Author: Opalim Lifted

President Bola Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Nkanu Nnamdi, son of renowned writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, extending heartfelt condolences to her, her husband, Dr Ivara Esege, and the entire family. In a message of sympathy released on Thursday, the President described the loss of a child as one of life’s most devastating experiences, noting that no parent should be made to endure such pain. “As a parent myself who has suffered the loss of a loved one, I know that no grief is as overwhelming as losing a child,” President Tinubu said. “I deeply empathise with…

Federico Valverde scored a stunning early free-kick as Real Madrid beat Atletico Madrid to set up a Clasico meeting with Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final. Rodrygo doubled Real’s lead in the 55th minute before Alexander Sorloth pulled a goal back for Atletico, but it was the 13-time Super Cup winners who prevailed to reach Sunday’s final (19:00 GMT). Thursday’s semi-final in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, was only 77 seconds old when Los Blancos captain Valverde sent a 30-yard free-kick fizzing past Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak into the top corner. Rodrygo doubled Real’s lead 10 minutes into the second half…

Arsenal missed a chance to move eight points clear at the top of the Premier League as they were held to a frustrating goalless draw by Liverpool. This was a disappointing game that ended on a notable sour note, with Arsenal substitute Gabriel Martinelli angering Liverpool in stoppage time when he crudely attempted to push Conor Bradley off the pitch after the defender went down close to the touchline with a painful knee injury. Martinelli was booked and Bradley was taken away on a stretcher with hands over his face. Arsenal, who had won their five previous Premier League matches,…

Paris St-Germain (PSG) needed a stoppage-time equaliser and a penalty shootout to beat Marseille in Kuwait and win a fourth consecutive French Super Cup. The Champions League winners looked to be cruising to victory in the game played between the winners of Ligue 1 and the Coupe de France after an early goal from Ousmane Dembele. But Marseille struck twice late on to lead as Mason Greenwood converted a penalty and Willian Pacho scored an own goal. Goncalo Ramos snatched an equaliser in the final seconds to send the contest to penalties and PSG goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier saved crucially from…

The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has expanded its lexicon with new African words and expressions in its latest update, published in December 2025 and rolled into 2026. The update, shared by the OED on Wednesday via X, features commonly used Nigerian and West African words linked to food, music, everyday speech, markets and pop culture, reinforcing the growing influence of African languages on global English. According to the report, the December 2025 update includes more than 500 new words, phrases and senses, alongside revisions to over 1,000 existing entries, as part of the dictionary’s quarterly review. Author and OED Head…

The Lagos state government has dismissed reports suggesting a rift between Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, and his counterpart, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun. In a press statement issued on Wednesday by Gboyega Akosile, special adviser on media and publicity to the Lagos governor, the administration described the claims as “completely untrue” and the “direct opposite” of the existing relationship between both leaders. “For the avoidance of doubt, Prince Dapo Abiodun and Governor Sanwo-Olu enjoy a very cordial brotherly relationship,” the statement reads. Akosile said the governors maintain regular contact, frequently discussing matters of mutual interest for the development of their…

Chimamanda Adichie, the award-winning Nigerian author, and Ivara Esege, her husband, have lost one of their twin sons. Nkanu Nnamdi, the 21-month-old boy, died on Wednesday, following a brief illness. In a statement released on Thursday by her representative Omawumi Ogbe, the author’s family expressed sadness over the boy’s death and requested privacy “during this difficult time”. “We’re deeply saddened to confirm the passing of one of Ms Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Dr Ivara Esege’s twin boys, Nkanu Nnamdi, who passed on Wednesday, 7th of January 2026, after a brief illness. He was 21 months old,” the statement reads. “The…

The United States (US) has presented a set of pre-conditions to Venezuela’s interim government. Citing sources familiar with the matter, ABC News reported that the President Donald Trump administration demanded that Venezuela sever ties with China, Cuba, Russia, and Iran — with the last two countries among the world’s top 10 largest oil reserves. Second, Venezuela must agree to partner the US exclusively on crude production and favour America when selling heavy crude oil. Estimated at 303 billion barrels as of 2024, Venezuela is home to the largest known oil reserves. The US used to be the main buyer of…

The Niger police command says it has recovered an unexploded ordnance (UXO) in the Zugurma community, Mashegu LGA of the state. In a recent statement, Wasiu Abiodun, police spokesperson in Niger state, said the recovery followed a report received on Monday from the divisional police officer (DPO) of the Ibbi division. Abiodun said police operatives moved to the scene and cordoned off the area after residents spotted an object suspected to be a missile in a forest within the community. According to him, Adamu Elleman, commissioner of police in the state, ordered the deployment of personnel to the location, while…

The Federal government has attributed the industrial dispute with the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) to structural and policy issues rather than neglect. The doctors had announced that they would embark on a strike from January 12 in response to the government’s failure to fully address long-standing welfare and professional demands of resident doctors. Speaking recently at an AIT programme, Iziaq Adekunle Salako, Minister of State for Health and Social welfare, said the ministry places high priority on maintaining industrial peace and ensuring uninterrupted healthcare delivery. “The ongoing standoff is driven by structural and policy issues rather than neglect,”…