Ojodu Lagos boils as trailer rams into school children, killing 15 (NewsExpress)
Not less than 15 students of Babsfafunwa Millenium Senior and Junior Secondary Schools in Ojodu area of Lagos have purportedly been killed others injured, by a trailer moving on top speed.
An eye witness who spoke to News Express at the scene of the incident said the trailer driver in question was running driving to avoid arrest by a combined team of officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
In the course of driving away with top speed, the trailer crushed the school children who were walking on one side of the Ogunnusi Road (old Isheri Road) where the offices of LASTMA, FRSC and the schools (four schools on same compound) are located.
News Express could see some trailers which were destroyed by students in protest of the killing of their colleagues.
Policemen of the Ojodu division had a swell task firing teargas to contain the riotous situation. Read more
Police arrest 3 Dowen College students over Sylvester Oromoni’s death (Leadership)
Three students of Dowen College in Lekki area of Lagos State have been arrested by the Lagos State Police Command for allegedly assaulting a 12-year-old fellow student, Sylvester Oromoni, which led to his death.
The State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, made disclosure at a briefing on Tuesday.
The Police boss also said that two other students of the school fingered in the assault were on the run, adding that those in police custody were helping the Command with information on how to track them.
He added that the school principal, housemasters, and other officials of the Lekki-based school are also assisting the police with information as the Police Command has launched a full-scale probe into the circumstances surrounding the death of Oromoni Jr on November 30, 2021. Read more
Alleged $8.4m fraud: Court compels Ajudua to get tested for COVID-19 (Nation)
A Lagos High Court on Tuesday ordered a socialite, Fred Ajudua, charged with defrauding a former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Ishaya Bamaiyi, of $8.4 million, to undergo a COVID-19 test at the laboratory of the Yaba Infectious Diseases Centre, Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Josephine Oyefeso gave the order following Ajudua’s failure to appear in court for his trial three consecutive times.
The defendant had cited the contraction of Coronavirus.
In a ruling, Oyefeso said that in order to verify Ajudua’s claim, he must be tested in the presence of the representatives of both prosecution and defence. Read more
Nnamdi Kanu is hungry, lawyer cries out (DailyTrust)
Ifeanyi Ejiofor, lawyer of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has claimed that his client is starving in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Kanu, who is standing trial for terrorism, had jumped bail in 2017 and fled abroad.
From his base, he had incited his followers and made provocative statements, which triggered violence and led to bloodshed, according to security operatives.
However, he was rearrested in July and lawfully remanded in DSS custody, from where he has been taken to court. Read more
Alleged kidnapping: Imo community in gun battle with bandits (Vanguard)
Suspected members of the community Security outfit have engaged in a gun battle with kidnapping syndicate suspected to be laying ambush for their victims along Ikpaora, Arondizuogu road in Okigwe local government area of Imo state.
Vanguard gathered from Arondizuogu, that the incident which happened last Monday, has generated tension in the community, especially among villagers plying the community roads.
The men of the security team said they got information about the activities of the bandits from motorists and commuters who encountered the said kidnappers.
As a result of which the community security outfit swung into action to apprehend the bandits from where the gun battle started. Read more
Buhari sacks Abuja DisCo management over ‘incompetence’ (Nation)
President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the suspension of the management of Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).
He approved a new interim governing board to oversee the company’s daily operations.
It followed the industrial action embarked on by staff members over non-payment of arrears of pensions, allowances, salaries and promotion.
The dismissal, conveyed by the presidency to the Federal Ministry of Power, takes immediate effect, according to a statement by the Minister of State for Power, Mr. Goddy Jedy Agba. Read more
I’m not happy; people are dying of hunger under Buhari’s govt — Isiyaku Ibrahim (Vanguard)
Multi-billionaire businessman and renowned financier of the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN) during the botched Second Republic, Alhaji Isiyaku Ibrahim has said that he is not happy with President Muhammadu Buhari administration because Nigerians are dying of hunger.
He said he delivered his home state of Nasarawa to the All Progressives Congress ( APC) and sponsored newspaper advertorials to solicit support for the success of President Buhari, but regretted the condition many Nigerians found themselves in after Buhari became the President.
According to him, prior to Buhari’s journey to the Presidential Villa, the President and Alhaji Mamman Daura visited late Alhaji Umaru Dikko and sought forgiveness.
Recall that the military regime of General Buhari tried to kidnap Umaru Dikko in London, but the move was not successful. Read more
ASUU pushes strike decision to branches (Nation)
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has thrown the decision to embark on a fresh strike to its branches, following the expiration of its three week ultimatum which expired on Sunday.
The union, after a meeting with its leadership on Sunday, directed its branches in the various public universities to meet within the next two weeks and reach a decision after reviewing the progress of Federal Government’s interventions.
“We met yesterday (on Sunday) and reached out to our branches; they will meet and direct us on what to do. The branches will meet within the next two weeks,” President of ASUU, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke told The Nation.
But, Labour and Employment Minister Chris Ngige said government was addressing the demands of the lecturers. Read more
Man sentenced to prison for stealing rice, spaghetti, cigarettes, noodles, others worth N4,560 (Tribune)
A Magistrate Court sitting in Ile-Ife, Osun State on Monday sentenced a middle-aged man, ThankGod Paul, to six months jail term for stealing food items worth N4,560.
The convict said to have stolen one rubber of dried rice worth N1,000; two Bigi Cola valued at N300; two 7up drinks valued at N400; one Spaghetti valued at N400 and five Magic soaps valued at N500.
The convict also stole two packs of noodles, N200; one pack of Rothmans Cigarettes, N500; one pack of Benson & Hedges, N500 and one Agbara & Halogin Hot Drinks, N400.
Other stolen items, according to the police prosecutor, Inspector Onah Glory, are one chinchin cup, worth N60 and one pack of Tiger Razorblade, valued at N300, the total of which were valued at N4,560. Read more
Barrier across road, quarry site tears Edo community apart (Vanguard)
There has been tension in Ubiaja in Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State following the erection of a fence across an ancient road in the rustic community.
The development, NDV learned, has pitched the community folks against their monarch, HRH Zaiki Iredia Eidenojie, whom they accused of mounting the blockade thereby denying them access through the ancient road.
Some elders, youths and other influential members of the community alleged that they have made efforts and appealed to the king to see reasons to open up the road to no avail.
They also accused him of locking a quarry site in the community, trying to impose leadership on the union and using thugs and suspected secret cult members to intimidate and harass them. Read more
Olivia Colman, Helen Mirren and Stephen Fry team up to tackle wellbeing of next generation (Mirror)
A whole host of A-list celebrities such as Dame Helen Mirren and Susan Sarandon have teamed up with global not-for-profit charity THINK EQUAL in their latest campaign.
Think Equal’s mission is to achieve a global system change in education introducing social and emotional learning as a compulsory new subject on national curriculum around the world.
EQlicious sees Dame Helen and Susan alongside celebrities such as Olivia Colman, Stephen Fry, Richard E. Grant, and Emma Thompson narrate a collection of new animated stories for families with children aged three to six.
The idea is that the stories will bring wellbeing and positive life outcomes to the next generation of children. Read more
Drake: Rapper and singer ‘withdraws nominations’ for 2022 Grammy Awards (Sky)
Rapper and singer Drake has withdrawn his two nominations for the 2022 Grammy Awards, according to US media reports.
The Canadian star, a previous four-time Grammy winner, had been in the running for Best Rap Album for his sixth studio record Certified Lover Boy, and Best Rap Performance for single Way 2 Sexy featuring Future and Young Thug.
However, these have now been removed from the website for the awards, which are run by The Recording Academy. Drake has not given any reasons for the move.
The Reuters news agency cites sources close to the musician, while the Associated Press cites sources “familiar with the decision”, in reports stating that the rapper and his management asked The Recording Academy to withdraw his nominations. Read more
Activist investor Elliott attacks SSE over green energy plans (Guardian)
The US activist investor Elliott Management has ratcheted up the pressure on the UK firm SSE, with a public attack on the company’s energy transition strategy and a call for two new independent directors.
The FTSE 100 company has rejected the idea from the New York-based hedge fund – which has built a stake in SSE in recent months – that it should spin off its renewables arm. On Tuesday, it issued a further swift rebuff of Elliott’s demands.
Last month SSE announced a £12.5bn plan to increase investment across its renewable energy and electricity networks businesses over the next five years. It will fund this by selling a 25% stake in its electricity networks division and cutting the dividend. By the end of the decade, the company plans to run a quarter of the UK’s offshore windfarms, alongside its electricity grid networks in the north of Scotland and parts of England, and its planned fleet of flexible “low carbon” power plants.
However, in a letter addressed to the SSE chairman, Sir John Manzoni, Elliott said the firm’s investment strategy lacked ambition and called on the company to provide a detailed and credible plan “to address investor concerns around SSE’s corporate governance, its ability to fund its growth in the long term, and its persistent undervaluation”. Read more
Labour Party veteran Harriet Harman to stand down as an MP at next election after 40 years in Commons (Sky)
Labour’s Harriet Harman, the longest continuous serving female MP in the Commons, has announced that she will not be standing for the party at the next election.
Ms Harman, who has represented the south London constituency of Camberwell and Peckham since 1982, revealed the news on Twitter.
She wrote: “After nearly 40 years in Parliament I won’t be standing again at the next election.
“It’s been a great honour to be an MP and to represent Camberwell and Peckham since 1982. Read more
Amalia: Heir to the Dutch throne keeps it normal at 18 (BBC)
For a country whose national motto is “be normal”, the heir to the Dutch throne is a pretty good fit.
Princess Amalia turns 18 on Tuesday. She’s on a gap year, has spoken candidly about her struggles with mental health and says she won’t claim her income until she becomes a fully working royal.
Amalia loves singing, tiaras and musicals and apparently mixes a potent cocktail. So what else do we know about the future queen of the Netherlands and could her coming of age herald a new era?
Princess Amalia attended a state school close to her home in The Hague and, like many Dutch children, rode her bicycle to school. Read more
Arthur’s grandma sobs saying he ‘lost sparkle in his eyes’ the last time she saw him (Metro)
The grieving grandmother of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes revealed he begged to stay with her the last time she saw him before he was killed by his evil dad and stepmum.
Madeleine Halcrow said her ‘happy and smiling’ grandson had ‘lost the sparkle in his eyes’ when he visited her on her birthday in October 2019.
She said the six-year-old burst into tears when he found out his stepmum was in the car to pick him up and asked: ‘Grandma, can I stay with you?’.
She told Good Morning Britain: ‘I last saw Arthur on my birthday – 21st of October (2019), he was the happiest child, he was very, very much loved by everybody. Read more
Germany’s Merkel Bows Out after 16 Years (VOA)
Angela Merkel was assured of a place in the history books as soon as she became Germany’s first female chancellor on Nov. 22, 2005.
Over the next 16 years, she was credited with raising Germany’s profile and influence, working to hold a fractious European Union together, managing a string of crises and being a role model for women.
Now that near-record tenure is ending with her leaving office at age 67 to praise from abroad and enduring popularity at home. Her designated successor, Olaf Scholz, is expected to take office Wednesday.
Merkel, a former scientist who grew up in communist East Germany, is bowing out about a week short of the record for longevity held by her one-time mentor, Helmut Kohl, who reunited Germany during his 1982-1998 tenure. Read more
Instagram launches “Take a Break” feature for teenagers (Punch)
Picture and video sharing social media platform, Instagram, has announced the launch of the “Take a Break” feature for its teenage users.
In a statement released on Tuesday by the Head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri, it was stated that the Meta owned company had been working on features to ensure a safe experience for young people using the app.
“We’ll be taking a stricter approach to what we recommend to teens on the app: we’ll stop people from tagging or mentioning teens that don’t follow them, we’ll be nudging teens towards different topics if they’ve been dwelling on one topic for a long time,” the statement read.
Mosseri also announced that the Take a Break feature will be launched today in the US, UK, Ireland, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia, while every other country will have access to it by next year. Read more
World Para Powerlifting: Team Nigeria finish 3rd with 6 medals (Nation)
Team Nigeria finished third on the overall medals table at the just concluded 2021 World Para Powerlifting held in Tbilisi, Georgia, NationSports reports.
The athletes amassed six medals – three gold, one silver and two bronze – behind Iran at the end of the competition yesterday.
Chile’s anthem played proudly as their Mixed Team claimed the final gold medal of the Championships on Monday to topped the medals table with five gold, four silver and four bronze.
Rising star, Onyinyechi Mark left her mark on the 3rd day as she broke the junior world record twice on her way to securing silver with her lift of 131kg in the women’s up to 61kg. Read more
Africa Cup of Nations: CAF dismisses rumours the tournament could be moved (BBC)
The Confederation of African Football (Caf) has dismissed rumours that next month’s Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) could be moved away from Cameroon following the recent discovery of the new Omicron variant of Covid-19.
The new variant has led to travel restrictions being introduced by some countries for several African nations, with Nigeria, which neighbours Cameroon, the latest to be added to the United Kingdom’s ‘red list’.
In recent days, some media organisations have suggested the dates of the 24-team tournament could change or even the location be moved, possibly to Qatar.
Caf’s director of communications Alex Siewe says neither his organisation nor leading Cameroon officials have discussed such events. Read more
Leeds Utd legends’ chairs to be sold at auction (BBC)
A wooden chair thought to have been used by Leeds United’s most successful ever manager is to be sold at auction.
The seat, emblazoned with the name of Don Revie, is one of eight similar lots due to go under the hammer and is expected to fetch up to £3,000.
It was discovered by Sean Birch who uncovered the former Leeds and England manager’s name during restoration.
Leslie Silver, Leeds’ chairman from 1983 to 1996, and RP Ziff, of Stylo football boots fame, also feature. Read more
Thomas Tuchel reveals Mateo Kovacic will miss Chelsea’s clash with Zenit Saint Petersburg after testing positive for Covid-19 (Metro)
Thomas Tuchel has confirmed Mateo Kovacic has contracted Covid-19 and will miss Chelsea’s final Champions League group-stage clash with Zenit Saint Petersburg.
Kovacic, 27, tested positive for the virus at Cobham on Tuesday morning, just 24 hours after returning to training for the first time following a hamstring injury.
The Croatia international must now observe a period of isolation away from the rest of his team-mates and is also likely to be unavailable for the Blues’ upcoming league games against Leeds and Everton.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference this afternoon, Tuchel said Kovacic’s latest setback was a ‘huge’ blow for both for the midfielder and the squad. Read more
2022 Beijing Winter Olympics: China criticises US diplomatic boycott (BBC)
China has condemned a planned US diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing and threatened to retaliate.
Foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said China would take “resolute counter-measures”, but did not give further details.
On Monday, the US said it would not send diplomats to Beijing over concerns about China’s human rights record.
It added that US athletes could go and would have full government support. Read more
Ajax ‘are considering a loan move for Dean Henderson’ amid a lack of action at Manchester United (DailyMail)
Manchester United outcast Dean Henderson has emerged as a loan target for Ajax amid his lack of game time at Old Trafford this season, according to reports.
Henderson, 24, is yet to make a Premier League or Champions League appearance for United in the current campaign, only featuring in their 1-0 Carabao Cup defeat at home to West Ham back in September.
Manchester Evening News claim the Dutch club are interested in signing Henderson on loan in January, having also enquired about his availability when Solskjaer was in charge 18 months ago.
United are understood to be weighing up his future ahead of the turn of the year, yet the player himself is open to a loan switch. Read more
Jude Bellingham fined €40,000 for referee comments after Bayern Munich defeat (Mirror)
Jude Bellingham has been slapped with a €40,000 fine by German football officials after he blasted referee Felix Zwayer – but avoided a ban.
The England international’s comments came after Borussia Dortmund lost 3-2 to Bayern Munich on Saturday, with Bellingham hinting that Zwayer’s previous match-fixing involvement factored into decisions against his side.
Bayern won the match via a late Robert Lewandowski penalty which was awarded in controversial circumstances.
Mats Hummels handled the ball inside the area in the 75th minute, with Dortmund having a penalty shout waved away and not checked by the referee just minutes earlier. Read more