Lagos 2019: If you want freedom, learn vulcanising, Tinubu mocks Agbaje (Vanguard)
National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has lampooned the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr. Jimi Agbaje who is advocating freedom for Lagos State. Agbaje had said he will free the state from Alphabeta Consulting, a company which he claims receives a percentage of every dime Lagos earns in taxes and revenues. The former Lagos governor reacted to the comment, on Monday, at the APC stakeholders’ meeting in Ikeja. Tinubu said: “Those who said they wanted freedom should go and learn tailoring and vulcanising and we will do freedom for them later. They do not have the people. Read more
Former Nigeria’s defence chief Alex Badeh shot dead (Guardian)
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has confirmed the death of former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Sabundu Badeh. In a statement signed late Tuesday in Abuja by Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola said Badeh died from gunshot wounds he sustained when his vehicle was attacked. The statement reads:” It is with a heavy heart that I regretfully announce the unfortunate demise of former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Sabundu Badeh, who died today, 18 Dec 18, from gunshot wounds sustained when his vehicle was attacked while returning from his farm along Abuja-Keffi Road. Read more
EFCC begins operation cyber storm to tackle Yahoo boys (Punch)
Ahead of the Yuletide, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has launched total war on online fraudsters otherwise known as ‘Yahoo Boys,’ The PUNCH has learnt. The operation, code-named ‘Cyber Storm,’ will involve EFCC operatives monitoring suspicious transactions especially by youths who could not explain their sources of wealth. The commission will also deploy its agents in nightclubs and concerts where youths usually go to “pop” expensive champagnes. Read more
Obasanjo, Jega, ex-presidents seek use of ICT in election (Guardian)
Former Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega has canvassed the use of appropriate technology in the conduct of elections.He spoke in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, at a programme organised by the Centre for Human Security and Dialogue of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL). The meeting was in conjunction with the Open Society Foundations, seeking ways to use technology to enhance transparency in the electoral process. Jega said technology would go a “long way to improve the efficiency of the conduct of elections, as well the integrity of elections, worldwide, especially in Africa.” Read more
EFCC arraigns NBA president, Usoro over alleged N1.4b fraud (Guardian)
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arraigned the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Paul Usoro (SAN), before a Federal High Court, Lagos over alleged N1.4 billion fraud. Usoro, who is to face trial before Justice Sule Hassan on a 10-count charge, pleaded not guilty. Also named in the charge against the NBA boss is the governor of Akwa Ibom State, Emmanuel Udom, who is described as being “currently constitutionally immune against criminal prosecution”; the Commissioner for Finance, Nsikan Nkan; Accountant-General, Mfon Udomah; Attorney-General, Uwemedimo Nwoko; and one Margaret Ukpe, who were all said to be at large. Read more
Ohanaeze Ndigbo insists on restructuring of Nigeria (Guardian)
President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, John Nnia Nwodo, has renewed calls for the restructuring of Nigeria to end marginalisation of the South-South and Southeast geo-political zones of the country.He made the call at the 2018 Igbo Day celebration during a courtesy visit on Chairman, Imo Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Sam Ohiri, and symposium held at the Monarchs’ Parliamentary Building in Owerri. Nwodo lamented what he described as the huge marginalisation of the Igbo and Niger Delta, which he said, dated back to the 1960s, wondering why successive governments have not addressed the issues in spite of the agitations. Read more
Amphibian that buries head in sand named after Donald Trump (BBC)
US presidents tend to receive their fair share of honours, but Donald Trump may want to ignore his latest one. A newly discovered amphibian that buries its head in the sand has been named after him, apparently in response to his comments about climate change. The Dermophis donaldtrumpi, which was discovered in Panama, was named by the head of a company that had bid $25,000 (£19,800) at auction for the privilege. The company said it wanted to raise awareness about climate change. Read more
2019 FIFA WWC: Super Falcons start build up with Cyprus Women Cup (Vanguard)
African Women Cup of Nations champions, Super Falcons will start their build up to the FIFA Women World Cup with the Cyprus Women Cup billed for February. Nigeria Football Federation president, Amaju Pinnick is hopeful that the Super Falcons will get to the highest level of competitive edge for the FIFA Women World Cup in France with the tournament in Cyprus and others lined up for the team. Read more
Nwosu calls on ex-players to develop Nigeria football (Guardian)
Former Nigeria international, Henry Nwosu, has urged ex- football stars to assist in promoting soccer at the grassroots level. He said such move would go a long way in making an impact at club and national team level. Nwosu made this call at the final of Lagos State All Stars Football tournament between Oregun All Star team and St Mary’s of Ajegunle, which took place at NPA football pitch, Surulere at the weekend. He stated that continuous awareness of the game of football would spur the younger generation to give their best. Read more
Nigerian teams ‘humiliated’ at Africa hockey championship (Guardian)
All Nigerian teams participating in the on-going Africa Cup for Club Hockey Championship have been reduced to mere participants, as none is yet find its bearing in the continental tournament holding at the Hockey Complex in Package B of Abuja National Stadium. Four teams – Niger Flickers and Kada Stars in the men category, while Delta and Kada Queens are the country’s flag bearers in the female category at the continental club championship. Read more
Manchester City beat Leicester City on penalties (BBC)
Holders Manchester City edged through to the Carabao Cup semi-finals by beating Leicester City 3-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at the King Power Stadium. A low-quality shootout saw the home side miss three penalties while a dinked attempt went wrong for England’s Raheem Sterling before Ukraine left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko emphatically thumped the decisive kick into the top corner to send his side through. Pep Guardiola’s side took the lead in the first half through Kevin de Bruyne’s first goal of the season – a sweet low drive into the bottom corner. Read more
Man Utd appear to confirm Solskjaer (BBC)
Manchester United appear to have confirmed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as interim manager at Old Trafford. There has been no official announcement that the Norwegian is taking over from Jose Mourinho, who was sacked earlier on Tuesday. But a page on the club’s website referred to their ex-striker as “our interim manager”. It was later deleted. Solskjaer, 45, scored 126 goals for United in 11 seasons with the club under Sir Alex Ferguson. Read more
Release our brother’s body to us, family begs FRSC (Guardian)
Family of a Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) officer, Adebomojo Oluwaseun, who was killed by a hit-and-run driver, has appealed to the FRSC authority to release the body of their kinsman for befitting burial. The Guardian gathered that the late Adebomojo, aged 32, was an official of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command. He died on Sunday, December 16, while on official duty. Elder sister to the deceased, Mrs. Adeola George-Ogosi, who spoke on behalf of the family, narrated the ordeals faced by relatives to journalists in Akure yesterday, saying they are suspecting foul play by the Federal Government agency. Read more
Three Islamic clerics, two others nabbed with human parts (Nation)
Operatives attached to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Zone II, Onikan, Lagos have arrested five persons for allegedly being in possession of fresh human heart and body parts. The suspects, including three Islamic clerics, were paraded yesterday by AIG Lawal Shehu. He alleged that the clerics were members of a syndicate that specialised in using human parts for rituals. Shehu said they were arrested around 9:45am on December 10 by Zonal Intervention Squad (ZIS) operatives on stop and search operation. He said the detectives arrested an unnamed man with fresh human heart and investigation was on to establish where he got it. Read more
Two charged with kidnapping siblings (Nation)
Two women, Bose Kola, 19, and Deborah Ekola, 25, yesterday appeared before an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly conspiring to kidnap two siblings. Chief Magistrate A.O. Adedayo remanded the duo at the Kirikiri Prisons, pending advice by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). Adedayo had rejected the bail application her by their counsel F.S. Oladele. “I refuse to exercise my discretion by granting the accused bail. I hereby remand them in prison pending an outcome of legal advice,” she said. Read more