Lagos Govt begins recruitment in health sector (Vanguard)
The Lagos State Health Service Commission, says it has commenced mass recruitment of health sector workers to bridge the deficit in manpower requirement across the state’s public health institutions.
Dr Ademuyiwa Eniayewun, the Permanent Secretary, Health Service Commission (HSC), made this known on Thursday in Lagos.
Eniayewun said that Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu had approved the recruitment of a large number of health workers, while also directing that exit replacement should be done when due.
He said that the directive was imperative to ameliorate the effects of brain drain which often occurs and affects performance in the health sector. Read more
Lagos alerts residents on Coronavirus (Guardian)
Lagos State has assured residents that it is prepared for any eventuality on the fast-spreading Coronavirus from East Asia.
The State health commissioner, Akin Abayomi in a statement Thursday said, “The State Government is very committed to the health and safety of her citizens and there is no cause for panic or alarm.
China first reported the emergence of coronavirus at the end of December, the SARS-like virus has infected more than 500 and killed 17.
The country has consequently locked down Wuhan, a major travel hub and a city of 11 million Chinese residents. Read more
Lagos govt arraigns 36 persons for not using pedestrian bridge (DailyTrust)
The Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGSEC) said it has arraigned 36 persons before the state mobile court in Oshodi for failing to use pedestrian bridges in the state. The LAGSEC Corps Marshal, retired Commissioner of Police, Gbemisola Akinpelu, disclosed this yesterday during her monthly interface session with the agency’s senior officers at its Command Headquarters, Bolade-Oshodi. Join our whatsapp group here for Breaking News, Exclusives , others The 36 offenders, whose names were not mentioned, were said to have been arrested in various parts of the state. Read more
Osinbajo in talks with South West govs over Amotekun (DailyTrust)
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is currently meeting the governors of the South West geopolitical zone over the launch of a security outfit known as “Operation Amotekun”.
The outfit launched on January 9, 2020 was subsequently declared illegal by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami. Read more
Rail services: Excitement, relief as Lagos-Ogun mass transit train resumes operation (Vanguard)
Passengers and passersby have expressed relief and satisfaction as the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), on Thursday, resumed mass transit train services along the Ijoko-Iddo, Ogun, Lagos State, respectively.
Recall, NRC suspended daily train services, including mass transit train operations on the narrow gauge from Ijoko, Ogun to Iddo and Apapa in Lagos State in September 2019.
The corporation had informed its customers that the suspended train services would resume on November 15, 2019, but failed to meet the target based on some logistic constraints.
The District Manager of NRC in Lagos, Mr Jerry Oche, had earlier on Wednesday, said that the operation would resume on Thursday, January 23, 2020, with one return trip daily from Kajola in Ogun to Iddo in Lagos. Read more
Police quiz bank workers for alleged fraud, money laundering (Guardian)
The Lagos State police command is investigating three new generation banks for alleged fraud and money laundering of US$450,267.82, which is about N162,765,000. Already, two persons, including a bank worker, have been arrested in connection with the fraud and they are being quizzed by the Area ‘F’ Police Commander, ACP Akinbayo Olasoji, who is the lead investigator of the case.
A police source at command headquarters, Ikeja, who spoke on the condition of anonymity as he was not permitted to speak with newsmen, said: “As I speak with you, two bank workers are with the Area F Commander, who is personally investigating the case. It is a serious cartel of three banks. The banks are being investigated as they assisted in laundering the money, which they knew was proceeds of fraud.
“If not for our investigation, the bank was enjoying the proceeds of crime. Money laundering is a serious crime. The police are investigating so as to bring those involved in the crime to book. How can a bank worker have as much as N1 billion in his account? How much is his salary for life? We need to do something to fish out the bad eggs in the financial institutions,” the source said. Read more
Amotekun: Bring back Bakasi Boys, Ohanaeze Youth urge South-East governors (DailyTrust)
The leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Worldwide on Thursday asked governors of south east forum led by Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi state to reinstate the famous “BAKASSI BOYS” as the region security outfit. The group call came following the proposed plan for regional policing which culminated in the launch of Amotekun by governors of South West. Join our whatsapp group here for Breaking News, Exclusives , others This was contained in a statement issued and signed by the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youths Worldwide, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro and the Secretary, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike and was made available to Daily Trust. Read more
Ex-lover in court for allegedly stealing jewellery, property worth M343,000 (Vanguard)
A 35-year-old applicant, Micheal Igba, who allegedly stole wristwatches, jewellery and cosmetics belonging to his former girlfriend, on Thursday appeared in a Life Camp Magistrate Court, in Abuja.
The police charged Igba, who resides in Mpape Village, Abuja with two counts of housebreaking and theft.
The Police Prosecutor, ASP Peter Ejike of FCT Command, Abuja, alleged that the complainant, Esther Leva, reported the matter at the Life Camp Police Station on Jan. 12. Read more
Court acquits ex-Oyo lawmaker over death of ‘Sugar’ (Guardian)
An Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan Thursday discharged and acquitted Olafisoye Akinmoyede over the murder of a member of the House of Representatives in the last general elections, Hon. Temitope Olatoye popularly known as ‘Sugar’ and three others.
Akinmoyede, Alh. Rafiu Alimi, Alhaji Rasheed Oladele and Kazeem Ayinde were standing trial on a two-count charge on an alleged involvement in the death of Olatoye popularly who was shot dead during the March 9, 2019 gubernatorial and State House of Assembly election in Nigeria. Read more
IMN knocks police over alleged killing of journalist, Alex Ogbu (Nation)
The Islamic Movement for Nigeria (IMN) on Thursday faulted the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police spokesperson, Anjuguri Manzah, for not accepting that the police killed Alex Ogbu, a journalist in Abuja.
Last Tuesday, Shi’ite members protest was part of the daily Free-Zakzaky protests, which began from Utako Market and ended with crisis at Berger Bridge when the police allegedly fired gunshots and tear gas canisters to disperse the protest.
The gunshot hit the said journalist and killed him instantly but the police claimed that the journalist was a passerby.
Alex Ogbu, was until the murder, working with the Abuja-based Regent Africa Time magazine.
The IMN described the police act as incompetent and unprofessional. Read more
Face off: Legends Farah, Bekele go head to head in Big Half race in London (Vanguard)
Four-time Olympic champion Mo Farah will begin his Tokyo Games preparations by going head-to-head with Kenenisa Bekele at the Big Half race in March, organizers said on Wednesday.
Farah, who has won the previous two editions of the half marathon event in London, faces a tough battle to keep his streak intact against Ethiopian Bekele, the second-fastest marathon runner of all-time.
After competing as a marathon runner for the last two years, Farah has decided to return to the track in a bid to complete an Olympic hat-trick in the 10,000m race in Tokyo. Read more
Oduduru excited over sponsorship package for Tokyo Olympics (Guardian)
Nigeria’s hottest sprinter at the moment, U.S.-based Divine Oduduru has joined the growing list of athletes being sponsored by Team Visa to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Team Visa announced that Oduduru had been signed on to its global program for the Olympic Games. Vice President, Visa West Africa, Kemi Okusanya, stated that Team Visa athletes were selected based on their expected demonstration of strong competitive performance at the Olympics and Paralympic Games, regardless of nationality and background.
“They are selected based on their personal journey, competitive achievements and community involvement. Read more
Lawal, Babangida tip Super Eagles to top Qatar 2022 qualifying group (DailyTrust)
Former internationals, Garba Lawal and Tijani Babangida have tipped the Super Eagles of Nigeria to win Group C of Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifying series. At the draws held on Wednesday in Cairo, the 40 teams remaining in the race on the African continent were drawn into 10 groups of four teams each and the eventual winners of the groups will qualify for the final phase of the qualifiers. Join our whatsapp group here for Breaking News, Exclusives , others The six-time finalists, the Super Eagles who made their World Cup debut in 1994 in the USA were drawn in the same group with Cape Verde, Central Africa Republic and Liberia. Read more
Real Madrid Academy will empower new stars with formal education – Wike (Vanguard)
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has declared that the Real Madrid Academy will empower upcoming football stars with the requisite formal education to effectively rule the sporting world.
Addressing journalists after inspecting ongoing construction of hostels and additional classrooms at the Real Madrid Academy in Port Harcourt on Thursday, Governor Wike said several footballers were short-changed in the past due to lack of formal education.
He said: “We are combining education and football in this Academy. We felt that while they are playing football, they should be educated. So that those that may not make it, will continue with their education. Read more
Nigeria Powerlifting federation hit by crisis ahead of World Cup (DailyTrust)
All seems not to be well in the Nigeria Para Powerlifting Federation (NPPF) as powerlifters have vowed not to report to camp ahead of the Powerlifting World Cup to be staged in Abuja The championship which doubles as qualifiers for the 2020 Olympics will hold between February 5 and February 7, 2020. Join our whatsapp group here for Breaking News, Exclusives, others Daily Trust gathered that the powerlifters are not happy with the federation’s choice of Abuja as their training camp. Read more
Sarri set for emotional Napoli return, Rome prepares for fiery derby (Guardian)
Juventus coach Maurizio Sarri said he expects an emotional return to his former club Napoli on Sunday as Lazio and Roma prepare for a derby clash in Serie A after both capital-city sides exited the Italian Cup during the week.
Sarri missed Juventus’ home game against Napoli with pneumonia in August and Sunday’s game at the Stadio San Paolo will be his first since leaving the club in 2018 before his move to Chelsea.
“It will be a tremendously difficult game, emotionally it will be particularly special. Read more
Man United mentally need a mid-season break – Solskjaer (Vanguard)
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer claimed Manchester United’s dreadful defeat to Burnley was not “a fair reflection” of his players as they were “mentally” drained 10 days out from a mid-season break.
United are fifth in the Premier League but remain six points behind fourth-placed Chelsea after slumping to a shocking 2-0 loss to Burnley at Old Trafford.
Chris Wood and Jay Rodriguez got the visitors’ goals, while United, after passing up promising first-half chances, scarcely threatened a fightback.
Manager Solskjaer does not want United to wallow in the aftermath of the loss, yet he believes his players are struggling. Read more
Nadal aims to keep heat on Federer Slams record (DailyTrust)
World number one tennis player, Rafael Nadal Rafael Nadal will step up his bid for a record-equalling 20th Grand Slam title when he faces Argentina’s Federico Delbonis at the Australian Open on Thursday. The Spaniard can only count one Melbourne title among his 19 Majors but he will be confident of reaching the third round at least after winning all three previous meetings with Delbonis. Join our whatsapp group here for Breaking News, Exclusives , others Swiss great Roger Federer, winner of 20 Grand Slam tournaments, and eight-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic are already through after straightforward wins. Nadal has dropped only 10 games to 76th-ranked Delbonis in their previous meetings but he’s not immune to Grand Slam shocks, losing four times to players ranked 100 or lower. Read more
Barcelona and Madrid made to sweat by Ibiza and Unionistas (Guardian)
La Liga’s heavyweights were both given a scare by third-tier opponents in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday as Barcelona needed two late goals to beat Ibiza and Real Madrid dug deep for victory over Unionistas de Salamanca.
Barca sits 44 places ahead of Ibiza and Madrid 56 above Unionistas but the lowly duo both came close to extraordinary upsets, only for Ibiza to lose 2-1 and Unionistas 3-1 in front of their jubilant home fans.
With Lionel Messi rested and not even on the bench, Antoine Griezmann proved the saviour for Barcelona, scoring twice in the second half, including a 94th-minute winner, after Pep Caballe had given the hosts a fairytale lead at Can Misses. Read more
Polish star predicts tough test against Nigeria (Nation)
After demolishing Lithuania 3-0 in the first round of the ITTF World Team Olympic Qualifying Tournament to set up a second round tie against Nigeria today, Poland’s Jakub Dyjas has admitted that the West African side is one of the most dangerous teams in the world.
Ahead of today’s tie against the Nigerian men team made up of Aruna Quadri, Olajide Omotayo, Bode Abiodun and Segun Toriola, the Polish star described their first round over Lithuania as tough but admitted that they were in for a big fight against the African side.
“The score was 3-0 but it wasn’t an easy match. We were really focused, every one of us. In my game, I was down 7-3 in the third set, I tried to come back and succeed. Like before the European championship, we had a training camp in Porto. We practiced well and clever, I hope we will qualify for the Olympics. Team Nigeria is dangerous, they have very good players. So we need to think about the tactics and be prepared,” Jakub Dyjas said. Read more