Lagos police explains visit to Brooks Estate, Magodo (Guardian)
Lagos Police Command has warned that any restriction deliberately put in the way of officers in any estates in Lagos will no longer be tolerated.
The command spokesperson, Adekunle Ajisebutu, who gave the warning, denounced news on social media, alleging that the State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, locked down Brooks Estate, Magodo, Isheri during his visit to the estate as fake news.
Ajisebutu claimed that the purveyors of the news are those whose intention is to make a mountain out of a molehill and are out to blackmail the Commissioner for personal reasons.
According to him, the rejoinder is not intended to join issues with mischief-makers peddling the news, but to unclad the truth in the interest of the public who might be tempted to believe the story. Read more
Lagos blames multiple police checkpoints for Apapa traffic (Sun)
An aide of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has called on the Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, to remove the multiple check points mounted by the police leading to Apapa and Tincan ports to allow for free flow of traffic on that axis.
Head of Operations, Special Apapa Traffic Management and Enforcement Compliance Team and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Central Business District, Mr. Sola Giwa, said human interference was a major factor that invalidated all the mechanisms employed to tackle the traffic situation in the area.
He called on the police to reduce the number of checkpoints between Ijora and Apapa, as well as between Mile Two and Tincan.
“The police said the checkpoints were to monitor criminal activities, but at every point, these truckers get to, the policemen don’t just extort money from them, but disrupt the free flow of traffic in the process. Also, we still have bad portions on the roads, especially the high bridge that leads from Apapa to Ijora and the road from Apapa to Surulere. They are in very bad state. There also about two kilometre stretch between MTN and Mile Two that is left undone on the Tincan axis. The government should fix that bad portion.” These are major reasons we still have trucks on that axis, though we have also deployed mechanisms to reduce the traffic by introducing timeframe for trucks returning empty containers and the rest. I am imploring NPA and Nigerian Shippers Council that it is high time holding bays of the shipping lines had enough space to retain these trucks.” Read more
Mouka partners Lagos to celebrate first babies of 2022 (Guardian)
Mouka Limited has restated its commitment to add value to life and sustaining partnership with the Lagos State Government, as it celebrated with families of babies born on New Year day in Lagos.
It presented gifts to mothers of the first babies at the Harvey Road Health Centre and Maternity, Yaba and replicated same gesture at the Onikan Health Centre and Lagos Island Maternity Centre.
Items presented at the event were dreamtime baby mattresses, Mouka baby mats, baby wipes and diapers and others items of values to the mothers and babies.
Speaking at the event, wife of the Lagos governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, commended Mouka for the items and it consistency in adding value to life. Read more
Policewoman soaks niece’s hands in hot water for stealing meat (Punch)
A policewoman identified simply as Ruth has been arrested for allegedly inflicting injuries on her 10-year-old niece, identified only as Miracle.
Ruth, who resided at the Dutse Alhaji area of the Federal Capital Territory, was said to have caught Miracle stealing a piece of meat from her pot of soup on the Christmas Eve.
A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the policewoman tied the victim’s two hands and dipped them inside boiled water.
The resident added that neighbours, who heard her cries, alerted the police and Miracle was rushed to the Kubwa General Hospital. Read more
Anyim, Clark preach godliness, tolerance, love (Guardian)
Erstwhile President of the Senate, Anyim Pius Anyim, has charged Nigerians to key into the promises of God in 2022 and stand firm to rescue Nigeria.
In his New Year message, titled “2022 offers us new hope and fresh opportunities,” Anyim lamented that the economic crisis in 2021 showed in inflation, unemployment, under-employment, job losses, weak naira and general low earning capacities that brought Nigerians face to face with threat to their very survival.
He said the outgone year was a combination of natural disasters and man-made crisis which put Nigeria and the citizens through very challenging life tests that stretched their endurance to the limits.
Regretting that insecurity, which many citizens had wished would abate, got a resurgence in 2021 and compounded the already difficult life for most Nigerians, Ayim maintained that COVID-19 made a devastating comeback in other variants that shrank social and economic interactions further, and retarded the initial modest economic recoveries made after the first pandemic in 2019.
2019.
Besides, elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, yesterday, enjoined Nigerians to imbibe tolerance and love. Read more
Police deploy personnel as gunmen kidnap ASUU chair, Plateau ex-gov aspirant (Punch)
A former governorship aspirant in Plateau State during the 2019 elections, Kemi Nshe, has been kidnapped by gunmen.
PUNCH Metro gathered that Nshe, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party who served as the chairman of the Shendam Local Government Area of the state at different times, was kidnapped alongside Dr Monday Hassan, the Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities at the Plateau State University, Bokkos.
It was further learnt that the two persons, said to be friends, were abducted at the residence of the former council boss in Shendam in the early hours of Saturday.
Governor Simon Lalong hails from Shendam LGA in the southern zone.
Nshe and Hassan’s abduction came barely 24 hours after kidnappers released a traditional ruler, Charles Dakat, in the neighbouring central zone of the state. Read more
Buhari, Atiku, Gbajabiamila Mourn Olubadan (DailyTrust)
President Muhammadu Buhari has condoled the government and people of Oyo State, the royal family, the Olubadan-in-council and the people of Ibadan on the passing of Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji.
The President, in a statement issued on Sunday by his spokesman, Femi Adesina, said the late Kabiyesi was a visionary and compassionate leader who used the spheres of his influence as a respected traditional ruler and a lover of the creative industry to advance the progress of his people.
President Buhari, who said the deceased encouraged and motivated his people to give their best in their vocation and to the nation, stated that his demise had “understandably” left a huge void to fill.
The President urged the people of Ibadan and Nigerians from different walks of life to honour the eternal memory of the deceased by imbibing the virtues he cherished so much: generosity, peace, tolerance and devotion to unity.
President Buhari expressed trust that the process of selecting the successor of the 41st Olubadan of Ibadanland would be guided by wisdom, understanding and good judgment that exemplified the life he lived. Read more
Mbaka claims anonymous DSS invitation, seeks prayers from congregation (Punch)
The Spiritual Director of Adoration Ministry, Enugu, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, said on Sunday that it had received another invitation from the Department of State Services.
Operatives of the DSS had in June 2021 visited the Adoration ground to deliver a letter of invitation to Mbaka.
Mbaka raised the alarm on Sunday that his life was no longer safe, saying an anonymous person brought another invitation to him for interrogation by the DSS.
He had earlier hinted about the invitation from the DSS in his New Year message during the crossover night service at the Adoration Ground, Emene, Enugu. Read more
APC convention shaky as ‘cabal’ plots consensus (DailyTrust)
The much anticipated national convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) slated for next month is shaky as various tendencies intensify efforts to hijack the party ahead of the 2023 general elections, Daily Trust reports.
Top chieftains of the party including aspirants lamented that six weeks after February was fixed for the exercise, the caretaker committee under the leadership of the Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, has not commenced proper preparations for the exercise.
Governor of Kebbi State and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) Atiku Bagudu, had on November 22 announced the choice of February for the convention at the end of a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari.
But six weeks after, the meeting with the president and fixing of the exercise for February, the committee has not kick-started arrangements for the exercise, thus fuelling suspicion among party chieftains on the commitment of the committee to conduct the convention. Read more
Sudan’s prime minister resigns after mass protests (BBC)
Sudan’s Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok has resigned after another day of mass protests rocked the capital Khartoum.
Thousands marched against a recent deal he had done to share power with the army, who staged a coup in October.
Chanting “power to the people”, protesters called for a return to full civilian rule. But military forces staged another violent crackdown, leaving two people dead.
Mr Hamdok’s decision to quit leaves the army in full control of government.
It is another blow to Sudan’s fragile attempts at a transition to democratic rule after a popular uprising led to the overthrow of Sudan’s long-term authoritarian President Omar al-Bashir in 2019. Read more
Pope Francis calls violence against women an ‘insult to God’ (Metro)
Pope Francis addressed worshippers at St Peter’s Basilica in Rome (Picture: Vatican Pool/Getty)
Pope Francis has said violence against women is an ‘insult to God’ in his new year’s wishes to the world.
During mass at St Peter’s Basilica in Rome, Francis ushered in 2022 by praising women for promoting peace in the world.
Mothers ‘know how to overcome obstacles and disagreements, and to instil peace,’ the pope said.
‘In this way, they transform problems into opportunities for rebirth and growth. They can do this because they know how to “keep”, to hold together the various threads of life. Read more
Tweeps troll NaakMusiq for denying his engagement to Robyn (TheSouthAfrican)
Actor and musician NaakMusiq has rubbished Musa Khawula’s claims that he is engaged to his girlfriend, Robyn Leigh.
This is after the entertainment reporter announced that the pair are engaged on Twitter.
Also read: ‘Mxm, rest!’: NaakMusiq responds to fake Gucci fashion police
Robyn Leigh reveals she’s engaged to Naak MusiQ pic.twitter.com/9xj6XoxjI9
— Musa Khawula (@khawula_musa) January 2, 2022
Isono actor NaakMusiq has put cold water to Musa Khawula’s reports that he and Robyn Leigh are engaged to be married. Read more
Ukraine complains over Emily in Paris stereotype (BBC)
Ukraine’s culture minister says he has complained to Netflix over the portrayal of a character from Kyiv in Emily in Paris.
The Netflix show follows a young American, played by Lily Collins, who travels to the French capital for work.
In the latest series, Petra, a Ukrainian, shoplifts during a trip with main character Emily.
Oleksandr Tkachenko described the caricature image of Petra as “insulting”.
Petra, who is played by Ukrainian actress Daria Panchenko, is also portrayed to have a poor fashion sense and is afraid of being deported. Read more
Gal Gadot hints at Wonder Woman appearance in new DC movie (NME)
Fans believe that Gal Gadot has hinted that her Wonder Woman character is set to appear in another forthcoming DC movie.
Gadot reprised her role as Wonder Woman in Wonder Woman 1984, which was released at the end of 2020, with a third film in the series already confirmed.
To mark the end of 2021, Gadot shared a video of highlights from her year, which fans have been inspecting and believe holds a clue to her future plans.
In the July section, she shared a photo of her in a make-up chair, which features a crew member in the background wearing a maroon lanyard. Read more
The Mack star Max Julien dies on New Year’s Day aged 88 (Metro)
Max Julien, famed for playing Goldie in the blaxploitation film The Mack, has died aged 88.
According to reports, his wife Arabella found him on New Year’s Day. His cause of death has not yet been confirmed.
‘During Julien’s decades-long career, he was known for being bold, honest and straightforward,’ said his PR team in a statement.
‘He would live and speak his own truth both professionally and privately. He was thought of as a rare “man among men.”‘ Read more
Cape Town: Fire ravages South African Parliament (DW)
A fire broke out at the South African Parliament building in Cape Town in the early hours of Sunday morning, and spread to the wing housing the current National Assembly, where parliament sits.
As the blaze continued to spread, it caused the roof of the old National Assembly building to collapse later on Sunday, though the parliament sits in the newer version.
President Cyril Ramaphosa told reporters at the scene an arrest had been made. “Someone has been held right now and is being questioned,” he said.
An investigation has been launched into the fire, and one person has been detained for questioning over the fire, President Cyril Ramaphosa said. Read more
Sanusi, Okoye in camp, 13 Eagles train inside Abiola stadium (Punch)
FC Porto defender Zaidu Sanusi and Spata Rotterdam goalkeeper Maduka Okoye arrived the Super Eagles camp on Sunday to increase the number of players in camp to 13 ahead of their 2021 AFCON.
But 12 players including Sanusi trained at the newly refurbished main bowl pitch of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja on Sunday under the watchful eyes of interim coach, Austin Eguavoen.
It is the first time in a long while the Eagles will train at the stadium, which was recently unveiled by the Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, after renovation.
Sanusi, Moses Simon, Francis Uzoho, Henry Onyekuru, Peter Olayinka, Chidozie Awaziem, Chidera Ejuke, Daniel Akpeyi, Sadiq Umar, Olisa Ndah, John Noble, Taiwo Awoniyi were the players in training.
The three-time AFCON champions opened camp for the competition last Wednesday with three players — Ndah, Noble and Awoniyi. Read more
Oparaoji, Edwards emerge Abuja Tennis Cup champions (Guardian)
Oparaoji Uche and Marylove Edwards started 2022 with victory, as they emerged men and ladies champions of the maiden Top 8 Abuja Tennis Cup decided at the weekend at the Centre Court of Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
Oparaoji, who is currently ranked national number one, whipped Henry Atseye in two straight sets 6-2, 6-2 for the title.
In his first serve of the final match, Atseye fired an ace, which gave the impression that he was ready to subdue his opponent. Though, he has big service as his weapon, he could not cope with Oparaoji’s series of volley and cross court shots that saw the latter churning up points thus breaking with ease to end the encounter in two straight sets.
“It was hard training and determination that earned me the victory,” Oparaoji said. “I have been battling with injury that denied me the Rainoil title. But I have overcome the injury, and I put in my all in training. Read more
Why Sarr couldn’t join Senegal for AFCON -Watford (Punch)
Watford refuted accusations from the Senegalese football federation (FSF) on Sunday of preventing forward Ismaila Sarr from playing in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations.
The FSF claimed Watford had displayed “disrespectful, pernicious and discriminatory behaviour”.
However, Watford believe Sarr, who is currently sidelined with a knee injury and has not featured for the Premier League club since November, is not yet fit enough to feature at the tournament in Cameroon later this month.
The Hornets handling of Sarr’s fellow forward Emmanuel Dennis has also been controversial, with Nigeria saying the English club were “baring fangs” when refusing to release him for international duty. Read more
Ashleigh Barty and Aryna Sabalenka lead the line-up at the Adelaide International (UbiTennis)
Ashleigh Barty and Aryna Sabalenka are in the spotlight at the first WTA 500 tournament of the 2022 season in Adelaide.
The line-up of the Adelaide International features five of the top 10 players, including top 2 players Ashleigh Barty and Aryna Sabalenka, 2021 Adelaide defending champion and 2020 Roland Garros winner Iga Swiatek, and Maria Sakkari, who reached the semifinals at Roland Garros and at the US Open in 2021.
Paula Badosa will face a opening round clash against Victoria Azarenka in a re-match of last October’s Indian Wells final. Badosa battled past Azarenka 7-6 (7-5) 2-6 7-6 (7-2) in one of the best matches of the 2021 season. The winner of this match will face either two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova or Priscilla Hon.
Barty will play her first tournament since the 2021 US Open. The Australian player won five titles in 2021 at the Yarra Valley Classic, Miami, Stuttgart, Wimbledon and Cincinnati. Barty and Sabalenka have byes into the second round. Read more
Futures qualifier Megan Ehrnfeldt commits to Drexel (SwimSwam)
Megan Ehrnfeldt from Leesport, Pennsylvania has announced her commitment to continue her academic and athletic careers at Drexel University beginning in the 2022-2023 school year.
“I am beyond thrilled to announce I have decided to study and swim at Drexel University! I absolutely love the campus, team, and amazing coaching staff. I’m incredibly thankful to my parents, coaches, friends, and teammates who have helped me get to where I am today. I couldn’t be more excited to get started!! Go Dragons!’’
Ehrnfeldt swims for Boyertown Area YMCA out of Boyertown, PA. In March 2021, she earned numerous best times at YMCA Regionals. Those times included the 50 (24.24) and 100 (52.35) freestyles, 100 backstroke (56.18), 100 butterfly (56.03), and 200 IM (2:07.62). Those times give her Futures cuts in the 100 butterfly, 100 backstroke, and 200 IM.
She continued her success into the summer and earned many long course best times at the YMCA Festival. Those times included the 50 (27.03), 100 (58.94), and 200 (2:08.33) freestyles as well as the 100 butterfly (1:02.95). That 100 butterfly time is just off of the Winter Juniors cut which is a 1:02.69. Read more
Alonso ‘too impatient with Honda’ suggests Davidson (F1i)
Fernando Alonso may be coming to regret how he dealt with Honda’s struggles during their time together at McLaren, according to former F1 driver turned Sky Sports F1 presenter and commentator Anthony Davidson.
Alonso arrived at Woking for his second stint with the team in 2015, just as the team began a new technical partnership with the Japanese automotive giant.
Unfortunately the latest alliance proved disastrous, and by 2017 a string of power and reliability issues left McLaren mired in ninth in the constructor’s standings and Alonso himself 15th in the drivers’ championship on a meagre 17 points.
Alonso did not hold back and made some excoriating public criticisms of Honda at the time. McLaren ended up buying itself out of the contact with the engine provider and took up with Renault in 2018, making immediate gains. Read more
Chelsea battle back to deny Liverpool title race revival (Guardian)
Chelsea came from 2-0 down to earn a point from a pulsating 2-2 draw with Liverpool on Sunday that does little for either side’s hopes of catching Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.
City’s lead now stands at 10 points from Chelsea with Liverpool a point further back, albeit with a game in hand.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was absent along with three key players due to positive coronavirus cases, but the Reds still raced into a two-goal lead thanks to parting gifts from Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah before they head off to the Africa Cup of Nations.
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel made the bold call to drop record signing Romelu Lukaku after the Belgium attacker went public with his displeasure at being used sparingly by the German. Read more