Author: Opalim Lifted

Former APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, has urged governors, development partners and philanthropists to prioritise investment in Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) as a long-term solution to street begging in Northern Nigeria. He made the appeal in Abuja during the 10th anniversary and documentary premiere of Let’s Talk Humanity Initiative, an organisation focused on the education of deaf and blind individuals. Ganduje criticised the long-standing neglect of people living with disabilities, linking it to the growing number of beggars across the region. He described the situation as “a sorry story,” noting that many are forced to sleep under bridges and on…

Former Minister of State for Finance, Bashir Yuguda, has pushed back against claims that Goodluck Jonathan lacked experience while in office, describing such assertions as “inaccurate” and unsupported by evidence. Yuguda’s remarks follow comments attributed to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, who reportedly suggested that some challenges during Jonathan’s presidency stemmed from inexperience, despite acknowledging his personal integrity. Speaking in Abuja, Yuguda argued that Jonathan’s political journey from deputy governor to president demonstrates deep institutional knowledge and leadership exposure. “Having worked closely with President Jonathan across critical sectors of government, I find the label of ‘inexperience’ difficult to reconcile with the…

A Nigerian subscriber has publicly called out MTN Nigeria on X over what he described as unusually rapid data depletion, reigniting concerns about billing transparency in the country’s telecom sector. In a widely circulated complaint, the customer alleged that a weekly data subscription was exhausted in less than 48 hours despite regular usage patterns. “How can someone do a weekly subscription and it finishes in less than 48 hours? I’m spending ₦10,000 every week buying data,” he said, reflecting growing frustration among users over rising data costs and perceived inconsistencies in usage tracking. The complaint adds to a pattern of…

Telecom operator MTN Nigeria has started crediting subscribers with airtime as compensation for poor quality of service, in line with a directive from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). Checks show that several customers have begun receiving notification messages informing them of the credits. One such message reads: “Dear Customer, your account has been credited with ₦341 airtime for quality of service issues in January 2026. Thank you for your understanding.” The credits, however, vary across users. While some subscribers reported receiving as low as ₦20 or ₦91, others said they got higher amounts such as ₦284 and ₦341, with a…

FIFA has reaffirmed that Iran will compete at the 2026 World Cup, shutting down suggestions that Italy could take their place. The tournament, set to be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, has faced political tension over Iran’s participation due to the ongoing conflict involving the U.S. and Israel. Speculation intensified after Paolo Zampolli proposed to Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino that Italy should replace Iran. Zampolli argued that Italy’s football pedigree, including four World Cup titles, justified inclusion. However, FIFA made its stance clear by referencing Infantino’s recent remarks: “Iran is coming, for sure.” Iran’s embassy strongly…

The 72-hour ultimatum issued by Boko Haram to the Nigerian government over 416 abducted residents in Borno State has expired without any official response, as uncertainty deepens over the fate of hundreds still in captivity. Twelve victims abducted from Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area have managed to escape, offering a rare glimmer of hope. However, 404 others remain unaccounted for, with fears growing over their safety. The insurgents had demanded a N5 billion ransom, warning that failure to comply would result in the captives being permanently lost. They also threatened to scatter the victims across multiple locations if…

Nigeria has begun decentralising its electricity sector following the implementation of the Electricity Act 2023, with a growing number of states assuming control of their local power markets and regulatory processes. The shift means electricity consumers in participating states will no longer direct complaints to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), but instead to state-level regulators established to oversee electricity generation, distribution, and consumer protection within their jurisdictions. In a public notice outlining the transition, NERC said states that have completed the required legal and regulatory steps would assume responsibility for electricity regulation within their territories, including handling customer complaints…

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court on Thursday adjourned proceedings in the alleged money laundering trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, to April 24, 2026, to rule on a contentious application by the prosecution seeking to re-present a witness’s prior statement. The adjournment followed arguments between counsel over whether the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) could confront its 12th prosecution witness with an earlier statement already admitted as Exhibit 46. Counsel to the defendant, Joseph Daudu, SAN, objected to the move by prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, insisting that the prosecution must first obtain leave…

President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has commended Uganda’s decision to halt the export of unprocessed minerals, as African governments intensify efforts to promote value addition and industrialisation. Uganda’s policy, driven by President Yoweri Museveni, is part of a broader continental shift toward processing raw materials locally to increase economic returns, create jobs, and strengthen domestic industries. Dangote said the move aligns with efforts to ensure Africa benefits more from its natural resources, rather than exporting raw materials with limited value. “I applaud President Museveni for his bold decision to ban the export of unprocessed minerals,” he said, adding…

US President Donald Trump has claimed that the United States now holds “total control” over the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes. The narrow waterway, which links the Gulf to the open ocean, has been at the centre of escalating tensions since conflict involving Iran and US/Israel forces broke out earlier in the year. In recent months, access through the strait has been repeatedly disrupted, with Iran previously imposing restrictions that significantly slowed global oil shipments. The move contributed to rising crude prices and forced several countries to introduce energy-saving measures. Although a ceasefire…