Author: Opalim Lifted

The Donald Trump administration has reinstated a sweeping global visa policy that could make it harder for many foreign nationals, including Nigerians to obtain US visas, as Washington revives its controversial “public charge” rule targeting those deemed likely to depend on public benefits. A newly issued State Department cable, obtained by Fox News Digital, directed American embassies and consulates worldwide to enforce the policy immediately. The directive, which officials say restores a Trump-era standard relaxed under President Joe Biden, instructs US consular officers to deny visas to anyone considered likely to rely on government assistance in the United States. Under…

A witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has told a federal high court in Abuja that withdrawals made by the Kogi state government during the regime of Yahaya Bello, the former governor, did not violate any banking regulation. Mshelia Bata, a compliance officer with Zenith Bank, appeared as the fourth prosecution witness in the ongoing money laundering trial of Bello. Bello is facing a 19-count charge of alleged money laundering amounting to N80.2 billion. During cross-examination on Monday before Emeka Nwite, the presiding judge, Bata said Bello’s name did not appear as a beneficiary in the state…

A prolonged standoff between Republicans and Democrats over government spending and healthcare subsidies has pushed the US government shutdown into its 40th day. This marks the longest shutdown in the nation’s history, surpassing the previous record of 38 days, which began at the end of 2018 and ended in January 2019 — during Donald Trump’s first presidency. A US government shutdown occurs when Congress fails to pass budget bills or stopgap resolutions to fund federal operations and agencies for the new fiscal year. The current shutdown began on October 1, the start of the US federal fiscal year. The spending…

US President Donald Trump has granted full pardons to Rudy Giuliani, his former personal lawyer, and Mark Meadows, his former chief of staff, for their roles in efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. According to Ed Martin, the government’s pardon attorney, the proclamation was posted online on Sunday night. The proclamation also includes conservative lawyers Sidney Powell and John Eastman. It states that the pardon is “full, complete, and unconditional,” but clarifies that it does not apply to Trump himself. None of the individuals named had been charged with federal offences, which are the only category covered by presidential…

President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to national security, declaring that “the security of Nigeria is non-negotiable.” In a statement shared via the presidency’s X handle, Tinubu said the federal government had achieved major breakthroughs in counter-insurgency operations through strengthened cooperation among security agencies. “Since 2023, the Federal Government of Nigeria, through enhanced inter-agency cooperation, has vigorously pursued, arrested, eliminated, or successfully convicted terrorists and insurgents, especially those responsible for some of the most heinous attacks on Nigerian territory,” he said. According to the statement, more than 124 terrorists and insurgents have been convicted since 2024, while others,…

Nigerian Afrobeats singer David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has celebrated his latest Grammy nomination ahead of the 2026 awards ceremony. In a video shared on his Instagram page on Friday, Davido was seen dancing to his hit song With You while playfully saying, “Who be that, double sweater,” in celebration of the new milestone. His caption read, “All Glory To God! Job Not Done. ❤️🏆🌍.” The post has since gone viral, drawing congratulatory comments from fans, friends, and fellow artistes across social media. Davido’s With You, featuring Omah Lay, earned a nomination for Best African Music Performance at the…

Community leaders and council chairmen from Charanchi and Batagarawa Local Government Areas of Katsina State have signed a peace agreement with a group of armed bandits in a bid to end years of violence and insecurity. During the meeting held over the weekend, one of the bandit leaders addressed residents, alleging that political actors had fuelled the insurgency. “It was the government that wanted us to engage in banditry, but now it has called us and told us to stop. Therefore, by God’s grace, we have stopped from today,” the armed man declared. He further claimed that the continuation or…

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Federal Government of Nigeria have opened discussions in Abuja on the country’s ongoing economic reforms, medium-term outlook and preparations for the 2026–2030 National Development Plan (NDP). In a landmark decision to fundamentally reshape the Federal Civil Service (FCS), the Federal Government approved the Rewards and Recognition Policy, Incentive and Consequence Management Policy, and Civil Service Mentoring Policy to boost productivity and enhance service delivery The bilateral meeting at the weekend brought together the IMF delegation led by Mr Axel Schimmelpfennig, Assistant Director of the IMF’s African Department, and Minister of Budget and Economic…

Nigerian singer Stanley Omah Didia, popularly known as Omah Lay, has reacted to his maiden Grammy nomination. Chronicle NG reports that Omah Lay earned his first-ever Grammy nomination for his collaborative hit with Davido, “With You,” which was nominated in the Best African Music Performance category at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards. Reacting via his Instagram page, Omah Lay said he was excited about the nomination but added that he doesn’t care much about awards. He, however, stated that he wants Davido to win the award, describing him as his “realest friend in a while.” “I’m excited about this Grammy…

The leader of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has warned that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is under spiritual attack, claiming that “America is already in Nigeria.” In a statement issued by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, the cleric linked the growing tension between Nigeria and the United States to what he described as “divine nemesis” fighting Tinubu’s government — a situation he said he prophesied in 2023. Ayodele said the controversy surrounding US President Donald Trump’s alleged threat against Nigeria over Christian persecution is part of a spiritual backlash against Tinubu’s leadership. “Tinubu is reaping what he…