Lagos budgets N852.317b for 2019 (Nation)
An Appropriation Bill of N852.317 billion to the House of Assembly for consideration and approval has been sent by Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, it was learnt last night. The estimate is N194b less to last year’s N1.046 trillion. The Commissioner for Budget & Economic Planning, Mr. Olusegun Banjo, who confirmed the development, said the bill was intended to be read before the 40-member legislature House on December 24, last year. In a statement, Banjo said the governor had sent a verbal information of his intension to present the budget proposal on Monday, December 24, 2018 after the State Executive Council approval on December 19, 2018. Read more
INEC announces election dates in Enugu (Vanguard)
In accordance with section 46 of the electoral act 2010 as amended, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, yesterday pasted notice of 2019 polls in Enugu. The form EC 60 D pasted indicated that the Presidential/National Assembly elections would be held on 16th of February while the Governor/State Assembly would be held on 2nd of March. Pasting the notice at INEC office in Enugu, the Enugu State Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Dr Emeka Ononamadu said the exercise is going on across the nation to allow politicians and the electorate to know the dates of election. Read more
Army: our weapons superior to Boko Haram’s (Nation)
The Army yesterday denied claims that it was using obsolete weapons to fight Boko Haram terrorists in the Northeast, asserting that such claims were part of the on-going propaganda campaigns against the military. It said it would keep fighting the insurgents until the battle is won, irrespective of challenges. The response was contained on its social media pages to counter series of videos in circulation alleging that soldiers were bitterly complaining in respect of their welfare and equipment handed to them to fight the insurgents. “Boko Haram terrorists are not better equipped than the Nigerian Army. Nigerian Army is the pride of the nation,” the Army said. Read more
Vote party that understands your pains, PDP tells Nigerians (Vanguard)
Edo State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has said 2019 offers Nigerians the opportunity to express their displeasure and pains by exercising their franchise and voting for a political party that understands their pains. In a New Year message to Nigerians in Benin City, yesterday, the state chairman of the party, Chief Dan Orbih, said Nigerians should vote for a party that has the experience to turn the sorry state of affairs around and get Nigeria working again. Orbih said: “2019 presents new opportunities. We thank the good people of Edo State for their love, solidarity and support in these last 365 days. Read more
Surrender yourself to police, Buhari’s group tells Melaye (Nation)
One of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s support groups, the Buhari Media Organisation (BMO), has asked the Senator representing Kogi West, Dino Melaye, to surrender himself to police operatives and end the siege to his Abuja home. The police had been laying siege to the senator’s Maitama home for the past four days in a bid to effect a warrant of arrest for what police spokesman Jimoh Moshood described as a case of “criminal conspiracy and attempted culpable homicide” against the federal lawmaker. In a statement signed by its chairman, Niyi Akinsiju and secretary, Cassidy Madueke, the group said surrendering himself to the police operatives would be the best way to end the siege that is capable of sending wrong signals about the political elite to the local and international observers. Read more
How we’re using Ososo carnival to engage youths — Agbaje (Vanguard)
The lawmaker representing Akoko-Edo Constituency II, Mr Emmanuel Agbaje, yesterday, called on the state government to invest more in tourism to take away young people from the unemployment market in the state. He said the annual Ososo carnival in Akoko-Edo council had over the years created annual sources of income for young people in the area and believed that government’s input to the festival would boost tourism and income generation for the youths of the area. Speaking with Vanguard at the 8th edition of Ososo carnival, Agbaje said: “Building a veritable tourism industry is a gradual process. We have started something, and it is already yielding results. So as businesses are growing, more people are engaged, people are springing up with their own entrepreneurship ideas. Read more
Traders count losses after Aba motor park fire (Nation)
Traders at the popular Aba motor park in Umuahia North Local Government of Abia State have lost goods, worth millions, after fire engulfed the park yesterday. The cause of the fire could not be ascertained last night. It was, however, gathered that the fire started from a shop used to store Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS). Shop owners described their loss as huge. A sympathiser, Dan, said: “The cause of the fire is not known. This is the second time fire would be destroying this park, and it always happens at this time of year.” Findings showed that the dry weather aggravated the situation, and men of the fire service were not available to help as the people were shouting “call the fire service.” Read more
Ex-President Zuma in row over music album (BBC)
South Africa’s ex-President Jacob Zuma is embroiled in a new political row – after signing an unexpected record deal. The eThekwini district agreed to fund an album of protest songs sung by him, which officials said would preserve an aspect of cultural heritage. But South Africa’s opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), has branded the move a waste of resources. Mr Zuma often sings his trademark tune, Bring Me My Machine Gun, at rallies. eThekwini is a district in KwaZulu-Natal, Mr Zuma’s home province and the heartland of his support base. Read more
Apple blames China as it cuts forecast (BBC)
Apple has rattled investors with news that its sales have been slowing, blaming economic weakness in China. In a surprise disclosure, the iPhone maker said it anticipated revenue of about $84bn (£67bn) for the three months to 29 December. In November it forecast sales of at least $89bn – a prediction that had already disappointed investors. Apple’s share price sank more than 7% in after hours trade, extending its more than 28% slide since November. The festive season is typically Apple’s strongest quarter. Read more
Unpaid bonuses dog Rangers as team prepares to meet Bantu FC (Guardian)
The Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium Enugu has become a gathering point for football lovers in the Coal City, who throng the arena daily to watch their darling team, Rangers International’s training sessions. Rangers began training for their CAF Confederation qualifier against Bantu FC of Lesotho on Tuesday after the Christmas festivities. According to one of the team’s stars, all the players are in camp, except for Bright Silas and Bobby Clement, who are expected to join their mates before they travel to Maseru for the first leg of the qualifier next week. Read more
UEFA tips Chukwueze, 49 young players for glory (Punch)
Villarreal’s Nigerian winger Samuel Chukwueze has been listed among the top 50 youngsters that will be household names by this time in 2020. He is the only Nigerian teenage player listed. According to a report on UEFA.com, Chukwueze made the shortlist alongside Chelsea’s teenage sensation, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Jadon Sancho, Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid and Brazil, Ethan Ampadu of Wales, Gelson Fernandes of Portugal and Achraf Hakimi of Morocco. Chukwueze, who has been likened to the legendary Arjen Robben, has been shaking up the Spanish Liga and UEFA Europa League this season with his skills and aggressive play for Villarreal. Read more
‘Why Chelsea moved quickly to sign Pulisic in £57.6m deal’ (Guardian)
Christian Pulisic is now a Chelsea player after the club confirmed the signing of the Borussia Dortmund ace for £57.6m yesterday, writes www.football.london.Impressing in the Bundesliga ever since making his debut for the German giants in 2016, the United States international has been tipped to seal a move to the Premier League for some time. Chelsea and Liverpool have both been heavily linked with the player in recent months, while Arsenal had been mentioned regarding a shock move over the past week. However, it is the Blues who have moved quickly to complete the signing of the talented player. Although Pulisic becomes a Chelsea player with immediate effect, the Blues have decided to loan him back to Dortmund for the remainder of the current season. Speaking to Chelsea’s official website following the arrival of the winger, director Marina Granovskaia stated that the youngster can become a very important player for the Blues over the next few years. Read more
Solskjaer emulates Busby with fourth win (BBC)
Substitute Romelu Lukaku scored with his first touch as Manchester United beat Newcastle United with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer becoming the second manager in the club’s history to win his first four league games in charge. The Norwegian emulates the feat of Sir Matt Busby in 1946. Lukaku, who had only been on the pitch 38 seconds, pounced on an error by Martin Dubravka with the Slovakia keeper spilling a free-kick by Marcus Rashford. Rashford doubled the lead after a sweeping move involving Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez as Newcastle lost for the eighth time at home in the league this season. Read more
Man City ready to halt Liverpool’s juggernaut today (Guardian)
It was at this stage last season that Liverpool ended Manchester City’s unbeaten run in the Premier League with a 4-3 win at Anfield. Until then, City had looked unstoppable, but they came undone when visiting Anfield on January 14 and have been unable to beat Liverpool in three attempts since. Today’s trip to the Etihad Stadium promises to pose the biggest test yet for Jurgen Klopp’s men as they charge toward a first Premier League title, but this time around it will be reigning champions, City, who endeavour to prevent the Reds from going unbeaten. Pep Guardiola’s side stumbled upon tough times over the festive period and have now lost three of their last five league matches, but they got back to winning ways with a 3-1 win over Southampton on Sunday. Read more
Police nab man for allegedly killing two sons (Nation)
The police in Bayelsa State have arrested Mr. Sunday Otasi for allegedly killing his two sons. He was alleged to have forced them to drink Sniper, a pesticide, after accusing them of being possessed. It was gathered that Otasi, 42, who hails from Agbobiri-Okodia in Yenagoa Local Government, took his three sons, Success Otasi, 14, Miracle Otasi, 12, and Godstime Otasi, 10, to a bush along Glory Drive Road at Igbogene in Yenagoa. The suspect was alleged to have tied his children in the bush with the help of his younger brother, Levi Ayah and forced the poisonous substance down their throats. Read more
4-yr-old boy that went missing at Lagos beach found (Vanguard)
The four-year-old Ireyomi Olaoluwa, who went missing on January 1 at Elegushi Beach in Lagos, has been found. Olaoluwa, was taken to the beach by his family to celebrate the new year. However, midway into the celebration, he was discovered to have been nowhere around his loved ones. His disappearance, truncated the celebration as family members including other fun seekers combed everywhere in search of him. Family friends immediately took to social media, posting his photograph, to announce his disappearance and an appeal to whoever found him to reach the nearest police station. Read more
Lagos DJ commits suicide (Punch)
A Lagos-based disc jockey, Seun Omogaji, popularly known as DJxgee, has allegedly committed suicide hours after posting a cryptic note on his Instagram account. PUNCH Metro learnt that Omogaji allegedly took his life by gulping an insecticide, ‘Sniper’. According to multiple reports, Omogaji decided to take his life after unresolved marital crises with his wife. It was gathered that the crises led to Omogaji’s wife packing out of her matrimonial home. Omogaji, in a note he wrote on his Instagram account said, “Okay, there is a twist to this last respect people give to their loved ones when gone. Black as signs of sadness but in my case, please rock white because I love the colour so much. Read more