Author: Opalim Lifted

President Bola Tinubu has approved the “special presidential promotion” of his aide-de-camp (ADC), Nurudeen Yusuf, from the rank of colonel to brigadier-general. The approval was conveyed in a letter from the office of the national security adviser (NSA) to the chief of army staff. The leaked letter was dated December 12, 2025, and was signed by Nuhu Ribadu, the NSA. In the letter, Ribadu said Yusuf will be retained as the president’s ADC despite the promotion. “I wish to convey Mr President’s approval of Special Presidential Promotion of Colonel Nurudeen Alowonle Yusuf to the rank of Brigadier General and retention…

The education ministry has banned student transfer into SS3 classes across all public and private secondary schools. The directive, the ministry disclosed in a statement on Sunday, will take effect from the 2026/2027 academic year. Boriowo Folasade, the director of press and PR, said the measure is to curb the “increasing incidence of examination malpractice” that continues to undermine the integrity of Nigeria’s education system. The PRO said it was necessitated by the growing concern over the use of “so-called special centres” during external examinations. From the 2026/2027 academic session, admissions and transfers will be strictly limited to SS1 and…

The senior pastor of Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC), Pastor Mathew Ashimolowo, has cast doubts on the electoral prospects of former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, in the northern region ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Speaking in an interview with Outside the Box, Ashimolowo suggested that Obi’s support in the north may be extremely limited. “The chance of Peter Obi getting five per cent in 12 core Northern states will be a miracle because Nigeria has not healed,” he said. “He is a fantastic man, he is a gifted man, he could do well, he could achieve, he has…

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has recounted his personal journey as evidence that God can change anyone, regardless of their past. Speaking on Saturday during the fifth day of the Holy Ghost Congress 2025 at Redemption City along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, Adeboye, 83, admitted he is “not proud” of his early life. The week-long programme is themed “God of all Flesh.” Addressing a congregation that included traditional rulers, the cleric reflected on the doubts surrounding his spiritual transformation. “Do you think there is anybody in your family who is too far…

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…