Anthony Joshua vs Kubrat Pulev: Tyson Fury predicts win for the Bulgarian as Anthony Joshua tells Deontay Wilder to fight him next

Tyson Fury an English professional world boxing champion has reportedly predicted a win for Bulgarian fighter Kubrat Pulev against Anthony Joshua in the coming duel.

Nigerian and British boxer Anthony Joshua will on Saturday, December 12, face serious battle against Kubrat Pulev in the defense of his titles which will come up in England.

Kubrat Pulev is one of the respected boxers in the world considering his records and the Bulgarian has only lost once in professional fight against Wladimir Klitschko in 2014.

Anthony Joshua on the other hand has also suffered only one defeat so far in his career which was against Mexican boxer Andy Ruiz.

According to the report on Givemesport, Bob Arum who is Tyson Fury's promoter claimed that the Englishman is already looking at other fighters.

It is said that Tyson Fury is convinced that Bulgarian star Kubrat Pulev has what it takes to beat his fellow countryman in the coming super fight.

"Pulev is big, rugged. Joshua is vulnerable and I really feel that Pulev will not only beat him, but will knock him out.

"It will disappoint my other guy, the WBC champion, Tyson Fury, who is looking forward to fighting Joshua.

"I talked to Tyson yesterday and we were making plans for him to fight other fighters. Because he agrees with me, there is a great chance Pulev will upset the apple-cart and beat Joshua."

Earlier, Nigerian boxer Anthony Joshua fired serious warning to his next opponent Kubrat Pulev claiming that he is now much more experienced than he used to be years ago.

Anthony Joshua vs Kubrat Pulev: Photo by Stu Forster

Anthony Joshua will be facing another battle of his career this coming Saturday against Kubrat Pulev which is expected to be a tough battle at the Cardiff stadium.

His last fight was against Mexican Andy Ruiz having lost the first duel, Joshua was superb in the second battle to reclaim his titles back.

Three years ago, Anthony Joshua was scheduled to face Kubrat Pulev, but the Bulgarian sustained shoulder injury and had to pull out of the fight.

Meanwhile Anthony Joshua is already playing mind games ahead of a possible showdown with ‘Bronze Bomber’ Deontay Wilder, telling the American to fight him when he is man enough.

The British-Nigerian boxer had been tipped to fight Wilder in 2019, but somehow the fight did not materialize before the Wilder was arranged to fight Tyson Fury.

Deontay Wilder claimed that Joshua stylishly avoided him stating that he did well to duck the fight.

Joshua will be in action on December 12 when his WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight world titles will be up against Bulgaria’s Kubrat Pulev.

“He (Wilder) is another challenger. The offer still stands when he's ready and he's man enough to not lie, be real.The champion who is of Nigerian descent has further reiterated that he still wants to take on Wilder despite Fury holding one of his belts. Joshua told the Off The Cuff show on DAZN via Dailymail:

“It wasn't nice when they were trying to tarnish my name. It'll be good to get (him to) stop (the) PR stunts and get a fight underway."

Anthony Joshua says he's prepared to fight Wilder. Photo: David M. Benett

At the moment, Wilder is battling to get a legal stance to enforce a possible rematch with Fury as the trilogy bout was abandoned after they failed to agree on a date with Fury's team.

Should Joshua emerge victorious on the weekend and Fury win his legal battle against Wilder, the stage will be set for the two heavyweights to meet in a fight for the undisputed crown.

The 39-year-old Bulgarian reveals he already knows the Briton's weaknesses and he plans to exploit them at Wembley Arena.

Meanwhile.Kubrat Pulev has promised to hand Anthony Joshua his second professional defeat as the duo face off in a heavyweight bout this weekend.

A defeat for the 30-year-old will see his dream to face fellow countryman, Tyson Fury, quashed as Pulev might be the one to face the WBC titleholder if he emerges victorious.

Presidency issues stern warning to individuals predicting Nigeria's break-up

The Nigerian presidency has again issued a stern warning to individuals, groups giving specific timelines for President Muhammadu Buhari to do one thing or another or else Nigeria will break up.

Malam Garba Shehu, the senior special assistant to the president on media and publicity, in a series of tweets on Friday, December 11, described the outbursts as unpatriotic, adding that they were unwarranted.

According to the media aide, the Buhari-led government will not succumb to threats and take any decision out of pressure at a time when Nigeria’s full attention is needed to deal with security challenges and the COVID-19 health crisis.

Shehu stressed that the current administration out of fear or threats will not take any decision against the interests of Nigerians who are President Buhari’s first responsibility.

President Buhari. Photo credit: @BayoOmoboriowo

The presidential aide emphasised that Buhari as an elected leader will continue to work with patriotic Nigerians to find solutions to the nation's challenges.

It  will be  recalls that the lead pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Enoch Adeboye warned the federal government that Nigeria may break up if the country is not restructured.

Adeboye gave the warning on Saturday, October 3, at a symposium to mark Nigeria’s 60th Independence Day celebration.

He told his audience that the federal government must find a lasting solution to secession agitations and its economic challenges by restructuring the country.

Police recover stolen Ogun Assembly mace in Lagos

 

The stolen mace at the Ogun State House of Assembly has been recovered in Lagos State, the police said on Friday.

According to a statement by the Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Police Command, Muyiwa Adejobi, the mace was recovered around the Abule Ado area of Lagos.

“The police operatives attached to Trade Fair Station of the Lagos State Police Command today Friday 11th December, 2020, recovered the missing mace of the Ogun State House of Assembly at Abule Ado Area of the state at about 8.30 am,” the statement read in part.

Yuletide: FRSC appeals to hospitals not to reject accident victims

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has urged healthcare providers not to reject accident victims to minimise the negative effect on them especially during the Yuletide seasons.

Mr Gora Wobin, FRSC Sector Commander in FCT, made the call during a one day sensitisation workshop on road traffic Management on  in Abuja.

The theme of the workshop was Effective response to Road Traffic Crashes (RTC) victims – a Panacea to quick recovery.

Wobin reiterated the importance of road traffic crash victims getting prompt rescue and care when taken to the hospital to avoid death.

He noted that the FCT Administration had directed that all Hospitals in FCT must treat accident victims for free for 48hours, adding that this should be implemented fully.

He expressed the need for relevant stakeholders to partner with FRSC and ensure that road crash victims were well managed.

“During the course of our assignment, we have both good and bad experiences. No matter how the crash looks like, some hospitals accept these victims immediately and even give them beds and start treating them.

“But when we go to some other hospitals, they reject because there is no close relatives to pay bills of such victims and this tends to put the lives of such victims in danger as it may leads to death.

“I want to call on hospitals not to reject crash victims especially those government hospitals because that person you rejected might be your relations, neighbour, friend or someone you know very well.

“As a road safety personnel who is not allowed to carry money around and a situation where you want me to pay money before you start attending to the victims is bad.

“What people do not understand is that there is specific to what we are allowed to carry in terms of cash. The highest a road safety personnel can carry while discharging his duty is 1,000 naira.

“So at the point of rescuing a crash victim, you cannot get a dime from a personnel and that is why we appeal that you save their lives first and bills could be paid later,” he said.

Also speaking, the Unit commander, FRSC Lugbe command, Mr Rahman Ameen said that the aim of the workshop was to consolidate on the various achievements recorded by the FRSC during the year.

Ameen added that this was also under the review in line with actualising FRSC 2020 corporate strategic goals most especially in minimising road traffic crashes.

“We want to ensure we minimise risk of death in RTC by 15 per cent and fatality by 20 per cent. This means that even if there is crash, there should not be death.

“We will also improve personnel capacity and competence in road safety management and sustain stakeholders engagement,” he said.

Ameen observed that hospitals demand for money before taking care of accident victims, saying that this was in the interest of the victims rescued on the road by the FRSC personnel.

He advised the motoring public to adopt the acronym “EFCC” which means Effectiveness in driving, Focus, Calm and to be in control of the vehicle.

Couple marries in full protective gear after bride tests positive for COVID-19?

 

A couple in India have tied the knot in an isolation centre after the bride tested positive for the deadly coronavirus hours before the wedding.

Wearing their personal protective equipment, the couple were joined together in the courtyard of the coronavirus quarantine centre in Baran in the western state of Rajasthan, The Daily Star reports.

The priest who joined them also wore his own hazmat suit to protect himself against the deadly disease.

The lovebirds went ahead with their wedding after the bride tested positive for coronavirus. Photo credit: Reuters

According to a health official identified as Rajendra Meena, the bride was admitted to the centre after she and a family member tested positive for COVID-19.

Rajendra said:

“We consulted with the families and they agreed to get married in the quarantine center without any elaborate rituals."

Meanwhile, many were affected by the ban on social gatherings and the introduction of restriction of movement in Kenya due to the impact caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Ancent Mutua, a web designer, and Zipporah Wambui Mwangi, an engineering surveyor, made the tough decision to continue with their wedding even after restriction of movement into the Nairobi metropolitan were enforced.

The wedding was held on Friday, April 10, at the Emmanuel Baptist Church as both dressed perfectly as earlier planned for the occasion.Having already planned everything, they saw no reason to call it off but tried their best to enjoy the moment.

Communication minister says internet data price crashed by 50 percent

 

The Federal government says the price of internet data has been reduced by more than 50 percent following a directive given to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

The minister of communications and digital economy, Dr Isa Ibrahim Pantami, said the goal of the directive issued to the NCC was to ensure that the average cost of internet data in the country is reduced.

The statement from Pantami's technical assistant, Femi Adeluyi, stated that the price of data of 1GB has been reduced from N1000 to N487 effective from November 2020.

Communication minister. Photo credit: @DrIsaPantami

The statement released on Thursday, December 10, reads partly:

“The average cost of 1GB of data has reduced from the January 2020 cost of N1,000 to N487.18 in November, 2020.

"This was based on a report by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) submitted to the Honourable Minister following the implementation of the directives."

Adeluyi said the communications minister had inaugurated a committee that developed the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (2020-2025) in December 2019.

He explained that one of the goals of the plan is to reduce the average cost of 1GB of data to a maximum of N390 by 2025.

According to him, the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy through the NCC will continue to ensure that Nigerians and other consumers enjoy a price regime that supports fairness and is friendly to consumers.

The decision of the NCC was made public by its director of public affairs, Ikechukwu Adinde, on Wednesday, December 9.

Meanwhile, in a bid to ensure compliance among mobile network operators until its audit of the subscriber registration database exercise is completed, the NCC has ordered the suspension of the sale of new SIM cards.

Adinde noted that the order was given by the minister of communications and digital economy, Pantami.

Abdulrasheed Maina collapses at Federal High Court during trial

 Abdulrasheed Maina, the former chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Force Team on today, December 10, collapsed before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja during his trial.

According to our source, Maina fainted when his lawyer, Anayo Adibe, was addressing the court before Justice Okon Abang who is presiding over his case at exactly 10:05 am.

The former pension boss is facing a 12-count charge of fraud and money laundering levelled against him and a firm by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The development forced the court proceeding to end in order for officials of the Correctional Service and family members of Maina to attend to him.

Abdulrasheed Maina with the lNTEROL. Photo credit: @PoliceNG

Adibe was urging the court for an adjournment to enable him to get records of the proceedings before the former pension boss passed out.

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday, December 4, ordered Maina, to be remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre pending the conclusion of his trial.

Following the resumption of Maina's trial, Adaji Abel, the counsel representing the former PRTT boss, formally withdrew from the case.

Maina was brought before the court by operatives of the EFCC three months after he jumped bail and went into hiding.

Meanwhile, the former chairman of the defunct PRTT was on Thursday, December 3, extradited from Niger Republic.

The extradition of Maina was done by the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) and confirmed by the Nigeria Police Force.

The efforts of Interpol that led to the arrest and extradition of the embattled former Nigerian public servant was applauded by Inspector-General of Police (IGP) M.A Adamu.

In a related development, Ali Ndume, a senator representing Borno South, hailed the arrest of Maina.

Speaking on Friday, December 4, in Abuja, Ndume who is the chairman of the Senate committee on army, said the arrest and extradition of the fugitive PRTT boss has established a belief in the ability of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

Poor governance, lack of accountability responsible for insecurity, new report says

 

A new report by the Good Governance Index (GGI) has said that poor governance, lack of accountability at the state and local government level is responsible for the growing insecurity in some parts of Nigeria.

From the report seen by Legit.ng, it was gathered that research conducted by GGI shows that poverty is more prevalent in local areas thereby causing some level of insecurity.

At the launch of the report by GGI's special rapporteur, Thomas Uzah, in Abuja, the group said that majority of the security challenges experienced in various communities across the country is due to the failure to hold public officers accountable.

He said the GGI is calling on the federal government to begin the process of demanding accountability from officials at the state and local government levels.Uzah said the lack of transparency and accountability among government officials have only resulted in leaving the younger population susceptible to criminal activities.

Uzah added that the group's report was developed from spot-on assessment tours, interactions with key stakeholders at the various levels of government, and a close review of documents and policy papers on governance in Nigeria.

He said through the assessment, GGI was able to identify the factors responsible for the escalation of insecurity across the country.

The group attributed Nigeria's insecurity to poor governance and lack of accountability Photo credit: @NGRPresident

He added that to curb the criminal activities associated with Nigeria's insecurity as it is important that the federal government does everything within its powers to ensure the entrenchment of transparency and accountability across boards.

According to Uzah, such move by the FG would ensure that terrorists and other criminal gangs do not find the local government areas as veritable grounds for the escalation of violence in the country.

FC Midtjylland vs Liverpool: Mohamed Salah scores in 1-1 UCL draw for the Reds

 

Reigning Premier League champions Liverpool on Wednesday night, December 9, finished their Champions League group stages campaign with a 1-1 draw against FC Midtjylland.

Before Jurgen Klopp and his men went into this encounter, they had already qualified for the knockout stages and wanted to finish their last game on a winning note.

FC Midtjylland on the other hand having lost their last three games wanted to secure a win in their last match, but they were unable to beat the Premier League champions.

Liverpool started the encounter on an impressive note and scored the first goal in the first minute through Mohamed Salah who finished well with brilliant strike.

The hosts tried to restore parity five minutes later through Sory Kaba, but his superb shot was pushed away by Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.

Takumi Minamino had the chance to net the second goal for Liverpool before the end of the first half, but he was unable to score.

Alexander Scholz restored parity for the hosts in the 62nd minute via a penalty and efforts for them to get the win against Liverpool were futile as the tie ended 1-1.

Liverpool will want to do well in the Champions League knockout stages.

FC Midtjylland vs Liverpool: Mohamed Salah scores in 1-1 UCL draw for the Reds. Photo by Gaston Szermann

Earlier.Mohamed Salah who plays as a striker for Liverpool equaled Cristiano Ronaldo's Premier League goal-record of 84 following his impressive show against Wolves at Anfield.

Liverpool who are currently occupying second position on the Premier League table were brilliant on Sunday, December 7, scoring four goals against visiting Wolves.

Salah's goal against Wolves moved the former Roma striker to 84 after 131 games for Liverpool and Chelsea in the Premier League.The Egypt international scored the first goal for Liverpool in the 24th minute after a superb assist from Curtis Jones in which Wolves goalkeeper Rui Patricio was beaten.

The 28-year-old however reached the figure in 65 fewer appearances than Cristiano Ronaldo who also scored 84 goals during his stint at Old Trafford.

2023: Ladoja visits Tinubu in Bourdillon amid ex-Lagos gov's presidential ambition

 

In what seems like a preparation for his speculated presidential ambition, the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, December 9, played a host to the former governor of Oyo state, Rasidi Ladoja, in his Bourdillon home, Lagos.

Our source gathered that the APC leader is yet to announce any interest in the race to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari, but the train of visitors to Bourdillon makes people believe it is about 2023 presidency.

Former Governor Ladoja, who was in PDP, Accord Party, African Democratic Congress is now the leader of Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) in Oyo state.

Former governor of Oyo state, Rasidi Ladoja visits the national leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in Bourdillon. Photo: PM News.

Tinubu and Ladoja served in the Senate between 1992 and 1993.

They were also members of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and joined NADECO in the turbulent days of the 1993 June 12 struggle.

Meanwhile. Kashim Shettima, former governor of Borno state, has stated that it is too early to discuss the 2023 presidency by the leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

It was reported that while speaking in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti state capital on Friday, December 4, during a two-day high-level mid-term retreat, the APC chieftains described as a total distraction the wrangling recently generated over zoning.

Shettima said when the time comes, leaders of APC including President Muhammadu Buhari and Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Lagos governor, will decide where the new presidential candidate of the party would come from.

In another report, Tinubu condemned the killing of Philip Shekwo, the chairman of the party in Nasarawa state.

It was reported that Tinubu in a statement through Twitter on Tuesday, December 8, expressed hope that killers of the politician will be made to face the wrath of the law.

The APC leader described the killing as a callous, wicked, and dastardly act. He said the Nasarawa state chairman did not deserve to be killed in such a gruesome manner.

FG orders suspension of new SIM cards sale, registration

 

In a bid to ensure compliance among mobile network operators until its audit of the subscriber registration database exercise is completed, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has ordered the suspension of the sale of new SIM cards.

The decision of the NCC was made public by its director of public affairs, Ikechukwu Adinde, on Wednesday, December 9.

Adinde noted that the order was given by the minister of communications and digital economy, Isa Pantami.

The NCC spokesman said the process will consolidate the gains of the SIM card registration exercise and the establishment of quality standards by operators.

 (Photo: @NGComCommission)

However, Adinde said exemptions can be given only by the federal government through the commission, and warned that failure to adhere to this will attract strict sanctions, including the withdrawal of operating license.

Adinde's statement read:

"In line with the federal government desire to consolidate the achievement of the SIM Card registration exercise of September, 2019, the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy has directed the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to embark on another audit of the subscriber registration database again.

"The objective of the audit exercise is to verify and ensure compliance by Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) with the set quality standards and requirements of SIM Card Registration as issued by the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy and the Commission.

"However, where it is absolutely necessary, exemption may be granted in writing by the Commission following approval from the Federal Government."Accordingly, MNOs are hereby directed to immediately suspend the sale, registration and activation of new SIM Cards until the audit exercise is concluded, and Government has conveyed the new direction.

"MNOs are to please note that non-compliance with this directive will be met with strict sanctions, including the possibility of withdrawal of operating license.

"As the Minister has earlier directed in January, 2020, all citizens are urged to immediately secure Digital Identification from the National Identity Management Commission and submit it to the Network Operators."

Earlier, a new policy by the federal government indicated that persons registering new SIM cards would be required to provide their National Identity Numbers (NIN). This was disclosed by the minister on Wednesday, February 5.

According to the minister, non-Nigerians would be required to provide their passports and visas for the process.

He informed members of the public that already registered SIM cards should be updated with NIN before Tuesday, December 1, 2020.Pantami said the policy was based on the “feedback received from the security agencies following the successful revalidation of improperly registered SIM cards in September 2019 and the blocking of those that failed to revalidate their SIMs.”

He also disclosed that only fully accredited agents can register new SIM cards according to the new policy.

EndSARS: Again, armed policemen, soldiers storm Lekki toll plaza

 

Following fears of another round of the EndSARS protests, armed police officers and soldiers have been deployed to the ill-fated Lekki toll gate plaza.

Motorists and pedestrians informed journalists that the security operatives were deployed to the place in the early hours of Monday, December 7.

Before this, the Nigerian Police Force and the military warned that they will not tolerate another such protest which led to massive vandalisation of public and private properties in many parts of the country.

However, the spokesman of the police command in Lagos state, Muyiwa Adejobi, is yet to give an official statement on the purpose of the presence of personnel at the place.

Armed policemen, soldiers were seen at the Lekki toll plaza on Monday, December 7, to thwart another protest (Photo: Daily sabah.

Earlier Mohammed Adamu, the inspector general of police, had warned that no form of EndSARS protest would be condoned again in the country.

IGP Adamu issued this warning on Friday, November 27, in Abuja during a meeting with commissioners of police across the 36 states.

He said no protest under any guise would be allowed, saying "we have prepared to face them."

Speaking further, the police boss said the force's operatives protected the EndSARS protesters but the demonstration later turned violent, leading to the wanton destruction of properties and breaking of orders.

He urged "well-meaning Nigerians" to join hands to prevent the recurrence of the violence, adding that many people have been arrested as far as Kaduna after escaping from prison.

The IGP said:

“We will never allow this type of #EndSARS protests again. It was violent. Peaceful protest is allowed in our constitutions.

"When this process started peacefully, we provided security for them. We were moving with them to make sure they were not molested by any group of people and it was going on well until it turned violent."

BREAKING: President Buhari issues strong warning over fresh protests

 

President Muhammadu Buhari has issued a strong warning that any act of hooliganism perpetrated in the guise of protests will be decisively dealt with.

This was revealed in a statement released by the presidency on Monday, December 7.

The brief statement reads:

"President Muhammadu Buhari today in Abuja warned that any act of hooliganism hiding behind lawful and peaceful protests will be dealt with decisively to ensure peace and stability in the country."