Family of six escapes death in Lagos bridge tanker explosion (Punch)
Six members of a family in a car narrowly escaped death on Saturday after a tanker loaded with 44,000 litres of diesel went up in flames on Otedola bridge, along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
It was learnt that the family narrowly escaped from the explosion scene before the fire spread to where the car was.
Sunday PUNCH gathered that the tanker was ascending the bridge and was outward-bound around 5.30pm when its tyre burst.
It reportedly descended and collided into an oncoming haulage truck, sparking a fire in the process. Read more
#EndSARS panel summons Badmus, ex-Lagos Police PRO, over brutality (Vanguard)
The Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution for Victims of SARS related Abuses and Lekki Tollgate incident has summoned the former spokesman of Lagos State Police Command, Dolapo Badmus, to identify an officer who allegedly brutalised a petitioner, Olajide Fowotade.
The panel, headed by Justice Doris Okuwobi, on Saturday, ordered that Badmus must appear before it to identify Sergeant Ayo, who allegedly brutalised the petitioner in a traffic dispute along Ketu-Ikosi Road while he was returning from his workplace in 2017.
The petitioner told the panel that he did not know the surname of the police officer who brutalised him, but could only identified him as “Ayo” from Ketu Police Station.
The 60-year-old contractor, however, said that Badmus knows the name of the sergeant and can identify him because she called him to say that the police authorities were interested in the case. Read more
Obaseki harps on inclusive policies, commits to reforms on sustainable devt (Thisday)
The Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has said his administration would sustain policies on economic inclusiveness and continue far-reaching reforms that would engender sustainable development so as to provide necessary amenities to lift residents out of poverty.
The governor said this in commemoration of the International Human Solidarity Day celebrated every year by the United Nations and its sister agencies.
According to the governor, “As we mark the International Human Solidarity Day, it is imperative to point out that deliberate reforms have been undertaken to improve the livelihoods of Edo people across the wide spectrum of the society. Read more
Marketers dare FG, sell petrol at N167 (Guardian)
Petroleum arketers in some parts of the country have failed to adjust the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) better known as petrol to N162, despite agreements between Federal Government and the organised labour to that effect.
Six days after the announcement of the new template, which removed N5 from the previous price of N166 per litre, the product is still selling at between N166 to N170 per litre in most fuel stations across the country.
Furious over the repeated hike in petrol price, the organised labour, especially the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) had dragged the Federal Government to a dialogue, where the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) agreed to slash N5 from N167.44, a development, which the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, stated that the reduction would bring down the price of petrol to N162.44K. Read more
PTECSSAN: FG directive on SIM registration poorly timed (Thisday)
Private Telecommunications and Communications Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PTECSSAN) has advised the federal government to withdraw its recent directive instructing telecommunications subscribers to link their SIM cards with the National Identification Number (NIN), saying the policy is extremely ill-timed.
A statement by PTECSSAN President, Comrade Opeyemi Tomori, and General Secretary, Comrade Okonu Abdullahi, said the government should first address the terrible bottlenecks encountered by citizens in the NIN registration.
PTECSSAN stated, “We are forced to believe that, as usual, the government wants to punish Nigerians for her own ineptitude. At this point in time that there is pervasive hardship in the land brought about by banditry, terrorism, thuggery and increasing high cost of living, occasioned by the government’s hike on electricity tariff and fuel pump price, we do not expect the government to impose a new and an avoidable hardship on Nigerians through this directive. Read more
Nigeria lost 10 children to COVID-19 – NCDC (Punch)
Director-General of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, has decried deaths of 10 children killed by COVID-19 so far.
Ihekweazu says losing the 10 children to COVID-19 since the outbreak of the pandemic in Nigeria was a tragic incident that should be prevented ahead of the second wave of the virus currently ravaging the country.
Reporting the statistics of the viral pandemic, the NCDC chief said, “Sadly, we have recorded 10 deaths from COVID-19 in children between the age of 0-10;” adding, “Majority of deaths from COVID-19 in Nigeria have been in people aged 61-70. Read more
Amotekun accused of killing two in Ibadan (Guardian)
Two persons were allegedly shot dead by an officer of Oyo State Security Network, codenamed Amotekun, in Ibadan, last Thursday.
The Amotekun personnel, said to also be a member of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), was accused of killing two people in Isale Osi area of the city.
But a statement by the Amotekun Commandant in the state, Col. Olayinka Olayanju (rtd), denied that its operative fired the gunshot.
Olayanju explained that there was a crisis around Born Photo/ Isale Osi area, where the OPC faction of late Dr. Frederick Fasehun was trying to deal with some hoodlums. Read more
COVID-19: FCTA to enforce compulsory use of facemasks as second wave spreads (Thisday)
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has issued new COVID-19 guidelines to regulate social gatherings, workplaces and markets as parts of measures to curb further spread of the virus within the territory; top amongst which is compulsory use of facemasks in public.
This is as the Edo State government has urged caution and compliance with safety measures as part of collective effort to curb the spread of the virus amid rising cases.
Also, from Kaduna State, the result of test conducted on Governor Nasir El-Rufai for COVID-19 on Wednesday came out negative, even as the governor has sought the cooperation of residents in halting the spread of the coronavirus. Read more
Netanyahu calls COVID-19 vaccine ‘giant step for health’ as he becomes first Israeli to get Pfizer jab (RT)
Hoping to lead by exammore Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu got a jab of Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine in an event broadcast live, as the polls showed a high level of mistrust to the immunization drive among Israelis.
The ceremonial injection took place at the Sheba Medical Center near Tel Aviv on Saturday, with Netanyahu sticking to his earlier promise and becoming the first person in the country to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
The PM was administered a shot of the immunization jointly developed by US pharma giant Pfizer and Germany’s BioNTech. Israel, which plans to begin the vaccination of the general public next week, has so far received 300,000 doses of the inoculation, but expects to be have acquired 3.8 million doses by the end of December. Read more
Trump contradicts top US officials, suggests China behind cyberattack (CBC)
Contradicting his secretary of state and other top officials, President Donald Trump on Saturday suggested without evidence that China — not Russia — may be behind the grave cyberattack against the United States and tried to minimize its impact.
In his first comments on the breach, Trump scoffed at the focus on the Kremlin and downplayed the intrusions, which the nation’s cybersecurity agency has warned posed a “grave” risk to government and private networks.
“The Cyber Hack is far greater in the Fake News Media than in actuality. I have been fully briefed and everything is well under control,” Trump tweeted. He also claimed the media are “petrified” of “discussing the possibility that it may be China (it may!).” Read more
Netherlands ban air travel from Britain till next year over new COVID-19 strain (RT)
The Dutch government has imposed a ban on commercial flights from the UK to the Netherlands after it reported a first case of the new fast-spreading Covid-19 strain. The ban will be in effect at least till January.
The travel restrictions will apply to all passenger flights from the UK bound to the Netherlands starting 6:00 am Sunday local time, the government said in a statement, issued several hours before the ban was to come into force.
The government described the sweeping ban on air travel for the whole Christmas period as a “precautionary measure”, needed to “limit” potential further exposure of the population to the new strain of the virus, which was first detected in the UK and is allegedly highly contagious. Read more
Palestinian Authority urges Israel to return to talks focused on 2-state solution (CBC)
The Palestinian Authority’s foreign minister on Saturday urged Israel to return to talks based on a two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, ahead of the transition to a new US administration.
Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki’s comments came in a joint statement with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shukry and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi of Jordan.
In a news conference after their meeting, al-Malki said that the Palestinian Authority is ready to co-operate with U.S. president-elect Joe Biden on the basis of achieving a Palestinian state, with East Jerusalem as its capital on territory Israel captured in the Six Day War in 1967. Biden will be sworn into office on Jan. 20. Read more
Eminem’s latest album reignites beef with Machine Gun Kelly (Metro)
Eminem convinced fans he was serving up beef for Christmas with several lyrics on his latest record seemingly directed at long-time rival Machine Gun Kelly. The rapper surprised fans with Music to Be Murdered By: Side B, and listeners were quick to point out a few lines where he appeared to be throwing some serious shade. On his track Gnat, Eminem, who apologised to Rihanna for another track, spits: ‘They come at me with machine guns / it’s like trying to fight off a gnat’. Read more
Macron in ‘stable’ condition after positive Covid-19 test, Élysée Palace says (France24)
French President Emmanuel Macron, who has tested positive for the coronavirus, is in stable condition, and examinations have given reassuring results, a statement from his office said Saturday.
“The medical condition of the president is stable compared with Friday,” the Élysée Palace statement quoted Jean-Christophe Perrochon, the chief doctor of the presidency.
The statement said that Macron, who is working in self-isolation from an official residence outside Paris, “is still presenting the same symptoms of the Covid-19 illness (fatigue, coughing, stiffness)”.
But they were not preventing him from carrying out his duties. Read more
‘We cannot proceed with Christmas as planned,’ says Prime Minister Boris Johnson (CBC)
Families must cancel their Christmas gatherings and most shops have to close in London and much of southern England, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Saturday as he imposed a new, stricter level of coronavirus restrictions on the region to curb rapidly spreading infections.
Johnson said Saturday that the capital and other areas in southern England currently under Tier 3, the highest level of coronavirus restrictions, will move to an even stricter new Tier 4 that requires non-essential shops, hairdressers and indoor leisure venues to close after the end of business hours on Saturday.
With just days to go until Christmas, Johnson also announced that a planned easing of socializing rules that would have allowed up to three households to meet in “Christmas bubbles” from Dec. 23 to Dec. 27 will be cancelled for Tier 4 areas and sharply curtailed in the rest of England. Read more
Flick, not Klopp deserves World Best Coach Award, says Ugbade (Guardian)
Former international, Nduka Ugbade, has expressed reservations over the choice of Liverpool’s coach, Jurgen Klopp, as World Best Coach of the Year Award winners. Klopp beat the favourite, Bayern Munich’s coach, Hansi Flick, to the award.
He, however, agreed that the choice of Robert Lewandoski was in agreement with everyone’s expectations because of his performance this year.
Speaking to The Guardian on Friday, Ugbade stated that there was no way a coach, who won a treble after taking over the management of Bayern that was in crisis at the mid-season shouldn’t be crowned the world best. Read more
Alan Shearer ‘not be so sure’ about Arsenal staying in Premier League (BBC)
Former England captain Alan Shearer says he would “not be so sure” about Arsenal’s chances of Premier League survival at the end of this season.
The Gunners have made their worst start to a season since the 1974-75 campaign and lie 15th in the table.
They have 14 points from 14 games and have lost eight of those matches.
Asked if they will stay up, Shearer replied: “I wouldn’t be so sure. Not with that starting team and the attitude of some of those players.” Read more
Mikel Arteta responds to calls for him to be sacked (Metro)
Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta insisted he could not question his players’ ‘fight’ and ‘energy’ after their 2-1 defeat to Everton but said he ‘understood’ that his position may soon become untenable if the side’s results failed to improve. The Gunners – without their injured captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at Goodison Park – slumped to their eighth defeat in 14 Premier League games this season as Yerry Mina’s header in the dying moments of the first half proved decisive. The Toffees’ winner came just ten minutes after Nicolas Pepe converted from the spot to cancel out Rob Holding’s own-goal on Merseyside. Read more
Ronaldo scores twice in Juventus win (BBC)
Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Juventus maintained their unbeaten Serie A start with a comfortable victory over Parma.
Sweden’s 20-year-old forward Dejan Kulusevski slotted in from Alex Sandro’s pass to send Andrea Pirlo’s side ahead after 23 minutes.
Ronaldo headed in three minutes later and fired in his 12th league goal of the season shortly after half-time.
Alvaro Morata headed in a late fourth from Federico Bernardeschi’s cross.
Third-placed Juventus have drawn six of their 13 Serie A matches this season, but Saturday’s win ensured they keep the pressure on leaders AC Milan, who are one point ahead and face Sassuolo on Sunday (14:00 GMT). Read more
Messi equals Pele’s 643 goal record (Punch)
Lionel Messi equalled Brazil legend Pele’s record of 643 goals for a single club after scoring for Barcelona in Saturday’s draw against Valencia.
The Argentine, 33, achieved the feat with a diving header just before half-time, immediately after his penalty was saved by keeper Jaume Domenech.
Messi scored his first goal for Barca in 2005 against Albacete. Read more
Lewandowski double at Leverkusen helps Bayern replace them at top (BBC)
Robert Lewandowski scored twice as Bayern Munich came from behind to beat Bayer Leverkusen and replace them at the top of the Bundesliga.
Patrik Schick’s stunning volley opened the scoring for in-form Leverkusen in the 14th minute.
But Fifa men’s player of the year Lewandowski equalised in the 43rd minute after calamitous defending.
And the striker grabbed his second late on to put the visitors two points clear at the summit.
England Under-21 international Jamal Musiala hit the post for the visitors after 79 minutes, and it looked like Leverkusen would hold on for the draw. Read more
Manchester United make decision on Edinson Cavani’s fitness ahead of Leeds United clash (Metro)
Manchester United head coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been boosted by the return of Edinson Cavani and has included the veteran striker in his squad for the side’s clash with Leeds United on Sunday. The Red Devils, sitting seventh in the table, welcome their old rivals to Old Trafford for the first time in the Premier League since way back in 2004. Solskjaer’s men will be buoyed by their 3-2 victory over Sheffield United on Thursday night, while Marcelo Bielsa’s visitors will also be full of confidence after a thumping 5-2 win at home to Newcastle in midweek. Read more
