Author: Opalim Lifted

Victor Osimhen wrote his name into the history books on Wednesday night after becoming the second Nigerian to score a hat-trick in the UEFA Champions League, inspiring Galatasaray to a commanding 3–0 victory over Ajax at the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam. The Super Eagles striker produced a complete centre-forward display, netting twice from the spot and once from open play as the Turkish champions continued their impressive European campaign. His treble makes him the first Galatasaray player to achieve the feat in the competition since Burak Yilmaz’s hat-trick against Cluj in 2012. After a goalless first half, Osimhen broke…

Chelsea escaped suffering a historic loss to Qarabag through substitute Alejandro Garnacho’s second-half equaliser, avoiding the embarrassment of becoming the first English team to lose to the Azerbaijani side. Garnacho equalised having come on as one of three half-time substitutes with his side 2-1 down after goals from Leandro Andrade and Marko Jankovic had put the hosts ahead following Estevao Willian’s early opener for the Blues. Qarabag had lost all seven of their previous matches against English opposition. The last time they were in the Champions League, they faced Chelsea and lost both matches by an aggregate score of 10-0…

The House of Representatives has reversed its earlier decision to suspend plenary for one week following a protest by indigenous contractors at the National Assembly complex in Abuja. Earlier on Tuesday, the lawmakers had adjourned sittings until next week after contractors stormed the complex to demand payment for completed federal projects, accusing the government of withholding funds allocated in the 2024 and 2025 budgets. However, hours after the adjournment, the lower chamber rescinded its decision. House spokesperson Akin Rotimi said the reversal followed “positive developments arising from engagements and interventions across various levels of government concerning the issue.” In an…

Seven years after the tragic death of 13-year-old Ochanya Ogbanje, her family has petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP) over what they describe as the “blatant refusal” of the Nigeria Police Force to arrest one of the key suspects, Victor Ogbuja. In a petition dated November 3, 2025, and signed by human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong, the family accused the police of neglecting their statutory duty to bring Victor—who absconded in 2018—to justice. The document stated that Victor and his father, Andrew Ogbuja, allegedly subjected Ochanya to years of sexual abuse while she lived with them in Ugbokolo, Benue…

A company has placed a job advert for a “dedicated and spiritually grounded” prayer warrior to serve as a corporate intercessor for an executive leadership team and their business ventures. The ad was posted on Indeed, an employment website, by Betafans NG, a company registered on the website as working in the broadcast media industry. According to the ad, the ideal candidate must be a Christian prayer warrior who will provide consistent prayer support, spiritual guidance, and prophetic covering to ensure divine alignment, peace, and progress across multiple business operations. As part of the responsibilities, the candidate will lead daily…

The Federal Government has announced the appointment of Dr John Nwabueze as the Tax Ombudsman, in accordance with the provisions of the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2025. This was contained in a statement issued by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Tuesday. According to the statement, “The appointment aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to implementing far-reaching and sustainable reforms in the tax and revenue administration framework.” It further said: “Dr John Nwabueze, from Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta State, brings extensive professional and public service experience to the…

President Bola Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Nigeria’s security training institutions as part of sweeping reforms to strengthen the fight against crime and insecurity across the country. Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, who chairs the National Economic Council (NEC) committee overseeing the overhaul, made the announcement at the Police Training College, Ikeja, Lagos, during the committee’s inspection tour of security facilities nationwide. Mbah explained that the initiative stemmed from the President’s proposal at the 152nd NEC meeting two weeks ago, where he expressed deep concern over the dilapidated condition of training facilities for security personnel across…

Ochanya’s memory has sparked a powerful act of solidarity as award-winning actress and filmmaker Stephanie Linus uploaded her 2014 film Dry to YouTube. The move, she said, honours the late Ochanya Ogbanje — the 13-year-old girl whose death in 2018 from health complications linked to years of sexual abuse has reignited national outrage. The #JusticeForOchanya campaign has been revived on social media, with many Nigerians demanding accountability after her accused abuser, Andrew Ogbuja, was acquitted, while his son Victor remains at large. In an emotional Instagram post, Stephanie Linus announced that Dry would now be freely available to the public…

Tottenham Hotspur central defender Micky van de Ven scored a sensational solo goal in his side’s 4-0 home rout of FC Copenhagen which lifted the London club into the top eight in the Champions League on Tuesday. The flying Dutchman took possession of the ball on the edge of his own penalty area in the 64th minute and sped the length of the pitch through a flimsy Copenhagen defence to smash home a shot and make it 3-0. Brennan Johnson had put a dominant Spurs side ahead in the 19th minute with a cool, angled finish into an empty goal…

Mikel Merino scored twice as Arsenal comfortably beat Slavia Prague in the league phase of the Champions League to extend their winning run to eight matches in all competitions. It was also an eighth successive clean sheet – matching a club record set back in 1903 over two different seasons. Spaniard Merino was starting up front in place of the injured Viktor Gyokeres and, just as he did last season when he deputised for Kai Havertz, the midfielder showed his versatility to provide a focal point and make a crucial contribution for his team. Arsenal’s opening goal came in the…