Author: Opalim Lifted

Nigeria loses about $3.6 billion every year to food contamination, while foodborne illnesses are estimated to cause more than 200,000 deaths annually, amid concerns over unsafe additives, chemical contamination and poor food-handling practices. The growing crisis is raising serious public health concerns, with experts warning that prolonged exposure to contaminated food and harmful chemicals can contribute to organ damage, cancer and metabolic diseases. From roadside food vendors and open markets to restaurants and packaged products, concerns about the safety of food consumed daily by millions of Nigerians are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. Economic hardship has further complicated the situation.…

Tottenham Hotspur have agreed a deal worth £75m with Manchester City for Brazilian winger Savinho, with a further £10m available in potential add-ons. The 22-year-old will undergo a medical before completing a long-term move to north London, ending a transfer pursuit that has stretched back more than a year. Tottenham failed with an approach for Savinho last summer, but the winger opted to remain at the Etihad Stadium. However, his opportunities were limited under Pep Guardiola last season, with the Brazil international making just seven Premier League starts. Savinho’s arrival is part of a major attacking rebuild under Tottenham head…

Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has challenged all candidates seeking the presidency in 2027 to defend their records and subject their plans for Nigeria to public scrutiny. Obi made the call on Friday at a press conference marking the launch of his campaign for the 2027 presidential election. He said presidential candidates must have the courage to engage Nigerians directly instead of relying on representatives or surrogates to speak on their behalf. “Every candidate must be willing to present their credentials, defend their records, and subject their vision to open scrutiny,” Obi said. “No candidate…

American music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs could face potential charges over the 1996 murder of rapper Tupac Shakur if Duane “Keffe D” Davis is convicted in his ongoing trial, according to legal sources cited by The Telegraph. Davis is on trial in Las Vegas for allegedly plotting Shakur’s killing during the bitter East Coast-West Coast hip-hop rivalry of the 1990s. Prosecutors have relied partly on statements Davis made to police, in documentary interviews and in a memoir, in which he claimed he sought revenge after his nephew, Orlando Anderson, was attacked by Shakur and members of his entourage. The prosecution…

Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho has arrived in Italy after joining Serie C side Ravenna FC, with the 46-year-old refusing to rule out a return to competitive football. The 2002 World Cup winner landed at Forli airport around midday on Thursday ahead of Ravenna’s squad presentation. Ronaldinho’s move to the Italian third-tier club was announced in June. He has also taken a stake in the club, which is owned by his friend Ignazio Cipriani. The former Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona and AC Milan star last played competitively for Fluminense in 2015. He is now part of Cipriani’s ambitious project to take Ravenna…

Harry Kane is ready to begin discussions with Bayern Munich over extending his contract, with the England captain entering the final 12 months of his current deal. The 33-year-old striker joined the Bundesliga champions from Tottenham Hotspur for £86.4m in August 2023 on a four-year contract. Kane enjoyed another outstanding campaign last season, scoring 61 goals in 51 appearances in all competitions as Vincent Kompany’s side completed a league and cup double. He has also scored 98 goals in 94 Bundesliga appearances and claimed three successive Bundesliga Golden Boot awards. Kane confirmed that talks with Bayern are expected to begin…

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, has criticised Nigerians who attacked the World Bank on social media over its decision to lend money to Nigeria. Oyedele said the backlash reflected a lack of understanding of how the international lending system works. He spoke on Wednesday in Abuja during a media briefing on the Federal Government’s economic reform scorecard. According to the minister, some Nigerians visited the World Bank’s social media platforms to abuse the institution over loans granted to Nigeria, prompting the bank to disable comments. “People went to the social media account of…

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, has rejected calls for the Federal Government to publish details of how it plans to spend funds drawn from its $5bn financing facility with First Abu Dhabi Bank. Oyedele said the transaction had faced unnecessary scrutiny, stressing that it was approved by the National Assembly and designed to help the government refinance more expensive debt. He spoke during a media briefing in Abuja. The Federal Government recently drew about $1.5bn, representing the first tranche of the $5bn Total Return Swap facility arranged with First Abu Dhabi Bank. The…

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has warned political leaders against arming, financing or inciting Nigerian youths to perpetrate violence ahead of the 2027 general elections. Disu issued the warning on Thursday in Abuja at the National Youth Leadership and Security Dialogue, organised to mark International Youth Day 2026. The three-day programme, themed “Different Contents, Common Aspiration,” is being held at the Police Resource Centre in Jabi. The IGP also urged young Nigerians not to allow themselves to be recruited for political thuggery, warning that they would bear the consequences of electoral violence long after politicians had resolved their…

Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), says he will restore the petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027. Atiku made the pledge during an interview on Wednesday, accusing the federal government of failing to account for funds saved following the removal of the subsidy. “I did not oppose the removal of the oil subsidy, but where is the money? Where did it go? It was intended to reduce poverty and help children attend school. Where is the money now? It seems they are just stealing it,” Atiku said in Hausa. “If elected, I will bring back…