Osaka wins second Australian Open, thrashes Brady – Newstrends
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Osaka wins second Australian Open, thrashes Brady

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Naomi Osaka thrashed American Jennifer Brady in two straight sets on Saturday to win her second Australian Open title and the fourth Grand Slam of her career.

Osaka, the Japanese No. 1, cruised past the American 6-4 6-3, in just 77 minutes on Rod Laver Arena.

The third seed became the first woman since Monica Seles to win her first four major finals.

She also drew level with the likes of Kim Clijsters in terms of Slams won.

Only the Williams sisters boast more major titles.

Osaka andd Brady had met before at the semi-final of the US Open last year.

Fans hoping for a repeat of the pair’s engrossing match then were left disappointed as Brady froze in the spotlight of her first Grand Slam final.

Osaka also played some way short of her best tennis and joined Brady in contributing to a dour, error-strewn first set.

But she settled to clinch six straight games, roaring to a 4-0 lead in the second before serving out the match to love.

A big serve sealed it, causing Brady to fire a forehand return long, and Osaka held her racket over her head and beamed in an understated celebration.

Osaka, who won the 2019 tournament, offered Brady warm congratulations and thanked the fans at the trophy ceremony.

“When we played in the semis of the U.S. Open, a couple of months ago, and I told everyone that ‘Listen you’re going to be a problem’. And I was right,” said Osaka, who will be world number two when the rankings are updated.

“It feels really incredible for me. I didn’t play my last Grand Slam with fans so just to have this energy it really means a lot.”

Twenty-five year-old Brady in her response said: “First I would like to congratulate Naomi on another Grand Slam title.

“She’s such an inspiration to us all and what she’s doing for the game is amazing and getting the sport out there and I hope young girls at home are watching and are inspired by what she’s doing.”

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Agents of destabilisation, subsidy losers fighting back – Tinubu

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Agents of destabilisation, subsidy losers fighting back – Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu says agents of destabilisation and beneficiaries of the rested petrol subsidy are beginning to fight back.

He however vowed that his administration would defeat them and not abuse Nigerians’ trust in his administration.

The administration and indeed Nigerians are currently facing serious economic and security challenges.

Measures introduced so far to tackle the problems have not really yielded positive results.

The President spoke on Friday during a meeting with the Forum of State Chairmen of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the State House in Abuja.

The team was led by the National Chairman of the APC, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje.

Tinubu said that Nigeria would overcome the forces working to sabotage efforts at repositioning the economy.

These details are contained in a statement released on Friday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale.

It quoted Tinubu as saying his administration was deploying resources to critical sectors and areas with significant impact for improved welfare of Nigerians, describing the nation’s treasury as sacrosanct.

He assured Nigerians that his government was working round the clock to improve their living conditions, and asked leaders at the grassroots to encourage citizens to get their National Identification Number (NIN) for planning, structuring interventions and to achieve their full integration into various relief programmes.

“As we are fighting corruption, smugglers and old subsidy beneficiaries, they most certainly will fight back,” Tinubu said.

He also said, “All those who falsified records and became losers with the subsidy (on petroleum products) removal, they will fight back.

“But we will defend our people. The treasury belongs to the people, and that sacred trust must not be abused.

“I urge the state chairmen that regardless of party affiliation, let us help citizens by mobilizing them for NIN registration.

“Not just PVCs. Some are poor Nigerians who have not experienced formal education and have no understanding of what NIN is and how it will benefit their lives. We must teach them. We must care for them.

“Without NIN, we cannot embark on social security interventions for the vulnerable. We will be making faulty moves without accurate data and iron-clad, digital intervention structures.

“I have established a committee of governors, and it is headed by the Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima. It is working on what must be done to further lift our people.

“We need to give hope, and we are giving it to the country and our citizens. We are working hard, day and night, even though some agents of destabilization are present in the polity. Nigerians, with our focused support, shall defeat them.

“The programme of our government will be truly progressive; student loans, a national consumer credit system, and social welfare for the unemployed, as well as graduates. Every Nigerian will find a place of belonging in our country.

“In the eye of even the biggest hurricane, we will find that place of tranquility and prosperous harmony for the benefit of all. Nigerians will all partake on this national journey to prosperity.”

Speaking on the central role of agriculture in expanding and accelerating Nigeria’s economic growth, the President said that his government had already drawn up a blueprint for large-scale livestock farming, which will be activated soon.

He said, “We are bringing mechanized farming to the fore. Yesterday’s crisis will become today’s opportunity.

“Fertilizers are being supplied to farmers as we speak. Agriculture and economic diversification provide the answers to our problems.

“We will not continue to import food. We know how to turn lack into abundance, and the world will watch us do it again.”

Also speaking, Ganduje said the party was poised to establish a Progressive Institute of Policy and Development for the benefit of its members and the broader Nigerian public.

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FG secures $1.3bn for Kano-Maradi rail project

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FG secures $1.3bn for Kano-Maradi rail project

The Federal Government has secured $1.3bn funding for the Kano-Maradi railway project. Maradi is in Niger Republic.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by Jamilu Ja’afaru, Special Assistant on Public Affairs to the Minister of Transportation, Saidu Alkali.

The rail project was initiated by the administration of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari and performed the groundbreaking event in 2021. It is aimed at strengthening the economic and regional cooperation between Nigeria and Niger Republic.

Alkali recently said the rail project would be completed in 2025, with the earthworks reaching 80 per cent completion last year.

The latest statement from the ministry said, “The securing of $1.3bn for the Kano-Katsina-Jibiya-Maradi Railway Project is a significant accomplishment.

“The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Fidet Okhiria, and a senior director with the African Development Bank, Muhammad Abdulrazak, have both endorsed the project as a catalyst for positive change, fostering economic growth and regional cooperation.”

The statement noted that the recent visit by the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the China Export and Credit Insurance Corporation, Tang Zhigang, and his delegation, further bolstered optimism for the rail project’s potential to lay the groundwork for future prosperity between the two nations.

“The Kano-Katsina-Jibiya-Maradi rail line is a testament to our shared history and ambition for economic advancement. It will create a lasting legacy of wealth and opportunities for Nigeria and the Niger Republic,” Minister Alkali was quoted as saying.

“The Ministry of Transportation will continue to provide updates on this transformative venture, marking each achievement as we journey towards a brighter and more connected future,” the statement added.

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Nigeria reopens land, air borders with Niger Republic

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Nigeria reopens land, air borders with Niger Republic

President Bola Tinubu has directed the reopening of Nigeria’s land and air borders with the Republic of Niger.

He also ordered the lifting of other sanctions against the country with immediate effect.

A statement by the President’s media aide, Ajuri Ngelale, said the directive was in compliance with the decisions of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government at its Extraordinary Summit on February 24, 2024, in Abuja.

The ECOWAS leaders had agreed to lift economic sanctions against the Republic of Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea.

Tinubu also lifted the suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between Nigeria and Niger, as well as the freeze of all service transactions, including utility services and electricity to Niger Republic.

The President directed that the freezing of assets of the Republic of Niger in ECOWAS Central Banks be lifted.

The gesture was also extended to Republic of Guinea, with the lifting of financial and and economic sanctions, the statement added.

“Travel bans on government officials and their family members also stand lifted,” the statement said.

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