Author: Opalim Lifted

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has recorded a major breakthrough in its sustained fight against violent crime with the arrest of three notorious armed robbery suspects involved in “one-chance” criminal operations and the gruesome murder of a legal practitioner, Barrister Chigbo Nwamaka. The arrest, announced on Sunday in a statement by Police Public Relations Officer, FCT Command, SP Josephine Adeh, followed clear directives issued by the Commissioner of Police in Abuja, CP Miller Dantawaye, to ensure that all perpetrators connected to the heinous murder of the victim and other similar crimes within the FCT are swiftly identified and…

Managerless Manchester United completed an unwanted cup double as former striker Danny Welbeck helped Brighton send them crashing out of the FA Cup at Old Trafford. In front of his old boss Sir Alex Ferguson and with former team-mate Darren Fletcher in interim charge at his old club, Welbeck belted home Brighton’s second to send them into the fourth round. It was the 35-year-old’s eighth goal against United and his sixth visiting the stadium he used to call home. The thunderous drive into the roof of Senne Lammens’ goal doubled a lead given to Brighton by Brajan Gruda’s first-half opener.…

Gabriel Martinelli scored a hat-trick as Arsenal came from behind to beat Portsmouth comfortably at Fratton Park and progress to the FA Cup fourth round. After FA Cup shocks involving Wrexham and Macclesfield earlier this weekend, it looked as if the Gunners, who made 10 changes to their starting line-up, could be on the end of another when Colby Bishop put the Championship hosts ahead after three minutes. But Arsenal were only behind for five minutes before Christian Norgaard forced the ball in via Portsmouth’s Andre Dozzell after a trademark Gunners corner to level. That goal settled the visitors down…

The Rivers state house of assembly has addressed Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, as “madam”. On Thursday, the state parliament commenced impeachment proceedings against the governor. The lawmakers launched the process after Major Jack, leader of the assembly, read gross misconduct charges against Fubara, signed by 26 members of the house. Thereafter, Martin Amaewhule , the speaker, said the notice of gross misconduct would be served on the governor within the next seven days, as required by law. The state assembly later served Fubara with the notice of gross misconduct but addressed him as “madam”. Fayose says ‘I never…

The Federal Government has finalised arrangements to officially execute the proposed 40 per cent salary increase for academic staff, with a formal agreement to be signed with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). In a circular issued by the Federal Ministry of Education, all Vice-Chancellors and Registrars of federal universities were invited to attend the signing ceremony between the Federal Government and ASUU. The ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., at the Conference Hall of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Abuja. The document, with reference number FME/IS/UNI/ASUU/C.11/Vol.V/82 and dated January 5, 2026, was…

Nigeria’s electoral body, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has said the credibility of the 2027 general election will largely hinge on its ability to win the confidence of millions of young Nigerians who will be voting for the first time. INEC chairman, Joash Amupitan, made this known in Lagos while delivering his opening address at the commission’s 2026 induction and strategic retreat for national commissioners, resident electoral commissioners and senior officials. According to Amupitan, the 2027 polls will be shaped by a new generation of voters — digitally savvy young Nigerians who are deeply sceptical of institutions and demand…

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) “over the failure to account for the missing or diverted N55.9 billion meant for the purchase of smart card readers, ballot papers, result sheets and other election materials for the 2019 general elections.” The grave allegations are documented in the latest annual report published by the Auditor-General on 9 September 2025. In the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/38/2026 filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, SERAP is seeking: “an order of mandamus to direct and compel INEC to account for the missing…

For decades, successive Nigerian governments have pledged to build a competitive industrial economy. Yet the performance of the manufacturing sector tells a far less optimistic story. Despite its central role in job creation, economic diversification and export growth, manufacturing continues to operate well below capacity, reinforcing stakeholders’ claims that official commitment to the sector has largely been rhetorical rather than practical. Industry players argue that the much-publicised Nigeria First policy of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, alongside two earlier executive orders designed to boost local production, have delivered little measurable impact. Instead, the sector remains constrained by weak policy execution, high…

Mohamed Salah was once again on the scoresheet as Egypt beat holders Ivory Coast in an enthralling and action-packed quarter-final at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). After Omar Marmoush slotted the Pharaohs ahead after just four minutes, the North Africans were never behind in the game. But Emerse Fae’s Elephants are known for their resilience and refused to let their opponents blow them away despite Ramy Rabia’s header giving Egypt a 2-0 lead just after the half hour. Ahmed Fatouh’s own goal gave the Ivorians hope before half-time, but Salah quickly restored a two-goal cushion for the record…

Ifeanyi Festus, a personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS), has been accused of abducting and defiling a minor (name withheld). In a petition dated January 4 and submitted at the DSS headquarters, the family of the girl, through their lawyers at Gamji Lawchain, said their daughter went missing in November 2023 in Hadejia, Jigawa state. The family stated in the petition that efforts to find their daughter, who was 16 years old at the time, were futile. The incident led to the death of the girl’s mother who was said to have suffered psychological trauma due to the…