Landlords, tenants flee as gunmen write Lagos community, threaten attack on Christmas Day (Punch)
Some landlords and tenants of Dejuwogbo community, Oke-Ota Ona, Ikorodu, have fled their homes following a threat notice pasted in the neigbourhood by gunmen suspected to be robbers.
Those who have not temporarily relocated are apprehensive about their safety as they endure fearful nights.
City Round learnt that the locals woke up last Saturday to the posters of masked armed men pasted in strategic points in the community.
In the notice, the gunmen threatened to attack the community on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day, and demanded maximum cooperation.
“Team 13. Dejuwogbo CDA. Expect us 24, 25 & 26 December, 2020. Maximum cooperation or head would roll (sic).” Read more
Police begin investigations into Dapo Ojora’s death (Vanguard)
Lagos State Police Command weekend, said it has commenced thorough investigations into the circumstances surrounding the death of one Dapo Ojora, a socialite and Polo Buff, who was alleged to have shot himself in the head on Friday, 11th December, 2020, in his Lagos residence.
The death of Dapo, a socialite and brother-in-law of former Senate President Bukola Saraki, has been generating controversies as several online news platforms claimed that the Polo buff shot himself dead while family sources said it was a case of accidental discharge.
However, Lagos State Police Command has urged members of the public to disregard media speculations making waves on the cause of his death until the investigation instituted by the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu, to unravel the cause of his death is concluded and the findings made public. Read more
Lekki shootings: CNN shuns summons by Lagos panel (Punch)
American media house, Cable News Network, has shunned a summons issued on it to appear before the Lagos State Panel of Judicial Inquiry probing the alleged killing of #EndSARS protesters by soldiers at the Lekki tollgate, Lagos on the night of October 20.
The foreign media house contended that it does not fall under the territorial jurisdiction of the retired Justice Doris Okuwobi-led panel to warrant being summoned to appear before the panel.
The CNN had, in a two-part report backed with pictures and video clips, implicated the Nigerian Army in the alleged killing of peaceful protesters at the Lekki tollgate. Read more
Banditry: Police rescue 200 students as bandits invade science school in Katsina (Nation)
The Katsina State Police Command, Saturday morning announced the rescue of over 200 students of Science Secondary School, Kankara Katsina state, who were victims of invasion by a group of bandits on Friday night
A spokesman of the Command, Superintendent Gambo Isa while confirming the attack by bandits in a telephone chat with The Nation, disclosed that further investigation is underway to ascertain the full number of victims and the extent of losses incurred
He said ‘’Bandits in their numbers, shooting sporadically with AK 47 rifles, attacked Government Science secondary school, Kankara. The policemen on duty also responded to the attack and engaged them in a gun duel which gave the students the opportunity to scale the fence of the school and ran for safety. Read more
Northern governors mourn Nda-Isaiah (Guardian)
The Northern Governors’ Forum (NGF) has expressed shock over the death of Mr Sam Nda-Isaiah, founder and Chairman of Leadership Newspapers.
This is contained in a condolence message by the chairman of the forum and governor of Plateau, Simon Lalong, on Saturday in Jos.
Lalong, in the message issued by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Dr Makut Macham, described the death as “shocking and devastating.”
He said the death of Nda-Isaiah is a sad development, not only to the northern region but the nation at large. Read more
Obaseki mourns Nda-Isaiah, lauds strides in journalism (Vanguard)
Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has mourned the passing of the Publisher of Leadership Newspapers, Sam Nda-Isaiah, describing as remarkable his dexterity and strides in journalism and nation building.
The governor, in a statement yesterday noted that Nda-Isaiah served Nigeria as a committed patriot and contributed immensely to national development while he lived.
According to him, “I am deeply saddened by the news of the death of the Publisher of Leadership Newspapers, Sam Nda-Isaiah. He was a committed journalist who explored several opportunities to contribute to nation building. His commitment to progress and advancement would be greatly missed.” Read more
Information minister mourns leadership publisher (Thisday)
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has expressed huge shock and sadness at the death of the Publisher of Leadership Newspapers, Mr. Sam Nda-Isaiah.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday, Mohammed described Nda-Isaiah’s death as a great loss, not just to his family and the media industry but to the nation at large.
”True to the motto of his newspaper, ‘For God and Country’, Nda-Isaiah lived for his family, as well as for God and country. He had an unwavering belief in Nigeria and its ability to overcome its challenges and become a foremost member of the comity of nations. For him, it was not just a belief, it was a mantra. Read more
Wizkid, Burna Boy lead lineup for Livespot X-Clusive 2020 (Guardian)
Usually, the month of December in Nigeria, especially in Lagos, is a big deal. Having toiled from Januray to December, most Nigerians get excited about the opportunity to get off work, go on holiday, spend time with family and friends and most importantly, the turn up… parties, weddings, events, concerts, you name it. And with the peculiarities 2020 has brought, these feelings have only been heightened.
This perhaps, is why the recently announced Livespot X-Clusive concert is all the more iconic. In an unprecedented move, Livespot360 is bringing together two of the continent’s biggest acts, Burna Boy and Wizkid, for the first-ever live hybrid concert in Nigeria on December 19 and 20.
The gig will be the duo’s first performance in Nigeria since the release of their insanely successful albums, Twice As Tall and Made In Lagos. The two have also recently bagged Grammy nominations; Burna Boy in the World Music Album category alongside other entertainers like Antibalas, Bebel Gilberto, Anoushka Shankar and Tianariwen. While Wizkid for his feature on Beyoncé’s song, Brown Skin Girl, which is nominated for Best Music Video. Read more
Kaduna raises concern over increase in COVID-19 cases (Thisday)
The Kaduna State Government has warned that it will have no option than to shut down public spaces, including schools, markets, offices and places of worship if the current rate of Covid-19 infection persists.
There has been a steady raise in the rate of infection with 117 positive cases recorded on Friday.
Addressing a press conference on Saturday in Kaduna, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina Mohammed-Baloni, said: “If the rate of spread retains or exceeds the current pace, then we will have no option than to recommend the temporary closure of public spaces, including schools, markets, offices and places of worship.” Read more
UN chief raises alarm over worst recession in 80 years as Covid-19 pandemic impact grows (RT)
The social and economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic has been enormous and continues to grow, according to United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who is calling for global solidarity and cooperation.
“We face the biggest global recession in eight decades. Extreme poverty is rising, the threat of famine looms,” Guterres said in a video address to the Nobel Peace Prize Forum.
The UN chief criticized countries for failing to mount a joint response to the crisis arising from the pandemic, with some nations even competing against each other for essential supplies. Guterres emphasized that no vaccine can undo the damage that has already been done. Read more
Ethiopia: First foreign aid convoy enters Mekelle, says ICRC (AlJazeera)
The first international aid convoy carrying medicines and relief supplies has arrived in Mekelle, the capital of Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has said.
In a statement on Saturday, ICRC said the convoy from the Geneva-based group and the Ethiopian Red Cross Society (ERCS) was sent in coordination with the Ethiopian authorities.
Seven Red Cross trucks brought medicines and medical equipment for 400 wounded as well as relief supplies. These supplies will be donated to Ayder Hospital, the Regional Health Bureau, and the ERCS pharmacy in Mekelle. Read more
UN court rules for France in Paris mansion row with Equatorial Guinea (France24)
The UN’s top court found in favour of France on Friday in a bitter battle with Equatorial Guinea over a swanky Paris house seized in a corruption probe into the playboy son of the African nation’s long-term president.
Equatorial Guinea argued that the luxury mansion could not be confiscated as it was part of its diplomatic mission in France, and that it did not belong to Vice-President Teodorin Obiang as French investigators alleged.
But the International Court of Justice upheld France’s objections that Malabo had only tried to designate it as such after the investigation began into Obiang, the son of iron-fisted President Teodoro Obiang Nguema. Read more
Ruhollah Zam: Iran executes journalist accused of fanning unrest (BBC)
Iran has executed a journalist who was accused of using a messaging app to stir up dissent.
Ruhollah Zam was hanged on Saturday after the supreme court upheld the death sentence against him, state television reported.
Zam, who had been living in exile in France, was reportedly detained after travelling to Iraq last year.
He ran Amad News, a popular anti-government website Iran accused of inciting the 2017-18 protests. Read more
US executes Louisiana truck driver who killed daughter (USAToday)
The Trump administration continued its unprecedented series of post-election federal executions Friday by putting to death a Louisiana truck driver who severely abused his 2-year-old daughter for weeks in 2002, then killed her by slamming her head against a truck’s windows and dashboard.
Alfred Bourgeois, 56, was pronounced dead at 8:21 p.m. Eastern time after receiving a lethal injection at the federal prison in Terre Haute, Indiana.
His lawyers argued Bourgeois had an IQ that puts him in the intellectually disabled category, saying that should have made him ineligible for the death penalty under federal law. Victor J. Abreu, said it was “shameful” to execute his client “without fair consideration of his intellectual disability.” Read more
Zombie Angelina Jolie’ jailed for 10 years in Iran over social media posts (Metro)
An Instagram influencer who used makeup and editing to make her face look like a ‘Zombie Angelina Jolie’ has been jailed in Iran. Sahar Tabar, whose real name is Fatemeh Khishvand, racked up hundreds of thousands of followers after photos of her resembling a ‘zombie version’ of the film star went viral. Many saw the stunt as a joke or as social commentary but on October 5 2019, Tabar was arrested in Iran, along with three other female Instagram influencers. Iranian Journalist Masih Alinejad told MailOnline that she has spoken to Tabar’s lawyer, who confirmed she had been sentenced to 10 years in prison this week for ‘promoting public corruption’. Read more
Pro-Trump rallies planned across US after Supreme Court defeat (CBC)
Conservative groups that allege without evidence that U.S. president-elect Joe Biden stole the U.S. election from Donald Trump are planning protests nationwide on Saturday, including a Washington rally headlined by Trump’s recently pardoned former national security adviser.
Church groups and organizers of the Stop The Steal movement, linked to pro-Trump operative Roger Stone, urged supporters to turn out to “Jericho Marches” and prayer rallies.
These are planned at Washington’s National Mall and in the capitals of Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Nevada and Arizona, where Trump’s campaign has questioned vote counts. Read more
Rohr’s Eagles time could be up, says Fashanu (Punch)
Former Wimbledon star, John Fashanu, believes Gernot Rohr’s time with the Super Eagles may be coming to an end following the strings of poor results recorded in the outgoing year, Saturday PUNCH reports.
The three-time African champions failed to win a game in 2020 – a poor which raised concerns over Rohr’s technical abilities.
In an interview with Saturday PUNCH, Fashanu said, “The game of football is not about chances because it is either you win or you walk, it is quite simple.
“It is like giving somebody a second chance to shoot, obviously, you don’t do that. In a situation where you are having a confrontation, it is exactly the same as this. Read more
Arsene Wenger gives advice to Mikel Arteta on Mesut Ozil situation (Metro)
Arsene Wenger has denied the suggestion that Mesut Ozil is a difficult player to manager but believes he needs to be shown constant support if Mikel Arteta decides to resurrect the German’s Arsenal career. The 32-year-old featured prominently during the first few months of Arteta’s tenure but has been exiled since the Premier League resumed in June and hasn’t featured at all for the club this season. In his absence, Arsenal have struggled to unlock opposition defences and appear to be crying out for the creative qualities the former Real Madrid star possess in abundance. Read more
Juventus may swap Ronaldo for Pogba (Nation)
Juventus are exploring ways of securing a deal for Pogba after his agent, Mino Raiola, declared the midfielder “needs a new club” in an interview earlier this week
Juventus would reportedly consider a swap deal which would see Paul Pogba return to Turin and Cristiano Ronaldo rejoin Manchester United.
Pogba, 27, is destined to leave Old Trafford after his agent, Mino Raiola, claimed the midfielder “needs a new club” and is “unhappy” at United earlier this week.
While Real Madrid are heavily linked with the France international, Raiola appeared to hint Juventus are leading the race to sign his client.
Pogba enjoyed a sublime four-season spell with Juve before his £89million transfer to the Red Devils in 2016, scoring 34 goals and winning six major honours with the Old Lady. Read more
Villa sink Wolves with El Ghazi’s late penalty (Punch)
Anwar El Ghazi’s last-gasp penalty fired 10-man Aston Villa to a dramatic 1-0 win against, while under-fire Manchester United coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer prepared for a crucial derby against Manchester City on Saturday.
In the first of the day’s Premier League games, Dutch winger El Ghazi struck from the spot in stoppage-time to lift Villa into eighth place.
Villa had Douglas Luiz sent off in the final minutes for two bookings after the Brazilian midfielder caught Daniel Podence with an elbow. Read more
Who will Anthony Joshua fight next after Kubrat Pulev? (Metro)
Anthony Joshua returns to the ring for the first time in a year as he defends his heavyweight belts against Kubrat Pulev on Saturday. Joshua is the favourite to beat the 39-year-old Bulgarian, which would then set up a high-profile showdown against Tyson Fury in 2021. But the experienced Pulev should offer a stern test for Joshua, with his only defeat in his 11-year professional career coming against Wladimir Klitschko in 2014. Pulev has vowed to produce an upset in London on Saturday evening as he confronted Joshua during a heated weigh-in on Friday. Read more
Everton blame Covid for record £140 million loss (Guardian)
Everton have announced club record losses of £139.9 million ($186 million) after the implications of the coronavirus pandemic significantly impacted revenues.
The Toffees said the impact of Covid-19 amounted to an unforeseen loss of £67.3 million due to a cut in matchday revenue and television rebates.
However, the figures show Everton would still have made a huge loss without the disruption of the pandemic after also posting a then-record loss of £111.8 million last year. Read more