Author: straightnewsng.com

Novak Djokovic battled through intense pressure from Dominic Thiem to re-assert his dominance at the Australian Open Sunday, claiming a record eighth title and in doing so retaking the world No. 1 ranking. The indomitable Serb stretched his unbeaten streak this season to 13 by rallying from two sets to one down and beating the courageous fifth-seeded Austrian 6-4, 4-6, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 in a nearly four-hour ordeal. It was his 17th Grand Slam title, moving him within two of Rafael Nadal and three of Roger Federer on the all-time list.

By: Israel Umoh During the military rule in the country, a police officer dared the military despots in the 80s. Alozie Ogubuaja, the then image-maker of Nigeria Police Force, Lagos Command described the Nigerian Army as a bunch of lazy men eating pepper-soup and drinking beer – with only one thought how to plan coup d’états. This irked and embarrassed the military top brass. His ‘sin’ fetched him a sack from the system. Probably, Ogubuaja fell as a victim in the public service for challenging the system and for his audacity and frankness in being himself. Maybe, he was not…

Antonio Rudiger rescued Chelsea as the German defender’s second goal of the game earned a 2-2 draw against top-four rivals Leicester on Saturday. Rudiger put Chelsea ahead early in the second half at the King Power Stadium before Harvey Barnes and Ben Chilwell scored in quick succession to give Leicester the lead. A thrilling second half climaxed when Rudiger became the first defender to score a brace for Chelsea in the Premier League since John Terry against Fulham in 2013. Third-placed Leicester could be more sanguine about the result as they sit eight points clear of fourth-placed Chelsea, who have…

History was made as Britain becomes the first country to quit the European Union after 47 years in the club, leaving 27 member states that will now regard it as a third country. Britain officially left the European Union on Friday – the last three dominated by wrangling over when and how the kingdom would eventually leave. Emotions were running high as the EU’s often reluctant member becomes the first to leave an organisation set up to forge unity among nations after the horrors of World War II. Thousands of people waving Union Jack flags packed London’s Parliament Square to…

Sofia Kenin has come from one-set down to claim her first major at the 2020 Australian Open. The fourteenth seed defeated Garbine Muguruza, 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 in a pulsating match that both women appeared to have on their racquet. The 21-year-old even fought off tears in the third set as the enormity of the situation got the better of her. But just like she has done all tournament, Kenin steadied to become the last woman standing at Melbourne Park. Muguruza sought assistance from a trainer in between the second and third sets, as fatigue appeared to set in. But in…

By Akanimo Sampson Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), a United Nations agency, has appealed for an urgent $76 million funding to tackle a Desert Locust outbreak in the Horn of Africa in order to protect livelihoods and food security. The locust outbreak is the worst to strike Ethiopia and Somalia for 25 years and the worst infestation that Kenya had experienced in 70 years. Djibouti and Eritrea are now being affected. Already, QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General, has said that the Desert Locust upsurge in the Horn of Africa is threatening to provoke a humanitarian crisis. Out of the $76 million…

By Akanimo Sampson US President Donald Trump has finally unleashed a missile attack on Nigeria by slapping immigration restrictions its citizens including six other countries, in addition to the list of nations already targeted by his controversial travel ban. The US embassy in Nigeria had announced that it was no longer accepting visa renewal applications via international courier service DHL. In a statement posted on Twitter, the embassy said Nigerians seeking to get US non-immigrant visas must apply online. They “will be required to appear in-person at the US Embassy in Abuja or US Consulate General in Lagos to submit…

By Akakan Umoh I was scheduled to travel the next day to my place of assignment. So, I went to a salon in Uyo Akwa Ibom capital to get a new hairdo. While in this salon, a mallam, (we call them Aboki in my place) carrying wristwatches and other female accessories stopped by the salon to advertise his wares. Nobody paid him attention. Yeah, they did glance at his wares, but they were not interested. The salon owner told him to go and come back next time. The man did something that shocked everyone there. He spoke our native language.…

Against renewed insecurity in the country, governors of the South-East states have concluded plans to establish a security outfit similar to ‘Operation Amotekun’ recently launched by their counterparts in the South West. Chairman of the South-East Governors Forum and Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, announced this when he hosted the General Officer Commanding 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Lasisi Adegboye, in Abakaliki, the State Capital. Although the name of the security outfit is yet to be made public, Channels Television gathered that the governors have written to the Federal Government, and also met with military authorities on their plan.…

By Akanimo Sampson Apparently piqued by recurring cases of extra-judicial killings in Nigeria in the guise of accidental discharges by policemen and operatives of other security agencies, federal lawmakers in the House of Representatives have summoned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, to appear before it on the matter to explain why police officers take delight in killing citizens. The resolution of the Green Chambers of the bicameral legislature, Thursday, followed a Motion of Urgent Public Importance sponsored by its Deputy Whip, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha (APC Abia), Ozuruigbo Ugonna (PDP Imo) and Princess Miriam Onuoha (APC Imo). Before its ruling…