Author: Opalim Lifted

African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain, Peter Obi, has paid an emotional tribute to the late Distinguished Senator Okechukwu Ezea, describing him as a true servant of the people who placed humanity above personal ambition. Obi spoke on Saturday after attending Ezea’s funeral in Nsukka, Enugu State, where political leaders, clergy and community members gathered to honour the former lawmaker’s life and legacy. In a heartfelt message, Obi said Ezea stood out from the moment they met in politics. According to him, the late senator remained unwavering in his commitment to the welfare of the people of Nsukka throughout their political…

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) over its alleged failure to account for and explain the whereabouts of N3 trillion in missing or diverted public funds, including over N629 billion paid to “unknown beneficiaries” under the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme. The lawsuit followed grave allegations contained in the latest annual report by the Auditor-General of the Federation, published on 9 September 2025. In suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/250/2026, filed last at the Federal High Court in Abuja, SERAP is seeking an order of mandamus to direct thet and compel the CBN…

The long-running mystery surrounding the disappearance of Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Dadiyata, has erupted into a fresh political row between Nasir El-Rufai and Abdullahi Ganduje. Dadiyata, a vocal social media commentator, was abducted on August 2, 2019, by unidentified gunmen as he drove into his residence in Barnawa, Kaduna. His disappearance triggered nationwide outrage and sustained legal action by his family and civil society groups. In 2020, a federal high court in Kaduna ordered the Department of State Security (DSS) and other agencies to produce him. The DSS denied holding him. Speaking on Arise Television on Friday, El-Rufai distanced…

China has announced it will implement a zero-tariff policy for imports from 53 African countries from May 1, 2026, in a sweeping move expected to deepen trade ties across the continent. According to Reuters, the policy will apply to all African nations with diplomatic relations with China except Eswatini. The initiative builds on commitments under the Changsha Declaration within the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) framework. Beijing had earlier pledged full zero-tariff access covering 100 percent of tariff lines for eligible African countries, including Nigeria. China’s foreign ministry said the policy is part of broader efforts to align with the…

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Adamawa State chapter has directed church leaders across the state to ensure that eligible members obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and actively participate in the democratic process. In a formal communication signed by the State Chairman, Rev. Dr. Joel Danjuma Manzo, the association instructed all bloc leaders, bishops, denominational heads, pastors, and leaders of Christian organisations within the state to ensure compliance with the directive. According to the statement, all eligible church members under their supervision must possess a valid PVC. Those who do not currently have one are required to take immediate…

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has raised cheque violations penalties to as much as N10 million per infraction, tightening compliance rules for banks and accredited cheque printers. In a circular dated February 10 and signed by Hamisu Abdullahi, director of the Banking Services Department, the regulator said the tougher sanctions are aimed at strengthening the Nigerian clearing system and aligning operations with current industry realities. The revised framework replaces the 2019 regime and introduces a tiered penalty structure based on the severity and frequency of offences. Banks that fail to submit personalised cheques for mandatory testing face an initial…

Argungu Fishing Festival 2026 opens with record 59kg catch as 40,000 participants storm river in Kebbi. The 61st Argungu International Fishing Festival has opened in spectacular fashion, with a massive 59kg fish setting the pace for this year’s competition in Kebbi State. Excitement erupted at Mata Fada in Argungu town on Saturday as thousands of fishermen plunged into the river just after noon, moments before the formal ceremony and the arrival of President Bola Tinubu. The festival’s biggest catch weighed 59 kilograms, according to a statement by presidential spokesman Sunday Dare. Abubakar Usman from Maiyama Local Government Area clinched the…

Italy has launched a programme to suspend the debts of African nations and convert them into investments. Giorgia Meloni, the country’s prime minister, spoke on Saturday at the 39th African Union (AU) summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The prime minister’s announcement forms part of the ‘Mattei Plan’ — a set of economic and diplomatic initiatives aimed at strengthening Italy’s presence in Africa by combining investment, cooperation, and anti-migration efforts. Speaking during the opening session, Meloni said she believes debt cancellation is crucial for building a “truly free Africa capable of determining its own destiny”. “We wanted to chart a course…

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed that the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will be held in June and July. Patrice Motsepe, CAF president, announced the competition’s schedule at a press conference following the confederation’s executive committee (ExCo) meeting on Friday. He, however, added that the exact dates for the tournament’s commencement will be announced “in due time”. The 2027 AFCON will be co-hosted by Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya. Motsepe debunked reports claiming that CAF is considering stripping the three countries of their hosting rights due to a lack of preparedness. He described the reports as “totally…

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has revealed plans to expand the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to 28 participating teams. CAF president, Patrice Motsepe, announced the proposed expansion on Friday during the confederation’s executive committee (ExCo) meeting press conference in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. AFCON currently features 24 teams, and the proposed expansion would allow four additional countries to participate in each edition. “I had said in Morocco that CAF’s objective is to have AFCON, or the equivalent of AFCON, every year — not every two years. And AFCON, as we know it, we want to increase it to…