Lagos reopens Shina Peller’s club (Nation)
The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) says it has re-opened Club Quilox, after securing the management’s commitment to comply with the state’s Environmental Laws, Regulations, Guidelines and Standards.
The General Manager, LASEPA, Dr Dolapo Fasawe, said in a statement on Saturday that the club was reopened after management committed to carrying out its activities without obstructing the flow of traffic on Ozumba Mbadiwe and other adjoining streets.
Fasawe said that the club’s management promised to ensure its clients’ vehicles were properly parked in designated areas. Read more
Obasanjo knocks Ambode for abandoning Lagos rail project (Guardian)
Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has criticised former Lagos State governor Akinwunmi Ambode for abandoning the Lagos light rail project while he was the governor of the state between 2015 and 2019.
“We borrowed to build a light rail in Lagos, embarked on the project and a succeeding governor abandoned the project for his full term of four years at 65 per cent completion when he should have started paying down on the loan,” Obasanjo said on Friday in Lagos as a keynote speaker at the “Why I am Alive” campaign.
Obasanjo also criticised Ambode of prioritising the construction of Oshodi bus interchange. The terminus was commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari days before Ambode left office even though the project was not completed. Read more
After a Decade of Boko Haram Insurgency, Herd of Elephants Sighted in Borno (ThisDay)
For the first time in over one decade of brutal Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast, a herd of about 250 elephants has been sighted in Borno – the epicentre of the Jihadist insurgency.
The elephants were sighted around the borders with Cameroon and Chad.
Reacting to the development, excited Borno State government on Friday said the sighting of the elephants was a sign that peace was gradually returning to the area that had been ravaged by Boko Haram insurgency. Read more
Christmas: We’re in dire straits –TUC (NewTelegraph)
As Christians all over the world celebrate Christmas to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ, organised labour under the aegis of Trade Union Congress [TUC] has advised Nigerians to display the spirit of love towards one another as the country is currently going through difficult moments.
In a statement made available to New Telegraph, the union congratulated Christian faithful, saying, “it is indeed worthy of commendation as it would afford people the opportunity to show love and also contemplate on things eternal to humanity that bring peace of the hearts. Read more
Gunmen That Attacked My Home Must Be Arrested, Prosecuted, Insists Jonathan (ThisDay)
Former President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday conducted sympathisers round the marine security post’s scene of the attack on his country home in Otuoke, Bayelsa State, with a call on security agents to ensure the arrest and prosecution of the gunmen who carried out the attack.
The assailants had stormed Jonathan’s country home on December 24, at about 1:30 am, in not less than five engine boats and attacked the marine security post located on the periphery of his residence. They also tried to take control of a gunboat belonging to the military at the post.
They were, however, resisted by gallant soldiers who engaged them in firefight. The gunmen, who could not stand the firepower of the military, were forced to beat a retreat. Read more
Fintiri lauds Nigerian Army on insurgency fight (Guardian)
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, Deputy Governor, Adamawa state, Chief Seth Crowther, inaugurating the newly built Entrepreneurial and Ski Acquisition Centre at Gibson Jalo Cantonment in Yola, Adamawa State on 28/12/2019.
Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State has commended the Nigerian Army in tackling the activities of Boko Haram terrorists in the north east and restoration of peace in Adamawa state.
Fintiri, who was represented by his deputy, Chief Seth Crowther, gave the commendation during the inauguration of multi-million Naira projects in Gibson Jalo Cantonment on Saturday in Yola.
He said that concerted efforts had been made to review and improve the security structure of the state in order to checkmate threats in the state. Read more
53 Communities Drop FGM in Imo, Vow to Prosecute Offenders (ThisDay)
In line with the Imo State Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Prohibition Law No. 6 of 2017, about 54 autonomous communities in two local government areas of the state have publicly declared the abandonment of the practice of FGM and warned those who intended to go back to the practice should be prosecuted.
The two local governments are Ikeduru and Oguta council areas, as their traditional rulers, president-generals, women and youth leaders, and religious leaders gathered in their respective council headquarters to publicly re-state their collective resolutions of abandonment of FGM in all the communities under them.
In their separate resolutions signed by Chairman of Ikeduru Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Marcel Egemonu and Chairman and Secretary of Oguta Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze F.C. Okafor and Eze Albanus Ozuruoha respectively, said female genital mutilation had ceased to be a culture and tradition of the people of all the villages and communities in the two local governments. Read more
Sinach Unmasks Miracle Baby (ThisDay)
Few people knew about it until her spiritual father, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome broke the news at his International Music and Artistes Awards event in Lagos last month. The big news of the arrival of her baby at the age of 46, five years after marriage, created palpable excitement for the popular gospel artiste, Osinachi Kalu simply known as Sinach and her Pastor husband, Joseph Egbu.
Described as a “miracle” child, the adorable baby boy was for the first time on December 22 shown to the world by the celebrated gospel singer, writes Ferdinand Ekechukwu
Five years of marriage without an issue must have put huge pressure on her, particularly at age 46. But the maternal reprieve came; a work of God and a walk in abundance to her childbirth journey. Described as a miracle child, the adorable baby boy would for the first time on December 22, 2019 be shown to the world by the celebrated Nigerian gospel singer in wishing everyone the very best the season comes with. Read more
Somalia blast death toll reaches 107 (NewTelegraph)
At least 90 people were killed and dozens were wounded when a bomb-laden vehicle exploded at a bustling checkpoint in the Somali capital Mogadishu on Saturday, an international organisation working in the country said, in one of the most deadly recent attacks.
The dead included many students and two Turkish nationals, the Somali foreign minister said.
Rescuers carried bodies past the twisted wreckage of a vehicle and a minibus taxi smeared with blood. Read more
Amazon’s Ring cameras are vulnerable to hackers, lawsuit in U.S. claims (Vanguard)
Amazon.com Inc and its Ring home security camera unit have been sued by an Alabama homeowner who said the cameras’ defective design leaves purchasers vulnerable to cyberattacks.
In a proposed class action filed on Thursday, John Baker Orange said an unknown hacker recently accessed his Ring camera while his children, ages 7, 9 and 10, were playing basketball on the driveway, and through its speaker system encouraged them to move closer to the camera.
Orange, who said he paid $249 for his camera in July, said the cameras work only when connected to the internet, and are “fatally flawed” because they do not protect against cyberattacks, despite Ring’s assurances of “peace of mind” and “smart security here, there, everywhere.” Read more
General Assembly approves UN’s $3.07bn budget for 2020 (Nation)
The General Assembly has adopted a budget of 3.07 billion dollars for the United Nations in 2020.
It followed the consideration of the report of the Assembly’s Fifth Committee, which handles administrative and budgetary matters.
This is the first annual budget of the organisation in 45 years, according to the UN, which had been operating a two-year budget cycle since 1974. Read more
Mikel, Musa Make African Team of the Decade (ThisDay)
Former Super Eagles captain John Mikel Obi and Ahmed Musa have been included in the African Team of the Decade.
The list was unveiled by SuperSports and published on their verified Twitter handle on Friday.
Also included in the list are Egytian legend Essam El Hadary, Serge Aurier of Cote d’Ivoire, Kalidou Koulibaly of Senegal, Morocco’s Mehdi Benatia and Kwadwo Asamoah of Ghana. Read more
Our title defence is over, Guardiola concedes (NewTelegraph)
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola conceded the Premier League title race is over after the reigning champions lost 3-2 at Wolves on Friday.
City are third in the Premier League, 14 points behind leaders Liverpool and a point below Leicester City.
Asked if the title race is over, Guardiola told BBC Radio 5 Live: “The advantage is too big, yes.” Read more
Rangers take quest for redemption to Mauritania (Nation)
Rangers International FC will be hoping for redemption in the CAF Confederation Cup when it takes on FC Nouadhibou in Nouakchott, Mauritania on Sunday.
The encounter is a match day three fixture in group A of the second tier continental club competition and Coach Salisu Yusuf’s men need to bounce back to winning ways after going seven matches without a win in both domestic and continental games.
The Flying Antelopes though with a lot of injury worries to key players still have a large pool of reserves to pick from for this battle against the reigning league champions of Mauritania. Read more
Ibrahimovic returns to AC Milan (NewTelegraph)
AC Milan have signed Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic on a free transfer until the end of the season with an option for a further year, the Serie A club announced on Friday.
Ibrahimovic, 38, returns to Milan where he helped the club win their last league title in 2010-11 and scored 56 goals in 85 games in two seasons.
“AC Milan is delighted to announce the signing of Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The club and the striker have agreed on a deal until the end of the current season with an option to extend the contract for the next one,” the club said in a statement. Read more
Arteta, Lampard Reenact Midfield Battles as Arsenal Host Chelsea (ThisDay)
Two longtime Premier League midfield generals meet for the first time as managers when Arsenal and Chelsea tangle in a London Derby, with Frank Lampard and Mikel Arteta badly needing victory at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal drew 1-1 on Boxing Day in Arteta’s first match in charge of the Gunners, while Chelsea lost 2-0 to Southampton at Stamford Bridge on the same day. An Arsenal win would therefore open the door for either Sheffield United or Tottenham Hotspur to move into the Top Four
For the third time this season Chelsea will face a team helped by a new manager and the past two experiences do not bode well for Frank Lampard’s side.
Sunday afternoon’s trip to Emirates Stadium will see Mikel Arteta take charge of his first home game as Arsenal head coach. Read more
Brighton beat Bournemouth to ease relegation fears (Guardian)
Brighton eased fears of being dragged into a relegation battle as a well-deserved 2-0 win over Bournemouth lifted the Seagulls five points clear of the Premier League drop zone.
Alireza Jahanbakhsh and Aaron Mooy scored their first goals for the club as Graham Potter’s men secured just a second win in nine league games to move 13th.
Bournemouth meanwhile remain precariously placed just two points above the bottom three and could even end the day in the relegation zone if West Ham and Aston Villa win later on Saturday. Read more
Rodgers Hails Ndidi’s Performance against Liverpool (ThisDay)
In spite of Leicester City pummelled 4-0 by Liverpool on Boxing Day Premier League fixture, Foxes manager, Brendan Rodgers has lavished praise on Nigeria international Wilfred Ndidi.
Ndidi was the shining light and post a decent performance for the Foxes who were totally outclassed and taken apart by the Reds.
A brace from Roberto Firmino and additional tallies from James Milner and Trent Alexander-Arnold condemned the hosts to their fourth loss of the campaign. Read more
Okereke happy with brace for Club Brugge (Nation)
Club Brugge forward David Okereke believes next year will be better than the outgoing one after he netted twice for his ninth league goal of the season for his Belgian League leaders in their 4-0 home win over Zulte Waregem on Boxing day.
Okereke, a second half substitute in the game replaced his compatriot, Emmanuel Dennis in the 59th minute and he got a quick-fire double in the 61st and 64th minutes to help put the result of the game beyond the reach of Zulte Waregem.
The striker whose last goal for Club Brugge was on November 2nd said he was happy to end his goal drought while hoping to get better next year. Read more
Xhaka Agrees Terms with Hertha Berlin over January Move (ThisDay)
Granit Xhaka has agreed terms with Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin, according to the Arsenal midfielder’s agent.
Sky Germany reported last week that Hertha head coach Jurgen Klinsmann was eager to sign Xhaka in January, and Sky Sports News understands talks between the two clubs are continuing.
It is understood Arsenal are looking to recoup as much of the £35m they paid Borussia Monchengladbach in 2016, but Xhaka’s agent José Noguera is hopeful a move can be concluded.
Noguera said: “Look, I say it frankly and honestly: we agree with Hertha BSC and would like to go to Berlin. We told Arsenal’s club boss Raul Sanllehi and sports director Edu – as well as the new trainer Mikel Arteta. Read more
GOtv Boxing Night 20 holds today (Nation)
All is set for the 20th edition of GOtv Boxing Night, which holds today at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Lagos.
The event, which has as its theme: “Boxing Jams Music”, will feature night potential explosive fights, including the World Boxing Federation (WBF) Intercontinental heavyweight title bout, two West African Boxing Union (WABU) title defences and live musical performances by Zlatan, Mayorkun, and Oritsefemi, Sule Malaika and TClassic.
The WBF bout will see Nigeria’s Onoriode “Godzilla” Ehwarieme face Ariel “Chiquito” Baracamonte of Argentina. Read more