Loaded passenger bus plunges into canal in Lagos (Punch)
A bus loaded with passengers has plunged into a canal at the Oworonshoki area of Lagos State.
It was learnt that some of the passengers were injured in the incident that happened on Monday.
It was also gathered that the bus lost control before plunging into the canal with a yet-to-be-ascertained number of passengers.
Efforts are on to rescue the trapped passengers, The PUNCH was told.
Details of the incident were sketchy as of the time of filing this report. Read more
Lagos residents laud Sanwo-Olu for free BRT ride (Guardian)
Some passengers at various corridors in Lagos have lauded Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu for granting them free ride on Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) on Christmas Day.
The passengers boarded BRT from CMS, Ikorodu, Ketu and Fadeyi, Tafawa Balewa Square, Oshodi, Abule Egba and other areas.
They could not hide their joy while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on their feelings.
They said the free ride enabled them to visit their friends and family members.
Sanwo-Olu had on Christmas eve announced free ride on BRT corridors for Lagos residents on Christmas and New Year days.
According to the announcement, only adult passengers with the Cowry cards were eligible for the free ride. Read more
Fuel increase: Labour reiterates shut down’ll be spontaneous (Sun)
Organised labour has warned that its response to the proposed increase in the pump price of petrol to N340 next year, following the removal of subsidy on the product, would be spontaneous.
Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) had after its organs’ meetings recently threatened to shut down activities nationwide should the Federal Government increase the pump price of petrol in 2022.
Secretary General of the Association of Senior Civil Servant of Nigeria (ASCSN), Bashir Alade Lawal, in an interview with Daily Sun, yesterday, vowed that the threat by labour would be enforced saying it would be detrimental to the overall well-being of citizens to allow the government have its way on the policy.
He said an increase in pump price of petrol would exacerbate crime as petrol was like an exchange rate which affected every facet of life in the country.
“Our response to the proposed fuel price increase? It should be spontaneous. We would not play to the gallery. We are already down and they want to add to the problem. Nobody is going to run out of the country. We are all going to be here to see the consequences of what they are planning,” he said. Read more
10 years after, Occupy Nigeria protest to return (Tribune)
An amalgam of civil society groups and political actors have vowed to shut down Nigeria again, like they did nearly a decade back, if the Federal Government goes ahead with its plan to increase fuel and electricity prices in 2022.
In 2012, forces opposed to fuel price hike by the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan shut the country down for almost two weeks, in an operation codenamed ‘Occupy Nigeria.’
Leaders of the effective protests which crippled the country, as opposition elements then, are now senior operatives in the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, which is seeking to upwardly adjust both fuel and electricity costs as done multiple times in the last six years of the administration.
The coalition operating under the Peoples Alternative Political Movement (TPAP-M), in a communique after a public meeting with allies, threatened to shut the country down again, as the anniversary of the 2012 shutdown draws near. Read more
Nigeria Records 1,547 COVID-19 Infections (DailyTrust)
Nigeria recorded 1,547 cases of COVID-19 infections, on Sunday, bringing the country’s total to 237,561 since the outbreak of the virus on Feb. 27, 2020.
The virus has also taken 3,022 lives in Nigeria so far.
Nigeria has treated and discharged 212,550 of those infected. 193 of them were discharged from hospitals on Sunday.
The National Centre for Disease Control stated that Sunday’s infections were recorded in nine states and the FCT.
FCT took over the lead from Lagos State on Sunday as it recorded 806 infections compared to 401 recorded by the latter. Read more
Leading Contemporary Nigerian Artist, Abayomi Barber, Dies at 93 (ThisDay)
One of Nigeria’s renowned contemporary artists, Professor Abayomi Barber, is dead.
His death was announced yesterday by the Chairman of Lagos State chapter of the Society of Nigerian Artists, Kolawole Olojo-Kosoko.
The late artist and founder of the Abayomi Barber Art School is best known for his surrealist paintings and naturalistic sculptures. Barber rose to prominence from a relatively obscure beginning.
This was after his botched attempt to sail to England as a stowaway, which earned him the wrath of his maternal uncle, Oba Adesoji Aderemi (the then Ooni of Ife). It was while serving the Ooni’s punishment that fate brought him in contact with the former Premier of Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Read more
GTCO, 9 Others List N906b Shares On NGX In 2021 (Leadership)
The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited has listed N906.4 billion raised from new issues of equities from 10 companies during the outgoing year, 2021.
Under new listing, Ronchess Global Resources Plc listed by introduction 91 million ordinary valued at N7.371 billion; Nigerian Exchange Group (NGXGroup) Plc (N31.720 billion); Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) (N840.260 billion); and Briclinks Africa Plc (N62.6 million).
On supplementary listing are Jaiz Bank Plc, Chemical and Allied Products (CAP), Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc, Etranzact International Plc, SUNU Assurance and Transcorp Hotels listed shares worth N3.3 billion, N1.730 billion, N4.8 billion, N3.652 billion, N3.011 billion and N9.934 billion, respectively.
Capital is critical for business growth. Companies can raise capital through debt or equity. Debt is issued in the form of bonds, and equity is issued in the form of shares. When a company issues new bonds or common stock, it is referred to as a new issue. Read more
Police never invited me before whisking me away from church – Okorocha’s son-in-law, Uche Nwosu (Punch)
A son-in-law to a former governor of Imo State, Uche Nwosu, has been released less than 24 hours after he was whisked away during a church service at his hometown, Eziama Obieri in the Nkwerre Local Government Area of Imo State, by masked police operatives.
Nwosu in a statement issued on Monday by his media aide, Chikezie Nwadike, disclosed that he didn’t spend the night in the facilities of the police.
The statement also debunked the speculation that Nwosu was arrested in a church because he had refused to honour many police invitations extended to him.
The statement challenged the police or anybody who held the opinion to produce a documented proof wherein Nwosu, a 2019 governorship candidate was invited by the police. Read more
Constitution review: Senate forecloses state creation (Nation)
The Senate has ruled out the creation of new states, it was learnt on Sunday.
The Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution observed that, apart from shrinking resources, which may render additional states unviable, the exercise may fuel national tension and further polarise the country.
There are agitations across the six geo-political zones that states should be increased from 36 to 56.
However, the Senate Committee reasoned that the new states will create additional burden for the country.
Senate President Ahmad Lawan, who spoke on the report of the Constitution Review, said the recommendations, which would be harmonised before the Constitution Amendment Bill is passed, will top the agenda of the Senate after the Christmas recess. Read more
Christmas: Travellers in fear over sit-at-home in Imo (Vanguard)
Some Residents who planned to travel out of Imo state for Christmas on Monday could not embark on their journey for fear of the strange happenings that usually come with the sit-at-home of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, in the South East region.
Vanguard gathered from the premises of some of the major transportation companies along Egbu and Onitsha road in Owerri.
At the time of filing this report, some of the transport companies were not available for business owing to their experience where their buses were attacked and burnt by enforcers of the sit-at-home order.
It was seen that some travellers were stranded as offices of some of the bus companies were not open for service. Read more
Jean-Marc Vallée: Canadian filmmaker dies aged 58 (BBC)
Canadian filmmaker Jean-Marc Vallée, whose work included Dallas Buyers Club and Wild has died aged 58.
The Oscar-nominated director also won an Emmy award for his work on the HBO series Big Little Lies.
He died over the weekend in Quebec City, his long-time producing partner Nathan Ross confirmed in a statement provided to The Hollywood Reporter, though no cause of death was given.
Ross said Vallée “stood for creativity” and “authenticity”. Read more
Sony bosses in celebration mode as Spider-Man: No Way Home smashes $1b at box office (Metro)
Sony bosses are in celebration mode after it was revealed that Spider-Man: No Way Home hit the $1billion (£746million) mark days after it was released.
Not only that, but the film – starring Tom Holland and Zendaya as well as a string of other cast cameos – has become the first film to make $1bn worldwide since the pandemic began.
Tom Rothman, Sony Pictures chairman and CEO, raved about the numbers in a statement, which read: ‘This weekend’s historic Spider-Man: No Way Home results, from all over the world and in the face of many challenges, reaffirm the unmatched cultural impact that exclusive theatrical films can have when they are made and marketed with vision and resolve.
‘All of us at Sony Pictures are deeply grateful to the fabulous talent, both in front of and behind the camera, that produced such a landmark film.’ Read more
Iran says Vienna nuclear talks to restart around joint document (AlJazeera)
The eighth round of Iran nuclear talks will start on Monday in Vienna based on a new joint document that incorporates key Iranian demands such as guarantees and verification on the lifting of sanctions, Iran’s foreign minister has said.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian told reporters in the capital Tehran on Monday that an “acceptable” joint text has been agreed which includes talking points on sanctions and nuclear issues.
“We’ve set aside the June 2021 document and have agreed a new joint document and talks will begin today around that document,” state-run IRNA quoted Amirabdollahian as saying in reference to a text that was reached at the end of the sixth round of talks in the Austrian capital.
The eight-round of the high-stakes negotiations aimed at restoring Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers – the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) – is slated to begin on Monday after a 10-day pause following the end of the previous talks that began in late November. Read more
Israel Begins Clinical Trial of Fourth COVID-19 Vaccine Shot (VOA)
Doctors in Israel began administering a fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine Monday as part of a trial study to determine if the extra shot can boost immunity against the virus.
The trial study involving about 150 staffers at Sheba Medical Center near Tel Aviv comes just days after a special health advisory panel recommended that people 60 years old and older, as well as those with compromised immune systems and medical workers, receive a fourth dose of the Pfizer vaccine.Health Ministry Director Nachman Ash must give final approval to the panel’s recommendation.
Israel has outpaced much of the world in vaccinating its citizens, including offering booster shots, but the pace has slowed in recent weeks as it faces a fifth wave of new COVID-19 infections driven by the omicron variant of the coronavirus.
The fast-spreading variant has led to chaotic closures and cancellations around the world since it was first identified last month in a handful of southern African nations. Read more
Police investigate video linked to armed intruder arrested at Windsor Castle on Christmas (USAToday)
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II has stayed at Windsor Castle instead of spending Christmas at her Sandringham estate due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
British police said Monday they were investigating a video linked to a man armed with a crossbow who was arrested at Windsor Castle on Christmas Day.
The video, obtained by The Sun newspaper, showed a masked person in a dark hoodie holding a crossbow and addressing the camera with a distorted voice, saying they wanted to “assassinate” Queen Elizabeth II.
The Sun said the video was sent from the suspect’s Snapchat account shortly before he was arrested.
Police said they arrested a 19-year-old man within the grounds of Windsor Castle after a security breach took place on Christmas morning. Officers found a crossbow after searching the man. Read more
Australia’s New South Wales sees first omicron death (DW)
New South Wales has reported its first omicron fatality with the death of an elderly man. Hong Kong authorities have suspended Korean Air flights. DW has the latest.
In Australia, the most populous state of New South Wales has confirmed the country’s first death from the omicron variant of the coronavirus on Monday.
The death was of a man in his 80s who contracted the virus at a care home in western Sydney. He was fully inoculated but had other health issues.
On Monday, the state saw 6,324 new cases of COVID-19 infection, a dip from the record number of cases a day before.
Fresh restrictions went into force in New South Wales on Monday, including a cap of one person per 2 square meters (about 21 square feet) in bars and restaurants and mandatory “check-ins” with QR codes in all hospitality venues. Read more
Legendary Motown singer Wanda Young dead at 78 (NYPost)
Wanda Young, singer in the Motown doo-wop girl group The Marvelettes, died earlier this month outside of Detroit.
Young, 78, died Dec. 15 of complications of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, her daughter Meta Ventress told The New York Times Saturday.
Young replaced another singer in the Michigan group when Motown head Berry Gordy signed the band in 1961. A month later, The Marvelettes’ “Please Mr. Postman” became the first song on the young label to reach the top of the charts.
The group followed the hit with popular songs like “My Baby Must Be A Magician” and “Don’t Mess With Bill,” which both featured Young providing lead vocals. Read more
UK police apologise for killing of footballer Atkinson (Guardian)
A police force in western England formally apologised Monday to the family of ex-Premier League footballer Dalian Atkinson, six months after one of its officers was jailed over his death.
Atkinson, 48, died in hospital in 2016 about an hour after policeman Benjamin Monk discharged his Taser at him three times — including once for 33 seconds — and kicked him twice in the head.
Monk was sentenced in June to eight years in prison for causing the death of the former Aston Villa star, with a judge saying jail time was necessary to maintain public confidence in the police.
Pippa Mills, who took over as head of West Mercia Police in September, wrote to Atkinson’s family to say she was “deeply sorry for the devastating impact” of Monk’s conduct. Read more
Top 14 rugby programme takes more hard hits as virus cancellations spread (RFI)
The French premier rugby league competition, the Top 14, reaches the half-way stage this weekend. With four of the weekend’s fixtures postponed because of Covid positives in several squads, it’s hard to know if the glass is half full or half empty.
Monday’s eagerly-awaited clash between league leaders Begles-Bordeaux, who had been due to travel to play Toulon, is among the matches postponed, as is the Paris Arena meeting between Racing 92 and Pau.
The French league said the health situation had forced their hand.
Champions Toulouse’s home game on Sunday with Stade Francais became the fourth Top 14 clash to be called off due to a surfeit of Covid-19 positive tests in the visiting club.
The match joined Sunday’s Brive-Clermont clash. Read more
Anti-vaxx kickboxing king dies after discharging himself from hospital (RT)
An anti-vaccine former kickboxing champion died from Covid complications at the age of 41 shortly after discharging himself from hospital, according to reports.
Frederic Sinistra passed away at his home in the town of Ciney, southern Belgium, after deciding he would personally treat what he described as a “little virus”.
Forced to finally get medical help in November by his coach, Osman Yigin, the fighter known as ‘The Undertaker’ had uploaded pictures of himself from a hospital bed while breathing through an oxygen tube in an intensive care unit.
According to reports, the heavyweight star treated himself with oxygen at home. Later, however, his partner had to publicly announce his death via an emotional Facebook post. Read more
Washington players Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne have sideline altercation during Cowboys blowout (NYPost)
Emotions got the best of two WFT players that came to blows during Sunday night’s 56-14 blowout loss to the Cowboys.
Defensive linemen Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne had to be separated by fellow teammates after Allen threw at punch Payne on the bench during the second quarter.
The two, who were also college teammates at Alabama, were captured on NBC cameras in a heated exchange before Payne appeared to poke his finger at Allen’s head.
“I don’t think it takes a rocket scientist,” said Allen, a team captain, about what sparked the scuffle.
“If you look at how that game went, emotions are high, things are high, things happen.” Read more
COVID-19 depleted Raptors suffer hard 45-point loss to Cavaliers (CBC)
Kevin Love and Darius Garland scored 22 points apiece, and the Cleveland Cavaliers tied their franchise record with 46 points in the third quarter of a 144-99 rout over the COVID-19 depleted Toronto Raptors on Sunday night.
Lauri Markkanen added 20 points and Garland had eight assists for Cleveland, which led by 47 points twice late in the fourth. The Cavaliers won their fifth in a row at home and made 22 3-pointers in a team-record 52 attempts.
It was Cleveland’s largest victory margin of the season and the first time Toronto has lost by more than 17 points in 2021-22. The Cavaliers had 39 assists, two shy of the most in the NBA this season. Read more
Mali recall Brighton’s Yves Bissouma after 3-year absence (Independent)
Mali have recalled Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma to their squad for the Africa Cup of Nations, after three-year international absence.
Bissouma was named by the Mali coach Mohamed Magassouba on Friday in a 28-man squad for the tournament that kicks off in Cameroon on 9 January.
The 25-year-old has not played for Mali since a Nations Cup qualifier in 2018 after reportedly falling out with the coach.
He missed the 2019 Nations Cup in Egypt with a shoulder injury.
English Premier League side Brighton said on Monday it had not been contacted directly about Bissouma’s call-up for the Nations Cup. Read more
Mo Salah, Liverpool icon and incarnation of Egypt’s footballing dreams (France24)
Mohamed Salah, one of the greatest footballers playing today, is synonymous with Liverpool’s transformation into the unstoppable attacking juggernaut that captured a once elusive Premier League title in 2019-20. But Salah has yet to produce anything like that glittering success for the Egyptian national team, who are hoping to find their moment of glory at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations starting on January 7.
With their trademark Scouse wit, Liverpool fans famously express their love for Mo Salah by singing to the tune of Dodgy’s 1996 Britpop hit Good Enough: “Mo Sa-la-la-la-lah, Mo Sa-la-la-la-lah, if he’s good enough for you, he’s good enough for me, if he scores another few, then I’ll be Muslim too”.
Since that chant first coruscated around Anfield in 2018, Salah has kept up his astonishing form – characterised by ingenious dribbling moves, an almost clairvoyant ability to read the game ahead and lethal finishing skills.
When Liverpool thrashed their bitter rivals Manchester United 5-0 at Old Trafford in October – a match that will no doubt live forever in Scouse lore – Salah scored a hat-trick and surpassed ex-Chelsea hero Didier Drogba’s 104-goal record to become the top-scoring African player in Premier League history. Read more