Satellite Town residents kick against container terminal (Punch)
Residents of Satellite Town have protested against the approval of a container terminal in the Liverpool Zone 2 area after the Lagos State Government had assured them that there would be no additional tank farms or container terminal in the area.
The protesters, many of whom were senior citizens, criticised the state government for reneging on its promise by allowing a container terminal to be built in the residential estate.
The protesters carried placards with various inscriptions such as: ‘Humanitarian crisis in Satellite Town loading’, ‘Satellite Town is a residential area and not a port’, ‘It is a capital no to container terminals in Satellite Town’, and ‘No to container terminals’, among others. Read more
Sanwo-Olu, World Bank, others urge inclusion for persons with disabilities (Nation)
Wife of the Lagos State governor, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, international development partners, including the World Bank, United Kingdom (UK) Department for International Development (DFID), have restated their commitment to mainstreaming inclusion for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
They spoke at the maiden edition of: “The Social Inclusion Dialogue Series and Disability Inclusion and Leadership (DIAL) Awards” on Victoria Island, Lagos.
The stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to seeking and deepening innovative ways to promote digital inclusion and advocacy for PWDs. Read more
Four held for stealing N5m valuables (Nation)
Three men and a woman were on Thursday arraigned before a Lagos Magistrates’ Court, Igbosere for allegedly assaulting a lawyer and stealing his tenant’s property valued N5 million, property of one Emmanuel Essien.
The defendants were identified as Abraham Mngbea 37, Ihenacho Godwin 30, Fidelis Nomor 30 and Blessing Paul 23 and are resident at 2A, Audu Ekpekha Boulevard, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.
The defendants who are driver, auto mechanic, Uber bike-rider and house help respectively, are facing a five count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing, assault, forceful entry and break of peace preferred against them by the police before Magistrate (Miss) B.O. Ope-Agbe. Read more
Buhari’s kinsmen attack Aisha over Villa crisis (Punch)
Kinsmen of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), have faulted his wife, Aisha, over her Wednesday’s statement, which attacked the Senior Special Assistant to the President, Garba Shehu.
The kinsmen in Daura, in separate exclusive interviews with the Kastina State correspondent of The PUNCH, on Wednesday evening, berated Mrs Buhari for making what they called a purely private family affair, public.
Mrs Buhari, had in the statement on Wednesday morning, said, “It was Garba Shehu, who claimed that the government would not allow the office of the first lady to run. He was later to confirm to one of my aides that he was instructed to say so by Mamman Daura and not the President. Read more
Court jails Lebanese six months for unlawful dealing in cocaine (Nation)
A Federal High Court, Lagos, Thursday sentenced a Lebanese drug trafficker, Charbel Chalouhi, to six months imprisonment for unlawful dealing in 1.2 grams of cocaine.
Justice Nicholas Oweibo handed down the sentence following a plea bargain agreement with the prosecuting agency, the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The convict was first arraigned before Justice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel sometimes in October, 2018, after he was arrested at his residence, at 18; flat BB Simon Akinolu Street, Victoria Island, on September 10, 2018, for trafficking in the said banned drug. Read more
Two men assault policeman for refusing to pay parking fee, bag two-year jail (Punch)
An Ikeja Magistrates’ Court on Thursday sentenced two men —Biodun Ademoye, 18, and A booed Omotosho, 27, to two-years imprisonment each for attacking a policeman with weapons.
The magistrate, Mrs. B.O. Osunsanmi, sentenced the duo after they pleaded guilty to four counts of conspiracy, assault, extortion and breach of the peace.
Osunsanmi ruled that the convicts should serve out their jail terms without an option of fine.
The magistrate, delivering her judgment, said, “You are hereby sentenced to two years’ imprisonment each without an option of fine. Read more
Bill to check discrimination against female police officers scales second reading in Senate (DailyTrust)
A bill to amend the Police Act 2004 by expunging the gender-discriminatory provisions on Thursday, passed second reading in the Senate.
This followed the presentation of the bill by the sponsor, Sen. Ezenwa Onyewuchi (PDP-Imo East) during the plenary.
Leading the debate on the general principles of the bill, Onyewuchi said that the bill was read for the first time on Oct. 10. Read more
Tension in Edo as APC youths barricade Airport (Nation)
There was tension in Benin City as hundreds of youths believed to be members of the Edo State Chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC) stormed the busy Airport Road in protest of the party’s lingering crisis, factionalisation and imposition of leadership on the people.
The angry youths blocked the two sides of Airport Road, setting burn-fire, thereby causing serious traffic logjam and panic in the state capital, while motorists sought alternative routes out of the area.
The protesting youths also set burn-fire around Golf Course, Akenzua junction and along Akenzua Road in Benin metropolis, thereby disruptinig human and vehicular movement. Read more
Two INEC staff bag 42 years for receiving bribes (Punch)
A high court sitting in Yola, presided by Justice Nathan Musa on Thursday jailed two Independent National Electoral Commission staff for 42 years for collecting bribes.
Justice Musa also asked the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, and the International Police to produce former Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Alison-Madueke, to face prosecution over the N362 million she sent to the two convicted INEC staff in order to compromise the 2015 presidential election in Adamawa State.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had brought the case against Ibrahim Mohammed Umar, Sahabo Iya Hamman, both staff of INEC as well as the former Minister of Petroleum for conspiring to defraud the federal government with the intent to compromise the 2015 general elections. Read more
Nursing students protest colleague’s death, block major roads (DailyTrust)
The culvert over Orieubi cut off by erosion. Photo Jude Aguguo Owuamanam Aggrieved students of School of Nursing, Iyienu Mission Hospital, Ogidi in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State have protested against the death of one of their students, Emmanuel Aniagudo. The students requested the authorities to install speed breakers on the roads leading to the institution to check future occurrence.
According to a witness, the deceased, a second year male student, was reportedly killed by a hit-and-run driver along the old Onitsha-Enugu road last Friday. Read more
Weinstein agrees to $25 million settlement with accusers (Punch)
Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein has reached a $25 million settlement with dozens of women who accused him of sexual misconduct, one of the women’s lawyers told AFP on Wednesday.
The once-powerful producer of “Pulp Fiction” and “Sin City”, whose case sparked the #MeToo movement against sex crimes, faces a criminal trial next month that could see him jailed for life.
The payout from a separate civil case will be shared among more than 30 actresses and former employees who have sued the 67-year-old for offences ranging from sexual harassment to rape. Read more
World’s oldest artwork uncovered in Indonesian cave: study (Guardian)
An Indonesian cave painting that depicts a prehistoric hunting scene could be the world’s oldest figurative artwork dating back nearly 44,000 years, a discovery that points to an advanced artistic culture, according to new research.
Spotted two years ago on the island of Sulawesi, the 4.5 metres (13 foot) wide painting features wild animals being chased by half-human hunters wielding what appear to be spears and ropes, said the study published in the journal Nature on Wednesday.
Using dating technology, the team at Australia’s Griffith University said it had confirmed that the limestone cave painting dated back at least 43,900 years during the Upper Palaeolithic period. Read more
Suu Kyi criticised for ‘silence’ over Myanmar genocide claims (Guardian)
The Gambia condemned Aung San Suu Kyi’s “silence” over the plight of Rohingya Muslims on Thursday after the Nobel Peace Prize laureate defended Myanmar against genocide charges at the UN’s top court.
Lawyers for the mostly Muslim African country said her arguments that Myanmar’s 2017 military crackdown was a “clearance operation” targeting militants ignored widespread allegations of mass murder, rape and forced deportation.
“Madame agent, your silence said far more than your words,” The Gambia’s lawyer Philippe Sands told the International Court of Justice (ICJ), referring to Suu Kyi, who is officially acting as Myanmar’s agent in the case. Read more
Onazi makes first start in 12 months (Punch)
Ogenyi Onazi made his return from a 12-month injury lay-off by playing close to an hour for Trabzonspor in Thursday’s 2-1 loss to FC Basel in the Europa League Sports Extra reports.
The Nigeria midfielder, 26, missed the second half of last season and the start of the new campaign after he ruptured his Achilles last December.
He took a significant step towards recovery with an encouraging display against Basel. Read more
Arsenal fight back to claim Europa League last 32 spot (Guardian)
Arsenal came back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at Standard Liege and make sure of a place in the Europa League last 32 as Group F winners on Thursday.
Alexandre Lacazette and Bukayo Saka were on target in the space of three second-half minutes.
The Gunners, runners-up to Chelsea last season, finished the group stage with 11 points and a relatively easier draw in the knockout rounds. Read more
NOC sets up 4-man committee on AFN crisis (DailyTrust)
The Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) has set up a 4-man peace committee to resolve the crisis that has engulfed the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN).
It will be recalled the AFN board has been polarized with the suspension of Ibrahim Gusau as president while Olamide George who was the vice-president is now the acting president over misappropriation of funds. Read more
Iheanacho set for 100th EPL game (Punch)
Kelechi Iheanacho is set to make his 100th Premier League appearance for Leicester City when they face Norwich City on Saturday, Sports Extra reports.
The Nigeria international has bagged four goals in four matches in all competitions and set up three goals so far in this campaign.
Iheanacho has made 53 appearances scoring six goals for the Foxes since joined from Manchester City in 2017. Prior to his arrival at the King Power stadium, the 23-year-old scored 12 times in the Premier League in 46 appearances (12 starts) for the Citizens. Read more
Coman’s knee injury not as bad as feared say Bayern (Guardian)
Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman tore the joint capsule in his left knee, an injury not as bad as feared, in the , his club confirmed Thursday.
Coman scored the opening goal in Wednesday’s 3-1 victory over Spurs at the Allianz Arena but had to be helped off midway through the first half after badly twisting his knee.
It was feared he had torn the cruciate ligament, but tests showed the injury is not as serious although Bayern has given no indication how long he will be sidelined for. Read more
Philadelphia 76ers beat Nuggets 97-92 to stay perfect at home (DailyTrust)
Philadelphia 76ers beat Nuggets 97-92 Joel Embiid had 22 points, 10 rebounds and six assists as the Philadelphia 76ers remained unbeaten at home with a 97-92 win over the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night. Tobias Harris added 20 points, Matisse Thybulle had 13 and Al Horford 11 as the Sixers improved to 13-0 at Wells Fargo Center, their best home start since winning 22 in a row in 1966-67. ADVERTISEMENT Will Barton led the Nuggets with 26 points and Nikola Jokic added 15 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds. Gary Harris also scored 14 points while Paul Millsap had 10 for Denver, who Jamal Murray to a hip injury in the first quarter. Read more
Bayern brush aside Mourinho’s Tottenham to claim perfect six (Guardian)
Bayern Munich on Wednesday became the first German club to win all of their six group matches in the Champions League when they swept to a 3-1 home victory over Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham.
Both sides had already made sure of their progress to the last 16, but victory would have been a relief to caretaker-coach Hansi Flick after the German giants had lost their last two Bundesliga games.
Kingsley Coman, who suffered two ankle injuries in 2018, put Bayern ahead at the Allianz Arena before needing to be helped off on 27 minutes after badly twisting his knee. Read more
Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup: Eagles know foes Jan. 21 (Nation)
THE race to feature in the 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup for Nigeria’s Super Eagles will start on March 2020 after Coach Genor Rohr’s side must have known their opponents on January 21.
Being the second round of the qualifiers, the draw for the teams from Africa will hold on January 21 at Ritz Carlton hotel in Cairo, Egypt.
Already, 136 of 900 FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifying matches played, the national teams in South America and Africa will learn their fate as both CONMEBOL and CAF get set to stage their draws on the road to Qatar. Read more
Rohr to decide Ighalo’s future –NFF (Punch)
The Nigeria Football Federation have said that the Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr, is at liberty to determine the future of former striker, Odion Ighalo, as he hints on a return to the team, Sports Extra reports.
Ighalo helped Nigeria clinch her eight bronze at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations after the Eagles edged Tunisia 1-0 in the third-place game.
He had been subjected to abuse following a less than stellar performance at the World Cup in 2018, which went as far as death threats to the player and his family. Read more
Facing Messi has been incredibly surreal – Olayinka (DailyTrust)
Olayinka Slavia Prague and Nigeria international forward Peter Olayinka has described as “incredibly surreal” his rise to football stardom following a stormy start to his professional career. Now playing in the Champions League with Slavia Prague and facing Barcelona, Inter Milan and Borussia Dortmund in Group F, Olayinka is surprised at his own transformation after starting in Albania where he earned a low salary of $100.
Passing through Northern Cyprus and Belgium, the Ibadan-born player does not believe where his career has landed him now. Read more
Anthony Joshua thanks Nigerian envoy for inspiring him (Nation)
World heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua has expressed appreciation to the Consul General of Nigeria in New York, Mr Benaoyagha Okoyen, for psyching him up to reclaim his titles.
After Joshua lost to Andy Ruiz Jr during their first match in New York in June, Okoyen sent him a letter praising his courage and assuring him of Nigeria’s support in his future fights.
In the four-paragraph letter, the envoy assured him that Nigeria remained proud of the “remarkable feat’’ he had attained in his boxing career. Read more
Enyimba eye second spot as Rivers United arrive in Aba (Guardian)
Fresh from their 1-0 defeat of Cote d’Ivoire’s San Pedro FC in their second game of the CAF Confederation Cup, defending champions, Enyimba will return to the Nigeria Professional Football League (today). Their target is a victory over Rivers United that will take them to the second position on the NPFL table.
The going has not been too easy for Enyimba in the continent, but they have been within touch of the NPFL log leaders since week three of the competition. Against a Rivers United side that have lost just once all season, Enyimba have to be at their best to get the three points.
Looking forward to another successful day in office, Enyimba Manager, Usman Abd’Allah said although Rivers United have always been a tough customer, he expects his boys to get the win they desire. Read more