Lagos declares zero tolerance for maternal, child deaths (Guardian)
Lagos State Government has declared zero tolerance for maternal, neo-natal and child deaths in the state.
The state’s Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, who stated this while speaking on the second round of this year’s Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week (MNCH) holding November 25-29, 2019, said Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had pledged not less than 15 per cent of the yearly budget to the Ministry of Health to ensure that Lagos residents enjoy the best healthcare when they visit public health facilities.
He said that the current administration had started implementing some strategies, including the elimination of environmental factors, sensitisation about adequate nutrition during pregnancy, immunisation and other complementary services to reduce cases of maternal and child deaths. Read more
7 tips you need to stay safe in Lagos traffic (Punch)
On Wednesday, the Lagos State government admitted that the traffic situation in the state has deteriorated, even as it assured motorists and commuters that the situation would not last for long.
The assurance notwithstanding, criminal elements in the city have been taking advantage of the terrible traffic situation to dispossess Lagosians of their valuables.
Below are a few tips on how to stay safe while in traffic: Read more
LAWMA shuts Oyingbo Market over careless refuse dumping (Punch)
The Lagos Waste Management Authority has put business activities on hold at the popular Oyingbo Market over sundry environmental infractions.
The Managing Director of LAWMA, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said in a statement on Thursday that the infractions included indiscriminate refuse dumping and refusal to patronise Private Sector Participation operators.
Others were roadside trading and poor hygienic practices resulting in serious environmental problems in the area.
Gbadegesin said that an abatement notice and several warnings issued to the traders yielded no result, thus necessitating the closure. Read more
Gbajabiamila urges capacity building to protect environment (Guardian)
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, has called for concerted efforts towards addressing the problems associated with climate change and environmental degradation in the country.
Speaking during the launch of the Global Legislators Organisation for a Balanced Environment (GLOBE) Advancing REDD+ and Natural Capital Governance towards delivery of the 2030 Agenda at the National Assembly complex yesterday, he observed that lack of technical know-how hindered effective implementation of policies. Read more
Policeman, five-year-old girl allegedly killed in Ekiti bank robbery (Punch)
Armed robbers on Thursday afternoon attacked a UBA branch in Oye-Ekiti, leaving two persons dead.
Sources said the victims were a young girl of about five years old and a man suspected to be the policeman attached to the bank.
A source said the armed robbers, who shot endlessly into the air on arrival and during the robbery, gained entrance into the banking hall after blowing up the door with dynamite.
According to the eyewitnesses, the robbers escaped with huge amount of money. Read more
ECOWAS Parliament urges Nigeria to reopen borders (Guardian)
The ECOWAS Parliament yesterday renewed its call on the Nigerian government to reopen its borders, stating that the development was hampering the implementation of the free movement of persons and goods within the West Africa sub-region.
The Speaker, Moustapha Cisse Lo, made the call in his opening address to the 2019 Second Ordinary Session of the Fourth Legislature of the Parliament in Abuja.
He explained that the closure was impeding the actualisation of the Protocol on the Free Movement of Persons. Read more
Son narrates how he killed 72-year-old father (Punch)
The Oyo State Police Command, on Thursday, paraded 41 suspected criminals, among whom was a 32-year-old man, Ibrahim Isiaka, who allegedly murdered his father.
Ibrahim, who lives in the Alagbaka area of Ashi, said he did not have the intention of killing his 72-year-old father, Busari Isiaka.
He said he was engaged in a heated argument with his father and in annoyance, he pushed him in the chest from a storey building and Busari fell on the staircase and died in the process. Read more
NEC to examine ownership structure of power distribution companies (Guardian)
The National Economic Council (NEC) has resolved to set up an ad hoc committee to look into the ownership structure of power distribution companies.
Imo Gov. Emeka Ihedioha disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents after the NEC meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He stated that `NEC resolved to constitute an ad hoc committee, including Kaduna Gov. Nasiru el-Rufai, as well as governors representing the six geo-political zones, to review the status of the ownership structure of the power distribution companies. Read more
Group urges governments to increase funding for malaria intervention (Guardian)
The fight against malaria can be won if only governments at all levels are willing to invest more in malaria intervention, according to the Civil Society Malaria Control, Immunisation, and Nutrition (ACOMIN).
The group made this known yesterday in Jalingo, Taraba State, at a media briefing on Global Fund (GF)’s Malaria Accountability and Advocacy Project.
It said for such a dream to be achieved, states and councils must invest more by making budgetary allocation for malaria intervention. Read more
Genetic makeup of 12-year-old Angolan boy in dispute (Guardian)
The genetic makeup of a 12-year-old Angolan, boy is now disputed by experts after his deceased mother allegedly told him he is the offspring of a human-chimpanzee love affair, reports the Gazeta Nacional.
The story made national headlines and has unleashed an outpour of generosity towards Augusto Dembo, 12, who now lives with his uncle and aunt in the capital city of Luanda.
Although the young boy has become an instant celebrity, many experts dispute the claim that he is the product of the s*xual intercourse between a human and a chimpanzee. Read more
NBBF celebrates D’Tigress’ passage to Tokyo 2020 qualification tournament (Guardian)
The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) is in festive mood following Nigerian women national team’s passage to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics qualification tournament at the weekend.
Nigeria defeated Mali in the semifinals of the FIBA Africa Pre-Olympic qualifying game on Sunday to book the ticket to the last round of the qualifying series, which will see 14 teams battling for the final 10 slots.Speaking on the feat, NBBF President, Musa Kida said the feat was the right result for the hard work of the federation, players and coaches. Read more
OparanozIe’s wonder strike wins FRENCH award (Punch)
Desire Oparanoize’s wonder goal against Paris FC Women on Sunday has won the Goal of the Week in the French women’s league, Sports Extra reports.
The goal ended her eight months drought.
The Guingamp striker received the honour for her 40 yards strike in the 92nd minute, which earned her side a 2-0 victory over Paris FC Women. Read more
Oshoala 2019 football championship kicks off December 4 (Guardian)
A football competition put in place by Super Falcons striker, Asisat Oshoala, for girls is slated to kick off at the Campus mini stadium, Lagos Island next month.
According to the organisers, the first phase of the event will take place from December 4 to 6, while the second phase will hold between December 21 and 24.
Oshoala declared that her major aim is to ensure that the girl child gets well educated and at the same time attain any height in sports. Read more
Auba postpones Arsenal contract talks (Punch)
Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has reportedly postponed talks over a new contract with the North London club.
The Gabon international is said to be considering a move away from the Emirates next summer amid interest from Barcelona, who are looking for a long-term replacement for Luis Suarez.
Reports have suggested that Aubameyang will explore his options next summer if Arsenal once again fail to reach the Champions League. Read more
Milan offer Zlatan €6m (Punch)
The ball is in Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s court, as Milan reportedly offered a six-month deal with an option to extend the contract for an additional year, worth a total €6m.
The 38-year-old is set to leave MLS club LA Galaxy in December and a return to Milan looks very likely, after the reports on established contact between the player and club’s representatives.
Now it’s reportedly up to the former Sweden international to make his choice, and the Gazzetta dello Sport claims that Milan has offered to pay the superstar €6m if he stays on for 18 months. Read more
Klopp picks out ‘his game to enjoy’ in Liverpool’s season so far (Vanguard)
Jurgen Klopp has picked out Liverpool’s Carabao Cup victory over Arsenal as his most enjoyable game so far this season.
Liverpool’s youthful lineup battled back from 4-2 down to win 5-4 on penalties after a thrilling 5-5 draw at Anfield.
The victory further compounded the December fixture list headache, with Liverpool’s involvement in the Club World Championship in Qatar meaning they will have to separate their squad to deal with the games. Read more
ABS Footbal Club unveils new players (Guardian)
Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) Ilorin FC, yesterday unveiled its new players ahead of the commencement of the 2019/2020 Nigeria National League (NNL).
Unveiling the players, the club’s Director of football, Alloy Chukwuemeka, urged them to be good ambassadors of the club.
He told them that the motto of the club is Discipline and that they must uphold it wherever they found themselves not only on the pitch. Read more
Adamawa Utd, Akwa Starlets pick first league wins (DailyTrust)
Struggling Adamawa United and Akwa Starlets defeated their opponents in the remaining midweek matches played yesterday to record first victories in the ongoing Nigeria Professional football League. At the Pantami stadium in Gombe, Adamawa United who lost 0-2 at Warri Wolves last Sunday recorded a slim 1-0 win over Abia Warriors. The Yola based club who were seeking their win of the season got off the mark with an eleventh minute goal from Adam Yakubu which was enough to secure all three points for them. Read more
NFF sets next week to decide fate of national team coaches (ThisDay)
Strong indications emerged yesterday that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has set next week to decide the future of all the national team coaches in its employment following the below par performance of most of them in recent competitions.
Aside Super Eagles’ Head Coach, Gernot Rohr, whose contract extension talks is undergoing, there are indications that it is likely going to be a massive ‘Tsunami sweep’ of most of the coaches, including those handling the women teams. Read more
Musa to sponsor 100 University students (DailyTrust)
Nigeria captain Ahmed Musa has disclosed his intention to sponsor 100 students in Skyline University in Kano. Musa was unveiled as the University’s ambassador on Wednesday, after helping the Super Eagles to back-to-back victories over Benin and Lesotho in their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying games. The Al Nassr forward has been involved in various charitable projects including the construction of a sports centre in Kano, and he is now set to help youngsters chase their academic dreams with scholarships in the private institution. Read more
Rohr rules out new players for Super Eagles (Independent)
Coach Gernot Rohr has explained that the Super Eagles as presently constituted need more harmony to excel and do not necessarily need new and untested players.
Speaking to reporters in Lagos on Thursday, the Franco-German manager said that presently, there was no need for fresh players in the team, even as he admitted that there could still be areas of need going forward.
“We need harmony in the team and if you are bringing in new players to do better for the team than they are doing now, which one do you want to push out of the team? Read more