Serena Williams made a light work of her Ukrainian opponent Elina Svitolina on Thursday night, beating her 6-3 6-1 to book a place in the final of the US Open, the second time in a row.
Serena, with an eye on history and also out to avenge her 2016 Olympic loss to the 25 year old player, was dominant from the outset and showed grit and determination.
While serving 3-1 in the first set, Serena trailed 0-40, but she dug deep to save all the break points to go ahead 4-1. She eventually took the set 6-3.
Serena was even more on fire in the second set, as she broke Elina thrice to seize a commanding victory of 6-1.
The Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday demanded that the South African government be made to pay compensation in huge amounts to the victims of the latest xenophobic attacks in the country.
The lawmakers said this at a sitting where many condemned the incident and called on the Nigerian government to further prove its will by supporting its citizens abroad.
Speaker Mudashiru Obasa said Nigerians abroad should be able to enjoy government support while carrying out their legal activities.
Obasa further called on the government to push the recent attacks in South Africa to the attention of the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN).
The Speaker, however, lamented that while the South Africans are killing Nigerians in their country, citizens are busy destroying businesses linked to South Africa but with Nigerian interest.
Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed on Thursday said the Federal Government is ready to evacuate Nigerians willing to leave South Africa and come back home.
Mohammed spoke in Abuja at a news conference, saying that the Federal Government would leave nothing to chance to protect Nigerian citizens anywhere around the world, including South Africa where they had been subjected to repeated xenophobic attacks, with terrible consequences that included loss of lives and property.
He added that President Muhammadu Buhari had already dispatched a special envoy to meet with his South African counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa, while Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey has summoned the South African High Commissioner to Nigeria.
“Of course you are aware that Nigeria is recalling its High Commissioner to South Africa, in addition to boycotting the World Economic Forum on Africa taking place in South Africa.
Government is also ready to evacuate Nigerians willing to return home from South Africa, in addition to other measures being considered to decisively tackle this cankerworm of xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa.
The minister appealed to Nigerians who were angered by the xenophobic attacks on their compatriots in South Africa not to engage in reprisal attacks, because such attacks hurt Nigerians working in such places more.
The Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, Sokoto Zonal Office has arrested another FBI-wanted internet fraudster identified as Emmanuel Adedeji Oluwatosin.
He was arrested in Kaduna on 29 August by EFCC operatives. The Zonal Head, Abdullahi Lawal said Oluwatosin’s name is on the wanted list of the FBI.
Lawal while parading the suspect in Sokoto on Thursday listed the assets recovered from his residence. They were Mercedes Benz E550, Mercedes Benz C450, an IPhone, laptops, modem and SIM cards.
Lawal added that the suspect and his accomplices both in Nigeria and overseas, acquired retirement account information (RAI) and personally identifiable information (PII) of multiple persons which they fraudulently used to wire funds into newly created business bank accounts tied to the fraudulently created business. The proceeds were then converted into cryptocurrency.
He said preliminary investigation had so far revealed that about N1.4 billion passed through the suspect’s accounts and the commission had also traced N70 million investment.
In a related development, Lawal said the Commission arrested another EFCC wanted suspect, Muzakkir Muhammad, through a sister agency, in connection with an alleged case of obtaining money under false pretences and production of fake currencies.
“Meanwhile, the first complainant, Ibrahim alleged that Muzakkri Muhammad collected N2,350,000 from him on the pretest of producing $100,000 for him, which he has not produced. And he was yet to refunded the Naira amount given to him.
“However, a search was conducted at his house and several incriminating items which the suspect used in luring and defrauding his victims were recovered.
Two Nigerian visa agents have been sentenced to 14 years imprisonment without an option fine for defrauding the United States’ Embassy in Lagos of the sum of N50 million with fake Visa payment receipts for B1 and B2 Visa categories for 350 fresh visa applicants.
The convicts are Adefila Ismaila Adekunle, 44 and Busari Kabiru, 25,
Chief Magistrate, Folashade Botoku of a Lagos, Nigeria’s Igbosere Chief Magistrates Court handed down the judgment.
The convicts were found convicts guilty of the three counts preferred against them by the police at the Special Fraud Unit, PSFU, Ikoyi, Lagos during the trial spanning five years.
A third defendant, Friday Attah was lucky as Botoku discharged and acquitted him for want of evidence.
The sentence of the duo is to run run con currently.
The trio were charged on a three-count of forgery and stealing.
Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, says all uncompleted project started by the immediate past administration led by Senator Ibikunle Amosun, that has direct impact on the socio-economic well-being of the people, will be completed, as his government is not out for vendetta.
Abiodun, who gave this indication at the launch of Ogun TechHUB along Kobape Road, Abeokuta, said his administration could not afford to abandon the projects as they were executed with public fund.
“I want to use this opportunity to assure our people that we will not abandon any project that has direct benefit to the people. Those projects were done with the people’s money. We will ensure their completion because we are not interested in vendetta,” he said.
Against the backdrop of recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa, former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has challenged African leaders to strive to protect the rights and businesses of fellow Africans within their domain.
The former President made this call in a key note address he presented Thursday at the ongoing International Peace Summit in Sao Tome and Principe, adding that sustainable development is only possible in an atmosphere of peace and security.
Emphasising the need for leaders to protect lives and property on the Continent, Jonathan further said: “To make meaningful progress, Africans must be encouraged to treat one another as brothers and sisters, in love and unity. Relations within and between nations should never be allowed to degenerate to a level where citizens will resort to self-help by visiting violence on fellow Africans and their legitimate business interests.
“Growth and development can only be cultivated and sustained when leaders ensure that the rights and freedoms of citizens as well as migrants are respected and protected.”
Nicki Minaj has announced her retirement from music. She made the announcement this evening via her twitter page, saying;
''I’ve decided to retire & have my family. I know you guys are happy now. To my fans, keep reppin me, do it til da death of me, ❌ in the box- cuz ain’t nobody checkin me. ✅ Love you for LIFE 😘''
The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday convicted a 21-year-old student, Ojo Ayomide, for cyber crime related offences.
Justice Nkeonye Maha, convicted Ayomide, 400- level Accounting student of Ekiti State University after he pleaded guilty to the crime.
The EFCC alleged that the student fraudulently impersonated as Scot, an Electrical Engineer, based in Miami, Florida, U.S. with intent to gain advantage for himself, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (iii) of the Cyber Crimes Prohibition, Prevention, Act 2015. Judge Maha ordered the EFCC to sell off the Samsung Galaxy S6 phone within one month of the judgment and pay the N200,000 to the Federal Government. Justice Maha also ordered Ayomide to depose to an affidavit of undertaking to be of good behavior. The Judge said that the implication of the undertaken is that if Ayomide commits another crime, he will be sent to jail.
Super star Davido has shared plans to officially tie the knot with his long time girlfriend, Chioma Rowlands. The 27-year-old singer had just concluded an introduction ceremony with his would be wife’s family on Monday.
He confirmed all pictures and information shared online recently in an interview with Beat FM, saying 2020 is the year for sure. “We have not started all that plans yet. 2020 is the year for sure”, the singer said.
He also addressed rumours that his bride to be is pregnant asking Nigerians to be patient.
South Africa said Thursday it has closed its diplomatic missions in the Nigerian cities of Abuja and Lagos following violence carried out against South African businesses in reprisal for attacks on foreign-owned stores in Johannesburg.
“After receiving reports and threats from some of the Nigerians we decided to temporarily close while we are assessing the situation,” foreign ministry spokesman Lunga Ngqengelele said, adding the missions were shut on Wednesday.
“So we will be monitoring the situation and when we see it necessary to open, we will re-open,” he said. He said the decision to suspend operations at the two missions was made after “a group of people… came and tried to force themselves in” at the Lagos consulate.
As Nigeria seeks diplomatic resolution on the attack of its nationals in South Africa, indigenous carrier – Air Peace on Wednesday offered to repatriate those stranded.
The offer, the airline, said was a sign of its solidarity with President Muhammadu Buhari administration.
The Chairman of the airline, Allen Onyema, made the announcement while sympathizing with the victims who lost their lives and properties in the attacks.
According to him, the airline decided to bring back Nigerians in support of the action already taken by the federal government.
The withdrawal letter of a Nigerian Chief, Dr Alex Ajipe from an honorary doctorate degree to be bestowed upon him in South Africa has made it to the net. In the letter, the Chief clearly stated he will be withdrawing his earlier acceptance due to Xenophobic attacks in the country. He noted that the safety of Nigerians and their properties is no longer guaranteed by the South African government.
Human rights activist, Femi Falana, SAN, on Wednesday asked Nigeria’s Federal Government to sue the South African government and demand compensation for Nigerian victims of the xenophobic attacks in the country.
Falana, in a statement, titled: “Beyond the condemnation of xenophobic attacks by the federal government,” said like its counterpart in Nigeria, the political class in South Africa had failed to address the challenge of poverty and inequality confronting the majority of the black people.
“Even though apartheid was defeated by the people of South Africa over two decades ago, the unjust socio-economic system erected by capitalism had not been dismantled. The crisis has been compounded by wanton corruption and the neo-liberal policies of the government.
“Hence, the South African masses have been denied the dividends of democracy by the African National Congress-led government. In particular, the masses have no access to health, housing, education and employment. Out of sheer frustration, millions of young people in South Africa have decided to subject African immigrants to xenophobic attacks,” he said.
According to Falana, the African National Congress, ANC, must accept responsibility for the misdirected antagonism against poor African imigrants.
He said apart from the official condemnation of the shameful and cowardly attacks, the South African Government should fish out the culprits and prosecute them.
“In addition to the payment of adequate compensation to all the victims of the mindless attacks the Government must teach South Africans about the immense contributions of the people of Cuba and a number of African countries to the struggle waged against apartheid and colonialism in the Southern African region.
“However, since the Cyril Ramaphosa administration is not likely to accede to the demand for compensation the federal government should brief a team of lawyers to seek legal redress for the victims of the attacks in South African courts.
“The Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria should be directed to coordinate the legal defence. In view of the regular harassment of Nigerians in South Africa and a few other African countries, the federal government should make the Declaration to enable individual victims of human rights abuse to access the African Court on Human and Peoples Rights sitting in Arusha, Tanzania,” he said.
The activist said since there was no assurance that Nigerians and other Africans would no longer be subjected to xenophobic attacks, the federal government should boycott the World Economic Forum scheduled to commence in South Africa on September 4.
TeeBillz has sang the praises of his ex-wife saying he is proud of her as she is about to drop her new album, 49-99.
Teebillz took to instagram to sing her praise writing;
''There’s no fulfillment greater than to watch your dream and vision come to live!!! Proud of you Mama J..... I’ve not heard it. I’m not expecting nothing but 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥#4999 I knew what you were made off when they dint believe in you 💛💛💛💛💛 #RespectGreatness''
Oyo state Governor, Seyi Makinde has reduced the state’s ‘unrealistic’ 2019 budget by N103bn.
The governor said the initial N285 billion 2019 budget presented to the house of assembly by the past administration was unrealistic.
In a series of tweets, he disclosed that he has now signed a revised budget of N182 billion.
“This afternoon, I signed the Oyo State Appropriation Review and Finance Bill, 2019, a revised budget for the state, into law.
“In view of the current financial state of our state, the budget of N285B approved by the previous administration was unrealistic
“We've revised the budget downward to N182B; this includes an upward review of the budget for education to 10%.
''Our admin will work towards improving the economy of the state so that subsequent budgets match our financial capabilities and budget implementation is above 70%”, he said.
While many Nigerians have condemned the destruction of MTN properties and offices across the Nation in retaliating South Africa’s Xenophobic attacks, saying MTN is a Nigerian business, former minister, Fani Kayode has decided to educate them about who really has most share in MTN and listed out names of share holders and the percentage they hold. He started his message like this;
For those who say MTN is a Nigerian business KNOW THIS:
MTN International holds approximately 70% of the shares.
The largest shareholders of MTN Nigeria and their stakes:
Just days after twitter suspended her account and apologized for it, the platform has once again suspended her account again. A look at her account only shows, ''Caution: this account is temporarily restricted.''
Lagos State Government is set to re-introduced the monthly Environmental Sanitation as an enabling law to back up the implementation is on the way.
Commissioner for The Environment and Water Resources, Tunji Bello during a stakeholders’ meeting with Association of Commodity Market Women and Men led by the Iyaloja General of Nigeria, Chief Mrs Folasade Tinubu-Ojo, said the invalidation of the exercise by a court sometimes ago was a temporary setback which would be reversed very soon.
He said the meeting which also had the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Ronke Odeneye and Managing Director of LAWMA, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegeshin in attendance was convened to seek the buy-in of market leaders, women and men on the government’s zero tolerance for indiscriminate dumping of waste.
