Author: Opalim Lifted

Uche Nnaji, former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, has clarified that his resignation from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet should not be seen as an admission of guilt but rather as a demonstration of his respect for due process. Nnaji resigned on Tuesday following allegations of certificate forgery against him. An investigation by Premium Times revealed Nnaji did not complete his university education and that both the bachelor’s degree and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate he presented to Tinubu, as well as to the offices of the secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), the Department of State…

The Palace of the Oba of Benin has rejected the introduction of the “Iyaloja” title into Edo State’s market system. The Palace said the Iyaloja title is alien to Benin culture and potentially disruptive to peace and tradition. This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Benin Traditional Council (BTC) and authorized by His Royal Majesty, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II. The Palace also warned that both the introduction of the Iyaloja concept and the growing influence of political trade associations in local markets threaten Benin’s traditional market structure. It then urged market women across Edo State to respect the…

President Bola Tinubu has accepted Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s departure as chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission following the expiration of his second term in office. Yakubu was first appointed in November 2015 as the 14th chairman of the commission for an initial term of five years. The appointment, which was renewed in 2020, has now expired due to the passage of time. Tinubu thanked Yakubu for his services to the nation and his efforts to sustain Nigeria’s democracy, particularly through the organisation of free and fair elections throughout his two-term tenure. In recognition of Yakubu’s dedicated service to the…

Following the resignation of Professor Mahmood Yakubu as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu has stepped in as the new Acting Chairman, a move that signals the beginning of a new chapter for Nigeria’s electoral body. Yakubu, who first assumed office in 2015, announced his decision during a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in Abuja, marking the end of a tenure defined by digital innovations and bold reforms. Citing Section 306 of the 1999 Constitution, he said the decision was aimed at ensuring a seamless transition ahead of Nigeria’s next electoral cycle. By consensus…

Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, a veteran legal practitioner, has assumed the role of acting chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Agbamuche-Mbu replaced Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who concluded his tenure as INEC chairman on Tuesday. Yakubu announced his decision during a meeting with the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) on Tuesday. His final five-year term is set to expire in November 2025. Agbamuche-Mbu, INEC’s new acting chairman, also chairs INEC’s Legal Services, Clearance & Complaints Committee (LSCCC) and will oversee the Commission’s operations until a substantive chairman is appointed. Yakubu had previously completed his first term in November 2020, stepped down,…

Professor Mahmood Yakubu has formally concluded his tenure as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), marking the end of his second and final five-year term, which is set to expire in November 2025. Following his exit, Mrs May Agbamuche-Mbu, a veteran legal practitioner and INEC National Commissioner, has assumed the role of Acting Chairman. She also chairs INEC’s Legal Services, Clearance & Complaints Committee (LSCCC) and will oversee the Commission’s operations until a substantive chairman is appointed. Yakubu announced his decision during a meeting with the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) on Tuesday. He had previously completed his first…

The Nigerian Army has rejected a report alleging that bandits overran troops and carted away weapons in Kwara state. In a recent statement, Polycarp Okoye, deputy director of army public relations, 2 Division, described the publication as “false and aimed at misleading the public”. The online report had claimed that armed bandits ambushed soldiers in the Obanla area, seizing six General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs) and 30,000 rounds of ammunition. Okoye said the story was fabricated to create panic and undermine the morale of troops deployed for internal security operations. He said soldiers of the 148 battalion (rear), currently carrying…

Elon Musk is halfway to making history as the world’s first trillionaire, according to Forbes. The Tesla and SpaceX boss briefly crossed the $500 billion net worth mark on Wednesday, driven by a rebound in Tesla’s share price after months of political distractions and strong gains across his empire. Forbes’ Real-Time Billionaires Tracker reported Musk’s wealth peaked at $500.1 billion before settling at $499.1 billion, keeping him firmly atop the global rich list. Trailing far behind are Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, worth $350.7 billion, and Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg at $245.8 billion. The 54-year-old billionaire, who studied at the University of…

The Nigeria Police Force introduction of a digital tinted glass permit regime has continued to generate public debate across the country. In April 2025, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, announced a policy mandating motorists to obtain an annual tinted glass permit through an online application process for a prescribed fee. To facilitate the process, the IGP also launched a digital platform, the Police Specialized Services Automation Portal (POSSAP), via www.possap.gov.ng, where motorists can apply, validate, and manage their tinted glass permits. What is POSSAP? It is the official digital platform of the Nigeria Police Force for accessing and…

Odumodublvck, the Nigerian rapper, has come through with his debut album ‘Industry Machine’. The extensive 23-track body of work was unveiled in the early hours of Monday, marking a significant moment in the artiste’s career. For the project, Odumodublvck curated an impressive lineup of collaborations, tapping into the talents of Afrobeats superstars Wizkid and Davido, legendary Afrobeat musician Seun Kuti, dancehall ace Patoranking, and UK grime heavyweight Stormzy. The album also features a cadre of top-tier Nigerian artistes, including Zlatan, Reminisce, Skepta, Phyno, as well as the soulful sounds of Chike and producer Ayo Maff. The tracklist for ‘Industry Machine’…