Author: Opalim Lifted

Matthew Kukah, Catholic bishop of the Sokoto diocese, says youths lured into crime are products of poor upbringing. Kukah recently spoke at the opening ceremony of “Exercise Haske Biyu 2025”, held at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji, Kaduna state. Delivering a paper titled “Relationship between family dynamics and national security”, Kukah, represented by John Hayab, said many of Nigeria’s contemporary challenges, particularly youth radicalisation and social unrest, are rooted in failed parenting and the collapse of traditional family systems. “The family is the primary institution of socialisation. Many of the young people we see today, who…

Taiwo Oyedele, chairman of the presidential fiscal policy and tax reforms committee, has clarified the context around the proposed 5 percent fuel tax, stressing that any such levy should only be introduced when the naira appreciates or global crude oil prices fall. Speaking recently during an interview on Arise TV, Oyedele said the right approach is to consider introducing the tax only when it can be implemented without negatively affecting Nigerians. “For me, and this is speaking for myself, the appropriate time to consider a tax like that would be, number one, when you have an appreciation in the currency,”…

Kylian Mbappe scored two penalties as 10-man Real Madrid battled to victory over Marseille in their Champions League opener. Los Blancos were handed an early blow when Trent Alexander-Arnold pulled up with what appeared to be a hamstring injury after only three minutes. And they suffered another setback when the England full-back’s replacement, Dani Carvajal, was sent off with 18 minutes left after he faced off with Geronimo Rulli and moved his head towards the Marseille goalkeeper. But the 15-time European champions emerged victorious thanks to Mbappe, who twice stepped up to slam spot-kicks past Rulli, taking his club tally…

A major fire broke out on Tuesday at Afriland Towers, a high-rise building housing a branch of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) and several companies in the busy Marina district of Lagos Island. Videos shared on social media showed thick smoke pouring from the building as terrified occupants tried to escape. Some individuals were seen attempting to jump from upper floors, while others were rescued with the aid of ladders by residents and passers-by. Crowds gathered at the front of the building as panic gripped the bustling commercial hub. In a statement, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service…

The office of the clerk to the national assembly says it lacks power to allow Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the suspended senator representing Kogi central, to resume legislative duties. In a statement on Monday, Bullah Bi-Allah, director of information at the office of the clerk, said the attention of the secretariat was drawn to media reports and public commentary on Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension, her attempt to resume duties, and a petition by her lawyers, M. J. Numa & Partners LLP. Bi-Allah noted that the office of the clerk functions strictly as an administrative arm, supporting the senate in line with its resolutions, standing…

The Federal Government has suspended the newly introduced free on board (FOB) levy collected by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on imported goods with immediate effect. In a memo seen by Chronicle NG, R. O. Omachi, permanent secretary, special duties in the office of the minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy, said the suspension follows “extensive consultations with industry stakeholders, trade experts, and relevant government officials”. The minister of finance is also the chairman of the board of customs. “It has become clear that the implementation of the 4% FOB charge poses significant challenges to the Nigerian…

Paris Saint-Germain’s (PSG) Champions League defence kicks off this week, but questions remain over whether their battle-weary squad can handle another punishing campaign. The holders host Atalanta on Wednesday in their opening league phase match, three months after a stunning 5-0 demolition of Inter Milan in last season’s final. Luis Enrique’s side face a brutal fixture list, with Bayern Munich, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle also in their group, plus away trips to Barcelona, Leverkusen, Bilbao and Sporting Lisbon. PSG stumbled through the early stages last season, losing three of their eight group matches, yet surged to their first-ever European crown…

The Young Christian Fellowships in Nigeria Without Borders (YCFNB) has launched a 14-day prayer and fasting campaign to “shield the Dangote Refinery from its enemies” amid a heated standoff with oil workers. Running from 15 to 29 September, the programme comes in response to strike threats by the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), which has accused the refinery of breaching workers’ rights. In a fiery statement, YCFNB slammed the union for “reckless posturing” that could spark fuel scarcity and economic turmoil. It described Aliko Dangote as “a patriot under siege” for resisting “powerful cabals benefiting from…

Nicholas Ukachukwu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Anambra, was recently confronted and harassed by a group of men in Abuja. Clips showed the men blocking Ukachukwu as he made to leave the Transcorp Hilton hotel in Abuja. “You’re running for governor and owing people. You’re owing us N1 billion. Pay us our money,” a man in the crowd yelled repeatedly. “You should be able to talk to us, no matter how big you think you can be. You should honour us,” another man said. “I don’t talk to people I don’t know. I don’t like what’s going…

Former Barcelona centre back Samuel Umtiti, a key figure in France’s triumphant 2018 World Cup campaign, has announced his retirement at the age of 31. A product of Olympique Lyonnais’ academy, Umtiti joined Barcelona in 2016 and made 133 appearances for the club, helping them to two LaLiga titles. Umtiti, whose career was hampered by chronic cartilage problems in his knee, last played for Ligue 1 club Lille. “After an intense career with ups and downs, the time has come to say goodbye … I gave it my ALL with passion and I have NO regrets,” Umtiti posted on social…