Author: Opalim Lifted

Founder of the School of Politics, Policy and Governance and former Vice President of the World Bank, Dr Obiageli ‘Oby’ Ezekwesili, has accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of cuddling terrorists when it has the opportunity to finish them off. The co-convener of #BringBackOurGirls, an advocacy group formed over 11 years ago to campaign for the release of more than 200 girls abducted from a secondary school in Chibok, Borno State, condemned, via her X handle, government officials’ encounters with bandits without taking decisive action. She said, “It is accurate to state that our federal and state governments, led…

President Bola Tinubu has departed Lagos for Europe as part of his end-of-year break. According to a statement on Sunday by Bayo Onanuga, spokesperson to the president on information and strategy, Tinubu will travel from Europe to the United Arab Emirates to participate in the 2026 edition of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW 2026) Summit, which is scheduled to take place in early January. Onanuga said Tinubu was invited by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, president of the United Arab Emirates, to attend the summit. “The weeklong summit is an annual event that mobilises leaders from government, business, and…

Mozambique secured an enthralling 3-2 victory over Gabon in Agadir to claim their first-ever win at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) – ending an unwanted record that had seen the Mambas fail to come out on top in any of their first 16 games played at the finals. The result gives Chiquinho Conde’s side a great chance of reaching the knockout stage for the first time but is a hammer blow to Gabon’s hopes after they also lost their opening Group F match to Cameroon. Faisal Bangal’s header from a corner and Geny Catamo’s penalty looked to have put…

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has dismissed reports claiming FIFA has rejected its petition over the eligibility of some Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) players, insisting the case is still under review. The controversy followed Nigeria’s heartbreaking 4–3 penalty defeat to DR Congo after a 1–1 draw in the African play-off final for the 2026 World Cup in November. Since then, speculation has grown that FIFA had quietly thrown out Nigeria’s appeal. But speaking on AIT, NFF Secretary General Dr Mohammed Sanusi said no such decision has been communicated. “The Nigeria Football Federation has not received any letter from…

Israel has become the first country to formally recognise Somaliland as an independent nation, marking a diplomatic breakthrough for the country nestled in the Horn of Africa. Somaliland broke away from Somalia in 1991, after a decade-long war of independence led by the Somali National Movement (SNM) against dictator Siad Barre’s regime. But the country lacks widespread international recognition as an independent state despite functioning with its own government, currency, military, and elections. It is viewed by most countries and the United Nations (UN) as part of Somalia. Somalia has also never accepted Somaliland’s independence. On Friday, Israeli Prime Minister…

A social media user and cancer patient, Mensah Omolola, better known on X as Auntie Esther, has died after battling breast cancer. News of her death surfaced on Saturday night after Auntymuse (@AUNTYMUSE_) reacted to a post announcing her passing. Quoting an earlier post by @swaagsp, which read, “Unfortunately, we lost Aunty Esther. Very sad!”, Auntymuse wrote, “May her soul rest in peace.” The post immediately drew reactions from Nigerians who had followed Auntie Esther’s health journey closely on social media. Shortly after, @Wizarab10, the fundraiser on X who coordinated donations for her treatment, also reacted. “It is well. Peaceful…

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has dragged Nigeria’s 36 state governors and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, before the Federal High Court over what it describes as the secretive spending of an estimated N14 trillion fuel subsidy savings. The lawsuit follows revelations that governors and the FCT administration have received trillions of naira in increased allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) since the removal of fuel subsidy in May 2023. Despite the windfall, SERAP says ordinary Nigerians have seen little or no improvement in access to quality healthcare, education and other essential…

Ollie Watkins emerged from the bench to spearhead a superb Aston Villa revival as they came from behind to confirm their Premier League title credentials at Chelsea with an 11th successive win in all competitions. Chelsea deservedly led after 37 minutes when striker Joao Pedro got a vital touch in a goalmouth scramble as Villa tried to clear Reece James’ corner. Aston Villa, seeking to equal a club record set in both September 1897 and March 1914, had been second best until manager Unai Emery made a triple substitution just before the hour, sending on Watkins, Amadou Onana and Jadon…

Martin Odegaard scored his first Premier League goal of the season as Arsenal survived a nervy finale to beat Brighton and return to the top of the table. The Gunners, who had dropped to second place after Manchester City beat Nottingham Forest in Saturday’s early match, took the lead when Bart Verbruggen’s goal-kick was intercepted and Bukayo Saka teed up captain Odegaard to score from the edge of the area. Arsenal’s one-goal half-time lead did not match their first-half dominance as they produced 15 shots, five on target, and restricted Brighton to none. But they doubled their lead seven minutes…

Nigeria held off a late Tunisia fightback to reach the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco. The Super Eagles led the Group C encounter in Fes 3-0 with 17 minutes remaining through goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman before Montassar Talbi’s header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick pulled one back for the North Africans. Tunisia were then given a late penalty, following a video assistant referee (VAR) review, for a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel and Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to set up a frantic finale. The Carthage Eagles…