Author: Opalim Lifted

President Bola Tinubu has conferred the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) on Gilbert Chagoury, the Lebanese-Nigerian businessman. The GCON is Nigeria’s second-highest national honour, next to the Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (GCFR), reserved for presidents. The honour was conveyed through an Instrument of Conferment of National Honour dated January 8, 2026. Tinubu said he acted in exercise of the powers vested in him under section 1(4) of the National Honours Act, citing Chagoury’s “outstanding virtues” and services to the country as the basis for the award. “In exercise of the powers…

President Bola Tinubu is currently in a closed-door meeting with the Governor of Kano State, Abba Yusuf, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The meeting is taking place in the President’s office, away from the media, further fuelling political speculation surrounding its purpose and outcome. Yusuf arrived at the Villa at about 4:10 pm, dressed in a white agbada and a red cap. Details of the discussions remain sketchy as of press time. The meeting comes amid sustained speculation over an alleged plan by the Kano governor to defect from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to the ruling All Progressives…

The Federal Fire Service (FFS) has issued a stern warning to Nigerians over the deadly habit of scooping fuel from overturned or accident-involved tanker trucks, describing the practice as reckless and life threatening. In a statement signed by the Federal Fire Service National Public Relations Officer and Head of Corporate Services, DCF P.O. Abraham. The Controller General of the Federal Fire Service, Olumode Adeyemi, said the warning became necessary following a viral video showing people scooping fuel from a fallen tanker on Tincan Liverpool Bridge in Apapa, Lagos. Although the tanker was later confirmed to be carrying diesel, the rush…

The Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, has strongly condemned the act of scooping fuel from fallen tankers, describing it as dangerous, irresponsible and unacceptable in a modern society. Issa-Onilu’s condemnation followed an incident on Monday at the Liverpool Bridge in the Apapa area of Lagos State, where members of the public were seen scooping fuel from a fallen tanker. Reacting via a statement on Monday, the Director General said the practice poses an extreme and avoidable threat to human life, public safety and national infrastructure. According to him, the danger extends beyond those involved…

A diesel-laden tanker has overturned on the Tincan Liverpool Bridge, in the Apapa area of Lagos, with hordes of residents and passersby scooping the inflammable product from beneath the bridge. Eyewitnesses say the tanker tipped over in the early hours of Monday during rush hour, with road traffic management personnel yet to arrive at the scene at the time of reporting. A viral clip showed locals grabbing jerrycans and containers of all shapes and sizes as they joined in on the act. In a post on X, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) said the road leading to the…

The Abuja Electricity Distribution Plc (AEDC) has announced a major corporate restructuring, transitioning into a holding company (HoldCo) as Nigeria’s power sector shifts towards decentralised regulation. The move, disclosed in a statement on Sunday, follows the enactment of the Electricity Act 2023, which allows state governments to establish and regulate independent electricity markets through their own regulatory commissions. In response, AEDC said it has reorganised its operations to boost agility, strengthen corporate governance and improve service delivery across its franchise areas. As part of the transition, the DisCo has incorporated two new subsidiaries — the Niger Electricity Distribution Company and…

The Federal Government has agreed to inject an additional ₦30 billion into Nigeria’s 74 federal universities over the next three years, in a move aimed at stabilising the troubled tertiary education system and reversing years of infrastructural decay. The intervention, known as the Stabilisation and Restoration Fund, forms part of a newly signed agreement between the government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). Under the deal, ₦10 billion will be released annually from 2026 to 2028, over and above existing budgetary allocations, with the National Universities Commission (NUC) responsible for managing the funds. According to Section 4.3.3 of…

The Kaduna police command and local authorities have dismissed reports that over 100 worshippers were abducted in Kajuru LGA, describing the claims as falsehoods spread by “conflict entrepreneurs” seeking to disrupt the state’s relative peace. Earlier today, BBC reported that armed gangs kidnapped dozens of people attending two churches in Kurmin Wali, a forest community in Afogo ward of Kaduna. The report quoted a senior church leader as saying more than 160 worshippers were abducted by gunmen during Sunday service. However, speaking on Monday after a state security council meeting at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House in Kaduna, Muhammad Rabiu, the…

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has asked the federal government to immediately clarify the contents of the health cooperation memorandum of understanding (MoU) recently signed between Nigeria and the United States, citing concerns over alleged conflicting framings. In December, the US signed a five-year bilateral health MoU with Nigeria to strengthen the country’s health system with a strong focus on supporting Christian faith-based healthcare providers. The agreement is expected to expand access to essential preventive and curative services, including HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, maternal and child health, and polio interventions. Under the MoU, the US government intends to commit nearly $2.1…

Senegal stormed off the field in protest at a penalty awarded against them before returning to beat hosts Morocco 1-0 after extra time and win the Africa Cup of Nations amid farcical scenes in Sunday’s final. Midfielder Pape Gueye netted the 94th-minute winner after Morocco’s star player Brahim Diaz had squandered the chance to win it for the home side by fluffing the last-gasp penalty in normal time following a 14-minute delay amid chaotic scenes. Senegal coach Pape Bouna Thiaw ordered his players off and it was talisman Sadio Mane who persuaded them to return. The penalty was awarded following…