Sanwo-Olu hails RRS chief over new office block (Nation)
Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu has commended the leadership of the Lagos Rapid Response Squad (RRS) for generating a vision that is driving the squad.
The governor, represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr Gboyega Soyanwo, spoke during the opening of an office extension at the Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja.
The governor said: “I am not at the RRS headquarters to inaugurate only a new building but also to give recognition to the leadership of the squad because without its vision, one wonders how RRS would be positioned today.”
He noted that in less than a year in office, the new leadership conceived and completed an office extension containing four big offices, a spacious lobby and a sentry guard. Read more
Missing retired head teacher found after PUNCH’s report (Punch)
A retired head teacher, Rachael Afolabi, who went missing while visiting her daughter in the Ajegunle area of Lagos State, has been found.
PUNCH Metro had reported that Afolabi on December 18, 2021, left the Orodu area of Ajegunle to visit one of her daughters staying in the Oluwa end of the community.
Our correspondent learnt that the 65-year-old woman went on the journey with another daughter.
They were said to have taken separate motorcycles.
However, when the motorcycle riders got to the Tolu Medical Junction, they took different paths and the sexagenarian could not be found. Read more
LAWMA carts 15 truck loads of refuse in Apapa, Tin Can (Guardian)
Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), yesterday, commenced clearing of heaps of refuse on an illegal dumpsite at Tin Can Island Port, on Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, targeted at ridding the area of black spots.
Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, Mr. Ibrahim Odumboni, who supervised the operation, said the agency carted 15 truck loads of refuse in Apapa and Tin Can to Olusosun Landfill, Ojota, since the operation began yesterday, at the location which was turned to a dumpsite, through the activities of residents and traders operating an illegal market in the area.
He stressed that the agency had mobilised men, trucks, pay-loaders, and other necessary materials, after overcoming a major challenge of vehicular access to the area, which had previously prevented evacuation intervention.
According to Odumboni, the exercise would be a continuous one, to mitigate the challenge of indiscriminate dumping of refuse experienced in the Apapa axis and other parts of the state.
LAWMA, he said, is totally committed to ensuring that every nook and cranny of the state is rid of illegal dumping of waste, as the state ushers in the new year. Read more
Without drugs, here are the alternatives to manage high blood pressure (DailyTrust)
Mr Rasheed Abubakar has been diagnosed with high blood pressure for years yet, he uses no medication to manage it. Despite being over 60 years, his active life has got him too preoccupied to visit the hospital on a regular basis for drugs to manage the condition.
Although he could be considered as one of the very few lucky ones, skipping drugs to manage high blood pressure has sent many to their early grave as well as made others have some other medical conditions.
High blood pressure is considered to be 140/90mmHg or higher (or 150/90mmHg or higher if the individual is over the age of 80). Ideal blood pressure is usually considered to be between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg.
A Family Medicine & Geriatrics expert based in Pennsylvania, Dr Melinda Ratini has said that there are lifestyle changes that individuals can engage in to lower their blood pressure. Read more
How online fraudsters use my name to scam people – Singer Mr P (Punch)
Nigerian singer, Peter Okoye, popularly known as Mr P, has stated that online fraudsters use his name to scam people on social media.
The member of the singing duo P-Square said this on Instagram on Thursday while commenting on an earlier tweet he shared on Wednesday.
Replying to a fan who said he wanted N500,000 before the end of the year, Mr. P of PSquare said, “Now! Tweets like this are what these fraudsters are after off.
“They see how desperate you come online and beg for money or giveaway, and they will take advantage of you by claiming it’s me and you will fall for it! Stop the f*cking online begging! Irritating.” Read more
Lagos Assembly passes N1.758t budget for 2022 fiscal year (VON)
The Lagos State House of Assembly has passed the 2022 budget estimates of N1.758 trillion, with capital expenditure taking the lion share.
The approved budget by the state legislature represents about 26.7% increase when compared to an initial N1.388 trillion budget estimate presented by the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The budget, which was passed at a sitting presided over by the Speaker, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, follows a presentation of the budget report by Mr Gbolahan Yishawu, Chairman, House Committee on Economic Planning and Budget.
Yishawu, in his presentation of the budget titled, ‘Budget of Consolidation’, explained that there was a slight increase in the grand total from the initial N1.38 trillion to N1.758 trillion. Read more
Electoral Amendment Bill: CSOs task NASS on cross-referencing errors, grammatical blunders (Independent)
The decision of President Muhammadu Buhari to decline assent to the Electoral Amendment Bill 2021, has provided a window of opportunity for a number of Civil Society Organisations, championed by Yiaga Africa, to call the attention of the National Assembly to some cross-referencing errors, grammatical and conflicting provisions in the document which needs to be corrected as soon as possible.
Although the Presidency has sent back the Bill to the National Assembly for further adjustment, following the direct primary clause, the Civil Society Organisations believes these errors may in the future brew unnecessary controversies and legal complications in the implementation of the bill when enacted.
At a press conference highlighting these shortcomings on Thursday in Abuja, the trio of Samson Itodo, Executive Director, Yiaga Africa, Ene Obi, Convener, Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room and Country Director, Action Aid, Nigeria as well as Cynthia
Mbamalu, Director Programs of Yiaga Africa, recalled that in August 2018, President Buhari premised his decision of declining assent to the 2018 Electoral (Amendment) Bill on certain drafting errors and cross-referencing gaps in the Bill.
According to them, it is imperative for the National Assembly to ensure due diligence before transmitting the Electoral Bill 2021 back to the President for assent to prevent the current bill from suffering the same fate. Read more
Why we promote Kalabari music and culture in Lagos –Douglas-West (Sun)
Last week, indigenes of Kalabari based in Lagos had a get-together where they celebrated their culture, music, food and traditional attire in grand style.
Convener of the programme, Reverend Asoliye Douglas-West, disclosed the essence of the all-Kalabari gathering in Lagos during the festive mood of the Yuletide was because there were a large number of Kalabari residents in Lagos that was sizeable to form a recognizable ethnic community. And indeed, there is a large extraction of Kalabari-speaking people living in Lagos and the essence of the gathering was to reinforce the bond of concord and camaraderie, and the event occurred at the end of the year reflecting the mood of the season to demonstrate charity and friendship.
Asoliye went on to say that guests wore their native and colourful attire because as unwritten as it might be unmistakable, the generally accepted dress code for attending this kind of event is native attire. And appearing in native dresses is not just as a form of expressing identity but also to remind ourselves of the source of our cultural roots and origin and to display the richness and splendour of the attires we wear. By so doing we advertise our culture to the outside world for recognition and appreciate who we are.
During the event, the Disc Jockey played only Kalabari songs and the convener adde it was intentional. “Considering the fact Lagos is a cosmopolitan city with a potpourri of ethnic and cultural diversities, we might not have frequent opportunity to access and listen to songs indigenous to our folklore and culture on public radio or in the streets. We have to fully exploit the moment occasions like this to relive wonderful experiences, memories and philosophy the rhythms of the songs convey. Read more
FAAN beefs up security at MMIA car park (Channels)
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has beefed up security at the car park facility at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
FAAN disclosed this via a statement issued on Wednesday by its General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Henrietta Yakubu.
The agency noted that contrary to social media reports, the car park managed by Messrs Seymour Nigeria Limited is safe for travellers and vehicles.
“With respect to a story making the rounds on social media and other traditional media on the above subject, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) wish to state that the car park facility at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, being managed by Messrs Seymour Nigeria Limited is safe for travellers and vehicles, as additional security measures have been put in place to forestall the re-occurrence of such act,” the statement read. Read more
Omicron wave may have peaked, South Africa says (BBC)
South Africa has lifted overnight curfew rules, with officials saying the country may have passed the peak of its fourth wave of Covid-19 infections.
A government statement said the Omicron variant, while highly transmissible, had seen lower hospitalisation rates than previous waves.
There had been a marginal increase in the number of deaths, it added.
The variant – first reported by South Africa last month – is spreading fast elsewhere leading to widespread curbs.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of a “tsunami” of infections from Delta and Omicron variants that could overwhelm health systems. Read more
Trevor Noah shares 1st pic of Minka Kelly while back in SA (IOL)
Trevor Noah is back in South Africa and for his trip to his homeland he bought along with him a special guest.
“The Daily Show” host is in Mzansi for his annual gathering with his friends that include the likes of radio personalities Anele Mdoda and Sizwe Dhlomo.
Trevor and his SA squad are known to gather at the end or the beginning of the new year. Their holidays usually leave their followers in envy with each social media post.
This year, Trevor, Anele, Sizwe, Khaya Dlanga and Xolisa Dyeshana are having a splendid time in the oh-so-fabulous Cape Town. Read more
Plea for Elton John to play at Princess Diana funeral revealed in UK government files (CNN)
The Dean of Westminster personally appealed to Buckingham Palace to allow British star Elton John to sing a version of his hit song “Candle In The Wind” at the funeral of Princess Diana, according to newly released government files.
Papers released by the UK National Archives suggest there was resistance to the plan over concerns the rewritten lyrics were “too sentimental,” reported PA Media.
The Abbey even arranged for a saxophonist to be put on standby to deliver a solo instrumental version of the song, but this was considered to be a “very second-best shot.”
Elton John pictured after being made a member of the Order of the Companions of Honour for services to Music and to Charity in November 2021. Read more
Sudanese security forces fire tear gas as thousands rally against coup (France24)
Security forces fired tear gas at protesters trying to march towards the presidential palace in Sudan’s capital on Thursday, a Reuters witness said.
Thursday was the 11th day of major demonstrations since an Oct. 25 coup, which saw Abdallah Hamdok removed and then reinstated as prime minister. The demonstrators have demanded that the military play no role in government during a transition to free elections.
Most bridges to Khartoum were closed, with at least two of them blocked by shipping containers. An army checkpoint with an armoured vehicle was seen stationed at one of the bridges that remained open.
Protesters heading towards a blocked bridge connecting the city of Bahri to the capital chanted: “As much as we sacrifice and die, we won’t be ruled by the boot.” Read more
Prince Andrew’s lawyers reportedly in ‘emergency talks’ after Maxwell guilty verdict (NYPost)
Prince Andrew’s lawyers were locked in emergency talks overnight after Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted in New York for recruiting and grooming underage girls for Jeffrey Epstein, a new report said.
The British socialite’s guilty verdict Wednesday evening sent fear rippling through the embattled royal’s legal team as he battles sexual assault allegations leveled against him in a civil lawsuit filed in Manhattan, the Mirror reported.
Accuser Virginia Roberts Giuffre has alleged the Duke of York sexually abused her when she was 17 after she was trafficked by Epstein and Maxwell.
Prince Andrew’s legal team is weighing whether to call one of the accusers who testified as a prosecution witness during Maxwell’s trial to help in his civil case, legal sources told the outlet. Read more
Germany to pull the plug on 3 of its last 6 nuclear power plants (NBC)
Germany will pull the plug on three of its last six nuclear power stations on Friday, another step towards completing its withdrawal from nuclear power as it turns its focus to renewables.
The government decided to speed up its phasing out of nuclear power following Japan’s Fukushima reactor meltdown in 2011 when an earthquake and tsunami destroyed the coastal plant in the world’s worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl 25 years earlier.
The reactors of Brokdorf, Grohnde and Gundremmingen C, run by utilities E.ON and RWE, will be shut down on Friday after three-and-a-half decades in operation.
The last three nuclear power plants — Isar 2, Emsland and Neckarwestheim II — will be turned off by the end of 2022. Read more
Ted Cruz deletes tweet after mixing up Western Australia with Washington (Independent)
Texas senator Ted Cruz was forced into an apparent U-turn on Twitter after he complained about “power drunk” Democrats introducing Covid health measures before realising he was attacking lawmakers almost 10,000 miles away in Western Australia.
The Republican, who swiftly deleted the remarks on Wednesday, had confused a Facebook post from “WA Government” for that of Washington State. Screenshots of the debacle were widely circulated on the social media platform.
Mr Cruz, before deleting the tweet, had raged against “Blue-state Dems” who were “power-drunk authoritarian kill-joys” and wrote: “Washington State: NO DANCING ALLOWED!!!”
He also appeared to ignore the Kangaroos on the “WA Government” account post and was instantly inundated with alerts to his mistake – with the tweet boomeranging on the Trump ally. Read more
Fans salute Ndidi, Armatey after Leicester pip Liverpool (NewTelegraph)
Football fans in Africa have showered praises on African duo, Daniel Amartey and Wilfried Ndidi, who paired in Leicester’s centre defence in the game against Liverpool on Tuesday in the EPL.
Leicester manager Brendan Rogers after conceding six against Manchester City on Boxing Day, paired Ndidi-a midfielder- with Daniel Am-artey, who has largely played right back this season.
The combination worked as the Ndidi and Amartey stopped the attack of Liverpool led by Mohammed Salah and Sadio Mane.
Nigerian-born Ademola Lookman scored the only goal of the game in the 59th minute as the Foxes defeated Liverpool at the King Power stadium. Read more
Olonisakin arrives Garoua, plans maximum support for Eagles (Guardian)
Nigeria’s envoy to Cameroun, Ambassador Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin, has arrived in Garoua to drum support for the Super Eagles ahead of the 2022 African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Speaking on plans to ensure Nigeria excelled at the competition, Olonisakin said the embassy has started a mobilisation drive as part of its diplomatic offensive aimed at getting over five million Nigerians resident in Cameroun to support the Super Eagles.
Captain Ahmed Musa-led 28-man squad of the Super Eagles was full of praise and gratitude to Olonisakin for mobilising the support that enabled his team clinch a 2-0 victory over Central African Republic in a second leg 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier in Douala.
During his trip to Garoua, Olonisakin met with Governor Midjiyawa Bakary of Northern Region of Cameroun, and also examined the accommodation and other facilities provided for the Super Eagles in the city.
He also inspected some facilities reserved for supporters planning to come to Cameroun to cheer the Super Eagles to victory in their matches.
“I met with the Nigerian community on Sunday to sensitise them on the need to give the Super Eagles a rousing welcome and to support them in all their matches. Read more
Victor Osimhen: Nigeria striker suffers pre-AFCON Covid setback (BBC)
Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen has cancelled a planned trip to Italy to assess his cheekbone injury after contracting coronavirus for a second time.
The 23-year-old returned a positive test in Nigeria ahead of his trip to Naples but is asymptomatic according to a statement by the Serie A outfit.
“Consequently, the local authorities have ordered that Osimhen self-isolate and the check-up will be rescheduled after he has tested negative and his period of isolation ends,” Napoli’s statement added.
Osimhen, whose latest positive test comes just 12 days before Nigeria’s opening game at the Africa Cup of Nations, will isolate for at least one week in line with public health protocols. Read more
Leicester dealt another injury blow with Jamie Vardy set to spend 3 to 4 weeks out with a hamstring problem (DailyMail)
Leicester’s injury problems continue to worsen after striker Jamie Vardy was ruled out for three to four weeks with a hamstring problem.
The former England international, 35 next month, had complained of an issue in the Carabao Cup defeat at Anfield last week, was rested for the Boxing Day trip to Manchester City but sustained the injury in Tuesday’s Premier League win at home to Liverpool.
Playmaker James Maddison is fit after he came off against Jurgen Klopp’s side but with Patson Daka also injured – forcing him to miss the African Nations Cup – it leaves manager Brendan Rodgers with just Kelechi Iheanacho and Ayoze Perez as options up front.
That is in addition to at least seven other players still currently sidelined. Read more
Danny Garcia Keeping an Eye On Amir Khan Vs. Kell Brook Showdown: “Let Me Fight The Winner” (BoxingInsider)
Danny Garcia is still mulling over his next career move.
After a widely successful run at 140 pounds which resulted in a unified championship reign, Garcia has spent the past seven years of his career as a full-fledged welterweight. Although Garcia would go on to win a world title against Robert Guerrero in 2016 before losing his championship to Keith Thurman one year later, Garcia is still proud of what’s been able to accomplish.
Amongst a long list of names Garcia successfully defeated throughout the course of his career, his 2012 victory against Amir Khan is one of his more notable ones. Heading to their 140-pound unification bout, Khan, a former Olympic silver medalist, was viewed as a heavy favorite.
Despite the odds, Garcia blasted his man, resulting in three total knockdowns before registering a fourth-round knockout win. Read more
Kenyan wins African Athletics Official of the Year award (DailyNation)
Kenyan Pauline Murumba has been named the 2021 African Athletics Official of the Year by the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA).
At the same time, Namibian coach Hendrik Botha scooped the best African Athletics Coach of the Year accolade.
In a Wednesday statement, CAA said Murumba, 51, won the recognition thanks to the “very important” roles she played in the success of the 2021 World Athletics Under-20 Championships and Kip Keino Classic held in Nairobi.
The 2021 World Athletics Under-20 Championships was staged at the 60,000-capacity Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani from August 18 to 22. Read more
Top Russian tennis player tests positive for COVID-19, Australian Open status in doubt (TheHill)
Russian tennis star Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova has tested positive for COVID-19, a situation that may preclude her from participating in the Australian Open starting in mid-January.
The tennis player confirmed that she was isolating in a hotel in Australia on Tuesday.
“I was fully vaccinated and was preparing for the start of the season in Dubai,” Pavlyuchenkova said in a social media post on Thursday. “But we live in a very difficult and unpredictable time. Right now, I am in complete isolation, in a special hotel and following all the protocols under the supervision of doctors.”
“Now it’s important to take care of yourself and the health of others. I’ll be back on court when it’s safe for everyone.” Read more