Pipeline fire hits Lagos surburb (Guardian)
A pipeline suspected to have been vandalised by oil thieves burst into flames Sunday night at Abule Egba area of Lagos State.
A resident of the area told The Guardian that the fuel from the vandalised pipeline has spread to Katangowa market, not far from Abule Egba.
Spokesman of Lagos State Emergency Agency (LASEMA) Nosa Okunbor confirmed the fire incident.
Okunbor said the level of casualty of the incident was yet to be ascertained as at the time of filing this report. Read more
20 coaches arrive for Lagos-Ibadan, Abuja-Kaduna train services (Punch)
Ahead of the start of commercial operation on the new Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge rail line, 20 new coaches have arrived in Nigeria, 10 of which will be deployed along the route.
A source at the Federal Ministry of Transportation who gave the hint on Sunday also said the remaining 10 new coaches would be sent to the Abuja-Kaduna standard gauge rail line to ease the congestion being experienced on the route.
The new coaches from China were delivered last week, according to the source.
“The 20 coaches will be inspected on Monday (today) by the minister during another round of assessment of work on the ongoing Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge rail line,” said the source. Read more
Oba of Lagos seeks peaceful resolution of Edo APC Crisis (Guardian)
The Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, has called for a peaceful resolution of the political impasse in Edo State, noting that the move was necessary for development and advancement of the state.
Oba Akiolu said this yesterday when Governor Godwin Obaseki led members of the State Executive Council (SEC) and other prominent indigenes on a courtesy visit to his palace for a Town Hall meeting with Edo people resident in Lagos. Notable dignitaries in the governor’s entourage are, his wife Betsy; Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu; Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie; Chief of Staff to the governor, Taiwo Akerele; Chairman, Edo State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Anselm Ojezua, commissioners, special advisers and heads of agencies, among others.
Oba Akiolu said Edo and Lagos share a lot in common, noting that his forebears traced their ancestry to Benin Kingdom, adding that it would only be proper for the two states to work together for their mutual development and growth. Read more
Lagos impounds 29 vehicles (Punch)
The enforcement campaign of the Special Committee on the Clean-Up of Ikoyi and Victoria Island has started with the confiscation of 29 vehicles over indiscriminate parking.
The night raid, which took place on Saturday and lasted till Sunday morning, affected the stretch of Adetokunbo Ademola Street, Olosa Street, Oko Awo, and Oyin Jolayemi Street.
The enforcement team, led by a Chief Superintendent of Police, Yinka Egbeyemi, raided the Ahmadu Bello Way and dismantled illegal structures and shanties harbouring miscreants.
The rubble was taken away by trucks of the Lagos Waste Management Authority during the operation. Read more
Sanwo-Olu okays guidelines for safe water (Nation)
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has approved the ‘Drinking and Packaged Water Quality Guidelines’ to regulate activities of Water Producers in the state.
This is in furtherance of his administration’s quest to engender consumption of safe water by residents and in fulfillment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) on improved Clean Water and Sanitation.
Executive Secretary of Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission (LSWRC), Funke Femi Adepoju, who disclosed this during separate stakeholders’ meetings with the Association of Table Water Producers (ATWAP) and Nigeria Water and Sanitation Association (NIWASA) at the weekend said the guidelines would go a long way to assist operators in the water production, distribution and sale industry to operate in line with global best practices. Read more
Amotekun here to stay, Fani-Kayode tells FG (Vanguard)
Former Aviation Minister, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode has urged the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government to perish any thought of outlawing the newly launched South-West security outfit, Amotekun, saying it has come to stay to safeguard lives and property of the people.
Fani-Kayode who stated this in his Abuja residence at a media parley with journalists said the security outfit was a creation of the South-West governors, adding no form of threat would deter the people from embracing Amotekun.
This is even as he chided Justice Minister and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami’s recent comment on the security outfit as his personal opinion. Read more
50 directors moved in massive FIRS shake up (Nation)
No fewer than 50 directors of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) are affected in the massive shake up effected by Executive Chairman Muhammad Mani.
Mani replaced Mr. Babatunde Fowler as EC in December. He has been consolidating his hold on the tax agency “to be able to meet the N8.5trillion 2020 tax revenue target,” according to officials.
There is disquiet in the agency as a result of the movements, which also affected about 50 deputy directors, assistant directors and over 100 other employees have either been transferred who have their portfolios swapped. Read more
Leah is around Lake Chad, says released Plateau aid worker (punch)
An aid worker from Plateau State, Miss Jennifer Ukambong, who was released on Thursday after staying nearly one month in Boko Haram captivity, said Leah Sharibu is somewhere close to Lake Chad.
The 22-year-old nurse who returned to Jos on Saturday amidst celebration by parents, well-wishers and fellow nurses who gathered at her residence in Bukuru, Ukambong also said although the terrorists were ruthlessness, they were somehow kind to her and her fellow abductees.
Ukambong said, “They ( Boko Haram) told us it was against the Qur’an to forcefully touch a woman not legally married to you.
“They however tried to prepare our minds to expect such should they decide to keep us as slaves.
“According to them, the Qur’an gives them the right to such privileges when they take a hostage as slave. Read more
Resident doctors denounce attacks on health workers (Guardian)
Medical practitioners under the aegis of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) have protested against rising attacks on health workers by relations of patients on admission in hospitals and other health centres across the country.
The association, therefore, called on the Federal Government to enact a law that would protect doctors and other health workers from assaults and attack, while performing their duties.
In a statement jointly signed by the National President of NARD, Dr. Aliyu Sokomba, Secretary-General, Dr. Bilqis Muhammed and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr. Egbogu Stanley, the association condemned the recent attack on members who were performing their legitimate duties in Maitama District Hospital, Abuja and Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi. Read more
Foreign reserves hit $38.3b (Nation)
After months of steady decline, the foreign exchange (forex) reserves gained $23.7 million last week closing at $38.3 billion.
The six basis points uptick in external reserves on January 15 came after months of declines, a report by Afrinvest West Africa Limited, an investment and research firm said.
Another Economic Report by Financial Derivatives Company Limited disclosed that last week’s recovery followed projected rise in quarterly oil revenue to around $15 billion at the new oil price of $68 to $69 per barrel. Read more
‘VAT increase could worsen housing deficits’ (Guardian)
Experts in the real estate sector have lamented that the recent 50 percent increase in Value Added Tax (VAT) will impact negatively on housing supply in the country.
They stressed that its implementation would affect the delivery of affordable houses. According to them, the increase was ill timed and could slow down construction as developers are still battling with economic difficulties. Speaking with The Guardian, the Executive Director of Shelter Origins, , Mr. Ezekiel Ojo, said, the increase in tax will have a cumulative effect on the prices of cement, sand, timber, paints, plumbing materials, electrical materials, all goods and services, and impact negatively on affordable housing.He noted that affordable housing doesn’t come in isolation, but produced from the use of different elements that would be affected by the tax. Read more
Power: Nat’l grid no longer sustainable -Momoh (Vanguard)
The management of Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, has commenced a process that would trigger the construction of smart mini-grid system in the urban and rural communities across the country.
Chairman of NERC, Professor James Momoh, who disclosed this while speaking with newsmen on the prospect of the 11th International Conference on Energy, Power Systems Operation and Planning, ICEPSOP, Abuja 2020 holding today, at the nation’s capital, declared that centralised national grid system was no longer sustainable for a growing economy like Nigeria. Read more
Liverpool power past Man Utd, go 16 points clear (Guardian)
Liverpool stretched their commanding lead at the top of the Premier League to 16 points and advantage over Manchester United to 30 as goals from Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah earned a 2-0 win over their historic rivals at Anfield.
A 13th straight league win since the sides last met at Old Trafford in October continues Liverpool’s relentless run towards a first league title in 30 years, while United remain five points off the top four in fifth.
Liverpool also have a game in hand to come on closest challengers Manchester City and could have been more comfortable winners after seeing two first half goals ruled out and a host of clear chances go astray. Read more
Yusuff eyes UFC world title (Punch)
Nigerian fighter Sodiq Yusuff, has promised to follow in the footsteps of compatriots Israel Adesanya and Kamaru Usman and become an Ultimate Fighting Championship world titleholder.
Yusuff stated this after emerging winner in his fight against Andre Fili of the US.
The 26-year-old, who fights in the featherweight category in the UFC, was adjudged the winner by unanimous points decision.
While Usman is a UFC welterweight champion, Adesanya holds the title in the middleweight category. Read more
NBBF explains MFM, Air Warriors coaches’ presence in D’Tigress’ team to Serbia (Guardian)
The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) said it drafted coaches of Air Warriors of Abuja, Samson Sotuminu and MFM of Lagos Basketball Club, Aderemi Adewunmi to the technical crew of D’Tigress’ team to be exposed to the techniques of basketball.
Coaches Sotuminu and Adewunmi’s teams played in the finals of the 2019 Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball league recently and are expected to be part of D’Tigress 2020 Japan Olympics qualifier holding next month in Belgrade, Serbia.Speaking with The Guardian yesterday, NBBF Vice President, Babs Ogunade said the decision of the governing body was to include the domestic coaches to work with D’Tigress foreign coach, Hunghley Otis, to develop and encourage the coaches to give their best in order to improve the standard of basketball league in the country.
He stated that the experience gathered by the coaches in Serbia would go a long way to raising their technical expertise on the dunking game, which they would also use in training basketball players at the grassroots. Read more
Mourinho rues draw against Watford (Nation)
Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho felt it was “unfair” his side only came away from Vicarage Road with a draw after they were held by resurgent Watford, who missed a penalty.
Troy Deeney saw his spot-kick saved, but the Hornets extended their unbeaten run in the Premier League to seven matches.
Paulo Gazzaniga dived low to his right to deny the Watford captain following Jan Vertonghen’s handball in the second half. Read more
Handball: Nigeria defeat Libya in final group match (Punch)
Nigeria defeated Libya in their last Group B match at the ongoing 2020 African Handball Nations Cup in Tunisia on Sunday.
The Nigerian team saw off their opponents 32-24 in the tie.
They had lost their first two group matches against Angola and Gabon 30-24 and 26-26 respectively.
Both loses saw them miss out on qualification for the 2021 HF Handball World Cup in Egypt. Read more
There are prospects to break records on new track at Edo Sports Festival, says Alli (Guardian)
The Competition Director for the Edo 2020 National Sports Festival (NSF), Yussuf Alli, yesterday declared that the national and festival records, especially in athletics, could be broken at the Edo 2020 Sports Festival.
Speaking to sports correspondents in Benin, Edo State after inspection of facilities at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Alli said the base for the track is one of the best, if not the best he has seen anywhere in Nigeria.
“The base is very solid; I am impressed with the job the contractor has done. A good base is to track what good foundation is to a house. Once your foundation is solid; which is the base in this case, then you have solid track and a good track enhances athlete performance especially in the sprint events. I look forward to our athletes taking advantage of the solid base and good track to set new national and festival records in Benin come March 2020’’. Read more
Palace earn dramatic draw at Man City (Nation)
Manchester City’s faint title hopes suffered another damaging blow as Fernandinho’s 90th-minute own goal gave Crystal Palace a point in a remarkable finish at Etihad Stadium.
Two Sergio Aguero goals in the last 10 minutes had turned a thrilling game on its head – and looked set to earn City victory – after Cenk Tosun had given the Eagles a first-half lead.
But it was Palace who had the final word when Wilfried Zaha stole down the left and put in a low cross that Fernandinho reached before Connor Wickham, only to divert the ball into his own net. Read more
Enyeama motivates me, says Ezenwa (Punch)
Super Eagles goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa says former national team captain, Vincent Enyeama, is his goalkeeping role model.
Ezenwa admitted that he used to imitate the former Lille and Maccabi Tel Aviv shot-stopper during his formative years as a footballer, adding that he still received tips on how to become a better goalkeeper from the 37-year-old.
“My favourite goalkeeper that gives me motivation is Vincent Enyeama,” Ezenwa told Super Eagles YouTube channel.
“The first time in the Nigerian Professional Football League, in 2006, when I signed my first professional contract, everything he did then when he was at Enyimba, that’s the same way I was dressing – the cutting of jersey and every other thing. Read more
Relying on Abraham always for goals won’t help us, Lampard advises (Guardian)
Chelsea head coach, Frank Lampard, said the Blues cannot rely on striker, Tammy Abraham, after their shock 1-0 Premier League loss away to Newcastle United.Isaac Hayden snatched a last-gasp winner as Chelsea failed to make their dominance count in a dramatic defeat to Newcastle at St James’ Park on Saturday.
Chelsea had almost 70 per cent of the possession but the visitors were unable to find the back of the net, with Abraham spurning two great chances.It was the first time Chelsea failed to score away from home in the Premier League this season since their opening-day rout at Manchester United.
“We can’t absolutely rely on Tammy Abraham,” Lampard told reporters post-match of the 22-year-old England international, who has scored 13 league goals this season. Read more
Onyekuru cleared to make Galatasaray debut (Nation)
Nigeria international Henry Onyekuru will finally be able to make his second debut for Turkish club Galatasaray this month after receiving a playing license.
The 22-year-old returned for a second loan spell at the Super Lig champions two weeks ago from French club Monaco, but his quest to get in the thick of the action was hit by an administrative problem and a bout of malaria.
Galatasaray, who could not obtain a playing license for Onyekuru due to its tax debt problem in Turkey, has finally registered the Nigerian.
“Onyekuru is registered now and his playing license is granted to allow him play once he’s been certified ready by the doctor,” a club source told BBC Sport. Read more