Author: Opalim Lifted

Akin Alabi, a two-term member of the House of Representatives, has weighed in on the growing debate around night-shift negligence in Nigeria following a disturbing account shared by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) spokesman, Michael Achimugu. Alabi, who represents Egbeda Federal Constituency and currently chairs the House Committee on Works, said night shifts in Nigeria have been “bastardised” by both employees and employers. According to him, many workers now see night duty as a period for rest rather than work, despite the expectation that they should have slept during the day to remain alert. Reacting to Achimugu’s post on…

The Minister of Interior, Hon. (Dr) Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has called on Nigerians to embrace 2026 with courage, faith and determination, urging citizens to remain hopeful as the country navigates a new chapter. In a New Year message to mark the beginning of 2026, Tunji-Ojo described the year as a moment of renewed promise and collective responsibility, stressing the need for unity and resilience in shaping a better future for the nation. According to the minister, progress requires shared commitment from both government and citizens, anchored on discipline, patriotism and trust in Nigeria’s potential. “As the New Year begins, let us…

The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Mr Michael Achimugu, has shared a harrowing account of how alleged night-shift negligence at a hospital nearly cost him his child’s life. In a post on X, Achimugu recounted rushing his young daughter to a hospital around 2am for emergency treatment, only to be stalled by a cashier who was asleep while urgent payments were needed for laboratory tests and medication. According to him, repeated efforts to wake the cashier failed. She briefly stirred, muttered a few words, and fell back asleep, forcing him to…

A disagreement over a supplementary budget proposed by associates of Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), and Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers state, is behind the latest face-off. Sources familiar with the development said the rift rekindled after Wike pushed for a supplementary appropriation through state lawmakers loyal to him, but Fubara rejected the proposal, arguing that the budget passed by the national assembly during emergency rule was sufficient for the rest of 2025. In June, the national assembly passed the sum of N1.48 trillion appropriation for Rivers state. President Bola Tinubu proposed the 2025 Rivers budget…

A distressing personal experience has reignited debate over Nigeria’s night shift work culture, exposing a problem many citizens know too well but rarely confront. Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, has shared a troubling account of rushing his daughter to hospital after 2am, only to be delayed by a cashier who was fast asleep on duty. Despite the urgency of the situation, the staff member briefly woke, muttered a response and returned to sleep, forcing him to wait helplessly while critical minutes ticked away. It took the intervention of a passing…

As Nigerians exchange New Year 2026 greetings, it’s clear that wishing each other well is easier than wishing Nigeria well. The truth is stark: all is not well with the nation’s governance. If 2025 taught us anything, it is that identifying and prioritising the country’s real challenges is more urgent than ever. Last year was marked by widespread insecurity. While some blame religion alone, the reality is more complex. Boko Haram’s terror in the northeast is a perversion of Islam, targeting both Christians and Muslims who reject their ideology. Across the country, bandits in the northwest, herder-farmer conflicts in the…

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel is working on an agenda to support beleaguered Christian communities in Nigeria. Netanyahu spoke on Friday during a meeting with evangelical community leaders in Florida while touting Israel as the only country in the word capable of protecting Christians. “I see the battle against us and the battle against our Judeo-Christian tradition, basically being waged around the globe. And it’s waged primarily by two forces — radical Shiite Islam and radical Sunni Islam,” he said. “That means the axis that is led by Iran, much battered, admittedly, but still there, and the Sunni…

Eight people have been confirmed dead in a fatal crash involving an 18-seater Mazda bus marked APP 943 XP and a Volvo truck at NASFAT turn along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. Chronicle NG gathered that 21 occupants of the passenger bus were involved in the accident, which occurred at about 3:00 p.m. According to an eyewitness, the empty, bottle-laden yellow truck with registration number AKM 547 YQ, in an attempt to make a U-turn towards the Ibadan axis, was rammed into by the 18-passenger bus travelling at excessive speed. The deceased passengers include four males, two females and two toddlers, while…

The Premier League’s festive feast turned stale on Thursday as the New Year’s Day programme served up three 0-0 draws, most significantly Manchester City’s stalemate at Sunderland which left them four points adrift of leaders Arsenal. Second-placed City would have reduced Arsenal’s advantage to two points but instead were frustrated as their winning streak in all competitions was halted at eight. Liverpool’s attack was also found wanting as they drew 0-0 at home to Leeds United while there were no goals at Brentford as they ground out a draw with Tottenham Hotspur. The only goals of the day came at…

Hugo Ekitike missed an open goal as Liverpool and Leeds started 2026 with the first goalless draw of Arne Slot’s tenure at Anfield. Jeremie Frimpong’s left-footed strike in the first half was met by Ekitike, who bizarrely ended up heading the ball in the opposite direction when all he had to do was guide it into an open goal. Frimpong had put plenty of power on his shot but, from a yard out, it was harder to miss than score. The point extended Liverpool’s unbeaten run to eight games and moved them three points clear of Chelsea, who are fifth,…