Lagos retrains VIOs as LACVIS decorates ambassadors (Punch)
Vehicle inspection officers in Lagos are currently undergoing retraining in the use of modern technology to assist them to effectively discharge their duties, the state Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Ladi Lawason, has said. Lawason, who hinted about the return of the VIOs after the special training being handled by local and foreign experts, spoke in Lagos as the state Computerised Vehicle Inspection Service decorated eight ambassadors expected to complement its efforts in encouraging motorists to bring their vehicles for regular inspection and certification. The Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, ordered the VIOs out of the state roads a couple of months ago following public outcry against their manner of operation. Read more
No PDP governor is secretly working for Buhari — Ologbodiyan (Vanguard)
Just as you are worried about the country, other people are also worried. But we wonder, what is actually the difference between the PDP and the APC? Those that left APC, they went to the PDP. The difference between the PDP and APC is very manifest. The PDP believes in democracy and the tenets of it. We stand by the rule of law, social justice and respect for constitutionalism. We also believe in creating an enabling environment that will allow private enterprises to thrive. As such, we encourage private investors to create jobs so that life can be better for the people. But I must confess to you that the APC, unfortunately, is just an amalgam of people contended with power, they have no ideology and have nothing to offer Nigerians. Read more
Security aides may have clues to Badeh’s killers (Punch)
The security aides to the late former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, may hold the clues to his killers, security sources have said. It was learnt that the four security aides, who were with him when he was shot dead, might possess critical information that could unravel the circumstances surrounding the assassination of the retired Air Force chief. Senior security officials queried the alleged failure of the security aides to nail the attackers, noting that something was not right about the way only Badeh was killed out of the seven people that were attacked. Read more
Government not committed to public tertiary education (Guardian)
It was the late icon of anti-apartheid struggle and former South African President Nelson Mandela who observed that “education is the weapon you can use to change the world.” Most countries invest more in education than in any other part of the economy because education is the basis of everything in a society. The United States budgeted $59 billion discretionary appropriations for the Department of Education in 2018, including $1.4 billion to support new investments in public and private school choice. The Ghanaian government dedicates one-third of its total national budget to education. But the Nigerian government allocates only seven per cent of its budget to education which is far below the 26 per cent recommended by the United Nations. A government that is not interested in education is out to destroy its nation. Read more
PDP, CUPP condemn Miyetti Allah’s endorsement of Buhari (Punch)
The Peoples Democratic Party and the Coalition of United Political Parties have condemned the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria’s endorsement of President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election bid for a second term in office. The association’s endorsement came during its 5th General Meeting held in Abuja on Thursday. The National President, MACBAN, Alhaji Muhammadu Kirowa, had said the association’s decision to support the President was because “no administration had looked into our plight the way President Buhari has done since the inception of the association.” Read more
Fulani’s agenda to take over Benue still alive –Ortom’s CPS (Punch)
Governor Samuel Ortom recently raised the alarm that herdsmen were moving into the state with their cows. Has the state relaxed the law preventing open grazing? The agenda to take over Benue State by the Fulani is still there. They have not given up. The governor’s alarm that herdsmen are planning to come back to Benue and unleash attacks on Benue people is real. However, l want to remind the Fulani herdsmen moving into Benue with their cattle that there is an existing law prohibiting open grazing in the state and anyone coming into the state should be ready to respect it. Read more
Race row erupts on Cape Town beach (BBC)
Protesters have taken to one of Cape Town’s most picturesque beaches after private security guards were accused of ordering black visitors to leave. The guards, hired by local residents, allegedly cleared the Clifton 4th beach of tourists last Sunday evening. Demonstrators say black beachgoers were unfairly targeted, but the firm denies closing the beach and says it only acts to protect residents from crime. Beaches and other public areas were segregated during the apartheid era. Read more
Egypt police ‘kill 40 militants’ in raids after tourist bus blast (BBC)
Police in Egypt have killed dozens of militants during security raids on their hideouts, the interior ministry has said. The raids killed “40 terrorists” in Giza and North Sinai on Saturday morning, according to a statement from the ministry. It said the militants were planning a series of attacks on tourist sites, churches and military personnel. The raids followed Friday’s roadside bomb attack on a tour bus in Giza. No group has yet said it was behind the blast, which killed three Vietnamese tourists and an Egyptian tour guide, but Islamist militants have targeted tourists in Egypt in the past. Read more
Liverpool thrash Arsenal to extend lead (BBC)
Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to an imposing nine points with a devastating attacking dismissal of Arsenal at Anfield – with hat-trick hero Roberto Firmino the inspiration. Arsenal took the lead after only 11 minutes when Ainsley Maitland-Niles slid in at the far post to score from Alex Iwobi’s cross – but it was a false dawn for Unai Emery’s side. Liverpool, lifted after title rivals Tottenham’s home defeat by Wolves earlier, responded with an explosive display that saw them 4-1 up by the interval and on their way to extending their unbeaten league run to 20 games. Read more
Solskjaer keen to convince De Gea, Martial to stay at Man United (Punch)
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer may only be in charge of Manchester United for the remainder of this season, but the interim manager wants to see Anthony Martial and David de Gea sign long-term contracts at Old Trafford. United have activated one-year extensions for both players in recent weeks, meaning they are tied to the club until the end of next season. But forward Martial and goalkeeper De Gea remain locked in talks with executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward over longer deals with no sign of an end to the impasse imminent. Read more
Spurs stunned by Wolves as Fulham, Cardiff secure vital wins (Guardian)
Tottenham’s Premier League title challenge suffered a huge blow as Wolves struck three times in the final 18 minutes to win 3-1 at Wembley as Fulham and Cardiff secured huge wins at the other end of the table on Saturday. Spurs had the chance to close to within three points of league leaders Liverpool, who can now move nine clear at the top with victory over Arsenal at Anfield later (1730GMT). Tottenham had smashed 11 goals past Everton and Bournemouth in the previous six days and Wolves also looked to be put to the sword by one moment of outstanding quality from Harry Kane midway through the first half. Read more
I wanted to kill him, Ranieri rages at Kamara in penalty row (Punch)
Fulham boss Claudio Ranieri admitted he felt like “killing” Aboubakar Kamara after the French striker ignored instructions and took the missed penalty that almost cost the London side victory against Huddersfield on Saturday. Fulham secured a 1-0 win against their Premier League relegation rivals when Aleksandar Mitrovic scored in stoppage time. Minutes earlier, however, usual penalty taker Mitrovic had seen Kamara’s tame effort from the spot saved by Huddersfield goalkeeper Jonas Lossl with the scores level at 0-0. Read more
Nigeria is ready for a female president – Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde (Punch)
Star actress, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, has insisted that Nigeria is now ready for a female president. In a chat with Sunday Scoop, Omotola said, “What else do we need to be as women? You have to agree with me that a lot of women are doing almost better than men now. We all know that women are now in charge of some households and we all know that women are good at organising as well as handling responsibilities. I think Nigeria is ready for a female president.” Speaking ahead of the 2019 general elections, the actress urged Nigerians to desist from voting for young people without checking their records. She said, “I am very impressed with the participation of young people in politics today. Years ago, these people were not interested in politics. Read more