Popular Yoruba Nollywood actress, Omawunmi Ajiboye, has debunked claims of a romantic affair with All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Musiliu Akinsanyan, popularly known as MC Oluomo.
Naija News reports that this comes after the movie star laid her mother to rest in Osogbo, Osun state, in grand style and penned a lengthy epistle to appreciate MC Oluomo via her Instagram page while she wrote a sentence to thank her husband, Segun Ogungbe.
Recall that there have been speculations that Omawunmi is romantically linked to MC Oluomo, who allegedly furnished a new apartment for her, which led to her marriage crash, and Segun has returned to his first wife.
In a statement via Instagram on Sunday, the thespian described herself as a virtuous woman, and she would not allow her hard work, tenacity, and personality to be credited to another person.
She admitted that MC Olumo is a philanthropist; however, she has no romantic relationship with him, and it is disheartening for people to always credit her hard work to him.
She wrote: “I need to clear air, I am a virtuous and hardworking woman and i wouldn’t allow my hard work, my tenacity,my name, my sweat and my truth to be robbed. I had sealed with the King of Fuji Music independently years before the burial party and as a norm after the birth of a group called CGI(Connecting Grassroots Initiatives) I had to officially invite the Pioneer of the group in person of MC Oluomo..
“I can categorically say that i have never had a romantical relationship with him prior or during the party i just had . It took me 7 years to give my mother a final befitting burial and which i am proud to do solely …The philanthropist gave me money to support in the presence of the committee a day to the party.(group members can testify). Everything i have done single handedly is always tagged to him and somehow robs me of my hardwork and my sweat .i kept quiet for long as people know him to be a philantropist but i am boldly saying that i do not have any romantical relationship with him and this does not cancel the fact that he has been a good person to me. This is not to say that i did not receive gifts and supports from friends and colleagues like everyone would ..
“As for the adorable father of my children who has refused to say a word on our relationship status and i decided to respect his opinion but when i see the undeserved empathy he gets in a mutual agreement,i feel tempted to talk but still for the sake of the beautiful kids ,i would keep mute until he finds an appropriate time to do otherwise.
“I do not have control over people’s joy as everyone came to the party joyfully and we ended it on a good note . Once again,i appreciate everyone who showed me concern ,called me and told me not to say a word. I am sorry i dissapointed you all but i refuse to be robbed by false news and rumours.
“To rumour mongers and their fans,its always sweet and fun until it gets to your turn,i sincerely hope you maintain same energy by then.. I am omowunmi ajiboye I will never be bullied to silence I will never be pressured into accepting what i know nothing about. If i lie,let God judge me. If this is really my truth,God bless me more and all that i do, amen”
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella on Monday announced the hiring of OpenAI’s Sam Altman and other members of his team, days after the co-founder of the venture behind ChatGPT was fired.
“The mission continues,” Altman, who rose to fame with the launch of the artificial intelligence chatbot last year, posted on X, formerly Twitter.
Nadella wrote on X that Altman “will be joining Microsoft to lead a new advanced AI research team,” along with OpenAI co-founder Greg Brockman and their colleagues.
OpenAI’s board sacked Altman on Friday, prompting other high-profile departures from the company as well as a reported push by major investors to bring him back.
‘Despite Pressure’
The board stood by its decision in a memo sent to employees on Sunday night, saying it was “the only path to advance and defend the mission of OpenAI,” The New York Times reported.
The board of ChatGPT creator OpenAI on Sunday rejected pressure from Microsoft and other major investors to reverse its stunning decision to fire CEO Sam Altman, US media reported.
OpenAI and Altman rocketed to fame with the launch of ChatGPT last year, showcasing advances in generative artificial intelligence that set off a gold rush in the sector.
But the company’s board shocked the industry on Friday by removing co-founder Altman, prompting other high-profile departures as well as a reported push by major investors to bring the 38-year-old back.
The board stood by its decision in a memo sent to employees on Sunday night, saying it was “the only path to advance and defend the mission of OpenAI,” The New York Times reported.
“Put simply, Sam’s behavior and lack of transparency in his interactions with the board undermined the board’s ability to effectively supervise the company in the manner it was mandated to do,” the board said in the memo, according to the Times.
The OpenAI board also appointed Emmett Shear, a former chief executive of Amazon’s Twitch streaming service, as the interim CEO, it added.
When the OpenAI board announced Altman’s exit last week, it said chief technology officer Mira Murati would become the interim CEO.
The developments on Sunday were also reported by Bloomberg and tech industry news site The Information.
The board had grown increasingly concerned that Altman was underestimating the dangers of its tech and leading the company away from its stated mission, US media reported.
The Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday that high-profile OpenAI investors including global tech titan Microsoft and venture firm Thrive Capital were trying to restore Altman as CEO.
Microsoft has invested more than $10 billion in OpenAI and has rolled out the AI pioneer’s tech in its own products.
Generative AI platforms such as ChatGPT are trained on vast amounts of data to enable them to answer questions, even complex ones, in human-like language.
They are also used to generate and manipulate imagery.
The ballooning of investment in AI R&D by companies around the world has led to warnings about the dangers of its misuse — from blackmailing people with “deepfake” images to the manipulation of images and harmful disinformation.
US media reported that the announcement from OpenAI’s board on Sunday was signed by its directors, including co-founder and respected AI expert Ilya Sutskever.
Sutskever had reportedly aired his concerns with OpenAI’s business directions as well as the threats posed by the technology.
He has told OpenAI staff that Altman would not return, according to Bloomberg
A set of six jerseys that Lionel Messi wore during Argentina’s victorious 2022 World Cup run will be auctioned in December, Sotheby’s announced Monday, estimating their value at more than $10 million.
The football star donned these shirts during the first halves of the group-stage rounds against Saudi Arabia and Mexico, as well as later games against Australia, the Netherlands and Croatia — and the final against France.
Argentina’s winning run in Qatar last year was the final feather in the forward’s cap, having failed to secure the championship in four previous World Cups.
If the jerseys indeed fetch above $10 million, that could make the sale the most valuable collection of sports memorabilia ever auctioned off, Sotheby’s said.
The most expensive individual jersey ever sold at auction was one that basketball legend Michael Jordan wore during his NBA finals run with the Chicago Bulls in 1998.
It sold for $10.1 million last year.
Auction houses have increasingly taken note of sports memorabilia in recent years, considered a growing market.
The shirts are being brought to auction by US tech startup AC Momento, which helps athletes manage memorabilia collections.
A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the UNICAS Project, an initiative with a Barcelona children’s hospital that helps kids with rare diseases.
The jerseys will be available for free public viewing when they are up for auction, from November 30 to December 14.
Former Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy is set to sue the Premier League champions after claiming he is owed millions of pounds in unpaid wages.
Mendy will take City to an employment tribunal in a bid to recoup what the French left-back believes were “unauthorised deductions from wages” after he was charged with rape and sexual assault two years ago.
The 29-year-old was cleared of the rape and attempted rape charges and left City when his contract expired in June.
It is alleged City stopped paying Mendy in September 2021 after he was initially charged and held in custody.
“Nick De Marco KC… is acting for the former Manchester City player Benjamin Mendy in a multi-million-pound claim for unauthorised deductions from wages,” a statement on behalf of Mendy told Sky Sports and The Guardian.
“Manchester City FC failed to pay Mr Mendy any wages at all from September 2021, following Mr Mendy being charged with various offences all of which he was subsequently acquitted of, until the end of his contract in June 2023. The claim will come before an employment tribunal.”
In January, Mendy was cleared of six counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, but the jury were unable to reach verdicts on two charges, leading to a retrial.
He was found not guilty on those two charges by a jury at the retrial in July.
Mendy, who was reportedly paid around £100,000 ($125,000) per week by City, is seeking the return of pay he is owed up until the end of his contract with the treble winners.
A three-time Premier League champion with City, Mendy last played for Pep Guardiola’s team in 2021 and joined French club Lorient at the start of this season.
Coach Justin Madugu has called 21 players to the Super Falcons’ camp ahead of next week’s 13th Women Africa Cup of Nations final qualifying round, first leg clash with the Senior Women National Team of Cape Verde.
The nine-time African champions will host the Cape Verdians at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Thursday, 30th November, before both teams trade tackles in a return leg in Praia on Tuesday, 5th December.
To be eligible for this final round, the Super Falcons accomplished a commanding 5-1 aggregate win over their counterparts from Ethiopia, with the first leg in Addis Ababa ending 1-1 before a 4-0 lashing of the ‘Lucy’ in Abuja.
All invited players have been advised to report to the team’s camp in Abuja between the 25th and 27th of November.
The Falcons have never failed to reach the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations since the competition was launched as the African Women’s Championship in Nigeria in 1998, and have swept nine out of 12 titles that have been contested so far.
ALL THE INVITED PLAYERS:
Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC); Tochukwu Oluehi (Shualat Alsharqia FC, Saudi Arabia); Christiana Obia (Edo Queens)
Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachuca FC, Mexico); Glory Edet (FCF TP Mazembe, DR Congo); Rihanat Kasali (Bayelsa Queens); Oluwatosin Demehin (Stade de Reims, France); Akudo Ogbonna (Remo Stars Ladies); Rofiat Imuran (Stade de Reims, France)
Midfielders: Christy Ucheibe (SC Benfica, Portugal); Esther Onyenezide (FC Robo Queens); Peace Efih (Sporting Club de Braga, Portugal); Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid FC, Spain); Deborah Abiodun (University of Pittsburgh, USA); Toni Payne (Sevilla FC, Spain); Jennifer Echegini (Florida State University, USA)
Forwards: Omorinsola Babajide (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain); Asisat Oshoala (FC Barcelona Feminine, Spain); Esther Okoronkwo (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain); Uchenna Kanu (Racing Louisville, USA); Gift Monday (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain)
[DailyTrust]
Over the years, women have shown that they are great leaders. Studies and experience have shown that women bring unique perspectives to leadership roles.
Women are constantly evolving and reaching new milestones across a wide spectrum of human activities. Women are flexible and empathetic. They are also good builders, good listeners, good communicators and emotionally intelligent.
In the world of academia, some women who have been entrusted with leading roles to manage human and material resources have more often than not, proved that given adequate backing, they can perform creditably.
In this piece, The Nation’s ALAO ABIODUN presents some of Nigeria’s most excellent amazons that are making invaluable contributions to the world of academics as female Vice-Chancellors. In no particular order, they are:
1. Prof. Lilian Salami – UNIBEN
2. Prof. Florence Obi – UNICAL
3. Prof Nnenna Oti – FUTO
4. Prof Ibiyemi Bello – LASU
5. Prof Kaletapwa Farauta – ADSU
6. Prof. Adenike Oladiji – FUTA
7. Prof. Folasade Ogunsola – UNILAG
8. Prof. Bidemi Lafiaji-Okuneye – LASUED
9. Prof. Stella Chinye Chiemeke – University of Delta, Agbor
1. Lilian Salami – UNIBEN
Prof. Lilian Salami is the 10th substantive vice-chancellor of the University of Benin, Edo State. She was born in Jos, Plateau State, on the 8th of August, 1956.
A home economist and former Dean of the Faculty of Education, Salami became the second female vice-chancellor of the institution after Grace Alele Williams, who was also the first female vice-chancellor in Nigeria.
Last year, she was elected as the chairman of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Federal Universities. With her appointment, Salami became the second female to occupy the position.
2. Florence Obi – UNICAL
Professor Florence Obi is the 11th Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar and the first female to head the institution in 45 years.
Obi, a Professor of Special Needs Education in the university, was appointed the VC of the institution on September 10, 2020, replacing Prof. Zana Akpagu, whose tenure ended on November 30, 2020.
Before her appointment, she was the deputy vice-chancellor of the university (academic), as well as a one-time Commissioner for Women’s Affairs in Cross River State.
Obi, who has a PhD in the Psychology of Education from the University of Calabar, started her academic career as an assistant lecturer at the Institute of Education, the University of Calabar in 1990.
3. Prof Nnenna Oti – FUTO
Nnenna Oti is professor of Soil Science and Environmental Conservation. She emerged as the vice chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), beating six other candidates for the position.
She is the first female and eigth substantive vice-chancellor of the 41 years old university. She was formerly the deputy vice chancellor (Academics) of the institution.
She was also a two-time dean of post-graduate school and a three-time head of department of soil science and technology in the School of Agricultural and Agriculture Technology (SAAT).
Oti holds a Bachelor of Agriculture degree (B.Agric) in Soil Science from the University of Nigeria Nsukka, UNN; (First Class Honours), Masters in Soil Science (Soil Biology and Biochemistry Option), UNN; a Postgraduate Diploma in Irrigation Engineering (Distinction) from Katholic University Leuven, Belgium and capped her academic laurels with a PhD in Soil and Environmental Conservation from FUTO.
4. Prof Ibiyemi Bello – LASU
Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello is the ninth Vice Chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU). She is the second female VC to occupy the exalted post in the Lagos State-owned tertiary institution.
She is the wife of the Lagos State Ex-Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tunji Bello,
Ibiyemi, a Professor of Physiology, had served as Acting Vice-Chancellor of the institution before her appointment The 57-year-old academic was born on April 23, 1964, in Lagos.
5. Prof Kaletapwa Farauta – ADSU
In 2020, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri approved the appointment of Prof Kaletapwa Farauta as the substantive Vice-Chancellor of the Adamawa State University Mubi.
Until her appointment, she was the acting Vice-Chancellor of the institution. She had contested for the position alongside 25 others, out of which three top contenders emerged.
6. Prof. Adenike Oladiji – FUTA
Professor (Mrs) Adenike Temidayo Oladiji is the eighth substantive vice chancellor of Federal University of Technology, Akure.
She holds a B.Sc Biochemistry, Second Class Upper Division degree from the University of Ilorin, 1988; MSc. Biochemistry, University of Ilorin, 1991 and Doctor of Philosophy degree in Biochemistry from the University of Ilorin, 1997.
She joined the services of the University of Ilorin in July 1992 as Assistant Lecturer and was appointed a Professor in September 2011.
7. Prof. Folasade Ogunsola – UNILAG
Professor Folasade Ogunsola is the 13th substantive Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG). Ogunsola, the daughter of the late eminent geographer, Prof. Akin Mabogunje, has served the university in various capacities.
She was at a time the Provost of the College of Medicine in Idi Araba, Lagos and also served as a deputy vice chancellor to Ogundipe.
Ogunsola, a professor of clinical microbiology, is the first female vice-chancellor in the school’s 60-year history.
8. Prof. Bidemi Lafiaji-Okuneye – LASUED
Prof Lafiaji-Okuneye, a professor of Health Education, is the Ag. Vice –Chancellor Lagos State University of Education
She was born on February 2, 1972, on Lagos Island, Lagos State.
She obtained Doctor of Philosophy (Health Education) from University of Ibadan (2005), Master of Education (Health Education), University of Lagos (1999), Bachelor of Science (PHE), Lagos State University (1995) and Diploma in Physical and Health Education from Lagos State University (1991).
Lafiaji-Okuneye joined the service of Lagos State University as a Lecturer in the Faculty of Education. She was later appointed the Provost, Adeniran Ogusanya College of Education, Ijanikin until her appointment as the Ag. Vice –Chancellor, Lagos State University of Education Oto/Ijanikin.
9. Prof. Stella Chinye Chiemeke – University of Delta, Agbor
Prof. Stella Chiemeke began her academic voyage in Lagos State, Nigeria where she obtained her Primary School Certificate from Lagos Progressive Primary School, Surulere Lagos State.
Soon after, she proceeded to the renowned Anglican Girl Grammar School, Surulere Lagos State for her Secondary Education.
Prof. Chiemeke holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science from University of Lagos and a Master of Science Degree in Computer Science from the same University. She obtained her PhD in Computer Science from the Federal University of Technology, Akure in 2004.
She started her professional career first as a programmer (1986-1987), and later the Head of Computer Centre of the Edo State University (Now Ambrose Alli University), Ekpoma (1987-1994).
In 1994, she joined the services of the University of Benin, Benin City, as an Assistant Lecturer and rose to the position of a Professor in 2009 at the same time the second Female Professor of Computer Science in Nigeria and First in the University of Benin.
She has supervised over eighty (80) Master of Science students and Sixteen (16) Doctoral of Philosophy (PhD) students in the Department of Computer Science, University of Benin and has published over 124 publications in national and international reputable journals.
Prof. Chiemeke has 12 academic books in the area of Computer Science and Programming. She is Fellow of Renewable and Alternative Energy Society of Nigeria (REASON), Fellow, Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), Fellow of Strategic Institute for Natural Resources and Human Development (FRHD).
She is also a member of Computer Professional Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN), Member, Association of Computer Machinery (ACM), USA, Member, International Network for Women Engineers and Scientists (INWES), Ottawa, Canada, Member, Organization of Women Scientists for the Developing World (OWSDW), Trieste, Italy, Member, International Association of Engineers, (IAENG), UK, Member, Society for Women Engineers (SWE), Chicago, Member, Nigerian Women in Information Technology (NIWIIT).
Prof. Chiemeke has served in various administrative capacities both in the University of Benin and beyond.
She was Assistant Dean of the Faculty of Physical Sciences, University of Benin from January 2006 – June 2007, Acting Head of Department of Computer Science (2002-2004 and 2006-2009), Director of ICTU/CRPU, University of Benin in July 2010 to February 2015, Director of Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer office (IPTTO) and The pioneer Vice-chairman of the Committee of Directors of ICT in Nigerian Universities (ComDICT) etc.
Prof. Chiemeke was immediate past Rector, Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku Delta State from 2017-2021.
With the establishment of University of Delta, Agbor by the Government of Delta State, in 2021, she was appointed the Pioneer Vice Chancellor to steer the affairs of the new institution.
In view of her contributions towards the advancement of Computer Science Education in Nigeria, the Nigerian Computer Society, recognized and honoured her with the prestigious IT Personality of the Year, 2021.
Prof. Chiemeke is a devoted Christian, a Knight of St. James Anglican Church, Benin Diocese and blessed with four children.
[TheNation]
The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, would fire coach Jose Peseiro if they had the money to pay him off after two poor performances in World Cup qualifiers, according to executive committee member Nse Essien.
Nigeria’s qualification for the 2026 World Cup is already in serious jeopardy after they managed only two draws in their first two qualifiers against Lesotho and Zimbabwe.
Walter Musona scored direct from a free kick to put Zimbabwe ahead in the first half and Leicester forward Kelechi Iheanacho equalised midway through the second half.
Portuguese coach Peseiro has been singled out for criticism for the Super Eagles’ slow start to qualification.
“If we had the money (to pay for compensation), we will be willing to relieve him of his job. We’re not happy,” NFF member Essien told reporters.
“Everybody is asking for the sack of the head coach. It’s unfortunate that from a possible six points, we only have two points. We’re in a very precarious situation.”
South Africa lead Group C of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers with three points. And they will be expected to widen the gap on Tuesday when they visit Rwanda, while Lesotho host Benin in South Africa.
Nigeria, who failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, have two points from as many matches.
The qualifiers will resume in June 2024 with Nigeria hoping to make up lost ground when they welcome South Africa to the southern city of Uyo. Then, a tricky trip to Benin.
[Vanguard]
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, on Monday, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, said democracy has not been working as a system of government in Africa because it was “forced” on the continent.
Obasanjo stated this in his address at a high-level consultation on “Rethinking Western Liberal Democracy for Africa”.
The former president said the Western style of democracy failed in Africa because it did not take into consideration the views of the majority of the people.
Obasanjo described Western Liberal Democracy as a “government of a few people over all the people or population”.
”These few people are representatives of only some of the people and not full representatives of all the people.
“Invariably, the majority of the people were wittingly or unwittingly kept out. This is why we should have ‘Afro Democracy’ in place of Western Liberal Democracy.”
Obasanjo said African countries have no business operating a system of government in which they have no hands in its definition and design.
“The weakness and failure of liberal democracy as it is practised stem from its history, content, context and its practice.
“Once you move from all the people to representatives of the people, you start to encounter troubles and problems.
“For those who define it as the rule of the majority, should the minority be ignored, neglected and excluded?
“In short, we have a system of government in which we have no hands to define and design and we continue with it, even when we know that it is not working for us.
“Those who brought it to us are now questioning the rightness of their invention, its deliverability and its relevance today without reform,” he said.
Obasanjo explained that the essence of any system of government should be the welfare and well-being of the people.
“Here, we must interrogate the performance of democracy in the West — where it originated from — and with us the inheritors of what we are left with by our colonial powers.
“We are here to stop being foolish and stupid. Can we look inward and outward to see what in our country, culture, tradition, practice and living over the years that we can learn from?
“(Something) that we can adopt and adapt with practices everywhere for a changed system of government that will service our purpose better and deliver.
“We have to think out of the box and, after, act with our new thinking.
“You are invited here to examine clinically the practice of liberal democracy, identify its shortcomings for our society and bring forth ideas and recommendations that can serve our purpose better,” he said.
In his remarks, a former governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, noted that liberal democracy in Africa was confronted with many challenges.
Fayemi said the improvement of the welfare of the people remained important, saying that democracy faced challenges of delivery in Africa.
“Non-delivery of development outcomes for the people must be adequately addressed so that democracy can deliver,” he said.
(NAN)
‘Tinubu Is Reaping From Sweat Of My Effort’ – Atiku’s Aide Speaks On Alleged Lopsided Appointment
AdminFormer Special Adviser on Research and Strategy to former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, Umar Ardo, says he is unbothered about the alleged lopsided appointment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In an interview with PUNCH, Ardo, said delivery should be considered irrespective of the regions of the appointees, stressing that the immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari appointed northerners in most sectors, but they failed to deliver.
Speaking on the country’s economic situation, Ardo averred that the removal of fuel subsidy is appeasement to international monetary organisations, insisting it is not helping the country.
When asked if he had pitched his tent with Tinubu, Atiku’s former aide said he does not have a close relationship with the President even though he is currently reaping from the sweat of his effort in contriving the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He said, “I have no business with him aside that he’s my country’s President. Other than when I was in the Villa serving as an adviser on State and Local Government Affairs, and he was the governor of Lagos State, we used to meet and relate purely in an official capacity, I never had anything to do with him. I can say I don’t know him from Adam. But I can also say he is unknowingly presently reaping from the sweat of my efforts in contriving the APC.
“But as Nigeria’s President, I pray for him to succeed. I hope for the sake of the country that he does. But for President Tinubu to succeed, he needs to focus on probity and accountability. The previous administration did not do that. They will give responsibility and there will not be any follow-up on that. I also thought he was going to address Nigeria’s problems, corruption.
“I am not worried at all; if those he appoints will deliver, I don’t care where they are from. What we want is delivery. After all, President Buhari appointed mostly northerners in most sectors of the country, but did they deliver? What benefits was it for the North? I don’t do things based on North-South, Muslim-Christian sentiments. Our country has collapsed, and I can only hope and pray for the success of President Tinubu’s administration.
“It is unfortunate that under him, the country is having serious problems, hunger, starvation, and poverty, especially in northern Nigeria. The removal of the fuel subsidy is an appeasement to international monetary organisations as far as I am concerned. But it is not helping the country; we are not subsidising anything. If President Tinubu wants to change the country, he must change the mode of governing the country because the mode of governance is faulty.”
Novak Djokovic won a record-breaking seventh ATP Finals title on Sunday after beating local hero Jannik Sinner 6-3, 6-3 in Turin.
World number one Djokovic moves clear of retired great Roger Federer in victories at the season-ending tournament after denying Italian Sinner a triumph on home soil.
Djokovic came into the Finals at the end of a year which has brought three Grand Slams, taking his total to an all-time best of 24, and a 40th Masters 1000 title.
And he has crowned an incredible season — in which he also reached the Wimbledon final — with yet another record, comfortably seeing off two of the game’s best young players in the process.
Sinner was bidding to become the first ever Italian to claim a Finals crown and looked like the right man to do it after his impressive group stage win over Djokovic.
But the 22-year-old, like Carlos Alcaraz in Saturday’s semi-final, simply could not handle Djokovic, a man on a mission who hit his best form at exactly the right time in the tournament.
It is a testament however to how far Sinner has come in the past year that he had Djokovic’s tournament fate in his hands at the end of the group stage, when defeat by Holger Rune would have sent the Serb home early.
Sinner saved Djokovic’s skin and in the end paid for it in the final, but the quality of his performances at the Pala Alpitour has been a cause for much optimism in Italy and suggests that he should be a Grand Slam contender next season.
– Djokovic in control –
Djokovic took control early in the match, breaking Sinner at the first opportunity in game four and then comfortably serving out the opening set.
Such was his dominance that Djokovic silenced a partisan crowd which has been rambunctious for all of Sinner’s matches, and he immediately broke serve again at the start of the second set.
He reeled off 14 straight points from the start of the final game of the first set into the third game of the second, which was eventually won by Sinner to just hold his serve.
Sinner looked like he was going to be walked over but he showed huge heart and brought the crowd to its feet when he held his serve in game seven, a 15-minute mini-epic in which Djokovic had two break points, to stay at 4-3.
However in the end he couldn’t stay with Djokovic and in the end surrendered the match in disappointing fashion with a double fault.
Earlier, Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury retained their ATP Finals doubles title on Sunday as they cruised to a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos.
The US Open champions kept hold of their crown with a near-perfect campaign in Turin, going unbeaten in their five matches.
American Ram and Briton Salisbury took their winning streak at the season-ending tournament to 10 matches after also sweeping to last year’s title undefeated.
Granollers and Zeballos missed out on the year-end top spot in the world rankings following the straight-sets defeat, with their eliminated Green Group opponents Ivan Dodig and Austin Krajicek remaining in first
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Zimbabwe head coach, Baltemar Brito has said his side deserved more from Sunday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying tie against the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
The Warriors were held to a 1-1 draw by their more illustrious opponent at the Huye Stadium, Butare.
The Southern Africans took the lead on 26 minutes through Walter Musona.
Leicester City forward, Kelechi Iheanacho, however, salvaged a point for Nigeria in the second half.
The Warriors and Super Eagles are yet to record a win in the qualifier having drawn their opening two games.
Brito believes they should have secured maximum points from the game.
“We started the game to win, we expected to win this game, unfortunately we drew,” Brito said in his post-match press conference.
“We had the ambition of winning this game, the players fought hard and this good performance is about them. They deserve all the credit for this good performance.
“We had the chance and in football it is about the team that creates chances and scores. We scored a beautiful goal, Nigeria maybe had one, two chances also they didn’t create many chances in our box.”
Zimbabwe’s next game in the qualifiers is against Benin Republic in June 2024.
Former Nigerian international Joseph Dosu has told Nigerians to hold Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro responsible if Nigeria fails to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Dosu stated this as Nigeria drew 1-1 against Zimbabwe in a World Cup qualifier at the Huye Stadium, Butare, on Sunday.
Goals from Walter Musona and Kelechi Iheanacho ensured both Nigeria and Zimbabwe shared a point each.
Nigeria now has two points from two games after the Zimbabwe encounter.
“I really don’t know what to say again because, from the beginning, Nigerians came out to say a lot of things with the way the Super Eagles have been playing and Jose Peseiro said we are putting pressure on the team and that we should not put pressure so that the team will play very well,” Dosu told Complete Sports.
“So we have decided not to put pressure and we are still seeing the same thing. So whatever the federation [NFF] and the coaches want to do with our national teams, they should keep on doing it. If we qualify [for 2026 World Cup], fine, and if we don’t qualify, there is nothing anybody can do. We can’t hold anybody responsible except the head and the coach, Peseiro.”
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has uncovered illegal crude oil warehouses and apprehended two suspects in separate operations conducted across Imo State.
NSCDC shared details of these operations on its official Facebook page on Sunday, along with images showcasing the successful enforcement activities.
The post reads in part: “Intensifying the war against economic saboteurs: The CG SIS arrests two suspected economic saboteurs and impounds one Toyota Sequoia jeep loaded with over 5,000 litres of suspected adulterated AGO at Abacheke of Ohaji/Egbema LGA of Imo State.”
Additionally, NSCDC revealed that during the operations, two illegal crude oil warehouses located in a dense forest in Izorsu community of Oguta II Local Government Area and Umuofor community of Oguta Local Government Area in Imo State were discovered and subsequently destroyed.
Falz, the rapper, has narrated how he and his managers survived a near-death experience in 2013.
In a chat with Gbemi O, the rapper and his managers Femisoro Ajayi and Sidney Sule recounted how they were attacked by armed men.
The trio said they took a trip to Abuja after Falz was invited to perform at a wedding ceremony.
Falz said that, during their trip back, they were shot at by “turban-tying, AK47-wielding, dangerous-looking men” on the expressway.
He said their driver was killed and the vehicle headed towards the forest. He said they all passed out.
The rapper said the armed robbers eventually retreated into the forest after hearing the police sirens.
“It was after NYSC and this was me working in my dad’s firm as a lawyer in 2013,” he said.
“Then we got a call to come to Abuja for a show. The payment was N1 million and logistics will be taken care of. It was a wedding, so we took the trip.
“There was no flight from Abuja to Lagos. So we hired a car from Abuja to Benin. I led a solid prayer and it was probably what ended up saving us.
“It was broad daylight and we started the trip around 2 pm. We fell asleep during the trip.
“Then we just heard a loud bang. We woke up to see these turban-tying, AK47-wielding, dangerous-looking men in the middle of the expressway.
“The bang we heard was a gunshot they had shot at the car. They shot at our car again and the bullet came flying in between everyone. Everything happened so fast.
“They shot at us again and the bullet hit the driver in the eye. The driver died instantly. The car started moving. It was wild. I remember seeing the car heading for a ditch and just thinking this is it.
“Then we passed out. I was the first to come around. I got out of the car and saw one of the men asking ‘Where is the money?’ I told him there was no money. He goes to the car looking for cash.
“We had left Abuja but we hadn’t gotten to Lokoja. It was all forest. It was the peak of Boko Haram and we were somewhere in the north.
“We started to hear sirens from far away. The police did not come near. At this point, they increased fire and started shooting. They later moved away from us and retreated.
“We tried to stop cars on the expressway, but not a single soul stopped. A police guy eventually came and another guy said he was a doctor.”
[TheCable]