Author: Opalim Lifted

Allen Onyema, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, has cautioned that Nigeria’s domestic aviation sector faces a serious financial strain as recently enacted tax provisions risk pushing ticket prices beyond ₦1 million and forcing airlines to suspend operations. Speaking in an interview with Arise News on Sunday, Onyema said urgent action is needed to prevent a potential collapse of the industry, which could have ripple effects on passengers, banks and the wider economy. “The Nigerian airlines are heavily overburdened by taxes, levies, and all manner of charges. Just take a ticket of about 350,000. What comes to the…

Amad Diallo scored his second goal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as holders Ivory Coast drew with Cameroon in an enthralling clash between the tournament heavyweights in Marrakech. In a much-anticipated early showdown between two potential challengers for the title, Junior Tchamadeu struck a deflected equaliser less than six minutes after Amad had exquisitely curled the Elephants in front as part of a result which ensures both sides remain a point clear of Mozambique at the top of Group F and also eliminates Gabon. Manchester United forward Amad, who scored the only goal in his country’s opening…

The family of late Nollywood actress, director and producer Allwell Ademola has confirmed that she was 49 years old at the time of her death, correcting earlier reports that placed her age at 43. In an official statement released on Sunday and signed by Adeboyega Adebayo on behalf of the Ademola family, the actress was said to have passed away on Saturday, December 27, 2025. “With heavy hearts and total submission to the will of God, we announce the passing of our beloved sister, mother, and aunt, Princess Allwell Ademola, who departed this life on Saturday, the 27th day of…

Allen Onyema, Air Peace chief executive officer (CEO), says Nigerians are paying the cheapest domestic airfares in the world. Speaking in an interview with Arise News on Sunday, Onyema noted that a short flight in the United States, such as Atlanta to Charleston, can cost over $400 for a one-hour journey. He explained that Nigerian airlines face far higher costs due to expensive financing, lack of nearby maintenance facilities, and high costs of ferrying aircraft and engines, even though aviation costs are in dollars worldwide. “Do one way, you will get $399 for two weeks time, maybe in the morning.…

Founder of the School of Politics, Policy and Governance and former Vice President of the World Bank, Dr Obiageli ‘Oby’ Ezekwesili, has accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of cuddling terrorists when it has the opportunity to finish them off. The co-convener of #BringBackOurGirls, an advocacy group formed over 11 years ago to campaign for the release of more than 200 girls abducted from a secondary school in Chibok, Borno State, condemned, via her X handle, government officials’ encounters with bandits without taking decisive action. She said, “It is accurate to state that our federal and state governments, led…

President Bola Tinubu has departed Lagos for Europe as part of his end-of-year break. According to a statement on Sunday by Bayo Onanuga, spokesperson to the president on information and strategy, Tinubu will travel from Europe to the United Arab Emirates to participate in the 2026 edition of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW 2026) Summit, which is scheduled to take place in early January. Onanuga said Tinubu was invited by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, president of the United Arab Emirates, to attend the summit. “The weeklong summit is an annual event that mobilises leaders from government, business, and…

Mozambique secured an enthralling 3-2 victory over Gabon in Agadir to claim their first-ever win at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) – ending an unwanted record that had seen the Mambas fail to come out on top in any of their first 16 games played at the finals. The result gives Chiquinho Conde’s side a great chance of reaching the knockout stage for the first time but is a hammer blow to Gabon’s hopes after they also lost their opening Group F match to Cameroon. Faisal Bangal’s header from a corner and Geny Catamo’s penalty looked to have put…

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has dismissed reports claiming FIFA has rejected its petition over the eligibility of some Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) players, insisting the case is still under review. The controversy followed Nigeria’s heartbreaking 4–3 penalty defeat to DR Congo after a 1–1 draw in the African play-off final for the 2026 World Cup in November. Since then, speculation has grown that FIFA had quietly thrown out Nigeria’s appeal. But speaking on AIT, NFF Secretary General Dr Mohammed Sanusi said no such decision has been communicated. “The Nigeria Football Federation has not received any letter from…

Israel has become the first country to formally recognise Somaliland as an independent nation, marking a diplomatic breakthrough for the country nestled in the Horn of Africa. Somaliland broke away from Somalia in 1991, after a decade-long war of independence led by the Somali National Movement (SNM) against dictator Siad Barre’s regime. But the country lacks widespread international recognition as an independent state despite functioning with its own government, currency, military, and elections. It is viewed by most countries and the United Nations (UN) as part of Somalia. Somalia has also never accepted Somaliland’s independence. On Friday, Israeli Prime Minister…

A social media user and cancer patient, Mensah Omolola, better known on X as Auntie Esther, has died after battling breast cancer. News of her death surfaced on Saturday night after Auntymuse (@AUNTYMUSE_) reacted to a post announcing her passing. Quoting an earlier post by @swaagsp, which read, “Unfortunately, we lost Aunty Esther. Very sad!”, Auntymuse wrote, “May her soul rest in peace.” The post immediately drew reactions from Nigerians who had followed Auntie Esther’s health journey closely on social media. Shortly after, @Wizarab10, the fundraiser on X who coordinated donations for her treatment, also reacted. “It is well. Peaceful…