Okada riders protest alleged police extortion, harassment in Ejigbo, Lagos (Guardian)
Commercial motorcycle operators, popularly known as Okada riders in Ejigbo, a Lagos suburb, have protested alleged extortion and harassment of their members by members of the Nigeria Police in the area.
It was alleged that the commercial cyclists are angry with officers of the division for allegedly turning them to their Automated Teller Machine (ATM) and raiding them on the roads, especially at Jakande Estat Gate.
They claimed that apart from extortion, they also impound their motorcycles and transfer them to the Lagos State Task Force, where the motorcycles are crushed if they fail to part with a certain amount of money.
In protest, the riders mobilised their members against the police where two patrol vehicles were vandalised.
They reportedly warned the Police to stop impounding their motorcycles or face their wrath. Read more
LASG partners GIZ to increase job creation (Punch)
The Lagos State Government has partnered with German cooperation, Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, to create an initiative that will increase job opportunities in the state.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Sustainable Development Goals and Investment, Mrs Solape Hammond, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.
Hammond was quoted to have said this during a workshop organised to conduct the mapping and analysis of laws, policies and instructions for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises development and employment promotion.
She said, “The potential in the MSMEs sector in terms of wealth creation and employment generation are too attractive to be ignored by any discerning government. Read more
Residents lament dangerous uncovered manholes on Lagos roads (Guardian)
For providence and early intervention of passersby, Mrs. Gladys Anichebe, who narrowly escaped falling into a manhole at Alapere Bus stop, Ketu area of Lagos State, would have recorded a bleak Christmas.
The mother of two and resident at Ketu was rushing to catch a bus to the Island last week, without realising the presence of an uncovered manhole at the bus stop.
Luck, however, smiled at her, a good Samaritan, who watched her movement deftly shoved her aside and prevented her from falling inside the hole.
Similarly, on Thursday, a man narrowly escaped falling inside an uncovered manhole off Akinhanmi Street in Surulere, Lagos.
The man was walking towards Ojuelegba from Akinhanmi Street, oblivious of an uncovered manhole on the newly constructed road. Read more
Hushpuppi: 6 months after FBI indictment, IGP submits report to PSC on Abba Kyari (Nation)
Inspector-General Usman Baba has finally submitted disciplinary recommendations on the alleged role of the suspended Head of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) Abba Kyari a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) to the Police, it was learnt yesterday.
The submission to the Service Commission (PSC) was months after he received the report of the probe panel. Kyari was investigated for his alleged role in a $1.1 million internet scam carried out by an Instagram influencer, Abbas Ramon (aka Hushpuppi) and four others.
The probe followed Kyari’s indictment by the United States (US) Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which recommended that the cop be extradited to the US to face trial.
A member of the PSC, Braimoh Adogame Austin, who told our correspondent in Abuja said the commission will start deliberations on the issue this week. Read more
NDLEA nabs pregnant woman with imported skunk, seizes 4,000kg narcotics in eight states (Guardian)
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a pregnant woman, Eze Joy Chioma with 1,442 kilogrammes of imported skunk and four men, including a 62-year-old Basset Emmanuel with 182,000 tablets of Tramadol, during a raid of two clandestine drug stores in Lagos.
The 27-year-old Chioma Eze was arrested on Friday, December 17, when operatives raided her store and home in Ojo area of Lagos, while another suspect, Michael Oroke was nabbed with 29kg of the illicit drug in the same location.
The previous day, December 16, operatives had equally raided a hideout in Abule-egba area of the state where Basset Emmanuel, Ezekwem Lawrence, Mohammed Aliyu, and Suwidi Isiaku were arrested with 182,000 tablets of Tramadol 225mg.
In similar raids across eight other states of Rivers, Kogi, Benue, Adamawa, Anambra, Edo, Ekiti and Ondo, over 4,000 kilogrammes of assorted illicit drugs were seized. Read more
Ogun couple sells 1-month-old baby for N50k (DailyTrust)
Operatives of the Ogun Police Command have arrested a couple residing at Ilara area of Ode Remo, in Remo North Local Government Area of the state for allegedly selling their one-month-old baby for N50, 000.
The suspects, Eze Onyebuchi, and his wife, Oluchi Eze were arrested by operatives of the Ode Remo Police Division.
The Spokesman for the Police Command, Abimbola Oyeyemi, told newsmen on Sunday in Abeokuta that the police got a tip-off that the couple who live at Ayegbami Street, Ilara, Remo willingly sold their one-month-old baby to a woman who is now at large.
Oyeyemi said the Divisional Police Officer, (DPO) Ode Remo division, CSP Olayemi Fagbohun, detailed his detectives to the area where the couple was arrested and brought to the station. Read more
APM Terminals Apapa handles 8.1 million TEUs in 15 years (Vanguard)
Nigeria’s largest container terminal, APM Terminals Apapa handled a little above 8.1 million twenty equivalent units (TEU) of containers in the past 15 years.
Terminal Manager of APM Terminals Apapa, Steen Knudsen, said container volumes at the terminal have increased by an average of 23 percent annually over the past five years.
“We handled 8,134, 847 TEUs of containers since 2006 and more than 650,000 TEUs per year in 2020 and 2021 – the majority of that being import volume. Over the last years we have managed to grow the business extensively – by 23 percent per annum on average. We are continuously making our terminal operations more efficient,” he said.
“While there is a compelling need to reduce the dwell time of containers at the terminal, there are several factors – most of them beyond the control of a terminal operator – that make it possible for consignees to keep their containers at the terminal for a long period of time. Read more
Suicide: Cleric blames family, church, school, others (Sun)
Senior Pastor Fracis Uche of the New Eden Chapel, Ikotun, Lagos, has blamed the family, church, school and relevant government agencies for hard drug intake destroying some youths.
Uche spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Sunday.
The cleric reacted to suicide by one Mr Abdulrahman Odunare-Olamilekan in Lagos recently.
Twenty-five-year-old Odunare-Olamilekan jumped into a lagoon at Epe, Lagos State. Read more
Ayra Starr thrills fans at Ikeja City Mall yuletide celebration (Leadership)
Music lovers were thrilled by the captivated performance of Mavin Records fast rising artist, Ayra Starr at the Ikeja City Mall (ICM), in Lagos.
The event was organized by the mall to celebrate their customers in this year’s yuletide season.
She performed various songs in her catalogue, including the chart topping ‘Bloody Samaritan’ to the delight of the customers who recited the song’s lyrics, word-for-word.
Speaking at the event, the General Manager Ikeja City Mall, Oladipo Dada, said; “Apart from catering for the shopping needs of Lagosians, the mall also prides itself as the iconic location that connects people to lifestyle. Hence it celebrated a decade of being the choice destination for shopping, entertainment and leisure.” Read more
Mel B ‘to be awarded an MBE’ in recognition of her services to domestic violence victims (DailyMail)
Mel B is set to receive an MBE in recognition of her services to domestic violence victims.
The Spice Girl and Women’s Aid patron, 46, has bravely opened up about her own experience of abuse and has relentlessly campaigned for change, even taking her crusade to Downing Street back in 2019.
The pop star even fronted a Women’s Aid campaign – a music video called Love Should Not Hurt – whereby she portrayed a character who was a badly beaten victim of violence.
A source told The Sun: ‘Despite her achievements in music and TV, she believes her campaigning is the most important thing she’s ever done. Read more
Lord of the Rings anniversary: How have the films impacted the cast 20 years later? (Metro)
When the first film in the Lord of the Rings series, The Fellowship of the Ring, came out 20 years ago, it began an iconic journey into JRR Tolkien’s world that changed the course of cinematic history.
Half a century after the book first introduced the characters, both longtime fans and newcomers were able to lose themselves in Middle-Earth on the big screen, becoming absorbed by the tale of a young hobbit from the Shire and his companions.
The doe-eyed Elijah Wood led the cast as Frodo Baggins, setting off on a dangerous adventure to Mordor with the fellowship, made up of Gandalf (Sir Ian McKellen), Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen), Samwise Gamgee (Sean Astin), Merry (Dominic Monaghan), Pippin (Billy Boyd), Legolas (Orlando Bloom), Boromir (Sean Bean) and Gimli (John Rhys-Davies). Read more
Gruffalo and Superworm author Julia Donaldson says children’s literature deserves more respect (Sky)
Author Julia Donaldson has told Sky News that children’s literature isn’t given the respect it deserves.
The writer, best known as the creator of the Gruffalo, said she is frustrated by how little thought the media gives to highlighting the literary choices available to parents.
Donaldson, whose 2012 book Superworm has been adapted into a TV animation which airs on Christmas Day, said: “I don’t think it’s given the respect it deserves at all.
“People are always talking about how they want children not to use gadgets so much, they want children to be more literate, and yet when you look at reviews of children’s books – which probably account for at least a third of the market of all books – in some newspaper supplements, you’re lucky if you get one column.” Read more
Spider-Man producer recalls warning Tom Holland and Zendaya not to date (Metro)
A Spider-Man producer claims she warned Tom Holland and Zendaya not to get involved romantically but, clearly, they ‘ignored’ the advice.
Much to the delight of fans, Tom and Zendaya, both 25, appeared to go public with their romance when they were pictured kissing in a car this summer.
It appeared to confirm the months – let’s face it, years – of speculation that their relationship was more than platonic co-stars.
With the release of the latest and possibly final Spider-Man instalment, No Way Home, Tom and Zendaya have blessed us with special red carpet moments where they’ve radiated pure happiness. Read more
Il Divo singer Carlos Marín dies at 53 after hospitalisation (People)
Il Divo singer Carlos Marín has died following a hospitalisation, according to the remaining members of the vocal group. He was 53.
David Miller, Sébastien Izambard, and Urs Bühler announced the news of their friend’s death on their website on Sunday.
“It is with heavy hearts that we are letting you know that our friend and partner, Carlos Marin, has passed away. He will be missed by his friends, family and fans. There wiIl never be another voice or spirit like Carlos,” Il Divo shared.
“For 17 years the four of us have been on this incredible journey of Il Divo together, and we will miss our dear friend. We hope and pray that his beautiful soul will rest in peace,” they continued. Read more
Covid: Christmas travel will fuel spread of Omicron, US expert warns (BBC)
Christmas travel will increase the spread of the Omicron Covid-19 variant, even among the fully vaccinated, the top US infectious disease expert says.
“There’s no doubt about this, [Omicron] has an extraordinary capability of spreading,” Dr Anthony Fauci told NBC’s Meet the Press programme on Sunday.
Dr Fauci, who advises the US government on the pandemic, said the variant was now “raging through the world”.
Countries are tightening measures as the heavily mutated variant spreads.
In Europe, France and Germany are among those to issue travel restrictions and the Netherlands has imposed a strict lockdown over Christmas. Read more
Disciplined forces set for more battles on shooting range (TheStar)
After the success of the past weekend’s International Defensive Pistol Association Disciplined Forces Cup at the National Gun Owners Association shooting range in Kirigiti, Kiambu, plans are underway to make it an annual event.
Tournament organiser and match director for the one-day competition, Sammy Onyango, described the event as a success and believes this was made possible by the cooperation of the top structure of the disciplined forces.
“We would like to thank Inspector General (Hillary Mutyambai) and the heads of other disciplined forces for the support they have given us by allowing officers to participate in this event. They have allowed their officers to come and enjoy themselves, relax and sharpen their skills before they head for the busy festive season where they will be tasked with keeping the country safe,” Onyango said.
“That 50 per cent of the participants were debuting is a great success. This was a Christmas send-off for our officers, organised by a committee of civilians during which we thought it wise to reward them with cash prizes and goodies from various sponsors.” Read more
Lagos reveals plan to open eight new stadiums in May, 2022 (Guardian)
Lagos State Government will by May, next year, open eight of the new stadiums it is building across the state to boost sports at the grassroots, officials of the state’s Sports Commission have revealed.
Apart from stadiums, Lagos has embarked on massive infrastructure development across the zones to ensure that budding sportsmen and women get the facilities to hone their skills.
Speaking at the weekend at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Toyin Gafar, said that work has reached an advanced stage in five of the eight new stadiums, while construction work will soon start in the remaining three.
The stadiums where work is already in progress, he said, are located in Igogbo, Ikorodu, Badagry, Ifako Ijaye Sports centre, Ajeromi Stadium, Ajegunle and Epe, while the proposed sites to be used in Mile 12, Sari Iganmu, Igando and Ogombo, Lekki, will begin in the next few weeks.
“The target in each of the stadia is 5,000 capacity but we start gradually with 1,200 and leave room for regular upgrading depending on the responses of fans. Read more
Akpeyi features as Chiefs suffer defeat (Punch)
Victor Letsoala 38th minute goal was the difference as Royal AM defeated Kaizer Chiefs at Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium on Sunday.
Super Eagles goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi was in action as Chiefs’ unbeaten run in the DStv Premiership came to an end after a narrow 1-0 defeat at Royal.
The Nigerian made his 10th appearance between the sticks for his South African side this season and was hoping to make it two consecutive clean sheets.
It was a difficult game for Akpeyi and his teammates, who were up against a side that had been formidable at home as they were yet to lose their last seven home games.
The tie started on a frenzy as both sides tried to cancel each other. Chiefs recorded two shots on target, but none beat Royal keeper Hugo Nyame. Read more
Sports Personality of the Year 2021: Emma Raducanu crowned winner (BBC)
Teenage US Open champion Emma Raducanu has been voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2021.
Raducanu, then 18, ended Britain’s 44-year wait for a women’s Grand Slam singles champion with her remarkable victory at Flushing Meadows.
Her fairytale win followed a run to the Wimbledon fourth round in July on her Grand Slam main draw debut.
In a public vote, diver Tom Daley placed second and swimmer Adam Peaty was third.
Manchester City and England forward Raheem Sterling, boxer Tyson Fury, and Great Britain’s most successful Paralympian Sarah Storey were also shortlisted for the main award. Read more
Furuhashi on double as Ange’s Bhoys secure some silverware (IrishIndependent)
Ange Postecoglou has his first trophy as Celtic manager with this win in the Premier Sports Cup – alias the Scottish League Cup – and he can take particular credit for the feat because it was secured by two dashing goals from Kyogo Furuhashi, identified by the manager as a crucial summer import from the J-League in Japan.
Furuhashi consolidated his place in the affections of Celtic fans with a beautifully executed double. Postecoglou admitted there was no way he could have kept Furuhashi off the Hampden pitch despite struggling with an injury.
“Good luck from me trying to keep him out,” the Australian said. “There was no chance. He would have snuck onto the bus and snuck onto the field at some point without me seeing.
“He just had it in his head he was going to play. He wanted to help the players and help the team and he wanted to be part of this. Having worked in Japan, I know their mentality. They are a really strong culture in facing up to their responsibilities and I think he felt responsible to go out there and help the players.” Read more
Victor Letsoalo once Again the thorn in the flesh of Kaizer Chiefs! (TheSouthAfrican)
Royal AM completed a season ‘double’ over Kaizer Chiefs at the Chatsworth Stadium in Durban on Sunday as Victor Letsoalo’s first half penalty secured a hard-fought 1-0 win.
The KwaZulu-Natal side were awarded a penalty in the 38th minute after Bernard Parker was adjudged to have fouled Zukile Mkhize in the penalty area.
Letsoalo stepped up to take it and held his nerve, placing his shot into the bottom-right corner.
It was the Royal AM marksman’s ninth goal this season as he strengthened his second place in the race for the Golden Boot award. Read more
Peng Shuai tells paper she never wrote of being assaulted (USAToday)
Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai has told a Singapore newspaper that she never said she wrote of having been sexually assaulted, despite a November social media post attributed to her that accused a former top Communist Party official of having forced her into sex.
The Lianhe Zaobao Chinese-language newspaper posted video of Peng it says was taken Sunday in Shanghai in which she said she has been mainly staying at home in Beijing but was free to come and go as she chose.
“First of all, I want to emphasize something that is very important. I have never said that I wrote that anyone sexually assaulted me. I need to emphasize this point very clearly,” Peng told the newspaper’s reporter.
The reporter did not ask how or why the lengthy and highly detailed Nov. 2 post appeared or whether Peng’s account had been hacked. Read more
Chicago Bulls need Nikola Vučević to return to form to regain momentum in the Eastern Conference race (ChicagoTribune)
Nikola Vučević hasn’t found his rhythm yet in Chicago. The All-Star center’s first year with the Bulls has stuttered through stop-and-start challenges.
First a late-season trade from Orlando offered little time to adjust, then a new team dynamic with the addition of DeMar DeRozan shook up the start of this season. A series of COVID-19 absences — first for Vučević in November, then for more than half of his teammates in the last two weeks — has further stunted his attempts to integrate fully into the Bulls’ style of play.
After a hot start in the first 25 games of the season, the Bulls are hungry for the consistency Vučević typically provides in the post. But Vučević’s coaches and teammates aren’t concerned about his ability to increase his production.
“He has high expectations for himself,” guard Alex Caruso said ahead of Sunday night’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the United Center. “We have high expectations for him. A lot of his frustration derives from makes and misses. I know how much he does for us outside of that.” Read more