Author: Opalim Lifted

Morgan Rogers scored two second-half goals as Aston Villa twice came from behind to beat West Ham and extend their winning run in all competitions to nine matches. The England midfielder, who had made it 2-2 five minutes in the second half, hammered an unstoppable shot into the top corner with 11 minutes left to put the visitors ahead for the first time in a topsy-turvy encounter. Struggling West Ham, who were searching for their first victory since 8 November, were gifted an opener after just 29 seconds when Mateus Fernandes dispossessed Ezri Konsa on the edge of the penalty…

Guglielmo Vicario suffered a nightmare before Christmas as woeful Tottenham slumped at Nottingham Forest. The goalkeeper made more high-profile mistakes – after he gifted Harry Wilson a goal in Fulham’s 2-1 win – to hand Callum Hudson-Odoi a brace before Ibrahim Sangare’s stunner sealed victory. Regardless of Vicario’s gaffes, Forest deserved the win which moved them five points clear of the Premier League’s relegation zone. Limp Spurs were second best and failed to build on successive wins against Brentford and Slavia Prague and remain in 11th. They were floundering even before Vicario’s wretched pass to Archie Gray allowed Sangare to…

Nick Woltemade put through his own net as Sunderland enjoyed a derby win to remember against arch-rivals Newcastle United. These North East neighbours renewed hostilities for the first time in nearly a decade in the Premier League on Sunday, and it was Woltemade who made a decisive contribution – but not in the way the German forward would have imagined. The second half had not long got under way when Sunderland defender Nordi Mukiele whipped a teasing cross into the box and Woltemade attempted to head the ball behind. But the club’s record signing ended up directing the ball in…

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has announced provisional dates for its congresses at the ward and local government levels. In a statement on Saturday, Bolaji Abdullahi, ADC national publicity secretary, said the congresses have been provisionally slated to hold between January 20 and 27, 2026. Abdullahi said the information about the congresses was contained in circulars issued by Rauf Aregbesola, the party’s national secretary. The ADC spokesperson said the party’s non-elective national convention will be held in February 2026 in Abuja. Abdullahi said the party has also commenced a 90-day nationwide membership mobilisation, revalidation, and registration (MMRR). ADC: Defeating Tinubu…

The Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, has reiterated that the new tax laws scheduled to take effect from January 2026 will target wealthy earners, not the poor. Oyedele restated this on Friday during an interactive session with journalists in Lagos, explaining that the new tax laws would not hurt ordinary Nigerians. He also dismissed fears of direct bank debits. He further reassured Nigerians that the new tax laws were designed to ease the burden on citizens rather than worsen their challenges. “The new legislation, which will become effective from January 2026, will…

Troops of the Nigerian army foiled an attack by the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists on the forward operating base (FOB) Mairari in Borno, on Friday. Citing sources, Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication, reported on Saturday that the troops killed several of the terrorists during the counter operation and wounded others. The army also neutralised two vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs), resulting in significant damage to the road at two separate points. The counter operation was led by troops of sector 3 stabilisation operation, supported by the theatre command quick reaction force, the Nigeria police crack team, and…

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, to immediately enforce a court judgment compelling him and President Bola Tinubu to publish the names of individuals indicted in the alleged misappropriation of N6 trillion linked to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). The judgment, delivered on 10 November by Justice Gladys Olotu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, followed a Freedom of Information suit filed by SERAP. The court ordered the government to widely publish the names of those implicated in abandoned NDDC projects—13,777 in total—undertaken between 2000 and 2019,…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says Abubakar Malami, former attorney-general of the federation, is yet to meet his bail requirements. The EFCC was responding to Malami’s claim that his bail was revoked because of his attendance at a political gathering in Kebbi state. Malami is being probed for 18 alleged offences, including money laundering, abuse of office, and terrorism financing. In a statement on Friday, Mohammed Bello Doka, his special assistant on media, had said the former AGF did not default on any bail requirements. “For the avoidance of doubt, Abubakar Malami, SAN did not default on any…

Former senator representing Ekiti North, Ayodele Arise, has urged the Federal Government to go beyond diplomacy in securing the release of 11 Nigerian soldiers detained in Burkina Faso, insisting that military action should remain an option. Speaking on an Arise TV programme on Saturday, Arise said Nigeria must project strength in its dealings with neighbouring countries, particularly on sensitive security matters. According to him, a clear show of readiness to act could force the Burkinabe authorities to reconsider their stance. “I think we should move and do something. Once they are aware that we want to do that, I am…

The immediate past Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Lai Mohammed, has urged Nigerians to give encouragement to the President Bola Tinubu-led administration in the fight against insecurity in the country. While emphasising that no president would want his country to be insecure, Lai Mohammed, who served in the administration of the late Muhammadu Buhari, stated that the situation is a global issue. The former information minister made the appeal while delivering the 15th convocation lecture of Achievers University, Owo, Ondo State, with the title ‘Don’t Just Graduate, Innovate.’ With Mohammed tasking the new generation of Nigerian graduates not to…