Author: Opalim Lifted

Nigeria has issued four emergency requests for oral cholera vaccines as the country battles a sharp rise in infections and deaths, according to a new World Health Organisation (WHO) report. The document, obtained on Friday, reveals that Nigeria recorded 22,102 cholera cases and 500 deaths by 26 October 2025, with a Case Fatality Rate of 2.3%. In just 28 days, the country logged 1,320 new cases and 33 deaths, underscoring the urgency of the situation. Globally, cholera transmission remains widespread, with more than 565,000 cases and 7,000 deaths reported across 32 countries. The Eastern Mediterranean Region is currently the worst…

The National Examinations Council (NECO) has officially extended its operations to Burkina Faso, accrediting schools in the country to host both the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) and the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE). In a statement on Sunday, NECO said its accreditation team visited several schools to assess their readiness, inspecting classrooms, laboratories, libraries, computer rooms, workshops, examination halls, sports facilities, security arrangements and the availability of qualified teachers. After a thorough evaluation, the schools were granted full accreditation. According to the council, the move reflects NECO’s drive to deliver quality assessment services beyond Nigeria’s borders, strengthening its growing…

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has challenged the federal government to account for the staggering ₦17.5 trillion reportedly spent on pipeline security in just one year. According to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited’s 2024 audited financial statement, the company spent the eye-watering sum on securing petroleum pipelines. Atiku is now demanding full disclosure — and answers. In a statement issued on Sunday, the former vice-president urged the government to publish the full list of companies that received the contracts, alongside the scope, deliverables, and duration of each deal. He argued that Nigerians deserve to know how such massive…

Former Northern Elders Forum spokesperson Hakeem Baba-Ahmed has called on President Bola Tinubu to abandon his 2027 re-election bid and hand over the mantle to a younger, healthier and more focused candidate within the ruling party. Speaking on Channels TV’s Sunday Politics, Baba-Ahmed, who resigned as Special Adviser on Political Affairs to the Vice-President in April, said the president has failed to show the urgency needed to fix Nigeria’s deepening problems. He recalled telling close associates after leaving government that he hoped Tinubu would not seek a second term. According to him, the president has already fulfilled his long-held ambition…

Four people have been killed in a shooting during a child’s birthday party in California, US. The shooting occurred around 6pm on Saturday inside a banquet hall in Stockton, a city in California’s Central Valley. Heather Brent, a spokesperson for the San Joaquin county sheriff’s office, said another 10 people were injured in the incident. She said children are among the victims of the attack, which “may have been a targeted incident”. Jason Lee, vice mayor of Stockton, said it was disheartening that the shooting took place at a child’s birthday party. Kamala Harris rules out running for California gov…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has told a Lagos High Court that it has no evidence to back allegations that Jude and Paul Okoye of Psquare fraudulently withdrew $800,000, claims originally made by their brother, Peter Okoye. Peter had petitioned the EFCC in 2024, accusing Jude of diverting group funds, running 47 undisclosed bank accounts and manipulating the share structure of Northside Entertainment Ltd, the company jointly owned by the brothers. The commission later charged Jude with alleged financial misconduct in managing the Psquare brand. However, during cross-examination in Ikeja, EFCC counsel M. K. Bashir told Justice Rahman…

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Senate President, Mr Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of House of Representatives, Mr Tajudeen Abbas over “the failure to account for the missing N18.6 billion meant for the construction of the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) Office Complex.” Mr Akpabio and Mr Abbas are sued for themselves and on behalf of all members of the National Assembly. Joined in the suit as respondent is the National Assembly Service Commission. SERAP’s lawsuit followed the grave allegations documented in the latest 2022 annual report published by the Auditor-General of the…

Lionel Messi has become the player with the most assists in football history. The Argentine recorded the 405th of his career in Inter Miami’s MLS Cup semifinal win over New York City on Sunday. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner set up Mateo Silvetti in the 67th minute as Inter Miami cruised to a 5–1 victory to clinch the Eastern Conference title. The result sets up a clash between Inter Miami and Western Conference champions Vancouver in the MLS Cup final on Saturday, December 6. Messi had earlier drawn level with Hungarian legend Ferenc Puskás before surpassing him with his latest…

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described President Bola Tinubu’s list of ambassadorial nominees as “reprehensible” and “scandalous.” Tinubu on Saturday forwarded 32 names to the senate, days after submitting a first batch of three nominees. The list includes Mahmood Yakubu, former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); Reno Omokri, former presidential aide; Femi Fani-Kayode, former minister of aviation; Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, former governor of Enugu, and several others. In a statement on Saturday, Ini Ememobong, PDP national publicity secretary, questioned the integrity of the nominees, saying some of them have records of “anti-democratic conduct”. Ememobong said the fact…

D’Tigers of Nigeria were deafeated 68-55 by Guinea in their second qualification game for the 2027 FIBA World Cup. The Guineans dominated the D’Tigers throughout the entire of the one-sided encounter at the Salle Multidisciplinaire de Radès, Tunisia, on Saturday. The defeat is Nigeria’s second of the qualification series. The team lost to Tunisia in their first game on Thursday. D’Tigers were already behind from the first quarter 22-16 and the performance failed to improve their allround play in the second quarter. The scoreline was 35-26 by halftime. The closest Nigeria got to nicking the game from the Guineans was…