Truck crushes couple to death in Ogun (Guardian)
Two persons suspected to be husband and wife were on Tuesday crushed to death in an accident involving a Toyota Camry car, Sino truck and a motorcycle around Odogbara, few metres from NNPC on the Sagamu-Ogijo road.
Mr Babatunde Akinbiyi, Spokesperson, Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE) in the state, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abeokuta.
Akinbiyi said that the accident which occurred at 7:40 am was caused by speeding, reckless riding and brake failure on the part of the motorcycle that has no registration number. Read more
NDLEA impounds 3,413kg of drugs at Lagos airport (Independent)
Lagos- No fewer than 3,413.463kg of various drugs were seized by the officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) attached to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos in 2020.
Also, a total of 60 arrests, comprising 52 males and eight females were made within the period under review.
The suspects were apprehended with cocaine; 51.404kg, representing 1.51 per cent of the total seizures, cannabis sativa; 103.84kg, methamphetamine; 19.935kg, ephedrine; 19.81kg, khat leaves; 2,993.350kg, tramadol; 158.632kg, diazepam; 42.0kg and nitrazepam 24.491, representing 3.04 per cent, 0.58 per cent, 0.58 per cent, 87.70 per cent, 4.65 per cent, 1.32 per cent and 0.72 per cent, respectively.
Besides, in 2021, the command had arrested three suspects within the international wing of the airport with about 21kg of cocaine. Read more
NIMC “trading” registration in Ikoyi passport office, says immigration service (Guardian)
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has threatened to evict National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) attached to its Ikoyi Passport Office, Lagos, for allegedly trading with the ongoing National Identity Number (NIN) registration.
A source at the NIMC office in Ikoyi told newsmen that there is fear that the agency might be kicked out of the passport office, going by threat by Immigration boss, Mrs. Doris Braimah, who has accused them of racketeering.
“Some of our staff are trading with the registration and at the same time registering those who are not supposed to come to the premises. The Immigration boss warned us that we are not staff of NIS,” the source said. Read more
Lagos Council shuts health centre to prevent COVID-19 spread (Nation)
The Agbado Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Lagos State has shut Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT) Health Centre, Aboru to curb the spread of coronavirus in the area.
The council’s Chairman, Mr David Famuyiwa, had recently ordered the closure of Meiran Primary Health Care due to one of its staff that tested positive to the virus.
Famuyiwa said, in a statement on Tuesday after inspecting some health facilities within the council that the main building of BAT health centre was closed down while the fumigated premises would be opened for patients. Read more
FG set to move school resumption date from January 18 (Sun)
The Federal Government, yesterday, said the January 18 resumption date for schools was not sacrosanct as it could be forced to shift it to a new date.
This comes as the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 said it might impose a lockdown if Nigerians continued to flout laid down protocols to flatten the curve.
Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, at yesterday’s briefing said: “On the January 18 resumption, we are reviewing it, we are going to review it. At the PTF meeting today we considered it and tomorrow the Ministry is going to take it up. When we decided on that date it was just a target towards what we were working on. Of course we are keeping it in view and looking at what is happening in the society and then it is supposed to be subject to constant review. Even today at the PTF meeting we looked at the rising figures and thought about if we should probably take another look at it.”
National Coordinator, Dr. Sani Aliyu, similarly warned that if the country starts having huge numbers of deaths and the health system cannot cope, the taskforce would be left with no choice but to announce another lockdown. Read more
2023: INEC to review card readers, introduce new technologies (DailyTrust)
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday said it was reviewing its adopted technologies for elections, with the view of introducing new ones to improve conduct of the elections ahead of 2023.
The INEC Director of Voter Education and Publicity Department (VEP), Mr Nick Dazang, disclosed this at a workshop for the department on the “Review of National Voter Education Manual” held in Keffi, Nasarawa State.
The five-day workshop is organised by INEC in partnership with the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD).
Dazang, speaking with newsmen on the sideline of the workshop, said INEC began the process for electronic voting since 2004 when it introduced optic map registration forms. Read more
I’m more than happy to apologise about any part of my sermon you feel is offensive, Kukah tells JNI (Tribune)
The Archbishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah has said he will not hesitate to apologise if he is shown any part of his sermon that insulted Islam in his recent Christmas homily which attracted a lot of reaction nationwide.
He challenged the Islamic group to show him where he insulted Islam or Muslims.
This was even as he said JNI should explain to him why they are trying to set him up against the Muslim ummah.
In response to the statement to the JNI statement, Bishop Kukah said the JNI secretary focused more on politics than humanity to have accused him of firing an arrow at the heart of Islam and Muslims in Nigeria. Read more
Finance act exempts N30,000 minimum wage earners from income tax (ThisDay)
The 2020 Finance Act recently signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari exempts workers under the minimum wage bracket of N30,000 from personal income tax.
The Act, which amended no fewer than 14 different fiscal laws, also contains over 80 changes in more than 14 laws.
Making a virtual presentation of the 2021 Budget in Abuja Tuesday, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, stated that the Act, among others, exempts workers within the N30,000 minimum wage bracket from personal income tax deductions.
At the public presentation of the budget, the Act, she added, also provides for a 30 per cent duty waiver on tractors from 35 per cent to 5 per cent and 25 per cent waiver on mass transit vehicles, from 35 per cent to 10 per cent. Read more
Air fares to drop following VAT removal (Nation)
Airlines are planning to reduce fares in response to the removal of 7.5 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT). The suspension of VAT from air fares took effect from January 1, 2021, as part of incentives contained in the Finance Act 2020.
Airline operators told The Nation yesterday that they have received the directive on VAT removal from the government, but they are waiting for the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to implement the directive before the low fares regime comes into operation.
Investigations have shown that fares that were around N90, 000 for a one-way trip on some routes, could come down to as low as N27, 500.
Possible reduction, an operator hinted, would take effect in the weeks ahead after airlines have enjoyed the huge passenger traffic on the return leg for the end of year festivities. Read more
The refugee soap maker who is fighting coronavirus (BBC)
When Innocent Havyarimana started his soap-making business in Kenya’s Kakuma refugee camp in early 2015, he was trying to move on from the traumatic events that had made him flee his native Burundi a year earlier.
Little did he know that his cottage enterprise would become a major weapon in the fight against coronavirus in one of the world’s biggest settlements of its kind – Kakuma is home to almost 200,000 people.
As soon as the former chemistry student realised the importance of hand-washing in tackling the spread of Covid-19, he lowered prices and started to offer his products in smaller quantities and sizes, to make them more affordable.
“Everyone needs soap but not everybody is able to afford it. So I lowered the prices, as it was more important to protect people than to think of profit,” the 35-year-old tells the BBC. Read more
Madonna ‘flies to four countries in 3 weeks despite coronavirus travel restrictions’ (Metro)
Despite coronavirus travel restrictions Madonna has reportedly flown to London, Malawi and Kenya in the past three weeks. On Christmas Eve, she is said to have flown from LA to London with her boyfriend, backing dancer Ahlamalik Williams, and four of her children, David Banda, 15, Mercy James, 14, and twins Estere and Stella, both eight. She then collected her son Rocco, 20, with the group making the journey to Malawi, and then on to Kenya in early January. According to The Sun, her travels to Africa also involved a stopover in Egypt. Read more
Central Spain records temperatures of -25C after snowstorm (BBC)
People in central Spain are struggling as a deep freeze follows the weekend’s heavy snow, leading to treacherous conditions.
Officials have warned the elderly to stay at home.
At least seven people have died due to the weather – the two latest victims were homeless people in Barcelona.
The temperature plunged to -25C (-13F) in Molina de Aragón and Teruel, in mountains east of Madrid – Spain’s coldest night for at least 20 years. Read more
Paris Fashion Week goes totally digital (NYPost)
Ending the confusion over the fate of Paris Fashion Week, French fashion’s regulatory body has said that this month’s Paris men’s and haute couture shows will be strictly audience-free over coronavirus fears.
The Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode has told luxury houses they won’t be allowed to invite guests this season, after instruction by police.
In a statement to The Associated Press, the federation said Monday that “we confirm that there can be no public gatherings” at Paris Fashion Week, adding that “houses can still organize ‘real’ runway shows with models broadcast live, provided that their events take place behind closed doors.”
Although Paris is technically not in a lockdown, stringent restrictions limiting movements are in place nationwide, including a 6 p.m. or 8 p.m. curfew. Repeated failure to obey rules can lead to a six-month prison sentence. Read more
Talented Senegal student Diary Sow disappears in France (BBC)
An investigation has been opened in France after the disappearance of a talented Senegalese student who was studying at a prestigious Paris school.
Diary Sow did not return to school after the Christmas holidays, causing concern in Senegal and France.
Described as “the best student in Senegal”, Ms Sow won several national academic prizes and published her first novel last year.
Aged 20, she has not been seen since 4 January. Read more
Intestinal bacteria may affect severity of COVID-19, researchers find (NYPost)
The bacteria lurking in COVID-19 patients’ intestines may play a role in how sick they get from the illness, according to new research.
Although the coronavirus is primarily a respiratory disease, there is increasing evidence that suggests the GI tract is involved, scientists at the Chinese University of Hong Kong said.
The team studied samples from 100 patients treated at two Hong Kong hospitals to see how the so-called microbiome in the digestive system might affect recovery from the deadly bug.
“Gut microbiome composition was significantly altered in patients with COVID-19 compared with non-COVID-19 individuals irrespective of whether patients had received medication,” they wrote in the British Medical Journal’s publication Gut. Read more
Trump has already left office, US State Department announces prematurely (Metro)
A Government website prematurely announced that President Donald Trump had left office on Monday – sparking a social media frenzy before the post was taken down. An official biography for the under-fire President on a US State Department page read: ‘Donald J. Trump’s term ended 2021-01-11 19:49:00,’ for a brief period on Monday before being taken down. Internet users then saw a message saying that there was a technical error. The State Department did not immediately respond to a question on whether the incident – which also saw the same mistake made on Vice President Mike Pence’s page – was the result of hacking or a glitch. Read more
Guardiola warns Brighton could darken Man City’s buoyant mood (Guardian)
Pep Guardiola has warned that momentum can disappear in “one instant” as he prepares his Manchester City side to face Brighton after six successive wins in all competitions.
City go into Wednesday’s home match four points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool but with two games in hand and boosted by the return of England forward Raheem Sterling.
Their 13-game unbeaten run has come with minimal input from record goalscorer Sergio Aguero, who will be missing again as he self-isolates as a close contact of somebody who has tested positive for coronavirus. Read more
Wigan Athletic sign defender Tendayi Darikwa (BBC)
Wigan have signed Nottingham Forest defender Tendayi Darikwa while Dan Gardner has signed a new contract, with both running to the end of the season.
Darikwa, 29, missed the entirety of last season after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament, and has not played for Forest since March 2019.
The Zimbabwe international has scored 13 goals in 242 career club games.
Gardner joined on a short-term deal in September and has gone on to make 19 appearances in all competitions.
Academy graduate Thelo Aasgaard has also signed a professional deal with Wigan, which will expire in the summer of 2023. Read more
Manchester United’s transfer plan for Paul Pogba after setting £75m asking price (Metro)
Manchester United privately accept they will have to lower their £75million asking price for Paul Pogba this summer, sources have told Metro.co.uk. The Frenchman’s agent, Mino Raiola, revealed in December that Pogba is ‘unhappy’ at Old Trafford and wants to leave the club. Pogba has 18 months to run on his deal at Old Trafford and the midfielder had been keen on extending his contract, with Raiola confirming last summer that he hoped talks would begin imminently over an extension. However, Metro.co.uk revealed in November that Pogba was aggrieved that United activated a 12-month extension clause in his deal without first discussing a new long-term contract. Read more
Tottenham v Fulham: Scott Parker upset at short notice for rearrangement (BBC)
Fulham manager Scott Parker says it is “scandalous” Wednesday’s match against Tottenham was only confirmed on Monday.
The Premier League game was originally scheduled for 30 December but was postponed at short notice because of a coronavirus outbreak at Fulham.
In a fixture reshuffle on Monday, it was rescheduled after Spurs’ match at Aston Villa was postponed.
“I am angry because it is not right. It is wrong. That is why I am so angry,” said Parker.
“The possibility of playing Spurs on Wednesday came on Saturday. Read more
Lewis Hamilton to start world title defence in Bahrain (Metro)
Formula One bosses have unveiled a revamped calendar following the postponements of the Australian and Chinese Grands Prix. The traditional curtain-raiser at Melbourne’s Albert Park will move to November 21, while the round in Shanghai, scheduled to take place on April 11, will now only go ahead if another round drops off the schedule. F1 officials have been forced into action with strict coronavirus travel restrictions in place in both countries. The announcement means two of the opening three rounds have fallen by the wayside. But the sport remains confident of staging a record-breaking 23-round campaign. Read more
Lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez eyes Josh Taylor fight on rise through divisions (BBC)
Undisputed world lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez is eyeing a fight with Britain’s Josh Taylor as he plots a step up the divisions.
Scot Taylor hopes to add the WBC and WBO light-welterweight belts to his IBF and WBA titles by beating Jose Ramirez.
Outlining hopes to take on the winner, Lopez, 23, told BBC Radio 5 Live: “They got to make that happen. Absolutely. I would love to do that fight in the UK.
“The main guy I do want to win from that fight is Josh Taylor.” Read more
Alaves sacks Coach Pablo Machin (Nation)
Pablo Machin has been fired as the coach as Alaves, the Basque club confirmed on Tuesday, making him the fourth La Liga manager to lose his job this season.
“Deportivo Alaves and Pablo Machin will go their separate ways,” a statement reads. “The club and the coach have brought an end to the contract that has linked the club since last August.”
Alaves are without a win in three league games and back-to-back defeats against Atletico Madrid and Cadiz have left them 16th in the table, two points above the drop zone.
Machin, 45, was appointed in Vitoria on Aug. 5 as the replacement for Juan Ramón López Muñiz. Since taking over, the former Girona and Espanyol coach has won four games, drawn six and lost eight in La Liga.
However, Alaves have progressed through two rounds in the Copa del Rey. Read more