Manny Pacquiao has not signed a contract to take on Amir Khan in Saudi Arabia later this year in spite of claims that a deal has been agreed for the bout, the Filipino’s publicist has said.
Khan, who beat Australia’s Billy Dib in Jeddah on July 13 to win the WBC international welterweight title, said on Tuesday that he had agreed a deal to fight Pacquiao in Riyadh on Nov. 8.
The Briton told British media the clash with Pacquiao would happen even if the 40-year-old were to lose to American Keith Thurman in Las Vegas on Saturday.
“Manny has not signed any contract. As far as I know it has not even been discussed,” Pacquiao’s publicist Fred Sternberg told the BBC.
“He has been in training camp for the past eight weeks, four in the Philippines and four in the U.S., and he hasn’t met with Amir Khan during that time.”
Sternberg said he did not know what prompted Khan to make the claims.
“That’s a question you need to ask Amir Khan,” he said.
Khan had been slated to fight eight-division world champion Pacquiao two years ago in the United Arab Emirates, but no agreement could be reached.
Pacquiao, one of the sport’s most decorated fighters, has a record of 61 victories, seven defeats and two draws in a career spanning 24 years.
Khan has 34 wins and five defeats.
Tag: Saudi Arabia
-
Pacquiao camp denies Khan claims over Saudi Arabia bout
-
2019 Hajj: 1,529 pilgrims depart for Saudi Arabia
A total of 1,529 Muslim pilgrims have so far been airlifted from Kano, Lagos and Kaduna airports for this year’s Hajj to Saudi Arabia.
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) disclosed this on Saturday through its tweeter handle in Abuja.
The information contained in the tweet explained that the Kaduna pilgrims were airlifted through Kaduna Airport in Medview airline number VM3047 at 20:02 hours carrying 542 passengers on board to Madinah.
The tweet also announced that pilgrims were made up of 348 males and 194 females.
“Lagos State airlifted 432 pilgrims with Flynas airline number XY5441 from Lagos to Madinah at 13:11hours.
“While Kano State airlifted 555 pilgrims at about 13:51hours via MaxAir NGL1005 from Kano airport to Jeddah with 10 officials of NAHCON on board.
“The pilgrims composed of 315 male and 240 female pilgrims,” the tweet said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the commission had earlier sent advance team of its officials to receive the intending pilgrims from Nigeria.
The NAHCON officials would be responsible for receiving pilgrims in Madinah and Jeddah airports, their feeding, beddings in various accommodations, security, transportation, enlightenment and general monitoring.
The advance team, which was led by the acting secretary of the commission, was expected to liaise with Saudi authorities in coordinating movements of pilgrims and updating the relevant authorities on new developments from the host country. -
Rapper Nicki Minaj pulls out of controversial Saudi Arabia concert
U.S. rapper Nicki Minaj said on Tuesday that she was pulling out of a planned concert in Saudi Arabia next week, citing her support for the rights of women and the LGBTQ community.
Minaj, known for her raunchy outfits and provocative stage performances, was due to headline the Jeddah World Fest music festival on July 18, but her plan to appear was criticized last week on social media.
“While I want nothing more than to bring my show to fans in Saudi Arabia, after better educating myself on the issues, I believe it is important for me to make clear my support for the rights of women, the LGBTQ community and freedom of expression,” the “Starships” singer said in a statement.
The New York-based Human Rights Foundation (HRF) last week urged Minaj to cancel her performance, saying her appearance would be at odds with the rapper’s participation in festivities in New York marking Gay Pride month in June.
Homosexuality is banned in Saudi Arabia.
On Tuesday, HRF Chief Executive Thor Halvorssen welcomed Minaj’s change of heart, praising her “inspiring and thoughtful decision to reject the Saudi regime’s transparent attempt at using her for a public relations stunt.”
Saudi officials last week said the Jeddah World Fest would be the region’s biggest ever live musical event. Other announced performers include former One Direction British singer Liam Payne and American DJ Steve Aoki.
Halvorssen said on Tuesday he hoped Payne would follow Minaj and withdraw.
When the concert was announced last week, some Saudis expressed excitement about the latest in a string of performances by Western artists, including Mariah Carey, DJ Tiesto and the Black Eyed Peas.
However others were irritated by Minaj’s revealing stage outfits. Saudi women are bound to an extremely conservative dress code.
Around a dozen Saudi women activists have been detained for the past year on charges related to human rights work and contacts with foreign journalists and diplomats in a case that has drawn global attention after last year’s murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.
Some Saudis on Tuesday expressed dismay at Minaj’s withdrawal. “You say you’ve educated yourself on the issues but clearly that’s not true. Good job on disappointing whatever fans you had here,” tweeted Jeddah-based Jamil Baabdullah.
“I am your biggest fan and I was dying just waiting to see you in Jeddah but you disappointed me thank you,” a user called Mohammed al7 posted on Twitter. -
Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, others sign new OPEC Charter
The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and the non-member countries of the organisation (OPEC+) on Tuesday signed a draft `Charter of Cooperation’ in a bid to further strengthen their partnership.
The charter now replaces the `Declaration of Cooperation’, which was reached in Dec. 2016 between the two groups.
Speaking at the end of the 6th OPEC and non-OPEC Ministerial Meeting in Vienna, Mr Salvador Fernandez, President of the bloc’s Council reaffirmed the continued commitment of the member countries to a stable market as stipulated in the cooperation.
“Participating producing countries are committed to promoting the interest of producing nations.
“The efficient, economic and secure supply to consumers and a fair return on invested capital as well as the return of confidence and investment to the oil industry,” Fernandez said.
Fernandez, who is also the Venezuelan Petroleum Minister, said that the meeting focused on recent oil market developments and immediate prospects as well as collaborative efforts by members.
Mr Alexandra Novak, Russia’s Energy Minister and Co-chair of the meeting, described the charter as not only “historic, but a basis for solidifying cooperation.
“It is not only a historic document which solidifies our cooperation, but also a solid foundation for future analysis of the market and basis for decision-making to stabilise the market.’’
Novak, who noted the successes achieved through the Declaration of Cooperation, said that the market was currently in a better shape than it used to be.
“To further stabilise the market, we have decided to significantly intensify monitoring in bid to forestall potential uncertainties that could destabilise the market,” he said.
News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) reports that the new agreement is seen as a move by the bloc to remain relevant in the oil market which has been transformed by booming U.S. shale oil output.
Nigeria and 13 other OPEC member nations as well as some non-member countries have already signed the charter.
-
Saudi Arabia executes 37 for terrorism
Saudi Arabia has executed 37 people who were convicted in terrorism-related cases, the Ministry of Interior said on Tuesday.
The 37 people were all Saudi nationals, who received the death penalty for charges including adopting extremist terrorist ideology, the formation of terrorist cells, attacking security offices using explosives and killing a number of security personnel.
According to the statement carried by the official Saudi Press Agency, charges also included provoking sectarian treason and cooperation with hostile parties to harm the country’s interests.
“The charges were upheld by the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court before a royal decree was issued to carry out the death sentences.
“The Ministry of the Interior made this announcement to affirm that this country will not hesitate to deter anyone who wishes to harm its security and stability,’’ the statement read.
It did not state how the death penalty was implemented.
Executions in Saudi Arabia are known to be carried out by beheading with sword or shooting, sometimes in public.
Human Rights Watch said that the kingdom executed 139 people in 2018 based on Interior Ministry statements; most of them were executed for murder and drug crimes.
-
Revealed! 23 other Nigerians on death row in Saudi Arabia [Names Attached]
Findings have revealed that no fewer than 23 Nigerians are on the death row in Saudi Arabia.
It was also learnt that the kingdom has started defending its legal system following the controversy that trailed the beheading of a Nigerian woman, Kudirat Adeshola Afolabi, for drug trafficking.
The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Amb. Adnan Mahmod Bostaji on Sunday said sentences are only carried out after the evidence has been established.
He described the legal system as transparent, adding that it works on fairness and justice.
He also said about 1.5million Nigerians live in Saudi Arabia unmolested.
Bostaji pleaded with the authorities at all Nigerian airports to implement procedures that will prevent drug smuggling.
“The legal system in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is transparent and only works on fairness and justice.
“Death sentences are only carried out after all evidence has been established, and this is exactly what was done in the case of the recently executed Nigerian woman.
“ In fact, in her recent statement, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and the Diaspora, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Arewa, condemned what the woman had done.
“I hope the media and social networking channels will restrain themselves from hasty judgments and comments. I believe that we all have interest in doing justice.
“I also want them to note that there is continous coordination, as well as cooperation, between the officials and the embassies of both countries.
“The two countries have had robust years of bilateral relationship, including cooperation on various international matters of mutual interest,” Bostaji said in an interview with The Nation.
According to Bostaji, about 1.5 million Nigerians are living in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia without molestation.
He said: “I would like to also state that there are good Nigerian citizens living in the Kingdom and they are very active within the Saudi society. Saudi Arabia has nothing against Nigerians.
“As at today, we have over 1.5 m Nigerians in Saudi Arabia in virtually all sectors of our economy.
“These 1.5 million Nigerians are legitimately engaged in various services and they are not being molested. You should not use the misconduct of a few Nigerians to assume that all is not well between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Nigeria.
“I would also urge the authorities at all Nigerian airports to take measures and implement procedures that would guarantee the prevention of drug smuggling.”
According to a document cited by The Nation, the names of convicted Nigerians for various drug related offences in the kingdom are: Adeniyi Adebayo Zikri; Tunde Ibrahim; Jimoh Idhola Lawal; Lolo Babatunde; Sulaiman Tunde; Idris Adewuumi Adepoju; Abdul Raimi Awela Ajibola; Yusuf Makeen Ajiboye; Adam Idris Abubakar; Saka Zakaria; and Biola Lawal.
Others are: Isa Abubakar Adam; Ibrahim Chiroma; Hafis Amosu; Aliu Muhammad; Ms. Funmilayo Omoyemi Bishi; Ms. Mistura Yekini; Amina Ajoke Alobi; Kuburat Ibrahim; Alaja Olufunke Alalaoe Abdulqadir; Fawsat Balagun Alabi; Aisha Muhammad Amira; and Adebayo Zakariya.
According to the document, the Nigerians were found guilty of allegedly contravening the “Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances Control Law, issued under Royal Decree No. M/39 dated 8/7/1428AH and is punishable with death penalty.
“Unfortunately, between 2016-2017, these Nigerians were arrested at King Abdul-Aziz International Airport, Jeddah and Prince Muhammad bin Abdu- Aziz International Airport, Madinah for smuggling narcotic drugs concealed in their rectums.”
-
Why we couldn’t stop execution of Nigerian in Saudi Arabia – Presidency
The Federal Government on Friday said that drugs was hidden in the body of Kudirat Afolabi, who was executed in Saudi Arabia on April 1.
It said Afolabi was among the 20 persons arrested with drugs hidden in their body parts.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Relations and the Diaspora, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, disclosed this on Friday to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
She said the clarification became necessary in a bid to clear the air regarding the circumstances leading to the execution of the Nigerian.
Afolabi was executed alongside two Pakistani men and one Yemeni man, bringing the total number of people killed by Saudi Arabia this year to 53.
There had been attempts, especially in the social media, to link Afolabi’s fate with the activities of alleged syndicates operating at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.
The syndicate allegedly specialises in planting drugs in the baggage of unsuspecting travelers.
Abike-Dabiri, however, said Afolabi did not belong to the list of seven who are suspected to have fallen victim of the four-man gang hard drugs planting syndicate.
“There are some people caught in Kano, but those they allegedly gave the drugs to are yet to face trials in Saudi.
“What we can now do is to prevail on the Saudi authority that those people awaiting trials in their country are among the victims of the Kano syndicate.
“If Nigeria can do this, through National Drugs and Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Nigerian mission in Saudi Arabia, they might not even be charged to court.
“Ms Afolabi was one of those drugs were found in their bodies. They were 20 in number. They are the ones on the death roll, as drugs were found in their bodies, including their private parts.
“In their case, the Saudis do not appear to waste so much time on them. What is on social media that the lady could have been saved was incorrect.
“There was no way we could have done that. She was found with drugs in her body; just like the other 20,” the presidential aide said.
She, however, pointed out that in the case of those awaiting trials, the NDLEA can work with the Nigerian mission in Saudi to save them.
“Who knows, maybe if the NDLEA forward their information to the Saudis that some of these people might be innocent of the crime, they might not even go on trial.
“But we must continue to move fast and in harmony, so that we ensure the innocents are not unjustly punished,” she said.
-
Amnesty Int’l reacts to killing of Nigerian woman in Saudi Arabia
Amnesty International has condemned the execution of a Nigerian woman, Kudirat Afolabi, by Saudi Arabia government.
Recall that TheNewsGuru had earlier reported that the woman was executed along with two Pakistani men and a Yemeni man in Islam’s holiest city, Mecca, on Monday for alleged drug trafficking
It was gathered that a total of 53 people have been executed in the kingdom so far this year.
The human rights group in a statement via twitter noted that since 2014, 8 Nigerians have been executed including 7men and 1 woman.According to Amnesty International, the highest number of execution was recorded in 2018 with the execution of 5 Nigerians.
Amnesty International urged the Saudi Arabian government to put an end to the act of violence.
In a similar vein, Amnesty International has said that the Nigerian Justice system has failed to curb the excesses of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) police unit.
The rights agency made the assertion in reaction to the violent invasion of Itu Agun community, Amuwo Odofin Lagos by SARS where many were reportedly shot and wounded.
-
Another Nigerian caught in Saudi Arabia with 1,138g of cocaine —Abike Dabiri-Erewa
Another Nigerian has been arrested at Jeddah Airport, in Saudi Arabia, for allegedly smuggling about 1,138g of cocaine, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Diaspora, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa said on Friday.
Dabiri-Erewa in an interview with newsmen in Abuja expressed disappointment that this was coming shortly after a Nigerian lady was executed in the same country for a related offence.
“The sad thing is that in the midst of talking about 20 Nigerians on death row, even as eight had been executed, just yesterday (Thursday), another Nigerian, Wahid Somade, was arrested at Jeddah Airport with about 1,138g of cocaine.
“The latest one would be added to those that could be executed.
“We keep appealing to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to ensure that their trial is fair,” Dabiri-Erewa said.
On the execution of a Nigerian for drug-related offences on Monday, the presidential aide appealed to Nigerians to obey the laws of countries they go.
“After informing her family, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs officially released the name of the lady that was executed in Saudi Arabia a few days ago and her name is Kudirat Afolabi, a widow and a mother of two.
“We pay our condolence to the family and keep begging Nigerians to obey the laws of other countries; and Saudi has replied us officially, saying their law is their law.
“However, diplomatic engagement will continue at the highest level.
“It does not matter where you come from, you hold a green passport. Do not let a few people denigrate everyone of us,” she said.
Dabiri-Erewa, however, stressed the need to celebrate the success stories of Nigerians in the Diaspora.
“We have Nigerians doing great things all over the world; we are going to focus on them,” she said.
Dabiri-Erewa also advocated concerted efforts on compulsory baggage identification at airports as well as more security surveillance and cameras at screening points at the airports.
-
Nigerian woman was deservedly executed, Saudi Arabia defends position
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has justified the execution of a Nigerian woman, Kudirat Afolabi for drug related offences, saying she was deservedly executed.
Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Nigeria, Adnan Bostaji, who was at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday to explain the position of Saudi Arabia, said the punishement was “deservedly meted out on the Nigerian woman because she was found guilty of violating the Sharia law.”
According to him, drug trafficking was not permitted in the Saudi Kingdom, but stated that Nigeria and his country enjoyed cordial diplomatic relations.
He explained that the law against drug trafficking applied to everyone in the Kingdom irrespective of their nationality, as even Saudi citizens were not exempted.
“Saudi Arabia is following Sharia law and anyone who violates the law by bringing drugs into Saudi Arabia will be punished by the law.
“This is because we want to save our society from drugs. So, if we don’t impose our Sharia law on these guilty people we may not save our society. The law is for all people in Saudi Arabia and not only for Saudi citizens,” he explained.
He added that no one could feign ignorance of the law as all visitors to the Kingdom were made to sign an undertaking not to bring drugs to the country before obtaining a Saudi visa, while expressing dismay over the failure of visitors to obey the law, saying that despite the strict penalties, people brought hard drugs to his country.
The Nigerian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Isah Dodo, lamented the “notoriety of Nigerians and nationals of other countries in bringing drugs to Saudi,” stressing that the menace had been going on for long.
He said the law against drugs was clear, and that anyone who violated it would be executed as nobody could stop the Saudi Government.
“So all we can tell our people is to stop taking drugs to Saudi Arabia or to other countries where the punishment is execution. Nigerians have seen many people executed in Saudi Arabia and this is sufficient to serve as a deterrent to them but they have remained adamant and continued to commit this crime,” he said.