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Sgt. Cynthia Maurice of the Nigerian Airforce has made history by becoming the country’s first Professional female golfer in the military.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the week-long Professional Examinations which held from July 14 to July 20 took place at HSD Golf Club Bayelsa.
The examinations sanctioned by the Professional Golfers Association of Nigeria (PGAN) consisted of playing ability tests, written and oral.
Pro Emmanuel Odoh, the Assistant Resident Head Professional, TYB International Golf Resort and Country Club told NAN that Maurice’s journey was a testament to her resilience, perseverance, and determination.
Odoh said that her achievement had indeed paved the way for other female golfers in the military and inspired young girls to pursue careers in sports.
He noted that it also highlights the progress made in promoting gender equality and diversity in the Nigerian military.
“Just four years ago, Cynthia took up golf, inspired by the professionals she saw on the course. She set her sights on becoming a pro herself, refusing to settle for amateur status.
“With unwavering dedication, she channeled her mind and body towards her goal, sacrificing tirelessly to hone her skills.
“From a 36-handicap beginner to a professional golfer, Cynthia’s transformation is a remarkable achievement. Her hard work, discipline, and courage have earned her the crown of bravery, resilience, and honor.
“Today, we celebrate Cynthia’s remarkable journey, her perseverance, and her refusal to accept anything less than excellence. Congratulations, Pro Cynthia Maurice,” he said.
(NAN)
The Naira yesterday depreciated to N1,585 per dollar in the parallel market from N1,575 last week Friday. Similarly, the Naira appreciated to N1,500.32 per dollar in the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market, NAFEM.
Data from FMDQ showed that the indicative exchange rate for NAFEM fell to N1,500.32 per dollar from N1,596.92 per dollar last weekend, indicating N96.6 appreciation for the naira. The volume of dollars traded (turnover) in the market grew by 7.6 per cent to $269.88 million from $250.67 million traded last week Friday.
Consequently, the margin between the parallel market and NAFEM rates widened to N84.64 per dollar from N21.92 last weekend.
The Presidency has slammed the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, over his comment regarding statistics on Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Reported that the former Governor of Anambra State raised concern over the lingering economic crisis in Nigeria, recalling that Nigeria had the biggest economy in Africa as of 2014.
Taking to his official account on X on Monday, Peter Obi, said the country’s economy soon began to drop in 2015.
In his message, Obi drew attention to the stark difference between Nigeria’s economic achievements during its early post-democracy years and its current economic condition.
According to him, upon returning to democratic rule in 1999, Nigeria saw an average GDP growth rate of approximately 6.72% over 16 years, 1999-2014.
However, he highlighted a decline in this momentum, with GDP growth dropping to 2.79% in 2015, leading to an economic downturn in 2016.
In response, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga countered Obi over what he called misleading statistics.
He wondered why Peter Obi would be reviewing the economy at this time, saying the motive is clear.
Onanuga said Peter Obi aims to work up his mob plotting to destabilise the country from next week.
He wrote, “Labour Party failed presidential candidate, Peter Obi has come up with his misleading, half-truth statistics again. The big question is why this economic review at this time?. The motive is clear: he wants to work up his mob plotting to destabilize the country from next week.”
Kamala Harris, the United States vice president, has raised more than $81 million, a day after President Joe Biden withdrew from the presidential race.
The amount is believed to be the largest 24-hour fundraising in the history of the US presidential campaign.
Former President Donald Trump, who is the Republican Party candidate, raised more than $50 million in 24 hours after his felony conviction in the New York hush money trial.
Biden gathered $38 million in four days after his “unimpressive” debate performance against Trump.
Harris’ new total features donations from hundreds of thousands of first-time donors, the campaign said.
The donations breathe hope into a deflated Democratic Party facing a shaky road to re-election after weeks of trying to get Biden to give up the ticket.
The 81-year-old had insisted he would remain in the race despite growing concerns about his capacity to run the race.
However, the president took Americans by surprise on Sunday when he announced his withdrawal in the interest of the party and the country.
Biden threw his weight behind Harris and urged citizens to put their confidence in her.
The vice-president promised to win and earn nominations from her fellow Democrats.
Although Harris has not been announced as the party’s official candidate, polls have shown she is most favoured to get the Democrat’s ticket.
Longest chess marathon: GWR ‘ignores’ Onakoya, announces two Norwegians as new record holders
AFOLABI
Odin Blikra Vea and Askild Bryn, two men from Norway, have broken the Guinness World Record (GWR) for the longest chess marathon.
In a recent blog post, GWR said Blikra Vea and Bryn “earned a place in history” after playing chess for 61 hours, 03 minutes, and 34 seconds.
The British reference book added that the feat was achieved in Stavanger, Norway, on June 4, 2024.
“In a stunning display of endurance and mental fortitude, and after playing a total of 383 five-minute blitz games, the record was officially confirmed at 10 p.m. local time in Stavanger, Norway,” it said.
The GWR, however, remained silent on Tunde Onakoya, the Nigerian chess champion and child education advocate, who completed a 60-hour chess marathon in New York without losing a single game.
On April 17, Onakoya embarked on his record-breaking attempt and even played chess with Shawn Martinez, also a chess master. During the attempt, he launched a fundraiser to empower illiterate children across Africa through the feat.
On April 20, the Nigerian surpassed the 56-hour mark; the previous record set by two other Norwegians Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad on November 11, 2018.
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GWR is typically expected to vet an attempt before confirming that a new record has been set on any task.
While Blikra Vea and Bryn’s record of 61 hours may be ahead of Onakoya’s 60 hours, the British reference book appeared to have taken no notice of the Nigerian’s attempt.
How long does it take?
The length of time for the application process and then the evidence review for the attempt itself depends on the type of application selected.
The GWR reviews documentation in 12 weeks and tells applicants whether their attempt has been accepted or rejected — that is for standard record attempts. When there are many applications, the waiting time may be longer, at least 16 weeks.
It however remains unclear why the Norwegians, whose attempt was concluded on June 4, were responded to while the GWR has yet to reveal if they accepted or rejected that of Onakoya (April 20).
The member representing Musawa/Matazu Federal Constituency of Katsina State, Abdullahi, Ahmed has given a N35 million grant to 70 constituents with viable business plans to enable them to venture into business.
Speaking at the event held in Musawa on Sunday, the lawmaker said the initiative was geared towards offering business financial support and relief to individuals amidst the current economic downturn, to enable them to invest and generate a decent livelihood for necessities of life.
According to him, each of the 70 beneficiaries with viable business plans, selected from across the 21 political wards of the constituency, will receive N500,000 each as a non-refundable business grant to make them self-reliant and financially independent.
In a statement signed by Sardauna Francis, his spokesman, the lawmaker also distributed 100 tricycle-wheelchairs to persons living with disabilities and 2,500 bags of fertiliser to farmers in the constituency.
He said the gestures further underscore his commitment to supporting his constituents and driving inclusive socio-economic growth and development.
The lawmaker expressed confidence that the empowerment fund, wheelchairs, and fertiliser would help the beneficiaries to realise their full potential, contribute to the local economy, and create a brighter future for themselves and their families.
Ahmed, who is the Chairman of the House Committee on Interior, said: “These empowerment initiatives aim to cushion the current economic hardships and drive small-scale entrepreneurship as well as improved farming activities and assuage the sufferings of persons living with disabilities in the constituency.
“This is time for real. Our people have given us the mandate in March, and this is the time to bring meaningful development to Musawa/Matazu Federal Constituency through quality representation and sustainable dividends of democracy.”
The APC lawmaker pledged to remain committed to sustaining multi-sectoral interventions in agriculture, education, and road and health sectors of the economy for the betterment of his constituency.
He, however, added that he will continue to optimise his seat to propose bills, and motions and deploy other legislative instruments to enhance the standard of his constituents and the state at large.
The state acting governor, Faruk Lawal, while distributing the cash and other items to the beneficiaries, applauded the legislator for delivering pro-masses projects and urged other lawmakers in the state to emulate him.
He described Ahmed as an accomplished lawmaker and astute politician whose impact on his constituency and the state is worthy of commendation.
“Let me add that all these initiatives by the federal lawmaker are in line with the developmental agenda of Dikko Umaru Radda’s forward-thinking government of Katsina state,” he said.
Earlier in his address, the All Progressives Congress (APC) vice chairman in the state, Bala Abu, assured of the provision of a supervisory measure to ensure proper utilisation of the fund to multiply them into thousand folds within a short period.
He stated that the lawmaker has also donated 1,000 security lights to be installed across the constituency to improve the security of the area, and a donation of N50,000 each to all the traditional leaders that graced the occasion.
The APC stalwart averred that in the area of road infrastructure, Ahmed has awarded a new contract for the construction of a six-kilometre road in the constituency, and had virtually rehabilitated all the major roads in the area.
Maverick singer, Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, has vowed to divorce his wife of 47 years if United States Vice President, Kamala Harris, doesn’t win the upcoming presidential election.
DAILY POST reports that President Joe Biden stepped down as the Democratic Party candidate on Sunday and endorsed his vice, Kamala Harris, as the party’s flagbearer.
Reacting via his X handle, Charly Boy said after the first Black male President in the person of Barack Obama, America deserves the first Black Female President.
He vowed to divorce his wife if Kamala Harris, who he described as his “crush” doesn’t win the election.
He wrote in Pidgin: “If dis my crush, Kamala Harris no win the USA presidential election, I swear, I go divorce my wife of 47yrs.
“After the first Black Male President, America deserves the first Black Female President.
“Sorry rednecks. Dats how we Roll.”
Kamala Harris is yet to be officially nominated as the Democratic Party’s candidate despite Biden’s endorsement.
According to The Hill, she has secured over a quarter of the delegates needed to win the Democratic Presidential nomination so far.
Pat Utomi Threatens To Sue Tinubu’s Aide For ₦500 Billion Over Accusation Against Peter Obi, Others
AFOLABI
A renowned political economist, Pat Utomi, on Monday, threatened to sue the special adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, Bayo Onanuga.
Recall that Onanuga, in a post on X Platform, formerly (Twitter), accused the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, his supporters and Obidients of planning to stage nationwide protests against hunger, naira devaluation and economic hardship in the country.
In his post he said, “Obi should be held responsible for anarchy. Don’t be fooled: the malcontents planning to stage nationwide protests are supporters of Peter Obi, the failed presidential candidate of the Labour Party. And he should be held responsible for whatever crisis emanates from the action.
“The protest planners are also the same people who were instigated by IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu to launch the destructive ENDSARS protest in Nigeria in October 2020.
“ENDSARS began as a genuine protest by youths against the Police Special Anti-Robbery Squad, notorious for its high-handedness.
“IPOB members planning to extricate the South East region from Nigeria infiltrated the protest and hijacked it for their own agenda.
“Lagos still bears the scar of the malicious destruction by IPOB elements until today. Two years after ENDSARS, the IPOB and the gullible innocents joined the Labour Party in 2022 to support Peter Obi, a sympathiser of their cause. They are the people spreading the hashtags ‘EndBadGovernance’, ‘Tinubu Must Go,’ and ‘Revolution2024’.
“They are not democrats but anarchists. They are attempting to call out our people via propaganda because their Messiah, Peter Obi, failed to win the Presidency in the 2023 election.
“As bad losers, they don’t have the patience to wait for another election in 2027; they would rather destabilise Nigeria by staging a civilian coup against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“If they understand the meaning of their hashtags, they will realise they are clarion calls for treason. Wanting to end an elected government is high treason.
“Wanting revolution is a call for a coup d’etat, which is also high treason. I have been on the trail of one of the protest planners, who is nameless but claims to have an internet radio station, PTM100.88 Abuja.”
Utomi, in his reaction to the allegation against Obi and his supporters, advised Onanuga to withdraw his statement or provide evidence of his claims.
He warned that he would sue Onanuga and claim ₦500bn if he fails to provide sophisticated evident.
The full statement reads, “My attention has been drawn to a statement by Mr. Bayo Onauga, a spokesman for the presidency alleging that I have been a key player in demonstrations viewed as insurrection.
“Let me state first and foremost that I have no problem with protests. They are legitimate sources of feedback in a democracy. I have participated in several during military rule alongside some of those now in government. My reaction to Onanuga’s statement has therefore nothing to do with the legitimacy of the demonstrations but with the deliberate and outright falsehood of the statement.
“First, I have been living in the United States for several months now and was actually unaware of threats of demonstrations so I could not have been part of something I did not know was in the works.
“As a student of the State in post-Colonial Africa. I am horrified that agents of the State can fabricate deliberate falsehood.
“As I know phones are bugged there should at least be evidence of some contact between me and these ostensible demonstration planners. They do not even need to produce the conversation to show evidence but just a thread of contacts.
“If no evidence of Mr. Onanuga’s false assertion is shown I will assume it reasonable that the object is to water the ground for false treasonable felony charges that can result in the claim of one’s life. I intend to therefore proceed to the international criminal and other human rights courts if a reasonable explanation is not forth coming.
“I will also have no choice but to institute a claim of ₦500 Billon for of fake news, hate speech and intent to procure State murder of an innocent citizen. If judicial capture makes justice problematic in Nigeria I expect that I can trust extra-national institutions and global human solidarity.
“As one who survived two assassination attempts under Abacha of which there is public court records when some of those now in power were my colleague freedom advocates I am clear they know the consequence of their plotting.
“I have in a reaction on X already indicated that I meant to ignore the false assertion but I have been advised of a more sinister motive of State terror that should not be allowed to go unchallenged. In the plan apparently being instigated by Mr. Onanuga.”
The joint task force in the Northeast, Operation Hadin Kai, has successfully rescued another Chibok girl from the infamous Sambisa Forest in Borno State.
This significant development was announced by the Theatre Commander, Major General Waheed Shuaibu, during a formal handover ceremony at the Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri on Monday.
The rescued individual, identified as Ehi Abdul, aged 27, was one of the schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram militants from Chibok in 2014.
Ehi was found alongside her two children during a recent operation conducted by sector one of Operation Hadin Kai in the dense Sambisa Forest.
According to Major General Shuaibu, Ehi was married to a notorious terrorist known as Abu Dada, who abandoned her in Gwoza in 2014 and subsequently fled to Senegal.
The successful rescue operation is part of the ongoing efforts by the Nigerian military to reclaim and secure territories held by terrorist groups and to rescue those held captive.
Ehi and her children have been handed over to the Borno State Government for rehabilitation and reintegration.
This rescue adds to the growing number of Chibok girls who have been found and returned to their families since the mass abduction over nine years ago.
The Borno State Government, led by Governor Babagana Zulum, has reiterated its commitment to supporting the rescued individuals and ensuring they receive the necessary care and assistance to reintegrate into society.
The Federal Government has arraigned a senior Immigration officer, Akomolafe Gbenga Michael, serving at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport, Ikeja in Lagos.
He was arraigned alongside three others before Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on a nine-count charge of alleged conspiracy, unlawful possession, import, and dealing in the prohibited substances.
He was specifically alleged to have been involved in trafficking 8 kilograms of Methamphetamine and 7.60 kilograms of Cannabis Sativa, also known as marijuana.
Others arraigned on the alleged offences alongside the Immigration officer are; Babatunde Micheal Olufemi said to be a staff of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nwadozie Chris Amaechi, and Nwosu Chinedu Cyril.
The prosecutor, Abu Ibrahim, told the court that the four who belonged to a hard drug syndicate were arrested on May 21, 2024, while attempting to smuggle the prohibited substances out of the Murtala Muhammad International Airport Ikeja, Lagos.
Ibrahim also told the court that the four men conspired to commit the alleged crimes alongside the duo of Nwadozie Sunday and Echezona Nwosu, based in South Africa.
Specifically, the Immigration officer, Akomolafe was slammed with a six-count charge of conspiracy, unlawful import, unlawful possession, and trafficking in the banned substances while the trio of Olufemi said to be a staff of FAAN, Nwadozie, and Nwosu, was slammed with three counts of conspiracy and unlawful importation and possession of the banned drugs.
The prosecutor told the court that the alleged criminal act of the four men contravened sections 14 (b), 21 (2)(d), and 20 (1)(c) punishable under sections 11(b) and 20 (2)(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
However, while the other three members of the gang pleaded guilty to the charges, the Immigration officer denied the offences and pleaded not guilty to all the counts of the charge.
Based on the not-guilty plea of the Immigration officer, his lawyer, Benson Ndakara, pleaded with the court to admit him to bail in the most liberal terms.
In his ruling, Justice Osiagor admitted Akomolafe to bail in the sum of N10 million with one surety.
The judge also ordered that the surety must be a civil servant of an assistant director cadre in the employment of Lagos State or the Federal Government.
The trial was then adjourned to November 7, 2024. Based on their guilty plea, the court convicted and sentenced the trio of Babatunde Micheal Olufemi, Nwadozie Chris Amaechi, and Nwosu Chinedu Cyril, to four years on each count. The sentence is to run concurrently.
The three convicts were also given the option of paying a fine of N2 million each on each count.
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Senator Adams Oshiomhole has told Nigerians to be patient with the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
Oshiomhole stated this while fielding questions on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.
This comes after the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), said inflation figures reached 34.19 per cent in June 2024.
DAILY POST reported that the high cost of living was triggered by the floating of the naira and the removal of fuel subsidy by the current administration.
However, Oshiomhole, a former governor and now representing Edo North in the Senate, expressed optimism that Tinubu’s policies would yield results in due course, calling for patience.
“You have to agree that some of the policy initiatives will require more than a year to materialise.
“What would the president gain by resorting to policy choices that are unlikely to deliver comfort in the long run?”
“So, I think for me, it is about having faith that in the long run, these things will work out,” he said.
![[PHOTOS] Nasty Blaq set to welcome first child with wife - shares maternity photo shoot](/media/k2/items/cache/257af7396cf10210125dda61a42d5b8c_XS.jpg)
Nigerian skit maker cum content creator, Abisi Emmanuel better known as Nasty Blaq, has announced that he and his partner, Esther are expecting their first child.
The comedian announced the good news on his social media pages, uploading photographs of himself and Esther who showed off her huge baby bump as they both adorned white outfits.
Nasty Blaq expressed how amazing his journey with his partner has become over time, and now that they are embarking on a new chapter in their life.
The soon to be father celebrated the adventures of parenting and the tremendous joy that awaits them.
In Nasty Blaq’s words:
“From the first laugh we shared to the love that blossomed, our journey together has been nothing short of magical.
Now, we’re about to write a new chapter—welcoming our baby into the world. With you by my side, every moment feels like a dream come true. Cheers ? to the adventures of parenthood and the joy that awaits us.”
In the comments section, his admirers, friends, and colleagues joined him in celebration.
“Judy Austin has denied me access to my kids for 10 years” – Actress’ first husband cries out
AFOLABI
In a recent twist, Mr Obasi, Judy Austin’s 1st husband has called out the actress, accusing her of denying him access to his children.
In a video making the rounds online, he expressed displeasure about having children, 16, and 14 years old respectively and being restrained from seeing them.
He noted that he hadn’t seen his children in 10 years which has caused him great distress and worry.
According to him, the children aren’t living with Judy Austin nor are they with him which raises questions about where they are and the type of upbringing they’re currently receiving.
Mr Obasi opened up about being very sober and confused any day he wakes up thinking about his children.
An officer of the Nigeria Police Force, Sergeant Sunday Wadzani, has reportedly killed his father in Maiduguri, Borno State capital.
Naija News learnt that the tragic incident unfolded in Maiduguri on Sunday.
According to Daily Trust, the incident took place in the vicinity of the State Police Command headquarters in Modugannari.
It was reported that the officer responsible for this heinous is attached to the Borno State House of Assembly complex.
A security source told reporters that Wadzani has been apprehended and is presently under the custody of the GRA Police Station.
“A police sergeant by the name Sgt. Sunday Wadzani serving in Borno state command today 21st July 2024 this evening at about 1620hrs shot his father Rtd. Asp Wadzani Ntasiri seven times after a minor feud at Maiduguri,” a document filed on the incident read.
The main reason for the officer’s act, however, is yet to be made public.
Also, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP Kenneth Daso, has not issued any official public statement regarding the incident as of the time of filing this report, Naija News understands.
Meanwhile, an Inspector of the Nigerian Police Force, identified as Shehu Oyibo, has been reportedly killed by gunmen in Abia State.
The murdered officer was serving with the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), as confirmed in a statement made available to newsmen by the Abia State Command Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Maureen Chinaka.
According to her, three civilians were brutally killed during the attack on a police patrol team stationed along Mosque Street, Ngwa Road, in Aba.
Naija News understands that the attack marks three weeks following the previous loss of two police officers at Opobo Junction, Ogbor Hill, Aba.
On the latest attack, the police mouthpiece stated that the assailants, operating from a Toyota Sienna bus on Mosque Street, Ngwa Road, initiated fire upon the police team upon their approach.
In a valiant effort to repel the attack, the police team successfully defended themselves.