Sanwo-Olu pledges massive infrastructural investment (Guardian)
The All Progressive Governorship Candidate (APC) in Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has pledged to improve quality of live in Lagos through massive investment on infrastructural provision, if elected governor. Sanwo-Olu gave the infrastructure roadmap of his government last week in Lagos at the yearly end of the year dinner and award night, organized by the Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers, Lagos chapter. Speaking through his running mate Dr. Obafemi Kadri Hamzat at the event, he assured civil engineers and all Lagosians that his government would massively invest to boost the already existing facilities as well as initiating new ones across the state. Read more
APC in grief as Lagos representative dies (Nation)
An All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives member Abayomi Ayeola is dead. According to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the lawmaker died yesterday at a private hospital in Lagos after a brief illness. The party described his death as sad and shocking. Aiyeola was until his demise representing (APC-Ibeju Lekki Federal Constituency). The two-term lawmaker had clinched the APC ticket at the party’s last primary to seek a third term in the Green Chamber in 2019. He was the leader of the Lagos caucus at the Federal House of Representatives. Read more
Govt orders $877m arms to fight Boko Haram, others (Nation)
Of the $1 billion approved by the National Assembly for the procurement of military equipment, $877 million has been released, The Nation has learnt. There has been some controversy over the whereabouts of the money. Immediately after the Metele, Borno State attacks on the military last month, the controversy got bigger. Chief of Army Staff Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai said the military had not received such cash from the government to boost the anti-Boko Haram and other campaigns. However, The Nation can confirm that $496,374,470 was released from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) for the purchase of Super Tucano aircraft from the United States. The payment has been made. Read more
PDP kicks as police continue siege to Melaye’s home (Nation)
The Police yesterday said they will continue their siege to the Abuja home of Senator Dino Melaye until he surrenders himself. Some operatives were at the weekend deployed to arrest the Kogi West senator, who the police alleged failed to honour their invitation. The police spoke as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) cautioned the President Muhammadu Buhari administration against turning the country into a police state. In a statement, the main opposition party’s spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, decried the way and manner key opponents of President Buhari in next year’s election were being treated like enemies of the state. Read more
$5m bribe claim: Hamzat lied against me, says Jonathan (Nation)
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has denied offering Lagos State governorship running mate Obafemi Hamzat $5 million bribe in the run-up to the general elections in 2015. Dr. Jonathan’s denial was contained in a statement in Abuja yesterday by his spokesman Ikechukwu Eze. According to him, he and Hamzat, who slugged it out for the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket with Governor Akinwunmi Ambode at the primary, before, during and after the 2015 elections. Hamzat was quoted as saying at the launch of the Sanwo-Olu – Amzat Advocates in Lagos that he rejected Jonathan’s $5 million offer in 2015, explaining that he took the decision for posterity. Read more
50 corpses burnt in Anambra mortuary fire (Vanguard)
Several corpses deposited at the Enugwu Ukwu General Hospital Mortuary in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State were, weekend, reduced to ashes following a fire outbreak which source was not immediately known. A source said no less than 50 corpses were burnt in the fire, which started from a nearby bush, fanned by the harmattan wind. The mortuary which is located few metres from other buildings in the hospital, was the only building affected by the inferno. Governor Obiano says that State government will set up a panel to look into the remote and immediate causes of the fire outbreak at the Enugwu-Ukwu General Hospital Mortuary, Enugwu-Ukwu in Njikoka Council Area. Read more
DR Congo election: Presidential poll hit by delays (BBC)
Sunday’s vote for a new president in the Democratic Republic of Congo has been hit by a series of delays that have left people frustrated. The failure of new electronic voting machines in some polling stations was one of the challenges. Polls have now closed in an election that is expected to bring the country’s first peaceful transfer of power since independence in 1960. President Joseph Kabila is stepping down after 17 years in power. The final result is expected be announced in a week’s time. The election should have taken place two years ago but was repeatedly postponed because of logistical problems, officials said. Read more
Syria conflict: Trump ‘committed to defeating IS’, says Lindsey Graham (BBC)
A top Republican has said US President Donald Trump committed to defeating Islamic State (IS) in Syria, despite his decision to withdraw US troops. Senator Lindsey Graham said he was now reassured of the president’s commitment after meeting him on Sunday. Mr Trump’s troops withdrawal plan was met with strong criticism from major allies, as well as senior Republicans like Mr Graham. The president and White House have yet to comment on any formal plan changes. On 19 December, Mr Trump announced the pullout of some 2,000 troops, asserting that IS had been defeated. Read more
Itoya insists Rangers won’t underrate Bantu FC of Lesotho (Vanguard)
Kelvin Itoya has assured that Enugu Rangers will not underrate Bantu FC of Lesotho as they aim to advance to the money-spinning group stage of the 2019 CAF Confederation Cup. Rangers have been drawn against Bantu FC in the final playoffs of the Confederation Cup with the overall winners featuring in the mini-league rounds of the competition. Observers predict Rangers going through to the next round at the expense of the champions of Lesotho. But Itoya maintained his team will not take their next opponents lightly. Read more
Omeruo to welcome permanent move to CD Leganes (Vanguard)
Super Eagles defender, Kenneth Omeruo has said that he will welcome his loan move if it is made permanent at CD Leganes because the La Liga club feel very much like home. Omeruo is on loan from Chelsea till the end of the season and he has already established himself at Leganes, who have done well so far to stay clear of the relegation pack. “Right now, I feel more at home, having been tossed up and down on different loans deals before arriving at the Spanish side,” the Super Eagles defender opened up to media. Read more
Everybody wants to see Joshua versus Wilder, says Fury’s trainer (Guardian)
Ring Magazine nominated trainer of the year Ben Davison really announced himself on the world boxing stage this year, reports boxingnewsandviews.com. He brought Tyson Fury back to the sport of boxing in one of the great comeback stories in sports history that will probably be spoken about a hundred years from now. Although he’d love his man to fight Wilder again in a rematch next year or a fight with fellow Brit Anthony Joshua — he wants to see something else first. Read more
I’m not just attack-focused – Solskjaer (BBC)
Caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says he is not solely focused on “attacking football” after Manchester United scored their 12th goal in three games in a scintillating victory over Bournemouth. A cavalier display in the first half at Old Trafford saw United score three times, with Paul Pogba netting his second double in successive matches and Marcus Rashford grabbing the other. Solskjaer’s side conceded their third goal in as many games when Nathan Ake headed in before substitute Romelu Lukaku fired home a fourth. Read more