Okada’ ban: Lagos residents hail Sanwo-Olu (Nation)
Some residents of Lagos on Tuesday commended Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s courage in banning commercial motorcycles (Okada) and tricycles (Keke) in some local governments, highways and bridges in the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Lagos State Government on Monday announced the restriction and ban of commercial motorcycles and tricycles in six Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state with effect from Feb. 1.
The residents, who spoke to NAN in separate interviews in Lagos, said that it was better to be unemployed than to die or remain permanently incapacitated.
Mr Williams Dada, an Auditor in a private firm, who commended the courage of the governor, however, expressed fear that high-handedness of some law enforcement agents could bring pains to the operators.
Dada, also a Cleric, urged operators of commercial motorcycles and tricycles to heed the law. Read more
Amotekun: South-West has no plan to secede from Nigeria — Fayemi (Vanguard)
Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has assured that the South-West geopolitical zone has no plans to secede from Nigeria, saying the establishment of the South-West Security Network, code-named “Amotekun” was to tackle armed robbery, kidnapping, banditry and illegal destruction of lives and property.
Dr. Fayemi said the South-West region remains an integral part of Nigeria, will continue to be part of Nigeria and will continue to be committed to a united and indivisible Nigeria.
The Governor gave the assurance, yesterday when he hosted a pan-Yoruba development interest group, the Oodua Progressive Union, OPU, Worldwide who were led to his office by the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Chief Gani Adams. Read more
Google opens first Google Developers Space in Lagos (Nation)
Google on Tuesday launched its first Google Developers Space in Lagos, Nigeria.
Previously referred to as the Google Launchpad Space, the Google Developers Space is a hub for African developers, entrepreneurs and startups.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai, made a commitment to African entrepreneurs In July 2017, to start the Launchpad Accelerator Africa program and launch a space to house these efforts in Nigeria. Read more
More buildings to be demolished on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway ― FG (Vanguard)
In order to pave way for the ongoing reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, the Federal Government has said it would demolish more structures on the road.
This was made known on Tuesday by the Director of Highways, South West, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Funsho Adebiyi, during a tour of roads including the Ikorodu-Sagamu Road and Apapa-Oshodi-Oworonshoki expressway.
Adebiyi stated that the reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway had been redesigned to include interchanges and flyovers hence the need for demolition of structures and buildings along some axis of the road to give room for the new developments. Read more
Some Ugandan women coerced by their husbands to breastfeed them (Guardian)
Men seeking to be breastfed by their wives are not uncommon in certain parts of Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda. However, it is now being linked to gender violence and coercive behaviour and there are concerns over the impact on babies’ nutrition according to a report by Guardian U.K.
Little was known about the practice until Uganda’s minister of state for health, Sarah Opendi, broke the silence in parliament in 2018 and warned against “a growing culture of men demanding to suckle, which was becoming a problem for some breastfeeding mothers and their babies”.
Researchers went ahead to study this behaviour and the reasons propelling this action, the study focused on the rural Buikwe district, in the central region, where the behaviour is reported to be common. Read more
Bride Price: ‘My husband can’t afford me’ (BBC)
“I don’t view the Bride Price as me being paid for… Geoffrey can’t afford me,” says Angela, a British-born Ghanaian describing a family tradition common across Sub-Saharan Africa.
“Instead I like the idea that my fiancé and his side are thinking about me as a treasure coming into their family.”
Bride Price is when the family of the groom pay their future in-laws at the start of their marriage.
The payment can be made up of money, presents, or a mixture of both. It’s sometimes paid in one go, but instalments aren’t uncommon. It’s also practised widely in Thailand, China, and Papua New Guinea.
For Angela it’s all part of accepting her roots. Read more
Imo speaker, seven lawmakers dump PDP for APC (Guardian)
The speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly Collins Chiji has defected from the People’s Democratic Party to All Progressives Congress (APC).
Seven other lawmakers also dumped the PDP for APC during a plenary that lasted for less than 20 minutes on Tuesday.
The latest defections further strengthened APC’s majority hold on the House barely a month after the former governor of the state, PDP’s Emeka Ihedioha, was ousted by Supreme Court. Read more
Cyprus rape teen says attackers behaved ‘like a pack of wolves’ (Metro)
A British teenager found guilty of lying about being gang-raped in a Cyprus court has revealed the full horror of the attack which left her ‘wishing she was dead’.
The 19-year-old claimed the assaults were so frenzied she did not know how many of a group of 12 boys and young men forced themselves on her in an Ayia Napa hotel room on July 17 last year.
She maintains she was raped, but was forced to change her account under pressure from Cypriot police following hours of questioning alone and without legal representation. Read more
Rare Bolivian glass frogs seen for first time in 18 years (BBC)
A rare species of frog with translucent skin has been seen in Bolivia for the first time in 18 years.
Three Bolivian Cochran frogs, a species of so-called “glass frogs”, were spotted by conservationists earlier this month in a national park.
The tiny amphibians weigh just 70-80g and measure 19-24mm.
Glass frogs are found in Central and South America and have skin so translucent that their internal organs can be seen through their bellies. Read more
Boris Johnson gives UK’s 5G contract to Chinese company Huawei (Metro)
The Government has decided to allow ‘high risk vendors’ to play a role in the UK’s 5G network – clearing the way for the limited involvement of Chinese tech-giant Huawei. In a move that defies the wishes of US President Donald Trump, Boris Johnson today gave the green light but agreed guidance should be issued by the National Cyber Security Centre. Mr Johnson has promised better connectivity for the UK repeatedly since becoming PM and made gigabit broadband a key election pledge. A 5G network would ensure better video streaming, download speeds and a faster service. Read more
Pogba steps up injury comeback for Man United (Vanguard)
Paul Pogba has had his ankle cast removed as he steps up his attempt to return from injury for Manchester United.
The France international has only started one Premier League match since August in a campaign heavily interrupted by his fitness woes.
United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was unable to put a timescale on Pogba’s return to action ahead of Wednesday’s derby against Manchester City in the EFL Cup.
But Solskjaer reported Pogba has made a key step in his recovery following surgery, as has fellow midfielder Scott McTominay, who is no longer wearing a knee brace. Read more
Inter Milan sign Eriksen from Tottenham (Guardian)
Inter Milan completed the signing of Danish international midfielder Christian Eriksen from Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday.
Eriksen, 27, has signed a contract until 2024 with the Italian giants after the clubs reached an agreement for a reported transfer fee of 20 million euros (£17 million, $22 million).
“We can confirm the departure of Christian Eriksen who has today completed a transfer to Inter Milan,” Tottenham said in a statement. “We wish you all the best for the future.” Read more
Australian Open: Roger Federer beats Tennys Sandgren in quarter-finals (BBC)
Roger Federer defied age and logic once again to save seven match points before beating unseeded American Tennys Sandgren in a sensational Australian Open quarter-final.
The out-of-sorts Swiss fought off form and fitness concerns before winning 6-3 2-6 2-6 7-6 (10-8) 6-3.
World number 100 Sandgren looked set to be the lowest ranked player to reach the Melbourne semi-finals since 1991.
But third seed Federer battled to win in three hours and 28 minutes. Read more
Novak Djokovic to meet Roger Federer for the 50th time in Australian Open semi-finals (Metro)
Novak Djokovic will continue the defence of his Australian Open crown against Roger Federer, after dispatching Milos Raonic in straight sets. Djokovic, the world No. 2 from Serbia, has won a record seven titles in Melbourne and looks on course for an eighth. Raonic was his latest victim on Tuesday night. The big-serving Canadian – who failed to capture his best form on serve – was no match for his 32-year-old opponent, who triumphed 6-4 6-3 7-6 (7-1). Federer came through against Sandgren to set a tie with Djokovic (Picture: Getty) It was Djokovic’s 10th straight win over Raonic, who has never beaten the 16-time Grand Slam champion, and his reward is a 50th meeting with his great rival Federer. Read more
LeBron James promises to continue Kobe Bryant’s legacy (BBC)
LeBron James says he is “heartbroken” over the death of Kobe Bryant and has promised to continue his fellow basketball great’s legacy.
Bryant and his daughter Gianna were among nine people killed in a helicopter crash on Sunday.
LA Lakers star James surpassed Bryant to become the NBA’s third-highest scorer of all time on Saturday.
James also played alongside Bryant at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, helping the United States win two gold medals. Read more
Kobe Bryant: Oyedeji, Akhator pay tributes to fallen NBA star (Nation)
Former NBA star and Seattle Sonic forward, Olumide Oyedeji, has paid an emotional tribute to the late legendary American basketballer Kobe Bean Bryant.
The 41-year-old Bryant died in an helicopter crash on Sunday with his daughter Gianna and seven others when the aircraft came down in Calabasas on the outskirts of Los Angeles.
Bryant, a five-time NBA champion, played for the LA Lakers throughout his outstanding career and is considered as one of the greatest players in the game’s history.
Olumide, erstwhile captain of Nigeria national basketball team D’Tigers , said he was still in shock over the death of Bryant, adding the world had lost an icon who had a big impact on the world with his display of talent on and off the basketball. Read more
Martina Navratilova and John McEnroe join forces to demand Margaret Court Arena is renamed (Metro)
Martina Navratilova and John McEnroe teamed up in a call for the Margaret Court Arena to be renamed, only to be scolded by Australian Open organisers for ‘breaching protocol’. The tennis legends unfurled a banner demanding that the second show court at Melbourne Park is instead named after Evonne Goolagong. But their efforts to raise awareness on the issue have not gone down well with Tennis Australia chiefs, who first cut off a television feed when Navratilova addressed fans from the umpires’ chair before criticising her and McEnroe for their actions. Court has come under fire for her views (Picture: AFP via Getty) ‘We embrace diversity, inclusion and the right for people to have a view, as well as their right to voice that view,’ said a spokesperson. Read more
Solskjaer seeks spirit of PSG as Man Utd prepare to face Man City (Guardian)
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Manchester United need to harness the spirit of Paris Saint-Germain and put in a “perfect performance” if they are to overcome Manchester City and reach the League Cup final.
United face an uphill battle after losing the first leg of their semi-final against Pep Guardiola’s men 3-1 at Old Trafford.
Marcus Rashford’s goal gives United a glimmer of hope heading to the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday and Solskjaer said the stunning comeback win against PSG in the Champions League last March can be an inspiration. Read more
Vardy’s return threatens Iheanacho spot (Nation)
Super Eagles forward Kelechi Iheanacho’s time as a starter of English Premiership side Leicester could be coming to an end as Coach Brendan Rodgers says top goal scorer Jaime Vardy might be involved in today’s Carabao Cup semi-final against Aston Villa.
Vardy came off in his side’s 4-1 win over West Ham last week with what was feared to be a hamstring problem and was not dressed for Leicester’s 1-0 FA Cup wins over Brentford, a game which Iheanacho scored the only goal.
“He’s (Vardy) in the squad. He’s worked very hard since his injury last midweek,” Rodgers said.
“We’ll give him another full day and see how he is before we decide whether he starts or comes off the bench. Read more
Tottenham sign Lo Celso on permanent deal until 2025 for £27m (Vanguard)
Tottenham Hotspur have announced the permanent signing of Giovani Lo Celso from Real Betis just as Christian Eriksen’s departure to Inter was confirmed.
Spurs have exercised their option to sign Lo Celso after an initial loan following a run of impressive performances from the Argentina international.
The 23-year-old turned in a match-winning display as Spurs edged past Norwich before his elegant run from his own half led to Son Heung-min’s strike at Southampton in the FA Cup.
The north London club initially signed Lo Celso on loan in the summer and had the option to either sign him this month for around £27m or wait until the next window, when they would have to fork out an extra £7m. Read more