Author: Opalim Lifted

Lawmaker and actor Desmond Elliot has said his political career has been guided by a commitment to public service rather than personal enrichment, urging politicians to remember that power is temporary. Speaking on Morayo Brown’s television programme, the Surulere Constituency I representative in the Lagos State House of Assembly reflected on his years in office, party loyalty and the future of leadership in Nigeria. According to Elliot, politicians should remain humble because public office is only temporary. “We will all die one day. We are not here forever,” he said. “This I am saying to all of us politicians, we…

We cannot look away while Nigerians are being killed and abducted, says Akande The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has called for a stronger international coalition led by the United States and its allies to help Nigeria confront terrorism, warning that the country’s worsening security crisis now poses a threat far beyond the regions initially affected. Speaking in Washington, D.C., during the inaugural U.S./Nigeria Faith Heroes Award Gala, Adeboye, who also received a Lifetime Achievement recognition, noted that terrorism had become a personal reality for him and many Nigerians and could no…

Co-hosts Mexico had been confirmed as group winners prior to their final game in Mexico City, having already beaten South Africa and South Korea. That gave boss Javier Aguirre an opportunity to rotate his squad and left-back Mateo Chavez, one of five players brought into the starting line-up from their previous fixture, showed superb composure to net his first international goal just after half-time. Teenager Gilberto Mora, another player given his first start of the tournament, impressed in midfield and supplied the pass that led to Mexico’s second goal, which was scored by Julian Quinones. Mora slid Jorge Sanchez through…

Thapelo Maseko’s second-half strike made history for South Africa as they reached the World Cup knockout phase for the first time following a victory over South Korea in Monterrey. Three points moved South Africa up to second in the table, behind Mexico, and left South Korea having to cling on to hopes of getting out of the group by being one of the best third-placed sides. They will face Canada in Los Angeles on Sunday in the last 32, at 20:00 BST. It was a game which rarely produced much excitement as South Africa were content with sitting back and…

Scotland’s hopes of reaching the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time are in significant peril after calamitous defending allowed Brazil to sweep them aside 3-0 in Miami and finish top of Group C. Steve Clarke’s side knew they could all-but confirm a historic passage out of the group stages with a point against the record tournament winners. Before the game, the statisticians said a record of three points and a minus three goal difference would give a team a 42% chance of claiming one of the eight best third-place team spots in the last 32. But…

Soufiane Rahimi and Gessime Yassine scored late goals for Morocco to deny Haiti their first-ever World Cup point in Atlanta. Morocco pegged the Caribbean nation back twice – thanks to goals from Achraf Hakimi and Ismael Saibari – before Rahimi scored with 12 minutes to go and Yassine secured the victory. The win was not enough for Morocco to top Group C as Brazil comfortably beat Scotland in Miami and the 2022 semi-finalists will now face either the Netherlands, Japan or Sweden in the last 32. But they did deny Haiti a memorable night – despite the team ranked 83rd…

Switzerland sealed their place in the last 32 of the World Cup by defeating co-hosts Canada to finish top of Group B. Goals from Ruben Vargas and Johan Manzambi in the opening 12 minutes of the second half were enough to secure top spot in Vancouver. The victory also ensured Switzerland are only the third nation – alongside Argentina and France – to reach the knockout stages in each of the last four World Cups. As a result, they will face one of the third-placed teams from Group E, F, G, H, I or J in Vancouver on 3 July.…

Bosnia-Herzegovina boosted their hopes of reaching the knockout stages of the World Cup for a first ever time by defeating Qatar in their final Group B fixture. They finished level on four points with co-hosts Canada, but had to settle for third place due to their head-to-head record. That meant they missed out on automatic qualification for the last 32, but could still progress as one of the best eight third-placed teams in the tournament. Temperatures touched 29C on Wednesday in Seattle, but Bosnia began with intent as Ermedin Demirovic and Ivan Sunjic forced Qatar goalkeeper Mahmud Abunada into sprawling…

The US State Department says it is revoking the passports of Americans with significant outstanding child support debt. Passport revocations for unpaid child support of more than $2,500 are allowed under a rarely enforced 1996 federal law. Previously, the consequence was imposed only when people with such debt sought to renew their passports. However, in a statement on Wednesday, the department said it would coordinate with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to revoke the passports of Americans who have accumulated “significant” outstanding child support debt. A revoked passport may no longer be used for travel, even if…

Oba Ewuare II, the Oba of Benin, has directed traditional worshippers across Edo South Senatorial District to embark on a spiritual campaign against kidnappers, armed robbers, and other violent criminals operating in Edo State. According to NAN, the monarch gave the directive on Tuesday during a meeting with native doctors, priests, priestesses, and other adherents of traditional religion at his palace in Benin City. The Oba of Benin said the exercise would involve prayers and spiritual interventions aimed at restoring peace and security in the state. “The message is from the ancestors. Edo people at home and in the diaspora…