Author: Opalim Lifted

The World Bank says it will help Nigeria mobilise up to $5.79 billion in private financing in 2026, targeting broadband infrastructure, agriculture and small businesses to boost investment, productivity and job creation. In a feature published on October 11, the global lender said the financing would combine investment projects, policy reforms, commercial lending and guarantees to attract private capital. The World Bank said reforms introduced since mid-2023 to improve foreign exchange management, strengthen public finances and reform fuel subsidies were helping create more predictable conditions for investors. It added that further reforms would focus on deepening capital markets, expanding digital…

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has opposed a bill seeking to decriminalise attempted suicide in Nigeria, insisting that survivors should face imprisonment under existing laws. Akpabio spoke on Tuesday during debate on the Suicide Prevention Bill 2026, sponsored by Asuquo Ekpenyong, senator representing Cross River South. The proposed legislation seeks to replace criminal punishment for attempted suicide with medical treatment, rehabilitation and other support services. Despite Akpabio’s opposition, the Senate passed the bill for second reading, allowing it to proceed to further legislative consideration. Akpabio Insists Attempted Suicide Should Remain a Crime During the debate, Akpabio maintained that attempted suicide should…

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that a potential correction in artificial intelligence investments, rising cyber threats and higher bond yields could trigger severe turmoil in the global financial system. The warning was contained in the IMF’s latest Global Financial Stability Report, released on Tuesday during its annual meetings with the World Bank in Bangkok, Thailand. “These risks are plausible near-term catalysts for a sharp tightening of financial conditions and market turmoil,” the report said. AI Boom Raises Market Correction Fears The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence, alongside heavy investments in semiconductor manufacturing and data centres, has supported global…

Sporting made it two wins from two in the league phase of the Champions League with victory at Lens. After soaking up plenty of pressure from the hosts in the early stages, the Portuguese side snatched the lead in the 22nd minute when Luis Suarez met a low cross from Nestory Irankunda with a first-time flicked finish. The Colombian striker should have doubled his side’s lead 10 minutes later when he raced through on goal, but his fierce strike was tipped wide by Lens goalkeeper Robin Risser. Suarez has scored in eight consecutive matches in all competitions this season, and…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Oluwatobi Adegoke, a Nigerian-American, over an alleged $320,000 vehicle import fraud. In a statement issued on Monday, the EFCC said Adegoke was arraigned on Thursday, October 8, before Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe, a judge of the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos, on a one-count charge of stealing. Adegoke was arrested in July by operatives of the EFCC’s Ilorin Zonal Directorate over the alleged fraud, involving more than $320,000, equivalent to about ₦434.88 million. The commission said preliminary investigations suggested that Adegoke was part of a US-based syndicate that allegedly defrauded Nigerians by…

Military veterans have blocked the entrance to the Military Pensions Board office in Kubwa, Abuja, protesting alleged irregularities in the implementation of pension adjustments approved by President Bola Tinubu. The retirees barricaded the entrance with canopies and chairs as early as 8am on Tuesday, demanding a review of the formula used to calculate their pension increases. Armed soldiers, however, prevented the protesters from accessing the premises. The demonstration comes weeks after military retirees protested at the Ministry of Defence in September, demanding higher pensions following salary adjustments for serving military personnel. Veterans accuse board of short-changing retirees The Coordinator of…

Oxlade, the Nigerian singer and songwriter, has become the latest celebrity to speak out about the country’s worsening state of affairs. In a recent post on his X page, the ‘Away’ hitmaker said activism was never his calling but admitted that he still reflects on the lives lost during the 2020 Lekki tollgate massacre. He also raised a troubling question about whether there is still “hope” for the country given its current state. “Activism was never my calling. But when we stood up to lend our voices the government responded with bullets. We’re still under that same system by the…

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service says a 75-year-old man was rescued on Monday night as a fire razed two buildings in the Itire area of Lagos. In a statement on Tuesday, Fadairo Maria, senior public affairs officer of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, said the affected buildings are located at 43 Onitire Road, Smith Bus Stop, Itire. According to the statement, firefighters also rescued a 42-year-old man “who sustained burn injuries in his earlier bid to rescue the wheelchair-ridden aged man”. Maria said the operatives received an emergency call at approximately 9:10 pm and arrived at…

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has denied plans to resume enforcement of the Monday sit-at-home order across the South-East, describing reports of a planned return as false. In a statement issued on Monday, IPOB spokesperson Emma Powerful said the group remained committed to achieving Biafran self-determination through peaceful means and had no plans to enforce the order. Powerful accused the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) of working with politicians and former members of the group’s disbanded Directorate of State (DOS) to spread what he described as misinformation about the alleged resumption. He said the claims appeared in a purported police…

The Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja has dismissed an application by Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital seeking to stop a coroner’s inquest into the death of Nkanu Esege, the 21-month-old son of renowned author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and her husband, Ivara Esege. Delivering judgment on Monday, Justice Aishat Opesanwo struck out the hospital’s originating motion seeking writs of Certiorari and Prohibition, ruling that the application was based on a fundamental misconception of the nature and jurisdiction of a coroner’s court. The judge held that the inquest could proceed despite the absence of the child’s body, stressing that a coroner’s inquiry…