LASG asks residents to protect themselves (Punch)
The Lagos State Safety Commission has urged residents to protect their safety during the festive period and beyond.
The Director-General of LSSC, Mr Lanre Mojola, emphasised the need for adequate personal safety at home, workplace and on the road.
Mojola spoke during a campaign of the agency tagged, ‘Keep safe, stay alive.’
According to a statement on Tuesday, the director-general led other stakeholders on a walk from the office of the commission at Alausa, Ikeja, through to the Obafemi Awolowo Way, Ikeja, and the Ikeja under bridge. Read more
Christmas: Tambuwal preaches unity (DailyTrust)
Sokoto state governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has felicitated with Christian faithful in the state and the country as they celebrate Christmas. In a statement issued by Muhammad Bello, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Governor, Tambuwal said Christmas brings to the fore the urgent need for the unity of Nigeria, which he described as “sacrosanct, inviolable and paramount.” According to him, the yuletide season is also a period of reflection on Nigeria’s diversity so that they may understand and appreciate one another. Read more
Christmas: El-Zakzaky Shiites group attends Church service, presents gift (Nation)
Members of Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), popularly called Shiites on Wednesday attended a Christmas Church service at Church of the Advent, Samaru, Zaria.
Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) shortly after the service, the leader of the team, Prof. Isa Hassan-Mshelgaru said the essence of attending the service was to promote love, tolerance and understanding among Nigerians.
The service was conducted at Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion, Diocese of Zaria, Church of the Advent, Samaru, Kaduna State. Read more
NCFRMI boss felicitates with Persons of Concerns at Christmas (DailyTrust)
The Federal Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Sen. Basheer Garba Mohammed has felicitated with Christians and Persons of Concerns on the 2019 Christmas and New Year Celebrations. Sen. Mohammed, on behalf of the Commission, urged Persons of Concerns and members of the Christian faith to imbibe the lessons of Christ which hinged on humility and righteousness and most importantly, in fostering peace and harmony while in their immediate environment.
In a message of felicitation contained in a Press Release signed by the Head of Media and Communications Strategy in the Commission, Alkasim Abdulkadir, the helmsman at the NCFRMI stated that the: “The Christmas period is not only a period for merriment but also a time for deep reflection on the virtues of Christ, while thanking God for preserving our lives to celebrate another Christmas”. Read more
Oshiomhole rejects Obaseki’s Christmas gifts (NewTelegraph)
The spirit of love, hope and joy being canvassed by leaders across the country may have been defeated as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole at Christmas eve rejected gifts from the state government.
The latest development is a clear pointer of the worsening feud between Governor Godwin Obaseki and his estranged political godfather Comrade Adams Oshiomhole ahead of next year’s gubernatorial election.
Obaseki is seeking for a second term in office.
Both Oshiomhole and Obaseki had a few months ago blamed the crisis rocking the ruling APC in the state on the media. Read more
Imbibe virtues of Christ, APC tells Nigerians (DailyTrust)
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has enjoined Christians and all Nigerians to imbibe the lessons of the birth of Jesus Christ for the greatness of the country. A statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, in Abuja, APC described as momentous, special and significant, the birthday of Christ. “While we celebrate with our family and loved ones, all Nigerians must fully appreciate the need to redouble our efforts in the quest to ensure the peace, progress, stability and economic prosperity of our great country. Read more
Justice Nyesom-Wike celebrates Rivers Christmas Baby (Nation)
Wife of the Rivers State Governor, Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike on Wednesday received and celebrated the 2019 Rivers Christmas Baby at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital in Port Harcourt.
The Christmas Baby born to the family of Mr and Mrs Uchenna Amadi arrived at 8.10am on Wednesday. He weighed 4kg at birth.
Accompanied by Female Permanent Secretaries and Wives of Top Government Functionaries, Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike named the Christmas Baby, Nyesom, after the Rivers State Governor. Read more
Ayelala forces looters to return traders’ goods in Edo (NewTelegraph)
Hoodlums, who looted goods during fire outbreak at the Ekiosa market, Benin, Edo State, have started to return the stolen items. This followed a march round the market by traditional Ayelala priests on Monday. The priests, adorned in red clothes, and carrying ritual items, invoked curses on those who looted goods of most of the victims while the market was on fire. Hoodlums stole bags of rice, clothes, wrappers, goats, birds and costly items during the pandemonium that followed the fire outbreak at the market on Sunday morning.
The fire also affected the Edo Property Development Agency (EPDA) building complex. It was learnt that the suspected looters are returning the stolen items to the palace of the Oba of Benin and different spots at the market after the curse was placed on them. The curse has elicited fear in the suspects and the consequence of refusal to return the stolen items is said to be deadly to not only the culprits but also to their families. Read more
Suspected rapist killed in Christmas-Day jungle justice (Guardian)
An angry mob has lynched and killed a suspected thief for stealing from a girl and raping her on Christmas Day in Calabar, Cross River State.
The incident, witnesses said happened on Ekong Etta Street by Okoro Agbor Street around 2 am on Christmas Day.
An eyewitness said the suspected thief was chased by the mob who later beat him to death and dumped his corpse in a waste bin close to an Apostolic Church where the incident happened. Read more
Bank robber throws cash in air, shouting ‘Merry Christmas’ (NewTelegraph)
A man with a white beard was being held on $10,000 bond for allegedly robbing a Colorado bank and throwing the stolen cash into the air while shouting, “Merry Christmas” to passersby, police and local media reported on Tuesday.
David Wayne Oliver, 65, was arrested at a nearby Starbucks coffee shop after he held up the Academy Bank in Colorado Springs on Monday afternoon, according to a police report.
Police said the suspect had “threatened the use of a weapon” and left the bank with an undisclosed amount of cash, reports Reuters. Read more
I won’t repeat Rio mistakes in Tokyo – Adekuoroye (NewTelegraph)
One of the country’s prospects for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, Odunayo Adekuoroye, has said she will try her best not to repeat the same mistakes she made at the last Olympics in Rio, Brazil, which was her first outing at the games.
The 53k weight wrestler was defeated by Sweden’s Sofia Mattsson in the quarter final of the 2016 Games and she has set her sights on going for the gold medal in Tokyo.
Speaking with our correspondent, the athlete who applauded the minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, on the recent Adopt-an-Athlete Initiative, said such opportunity would help to drive the athletes to success in Tokyo. Read more
Boxing review of 2019: Joshua, Ruiz, Wilder, others light up year (Guardian)
There were fights that thrilled, fights that never happened and fights that simply stunned us.
“What a year. We may say we didn’t get this or that – but what a year,” Aside from a June upset fit for the boxing ages, 2019 served up more class from Ukraine, more power-punching from a certain American heavyweight and more general brilliance by a Japanese fighter who found a novel way to combat blurred vision.
Here, BBC boxing correspondent Mike Costello and his 5 Live side-kick Bunce hand out their awards for the year, and go one further as they name their pound-for-pound top five global fighters. Read more
Ole: Pogba’s ‘best all-round midfielder in the world’ (NewTelegraph)
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has labelled Paul Pogba the “best all-round midfielder in the world” upon his return from injury.
Pogba was substituted on for United in the 64th minute of their disappointing 2-0 defeat to Watford on Sunday, making his first appearance since September due to ankle problems.
Asked whether Pogba will start against Newcastle on Boxing Day: “Let’s see how he reacts, how he feels. He did really well when he came on, a big plus. Read more
Oshodi wants Nigeria to host ‘Grade A’ PTT tourney (DailyTrust)
The international table tennis federation (ITTF) Committee Chairman and President, ITTF Africa, (Western Region), Wahid Oshodi has disclosed there are efforts to convince the world table tennis ruling body to ensure that Nigeria joins the list of countries hosting a major Para Table Tennis (PTT) tournament across the globe. Oshodi said he was impressed with the organisation coupled with the standard of play at the maiden edition of the just concluded Valuejet Para Table Tennis (PTT) Open.
Oshodi who said the para table tennis tournament held at Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium may be considered for next year considering the personnel in the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) and the support of the sponsor. Read more
I’ll beat Fury after sparring him –Joshua (Punch)
Two-time heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua says he’d be happy to spar with Tyson Fury, but plans to beat him if they do eventually fight each other.
Joshua insists sparring with Tyson Fury would help him win a future fight between the pair.
Joshua reclaimed his IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO titles when he beat Andy Ruiz Jr on points earlier in December, and has since offered to spar with Fury ahead of the Gypsy King’s rematch with Deontay Wilder in February. Read more
My rivalry with Federer unequalled to Messi, Ronaldo, Nadal claims (Guardian)
Rafael Nadal says it is impossible to compare his tennis rivalry with Roger Federer to the clash of the football titans between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
The similarity has often been suggested, based on the rationale that Federer and Messi are aesthetically extraordinary while Nadal and Ronaldo are machine-like in their winning nature and physically immense.
Ronaldo’s Juventus club-mate, goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, floated the theory in October, saying the “comparison is obvious and makes me smile”. Read more
Big boost in Australian Open prize money (DailyTrust)
Big pay rises are in store for players at January’s Australian Open with organisers Tuesday announcing a 13.6 percent boost in the total purse to Aus$71 million (US$49.1 million). The winners of the men’s and women’s titles at the first Grand Slam of the year will both take home Aus$4.12 million, only a small increase from a year ago.
But players beaten in earlier rounds do much better. Read more
Arteta’s lack of experience ‘doesn’t mean anything’ to Howe (NewTelegraph)
Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe has played down the importance of managerial experience ahead of Thursday’s Premier League game against Arsenal, who will play their first match under newly appointed head coach Mikel Arteta.
Arteta, 37, was appointed Unai Emery’s successor last week and the former Arsenal midfielder comes into the role having spent the last three years as Pep Guardiola’s assistant at defending champions Manchester City.
Former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger had said before Arteta’s appointment that he had “no experience” as a manager and would need help but Howe, who was named Bournemouth’s permanent manager at the age of 31 in 2009, begs to differ, reports Reuters. Read more
NFF shops for new national team coaches (DailyTrust)
The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF has revealed that it will in the next few months begin hunt for substantive coaches for some national teams. According to NFF General Secretary, Sanusi Mohammed while speaking on 95.1 Nigeria Info FM, Abuja urged Nigerians to be patient with the NFF as the advertisements for the vacancies will soon be out.
It will be noted that the senior women National team, the Super Falcons is without a substantive coach while the women U-20 and U-17 teams are without coaches who have also ended their assignments. Read more
Chelsea want to keep Willian faith against Saints (Punch)
Willian’s performance at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last weekend highlighted just why Frank Lampard is keen to see the Brazilian’s future at Chelsea resolved.
While much of the focus this season has been trained on the outstanding contribution of the youngsters in Blues manager Lampard’s squad, Willian’s performances on the right of a front three have been consistently excellent.
The winger appeared to have lost his way in recent seasons, particularly last term when he struggled for consistency under Maurizio Sarri and appeared in danger of leaving the London club. Read more