Author: Opalim Lifted

Turkey’s health ministry has fined more than 100 obstetrician-gynaecologists for carrying out Caesarean section (C-section) deliveries, with many also suspended from practice and ordered to undergo retraining as part of a government campaign to reduce the country’s high C-section rate. The disciplinary action has sparked criticism from healthcare professionals, who argue that the country’s high rate of Caesarean births is rooted in broader healthcare system challenges rather than individual doctors’ decisions. Turkey recorded the highest Caesarean birth rate among the 38 member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in 2023, with about 615 C-sections performed for…

OIS Services (OIS) has denied claims that it has been disengaged by the Nigerian government as the country’s visa service provider in the United States. The response comes after the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) announced on Thursday that it had ended its partnership with OIS and directed travellers in the US seeking Nigerian visas to submit their applications directly through the Nigerian Embassy and consulates. The NIS said the change took immediate effect but did not provide a reason for the decision. However, in a statement issued by its Account Executive, Ellie Brockbank, OIS described reports that it had been…

The pupils and teachers abducted from three schools in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State have regained their freedom after spending weeks in captivity. The development was announced on Friday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who said the victims were rescued by Nigerian security agencies. “Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Orire, Oyo have been rescued by our security agencies,” Onanuga wrote in a post on his verified X account. As of the time of reporting, authorities had not disclosed the circumstances surrounding the victims’ release or whether any…

A Federal High Court in Abuja has affirmed the authority of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to investigate consumer complaints over airline ticket pricing and related services, dismissing a suit filed by Air Peace challenging the commission’s powers. The ruling, delivered by Justice James Omotosho, confirmed that the FCCPC is empowered under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018 to receive consumer complaints, assess cases and conduct investigations where necessary. The case stemmed from complaints by airline passengers over unrefunded ticket fares, cancelled flights and other service-related issues. Air Peace had sought to stop the…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disowned an online portal for the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise currently circulating on some social media platforms. INEC’s Deputy Director of Information and Publicity, Wilfred Ifogah, described the portal as fake and a phishing scam designed to harvest the personal data of unsuspecting citizens during an interview in Abuja. The viral post, titled “INEC ONLINE VOTERS REGISTRATION 2026 ONGOING”, has been circulating on WhatsApp and other digital platforms. It directs Nigerians to a link claiming that the registration deadline is August 17, 2026. The post also falsely claims that the home…

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has announced that Nigerians and other applicants in the United States seeking Nigerian visas must now submit their applications directly to Nigerian diplomatic missions following the disengagement of Online Integrated Solutions (OIS Services). The move takes immediate effect and ends OIS Services’ role in collecting and submitting visa applications on behalf of Nigerian missions in the United States. In a public notice signed by the Service Public Relations Officer, DCI Akinsola Akinlabi, on Thursday, the NIS directed all applicants to submit their visa requests directly to the Embassy of Nigeria in Washington, D.C., or the…

The President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has declared a nationwide protest against South African interests, threatening to shut down the operations of MTN and MultiChoice while urging Nigerians to close their accounts with Stanbic IBTC Bank. According to the student leader, the planned action is in response to South Africa’s treatment of Nigeria and Nigerians. He said NANS is prepared to mobilise students across the country to ensure the protest is carried out. “We are going to shut down MTN and MultiChoice. We will force Nigerians to close their accounts with Stanbic IBTC Bank,” the NANS…

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has released a step-by-step guide to help Nigerians living abroad renew their passports online through its Contactless Passport Application System. In a post shared on its official X handle on Tuesday, the Service encouraged Nigerians in the diaspora to take advantage of the digital platform for passport renewal. According to the NIS, applicants should: Visit the official NIS Passport Application portal. Select “Continue” from the pop-up window. Click “Apply for Renewal/Re-issue.” Create an account and verify their identity using their National Identification Number (NIN) and date of birth. Complete the application form and choose their…

Peggy Ovire, the Nigerian actress, has confirmed the finalisation of her divorce from actor Frederick Leonard, weeks after publicly accusing him of infidelity. Ovire took to her Instagram Story on Wednesday to share posts celebrating the development. She reposted a message from a friend that read, “Thank You Jesus. My queen is free,” and followed it with another post stating, “Thank You Jesus. It is done.” The actress also took to Snapchat on Thursday to share a video of herself with the caption: “Miss Peggy Ovire.” The confirmation comes after Ovire accused Leonard of having an affair with a married…

A High Court in Imo State has sentenced Samuel Ehirim, a 42-year-old pastor, to life imprisonment after finding him guilty of sexually assaulting a minor. The judgment was delivered recently by Justice C.O. Chukwumaeze, who held that the prosecution proved its case “beyond reasonable doubt” and established the defendant’s guilt through credible and consistent evidence. Ehirim was arraigned on a five-count charge bordering on sexual assault, assault with intent to commit an unnatural offence, indecent treatment of girls under the age of 13, and assault, contrary to the provisions of the Imo State Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law No. 8…