A Niger Delta leader, Chief Goodnews Abalagha, has criticised James Ibori for opposing the Supreme Court judgement granting financial autonomy to the 774 local government councils.
The former Delta State Governor stated that asking the federal government to pay local government allocations to their respective accounts “is utter madness”.
“The Supreme Court has dealt a severe setback to the principle of federalism as defined by Section 162(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended),” he stressed.
In an interview with TVN on Saturday, Abalagba declared support for the decision of the apex court, saying it was a good development, though overdue.
Abalagha, who chaired a meeting of Niger Delta elders this week in Bayelsa State, noted that direct crediting of funds to local government will fast-track development.
Speaking in an interview with TVN, he said: “Ibori, as it stands, is a statesman and statesmen should be seen to be so in utterance and in action.
“A lot of us from the Niger Delta, over the years, have been championing and agitating for the financial autonomy of the local government councils in the country.
“You and I know that what we have here, local government elections conducted by the state governors, are not a true representation of the people.
“One of the best ways to ensure that development is brought to the people at the grassroots is through the LGAs. But over the years, LGAs and state governments’ joint allocations have become a scam.
“Governors now use the LGAs as their ATMs. So we’re very delighted that our president, who was a governor himself, understood how these things work. So for a personality like Ibori to come out and start criticising what the entire people are rejoicing over, we’re taken aback by his outburst. And we’re beginning to imagine: What does Ibori stand to gain if the local government system continues to be strangulated? Ibori is not a careless talker. For him to speak against this landmark judgement, shows that there is more to it. So that’s why we’re alerting the public and also calling him, as an elder statesman, to support the popular opinion of Nigerians.”
He said further: “We do know that Atiku is his very good friend. He has so many friends in PDP and he’s a PDP man. So, whether he’s speaking as an opposition or has assumed the position of the opposition, we don’t know.
“We don’t really know his motivation factor to be the one now acting as the devil’s advocate being used by powerful northern interests to propagate the agenda and also see how they can demarket the Tinubu presidency for their own political interests.”
He’s acting as devil’s advocate – Abalagha knocks Ibori for opposing LG autonomy
He’s acting as devil’s advocate – Abalagha knocks Ibori for opposing LG autonomy
Kalu seeks pardon for suspended Abia APC members
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has called for the immediate lifting of the suspension placed on All Progressives Congress members in Abia State, stating that the party must come together for its good.
Kalu who represents Bende Federal Constituency made the plea at the party’s caucus/stakeholders’ meeting held in Umuahia, the Abia State capital on Saturday.
A statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker, Levinus Nwabughiogu, noted that the meeting was attended by the party’s governorship candidate in 2023, Ikechi Emenike; the party’s State Chairman, Kingsley Ononogbu; former speaker of Abia State House of Assembly and federal commissioner representing South East in FCT Civil Service Commission, Martins Azubuike; former Minister of Labour and Productivity Emeka Wogu and the Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Chinedum Orji.
Kalu who moved the motion for the lifting of suspension slammed on some members and also emphasised the need to reintroduce monthly levies in the party.
He added that the financial commitment of members was needed to run the affairs of the party at all times.
The deputy speaker added that APC has achieved a lot.
He further disclosed that an appeal is ongoing to the President to release the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Mr Nnamdi Kalu.
He said, “Let’s embrace each other. In that kind of atmosphere, you achieve a lot. Many people are coming to the party. They can’t come in to meet a divided house.
“A house divided against itself cannot stand. Let’s strengthen our foundation, and respect the leadership of the party. No matter how familiar you might be with the executive, respect them.
“The law has put them in charge. Give honour to whom honour is due. I am encouraging you to be proud of our party. We are achieving a lot. Be bold!”
He also commended the ruling party for its imprints in the South East, saying, “APC broke the jinx of 54 years and gave us the South East Development Commission.
“It couldn’t fly in the 8th and 9th Assemblies but in this 10th assembly, I dusted and expanded it, lobbied and it passed.
“President Bola Tinubu graciously signed into law, thereby giving us what we couldn’t get from 54 years of civil war policy of Reconciliation, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation. It is huge and will give your children jobs and build roads.
“We are still appealing to Mr. President to release our brother, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to us and it’s still APC that will do that. So, be proud of APC.
“Please, open your hands. Don’t discriminate. Shun factions. Factions are old-fashioned. It doesn’t work. If you have tried a particular thing many times and it didn’t work, you have to change. I don’t do factions in APC”, he assured.
Windfall tax patriotic call on banks to contribute to national development – OAU don
A Professor of Economic History at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Adetunji Ogunyemi, speaks on the amendment of the Finance Act 2020 by the National Assembly to accommodate windfall levy on banks’ profits on foreign exchange transactions. The lawyer, public finance expert submits that the policy is perfectly in order, asking banks to see it as contribution to national development. Excerpts:
The windfall levy generated some debate in the polity with government justifying it as the right thing to do in order to strike a balance in the key sectors of the economy. How justified is this levy on banks’ foreign exchange gains?
Nigeria is currently in dire straits financially and generally speaking economically. It is within the power of the government of the Federation going by its stated exclusive jurisdiction in the First Schedule Part I of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to make such laws and to direct such policies and actions as to ensure peace, good order and good government in Nigeria. Therefore, if Nigeria is in dire straits and some Nigerians, whether persons or bodies or corporate organisations, that have been feeding fat on the system, especially when that feeding fat is not directly a function of their own productive energies, then it behoves the Federal Government to ensure a balancing of duties and responsibilities within the system such that a resource-deficient sector of the economy can benefit from the resource-surplus part through what is called economic stabilisation. So, to me, it is perfectly in order to amend the Finance Act 2020 in order to accommodate the collection of this one-off levy on the windfall that the banks in the financial system have benefited from on foreign exchange transactions in the last one year. To me, it is perfectly in order and it is part of the duties of the government to stabilise the economy and also redistribute wealth.
Part of the arguments of those kicking against the policy is that allowing the windfall levy on banks may create uncertainty about the future as government may come with another windfall tax in some other sectors. Is this fear justified?
A situation of paralysis needs a shock therapy to bring it to normalcy. In 1929 up to 1932, there were decisions made in the United States under Herbert Hoover to stabilise the economy by ensuring that government deliberately pumps into the economy huge expenditure financed under public-private partnership arrangement. Nigeria is in such a situation now as the United States was under Hoover. So, it is not out of place to request that that banks that have made unplanned, spontaneous, unpredicted, sudden income to donate to the system a portion of their profits. This levy is actually on their windfall which is not part of their projections in their respective budgets. So, there is nothing that is malicious about this levy. After all, the levy is not for the benefit of persons. It is for the benefit of the public and it is in order.
Naturally, the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) has risen in defence of the banks to say asking them to pay a windfall levy amounts to double taxation because banks have already paid Companies Income Tax. What do you make of this argument?
I disagree absolutely with such stance from CIBN. What of the progressive deductions that the banks have been making with respect to ATM withdrawals by both the depositors and the withdrawers? Banks charge N20 per transaction and at times N50. Many of these deductions are actually illegal and the CBN should have asked them to return the money to their customers.These deductions run into billions of naira. But it would seem that the CBN did not want to rock the boat and has allowed the banks to earn some income for their stabilisation so that when a request for re-capitalisation would come, they would have something to use for that purpose. So, the banks can’t approbate and reprobate at the same time. They can’t be placing unlimited charges on their customers and expect government not to come in with a decision to stabilise the system. The windfall levy is a patriotic call made on the banks to contribute to the system. The banks should not see it as a tax. After all, it is a one-off levy. At any rate, why are the banks trying to shy away from their responsibility of contributing to the system? Their wealth comes from the commonwealth of Nigeria. Is that not? If your wealth comes from the commonwealth of a country and that country is in dire straits and it calls upon you to pay a levy on profits arising from your unpredicted income, I don’t think that it is out of place for them to obey such call to help fatherland.
Are there special benefits from a windfall tax?
The benefits are many. One, insofar as the government will not pump the revenue arising from this windfall levy on banks into the general budget, then there is no problem. But if government puts the revenue into the general budget and uses it to fund recurrent expenditure, that is going to be unacceptable. However, if government pumps the money fromthe windfall tax specifically into certain projects, for example, the Sokoto-Badagry Highway, the coastal road, the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri railway, etc, it is going to be absolutely correct. It can also be used for industrial development through the Bank of Industry or specifically into some agricultural projects such as dam development and so on. These are the specific areas the money can be channelled into. But I would advise that the government uses the revenue to fund critical projects such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal road, the Sokoto-Badagry Highway, Port Harcourt-Maiduguri rail line, expansion of the standard gauge from Ibadan to Abuja and then onward to Kaduna. These are the critical projects that will create a trickle-down effect on the economy to jumpstart it from its doldrums and provoke productive enterprises among business concerns.
The three tiers of government have been smiling to the banks every month on account of huge revenue collected by the FederaI Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) for the Federation. Shouldn’t focus shift to the other two tiers of government who have been getting more money since the removal of petrol subsidy by President Bola Tinubu?
That is what we call financial injustice in the system. Actually, many governors in Nigeria, maybe for political correctness, did not say much about the issue of workers conflicting with the Federal Government on the issue of minimum wage neither did they support the Federal Government to do at least some defence within the realm so that citizens will not be unnecessarily agitated and then begin disturbances. But the truth of the matter is that the respective governments of the states of the federation today are now earning at least 40 per cent more than what they were earning before. It behoves them to come forward to explain to Nigerians why some A, and B, C policies have been done in their favour by the Federal Government. For example, the removal of subsidy from petrol has helped states that were previously in debts like Osun State to begin to successfully and significantly exit those debts and be able to pay workers. But do they give the credit to the Federal Government? The answer is No. The states have been giving the credit to themselves as if they conjured up the fat allocations they are now getting. Whereas, we know it is directly as a result of the fact that the FAAC has been to get more money through removal of subsidy and the efficient revenue collection by FIRS. This is why the states have now been financially strong to do their capital projects. Some of these states are even doing a kind of subtle blackmail to give a dog a bad name in order to hang it. Otherwise, if your income has increased as a result of government policy, why can’t the states explain to their citizens and spend the money to make things better for the citizens in their respective states? They have put all the burden on the Federal Government. It is a shame.
Do you think the recent Supreme Court judgment which states that allocations should be paid directly into the accounts of local government areas will also help bring down tension and enhance development at the grassroots?
I support the Federal Government’s view, position and policy on this and for the Attorney General of the Federation to approach the Supreme Court for interpretation of the constitution and to make declarative orders. This is perfectly in order. This is actually how to govern a country. Do not forget that the local government councils in Nigeria are 768 and not 774. This is provided in Section 3 subsection 6 of the 1999 Constitution as amended. There six area councils in Abuja and if you add this number, you will get 774. But the area councils in Abuja are not local government councils. The Supreme Court ruled on this in 2002 in the Attorney General of the Federation versus Attorney General of Abia State and 35 others. But let us not go there. The truth of the matter is that the 768 local government councils in Nigeria will now directly benefit from their allocations pursuant to Section 162 of the Constitution. The Supreme Court judgment is just half of the battle won. The other half of the battle to be won is to ensure that election into local government councils is not conducted by State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs). There should be an amendment to the Electoral Act for that purpose so that the same election will be conducted by INEC in order that there will be a level-playing field. The SIECs are actually not independent of the governors who appoint their officers. But it is a good thing that local governments are now going to get their allocations directly from FAAC beginning from this month, that is July.
Quote “The windfall levy is a patriotic call made on the banks to contribute to the system. The banks should not see it as a tax. After all, it is a one-off levy.
Windfall tax patriotic call on banks to contribute to national development – OAU don
Reps vow to demand sack of NNPCL CEO, Kyari
The House of Representatives has vowed to call for the dismissal of the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari, if he continues to work against the smooth operation of the Dangote Refinery.
The Deputy Spokesman of the House, Philip Agbese, disclosed this on Saturday while briefing journalists in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
This comes as the Benue lawmaker stated that the legislative body has already expressed support for the call for the dismissal of the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Mr Farouk Ahmed.
According to the All Progressives Congress legislator, the NNPCL and the NMDPRA have demonstrated their intention to work against the Dangote Refinery.
He said, “We have been seeing many demarketing campaigns to discredit the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, and given the negative impact of this, which has caused panic in the country.
“It is on record that the House directed the President to sack the NMDPRA’s CEO.
“The House of Representatives will not hesitate to call for the dismissal of Mele Kyari if the attempt to destroy the refinery project, a national asset, does not stop immediately.”
This comes less than two weeks after the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, led a delegation of the House on an assessment visit to the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals Company in Lagos.
The House Special Committee investigating oil theft and losses is currently questioning stakeholders in the oil sector and has vowed to go about its assignment without fear or favour.
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Ifeanyi Ubah’s death, great loss to South East
Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has mourned the death of the Senator representing Anambra South in the Senate, Ifeanyi Ubah, describing him as a dedicated public servant.
According to the governor, the Senator displayed wisdom, expertise, and passion in public governance while inspiring countless people.
He said this in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Monday Uzor, a copy of which was obtained by our correspondent on Saturday evening.
The statement quoted the governor as saying, “I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, a dedicated public servant and a champion of the people, especially the great people of Anambra State and Igbo Land.
“His untimely death is a tremendous loss to us all. Senator Ubah was a tireless advocate for the welfare of our citizens, and his contributions to the development of Nigeria as a Senator will never be forgotten.
“His wisdom, expertise, and passion for good governance inspired countless individuals.
“As a serving Senator, he demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the well-being of our people, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of leaders.
“I extend on behalf of the Government and people of Ebonyi State my heartfelt condolences to his family, Anambra South Senatorial District colleagues, and constituents.
“May God grant you the strength to bear this irreparable loss.”
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Police arrest five for child trafficking, rescue two-month-old baby
Detectives from the Oko-oba Division of the Lagos State Police Command have busted a child trafficking ring, rescuing a two-month-old baby and arresting five individuals involved in the crime.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed this in a statement released on Saturday.
Hundeyin revealed that the operation was launched following a report filed by the distressed mother of the abducted infant, who said that one Gloria Sunday absconded with her son on July 11, 2024.
The statement partly read, “Detectives swung into action, which led to the arrest of Gloria Sunday, who, during interrogation, confessed to selling the baby for ₦500,000 to one Pastor Peter Udoh ‘m’.
“Pastor Udoh, who was subsequently arrested in Ikene Town, Ogun State, admitted reselling the child for One Million, Four Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (₦1,450,000) to one Loretta Nelson ‘f’ who was then also apprehended in Festac Town, Lagos.
“She confessed to selling the baby for two million, three hundred and fifty thousand naira (₦2,350,000).”
The final buyers of the baby, Mr. and Mrs. James Uwam, were said to have been arrested during a naming ceremony for the abducted child.
Hundeyin added that all suspects are currently in police custody and will be arraigned in court upon completion of the investigation.
Similarly, According Online reports that the Nigerian Immigration Service, Lagos Border Patrol Command, Seme, Badagry, has rescued a six-month-old baby and three others suspected to be victims of human trafficking.
It was also reported in May that operatives of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command arrested two persons, Kulu Dogonyaro and Elizabeth Ojah, for attempted child trafficking and rescued five minors who had been taken by the suspects.
Ubah’s death a monumental loss, says Ganduje
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Ganduje, has extended his condolences to the family of late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, the Senate and the people of Anambra State.
The senator died on Saturday in London, United Kingdom at the age of 52.
Ganduje, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Edwin Olofu, said the senator’s death was a monumental loss to his constituents and Nigeria as a whole.
He said, “Senator Ubah’s untimely departure represents a significant loss to the Senate, the people of Anambra State, and Nigeria as a whole.
“Known for his immense character and unwavering commitment, Ubah dedicated his life to the development of his community and the nation. His legacy of service, dedication, and excellence in public service will continue to inspire future generations.”
Continuing, Ganduje called on party faithful and well-meaning Nigerians to join in mourning the APC chieftain.
“We appeal for prayers and support to be extended to his family in this difficult time and to remember the senator’s enduring contributions to the growth and stability of our democracy.
“In this moment of grief, let us also celebrate the life of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, honouring his achievements and the indelible mark he has left on our country. May his soul rest in perfect peace,” he added.
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NNPC confirms fuel scarcity in Lagos, Abuja, cites operational hitch
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has blamed the latest crisis in fuel supply and distribution across the country on a problem associated with the discharge of a couple of vessels at the seaports.
The NNPCL Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.
He was reacting to the latest queues seen in some parts of Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Soneye said: “The NNPC Ltd. wishes to state that the tightness in fuel supply and distribution witnessed in some parts of Lagos and the FCT is a result of a hitch in the discharge operations of a couple of vessels.”
He said the company was working round the clock with all stakeholders to resolve the situation and restore normalcy in the operations.
The post NNPC confirms fuel scarcity in Lagos, Abuja, cites operational hitch appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.
Lagos unveils Eko Flavours to showcase local dishes, empower food vendors
The Lagos State Government has unveiled the Eko Flavours project, a transformative platform to showcase the state as the melting point of Nigeria, highlighting the culinary prowess of youths and local market food vendors.
Eko Flavours was introduced during a press conference by the Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms Abiola Olusanya, on Friday at the Fresh Food Hub in Idi Oro, Mushin.
Olusanya stated that the Eko Flavours project, in partnership with the private sector, aims to transform food markets in Lagos State as part of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s initiatives to improve the state’s food system.
She explained that Eko Flavours, designed as a culinary platform for food vendors and chefs to showcase their talent and engage with food enthusiasts, will be held annually, with the 2024 edition scheduled for August.
The Commissioner also emphasised the importance of organised markets across the state, noting that it would simplify the purchasing of food items and lead to lower prices, as demand could be measured and prices negotiated.
“The main aim of the Eko Flavours project, aside from engaging young culinary enthusiasts and food lovers, is to showcase Lagos as a transformative state when it comes to food experiences.
“We tend to focus on getting our food into the kitchen without understanding the logistics involved in production,” she said.
Olusanya added that the Eko Flavours project would highlight the cooking skills of various chefs in Lagos, with a display of diverse cultural dishes for residents.
She urged chefs with Lagos State Residents Registration Agency identification to register on the project’s dedicated website, www.ekoflavours.lagosfreshfoodhub.com, from 1 August to participate in the competition.
During the press conference, the Co-CEOs of Tantacom Group, Mrs Olufunke Adu and Mrs Jennifer Odufuwa, representing the Project Management Agency, assured that all participants would be adequately compensated with consolation prizes. They noted that the idea of Lagos Flavours is to encourage unity among the various ethnicities and tribes with their distinct cooking skills and dishes, recognising Lagos as the melting point of diversity in the country.
Adu said the Eko Flavours project was designed to discover talent and bring together upcoming chefs, enthusiasts, and cooking lovers to engage with the community, providing a platform for foodies in the state to explore various cuisines and showcase their skills.
She said, “The website for the competition will open on 1 August for registration, and on 5 August, residents are expected to vote for their favourites. By 9 August, the top 50 most engaged content posted on the website will be given vouchers to buy fresh food items at the Mushin Fresh Food Hub, which they will then cook.
“Thereafter, the best 20 chefs will be invited to the food hub to compete, and the top five will be selected for the final on 31 August.”
Odufuwa stated that the winner of Lagos Flavours will be crowned Eko Flavours Champion Ambassador for one year and will receive a N5 million cash reward, an award plaque, a one-year supply of free products, a N200,000 shopping voucher for the Mushin Fresh Food Hub, a certificate of achievement, and a winner’s trophy.
According to her, the first runner-up will receive a N3 million cash prize, a six-month supply of products, a N100,000 shopping voucher, a certificate of achievement, and an award plaque.
She added that the second runner-up will receive N1 million, a three-month supply of products, a N50,000 shopping voucher, a certificate of achievement, and an award plaque, while the fourth and fifth positions will also win cash prizes.
“Just post a cooking vlog on your social media handle and tag us. The content with the highest interaction with likes and comments will be among the 50 chefs to be selected.
“From the 50, we will pick the best 20 who will participate in the quarterfinals and semi-final stages, where the winner, first, and second runner-up will emerge. All contenders will be judged on taste, cleanliness, time management, and presentation,” she said.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, Mr Emmanuel Audu, urged players in the food ecosystem to take full advantage of Eko Flavours, which he said has the potential to launch participants into the global limelight.
China bags early Olympic golds as swimming takes centre stage
China grabbed the first two gold medals at the rain-disrupted Paris Olympics on Saturday as Katie Ledecky and Ariarne Titmus prepared for a titanic duel in the pool.
Asian powerhouses China, who last topped the Olympic medal table in 2008, made a flying start to their latest bid for supremacy, bagging early golds in shooting and synchronised diving.
Teenage pair Sheng Lihao and Huang Yuting won the first Chinese gold in the mixed team 10-metre air rifle event, before all-conquering divers Chang Yani and Chen Yiwen somersaulted to victory in the women’s three-metre springboard final.
Australia celebrated its first gold with cyclist Grace Brown speeding to victory in the women’s individual time trial over 34.2 kilometres.
Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel backed up his win at the world championships by defying rain and a strong field to win the men’s event.
A total of 13 golds were up for grabs in Paris on Saturday as wet weather continued to cause headaches for organisers following Friday’s deluge at the opening ceremony.
The men’s street skateboarding competition, due to take place at the Place de la Concorde in the historic heart of the city, was postponed until Monday due to the wet conditions.
The downpours also disrupted play in the opening rounds of tennis at Roland Garros, with dozens of matches cancelled or rescheduled.
Torrential rain had lashed participants and spectators in Friday’s amphibious opening ceremony.
Around 7,000 athletes paraded along the River Seine in an armada of boats before a show-stopping finale which climaxed with a glittering light show at the Eiffel Tower and a performance from singer Celine Dion.
The ceremony received broadly favourable reviews, with France’s centre-right Le Figaro daily describing it as “full of surprises but often disjointed”.
The International Olympic Committee however was forced to apologise for a gaffe during the ceremony, with South Korea’s athletes incorrectly introduced as North Korean.
France’s President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday said the bold showpiece on the Seine had made the host country “extremely proud” but warned that security challenges remained.
“The next weeks will be difficult even if we have now passed a fundamental stage,” he said.
• Swimming duel –
Elsewhere on the sporting front, swimming was preparing for a battle royale at La Defense Arena.
Traditionally one of the highlights of the opening week of the games, Saturday’s first wave of swimming finals will feature a blockbuster women’s 400m freestyle duel pitting American great Ledecky against
Australia’s defending champion Titmus.
Ledecky, stunned by Titmus in Tokyo three years ago, laid down a psychological marker after pipping the Australian in Saturday’s heats.
Titmus however rejected suggestions that the heats had given her rival an edge for Saturday’s final.
“It’s a heats swim,” said the Australian, who broke the 200m freestyle world record and swam the second-quickest 400m ever at the Australian trials last month.
“The only job for me was to get in the middle lanes (for the final) and I tried to conserve as much as I could.”
Other gold medals on offer on the first night of action in the pool come in the men’s 400m freestyle and the men’s and women’s 4x100m freestyle relays.
In rugby sevens host nation France stayed on course for a gold medal after advancing to a dream final against Fiji at the Stade de France later Saturday.
French rugby idol Antoine Dupont helped the hosts defeat South Africa 19-5 in the semi-finals while Fiji comfortably downed Australia 31-7.
Elsewhere on Saturday, there were wins for Spanish star Carlos Alcaraz, top seed Novak Djokovic and women’s world number one Iga Swiatek as the Olympics tennis tournament got under way at a sodden Roland Garros.
Djokovic said his 6-0, 6-1 win against doubles specialist Matthew Ebden in just 53 minutes was “not a good image” for tennis.
In the men’s football Argentina’s men’s team bounced back from defeat in their opening match, which was marred by crowd trouble, to beat Iraq 3-1.
The surfing competition is due to start 16,000 kilometres (9,950 miles) kilometres away on the French Pacific island of Tahiti.
AFP.