Lagos to replace Okada, tricycle from July (Nation)
Lagos State Government will from July introduce what it describes as First Mile and Last Mile (FMLM) mobility solution to replace banned Okada and tricycle.
Transportation Commissioner Frederick Oladeinde, speaking yesterday at the 2020 ministerial press briefing at the JJT Park, Alausa, Ikeja, said: “Following the restriction of motorcycles and tricycles for commuter operations in some areas in the metropolis, the government is working on implementing a First Mile and Last Mile (FMLM) mobility solution.”
He explained that Okada and tricycle are not part of the state’s transport architecture, adding that they are constituting nuisance on the roads and responsible for the high rate of accidents and crimes. Read more
Lagos unfolds projects to boost food security (Guardian)
Lagos State Government has unfolded various agricultural projects that will shore up the food production to achieve sustainable food security in Lagos State.
The State Commissioner for Agriculture, Prince Gbolahan Lawal who disclosed this today in Lagos while rendering the account of activities of his Ministry within the last one year to commemorate the first year anniversary of the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu led administration noted that these agricultural projects would ultimately quickly shore up the food security status of the State from its current 18% to 40%. Read more
Lagos supported 2,204 businesses in one year to reduce unemployment (Nation)
Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) on Thursday disclosed that the State government has supported 2,204 businesses as a way of ensuring that unemployment in the State is reduced to barest minimum.
The State Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Mrs Yetunde Arobieke made the disclosure during the year2020 ministerial press briefing to mark the one year in office of the State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
According to her, “LSETF serves as an instrument to inspire the creative and innovative energies of all Lagos residents and reduce unemployment across the State. Read more
INEC wins as Court declares deregistration of 74 political parties valid (Vanguard)
The Federal High Court in Abuja has affirmed the Power of the Independent National Electoral Commission to deregister political parties which failed to comply with the provisions of the law particularly Section 225 A of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
Justice Taiwo O. Taiwo in a landmark judgment delivered in the Suit filed by the National Unity Party, one of the 74 parties deregistered by the INEC in February affirmed that the constitutional power of the electoral commission and the reasons given by the Commission for the deregistration of parties are valid, in conformity with the law, sacrosanct and could not be affected by the fact of anticipated Local govt elections by some states which dates were not fixed, certain or even ascertainable. Read more
4,159 NYSC members pass out in low key ceremony in Oyo (Tribune)
No fewer than 4,159 Batch B NYSC members for 2019 passed out on Thursday in Oyo State at a low key ceremony that was devoid of the usual parade.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme was held in line with the COVID-19 protocol of social and physical distancing.
The ceremony involving 1,769 male and 2,390 female corps members featured the distribution of national service certificates at the local government level. Read more
Akpabio orders immediate closure of NDDC headquarters over Coronavirus outbreak (Guardian)
The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Dr Godswill Akpabio has directed the immediate temporary closure of the Corporate Headquarters of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Port Harcourt as a result of a suspected outbreak of COVID-19, Coronavirus disease.
According to a statement by the director of press at the ministry, Deworitshe Patricia, Akpabio also advised all staff currently exhibiting symptoms not to panic but to report to the nearest NCDC center in Port Harcourt for evaluation and possible treatment.
Further actions shall be communicated as would be directed by the Headquarters of the NCDC. The Minister added. Read more
Adesina: AfDB’s governance at risk of being hijacked – Obasanjo (Punch)
Former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has faulted a demand by the United States Treasury to probe the President of the African Development Bank, Akinwunmi Adesina, who had earlier been cleared of all allegations by an investigative body.
In a letter written to 12 former African Presidents including President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa and John Kufour of Ghana, Obasanjo said Africa must stand up and not allow its institutions to be unduly controlled by non-African countries.
Obasanjo said after allegations of unethical practices were levelled against Adesina, the ethics committee of the board of directors chaired by the executive director from Japan and with members who represent shareholder member countries, evaluated the allegations for three months and the 16 allegations were found to be false. Read more
Reps call for enforcement of interstate lockdown (Vanguard)
The Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Honourable Ndudi Elumelu, has called on security agencies in the country, to urgently enforce the interstate lockdown, declared by President Muhammadu Buhari, to curtail the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Elumelu’s call, came through a motion entitled: “Need For the Effective Enforcement of the Interstate Lockdown by Security Agents”.
Co-sponsors of the Motion, are: Reps Victor Nwokolo, Nicholas Mutu, Leo Ogor, Nicholas Ossai, Julius Pondi, Been Igbakpa’s, Dafe Afe, Thomas Ereyetomi and Francis Waive.
In presenting the Motion, Elumelu recalled that “after due consultations with state governors the federal government on the 27th of April 2020 announced, among several regulations. Read more
Man shot dead in Minneapolis amid protests over George Floyd death (Guardian)
A man was shot dead amid further protests over the death of a black man whose neck was knelt on by a white police officer, with demonstrators rocking parts of Minneapolis for a second night on Wednesday.
Police said they were investigating Wednesday night’s shooting death as a homicide and had a suspect in custody, but were still investigating what led to the incident.
Philonese Floyd, the brother of George Floyd, 46, who was killed by police on Monday, appealed for peace on Thursday, adding through sobs: “Everybody has a lot of pain right now, that’s why this is happening. I’m tired of seeing black people dying.” Read more
Minneapolis cop Derek Chauvin subject of complaints before George Floyd’s death (NYPost)
The Minneapolis cop who was seen kneeling on George Floyd’s neck before he died was involved in three police shootings during his 19 years on the job — and has been the subject of 10 conduct complaints that resulted in no disciplinary action, according to reports.
In 2006, Derek Chauvin was one of six officers who responded to a stabbing, according to Insider, which cited a 2016 report from the Minnesota activist group Communities United Against Police Brutality.
Wayne Reyes, who was suspected of stabbing his girlfriend and a friend, was shot dead when he pointed a shotgun at the officers from his truck, according to the report. Read more
Minneapolis Mayor says George Floyd would still be alive if he were white (DailyMail)
The Mayor of Minneapolis has said George Floyd would still be alive if he were white after protests erupted in the city overnight over his killing by police.
Floyd, 46, died on Monday night after a white cop knelt on his neck for eight minutes while he begged for breath.
In an interview with CBS This Morning on Thursday, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said he considers his death a murder. Read more
Uber destroys thousands of bikes and scooters (BBC)
Uber is destroying thousands of electric bikes and scooters, after selling its Jump business to Lime.
Videos of its red bikes being crushed at a recycling centre were shared on social media, angering cycling advocates.
Uber said it had decided to destroy thousands of its older-model vehicles due to maintenance, liability and safety concerns.
In the UK, Uber continues to operate Jump and has not scrapped any bikes. Read more
Chinese businessmen murders stir tensions in Zambia (Guardian)
The brutal murder of three Chinese factory bosses in Zambia, allegedly killed by disgruntled employees over the weekend, has rekindled tensions over China’s strong presence in the country.
The local press reported the three victims, who were found dead in their burnt-out factory, were killed by aggrieved employees of their textile business in Makeni, a suburb of the capital Lusaka.
Police spokeswoman Esther Katongo on Wednesday said investigations had so far led to the arrest of two suspects, reporting also that they had “retrieved the third body of the Chinese national murdered in Makeni.” Read more
Nissan backs UK plant but protests erupt in Spain (BBC)
Nissan’s UK factory in Sunderland will stay open as the Japanese carmaker carries out a global restructuring amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The carmaker also announced it will close its factory in Barcelona with the loss of about 2,800 jobs, prompting protests at the Spanish plant.
Hundreds of workers gathered as burning tyres blockaded the site which Nissan said would close from December.
Nissan is cutting production amid falling sales and rising losses. Read more
Premier League set to restart on 17 June with Man City v Arsenal and Villa v Sheff Utd (BBC)
The Premier League season is set to restart on 17 June with Aston Villa v Sheffield United and Manchester City v Arsenal, the BBC has learned.
A full round of fixtures would then be played on the weekend of 19-21 June.
There are 92 matches still to play, and the first to take place will be those the four teams involved have in hand.
Clubs discussed the resumption plan – which is subject to government approval – at a meeting on Thursday and it is understood all agreed in principle. Read more
Rohr vows to make Super Eagles best (Nation)
German coach Gernot Rohr has promised to put up his level best following the confirmation of the extension of his Super Eagles contract by the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF).
NFF President Amaju Pinnick confirmed on Wednesday via his twitter handle @PinnickAmaju that the Federation has agreed formally to hand Rohr a new contract, adding it has confidence in the abilities of the German.
“I’m happy to announce that the @thenff and Coach Gernot Rohr have concluded all contractual discussions and he will stay on as Coach of the Super Eagles. We have always had confidence in his abilities and we are confident that the national team can only go higher from here,” Pinnick said. Read more
Balotelli’s ‘mind no longer’ with Brescia, says club president (Vanguard)
Mario Balotelli’s future with Brescia remains uncertain after the Italian club’s president said his “mind is no longer” with his hometown club.
“Mario is an unusual boy and it is also obvious that his mind is no longer with us, nothing different from what he has always been,” Massimo Cellino told Telelombardia.
“I love him, I hoped that the air of home and the desire of the national team would do him good. We are all disappointed.”
Balotelli, who has 36 caps for Italy, joined Brescia last summer, as he targeted a return to the national side for Euro 2020, which has been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Read more
European Tour: Six-week ‘UK Swing’ will start season resumption (BBC)
The European Tour season is set to resume in July with a six-week ‘UK Swing’ tournament and run to December.
The British Masters in Newcastle from 22-25 July is the first of six events, two of which will be at Celtic Manor.
Later in the year, the Scottish Open is set to run from 8-11 October with the Tour’s flagship PGA Championship event the following week at Wentworth, while other tournaments are to be revealed.
The DP World Tour Championship ends the season in Dubai from 10-13 December. Read more
Barcelona blasted for selling $20 face masks as fans accuse club of cashing in on COVID (RT)
Barcelona fans are being given the chance to recreate the look of their heroes by buying replicas of masks that the club’s squad and coaching staff are wearing to training – but fans say the products are capitalizing on COVID-19.
While some of Barcelona’s European rivals have charged around a quarter of the price for masks, the reigning La Liga champions are asking for €18 (around $20) for each item, designed to protect against COVID-19 transmission.
Barca encouraged their vast global fanbase to buy the garments and provided a gallery of famous faces wearing the new masks, including major summer signings Frenkie De Jong and Antoine Griezmann standing opposite each other with their arms folded. Read more
Kobe Bryant’s induction to hall of fame postponed (Punch)
The late Kobe Bryant’s induction into America’s basketball hall of fame has been postponed to 2021, US media reported on Wednesday.
Bryant, who died along with eight others in a helicopter crash in January, was scheduled to be inducted into the Massachusetts-based Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame on August 29.
Former NBA stars Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, and six others are also slated to be enshrined next year due to the ongoing global coronavirus pandemic. Read more