I almost lost my life to COVID-19 – Ojudu (Punch)
The Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Mr Babafemi Ojudu, said on Saturday that he almost lost his life when he became infected with COVID-19.
Ojudu, a former Senator from Ekiti State, explained that he took the COVID-19 pandemic seriously from the outset and that he took the test monthly, until he was confirmed positive on December 23, 2020.
Describing how he felt when he was confirmed positive, Ojudu said, “It was like a sledgehammer struck my head. I felt numb.” Read more
LASU VC selection: Lagos indigenes warn Sanwo-Olu over imposition (Guardian)
A group, Prominent Lagos State Indigenes, yesterday, warned Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu against imposing an unpopular candidate as the Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU), saying it would be at variance with the ideals of the institution’s founding fathers.
A statement by a socio-political activist and critic, Chief Adesunbo Onitiri, on behalf of the group, expressed concern that the due process carried out by eminent and erudite scholars for the selection was being jettisoned.
“We received the news of the cancellation of the selection of the new vice-chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU) by Governor Sanwo-Olu with utmost shock and bewilderment. There was no genuine reason for the cancellation of the due process carried out by eminent and erudite scholars. Read more
243 persons arrested for violating COVID-19 protocols in Lagos (Punch)
No fewer than 243 persons have been arrested by men of the Lagos State Police Command for allegedly violating the COVID-19 protocols in the state on Saturday.
Sunday PUNCH gathered that the violators were arrested during a raid on Lounge 38, Bode Thomas, Surulere, where 85 suspects were arrested and the Club Victoria’s in Victoria Island, where 152 suspects were also arrested.
The raid was said to have been led by the state Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, who also arrested six other persons for violating the curfew imposed on the state by the Federal Government
While parading the suspects at the command’s headquarters in Ikeja, Odumosu said violation of the COVID-19 protocols had serious implications for other residents, adding that the 243 violators arrested had been charged to court. Read more
Race for new IGP heats up as Adamu retires Feb 1 (DailyTrust)
As the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu reaches the mandatory limit of 35 years in service on February 1, 2021, intense lobbying has begun for the seat. Mr Adamu is also eager to get an extension, Daily Trust on Sunday learnt.
By law, the police chief is appointed by the president on the “advice” of the Police Council. This Council is chaired by the president and has the 36 state governors, chairman of the Police Service Commission and the IGP as members.
Adamu, a member of the ASP Cadet Course 14 of 1986, is due to retire, seven months ahead of his 60th birthday. He was born in Lafia, Nasarawa State, on September 17, 1961 and enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force on February 1, 1986. Read more
Group urges Ogun Governor, police to investigate alleged sexual assault on Barakat (Guardian)
Despite the decision of the family of 16-year-old Barakat Melojuekun, allegedly sexually harassed, to drop the charges against the suspended state Commissioner of Environment, Saheed Abudu-Balogun, the Network of Reproductive Health Journalists of Nigeria (NRHJN) has urged the state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun and the state Commissioner of Police to ensure there is no cover-up while investigating the case.
The Network, in a statement, admonished the Police not to leave any stone unturned while carrying out the investigation.
In the statement signed by the Network’s President, Rolane Ogbonnaya, and National Secretary, Yinka Shokunbi, the group also passionately pleaded with the state’s First Lady, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, to work round the clock in ensuring that justice and truth prevail in the investigation. Read more
Orisabunmi’s younger sister, Janet, Jim Maduike die (Punch)
Three days after the death of popular Yoruba actress, Folake Aremu, popularly known as Orisabunmi, her younger sister, Janet Ademola, has passed on. News of her demise was broken on Saturday by her nephew, Gbenga Onisola.
This was even as an actor, Jim Maduike, was said to have died on Saturday morning after complaining of body pains.
Recall that Orisabunmi’s brother, Steve Onisola, had died on Thursday, barely 24 hours after the death of the popular actress.
Onisola, the Technical Director of Kwara Falcons Basketball Club, Ilorin, passed on at 71 after a brief illness. Read more
Jubilation in Edo as court dismisses alleged certificate forgery suit against Obaseki (Thisday)
There was wild jubilation yesterday in some parts of Edo State as Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Abuja, Saturday, dismissed a suit of forgery against the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki for want of merit.
Mohammed dismissed the suit brought by Obaseki’s former party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) on the grounds that they failed to prove allegations of forgery against the governor.
Obaseki hailed the decision of the court as he triumph of truth and rule of law in a statement immediately after the judgment. Read more
Army redeploys senior officers (DailyTrust)
The Nigerian Army has redeployed over 1,500 senior officers to various positions in a massive shakeup that affected major-generals, colonels, captains and lieutenants.
Army spokesman, Brig. Gen. Sagir Musa, who confirmed the development in a statement last night noted that all the postings and appointments, which were approved by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, would take effect from January 18, 2021.
According to him, the rejig was to rekindle spirit of professionalism and enhance productivity, adding that it was a “routine and normal” exercise intended to reinvigorate the system for greater performance and effectiveness. Read more
Imo police investigate mistress’ death in lover’s home (Guardian)
Police have begun an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the mysterious death of a lady, said to be a mistress to a married man living on MCC Road, Owerri, Imo State.
The man (names withheld), had arranged and took his wife and children to his ancestral home to celebrate New Year, but went back to sleep with the suspected mistress on Thursday night in his matrimonial home, in Owerri, only to experience what he did not bargain for. The lady died in the middle of the night.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Imo State Command, Orlando Ikeokwu, a Superintendent of Police (SP), who confirmed the incident, said the investigation was going on, while the corpse had been deposited in a morgue. Read more
Pakistan power cut plunges country into darkness (BBC)
Electricity is gradually being restored in some areas of Pakistan following a huge power cut across the country, with every city reporting outages.
Homes nationwide were suddenly plunged into darkness from about midnight.
Officials appealed for calm but warned that it could take several hours before electricity is fully restored. Read more
Iced Earth guitarist Jon Schaffer wanted by police in connection to Capitol attack (Metro)
Jon Schaffer, founder of metal band Iced Earth, is wanted in connection to the attack on the Capitol Building in Washington DC. Donald Trump supporters stormed the building on January 6, with authorities now looking for those involved. Guitarist and songwriter Schaffer is wanted for ‘unrest-related offenses’ and was photographed among the rioters. Read more
Pompeo: US to lift restrictions on contacts with Taiwan (BBC)
The US is lifting long-standing restrictions on contacts between American and Taiwanese officials, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says.
The “self-imposed restrictions” were introduced decades ago to “appease” the mainland Chinese government, which lays claim to the island, the US state department said in a statement.
These rules are now “null and void”.
The move is likely to anger China and increase tensions between Washington and Beijing. Read more
Tuskegee Airman Theodore Lumpkin Jr dies of COVID complications (NYPost)
Tuskegee Airman Theodore Lumpkin Jr. — one of the first Black pilots in the US military — has died from complications of COVID-19. He was 100 years old.
Lumpkin Jr. died Dec. 26, just a few days before his 101st birthday, his alma mater, Los Angeles City College, announced in a statement Friday. He is survived by his wife, Georgia, his two sons and a daughter.
The Los Angeles native was drafted in 1942 to the 100th Fighter Squadron in Tuskegee, Alabama. He spent his military career as an intelligence officer who briefed World War II pilots in Europe, the newspaper reported.
He was incredibly reserved about his time in the military, his wife said. Read more
COVID: UK reports more than 80,000 deaths (BBC)
More than 80,000 people have died in the UK within 28 days of a positive Covid test since the start of the pandemic, official figures have shown.
A further 1,035 deaths in the UK were reported on Saturday, taking the total by that measure to 80,868.
The number of daily cases of people who tested positive for coronavirus increased by 59,937.
Only the US, Brazil, India and Mexico have recorded more Covid deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University. Read more
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle quit social media for good (PageSix)
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are done with social media.WireImage
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have “no plans” to return to social media almost a year after Megxit.
A source close to the ex-royals told The Times of London that they’re “very unlikely” to have an online presence, mostly due to the “hate” they’ve received.
Before the couple broke off from the royal family, social media was a large part of their lives.
The couple announced their Megxit plan to the world through an Instagram post on their “Sussex Royal” profile. Though the profile is still up, it’s not active. Read more
Zendaya and John David Washington work through relationship issues in Malcolm & Marie trailer (Metro)
The trailer for Zendaya and John David Washington’s upcoming Netflix movie Malcolm & Marie has been released, and it’s like poetry. Zendaya and John star as the titular characters as the film delves into the lives of a filmmaker (Washington) and his girlfriend (Zendaya) as they return home following a celebratory movie premiere. Malcolm awaits what’s sure to be imminent critical and financial success and the films start on that high before the evening suddenly takes a turn. Read more
FA Cup holders Arsenal see off Newcastle in extra-time (BBC)
Extra-time goals from Emile Smith Rowe and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ensured holders Arsenal beat a stubborn Newcastle in the FA Cup third round.
In-form Smith Rowe had an eventful evening after arriving as a second-half substitute, seeing a red card rightly rescinded before opening the scoring.
Aubameyang tapped in the second after a slick move cut Newcastle open.
Andy Carroll missed two golden chances in normal time, which could have sent Arsenal to a rare third-round exit. Read more
Mikel Arteta gives Gabriel Martinelli injury update after Arsenal beat Newcastle (Metro)
Mikel Arteta was ‘gutted’ for Gabriel Martinelli after the winger was injured in the warm-up before Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Newcastle in their FA Cup third-round tie on Saturday. The 19-year-old, who has not long returned from a serious knee injury, turned his ankle and immediately fell to the floor in anguish before kick-off at the Emirates. Arteta opted to take no chances on the Brazilian and he was replaced by Reiss Nelson in the starting XI. Hereâs what happened to Martinelli… pic.twitter.com/jsDdKlXPvM— Max. â£ï¸ (@AFCMax9) January 9, 2021 Martinelli has impressed upon his return to fitness, starting in games against Manchester City, Chelsea and Brighton in recent weeks. Read more
PSG win for first time under Pochettino (BBC)
Moise Kean scored for the third straight game as Paris St-Germain won for the first time under Mauricio Pochettino.
Italy forward Kean, on loan from Everton, headed the opener against Brest and now has nine goals in 14 league appearances in France.
Argentina forward Mauro Icardi doubled the lead before Spain midfielder Pablo Sarabia scored from 20 yards.
PSG are one point behind leaders Lyon, who were held 2-2 at Rennes.
Pochettino’s first game in charge had ended in a 1-1 draw away to Saint-Etienne on Wednesday. Read more
‘Master salesman’ Anthony Joshua is ‘easiest fight’ of Tyson Fury’s career, says Tommy Fury (Metro)
Tommy Fury has branded Anthony Joshua a ‘master salesman’ and believes he will be the ‘easiest fight’ of his brother Tyson Fury’s career. Joshua and Fury are set to go toe-to-toe this year in a bout that could unify the heavyweight division. Fury claimed the WBC title by beating Deontay Wilder in their Las Vegas rematch, while Joshua currently holds the WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO belts. Both are now expected to put all the belts on the line in 2021 in a bid to be crowned the best heavyweight on the planet. Read more
Milan open up four-point gap at top of Serie A (BBC)
AC Milan opened up a four-point lead at the top of Serie A as they welcomed back Zlatan Ibrahimovic from injury in a comfortable win over Torino.
The Swedish forward – fit after a thigh problem – came on as a late substitute in a game that the hosts dominated.
Rafael Leao opened the scoring with a placed effort from Brahim Diaz’s pass.
And Franck Kessie doubled their lead with a penalty after a lengthy VAR review confirmed Diaz had been fouled by Torino captain Andrea Belotti. Read more
Alarming Knicks setback sets stage for ‘big game’ (NYPost)
The end of the Knicks’ winning streak Friday night delivered a reminder of what they need to bring on a nightly basis to have a shot, even when their shots are not falling.
Now they’ll try to correct in time to get back in the win column Sunday against the Nuggets instead of having one loss turn into something bigger.
“Tomorrow’s a big game, man,” Austin Rivers said after practice Saturday. “Just for the fact that we have a back-to-back and we head to Charlotte right after the game. We dropped a game that we felt like we should have won [Friday]. Going into the game, we felt like that’s a team that we should beat. So when you mess up like that, when you mess with the game, the game pays you back. You gotta get back on track.” Read more