Sanwo-Olu treats Oyingbo market women for free (Nation)
Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate Babajide Sanwo-Olu has provided free medical assistance to female traders in Oyingbo market. The free medical outreach offered the market women free eye-glasses, drugs and consultation. The beneficiaries were treated for high blood pressure and malaria with a mobile clinic in place for removal of tooth for those affected. The outreach was part of the free medical support planned for the 20 local government areas in the state. It was packaged by the LMC Group for the BOS campaign organization. Read more
Why FSARS was decentralised – Police (Guardian)
The Nigeria Police Force Wednesday said that the Federal Special Anti-robbery Squad (FSARS) was decentralised to correct the abnormality in the squad and restore order in the country. ACP Frank Mba, the Force PRO, disclosed this on Wednesday while appearing on Channels TV programme Sunrise Daily. “What we are doing now is to correct the abnormality, restore order and bring the Police closer to the people,” Mba said.“This is just a tip of the iceberg among very many reforms IGP Mohammed Adamu is bringing in the Force,” he added. Read more
NRC to test run Lagos-Abeokuta rail line early February (Nation)
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) says it will test run the Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge line early February. Mr Fidet Okhiria, the NRC Managing Director, who disclosed this on Wednesday at Ijoko in Ogun, while inspecting the project, added that work on the tracks is moving towards Lagos with 1.5 kilometers being laid daily. “They have done a lot in laying of tracks between Abeokuta, Itori, Papalanto, Kajola, Ijoko towards Lagos corridor. “Within seven days the track laying will reach Iju towards Agege corridor of Lagos state. Read more
APC supporters in free- for-all at court premises (Nation)
Supporters of the All Progressives Congress in Edo State on Wednesday clashed at the premises of the Federal High Court in Benin City, the Edo State capital during the hearing of the case between House of Representatives member, Hon Johnson Oghuma and Comrade Julius Abuda. Comrade Abuda has dragged Hon. Oghuma and the Edo APC to court over the conduct of party primary in Etsako Federal Constituency. Abuda is asking the court to declare him winner of the APC Estako Federal constituency primary. Counsel to both parties hurriedly left the court when fight broke out between the two rivals supporters. Read more
Erdogan in Moscow for talks with Putin on Syria safe zone (Guardian)
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan will hold Syria talks in Moscow on Wednesday, with Turkey saying they will focus on Ankara’s so-called “security zone” in northern Syria. The two leaders are on opposite sides of the conflict: Russia provides critical support to the Syrian government, while Turkey has backed rebel groups fighting President Bashar al-Assad’s forces. Despite this, they have worked closely to find a political solution to the seven-year conflict. Read more
Pope Francis announces Japan visit in November (Guardian)
Pope Francis announced Wednesday he will visit Japan in November, becoming the first pontiff to do so since John Paul II nearly 40 years ago. “I will go to Japan in November,” he said on board the Papal plane bringing him to Panama for a gathering of young Catholics. The Argentine pontiff has repeatedly voiced a desire to visit Japan, home to some 450,000 Roman Catholics, including most recently in September last year. Around 510,000 Protestants live in the largely Shinto Buddhist country, according to Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs. Read more
Maurizio Sarri criticises Eden Hazard’s recent performances, says he has to do more (Metro)
Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri has criticised Eden Hazard, saying the Belgian attacker lacks positional discipline and leadership qualities and is not fulfilling his potential. The Blues have lost their last two matches, against Arsenal in the Premier League and Tottenham in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg, with Hazard playing as a false nine in both matches – though the side have looked timid in attack. While Sarri acknowledges Hazard as ‘one of the best players in the world’, he believes his desire to roam and drop deep is hurting the team and himself. Read more
Japan’s Osaka feeling no pressure as Open semi looms (Guardian)
Japan’s Naomi Osaka said she felt another Grand Slam title was close after routing an injured Elina Svitolina to reach the Australian Open semi-finals Wednesday. The US Open champion cruised past the Ukrainian sixth seed 6-4, 6-1 and said she was hungry for more success ahead of a final four clash with Czech seventh seed Karolina Pliskova Osaka, 21, seeded fourth this year, denied the pressure created by her breakthrough win at Flushing Meadows last year was getting to her and she was enjoying herself at Melbourne Park. Read more
Beckham buys stake in non-league Salford City (Guardian)
“It’s a proud moment for me to join Peter Lim and the ‘Class of 92’ lads as an owner of Salford City FC,” said Beckham. “It’s a really special club and a special group of people. My early years in Manchester were all spent in Salford. I grew up there in many ways so to be able to finally join the lads and the club today is a great feeling.” The ‘Class of 92’ said in a statement: “From the very beginning we wanted David to be involved and be with us on this incredible journey. However, circumstances and commitments didn’t allow that. Now the time is right and is another exciting time in Salford City’s history.” Read more
Suspected Abule-Egba pipeline vandals arrested (Nation)
The police have arrested six persons who allegedly vandalised the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) pipelines at Abule Egba, Lagos. The Nation learnt that their action resulted in the fire which destroyed buildings and vehicles worth millions of naira last year. The suspects are Rasak Oyakunle aka Akeregun; Abdulazeez Agboola aka Boggy, 29; Akin Ayansola alias Babalati, 44; Kazeem aka Aladija, 50; Saheed Isiola alias Obama, 36; and Adedipe Dauda Ewenla, 40. Parading the suspects yesterday, Police Commissioner Imohimi Edgal said: “On December 18, 2018, at about 2am, there was a fire outbreak at Isopako Awori in Abule Egba area of Lagos State. Read more
Man charged with causing death by dangerous driving flees before trial (Metro)
A man charged with causing death by dangerous driving is on the run after he failed to turn up for his trial. Tony Stephen Owens, 37, was due before Warwick Crown Court earlier this month, but did not attend. Police have now launched a search for him, saying he could be in the Leicestershire area. A force spokesperson said: ‘Tony Stephen Owens failed to appear at Warwick Crown Court for a trial in January and a warrant has since been issued for his arrest. Enquiries are ongoing to locate him. Read more
Two held for allegedly killing artisan (Nation)
Two persons have been arrested by men of the Edo State Police Command for allegedly killing an artisan, Monday Obaikan. The deceased was declared missing last December 19. The names of the suspects were given as Ebuka and Godwin. The remains of Monday, aged 28, were recovered inside a bush at Uteh community in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government. It was learnt that the suspects got the victim’s number and called him that they had a job for him. Read more