Most buyers don’t care about fake NAFDAC label on gin – Arrested maker of adulterated drinks (Punch)
A primary school leaver, David Ozoemenam, who specialised in the production of adulterated gin, has been arrested by the police in Lagos.
City Round learnt that 34-year-old Ozoemenam was picked up recently by operatives of the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team while he was returning from Iyana-Iba area with a large quantity of empty bottles he wanted to use to package the drink.
He was said to have led the detectives to his four-room apartment on Tuara Street, Progress Estate, Iba, Lagos, where he resides and uses for distilling gin. Read more
Lagos begins cleanup Of Ikoyi, VI (Guardian)
The Lagos State Government, yesterday, commenced the enforcement exercise to clean up Ikoyi and Victoria Island and impounded 36 exotic cars, as well as trucks from an illegal car mart and mechanic workshop located on the pedestrian walkway along Murtala Mohammed Drive, formerly Bank Road in Ikoyi.
During the enforcement action, led by the Chairman, Task Force on Environmental and Special Offences, Yinka Egbeyemi, four persons were also arrested and promptly arraigned before a mobile court.
They were arrested for various offences, including conversion of a walkway on Bank Road into beer parlour, as well as transforming a pedestrian route into a car mart with 36 fairly-used vehicles displayed for sale. Read more
Operation Amotekun: Lagos, Osun, Ekiti to recruit 1,320 militiamen (Punch)
The new security outfit geared towards tackling kidnapping and criminal activities in the South-West, Operation Amotekun, gained momentum on Friday as Lagos, Osun and Ekiti state governments announced they would recruit about 1,320 militiamen for the purpose.
The announcement came barely two days after South-West governors led by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State inaugurated the outfit, also called Western Nigeria Security Network.
The development came just as the police have identified about 52 deadly blackspots they would focus on in collaboration with the militiamen. Read more
We will make learning attractive through digitisation, says Sanwo-Olu (Guardian)
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu yesterday said that learning would be digitised at primary and junior schools in the state to make learning attractive.
More than 2,000 teachers from all the 57 local councils are currently undergoing a two-week intensive training being held under the state government’s Eko Excel Initiative. The programme is a key component of the Sanwo-Olu administration’s education blueprint seeking to deploy technology to fundamentally transform the basic education template, thereby improving the outcome of teaching and learning.
The State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and its technical partner, Bridge International Academies, had already trained 2,400 primary school teachers in the first tranche of the capacity building programme. Read more
18 suspected fake revenue agents arraigned (Nation)
No fewer than 18 persons suspected to be fake toll collectors have been arraigned before the Anambra State Revenue Mobile Court.
The suspects were apprehended by a combined team of law enforcement agents operating under the State Ministry of Transport Anti Touting Squad on routine enforcement.
The suspects were nabbed at various locations in Onitsha and environs with bundles of fake tickets, narcotics and currencies.
The recovered items were brought before the Revenue Court sitting at Terminal Central Motor Park, near Upper Iweka, Onitsha. Read more
Author of ‘ The Naked Gods’, Chukwuemeka Ike is dead (Punch)
Foremost novelist, Prof Chukwuemeka Ike, is dead.
A family source who pleaded anonymity told our correspondent that he passed away on Thursday.
Ike until his death was the traditional ruler of Ndikelionwu in the Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The monarch lost his only son, Osita Ike, about three years ago.
Born on 28th April 1931, the writer reportedly died at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, after a brief illness. Read more
Budget: Kano to spend N52bn on education (Nation)
The Kano State Government has earmarked N52.2 billion in the 2020 budget for the education sector.
According to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), The Commissioner for Planning and Budget, Alhaji Nura Dankadai, said this while addressing newsmen on the 2020 budget breakdown on Friday in Kano.
“To actualise our policy of free and compulsory education in both primary, secondary and Tsangaya schools, the government has planned to spend a total sum of N52.2 billion in this critical sector representing 25.32 per cent,” he said.
Dankadai said that the present administration would continue to sustain the giant strides made in expanding access to basic quality education in the state. Read more
Iran admits shooting down Ukrainian airliner ‘unintentionally’ – state TV (Guardian)
Iran has announced that its military “unintentionally” shot down a Ukrainian jetliner, killing all 176 people onboard, according to state TV.
The statement came on Saturday morning with “human error” blamed for the downing of the plane. The responsible parties would be held accountable, the statement read on state TV said.
The jetliner, a Boeing 737 operated by Ukrainian International Airlines, went down on the outskirts of Tehran during takeoff a few hours after Iran launched a barrage of missiles at US forces in Iraq. Read more
Sultan of Oman dies, state media announces (Guardian)
Oman’s Sultan Qaboos bin Said died on Friday evening, state media has announced. Omani television news said the council’s high military council had called the ruling family to convene and choose a new ruler.
Western-backed Qaboos, 79, had ruled the Gulf Arab state since he took over in a bloodless coup in 1970 with the help of Oman’s former colonial power Britain.
Qaboos had no children and had not publicly appointed a successor. A 1996 statute says the ruling family must choose a successor within three days of the throne becoming vacant. Read more
Is it right to put your bread in the fridge? (Metro)
Any carb lover will know that a big old loaf of bread doesn’t stay fresh for very long.
So how do you make the food staple stay tastier for longer?
We’ve been given mixed messages about this over the years, from storing it in its plastic on the counter to keeping it in a bread bin and even refrigerating it.
But is it ever right to put your bread in the fridge?
We put the question to food scientist John Lubaale. Read more
Harry and Meghan quit royal life as ‘it was made clear they weren’t part of it’ (Metro)
Prince Harry and Meghan were told they ‘weren’t really part’ of plans for a slimmed-down monarchy, according to one of their close confidantes.
Tom Bradby said it was also ‘not true’ that the royals were ‘blindsided’ by their announcement to step back.
The Queen has ordered crisis talks and a solution to be found ‘within days’ after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced they wanted to carve a new future for themselves.
She, as well as Princes Charles and William, were said to be ‘hurt’ that the bombshell announcement was made while talks were in the ‘early stages.’ Read more
Watch Out: Iheanacho warns teammates against Southampton (Nation)
Kelechi Iheanacho has warned Leicester City’s teammates not to expect another Southampton stroll.
The Foxes equalled the Premier League record with a stunning 9-0 win at St Mary’s in October.
But Saints visit the King Power Stadium today having won six of their last nine games in all competitions.
“It is football – anything can happen – but I think they’re going to come at us strongly this time,” Iheanacho said.
“So we’ve just got to focus on our jobs and the things we’ve got to do and make sure we get the three points. Read more
Reds step up Chukwueze pursuit …as Villarreal consider £34m offer for starlet (Punch)
Super Eagles dazzling winger, Samuel Chukwueze, might have lost out to Borussia Dortmund’s and Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi as CAF’s best young player but, that has not stopped Europe’s elite clubs from scampering to secure his signature.
The likes of Real, Atletico and Liverpool have reportedly been linked with a swoop for the Nigeria international but, according to latest reports from Spanish outlet Foot Marcato, Champions League holders and Club World Cup champions, Liverpool, are seriously considering a move for the Villarreal starlet in the summer.
According to Mercato, it is believed that the Yellow Submarines are softening their stance over his valuation and will be ready to consider offers in the region of £34m for the 20-year-old as Jurgen Klopp firms up interest in the Nigerian. Read more
Djokovic and Nadal set up prospect of final showdown in inaugural ATP Cup (Guardian)
There is only so far any hero can carry his tribe. Yet after a weary Novak Djokovic and Serbia limped through the quarter-finals of the ATP Cup into Saturday’s match against Russia, Rafael Nadal lost and won in the space of a few hours as Spain beat Belgium 2-1 to book an evening showdown with Australia. Neither will be easy.
It is asking a lot for either the world No 1 or No 2 to reach Sunday’s final of the inaugural 24-nation tournament, especially so close to the start of the Australian Open in Melbournea week later, but they will let nobody down.
It was a minor rather than major shock that David Goffin beat Nadal 6-4, 7-6 (3), in the singles on Friday; his one win in five against the Spaniard arrived indoor on a hard court at the 2017 ATP World Tour Finals. But not many imagined Nadal and Pablo Carreño Busta would struggle so much in the deciding doubles before beating Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen 6-7 (7), 7-5, 10-7. Read more
Osimhen makes Ligue 1 team for mid-season (Punch)
In-form Nigerian forward, Victor Osimhen, has been included in Ligue 1’s team of the mid-season by reputable French publication, France Football beating Kylian Mbappe to the list.
The Lille forward has been in form in the French league since joining in the summer from Belgian side Sporting Charleroi scoring 14 goals in 25 appearances in all competition.
Osimhen is also third on the log of the top scorers in the league with 10 goals in 18 appearances behind PSG’s Kylian Mbappe and Monaco’s Wissam Ben Yedder while providing four assists. Read more
Manchester United open talks with Sporting Lisbon for Bruno Fernandes (Metro)
Sporting Lisbon president Frederico Varandas has arrived at Manchester United’s offices to discuss a deal for midfielder Bruno Fernandes. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer flew to Portugal on Sunday with assistant Mike Phelan to cast an eye over transfer target Bruno Fernandes in Sporting’s clash against FC Porto. The midfielder was a target for the club last summer but United had reservations about his ability to retain possession and were unwilling to meet the club’s £70m valuation. However, United will be without midfielders Scott McTominay and Paul Pogba for at least the next month and Solskjaer is desperate to strengthen in the centre of the park. Read more
Solskjær prepares to spend on ‘short-term fix’ at Manchester United (Guardian)
Ole Gunnar Solskjær has shifted his stance and said he is ready to sign a player this month as a “short-term fix” for Manchester United but insists it would not be to protect his own position.
The manager has previously dismissed adding anyone who would be of use only in the immediate future but said on Friday: “It wouldn’t always be the worst thing you can do to put a short-term fix in if it’s good for the group here and now.
“But you wouldn’t put yourself in a situation where you’ve done something that you regret in 18 months’ time. We’ve got to do due diligence – character of players, quality of players that are the right fit into this squad.” Read more
Manchester United fear Scott McTominay could be out until April with knee injury (Metro)
Manchester United could be forced into the transfer market this month to sign a midfielder with the club fearing that Scott McTominay will be unable to return to action until April. The Scot has missed United’s last four matches after being taken off at half-time in a 4-1 win against Newcastle United on Boxing Day. McTominay sustained knee ligament damage in a collision with Sean Longstaff but battled his way through the remainder of the half. That initially gave the club hope that McTominay’s lay-off would not be severe and, though there was ligament damage, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has often talked up the 23-year-old’s ‘quick recovery’. It was hoped that McTominay would return to training in late February but sources have told Metro.co.uk that the initial stages of the midfielder’s recovery means that date is likely to be pushed back by around a month. Read more
Ligue 1: Strootman fires Marseille within four points of PSG (Punch)
Kevin Strootman scored a late winner as Marseille edged out high-flying Rennes 1-0 on Friday to move within four points of Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain.
Andre Villas-Boas’ men clinched victory in a tight encounter when Dutch midfielder Strootman volleyed into an empty net after Dimitri Payet’s 84th-minute free-kick hit the post. Read more
Halogen Group happy to adopt Adekuoroye (Nation)
Management of Halogen Group, Nigeria’s leading security risk outfit is happy to adopt Nigeria’s top wrestler, Odunayo Adekuoroye as the countdown to the Olympic Games in Tokyo continues.
In a statement, the management of Halogen Group commended the Minister of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare for the pragmatic innovation of enlisting the organised private sector in the development of sports in Nigeria, describing the initiative as a fresh idea capable of unleashing a new era of global glory for Nigerian sports and athletes.
Halogen Group described its decision to be one of the first corporate organisations to key into federal government’s “Adopt an Athlete” and the Work Experience Programme, another of the Ministry’s initiatives designed to help promising Nigerian youth acquire job-based technical training as a reflection of its own culture and heritage of leading change in its sector and embracing innovation in all ramifications. Read more