I remain Lagos CP, says Edgal (Nation)
Imohimi Edgal told reporters on Tuesday that he remains the Lagos State Commissioner of Police at the Command Headquarters, Ikeja GRA. According to him, he received a call from Police Headquarters in Abuja that there is no change of Guard in Lagos Police Command. After receiving the call, Edgal went upstairs where the Divisional Police Officers (DPO) converged to notify them of the “good news.” Reporters heard the officers jubilating over the news. Read more
Atiku woos May, sells agenda to Britain (Guardian)
The People’s Democratic Party presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has taken his campaign to Britain, presenting his ideas while faulting the tenure of Nigeria’s incumbent president Muhammadu Buhari. Atiku, who will contest the February elections against Buhari and over 50 candidates, wrote in UK’s Daily Express an article titled “Beyond Brexit – Nigeria wants a new trade deal with Britain”. Britain’s Prime Minister, Theresa May, visited Nigeria in August 2018 to discuss trade deals and economic partnerships and to sign defence and security partnerships. She also pledged to assist in bolstering the rule of law and in the fight against organized crime. Read more
Tanker catches fire in Abakaliki (Nation)
A tanker said to be carrying gas moments ago fell along the ever- busy Enugu- Abakaliki road and caught fire. A witness told our correspondent the tanker seemed to have suffered brake failure as it suddenly lost control and veered into the embarkment dividing the road. “As it hit the embankment, it turned to the side spilling some of its contents, which caught fire but not before the driver and conductor escaped to safety,” the witness said. The fire was still raging at the time of this report as all efforts by the state fire service to put it out have not been successful. Read more
INEC delivers 4,637 ballot boxes in Edo ahead of 2019 elections (Punch)
The Edo office of the Independent National Electoral commission says it has taken delivery of 4,637 ballot boxes ahead of the 2019 General Elections. The state INEC Administrative Secretary, Mr. Richard Ntui, said this at an interactive forum with religious leaders in Benin on Tuesday. Ntui, who briefed the religious leaders on the preparations for the general election, said more ballot boxes were being expected in the state. He said INEC had constituted a committee to recruit ad hoc staff for the election, adding that the action was to ensure transparency in the recruitment process. Read more
Party founded by Okorocha adopts Atiku as presidential candidate (Guardian)
A political party formed by Imo State governor Rochas Okorocha, Action Alliance (AA), has withdrawn its support for Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari and adopted presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party Atiku Abubakar for the February 16 election. “We are for Atiku/Obi leadership and we are glad to work with all believers of true federalism and efficient administration of governance at all levels to accomplish this as we approach the forthcoming elections,” AA national chairman Kenneth Udeze said at a press conference in Abuja. Read more
Customs impounds rice worth N100m (Nation)
The Kano/Jigawa Customs Command on Tuesday in Kano impounded over 3,000n bags of foreign rice and some assorted contraband, valued at over N100 million. Briefing reporters at the Command’s headquarters in Bompai, Kano, on Tuesday, the Comptroller Nasir Ahmed, said the goods were intercepted at various border towns within Jigawa axis. He attributed the success, so far achieved to the collaboration, with the Customs Intelligent Unit (CIU), the headquarters, Information Patrol Team (IPT), strike force, Federal operations and other relevant units of the service, because we are not competing among ourselves, but rather working together to stop smuggling. Read more
Akwa Ibom expresses willingness to pay new minimum wage (Guardian)
Akwa Ibom State governor Udom Emmanuel has said the state government was willing to pay its civil servants the proposed new minimum wage when enacted into law. “Minimum wage has never been an issue, it is just that it has been a matter of legislation. We are waiting for directions from the Federal government, once the direction is given, we will pay,” Udom said during a consultation with the Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress, United Labour and other unions in Uyo. Currently, Nigeria’s minimum wage for its workers is at N18,000. But the Nigerian Government said most states were incapable of paying the proposed N30,000 minimum wage. Read more
Brazil president eases gun laws with decree (Punch)
Brazil’s far-right President Jair Bolsonaro on Tuesday decreed the easing of national gun laws as part of a law-and-order agenda, despite fears it could aggravate already staggering violent crime. The executive order, signed in a live television broadcast, allows “good citizens” to more easily own firearms, said Bolsonaro. “To guarantee the legitimate right of defense, as president I am using this weapon,” he said, indicating the pen he then used to sign the decree. Brazil recorded nearly 64,000 homicides in 2017, making it one of the most dangerous countries in the world outside of a war zone. Read more
Australian Open: Osaka beats the bugs to power into second round (Punch)
Japanese fourth seed Naomi Osaka overcame a nervous start and distraction from flying bugs to ease into the Australian Open second round Tuesday. The US Open champion downed Magda Linette of Poland 6-4, 6-2 in just under an hour to set up a meeting with Tamara Zidansek of Slovakia in the next round. “I felt really nervous walking onto the court but then when I started playing I just felt really happy and grateful that I’m able to play in front of such a great crowd,” she said of her experience on Rod Laver Arena. Read more
Henry, Vieira set for reunion as Monaco host Nice (Guardian)
Thierry Henry renews acquaintances with former France and Arsenal team-mate Patrick Vieira on Wednesday when Monaco face Nice as part of a rearranged batch of midweek fixtures in Ligue 1. The coaching showdown between two of France’s 1998 World Cup winners was first scheduled for December 7, but the game was postponed amid security concerns over the ongoing “yellow vest” protests in France over rising living costs. Since taking over at the Stade Louis II, Henry has won just two of 10 league matches as Monaco find themselves second from bottom and four points from safety midway through the season. Read more
Isco’s future at Real Madrid not up to me —Solari (Punch)
Real Madrid coach Santiago Solari has left the door open to a January exit for Isco after suggesting on Tuesday it will be up to the club whether to keep the midfielder. Solari dodged an opportunity to back Isco after being asked if, as coach, he would be happy to allow the Spaniard to leave this month. “You said it,” Solari said at a press conference on Tuesday. “I am just the coach.” Real Madrid are unlikely to sell Isco in January, particularly as Solari’s own future is not guaranteed. Read more
Man City not letting-up in pursuit of Liverpool – Gabriel Jesus (Vanguard)
Gabriel Jesus says his confidence has soared after his recent goal glut, vowing that Manchester City will not let up in their pursuit of Premier League leaders Liverpool. The Brazil striker scored another two, taking his tally to seven in three appearances, as City beat Wolves 3-0 on Monday to cut Liverpool’s lead back to four points. The 21-year-old, who has now 14 goals for the season, said: “I am feeling good and my confidence is better for scoring goals. Read more
Alexander-Arnold injury leaves Liverpool short of defensive options (Punch)
Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold is expected to be sidelined for up to a month with knee damage, leaving the Premier League leaders short of defensive options. The England international sustained a problem in the warm-up before Saturday’s 1-0 win at Brighton but played the full 90 minutes. However, he now faces an extended spell on the sidelines, with a knee ligament issue. Joe Gomez is still working his way back to fitness after a broken foot and right-back Nathaniel Clyne was loaned to Bournemouth earlier this month. Read more
Gospel artist paraded for defiling teenager (Nation)
An Edo State based gospel artist, Mr. Anthony Okhoria, aged 49, has been arrested for allegedly defiling a nine-year old girl. The victim was a daughter of one of his tenant at his house at Ekpoma, headquarters of Esan West local government area. Anthony who was paraded at the Edo Police headquarters denied having carnal knowledge of the girl and said it was the victim’s mother and sisters that attempted to seduce him. He said the woman and her children tried severally to seduce him to sleep with them so as not to pay for accommodation again but he refused. The suspect said the teenager he was alleged to have defiled also came to be rubbing his legs while he was sleeping in his bedroom. Read more
Man accused of stealing clothes shows up naked in court (Punch)
A 32-year-old Kenyan, Alex Jana Mugo, appeared at an Embu court almost naked, on Monday, for allegedly stealing clothes. Mugo told the court presided over by Magistrate Jean Ndegeri, that he was stripped of his clothes by officers at Embu Police Station where he was detained after his arrest on Sunday, reports Citizen TV. The prosecution told the court that Mugo was wearing clothes, he had allegedly stolen on the day of his arrest, hence, was forced to remove them so that they could be used as an exhibit. When he was reportedly offered other items of clothing, he declined to put them on, insisting that he would only accept the confiscated clothes. Read more
Man in court for beating up landlord (Punch)
A 31-year-old tenant, Abass Babatunde, was arraigned in Lagos State on Tuesday for beating up his 63-year-old landlord. Babatunde, who resides at No. 8 Omo Osagie St., Iju Ishaga, a Lagos suburb, is facing a two-count of assault and malicious damage before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ court The Prosecutor, Sgt. Michael Unah, told the court that the accused allegedly assaulted his landlord, Mr Rahmon Adewale, by punching him on the face, following an unresolved argument. He said that the accused committed the offences on December 26 at 9.30 p.m at his residence. Read more