Motorists lament as traffic diversion on Kara Bridge begins (Guardian)
For motorists plying the ever-busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, last Wednesday was a particularly harrowing day as gridlock grounded the stretch of the highway, and the adjourning routes.The Guardian observed that traffic outbound Lagos has been diverted to the inbound section, creating a traffic bottleneck with thick spillover at both ends. At the Lagos end of the traffic overflow, major arteries like the Third Mainland Bridge, Ikorodu Road inwards Ojuelegba were all on a lockdown.
From as early as 6 a.m. motorists and commuters moving along the highway were stranded as their vehicles got stuck in the traffic jam that lasted the whole day. Many of those heading to Lagos found the slow pace of vehicular movement from Ibafo which run through the entire stretch of Long Bridge, while those moving out of Lagos experienced the traffic from as far as the Iyana-Oworo end of the Third Mainland Bridge.
It was learnt that the gridlock was caused and worsened by a trailer that lost control and rammed into the concrete barricade used for road diversion at the diversion points crossing the two lanes reserved for the movement of vehicles.The road which was re-opened on December 1, 2019, was partially closed in September when the reconstruction work commenced and traffic was diverted on both sides of the expressway. Read more
Awo, Fela’s statues not destroyed – Lagos govt (DailyTrust)
The Lagos State government has described as false the news making the rounds in some quarters of the social media that it has destroyed the statues of the late politician, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and Nigerian music legend and social crusader, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, both of which were erected at the roundabout on Allen Avenue, Ikeja. The state’s Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Frederic Oladeinde, told journalists yesterday that “contrary to the malicious claims being spread by ill-informed individuals, the statues were removed for the purpose of development.” Oladeinde said the need to carry out junction improvements in some identified locations necessitated the removal of street furniture, statues of very notable personalities, art works and billboards. Read more
NPA, LASG partner to boost investors’ confidence (Vanguard)
In a bid to boost investors’ confidence, the management of Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, has promised to partner with the Lagos State Government.
Speaking during a visit of officials of the Central Business District (CBD) in Lagos, Managing Director of NPA, Ms Hadiza Bala Usman, who was represented by Executive Director, Marine and Operations, Dr. Sokonte Davies, assured the State Government that NPA will always work with its stakeholders, port users and the general public in line with the organizational frame work to enhance the Ease of Doing Business in the nation’s ports.
She said: “NPA is always open to fresh ideas and that the organization will always ensure that things are done in a transparent manner according to rules and regulations.” Read more
Nine burnt to death in Ogun bus explosion (Guardian)
Nine passengers were yesterday burnt to death in an accident involving a Toyota Hiace commercial bus at Ijebu-Ife, along Sagamu-Benin expressway, Ogun State. The bus was conveying 19 passengers and heading to Lagos from the eastern part of the country when the accident occurred at about 3:20p.m. on Thursday.
According to the Ogun State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Clement Oladele, who confirmed the accident to journalists, the vehicle’s fuel tank had developed fault while on transit, but the driver had tied the malfunctioning tank with a rope. The tank reportedly detached from the vehicle while on motion, sparked off and went up in flames.Oladele said nine persons died including two children, while 10 of the passengers were rescued, out of which three of them sustained injuries.
His words: “Preliminary investigation by the FRSC Crash Investigator revealed that the vehicle while on transit suffered malfunctioning and had to stop intermittently at several times to repair faulty fuel pump and fuel tank, which they kept on managing by tying ropes to support the malfunctioned fuel tank. Read more
Alternative fuel at N97 per litre coming (Nation)
AN alternative source of fuel that will be cheaper than the N145 per litre of petrol is in the works, the government said on Thursday.
According to Minister of State Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) will cost between N95 to N97 per litre, to make fuel more affordable.
Sylva, also assured that the much-awaited Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) will be passed and signed by President Muhammadu Buhari before the anniversary of his re-election in May.
He told reporters that his ministry planned to bring the petroleum industry closer to the common man.
According to him, the fuel CNG had undergone a pilot project in Benin City where over 10,000 vehicles are already running on it. Read more
Cross River to fund 160,000 rice farmers (DailyTrust)
As many as 160,000 rice farmers in Cross River State will enjoy substantial support and funding from the government in the next three years.
As part of the support, the farmers will receive farm inputs including fertilisers, equipment as well as clearing of forest, preparing the land, leveling the land, and providing the seedlings.
Governor Ben Ayade disclosed this when he signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) for the supply of multi- billion Naira rice seeds to farmers in Nigeria. Read more
Soldier stabs trader to death in Kaduna (Guardian)
A yet-to-be identified soldier has been attacked by an angry mob for stabbing a trader, one Yusuf, popularly known as Tino, to death at Sheiekh Abubakar Gumi Central Market in Kaduna State. The horrific incident has however forced traders in the market to close down their shops abruptly for fear of reprisals.
Yusuf, aged 30, was said to be selling shoes in the market before his demise. According to an eyewitness, Saadu Lawal, trouble stated brewing at the entrance of the market when the deceased approach two soldiers, begging them to buy shoes from him.
“We didn’t know what transpired between the three of them. We noticed all of a sudden that the solder drew out a knife and stabbed the boy first in the stomach, remove the knife again and stabbed him at the left side of his chest. There was blood spilling all over.” Read more
Imam discovers “wife” is a man after 2 weeks of marriage (Guardian)
A Muslim cleric in Uganda, Mr Mohammed Mutumba has been left in shock after discovering that his new wife who he has been living with for two weeks is actually a man.
Mutumba met Ms Swabullah Nabukeera at the mosque where he had gone to pray and instantly fell in love with her, Daily Monitor, a Ugandan news outlet reports. The pair eventually exchanged marriage vows in Islamic culture or Nikah (legal marriage contract between man and woman),
However, the newly married couple who had not had any sexual intercourse before marriage also spent two weeks of their marriage, without enjoying conjugal rights as the “bride” claimed she was in her menstruation periods. Mutumba said he became patient and waited for her to get better. Read more
5 Ways Alcohol Is Affecting Your Body (Guardian)
There are several ways heavy drinking is affecting your body. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), heavy drinking is characterised as more than four or five drinks in a two-hour sitting.
From DNA to hormones, heavy drinking can alter your body’s biology in a big and detrimental way.
Keep reading for ways alcohol affects your body according to Everyday Health.
Change Your DNA And Make You Crave More Alcohol
A study, published in December 2018 in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, identified two genes that are subject to change — one affecting the body’s biological clock and one regulating the stress response system. The study’s authors, from Rutgers University also found that the genetic changes in binge and heavy drinkers were associated with a higher desire for alcohol. Read more
Africa’s richest woman eyes Angolan presidency (BBC)
Angolan billionaire Isabel dos Santos, who is embroiled in a huge financial scandal, has suggested that she may seek to become the country’s president.
In a BBC interview, Ms Dos Santos pointedly declined four times to rule out running for the presidency.
Her father José Eduardo dos Santos ruled Angola for 38 years. Prosecutors are seeking to recover $1bn (£760m) Ms Dos Santos and her associates are alleged to owe the state.
She has denied any wrongdoing. Read more
Trump impeachment: Senators sworn in for historic trial (BBC)
The 100 lawmakers of the US Senate were sworn in on Thursday as jurors for the impending impeachment trial of President Donald Trump.
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Roberts administered the oath to the senators to “do impartial justice”.
In the coming weeks, the senators will decide whether Mr Trump should be removed from office over charges brought by the House of Representatives.
The trial is scheduled to begin on 21 January. Read more
Joshua’s opponent emerges (Guardian)
Kubrat Pulev has appeared to confirm that he will face world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua at Beskitas’ Vodafone Arena stadium in Istanbul in May.
The Bulgarian is ranked No 1 with the IBF and is Joshua’s mandatory challenger. The Brit, who holds the IBA, WBA and WBO belts, was given until the end of this month to agree terms to fight Pulev or face being stripped of the title.
Sportsmail understands that nothing has been signed despite reports claiming the fight is already a done deal – one of which was shared by Pulev on his official Facebook page. Read more
Ashley Young: Manchester United agree fee with Inter Milan (BBC)
Manchester United have agreed a £1.28m (1.5m euros) fee with Inter Milan for defender Ashley Young.
The 34-year-old had previously told United of his desire to join Inter and has not been involved in the club’s past three games.
It is understood the deal includes an add-on fee, which will be activated if Inter win Serie A this season.
If the January transfer is finalised, it will bring an end to Young’s eight-and-a-half-year stay at Old Trafford. Read more
Paralympic athletes storm Abuja for Tokyo Olympic tickets (Guardian)
After breaking many world records at Rio 2016 Olympics Games, Paralympic athletes from different parts of the country yesterday stormed Abuja in search of tickets to Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Nigeria made its Paralympic Games debut at Barcelona ‘92 Summer Paralympics with a delegation of six male athletes to compete in track and field. But the country’s biggest medals’ haul came at Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, where Team Nigeria won eight gold medals, more than any other African country.
With all attention now on Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Paralympic athletes from various states of the federation want to be part of the party later in the later. Read more
Australian Open 2020: Coco Gauff faces Venus Williams, Johanna Konta draws Ons Jabeur (BBC)
American teenager Coco Gauff will again face Venus Williams in the first round of a Grand Slam after the pair were drawn together at the Australian Open.
Gauff, 15, announced her arrival on the biggest stage by beating 39-year-old Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam singles winner, at Wimbledon in July.
Britain’s Johanna Konta, seeded 12th, will play Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur. Read more
Man City set for clash with Crystal Palace (Guardian)
A series of top-flight games involving elite European teams across various football competitions will be aired live on GOtv during this weekend.The games are scheduled to hold from tomorrow to Sunday, 19th January.
A fascinating game lies in prospect when Real Madrid host Sevilla at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in La Liga on Saturday. The game kicks off at 4pm and will be aired live on SuperSport Select 4.
Los Blancos, who are joint league leaders (currently second based on goal difference), head into the match on the back of a 3-0 win away at Getafe. Zinedine Zidane’s team have the chance to temporarily pull ahead of their arch-rivals, Barcelona, who play on Sunday. Yet Sevilla, managed by Julen Lopetegui, a former Real Madrid manager, will be no easy prey for the hosts. Los Palanganas might have won just two of their last five games, but the fourth-placed team have shown that they can wreak damage on teams. Read more
Handball Nations Cup: Nigeria lose first game to Angola (Nation)
The Nigeria National team on Thursday lost to Angola 30-24 in the 24th Men’s Senior Africa Nations Cup, in Rades,Tunisia.
The scores stood at 17-10, 13-14 at the end of both half for a final score of 30-24. The Angolans were the quicker off the blocks as they raced into an early lead which they didn’t relinquish as the first ended in their favour.
At the resumption of the second half, a resurgent Nigerian team gave the winners a good run for their money. Though the Nigerians won the second quarter 14-13, but the effort was insufficient as the Angolans recorded a vital win to put themselves in good stead for a quarter final place.
Coach Rafiu Salami will be hoping that his wards do better against Gabon today as they chase their first win at the championship. The Coach expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome of the match. “We lost the match in the first half”. Read more
Sunshine Stars coach targets more good runs after win over Plateau (Guardian)
Coach Jabiru Dogo beamed with smiles of satisfaction after Sunshine Stars scorched Plateau United 2-1 in a gritty contest that saw the Tin City side battle futilely to equalise in the second half. Sunshine Stars would hold on to their two first half goals from Ogunniyi Omo-Jesu and Fuad Ekelojuoti to grind out a hard fought 2-1 win over Plateau United in the Matchday 15 of Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) encounter played in Akure on Wednesday. Dogo afterwards commended his players for holding on to claim the match points admitting that Plateau United gave his side a tough time.
The former Nasarawa United Manager however called for calm, as he believes the side would get even better.“I’m excited with the result and how we played,” Dogo said. “It was a tough match, the two sides are technically sound and we know each other’s strength”. Read more
Joshua Akpudje stars as MFM stage comeback to defeat Jigawa Stars (Vanguard)
The Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Matchday 15 encounter between MFM FC and visiting Jigawa Golden Stars ended 2-1 in favour of the hosts but the real story is that the game was all about one player, Joshua Akpudje.
The Delta State-born lanky defender made all the difference scoring all three goals which do not qualify for a hat trick.
After bagging the first yellow card of the game he opened the accounts with a 34th-minute own goal when he tried to defend a corner kick but ended up displacing goalkeeper Folarin Abayomi who was already in flight. Read more
Fernandes agrees £130,000-a-week deal with Man United (Guardian)
Bruno Fernandes has agreed personal terms with Manchester United.The clubs now just need to agree a fee for the player, with Jorge Mendes set to present a proposal to Sporting Lisbon after he attended United’s FA Cup clash with Wolves.
Sportsmail understands Fernandes has agreed a contract worth around £130,000-a-week with the Old Trafford side. Agent Jorge Mendes was spotted at Old Trafford on Wednesday night. It is also understood that United will be offering £50million plus £10m in add-ons to sign Fernandes in the January window, and this could be enough to push through his move.
Fernandes is likely to bid farewell to Sporting Lisbon in their derby against Benfica today evening ahead of his move to United. Read more
Iwobi to miss Everton’s trip to West Ham, Ancelotti confirms (DailyTrust)
Super Eagles playmaker Alex Iwobi has been ruled out of Everton’s upcoming Premier League meeting against West Ham. But there is light at the end of the tunnel as The Toffees manager Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that the Hale End Academy product will resume full training next week.
Iwobi, who suffered a hamstring injury against his old club Arsenal on December 21, has started individual training and the game against the Hammers has come too soon for him. Providing an injury update ahead of Saturday’s match at the London Stadium, Ancelotti told Everton TV. Read more
We won’t abandon coach Toblow in death, says AFN boss (Guardian)
Acting president of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Olamide George says the federation would play active role in the burial of late coach Tobias Igwe also known as Toblow.
Toblow, the greatest grassroots coach from Nigeria and the African continent produced great athletes like Mary Onyali, the Ezinwa brothers (Davidson and Osmond), Uchenna Emedolu, Victor Okorie and Raphael Ihunaegbo. He died late last year and will be buried on March 6, 2020 in his hometown, Isiala Mbano, Imo State.
Toblow’s wife had cried out in a chat with The Guardian during the week that no official of the AFN, Sports ministry and Imo State government had reached out to them since the coach died. Read more