Rising petrol price hits N300 per litre (Punch)
The scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol, grew worse across the country on Thursday, as massive queues were witnessed in Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Calabar, Warri, Nasarawa, Minna, among other places.
Oil marketers stated that the scarcity became worse due to the fact that dealers could hardly access the product from the only two depots that were dispensing the commodity in Lagos State as of Thursday.
The few filling stations, particularly those of independent marketers, that dispensed the commodity on Thursday, sold it at between N250/litre and N300/litre, depending on area of purchase.
Oil marketers told our correspondent that over 1,000 tickets, belonging to marketers which had paid for products, remained unattended to, at the few depots that dispense the commodity in Lagos. Read more
Presidency: Why we prefer Peter Obi — Obasanjo, Ortom (Vanguard)
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, yesterday, explained why they endorsed Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Mr Peter Obi for president.
Obasanjo justified his letter in which he threw his weight behind Obi, saying God would punish him if he failed to do the right thing.
On his part, Governor Ortom explained that although Obi, like most human beings, is not perfect, he possessed qualities of the kind of leader Nigeria needs at this point in her history.
The two leaders spoke at different fora. Read more
CBN asks Nigerians to reject old naira notes from banks (DailyTrust)
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has directed customers to start rejecting old naira notes from banks, insisting that the old notes ceased to be legal tender by the January 31 as earlier stipulated.
The Deputy Director, Currency Operation, Dr Rekiyat Yusuf, disclosed this in Lokoja, Kogi State, on Thursday during the sensitisation of market men and women about the redesigned naira notes.
She said that appropriate sanctions would be applied against any erring banks found dispensing old notes to customers henceforth.
The CBN therefore directed customers to report any bank still dispensing old notes either over counter or through the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) to the apex bank. Read more
Lagos begins upgrading of health centres (Punch)
The Lagos State Government has commenced the process of upgrading 20 primary healthcare centres starting with the health centres at Mende, Akoka and Abule-Nla areas of the state.
The Deputy Director, Public Affairs, Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, Olumide Filade, who confirmed the development in a statement on Thursday, said the move to upgrade the health centres was in line with the promise of the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in his ‘THEMES’ agenda for a greater state.
He said the state government, through the LSPHCB, in conjunction with the Lagos State Infrastructure Management Agency and the various local governments involved, started the upgrade in three primary health care centres at Mende, Akoka and Abule-Nla out of the 20 PHCs designated and located in the five divisions of the state.
He said, “The Permanent Secretary, LSPHCB, Dr Ibrahim Mustafa, represented by Shakirat Adeosun, at the flag-off ceremony, said the upgrade of the 20 PHCs across the state would fulfil the governor’s promise of infrastructure upgrade in the letter ‘H’ of the THEMES agenda which stands for Health and Environment. Read more
Waste Managers to get pay rise, AWAMN backs Tinubu’s presidency, Sanwo-Olu’s re-election (Independent)
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has promised to increase the salaries and allowances of staff of the state’s waste managers, particularly the street sweepers in the coming months.
The governor said his administration remains committed to the welfare of those that ensure a cleaner city and secure environment.
Governor Sanwo-Olu gave the assurance on Thursday at the mega rally organised by the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAMN) to drum up support for the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and his re-election bid.
He said the support became imperative as LAWMA in Lagos, which many states in Nigeria have replicated, is the brainchild of Tinubu, stressing that the election of Tinubu at the federal level would raise the bar of more commitment to the environment and economic growth through the sector. Read more
Red Line: LASG announces 9 weeks traffic diversion at Muritala Muhammed Way (Vanguard)
The Lagos State Government has announced traffic diversion on Muritala Mohammed Way and Apapa Road, Oyingbo from Jan. 23, 2023, till March 31, 2023, for the construction of the Red Line project.
The Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Frederic Oladeinde, said in a statement in Lagos on Thursday that the traffic diversion would last for nine weeks.
Oladeinde explained that the total lane closure would be sustained to allow the contractor to complete the construction without any inhibition during the course of the construction of the First Phase of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit, Red Line project.
Oladeinde revealed that the previous alternative routes would be maintained as well. Read more
Enugu communities embrace PDP, governorship candidate, Mbah (Sun)
People of Ozalla and Obe communities in Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State have stated that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is their preferred political party, saying their support is based on benefits they have enjoyed from the party since 1999.
The communities, while rejecting other political parties due to their incompetence and predictable defeats in successive elections, commended the PDP for the impressive human empowerment it has brought to their people over the past 23 years.
Speaking during a town hall meeting at Obe town, headquarters of Nkanu West Central Development Centre, yesterday, stakeholders and representatives of the different bodies said they would vote for the PDP en masse because of the positive impacts their people are enjoying today.
They described themselves as great beneficiaries of the party in terms of appointments into key positions, employment, empowerment and economic growth. Read more
Phone Thief nabbed inside Kwara Varsity mosque (DailyTrust)
A magistrates’ court in Ilorin, Kwara State, has remanded one Abdulazeez Abdulkadir for phone theft.
The prosecutor, Gbenga Ayeni, told the court that the suspect was arrested by the security personnel of the University of Ilorin (Unilorin) after he trespassed into the facility as he was neither a student nor a staff member of the institution.
The charge sheet presented by Ayeni reads in part: “You were met in the Faculty of Law’s mosque pretending to be observing prayer in the course of which you forcefully opened a bag belonging to one Yusuf Toyeeb Olanrewaju, a law student, and stole a Redmi 9 phone valued at N80,000.
“In 2021, you were brought to the station for similar offences and you were warned and you promised to desist from repeating such an act.
Alec Baldwin faces involuntary manslaughter charge over fatal Rust shooting (CBS)
Actor and producer Alec Baldwin is being charged with involuntary manslaughter in the deadly 2021 shooting on the set of the Western film “Rust,” prosecutors in New Mexico announced Thursday. The armorer who oversaw firearms on the set, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, is also being charged with involuntary manslaughter.
Baldwin was holding a gun during a rehearsal when it discharged, killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
“After a thorough review of the evidence and the laws of the state of New Mexico, I have determined that there is sufficient evidence to file criminal charges against Alec Baldwin and other members of the “Rust” film crew,” District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies said in a statement released Thursday morning. “On my watch, no one is above the law, and everyone deserves justice.”
Hutchins was wounded by a gunshot during setup for a scene at the ranch on the outskirts of Santa Fe on Oct. 21, 2021. Baldwin was pointing a pistol at Hutchins when the gun went off, killing her and wounding the director, Joel Souza. Read more
David Crosby, legendary rock musician and JJsongwriter, dies at 81 (Global)
David Crosby, the legendary singer-songwriter who founded some of the defining rock groups of the 1960s, has died at the age of 81, according to media reports on Thursday.
Variety shared a statement from Crosby’s wife saying the musician died after “a long illness” and was surrounded by his family when he passed.
“Although he is no longer here with us, his humanity and kind soul will continue to guide and inspire us,” the statement reads. “His legacy will continue to live on through his legendary music.”
Sources close to the musician also confirmed Crosby’s death to Rolling Stone and NBC News. Read more
John Legend, Brandi Carlile, Lionel Richie and more to perform at MusiCares tribute event (USAToday)
John Legend, Brandi Carlile, Sheryl Crow and Lionel Richie will be among those performing in tribute to Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson when both are honored as the 2023 MusiCares Person of the Year by the Recording Academy.
The academy announced the lineup Thursday for the tribute concert and gala to be held in Los Angeles on Feb. 3 — two days before the Grammy Awards.
Other performers announced include Jimmie Allen, Chloe X Halle, The Isley Brothers, Mumford & Sons, The Temptations, PJ Morton, Rita Wilson, Dionne Warwick and Trombone Shorty.
Past MusiCares honorees include Joni Mitchell, Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Aretha Franklin, Dolly Parton and Aerosmith. Read more
Police looking into Rishi Sunak not wearing seat belt in moving car (Metro)
Police are looking into the prime minister’s failure to wear a seat belt in the back of his luxury car.
Rishi Sunak has apologised after his ‘error of judgment’ was spotted in an Instagram video promoting his levelling-up funding in Lancashire.
In the video, police motorbikes can be seen escorting the car as the British leader addresses the camera.
Fines of up to £500 can be issued when someone doesn’t wear a seatbelt when one is available. Read more
Dennis Quaid joins David Oyelowo in “Bass Reeves” series at Paramount+ with Taylor Sheridan producing (Variety)
Dennis Quaid has signed on to star opposite David Oyelowo in the upcoming Paramount+ series “Bass Reeves,” Variety has learned.
The series, which is currently filming in Texas, will see Oyelowo play the legendary titular lawman. Per the official description, “Reeves was known as the greatest frontier hero in American history and also believed to be the inspiration for ‘The Lone Ranger.’ He worked in the post-Reconstruction era as a federal peace officer in the Indian Territory, capturing over 3,000 of the most dangerous criminals without ever being wounded.”
Quaid will play Sherrill Lynn, a Deputy U.S. Marshall. He is the first cast member aside from Oyelowo to be officially confirmed for the series.
This marks one of the few TV roles Quaid has taken on in his career, which stretches back to the 1970s. He has previously starred on shows like “Merry Happy Whatever,” “The Art of More,” and “Vegas.” He is primarily known for his film roles, having led features such as “The Rookie,” “The Day After Tomorrow,” “Traffic,” “Frequency,” “The Parent Trap,” “The Right Stuff,” “Breaking Away,” and ”Midway” among many others. Read more
Thousands of anti-government protesters take to streets of Peru’s capital (France24)
Thousands of people poured into Peru’s capital, many from remote Andean regions, for a protest Thursday against President Dina Boluarte and in support of her predecessor, whose ouster last month launched deadly unrest and cast the nation into political chaos.
Police repeatedly fired tear gas into crowds of demonstrators as night fell Thursday, preventing them from heading into business and residential districts of Lima.
The supporters of former President Pedro Castillo were demanding Boluarte’s resignation, the dissolution of Congress, and immediate elections.
Castillo, Peru’s first leader from a rural Andean background, was impeached after a failed attempt to dissolve Congress. Read more
Heathrow beefs up security after rise in US cannabis smuggling arrests (BBC)
Security checks will be stepped up for air travellers flying from Los Angeles to London after a series of recent cannabis-smuggling arrests.
At least 11 passengers have been charged with attempting to import the drug to the UK in the past eight days, according to the National Crime Agency.
More than 62 stone (400kg) of the drug has been seized since 10 January, NCA investigators say.
It is legal to grow cannabis in California, but not in the UK. Read more
Bassey tipped for EPL move amid Ajax struggles (Punch)
Nigerian defender Calvin Bassey has been tipped for a move to EPL relegation-battlers Leeds United and Southampton as he continues to struggle at Ajax since he moved there in the summer transfer window, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
According to former Netherlands international, Rene Van der Gijp, Ajax should cut their losses and sell Calvin Bassey for half of his £20 million price-tag to a Premier League club.
Bassey’s £20 million price-tag, meanwhile, continues to hang like a millstone around the former Rangers defender’s neck.
“Bassey is just really funny (to watch),” former Ajax midfielder Kenneth Perez told ESPN, casting serious doubt on whether the Nigeria international has the technical ability to thrive at a club renowned for their dominant possession play. Read more
Remo, Tornadoes remain unbeaten as Insurance stun Plateau United (DailyTrust)
Remo Stars have maintained their perfect start to the 2022/23 abridged Nigeria Professional Football League by defeating Gombe United 1-0 yesterday at the Pantami stadium Gombe while Niger Tornadoes edged newly promoted Doma FC 1-0 in Kaduna to go joint tops with Aba Warriors in Group B.
Munir Idris’ early goal kept Tornadoes’ unbeaten streak alive in the MatchDay 2 midweek games played yesterday, moving the Minna team into second position behind the Abia Warriors, who have a better goal differential.
Defending champions, Rivers United were unable to get past Sunshine Stars as both sides settled for a 1-1 draw at the Akure Township Stadium, giving the hosts their first point of the season.
Rivers United took the lead in the 24th minute and were poised to keep its perfect start to the new campaign until Ejike Uzoenyi, a former member of the Super Eagles, scored Sunshine’s equalizer late in the 86th minute. Read more
Ronaldo scores 2, Messi 1 as PSG win Saudi friendly 5-4 (ESPN)
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi both scored as Paris Saint-Germain beat the Riyadh Season Team 5-4 at the King Fahd International Stadium on Thursday.
Ronaldo scored twice in his first game since signing for Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr following his departure from Manchester United.
Messi, back with PSG after winning the World Cup with Argentina, got the first goal of the game before Ronaldo equalised for the Saudi select team — made up of players from Al Nassr and Riyadh rivals Al Hilal — with a well-struck penalty.
During a frantic end to the first half, PSG defender Juan Bernat was sent off, Marquinhos put the French champions 2-1 up, Neymar missed a penalty and Ronaldo scored his second of the evening after his header had rebounded off the post. Read more
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola criticises the club’s fans after the team beat Tottenham (BBC)
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola criticised the club’s fans, despite a memorable fightback win over Tottenham.
City had to come from 2-0 down at half-time to beat Spurs 4-2, a result that left Guardiola’s side five points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal.
The home supporters booed City, English champions in four of the past five seasons, off at the break.
“Our fans were silent for 45 minutes – I want my fans back,” said Guardiola in a remarkable post-match interview. Read more
Andy Murray and Thanasi Kokkinakis Australian Open match finishes at 4 am, as fans marvel but criticise scheduling (ABC)
Whether marvelling at the resilience of both players, praising Brit Andy Murray for playing at an elite level with a surgically repaired hip, or bemoaning the ridiculously late finish, the Australian Open’s latest marathon night match gave fans plenty of time to think and opine.
A five-time finalist at Melbourne Park, Murray is no stranger to long nights on the blue hard court, but his 4-6, 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (7/5), 6-3, 7-5 win over Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis took things to another level.
As impressive as the performances were by both injury-prone players, they and others pointed out it was a bit silly to have a match ending just before sunrise.
Meanwhile, 18-time grand slam singles champion Martina Navratilova urged organisers to find a way to avoid the schedule being so cramped after a couple of rainy days. Read more
Ferrari repeat 2022 plans as Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz gear up for new F1 season (Mirror)
Ferrari will stage a test for drivers Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz later this month, mirroring their preparations for the 2022 season.
Ferrari ran a test at their Fiorano test track this time last year in preparation for the 2022 season. It paid off for the Italians, who enjoyed a blistering start to the campaign before other factors led to the collapse of their title challenge as the year went on.
Perhaps feeling they benefitted from that test, Leclerc and Sainz will do the same thing again in the final week of January. They will have a day each to drive the SF21 – the car used in the 2021 championship.
The three-day test will also see them joined by a couple of Ferrari’s other racers. Reserve drivers Robert Schwartzman and Antonio Giovinazzi will spend half-a-day each driving the car, ahead of their World Endurance Championship duties this year. Read more