Author: Opalim Lifted

The Presidency has strongly criticised Peter Obi after his call for President Bola Tinubu to resign, describing the comparison he drew with a recent political development in the United Kingdom as flawed and misleading. Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), had suggested that President Tinubu should consider stepping down, referencing British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s announcement that he would leave office following public dissatisfaction over economic challenges and unmet promises. Starmer had said on Monday that he would resign amid growing public pressure over economic conditions and governance concerns in the UK. Reacting, presidential aide Bayo Onanuga…

Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has called on President Bola Tinubu to resign over the “monumental failure” in governance. Obi said he was inspired to reflect on political accountability after listening to the resignation speech of Keir Starmer, the British prime minister, who announced plans to step down amid public dissatisfaction over economic challenges and unmet campaign promises. The former governor of Anambra said Nigeria’s current situation mirrors the criticisms Tinubu levelled against former President Goodluck Jonathan before the 2015 elections. According to Obi, Tinubu repeatedly called on Jonathan to resign over insecurity and economic…

Erling Haaland scored twice as Norway booked their place in the last 32 of the World Cup with victory over Senegal in New Jersey. After just two games in the competition, the Manchester City striker has now scored twice as many goals (four) as any other Norway player in World Cup history. Full-back Marcus Pederson, on as an early substitute, capitalised on a poor clearance from Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly to put Norway 1-0 up late in the first half – before Haaland took over in the second. He raced on to Martin Odegaard’s incisive through ball to double the…

Kylian Mbappe scored twice to move joint-second in the all-time World Cup goalscoring list as France cruised past Iraq in a weather-delayed game in Philadelphia. Mbappe netted early in both halves to take his World Cup goals tally to 16 in 16 games, two shy of Lionel Messi who broke Miroslav Klose’s record hours earlier. France v Iraq became the first match at this World Cup to be interrupted by severe weather, with the second half beginning more than two hours after the first period ended because of lightning strikes in the area. Heavy rainfall earlier in the day had…

A prosecution witness has told the Federal High Court in Abuja how she allegedly lost N58.1 million in an investment scheme linked to a bitter kola export business promoted by a couple currently facing trial over an alleged N740 million fraud. The witness, Chinyere Okoroafor, testified before Justice Ekerete Akpan on Monday during the trial of Osabohein Alex Ologbose, Chief Executive Officer of Onome Global Market Resources Limited and Lexicon Multi-concept Media Limited, and his wife, Hope Onome Oghelemu. The defendants and their companies are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a seven-count charge bordering…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned former Skye Bank chairman, Tunde Ayeni, before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Apo, Abuja, over an alleged N15.6 billion fraud. Ayeni appeared before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie on Monday on an amended 18-count charge bordering on alleged criminal breach of trust, misappropriation and diversion of funds. In a statement on Monday by EFCC Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale. The anti-graft agency said the amended charges followed the submission of additional proof of evidence in the case. At the proceedings, EFCC counsel, Abba Muhammed, informed the court that the…

Lionel Messi became the World Cup’s all-time record goalscorer as his double against Austria sent holders Argentina into the last 32. The forward, who turns 39 on Wednesday, got his 17th and 18th goals at tournaments to move two clear of Germany striker Miroslav Klose, whose tally came between 2002 and 2014. Messi’s milestone moment came in the 38th minute of the Group J encounter in Dallas, sweeping home a first-time finish from just inside the penalty area after Thiago Almada had cleverly let Facundo Medina’s pull-back go through his legs to tee up his team-mate. The talismanic frontman’s second…

Lionel Messi became the all-time leading scorer in men’s World Cup history on Monday, netting his 17th tournament goal during Argentina’s match against Austria to surpass Germany ‌striker Miroslav Klose. The Argentina captain moved level with Brazilian great Marta, whose 17 goals in the women’s tournament had stood as the overall World Cup record, by scoring his fourth goal of the 2026 edition. The strike extended Messi’s scoring streak to ⁠six consecutive World Cup matches. He opened the tournament with a hat-trick against Algeria when he became the oldest player, at 38, to score three goals in a World Cup…

The Nigeria Police Force has assured Nigerians that efforts are ongoing to secure the release of the abducted students and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, expressing confidence that the victims will soon regain their freedom. The Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department and South-West operations, Adegoke Fayoade, gave the assurance on Monday during a working visit to the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters in Ikeja. Fayoade said security agencies, in collaboration with government authorities, were working round the clock to ensure the safe rescue of the victims. “The update is…

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested two elderly men in Abia state for allegedly selling illicit drugs to secondary school students. The suspects, identified as 84-year-old Godfrey Orji and 75-year-old Godwin Obulunbiya Obiora, were arrested in separate operations in Umuahia, as the agency intensified its crackdown on drug trafficking across the country. Femi Babafemi, NDLEA spokesman, in a statement on Sunday, said Obiora was arrested on June 19 following intelligence that he was selling illicit substances to students and other residents from his patent medicine store located on Club Road, Umuahia. According to the agency, a search…