Author: Opalim Lifted

Scott McTominay was instrumental as Napoli earned a hard-fought 2-0 win against Qarabag to boost their hopes of reaching the Champions League knockout stage on the fifth anniversary of Diego Maradona’s death. McTominay headed past Qarabag goalkeeper Mateusz Kochalski from close range in the 65th minute, before his acrobatic effort seven minutes later was turned into his own goal by defender Marko Jankovic. Rasmus Hojlund saw a penalty saved nine minutes before McTominay’s opener, and the Manchester United loanee raised his hands in apology to the home fans when substituted after a sixth-straight goalless game. Napoli went closest in a…

The Special Protection Unit (SPU) of the Nigeria Police Force has ordered all officers attached to VIPs and special beats nationwide to return “back to base.” On November 23, President Bola Tinubu directed the immediate withdrawal of police officers assigned to VIPs across the country. In a memo signed by Neji Veronica, the commanding officer of SPU Base 16 in Lagos, and shared by the presidency on X, all affected officers were instructed to return before the close of business on November 24. The commanding officer stressed that the order takes immediate effect and must be strictly obeyed. “Sequel to…

Bayo Onanuga, special adviser on information and strategy to President Bola Tinubu, says non-kinetic approach was deployed in securing the release of the 38 worshippers. The victims were abducted from the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in the Eruku community of Kwara on November 18. On November 21, Adeola Ajayi, director-general of the Department of State Services (DSS), briefed the president on the security crisis enveloping the nation. On November 23, Tinubu announced that all the abductees had been released. “Thanks to the efforts of our security forces over the last few days, all the 38 worshippers abducted in Eruku, Kwara…

The federal government is set to unveil Nigeria’s first electric tricycle as part of its plans to drive clean-energy adoption under the Renewed Hope agenda. Speaking with journalists in Abuja, Israel Olajumoke, chief executive officer (CEO) of House of Destiny, the company behind the initiative, said President Bola Tinubu will unveil the tricycles on November 26 at Eagle Square, Abuja. He said the project was conceived and developed by the firm before being adopted by the federal government as a pathway to economic growth, environmental sustainability, and youth empowerment, adding that it is being executed in collaboration with the federal…

Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour (GRV), former Lagos governorship candidate of the Labour Party (now with the African Democratic Congress), says the federal government should start licensing firearms for citizens as a last line of defence against terrorists. Speaking on Channels TV’s The Morning Brief on Monday, Rhodes-Vivour said the surge in nationwide insecurity shows that government security structures have collapsed, leaving Nigerians exposed. “This is not just about the north. We saw abductions in Kwara and Ogun over the weekend,” he said, warning that public trust in institutions has eroded to the point where people no longer expect protection. Rhodes-Vivour argued that…

Chelsea and England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton has been voted BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year 2025 after a stand-out 12 months for club and country. Hampton helped Chelsea win a domestic treble last season, keeping 13 clean sheets in 22 Women’s Super League games. And after becoming England’s first choice goalkeeper, the 25-year-old saved two penalties in a shootout in the final against Spain, as the Lionesses won Euro 2025. England team-mate Alessia Russo finished second and Spain’s Aitana Bonmati was third in the public vote. Spain duo Patri Guijarro and Mariona Caldentey were also contenders chosen by a panel…

Paystack says it terminated the employment of Ezra Olubi, its co-founder, due to the “significant negative reputational damage” caused by resurfaced tweets. According to a TechCabal report, the fintech company said the action was taken independently of the ongoing investigation into allegations of workplace misconduct. In a statement to the publication, Paystack explained that it acted within its contractual rights and “followed due process,” adding that all financial entitlements due to Olubi had been settled. “As a regulated company operating in multiple markets, we have a responsibility to act quickly when conduct has the potential to undermine trust,” the company…

The south east caucus in the house of representatives has asked President Bola Tinubu to grant clemency to Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who was recently convicted of terrorism offences. Kanu was sentenced to life imprisonment last week after he was found guilty on five of the seven terrorism charges filed against him by the federal government. Before the judgement, James Omotosho, the presiding judge, ordered Kanu out of the courtroom over what he described as “unruly conduct.” Hours after the sentence, Aloy Ejimakor, Kanu’s counsel, said on X that his client had been transferred…

The recent passing of Jimmy Cliff has renewed attention on the life and experiences of the Jamaican reggae legend — including his “bitter-sweet experience” during his first visit to Nigeria decades ago. In a July 2012 interview with The Arts Desk, the 81-year-old recalled the sweet part of his trip, explaining that upon his arrival in Nigeria, thousands of fans were at the airport to welcome him, lining the streets all the way to his hotel. “My first trip to Africa was Nigeria. It was a bitter-sweet experience. Sweet because of the thousands of people at the airport awaiting me,”…

Jimmy Cliff, the legendary Jamaican singer and a pivotal figure in bringing reggae music to the world, has died at the age of 81. His death was confirmed by his wife, Latifa Chambers, in an Instagram post on Monday. According to the announcement, the iconic musician passed away after suffering a seizure linked to a battle with pneumonia, an infection that causes inflammation in the lungs. She expressed gratitude to the veteran’s friends, fans, and medical team, saying their support had been a source of strength throughout his career and a comfort to her and their children during this “difficult…