Author: Opalim Lifted

EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede has raised fresh concerns over corruption in Nigeria, saying public officers take national resources “every minute”. Olukoyede spoke on Thursday in Abuja at an event marking the 80th birthday of Kanu Agabi, former attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice. The EFCC chairman said the commission receives more than 20,000 petitions relating to public corruption every year, describing many of the cases as disturbing. “I receive over 20,000 petitions in a year in respect to public corruption, all terrible. What is going on? Like every minute, public officers take money, and if you go through…

A flash flood has swept through Akaeze community in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, displacing several families and destroying homes, farmlands and personal belongings. The flooding occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, catching residents off guard as floodwaters inundated residential areas and agricultural fields. The cause of the flooding has not been established, while local authorities said no fatalities have been recorded so far. Community leaders and displaced residents have appealed to the Ebonyi State and Federal Governments for urgent humanitarian assistance, including temporary shelter and relief materials. Ebonyi has recorded no kidnapping under my watch –…

The National Examinations Council (NECO) has released the results of the 2026 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), with 804,948 candidates, representing 58.67 per cent, obtaining five credits in English Language and Mathematics. Dantani Wushishi, NECO registrar, announced the results at a press conference in Minna, Niger State, on Thursday, nearly 63 days after the last paper of the examination was written. Wushishi said 1,378,048 candidates registered for the examination, while 1,371,992 candidates sat for the exercise, which commenced on June 15 and ended on July 23, 2026. He disclosed that 1,162,118 candidates, representing 84.70 per cent, obtained five credits and…

The Federal Government is exploring a phased approach to delivering the long-delayed Mambilla Hydropower Project in Taraba State. Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe disclosed this during a media parley in Abuja to mark his first 100 days in office. Tegbe said the ministry had engaged China Energy Engineering Corporation (CEEC), also known as Energy China, to examine the most practical options for delivering the project. The development comes after Nigeria secured a major victory in the arbitration dispute over the Mambilla project. The minister said large hydropower projects such as Mambilla, alongside smaller schemes serving agricultural corridors, were central to…

Davido, Omah Lay and Rema have been named among the headliners for the 2027 Afro Nation festival in Portugal. The festival is scheduled to take place from June 9 to 11, 2027, at Praia da Rocha Beach in Portimão. It will bring together some of the biggest names in Afrobeats, R&B, dancehall and amapiano. The organisers announced the lineup in a post on X on Wednesday, unveiling a list of notable artistes set to perform at the event. Davido and Rema will headline alongside Congolese singer Fally Ipupa, although the order in which they will perform has not yet been…

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has renewed calls for reform of the United Nations Security Council, describing Africa’s continued absence from its permanent membership as “unjust and indefensible”. Guterres made the remarks as world leaders gathered in New York for the 81st session of the UN General Assembly. “Africa still has no permanent seat on the Security Council,” he said. “A 21st century Security Council without permanent African representation is unjust & indefensible. “We must reform the Council so that it reflects today’s world with the legitimacy and effectiveness that today’s challenges demand.” The Security Council is the UN body responsible…

The Independent Committee of Inquiry investigating the reported deaths of 37 people in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has commenced its investigation. The committee began sitting after it was inaugurated by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the committee’s secretary, Professor Isa Hayatu Chiroma, said members held their inaugural meeting immediately after taking their oath of office. The committee also adopted a work plan to guide its investigation. Committee to Visit Sites, Interview Witnesses According to the statement, the committee will visit relevant sites and engage government agencies…

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has dismissed concerns over President Bola Tinubu’s continued absence from Nigeria, insisting that there is “no vacancy” in Aso Rock. Akpabio spoke on Tuesday in Akwa Ibom State while inaugurating road projects executed by Governor Umo Eno. The Senate President said Tinubu remains in charge of the country despite being abroad on what he described as a working leave. “I am not the acting president, because the president is still in power. The president is on a working leave. So, there’s no absence in Aso Rock,” Akpabio said. Akpabio argued that Tinubu could continue to direct…

Airtel Africa says its subsidiary, Airtel Money, plans to proceed with an initial public offering (IPO) and list its ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange (LSE). The proposed IPO will involve the sale of existing Airtel Money shares by current shareholders, rather than the issuance of new shares. This means Airtel Money will not raise fresh capital through the planned listing. Airtel Africa disclosed the development in a statement on Wednesday, saying it expects to remain a long-term strategic shareholder in Airtel Money after the proposed listing. Airtel Money IPO to involve existing shares According to Airtel Africa, the…

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has warned politicians against using “politics” as an excuse for misconduct during election campaigns. Jonathan spoke on Thursday in Abuja while delivering a goodwill message at a public lecture held to mark the 80th birthday of Kanu Agabi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former Attorney-General of the Federation. The former president said electoral contests must be conducted within established rules, stressing that the pursuit of victory does not justify wrongdoing. “In politics it’s a disaster. People do stupid things, also even criminal things. And they will tell you it is politics. It is not…