Author: Opalim Lifted

Media mogul Ted Turner, who revolutionised global broadcasting by launching the world’s first 24-hour news channel, has died at the age of 87. Turner founded CNN in 1980, transforming how news is delivered and consumed. The network began amid scepticism but quickly proved its value through continuous, real-time coverage of major global events. US President Donald Trump described Turner as “one of the greats of broadcast history,” while current CNN chairman Mark Thompson called him “the giant on whose shoulders we stand”. Veteran journalist Christiane Amanpour praised Turner for creating “an unstoppable media revolution”, highlighting his enduring influence on journalism…

A contractor working with the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been arrested for allegedly threatening to kill US President Donald Trump and using his government work computer to research details connected to the alleged plot. Authorities identified the suspect as Dean DelleChiaie, a 35-year-old mechanical engineer and FAA contractor based in New Hampshire. According to prosecutors, investigators discovered online searches allegedly carried out by DelleChiaie that included phrases such as “how to bring a firearm into a federal facility” and “I am going to kill Donald John Trump.” Prosecutors also alleged that he searched for information related to…

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has destroyed 1,167 confiscated mobile phones and other prohibited items recovered from custodial centres across the country as part of an intensified nationwide crackdown on contraband. The public destruction exercise was supervised by Sylvester Nwakuche, who said the seized items included Android phones, iPhones and basic feature phones uncovered during coordinated search operations conducted over the past eight months. The Service also disclosed that N2,569,000 in smuggled cash was recovered from inmates during the operations. According to a statement issued by Jane Osuji, the confiscated money has been remitted to the federal treasury in line…

A prosecution witness in the alleged money laundering trial of former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello has told the court that a judgment of the Federal Capital Territory High Court faulted the decision of the American International School Abuja to refund prepaid school fees to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. Nicholas Ojehomon, the school’s internal auditor and the 14th prosecution witness, made the disclosure on Tuesday during cross-examination in the ongoing trial. Ojehomon read portions of a Certified True Copy of the judgment delivered in a suit filed by Ali Bello against the school over the disputed fees. According…

Africa should reduce its reliance on distant fuel imports and prioritise domestic refining capacity, according to the Dangote Group. In a post shared on Wednesday on X, the company said the continent’s current model of sourcing refined petroleum products from overseas is “fragile” and unsustainable for long-term energy security. The statement underscores a growing argument among policymakers and industry players that Africa’s dependence on imported refined fuel exposes its economies to global supply disruptions, volatile pricing, and logistical bottlenecks. By contrast, expanding local refining capacity could stabilise supply, reduce costs linked to shipping and foreign exchange, and strengthen industrial development…

Nigeria’s passport has climbed six places in the latest global passport rankings, but Nigerians can now access fewer countries without a visa. According to the latest Henley Passport Index, the Nigerian passport moved from 95th position in January 2024 to 89th in April 2026. However, the number of destinations Nigerians can enter without securing a visa beforehand dropped from 46 to 44. The ranking, compiled using data from the International Air Transport Association, evaluates 199 passports based on visa-free and visa-on-arrival access worldwide. The report showed that while Nigeria gained access to destinations such as Fiji, Samoa, Micronesia, Rwanda and…

The Federal High Court in Lagos has restrained the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) from sanctioning broadcasters who express personal opinions as facts. Daniel Osiagor, the presiding judge, on Monday restrained the NBC from enforcing its recently issued “formal notice” to broadcasters. Osiagor barred the NBC, its officers, and agents from enforcing or imposing sanctions on broadcast stations based on the disputed provisions of the NBC code, pending the determination of a motion on notice. “It is hereby ordered as follows: THAT AN ORDER OF INTERIM INJUNCTION is granted restraining the Defendant, its officers, agents, privies, assigns, associates, or any other…

Former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello’s ongoing money laundering trial resumed on Wednesday with a prosecution witness telling the Federal High Court in Abuja that a Maitama property was purchased for ₦550 million using United States dollar cash. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is prosecuting Bello over an alleged ₦80.2 billion money laundering case before Justice Emeka Nwite at the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja. Testifying as Prosecution Witness 14, Shehu Bello, a real estate agent and commodity trader, told the court that the property located at No. 1 Ikogosi Spring Close, Maitama, Abuja, was bought on behalf of…

President Bola Tinubu has declined assent to the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Establishment Bill, 2026. The President cited legal inconsistencies, drafting lapses, and structural defects in the proposed legislation. Tinubu invoked Section 58(4) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria to convey his decision. Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who read the President’s letter during Tuesday’s plenary, quoted Tinubu as saying that although the bill was correctly drafted in parts, it contained several structural defects and omitted critical provisions necessary for clarity and effective implementation. One of the key issues raised by the President relates to the long title of the…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that the nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise will resume for its third and final phase on Monday, May 11, 2026. INEC’s Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, said in a statement on Tuesday that the exercise, which was earlier suspended on April 17, 2026, will run until July 10, 2026. INEC explained that the suspension of the second phase was necessary to enable it to clean up the voter register following its publication for claims and objections by registrants. The commission urged eligible Nigerians who have…