‘Lagosians to enjoy free BRT ride, toll during Yuletide’ (Nation)
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said yesterday that Lagosians will today enjoy a free ride on BRT to their destinations.
He said they will also enjoy free ride on January 1.
The governor said that motorists plying the Ikoyi and Lekki toll plazas would enjoy free passage.
A statement from his office read: “Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has declared a free BRT ride for residents on December 25 and January 1. The bus ride will take passengers on Christmas Day to all BRT routes and destinations. Read more
We’re Ready For The Festive Season – LAWMA (Independent)
With the Christmas and New Year festivities around the corner, the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has affirmed its readiness to meet the waste management needs of residents during the season and to consolidate on its year round vision of establishing a cleaner and healthier Lagos.
Dr. Muyiwa Gbadeges, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, in a chat with our correspondent yesterday, hinted that bearing in mind the anticipated 100 per cent increase in waste generation during the period, the authority would leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the season was celebrated in a clean environment.
He also revealed that the agency had intensified the distribution of black thrash bags for household waste and purple bags for recyclables to residents in the state, adding that PSP operators had been mandated to work round the clock in their assigned areas of operation, while the authority would provide backup trucks. Read more
Group fetes Lagos fishing community for yuletide (Guardian)
More than 200 residents of Ilaje, in Bariga area of Lagos State went home with smiles on their faces as they received food items, clothes, medical check ups, sanitary pads, snacks courtesy of Access to Learning and School (ATLAS) initiative in partnership with other non governmental foundations.
The outreach with the theme: ‘Christmas with a smile’, took place at the fishing community of Isale Akoka community, Ebute, Ilaje, Lagos. Community leader, Segun Zebulon, expressed his appreciation for the gesture, stating that everybody in the community had something to benefit, as items such as clothes, noodles, rice, and packs for children among other things were freely shared to residents.
“I appreciate this outreach, mostly the lectures they gave the teenagers on hygiene and sexual health because it enlightened them on how to take care of themselves,” he said. Read more
Sanwo-Olu, Ishaku, Wike, other govs advocate peace, love, charity (Punch)
State governors on Tuesday sent messages of goodwill to Christians to commemorate the celebration of Christmas today.
Christmas, which is celebrated every December 25, marks the birth of Jesus Christ.
In his message, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, asked Nigerians to emulate the life of Jesus Christ.
Sanwo-Olu, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile, identified obedience, meekness, sacrifice and humility as some of the virtues that distinguished Jesus Christ and should be emulated. Read more
Buhari urges Nigerians to exhibit virtues of Christmas (ThisDay)
President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday in Abuja felicitated with Christians on Wednesday’s occasion of Christmas and urged Nigerians to reflect on the essence of the season through expression of love and goodwill by sharing and strengthening the bond of brotherhood and good neighbourliness.
He also advised citizens to place utmost priority on what binds the country together and simultaneously make extra efforts to live in peace and harmony with their neighbours.
According to him, cases of violence and insecurity in the land have reduced, remarking that in accordance with the good news of hope and redemption, which Christmas commemorates, Nigerians should look forward to improvement in various spheres of life. Read more
At Christmas, Buhari, Lawan, Tinubu urge peace (Guardian)
As Christians in the country join their counterparts across the world to mark this year’s Christmas, President Muhammadu Buhari has enjoined Nigerians not to indulge in any action that negates peace, which the birth of Jesus Christ exemplifies.
In his Christmas message yesterday, Buhari said: “I felicitate with our Christian brothers and sisters in particular, and all Nigerians in general, on the joyous occasion of Christmas of the year 2019.
“As Christendom commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, I enjoin all Nigerians to imbibe and demonstrate the essence of the season of love; goodwill among all the ethnic groups in the country; giving and sharing; strengthening the bonds of brotherhood and good neighbourliness; and focusing on all that bind us together as one united country.
“I, therefore, urge our compatriots… Read more
Christmas: Gbajabiamila, Wase, Elumelu ask Nigerians to pray for continuous unity, peace (Tribune)
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, has urged Nigerians, especially Christian faithful, to offer special prayers for the continuous unity and peaceful co-existence among the citizens.
In the same vein, the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Idris Wase and Minority Leader, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu also urged Nigerians to emulate the lifestyle of Jesus Christ on the occasion of the Christmas celebration.
Gbajabiamila urged Christians to use the occasion for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ to pray for the country to overcome her challenges, including insecurity in some parts of the country. Read more
Senators preach peace, tolerance at Christmas (ThisDay)
Two members of the National Assembly have enjoined Nigerians across religious divide to ensure peace and tolerance during the Yuletide season.
Chairman of the Senate committee on Finance, Senator Olamilekan Adeola, and his Co-operation and Integration on Africa/NEPAD counterpart, Senator Chimaroke Nnamani, in their Christmas messages on Tuesday prayed for peace, nation’s economic growth as well as religious tolerance among the citizenry.
Senator Adeola, in his message, called on Christians in particular and Nigerians in general to use the occasion of the Christmas celebration to renew their faith in Jesus Christ as Saviour of mankind and pray for peace and economic development of Nigeria. Read more
Yuletide: NSCDC Deploys 3,000 Personnel To Protect Critical National Assets In Kaduna (Independent)
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Kaduna Command, says it would deploy no fewer than, 3,000 of its personnel to strategic places to protect national assets during Christmas and New Year festivities.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASC Orndiir Terzungwe said in a press statement issued on Monday in Kaduna.
Terzungwe said that the State Commandant of the NSCDC, Babangida Dutsima also task residents on collaboration. Read more
FCT Minister Felicitates with Residents at Christmas, Calls for Peaceful Co-existence (ThisDay)
The Minister, Federal Capital Territory, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has sent warm felicitations to Christian faithful in the FCT on the celebration of Christmas.
In a statement by the FCTA Chief Press Secretary, Anthony Ogunleye, the minister urged the residents to imbibe the virtues of humility, courage, honesty and love for one another which Jesus Christ epitomizes.
While asking that supplications be made to the Almighty for the good health and wisdom of leaders at all levels of government, the Minister espoused residents of the FCT to use the joyous occasion to also pray for peace, security and economic prosperity across the Territory. Read more
19 Things to Remember About 2019 (ThisDay)
Nseobong Okon-Ekong carefully chronicles some of the high and low themes of an eventful year
Tinubu, House of Assembly Sink Ambode in Lagos
For allegedly deviating from the master plan for Lagos State put in place by former Governor and National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the immediate past governor of the state, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode went down with the unenviable reputation of being the first chief executive of the state since the current cycle of civilian administration to be denied a second term.
There had been persistent rumour about the conflict between Ambode and Tinubu on one hand and between Ambode and the Lagos State House of Assembly on the other hand. Things became so bad that Ambode was threatened with impeachment. He was, however, saved the embarrassment after a peace meeting was brokered by the APC leadership in the state; and the State House of Assembly had agreed to sheathe its sword. Read more
Presidency: Why Dasuki, Sowore Were Released (ThisDay)
The Presidency Tuesday night said the directive to release former National Security Adviser, retired Col. Sambo Dasuki and Convener of #RevolutionNow, Omoyele Sowore, from custody was informed by the need to observe the rule of the law.
Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday while reacting to the presidential directive on the release of Dasuki and Sowore.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the presidential aide also said that Federal Government may appeal against the court judgments that granted bails to Dasuki and Sowore. Read more
Government, IOM facilitate return of 18,000 migrants (Guardian)
The Federal Government and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) through the European Union (EU-IOM) joint initiative assisted 18,079 irregular migrants return to Nigeria from Libya between April 2017 and October 2019.
The migrants, who also returned from other destinations in Europe, were mostly from Edo State, accounting for 42 per cent of the total.
Disclosing this yesterday in Benin City at the media launch of the WAKA-Well campaign, the Awareness Raising Officer of IOM (Nigeria), Cyprine Cheptepkeny, said the progreamme was to highlight the ills associated with irregular migration. Read more
UNILAG Harbours No Fake Professor – Ogundipe (Independent)
Following a publication that over 100 fake professors exist in the Nigerian university system, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, the Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos (UNILAG), has declared that no fake professor was on its campuses.
The Vice-Chancellor made the declaration during a media parley with journalists at the Senate Chamber where he delivered a review of activities for the year tagged: “Report from the Vice-Chancellor”.
The VC said the system does not give room for the infiltration of people of questionable characters, saying that apart from the stringent processes of ascertaining the background of lecturers employed to teach in the university “we all know ourselves” Read more
Fraser-Pryce to double in 100, 200m at Tokyo 2020 (Guardian)
World 100 metres champion, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has confirmed that she will double up over 100 and 200m at Tokyo 2020, which she has claimed will be her fourth and final Olympics, reports insidethegames.biz.
The 32-year-old Jamaican told reporters in Kingston: “I will be doubling up definitely. Last year [season], I really wanted to attempt the double but coach had other plans so I just worked with that plan.
“He knows best.”
The news will be of interest to Britain’s world 200m champion Dina Asher-Smith, who took silver behind Fraser-Pryce in the 100m at this year’s International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Championships in Doha. Read more
Chamberlain Out With Ankle Injury (Independent)
Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has suffered another injury blow after damaging an ankle ligament in the Club World Cup final on Saturday.
The former Arsenal star was forced off against Flamengo after 75 minutes in Qatar after appearing to fall awkwardly on his ankle.
The 26-year-old has spent much of the last year in the physio room with a knee problem that ruled him out of the World Cup in 2018 and two Champions League finals, and now his manager Jurgen Klopp said the blow could ‘take a while’ to heal. Read more
After failed World Cup bid Nigeria plot to stage AWCON (ThisDay)
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is set to put the country forward as a potential host for next year’s continental showpiece event, the African Women Nations Cup tournament (AWCON).
Early last month, South Africa, another emerging power-house in women football, turned down an approach to step in as emergency hosts of the 2020 tournament after Congo-Brazzaville pulled out of the hosting of the 12-team gathering in July.
With the Confederation of African Football (CAF) now in a race against time to find a country to hold the tournament, Opera News reports that Nigeria’s football governing body’s board has commenced work to see if a bid is feasible. Read more
Flying Eagles’ winger Alalade undergoes successful surgery in Argentina (Guardian)
Enyimba and Nigeria junior international, Wasiu Alalade has undergone a successful surgery in Argentina, Completesports.com reports.
Doctors in the undisclosed Argentine hospital are reputed to be global specialists in correcting ankle problems.
Alalade, 20, picked the ankle injury while in the Flying Eagles camp, forcing him to miss the African championship, as well as Coach Paul Aigbogun’s final squad for the FIFA U-20 World Cup finals in Poland, last August. Read more
Espanyol sack coach after defeat to Omeruo’s Leganes (ThisDay)
Espanyol sacked coach Pablo Machin on Monday after a 2-0 defeat by relegation rivals Leganes which left them bottom of La Liga.
Machin’s side were comfortably beaten at Butarque on Sunday to leave them five points from safety.
“Espanyol report that Pablo Machin has been relieved of his responsibilities as coach of the men’s first team,” Espanyol said in a statement.
“The club has taken this decision as a result of the team’s performance and with the clear desire to change the team’s situation in La Liga.” Read more
Mourinho Given Green Light To Sign €60M Midfield Star (Independent)
Jose Mourinho has reportedly been given the green light by Lille to make a move to sign Boubakary Soumare next month.
Last week a number of reports claimed Tottenham Hotspur were interested in the midfielder and now they have been given the go ahead to make their move.
L’Equipe reports that the Ligue 1 side, who were considering selling the midfielder next summer, are now ready to sanction his sale in January. Read more
UK Govt Ready to Take Further Steps against Racism in Football (ThisDay)
The government says it will not rule out taking “further steps” if football authorities fail to deal with racism.
Play was stopped during Chelsea’s win at Tottenham on Sunday after Antonio Rudiger said he heard monkey noises.
The Professional Footballers’ Association has called for a government inquiry following the alleged abuse.
“Racism of any kind has no place in football or anywhere else and we must confront this vile behaviour,” said a Downing Street spokesperson. Read more
NBBF Thanks FG For Assisting Injured D’Tigress Star (Independent)
The Nigeria Basketball Federation has thanked the Minister of Youth and Sports, Hon. Sunday Dare for his fatherly intervention towards sourcing funds for injured D’Tigress player, Nkem Akaraiwe.
The federation described the $15,000 intervention by the Ministry as an early Christmas gift which is well appreciated by the players, her fans and also the federation.
This is in addition to the $10,000 earlier received from Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa which was facilitated by the Honorable Minister. Read more
Sundowns forced to deal with travel complications (Nation)
South African club Mamelodi Sundowns have had to travel through Europe in order to get to Algeria in time for an African Champions League match on Saturday.
Players and staff flew to France yesterday and will then arrive in Algiers today because of the vagaries of travel on the African continent.
The 25-man squad will then train on Christmas Day before facing USM Alger on Saturday. Read more
Arteta names Arsenal coaching staff (DailyTrust)
Mikel Arteta has named his coaching team at Arsenal, with Freddie Ljungberg confirmed as one of three assistants. Arteta left his post as Manchester City assistant manager, working under Pep Guardiola, last week to succeed Unai Emery as Arsenal head coach.
Ljungberg, who took interim charge of the team for six matches, remains as an assistant coach alongside Albert Stuivenberg and Steve Round. Read more