Sanwo-Olu marks Boxing Day with patients (NewTelegraph)
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, yesterday visited the paediatric, emergency and orthopaedic wards of the Lagos Island General Hospital, Broad Street, to celebrate Christmas and boxing days with the in-patients battling with various health conditions.
The governor, while at the hospital, chatted with the patients, cheering them up, encouraging them and also prayed for their recovery.
Sanwo-Olu also toured facilities of the oldest General Hospital in Nigeria to ascertain level of work done on the renovation of the Accident and Emergency Ward building. Read more
Yaba psychiatric hospital to begin e-health record system (Nation)
The Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital (FNPH), Yaba, Lagos has adopted the electronic health record system to reduce the waiting time for patients seeking to access medical services, its Medical Director, Dr Oluwayemi Ogun, has said.
She disclosed this while presenting the hospital’s end of the year report.
“In 2020, it is the wish of the hospital to commence electronic health record system. It is believed that this will reduce the waiting time spent to acquire health care services in the hospital.
In this regard, it is the wish of the hospital to continue delivering prompt and qualitative mental healthcare services,” she said. Read more
Fresh gridlock looms as Kara/Berger Bridge reconstruction resumes Jan 6 (Punch)
Motorists and other users of the Berger/Kara Bridge section of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway may have to brace for another round of gridlock as reconstruction work will resume by Monday, January 6, in the area, The PUNCH has learnt.
The barricade on that section of the road was on Sunday, December 1 removed to enable motorists to move freely during the festive period.
The Federal Controller of Works, Lagos, Mr Adedamola Kuti, told our correspondent on Thursday that workers were expected to return to the site by January 6 and speedily complete the remaining part of the section. Read more
Sagamu Interchange Bridge for temporary closure from today –FRSC (Sun)
Ogun State Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), yesterday, said the Sagamu Interchange Bridge, on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway will be temporarily closed from today.
FRSC Sector Commander, Clement Oladele, told newsmen in Ota that the temporary closure was due to the damage caused by two tankers that caught fire under the bridge on Christmas day.
Two tankers laden with 33,000 litres of petrol each, on Decembe 25, crashed into each other on the outward bound of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway under the bridge, close to the FRSC Emergency Roadside Clinic. Read more
MFM clears controversy on position about Christmas celebration (NewTelegraph)
Following the controversy that trailed the position of the General Overseer of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM), Dr. Daniel Olukoya, on why his church has not been celebrating Christmas, the church yesterday cleared the air on the issue.
Christmas signifies the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ, which the church believed should not be celebrated on December 25.
The church, in a statement issued yesterday by Collins Edomaruse, on behalf of the Public Relations Unit, Office of the General Overseer of the church, said though the foundation of Christmas was idolatry, the church would not condemn those celebrating it. Read more
Government urged to avert congestion in Lagos, Port Harcourt ports (Guardian)
The Federal Government has been urged to urgently direct vessels on the Lagos, Port Harcourt, Onne anchorages to other seaports, to avoid looming congestion.
The Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), which made this call yesterday, said ships waiting to berth in Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Onne ports are accumulating, and therefore need to be immediately diverted to other ports. National President, ANLCA, Uju Tony Nwabunnike, said: “We observe that a lot of ships are presently waiting to berth in Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Onne, thereby attracting trucks and other heavy duty vehicles to these areas. Read more
Customs comb Lagos-Abeokuta road, hunt for smuggled rice (Punch)
Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service have laid siege to the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway and other locations in the Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State in search of smuggled rice, frozen poultry and other contraband brought into the country through Idiroko land border.
In less than one month, the agency said it had seized a total of 2,235 bags of smuggled rice along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.
It was learnt that the operatives, who were from the Federal Operations Unit, Ikeja, usually parked their vans at strategic corners along the routes every morning, looking out for vehicles suspected to carrying smuggled goods, most especially rice. Read more
Kano bans men, women from boarding same tricycle (Sun)
Kano government has announced a ban on persons of opposite genders from entering the same commercial tricycle with effect from January.
Governor Abdullahi Ganguje disclosed this at the 77th annual Islamic vacation course (IVC) at Bayero University, Kano.
The governor was represented by Harun Ibn-Sina, Commander-General of Hisbah Board. The event was organised by the Zone A of Muslim Society of Nigeria (MSSN).
Ibn-Sina said the government is committed to upholding Islamic values in the state. Read more
Costa del Sol: Tributes paid to man and two children who drowned at resort (BBC)
Tributes have been paid to a British man and his two children who drowned in a resort swimming pool on the Costa del Sol on Christmas Eve.
Gabriel Diya, 52, his daughter Comfort Diya, 9, and his son Praise-Emmanuel Diya, 16, died in the pool at Club La Costa World, near Fuengirola.
Police say they are checking claims the young girl got into difficulties and the other two died trying to save her.
The church where Mr Diya was a pastor said its prayers were with the family. Read more
How tech devices are turning New Yorkers into rude, obnoxious ‘phone zombies’ (NYPost)
According to a new Business Insider survey of more than 2,000 American adults, New York is the rudest city in the United States. The Big Apple got almost twice as many votes as America’s second-rudest city, Los Angeles. We should once again praise the collective wisdom of the American public, because, sorry though I am to say it, they got this one right.
There was once a romanticized notion of New York rudeness, and it tracked closely to the real-world thing. It meant a no-nonsense, loud, profanity-spiced gruffness that was unexpectedly refreshing in its disregard for social status and ultimately sweet at its core. Sadly, that isn’t the brand of rudeness that we are now dealing with.
Today, New Yorkers don’t yell at you — because they don’t notice you. You won’t hear them curse, because they’re mute. And status is paramount in their minds — whatever is flashing on their phones ranks above you, whoever you are. This is the oblivious rudeness of tech-obsessed brains plugged in to devices at all times and in all situations. The new rudeness is digital, and it is sapping New York of its character. Read more
Israel’s PM Benjamin Netanyahu claims win in party leadership challenge (BBC)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed a “huge win” in a vote that challenged his leadership of the Likud party.
About 49% of Likud’s 116,000 eligible members voted on Thursday, party figures show.
Challenger Gideon Saar conceded defeat, saying he would now back Mr Netanyahu in March’s general election.
The internal party vote was seen as a test of Mr Netanyahu’s hold on power at a time of mounting difficulties. Read more
Canadian broadcaster edits Trump out of ‘Home Alone 2’ (NYPost)
Eagle-eyed viewers are raking the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation over the coals for cutting President Trump’s cameo from the movie “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.”
Supporters of the president blasted the publicly funded broadcaster as suffering from “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” after noticing the scene missing from the 1992 holiday flick when it aired on the network this month.
“They’re so triggered by him that they had to edit him out of the film. Absolutely pathetic,” tweeted Ryan Fournier, the founder of Students for Trump. Read more
Ndidi makes Genk’s ‘Team of Decade’ (NewTelegraph)
Wilfred Ndidi has been named in the ‘Team of Decade’ of Belgian champions KRC Genk along with Manchester City star Kevin de Bruyne, Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly and Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
The Team of Decade was made by the readers of Belgian newspaper HetNieuwsblad.
Ndidi joined Genk in January 2015 from Nath Boys of Lagos. Read more
Leicester want £36m for Iheanacho (Punch)
Leicester City have reportedly placed £36m transfer fee on Kelechi Iheanacho to wade off interests from suitors when the January transfer window opens, Sports Extra reports.
Iheanacho is wanted by English Championship side, Nottingham Forest,although they are not willing to meet his valuation, Italian transfer market expert, Di Marzio revealed.
The Nottingham Forest boss, Sabri Lamouchi, is been looking forward to the January transfer market to pick the best legs to boost his team. Read more
Liverpool beat Leicester to extend lead (BBC)
Liverpool tightened their grip on the Premier League title race even further as they produced a masterclass to overpower nearest challengers Leicester City at The King Power Stadium to extend their lead to an imposing 13 points.
Jurgen Klopp’s side started the match 10 points clear of the Foxes with a game in hand – then produced a performance of such stature and dominance it is almost impossible to see how they will not claim their first title in 30 years.
Liverpool’s slender half-time lead, courtesy of Roberto Firmino’s header from a magnificent Trent Alexander-Arnold cross, did not reflect their superiority – but they turned this into a powerful statement victory after the break. Read more
Ugbade backs Chukwueze to make Barca move (NewTelegraph)
Former Nigeria International, Nduka Ugbade, has advised youngster Samuel Chukwueze to take a big step in his career and make a move to the Camp Nou should Barcelona come calling.
Speaking to brila.net, Ugbade said Barcelona’s style of football and their philosophy will be a perfect deal for the Super Eagles forward.
“It will be a massive move for the lad; he has the talent to play in Barcelona and that will further boost hois career. If they come for him, I will say he should go,” he said. Read more
Joshua, Wilder win Ring Magazine awards for 2019 (Sun)
Canelo Alvarez, Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder all received Ring Magazine awards to round off the year.
The Mexican star was crowned ‘Fighter of the Year’ by the iconic boxing magazine, while his trainer Eddy Reynoso picked up ‘Trainer of the Year’.
Joshua was adjudged to have shared the ‘Round of the Year’ with Ruiz Jr for round three of their first bout.
Their rematch was given ‘Event of the Year’. Read more
Aguero is irreplaceable, says Guardiola (BBC)
Pep Guardiola says finding a striker to fill “irreplaceable” club record scorer Sergio Aguero’s role at Manchester City will be “one of my biggest challenges”.
But the City manager has not given up hope that the 31-year-old, who has hit 244 goals for the club, will remain beyond the end of his contract in 2021.
It is anticipated Aguero will return to Argentina whenever he does leave City. Read more
Arteta begins Arsenal era with 1-1 against Bournemouth (Nation)
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal reign began with a draw as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s 12th Premier League goal of the season earned the Gunners a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth.
Former Arsenal midfielder Arteta was in the dugout for the first time since being appointed Unai Emery’s successor.
Having opted to recall Mesut Ozil to his starting line-up in one of three changes, Arteta saw his side fall behind to Dan Gosling’s goal 10 minutes before half-time. Read more
Islanders’ Anthony Beauvillier takes a shot at Anna Kendrick (NYPost)
Anthony Beauvillier has scored 10 goals for the Islanders this season, but he spent his Christmas taking a different kind of shot.
The four-year veteran seemingly took his shot with actress Anna Kendrick on Twitter, posting a simple “Hi @AnnaKendrick47.”
The tweet has since garnered over 11 thousand likes and has brought about plenty of wingmen in the replies trying to help his case. Read more
Eagles’ job: NFF reels out tough conditions for Rohr (NewTelegraph)
The Nigeria Football Federation has rolled out very tough conditions for Eagles Coach Gernot Rohr to meet if he is to continue as the Super Eagles handler.
Rohr’s contract expires next year and no progress has been made on the renewal of his deal with the federation as the Super Eagles have their hands full next year with crunch matches in the 2021 African Nations Cup qualifiers and the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
Authoritative sources told our correspondent at the weekend that the federation was poised to ensure the coach stays more in Nigeria to do his job. Read more
Pinnick, Dabiri charge sport stars to emulate Oshoala (Nation)
Chairman of the Nigerian Diaspora Commission Abike Dabiri-Erewa and President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick have urged other sports stars to emulate Asisat Oshoala by giving back to the society.
Oshoala through her foundation, Asisat Oshoala Foundation organizes School Girls Football Clinic tagged “#football4girls on yearly basis to help girls in Lagos Secondary Schools to achieve their dreams of engaging in football as a career.
In a chat with NationSport during the final of the 5th edition held at the Campos Mini Stadium on Tuesday, both Dabiri and Pinnick heaped praises on the three-time African Women’s Footballer of the Year for her charity gesture. Read more