
The Justice Department has brought more than 80 criminal cases in connection with the violent riots at the U.S. Capitol last week, in which Trump’s supporters stormed the building, ransacked offices and, in some cases, attacked police. (Roberto Schmidt/AFP/Getty Images)
Federal prosecutors offered an ominous new assessment of last week’s siege of the U.S. Capitol by President Donald Trump’s supporters on Thursday, saying in a court filing that rioters intended “to capture and assassinate elected officials.”
Prosecutors offered that view in a filing asking a judge to detain Jacob Chansley, the Arizona man and QAnon conspiracy theorist who was famously photographed wearing horns as he stood at the desk of Vice-President Mike Pence in the chamber of the U.S. Senate.
The detention memo, written by Justice Department lawyers in Arizona, goes into greater detail about the FBI’s investigation into Chansley, revealing that he left a note for Pence warning that “it’s only a matter of time, justice is coming.” Read more
WHO holds emergency meeting over new coronavirus strains (France24)
Global health experts gathered on Thursday to tackle new coronavirus strains blamed for a fresh surge in infections as countries including Britain and France tightened restrictions to head off a further worsening of the pandemic.
The World Health Organization (WHO) emergency committee session came as their colleagues were seeking the origins of the virus on a long-delayed mission to the pandemic ground zero in Wuhan.
Almost two million of the more than 91 million people who have caught the disease have died, but the figures are widely believed to be an underestimate.
“When you first met almost a year ago, just 557 cases of the disease we now call Covid-19 had been reported to WHO,” WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in his opening remarks to the emergency meeting. Read more
“The Sopranos” movie, “Many Saints of Newark,” gets new opening date (NYPost)
Young Tony Soprano (Michael Gandolfini) walking the mean streets of 1960s Newark, New Jersey
Young Tony Soprano (Michael Gandolfini) walking the mean streets of 1960s Newark, New Jersey.GC Images
The “Saints” aren’t marching in just yet.
After being postponed over COVID-19 concerns, the much-anticipated “The Many Saints of Newark” is finally set to open on September 24, 2021 — almost a year after its original planned release date.
“The Sopranos” prequel, which is being produced by New Line Cinemas and released by Warner Bros., was originally slated to hit theaters and streaming services in September 2020, Variety reported.
The David Chase-created mafia flick was later rescheduled for this spring due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Read more
Sylvain Sylvain: New York Dolls guitarist dies aged 69 (BBC)
Sylvain Sylvain, guitarist with trailblazing 1970s rock band New York Dolls, has died at the age of 69.
One of the group’s founding members, his visceral riffs bridged the divide between punk and glam, and helped kick-start the punk and new wave movements.
“As most of you know, Sylvain battled cancer for the past two and 1/2 years,” his wife, Wanda O’Kelley Mizrahi, wrote in a statement on his Facebook page.
“Though he fought it valiantly, yesterday he passed away.” Read more
British musicians left in a post-Brexit lurch around touring Europe (CBC)
British musicians are demanding that the British government face the music after new post-Brexit regulations failed to consider their unique work lives and left them in the lurch.
Nearly 260,000 people — including artists such as Laura Marling, Louis Tomlinson and Biffy Clyro — have signed a petition for the British government to negotiate a review of the rules for musicians touring in the 27-nation European Union.
After Brexit, citizens from the United Kingdom can no longer live and work freely in the European bloc. Tourists don’t need visas for stays of up to 90 days, and some short business trips are allowed under a new deal between Britain and the EU. But artists and musicians have not been included — incurring extra costs and hassle — and both sides disagree about who is to blame. Read more
Why I want Motsepe as CAF president – Pinnick (Independent)
President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Amaju Pinnick has explained the reason he is backing owner of Mamelodi Sundown of South Africa, Patrice Motsepe to become the next president of the Confederation of African Football Association (CAF).
Despite having other West African candidates vying for the same position, Pinnick has decided to pitch his tent with the Southern African candidate after he dumped his own ambition.
The Motsepe campaign team has recently been to Nigeria, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Guinea Conakry, Togo and Benin.
While the South Africa Football Association (SAFA) President, Dr. Danny Jordaan and his Nigerian counterpart, Pinnick have been headlining the campaign, they were joined by the FA presidents of the visited West African country. Read more
Man United face title test in Liverpool showdown (Guardian)
Manchester United’s bid to win the Premier League for the first time in eight years will face a major test when the leaders face champions Liverpool on Sunday.
With points certain to be dropped by one of the title contenders at Anfield this weekend, third-placed Manchester City can climb back into the race.
Slumping Chelsea has been forced to put their own title ambitions on hold after a woeful run that must be arrested soon to take the pressure off boss Frank Lampard.
United ready for Liverpool ‘test’
After unexpectedly gate-crashing the title race with nine wins during an 11-match unbeaten run, Manchester United head to Anfield knowing they have a golden opportunity to open up a potentially priceless six-point lead over Jurgen Klopp’s men. Read more
Dakar Rally: Pierre Cherpin – French rider dies after crash on stage seven
French motorcycle rider Pierre (BBC)
Cherpin has died five days after crashing during the seventh stage of the Dakar Rally, organisers said on Friday.
Cherpin, who was taking part in his fourth Dakar rally, had neurosurgery in Saudi Arabia after the crash.
The 52-year-old was placed in a medically induced coma in hospital.
“During his transfer by medical plane from Jeddah to France, Pierre Cherpin died from the injuries caused by his fall,” Dakar Rally organisers said.
“Urgently operated in neurosurgery, he had since then been kept in an induced coma, his condition having remained stable over the past few days. Read more
Robert Saleh becomes Jets new head coach (NYPost)
The Jets found their new coach.
The team reached an agreement in principle with 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh on Thursday night to become the 18th full-time head coach in Jets history. It is a five-year deal, according to a source.
Saleh, 41, takes over a team coming off one of the worst seasons in franchise history. The Jets went 2-14 after opening the season with 13 straight losses. Saleh replaces Adam Gase, who was fired after going 9-23 in two years as head coach.
Things heated up between the Jets and Saleh on Thursday afternoon. Saleh had interviewed in New Jersey with the Jets on Tuesday and Wednesday but departed without a deal. He then met with the Eagles on Wednesday and the Chargers on Thursday about their openings. The Jets hosted Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith on Wednesday night and Thursday, but decided Saleh was their guy and got a deal done. Read more
NBA: Houston Rockets beat San Antonio Spurs (BBC)
Houston Rockets came back to win 109-105 against San Antonio Spurs
The Houston Rockets began life after James Harden with a first away win of the season at the San Antonio Spurs.
Christian Wood scored 27 points and had 15 rebounds as the Rockets came from behind to win 109-105.
Harden, the top scorer in the NBA for the past three seasons, left the franchise to join the Brooklyn Nets in a multi-team deal this week.
Victory for Houston followed two consecutive home defeats by defending NBA champions Los Angeles Lakers. Read more
Gold medallist Klete Keller released from custody, ordered to stay away from D.C. (CBC)
A five-time Olympic swimming medallist charged with participating in a deadly riot at the U.S. Capitol was released from federal custody Thursday but ordered to stay away from Washington, D.C. until after next week’s inauguration.
Klete Keller, who lives in Colorado, appeared during a brief hearing in Denver federal court following his arrest on charges brought by prosecutors in Washington. At the insistence of prosecutors, Magistrate Judge Michael E. Hegarty said Keller could not travel to Washington before Jan. 21. After that, Keller is allowed to travel to Washington for court appearances and to meet with his lawyers but he must ask for permission for future visits to see his children in North Carolina after a trip already scheduled for this weekend.
Keller did not have to pay money to be released but promised to appear at future court hearings and comply with other standard conditions, including not possessing firearms. Read more