Fire service chief cautions Lagosians (Nation)
The Lagos State Fire Service on Tuesday cautioned Lagosians to be careful in handling things that could ignite fire.
Acting Head of Lagos State Fire Service Mrs. Margaret Adeseye said 70 per cent of fire outbreaks were caused by carelessness.
She spoke at the Deputy Governor’s Office in Alausa, Ikeja at the launch of this year’s Evacuation Drill Exercise for public servants.
The theme of the exercise is: “Zero tolerance for an uncontrollable fire outbreak.” Read more
Accountant connives with businesswoman to defraud employer (Punch)
The Lagos State Police Command has arraigned an accountant with the Bukka Hut, Faruq Olanrewaju, before the state Magistrates’ Court in Igbosere for allegedly conniving with a businesswoman, Queen Silas, to steal N948,500 from his employer.
Olanrewaju and Silas were on Tuesday brought before Magistrate Folashade Botoku on two counts of conspiracy and stealing.
They pleaded not guilty to the charges.
According to the police prosecutor, Chinedu Njoku, the defendants committed the offences between November 30 and December 10, 2019, at the Bukka Hut in the Lekki Phase 1 area of the state.
“Olanrewaju, an accountant with Bukka Hut, connived with the businesswoman and defrauded his employer of the said sum of N948,500,” he stated.
The offences were said to be contrary to sections 411 and 287 (7) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015. Read more
New Year: Nigerians set targets for leaders (DailyTrust)
The year 2019 ended with tales of unfulfilled dreams and lamentations for dashed hopes from citizens across the country. And as the year 2020 sets in, Nigerians have set goals for governments at all levels which they hope will help them achieve their personal and collective aspirations. Ebo Darlington, a security guard in Abuja, urged governments to look into the plight of Nigerians and alleviate them.
Another resident, Maureen Nwaede, a furniture maker, wants public transportation infrastructure improved upon, just as she expectrf governments to provide quality and affordable education for all. Read more
Court remands woman torturing maid in viral video (Punch)
Chief Magistrate J. I. Agu of the Enugu East Magistratrial District on Tuesday remanded Mrs Amaka Otolehi, 32, in Enugu Correctional Centre.
Otolehi was caught on video slamming her young domestic help to the ground.
Otolehi was arraigned by the Enugu State Police Command alongside Jonathan Geowam, 35, an uncle of the domestic help, Peace Geowam, and who gave her out as maid.
When the five counts bordering on attempted murder was read to the accused person, Agu said he had no jurisdiction to entertain the case. Read more
New projects that will come on board in 2020 (DailyTrust)
President Buhari, in the New Year nationwide broadcast, said Nigerians should expect the commencement of the construction of the Mambilla Power project by the first half of the year. Daily Trust reports that the 3,050-megawatt (MW) Mambilla Hydropower project in Taraba State had witnessed several arbitrations that stalled it for over 40 years. When completed, the project will be Nigeria’s biggest power plant, expected to produce approximately 4.7 billion kWh of electricity a year. It is estimated to cost $5.8bn and will generate up to 50,000 local jobs during the construction phase. Read more
Study shows belly fat may reduce mental alertness from midlife onward (Vanguard)
A study of thousands of middle-aged and older people has linked having more body fat and less muscle mass to changes in mental flexibility with age. The research also suggests that changes to the immune system may play a role.
The research also explained why having more body fat than muscle mass can affect cognition from midlife onward.
The researchers from Iowa State University (ISU) in Ames analyzed data on 4,431 males and females with an average age of 64.5 years and no cognitive impairments.
They report their findings in a recent Brain, Behaviour, and Immunity paper. Read more
Troops to enjoy improved welfare package in 2020 – Buratai (DailyTrust)
Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has assured Nigerian Army troops of Operation Lafiya Dole of improved welfare package in 2020. Buratai gave the assurance while addressing the troops during an operational visit to Pulka in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno on Tuesday. He said the government had assured the army of its commitment to the welfare of officers and men of the armed forces as well as those of their families. Buratai said: “I know the importance of this location and you have done your best in ensuring that the security here is maintained.
“So let me commend you for the wonderful performance and the way you have conducted yourselves in OPLD. Read more
Police arrest 79-yr-old rape suspect, 3 others (Nation)
Adamawa State Police Command has arrested four men for allegedly raping different women.
The four suspects include 79-year-old Vandi Pate, who allegedly defiled a 12-year-old girl.
Adamawa State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Sulaiman Nguroje, who disclosed this in a telephone interview with our correspondent yesterday, said Pate, who is of Michika town in Michika Local Government Area of the state, overpowered his 12-year-old victim as she was going to farm. Read more
EFCC arrests Shehu Sani over alleged extortion of $20,000 (DailyTrust)
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested and interrogated Senator Shehu Sani, who represented the Kaduna Central Senatorial District in the 8th Assembly, for allegedly extorting $20,000 from the owner of ASD Motors, Alhaji Sani Dauda. Sources said Sani was asked to explain why he collected various sums of money from different individuals promising to assist them to avoid EFCC investigations.
One of the sources said: “He (Sani) was said to have collected the $20,000 from the owner of ASD Motors on the grounds that he is very close to the EFCC boss. Read more
UK sees in 2020 with ‘best fireworks London has ever seen’ (Metro)
The capital has brought in 2020 with ‘the best fireworks London has ever seen’ as the UK enters one of its most important decades yet. More than 100,000 have gathered around Victoria Embankment and cheered as they watched the impressive display light up the sky above the River Thames, to the soundtrack of some of the country’s biggest hits. Big Ben’s chimes loudly rang out 12 times signifying the start of the display, before around 12,000 dramatic fireworks exploded in the air featuring music songs by Stormzy, Wiley and Bastille. Read more
Global markets end 2019 with healthy gains (BBC)
Stock markets overcame US-China trade tensions and Brexit uncertainty to post healthy gains in 2019.
In London, the FTSE 100’s traditional early New Year’s Eve close saw it end the year up 12% at 7,542.44 points.
Some big European and Asian markets saw even larger rises in 2019, while the main US indexes were all on track to end sharply higher on the year. Read more
Girl, 13, died while giving birth to baby fathered when dad raped her (Metro)
A teenager has died during childbirth after she conceived while allegedly being raped by her father. Luana Ketlen, 13, is believed to have been sexually abused for more than four years by her dad Tome Faba , 36. He is now facing child abuse and manslaughter charges following Luana’s death in Coari, Brazil. She was admitted to hospital with acute anaemia after experiencing severe pains and doctors took the decision to induce labour two months early to try and save her. Read more
Australia fires: More than 200 homes burn down on coast (BBC)
More than 200 homes have burned down in deadly bushfires racing along the Australian coast.
At least 43 homes were destroyed in East Gippsland, Victoria, while another 200 were lost in New South Wales.
On Tuesday, thousands of people who were unable to evacuate fled to beaches as fires encircled their towns.
Conditions have eased slightly, and a major road that was closed in Victoria was reopened for two hours on Wednesday to allow people to leave. Read more
Hong Kong scrap New Year fireworks as activists pledge to continue fight in 2020 (Metro)
Hong Kong’s raucous New Year’s celebration plans were scrapped this evening because of ongoing protests. A major fireworks display which traditionally lights up the city’s iconic skyline was cancelled amid security concerns, as pro-democracy demonstrators continued their protests by forming human chains. Videos on social media show police firing the first tear gas canisters of 2020. New Year’s revellers did witness ‘the world’s largest light and music show’ at Victoria Harbour and a scaled-down fireworks display, but there were further scuffles between police and protesters following months of trouble. Despite months of planning, the Hong Kong Tourist Board announced the last minute decision to scrap the original plans, after a mass demonstration was announced. Read more
North Korea threatens to resume nuclear and ICBM testing (BBC)
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has said he is ending the suspension of nuclear and long-range missile tests put in place during talks with the US.
Mr Kim also said his country would soon introduce “a new strategic weapon”.
But he left a door open for dialogue, and said the scope of testing would depend on the US’s “attitude”.
The momentum of the past few years has stalled, as Washington refuses to lift sanctions until Pyongyang fully abandons its nuclear programme. Read more
NBBF to usher in 2020 with Total Division One League (DailyTrust)
The Nigerian Basketball Federation president, Engr Musa Kida has revealed plans to start 2020 with Total Division One League while promising the year will witness the consolidation of achievements recorded on the domestic and international scene last year. He promised that continued attention will be paid to the domestic scene with special focus on the Men and Women Premier Leagues as well as the Division 1 and 2 leagues for men. “We wish Nigerians the best the New Year will offer as we restate our commitment to basketball development in the New Year. We are going to start 2020 strongly with the Total Division One League starting in Lagos on the 20th of January which is an indication of our focus for the year.” Read more
Frank Lampard issues transfer update after giving Chelsea his two targets for January (Metro)
Frank Lampard has insisted Chelsea are poised to spend in January after the manager reportedly told the club his top two targets. Chelsea have given Lampard a £150million budget after seeing their transfer ban overturned for January. The Guardian claim Lampard’s priority targets include a new attacker and a left-sided defender. Lampard regards Leicester City’s Ben Chilwell as his top target at left-back, but it is likely the Blues will have to wait until the summer to make their move for the Englishman. Read more
Liverpool set to sign Osimhen ahead of Barcelona, Chelsea (DailyTrust)
Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp, has made Lille striker, Victor Osimhen, one of his transfer targets in the January transfer window. The 21-year-old only joined the Ligue 1 outfit last June, but he is already attracting interest from a host of top clubs across Europe.
The likes of Barcelona, Spurs, and Chelsea are said to be interested in the Super Eagles star but it looks like Klopp is already making plans to hijack the move. Read more
Erling Braut Haaland: How Germany reacted to Dortmund’s coup (BBC)
Teenage sensation Erling Braut Haaland’s shock move to the Bundesliga is dominating the sports pages in Germany.
The towering striker, who has scored a remarkable 28 goals in 22 games this season, had been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United and Juventus.
So when it was announced he had signed for Borussia Dortmund, the footballing world – particularly in Germany – was sent into a Christmas spin. Read more
2020 tennis predictions: Federer decline? Andreescu to rule? Djokovic back on top? (Metro)
As one season ends, another soon begins. There’s little time to compose one’s thoughts ahead of what promises to be an exciting start to a new decade in tennis. The dominant forces of the 2010s are still kicking about, with Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams all hoping to extend their Grand Slam winning efforts into a new decade. Britain’s Andy Murray will continue his comeback after miraculously picking up a singles and a doubles title in 2019 following a hip resurfacing operation last January, while a host of new faces will look to throw themselves into contention at the majors to signal a changing of the guard. Read more
NPFL leading scorer, Israel Abia declared missing (DailyTrust)
The Nigeria Professional Football League leading goal scorer, Israel Abia has been declared missing by his club, Sunshine Stars. In a statement signed by Chris Okunnuwa, Head Media/Communication, Abia has been away from the club since Sunday without an official leave, while the rest of the group remained in Akure to continue preparations for the upcoming NPFL matches at the turn of the New Year.
The club’s management has issued strong warning to agents and clubs seeking the services of Abia as it stressed that the player’s contractual agreement with the club is yet to lapse. Read more
Bobby Madley: Former Premier League referee reveals he was sacked after filming video appearing to mock disabled person (BBC)
Former Premier League referee Bobby Madley has revealed he was sacked after filming a video appearing to mock a disabled person.
In a blog post, Madley said he was dismissed in August 2018 for “gross misconduct on grounds of discrimination”.
At the time, the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) said he had “decided to relocate due to a change in his personal circumstances”.
“I’m not proud of myself,” Madley said. Read more
Deontay Wilder accused of refusing to do media tour for Tyson Fury rematch (Metro)
Eddie Hearn has predicted Deontay Wilder might have been the reason there will be no media tour for his rematch with Tyson Fury. Frank Warren and Bob Arum sat down with UK media in London this month, while the heavyweights each attended an NFL game in America over the festive period to promote the fight. There will be no press tour before 22 February and Matchroom boss Hearn slammed his rival promoters, suggesting the WBC champion was behind the decision. ‘I wish they were doing a media tour. Those two characters, doesn’t matter how much it costs – get it on,’ Hearn told IFL TV. Read more
Henry emerges as surprise candidate for Barca job (DailyTrust)
Thierry Henry Thierry Henry has reportedly emerged as a surprise candidate to become the next Barcelona manager if Ernesto Valverde leaves the club. The former Barcelona forward took charge of MLS side Montreal Impact on an initial two-year deal in November.
But Henry has now been linked to becoming boss at the Nou Camp if current manager Valverde departs, according to Spanish outlet Sport. Read more
January transfer window 2020: Who could be on the move? (BBC)
Will either of these big names will move in January?
It’s that time of the season again.
Clubs will be on the hunt for a bargain or big-money signing, whether they are aiming for the title, looking to clinch a European spot or trying to avoid relegation.
There is one interesting point to consider this season – players who have played for one team in Europe are no longer cup-tied when they move to another club participating in European competition.
So could that mean clubs are more willing to splash the cash?
How player values are worked out. Read more