Ogudu under bridge accident claims one life, 12 others injured – LASEMA (Tribune)
One person died and 12 others sustained varying degrees of injuries in an auto accident involving a commercial Volkswagen bus, popularly called Fanagon, at Ogudu area in Lagos.
Dr Femi Oke-Osayintolu, the Director-General (D-G) of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), confirmed this in a statement he issued on Wednesday.
Oke-Osanyintolu said that the bus, with registration number GGE 845XQ, was fully loaded with passengers and was involved in a lone accident at Ogudu under bridge. Read more
Nigerian children rescued from human traffickers in Ivory Coast (Guardian)
Authorities in Ivory Coast have rescued 137 children who were trafficked to the country to work on cocoa plantations or as sex workers.
The children were rescued during a two-day search of cars, farms and nearby villages by the Ivory Coast Police in the eastern town of Aboisso, Voice of America reported.
The children ranged from ages six to 17 were brought into Ivory Coast from Nigeria, Ghana, Niger, Benin, and Togo. Read more
Cherubim and Seraphim pastor convicted of multiple count rape with wife’s help (Vanguard)
A Cherubim and Seraphim Nigerian pastor based in the UK, Michael Oluronbi, who sexually abused children and adults for over 20 years, has been convicted of raping members of his congregation.
The 60-year-old Birmingham-based pastor and self-styled Nigerian prophet were found guilty of 15 counts of rape against seven victims, five of whom attended his church in Birmingham and London.
Oluronbi, who also worked as a pharmacist, “had such a hold over the congregation that anything he said was taken as read”, said police.
The cleric carried out some of his offenses after convincing followers and their children to take part in naked “spiritual bathing”, which he claimed would “cleanse” them of evil spirits. Read more
Man jailed two weeks for making calls in court (Punch)
A Kwara High Court in Ilorin on Tuesday sentenced a man, Abdulwahab Adebayo, to two weeks in a correctional facility for receiving phone calls during court proceedings.
Justice Sikiru Oyinloye found Adebayo guilty of disturbing the court proceedings with his phone conversations.
Oyinloye said the convict distracted the court and when he was summoned by the police officer attached to the court to stop disturbing the court, he refused. Read more
We‘ll pursue Amotekun Project to logical conclusion, says Akeredolu (Nation)
Chairman of the Southwest Governors Forum and Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on Wednesday said his colleagues in the region are prepared to pursue the operation’ Amotekun’ to a successful end.
Akeredolu,a Senior Advocate of Nigeria(SAN) gave the assurance at the 2020 Armed Remembrance day celebration in Akure, the Ondo state capital.
According to him, governors in the Southwest region are committed to check incidences of banditry, kidnapping, farmers and herders clashes.
Akeredolu who said Amotekun is not a para-military outfit noted that the introduction of the security outfit is to complement the efforts of other security agencies. Read more
Stakeholders excited as NPA moves to decongest Lagos ports by driving cargo traffic to Eastern ports (DailyTrust)
The recent move by the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to increase cargo traffic to the Eastern ports has been attracting commendations from stakeholders. The Eastern ports, which are situated in the Gulf of Guinea, recorded improvement in ship traffic and other operational efficiencies in 2019. In ensuring that vessels carrying containers also berth at the Eastern ports, the NPA, in a statement it issued in June 2019, said it has approved a 10 per cent discount on harbour dues for specific vessels calling at the ports in Cross River, Rivers and Delta states (known as the Eastern ports), to apply with immediate effect. Read more
Recruitment budget: N1.6bn for hiring, training, Customs insist (Punch)
The Nigeria Customs Service has insisted that the N1.6bn allegedly paid to a consultant to conduct the ongoing recruitment exercise into the service was budgeted for both the recruitment and training for the entire period of the exercise.
In an interview published in the Sunday Punch of January 12, the Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Customs, Senator Ade Fadahunsi, had accused the Comptroller General of the NCS, Col. Hameed Ali (retd.), of paying N1.6bn to a consultant for the recruitment of 3,200 persons to the service.
Fadahunsi who is a retired Assistant Comptroller General of Customs and current Senator representing Osun East Senatorial District, said, “The CG wants to recruit 3,200 persons and he paid N1.6bn to a consultant to recruit 3,200 persons. Read more
Woman allegedly threatens landlady with broken bottle (Vanguard)
Olugbade, who lives at No. 50 Awayeserere St., Ijigun Agbede, Ota, is facing a two-count of conspiracy and threat to life.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty.
The Prosecutor, Insp. Abdulkareem Mustapha, told the court that the defendant and others still at large conspired to threaten her landlady, Mrs Temitope Salawudeen, with broken beer bottle.
The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 86(1) and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ogun, 2006. Read more
Niger govt to pay minimum wage from this January (DailyTrust)
Governor Abubakar Sani Bello on Wednesday said the state government will start paying the new National Minimum Wage by the end of this January. The governor disclosed this while speaking with journalists after he received chairmen of the 25 local governments during a solidarity visit over the recent Supreme Court verdict affirming his election as the duly elected governor of the state. Governor Bello said that a committee has been set up already and considerable progress has been made in an ongoing negotiation to begin the implementation of the new minimum wage. “At the moment, our top priority is to address those that have been affected directly by the minimum wage and what it means is, anyone who is below the minimum wage policy. Read more
We’ve not given Uzodinma Certificate of Return -INEC (Nation)
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that it will not issue to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Hope Uzodinma Certificate of Return as duly elected governor of Imo State until it is served with the enrolled order of the Supreme Court Judgment.
The Supreme Court, Tuesday, sacked Emeka Ihedioha as Imo governor and declared Uzodinma as the authentic winner of the April 2019 governorship election.
According to the Commission, it is yet to be served with the enrolled order of the Supreme Court judgment and until that is done, it cannot issue Uzodinma the Certificate of Return. Read more
Russian government resigns (Guardian)
Russia’s government resigned in a shock announcement on Wednesday after President Vladimir Putin proposed a series of constitutional reforms.
In a televised meeting with the Russian president, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said the proposals would make significant changes to the country’s balance of power and so “the government in its current form has resigned”.
“We should provide the president of our country with the possibility to take all the necessary measures” to carry out the changes, Medvedev said. Read more
Osimhen ranked 17th in Ligue 1 (Nation)
Victor Osimhen has been voted the 17th best player in French football in only is first half season by influential website, Get French Football News.
The French publication published its ranking of the 100 best players of the championship of France with 2018 best player, PSG forward Kylian Mbappe, retaining his position.
Second place went to his teammate angel Di Maria while Monaco’s Wissam Ben Yedder came in third.
Players that are eligible are judged on all their professional appearances in 2019, regardless of whether or not they were playing abroad for a part of the calendar year. This also applies to the international appearances they might have accumulated. Read more
OQT: D’Tigress will be tough, admits Mozambican Seda (Punch)
Mozambique center Tamara Seda admits defeating the African champions, D’Tigress in their opening Group A tie of the Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Belgrade, Serbia will be a tough task, The PUNCH reports.
Mozambique lost 57-48 to Nigeria in the pre-Olympic qualifiers – two months ago and Seda, who was part of the team, insists she and her teammates feel no pressure whatsoever ahead of the opener.
Mozambique will face Nigeria on February 6 at the Aleksandar Nikolic Hall in Belgrade before games against USA and Serbia. Read more
Champions-elect Liverpool in a hurry to end 30 years of hurt (Vanguard)
A 30-year wait to win a top flight title has been too long for Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp’s men are in a rush to end that drought as soon as possible with the best ever start to a season in Europe’s top five leagues.
Saturday’s 1-0 win at Spurs in a rematch of last season’s Champions League final was the Reds 20th in 21 Premier League games this season with a 1-1 draw at Manchester United in October their only stumble.
That stunning run is even more impressive when extended over the past year.
A 2-1 defeat to Manchester City on January 3 2019 — that ultimately cost them the title despite amassing 97 points — was the last time Liverpool lost in the league. Read more
Khune concedes spot to Akpeyi (Punch)
Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper, Itumeleng Khune, has conceded the first choice spot to Nigeria international, Daniel Akpeyi, admitting that he is prepared to wait his turn.
The experienced South African shot-stopper congratulated the Akpeyi who was recently named the best goalkeeper in Nigeria at the Ballers award on Sunday.
“Congratulations on your Ballers Nigerian Goalkeeper of the Year award Bro Daniel Akpeyi, well deserved and keep up the great work. Healthy competition,” he tweeted.
Replying to a fan who asked if he will appear in the next game away at Black Leopard on Saturday, the goalkeeper, who has been capped 81 times by South Africa said the Nigeria international is doing well and must be given credit. Read more
Atletico Madrid battle Chelsea, Arsenal for PSG’s Edinson Cavani (DailyTrust)
Atletico Madrid have sent representatives to Paris as they close in on a deal for Edinson Cavani. Marca claims the Spanish giants are determined to sign Cavani this month, despite his contract expiring at the end of the season. However, there are plenty of other suitors in the running for his coveted signature. Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal are all believed to be keen on the Uruguayan ace, who has been frozen out of PSG’s starting XI by Mauro Icardi. Read more
Nigerian-born striker on Chelsea’s radar (Nation)
TROMSO have confirmed they have reached an agreement with Chelsea, for the transfer of Bryan Fiabema, reports ScoreNigeria.com
The striker, who is eligible to represent both Nigeria and Norway, makes the move following a successful trial with the Blues in December.
Fiabema has revealed that he is looking forward to linking up with his new teammates, as he begins life at the Chelsea Academy. Read more
Man Utd axe training camp over Middle East tensions (Guardian)
Manchester United have called off a winter training camp in the Middle East due to fears over tensions in the region.
United have often used the Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex in Dubai as a warm-weather base in recent years, and the Old Trafford outfit was set to visit the venue in the upcoming first-ever winter break for Premier League clubs.
But United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirmed those plans have now been shelved in the wake of the United States’ killing of Iran’s General Qassem Soleimani. Read more
Spurs sign Portugal’s Gedson Fernandes with option to buy (Vanguard)
Portugal midfielder Gedson Fernandes became the first signing of the Jose Mourinho era at Tottenham on Wednesday as the manager bids to revive the club’s Premier League campaign.
The 21-year-old signed an 18-month loan deal with an option to make the transfer permanent for a reported £56 million ($73 million).
Fernandes will provide vital cover in midfield following a three-month lay-off for Moussa Sissoko, who has had knee surgery.
“We are delighted to announce that we have reached agreement for the 18-month loan of Gedson Fernandes from Benfica with an option to make the transfer permanent,” said a club statement. Read more
Arsenal make approach for AC Milan star (DailyTrust)
Arsenal have made a fresh approach for AC Milan star, Franck Kessie. Corriere dello Sport claims the midfielder is a target for new boss, Mikel Arteta.
He feels Kessie is the powerful and dynamic player Arsenal are missing through the middle. And it’s reckoned Milan are open to selling for just over £21million. Read more
Valverde given one match suspension for Super Cup foul (Guardian)
Federico Valverde has been handed a one-match suspension for the late foul that helped Real Madrid win the Spanish Super Cup, the country’s football federation RFEF revealed on Wednesday.
Midfielder Valverde was sent off in the closing stages of extra time in Sunday’s final against local rivals Atletico Madrid when the 21-year-old chopped down Spain striker Alvaro Morata as he charged through on goal.
Real won 4-1 on penalties after the match finished goalless, and Atletico coach Diego Simeone said that Valverde’s foul “was the most important moment of the match”. Read more