Okada ban: Newly deployed buses will ease pressure, says Lagos (Nation)
Lagos State Bus Services Ltd. (LBSL) on Monday deployed additional 65 buses on Lagos roads.
Its Managing Director, Idowu Oguntona, who reporters on Monday afternoon at its office in Yaba, said the deployment is in addition to already existing buses on the roads.
He said the addition is to ease current pressure being experienced on the roads occasioned by the ban on commercial motorcycles and tricycles on major highways and bridges.
“What we noticed from when we deployed the buses in the morning, it really helped people to move around; we’ve been able to record about 10,000 in terms of ridership just within the morning period and from our projection, this 65 buses will be able to carry 35,000 people on a daily basis when the situation becomes fully stabilised,” he said. Read more
Quarantine yourselves, Lagos advises returnees from China (Punch)
The Lagos State Government has advised travellers returning from China and any country where cases of coronavirus have been reported to observe self-quarantine on arrival in Lagos.
The state Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, in a statement on Sunday, said, “During unsupervised self-quarantine, we expect persons concerned to respond to the state advice and act as responsible citizens. You are required to restrict your movement to your home, monitor yourself closely, report any symptoms that may develop to the Ministry of Health on the contact numbers provided and engage in good personal hygiene.
“You must monitor yourself closely and diligently during the self-quarantine period, to identify if you develop symptoms including, but not limited, to headache, cough, sore throat, fever, chest pain, chills, shortness of breath, breathing difficulties and pneumonia.”
The commissioner stressed the need for citizens observing self-quarantine who develop any of the aforementioned symptoms to immediately contact the Lagos State Ministry of Health on 08023169485, 08033565529 and 08052817243 for further instructions. Read more
3 killed, many injured as protesters battle police over Okada ban in Lagos (DailyTrust)
At least three persons were feared killed while many sustained various degrees of injuries when suspected commercial motorcycle operators and those belonging to tricycles association took to the streets on Monday morning to protest the ban on their activities in so parts of Lagos state. The State Government had last Tuesday outlawed the operations of commercial motorcycles riders also know as Okada as well as tricycle operators also known as Keke Marwa in six local government areas of the state. The enforcement of the ban started on Saturday, February 1, 2020. The police said about 40 violators were arrested while about 188 motorcycles and 78 keke Marwa were impounded. Read more
Unemployed man in court for allegedly attempting to steal a car (Guardian)
A 39-year-old unemployed man, Segun Awoleye, who allegedly attempted to steal a car on Monday appeared in an Ikorodu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.
The police charged Awoleye, whose address was not provided, with misdemeanor.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Prosecution Counsel, Sgt. Mary Ajiteru, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on Jan. 24 at No; 17, Olumide Awosanya street; off unity estate, Ojokoro village, Owutu area in Ikorodu. Read more
2 men to die by hanging for armed robbery (DailyTrust)
A High Court in Jos on Monday sentenced two men, Dayabu Ahmad 20, and Umar Aliyu, 21, to death by hanging for armed robbery. Justice S.P Gang, found the convicts guilty of criminal conspiracy and armed robbery. Delivering judgment, Gang held that going by the findings of the court, the convicts armed themselves with dangerous weapons, blocked the Barkin Ladi/Mangu road and robbed commuters of their belongings. “This sentence is mandatory, as the law states that any person convicted of armed robbery shall be punished with death by hanging. Read more
FG implements IPPIS module, goes after ghost workers (Punch)
The Acting Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Folashade Yemi-Esan, on Monday, said that the Federal Government had activated a new process aimed at eliminating those who were collecting salaries without certificates or letters of appointment from the government.
Yemi-Esan unfolded the plan in the keynote address she delivered at the opening ceremony of the pilot induction programme for the 700 newly recruited officers on grade level 07 to10, which was held in Abuja.
The Ag HCSF also warned the new recruits against taking for granted the job security in the civil service, noting that such an attitude to work would hinder their progress on the job. Read more
3 die in Lagos-Ibadan Expressway accident (Nation)
Three persons died while 14 others sustained injuries in an accident around Saapade area on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Monday.
Mr Babatunde Akinbiyi, the spokesman, Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE), confirmed the incident to newsmen in Abeokuta.
Akinbiyi said that the accident, which occurred around 7:15am, involved a Mazda bus marked AKD 53 XN travelling from Ibadan to Lagos and a Ford bus marked RGB 490 XA travelling from Lagos to Ikire. Read more
Three Nigerian soldiers killed in ISWAP attack (Guardian)
Islamic State-affiliated jihadists have killed three Nigerian soldiers and seized two military vehicles in an attack in violence-wracked northeastern Borno state, security sources and residents said Monday.
Fighters from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), stormed into the town of Askira late Friday in a dozen pickup trucks fitted with machine guns, leading to clashes with troops and local vigilantes.
“Our men repelled the terrorists but we lost three soldiers and two trucks,” a military officer told AFP, adding that the insurgents suffered “heavy casualties”, without giving a toll. Read more
Kadpoly begins National Diploma in railway engineering technology (DailyTrust)
The management of Kaduna Polytechnic has commenced a National Diploma (ND) in Railway Engineering Technology programme in the 2019/2020 academic session. This followed the approval granted by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) on 30th January, 2020. In a statement signed by Samuel Y. Obochi, the Deputy Registrar, Information & Protocol of the institution, he said the approval was sequel to the positive reports of the resources inspection visitation team of NBTE that inspected human and material resources in the polytechnic last year. “With this development, Kaduna Polytechnic is the first higher Institution in Nigeria to commence National Diploma (ND) programme in Railway Transportation Sector,” he said. Read more
Final year DELSU student drowns (Nation)
A final year student of the Delta State University (DELSU) Abraka, Precious Omordia, reportedly drowned weekend at the Abraka River in Delta state.
The 400- level student of Physiology was said to have gone swimming with friends at the Okotie River Resort when the incident happened.
It was gathered though the incident occurred at about 1pm, his corpse was discovered Sunday evening.
The Student Union Government (SUG), in a statement late Sunday, confirmed the tragic incident. Read more
Kaduna bomber: Police advise schools, others to reintroduce checks points (Guardian)
The Kaduna State Police Command has advised the management of schools, places of worship, motor parks, markets, recreational centres and other public places to revive the usual checks on vehicles and luggage, especially at entrance points.
The command also directed all its officers to intensify surveillance and liaise with stakeholders within their jurisdictions to ensure collective vigilance.
The directive comes a day after Nathaniel Samuel was apprehended while attempting to bomb the Living Faith Church at Sabon Tasha in Kaduna this Sunday. Read more
Sports Minister graces revived Kwara Sports Festival (Nation)
The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, has said that the importance of grassroots sports development cannot be over emphasised.
He said this while speaking to newsmen at the grand finale of the Kwara State Sports Festival on Saturday.
He added that the resuscitation of the Sports event was a step in the right direction:” This is where we want to be when it comes to sports development and by that, I mean the promotion of grassroots sports development. We want to see the commitment of State Governors to grassroots sports development. Read more
Maldini’s grandson, Daniel makes AC Milan league debut (DailyTrust)
Daniel Maldini, son of AC Milan legend Paolo and grandson of the similarly feted Cesare, made his Serie A debut in a 1-1 draw with Hellas Verona. The 18-year-old impressed during pre-season for the Rossoneri and was sure to have his opportunities this season. Unlike his family predecessors, who were both defenders, 18-year-old Daniel is an attacker. The player is a versatile attacker, who is at home playing anywhere along the frontline as well as behind the strikers as a trequartista, or No.10. Read more
CAF Cup: Rampant Enyimba reach quarter-finals (Punch)
Enyimba of Nigeria went on a scoring spree and Zanaco of Zambia defended doggedly Sunday to book the two CAF Confederation Cup quarter-finals places up for grabs.
Victor Mbaoma scored twice as former African champions Enyimba trounced San Pedro of the Ivory Coast 5-2 in Abidjan to fill the second qualifying place in Group D.
Zanaco came from behind to force a 1-1 at Renaissance Berkane of Morocco, who had scored 13 unanswered goals in four previous CAF home matches, and finish Group B runners-up.
Pyramids and Al Masry of Egypt, Berkane and Hassania Agadir of Morocco, Horoya of Guinea and Al Nasr of Libya had secured knockout places before the final matchday. Read more
No need for new striker, my goal will qualify Chelsea for Champions League- Tammy Abraham (DailyTrust)
Tammy Abraham has said he can be relied on to help fire in the goals to get Chelsea into the Champions League. The 15-goal forward remains the club’s main striker after Frank Lampard’s January frustrations. Chelsea had their transfer ban lifted in December but failed to make a single signing last month, despite being linked with Edinson Cavani and Timo Werner. Olivier Giroud failed to make the bench for Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Leicester with Michy Batshuayi, Chelsea’s other senior striker, an unused substitute. Read more
FIFA ends intervention in African football (Guardian)
FIFA is ending its six-month intervention in African soccer’s governing body, it said on Sunday, after the mission to speed up the reform of football on the continent was “successfully completed”.
World soccer’s ruling body also confirmed that its secretary-general Fatma Samoura’s role as “general delegate for Africa” had ended on Feb. 1.
FIFA effectively took over the running of African football after the corruption scandals which consumed the Confederation of African Football (CAF) last year, including allegations against CAF president Ahmad Ahmad which he has denied.
FIFA confirmed at the time that Ahmad, a former cabinet minister in his native Madagascar, was being investigated by its ethics committee although he was not suspended. Read more
El-Makkasa job big task, says Amuneke (Punch)
Former Nigeria international Emmanuel Amuneke says he faces a “big task” after taking over at struggling Egyptian Premier League side El-Makkasa on a deal until the end of the season.
The 49-year-old was confirmed as Ahmed Hossam Mido’s successor on Saturday to become El-Makkasa’s fourth manager in three years.
The Faiyum-based outfit have struggled for form, sitting 15th in the table, just outside the relegation zone on goal difference.
“We have a big job on our hands and we cannot pretend that isn’t true,” Amuneke told BBC Sport.
“But no matter the task, we must give it everything we have.” Read more
FIFA boss wants African Cup of Nations every four years, not two (DailyTrust)
FIFA President, Gianni Infantino FIFA boss Gianni Infantino told African football leaders on Saturday that he wants their continental Cup of Nations to be played every four years as part of a package of reforms designed to lift “African football to the top of the world”. Infantino also told a seminar in Rabat attended by delegates from each of the Confederation of African Football’s 54 member associations, that he wanted new stadiums in every member state and had earmarked $1 billion to finance the ambitious program. Read more
Lawal, Garba, Amuneke tip striker to succeed (Nation)
Notable Nigerian football aficionados including the trio of Garba Lawal, Manu Garba and Emmanuel Amuneke have described transfer deal of Odion Ighalo to Manchester United as a welcome development.
Ighalo in the eventful hours of the January Transfer on Friday joined English Premier League giants from Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua on a reported six-month loan deal with an option to buy at the end of the half-year period.
“Ighalo’s transfer to Manchester United is a fantastic move and a big challenge for him,” Lawal, a Trojan in his heyday with the Super Eagles told NationSport.
“It is the dream of any player to play for bigger clubs like Manchester United and this is one of the biggest clubs in the world; I’m happy for him.” Read more
Morata out injured, faces race to be fit for Liverpool test (Guardian)
Atletico Madrid confirmed on Monday that Alvaro Morata has suffered a muscle injury, with the striker in doubt to face Liverpool in the first leg of the Champions League last 16.
Atletico plays Liverpool at the Wanda Metropolitano on February 18 and will be desperate to have Morata fit, given their lack of options up front. Diego Costa and Joao Felix are both currently out injured.
“Alvaro Morata has suffered a muscular injury in his right leg,” a club statement read. “His return will depend on his recovery.” Read more