Lagos commissions new Ilaje-Bariga Jetty (Nation)
The Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) on Monday opened the Ilaje-Bariga Jetty as part of its commitment to improve waterways transportation. Lagos State has 3000 kilometres of waterways with water transportation accounting for just 74,000 travel count, which is just 0.34 percent of the daily passenger traffic put by the Lagos State Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (LAMATA) at 22 million. LASWA said the berthing of the new jetty would redefine travel pattern around the axis, calling on residents at Surulere, Bariga, Yaba, and environs to patronize the new jetty. Read more
Outsider won’t impose next senate president – PDP senators (Punch)
The Peoples Democratic Party members in the Senate have asked their All Progressives Congress colleagues to leave the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, out of their schemes to produce the ninth senate president. The senators in a statement on Tuesday signed by the Minority Leader, Biodun Olujimi and Senator Dino Melaye, however, warned that the PDP lawmakers won’t allow any outsider to determine the next Senate president. The statement read, “Let it be known that no matter the mischief being sponsored by these spineless people, Dr. Saraki knows that it is the duty of all Senators in the Ninth Senate to elect their Senate President and other leaders. Read more
INEC fixes new date for Adamawa supplementary governorship election (Guardian)
The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC Tuesday fixed March 28 as the new date for Adamawa supplementary governorship election. The announcement came after an Adamawa State High Court sitting in Yola vacated an order preventing the governorship supplementary election from taking place in the state. Judge Abdul-Azeez Waziri on March 14 restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from conducting the supplementary election in 44 polling units in the state. Read more
Grandfather, daughter arrested over boy’s death in Lagos (Punch)
The police in Lagos State have arrested a grandfather and his daughter over the death of a 10-year-old boy in Ikorodu area of the state. A source at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, told News Agency of Nigeria that the grandfather and his daughter, mother of the deceased, were arrested for allegedly disposing of the child’s corpse without the knowledge of the father. NAN gathered that the deceased, Abdullah Adisa, 10, the only child in the marriage, fell ill and later died while in the custody of the mother. Read more
EFCC recovers five exotic cars, laptops from ‘Yahoo Boys’ hideout (Nation)
No fewer than six suspected internet fraudsters were on Tuesday arrested when operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibadan zonal office raided their suspected hideout at the Kolapo Ishola Estate, Akobo area of the Oyo state capital city. The early morning burst, according to sources in the commission, followed series of petitions from residents of the community detailing the alleged illegal activities of the suspects. Ranging between the ages of 24 and 30 years, the suspects are Tella Adefemi Ibrahim, Awoniyi Adeseye Abiodun, Oladele Olawale Wasiu, Olabiti Afeez Ajibola, Akeredolu Oluwafemi Temidayo and Oyaremi Olalekan Olabode. Read more
Kaduna police confirms kidnap of Catholic priest (Punch)
Gunmen on Monday kidnapped a Catholic priest, Rev. Father John Bako Shekwolo at Ankuwa village in the Kachia area, in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The state police command confirmed the incident, noting that operatives were already combing the village in a bid to rescue the priest and arrest his abductors. The Catholic Archdiocese of Kaduna, said the abducted cleric is the Parish Priest of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Ankuwa in Kachia LGA of the state. Read more
Court orders EFCC to charge lawyer, ex-senator by March 28 (Guardian)
The FCT High Court, Apo, on Tuesday ordered the Economic And Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) to charge an Abuja-based lawyer, Monday Ubani and a former Senator, Christopher Enai to court or release them on bail on or before March, 28. Justice Silvanus Oriji gave the order after listening to the submissions of the applicants in an ex-parte motion filed by their counsel Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN). The judge also in alternative granted bail to the applicants in the sum of N50 million with two reasonable sureties, who must be civil servants on level 15. Read more
Get touts off Abia roads, NURTW urges Ikpeazu (Punch)
Secretary, National Union of Road Transport Workers, Abia chapter, Mr. Lazarus Kalu, on Tuesday urged Governor Okezie Ikpeazu to get touts off Abia roads in his second term, in fulfillment of his promise. Kalu made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Aba. “We do not want these touts on the roads anymore; we have told the governor to look into this and curb the menace of these touts who disturb motorists on the roads. Read more
Kaduna records 4,023 new TB cases (Nation)
A total of 4,023 new cases of tuberculosis were recorded across Kaduna State in 2018, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Paul Dogo, has said. Dogo however said at a news conference on Tuesday in Kaduna to mark the World Tuberculosis Day 87 per cent of the new cases were treatment successfully. He attributed the high number of new TB infections to low level awareness of its causes and insufficient gene Xpert machines used for detecting the disease in the state. Dogo said that the state would scale up access to prevention and treatment, build accountability and ensure sufficient and sustainable financing for TB treatment and research. Read more
Kenya plans to close world’s biggest refugee camp Dadaab —Report (Punch)
Kenya plans to shutter the world’s largest refugee camp, home to nearly a quarter of a million people, in the next few months, according to an internal UN document seen by AFP on Tuesday. The three-decade-old Dadaab camp in eastern Kenya, which shelters mostly Somalis, would be closed by the end of August under the Kenyan plan, it said. A United Nations refugee agency document dated February 28 said the Kenyan government had sent a note informing it of “plans to close the Dadaab camps within a six-month period”. Read more
Algeria army urges removal of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika (BBC)
Algeria’s army chief of staff has demanded President Abdelaziz Bouteflika be declared unfit to rule after weeks of protests against him. Speaking on state television, Lt Gen Ahmed Gaed Salah said: “We must find a way out of this crisis immediately, within the constitutional framework.” The president has already agreed not to stand for a fifth term in upcoming elections, which have been delayed. Demonstrators accuse the 82-year-old of a ploy to prolong his 20-year rule. Read more
UK parliament plots Brexit Plan B after sidelining PM (Guardian)
Britain’s parliament sought a new Brexit strategy Tuesday after seizing the initiative from Prime Minister Theresa May in a historic vote, with the risk of a chaotic “no-deal” departure looming. Lawmakers exasperated by Britain’s failed efforts to find a way out of the European Union after three years of debates and negotiations voted Monday to give themselves a broader say on what happens next. The motion creates parliamentary time for MPs to come up with their own Brexit proposals as Britain tries to stave off a messy divorce in two weeks. Read more
US unveils new restrictions on foreign aid for abortions (Nation)
The U.S. will further clamp down on the use of foreign aid for non-governmental organisations that support abortions or work with groups that help women access the medical service, an official said. The U.S. Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, on Tuesday said this as he announced new limitations on the use of federal government funds in Washington. “We can continue to meet our critical global health goals… while refusing to subsidize the killing of unborn babies,” Pompeo said. He said the new measures would include “strict prohibition on back door schemes” meant to help funnel money to organisations working on women’s health and that support abortions. Read more
Venezuela declares holiday as new nationwide blackout hits (Guardian)
Venezuela decreed a holiday Tuesday to cope with a new near-nationwide blackout that the government alleged was caused by an “attack” targeting its main hydroelectric plant. Caracas and other cities were without power, knocking out public transport, water supplies and leaving buildings without generators — including many hospitals — plunged into gloom. In the capital, streets were largely empty. There were lines for the very few buses running, but subway stations were closed, the underground trains stalled on their tracks. Shops were shuttered. Read more
Jussie Smollett has all charges against him dropped in ‘false police report’ case (Metro)
Jussie Smollett has had all charges against him dropped. The Empire actor was facing 16 felony counts for filing a false police report. However, all charges were dropped at an emergency hearing, with Smollett’s record now expunged. Jussie, 36, and his legal team attended an emergency hearing in Chicago this morning, where, according to TMZ, he was told to perform community service. The actor will surrender his $10,000 (£7,500) bond, and his record has been wiped clean. Read more
Southgate condemns racism as UEFA charge Montenegro (Punch)
Gareth Southgate has called for education to stamp out racism in football as European governing body UEFA opened disciplinary proceedings against Montenegro following abuse aimed at black England players during his side’s 5-1 Euro 2020 qualifier win in Podgorica. Raheem Sterling celebrated the fifth goal on Monday by cupping his ears towards the home fans as a sign of defiance, while Callum Hudson-Odoi said he and Danny Rose heard monkey noises aimed at them. “Sanctions are worthless if there is nothing alongside that to help educate people,” said England coach Southgate. Read more
Callum Hudson-Odoi: Uefa investigate racism case during Chelsea game (BBC)
Uefa is investigating an alleged case of racist abuse towards Callum Hudson-Odoi during Chelsea’s Europa League win at Dynamo Kiev on 14 March. Chelsea complained to Uefa after winger Hudson-Odoi, 18, was subjected to monkey chants from some Kiev fans. Skipper Cesar Azpilicueta told the referee while Blues chairman Bruce Buck also spoke to the Uefa delegate. If European football’s governing body finds “sufficient evidence” it will “open disciplinary proceedings”. Read more
Kevin de Bruyne, John Stones, Benjamin Mendy and Fernandinho injury boost for Man City (Metro)
Manchester City have been handed a huge boost ahead of their next Premier League game with four injured stars returning to training. Kevin de Bruyne, John Stones, Benjamin Mendy and Fernandinho all trained on Monday and should be available for City’s clash at Fulham on Saturday lunchtime. Pep Guardiola has had a host of injuries to deal with, but it looks like a number of those headaches are being soothed thanks to the international break. Read more
Evra faces legal challenge over ‘homophobic’ PSG abuse (Guardian)
Two gay rights groups on Tuesday filed legal complaints against former France and Manchester United defender Patrice Evra over insults directed towards Paris Saint-Germain players. Evra used a French homophobic slur while taunting PSG for their shock Champions League defeat by his former club. The complaint, for public insults of a homophobic nature, was lodged with the Paris public prosecutor by two groups, with the support of former amateur club Paris Foot Gay. Read more
Chinese international faces sack after ‘evil behaviour’ (Guardian)
China footballer Wei Shihao has been suspended for a month and could be sacked by his club Guangzhou Evergrande for a “malicious” foul in the loss to Uzbekistan, reports said on Tuesday. The 23-year-old winger was widely condemned by Chinese media and fans for his challenge on midfielder Otabek Shukurov in the first half of the home side’s 1-0 defeat on Monday. Wei was shown a yellow card after he raked his studs down the right calf of Shukurov who fell rolling his ankle. Read more