Author: Opalim Lifted

The Ghanaian government has postponed a planned visit by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa following recent anti-migrant tensions in South Africa that affected several foreign nationals, including Ghanaians. The decision comes after reports of assaults on Africans by groups targeting undocumented migrants in South Africa. In response, Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Ablakwa, summoned South Africa’s acting high commissioner, Thando Dalamba, to express Ghana’s strong concern over the reported intimidation and harassment of foreign nationals. Ghana also began repatriating some of its citizens from South Africa in the aftermath of the incidents. Reports had suggested Ghana rejected a planned state…

Nigeria’s local cement price remains among the highest in Africa despite the country’s production capacity far exceeding domestic demand, raising concerns over housing affordability and infrastructure costs. A report by The Guardian revealed that a 50kg bag of cement now sells for between N12,500 and N15,000 in cities including Abuja, Lagos and Abia. By comparison, similar quantities cost about N6,500 in South Africa, N4,500 in Egypt, N7,000 in Kenya and N7,500 in Ghana. Nigeria currently has an installed cement production capacity of more than 60 million metric tonnes annually, while domestic consumption stands at only 25–30 million tonnes, leaving a…

The death toll from the devastating twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24 has risen to 3,535, while more than 16,700 people have been injured, according to updated official figures released on Monday. The powerful back-to-back earthquakes flattened entire neighbourhoods in La Guaira state, north of the capital, Caracas, leaving widespread destruction and forcing thousands from their homes. Authorities said 16,740 people were injured and more than 17,000 residents have been left homeless by the disaster. Although the government has not released an official figure for those still missing beneath the rubble, the United Nations estimates that as many…

Charles de Ketelaere scored twice for Belgium as the United States became the third and final co-host to be knocked out of the World Cup. It was a largely lethargic display by the US who had star striker Folarin Balogun in their starting line-up after President Donald Trump had asked Fifa to review his ban following his red card in the previous round. FIFA responded by suspending the automatic one-match ban for 12 months but their leading scorer at the tournament, with three goals, was largely isolated as Belgium dominated the game. They took the lead in the ninth minute…

Philip Agbese, deputy spokesperson of the House of Representatives, has urged the federal government to suspend the implementation of the proposed reforms to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), warning that some of the changes could weaken the scheme’s core mandate. The Federal Executive Council (FEC) recently approved seven major reforms to the one-year national service programme. The proposals include digitalisation, replacing military leadership with civilian administrators, introducing a redesigned uniform and expanding skills-based training. In a statement issued on Sunday, Agbese, who represents Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency of Benue State, said the reforms should not undermine the NYSC’s founding objectives…

The Nigerian Army says it is fully prepared to prevent any attempt by extremist groups to infiltrate Nigeria as security concerns grow across the Sahel region. Speaking at the grand finale of the Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2026 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, said the military remains on high alert over the activities of foreign jihadist groups operating near Nigeria’s borders. According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication covering the Lake Chad region, Shaibu said the changing security situation in neighbouring countries requires increased vigilance and sustained military preparedness. He disclosed…

A Federal High Court in Abuja has postponed judgment in the suit filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) seeking the final forfeiture of 57 properties linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, who presided over the matter on Monday, fixed July 10 for judgment after previously reserving its decision when parties adopted their final written addresses on May 26. The EFCC is asking the court to permanently forfeit the properties to the federal government, arguing that they are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities. At the last hearing, EFCC counsel,…

The federal government has convened key players in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector to discuss fair petrol pricing amid concerns that retail fuel prices have not reflected the recent decline in global crude oil prices. The meeting, held on Monday at the headquarters of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) in Abuja, brought together representatives of Dangote Refinery, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), and the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN). Welcoming participants, Rabiu Umar, Chief Executive Officer of the NMDPRA, said the engagement was aimed at finding practical solutions rather…

The signage directing visitors to the office of the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), also referred to as the Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC), remains mounted at the Federal Secretariat in Abuja. A visit to the Federal Secretariat on Monday showed that the PFIPC signage is still mounted on the floor occupied by the Federal Ministry of Health, directing visitors to the office. The Federal Secretariat houses the offices of ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), making it the administrative hub of the federal civil service. Despite the absence of a legal framework or a presidential declaration, the PFIPC…

The United States says it will closely monitor how Nigeria conducts its 2027 general elections, with a senior lawmaker indicating that the outcome could influence future relations between both countries. Riley Moore, a member of the US House of Representatives, made the remarks during an interview with NoireTV, a cable and streaming network serving the African diaspora. “We’re certainly going to be watching these results and how these elections unfold and how they’re executed. That’s something that myself and the administration are going to be paying very close attention to,” Moore said. The congressman also revealed that the US House…