NRC warns commuters against sitting on train roof (Nation)
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) on Thursday warned commuters against unsafe conducts, especially riding on the roof of a moving train.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the corporation gave the warning at the resumption of its Lagos-Ogun mass transit service.
It suspended the service last September because of the ongoing construction of the Lagos-Ibadan Standard Rail Line.
The NRC Lagos District Manager, Mr Jerry Oche, who gave the warning in an interview with NAN in Lagos, said that safety remained a primary concern of the corporation. Read more
NDLEA arrests 110 suspected drug traffickers at Lagos airport in 2019 (Vanguard)
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Command, Lagos, said it arrested 101 suspected drug traffickers in 2019.
NDLEA Commander, Garba Ahmadu, made the disclosure at a media briefing in Lagos on Thursday.
Ahmadu explained that 87 were males and 14 females, while total seizure cases of 76 were recorded in the period under review.
He said there was an increase in the number of arrests in 2019 compared to 2018 when 93 persons were arrested.
He said: “The record of arrest in the year under review indicates that there is an increase in the number of persons arrested from 93 persons in 2018 to 101 persons this year, showing 8.6 per cent increase. Read more
Commission warns against safety negligence in schools, inaugurates prefects (Guardian)
To promote safer learning environment, the Lagos State Safety Commission yesterday warned against safety negligence by school managements and tasked newly-inaugurated prefects to ensure highest standards of safety for pupils.
Director-General of the commission, Mr. Lanre Mojola, who spoke during the inaugural training for the first set of safety prefects in Lagos, said there was need for schools’ managements to be alert to their responsibility of ensuring that pupils travel from their home to school safely, and return without hazards.
He charged the school prefects and ambassadors to support efforts of the state government in mitigating accidents in the course of knowledge acquisition, and keep the vision and mission of promoting opportunities and excellence in the state. Read more
Trado-medical expert Oko Oloyun shot dead (Nation)
The founder of Oko-Oloyun Worldwide and De-Fayus International, Alhaji Fatai Yusuf (Aka Oko Oloyun) has been shot dead.
Oyo State Police Command on Thursday confirmed the murder of the popular traditional medical expert.
Yusuf, the manufacturer of popular Yoyo Bitters and Fijk Flusher among other herbal products, was killed by unknown gunmen on Igbo-Ora-Eruwa Road in Oyo State.
Confirming the incident, police spokesman Gbenga Fadeyi, told The Nation that Yusuf was killed around 4:30pm on the road while traveling to Iseyin, Oyo State. Read more
Police arrest dismissed soldier, smash robbery gang (DailyTrust)
Men of the Imo State Police command have arrested a dismissed soldier, Usman Abubakar and smashed his gang of armed robbers. The Commissioner of Police in the state, Bolaji Fafowora, who paraded the suspects on Thursday, said men of the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) had arrested one Boniface Njom Nwachukwu, 48, in connection with a robbery incident. Join our whatsapp group here for Breaking News, Exclusives , others Njom had allegedly bought a vehicle collected from victims of a robbery at the rate of N200,000. Read more
Ekiti creates special centre for suspected Lassa fever cases (Guardian)
Following the outbreak of Lassa fever in some parts of the country, the Ekiti State government has established a special centre where those diagnosed with the ailment would be treated.
The state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Mojisola Yaya-Kolade, who gave the hint yesterday in Ado-Ekiti at the flag-off of a yellow fever vaccination programme, said Governor Kayode Fayemi had directed that proactive action be taken in view of the recorded cases in the neighbouring Ondo State.
“Fayemi has placed all the health officers in Ekiti State on alert and we have designated one of our facilities for the special purpose of receiving any suspected case for immediate treatment. Read more
Amotekun: FG, South-West governors agree on terms, conditions (Nation)
The federal government and states of the South-West, on Thursday, came to agree on how the Western Nigeria Security Network (WNSN), also known as Operation Amotekun, should be run.
The Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), held a closed doors meeting with the governors, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, and the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, at the State House, Abuja, on the controversies surrounding the security network.
The Attorney-General of the Federation, Malami, had declared the newly launched security outfit as illegal and a violation of the Constitution, a declaration which had received wide condemnation from leaders of the South-West region. Read more
Policeman shoots driver over N50 bribe in Imo (Guardian)
A driver, Mr. Justice Eke, escaped death by the whiskers when an officer of the Imo State police command allegedly shot him for letting a N50 bribe offered to the officer drop on the floor. The incident, which happened on Wednesday near Airport Junction along Owerri-Aba Express Road, saw the driver bleeding profusely as he lost control of the vehicle and skidded to a halt into the nearby bush.
It was gathered that while the trigger-happy policeman was escaping, he cocked his gun and threatened to shoot anyone who attempted to attack him. The incident attracted other drivers, passersby and villagers and halted vehicular movement on the road for several hours before the team leader of Mopol 88, Inspector Festus Omoruwa, was compelled by the passersby to take the victim to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owerri. Read more
Buhari returns to Nigeria after UK-Africa Summit (Nation)
President Muhammadu Buhari has returned to Nigeria from the UK-Africa Investment Summit 2020 which held in London from the 17th of January.
He was received at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport by his Chief of Staff, the FCT Minister, the Inspector General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services, as well as other government officials.
During the trip, the president met with British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson and brought him up to speed with developments in Nigeria. Read more
FG to build mega cities to resettle 1.3m IDPs, refugees (Guardian)
National Commission for Refugee Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) has disclosed that the Federal Government will build ‘resettlement cities’ for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees in the country.
Federal Commissioner of NCFRMI, Bashir Mohammed noted that the cities will permanently return and accommodate 1.3 million IDPs from camps and refugees from of Chad, Niger and Cameroon.
He said the cities would be built in the North East, North West and North Central zones that have been affected by Boko Haram insurgency, banditry, as well as herdsmen and farmers clashes. Read more
Victor Moses signs for Inter Milan on loan (Vanguard)
Victor Moses has signed for Inter Milan on loan from Chelsea, the Serie A club announced on Thursday, reuniting the Nigeria international with former Blues coach Antonio Conte.
In a statement, Inter said that Moses — who moved to Chelsea in 2012 and has spent long periods on loan since — arrived in Milan on a deal that gives the title chasers an option to buy, although the club did not specify the length of the loan.
By moving to Inter, Victor Moses rejoins coach Conte, who won the Premier League and FA Cup in his two-year spell in London and was a big fan of the 29-year-old wing-back. Read more
Egyptian club, Misr El-Makasa appoints Amuneke as head coach (DailyTrust)
A former Tanzania coach, Emmanuel Amuneke A former Super Eagles forward Emmanuel Amuneke has been appointed head coach of Egyptian side Misr El-Makasa. Brila FM reports that the appointment followed the sack of Ahmed Hossam Mido. Join our whatsapp group here for Breaking News, Exclusives , others Mido was sacked on Wednesday after losing 3-1 to Pyramids FC on Tuesday in the Egypt Premier League. Makasa have not won any of their last 10 league games since their last win on 17 October 2019, a 1-0 victory over Al Masry SC. Read more
Aston Villa sign Barcelona youngster Barry (Vanguard)
Aston Villa announced the signing of promising teenage striker Louie Barry from Barcelona for a fee of about one million euros ($1.1 million) on Thursday.
Birmingham-born Barry joined the Spanish champions from West Bromwich Albion in July 2019.
The highly-rated 16-year-old was reported to be unsettled by changes to Barcelona’s coaching set-up and jumped at the chance to join Villa, the club he supported as a child.
When Barry signed for Barcelona, the club described him as “one of the best young players in English football” but he made just 10 appearances for their youth teams, scoring two goals. Read more
Mane lauds Liverpool’s ‘special’ off-the-pitch work rate (Guardian)
Sadio Mane has hailed Liverpool’s hard-working mentality and revealed that players have to get to training one hour early if they want to get a spot in the gym.
Liverpool have been irrepressible this season and are 13 points ahead of Manchester City in the Premier League title race with two games in hand.
Jurgen Klopp’s men, who are yet to taste defeat in the league, have earned huge plaudits for their superb form and Mane has lauded the ‘special’ off-the-pitch work rate which is helping propel them to what looks certain to be a first top-flight title since 1990.
Ahead of Liverpool’s trip to Wolves yesterday night, Mane gave an insight into the work that goes in behind the scenes, which he believes is giving them an edge and has been key to the club’s form. Read more
Ronaldo leaps above Muller to become the fifth-highest goalscorer of All Time (Guardian
Cristiano Ronaldo moved into fifth spot on the list of all-time record goalscorers this week, after the Portuguese superstar followed a brace in Juventus’ victory against Parma with another goal against Roma.
The 34-year-old stretched his formidable scoring streak to seven straight Serie A games after firing the Turin giants four points clear at the division’s summit before starring in the Copa Italia, and moved one step closer to topping the all-time scoring chart in the process.
Ronaldo has recorded a staggering 737 goals in 1,029 games at the highest level, and will have ambitions of edging ahead of the likes of Ferenc Puskas, Pele and Romario. Read more
Aubameyang set to dump Arsenal as striker strikes deal with Barcelona (DailyTrust)
Arsenal top scorer, Pierre-Emerick-Aubameyang celebrates after scoring one of his three goals against Valencia last season. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has reportedly informed Barcelona he is ready to leave Arsenal and complete a move to the Nou Camp. The Gabonese striker is yet to commit to a new contract with Arsenal, and will enter the final year of his current deal in the summer. Join our whatsapp group here for Breaking News, Exclusives , others Arsenal remain hopeful of tying the 30-year-old down to fresh terms, but Aubameyang is desperate to win trophies. Mundo Deportivo report Aubameyang has told Barca he is open to a switch providing they can match his ambition. Read more
Firmino ‘worldie’ secures another late Liverpool win at Wolves (Guardian)
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp hailed another moment of magic from Roberto Firmino as the Brazilian’s late winner opened up a 16-point lead at the top of the Premier League with a 2-1 victory at Wolves on Thursday.
The European champions’ now 14-game winning streak in the league seemed set to end as Raul Jimenez cancelled out Jordan Henderson’s early opener.
Liverpool were even grateful to goalkeeper Alisson Becker for not falling behind in the second half. Read more
LeBron on verge of passing Kobe for third in NBA points (Vanguard)
LeBron James is on the verge of overtaking Kobe Bryant for third on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, another massive achievement for the 35-year-old Los Angeles Lakers superstar forward.
“King” James is a three-time NBA champion and four-time league Most Valuable Player in his 17th NBA campaign who enters the Lakers’ game Thursday at Brooklyn with 33,599 career points.
Bryant, who spent his entire 20-year NBA career with the Lakers, has 33,643 career points. He won five NBA titles with the Lakers as well as two gold medals alongside James on the 2008 and 2012 US Olympic teams.
With LeBron James averaging 25.1 points a game and needing only 45 to take third, he’s on pace to pass Bryant on Saturday in a nationally televised game at Philadelphia. Read more
Amokachi, Taribo, Yobo, others, set for maiden Oyo Unity Cup launch (Guardian)
All is set for the kickoff of the maiden edition of the Oyo Unity Cup, a brainchild of the Minister of Youth and Sports Development Mr. Sunday Dare.
The Cup, which will draw participants from across the 16 Federal Constituencies of Oyo State, the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Nigerian Youth Service Corps (NYSC) will be launched tomorrow at the Soun Stadium in Ogbomoso, Oyo State.
The sponsor of the Oyo Unity Cup and Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Dare, will be in attendance at the event. Ex-internationals, Daniel Amokachi, Taribo West, Joseph Yobo and others will also be at the event to interact and inspire the young talents. Read more
Ceballos looking to cut Arsenal loan spell short (DailyTrust)
Dani Ceballos Arsenal midfielder Dani Ceballos is looking into the possibility of cutting his loan spell from Real Madrid short this month. Ceballos is on a season-long loan at the Emirates and wants regular football to try and force his way into Spain’s Euro 2020 squad. Join our whatsapp group here for Breaking News, Exclusives, others Reports in Spain claim Ceballos wants to go back to Madrid and find another club for the rest of the season. Ceballos was injured in the Europa League game at Vitoria on November 6 but has not featured under Mikel Arteta since his return. Read more