Soldier’s wife car crushes Lagos street sweeper (Punch)
A street sweeper with the Lagos Waste Management Authority narrowly escaped death on Thursday after being crushed to a stationary petrol tanker by a motorist conveying a woman said to be the wife of a soldier.
The incident, which occurred around 8.30am on the Apapa Road in Ebute Meta, attracted sympathisers and men of the Federal Road Safety Corps to the scene.
According to the supervisor, who did not give her name, the victim, Tawa Ariyo, had just finished sweeping the road and sat in front of the Forte Oil filling station and was awaiting further instruction when the Toyota Matrix car rammed into her. Read more
Lagos begins hajj medical screening (Nation)
Lagos State Government has urged intending pilgrims to begin the compulsory pre-hajj medical screening.
The screening, it said, was designed to ascertain their medical status.
The State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board Secretary, Mr. Rahman Ishola, spoke after a strategic meeting with representatives of the medical directors of the six designated state-owned general hospitals approved for the exercise.
The hospitals are the Lagos General Hospital, Lagos Island; Alimosho General Hospital, Igando; Badagry General Hospital; Epe General Hospital; Ikorodu General Hospital and the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja. Read more
Suspected cultists attack Lagos make-up artist, two arrested (Punch)
A Lagos-based make-up artist, Johnson Obazele, was on Wednesday, assaulted by suspected cultists in the Kujore area of Ojota for refusing to stop when he was ordered to do so.
It was gathered that Obazele, who was seeing off a friend, who visited him, was ordered to stop by the suspected cultists and was attacked when he and his visitor refused to stop.
PUNCH Metro learnt that while the cultists attacked Obazele, his friend managed to escape and called for help. Read more
Man, 46, docked for alleged N1.8m fraud (DailyTrust)
A 46-year-old man, Oluyemi Olusegun, has been docked before an Ado-Ekiti chief magistrate court for allegedly defrauding a bank of N1.8 million. Police prosecutor, Inspector Oriyomi Akinwale, told the court yesterday that Olusegun committed the offence sometime in January 2019 in Ilupeju-Ekiti, Oye local government, Ekiti State. According to Akinwale, the defendant borrowed money from Albatross Ventures, a microfinance bank, through the complainant, Miss Mercy Adebayo, who was described as the manager of the bank. The prosecutor said the accused person disappeared after collecting the money and it took the concerted efforts of police detectives to fish him out. Read more
Policeman slit my throat after knocking me down – Man (Punch)
An interior decorator, Olalekan Ogunsanya, whose throat was slit by a policeman, identified simply as ASP Francis, during an argument in the Itire area of Lagos State, has expressed gratitude to God for his survival and is demanding justice for the attack on him.
PUNCH Metro had reported that an eyewitness, Samuel Agbolajo, posted details of the incident on his Facebook page, stating that Ogunsanya was attacked by Francis during an argument. Read more
‘Stop discriminating against physically-challenged’ (Nation)
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has appealed to residents of the state to stop discriminating against people living with disabilities.
The governor spoke at an event marking the 2019 International Day of Disability (IDD) for Persons Living with Disabilities, organised by the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA), held on Thursday at the Ndubuisi Kanu Park, in Alausa, Ikeja area of Lagos.
The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner, Youth and Social Development, Ganiyu Dawodu, assured that the government would do more for people living with disabilities this year, especially in the area of education and empowerment.
He said the various clusters of people living with disabilities had been of immense support to the government, stressing that there was need to give them more support to show that there is ability in disability. Read more
Customs generates N1.3tr, exceeds target by N404bn (DailyTrust)
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said it generated N1.341 trillion as revenue for the year 2019, exceeding the target of N937 billion by N404bn revenue. The 2019 revenue generation milestone also exceeds the N1.202tr generated in 2018 by at least N139.2bn, the customs said in a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller Joseph Attah, on Thursday. Commenting on the feat, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col, Hameed Ibrahim Ali (rtd) described it as the result of resolute pursuit of what is right rather than being populist by compromising national interest on the altar of individual or group interests. Read more
Labour gives Jan 31 deadline on new wage (Nation)
States yet to implement the payment of the N30,000 new minimum wage or conclude talks on the consequential adjustment of salaries for senior civil servants by January 31 will face the wrath of Labour.
Organised Labour said it would not be able to guarantee industrial peace and harmony in such states at the expiration of the ultimatum.
Trade Union Congress (TUC) President Quadri Olaleye told reporters on Thursday at the end of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting that the union had directed states to begin mobilisation. Read more
Two remanded for allegedly defiling minor, neighbour’s daughters (Guardian)
An Ebute Meta Magistrate’s Court in Lagos yesterday remanded a 25-year-old man, who operates a motorcycle, Babatunde Azeez, for allegedly defiling an eight-year-old girl.
Azeez, who pleaded not guilty to the charges, was brought on two counts of indecent assault and defilement. The Chief Magistrate, Mr. O.O. Olatunji, ordered that the defendant be kept at the Ikoyi Custodial Centre, pending when the case would be filed at the sexual and special offences court, Ikeja.
Earlier, the prosecutor, Insp. Chinalu Uwadione, told the court that the motorcyclist committed the offences at Canal View Drive, Ago, Okota, Lagos. He alleged that the defendant defiled the girl when her guardian stepped out and left her alone at home. Read more
Police nab 14 suspects for extortion, assault on revenue collectors (DailyTrust)
The FCT police command has arrested 14 suspected touts who posed as revenue collectors to extort tax payers and assault genuine revenue collectors in Abuja. A statement by the command spokesman, DSP Anjuguri Manzah, said the syndicate was arrested assaulting and inflicting injuries on government officials who were discharging their lawful duties. He said the suspects were arrested on Wednesday at about 2:30pm following a distress call that hoodlums numbering about sixteen assaulted and inflicted varying degrees of injuries on some officials of the FCTA Department of Outdoor Advertisement and Signage (DOAS) while on duty at Wuye. Read more
Brexit passes major milestone as MPs vote for Boris Johnson’s bill (Metro)
Boris Johnson’s Brexit bill has cleared its final Commons hurdle this afternoon. MPs voted it through on its third reading, and it will now pass to the House of Lords. The Bill passed by 330 votes to 231.
It means it should then become law in time for the UK to leave the EU on the scheduled date of January 31.
The comfortable victory for the prime minister comes after he won a landslide in the December general election – and is in marked contrast to Theresa May’s failed attempts to steer a Brexit bill through the Commons. Read more
Iran crisis: Commander says more air strikes were planned against US (BBC)
Strikes against US forces in Iraq could have been just the beginning of a great operation across the region if the US had responded, a senior Iranian commander is reported as saying.
Quoted by state TV, Amir Ali Hajizadeh said the only fitting revenge for Gen Qasem Soleimani’s killing by the US was to drive US forces from the region.
The remarks came a day after Iran fired missiles at bases housing US forces.
This was a response to Soleimani’s death in a Baghdad drone strike. Read more
Nigeria’s cyclists depart for 2020 CAC Track Championship (DailyTrust)
Ten Nigerian cyclists are prepared to represent the country at the the Confederation of African Cycling Championship billed to hold in Cairo, Egypt according to the President of the Cycling Federation of Nigeria, Giadomenico Massari. Speaking with journalists at the Velodrome inside the MKO Abiola National Stadium, the cyclists who have been in camp ahead of the tournament with the coaching crew will jet out to Cairo on Tuesday, 14th January, 2020.
In the eight events in which Nigeria has comparative advantage and will participate in, four male and six female athletes are set to make the country proud. Read more
Miami Heat sign D’Tigers star (Punch)
D’Tigers point guard, Nnamdi Vincent, has joined NBA side Miami Heat on a two-way contract with the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the NBA G League.
With the signing of Vincent, the team have released Daryl Macon, who came into the season on a two-way contract.
Under the deal, Vincent can spend 26 days with the Heat and will play with the Sioux Falls Skyforce when he is not with Miami.
Vincent, who represented Nigeria at the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China, spent the last two seasons with G-League side Stockton Kings. Read more
‘Mane, Oshoala deserve their gongs’ (Nation)
President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick has declared African Men’s Player of the Year, Sadio Mane of Senegal and Women’s Player of the Year, Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala as fully deserving of their honours at the 2019 CAF Football Awards ceremony in Hurghada, Egypt on Tuesday night.
The NFF boss, who is a member of the CAF Executive Committee and member of the influential Organizing Committee for FIFA Competitions, praised both football stars for their integrity, high-level commitment to club and country, discipline, dedication and good heart, and their love of the game.
“There is no doubt that both players deserve their awards. Mane has been very consistent for a number of years and has worked hard to improve himself in all areas of his game, and I must say the same goes for Oshoala, who has also been an impact player for FC Barcelona Ladies within the short time that she arrived at the club. Read more
Newcastle bid for £25m-rated Dennis (Punch)
Newcastle United have tabled a bid to sign striker Emmanuel Dennis, who is valued at £25m, Sports Extra reports.
Dennis’ impressive performance for Club Brugge this season has seen him score eight goals, including two against Real Madrid in the Champions League at the Santiago Bernabeu last October.
According to French journalist, Manu Lonjon, Newcastle are now ready to make a deal that will see the Nigerian star move to the Premier League. Read more
Kwara reintroduces sport festival to discover talents (Nation)
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara has said that the re-introduction of the state sports festival is a demonstration of his administration’s determination to bring youth to limelight and ensure their talents are identified and nurtured.
The governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Kayode Alabi, stated this at the flag off ceremony of the Torch-of-Unity for the 7th Kwara State Sports Festival tagged: “KWASFEST 2020” in Ilorin yesterday.
He explained that the re-introduction of KWASFEST which has been moribund for almost two decades represented a progressive transition from decadence to reasonable, responsive and responsible governance that would offer entire citizens ample opportunities to be engaged meaningfully. Read more
Australia, Russia storm into ATP Cup semifinals (DailyTrust)
A dynamic Nick Kyrgios and dogged Alex de Minaur powered Australia into the ATP Cup semifinals Thursday with an epic 2-1 win against the Tim Henman-led Britain, and they were joined by Russia who overpowered Argentina. The home team clinched the tie after an 18-16 third-set tiebreaker in the doubles to set up a potential blockbuster last-four clash against Rafael Nadal’s Davis Cup-winning Spain who face Belgium on Friday (today). Russia, spearheaded by world No 5 Daniil Medvedev won both their singles to sweep past Argentina. Read more
Belgian club KV Kortrijk unveils ex-Golden Eaglets (Nation)
Former Golden Eaglets striker Terem Moffi has joined Belgium Jupiler Pro League side KV Kortrijk for an undisclosed fee.
The 20-year-old arrives to the Golden Spurs Stadium on a three and a half years contract from Lithuanian first division side FK Riteriai.
Terem made his debut in 2017 for the Lithuanian first division team FK Kauno Zalgiris before moving to FK where the bulky striker was in an excellent scoring form with 20 goals in 29 matches. Read more
Lithuanian scouts discover 20 footballers in Ilorin (DailyTrust)
Following a week long scouting programme in Ilorin, Lithuanian football scouts have discovered over 20 players according to the director of Football, FK Kauno Zalgiris of Lithuania, Eimantas Puras, Speaking during a press conference, Puras disclosed that the programme tagged Kwara Street Soccer and scouting competition, was its first in Africa in partnership with Sportiqo Africa.
He further revealed that they have seen players who can easily play in the Lithuania league. Read more
I almost joined Watford, not Stoke – Etebo (Punch)
Super Eagles midfielder Oghenekaro Etebo has said he was on the verge of joining English Premier League side Watford before Championship side Stoke City snapped him up in 2018.
Etebo, who moved to Getafe on a five-month loan, said this while being unveiled by the Spanish club on Thursday.
“To be fair, after the World Cup I was supposed to go to Watford, but while we were preparing for the World Cup, the officials of Stoke City flew down from London to Austria and they approached me. The target of the team is to go back to the Premier League because they spent a lot of money and they are a good team, they are a big team and a Premier League team. Read more
Leicester’s Ndidi may need surgery, says Rodgers (Guardian)
Leicester midfielder Wilfred Ndidi could be ruled out for several weeks after Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers revealed he may need surgery.
Nigeria international Ndidi was missing from Leicester’s squad for their League Cup semi-final first leg against Aston Villa on Wednesday.
Rodgers said Ndidi suffered an injury in Tuesday’s training session and may face an operation, although he did not specify what the problem is.
“Wilf took a knock in training yesterday, which unfortunately means he might need a slight operation tomorrow,” Rodgers said. Read more