Author: Opalim Lifted

The Federal Government of Nigeria has intensified efforts to ensure all 36 states sign the $500 million Subsidiary Loan Agreement tied to the World Bank Group-backed HOPE Governance Programme. The initiative is designed to strengthen service delivery in Nigeria’s basic education and primary healthcare sectors, two areas widely seen as critical to human development. Permanent Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Deborah Odoh, disclosed this in Abuja during a meeting with a World Bank delegation. Odoh revealed that her ministry is working closely with the Federal Ministry of Finance to accelerate state-level participation. She acknowledged existing…

The Ogun State Government has launched a large-scale demolition of shanties and makeshift structures at the Sango Tollgate border with Lagos State, in a bid to reduce persistent road crashes along the busy Abeokuta-Lagos Expressway. The crackdown follows a recent ban on street trading and the display of goods around the tollgate, an area long associated with traffic congestion and accidents. Leading the exercise, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Kafayat Lawal, said the action was necessary to safeguard lives amid rising reports of fatal crashes linked to roadside trading. She disclosed that affected traders were given multiple evacuation…

The Lagos State Government has stepped up enforcement of structural integrity checks in public schools following the discovery of unsafe buildings across the state. The move comes as authorities begin the demolition of distressed structures at Mainland Senior High School in Fadeyi, located within Yaba Local Council Development Area. Chairman of the Special Committee on Rehabilitation of Public Schools (SCRPS), Hakeem Smith, said the action followed detailed structural integrity assessments, which revealed serious safety risks. According to him, a building initially marked for renovation had earlier been classified for demolition but was left standing. Fresh tests confirmed that the structure—and…

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed reports claiming the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) are showing leniency to repentant terrorists at the expense of justice for victims. In a statement, Director of Defence Information, Samaila Uba, said remarks by Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, on Operation Safe Corridor were misrepresented in an online publication. According to the DHQ, the controversial report distorted the CDS’s comments by taking them out of context and suggesting that the military prioritises rehabilitation of terrorists over justice for victims. Uba stressed that Operation Safe Corridor, established in 2015, is not an amnesty scheme but…

Demola Olarewaju, Senior Political Assistant to Atiku Abubakar, has claimed that Bukola Saraki indirectly endorsed Bola Tinubu for a second term. The remark followed Saraki’s appearance on Politics Today, where he addressed the ongoing crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). During the interview, Saraki dismissed suggestions that his relationship with Nyesom Wike signalled support for Tinubu’s administration. He insisted their engagement was focused on preserving the PDP as a viable political platform. “You can’t extrapolate that,” Saraki said, stressing that both he and Wike remain committed to ensuring the PDP survives and continues to offer Nigerians a credible alternative.…

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused Nigeria’s ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), of tolerating criminality instead of confronting it decisively. The opposition party based its criticism on remarks it attributed to Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, who was alleged to have described terrorists as “my brothers”. It also took aim at the Chief of Army Staff, Taoreed Lagbaja, over comments it claims referred to terrorists as “sons”. Reacting in a post on X, ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said such language reflects a dangerous mindset. “First it was the NSA who referred to terrorists as…

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has confirmed that 8,453 delegates will take part in the upcoming national convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The two-day convention is scheduled for March 27 and 28 at Eagle Square, drawing party members from all six geopolitical zones. Speaking during a world media briefing in Abuja, Idris said the large turnout reflects the party’s national reach and internal unity. According to him, the delegate list underscores the APC’s inclusiveness and organisational strength. “We are expecting a total of 8,453 delegates from across the country. This clearly demonstrates the national spread,…

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced a new policy outlining eligibility criteria for participation in women’s events at future Olympic Games. In a statement released on Thursday, the IOC said athletes seeking to compete in women’s categories will be required to undergo a one-time Sex Determining Region Y (SRY) gene test, which detects the presence of the Y chromosome. According to the committee, the policy will take effect from the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles and will not be applied retroactively. IOC President Kirsty Coventry said the decision was informed by scientific and medical considerations. “The policy is…

Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals has reduced its ex-gantry petrol price to N1,200 per litre, marking a N75 drop from its previous rate of N1,275. The refinery also lowered its coastal price to N1,153 per litre, signalling a shift in its pricing structure despite continued volatility in global oil markets. The latest adjustment comes after a series of rapid increases earlier in March. The refinery had raised its petrol price from N1,175 per litre on March 13 to N1,245 on March 20, before pushing it further to N1,275 on March 21. In a statement released on Thursday, the company said…

Veteran rapper Michael Ugochukwu Stephen, popularly known as Ruggedman, has questioned the use of Afrobeats as a general label for African music, describing it as a cover for talentless Nigerians. Speaking in an interview with Day Genius, he explained why he has consistently disagreed with the term despite being accused of being jealous of Afrobeats artists. Addressing how the label affects musicians, Ruggedman noted that African artists are often grouped under one category, especially outside the continent. “I don’t like Afrobeats as an umbrella genre for every music coming out of Africa. That was a mistake. I didn’t like it…