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No Farewell Grand Slam Title For Williams Sisters

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ABN Editor 2
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No Farewell Grand Slam Title For Williams Sisters
Serena and Venus Williams

There will be no farewell grand slam title in doubles for Serena Williams after she and sister Venus lost in the first round of the US Open.

The sisters decided to give it one last whirl four years after their last slam appearance together and six years on from the most recent of their 14 titles.

But the old magic was not quite there and they fell to a 6(5)-7 4-6 loss to the Czech duo of 37-year-old Lucie Hradecka and 17-year-old Linda Noskova.

The match was surely the first opening-round doubles contest ever to begin a night session on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

When it was announced Serena and Venus would be playing doubles, it had appeared this might be the former’s last match.

But her success in singles gave this contest a slightly different complexion.

The competitive desire was very much there, and Serena again looked sharp both from the back of the court and at the net.

But Hradecka and Noskova hung on and then seized their chance in the tie-break, Hradecka threading a fine pass down the line on set-point to virtual silence.

She was emerging as the key player against her fellow veterans.

Although Serena and Venus retrieved an early break to get back to 4-4, a break of the Serena serve settled the contest.

Serena will now concentrate solely on trying to extend her final tournament in singles, where she will take on Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic in the third round on Friday.

N11.9bn Stolen From Kwara Treasury In Eight Years – Report

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ABN Editor 2
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Gunmen Kill Doctor, Abduct Daughter In Kwara
Map-of-Kwara-State

At least N11.9 billion of public funds were carted away from the treasury of Kwara State between 2011 and 2019 without any lawful tie to any project or programme, a forensic audit report has revealed.

The audit report commissioned by the state government revealed that N2 billion cash withdrawals not tied to any project or official expenditure were made within eight days in February 2019, barely one month to the general election.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Kwara State governor, Rafiu Ajakaiye, said this in a statement released by late Thursday.

According to him, the revelation came during the submission of the report to governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq SSAC and Professionals, a leading consulting firm who conducted the audit.

Partner at the SSAC and Professionals Anthony Iniomoh, said the report was in two volumes covering Internally Generated Revenue; Capital Receipts; Internal and External Loans; Recurrent / Overhead Expenditure; Personnel Cost (Salaries and Wages); Capital Expenditure; Assets Disposed; Kwara State Internal Revenue Service; Infrastructural Fund Kwara (IFK); Harmony Holdings Limited; amongst others.

He said, “A few highlights of our findings may be necessary for the record. Our forensic audit revealed a colossal pilfering of N11,981,268,709 which we recommended should be recovered to the public coffers. Similarly, we recommended to the state government to prosecute certain officers and companies in addition to claiming exemplary damages on transactions totalling N6,023,358,444, amongst other key finding.

“This is especially so in the cases of firms that we observed were paid huge public funds without any evidence of work done on record. In one instance, records show that a firm that was incorporated at the Corporate Affairs Commission on 14th June, 2016 was paid by the state government for a contract it purportedly executed for the state in April of the same year. It became apparent that this was a preconceived attempt to defraud the state.

“There was an instance of public officer getting paid at two different places for years, which is a clear breach of the law. Other infractions arising as a result of obvious conflict of interest and violation of due process were also spotlighted for the government to draw up new policy instruments to prevent such in the future.

“There was also a cash withdrawal within 8 days of N2.06 billion in February 2019 which was of interest to the audit. However, no documentation was made available to validate the purpose for which the money was withdrawn. There were also several other cash withdrawals within the state over the period running into billions of Naira which we could not validate.

“These and others have been recommended to be referred to an Administrative Panel of Enquiry. Furthermore, the audit revealed that loans were obtained by the Kwara State Government within the period under review.

“The elements of these loans could not be validated. Above all, the bank accounts to which these loans were disbursed and what the loans were used for could not be established or validated.”

The report suggested to the government to prosecute some individuals and firms indicted in the two volume report, while other issues were to be referred to administrative panel of inquiry for some individuals to explain their roles in the many infractions.

On his part, the governor said the revelations were truly disturbing but hardly surprising, given the patterns of events in those years.

“We thank you for the robust work. It confirms what we have been saying all along,” he added.

“We also saw that it has taken a bit of time and I know that there were certain deliberate efforts to obstruct your work. That was why it has taken some time because you have made certain complaints about that and we tried to push those that were supposed to open the doors to make the doors easy for you.

“Your report, like others, will help us to steadily put the state in the right direction to deepen transparency and accountability. We will go through the report fully and look into your recommendations.

“With few things you said now, it is mind-boggling especially withdrawing cash of over N2bn a month to the election and all sorts of infractions that took place. Certainly, we shall progress from here and do the needful.”

Cultural Group Endorses Abdullahi Sule For Second Term

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ABN Editor 2
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Cultural Group Endorses Abdullahi Sule For Second Term

A cultural group in Nasarawa State, Tiv Development Association, has endorsed Governor Abdullahi Sule for a second term in office.

Speaking during the endorsement ceremony at the Government House, Lafia on Thursday, the President of TIDA, Peter Ahemba, said the endorsement was because of the governor’s efforts towards addressing issues of insecurity in the state.

He commended the governor for being able to tackle the recent farmers/herders crisis which led to the displacement of many Tiv farmers in the southern part of the state.

He said, “Your Excellency Sir, members of the Tiv Community under the umbrella of Tiv Development Association are here before you today to register our gratitude for the demonstrated commitment of your government in dealing decisively with security threats and ensuring that our people, who were displaced by herders’ attacks in the southern part of the state are returned to their places of abode to continue with their farming activities.

“Indeed, your efforts have yielded the desired results as evident in the relative peace being enjoyed in our communities and the bumper harvest that has continued to be recorded by our farmers.

“We wish to reaffirm our total loyalty and support to the industrialization agenda of your government which has brought about influx of investors into the State.

“The transformative programmes of your government in virtually all sectors of the economy and the huge investment in peace and security of the state have continued to endear you to the Tiv people who are the major beneficiaries. Sir, we want to use this opportunity to assure you of our support for your re-election bid in 2023 and beyond.”

On his part, Governor Abdullahi Sule while thanking TIDA for the endorsement, said in order to achieve peace across the 13 Local Government Areas of the state, he had been having series of meetings with security agencies to forestall any breech of law and order.

“We are providing security for Tiv communities in the state to protect you all from attacks that had disrupted your farming activities. The Tiv people of Nasarawa state had gone through very hard times in the past and I would not want to see that happen again.

“I am happy that most of the Tiv farmers who were displaced during the recent crisis have all gone back to their communities and they are all enjoying a peaceful atmosphere. I want to appeal to everyone of us to forgive ourselves where we have gone wrong and live together as one people,” the governor added.

2023: You Are Hypocrites, Disgrace – PDP Attacks Tinubu, Shettima Over Jonathan’s visit

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ABN TV EDITOR
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2023: We'll Not Lie To Nigerians About The Country's Challenges During Our Campaign — Shettima

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has criticized the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, and his running mate, Kashim Shettima, for visiting former President Goodluck Jonathan.

PDP described Tinubu and Shettima as hypocrites.

Debo Ologunagba, the National Publicity Secretary of PDP, recalled how Tinubu attacked and lied against Jonathan’s administration.

In a series of tweets, Ologunagba warned that the photograph Tinubu and Shettima had with Jonathan will not save them in 2023.

He wrote: “In a desperate design to whitewash their battered public image, identifying with the obvious successes of the PDP and in an attempt to posture as statesmen, the APC Presidential Candidate, his running mate, Sen. Kashim Shettima and other APC leaders shamelessly orchestrated a photo opportunity with the distinguished and successful former President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“This is a patriotic Nigerian leader whose PDP-led purposeful and successful government the APC leaders viciously harassed, constantly insulted, labelled, sabotaged, and discredited for their selfish power-grabbing enterprise.

“Nigerians have not forgotten how Asiwaju Tinubu callously vilified and pilloried Dr. Jonathan, spewed hate against his administration, and reportedly funded a near riotous protest which was inflamed by concocted economic lies, propaganda, and false statistics to discredit the Jonathan-led PDP administration.”

Ginger Onwusibe: Hon. Chukwu Warns Abia Govt Against Harassment Of Opposition Lawmakers

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ABN TV EDITOR
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Ginger Onwusibe: Hon. Chukwu Warns Abia Govt Against Harassment Of Opposition Lawmakers
Hon. Chijioke Chukwu

Minority Leader of Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Chijioke Chukwu has condemned the invitation of his colleague and member representing Isialangwa North, Hon. Ginger Onwusibe by Force headquarters Abuja over allegation of threat to life brought against him by a yet-to-be-identified individual.

Speaking with ABN TV on Friday, Chukwu representing Bende North in the state Assembly described the invitation as antics of the state government to harass opposition lawmakers, warning that it could truncate the cordial relationship between the state government and the legislature.

He wondered why the identity of Onwusibe’s petitioner is not unraveled, saying since the defection of Hon. Onwusibe from the PDP to Labour Party, he has been a subject of attacks and harassment by the state government.

“As lawmakers, we are not against any invitation by the security agencies or investigation of any individual for alleged breach of any part of the constitution but one begins to wonder and get worried, that since he defected to Labour Party after realizing that his former party, the PDP is not sincere to Abians.

“Unfortunately he realized late that his former party, the PDP-led state government does not mean well for Abians, he has come under a series of attacks, just like the APGA leader in the state Assembly, Hon. Obinna Ichita,” he said.

He accused the PDP-led administration of attempting to intimidate opposition lawmakers to do its bidding, insisting that the opposition will continue to speak up against the way and manner the state is governed.

Chukwu, therefore, cautioned the state government against threatening the relative peace the state enjoys with what he called the continuous harassment of opposition but focus on delivering effective governance to the people of the state.

2023: Mascot Kalu Lands Aba North As APP Commences LG Verification Tour (Photos)

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ABN TV EDITOR
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2023: Mascot Kalu Lands Aba North As APP Commences LG Verification Tour (Photos)

In continuation of his LGA verification tour, the Abia state APP’s governorship candidate, Chief Mascot Uzor Kalu, and his team stormed Aba North on Thursday for a brief town hall meeting.

2023: Mascot Kalu Lands Aba North As APP Commences LG Verification Tour (Photos)

The verification tour, which kicked started on Wednesday, is to assess the preparedness of the party for the upcoming 2023 elections in the state and to examine the growth of the party by the governorship candidate.

In what was perceptible evidence that the party is growing at a geometrical rate barely a year after its formation in Abia state, the hall was filled to the brim with elated party members that came to cheerfully welcome Chief Mascot, his running mate, Prof. Osondu Akoma, and his entourage.

Furthermore, the highlight of the event was the defection of other party members to the APP, and most notable amongst them were Hon. Fineman Ngwakwe and Hon. Ahuruonye Onyinyechukwu, APC LG Secretary of Aba North and Assistant State Secretary of SDP, respectively, to the APP.

Speaking on behalf of the new defectors, Hon. Ahuruonye said his conviction to join APP was because of the antecedents of Chief Mascot Kalu.

“I did not see any headway in where I was and had not seen any credible candidate to give my allegiance to. But when I was told about Mascot and his antecedents, I decided to join forces with the APP.”

He went on to promise that he would convert the State Secretary of the SDP to an APP member very soon.

At the meeting, Chief Kalu asked for the APP members, Reality Organization members, and members of the MUK— the three structures at his disposal—to form a strong alliance and work together for a common goal.

He further asked the executive members of the party at the respective LGA levels of the new defectors to make sure they are accommodated in the party so that they can fully participate in the electoral activities of the party and reap the benefits thereof when the time comes.

2023: I Am Not Loyal To Peter Obi – Aisha Yesufu

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ABN TV EDITOR
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Guber election: "God Forbid" – Aisha Yesufu Disagrees With Peter Obi Over Governorship Candidate
Aisha Yesufu and Peter Obi

Social activist, Aisha Yesufu, has insisted she is not loyal to the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Mr. Peter Obi.

Yesufu in a tweet on Thursday night, said that her loyalty was to Nigeria and she was ready to criticize Obi.

However, she also made it clear she would work for the former Anambra State Governor to win the 2023 presidential election.

“Just so we are clear, my number one job is to criticise Peter Obi’s @PeterObi every move that needs to be criticised.

“The second is to support him to win the election, noting that she only needed someone that could make Nigeria work.

“My loyalty is to Nigeria, not Peter Obi. I just need someone that can work for Nigeria. Don’t get it mixed up!” Yesufu tweeted.

President Buhari Signs Rep. Benjamin Kalu’s NIMET Bill Into Law

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ABN TV EDITOR
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President Buhari Signs Rep. Benjamin Kalu's NIMET Bill Into Law

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday, August 31, 2022, signed into law the bill for an act to amend the Nigeria Meteorological Agency, NIMET Act to grant the Nigeria Meteorological Agency sole authority to grant approvals and licenses for the establishment of meteorological stations and other related matters sponsored by Hon. Benjamin Kalu, representing Bende Federal Constituency, ABN TV reports.

The NIMET bill was listed among the eight bills signed into law by President Buhari, Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly matters (House of Representatives), Hon. Nasiru Baballe lla said in a statement.

The bill which was first read on Wednesday, July 3rd, 2019 seeks to repeal the Nigerian Metrological Agency (Establishment, etc.) Act, No. 9 of 2003, enacts the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (Establishment) Act, to provide for a comprehensive legal and institutional framework for the regulation of meteorology in Nigeria.

It further advises the Federal Government on all aspects of meteorology; project, prepare and interpret government policies in the field of meteorology; and issue weather forecasts for the safe operation of air-crafts, ocean-going vessels, and oil rigs in accordance with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Standard and Recommended Practices (SARPs).

In his lead debate, the member stated that following the massive land mass of the Country, 54 meteorological observation stations nationwide is a far cry from the required 9000 observation stations also stating the difficulty for the government to fund the establishment of the stations. According to the debate:

“Section 7(1)(q) of the Nigeria Meteorological Agency Act provides for the agency to be the sole authority that approves and establishes meteorological centers in Nigeria. This inadvertently makes it unlawful for any other person to establish a meteorological station anywhere in Nigeria irrespective of its purposes.  

“This means that all the universities, polytechnics, colleges, secondary schools, and even private sectors that own and run meteorological observation do so contrary to the laws of the land.

“You will acknowledge the fact that 54 meteorological observation stations nationwide are a far cry from the required 9000 observation stations. 

“It is also worrisome that we are far below the expectation and recommendation of the World Meteorological Organization, we must realize how difficult it is for government to directly fund through the agency, the establishment of as many as 9000 meteorological stations.  The way to go therefore is to open up the sector by identifying the existing stations that are not part of the network run by the agency, approve and license them and as well enter into collaboration with them, upgrade them, and provide them with the necessary support.  At the moment there are about 40 universities, 36 polytechnics and 32 colleges of education, and thousands of secondary schools that have meteorological stations. Licensing and regulating the existing meteorological stations as well as other intending stations will be a quick way of improving upon the density of meteorological stations across the federation.”

With this Act becoming law, the Agency is empowered by this Act as the sole authority to approve, license, certify and regulate the establishment of meteorological stations for meteorological observations, the operators and operating personnel at a fee to be prescribed by the Agency and where necessary, make regulation in this regard, save for aeronautical meteorological services.

Historically, this would be one of the rare moments that a bill sponsored by a first-time member of the House of Representatives becomes law.

Rep. Benjamin Kalu who was ecstatic with this development while speaking with ABN TV Correspondent from Sydney New South Wales Australia, expressed delight in seeing that his efforts on this bill have come to fruition. The lawmaker recalled that this was the second bill that he sponsored on the floor of the House upon resumption into office as a result of the change in weather conditions as a result of global warming in society and the need to observe the weather conditions more accurately.

Rep. Kalu thanked the President for his commitment to the security and welfare of the citizens by signing this Act into Law, adding that with this law, there will be an increase in the density of meteorological observation stations across the federation to meet the standards set by the World Meteorological Organization among other things.

Increase in the number of meteorological observation stations will improve the quality of data collated across the federation and this would result in more accurate predictions and forecasts which will ultimately ensure human safety and increase productivity in agriculture, agro-based industrial productions, air and sea travel, commerce, tourism, etc.

He also commended the Agency for its cooperation and collaboration on data sharing and its effort to ensure the existing gap between information and data in the agency is successfully bridged.

2023: We Will Publish Final List Of Candidates September 20 — INEC

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ABN TV EDITOR
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2023: We Will Publish Final List Of Candidates September 20 — INEC
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has said the final list of candidates for the 2023 general would be published on September 20.
 
The commission also informed that on 4th October, final list of candidates for State elections (Governorship and State Houses of Assembly) would be published.
 
INEC National Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this yesterday in Abuja, at an imperative meeting with experts conducting elections in volatile security environment, organised in partnership with the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD).
 
Mahmood appealed to political parties and candidates to focus on issue-based campaigns, devoid of rancour.
 
Activities towards the 2023 General Election will enter critical stages this month.
 
‘In the next 19 days i.e. on 20th September 2022, the Commission will publish the final list of candidates for national elections (Presidential, Senatorial and House of Representatives) as provided in Sec. 32(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 and the Timetable and Schedule of Activities released by the Commission.
 
“This will be followed on 4th October 2022 by the publication of the final list of candidates for State elections (Governorship and State Houses of Assembly).
 
“Campaign in public by political parties will officially commence on 28th September 2022 as provided by Sec. 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022.
 
“As campaigns commence, we appeal to all political parties and candidates to focus on issue-based campaigns,” he said.
 
Country Director, CDD, Indayat Hassan, explained that the meeting was organised for stakeholders to brainstorm how to de-escalate insecurity ahead of the plebiscite.
 
Hassan said: “This meeting is actually been held against the background of the different insecurity plaguing the country ranging from the separatist agitation in the southeast, the banditry and jihadist in the Northwest Boko Haram insurgency that is still raging in the North East itself and all the security in comparison to the 2015 challenges we experienced.
 
“So this all idea, we have to start talking about how to de-escalate the tension and how to secure the environment, such that the Independent National Electoral Commission will be able to assess all areas of the country to conduct peaceful and legitimate elections come 2023.
 
“I think one for this election is the security of election materials, the security of personnel, the security of voters actually, in context and their ability to assess all areas.
 
“There are actually problems but we should also note that this is not just an INEC problem, this is a stakeholders problem, this security way are already prevailing.
 
“The challenge we are having is how do we conduct elections against the background of this prevailing insecurity and it will behold on the federal government and other stakeholders to come in.
 
“Of course, the security forces were already doing some work in terms of reducing tension and bringing sanity to this part of the country to hasten it up such that elections can be held peacefully and voters can actually exercise their franchise during this election.”

EFCC Arrests Ogun Speaker Oluomo At Lagos Airport

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ABN TV EDITOR
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EFCC Arrests Ogun Speaker Oluomo At Lagos Airport
Olakunle Oluomo

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has arrested Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Olakunle Oluomo at the Muritala Muhammad Airport, Lagos State.

Our correspondent gathered that Oluomo was arrested over allegations bordering on financial crimes.

A staff member at the assembly who pleaded anonymity said the speaker was picked up this morning at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, by operatives following a tip-off.

The source said Oluomo was undergoing further grilling in the custody of the agency.

He was said to have been on the wanted list of the commission following his failure to honour EFCC invitation several times.

He and some others were accused of forging signatures and financial documents of the assembly.

An attempt to get confirmation from the EFCC failed as the spokesperson for Lagos zonal office, Ayo Oyewole, refused to answer the calls.

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