Residents storm Lagos Marathon, protest okada, tricycle ban (Punch)
Some residents on Saturday stormed the venue of the Lagos Marathon to protest against the ban of motorcycle and tricycle operations in major parts of the state.
The protesters under the aegis of Occupy Lagos gathered at Eko Atlantic– the finish line of the marathon – displaying placards with various inscriptions to register their dissatisfaction with the government’s decision.
They said the procurement of new ferries by the state government for water transport cannot address the hitches caused by the ban.
Some of the placards read, ‘Regulate not ban,’ ‘Will the ferries come to my street?’ ‘Children are walking, students are walking, workers are walking,’ and ‘You do not build a ‘megacity’ by hiding the poor.’ Read more
Prices rise as traders lament 7.5% VAT (Vanguard)
Following the take-off of 7.5 per cent Value Added Tax, VAT, prices of goods across markets in Lagos have increased, a survey by Sunday Vanguard revealed.
Surprisingly many traders hardly knew what VAT meant, yet they increased the prices of food items.
Although the increase in price began on February 1, 2020, some dealers told Sunday Vanguard that some companies started sensitising their distributors since January 2020.
A visit to some of the markets showed that there was an increase in the prices of many products as traders claimed some companies now hide under the guise of VAT to increase prices of some items. Read more
Container falls, cuts off woman’s leg at Iyana-Ipaja (Vanguard)
A yet to be identified woman narrowly escaped death, Saturday evening, when a container that fell off a truck on Iyana Ipaja Bridge, landed on her leg, cutting the foot off.
It took the efforts of men of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, and passers-by to save the woman’s life.
According to an eyewitness, the tragedy which occurred at about 6.30 pm, caused panic and traffic jam as passers-by scampered for safety. Read more
Man arrested for defiling 13-year-old Stepdaughter (Guardian)
Officers of Ogun State Police Command have arrested a 50-year-old man, Kayode Oladehinde, for defiling his 13-year-old
stepdaughter in Olope Street, Ogijo area of the state.
The State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Abimbola Oyeyemi, said the suspect was arrested, yesterday, following a report from the victim’s mother, who lodged a complaint at Ogijo Divisional headquarters that her daughter informed her on February 4, 2020, that the suspect, who is her current husband has been forcefully having carnal knowledge of her, as a result of which she got pregnant. Read more
Septuagenarian seeks justice for doctor son killed by motorist (Punch)
John Ogunbodede clocked up 70 five years ago amid pomp and circumstance. The day was a reflection on seven decades of sound health and fulfillment. His son, Oluwafemi, had just become a medical doctor at the time and secured job at the Ondo Town General Hospital. Ogunbodede hoped for a restful future.
But on June 29, 2015, tragedy struck along Ondo-Ore Road, cutting short Oluwafemi’s promising life and his father’s unflinching hope.
The 32-year-old doctor was travelling in his car with a friend, Abdulrasaq Olukoju, to resume at his new workplace in Okitipupa General Hospital when a speeding taxi cab rammed into his vehicle. Olukoju also died in the crash. Read more
Row grows over 74 delisted parties (Vanguard)
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC’s deregistration of 74 political parties has elicited plaudits and criticisms for the electoral umpire with some of the parties threatening to challenge the action in court.
The action of the INEC, on Thursday, has reduced the number of parties in the country to 18 from 91 that took part in the 2019 general elections.
It’s inconsistent with freedom of association — Shonibare
Acting National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, Chief Supo Shonibare, said: “Pluralism which is an essential ingredient in a democratic culture entails a multi party system of government. The constitution guarantees freedom of association. Read more
Constitutional amendment, an exercise in futility – Wike (Guardian)
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has described the planned amendment of the 1999 Constitution by the National Assembly as an exercise in futility.
The governor also blamed the executive and legislative arms of government for the governance issues confronting the country.
He made the assertion during a special banquet in honour of the retiring President of Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa at the Government House, Port Harcourt. Read more
Forgive one another for peace – Lalong urges farmers, herders (Nation)
As part of moves to put an end to killings and achieve permanent peace in Plateau State, the governor, Simon Lalong, has urged farmers and herders to forgive one another for peace to reign in the state.
Lalong, who said he has made security of lives and properties topmost priority since he became governor in 2015, said he regretted that lack of forgiveness between farmers and herders has continued to frustrate all peace efforts of his government.
The governor stated this in his remarks during the 2nd Forgiveness and Reconciliation Day organised to entrench peaceful coexistence in the state. Read more
Italy ready to invest in Nigeria’s agric sector (Vanguard)
Mr Alessandro Gerbino, Trade Commissioner, Italian Trade Agency (ITA), on Saturday said the Italian government was ready to invest in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
Gerbino said this at an investment dinner in Abuja.
According to him, investing in the agricultural sector will be part of Italy’s effort to strengthen trade relations with Nigeria.
He said that as Italy was known for the transformation of raw materials, the Agency would focus on the agricultural sector in dealing with Nigeria. Read more
Opposition to FG borrowing N2t from pension fund grows (Guardian)
Workers lack confidence in the ability of the political class to deliver on their promises, or to safeguard their life-savings when entrusted in their hands, is swelling opposition to the Federal Government’s plan to borrow N2t from the current N10t pension fund to finance infrastructure.
The Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, who spoke at the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting, which he presided over recently disclosed that the government had concluded plans to borrow the amount for the aforestated purpose.
While the United Labour Congress (ULC) is unequivocal in its submission that the future of Nigerian workers cannot be guaranteed “if a large chunk of pension funds are controlled by crass, profligate and often insensitive politicians famous for their careless handling of public funds,” the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) reminded that the Contributory Pension Scheme, which came into being in 2004 is fully funded by workers and employers, and privately managed by Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs), adding that the funds are in the individual Retirement Savings Account (RSA) of beneficiaries. Read more
Nollywood movies promoting money rituals, encouraging kidnapping – Fashola (Punch)
Without doubt, one of the common themes in Nollywood is money rituals. While such stories could be entertaining, especially with the mystical manipulations embedded in them, Minister of Works and Housing and former governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola, during the week asked moviemakers to stop telling such stories, because, according to him, money ritual is a myth.
Fashola, who was the guest speaker at the fourth annual public lecture/symposium organised by the United Action for Change, themed, ‘Security of citizens as a social contract’, said that belief system, reinforced through Nollywood movies, could be fuelling kidnapping, given the number of persons the police have arrested with human skull and other body parts, with the motive of money ritual. Read more
D’Tigress qualify for 2020 Tokyo Olympics (Punch)
D’Tigress on Saturday booked a ticket to the 2020 Olympics Games in Tokyo despite losing to host-Serbia in their second group game at the ongoing FIBA Olympic Games Qualifying Tournament 70-64 points.
Mozambique’s quest to qualify ahead of Nigeria suffered a heavy blow when they lost scandalously 124-49 to current world champions, USA, as the Nigeria Basketball Federation set another enviable record of being the only federation in Nigeria to have two teams at the Olympics.
Being in command of the first quarter which they won 22-21 points, their good works were undone in the second and third quarters as their inability to convert their chances saw Serbia work their way back into contention winning 22-12 and 16-12 to open a decent lead heading into the fourth quarter. Read more
Abidal hopes Messi will renew contract with Barcelona (Guardian)
Lionel Messi wants to stay at Barcelona, but it is “never easy” to renew his contract, according to the club’s technical secretary Eric Abidal.
Messi’s future has been thrown into doubt following a turbulent week at Camp Nou, during which he criticised Abidal in a social media post for his comments on the squad’s efforts under former coach Ernesto Valverde.
The Barca captain called on Abidal to name names and accused him of “dirtying” the squad by suggesting certain stars downed tools during Valverde’s final weeks in charge. Read more
Getafe make top four statement with resounding Valencia victory (Vanguard)
Getafe took another step towards Champions League qualification on Saturday as Jorge Molina scored twice in a sensational 3-0 win over fellow top-four contenders Valencia.
The 37-year-old Molina capped a storming performance with two goals in the second half before Jaime Mata added a third with three minutes left, after Valencia’s Alessandro Florenzi had been sent off.
Getafe stay third but moved five points ahead of Valencia in fifth. Sevilla will again pull level on points with them by winning away at Celta Vigo on Sunday.
Up next for Jose Bordalas’ side is a trip to Barcelona next weekend but on this evidence, it will be the stumbling Catalans feeling nervous ahead of that game at Camp Nou.
Getafe face La Liga’s defending champions on the back of four consecutive victories, in which they have score nine goals and conceded none. Read more
Payet strike helps Marseille strengthen grip on second spot (Vanguard)
Dimitri Payet helped Marseille maintain their hot streak with the only goal in a 1-0 win over rock-bottom Toulouse on Saturday that maintained their grip on second place in Ligue 1.
Former West Ham forward Payet struck the winner from distance shortly after half-time at the Stade Velodrome to extend Marseille’s unbeaten run to 16 matches in all competitions.
Andre Villas-Boas’ side are still nine points behind leaders Paris Saint-Germain, who play Lyon at the Parc des Princes on Sunday. Read more
Leeds lose again as Forest, Fulham and Brentford close in (Guardian)
Leeds United’s hopes of ending a 16-year absence from the Premier Leauge are in danger of collapsing as goals from Sammy Ameobi and Tyler Walker boosted Nottingham Forest’s promotion push with a 2-0 victory at the City Ground on Saturday.
Marcelo Bielsa’s men have now lost four of their last five games and only goal difference keeps them above Fulham in the automatic promotion places.
“The players are giving their maximum effort and at the moment it is not enough,” said Bielsa.
“When that happens, as a coach you have to take responsibility.” Read more
Leverkusen deny Dortmund in seven-goal thriller as Bailey shines (Vanguard)
Substitute Leon Bailey scored one late goal and made another as Bayer Leverkusen sealed a stunning 4-3 win over Borussia Dortmund to deny the visitors the chance to go second in the Bundesliga on Saturday.
Bailey came on for the final 20 minutes with his side 3-2 down and after slottting home the equaliser, the Jamaican winger’s audacious backheel led to Lars Bender heading in Leverkusen’s winner.
It was the first time Dortmund teenager Erling Braut Haaland had failed to score for his new club after hitting eight goals in his first four games. Read more
Nwakaeme shoots Trabzonspor to league summit (Punch)
Nigeria forward, Anthony Nwakaeme, says he is happy to help Trabzonspor move to the top of the Turkish Ligue table after their 2-0 win at Genclerbirligi on Saturday.
Jose Sosa scored the opener for the visitors in the 79th minute from the penalty spot while Nwakaeme scored the team’s second goal in the 83rd minute to hand the visitors the maximum points.
With the win, Trabzonspor moves to the top of the league table ahead of Sivasspor on the same point (41) after 20 games. Read more
Klinsmann’s Hertha slump as Quaison hits hat-trick for Mainz (Vanguard)
Sweden striker Robin Quaison hit a hat-trick as Mainz beat 10-man Hertha Berlin 3-1 in the capital on Saturday to push Jurgen Klinsmann’s side towards the Bundesliga relegation spots.
Hertha have just one win in their five games in all competitions in 2020 under ex-Germany and USA head coach Klinsmann, who took charge last November.
Klinsmann, 55, blamed the defeat on Hertha’s midweek German Cup loss at Schalke, which was marred by alleged racist abuse aimed at Hertha defender Jordan Torunarigha by home fans.
“For us, this is disappointing, but it is understandable – it has been a very intensive week,” said Klinsmann. Read more
Nsirim laments state of judo in Nigeria (Guardian)
Action at the two-day judo masterclass weekend organised by Accugas/Edinburgh Judo Club in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State… recently
President of the Nigerian Judo Federation, Prince Timothy Nsirim, has expressed regrets over the poor state of judo, which he stated had suffered neglect due to lack of support from corporate bodies and governments in the country. Read more
Scottish cup goal thrills Aribo (Punch)
Super Eagles midfielder, Joe Aribo, was on target as Glasgow Rangers booked a place in the quarter-final of the Scottish FA Cup following a 4-1 win against Hamilton Academical at the Fountain of Youth Stadium on Saturday.
Scott Arfield opened the scoring in the 25th minute before Lewis Smith put his team back on level term.
Aribo scored Rangers’ second goal of the game in the 68th minute after he was set up by Ryan Kent.
Alfred Morelos put the game beyond doubt in the 85th minute and with just seconds left on the clock; Arfield scored his second of the match and Rangers’ fourth. Read more