Fayose involved in accident on Third Mainland Bridge (Punch)
Former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, on Wednesday, was involved in an accident on Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos State. The media aide of the former governor, Lere Olayinka, on his verified Twitter handle, revealed the accident, even as he said Fayose was in a stable condition and receiving medical treatment. He tweeted, “Immediate past Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayodele Fayose was involved in auto accident on 3rd Mainland Bridge in Lagos, a few minutes ago. He is in stable condition as I write while he is receiving medical attention.” Read more
Yellow fever: Edo confirms nine deaths (Punch)
The Edo State government on Wednesday said that nine lives were lost to the outbreak of yellow fever that ravaged parts of the state a few weeks ago. The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. David Osifo, disclosed this during an audience participatory programme on a Benin-based radio station. He also confirmed that the yellow fever epidemic spread to 10 local government areas of the State. “Already, nine persons have been reported dead so far since the epidemic was first reported,” Osifo said. Read more
Air Force promotes 64 senior officers (Nation)
The Nigerian Air Force said on Wednesday that a total of 64 senior officers have been promoted following the approval of the Air Force Council. A statement signed by the spokesman of the Air Force, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, said the senior officers comprise of 14 Air commodores promoted to the rank of Air Vice Marshals. The statement reads “The Air Force Council (AFC) on 4 December 2018, approved the promotion of a total of 64 senior officers to the next higher ranks in the Nigerian Air Force. Read more
Land dispute claims two lives in Benue, monarch arrested (Punch)
Benue State Police Command, on Wednesday, said it had arrested a traditional ruler in Ugboji community, in Edikwu district of Apa Local Government Area of Benue State, Chief Adanu Simon, over a land dispute that claimed two people’s lives. The State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ene Okon who confirmed the arrest of the traditional ruler and death of the people to our correspondent in his office in Makurdi. He said that the monarch allegedly masterminded the land dispute between Okwiji community and his Ugbobi community, which resulted in the death of the two persons and destruction of properties. Read more
Cameroon frees anti-Biya protesters (BBC)
A court in the Cameroonian city of Douala has dropped charges against 52 opposition supporters who had been protesting against the re-election of 85-year old President Paul Biya. Opposition candidate Maurice Kamto of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (MRC) party, disputes the official results, alleging widespread fraud. The activists had been in detention since October, all expect Barrister Michelle Ndoki, a senior MRC official. Read more
Macron thinks he’s God – French protesters (Vanguard)
The French have soured on their 40-year-old President Emmanuel Macron who has been heckled and booed in recent days as he grapples with a tax revolt. Why does he inspire such hatred among “yellow vest” protesters? At a blockade outside a fuel depot in the city of Le Mans — famous for motor racing — around 50 protesters were fortifying their barricades on Tuesday in preparation in for a long winter of discontent. While all expressed bitterness with the political class as a whole, seen as out of touch with the concerns of ordinary voters, Macron was the main target of their ire. Read more
Spain ‘wolf pack’ sex attack gang not rapists, say judges (BBC)
A Spanish court’s controversial decision to clear five men of gang rape has been upheld by five appeal judges, and the group are now set to go to jail for a lesser offence of sexual abuse. There were protests across Spain when the men, who became known as La manada (the wolf pack), were acquitted of rape and then later freed on bail. The appeal judges agreed that the 18-year-old victim was not assaulted as no intimidation or violence was involved. The case now goes to the Supreme Court. Read more
Super Falcons among the world’s most accomplished teams – Pinnick (Nation)
The President, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, on Wednesday described the all-conquering Super Falcons’ Africa Women Cup of Nations (AWCON) as one of the most accomplished female team in the world football. The accolade from the NFF President came as he once again congratulated the Thomas Dennerby-tutored team as they emerged African Champions for the ninth time in Ghana. The Dennerby-tutored team emerged African Champions on December 1 in Ghana as they defeated South Africa 4-3 on penalties. Read more
8,861 athletes for Sports Festival (Nation)
The Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung on Wednesday said that no fewer than 8,861 athletes are expected to participate in the 19th National Sports Festival scheduled to commence in Abuja on Thursday. He briefed State House correspondents at the end of FEC meeting presided over by the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo at the State House Villa, Abuja. Apart from Ebonyi state, he said that all the remaining 35 states will participating in the festival. Read more
Ralph Hasenhuttl steps in at Southampton till 2021 (Nation)
Southampton have confirmed Ralph Hasenhuttl as their new manager on a two-and-a-half-year deal. The former RB Leipzig boss replaces Mark Hughes, who was sacked on Monday with Saints 18th in the table. Hasenhuttl will officially take charge on Thursday but will watch Wednesday night’s game at Tottenham from the Wembley stands. The Austrian will work alongside current first team assistant coach Kelvin Davis, head of goalkeeping Dave Watson, and head of sports science Alek Gross. Read more
Steven Gerrard reacts to controversial Jurgen Klopp derby celebrations (Metro)
Steven Gerrard has defended Jurgen Klopp after the Liverpool manager’s controversial celebration to the injury-time winner in the Merseyside derby. Klopp sprinted onto the pitch and hugged goalkeeper Alisson after Divock Origi scored a dramatic and bizarre winner against Everton. The German boss was subsequently fined £8,000 and warned about his future conduct by the Football Association. Read more
Wilder wants Fury rematch as soon as possible (Punch)
WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder on Tuesday said he was eager for a rematch with Tyson Fury, after the two undefeated boxers fought to a thrilling, but controversial split decision draw on Saturday in Los Angeles. The American knocked his opponent down twice, including a brutal takedown in the 12th round, but the towering Fury controlled much of the fight, leaving some not least the Briton himself to claim he was robbed by the judges. Wilder said he wanted a rematch “ASAP’’ to settle the question of who was the better fighter, adding he would be willing to take on the former champion as early as March or April. Read more
Bowen varsity students protest against drug test (Punch)
Some students of Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State, have staged a protest against the directive of the management that they must undergo a drug test. The management is, however, insisting that the affected students must face disciplinary action. Videos of an inferno from one of the rooms on the first floor of the boy’s hostel went viral on Monday with a rumour that the Vice-Chancellor had suspended 200 students, including those who refused to take the drug test. Read more
Court remands eight men who allegedly beheaded policeman (Punch)
A Plateau High Court on Wednesday ordered that eight men, who Police accused of beheading a policeman, be remanded in prison. The Police charged Abubakar Sani, Abubakar Mohammed, Hussaini Musa, Mohammed Zubairu, Abdulahi Mohammed, Ibrahim Usman, Mohammed Doma and Sadiq Abubakar with culpable homicide. The prosecutor, Mr. E.A. Inigbenoise, told the court that the accused persons committed the offence on September 1. Read more
Dad shot dead as he waited in his car for son outside school (Metro)
A man has been murdered outside a school in front of terrified school children. Jim Donegan, who was in his 40s, was waiting for his son in a parked red Porsche when he was attacked. Relatives comforted one another at the police cordon around the scene of the incident outside St Mary’s Grammar School, Belfast. Police are now hunting the suspect who was wearing a high-viz jacket with the word ‘security’ on the back. Read more
Estate agent allegedly defrauds lover of N5m (Punch)
A 35-year-old estate agent, Gbeminiyi Babajide, has been arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly defrauding his estranged lover of N5m. The accused, who lives at 10 Bolarinwa Street, Kajola, Ibadan, Oyo State, is facing two counts of fraud and stealing. It was gathered that the accused allegedly collected the sum of N5m from his estranged lover, Oluwaseun Giwa, by pretending to help her invest the fund in a business. Read more