Police arraign 2 robbery suspects (DailyTrust)
The police in Lagos State have arraigned two suspected armed robbers before an Ikeja magistrate court, Lagos. The accused persons are 22-year-old Afeez Mohammed and 30-year-old Kadiri Mohammed. According to the police, the accused persons committed the offence on January 5, 2020 at about 1.30 am at Abule-Egba. Police prosecutor, Sergeant Mike Unah, told the court that suspects, armed with a locally made pistol and ammunition, attempted to rob some members of the public. Read more
Wigwe: Lagos City Marathon attracts foreign investors (Nation)
The Access Bank Lagos City Marathon attracts foreign investors and tourists into the economy, Group Managing Director, Access Bank Plc, Herbert Wigwe, has said.
The bank chief said the marathon has over the years helped in empowering many people in the hospitality industry, including food and drink vendors, fashion designers, advertisers, communication agencies and experts, technical officers, and volunteers that were engaged from the planning stage to the completion of the marathon.
Wigwe said: “As one of the leading banks in Nigeria and indeed Africa, it is imperative for us to support the economic and social development of the communities in which we operate. Hence, we have sponsored the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon for five years to make Lagos State more attractive to tourists and foreign investors alike. We have also used this platform as an avenue to create more jobs and opportunities for thousands in the state.” Read more
Lagos residents opt for horses amidst okada ban (DailyTrust)
Following the ban on motorcycles and tricycles on major roads in Lagos State, residents have opted for the use of horses as a means of transportation in the mega city. In a video which has gone viral on social media, some people were seen opting for horses in order to get to their destinations. The situation as shown in the video has rendered many people stranded and unable to reach their destinations in time. Lagos, the 7th largest economy in Africa and the commercial centre of Nigeria, is known for traffic congestion that many have described as ‘hellish’. Read more
Contract disagreement: Aviation workers take over Lagos airport tollgate (Punch)
Hundreds of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria’s workers on Monday took over the collection of tolls at the entrance of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
This followed disagreement with the managers of the facility, Integrated Intelligent Imaging West Africa Limited otherwise known as I-CUBE.
The workers alleged that the company’s contract with FAAN had expired over a year ago.
The workers who took control of the access gate as early as 7am were led by leaders of aviation unions.
The workers took charge of ticketing points from I-CUBE workers using personnel from FAAN’s commercial department. Read more
DisCos lack capacity to meet electricity demands, says TCN (Nation)
POWER Distribution Companies (DisCos) lack the capacity to meet the nation’s electricity needs, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) Managing Director Usman Mohammed has said.
Mohammed, who spoke with The Nation in Lagos on Monday, said the privatisation process produced weak Discos.
“Some mistakes were made in the privatisation of the power sector and the mistakes led to very weak companies that succeeded in taking over the DisCos. The law was adjusted to allow bidding companies use technical partners and the partners were not to produce the Managing Directors. This made it easy for companies without capacity to buy the DiScos. The weakness must be corrected by recapitalising the DisCos because when we did the privatisation, we didn’t have the investments commensurate with the distribution network,” he said. Read more
Coronavirus: China stops issuance of visa to Nigerians (Punch)
The Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Nigeria, Mr Zhou Pingjian, on Monday, said the embassy had stopped issuance of visas for now.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that he also advised Nigerians planning to travel to China to suspend their plans pending when the spread of the virus would be contained.
He also reiterated China’s commitment to safeguarding the lives of Nigerians and other nationals living in that country. Read more
Edo govt seeks Oshiomhole’s arrest for holding rallies despite ban (Nation)
Edo State Government on Monday called for the arrest of “suspended” All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole for allegedly causing a breach of the peace in the state.
It said the former governor should be prosecuted for allegedly creating frequent security breaches by holding rallies in defiance of state and police orders.
The government said the former governor has failed to obey lawful orders both by the state government and the Inspector-General of Police and had held rallies in different parts of the state despite a ban.
The Deputy Governor, Phillip Shaibu, told reporters in Abuja that Oshiomhole was not above the law. Read more
Democrats link Trump to Nixon as they lay impeachment case to rest (Independent)
House Democrats have closed their case against Donald Trump with pleas to Republican senators to vote to remove the president over an “insidious” and “unprecedented” cover-up of his attempts to “defraud” an election – while his lawyers urged senators to leave the matter to voters in November.
House Intelligence Committee chair Adam Schiff had the last word for his side, warning senators that “Donald Trump has betrayed his oath to defend the constitution”. Minutes before, fellow impeachment manager Val Demings summed up Democrats’ case by saying Mr Trump and some of his aides “wielded the powers of the presidency” in a way that allowed him to “hijack the tools of our government to serve his own personal interests”.
“History will not be kind to Donald Trump,” Mr Schiff said. “Your name will be tied to his with a cord of steel and for all of history.” Read more
Exhausted coronavirus doctors pictured sleeping on floors as death toll hits 361 (Metro)
Exhausted Chinese doctors are sleeping on the floors of hospitals as they work all hours to contain the deadly coronavirus.
Images showed medical staff laying down anywhere they could in an unnamed hospital in China.
This included floors, benches and chairs. The doctors have been hailed as ‘heroes’ online after they were snapped getting rest as they fight the killer infection. Read more
Baftas 2020 winners: The full list (Independent)
The Baftas took place at London’s Royal Albert Hall, with Graham Norton providing an opening speech that touched on the lack of diversity in this year’s nominations.
Sam Mendes’ First World War drama 1917 almost swept the board, with other winners including Parasite, Laura Dern and British film Bait.
One of the evening’s most powerful moments came when Joaquin Phoenix, who won Best Actor for his role in Joker, delivered a speech that saw him express his “shame” at being among the all-white acting nominees. Read more
2 killed, one injured after gunman opens fire at Texas A&M University campus (Metro)
Two people were killed and one was wounded by a gunman who opened fire at a university residence hall The shooting took place at the Pride Rock Residence hall at Texas A&M University-Commerce in Commerce, Texas on Monday.
All three of the individuals were gunshot victims, authorities said. Officials ordered a shelter-in-place on the campus as they conduct an investigation into the incident. Classes have been canceled for the rest of the day. Read more
Damaged plane makes emergency landing in Madrid after circling for hours to burn off fuel (Independent)
A Boeing 767 with 136 people on board has safely made an emergency landing in Madrid after circling an airport for four hours with a faulty engine and a burst tyre.
The Air Canada flight to Toronto contacted air traffic control about the problems 30 minutes after taking off from the Madrid-Barajas airport in the Spanish capital on Monday.
It was forced to burn off fuel to lighten the plane before safely landing at the same airport – to the relief of all 128 passengers and eight staff on board.
“Pretty scary rough landing, but we made it,” said one passenger who had tweeted photos of flames and smoke shooting from the left engine. Read more
11 D’Tigress hit camp for Tokyo 2020 (Nation)
All the players except Elizabeth Balogun from Louisville University, USA are already in the D’Tigress camp in Serbia ahead of the Tokyo Olympic Qualifying Tournament, which will begin on Thursday in Belgrade.
The players already in camp were Ifunanya Ibekwe (Virtus Eirene, Italy), Promise Amukamara (Charnay Basket Bourgogne SUD, France) Sarah Imovbioh (Basket Namur Capitale, Belgium), Elo Edeferioka (CB Vigo Spain), Sarah Ogoke-Ejiogu , Pallas Kunaiyi Akpannah (Meccanica Nova, Italy), Ezinne Kalu (Landerneau Bretagne Basket, France), Evelyn Akhator, (Flammes Carolo, France), Aisha Balarabe, (KB Bashkimi, Kosovo), Adaora Elonu (Uni Girona, Spain) and Musa Murjanantu (Air Warriors, Nigeria).
Balogun, who is joining the team for the first time is expected to arrive in Serbia tomorrow to link up with her teammates who are currently undergoing intensive training ahead of their tight fixtures against Mozambique, host Serbia and world champions USA. Read more
Lampard draws up plan to replace Kepa Arrizabalaga at Chelsea (Metro)
Frank Lampard has reportedly identified Nick Pope and Vicente Guaita as his two top targets to replace Kepa Arrizabalaga between the sticks at Chelsea. Kepa, 25, looks set for the exit door at Stamford Bridge after Lampard told Chelsea’s board he wants the struggling goalkeeper sold in the summer. The Spaniard was demoted to the substitutes bench as Chelsea drew 2-2 away to Leicester City at the weekend, with Willy Caballero favoured in goal at the King Power Stadium. Read more
Table tennis: Bundesliga club sign Quadri (Punch)
Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri has teamed up with TTC RhönSprudel Maberzell Fulda, a top club in the German Bundesliga Table Tennis, and the world number 18 was unveiled on Monday by the management of the club led by its president, Stefan Frauenholz.
The deal was brokered by WEOAllSports and Quadri is expected to join RhönSprudel Maberzell Fulda, based in central Germany, from next season in the elite division of the Bundesliga.
RhönSprudel Maberzell Fulda president, Stefan Frauenholz, said the decision to sign Quadri was based on the team’s conviction that the Nigerian had a lot to offer based on his global exploits.
“We are so lucky to sign Aruna Quadri because he is such a good player with excellent results. This is a family club and we believe his passion and interest tally with the ideals of the club. We are so happy to unveil him today and we hope he can bring his wealth of experience to help the team next season,” Frauenholz said. Read more
Kylian Mbappe, Jadon Sancho, Kai Havertz? An inside look into Liverpool’s summer transfer plans (Independent)
Last Friday, as several of their rivals desperately scrambled to get deals done ahead of the transfer deadline, Liverpool’s core triumvirate were far removed from the mayhem while discussing their summer window strategy over dinner.
There was an overriding message underpinning the conversation between manager Jurgen Klopp, sporting director Michael Edwards and Fenway Sports Group president Mike Gordon: Do not get sucked into abandoning the principles that have got the club to this point.
The reigning European champions and world champions, who command a dizzying 22-point lead atop the Premier League as they edge closer to ending a painful three-decade wait for the title, are cocooned from the rapture surrounding their record-shattering season. Read more
Jose Mourinho reveals when he knew Liverpool would win the Premier League title (Metro)
Jose Mourinho admits he believed Liverpool would win the Premier League title after they beat Manchester City in November. Pep Guardiola’s side lost even more ground in the title race on Sunday as they sunk to a 2-0 defeat to Tottenham. The result means Jurgen Klopp’s side are now 22 points clear at the top of the Premier League table. Liverpool have been the standout team throughout the season and Mourinho admits their 3-1 victory over the reigning Premier League champions at Anfield in November was a clear indicator that the title would be changing hands. Read more
Iwobi reveals magic of early return to fitness (Nation)
Alex Iwobi admits his immediate recall to Everton’s starting XI at Watford came as a welcome surprise – and the forward insists his team’s dramatic victory can prompt a late season surge up the Premier League table.
Iwobi injured his hamstring playing against former club Arsenal on the December day Carlo Ancelotti was officially appointed Everton manager.
The 23-year-old confessed he was “itching to show what I could do”, during six weeks on the side-lines when Italian Ancelotti launched his reign on a positive note.
Iwobi showed enough on the training pitch following his recovery to be selected for Saturday’s encounter. Read more
PSG coach Tuchel plays down spat with Mbappe (DailyTrust)
Paris Saint-Germain coach Thomas Tuchel on Monday attempted to play down a touchline spat with Kylian Mbappe which overshadowed the French champions’ big weekend win over Montpellier. “There is nothing personal between him and me. These things happen,” said Tuchel after Mbappe reacted angrily to being substituted midway through the second half of PSG’s 5-0 victory at the Parc des Princes, with Mauro Icardi taking his place. “It was between a player who does not want to come off, and a coach who had his reasons for doing something, and who wanted to give a game to players who deserved it.” After Saturday’s match, Tuchel admitted that the reaction of Mbappe “doesn’t look good” and pointed out that: “This is football, not tennis, and you have to respect everyone.” Read more
Rohr wants Ighalo back in Eagles (Punch)
Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr, says he already held talks with new Manchester United signing, Odion Ighalo, as he looks to convince him to make a return to the national team following his recent move to England.
Ighalo announced his retirement from the national team immediately after the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Egypt, where he was the highest goal scorer with five goals.
The Franco-German, 66, has now admitted that it is the dream of every coach to have a player playing for a club like Manchester United in their ranks, adding that the experience of the 30-year-old would be useful for the young players in the squad. Read more
Bruno Fernandes surprised by ‘rhythm and intensity’ of Premier League on Manchester United debut (Metro)
Bruno Fernandes was reportedly surprised by the pace and flow of the Premier League as Wolves held Manchester United to a goalless draw at the weekend – but the midfielder was thrilled with how his debut went at Old Trafford. The 25-year-old’s first appearance in United colours was generally well received by fans and pundits and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer heaped praise on his £47million signing after the goalless draw. Wolves goalkeeper Rui Patricio denied Fernandes a dream debut with a pair of routine saves at Old Trafford and Diogo Dalot missed the target with a late header for the Red Devils. Read more
Victor Moses: Inter must focus on Milan derby (DailyTrust)
Inter Milan midfielder Victor Moses has urged his teammates to forget Sunday’s 2-0 win over Udinese and turn their attention to the upcoming Milan derby. The Chelsea loanee who moved to the San Siro on loan for the remainder of the season in January, made his first start in the Serie A at the Dacia Arena. A second-half brace from Romelu Lukaku fired Inter Milan back to winning ways after settling for three straight draws in their previous league outings. The result made it two wins in two games for the Nigerian midfielder, and he wants the Nerazzurri to keep the momentum when they host city rivals AC Milan on February 9. Read more