Author: Opalim Lifted

A fire outbreak at the Federal Secretariat in Abuja caused panic on Monday morning after a section of the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation was engulfed in smoke. The incident, which occurred around 8:20am, affected Section C of the building inside the Federal Secretariat complex in Abuja. Eyewitnesses said thick black smoke was seen billowing from the affected area, forcing staff members to quickly evacuate the building. Videos circulating on social media showed plumes of smoke rising from the section as workers hurried out while emergency responders were alerted. The media department of the Office of…

Iran has expressed willingness to help Nigeria fight terrorism, denying allegations of sponsoring extremist groups in West Africa. Speaking during an interview on Arise TV, Mahdavi Raja said Tehran is willing to cooperate with Nigeria in combating insurgent threats. Raja stressed that Islamic groups in Nigeria maintain only spiritual and cultural links with Iran, not political ties. His remarks came after Michael Freeman accused Iran of backing Islamic movements in Nigeria and across West Africa as part of efforts to spread terrorism globally. Freeman’s claims followed protests by members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria across several states after the…

Pope Leo XIV on Sunday called for an immediate end to the fighting in the Middle East, praying that the “roar of bombs” would fall silent as the conflict sparked by US and Israeli air strikes on Iran entered its ninth day. Speaking after the Angelus prayer at the Vatican, the US-born pontiff said developments in the region continued to cause “deep dismay”. He warned that the violence could spread further across the Middle East, raising fears of wider instability. “Added to the episodes of violence and devastation and the widespread climate of hatred and fear is the fear that…

Mojtaba Khamenei, the second son of the late Ali Khamenei, has been named Iran’s new supreme leader, according to Iranian state media. The 56-year-old cleric was announced as his father’s successor on Sunday following a vote by the Assembly of Experts, the group of senior clerics responsible for appointing the Islamic Republic’s highest authority. His appointment comes just days after his father was reportedly killed in joint strikes carried out by the United States and Israel last Saturday. In recent years, Mojtaba Khamenei had increasingly been mentioned within Iranian political circles as a potential successor to his father, although he…

President Donald Trump has mocked Iran after its leadership apologised to neighbouring countries affected by retaliatory missile and drone strikes on United States military bases across the Gulf. The strikes targeted bases in Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait. Tehran said the attacks were retaliation for earlier “pre-emptive” strikes carried out by the United States and Israel. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian later attempted to calm tensions in the region, saying Iran had no intention of invading neighbouring states and calling for cooperation to restore stability. “I deem it necessary to apologise to neighbouring countries that were attacked,” Pezeshkian…

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has responded to criticism following his recent interview with Mehdi Hasan on Al Jazeera, insisting he is ready to face any interviewer anywhere in the world to defend the administration of Bola Tinubu. Speaking on Saturday, Bwala said defending the President and his government is not an easy task but one he is fully committed to. According to him, he accepted the role knowing the responsibilities it carries and never expected universal praise. He said: “In the last 24 hours, social media has exploded over my interview…

At least 50 Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters have been killed following air strikes by Nigerian military aircraft after a failed assault on Ngoshe community in Borno State. The air component of Operation Hadin Kai carried out precision strikes on fleeing insurgents after they attacked Nigerian Army artillery positions in the border community located in Gwoza Local Government Area. The development came as President Bola Tinubu condemned the attack and expressed sorrow over the loss of lives in the violence. In a statement issued by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, the president extended condolences to families…

Prominent Nigerians across politics, media and faith circles have continued to celebrate Former Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo as he marks his 69th birthday, with glowing tributes highlighting his leadership, humility, scholarship and service to the nation. The former vice president, a professor of law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, turned 69 on Saturday, March 8, drawing widespread goodwill messages from leaders, former colleagues and admirers nationwide. Among those who paid tribute is Umaru Bago, governor of Niger State, who described Osinbajo as a patriotic leader whose contributions have significantly shaped Nigeria’s development. He said Osinbajo remains “a national asset”…

Former Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has shared a reflective message linking his birthday with the global celebration of International Women’s Day. In an Instagram post, Osinbajo noted that March 8 holds personal and global significance, as it marks both his birth date and the annual celebration of women worldwide. Referencing the 2026 theme, “Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls,” he described the moment as especially meaningful, highlighting a symbolic performance alongside his “birthday mate,” Simisola Omoayan, who played the talking drum. According to him, the traditional instrument represents far more than music, serving as a cultural tool…

The Nigerian Army says its troops have rescued 19 kidnapped victims during a coordinated search-and-rescue operation around Gidan Dogo in the Bwari area council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). In a statement on Saturday, Olawuyi Itunuoluwa, acting assistant director of army public relations at the headquarters guards brigade, said the operation was carried out with operatives of the Nigeria Police Force and local vigilantes. According to the army, the operation followed credible intelligence on the whereabouts of armed criminals responsible for the recent abduction of residents in the Byazhin area of Bwari. “During the operation, troops made contact with…