Oko-Oloyun murder: Police vow to arrest culprits (Guardian)
The Oyo State Police Command, yesterday, said a team of crack detectives from the Homicide Section of State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Iyaganku was questioning some staff and two police escorts attached to the murdered popular herbal doctor, Alhaji Fatai Yusuf, also known as Oko-Oloyun.
The deceased was killed on the Abeokuta-Igbo-Ora Expressway in Oyo State on Thursday.
In a statement made available to newsmen in Ibadan by the Command’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Fadeyi Olugbenga, the Police said the questioning of the suspects was with a view to finding and apprehending the fleeing suspects.
The statement added: “The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Shina T. Olukolu, wishes to put the record straight on the unfortunate death of Alhaji Fatai Yussuf, aka Oko-Oloyun, on Thursday, January 23. Read more
Sanwo-Olu’s open-door policy commended (Nation)
A Lagos-based APC chieftain, Hon. Ibrahim Alao Megida, has given kudos to the incumbent Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, whose administration, according to him, has taken off on a laudable democratic note, in view of his all-inclusive, open-door policy, which embraces every Lagosian without discrimination.
In his address during the annual end-of-the-year /thanksgiving ceremony organized by the Mainland Independent Group, Alhaji Megida, founder and leader of the influential socio- political pressure group, described Sanwo-Olu’s style of governance as a progressive emulation of the democratic political philosophy of the APC national leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Noting that the MIG has always aligned with the progressive tendency since twenty years ago, when it was founded, Megida pledged that the group will always identify with the progressive philosophy of Asiwaju Tinubu. Read more
Hausa community kicks as govt sets to take over cemetery (DailyTrust)
Freshly dug graves at the cemetary Avoid Hausa, Yourba clash – Seriki Hausawa The corpses of the Hausa dwellers in Oyo State buried at a cemetery in Lapite village Moniya Ibadan, Oyo State may need to be exhumed and evacuated, if the state government, in conjunction with the federal government, insists on using the potion of land for a dry port. The 30 acres of land purchased by the Sadauna of the western region, Alhaji Haruna Mai-yasin, the Seriki Sasa about 15 years ago was the cemetery dedicated for the Hausa people in Oyo State and its environ. Sunday Trust gathered that Hausa people across the southwestern states have seen the cemetery as their own which made it easier for them to bury their dead ones. Read more
Nigeria can’t break up – Akeredolu (DailyTrust)
Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State The claim by a former governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, that the establishment of Amotekun security outfit by governors of the South-western states was a ploy to create Oduduwa Republic was made out of ignorance, Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has said. Musa had reportedly warned that the formation of Amotekun was a ploy to secure Yoruba land and a prelude to the declaration of Oduduwa Republic, noting that some of the security components of the outfit like the OPC had records of recklessness in terms of securing lives and property of non-Yoruba. Read more
We haven’t got money for Ibadan-Kaduna rail – Amaechi (DailyTrust)
The Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, says Nigeria hasn’t yet received the loan requested from China for the Ibadan-Kaduna rail project. It would be recalled that the federal government made a request of about $6.7bn to the China EXIM Bank to fund the project. The government had signed a $6.68 billion contract agreement for the Ibadan-Kaduna segment of the Lagos-Kano rail line with China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC). Nigeria is to provide 15 percent counterpart funding for the project. The minister said the Nigerian government is ready, but told journalists in Lagos yesterday after an emergency inspection of the Ebutte Metta to Apapa axis of the Lagos-Ibadan rail project that funds hadn’t been released to Nigeria yet. Read more
Man docked for allegedly raping landlady’s granddaughter (DailyTrust)
A man, Adeleke Ogundare, has been arraigned before an Akure High Court, Ondo State, for raping his 13-year-old landlady’s granddaughter. Ogundare, who pleaded not guilty to the charge the police preferred against him, was dragged before Justice Samuel Bola. Gloria Aigbuje, a teacher of the victim at St. Stephen’s Primary School, Ijomu, Akure, whom the prosecuting counsel, O. F. Olatunji, called to the witness box, testified that the 13-year-old pupil was in her class in Primary Four and that she observed that she was moody and withdrawn from other pupils in her class. Read more
Sex is for married straight couples only, Church of England says (Metro)
If you’re not married or you are gay and you’re having sex, we’ve got some very bad news for you. The Church of England says you are falling short of ‘God’s purposes for human beings’. The church has said that sex is only for heterosexual couples within the confines of marriage, adding that civil partnerships are no more than ‘sexually abstinent friendships’. Bishops issued pastoral guidance to clergy after a recent change in UK law allowed straight couples to tie the knot in a civil ceremony instead of a traditional marriage, following a lengthy legal battle. Read more
Many cadets withdrawn from NDA over acts of indiscipline (Vanguard)
Authorities of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) on Friday disclosed, that some scores of Cadets have been withdrawn from the Academy and others demoted, having been found wanting in discipline and general conduct.
The Academy Public Relations Officer, Major Abubakar Abdullahi confirmed the withdrawals to Vanguard but was silent on the number of Cadets involved.
Major Abdullahi said that the relegation and withdrawal of the Cadets followed the conduct of the Academy’s periodic dossier on all cadets aimed to preserve discipline and improve general administration. Read more
Two remanded for alleged murder (Nation)
An Osun State Magistrates’ court sitting in Ile-Ife on Friday remanded two accused persons in correctional center for alleged murder and possession of firearms.
The Prosecutor, Insp Sunday Osanyintuyi, told the court that, the duo, Chukwuna Ezekiel, 40-year-old and Azeez Mumini, 35-year-old committed the offence on January 2,2020 around 11:00 am at Alapata Village via, Modakeke-Ife.
Osanyintuyi said that Ezekiel unlawfully fired and killed one Elijah Ogunniyi with a gun.
“Also, Mumini also hid one locally made double barrel gun used in the committing the offence of murder by Ezekiel in order to enabled him to escape punishment.
According to him, Mumini unlawfully had in his possession one locally made double barrel gun without lawful authority. Read more
6 ‘members of same family’ killed in mass shooting (Metro)
Six people have been shot dead and several others injured after a gunman opened fire in a village in southwestern Germany. Aalen police said a suspect was arrested following the mass shooting shortly after midday on Friday in the town of Rot am See, Baden-Wuerttemberg, 105 miles northwest of Munich. German tabloid Bild reported that the victims were all relatives gunned down by a 37-year-old male. Police spokesman Rudolf Biehlmaier told broadcaster n-tv: ‘According to my information, there were six dead and several injured. We are working on the assumption that this was a single attacker.’ Read more
Coronavirus reaches Europe with three confirmed cases in France (Metro)
The coronavirus has hit Europe with three confirmed cases in France. Speaking to French media in a press conference earlier today, Minister of Solidarity and Health Agnes Buzyn said one case of the virus had been found in Bordeaux and another near Paris. Officials in France announced a third case of coronavirus later on Friday evening. Two of the people suffering from the illness had travelled to China, Ms Buzyn said. The patient in Bordeaux, 48, had ‘been in contact with a dozen people since his arrival in France’ but is now in isolation. Read more
Boris Johnson signs Brexit withdrawal agreement in historic moment for UK (Metro)
Boris Johnson has signed the Brexit withdrawal agreement, marking the historic moment with a triumphant picture. After three years of bitter dispute, the prime minister’s deal has officially become law after clearing all parliamentary hurdles and receiving royal assent yesterday.
Earlier on Friday, European leaders signed the document in Brussels before it was transported to London by train. Today, the Conservative politician uploaded a picture of himself smiling at the camera as he put pen to paper with two Union Jack flags in the background. Read more
The Hijabi boxer’ Safiyyah Syeed reveals her story (DailyTrust)
The Hijabi boxer’ Safiyyah Syeed Safiyyah Syeed overcame a long-long term illness and eating disorder to enter the boxing ring wearing her hijab. She entered an amateur boxing competition wearing her hijab after the International Boxing Association (AIBA) lifted a ban on religious clothing being worn inside the ring. Syeed told the Sidelines podcast: “I remember the first time I went to the (boxing) gym, there were a few girls, but I was the only Asian girl there. “We had to be in partners and a trainer said to someone else: ‘Shut up! Before I make you spar her [in a mocking way].’ Read more
Man Utd eye Ighalo (Nation)
Former Nigeria international Odion Ighalo is reported to be under the radar of Manchester United as they try to bring in a striker on loan following the long-term injury to Marcus Rashford.
Rashford’s injury has certainly left Manchester United even lighter up front following Romelu Lukaku’s departure in the summer.
The club were confident of signing Erling Haaland from Red Bull Salzburg this month, but he chose Borussia Dortmund instead, going on to score a 20-minute hat-trick on his debut for the German side.
Former Watford forward Ighalo is with Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua and has two years left on his contract. Ighalo scored 17 goals in 55 Premier League appearances for the Hornets before securing a move to Chinese League in 2017. Read more
LMC slams N4.7 Million fine on Katsina United, Kano Pillars (Guardian)
With a view to permanently ending the continued aggressive rivalry between supporters of Kano Pillars and Katsina United, the League Management Company (LMC) has ruled that subsequent Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) matches between them will be played without fans until both clubs and other stakeholders reach an understanding that will guarantee peaceful behaviour of the fans and respect for public order during the matches.
The decision is part of a wide-ranging exercise of summary jurisdiction by the LMC in the aftermath of the fans disturbance that ensued after the MatchDay 15 fixture between the two clubs.
As part of steps to put an end to the unhealthy rivalry, the LMC has also elected to supervise meetings and engagements between Katsina United and Kano Pillars Management and their respective supporters clubs’ leadership to discuss the persistent rivalry between the two clubs fans with the objective to curtailing any future occurrences of breaches and ensure peaceful engagement between the two clubs. Read more
Serena Williams struggles to hold back tears in press conference as BFF Caroline Wozniacki retires (Metro)
Serena Williams had to fight back the tears as she paid tribute to Caroline Wozniacki after the Dane – one of Williams’ best friends – said goodbye to professional tennis at the Australian Open. Wozniacki had confirmed prior to the Australian Open that this would be her farewell tournament before retiring and she was the denied the chance to face Williams one last time in the fourth round when they both exited the competition on Friday. The 29-year-old lost in three sets to Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur while Williams was sent crashing out of the tournament by China’s Wang Qiang. Read more
Dier denies negative vibes at Spurs under Mourinho (DailyTrust)
Eric Dier has dismissed rumours that Tottenham’s players are already growing tired of life under Jose Mourinho just two months into his reign. Reports have emerged that Spurs players believe they are regressing under the Portuguese while defender Danny Rose is said to have clashed with him after being left out of the matchday squad. But England midfielder Dier has denied the claims and says any unhappiness only stems from frustrating results on the pitch. “Any club, when results aren’t going well, is not a happy atmosphere,” he said. “But it definitely isn’t a negative atmosphere. Read more
Frank Lampard told his January transfer target Edinson Cavani will be ‘electric’ at Chelsea (Metro)
Paul Merson has told Frank Lampard his January transfer target Edinson Cavani will be ‘electric’ at Chelsea. Cavani looks set to leave French champions PSG either this month or at the end of the season and has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge. Scoring 198 goals in 291 appearances for PSG, Cavani has been one of the most prolific goalscorers in Europe over the past decade and Merson has urged Chelsea to seal a January deal. Read more
Ezenwa getting his groove back at Heartland (Guardian)
The goalkeeping role is perhaps the most unforgiving when it comes to the margin of errors in the imperfect game of football.
Every member of the team on the pitch is allowed mistakes – strikers miss sitters, midfielders give wayward passes, defenders are also allowed some ‘Mustafic’ moments (a reference to Arsenal’s German defender) – same is not for the goalkeepers as any error from them most often proves fatal to the team.
That was the story of Super Eagles goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa in his first match for his home town club Heartland FC on MatchDay 1 of the 2019/20 NPFL season. Ezenwa was already buzzing after an AFCON bronze medal in the summer and looked forward to his debut for his new side. Read more
Sarri set for emotional Napoli return (DailyTrust)
Juventus coach Maurizio Sarri said he expects an emotional return to his former club Napoli on Sunday as Lazio and Roma prepare for a derby clash in Serie A after both capital-city sides exited the Italian Cup during the week. Sarri missed Juventus’ home game against Napoli with pneumonia in August and Sunday’s game at the Stadio San Paolo will be his first since leaving the club in 2018 before his move to Chelsea. “It will be a tremendously difficult game, emotionally it will be particularly special. My relationship with Naples and above all the city was strong,” said Sarri, after Juve reached the Italian Cup semifinals with a 3-1 win over Roma on Wednesday. Read more
Arsenal target Layvin Kurzawa set to join Juventus from PSG (Metro)
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been dealt a major transfer blow with January target Layvin Kurzawa set to join Juventus from PSG. Arteta is desperate for Arsenal to bolster his defensive options before the January window closes next week and Kurzawa, 27, had emerged as a top target. The French full-back has made exactly 100 appearances for Ligue 1 champions PSG and had been identified as an ideal addition to Arteta’s squad at the Emirates. But ESPN say Arsenal’s pursuit of Kurzawa looks set to end in disappointment, with PSG and Juventus close to finalising a shock exchange deal involving the Frenchman and Mattia De Sciglio. Read more
Qatar 2022 qualifiers: Super Eagles advised on how to tread on ‘slippery banana peels’ (DailyTrust)
Super Eagles of Nigeria Without doubt, one of the most topical issues in Nigerian football at the moment is the Super Eagles 2022 World Cup qualifying group which many have concluded is a favourable one. Such optimism is understandable considering that the six-time finalists have been grouped along with Cape Verde, Central Africa Republic and Liberia. Football pundits have since tagged the trio as ‘slippery banana peels’. While the Super Eagles made their debut appearance in 1994 in the USA, none of their group opponents have made any appearance at the highest level of world football. Read more
Fabinho reveals the problem with Liverpool signing Kylian Mbappe from PSG (Metro)
Fabinho says the arrival of Kylian Mbappe at Liverpool would provide a ‘headache’ for Liverpool and manager Jurgen Klopp. French forward Mbappe has long been linked with a move to Anfield and his former Monaco team-mate Fabinho insists he would improve any team in the world. Mbappe, 21, burst onto the scene at Monaco and has scored a staggering 81 goals in 110 appearances for PSG since joining the Ligue 1 champions three years ago. Read more
Inter confirms Moses shirt number (Nation)
New Inter Milan signing Victor Moses will wear the number 11 shirt for his new club, Nerazzurri have revealed.
The wing-back, who joined the Italians on loan from Chelsea, is expected to play a major role in their Serie A and Europa League efforts in 2019-20.
It was soon announced that Moses would take up the notable shirt number at San Siro, following in the footsteps of compatriot Nwankwo Kanu, Lukas Podolski, Sulley Muntari and Andrea Pirlo.
The 29-year-old who becomes Antonio Conte’s fourth signing after Romelu Lukaku, Alexis Sanchez and Ashley Young played 78 times in over two seasons the Italian presided over at Chelsea. Read more