Lagos Assembly moves against indiscriminate gas vending (Guardian)
Owing to the incessant gas explosion in Lagos State, the House of Assembly has called for proper regulation and monitoring of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) vending in the state.
The house made the resolution after a motion moved by Lukman Olumo, representing Ajeromi/Ifelodun Constituency 1, during plenary yesterday.Olumo stated in the motion that it was important to regulate sales of LPG in residential areas of the state to curb the explosion.
The lawmakers then resolved to call on the environment and water resources commissioners as well as the General Manager of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) to enforce the necessary laws on the issue. Read more
Sanwo-Olu inaugurates 20km roads (Nation)
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Monday inaugurated 31 network of roads totaling 20.216km in the Ojokoro Local Council Development Area, (LCDA) within the Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Area.
At the ceremonies which took place at four locations. Sanwo-Olu said: “Good road network facilitates effective management of traffic and transport, thereby boosting the socio-economic activities of the State; it reduces traffic induced health challenges and travel time to access health facilities and educational institutions.
The governor said the drainages that come with the roads help to de-flood the environment, while the street lights complement the security architecture of the State. Read more
Makinde inaugurates caretaker chairmen for Oyo councils (Guardian)
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State yesterday inaugurated 68 caretaker chairmen for 33 councils and 35 Local Government Development Areas (LCDAs) recently cleared by the House of Assembly.
The swearing-in ceremony held at the Executive Council Chamber of the Governor’s Office in Agodi, Ibadan. Speaking at the inauguration, Makinde said the nomination was to ensure that there was no vacuum at the third tier of government till a proper election is conducted.
The governor said: “What we are doing here today is inaugurating the Local Government and Local Council Development Areas Caretaker chairpersons, and to ensure that a vacuum is not created in governance. Read more
Shina Peller released on bail (Vanguard)
The owner of Quilox Club and a member of the House of Representatives, Shina Peller has been released on bail.
Peller was earlier in the day detained at Maroko Police Station in Lagos. Read more
LASWA tightens safety on waterways (Nation)
The Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) said on Monday that it had started inspecting boats and ascertaining the state of life jackets in all jetties and terminals in Lagos State, as part of efforts to enhance safety in the festive season.
The General Manager of LASWA, Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the inspection was to guarantee safety of passengers during and after the Yuletide.
Emmanuel said that the authority knew that boating and fun-seeking activities on waterways would increase during the season, hence the need for inspection of boats and life jackets. Read more
LAWMA ‘ready for festive season’ (Nation)
With the Christmas and New Year festivities around the corner, Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has affirmed its readiness to meet the waste management needs of residents during the season and to consolidate on its year round vision of establishing a cleaner and healthier Lagos.
In a statement, the Managing Director of LAWMA, Muyiwa Gbadegesin said bearing in mind the anticipated 100 per cent increase in waste generation during the period, the Authority would leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the season was celebrated in a clean environment.
He said that the agency had intensified the distribution of black thrash bags for household waste and purple bags for recyclables to residents in the state, adding that PSP operators had been mandated to work round the clock in their assigned areas of operation, while the authority would provide backup trucks. Read more
We’ll not exchange our people’s resources for peace in Edo – Obaseki (Vanguard)
The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has reaffirmed that his government will continue to pray and sue for peace in the state but not at the expense of the people of Edo State.
Governor Obaseki spoke at the weekend when he led some members of the State Executive Council to the thanksgiving service of Hon. Ephraim Aluebhosele and Hon. Emma Okoduwa, lawmakers representing Igueben and Esan North-East Constituency II in the Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA) respectively, who were thanking God for electoral successes. Read more
Nigeria leads Africa in pollution-related deaths (Guardian)
Nigeria leads Africa in the total annual number of premature pollution-linked deaths, the 2019 Global Pollution and Health Metrics published earlier in December showed.
The West African country is ranked third in the world behind leader India and China. Nigeria also leads Africa in air pollution-related deaths during the same period but ranked 12th in Africa in terms of combined pollution risk factors.
The report published by Global Alliance on Health and Pollution (GAHP) measured the global impacts of pollution in air, water and workplace. Read more
ECOWAS records 3.3 % growth in 2019 as investments hit $20 billion (Guardian)
Despite security challenges experienced by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), growth within the region hit 3.3 per cent while investments from development agencies like the African Development Bank (AfDB) rose to $20 billion.ECOWAS President, Jean-Claude Kassi Brou, noted that the region has received invaluable interventions that aided the implementation of numerous projects.
The region’s economy is showing positive achievements, reaching 3.3 percent growth in 2019, he said, “despite facing significant challenges, particularly with regards to security. ECOWAS member states have demonstrated remarkable resilience.”Brou, at the bloc’s fifty-sixth ordinary session, attended by regional heads of state and government, said the AfDB had provided “invaluable technical and financial interventions…in the implementation of numerous projects and programmes.” Read more
Ondo cleric remanded over missing baby (Nation)
The founder of Sotitobire Miracle Centre, Oshinle Quarters in Akure, the state capital, Prophet Alfa Babatunde was on Monday remanded at the olokuta correctional centre over two- count of conspiracy to kidnap and aiding kidnapping.
The cleric was arraigned before Magistrate Charity Adeyanju, sitting at Oke-Eda, Akure alongside six persons who were said to have committed the offence on November 10 at about 11:45 am at Sotitobire Praising Chapel, Oshinle quarters Akure, Ondo state.
The charge sheet reads, “That you Prophet Alfa Babatunde, Omodara Olayinka, Margret Oyebola, Grace Ogunjobi, Egunjobi Motunrayo, Esther Kayode, Peter Anjorin, and others now at large on the 10th November 2019 at about 11:45 am at Sotitobire Praising Chapel, No 48, Solagbade street Oshinle quarters Akure, Ondo state did conspire together to commit felony to wit, kidnapping and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 516 of criminal code cap 37 vol 1 laws of Ondo state. Read more
‘Xhaka agrees deal to join Hertha Berlin’ (Guardian)
Midfielder Granit Xhaka is on the brink of leaving Arsenal for Hertha Berlin during the January transfer window, reports sportsmole.com.After reacting angrily to supporters who cheered his substitution against Crystal Palace in October, Xhaka has been frequently linked with an exit from the Emirates Stadium.
At a time when the Switzerland international has regained his place in the squad, teams from England, Italy and Germany have been credited with an interest.However, according to Football Transfers, the 27-year-old has already agreed terms over a switch to Berlin at the start of 2020.
While the report suggests that terms have not been agreed with Arsenal, it is suggested that the Bundesliga outfit have put forward a bid. Read more
ABU may strip Oto Joseph of African title (Nation)
African Boxing Union may strip current ABU lightweight title holder, Oto “Joe Boy” Joseph of his belt after the Nigerian declined the rescheduled contest against West African Boxing Union (WABU) champion Rilwan ‘Real One’ Oladosu.
NationSport reports that the fight tagged ‘Fight of The Decade’ which was initially billed for Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Lagos on October 12, but could not hold following a shoulder injury Joe Boy sustained while training with his sparring partner.
President of the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBB of C), Dr Rafiu Ladipo feared that the ABU champion may be stripped of his title if he failed to show up for a new date of December 28 at the GOtv Boxing Night 20, which was fixed by the organizers and accepted by the ABU. Read more
‘Pulev to become Joshua’s next opponent, Usyk has to wait’ (Guardian)
Anthony Joshua’s next opponent will be Kubrat Pulev, who is the IBF mandatory challenger, according to 112.international. Ukrainian heavyweight, Oleksandr Usyk was expected to be the next opponent for the WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO champion, but the head of the promotion company, Top Rank Inc., Bob Arum told 112.international that they have settled for Pulev, who is the IBF mandatory challenger.
Arum said: “Yes, Pulev is going to be the next one. IBF’s history with mandatory defenses is in books. So Pulev fight would come first, and then – Usyk”.
Joshua and Pulev have 30 days to agree on the conditions of the bout. In this case, Usyk will fight against Dereck Chisora in March.Joshua prefers Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk over Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev, as his next opponent, VRinge informed. Read more
Nwosu faults CAF over Ndidi, Osimhen (Nation)
Former Eagles midfielder Henry Nwosu has backed Senegalese striker Sadio Mane to scoop the 2019 Africa Player of the Year award ahead of his Liverpool’s teammate Mohammed Sallah and Manchester City winger, Riyadh Mahrez.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Sunday pruned down its shortlist of all categories to just the Top three contenders leaving out Nigerian duo of Wilfred Ndidi, Odion Ighalo for the prestigious award.
Nwosu told NationSport that though Salah and Mane along with Pierre Emerick Aubameyang emerged as the joint highest scorer in the EPL last season, Mane has had an exceptional year than his Liverpool teammate. Read more
NBF Boxing League resumes January 5, Omo-Agege reveals (Guardian)
The third and fourth editions of the Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF) League will hold on January 4 and 5, 2020, at the federation’s boxing gym located within the Brai Ayenote Boxing Complex, National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
Chairman of the Series Boxing League, Mr. Azania Omo-Agege, an NBF executive board member representing the South-South region, said the programme was structured to give the boxers the opportunity of spending both the Christmas and New Year festivities with their families and loved ones.He added that the league was aimed at discovering new talents for Nigeria, as well as toughening the existing national champions ahead of international engagements. Read more
Lampard floors Mourinho (Nation)
Chelsea’s victory over Tottenham yesterday saw Frank Lampard completely outshine counterpart Jose Mourinho, when it mattered most.
The capital rivals went head-to-head at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium a short time ago, in a crunch matchup in the Premier League’s top-4 race.
Chelsea headed into proceedings occupying the final of the English top-flight’s Champions League berths. Read more
Saka undecided about Nigeria (Nation)
Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka, who is eligible to play for both Nigeria and England, says he is weighing up his international options but will not rush his decision.
“I am always thinking about it but I haven’t made a decision yet,” the 18-year-old told BBC Sport.
Saka, born to Nigerian parents, has so far represented England at youth level.
The Arsenal youth academy graduate said neither England nor Nigeria had so far approached him about his senior international future. Read more
Guardiola ready to back players in racism walk off (Punch)
Pep Guardiola has said he would back his players if they ever found themselves compelled to walk off during a game in protest against racist abuse.
The Manchester City manager was talking following the scenes that marred Chelsea’s 2-0 win away to Tottenham Hotspur in the London derby on Sunday.
Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger reported he was subjected to racist abuse by home supporters which resulted in the Premier League’s anti-racist protocol being initiated for the first time. Read more
Iachini appointed Fiorentina coach (Vanguard)
Giuseppe Iachini has been appointed coach of struggling Fiorentina, the Serie A club confirmed on Monday.
Iachini, 55, replaces Vincenzo Montella who was sacked on Saturday with the team trailing in 15th place, three points above the relegation zone.
“The current ranking has forced us to change coach,” said Fiorentina owner Rocco Commisso.
“We chose Iachini because he is a man of substance, tied to Florence and Fiorentina. Read more
Ministry’s adopt-an-athlete programme thrills Falode (Guardian)
Chairperson of the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL), Aisha Falode, has commended the great initiatives of the Sports Minister, Sunday Dare, which she said would help the country’s sports development.
According to Falode, the minister, who was the special guest of honour at the final of the Nigeria Women Premier League Super 4, promised to help the women’s league develop further by ensuring quality sponsorships that would take the gender game to the next level.
She added that the ‘Adopt Campaign’ initiative, which the minister brought to fore last week, has started yielding positive results, with the adoption of some elite Nigerian athletes, who have qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Read more