Rotarians honour Lagos first baby of the year (Guardian)
As part of efforts aimed at putting smiles on the faces of mothers, members of the Rotary Club of Lagos Central yesterday honoured the first baby of the year at Lagos Island Maternity Hospital by donating gift items and cash prizes to the mother. The baby, a boy, was delivered of at 12:09a.m. on January 1, 2020 and the name of the mother is Mary Momoh.
Acting President, Rotary Club of Lagos Central, Segun Oluyemo, stated that the club’s flagship project started 35 years ago and every New Year Day, the club has been recognizing the first baby in the hospital with presentation of cash and gifts to the parents of the new baby. “We have also given the hospital incubators, hospital equipment, treated mosquito nets in times past.”
Speaking further, he stated that the second leg of the project is recognition award to two outstanding members of staff in the hospital – the junior staff award was won by Abosede Onilude and the senior staff category was won by Dr. Rilwan Seriki.Medical Director, Lagos Island Maternity Hospital, Dr. Olufemi Omololu, appreciated the club for the gesture. Read more
Motorcyclists lament police harassment, extortion in Lagos (Punch)
Commercial motorcyclists plying Oke- Ira from the Shonola Street junction, opposite the Excellence Hotel, Aguda, in the Ogba area of Lagos State, have accused the police of harassment, extortion and seizure of their motorcycles.
The motorcyclists told PUNCH Metro that the police were carrying out regular raids on them despite the fact that they were not congregating on the Excellence Hotel junction, but on Shonola Street.
One of the commercial motorcyclists, who identified himself simply as Michael, said the police were coming to the street, where they wait for passengers, to impound their motorcycles. Read more
Aisha Buhari, Lagos, Osun, Rivers, Ogun first ladies welcome first babies of the year (Guardian)
Wife of the President, Aisha Muhammadu Buhari and Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen, yesterday received the first baby of the year at the Gwagwa Health Centre in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).
The birth of the first baby of the year, Muhammed weighing 3.9 kilograms and born to the family of Mr. and Mrs. Sani Abdullahi, was announced at 12 midnight. While congratulating the parents, Aisha said women and children were important to the nation and the marking of the first baby in the New Year was to show the importance the government attaches to women and children.
Aisha, who was represented by wife of the Speaker, House of Representatives, Salamatu Gbajabiamila, advised mothers to follow up on post-natal care and take good care of themselves, especially by embracing child spacing and other family care options. Read more
Three arrested for stealing 300 bags of fertiliser (Punch)
Men of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested three suspects, Banjo Adeleke, James Dalex and Haladu Junaidu, for allegedly breaking into the Iganmu Flour Mill’s warehouse to steal about 300 bags of fertilisers.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Bala Elkana, said in a statement on Wednesday that the Chief Security Officer of the company informed the police about the missing fertilisers, adding that the security guard of the warehouse was arrested for questioning.
Elkana stated that during follow-up investigation, the stolen fertilisers were traced to a warehouse at the Daleko Market in Mushin, where they were sold to some buyers from Kano at the rate of N4,000 per bag, adding that three persons were arrested in connection with the crime. Read more
Air Force appoints, redeploys 36 AVMs, commodores, commanders, others (Guardian)
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has redeployed 36 Air Vice Marshals (AVMs) and 40 commodores, including some branch chiefs, air officers commanding (AOCs), commandants of tri-service institutions, directors and commanders.
The redeployments, which followed the recent promotion of some senior officers and retirement of others, are to re-invigorate operational efficiency and enhance service delivery. NAF spokesman, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, who disclosed this yesterday in Abuja, said the branch chiefs affected include AVM Oladayo Amao, ex- Chief of Training and Operations (CTOP) NAF Headquarters, who is now Chief of Policy and Plans (COPP), while the erstwhile AOC, Special Operations Command (SOC), AVM James Gwani is the new CTOP.
Additionally, AVM Musibau Olatunji becomes the current Chief of Aircraft Engineering (CAcE) just as AVM Mohammed Idris emerged Chief of Administration (COA) HQ NAF. Read more
Guinea-Bissau: Former PM Embalo wins presidential election (BBC)
Former Guinea-Bissau Prime Minister Umaro Cissoko Embalo has been elected president after winning a run-off vote against another ex-prime minister.
The 47-year-old beat rival Domingos Simoes Pereira by about 54% to 46%, the electoral commission announced.
Mr Pereira vowed to contest the result, alleging “electoral fraud”.
Mr Embalo has said he wants to resolve political tensions in the West African country, which has seen nine coups or attempted coups since 1974. Read more
Brave student raped after New Year party shares story ‘to show you can move on’ (Metro)
A university student has revealed how she was raped on New Year’s Eve by a violent predator 12 months ago. Melody Maxwell, 19, was subjected to a horrific 50-minute attack by Obi Forgive while out partying with friends. After the assault, Forgive returned to the streets to hunt for further victims. In June 2019, Forgive was jailed for 11 years for the violent rape against Melody from Northampton. Read more
Nigeria’s oldest soldier, World War veteran, dies at 101 (Punch)
The oldest surviving soldier of the Nigerian Army, Pa Adama Aduku, died on Tuesday at the age of 101.
The army announced the death of the World War 2 veteran on its Twitter handle on Wednesday.
Pa Aduku’s last public appearance was in 2018 at the Nigerian Army Day celebrations in Lagos, where he was presented with an award of excellence by the Vice- President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.
Aduku reportedly joined the Nigerian contingent fighting for the British colonial army in Burma and Egypt during the World War 2. Read more
Forget your manners on Gambia’s roads (BBC)
In our series of letters from African journalists, Sierra Leonean-Gambian writer Ade Daramy, who moved to live in The Gambia earlier this year, fastens his seat belt.
On moving to a new country, there are many things to consider – learning the language, always helps you get around.
But if you are a driver, learning the “road culture” is a must.
After six months in The Gambia I popped backed to the UK for a visit and felt oddly disorientated yet could not figure out why. Read more
Breast cancer treatment breakthrough has ‘enormous potential’ to save thousands (Metro)
A new computer programme which diagnoses breast cancer more accurately than trained doctors has raised hopes that countless lives could be saved in future. New research by British and American scientists has been likened to ‘a spell-check for writing emails.’ They have developed an algorithm which could save thousands by spotting tumours radiologists might otherwise not spot. During a ground-breaking trial, it slashed the number of missed cases – ‘false negatives’ – from almost one in ten to just one in thirty-seven. Read more
Monkeys and apes die in German zoo fire (BBC)
A German zoo has confirmed that its “worst fears have become a reality” after a fire destroyed an enclosure, killing almost all its primates.
Krefeld Zoo initially said all the animals had been killed, but later reported two chimpanzees had survived.
Rare Bornean orangutans, chimpanzees and marmosets lived in the 2,000 sq m (21,500 sq ft) monkey house.
Police say the fire may have been caused by Chinese or “sky” lanterns used to celebrate New Year. Read more
Mum gives birth to baby girl as midwives count down to new year (Metro)
A proud mum gave birth to one of the first babies of 2020 as she listened to midwives ringing in the new year. Gemma Colston, 35, welcomed daughter Phoebe into the world at 12.08am at University Hospital Coventry, having gone into labour on December 31. The school teacher, who is already mum to twins George and Ellie, four, said the birth was ‘very exciting’ as she did not expect her daughter’s arrival so soon. She said: ‘It’s a big surprise. It all went quite quickly in the end. We weren’t expecting her to be born until quite a long time into the New Year when I went into labour yesterday. Read more
Benjamin Netanyahu asks for immunity from prosecution (BBC)
The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has decided to seek parliamentary immunity from prosecution over corruption charges.
The move would likely delay a trial until after fresh elections next March.
In November, the prime minister was charged by the attorney general with bribery, fraud and breach of trust in three separate cases.
Mr Netanyahu, who denies wrongdoing, would need the support of more than half of MPs for immunity to be granted. Read more
Google Pixel 4a renders have got gadget fans excited as 2020 kicks off (Metro)
Google has got into the habit of releasing its own phones each year under the Pixel branding. And while the flagships Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL were met with lukewarm reviews, 2019’s more affordable Pixel 3a was highly praised. It took everything that was good about Pixel phones – namely the camera and the stock Android experience – and put it into a budget package that neatly undercut the likes of Apple’s iPhones and Samsung’s Galaxy phones. Now a series of renders have emerged of a ‘Pixel 4a’ that may see the light of day later this year. Gadget fans are anticipating the Pixel 4’s dual-camera and facial recognition features but with a much lower price. Read more
West Ham thrash Bournemouth in perfect start for Moyes (BBC)
West Ham players celebrate Mark Noble’s second goal
Mark Noble’s second goal puts him fourth on the all-time Premier League penalty scorers list, level with Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero on 26
David Moyes says he “can’t take the credit” for West Ham’s emphatic victory over Bournemouth as his second spell in charge got off to the best possible start.
Captain Mark Noble scored twice with Sebastien Haller and Felipe Anderson also netting in what was the Hammers’ biggest Premier League win in more than a decade.
Victory was West Ham’s second in six matches, while the defeat sees Bournemouth slip into the relegation places in 18th.
Moyes replaced the sacked Manuel Pellegrini on Sunday, returning to the club he led to Premier League safety at the end of the 2017-18 season. Read more
Robin van Persie slams Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for smiling during interview after Manchester United’s defeat to Arsenal (Metro)
Robin van Persie has criticised Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for smiling during his post-match interview after Manchester United’s defeat to Arsenal on New Year’s Day. United delivered a woeful performance at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday as first-half goals from Nicolas Pepe and Sokratis Papastathopoulos secured a 2-0 victory for Mikel Arteta’s side. During his post-match interview with BT Sport, Solskjaer caught a replay of Arsenal’s two goals in his eyeline and briefly laughed before putting his head in his hand. And former Arsenal and United striker Van Persie was not happy with the Norwegian’s reaction. Read more
Ahmed Musa promises a better Super Eagles in 2020 (Guardian)
Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa has declared that Nigerian football would record better results this year. Musa, who plays for Saudi Arabian team, Al-Nassr, became the first Nigerian to score more than once in a FIFA World Cup match, after scoring twice against Argentina in the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
Speaking to sports247.ng, Musa expressed his optimism for the New year saying: “This year is going to be a great one for us as a team and as individual. Read more
David Luiz aims dig at Unai Emery after Arsenal’s win against Manchester United (Metro)
David Luiz has fired a dig at Unai Emery by admitting that Mikel Arteta has brought happiness back to Arsenal after their victory over Manchester United on New Year’s Day. First-half goals from Nicolas Pepe and Sokratis Papastathopoulos sealed a 2-0 win over Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and a first victory for Arteta since he was appointed last month. Emery was sacked while Arsenal were on a run of just one win in 11 games, while that record was extended to 15 matches following the 2-1 defeat to Chelsea last Sunday. But Luiz insists Arteta has restored confidence following his arrival and believes the mood among the squad during Emery’s reign played a major part in their poor run of form. Read more
No more room for scandals in AFN, says Olamide George (Guardian)
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) says it is committed to an open, transparent and efficient management of track and field this year (2020) and beyond.
Acting President of the federation, Olamide George says the federation had learnt from the mistakes made since the current board was inaugurated, and will put all supporting structures in place this year to ensure a proper and sustainable growth for the sport.
“The era of square pegs finding unmerited home in round holes is over,” George told The Guardian. Read more
Frank Lampard slams Chelsea’s performance against Brighton (Metro)
Frank Lampard admits Chelsea ‘were lucky not to lose’ after Brighton held his side to a 1-1 draw at the Amex Stadium. Cesar Azpilicueta put Chelsea in front in the 10th minute after Tammy Abraham’s initial shot was blocked by Aaron Mooy’s outstretched leg. The visitors appeared on course for a comfortable victory but Brighton piled on the pressure as the clock wound down and Alireza Jahanbakhsh found the net with an audacious overhead kick to level in the 84th minute. Graham Potter’s men were energised by Jahanbakhsh incredible equaliser and even pushed for a winner. The hosts had to settle for a point, though, which saw them move up to 13th in the Premier League table. Read more
Paul Pogba: Man Utd midfielder to have operation on ankle injury (BBC)
Manchester United’s Paul Pogba needs an operation on an ankle injury and is set to be out for “three or four weeks”, says manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Pogba was not in the United squad for the New Year’s Day defeat at Arsenal.
The France midfielder only made his comeback last month from an ankle problem that had kept him out since the end of September. Read more
Mikel Arteta confirms Granit Xhaka will stay at Arsenal (Metro)
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says Granit Xhaka has confirmed he will remain at the Emirates, with the Spaniard delighted to be able to count on a ‘great football player’ for the foreseeable future. The Swiss midfielder’s agent claimed Xhaka had agreed a deal to return to the Bundesliga, having clashed with fans at the Emirates, been stripped of the captaincy and exiled from the team by former boss Unai Emery. But Arteta has given every player a clean slate and started Xhaka in two of his three games in charge – only missing the Chelsea clash due to illness. Read more
Formula 1’s best moment of the decade (BBC)
For a 10-year period in a sport such as Formula 1, you would think there would be quite a close debate about what was the best moment.
Apparently not – the Canadian Grand Prix in 2011 received a huge 56% of our BBC sport poll.
To be fair, a two-hour rain suspension, five safety cars, and two collisions and six visits to the pits for winner Jenson Button – one of them being a drive-through penalty – kind of puts it up there. Read more
Balotelli in car crash on New Year’s Eve celebrations (Guardian)
Controversial striker Mario Balotelli was involved in a car crash at 5am while returning home from New Year’s celebrations at a nightclub in the Italian city of Brescia.
According to Corriere della Sera, Balotelli’s new Fiat 500 Abarth ended up smashing into a gate of a bakery not far from his home after his friend, who was driving, made a wrong manoeuvre and clipped the kerb.Balotelli, 29, and his friend both emerged from the accident unscathed but the car suffered severe damage to its front axle.
The former Manchester City and Liverpool striker, who now plays for his hometown club of Brescia, was returning home from celebrating the start of the New Year with friends in a city nightclub at the time of the crash. Read more