Report of Coronavirus at Gowon Estate false – Lagos govt (Punch)
The Lagos State Government, on Sunday, said the report of a suspected case of Coronavirus at a Chinese residence in Gowon Estate in the Alimosho Local Government Area of the state was false.
The State’s Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi, in a statement, said upon getting the report, the Surveillance and Biosecurity Unit of the state’s Ministry of Health commissioned a search party comprising Dr Odufuwa Alimosho, Dr Oni Mosan Okunola, Mr Abdusalam Akindele, Mr Akinfolarin Baruwa and a Community informant to investigate the matter. Read more
Alleged car theft: My lawyer advised me to keep quiet, says Iyanya (Punch)
Fans of singer, Iyanya Mbuk, were worried when news broke that he had been arraigned before the Igbosere High Court in Lagos for allegedly stealing a car.
However, Iyanya pleaded not guilty to the charge and was released to his lawyer, who undertook to produce him in court for his next appearance. Meanwhile, the singer seems unperturbed by the suit filed by his former allies, The Temple Management Company Limited.
In the charge sheet marked, LD/9024C/2019, the musician was accused of converting a vehicle to his own. Read more
NNPC records 16 per cent increase in gas to power (Nation)
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has said that the daily average natural gas supply to gas-powered plants in last November increased by 16.53 per cent to 645mmscfd, equivalent to power generation of 2,178MW.
Comparatively, the October 2019 gas supply to power averaged 553mmscfd to generate 2,050 MW, a release today in Abuja by NNPC Acting Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr. Samson Makoji, has said.
Quoting from the 53rd edition of the NNPC Monthly Financial and Operations Report (MFOR), the release stated that national gas production in November 2019 stood at 228.65billion Cubic Feet (BCF), translating to an average daily production of 7,621.68Million Standard Cubic Feet per day (mmscfd). Read more
Shinkafi petitions IGP, SSS, demand Yari’s arrest, prosecution (Guardian)
The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Zamafara State and the Secretary, Party’s Board of Trustees, Alhaji Sani Abdulahi Shinkafi, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, seeking immediate arrest and prosecution of former Governor Abdulaziz Yari for allegedly threatning the peace of the state.
Shinkafi in the letter to the IGP, which was also copied to the Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Air Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, the Director General, State Security Services (SSS) and the National Security Adviser, stated that if Yari is not brought to book soon, he would set Zamfara State ablaze and rubbish every peace efforts of government.
According to him “following the unguarded and provocative statements made by Alhaji Yari, wherein he was heard inciting members of his faction of APC to move against the state government. Read more
Steer clear of your parents’ burial, Igbo group begs Kanu (Nation)
Barely four days to the burial of parents of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), late Eze Israel Okwu Kanu of Afaraukwu community, Umuahia, Abia Statea and his wife, late Ugoeze Sally Nmeme Okwu Kanu, an Igbo socio-cultural and political organisation, Imeobi Igbo Forum, has begged the pro Biafran leader Nnamdi Kanu to keep off the burial venue to avoid any uncertainties.
Addressing newsmen on Sunday in Onitsha, Anambra state, National chairman of the forum, Chief Mike Ikegulu-Onugha, said the absence of Kanu would not affect the burial.
He explained that it was unnecessary waiting for his return before the dead is buried. Read more
President Buhari expresses concern over Libya (Guardian)
President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed concern over the lack of tangible progress and the worsening security and humanitarian situation in Libya.
President Buhari raised this concerns at the African Union Peace And Security Council Summit on Situations in Libya and the Sahel in Addis Ababa on Saturday.
A statement from the Nigerian Embassy in Addis Ababa, emailed to the News Agency of Nigeria NAN in Abuja said on Sunday that President Buhari was represented by the minister of foreign affairs Geoffrey Onyeoma. Read more
Buhari, PM Trudeau hold talks to strengthen ties (Nation)
President Muhammadu Buhari Sunday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, described Nigeria-Canada relations as ‘very cordial’, expressing his desire to further strengthen bilateral ties.
Malam Garba Shehu, the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity in a statement, in Abuja on Sunday, said the Nigerian leader met with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the margins of the 33rd AU Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
In remarks before the press, President Buhari underscored the warm and friendly relations between Nigeria and Canada, noting commonwealth membership of both nations and the choice of Canada for higher education by Nigerian students. Read more
Boycott, violence mar Cameroon election (Punch)
Cameroon voted Sunday in polls overshadowed by a partial opposition boycott and separatist violence that has displaced hundreds of thousands of people.
Elections for the central African country’s legislature and local councils are taking place for the first time in seven years, after two postponements.
They are unlikely to ruffle the enduring rule of President Paul Biya, one of the world’s oldest and longest-serving leaders, who has held a tight grip on power for 37 of his 86 years. Read more
Thai mall shooting survivors tracked killer via CCTV (Guardian)
People run together as they are rescued by Thai commandos from Terminal 21 shopping mall, where a mass shooting took place, on February 9, 2020 in the Thai northeastern city of Nakhon Ratchasima. Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP
In a fourth-floor toilet of the Terminal 21 mall, shoppers jammed cubicle doors against the entrance to keep out a Thai soldier on a shooting spree, tracing his movements through fragments of CCTV passed on by friends on the outside.
Barricaded in the women’s toilet with a few dozen others, Chanathip Somsakul, a 33-year-old music teacher, and his wife pored through social media and made frantic calls to friends and family. Read more
Coscharis readies couples’ test-drive, others for Valentine’s Day (Punch)
Coscharis Motors Plc has joined a number of firms that have mapped out plans for couples to celebrate the lovers’ day, February 14 in a memorable way.
The luxury auto firm says it is set to delight its customers and prospective buyers of some of its premium cars during the Valentine’s Day with special gifts of love across its entire line-up of brands.
“Joining us at our open day on the 14th of February 2020 offers you the opportunity to seat with our professional sales team and spec any of your preferred vehicles with special rebate on accessories and lifestyles requested amongst other offerings,” it stated in a statement obtained on Friday. Read more
Simon injured after scoring 5th Ligue 1 goal (Punch)
Forward, Moses Simon, scored his fifth Ligue 1 goal for Nantes against Dijon but limped off injured in the 43rd minute.
The 24-year-old has been in superb form scoring in the team’s last three games.
The Nigerian scored his team’s equaliser in the 20th minute after Stephy Mavididi had given the hosts the lead in the 15th minute, his fifth goal of the campaign and his ninth in all competition for the club since joining in the summer from La Liga side, Levante.
Simon was replaced by Abdoulaye Toure in the 43rd minute of the encounter. The player was seen grimacing with pain earlier in the game before being substituted. Read more
Ogoke-Ejiogu: Like black diamond, I shine under pressure (Nation)
Growing up in America, the land of opportunities, Sarah Ogoke-Ejiogu always knew, even as a kid, that she needed to work hard to achieve her dream of becoming a scholar and a great athlete. As a youngster, she was surrounded by family members who supported her and were willing to be part of her success story. She was also aware of the fact that she had to put in a decent shift to attain success. She studied hard while doing several sports before she settled for basketball, albeit incidentally. She was a notable track and field athlete and a footballer but the allure of the basketball court was too great for her to ignore.
After settling for basketball, she grabbed the chance of representing Nigerian with both hands in 2011. Read more
USA beat Latvia in doubles decider to reach Fed Cup finals (Guardian)
Sofia Kenin and Bethanie Mattek-Sands defeated Jelena Ostapenko and Anastasija Sevastova 6-4, 6-0 in a deciding double as the USA survived a Saturday scare to beat unheralded Latvia 3-2 and reach the Fed Cup finals.
New Australian Open champion Kenin and Mattek-Sands ensured the USA reached the finals in Budapest from April 14-19 after both Serena Williams and Kenin had been stunned in the singles as Latvia levelled the qualifier 2-2 in Seattle.
Sevastova had earlier inflicted a shock first Fed Cup singles loss on Williams 7-6 (7/5), 3-6, 7-6 (7/4). Read more
Josh Okogie: Going to Tokyo 2020 will be awesome (Nation)
Taiwo Alimi captures the exploit of Nigeria/America NBA 2018 draft, Joseph Okogie and how representing Nigeria at the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup changed his life.
With the recent engagement of NBA experienced coach, Mike Brown to tinker the Nigeria men’s basketball team, D’Tigers, to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Nigeria-American NBA player, Josh Okogie has set his sight on attending his first games in style.
The Minnesota Timberwolves shooting guard, who has integrated fully into the Wolves family following his draft in 2018, is happy to be invited to the Nigerian team to the 2019 FIBA basketball World Cup and hopes to use his experienced at the NBA to lift the team higher. Read more
Lagos Polo: Majekodunmi Cup 2nd stage gallops-off (DailyTrust)
Lagos based player aims a shot during the games of the Silver Cup series at the ongoing 2020 Lagos International Polo Tournament. The second and grand finale stage of the prestigious festival gallops off Tuesday in Ikoyi. Lagos biggest polo prize, the Majekodunmi Cup will be the star attraction as the prestigious Lagos international polo extravaganza enters its grand finale this week at the legendary Ribadu Road polo arena in Ikoyi. Ahead of the winners-takes-all final stages, aficionados and polo buffs are already salivating at the chance of witnessing the crowning of the new champions of the highly revered 68-year-old prize as four teams square up for the crown. Defending champions; Almat team did not come to the party this year. Read more
Man City clash with West Ham postponed by storm (Guardian)
Manchester City’s Premier League clash with West Ham was among major sporting events postponed on Sunday as storm Ciara battered the United Kingdom.
Howling winds and driving rain have disrupted transport links with travellers advised only to make journeys if absolutely necessary.
“Due to extreme and escalating weather conditions and in the interests of supporter and staff safety, today’s match has been postponed,” City said in a statement. Read more
Ronaldo sets scoring record but Juventus fall in Verona (Guardian)
Cristiano Ronaldo on Saturday became the first Juventus player to score in 10 successive Serie A games but the champions fell 2-1 at Hellas Verona to leave an opening to their title rivals.
Ronaldo — who turned 35 this week — broke through after 65 minutes, to hit his 15th goal in 10 games and take his league tally to 20.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is closing in on the all-time Serie A record of scoring in 11 consecutive games held by Gabriel Batistuta and Fabio Quagliarella. Read more
Newcastle, Hertha, monitor Simon (Punch)
English Premier League side, Newcastle United, are monitoring the progress of Nigeria international, Moses Simon, as a transfer target and will be willing to battle Nantes for his services.
Nantes have an option to purchase the player with his loan deal stating that his buy option will be activated if he plays 25 games and scored 10 goals, a feat he is close to achieving.
Simon has been in superb form for La Maison Jaune since joining on loan from Levante in the summer scoring eight goals and providing eight assists in 25 games in all competitions. Read more
Team Nigeria UK set to launch Fustar Youth League (DailyTrust)
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Team Nigeria UK International (TNUKI) based in the United Kingdom, David Doherty has revealed plans to launch a youth football league in Abuja. He said the reason behind the football league named Fustar Youth League was his own way of contributing to the development of sports in Nigeria starting from the grassroots. He made this known during the unveiling of the league yesterday in Abuja. “This initiative is a way of adding our own bit to developing sports in Nigeria. We will use the UK model and platform to develop grassroots football in Nigeria,” he said. Read more