Author: Opalim Lifted

The Nigerian High Commission in South Africa has apologised for the controversy surrounding the alleged coronation of an “Igbo king” in Eastern Cape Province. Solomon Eziko was reportedly crowned “Igwe” of Kugompo in South London, a city in the Eastern Cape. The celebration sparked outrage, which escalated into violent protests on Monday, as demonstrators torched vehicles and buildings reportedly owned by foreign nationals. Angry South Africans marched through parts of the province, demanding immediate government intervention and warning that failure to act could trigger further unrest. One protester said residents were prepared to take up arms if the matter remained…

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has issued a stark warning to major United States technology firms operating across the Middle East, declaring them potential military targets amid escalating regional tensions. In a statement released via the IRGC-linked Tasnim news agency, the military body named about 20 companies it claims are involved in intelligence, surveillance, and targeting operations. Those listed include Boeing, Tesla, Meta, HP, Microsoft, Google and Apple. The IRGC alleged that American ICT and artificial intelligence firms play a central role in identifying and tracking targets, warning that such institutions are now considered “legitimate military targets”. Employees and…

US President Donald Trump has said he is weighing the possibility of withdrawing the United States from North Atlantic Treaty Organisation after the alliance declined to support Washington in a potential war against Iran. In an interview with The Telegraph, Trump described NATO as a “paper tiger”, signalling deep frustration with allies he believes are unwilling to back US military demands. “Oh yes, I would say it’s beyond reconsideration. I was never swayed by NATO,” Trump said, adding that even Russian President Vladimir Putin recognises the alliance’s perceived weakness. The comments come amid rising tensions in the Middle East, with…

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday vowed to end the cycle of killings in Plateau State, announcing a sweeping security response that includes the deployment of a 5,000-camera surveillance network across Jos. The president made the declaration during a solemn visit to the state capital following recent deadly attacks, assuring residents that the Federal Government would act decisively to prevent a recurrence. “This experience will not repeat itself,” Tinubu said, stressing that his administration is determined to restore lasting peace to the state. Addressing community leaders and victims, the president expressed deep sympathy, noting that no amount of money could compensate…

Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang has described the recent killings in Jos as a “temporary setback”, expressing confidence that the state will overcome its worsening security crisis. He made the remark on Thursday while receiving Bola Tinubu during a visit to Plateau following Sunday’s deadly attack that left at least 28 people dead. Mutfwang said the state remained on course towards peace and economic recovery despite the violence. “This incident of last Sunday is a temporary setback. I am persuaded that, by the grace of God, we will overcome that setback and continue on our trajectory to peace, tourism, and…

A Muslim trader, Sa’idu Murtala, has shared how a Christian resident saved his life during the deadly attack on Angwan Rukuba community in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State. The incident, which occurred on Sunday, left at least 28 people dead after gunmen opened fire at a popular bar, triggering panic across nearby communities. Murtala, a garden egg seller, said he was attending to customers around 7:30pm when the attack began. According to him, the situation quickly turned chaotic as gunshots rang out, forcing residents and traders to scramble for safety. “I was with my friend Hassan, who…

The Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has called on Nigeria to champion the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) initiative. According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Okonjo-Iweala made the call virtually at the maiden Nigeria Aircraft Acquisition and Investment Summit (NAAIS) 2026 on Wednesday in Lagos. The summit had the theme: “Unlocking Capital, Confidence and Capacity in Nigeria’s Aviation Industry.” Okonjo-Iweala noted that SAATM, unveiled in 2018 as a flagship project of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, seeks to create a single, unified and liberalised aviation market across the continent. She explained that…

Rising fuel prices are accelerating interest in electric vehicles (EVs) across Nigeria, as households and businesses search for cheaper transport alternatives. Industry experts say the surge in petrol costs is no longer just an economic concern but a turning point, pushing electric mobility from a fringe idea into a practical solution for everyday use. At the Abuja Compact on Electric Mobility Roundtable, stakeholders highlighted how increasing transport expenses are reshaping decisions, especially among commercial drivers and small business owners. They noted that as fuel eats deeper into incomes, EVs are becoming less of a futuristic concept and more of a…

As the world marks World Autism Awareness Day 2026, families of children with autism in Nigeria are grappling with rising costs, limited access to care, and weak enforcement of disability rights. At the heart of the crisis is affordability. Autism management depends heavily on long-term therapy, yet many households struggle to keep up with the financial demands. At Lagos University Teaching Hospital, speech therapy costs between N12,000 and N15,000 for six weeks, while behavioural and occupational therapies range from N10,000 to N12,000 each within the same period. With weekly sessions required across multiple therapies, expenses quickly escalate, placing sustained pressure…

Nigeria is set to temporarily recruit retired teachers and skilled volunteers in a bid to address its worsening teacher shortage crisis. The proposal, contained in the newly released National Teacher Policy by the Federal Ministry of Education, outlines urgent measures to plug staffing gaps and improve learning outcomes across the country. According to the document, authorities may deploy experienced professionals outside the active workforce, especially in regions facing acute shortages or crisis situations. “In case of crisis areas where retired teachers and highly skilled volunteers are available, state ministries of education shall consider recruitment temporarily to fill existing human resource…