Author: Opalim Lifted

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have qualified for the final of the African playoffs for the 2026 World Cup. Nigeria defeated Gabon 4-1 in the semi-final of the mini-tourney at the Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat on Thursday. Victor Osimhen scored a brace, Chidera Ejuke and Akor Adams grabbed a goal each as Nigeria left their clinical best till late into extra time. The brace increased Osimhen’s tally with Super Eagles to 31, just six behind Rashidi Yekini as Nigeria’s all-time goalscorer. Controversies marred Nigeria’s preparations for the match, with players boycotting one of their training sessions in protest over…

The Director of Mobilisation of the Obidient Movement, Morris Monye, has stepped down from his role, citing poor coordination and the group’s disappointing outing in the recent Anambra election. Announcing his resignation via his X handle on Thursday, Monye expressed frustration that, despite his passion and personal financial contributions, the movement had failed to achieve its goals. “Almost a year down the line, most of our short, medium, and long-term plans have not been met,” he lamented, describing his position as “untenable.” Monye’s resignation comes amid growing calls within the Obidient Movement for better organisation and strategic focus ahead of…

The Federal Government has begun steps to standardise the cost of blood across hospitals in Nigeria to make blood transfusions fair, transparent, and affordable for patients. Director-General of the National Blood Service Agency (NBSA), Saleh Yuguda, announced this on Wednesday at a workshop for hospital transfusion committee members in Abuja. He said the move followed widespread complaints from the public about the high and inconsistent fees charged by hospitals for blood services. “Blood is a public good. We want a system that works fairly and transparently so that Nigerians can access safe blood without exploitation,” Yuguda said. While acknowledging calls…

The trial of Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi, continued on Wednesday before Maryanne Anineh, judge of the federal capital territory (FCT) high court in Maitama, Abuja, with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) presenting evidence of multiple suspicious cash withdrawals allegedly linked to the state government accounts. Bello is standing trial alongside Abdulsalami Hudu and Umar Shuaibu Oricha on a 16-count charge of criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving N110.4 billion. During the hearing, the sixth prosecution witness, Mashelia Bata, a compliance officer with Zenith Bank, continued his testimony under the lead examination of Kemi Pinheiro,…

Tuberculosis (TB) remains the world’s leading infectious killer, claiming an estimated 1.23 million lives last year, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), which warned that recent gains made against the disease remain fragile. Deaths from tuberculosis fell by three percent from 2023, while cases declined by nearly two percent, the WHO said in its annual overview. An estimated 10.7 million people worldwide contracted TB in 2024: 5.8 million men, 3.7 million women, and 1.2 million children. A preventable and curable disease, tuberculosis is caused by bacteria that primarily affect the lungs. It spreads through the air when infected people…

President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerian journalists to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, emphasizing that a free but responsible press is crucial for national unity and democratic development. Speaking on Wednesday at the opening of the Nigerian Guild of Editors’ Annual Conference held at the State House, with the theme *“Democratic Governance and National Cohesion: The Role of Editors,”* Tinubu reflected on the historic role of the Nigerian press in shaping the nation’s democratic journey. He recalled how early newspapers fought against colonial injustice and how courageous journalists kept hope alive during military rule, often enduring intimidation, detention, and…

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has shared a cryptic social media post following a confrontation between Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and military personnel. In a flyer posted on X platform on Tuesday, the DHQ stated: “IT IS AN HONOUR TO SERVE IN THE NIGERIAN MILITARY. UNSHAKEN. UNBENT. UNBROKEN.” The post came hours after Wike was seen in viral clips engaging in a heated exchange with military officers at a disputed land site in Abuja. According to Wike, officials from the Department of Development Control were enforcing his directive when they were chased away by armed soldiers…

The family of late Nigerian singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, has asked his widow, Wunmi, to stop using the ‘Aloba’ surname and to conduct a DNA test to confirm the paternity of her son. In a statement jointly signed by the Head of the Aloba family, Adedara Aloba, and a principal member, Joseph Aloba, on Monday, the family said the decision was made to ensure justice, uncover the truth, and hold those responsible accountable. To establish a lawful structure for managing all matters relating to Mohbad’s estate, the family appointed Samuel Ajewole Aloba, Engr. Ayodele Rasaq Famuyiwa, and…

We are in a society where a negative attitude is easily passed off as “Oga is speaking”, in the name of constituted authority (Wike), and this has become a norm, and emboldens the actor. Wike as a constituted authority, hurling insults at a national security officer should not be justified over a land matter he can always resolve smartly. If Ghanaian or the United States’ constituted authority insults their officers, we shouldn’t celebrate this act in Nigeria. For years, Wike never sees wrong in anything he does as a state governor, party chieftain, and other supposedly leadership capacities, but laughs…

Beneficiaries of the Ferefayo Empowerment Loan Scheme have applauded its founder, Dr. Olatunde Olusesi, a United States–based lecturer, for transforming small-scale trading at Itoku Market, Abeokuta, through his zero-interest microloan initiative. The commendations poured in on Tuesday, November 11, during the scheme’s first anniversary, held under the Itoku Market bridge, the same venue as the annual Lorranisa 11/11 Day Celebration. The initiative, launched last year to mark Dr. Olusesi’s 60th birthday, was established in honour of his late mother, Alhaja Anisat Amosa Olusesi — a respected trader at Itoku Market before her passing in May 2024. Through the Ferefayo Empowerment…