Author: Opalim Lifted

The Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Bayo Ojulari, has declared Nigeria a reliable energy investment destination, urging global investors to tap into the country’s evolving oil and gas landscape. Speaking at CERAWeek 2026 in Houston, Ojulari said Nigeria is leveraging stable policies, improved infrastructure security, and strategic partnerships to strengthen investor confidence. He emphasised that the administration of Bola Tinubu has granted NNPC the autonomy to pursue long-term commercial solutions. “Balance is not about equal allocation; it is about optimal sequencing,” Ojulari said, explaining that oil continues to deliver immediate value, gas supports…

Ousted Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro has issued his first public message from a US prison, saying he remains “steadfast” and “serene” nearly three months after his dramatic capture. Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, are being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, where they await trial on serious drug trafficking and weapons charges. In a message shared via his X account on Saturday, the couple said they were drawing strength from supporters despite strict detention conditions. “We are well, steadfast, serene and in constant prayer,” the statement read. The message, whose original poster remains unclear, marked Maduro’s first…

The Rivers State Government says more than ₦302 billion was spent during the administration of Ibok-Ete Ibas while he served as sole administrator of the state. The disclosure was made by the Rivers State Accountant-General and the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning at the High Court of Rivers State in Port Harcourt. The information was presented in response to a Freedom of Information lawsuit filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP). The suit, marked PHC/4153/CS/2025, is pending before S. H. Aprioku, a judge of the Rivers State High Court. According to a counter-affidavit dated March 10, 2026,…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has sounded the alarm over the rapid rise of cryptocurrency-related crimes, warning that billions are being lost globally to illicit digital transactions. EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede raised the concern during the inauguration of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Country Programme for Nigeria (2026–2030) in Abuja. Olukoyede disclosed that more than $160 billion was lost globally in 2025 due to illicit cryptocurrency transactions, underscoring the scale of the threat. He warned that digital currencies such as Bitcoin are increasingly being exploited by criminal networks to move funds across borders undetected. According…

The Federal Government has approved automatic promotion for six civil servants abducted while travelling for their 2025 promotion examinations. The affected officers, staff of the ministry of defence, were kidnapped in Kogi State while travelling from Lagos to Abuja. Announcing the decision in Abuja, Tunji Olaopa, chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), described the incident as deeply unfortunate. He said the promotion was granted on compassionate grounds, following the trauma experienced by the victims. According to him, the decision was reached in consultation with the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and other…

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has begun a detailed review of over ₦302 billion reportedly spent by the Rivers State Government during the six-month emergency rule under Ibok-Ete Ibas. The disclosure emerged in a counter-affidavit filed before the Rivers State High Court in response to a Freedom of Information (FOI) lawsuit instituted by SERAP. According to the affidavit submitted by the Accountant-General and the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Rivers State received over ₦253.48 billion from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) between March and August 2025. Additional receipts of about ₦44.87 billion brought total inflows to…

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has confirmed that the personal email account of its director, Kash Patel, was compromised by a hacking group linked to Iran. In a statement, the FBI said it is aware of “malicious actors” targeting Patel’s personal email but stressed that the breach did not involve classified or government information. “The information in question is historical in nature and involves no government information,” the agency said. The cyberattack has been claimed by the Handala Hack Team, which published alleged documents and personal photos from Patel’s account on its website. The group also released what it…

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has launched a nationwide deployment of advanced tactical equipment aimed at strengthening security operations and protecting critical infrastructure. Commandant-General Audi Abubakar announced the rollout during the corps’ annual strategic meeting at its national headquarters in Abuja. The meeting brought together heads of formations from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. Abubakar described the move as a major shift into a new operational phase focused on closing gaps in surveillance and rapid response. A wide range of modern tools was handed over to state commanders, including drones for aerial surveillance, GPS…

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Fidelis Nwankwo, has declared the party a credible alternative for Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general elections, citing worsening economic hardship and insecurity across the country. Speaking to journalists in Abakaliki, Nwankwo urged citizens to assess their current living conditions under the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, asking whether life has improved since 2023. He argued that if the answer is negative, Nigerians should consider the ADC as a viable path to change. According to him, the rising cost of living reflects deep economic challenges. He highlighted sharp increases in the prices…

Fresh details have emerged on the deadly Maiduguri hospital bomb attack, revealing how three teenage suspects allegedly attempted to infiltrate the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital with explosives hidden inside a food flask. The attackers, disguised as visitors bringing food to patients, were intercepted at the hospital’s main gate by alert security personnel , a move that likely prevented far greater devastation inside the facility. According to a security operative, Ali Musa, the teenagers arrived in a tricycle, commonly known as Keke Napep, and drove towards the entrance at an unusual speed. Their behaviour immediately raised suspicion. “Vehicles normally slow…