THISISLAGOS MIDDAY NEWS UPDATE MARCH 18, 2018
Obasanjo meets Kwankwaso, Duke, Agbakoba, 35 parties in Lagos (Punch)
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo; the immediate past Governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso and some political parties have been meeting as part of moves to strategise for the 2019 elections, The PUNCH has learnt.
In one of such meetings, which held at Protea Hotel, located at 42/44 Isaac John Street, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos, Obasanjo was said to have met with 35 political parties under the aegis of the Coalition for New Nigeria. Read more
Ambode, others for International Day of Happiness (Nation)
Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode will on Tuesday participate in the inaugural celebration of International Day of Happiness.
The United Nation General Assembly declared March 20 as the International Day of Happiness with Nigeria adopting the resolution with other nations. The celebration in Lagos coincides with the inauguration of the Way to Hapinness Foundation International (Nigeria) headed by Professor Magnus Atilade. Read more
Lagos councils endorse Ambode for second term (Nation)
Leaders and members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 20 Local Government Areas (LGA) and Local Council Development Authorities (LCDA) in Lagos State have endorsed Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for a second term in office.
During elaborate events held separately across the state last Thursday tagged, ‘Ambode Lekan si’, the APC stalwarts declared their support for Ambode’s second term. Leaders of the APC in the six councils of Ikorodu division, in separate rallies held same day, expressed their unflinching support for the re-election bid of the governor, vowing to mobilise the people of the division to vote en masse for him in 2019. Read more
MAN: Lagos 2018 land use law will trigger increase in prices of goods, services (Guardian)
What is Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN’s) position on the recently revised Land Use Charge law?
We are saying that there should be adequate consultations with critical stakeholders before coming out with such an exorbitant charge because there wasn’t a proper consultation, and that is why people are kicking against it. The amount that is imposed is too high. You don’t just review a rate by 200 per cent or even 500 per cent. We expect that there should be adequate consultation to enable them to be able to arrive at a rate that is acceptable to most people. Read more
‘How we stopped Badoo killings in Lagos’ (Nation)
How has the journey been so far policing a mega-city like Lagos State?
It has been very challenging but, fortunately, with the support and cooperation of the government and people of Lagos State; we have been able to surmount some of the challenges that we have.
What were the security threats you met on ground when you were appointed?
When I was appointed in September 2017, one of the major problems I met on ground was the issue of ritual killings which the press called the Badoo Killings in the Ikorodu part of Lagos; we equally had the issue of kidnapping in the Epe/Ikorodu axis; we had and we are still having the issue of cultism and cult-related violence as well as the worrisome case of traffic robbery occasioned by traffic snarl due to the on-gong construction works going in almost all parts of the state. Read more
Why Buhari cancelled Rwandan trip (Punch)
Indications emerged on Sunday that President Muhammadu Buhari cancelled his scheduled trip to Kigali, Rwanda because enough consultation was not made before the Federal Executive Council approved the signing of the framework agreement for establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area.
The FEC presided over by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo had approved the signing of the agreement last Wednesday while Buhari was on a visit to Yobe State. Read more
Military will soon rescue abducted schoolgirls – Minister (Vanguard)
The 110 schoolgirls abducted in Dapchi by Boko Haram insurgents will soon regain their freedom as the military is closing in on them. Defence minister Mansur Dan-Ali gave the assurance on Saturday during a television programme.
“It can be earlier; maybe a week, it can be two weeks, but we are on it, and I’m telling you with all sense of sincerity that we are closing in on them,” he told ChannelsTV. Read more
Senator slumps, dies in Abuja home (Nation)
The 58-year-old reportedly died of suspected heart attack around 11am.
He was said to have been confirmed dead at a hospital he was rushed to for medical attention.
The lawmaker was one of the nine senators who vehemently opposed the controversial Electoral Act amendment 2018. Read more
SERAP asks UN Council label killer herdsmen as terrorists(Nation)
Nigeria’s human rights group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sent an open letter to the UN Security Council and its members asking that they appeal to the government to end killings and destruction of property by suspected herdsmen across Nigeria.
The organisation urged the council members to visit Nigeria for an on-the-spot assessment. Read more
ULC passes vote of no confidence on NLC (Guardian)
The United Labour Congress of Nigeria (ULC), yesterday, passed a vote of no confidence in the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), saying its leadership has failed workers.
ULC president, Comrade Joe Ajaero, said this during the Zonal Council Meeting of the union in Kaduna. He berated NLC over failure to pay its affiliated retirees’ pension. Read more
Mamora rejects Buhari’s appointment(Punch)
A former lawmaker, Senator Olurunnimbe Mamora, has rejected his appointment as the Chairman of the Abuja Investment and Infrastructure Centre, SUNDAY PUNCH learnt on Saturday.
Mamora, who was the Deputy Director-General of the Muhammadu Buhari Campaign Organisation during the 2015 presidential election, was nominated for the job by the President. Read more
Herdsmen kill five in Edo (Guardian)
Herdsmen in Ugboha, Esan South East Local, and Odiguete, Ovia North East Local Government Councils of Edo State have allegedly killed five persons, including a first year student of the Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma, Collins Ojierakhi.
The Guardian gathered that not less than 12 persons, who sustained injuries, are receiving treatment in various hospitals. Read more
Husband in trouble over pregnant wife’s death (Punch)
The death of a 25-year-old pregnant housewife in a mysterious circumstance on Ebis Mechanic Road, Amarata, in the Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, has landed the husband in trouble.
The deceased housewife, identified only as Blessing, an indigene of Epie-speaking part of Yenagoa, reportedly died after vomiting blood last Tuesday. Read more
Kebbi govt sponsors marriage of 100 widows, divorcees (Leadership)
It was all joy and excitement for 100 widows and divorcees in Kebbi State as they now have new marital homes.
The state government yesterday married them off in a mass wedding held in the palace of the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Samila Mera. Read More
Group honours female ministers, calls for support in politics (Vanguard)
The need to honour women for greater impact in all spheres of human endeavour formed the focus for Women of Faith in Leadership USA Award and dinner night organised by Independent International Female Ministers (IIFM) recently in Lagos.
The event that attracted female ministers across Africa and USA, with president of IIFM, Bishop Priscilla Otuya as host; Mrs. Vera Anyagafu of Vanguard Media Limited as co-host; Rev. Dr. Ama Owusu, Brampton, Canada, and chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, South-West, Archbishop (Prof.) Magnus Atilade among several dignitar-ies in attendance. Read more
I’m going to Hollywood —Falz (Tribune)
Nigerian rapper and actor, Falz is excited about the turn of events in his life at the moment.
While he may have made a remarkable impact in music in the last five years, by taking his songs to every part of Africa and beyond, the ‘bad guy’ appeared to have finally wormed his way into the hearts of many. Read more
Patoranking unveils new acts, floats ‘Amari Musiq’ (Tribune)
PatorankingComing after the announcement of his deal with the global music publishing company Warner/Chappell, reggae star, Patoranking has announced an addition to his expanding career with the launch of his record label-Amari Musiq.
Those who have been paying attention to Pato’s recent moves would have noticed that the singer has never hidden his desire to expand his music empire, one that would accommodate and create platforms for aspiring music stars. Read more
Ethnic violence in Congo’s northeast displaces 60,000 (ABCNews)
The assailants attacked under cover of darkness, slaughtering Nguli Nzafi ‘s wife and three children with machetes and arrows.
The 71-year-old, who also lost all 40 of his cattle in the violence, was forced to flee on foot some 90 kilometers (56 miles) to safety in the town of Bunia.
“I have lost everything because I no longer have my wife nor my children,” he says. “I cannot eat nor sleep. I’m afraid that this fighting is as bad as the war in 1996-2002.” Read more
Lawmakers say UK should consider postponing Brexit (WPost)
Britain should consider postponing Brexit because there may not be enough time to strike a deal with the European Union before the U.K. leaves the bloc a year from now, a key committee of British lawmakers said Sunday.
The House of Commons Exiting the EU Committee said if major aspects of the future relationship with the EU remain unsettled by October, Britain should seek a “limited extension” of its EU membership. Read more
Man arrested after driving car into Gravesend nightclub (Guardian)
A number of people have been injured and a man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a car was driven into a nightclub in Gravesend.
Kent police said the driver was believed to have been asked to leave the venue following an altercation, and added that the incident was not being treated as terrorism. Read more
Confident Pinnick insists Super Eagles can win World Cup (Guardian)
President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, has reiterated his belief in the Super Eagles winning the World Cup in Russia, when the tournament begins on June 14.
Nigeria is drawn in Group D alongside Argentina, Croatia, and Iceland, and the Eagles are expected to kick-start their campaign against Croatia, on June 16. Read more
Pay us our London 2017 money, Nigeria relay team tells AFN (Vanguard)
Nigeria’s 4x400m women relay team to the 2017 World Athletics Championships in London have urged the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN president, Ibrahim Gusau to act on the payment of their winnings.
Running For Nothing… Nigeria’s Patience Okon George and Jamaica’s Stephanie Ann Mcpherson compete at the 2016 Rio Olympics Games. Nigerian athletes are at the receiving end of financial and moral support. The team featuring Patience Okon-George, Yinka Ajayi, Margaret Bamgbose, Onome Nathaniel Glory and Emerald Egwim placed fourth in the final. Read more
Morocco plans to spend $15.8bn to host 2026 World Cup soccer (PremiumTimes)
Morocco has proposed using 14 stadiums and budgeting to spend $15.8 billion on infrastructure if it wins the right–to-host the World-Cup-soccer-finals in 2026, the country’s bid committee announced at a news conference on Saturday.
But Morocoo will not build any new stadiums for the tournament, preferring to renovate and modify existing venues and add temporary capacity to others, said candidature chairman Moulay Hafid Elalamy.
Mr. Elalamy is also a government minister. Read more
Why Tiger’s resurgence doesn’t surprise fellow PGA Tour pros (NYPost)
How is it possible that, five tournaments into his comeback from a fourth back surgery, Tiger Woods has become so relevant he was the favorite to win this week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational and already has been installed by Las Vegas as the favorite to win the upcoming Masters?
This is what happens when Woods finishes runner-up like he did last week at the Valspar Championship, a tournament he has never played. So it’s Woods’ play that has raised the expectations. Read more
Luis Enrique to snub Chelsea for Arsenal (Sportsmole)
Former Barcelona boss Luis Enrique is reportedly expected to snub a move to Chelsea in the hope that Arsenal make an approach.
Enrique, who is currently out of work after leaving the Catalan giants last season, is allegedly a front-runner for the Blues job should Antonio Conte depart Stamford Bridge.
According to the Sunday Star, however, Enrique has his eyes set on a move to the Emirates Stadium, where he allegedly believes he will settle better than in West London. Read more