Author: Opalim Lifted

Fresh infighting between rival jihadist factions, Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), has left scores of fighters dead following days of intense clashes in Borno State’s Sambisa Forest and Mandara Mountains. Security sources said the violence erupted on 3 January when ISWAP launched coordinated assaults on Boko Haram camps around the Ali Ngulde axis of the Mandara Mountains. The offensive, reportedly led by ISWAP commanders Jundullah and Ibn Hataf, initially met fierce resistance. Boko Haram fighters, under the coordination of a field commander identified as Abu-Rijal, also known as Ba-Sulhu, mounted counter-attacks that inflicted heavy losses…

President Bola Tinubu has commended corporate Nigeria, investors and other stakeholders in the capital market for pushing the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) past the historic N100 trillion market capitalisation mark. Describing the feat as a defining moment for the nation’s economy, the President said the achievement should inspire greater confidence among participants in the money and capital markets, while urging Nigerians to channel more investments into the domestic economy. According to him, in a statement, the year 2026 promises even stronger returns as the administration’s economic reforms begin to yield more robust and sustainable outcomes. “With the Nigerian Exchange crossing the…

The market capitalisation of the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) has hit N100 trillion on Monday. According to data obtained from the NGX, the market capitalisation closed at N101.80 trillion. The market capitalisation increased from the N99.94 trillion recorded on January 2, representing a N1.87 trillion increase. In dollar terms, the NGX said the market capitalisation increased from $69.61 billion to $71.15 billion. During trading, the all-share index (ASI) appreciated by 1.74 percent or 2725.86 basis points, from 156,492.36 ASI to 159,218.22. The exchange said the growth in ASI pushed both month-to-date and year-to-date returns to 2.32 percent. Dangote to sell 10%…

President Bola Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Nkanu Nnamdi, son of renowned writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, extending heartfelt condolences to her, her husband, Dr Ivara Esege, and the entire family. In a message of sympathy released on Thursday, the President described the loss of a child as one of life’s most devastating experiences, noting that no parent should be made to endure such pain. “As a parent myself who has suffered the loss of a loved one, I know that no grief is as overwhelming as losing a child,” President Tinubu said. “I deeply empathise with…

Federico Valverde scored a stunning early free-kick as Real Madrid beat Atletico Madrid to set up a Clasico meeting with Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final. Rodrygo doubled Real’s lead in the 55th minute before Alexander Sorloth pulled a goal back for Atletico, but it was the 13-time Super Cup winners who prevailed to reach Sunday’s final (19:00 GMT). Thursday’s semi-final in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, was only 77 seconds old when Los Blancos captain Valverde sent a 30-yard free-kick fizzing past Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak into the top corner. Rodrygo doubled Real’s lead 10 minutes into the second half…

Arsenal missed a chance to move eight points clear at the top of the Premier League as they were held to a frustrating goalless draw by Liverpool. This was a disappointing game that ended on a notable sour note, with Arsenal substitute Gabriel Martinelli angering Liverpool in stoppage time when he crudely attempted to push Conor Bradley off the pitch after the defender went down close to the touchline with a painful knee injury. Martinelli was booked and Bradley was taken away on a stretcher with hands over his face. Arsenal, who had won their five previous Premier League matches,…

Paris St-Germain (PSG) needed a stoppage-time equaliser and a penalty shootout to beat Marseille in Kuwait and win a fourth consecutive French Super Cup. The Champions League winners looked to be cruising to victory in the game played between the winners of Ligue 1 and the Coupe de France after an early goal from Ousmane Dembele. But Marseille struck twice late on to lead as Mason Greenwood converted a penalty and Willian Pacho scored an own goal. Goncalo Ramos snatched an equaliser in the final seconds to send the contest to penalties and PSG goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier saved crucially from…

The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has expanded its lexicon with new African words and expressions in its latest update, published in December 2025 and rolled into 2026. The update, shared by the OED on Wednesday via X, features commonly used Nigerian and West African words linked to food, music, everyday speech, markets and pop culture, reinforcing the growing influence of African languages on global English. According to the report, the December 2025 update includes more than 500 new words, phrases and senses, alongside revisions to over 1,000 existing entries, as part of the dictionary’s quarterly review. Author and OED Head…

The Lagos state government has dismissed reports suggesting a rift between Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, and his counterpart, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun. In a press statement issued on Wednesday by Gboyega Akosile, special adviser on media and publicity to the Lagos governor, the administration described the claims as “completely untrue” and the “direct opposite” of the existing relationship between both leaders. “For the avoidance of doubt, Prince Dapo Abiodun and Governor Sanwo-Olu enjoy a very cordial brotherly relationship,” the statement reads. Akosile said the governors maintain regular contact, frequently discussing matters of mutual interest for the development of their…

Chimamanda Adichie, the award-winning Nigerian author, and Ivara Esege, her husband, have lost one of their twin sons. Nkanu Nnamdi, the 21-month-old boy, died on Wednesday, following a brief illness. In a statement released on Thursday by her representative Omawumi Ogbe, the author’s family expressed sadness over the boy’s death and requested privacy “during this difficult time”. “We’re deeply saddened to confirm the passing of one of Ms Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Dr Ivara Esege’s twin boys, Nkanu Nnamdi, who passed on Wednesday, 7th of January 2026, after a brief illness. He was 21 months old,” the statement reads. “The…