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Alexander Zverev wins French Open for first Grand Slam title
via Punch Nigeria4 min read
World number two Alexander Zverev secured his first Grand Slam title by defeating Italy's Flavio Cobolli in a five-set French Open final. Zverev, the second seed, won 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-7 5/7, 6-1 in four hours and 16 minutes, becoming the first German man to win a major tournament since Boris Becker in 1996. This victory marks a significant moment for Zverev, who had previously experienced heartbreaking near misses in Grand Slams, including a season-ending ankle injury at the 2022 French Open semi-final. Cobolli, the 10th seed, was playing in his first Grand Slam final and expressed mixed emotions, congratulating Zverev while also acknowledging his own disappointment at being so close to the title. Both players showed nerves during the match, particularly Cobolli in the first set. Zverev's experience ultimately prevailed in the deciding set, allowing him to shed the label of being one of the best players never to have won a major title. He had previously lost in three Grand Slam finals, six quarter-finals, and seven semi-finals, notably blowing a two-set lead in the 2020 US Open final against Dominic Thiem.
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Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf has signed executive orders prohibiting the sale, trafficking, and abuse of illicit substances and unregistered pharmaceutical products without valid prescriptions. The new measures also include a movement restriction from 6 pm to 10 am in areas identified as centers of drug abuse and criminal activities. Governor Yusuf stated that these actions are in response to drug abuse being a significant threat to public safety, security, and social stability in Kano. Security agencies have been authorized to stop, search, arrest, and prosecute offenders, with the possibility of revoking Certificates of Occupancy for properties used in illicit drug trafficking. A Multi-Agency Anti-Substance Abuse Task Force has been inaugurated to enforce these directives, coordinate intelligence gathering, conduct enforcement operations, and implement public enlightenment campaigns and rehabilitation programs. The task force, led by Muhuyi Rimingado, includes representatives from various security agencies, traditional institutions, religious bodies, civil society organizations, and the business community, and is mandated to dismantle criminal hideouts and drug dens across the state.
Must ReadThe Federal Government of Nigeria plans to continue phasing out electricity subsidies and transitioning to cost-reflective tariffs across the power sector. Special Adviser to the President on Power Infrastructure, Sadiq Wanka, stated that vulnerable Nigerians will receive targeted support, possibly through a proposed Power Consumer Assistance Fund. Wanka acknowledged that cost-reflective tariffs are a challenging topic but affirmed the government's commitment to the policy, expecting the transition to occur within the next year or so. He highlighted that Nigeria's electricity sector lags behind many emerging economies in per capita consumption and infrastructure, requiring about $9 billion to $12 billion annually in investments through 2045, significantly more than the current $1 billion. The Electricity Act 2023 has liberalized the sector, creating new investment opportunities, particularly in embedded generation, mini-grids, industrial clusters, and renewable energy sources like solar and hydropower, which are projected to constitute 80% of installed capacity by 2045. Executive Director of Governance and Sustainability at Sahara Group, Ejiro Gray, emphasized the need for African journalism to critically examine energy transition narratives rather than merely echoing external assumptions.
Must ReadFormer Miss Universe Nigeria, Chidimma Adetshina, encountered anti-immigrant chants outside a South African court on Monday during her appearance in a case challenging her deportation. Adetshina was arrested in Cape Town last month for allegedly residing in the country illegally and is seeking to prevent the South African Department of Home Affairs from deporting her. The Cape Town Regional Court adjourned the matter until August 19. A video circulating on social media shows women shouting remarks such as “Go home, Nigeria is your home. We wouldn’t accept you in South Africa” at Adetshina as she left the court. This incident has sparked online reactions, with many users condemning the remarks as xenophobic, and occurs amidst ongoing debate regarding immigration and the treatment of foreign nationals in South Africa.