Traders faint as fire razes Lagos Timber market (DailyTrust)
Some traders fainyed while property worth millions of naira was early yesterday destroyed by fire at the popular Amu Timber market near Olorunsogo Bus-stop in Mushin area of Lagos. Several houses were burnt while the main market of about 2,200 sqm was consumed in the disaster which left property owners, shop owners devastated, crying and wailing. Daily Trust on Sunday learned that four traders fainted on sighting the extent of damages but they were later revived. The fire which started around midnight extended to nearby houses as emergency responses were being awaited. Eyewitness said the intensity of the fire became high due to wooden and polythene materials sold at the market. Read more
Abule Egba explosion: Sanwo-Olu seeks NNPC’s support for compensation of displaced victims (Vanguard)
Lagos State Government has said it would be meeting with the management of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to find a way of paying compensation for victims of the January 19 pipeline fire in Abule Egba, area of the state in which several buildings and properties worth millions of naira destroyed in the process.
Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, made the remark on Saturday, when he led delegation on a sympathy visit to 300 displaced victims currently being resettled in Igando Emergency Relief Camp in Alimosho by the state government.
Sanwo-Olu said the government would also be discussing with NNPC on measures to be taken in finding a lasting solution to incessant pipeline vandalism in the state.
Recall that Sanwo-Olu was on a week-long working visit to the United Kingdom (UK) when the incident occurred. However, his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, earlier, led cabinet members and top Government officials on a visit to the scene of the fire last Tuesday. Read more
Gunmen allegedly attack travellers near Kaduna train station (DailyTrust)
There was confusion around Rigasa train Station in Kaduna when suspected gunmen attacked vehicles conveying travellers close to the railway station in the area.
The incident occurred around 8:30 pm when passengers brought by the last train were on their way to their destinations on Friday night through airport road. However, the Police in Kaduna said nothing like that happened.
The State Police Command Public Relations officer, DSP Yakubu Sabo, when contacted by our reporter, debunked the report. Read more
Akwa Ibom Re-run: INEC says dissapointed at disruptions in polling units (Vanguard)
The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, in Akwa Ibom state, has expressed disappointment over the disruptions reported in Ukana West (Ward 11), Units 5, 8, and 9 as well as Ikpe Annang (Ward 5), Unit 12 in Essien Udim local government Council during Saturday re-run election.
The electoral umpire in its preliminary report on the re-run election signed by Odaro Aisien HOD, Voter Education and Publicity
INEC, in the state and obtained by Vanguard, in Uyo about 8:30 pm said it had thought lessons would have been learnt from what led to the nullification of the 2019 elections.
The report stated, “The court-ordered rerun elections in Essien Udim LGA commenced on schedule. As at 8.00 am, following the early deployment of men and materials, polling had opened in over 90% of the Polling Units (PUs). Read more
IPPIS: ASUU set for showdown with FG over salary directive (DailyTrust)
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has threatened that its members will stop work following the recent decision by the Federal Government to stop the release of funds for payment of January salaries to its members in Federal Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education who failed to key into new payment system. ASUU said that it would activate it’s resolution on a “no pay, no work” in response to the FG. The federal government had directed the minister of Finance and Budget Zainab Ahmad, through the Director of Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) in the office of the Accountant General of the Federation, Mr. Olusegun Olufehinti, to stop payment of salaries to lecturers who failed to register on the IPPIS. Read more
Over N500b inflow expected on VAT as FG begins aggressive tax drive (Guardian)
The Federal Government’s aggressive pursuit of increased non-oil revenue to cushion huge budget deficit, will certainly gain further traction beginning from February 1.At least, there is a projection of more than N500b additional inflows from the new rate at 7.5 per cent.
The government’s persistent fiscal shortfall, arising from uncertainty shrouding the country’s major earner – crude oil – has remained not just a yearly routine, but also an excuse for serial budget failures.With hopes of increased revenue in 2020 now on the upswing, especially with the signing into law of the Finance Bill 2019, the attention is particular on the Value Added Tax (VAT) that was hiked to 7.5 percent, from five percent. Yet, not without adding more controversy in the nation’s “tax basket.” Read more
UN, EU raise concerns over increasing attacks on aid workers in Nigeria (DailyTrust)
United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr Edward Kallon. The European Union and the United Nations have expressed concerns, in a joint press conference on Friday 24 January, about the recent upsurge in attacks against aid workers and civilians recorded in recent weeks in the north-eastern states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe. Amidst a deteriorating security situation, they reiterated their commitment to work better together and strengthen efforts to provide life-saving assistance to those affected by more than ten years of crisis in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states, in north-east Nigeria, and to increase support to people rebuilding their lives and communities. Read more
Doctor treating coronavirus patients dies at hospital in China (Metro)
A doctor treating patients of the coronavirus has died nine days after contracting it himself. Liang Wudong, 62, passed away on Saturday morning, hours before another medic, Jiang Jijun, 51, suffered a fatal heart attack. However, it was not clear whether Mr Jijan had also been infected. As part of their efforts to combat the growing epidemic the Chinese government drafted in 1,200 extra medical staff to Wuhan, the virus’ epicentre where Mr Wudong was stationed. Officials are also racing to build a 1,000-bed hospital for victims of the outbreak, which has cast a shadow over the country’s biggest holiday, the Lunar New Year. Read more
Why you should think twice before biting your nails (Metro)
A woman posted a photo of her friend’s swollen, blistered finger to warn about the potentially fatal consequences of biting your nails. Karen Peat, from Scotland, said her pal had to be rushed to hospital for emergency surgery after chomping too much of the skin off the sides. Infection set in and medics warned it could have been much worse had they left it. Karen’s post read: ‘A message to nail biters out there STOP!!! ‘Someone I know who prefers to remain nameless who bites their nails ended up having to get rushed to Glasgow Royal Infirmary today for emergency surgery because they had bitten their nails down too far and had got an infection in the finger. Read more
Elephants run away from circus to roll about in snow (Metro)
Two elephants broke free from a ‘cruel’ travelling circus to play in the snow.
Residents in Russia’s third-largest city, Yekaterinburg, were left stunned after the beasts began to roll and cavort on the ground in -5C temperatures.
Their handlers desperately tried to bundle runaway elephants Carla, 45, and Roni, 50, back into the truck.
They pulled on their trunks, pushed them across the street but the giants resisted and walked away. Read more
Impeachment: Democrats undoing 2016 election, say Trump lawyers (BBC)
President Trump’s lawyers have begun defending him at his impeachment trial, accusing Democrats of seeking to overturn the result of the 2016 election.
“The president did absolutely nothing wrong,” White House Counsel Pat Cipollone said.
Mr Trump’s defence will last three days and follows the Democrats’ prosecution case which ended on Friday.
The president faces two charges linked to his dealings with Ukraine.
The charges, or articles of impeachment, accuse him of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. Read more
ICC U19 World Cup: England outshine Nigeria in final group match (DailyTrust)
Nigeria U-19 national cricket team players celebrate their resounding victory over Uganda recently England and Nigeria locked horns in the final match of the group stage at the ongoing ICC U19 World Cup in South Africa, on Saturday. The match looked to be an interesting one as both teams had lost their opening two games to Australia and West Indies. Nigeria won the toss and elected to bat first. A much better start to the match with strings of partnership that took the game to a half century for the loss of 5 wickets in 25 overs. Read more
Rafael Nadal critical of Nick Kyrgios ahead of Australian Open showdown (Metro)
Rafael Nadal criticised Nick Kyrgios for his controversial on-court antics ahead of their eagerly anticipated Australian Open fourth round clash. The Australian was handed a time violation warning during his second round victory over Gilles Simon earlier this week and responded by mimicking Nadal’s pre-service routine. Kyrgios has been no stranger to controversy in the past and believes the likes of Nadal and Novak Djokovic enjoy preferential treatment. The rivals will meet on Monday after Kyrgios overcame Karen Khachanov in a gruelling five set encounter, while Nadal enjoyed a more serene passage through to the second week in Melbourne after a routine win against Spanish compatriot Pablo Carreno Busta. Read more
MFM’s Bolus sure of win over Plateau Utd (Guardian)
Coach of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries Football Club (MFM FC), Tony Bolus, has expressed his team’s willpower to beat league leaders, Plateau United in tomorrow’s encounter in order to stay relevant in this season’s quest for success.
Today’s fixture, a match day 17 of the Nigeria Professional Football League, will hold at the Temple Stadium in Agege, Lagos, with supporters of both clubs rooting for a win to either remain on top of the log or sustain the quest to be among the NPFL’s contenders.
With 15 games played and one outstanding, the Olukoya Boys are on eighth position, after amassing 22 points, having won six matches, suffered six defeats and drawn four. The Abdu Maikaba’s boys, who are topping the league with 28 points, have won eight games, drawn four and lost four. Read more
PSG join Barcelona in race for Aubameyang, open talks with star striker (DailyTrust)
PSG have made a move for Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang just few days when the news broke that Barcelona are speaking with the striker’s representatives. Foot Mercato says PSG have opened talks with Aubameyang’s agents about a stunning move to Paris. Aubameyang would arrive as a replacement for wantaway striker Edinson Cavani, with PSG willing to pay big money in the coming week to convince the Gunners to sell. Barcelona are also interested, though are reluctant to get into a bidding war with the Parisians. Read more
Christian Eriksen: Jose Mourinho criticises Inter over move for Tottenham midfielder (BBC)
Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho has criticised the timing of Inter Milan’s bid for midfielder Christian Eriksen.
The Danish midfielder is set to travel to Italy next week to finalise a move.
Inter have been linked with Eriksen throughout January, but have not moved until late in the transfer window.
“Tottenham is the last one to blame for this situation,” said Mourinho, who also revealed that the club will make Giovani lo Celso’s loan move from Real Betis permanent this month.
Continuing on the subject of Eriksen, the Portuguese added: “I just want to say that this situation shouldn’t happen on 25 January. Read more
Frustrated Lampard calls for Chelsea to make signings (DailyTrust)
Frank Lampard Frank Lampard called on Chelsea to back him in the transfer market after his side edged into the FA Cup fifth round with a 2-1 win at Hull on Saturday. Lampard has bemoaned Chelsea’s failure to kill off defensive opponents throughout his first season in charge and he believes signings in key attacking areas are the solution. The Chelsea manager watched his team take control at second tier Hull thanks to Michy Batshuayi’s early strike before Fikayo Tomori’s header doubled the lead after half-time. But the Blues should have been further ahead by that point after squandering several chances and Kamil Grosicki’s late deflected free-kick for Hull set up a tense finale. Read more
Manchester United hope to complete stunning Bruno Fernandes transfer after shock twist (Metro)
Manchester United still believe they can sign Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s top January transfer target Bruno Fernandes after Sporting Lisbon lowered their demands. Solskjaer is believed to be desperate to bring Portuguese star Fernandes to Old Trafford this month, having seen his current midfield depleted by injuries this season. Last week, the Red Devils offered Sporting £42.5milion up front and a further £8.5m in bonuses to secure Fernandes’ signature. But Manchester United’s pursuit of the 25-year-old appeared set to end in failure, with Sporting keen to attract more money up front and showing no willingness to lower their £68m valuation. Read more
Spanish star flies to London to complete Arsenal transfer deal (DailyTrust)
Arsenal are on the verge of announcing a deal for Flamengo defender Pablo Mari, with the centre-back spotted flying to London with Gunners technical director Edu to have his medical. Mikel Arteta has made no secret of his desire to bring in reinforcements in the January window, with a central defender one of several positions he was hoping to strengthen this month. And Edu has been working hard to secure a new recruit, finally convincing Flamengo to sell Mari despite the Brazilian side being loathe to lose such an important player. According to GloboEsporte, a breakthrough in talks was made on Friday and the Spanish defender quickly boarded a plane to London with Edu which will touch down on Saturday lunchtime. Read more
Manchester United captain Harry Maguire pays tribute to Jordan Sinnott after death aged 25 (Metro)
Manchester United and England defender Harry Maguire has sent his condolences to the friends and family of Jordan Sinnott after the non-league footballer died aged 25. Sinnott, who played for Matlock Town, passed away on Saturday after being attacked during a night out, police have said. The 25-year-old midfielder was found unconscious in Retford, Nottinghamshire, in the early hours of Saturday morning. Police had earlier been called to a ‘large-scale fight’ at a pub car park in the area. Sinnott was in a critical condition with a fractured skull and died later in hospital. A man has been arrested and Nottinghamshire Police have launched a murder inquiry and a fresh plea for information. Read more