Day: August 2, 2024

Andy Murray has retired from tennis after he and his playing partner, Dan Evans, succumbed to a 6-2, 6-4 straight-sets defeat in the Olympic men’s doubles quarterfinals on Thursday.

Murray and Evans had miraculously found ways to win them opening two matches via a total of seven match points saved, but they were no match for Team USA’s Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul on the red clay of Roland Garros’ Court Suzanne-Lenglen.

READ ALSO: Tennis: Andy Murray Absence Extends With Ankle Injury

The British pair were beaten handily in the first set, managing to win just two games. Although they spirited a brief fightback from 5-2 down in the second set, it only delayed the inevitable as the American pair ran out comfortable winners.

It brings an end to Murray’s 19-year career that has seen him win three Grand Slam titles – the US Open in 2012 and Wimbledon in 2013 and 2016. He has also twice been crowned Olympic men’s singles champion, at London 2012 and Rio 2016, as well as a mixed doubles silver alongside Laura Robs
on.

‘I’m proud of my career,’ Murray told reporters afterward. ‘I worked really, really hard to achieve the results I did at a really difficult time to win the major titles. I’m proud. I gave it a good go. How my body has finished up shows I’ve put it through a lot. So I’m looking forward to a rest now.’

Source :News Agency of Nigeria

The wife of Anambra State governor, Mrs Nonye Soludo, on Thursday, flagged off the 2024 World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) in the state, explained that breast milk remains a mother’s greatest gift to her baby.

Mrs Soludo stated this at the occasion while speaking on the theme: ‘Closing the Gap, Breastfeeding support for all,’ at the Primary Health Care Centre, Amawbia in Awka South Local Government Area of the state.

According to the governor’s wife, every mother has a natural responsibility to properly breastfeed their babies in a manner that takes their overall health priorities into right considerations, stating that the only way to achieve that is to adopt pure exclusive breastfeeding.

Mrs Soludo pointed out that the health and emotional benefits that exclusive breastfeeding serve are very important to not just the baby but to the mother and urged every household to adopt the practice.

She further stated that exclusive breastfeeding creates a strong bond between the mother and her child, and also enable t
hem to beat certain dangerous diseases and as well save costs.

Mrs Soludo also encouraged households to own organic gardens as a way of dealing with current food crises, eating healthy and beating diseases.

Earlier in his remarks, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, pointed out that exclusive breastfeeding coverage in Anambra State is still not at the point of total satisfaction, explaining that the state government is passionate about the campaign to ensure that every household understands its importance.

He noted that the ongoing free antenatal care and delivery services in Anambra State have also been important in the pushing the programme, insisting that the government is constantly engaging with critical stakeholders to achieve optimum target in exclusive breastfeeding indices in the state.

On her part, the Executive Secretary of Anambra State Primary Health Care Development Agency (ASPHCDA), Pharmacist Chisom Uchem, said this year’s World Breastfeeding Week’s theme, ‘Closing the gap: Breas
tfeeding support for all,’ calls for a more intense awareness to educate women on the need to adopt the practice, for their own sake and for the overall betterment of the child’s health and development.

Anambra first lady also gave out free organic seeds at the occasion, to support her ongoing seeds programme.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs Ify Obinabo, was also at the ceremony.

The symbolic ceremony is an annual event geared at creating awareness and sensitization on the importance and need for Exclusive Breastfeeding with zero water for children aged 0 to 6 months.

Source :News Agency of Nigeria

Team Nigeria Rosemary Chukwuma has booked her spot in the semifinals of the women’s 100m at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Chukwuma came through in 3rd place in a time of 11.26s, as Ewa Swoboda of Poland won the race in a Season’s Best of 10.99s, with Dina Asher-Smith of the United States 2nd in 11.01s.

READ ALSO: Olympics: Nigeria defeats Australia in women’s basketball

The other representative, Tima Godbless, despite a strong start, finished 6th in Heat 7 and would play no further part in the event.

Another Nigerian, Favour Ofili who was supposed to participate in the event was not registered- a development that has resulted in a lot of backlash against the sport’s authorities in the country.

Cote d’ Ivoirie’s Marie Josee Ta Lou-Smith finished the heats with the fastest overall time, crossing the line in a sub-10 time of 10.87s. Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Frasher-Pryce finished second in 10.92s and Germany’s Gina Luckenkemper finished third in 11.08s.

Rosemary is among the three African women behind Marie Josee –
Ta Lou (Ivory Coast) 10.87s and Gina Bass (Gambia) 11.01, who will aim to reach the final as the women’s 100msemi-finals will be held on Saturday at 6:30 pm.

Source :News Agency of Nigeria

A group of members of the House of Representatives have rejected calls for the removal of the Group Chief Executive Officers of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, and the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed.

They described the calls as ‘premature’.

The lawmakers under the aegis Concerned Members of the 10th Assembly said this while addressing Journalists in Abuja.

The group which consists of not less than 50 members said the House had via its resolution, mandated the Joint Committee of the House on Midstream and Downstream Petroleum to investigate the pertinent issues in the oil and gas sector and a final decision was yet to be reached.

The members in an address presented on their behalf by Mr Billy Osawaru, said that it is in the parliamentary culture to afford parties in investigation the right for fair hearing.

They also said that the call for removal of anyone while investigation is pending is premature.

They also
expressed concern about the ongoing protests in the country, saying they converged to further appraise the situation as it affects the well-being of Nigerians.

They appealed for calm and begged all Nigerians to bring the protests to an end.

‘Today, the 1st of August, 2024, no less than 50 members of the House of Representatives who are deeply concerned about the ongoing protests have converged to further appraise the situation as it affects the well-being of Nigerians.

‘First, we wish to commend the efforts of the National Assembly, particularly the House of Representatives, under the leadership of Right Honorable Tajudeen Abbas, PhD, for convening the youth dialogue to douse the tensions surrounding the scheduled protests. Having observed the nationwide protests, we commend the youths and Nigerians in general for the manner they have conducted themselves. We appeal for calm while imploring all Nigerians to bring the protests to an end.

‘Nigerians will recall that the hike in fuel prices and associated ch
allenges are fundamental concerns. The House of Representatives, via its resolution, mandated the Joint Committee of the House on Midstream and Downstream Petroleum to investigate the issues in the oil and gas sector. We are aware that the investigation is ongoing and a final decision has not been reached.

‘However, our attention has been drawn to some media reports calling for the removal of the group chief executive officer of the NNPCL and the chief executive officer of NMDPRA while the above investigation is still subsisting. We wish to state that it is in the parliamentary culture to afford parties in investigation the right for fair hearing. Therefore, the call for removal of anyone while investigation is pending is premature.

‘We therefore call on all Nigerians to be patient and law-abiding in the expectation of a better Nigeria. All we have to do is still appeal to our people to be patient, to give a little bit of time. We know with the renewed hope agenda of Mr. President, everything will be alrigh
t. So the least we can do here is come out and appeal to Nigerian people to bring this protest to a halt,’ they said.

Source :News Agency of Nigeria

The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru has commended the National Council for Civil Society of Nigeria for not participating in the ongoing protests.

He praised their decision, emphasizing that it reflects a constructive approach during a period of unrest.

The Minister highlighted to them the President Bola Tinubu’s numerous initiatives to turn the economy around for the benefit of all Nigerians.

A statement by the Director of Information and Public Relations Ministry of Defence, Henshaw Ogubike said during the meeting with the National Council’s delegation in Abuja led by Comrade Johnny Emmanuel, the Minister emphasized the importance of collaboration with Civil Society organisations in addressing insecurity.

He cited their strong connections to local communities and ability to provide valuable intelligence, mediation, and humanitarian assistance in conflict-affected areas.

Badaru assured the delegation that ‘President Tinubu was committed to improving the economy through robust economic policies, whi
ch have started yielding positive results.’

He mentioned the economic growth in Q1 2024, the second-fastest first-quarter growth in the last six years, and the Defence strategy’s success in improving security.

He equally highlighted several other initiatives, of the government to include;

The Nigerian Student Loan Scheme to increase access to higher education,

The Livestock Ministry to address herders and farmers’ clashes,

The Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund (RHIDF) to increase funding for infrastructure

The sale of crude oil to indigenous refining companies in Naira,

The signing of the National Minimum Wage Act into Law,

The autonomy granted to Local Governments for effective accountability and development irrigation (Dams and channels)

Zero tariffs and duties on imports of raw materials and active pharmaceutical ingredients

Distribution of grains to the states

And other social security interventions.

‘I am still appealing to Nigerians to be patient as the President is introducing mo
re innovations to improve the economy. He is just one year in office and he has done very well and I know that with these initiatives, we will soon start to see the positive results,’ he assured Nigerians.

The National President of the National Council of Civil Society of Nigeria, Comrade Johnny Emmanuel, commended the Minister for his outstanding performance and commitment to service.

Emmanuel said;’ they have been taking track records of the Minister’s achievements since when he was a Governor,’ Describing Badaru as a man with modest life style.

He said that Badaru’s commitment to judicious use of resources in Jigawa State earned him the nick name, ‘Calculator.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of award to the Minister in recognition of his outstanding commitment, patriotism and integrity to service.

Source :News Agency of Nigeria

The Transmission Company of Nigeria TCN has announced the destruction of two of its transmission towers in Igbooghene community of Bayelsa state, southern Nigeria.

TCN’s General Manager, Public Affairs, Mrs. Ndidi Mbah who made this this known in a statement said towers T98 and T99 along the Ahoada/Yenagoa 132kV line were vandalised on July 29, 2024.

According to her, the incident resulted in the collapse of both towers, cutting off Power supply to Bayelsa State, TCN’s Yenagoa Sub-station and the Gbarain Power Station.

Mrs Mbah stated that the company’s Engineers led by the General Manager Transmission, Port Harcourt Region, Emmanuel Akpa, accompanied by men from the DSS have inspected the site where these towers were vandalised.

She disclosed that plans are already ongoing to mobilise a contractor on an emergency basis to reconstruct the collapsed towers.

‘This follows an incident on June 16, 2024, where an individual was caught vandalizing tower T238 along the Owerri/Ahoada 132kV double circuit transm
ission lines. Another act of vandalism occurred on June 10, 2024, at the Ahoada Transmission Substation’,she said.

She urged the public to help in the ongoing fight against the vandalism of Power infrastructure nationwide, stressing that TCN Will continue to collaborate with security operatives and host communities including the DSS and Civil Defence Corps to combat the menace.

Mrs Mbah, further disclosed that the company is interfacing with Stakeholders including security operatives in Yenagoa to put in place other initiatives geared towards helping TCN curtail the menace within the State.

Meanwhile, Yenagoa Metropolis and the entire Bayelsa State are still without Power supply.

‘As we continue to work towards a robust grid, it is pertinent to note that a nation’s power sector cannot grow efficiently if funds intended for infrastructural expansion are repeatedly used to replace vandalized equipment,’ she added.

Source :News Agency of Nigeria