Lagos okays hijab on school uniforms (Nation)
Lagos State Government yesterday lifted its ban on the use of the hijab on uniforms in schools. This was contained in a circular, signed by A.O Olukoya for Tutor General/Permanent Secretary, entitled “Re-The Use of Hijab in Lagos State Public Schools.” The circular reads: “Since the case of the use of hijab in Lagos State is still pending in the Supreme court of Nigeria, status quo be maintained, to avoid contempt of the court, that is students be allowed to wear hijab on school uniforms but same must be short, smart, neat and in the same colour of the uniform (skirt). Read more
FG serves roadside Ladipo market auto parts dealers eviction notice (Guardian)
The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mr Adedamola Kuti, on Tuesday issued final eviction warning to auto spare parts dealers at the popular Ladipo Market in Lagos, trading on its Right of Way (RoW). Kuti also served final notices on car dealers on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway during a RoW recovery tour by the ministry. While inspecting the Ladipo Market, he warned spare parts dealers who displayed their wares on the road set back to desist from the act and trade only inside the market. Read more
Jonathan, PDP attack Osinbajo over debt profile, corruption claims (Punch)
Former President Goodluck Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party on Tuesday criticised Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo over his claim that the former President left Nigeria with debt and ruined the economy due to alleged corruption under his watch. The Vice-President had during a lecture entitled, “Restructuring and the Nigerian federation,” delivered as part of activities marking the 40th anniversary of the Association of Friends in Lagos on Monday, accused the Jonathan administration of throwing Nigeria into untold hardship, recession and debt. Read more
Army intercepts female suicide bomber in Borno (Nation)
The Army has said troops of 251 Battalion arrested a female suicide bomber attempting to wreak havoc on Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. It warned famers in Maiduguri area to close up their farming activities and return home by 4 p.m everyday as from yesterday. A statement by the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 7 Division of the Army in Maiduguri, Colonel Kingsley Samuel, reads: “All farmers to please note that all gates along the Maiduguri parapet will henceforth close by 1600 hours (4 p.m). So, farmers are enjoined to leave their farms early to make the timing.” Read more
Nnamdi Kanu: Defence team makes a U-turn on Orji Kalu’s summons (Punch)
The defence team of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, has dropped its push to have a former Governor of Abia State Orji Kalu appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja and testify about the whereabouts of the Biafran activist, The PUNCH has learnt. This, it was learnt, was due to Kanu’s surprised emergence in an online video clip reportedly showing him praying in Israel. Read more
Our fears ahead 2019 polls, by Christians (Nation)
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) yesterday raised the alarm on desperation of politicians ahead of the 2019 general elections saying it was a sign of danger. The President, CAN, Rev. Samson Ayokunle, said if something urgent was not done to curtail such desperation, it could set the country on fire. Ayokunle, who spoke when he paid a courtesy call on the Bayelsa State Government, at the Government House, Yenagoa, also appealed to politicians to stop the violence and killings across the country. Read more
Bill proposes 10 years jail for killing, exporting donkey (Nation)
A bill prohibiting any Nigerian or foreigner from killing or shipping a donkey for commercial purposes has passed second reading in the House of Representatives yesterday. The bill, sponsored by a lawmaker, Garba Datti Muhammad (APC Kaduna) stipulates 10 years imprisonment for anyone that breaks the proposed law. Muhammad, while presenting arguments on the bill, said it seeks, among others, to prohibit the killing of donkeys in Nigeria and the exportation of donkeys or it’s carcasses or derivatives out of Nigeria. Read more
We’ve 334,000 policemen, says IG (Nation)
Inspector-General of Police (I-G) Ibrahim Idris has put the figure of policemen in Nigeria at about 334, 000. Idris spoke yesterday in Abuja at the 2018 Safe School Leadership Empowerment Conference and Awards. Represented by Commisioner of Police Olusegun Odumosu of the Inspectorate Department at the Force Headquarters, the IG said in spite of the challenges confronting the force, it had evolved modern strategies, principles and modules to keep up with security demands. Read more
Cameroon drops fake news charges (BBC)
The Cameroon government has dropped charges of fake news levelled against a prominent TV journalist from an Anglophone region. Mimi Mefo Takambo was arrested after sharing reports on social media alleging that the military was behind the death of an American missionary. The military says the case was shelved on the orders of President Paul Biya. Read more
Melania calls for White House aide’s firing (BBC)
US First Lady Melania Trump has called for a top national security aide to President Donald Trump to be fired. The first lady feuded with Mira Ricardel, the deputy national security adviser, during her tour of Africa in October, US media report. “It is the position of the Office of the First Lady that she no longer deserves the honour of serving in this White House,” her spokeswoman said. Read more
AWCON 2018: Super Falcons ready to fight and win, says Ebi (Vanguard)
Super Falcons reliable defender, Onome Ebi revealed that the team is in high spirit and ready to fight their opponents to a standstill when they begin their quest for a ninth title at the Africa Women Cup of Nations starting on Saturday. Ebi, who was handed the captain band by coach Thomas Dennerby stated that though there are no easy teams anymore in Africa the Super Falcons aim is to reach the final and win. Read more
‘Strange’ playing at Wembley – Rooney (BBC)
England’s all-time leading goalscorer Wayne Rooney says it will be “strange” playing at Wembley in his farewell appearance for the country. Rooney, 33, retired from international football in 2017, but will win his 120th and final cap in a friendly against the United States on Thursday. England’s record appearance-maker Peter Shilton criticised the move saying caps should not be “given out like gifts”. Read more
Federer wins to keep alive London hopes (BBC)
Roger Federer recovered from his first-match nightmare to keep alive his hopes at the ATP Finals with a comfortable victory over Dominic Thiem. Switzerland’s Federer, knowing defeat would mean he would not advance from his group, beat the Austrian 6-2 6-3. The six-time champion had slumped to a shock defeat by Kei Nishikori on Sunday but he cut down on his errors to win. Read more
Internet fraudster bags one-year jail term after plea bargain (Punch)
Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Lagos State Special Offences Court has sentenced an Internet fraudster (Yahoo boy), Abraham Sunday, to one-year imprisonment following a plea bargain. Justice Taiwo delivered her judgement on Tuesday after Sunday had pleaded guilty to two counts of obtaining money by false pretences and possession of fraudulent documents. Read more
Father of 11 commits suicide over missing N600,000 church money in Delta (Vanguard)
A 59-year-old man, identified as Julius Numa, reportedly committed suicide over stolen N600,000 harvest fund kept with him. It was gathered that he had sent out a text message to his friends and relatives demanding for financial assistance or he would kill himself before hanging himself in his room in Oton area of Sapele, Delta State, on Sunday. Read more
Businessman arraigned for allegedly defiling sales girl (Punch)
A businessman, James Elewenson, has been arraigned before the Candide Johnson Magistrates’ Courthouse for allegedly defiling a 17-year-old girl in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State. PUNCH Metro learnt that Elewenson runs a boutique where the victim worked as a sales girl. It was alleged that 37-year-old Elewenson had on several occasions made sexual advances to the victim. Read more