Lagos police arrest 10 for robbery, cultism (Punch)
The Lagos State Police Command said it arrested 10 suspects for robbery, cultism and drug peddling in various locations of the state during New Year patrols.
Two of the suspects, Hussein Hudu and Ibrahim Bello, were arrested for robbery after reportedly stabbing their victim, one Robert, around 4am on Friday in an attempt to rob him of his bag and phones. The duo’s accomplice, Adamu Zango, is said to be at large.
Two knives and their operational motorcycle with the number plate AGL 808 QL were reportedly recovered from the robbery suspects.
The eight other suspects – Kabiru Tajudeen, Ibrahim Hamed, Elijah Ogbonna, Daniel Emmanuel, Chukwuma Abiaza, Rafiu Kolawole, Ibrahim Ogundimu and Nwerrih Elvis – were apprehended for cultism and drug peddling. Read more
Foundation seeks upscale assistance to widows, less privileged (Guardian)
The Gregory Azemobor Foundation has called on well-meaning Nigerians to upscale their assistance to the needy.
Speaking at an event to give palliatives to some indigent members of society in Lagos, where no fewer than 30 families cutting across ethnic nationalities and religious affiliations were given foodstuff items, the Founder of Gregory Azemobor and Executive Director of Lifecard Investment Limited, Mr. Christopher Ibhakhomu, said Nigerians must always look out for the welfare and wellbeing of one another.
On why his foundation opted to help the affected families, Azemobor said the goal was to ensure that all Nigerians who are less privileged should feel the essence of the Season through interventions of rich and well-meaning individuals and corporate organisations. Read more
Arewa council installs Garba as new Sarkin Hausawa of Lagos (Vanguard)
Alhaji Kabiru Garba has been installed as the new Sarkin Hausawa of Lagos state, by the Arewa council.
His installation followed the demise of his father, Alhaji Sanni Kabiru, who was Chairman of the council of Arewa chiefs and Sarki Hausawa of Lagos state.
During his installation ceremony at the Arewa House in Ebute Metta, Lagos, chiefs of various Hausa districts in Lagos, among who were Seriki Ajrromi Ifelodun, Idi-Araba, Okokomaiko, Oshodi, Mushin, Ikorodu, Kosofe and Seriki Fulani, Alhaji Mohammed Zagagati, individually paid homage to the new Emir. Read more
Soldiers brutalised us mercilessly for stopping scavenger from entering Ogun estate – Guards (Punch)
David Adewuyi groaned for a few seconds as he slowly sat on a white plastic chair at a security post at Gloryland Estate in Arepo, Ogun State. His body ached as a result of bruises allegedly inflicted upon him three days earlier by some soldiers stationed in the community. Adewuyi, a security guard at Gloryland Estate, said the offence that resulted in his beating was preventing a Hausa scavenger from entering the estate.
In the past, Adewuyi said scavengers were allowed into the estate, but they were banned from doing so about two years ago due to incessant cases of burglary allegedly traced to them.
On Monday, December 14, 2020, when a scavenger pushing a wheelbarrow, holding a toggle and carrying a bag tried to enter the estate, Adewuyi said he and his colleague stopped the scavenger.
Little did they know that their action would pit them against some soldiers stationed in the community to guard against oil pipeline vandalism. Read more
Nigeria places 100 covid-19 violators on six months travel ban (Independent)
The Federal Government has placed travelling restrictions on 100 passengers, for non-compliance with mandatory protocol on tests upon arrival as outlined by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19.
Chairman of the PTF on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, disclosed this in a notice to the affected passengers on Saturday.
The notice explained that the 100 defaulters would be restricted for six months, for failure to comply with the mandatory Day seven Post Arrival COVID-19 Polymerise Chain Reaction (PCR) test, and that the six months restrictions, which took effect from January 1, would last till June 30, 2021. Read more
NMA, Iwu blame citizens’ nonchalant attitude for second wave of COVID-19 (Guardian)
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Lagos State Chapter has decried the care free/nonchalant attitude of the Nigerian public towards the COVID-19 protocols, arguing it is largely responsible for the second wave of the deadly virus.
In its New Year message, its Chairman, Dr. Adetunji Adenekan said: “In celebrating as a people, we must not forget that utilising the lesson of our failure in preventing the second wave of COVID-19 is key in ensuring its containment and the strengthening of our health system, especially against emerging and reemerging biologic agent(s) and other hazards.”
Adenekan urged all frontline personnel to continue to respond to the challenges brought upon them by the fragility of the country’s health care system, including COVID-19. Read more
New Year: Four arrested for faking kidnap to raise money (Punch)
The police in Ekiti State have arrested four men for allegedly faking the kidnap of one of them, Adelusi Adeweye, to get N250,000 from his family members for New Year celebration.
The three other suspects are Yusuf Hassan, Yakubu Usani and Agboola Damilola, who the police said were arrested alongside the fake kidnap victim in a bush between Iworoko Ekiti and Ifaki Ekiti at about 10pm on New Year’s eve.
The Spokesperson for the police in the state, Sunday Abutu, said in a statement on Saturday entitled, “RRS arrests self-kidnapper, three others,” that the suspects were arrested by the police following a report of the matter which made the cops to swing into action. Read more
Stop empowering youths with motorcycles, tricycles, monarch cautions groups (Guardian)
The traditional ruler of Amizi-Olokoro in Umuahia South Council of Abia State, Eze Cyril Ogbenna, has called for an end to empowering youths with tricycles, motorcycles and allied vehicles, saying the practice would lead to dearth of artisans with crucial skills.
He said that rather than continue with this method of empowerment, youths should be sponsored to acquire practical skills that will enable them engage in meaningful ventures thereafter.
The monarch decried the decreasing number of mechanics, vulcanizers, bricklayers, tailors and other artisans in the communities because youths have embraced commercial tricycle, motorcycle and motor transportation businesses that do not require long apprenticeship. Read more
Governance: Northern leaders criticized Jonathan, PDP unjustly – Imam Khalid (Sun)
Muhammed Nuru Khalid, also known as Digital Imam, is the outspoken Imam of Apo Legislative Quarters, Abuja. In this interview, he accused northern leaders of suddenly going mute about insecurity in the North.
Some days ago, the United States government blacklisted Nigeria for religious intolerance. What does that portend for the country?
It’s a wake up call for Nigeria. It’s also a call for improvement and not indictment as being perceived by some people. The US government, in my opinion, was simply calling on Nigeria to improve on religious freedom and tolerance. I am not saying we are doing badly in that regard, but there’s a lot of things that we are supposed to do that we are not doing, and some others that we are supposed to improve upon to guarantee religious freedom. Read more
DR Congo pardons two men over President Kabila assassination (BBC)
Two men convicted over the assassination of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s President Laurent Kabila 20 years ago have been pardoned.
Although Mr Kabila was shot by his bodyguard, two of his senior officials, Col Eddy Kapend and Georges Leta, were implicated in the killing.
President Félix Tshisekedi commuted their death sentences last June.
The pardon comes amid a rift between Mr Tshisekedi and his predecessor, Laurent Kabila’s son Joseph. Read more
Why Israel is leading the world with COVID-19 vaccinations (CBC)
Every day, the online research publication Our World In Data releases information about vaccine doses being administered across the globe. And every day, one country emerges as a world leader: Israel.
For example, when the University of Oxford-based organization released its Jan. 1 data, the total number of vaccination doses administered per 100 people for Canada was 0.26. For the U.S., it was 0.84. The United Kingdom: 1.47. And for Israel it was 11.55, 44 times more than Canada.
But Israel, with a population of nine million, was also tied for third in the world in total number of doses (1 million), behind China (4.5 million) and the U.S. (2.79 million). Canada’s dose count totalled just under 100,000. Read more
UK ticket-holder wins £39m EuroMillions jackpot (BBC)
A UK ticket-holder has started the new year by winning the EuroMillions jackpot of nearly £40m.
One ticket matched all five regular numbers and two lucky stars in the draw on Friday night to win the £39,774,466.40 prize.
Camelot’s Andy Carter, senior winners’ adviser at the National Lottery, said: “What an amazing start to 2021 for UK EuroMillions players.” Read more
Former CNN talk show host Larry King hospitalized with COVID-19, network says (CBC)
Former CNN talk show host Larry King has been hospitalized with COVID-19 for more than a week, the news channel reported Saturday.
Citing an unidentified person close to the family, CNN said the 87-year-old King is undergoing treatment at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
Hospital protocols have kept King’s family members from visiting him. Read more
Nicki Minaj shares gallery of baby pics, writes note to infant son (PageSix)
It’s been three months since rap superstar Nicki Minaj gave birth to her first child, and she’s now sharing photos of her son with fans for the first time.
It appears the 37-year-old Queens artist is finally comfortable sharing photos of her baby boy, taking to Instagram Saturday to share several adorable pictures of the infant — her first child with husband Kenneth Petty.
Nicki Minaj mulling ‘difficult decision’ of hiring nanny for newborn son
While the “Expensive” artist is remaining mum on his name, she lovingly refers to her son as “Papa Bear” in a New Year’s post dedicated to her firstborn.
“#PapaBear thank you so very much for choosing me to be your mama 🎀🦄🙏 ,” she wrote, going on to wish her followers a positive 2021. Read more
Four dead in northern Alberta helicopter crash (CBC)
Four people died Friday when a helicopter crashed into a farmer’s field in northern Alberta.
An RCMP spokesperson said Saturday it appears that the people killed were a couple and their children.
Spirit River RCMP were dispatched to respond to a call from an emergency location transmitter in a Robinson R44 helicopter in the Birch Hills County area, Alberta RCMP said in a news release Saturday. Sgt. Shawn French said the call came in at about 8:50 p.m. local time on Friday. Read more
“Growing body of evidence” shows COVID-19 leaked from Chinese lab: US official (NYPost)
The campus of the Wuhan Institute of Virology in the central Hubei province.AFP via Getty Images
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U.S. National Security Adviser Matthew Pottinger is doubling down on the theory that COVID-19 leaked from a Chinese government-run lab in Wuhan.
Pottinger, a staunch critic of Beijing, allegedly made the claim in a recent Zoom meeting with British officials.
“There is a growing body of evidence that the lab is likely the most credible source of the virus,” Pottinger reportedly said, according to the Daily Mail.
The Trump appointee pushed the theory as the European Union made a new investment deal with China last week over protests from Pottinger and hesitance from the incoming Biden administration. Read more
Madrid close to agreeing four-year Alaba deal (Punch)
Real Madrid have reportedly emerged as the clear favourites to sign Bayern Munich defender David Alaba.
Despite remaining as a key player at the Allianz Arena, the Austria international has less than six months remaining on his contract.
The versatile 28-year-old is now in a position where he can hold discussions with any foreign clubs who are interested in his signature.
However, Marca claims that Real are now regarded as the frontrunners after offering Alaba a contract until the end of the 2024-25 campaign. Read more
Ryan Garcia stops Luke Campbell after surviving knockdown in Dallas (BBC)
Luke Campbell’s hopes of another world title shot suffered a severe blow as Ryan Garcia rose from the canvas to land a superb stoppage in Dallas.
In a gripping lightweight fight, Briton Campbell landed a left hook in round two to floor Mexican-American Garcia.
Some asked how the much-hyped Garcia might respond to adversity and while he fought on emotion, he found answers.
Campbell survived a tough attack in the fifth, but a well-placed body shot ended the contest two rounds later. Read more
Arsenal see off West Brom in ruthless display (BBC)
Arsenal continued their Premier League resurgence with a ruthless victory over strugglers West Brom at The Hawthorns.
Defender Kieran Tierney’s excellent solo run and curling finish put the Gunners in front in the first half, before the impressive Bukayo Saka rounded off a stunning passing move to make it 2-0.
Alexandre Lacazette added the third and fourth goals after the break – smashing in a rebound from Emile Smith Rowe’s shot before he was set up by Tierney.
It was Arsenal’s third league victory in a row after they had failed to win their previous seven. Read more
Aussie pro surfer displays life-saving skills in daring beach rescue (CBC)
At first Mikey Wright, like everyone else, didn’t quite know what to make of the situation.
The Australian pro surfer had been calmly walking on a Hawaiian beach with his sister (women’s World Surfing Champion Tyler Wright) and wife Shenay, when they noticed a beachgoer caught in the surf along Oahu’s north shore.
“Oh no,” cried a nearby voice,”…she’s getting dragged out.”
But, even as others raced to help, as footage posted by Wright on Instagram shows, he realized that he too might need to intervene. Read more
Barca’s Coutinho out for three months (Guardian)
Barcelona midfielder Philippe Coutinho has undergone left knee surgery and will be sidelined for “around three months,” the club revealed on Saturday.
The 28-year-old Brazilian required the operation to mend a torn meniscus after he limped off the pitch late in Tuesday’s home draw with Eibar.
That 1-1 stalemate left Ronald Koeman’s side in sixth in La Liga, 10 points behind leaders Atletico Madrid.
Coutinho, who joined Barcelona three years ago from Liverpool but was loaned to Bayern Munich last season, joins Koeman’s list of long-term absentees which includes Ansu Fati and Gerard Pique, both also sidelined with knee injuries. Read more
Paul Westphal, Basketball Hall of Famer, dead at 70 (NYPost)
Paul Westphal, a Hall of Fame guard who won a championship with the Celtics in 1974, played for the Knicks from 1981-83 and later coached in the league and in college, died Saturday. He was 70.
He died in Scottsdale, Ariz., according to a statement from Southern California, where Westphal starred in college. He was diagnosed with brain cancer last August.
A five-time All-Star guard, Westphal played in the NBA from 1972-84. After winning a championship with the Celtics, he made the finals in 1976 with Phoenix, where he was a key part of one of the most riveting games in league history.
In his two seasons with the Knicks, he played 98 games, averaging 10.3 points and 5.5 assists. He landed with the team after five straight All-Star seasons, the last of which came with the Seattle SuperSonics. Read more