Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed Harry Maguire as Manchester United’s new captain less than six months after his £80 million ($104 million) move from Leicester.
Maguire will take over as skipper from Ashley Young, who is expected to complete his move to Inter Milan pending a medical on Friday.
“Harry has come in and been wearing the captain’s armband and he will keep wearing it,” said Solskjaer.
“He has been a leader in the group and I have not been surprised but impressed with his leadership skills.”
Solskjaer also cast doubt on Marcus Rashford’s hopes of shaking off a back injury for Sunday’s clash with Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Rashford made a brief appearance in the midweek FA Cup win over Wolves, which may have cost him his chances of figuring at Anfield.
Solskjaer said: “We’re going to give him the absolute amount of time but I am not going to hold my breath.
“I would think that he probably wouldn’t be ready but he’s still got 48 hours so let’s see.”
Former governors of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha and Rochas Okorocha said on Thursday that they were not bothered by Governor Hope Uzodinma’s resolve to probe the financial activities of the state from 2010 till date.
Former Governors Ikedi Ohakim, Okorocha and Ihedioha were in charge of the state during the period.
Uzodinma had, in his inaugural speech said, “I hereby direct the Accountant-General of the state to, within four days, forward to me the comprehensive financial status of the state from May 2010 till date.
“I also direct the permanent secretaries of all the ministries to, within the same period, forward the status of the contracts awarded within the time frame. Payment of all ongoing contracts is hereby stopped.”
But Ihedioha on Thursday said he did not misappropriate the state’s funds while in office between May 29, 2019, and January 14, 2020.
Ihedioha was sacked by the Supreme Court on Tuesday.
The former governor spoke to our correspondent through his media aide, Chibuike Onyeukwu.
Onyeukwu said Ihedioha’s administration was hinged on due process, accountability and transparency.
He said, “The former governor is not tensed about the probe order. His Excellency hinged his administration on due process, accountability and transparency.
“There is nothing wrong if the new governor says that he wants to look into the books. We are fine by it.”
Also, Okorocha said he was not opposed to the planned probe.
The former governor, in a tweet on Thursday, said, “Let me reiterate that I have nothing against being probed. What I did not agree with was the attempt to misuse power to harass and intimidate me or any of my supporters.”
Okorocha also dispelled the speculation that he was having a serious political battle with Uzodinma.
The former governor, who spoke to our correspondent through his spokesperson, Sam Onwuemeodo, said the political disagreement he had with Uzodinma ahead of the All Progressives Congress’ governorship primary election in the state in 2018 did not resort to a quarrel.
Okorocha, who described the governor as his brother and party man, said whatever disagreement he had with Uzodinma remained “politics.”
An uncompleted three-storey building, on Friday, collapsed at 12 Alasepe Street, off Community Road, Ago Palace Way, Okota in Lagos State.
The Director-General, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Dr Oluwafemi Oke-Osanyintolu, who confirmed the incident, said a yet-to-be-identified man is trapped under the rubble, adding that a rescue operation is ongoing.
He stated that the impact of the collapse affected other adjacent structures around the scene of the incident, adding that once the recovery operation was completed, the remaining parts of the collapsed building would undergo a controlled demolition exercise.
a yet-to-be-identified man is trapped under the rubble
Oke-Osanyintolu said, “Upon arrival at the incident scene, it was observed that a three-storey building approaching completion had collapsed.
“An adult male is presently trapped under the rubble and we have commenced a rescue operation.
“Initial findings revealed that the collapsed building is a three-storey building under construction. The impact of the collapse has affected the adjacent structures but the resultant crowd is under control.
“Extrication and recovery of the trapped man are ongoing using all emergency light tools at our disposal. Once completed, the remains of the structure will undergo a controlled demolition exercise.”
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, said that plans are ongoing by the Federal Government to expand the use of Compressed Natural Gas in order to stop subsidy payment on Premium Motor Spirit, also known as petrol.
Sylva, who made this known while briefing newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday, said that the government was set to discourage the use of petrol, especially for commercial transportation.
Sylva said that payment of subsidy on petrol was taking a toll on the finances of the country, adding that the government was working toward encouraging Nigerians to use CNG as fuel for transportation.
The minister of state noted that government had over the years done a pilot scheme on CNG in Benin City, and it had proven that it would go a long way in serving as an alternative to fuel if expanded to the entire country.
According to him, while PMS at subsidised price goes for N143 per litre, CNG goes for between N95 and N97 per litre
“We will start very soon to roll out. Already, there is a pilot programme in Benin, which has worked for a long time.
About 4,000 vehicles are already on CNG in Benin.
“We want to expand that CNG programme across the country and we believe it is going to create a lot of opportunities for Nigerians and also give Nigerians a new lease of life because the commodity would be accessible,’’ he said.
Sylva said that the Ministry would focus on two key areas in 2020 to help in the stabilising the oil and gas sector and move it to the next level.
He said that the government would support all efforts to ensure the increase in crude oil production level.
According to him, the country currently produces about 1.774 million Barrel Per Day which is still far behind the target.
“A few years ago, we produced more than two million barrels per day but we are projecting three million barrels and ultimately to get to four million BPD.
The United Arab Emirate used to produce 2.7 million BPD but today, they have moved to four million per day.
“We have gone back, today, according to OPEC report, we are producing 1.774 million BPD. You can see the need for us to move forward and that is actually the mandate of President (Major General) Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) to us,’’ he said.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva
He added that the ministry would ensure the improved relationship between industry stakeholders and the common man on the street by ensuring accessibility of petroleum products.
The minister of state said that the ministry would also in 2020 focus on tackling the insecurity challenge around oil and gas facilities in the country.
“Crude oil theft is being contained with strong legislation but it has continued to linger, this is because of lack of community inclusion.
“Our recommendation will be the use of technology, community participation, engagement of Petroleum Technology Institutes and infrastructure development in the Niger Delta region among others,’’ he said.
The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), and security chiefs are meeting right now at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The meeting is holding a few hours to the take-off time of Buhari’s UK trip today, and it is believed that the key issue on the agenda, is to give an update on the security situation in the country.
Buhari will travel to London later in the day to participate in the inaugural UK-Africa Investment Summit.
The summit itself opens on Monday, January 20, but Buhari jets out of Abuja today.
Buhari is expected back in Nigeria on Thursday, next week.
No fewer than nine persons were reportedly burnt to death, while three others sustained varying degrees of injury when a commercial bus exploded in Ijebu-Ife on the Ore-Ijebu Ode-Sagamu Road in Ogun State on Thursday.
The Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps, Ogun State Command, Clement Oladele, confirmed the incident.
Oladele said in a statement that the accident occurred around 3.20 pm.
He said there was a fire incident involving a Toyota Hiace commercial bus, which was on motion with 19 passengers.
The statement read in part, “The FRSC rescue team, on receipt of the information, raced to the crash scene and commenced rescue operations.
“While some of the passengers were rescued from the raging inferno, other passengers, as of the time of this report, were still trapped in the burning vehicle.
“A total of 10 persons, comprising six male adults and four female adults, have been rescued from the inferno with three others, made up of two male adults and one female adult, sustained serious injuries, with some suffering first-degree burns.”
He added that men of the fire service were also invited to extinguish the inferno.
According to Oladele, the injured victims were evacuated to a nearby hospital in Ijebu-Ode for immediate medical attention.
The FRSC rescue team, on receipt of the information, raced to the crash scene and commenced rescue operations
The FRSC commander said, “During an investigation by the FRSC crash investigators, one of the injured victims confirmed the total number of passengers as of the time the ill-fated vehicle commenced the trip was 19.
“The ill-fated bus has been confirmed to be the property of De-Modern Transport Company.
“Nineteen passengers in all have been confirmed to be in the ill-fated bus made up of 17 adults and two children
“The vehicle was coming from the East and going to Lagos and was conveying the passengers with some chemical products identified to be inflammable products.
“Further investigation by the FRSC crash investigators revealed that the vehicle, while on transit, malfunctioned and had to stop intermittently several times to repair the faulty fuel pump and fuel tank, which the driver kept on managing by tying ropes to support the malfunctioning fuel tank, hoping it could be managed to Lagos; there was a sudden spark and the vehicle was engulfed in fire.
“The faulty fuel tank, at some point in the journey, detached partially from the vehicle while on motion. The tank was haphazardly fixed and at some point during the trip, it made contact with the road surface, causing intermittent sparks
“The unidentified flammable substances conveyed in the bus assisted to intensify the inferno.
“After the fire was extinguished by the Nigeria Fire Service, a total of seven adults and two children were confirmed dead.
“The FRSC, Ogun State Command, has commiserated with the victims of the unfortunate incident and requested their relatives to contact the FRSC Unit Command at Ijebu Ode for details of the crash.”
Four armed men on Thursday at the city centre, opposite the NUJ Press Centre, Umuahia, dispossessed a man of N1m.
The armed men operating in an SUV, shot the man, identified as Basil, in the stomach before driving away with the money, as people scampered for safety.
The victim was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, for treatment.
Speaking from his hospital bed, Basil said he was a palm oil produce dealer and had just withdrawn the N1m from a bank before the incident.
He said, “The money was to pay the people I bought palm oil from.”
Former governors of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha and Rochas Okorocha said on Thursday that they were not bothered by Governor Hope Uzodinma’s resolve to probe the financial activities of the state from 2010 till date.
Former Governors Ikedi Ohakim, Okorocha and Ihedioha were in charge of the state during the period.
Uzodinma had, in his inaugural speech said, “I hereby direct the Accountant-General of the state to, within four days, forward to me the comprehensive financial status of the state from May 2010 till date.
“I also direct the permanent secretaries of all the ministries to, within the same period, forward the status of the contracts awarded within the time frame. Payment of all ongoing contracts is hereby stopped.”
But Ihedioha on Thursday said he did not misappropriate the state’s funds while in office between May 29, 2019, and January 14, 2020.
Ihedioha was sacked by the Supreme Court on Tuesday.
The former governor spoke to our correspondent through his media aide, Chibuike Onyeukwu.
Onyeukwu said Ihedioha’s administration was hinged on due process, accountability and transparency.
He said, “The former governor is not tensed about the probe order. His Excellency hinged his administration on due process, accountability and transparency.
“There is nothing wrong if the new governor says that he wants to look into the books. We are fine by it.”
Also, Okorocha said he was not opposed to the planned probe.
The former governor, in a tweet on Thursday, said, “Let me reiterate that I have nothing against being probed. What I did not agree with was the attempt to misuse power to harass and intimidate me or any of my supporters.”
Okorocha also dispelled the speculation that he was having a serious political battle with Uzodinma.
The former governor, who spoke to our correspondent through his spokesperson, Sam Onwuemeodo, said the political disagreement he had with Uzodinma ahead of the All Progressives Congress’ governorship primary election in the state in 2018 did not resort to a quarrel.
Okorocha, who described the governor as his brother and party man, said whatever disagreement he had with Uzodinma remained “politics.”
An uncompleted three-storey building, on Friday, collapsed at 12 Alasepe Street, off Community Road, Ago Palace Way, Okota in Lagos State.
The Director-General, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Dr Oluwafemi Oke-Osanyintolu, who confirmed the incident, said a yet-to-be-identified man is trapped under the rubble, adding that a rescue operation is ongoing.
He stated that the impact of the collapse affected other adjacent structures around the scene of the incident, adding that once the recovery operation was completed, the remaining parts of the collapsed building would undergo a controlled demolition exercise.
a yet-to-be-identified man is trapped under the rubble
Oke-Osanyintolu said, “Upon arrival at the incident scene, it was observed that a three-storey building approaching completion had collapsed.
“An adult male is presently trapped under the rubble and we have commenced a rescue operation.
“Initial findings revealed that the collapsed building is a three-storey building under construction. The impact of the collapse has affected the adjacent structures but the resultant crowd is under control.
“Extrication and recovery of the trapped man are ongoing using all emergency light tools at our disposal. Once completed, the remains of the structure will undergo a controlled demolition exercise.”
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, said that plans are ongoing by the Federal Government to expand the use of Compressed Natural Gas in order to stop subsidy payment on Premium Motor Spirit, also known as petrol.
Sylva, who made this known while briefing newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday, said that the government was set to discourage the use of petrol, especially for commercial transportation.
Sylva said that payment of subsidy on petrol was taking a toll on the finances of the country, adding that the government was working toward encouraging Nigerians to use CNG as fuel for transportation.
The minister of state noted that government had over the years done a pilot scheme on CNG in Benin City, and it had proven that it would go a long way in serving as an alternative to fuel if expanded to the entire country.
According to him, while PMS at subsidised price goes for N143 per litre, CNG goes for between N95 and N97 per litre
“We will start very soon to roll out. Already, there is a pilot programme in Benin, which has worked for a long time.
About 4,000 vehicles are already on CNG in Benin.
“We want to expand that CNG programme across the country and we believe it is going to create a lot of opportunities for Nigerians and also give Nigerians a new lease of life because the commodity would be accessible,’’ he said.
Sylva said that the Ministry would focus on two key areas in 2020 to help in the stabilising the oil and gas sector and move it to the next level.
He said that the government would support all efforts to ensure the increase in crude oil production level.
According to him, the country currently produces about 1.774 million Barrel Per Day which is still far behind the target.
“A few years ago, we produced more than two million barrels per day but we are projecting three million barrels and ultimately to get to four million BPD.
The United Arab Emirate used to produce 2.7 million BPD but today, they have moved to four million per day.
“We have gone back, today, according to OPEC report, we are producing 1.774 million BPD. You can see the need for us to move forward and that is actually the mandate of President (Major General) Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) to us,’’ he said.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva
He added that the ministry would ensure the improved relationship between industry stakeholders and the common man on the street by ensuring accessibility of petroleum products.
The minister of state said that the ministry would also in 2020 focus on tackling the insecurity challenge around oil and gas facilities in the country.
“Crude oil theft is being contained with strong legislation but it has continued to linger, this is because of lack of community inclusion.
“Our recommendation will be the use of technology, community participation, engagement of Petroleum Technology Institutes and infrastructure development in the Niger Delta region among others,’’ he said.
