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By Our Reporter

World number five Jon Rahm of Spain carded a five-under 66 in the final round of the Spanish Open to finish with 22-under overall, winning by five shots to defend his crown in Madrid on Sunday.

The victory made Rahm the quickest Spaniard to win five European Tour titles in his 39th start — 10 fewer than former Ryder Cup captain Seve Ballestros, who has a record 50 tour titles to his name.

The 24-year-old sank an eagle on the par-five fourth and four more birdies, offset by a bogey on the 17th, to win his fifth title on the European Tour and his second of the year after clinching the Irish Open in July.

The final putt from less than a foot out drew loud cheers from the home crowd as Rahm also moved to the top of the Race to Dubai rankings.

“In front of a home crowd, it’s always really hard for me to keep everything under control and to play the weekend that I did for them, it’s always really fun,” an ecstatic Rahm said.

“I can’t wait to come back next year and hopefully do it three times. It was unlike anything else. Spanish crowds love golf, they love us coming back. It’s hard to believe how many people come out here.”

Rahm’s third round score of 63, which equaled the course record at the Club de Campo Villa de Madrid, had given him a five-shot lead and the 24-year-old maintained that overnight lead to finish above compatriot Rafa Bello Cabrera.

Spain’s Samuel del Val finished third, seven strokes behind, while three others — compatriot Adri Arnaus and Denmark’s Jeff Winther and Joachim Hansen — were tied for fourth a further two shots behind.

Sergio Garcia, who won the KLM Open in Amsterdam last month, could only finish tied-seventh — 10 shots off the lead. (Reuters/NAN)

By Our Reporter

Dr Akinwunmi Adesina, President of African Development Bank (AfDB) was on Sunday honoured with the Emeka Anyaoku Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his outstanding performance.

In his speech at the occasion which held in Lagos on Sunday, a copy of which was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Adesina said that the recognition was never the expectation or endgame when one was passionate about his work.

“But when one’s modest contributions and efforts are found worthy of honour, it is both a surprise and a delight.

“Recognition is always a down payment to do even more. So, in this regard, all I can humbly say is so help me God!

“I eventually became the driver of all I would do, become and be most proud of in life,’’ he said.

NAN reports that Adesina previously served as Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Until his appointment as Minister in 2010, he was Vice President of Policy and Partnership for the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa. (NAN)

By Our Reporter

President Muhammadu Buhari has nominated Dr Akinwunmi Adesina for re-election as the President of African Development Bank (AfDB).

Akinwunmi, while speaking at an event in Lagos on Sunday, appreciated Buhari for nominating him for re-election for a second term as president of the bank.

According to Adesina, Nigeria has invested so much in me.

“When asked by former President Goodluck Jonathan to serve as Minister of Agriculture, it was duty calling me to the land of my birth.

“I served Nigeria to the very best of my ability. I thank God that Nigeria’s agriculture sector witnessed a much-needed transformation at the time.

`With the strong support of President Jonathan and the then President elect, Buhari, we campaigned very hard for the position of the President of the African Development Bank.

“It was a Nigeria effort, as all hands were on deck.

“This included our former presidents and heads of state, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo, former Vice Presidents Atiku Abubakar and Namadi Sambo, and of course my dear indefatigable sister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who ran a spirited campaign for me.

“By God’s grace, I was elected President of the African Development Bank on May 28, 2015, exactly 24 hours after my term of office as Minister ended.

“The nation jubilated as I became the first-ever Nigerian to be elected President of the bank since its establishment in 1964.

“Once again, Nigeria gave me air in my lungs.

“At the African Development Bank, we have worked very hard.

“In my four years as President, we have connected 16 million people to electricity, provided 70 million people with improved agricultural technologies to achieve food security.

“We have also given nine million people access to finance from private sector companies, provided 55 million people with access to improved transport, and 31 million people with access to water and sanitation.

“In all, 181 million people have directly benefitted from our investments.

“I am proud of all my staff and the Board of Directors whose hard work and relentless support have helped make this happen.

“The African Development Bank has continued to maintain its global AAA rating. Last year, the bank was rated the 4th most transparent institution globally.

“There is still much to do. We have gone some way climbing the steep mountainside of Africa’s development, yet there is still much way to go until we reach the mountaintop.

“Nigeria again is giving me air in my lungs, to keep on climbing.

“I wish to immensely thank and appreciate President Buhari for nominating me for e-election for a second term as President of the African Development Bank and for being such a wonderful champion and supporter of my re-election,’’ Adesina said. (NAN)

By Our Reporter

Juventus ended Inter Milan’s perfect record in Serie A and took over top spot as Gonzalo Higuain’s superb late strike earned a 2-1 victory in the San Siro on Sunday.

The Argentine striker, on as a substitute, applied a clinical finish to a flowing move in the 80th minute.

Paulo Dybala had fired Maurizio Sarri’s Juve side in front after four minutes but Inter, who had won all six of their matches before Sunday’s clash, levelled in the 18th minute.

Matthijs de Ligt was adjudged to have handled in the area and Lautaro Martinez converted the spot kick.

Juventus moved top with 19 points to Inter’s 18 and it was a deserved victory in an absorbing contest.

“Juve is in another category from all points of view, we cannot compare to them,” said Inter manager Antonio Conte. “The gap is there and it is important. We have won six games bringing the car to 200 miles per hour and we will try to do it again.”

Inter recovered from conceding early and after equalising could have gone ahead when Martinez forced Wojciech Szczesny into a great save with a powerful cross shot.

But Juve carved out the best chances with Cristiano Ronaldo denied by keeper Samir Handanovic and then had a goal ruled out for offside before the break.

Sarri sent on Higuain and Rodrigo Bentancur as Juve chased a winner in the second half and the changes worked wonders.

Just when it was beginning to look as if the sides would have to settle for a point, Juve worked the ball forward and, after Ronaldo and Bentancur exchanged passes, Higuain was freed to slot home the winner in lethal fashion.

“It was a great match for Juventus,” Higuain, who replaced Federico Bernardeschi, said. “Inter came from six victories but we played with great character and determination and luckily we managed to bring it home.”

Atalanta have 16 points in third after their impressive start continued with a 3-1 home victory over Lecce.

Duvan Zapata opened the scoring in the 35th minute when he punished a defensive mistake and then combined well with Alejandro Gomes who made it 2-0 before halftime.

Robin Gosens added a third early in the second half.

Fourth-placed Napoli, on 13 points, were held 0-0 at Torino while AS Roma, fifth with 12, drew 1-1 at home to Cagliari. (Reuters/NAN)

Lionel Messi scored his first goal of the season as Barcelona beat Sevilla 4-0 on Sunday to climb into second place in the La Liga standings behind Real Madrid.

The Catalans however ended the game with nine men as Ousmane Dembele and debutant Ronald Araujo were sent off.

The victory saw Barca leapfrog Atletico Madrid into second place on 16 points, two behind leaders Real who they meet in three weeks’ time at the Camp Nou.

Atletico Madrid are third on 15 after drawing 0-0 at Real Valladolid on Sunday.

Barcelona rode their luck in the early stages of the game as Julen Lopetegui’s Sevilla made an ambitious start but failed to take their chances.

While the Catalans were ruthlessly efficient and scored three times in eight first-half minutes.

Luis Suarez gave the champions the lead with an outstanding bicycle kick in the 27th minute and their Chile midfielder Arturo Vidal then got a crucial touch on a tame shot from Arthur Melo to double the lead in the 32nd.

Frenchman Dembele, who started ahead of 120 million euro (107 million pounds) signing Antoine Griezmann, made it 3-0 in the 35th with a superb solo dribble and finish.

Barca captain Messi scored from a free kick in the 78th to finally get off the mark in a season blighted by injuries but there was a sour end to the game for Ernesto Valverde’s side.

Uruguayan defender Araujo had made his debut by replacing the injured Jean-Clair Todibo but was sent off 14 minutes later for a last-ditch challenge on Javier Hernandez, while Dembele was dismissed for protesting the decision.

Referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz explained in his report that he showed Dembele a straight red card for saying “very bad, you are very bad” and waving his arms at him.

The forward will be suspended from Barca’s next La Liga game at Eibar and is in danger of missing the ‘Clasico’ against Real, as players who have said similar words to referees in recent seasons have been handed two-game bans.

Barca’s scorer Vidal said they deserved the big victory.

“We were superior to them the whole time, we were always putting them under pressure and we are worthy winners,” he told reporters.

“We were up against a team who are good with the ball and on the wings but we dominated them in those areas.”

Lopetegui’s last visit to the Camp Nou was a painful affair as his then Real Madrid side were hammered 5-1 by Barca in his final game in charge before being sacked, and this was a similarly galling experience for the former Spain coach.

His Sevilla side created three clear chances to take the lead but missed them all as Dutch striker Luuk de Jong was thwarted by keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen and then missed the target, as did Brazilian midfielder Fernando.

The luckless De Jong then had a chance to strike back for his side early in the second half but hit the post, one of 16 attempts for Lopetegui’s side, who only found the target four times. Barca had 15 shots, with eight on target.

“It’s a crushing and undeserved defeat,” said Lopetegui. “We played very well, we were brave and we tried to do what we had worked on in training but we couldn’t take our chances.”

Sevilla midfielder Fernando added: “We had so many chances to score, but if you switch off for one second at the Camp Nou you get punished.”

Diverse reactions have continued to trail the finale of Big Brother Naija season four.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that history was made on Sunday as Mercy Eke became the first woman to win BBNaija.

She led with 41.77 per cent of the votes, while first runner up, Mike Edwards got 19.94 percent with Frodd, Omashola and Seyi trailing behind.

Mercy’s win caused wild jubilation as some fans could not hide their excitement on social media. Also, celebrities Dencia and Laura Ikeji expressed their joy.

Fans also congratulated Mike for staying true to himself and putting up a good show to make it to the finals. Seyi was also applauded for winning the health task.

@Lauraikeji tweeted, “Our work here is done.”

@Sweetzy said, “Mike didn’t win the prize money but he won people’s hearts and fans ready to support his hustle. #BBNaija is a platform to open doors to many things ahead.

“Thanks to all the team members for all u did every time he was nominated. He was never evicted!!’

@Marvelous said, “Congratulations to the PLUG MERCY for she’s the first female to win the grand price of #BBNaija as we’ve predicted. On this #BBNaijaFinale. Your love.”

@Somto said, “As the BBN S4 comes to an end, here are the major lessons:

“Good character will take you to a place where hardwork alone cannot take you to. Arrogance will bring you down so soon. Be humble and trust the process.”

@Iveren tweeted, “Mike was the real underdog this season. He came into the game with no ideas of what it would be like.

“Just his pleasant self and see how far he has come. Once again @aireyys I am super proud of you.”

@Fuomatic said, “Mercy won the BB9JA Show and Leo Messi scored his first goal for Barcelona this season few minutes later! Head when get OIL get OIL.”

This season had the highest number of housemates with 26 housemates, who spent 99 days fighting for the 60 million Naira Grand Prize. (NAN)

Mercy Eke has become the winner of Big Brother Naija season four.

The ‘Queen of Highlights’ was crowned winner during the finale on Sunday.

This win makes Mercy the first woman to win the Big Brother Naija reality show since inception.

Popularly known as ‘Lamborghini’, Mercy was touted as the possible winner for the season by show fans and celebrities alike.

The light-hearted diva made the top two with her show best friend, Mike Edwards, who emerged first runner up.

As winner, Mercy walked home with cash prize worth over 40 million Naira, brand new Innosson SUV, Dubai trip for two and other prizes. (NAN)