Lagos CP to DPOs: Watch out for impersonators, as fake Inspector meets waterloo (Nation)
Lagos Police Commissioner (CP) Hakeem Odumosu Thursday declared war on impersonators with marching orders to Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) to clampdown on such persons.
He was reacting to the arrest of a 45-year-old man, Anya Okorie, arrested for alleged impersonation of a Police Inspector.
Okorie, a resident of 7, Alabata Street, Ikotun, was apprehended on full Police attire by operatives attached to Ketu Division and handed over to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) Yaba for investigation.
Similarly, police operatives arrested one Usman Ali, 21, a motorcyclist who posed as a soldier of the Nigerian Army and chased another motorcyclist into a police division in Surulere and attacked the victim with a jack knife. Read more
Man abandons wife over son’s illness (Punch)
A woman, Kehinde Omoyeni, has accused her husband, Olashile, of abandoning their 17-year-old son, Clinton, after he was diagnosed with a congenital heart disease at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja.
Kehinde told PUNCH Metro that after she informed her estranged husband that the boy needed surgery, estimated at N3.1m, he started avoiding discussions on his health.
The 43-year-old woman said her spirit was broken when her husband’s family accused her of taking advantage of her son’s condition to make money.
She said, “Clinton suddenly started stooling and vomiting, and I took him to see a doctor at the Ikorodu General Hospital. He complained of consistent chest pain in the hospital and the doctor said he had a heart problem and referred us to LASUTH. Read more
Nigeria exits recession, records 0.11% growth in Q4 (Punch)
Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product recorded a slight growth of 0.11 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2020, the latest figures from the National Bureau of Statistics revealed on Thursday.
The NBS disclosed in its report on ‘Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product for Q4 and full-year 2020’ that the GDP contracted by 1.92 per cent in 2020.
Part of the report read, “Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product grew by 0.11 per cent (year-on-year) in real terms in the fourth quarter of 2020, representing the first positive quarterly growth in the last three quarters. Read more
Wikki Tourists bus burnt to ashes in accident (Sun)
The players of Wikki Tourists Football Club of Bauchi State escaped death by the whiskers on Thursday morning as the bus conveying to Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State, for a match fixture, was involved in an accident.
Secretary of the club, Abdullahi Ibrahim, the Marafan Ciroman Bauchi confirmed the incident to our correspondent via telephone.
He disclosed that the accident occurred at Hawan Kibo, Plateau State as the team was on its way for a match fixture with Dakada United of Akwa Ibom this Saturday at Uyo.
“Yes one of the tires of the bus burst and the vehicle was engulfed by fire. Fortunately, the vehicle did not somersault and all the players and other occupants were able to espcaope through the windows of the bus. No one was hurt but the players and the occupants are in shock,” he said.
He explained that the bus left Bauchi at about 4: 00 am today (Thursday) and was moving smoothly before the accident. Read more
Hisbah commander arrested with married woman in hotel (DailyTrust)
The Kano State Police Command has arrested a top Hisbah official with a married woman in a hotel room at Sabon Gari area of the state capital.
The official, who is known to be at the forefront of arresting prostitutes and other wayward girls, when questioned by the police about the woman, said she was his niece who was having issues with her husband and that that was why he kept her in a hotel room pending when the issues would be resolved. Read more
NNPC advocates sanctions for marketers hiking fuel prices (ThisDay)
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has called on the authorities to sanction any marketer caught increasing petrol prices arbitrarily.
The national oil company also reiterated that there will be no increment in the ex-depot price of petrol in February 2021 in spite of the rise in the price of crude oil in the international market.
This was disclosed in a press release by the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Dr. Kennie Obateru, on Thursday.
The statement explained that the decision was to “allow ongoing engagements with organised labour and other stakeholders on an acceptable framework that will not expose the ordinary Nigerian to any hardship, to be concluded”. Read more
NAFDAC approves AstraZeneca Covid vaccine (Punch)
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has approved the use of AstraZeneca Vaccine for use in Nigeria, it’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said on Thursday.
With this development, Nigeria stands in a better position in the ongoing battle against the infection of Coronavirus pandemic among the global community.
The PUNCH had reported that the Astrazeneca vaccine was recently approved by the World Health Organization for emergency use to curtail the spread of COVID-19
Adeyeye at a press conference in Abuja said NAFDAC got the dossier of the vaccine a week ago, while its safety committee went to work immediately to evaluate its safety and efficacy for Nigerians. Read more
TCN recovers power grid, installs 60MVA transformers (DailyTrust)
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) said it has recorded the fastest recovery of the power grid system within 45 minutes after a partial collapse on Wednesday.
According to a data record of the partial system collapse from TCN on Thursday, the parts that were affected by the partial power system collapse were fully recovered in 45 minutes, being the fastest of such activities in the history of the power sector.
The records also showed that during the system disturbance, power supply at the south-eastern axis remained intact without experiencing an outage.
In a briefing on Thursday, the acting Managing Director of TCN, Engr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, confirmed this. Read more
Nigeria cannot sustain open grazing – Governors (Vanguard)
Thirty-six state governors under the aegis of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF has said that Nigeria as a country cannot sustain open grazing, just as they stressed the need to strengthen the National Livestock Transformation Plan.
According to them, it is there the view that the traditional approach to grazing was no longer sustainable and that modern approach to livestock management needs to be put in place, adding that they feel strongly that the strengthening of the National Livestock Transformation Plan would be a good place to start this comprehensive revisiting of the livestock management arrangement.
Reading a Communique after the meeting of the governors in Abuja that took place Wednesday night and into the early hours of yesterday, NGF Chairman and Ekiti State governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi attributed the porosity of the nation’s borders to the Proliferation of light arms that are now being used to kidnap and commit other criminal acts, especially by the Fulani Herders.
According to Fayemi, the governors have resolved that crime and criminality must be comprehensively prosecuted to their logical conclusion, just as they stressed that they are opposed in totality to Ethnic profiling of crime. Read more
Rihanna blasted for nude photo, donning necklace of Hindu god (news.com.au)
Rihanna is under fire from fans for cultural appropriation after posting a topless image of herself wearing a pendant depicting the Hindu god Ganesha.
The photo, which the star posted to Instagram on Tuesday, sees the singer and makeup mogul in a pair of lavender satin boxers by her lingerie label, Savage X Fenty, dripping with matching jewels including statement earrings and beaded necklace.
But what appears to be a diamond-studded carving of the elephant-headed deity, who represents wisdom and respect, has been slammed as “disrespectful” by followers.
Calling Rihanna out in the comments, one fan said: “You’re wearing a deity necklace and a Murthi (image of a deity) of my culture that’s already been culturally appropriated enough in the past few years. Read more
US life expectancy falls by a year amid pandemic (BBC)
Life expectancy in the US fell by a full year in the first half of 2020, a change experts say was fuelled by the growing coronavirus pandemic.
The life expectancy for the entire population dropped to 77.8 years, according to a report by the Centers for Disease Control.
“This is a huge decline,” Dr Robert Anderson, the CDC’s Chief of Mortality Statistics, told the Associated Press.
But there were even greater changes among ethnic minority groups. Read more
European, US diplomats to discuss reviving 2015 Iran deal (AlJazeera)
Top diplomats from European powers and the United States will hold talks to see how to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, days ahead of a deadline set by Tehran that could hinder these efforts.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian will host his German and British counterparts in Paris on Thursday, with new US Secretary of State Antony Blinken joining via videoconference, the French foreign ministry said on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Iran plans to restrict some UN nuclear agency inspections if the US does not lift its sanctions – imposed since 2018 by former President Donald Trump – by February 21, under the terms of a bill adopted by its parliament in December. Read more
Fans furious after Meek Mill mentions Kobe Bryant, helicopter in new song (PageSix)
Meek Mill has fans fuming after the rapper referenced the late Kobe Bryant and a helicopter in his new song.
On Wednesday, a clip from Meek’s new track with Lil Baby leaked online, which reportedly includes the lyrics: “If I ever lack I’m goin’ out with my choppa, it be another Kobe.”
Fans blasted Meek on Twitter, calling the verse “disrespectful.” The Lakers legend tragically died in a helicopter crash one year ago, alongside his teenage daughter and several others. Read more
Demi Lovato had 3 strokes, heart attack and nearly died after 2018 overdose (news.com.au)
Demi Lovato has spoken candidly about the 2018 overdose that almost killed her ahead of the release of her new documentary, revealing she suffered three strokes, a heart attack and has lasting brain damage.
The 28-year-old singer is set to launch YouTube special, Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil next month, and has elaborated on the incident in teasers for the film.
In the trailer, she said: “I had three strokes. I had a heart attack. My doctors said that I had five to 10 more minutes.”
Elsewhere, she told reporters she was left with brain damage which she still deals with the effects of to this day. Read more
Sugarbook dating app maker arrested over ‘promoting prostitution’ (BBC)
The founder of a controversial “sugar daddy” dating app in Malaysia has been arrested under anti-prostitution laws, police said on Thursday.
Police did not name the suspect but media and the website of Sugarbook say the founder is 34-year-old Darren Chan.
Sugarbook promises to link younger women with older men who are expected to provide financial support.
Last week the app boasted that thousands of students, which it called “sugarbabies”, had joined. Read more
WHO to send over 11,000 Ebola vaccines to Guinea amid outbreak (AlJazeera)
More than 11,000 Ebola vaccines are expected to arrive in Guinea’s capital Conakry on Sunday after the country declared an Ebola outbreak last week.
The World Health Organization’s regional director for Africa, Matshidiso Moeti, told reporters on Thursday that on top of 11,000 jabs expected to land from Geneva, a further 8,600 will be shipped from the United States.
Speaking to reporters at the same press briefing, Mohamed Lamine Yansane, a senior adviser to Guinea’s health minister, said that vaccines will be immediately distributed to start the vaccination campaign as early as Monday.
“We are strongly supported by the experience gathered during the first wave of the Ebola epidemic,” said Yansane, referring to the outbreak that lasted from 2013-16. Read more
Serena Williams breaks down in Australian Open press conference, walks out (news.com.au)
Serena Williams sent the tennis world into a spin after breaking down into tears when asked about her Australian Open farewell following her semi-final loss to Naomi Osaka.
An emotional Williams spent an extended time on court waving to the crowd on Rod Laver Arena and bowing three times while clutching her hands up to her chest.
That gesture had the tennis world speculating the 39-year-old superstar may have played in Australia for the final time.
That speculation reached a frenzied level after her press conference when she chose not to directly answer a question about her future. Read more
Brady edges into Australian Open final against Osaka (Punch)
American Jennifer Brady edged Karolina Muchova 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 in a tense Australian Open semi-final on Thursday to set up a title match with Naomi Osaka.
The big-serving 22nd seed secured her first Grand Slam final appearance on her fifth match point against the Czech 25th seed in front of thousands of fans allowed back on Rod Laver Arena after a snap five-day lockdown in Melbourne was lifted.
She will play Osaka in Saturday’s final after the world number three earlier ended Serena Williams’ bid for a record-equalling 24th major title 6-3, 6-4. Read more
Seiko Hashimoto takes over as Tokyo 2020 chief after sexism scandal (AlJazeera)
Japan’s Olympics Minister Seiko Hashimoto, a former Olympian who competed in seven Games, has taken over as Tokyo 2020’s new president after the previous chief was forced out over sexist comments.
She was named president of the Tokyo Olympic organising committee on Thursday after a meeting of its male-dominated executive board.
Hashimoto replaces 83-year-old Yoshiro Mori, a former Japanese prime minister who resigned last week after making sexist comments about women.
Following her appointment, Hashimoto said she would “spare no effort for the success of the Tokyo Games”. Read more
Novak Djokovic beats Aslan Karatsev to reach Melbourne final (BBC)
Top seed Novak Djokovic overcame stern resistance from Aslan Karatsev to reach the Australian Open final and end the Russian qualifier’s remarkable run.
Despite the world number 114 causing moments of tension, Djokovic had enough quality to win 6-3 6-4 6-2.
The 33-year-old Serb won the final four games to finally shrug off Karatsev.
Djokovic, who is going for a record-extending ninth men’s title in Melbourne, will face Daniil Medvedev or Stefanos Tsitsipas in Sunday’s final.
Russian fourth seed Medvedev meets Greek fifth seed Tsitsipas in the other semi-final on Friday, with both men trying to reach their first Australian Open final. Read more
Knicks dealt harsh reminder in buzzkilling beatdown (NYPost)
For a while, this seemed like another snug-fitting chapter in a surprising Knicks novella. For a while, the Knicks were making every shot they looked at, they were defending with their customary ferocity, they were thrilling the small but vocal contingent of Knicks fans on hand at Orlando’s Amway Arena.
Eleven minutes into Wednesday’s game, Immanuel Quickley made a pair of free throws.
The Knicks led the Magic, 32-21.
And .500 was so close, you could smell it. You could taste it. Now, look: .500 isn’t for everyone. Break-even feels like the worst kind of consolation prize most of the time. It’s the definition of average. It’s mediocrity. And there are few things less satisfying in sports than mediocrity. Read more
Bayern’s Pavard tests positive for COVID-19 (Punch)
French defender Benjamin Pavard is in quarantine after becoming the latest Bayern Munich player to test positive for the coronavirus, the Bundesliga club announced Thursday.
“Benjamin Pavard has tested positive for the coronavirus and is in quarantine at home. He is doing fine,” said Bayern in a short statement, confirming media reports from Wednesday evening. French World Cup winner Pavard, 24, is the fourth Bayern player to have contracted the virus, after Leon Goretzka, Javi Martinez and Thomas Mueller all tested positive in recent weeks. Read more