Author: Opalim Lifted

Willie Obiano, former governor of Anambra, is alive and well despite rumours circulating in some sections of the media claiming he had died in London. Don Adinuba, former commissioner for information and public enlightenment in Anambra, confirmed on Friday that Obiano is “healthy, strong, and residing in Texas, US”. “The Nigerian media have been abuzz in the last couple of hours over a rumour that the immediate past Anambra State governor, Chief Willie Obiano, has passed on in London. This rumour has no basis. Chief Obiano lives in Texas, United States, not London,” Adinuba said in a statement. “He is…

High Chief Ikechi Emenike, a prominent publisher and long-time ally of former President Muhammadu Buhari, has been reportedly whisked away from his DER Publications office in Surulere, Lagos, by men believed to be operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS). Eyewitnesses said on Thursday that about six men, some visibly armed, arrived at the premises around 2:30 p.m. They reportedly claimed to be from the DSS Shangisha office but presented no arrest warrant before escorting Emenike into waiting vehicles. The agency has yet to comment publicly on the operation, according to Empowered Newswire report. The dramatic manner of his…

Rap icon Olamide has declared Wizkid the greatest Afrobeats artiste of all time, second only to the late Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti. The YBNL boss made the remark during a media briefing in Toronto, Canada, ahead of his highly anticipated show on November 14. A video from the conference has since gone viral on social media, capturing the moment of high praise. The declaration came in response to a question about the prolific and successful musical partnership between the two artistes. Rather than simply discussing their collaborations, Olamide used the moment to laud Wizkid’s impact on the global music scene.…

Former Vice-President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo is set to chair the 10th House of Justice Summit and Orange Ball Banquet holding on Friday, 28 November 2025, at the Epitome Events Centre in Barnawa, Kaduna. This year’s summit, themed “From Camps to Justice and Communities,” aims to push Nigeria beyond temporary humanitarian relief and into long-term justice for victims of insurgency. The gathering seeks to set a bold agenda for ending more than two decades of conflict-driven insecurity by prioritising justice, resettlement, and the rebuilding of shattered communities. Prof. Dakas C.J. Dakas, Chairman of the Nigerian Law Reform Commission, will deliver the…

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will face the Democratic Republic of Congo in the final of the African playoffs for the 2026 World Cup. DR Congo defeated Cameroon 1-0 in their semi-final at the Al-Barid Stadium in Rabat on Thursday. Chancel Mbemba’s late goal was the difference in a cagey encounter that was decided at the death. The Congolese defender spiked the ball past Andre Onana in Cameroon’s goal off a corner in the 91st minute. DR Congo moved a step closer to their first World Cup since 1974 — the country was still known as Zaire when it featured…

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have qualified for the final of the African playoffs for the 2026 World Cup. Nigeria defeated Gabon 4-1 in the semi-final of the mini-tourney at the Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat on Thursday. Victor Osimhen scored a brace, Chidera Ejuke and Akor Adams grabbed a goal each as Nigeria left their clinical best till late into extra time. The brace increased Osimhen’s tally with Super Eagles to 31, just six behind Rashidi Yekini as Nigeria’s all-time goalscorer. Controversies marred Nigeria’s preparations for the match, with players boycotting one of their training sessions in protest over…

The Director of Mobilisation of the Obidient Movement, Morris Monye, has stepped down from his role, citing poor coordination and the group’s disappointing outing in the recent Anambra election. Announcing his resignation via his X handle on Thursday, Monye expressed frustration that, despite his passion and personal financial contributions, the movement had failed to achieve its goals. “Almost a year down the line, most of our short, medium, and long-term plans have not been met,” he lamented, describing his position as “untenable.” Monye’s resignation comes amid growing calls within the Obidient Movement for better organisation and strategic focus ahead of…

The Federal Government has begun steps to standardise the cost of blood across hospitals in Nigeria to make blood transfusions fair, transparent, and affordable for patients. Director-General of the National Blood Service Agency (NBSA), Saleh Yuguda, announced this on Wednesday at a workshop for hospital transfusion committee members in Abuja. He said the move followed widespread complaints from the public about the high and inconsistent fees charged by hospitals for blood services. “Blood is a public good. We want a system that works fairly and transparently so that Nigerians can access safe blood without exploitation,” Yuguda said. While acknowledging calls…

The trial of Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi, continued on Wednesday before Maryanne Anineh, judge of the federal capital territory (FCT) high court in Maitama, Abuja, with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) presenting evidence of multiple suspicious cash withdrawals allegedly linked to the state government accounts. Bello is standing trial alongside Abdulsalami Hudu and Umar Shuaibu Oricha on a 16-count charge of criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving N110.4 billion. During the hearing, the sixth prosecution witness, Mashelia Bata, a compliance officer with Zenith Bank, continued his testimony under the lead examination of Kemi Pinheiro,…

Tuberculosis (TB) remains the world’s leading infectious killer, claiming an estimated 1.23 million lives last year, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), which warned that recent gains made against the disease remain fragile. Deaths from tuberculosis fell by three percent from 2023, while cases declined by nearly two percent, the WHO said in its annual overview. An estimated 10.7 million people worldwide contracted TB in 2024: 5.8 million men, 3.7 million women, and 1.2 million children. A preventable and curable disease, tuberculosis is caused by bacteria that primarily affect the lungs. It spreads through the air when infected people…