UI: Our auditor went blind auditing our books (Nation)
Members of the House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts were stunned yesterday when the University of Ibadan (UI) Bursar Michael Alatise said the university could not submit its audited accounts to the Auditor-General of the Federation as the auditor hired to do the job became blind.
The committee members, led by Oluwole Oke, were initially bemused but later frowned at the excuse.
They noted that the university should be dealing with a firm and not an individual.
The lawmakers said the fact that the principal partner of the audit firm was struck with blindness should not truncate the process as there were other workers in the organisation who could also accomplish the task. Read more
Some Lagosians on VI have never visited Ikeja –Buhari (Punch)
The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Thursday, praised the National National Youth Service Corps scheme as a strong uniting force among Nigerian youths.
He lauded the initiators of the scheme, especially former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, for introducing the NYSC as an avenue for people to know the country better.
Buhari cited an instance with Lagos, where he said there were people living on Victoria Island, who had never visited Ikeja. Read more
Olodi Apapa residents get borehole, want streetlight to combat insecurity (Guardian)
As part of efforts aimed at bringing smiles to the faces of the needy in its host communities, presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM) has commissioned a borehole donated by TREM City of Joy parish to residents of Olodi Apapa community.
Resident Pastor, City of Joy, Olodi Apapa and Zonal Pastor of TREM churches in Lagos Zone 7, Revd. Chinedu Nkere, who spoke on behalf of Bishop Okonkwo, noted that one of the core values of TREM is to reach out to the needy and be responsible to the community where the church finds itself. Read more
Fashola, Arase, Banire canvass community policing, high tech to combat crimes (Guardian)
Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola and former Inspector General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase yesterday canvassed community policing and installation of high-tech security devices in strategic locations to combat crimes and insecurity in the country.
They argued that identification of all Nigerians and data collation in all sectors of the economy was necessary, noting that crime thrives in ungoverned places, as criminals take advantage of places where their identity could not be uncovered.They spoke at the fourth annual public lecture/symposium organised by United Action for Change with the theme, “Security of Citizens as a Social Contract,” in Lagos. Read more
Sultan rubbishes Operation Shege Ka fasa outfit (Punch)
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, on Thursday blamed the northern elites for allowing some youths to float “what they called Operation Shege Ka Fasa.”
He urged the regional leaders to caution the youths.
The Sultan spoke at a Northern Security Meeting in Kaduna on Thursday.
The Coalition of Northern Groups had unveiled the symbol of the security outfit on Wednesday in Kaduna.
Sultan said, “I saw it on the television, and the media gave them attention. Now, the elders allowed these youths to go forward. So, the elites are our problems, the elders are our problems. If the elders don’t take the lead, the youth will do whatever they like and think they are right. You have to caution these youths by giving them good leadership. Read more
NCP, others kick as INEC deregisters 74 political parties (Guardian)
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has deregistered 74 out of the 92 political parties in the country. The Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who made the announcement at a press conference yesterday in Abuja, said the parties failed to meet the constitutional requirements that determine their continuous existence.
With the development, according to Yakubu, Nigeria now has 18 political parties. He said that 16 political parties, after assessing their outing in the 2019 general elections, fulfilled the requirements for existence based on section 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended)
They are Accord Party, Action Alliance, African Action Congress, African Democratic Congress, All Progressives Congress, All Progressives Grand Alliance and Allied Peoples Movement.Others are New Nigeria Peoples Party, National Rescue Movement, Peoples Democratic Party, Peoples Redemption Party, Social Democratic Party, Young Progressives Party, and Zenith Labour Party. Read more
South Africa’s Jacob Zuma takes aim in rifle photo (BBC)
South Africa’s embattled former President Jacob Zuma has found himself at the centre of fresh controversy after tweeting a photo of himself taking aim with a rifle.
Its meaning was unambiguous, and provocative.
A day after he had learned that a judge had issued an arrest warrant for him for failing to appear in court on corruption charges related to a multi-million dollar arms deal, Mr Zuma tweeted a photograph, on his official account, showing him aiming a rifle at an unknown target. Read more
Coronavirus: Five things you need to know (BBC)
Myths around the risks of coronavirus in the UK are doing the rounds. We put the facts straight.
Face masks aren’t that useful
You might be starting to see people wearing them in the UK, but there is limited evidence that they work.
That’s because they are generally too loose, don’t cover the eyes and can’t be worn for long periods.
Face masks need to be changed frequently (because they get sweaty), if they are to offer any real protection. Read more
Doctor who warned world of coronavirus dies from outbreak age 34 (Metro)
,A Chinese doctor who was among the first to warn the public of a potential coronavirus epidemic has died of the illness at age 34. Dr Li Wenliang, who worked as an ophthalmologist at Wuhan Central Hospital, passed away on Thursday after a battle with the infection, which has killed 563 people and infected some 28,000. There was confusion earlier as the facility that he was being treated in contradicted state media and said he was in a critical condition. The Global Times and People’s daily deleted their reports, but have now confirmed his death. The medic caught public attention when he was criticised for revealing that seven patients from a local seafood market had been diagnosed with a SARS-like illness and were quarantined in his hospital on December 30. Read more
Trump celebrates impeachment acquittal and blasts rivals (BBC)
US President Donald Trump has taken a victory lap one day after his impeachment acquittal, in a White House tirade against his political enemies.
“I’ve done things wrong in my life, I will admit… but this is what the end result is,” he said as he held up a newspaper headlined “Trump acquitted”.
“We went through hell, unfairly. We did nothing wrong,” he said at the White House. “It was evil, it was corrupt.” Read more
All set for 2020 Lagos City Marathon (Guardian)
The General Manager for the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, Yussuf Alli, has said that some individuals and groups that contributed to the success of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon in the last five years would be honoured today.
Alli confirmed honour would be bestowed on the deserving recipients at the Ayodeji Tinubu Merit Award, which will hold simultaneously today with the Media Seminar and World Press Conference all billed to take place at the Sir Molade Okoya Thomas Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere by 10.am. Read more
Eddie Hearn confirms deal for Anthony Joshua to fight Kubrat Pulev at Spurs stadium is ‘nearly done’ (Metro)
Eddie Hearn has confirmed that an agreement for Anthony Joshua to fight Kubrat Pulev is ‘nearly done’ with the heavyweight title defence to take place at Tottenham Hotspur’s new stadium. Three-belt world champion AJ must take on IBF mandatory challenger Pulev in what could be a busy year for the Brit, who must also defend his WBO belt against mandatory Oleksandr Usyk before he can look at a unification fight with the winner of Deontay Wilder vs Tyson Fury II. Having fought in New York and Saudi Arabia last year, Joshua has been eager to return to the UK for his next fight and Hearn says a deal is close to being announced that will see AJ fight at Spurs’ new stadium in June. Read more
Rio Ferdinand relishes Guinness Night Football Experience In Lagos (Guardian)
As part of the activities lined up by Guinness Nigeria to further reiterate its undying support for football, the recently concluded Guinness Night Football campaign had a pleasant surprise for fans at the Astro Turf, Lekki when the former Manchester United captain, Rio Ferdinand made a surprise visit to the pitch much to the delight of football fans.
Ferdinand and his entourage joined in football conversations surrounding the new signing of Manchester United, Odion Ighalo alongside other football related topics, as excited fans were seen trying to interact with the ex-England international during the short session he had with them.
Later in the evening, all roads led to Fish Farm Lagos, Ogudu, where Rio Ferdinand joined other football lovers to enjoy a cracking football match between Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers, which ended in a goalless draw.Fans in attendance were clearly excited to have enjoyed an amazing evening with the former United skipper. Read more
Ighalo to earn N1.4bn in six months at Old Trafford (Punch)
Odion Ighalo will reportedly earn the sum of N1.4bn (£2.98m) during his six months loan spell at Manchester United, Sports Extra can reveal.
As at Thursday, the exchange rate from naira to a British pound sterling was put at N469.41.
Ighalo joined United on loan until the end of the season in a surprise move as a cover upfront for Marcus Rashford, who is facing an extended spell out after suffering a double stress fracture in his back.
The former Nigeria international, who took a pay cut in order to complete his dream deadline day move from Shanghai Shenhua to Manchester United, earns a whopping N60m (£130,000) per week. He earned £300,000 per-week at Shanghai Shenhua. Read more
Late goal knocks Barcelona out of Copa del Rey (BBC)
Barcelona’s hopes of reaching a seventh successive Copa del Rey final have ended at the quarter-final stage with defeat by Athletic Bilbao.
The tight contest was decided in the third minute of stoppage time when Spanish forward Inaki Williams headed past Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Barcelona captain Lionel Messi wasted a good late chance when he fired at the legs of Athletic goalkeeper Unai Simon. Read more
Eko Boys, Anwar College, Greenspring, Lead-Forte qualify for GTBank Masters Cup finals (Guardian)
Eko Boys High School, Mushin, Anwar-Ul-Islam Model College, Agege, Greenspring College, Lekki, and Lead-Forte Gate College, Lekki on Wednesday booked their places in the finals of the boys and girls’ categories of this year’s Guarantee Trust Bank Plc (GTBank Plc) Masters Cup Season Nine held at the Compos Stadium, Lagos Island.
Highly rated Anwar-Ul-Islam of Agege defeated Greenspring College, Lekki 1-0 in a classy match up to qualify for the final in the boys’ category, where they will meet Eko College Boys, who dismissed Kings College Lagos 2-0. Read more
Gourcuff labels Nigerian threat to Ligue 1 defenders (Punch)
Nantes coach Christian Gourcuff has described Moses Simon as a huge threat to any defence following his impressive displays for the club so far this term, Sports Extra reports.
Simon has been one of Nantes’ standout performers since he joined on a season loan from Levante last summer.
The 24-year-old has scored eight goals and provided eight assists in 25 appearances in all competitions for Nantes this season.
“Moses Simon, he is an extremely interesting player. He has the individual capacity to make the difference,” Gourcuff was quoted on Nantes’ verified Twitter handle. Read more
Liverpool: ‘I am pinching myself’ says chairman Tom Werner (BBC)
Liverpool chairman Tom Werner says he is having to “pinch himself” to believe the standards being set by Jurgen Klopp’s team this season.
The Reds have surged into a 22-point lead at the top of the Premier League, dropping only two points from their opening 25 games.
Liverpool have also reached the Champions League knockout stage, and the fifth round of the FA Cup. Read more
Ndidi is Eagles most committed player – Pinnick (Punch)
Nigeria Football Federation president, Amaju Pinnick, has rated Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi as the most committed player in the Super Eagles.
Ndidi has been an ever-present player in the Eagles since he broke into the team in 2015 and has made 34 appearances since then.
In an exclusive interview with Sports Extra, Pinnick praised the Foxes’ star for his exemplary patriotism. Read more