Author: Opalim Lifted

The political landscape in Taraba is about to shift dramatically as Governor Agbu Kefas prepares to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on November 19. A source within the APC National Working Committee confirmed that APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, is personally overseeing the move, described as a “masterstroke” to strengthen the party’s base in the North East. Plans have been finalised for a grand rally in Jalingo, where Kefas will be officially received. Kefas, who had long been rumoured to be on his way out of the PDP, gave his…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says nearly all registered voters in Anambra State have collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of Saturday’s governorship election. INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, announced in Abuja on Thursday that 2,769,137 out of 2,802,790 registered voters—representing an impressive 98.8 per cent—have picked up their cards. Describing the turnout as “a significant achievement for any election in Nigeria,” Amupitan credited the success to INEC’s decision to extend the PVC collection window across all 326 Registration Areas. “Initially, only 63.9 per cent of voters had collected their PVCs. But by extending the deadline to November…

The trailer for Michael, the long-awaited biopic about the life and legacy of pop icon Michael Jackson, has finally been released. Lionsgate unveiled the trailer on Thursday, confirming that the film will hit cinemas and IMAX screens worldwide on April 24, 2026. Directed by Antoine Fuqua, Michael has faced multiple delays — originally planned for April 2025, later pushed to October, before reshoots extended production. Filming wrapped in May 2024. The trailer showcases Jaafar Jackson, Michael’s nephew and Jermaine Jackson’s son, bringing the King of Pop back to life with uncanny energy, vocals, and signature dance moves. Dressed in glittering…

The Vatican has ruled that Catholics should no longer refer to the Virgin Mary as “Co-Redemptrix” or “Mediatrix,” declaring the titles theologically misleading and inconsistent with Church doctrine. The decree, approved by Pope Leo, clarified that while Mary’s role in salvation history is revered, she remains subordinate to Christ, who alone is humanity’s Redeemer. “Given the necessity of explaining Mary’s subordinate role to Christ in the work of Redemption, it is always inappropriate to use the title ‘Co-Redemptrix’,” the document stated. “This title risks obscuring Christ’s unique salvific mediation and can create confusion within the faith.” For centuries, Catholics have…

Nigeria is setting its sights on a new Guinness World Record, this time for the longest dining table on the planet. The ambitious attempt will headline the ‘Oriki: Taste of Culture’ Gastronomy Festival on December 6 in Abuja, featuring a spectacular 3.6-kilometre-long table expected to host between 2,000 and 3,000 diners. Announcing the plan on Thursday, Abisoye Fagade, Director-General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), said the initiative aims to blend world-class record-breaking with a celebration of Nigerian cuisine, music, and culture. “We plan to break the record in the morning and host a grand dining event…

Twenty political parties will tomorrow, November 8, 2025, contest the governorship election in Anambra State, with the race shaping up as a fierce duel between incumbent Governor Prof. Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Both front-runners enter the contest with powerful advantages — Soludo banking on incumbency, and Ukachukwu leveraging what many describe as the “Federal Might” of the ruling APC at the centre. According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), 18 other political parties will also field candidates in the closely watched poll. Meanwhile, the Inspector-General…

The Nigerian Senate has taken a decisive step to curb alcohol abuse by directing the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to enforce a total ban on sachet and small-bottle alcoholic drinks by December 2025. Lawmakers warned that the cheap, high-alcohol beverages — widely sold in sachets and mini bottles — are endangering young Nigerians, fuelling addiction, domestic violence, and road accidents. The resolution followed a motion by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (Cross River South), who accused NAFDAC of repeatedly bowing to pressure from manufacturers by delaying enforcement. He stressed that any further extension would “betray public…

More than two-thirds of electricity consumers in Nigeria are illegally bypassing their prepaid meters and consuming power without paying, the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) has revealed. The disclosure came on Thursday at the fifth annual conference of the Power Correspondents Association of Nigeria (PCAN) in Abuja, where industry experts urged the government to strike a balance between cost-reflective tariffs and consumer protection. The revelation adds to Nigeria’s worsening power sector liquidity crisis, with utilities already struggling to collect revenue now facing widespread energy theft. Speaking at the event, Managing Director of Mainstream Energy Limited and NISO board member, Audu…

Aston Villa had little trouble securing a 2-0 home win against Maccabi Tel-Aviv thanks to goals from Ian Maatsen and Donyell Malen, while Nottingham Forest were held to a 0-0 draw at Sturm Graz, where Morgan Gibbs-White saw a first-half penalty saved. Maatsen gave Villa the lead in first-half stoppage time, steering the ball in from a tight angle. Malen then sealed the result from the penalty spot a minute before the hour mark after Elad Madmon had fouled Ezri Konsa. Many pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli protesters gathered outside Villa Park before the match. Local police made six arrests. In Austria,…

FIFA has announced the creation of a new annual honour, the FIFA Peace Prize, Football Unites the World, which will debut next month during the 2026 World Cup finals draw in Washington D.C. According to the world football governing body, the award will celebrate individuals who have made exceptional efforts to promote peace and unity through football. “In an increasingly unsettled and divided world, it’s fundamental to recognise those who work tirelessly to end conflicts and bring people together,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “Football stands for peace, and this prize reflects our belief in its power to unite communities…