Sanwo-Olu opens COVID-19 oxygen therapy centre (Punch)
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has inaugurated a Permanent Triage and Oxygen Therapy Centre in the Eti-Osa Local Government Area of the state to provide swift emergency oxygen therapy to residents of the community.
According to a statement on Monday, the facility, which will double as a COVID-19 sample collection centre, is one of 10 others in 10 LGAs of the state with high burdens of COVID-19 cases.
Sanwo-Olu, while speaking during the inauguration of the facility, disclosed that the need to better manage severe to critical COVID-19 cases spurred the state government to build and deploy the 10 oxygen therapy centres. Read more
Travails of Lagos farmers as climate change bites hard (Nation)
The ride to Elder Ayodele Olowoake’s farm was a bone-cracking one-hour expedition from his hamlet in Igboye community, Epe, in Lagos State. Even more painfully memorable was the fracture it left on the reporter’s joint and bruises on Mr. Olowoake’s aging body, after a motorcycle accident from his spent machine.
The farming community grapples with roads that are more appropriately described as footpaths as automobiles are greatly put at a disadvantage plying the routes.
“I would have changed this bike for a new one but the proceeds from my farm was just enough to take care of my wife and also my children’s education until the rains stopped and dried up our usually bountiful harvest”. Read more
Taskforce has tamed Apapa traffic gridlock, says Opeifa (Nation)
The former Vice Chairman of the Presidential Task Team on the Restoration of Law and Order in Apapa Port (PTT-RLO), Kayode Opeifa, yesterday said his team has tamed the traffic gridlock in Apapa.
He, however, said all the gains of the team in the last 19 months may be reversed if the state government and concerned federal agencies managing the port area does not take charge of the traffic management.
Opeifa’s position was contained in a 44-paged exit report exclusively obtained by The Nation, where he detailed the activities of the PTT-RLO established by President Muhammed Buhari on May 22, 2019. Read more
Transporting containers in Lagos equals shipping cost from China – Report (Punch)
The congestion at the Apapa port in Lagos has become so bad that trucking a container from the port to the mainland which is just about 20km, now costs about $4,000 (N1.5m) which is almost the same cost as shipping one container from China to Nigeria.
This is according to a report by the Financial Times of London titled, ‘Nigeria’s port crisis: the $4,000 charge to carry goods across Lagos.’
The dysfunction in Lagos is allowing other West African ports, servicing far smaller markets, to eclipse Nigeria. Read more
Lagos home-grown terrorists turning Nigeria’s commercial capital into a war zone (Punch)
In different parts of Lagos, almost on a daily basis, gangs of armed and violent youngsters snatch phones, bags, wallets and laptops, pick pockets, mug pedestrians, break into homes, crash uninvited into parties, demand protection money and burgle shops. They also engage in free-for-all, commit arson and murder.
These groups of hoodlums and cultists bear names like One Million Boys, Fadeyi Boys, Ereko Boys, Akala Boys, Awawa Boys, Ijesha Boys, Awala Boys, Shitta Boys, Nokia Boys, No Salary Boys, One Hour Boys, Oshodi Boys, No Mercy Boys, Aguda Boys, Night Cadet, Black Scorpion, Akamo Boys, Omo Kasari Confraternity, Para Gang Confraternity (mainly teenage girls), Japa Boys and Koko Boys, among many others.
In times past, gangs were only found in densely populated low-income neighbourhoods like Ajegunle, Bariga, Somolu, Oshodi, Iyana Ipaja, Ketu and Oworonsoki, among others. However, in recent times, many of such groups have sprang up in most parts of Lagos, except for highbrow areas like Ikeja GRA, Magodo, Ogudu and Omole. Read more
Gunmen kill two, abduct 50 in Katsina (Guardian)
Unknown gunmen have shot two persons dead after raiding more than six communities in Batsari Council of Katsina State at the weekend.
The attacks, which mostly occurred in the night, reportedly led to the abduction of over 50 persons, including women and children, in Daurawa, Kasai, Biya-ka-Kwana, Bakon Zabo, Tudun Modi, Watangadiya, and other communities.
In Daurawa, the gunmen killed two people and wounded two others, while in Kasai, more than 30 persons were reportedly abducted on Saturday night, and household valuables looted. Read more
To contain COVID-19 spread, FG to issue travellers permits (Thisday)
The federal government yesterday unfolded a new policy to contain the importation of COVID-19 into the country, especially by international travellers.
The policy, whose implementation began yesterday, compels travellers to register with the Nigeria International Travel Portal – nitp.ncdc.gov.ng. to obtain their travel permits before departure from their destinations.
The new policy complements the old system through which travellers would have to generate temporary QR Code, which will only enable them to board at the airport, while they pay for COVID-19 test on arrival. Read more
Residents kick against likely lockdown in Rivers (Nation)
Some residents of Rivers State have criticised Governor Nyesom Wike’s threats to lockdown the state again in January over the resurgence of COVID-19.
Wike, at a thanksgiving service in Omagwa, Ikwerre Local Government Area on Sunday hinted about the plan to impose the fresh lockdown as one of the stringent measures to curtail the spread of the disease.
But, some residents have taken to their different social media platforms and telephone interviews to condemn the governor’s plan. Read more
Hit-and-run ‘okada’ rider kills Ibadan NBA leader, Abiodun (Guardian)
As the legal community in the country mourns the death of the former chairman of the Ibadan branch of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and a prominent Egbe Amofin leader, Chief Emmanuel Abiodun, on December 23, a former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Oyo State, Chief Mutalubi Adebayo Ojo, has lamented how the menace of commercial motorcyclists popularly known as okada, claimed the legal icon before Christmas.
According to Ojo, an okada operator riding against traffic hit Abiodun, killing him instantly. He said: “On Wednesday, the sunset for the Ibadan bar at noonday when an unknown hit-and-run okada rider, in their usual notoriety, knocked down one of the finest gentlemen ever produced by the legal profession, Chief Emmanuel Abiodun.
“The consummate barman, an ex-world Kegite chief, a past chairman and patron of the Ibadan NBA, wanted to cross over to the other side of the road at Alesinloye market area, Ibadan after his driver had parked at the other end. Sad enough, he was hit and knocked down to death by an okada rider who emerged from the blues and rode against traffic. May the soul of our past chairman and revered patron rest in peace and at home with his creator. He was aged 82.” Read more
Australian man and child saved after friends walk 12 hours for help (BBC)
A father and his 10-year-old son have been rescued in the Australian outback after their three travelling companions walked for 12 hours to seek help.
They were driving through north-west Queensland on Sunday, when their car got stuck on flooded roads.
Trapped, the group spent the night in the car, and the next morning, three of them headed to the nearest large town, Mount Isa, about 50km (31 miles) west.
A rescue mission was launched after the group made it to the police station. Read more
Covid mutations and pandemic fatigue will be challenges in 2021, says WHO (Metro)
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has urged countries to keep testing for Covid-19 and to step up genomic sequencing so new mutations can be detected next year. It has also warned people could experience pandemic fatigue in 2021. Variants to the virus in the UK and South Africa, which appear to be more infectious, have caused concern around the world. Read more
Sydney told to watch its famous New Year’s Eve fireworks from home (CBC)
Sydney, one of the world’s first major cities to welcome each New Year with a public countdown featuring a fireworks display over its well-known Opera House, has banned large gatherings that night amid an outbreak of the coronavirus.
A mid-December resurgence of COVID-19 in the city’s northern beach suburbs has grown to 125 cases after five new infections were recorded on Monday. About a quarter of a million of people there must stay in strict lockdown until Jan. 9
That has led to further restrictions of the already toned-down plans for the New Year’s Eve. New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian banned most people from coming to Sydney’s downtown that night and limited outdoor gatherings to 50 people. Read more
Spain to keep registry of those who refuse Covid vaccine (BBC)
Spain is to set up a registry of people who refuse to be vaccinated against coronavirus and share it with other European Union nations, the health minister has said.
Salvador Illa said the list would not be made accessible to the public or to employers.
He said the way to defeat the virus was “to vaccinate all of us – the more the better”.
Spain has been one of the countries in Europe worst affected by the virus. Read more
Tom Cruise ‘builds Covid-secure’ Mission: Impossible 7 set after massive coronavirus rant (Metro)
Tom Cruise isn’t taking any chances with his health and is reportedly building a ‘Covid-secure’ Mission: Impossible set to continue filming the blockbuster safely. The Hollywood actor, who plays Ethan Hunt in the franchise, was allegedly heard in leaked footage screaming at crew members who breached coronavirus safety rules on the Mission: Impossible 7 set in Hertfordshire earlier this month. Following the rule-break, Tom, 58, is said to be ‘spending millions’ on transforming a former military base into the new movie studio. Read more
Police say they may never know motive behind Nashville Christmas bombing (CBC)
Police investigating a Christmas day bombing in Nashville say they may never know the motive behind the attack.
“We hope to get an answer. Sometimes, it’s just not possible,” David Rausch, the director of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, said Monday in an interview on NBC’s Today show. “The best way to find motive is to talk to the individual. We will not be able to do that in this case.”
Investigators named Anthony Quinn Warner, 63, as the suspect in the bombing and said they were analyzing his belongings collected during the investigation, including a computer and a portable storage drive, and continue to interview witnesses as they try to identify a motive for the explosion, a law enforcement official said. A review of Warner’s financial transactions also uncovered purchases of potential bomb-making components, the official said. Read more
US House approves increased COVID-19 relief cheques, sending bill to Senate (CBC)
The US House of Representatives voted Monday to increase COVID-19 relief cheques to $2,000 US, meeting President Donald Trump’s demand for bigger payments and sending the bill to the Republican-controlled Senate, where the outcome is uncertain.
Democrats led passage of the bill by a vote of 275-134, their majority favouring additional assistance. They had settled for smaller $600 payments in a compromise with Republicans over the big year-end relief bill Trump reluctantly signed into law.
The vote deeply divided Republicans, who mostly resist more spending. But many House Republicans joined in support, preferring to link with Democrats rather than buck the outgoing president. Senators were set to return to session on Tuesday, forced to consider the measure. Read more
Our defeat in Omdurman will spur us, says Enyimba’s Mohammed (Guardian)
Enyimba must draw lessons from difficult moments and challenge themselves to higher achievements amidst challenges.
This is the verdict of Ghanaian midfielder Farouk Mohammed, as the People’s Elephant regroup for their Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) opener against Abia Warriors today.
Enyimba comes into the NPFL fixture on the back of a demoralising defeat by Al Merreikh in the Champions League, having gone down 3-0 to the Sudanese side in the first round fixture.
Farouk, who led the team in Omdurman following the absence of captain Austin Oladapo, is, however, of the opinion that the result, if well harnessed, can spur the team to a good run on both domestic and continental fronts. Read more
Plateau slash players’ salaries after poor NPFL start (Punch)
The management of Plateau United says it has placed the entire team on half salaries following their poor start to the Nigeria Professional Football League, which resumed on Sunday.
Plateau United stated this in a statement signed by their media officer, Albert Dakup, on Monday.
The Jos-based club lost 2-0 to visiting Kwara United at the New Jos Stadium in their match-day one tie of the NPFL on Sunday. Read more
Joshua plots double-header against Fury (Nation)
Anthony Joshua plans to beat Tyson Fury before defeating his heavyweight rival again in a rematch.
The two are expected to meet in 2021 after AJ beat Kubrat Pulev to retain his world heavyweight belts. Fury is WBC king having stopped Deontay Wilder in February with a blockbuster clash expected to happen sometime in the next 12 months.
There are hopes that it will be for the undisputed title, though those plans could be stopped by Joshua’s WBO mandatory challenger Oleksandr Usyk. Read more
Arsenal defender Gabriel tests positive for coronavirus after missing Chelsea clash (Metro)
Arsenal defender Gabriel has tested positive for coronavirus after missing the Gunners’ recent Premier League clash against Chelsea. The Brazilian was absent as Arsenal beat Chelsea 3-1 on Saturday because he began a self-isolation period after coming into close contact with someone who had tested positive for Covid-19. Arsenal confirmed on Monday that Gabriel has now also tested positive, meaning he will miss at least two more matches. Read more
Everton v Man City: Premier League fixture postponed after visitors report coronavirus cases (BBC)
Manchester City’s Premier League match at Everton on Monday was postponed four hours before kick-off because of an outbreak of coronavirus at the club.
Everton said they would request “full disclosure” of the information City provided to the Premier League that led to the postponement.
City reported new positive coronavirus tests on Monday, in addition to those they had confirmed on Christmas Day.
The Premier League then agreed at a board meeting to postpone the match.
Following the confirmation of Monday’s positive tests, City said their training ground would be closed for an “indeterminate period”. Read more
Virat Kohli and Ellyse Perry react after being named ICC players of the decade (Metro)
India captain Virat Kohli and Australia all-rounder Ellyse Perry have been named as players of the decade by the International Cricket Council. Kohli scored 20,396 runs in international cricket during the 2010s, establishing himself as one of the best players of his generation and an all-time great. Perry amassed 4,349 runs across all formats and took 213 wickets, more than any other player. Read more
In-form El Ghazi earns Aston Villa draw at Chelsea (BBC)
Anwar El Ghazi scored his fifth goal in as many games as Aston Villa came from behind to earn a point against Chelsea in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge.
Villa were trailing to an Olivier Giroud header when El Ghazi scored a second-half equaliser that saw the in-form visitors stretch their unbeaten run to five games.
Dean Smith’s side started brightly but found themselves behind when Giroud marked his return to the Chelsea starting line-up with a trademark finish from Ben Chilwell’s cross.
Parity was restored five minutes after the interval, though, when the unmarked El Ghazi converted Matty Cash’s inviting delivery at the back post. Read more