Sanwo-Olu tasks building experts on solutions to reducing housing cost (Guardian)
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, yesterday, tasked all stakeholders and professionals in the built sector to come up with well thought-out solutions on how to reduce cost of building to make housing more affordable and accessible to the low income earners.
The governor also invited genuine investors, particularly those with innovative technologies, to support the state government’s housing development efforts.
Sanwo-Olu, who stated this at the commissioning of 132 apartments at the Iponri LagosHoms, which was renamed Babatunde Raji Fashola LagosHom, said: “We must be concerned with making a change that will improve the narrative of housing development in our own time. Read more
Court admits CD analysis of Naira Marley’s phone (Punch)
The alleged credit card fraud trial of hip hop singer, Azeez Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley, has resumed at the Federal High Court in Lagos as the court admitted in evidence the compact disc containing the expert analysis of the content of his iPhone.
Recall that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had on May 20, 2019 arraigned Naira Marley on an 11-count charge bordering on money laundering and Internet fraud.
He pleaded not guilty during his arraignment and was granted bail in the sum of N2m with two sureties.
The singer’s counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), had opposed the tendering of the CD by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the court had adjourned for a ruling. Read more
Why Lagosians shun public hospitals for self-medication, herbal remedy (Guardian)
As fear grips Lagos residents owing to rising number of COVID-19 cases, many are resorting to home care and therapy, as the pandemic seems to overwhelm government hospitals.
In the last one week, there has been a rash of developments. The use of oxygen by COVID-19 patients in isolation centres across Lagos is on the increase.
Akin Abayomi, the Commissioner for Health, said out of the 498 total bed capacity in the state, only 177 spaces are vacant as of January 13. The isolation centres are now 64 per cent filled up – IDH at 95 per cent, LASUTH, 75 per cent, Amour, 86 per cent, FMC Ebute Meta, 100 per cent – with Gbagada isolation centre being reactivated. Read more
I was abducted in church, sold to Fulani kidnappers – NIS spokesperson (Punch)
The Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Edo State Command, Bridget Esene, has said that she was meant to be killed but her abductors sold her to suspected Fulani herdsmen.
Esene, who was released by her abductors on Tuesday, said she suffered at the hands of the kidnappers.
Speaking on Wednesday through the telephone, she said, “The armed men numbering five trailed me to my church at Ikhueniro near Benin City where I was kidnapped. Read more
Soyinka chides N’Assembly for ignoring clamour for restructuring (ThisDay)
Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, yesterday criticised the National Assembly for not concretely taking up the clamour for the restructuring of the country.
But the House of Representatives in a response by its spokesman, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, said Soyinka’s position was inaccurate, contending that the federal legislature had in recent past sided with the people on several issues of national importance.
He said those pushing for the rearrangement of the federation should approach the constitution review committees of the National Assembly for necessary conversations. Read more
COVID-19 defaulters risk jail as Buhari signs regulations (Guardian)
President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, signed Coronavirus (COVID-19) Health Protection Regulations 2021 as part of efforts to boost the COVID-19 response in the country.
The introduction of the Regulations is a welcome development, according to Nigerian Medical Association and other stakeholders in the health sector.
Buhari said the regulations, which would take immediate effect, were given urgent consideration to safeguard the health and ensure the well-being of Nigerians, especially in the face of rising COVID-19 cases in the country. Read more
Dad has been sleeping with me for long, issues death threat – 20-year-old daughter (Punch)
A 20-year-old lady, who identified herself as Fatima Usman, has accused her father of having sexual intercourse with her for a long time.
Fatima, who spoke in a viral video, identified her father as Usman Momoh, saying he works at the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Ondo State.
In the two minutes, 10 seconds viral video, Fatima alleged that her father had been sleeping with her for a very long time and whenever she refused to have sex with him, her father would send her out of the house at the midnight. Read more
FEC approves policy to stop rejection of Nigerian goods (ThisDay)
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) yesterday approved the National Quality Policy to stop rejection of Nigerian goods exported out of the country.
The approval which was given during the 31st virtual meeting also included N9 billion approved for the construction of various roads and power projects across the country.
Briefing newsmen after the meeting, Minister of Industry Trade and Investment, Chief Niyi Adebayo, said the essence of the policy is to ensure goods exported out of Nigeria are accepted in the countries they are being exported to. Read more
Slain tech CEO Fahim Saleh left behind $6M: court papers (NYPost)
Tech CEO and investor Fahim Saleh — who was murdered and dismembered last year — was worth $6 million when he died, according to court papers.
Saleh — who founded Nigerian motorcycle ride-sharing company Gokada in 2018 — was allegedly slain by his executive assistant, Tyrese Haspil, inside Saleh’s Lower East Side apartment on July 13, 2020.
The 33-year-old Bangladeshi-born entrepreneur didn’t leave behind a will but he was worth around $6 million, according to papers filed in Manhattan Surrogate’s Court by one of his sisters, Rifayet Saleh.
The court papers noted that Saleh’s only debt was a $1.8 million mortgage on his $2.2 million East Houston Street seventh-floor apartment. Read more
Anal swabs being used to test for COVID-19 in China as they’re ‘more reliable’ (Metro)
China has started using anal swabs to test people who are believed to be at a high risk of catching Covid-19, according to state TV. Beijing officials last week took anal swabs from residents in neighbourhoods with confirmed cases, along with those in designated quarantine facilities. Doctors say the method, which sees the swab inserted about 3-5cm into the rectum and rotated, can be more effective in detecting Covid-19. Such tests will help increase the detection rate of people infected with Covid-19, as traces of the virus linger longer in the anus or faeces than in the respiratory tract, Li Tongzeng, a senior doctor from Beijing’s You’an Hospital, told CCTV. Read more
Hogging Covid vaccines endangers all nations, warns South Africa expert (BBC)
As South Africa battles a highly infectious new mutation of Covid-19, the country’s leading expert on the pandemic has urged wealthier nations not to hoard vaccine supplies, describing the behaviour as “unconscionable” and warning that “no-one is safe until everyone is safe”.
“Fundamentally, there’s a mistaken belief by some countries that they can vaccinate their populations and they’ll be safe.
“It simply is not true. In this world that we live in, with this coronavirus, no-one is safe until everyone is safe,” said Prof Salim Abdool Karim, chair of the government’s coronavirus advisory panel.
There’s no endgame that sees one country succeeding in controlling the virus while the rest of the world is dealing with rampant spread”
Salim Abdool Karim
Chair of South Africa’s coronavirus advisory panel
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He warned of the risk of a long, international “cat and mouse” chase to defeat Covid-19 with constantly updated vaccines if the pandemic was allowed to keep spreading in countries which were unable to vaccinate their populations in good time. Read more
Biden administration pauses weapons sales to Saudi Arabia, UAE (AlJazeera)
The United States is reviewing weapons sales to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) authorised by former President Donald Trump, a move that Secretary of State Antony Blinken said was “typical” of a new administration.
In his first press briefing on Wednesday, Blinken said the review aims “to make sure that what is being considered is something that advances our strategic objectives and advances our foreign policy”.
“That’s what we’re doing at this moment,” he told reporters.
The Wall Street Journal first reported on Wednesday that the Biden administration has imposed a temporary freeze on billions of dollars in weapons sales to the two countries, including the sale of precision-guided munitions to Saudi Arabia and F-35 fighters to the UAE. Read more
Jared Leto admits his Oscar has been missing for three years (Metro)
Jared Leto revealed that his Oscar has been missing for three years and he has no clue where it is. The 49-year-old bagged the coveted gong in 2014 for his performance in Dallas Buyers Club but it’s evident the actor didn’t let himself get too attached to the trophy. During his virtual appearance on The Late Late Show with James Corden on Tuesday, he was asked about the fact his Oscar has gone missing. Jared explained: ‘You know, I found out that it’s been missing for, like three years, and I didn’t know that. Read more
Cloris Leachman, beloved Oscar and Emmy winner, dead at 94 (NYPost)
Cloris Leachman, best known for roles in film and television classics such as “Young Frankenstein” and “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” has died at age 94.
The famed actress — an Oscar winner and nine-time Emmy winner who could do it all — passed away at her home in Encinitas, Calif., on Wednesday, Jan. 27, Page Six has confirmed. She died of natural causes. TMZ first reported the news.
“It’s been my privilege to work with Cloris Leachman, one of the most fearless actresses of our time,” her longtime manager Juliet Green told Page Six in a statement. “There was no one like Cloris. With a single look she had the ability to break your heart or make you laugh ’till the tears ran down your face. You never knew what Cloris was going to say or do and that unpredictable quality was part of her unparalleled magic.”
Green added, “She loved her children and her grandchildren ferociously. A lifelong vegetarian, she was a passionate advocate for animal rights. The family requests that any donations in her name be made to PETA or Last Chance for Animals.” Read more
Cannes Film Festival, cancelled in 2020, is postponed to July (CBC)
The Cannes Film Festival, cancelled altogether last year by the pandemic, is postponing this year’s edition from May to July in hopes of having an in-person festival.
Cannes organizers announced Wednesday that this year’s festival will now take place July 6-17, about two months after its typical period. The French Riviera festival, which had run for nearly 75 years with few interruptions, is currently hoping the coronavirus recedes enough by summertime.
Cannes last year first looked at a postponement its 73rd festival to June or July before ultimately cancelling altogether. The festival still went ahead with a selection announcement to celebrate the films it had planned to include in its prestigious lineup.
This year, organizers are intent on having a festival, one way or another. No details were announced Wednesday on what shape a 2021 edition might take. Read more
‘Edo has not backed out in hosting Sports Festival’ (Guardian)
Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki says his administration is still willing to host the 20th National Sports Festival, tagged Edo 2020, contrary to reports in the media that the state is no longer interested to staging the Games.
The Sports Festival was called off three days to its commencement date in March 2020 due to outbreak of Coronavirus. The new date of December 2020, which was later shifted to January 3, 2021, could not see the light of day. It has been slated to hold from February 14 to 28.
The Main Organising Committee (MOC) from the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports Development (FMYSD), and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) paid a courtesy visit to Governor Obaseki in Benin City on Tuesday, where the February 14 take off date was sealed. Read more
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang speaks out on Arsenal absence (Metro)
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has revealed that he has missed Arsenal’s last two games due to ‘health issues’ with his mother. The Arsenal captain was left out of the squad for the defeat to Southampton in the FA Cup last Saturday. And the striker also missed the 3-1 victory over Southampton in the Premier League on Tuesday evening. Mikel Arteta cited ‘personal reasons’ for Aubameyang’s absence but the Gunners captain has revealed that his mother, Margarita Crespo Aubameyang, who turned 60 last September, has been suffering from health complications and has required medical treatment. Read more
Messi scores on return as Barca fight back to beat Rayo Vallecano in Copa del Rey (BBC)
Lionel Messi inspired a Barcelona fightback on his return from suspension as they beat Rayo Vallecano to reach the Copa del Rey quarter-finals.
Rayo, who are fourth in the Spanish second tier, took a shock lead when Fran Garcia tapped in a loose ball.
Barca hit back six minutes later when Messi, back from a two-game ban after his first red card for the club, slotted in Antoine Griezmann’s pass.
Frenkie de Jong’s composed close-range finish ensured Barca avoided a shock.
Barca captain Messi was also the architect for the winner, releasing substitute Jordi Alba down the left to provide a low cross that was met by
De Jong’s perfectly timed run. Read more
Mesut Ozil rules out Germany comeback (AlJazeera)
Mesut Ozil, one of the stars of Germany’s 2014 World Cup-winning side, has flatly ruled out a comeback for the national team as he signed a three-and-a-half contract with Turkish football club Fenerbahce.
“I wish the German national team success, but I will never play for them again,” the 32-year-old attacking midfielder told reporters in fluent Turkish at his official unveiling in Istanbul on Wednesday.
Ozil, whose family is of Turkish origin, played a key role in Germany’s triumph at the World Cup held in Brazil almost seven years ago. But he was heavily criticised in Germany when he posed for a photograph with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the eve of the 2018 World Cup.
Erdogan was also the best man at the player’s wedding in Turkey. Read more
Bottom side Sheff Utd earn shock win to deny Man Utd top spot (BBC)
Bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United caused a stunning upset with a Premier League victory over title-chasing Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side needed three points to regain top spot from rivals Manchester City but were lacklustre for large periods of the contest as the away side picked up only their second win of the season.
The Blades took a shock first-half lead through Kean Bryan’s flicked header, which went in off the far post following John Fleck’s corner.
Anthony Martial had a goal ruled out as Harry Maguire was adjudged to have fouled Aaron Ramsdale, but the United skipper headed in the leveller just past the hour mark. Read more
Nets could make run at Andre Drummond if he gets bought out by Cavaliers (NYPost)
Belief around the NBA is increasing that Andre Drummond could get bought out in Cleveland. And if he does, he could be the perfect fit for the center-starved Nets.
After The Post reported that Nets general manager Sean Marks was likely to keep one of his two exceptions in his back pocket to be aggressive in the buyout market, The Ringer stated the Nets were “hoping” that Drummond gets bought out. Now on Wednesday, The Athletic claims that eventuality is merely “a matter of time.”
While coach Steve Nash has stated he wants his Nets to look inward first to shore up their inability to guard the paint, he admitted before Wednesday’s game in Atlanta that it’s a weakness they have to fix and he’d gladly welcome any outside help or midseason defensive additions.
The 6-foot-10, 279-pound Drummond would be an above-average defender at a spot where the Nets are currently a sieve. Read more