Lagos orders public, private schools to vacate Friday (Punch)
The Lagos State Government has asked public and private schools in the state to vacate on Friday.
This was contained in a statement, on Thursday, titled ‘LASG directs schools to vacate on Friday, December 18, 2020’.
In the statement, the Director General, Office of Education Quality Assurance, Ministry of Education, Mrs Abiola Seriki-Ayeni, said, “the 2020/2021 first term academic session for public and private schools comes to an end on Friday 18th December, 2020”. Read more
Gridlock: Lagos to install over 2,000 CCTV cameras to boost traffic mgt in 2021 (Vanguard)
Lagos State Government has announced plans to install over 2,000 Close Circuit Television, CCTV, cameras across the state next year to monitor traffic congestion as well as complement efforts of traffic managers in combating the menace of traffic offenders on the road.
This came as the State Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, commended the management and staff of Lagos Traffic Radio, LTR, for their relentless effort in providing traffic information and also efforts in reducing gridlock through live reports, which enables residents to navigate smoothly across the metropolis on a daily basis.
Speaking as the Lead Speaker at the Fifth Lagos Traffic Radio Lecture Series Webinar on Thursday, with the Theme: ‘Traffic Law Enforcement; The New Normal’, Hamzat, said the station has lived up to its mandate and called on residents to always tune in to the station to plan their journey daily, which would further ease travel time. Read more
Two lawyers jailed for N24m fraud in Lagos (Punch)
The Lagos Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission said it has secured the conviction and sentencing of two lawyers, Sogo Akinola and Feranmi Akinluyi for their involvement in fraudulent activities.
The EFCC, in a statement by its Head, Media and Publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwujarem, recalled that the convicts were arraigned sometime in October 2018 on three counts bordering on conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretences and stealing to the tune of N24m.
The two lawyers were convicted and sentenced on Thursday to two years in prison by Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos. Read more
Lalong tests positive for COVID-19 (Punch)
Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State has tested positive for COVID-19 after a test carried on him and members of his family.
The governor’s Director of Press and Public, Makut Macham, confirmed the development in a statement in Jos on Thursday.
According to him, the governor’s test result returned positive while all members of his family tested negative. Read more
Palace of Edo traditional ruler burned down by hoodlums (Sun)
Suspected hoodlums have reportedly burned down the palace of an Edo traditional ruler, the Enogie of Ukhiri, His Royal Highness, Godwin Aigbe.
It was gathered that the incident which occured on Tuesday in Ukhiri Community, in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State, left some of the inherited artefects and age long traditional items in the palace completely burnt.
Investigation indicate that the Edo traditional ruler has been having serious running battle with some persons lately.
HRH Aigbe, speaking with newsmen in the wake of the incident, said that he was almost killed an attack last year, but that his life had been spared by God. Read more
Seme border remains closed, 24 hours after FG order (Guardian)
Nigeria’s land border with Benin Republic at Seme, near Badagry, Lagos State, remained closed, more than 24 hours after the Federal Government announced its reopening on Wednesday.
A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), who visited Seme on Thursday evening, reports that human and vehicular movement across the border post was restricted as the frontier remained under lock.
NAN reports that intending travelers were denied exit at Seme by officials of Nigeria Immigration Service who claimed that they were yet to get formal directive to reopen the border. Read more
Fuel price reduction: Marketers defy FG’s order, sell at higher price band (Sun)
Fuel marketers across major and independent retail outlets have adopted multiple price bands in the sale of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly called petrol.
Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige, had after meeting with officials of labour unions in Abuja last week, announced that all parties resolved that the price of petrol be reduced by N5 per litre with effect from December 14
However, findings by Daily Sun across major and independent retail outlets within the Lagos metropolis from Monday revealed the implementation of multiple price bands by marketers. Read more
Transfer Window: Over 2,100 change PFAs over poor services (Vanguard)
Following the launch of the pension transfer window by the National Pension Commission (PenCom) recently, over 2, 100 Retirement Savings Account (RSA) holders have applied to move their pension accounts from their current Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) to a new one.
Head, ICT, PenCom, Mr. Polycarp Anyanwu, made the disclosure at the virtual 2020 Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria (PenOp) media retreat for pension correspondents.
Anyanwu said over 2,100 applications were submitted and received by the Commission between November 16 and 30. Read more
Eddie Murphy is completely regal in new look at “Coming 2 America” as King Akeem returns (Metro)
Eddie Murphy has promised the original cast of Coming to America have ‘brought their A-game’ for the sequel Coming 2 America, as fans have been given a first look at his character.
It’s been quite some time since the actor starred as Prince Akeem in the original film which follows the young royal’s attempt to find a bride – 32 years, in fact.
But it seems his character has had quite the glow up, becoming King and looking a whole lot more regal. Read more
French president Emmanuel Macron tests positive for Covid (WSJ)
France’s Emmanuel Macron has tested positive for COVID-19, forcing several European leaders to self-isolate after coming into contact with him.
The 42-year-old president was tested after developing symptoms and will now self-isolate for seven days, the Elysée Palace said in a statement.
He “is still in charge” of running the country and will work remotely.
EU chief Charles Michel and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez are among the leaders having to self-isolate. Read more
Remembering Mohamed Bouazizi: The man who sparked the Arab Spring (AlJazeera)
“17 December 2010 would have been a normal day if the local press and people hadn’t been here,” says Ali Bouazizi. “The fact they decided to stop being afraid of the government changed everything.”
It is 9 pm and Ali, who is now 48 years old, has just returned home from work in his mini-market in Sidi Bouzid, a small town in the centre of Tunisia.
He used to see his cousin, Mohamed, almost daily, as the 26-year-old often helped out in Ali’s shop. Read more
Ellen DeGeneres suffered ‘excruciating back pain’ after testing positive for Covid-19 (Metro)
Ellen DeGeneres suffered ‘excruciating back pain’ while battling Covid-19. The 62-year-old confirmed last week that she has tested positive for coronavirus, and took to Instagram on Wednesday to update fans on her condition. While the chat show host is feeling better, she informed fans of an unexpected symptom of Covid-19. Read more
Scientists may have detected radio emissions from a distant exoplanet for the first time ever (RT)
Scientists have detected what could be the first radio emission collected from a planet beyond our solar system, in a potential game changer in the hunt for habitable worlds ripe for colonization.
An international team of scientists used the Netherland’s Low Frequency Array (LOFAR) radio telescope to explore three systems known to contain exoplanets: 55 Cancri (41 light-years away), Upsilon Andromedae (44 light-years away), and Tau Bootis (51 light years away).
Only the Tau Bootis system emitted the radio bursts the researchers were expecting based on previous tests performed on Jupiter. Tau Bootis produced “bursty” emissions measuring 14-21 MHz, as they’re described in the scientific literature.
“We present one of the first hints of detecting an exoplanet in the radio realm,” lead researcher Jake D. Turner said. Read more
Hotel Rwanda ‘hero’ sues Greek airline for ‘aiding kidnap’ (BBC)
The man portrayed as a hero in a Hollywood movie about the Rwandan genocide, Hotel Rwanda, says he is suing a Greek charter flight company for aiding his alleged kidnap.
Paul Rusesabagina says that in August he intended to visit Burundi but after he boarded a private flight in Dubai he was instead flown to Rwanda.
He was arrested for leading “terrorist movements”, Rwandan officials said at the time.
His lawyers denied the charges. Read more
Bill Gates says the worst of the pandemic is still ahead of us (Metro)
Bill Gates has become an unlikely figurehead during the coronavirus pandemic. So much so that he even got his own conspiracy theory. But the billionaire philanthropist, who has invested heavily in fighting the virus, has some warning words for the months ahead. Speaking to CNN in the US, Gates warned that the worst of the pandemic was still ahead of us, telling the channel the ‘next four to six months could be the worst of the pandemic.’ Read more
Man Utd forward Edinson Cavani charged over Instagram post (Goal)
Manchester United’s Edinson Cavani has been charged by the Football Association for a social media post containing a Spanish phrase that is offensive in some contexts.
The Uruguayan sent the message after scoring United’s winner at Southampton on 29 November.
Cavani, 33, subsequently deleted the post and apologised when the meaning that could be attached was pointed out.
The striker could be banned for three matches if he is found guilty. Read more
Chelsea defender Reece James has Christmas presents stolen whilst volunteering for charity Chelsea (Metro)
Chelsea defender Reece James has been left angered after thieves broke into his car to steal Christmas presents he had planned to give to children. The 21-year-old was working with the Felix Project this week, a charity which helps feed local communities in London by diverting surplus food to those in need. But after helping out with the charity, he returned to his Mercedes to find that the window had been smashed while all the presents had been stolen. Read more
Russia banned from Tokyo Olympics and 2022 World Cup after Cas ruling (BBC)
Russia’s ban from all major sporting events after a doping scandal has been cut to two years by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The ban still prevents Russia from competing in the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, set to be held next year, and football’s 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Russia was initially given a four-year ban by the World Anti-Doping Agency. Read more
‘Mental torture’: Pakistan’s Amir quits international cricket (AlJazeera)
Pakistan fast-bowler Mohammad Amir says he is retiring from international cricket after being treated in a “shabby” manner and “mentally tortured” by his team’s management.
The 28-year-old, who had already retired from Tests, was not selected in the 35-member squad for the New Zealand series last month and was also overlooked for the home series against Zimbabwe.
“I don’t want to play international cricket any more,” Amir, who has previously been banned for spot-fixing, told AFP news agency. Read more
Maradona’s body ‘must be conserved’ for DNA test, judge rules (BBC)
The body of football legend Diego Maradona “must be conserved” pending a paternity case, an Argentine court has ruled, halting cremation plans.
Maradona died from a heart attack last month, aged 60.
Responding to a lawsuit filed by a woman who says Maradona could be her father, the court said a DNA sample of the footballer must be submitted.
He had two daughters from a marriage. After his divorce he recognised paternity of six more children. Read more
Premier League confirms changes to substitution rules (Metro)
A fresh attempt to allow Premier League teams to make five substitutions per match this season has failed. The likes of Jurgen Klopp have argued vociferously for teams to be allowed to make up to five changes, as was the case over the course of Project Restart, in a bid to protect the welfare of players in light of the unrelenting schedule. Klopp had become embroiled in a bitter war of words with Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder on the subject and the German will undoubtedly be unimpressed following the vote at Thursday’s Premier League shareholder meeting. Read more