Author: Opalim Lifted

Femi Falana, human rights lawyer and senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), says the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) pushed the federal government to remove the petrol subsidies. Speaking on Channels TV, Falana said no country in the world has completely scrapped subsidies. “There’s no way you can remove subsidies completely; no country in the entire world has abolished subsidies completely,” he said. “Even leading Western countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, France and others subsidise electricity, agriculture and many aspects of people’s lives.” Falana said the removal of the petrol subsidy in Nigeria was not…

The Federal Ministry of Environment’s National Flood Early Warning Centre (FEW) has issued a flood alert for 32 locations across 11 states between September 14 and 18. In a circular issued on Sunday by Usman Bokani, director of erosion, flood and coastal zone management, the centre said rising water levels in the River Gongola, River Benue and River Niger pose additional risks. The affected areas include Ganye and Natubi in Adamawa; Abinsi, Agyo, Gogo, Ito, Makurdi, Udoma and Ukpiam in Benue; Agima, Rukubi and Odogbo in Nasarawa; Beli, Serti and Donga in Taraba; Umugboma, Umukwata, Abraka, Aboh and Okpo-Krika in…

Tobi Amusan strolled to victory in the women’s 100m hurdles heat at the ongoing World Athletics Championship in Tokyo. Amusan on Sunday posted a time of 12.53s to win the heat ahead of Bahamas’ Devynne Charlton and Italy’s Elena Carraro, who finished second and third, respectively. The world record holder began her quest for gold in the hurdles event on a good note, taking charge of the track over the distance despite posting the fifth-best reaction time to the starting gun. The Ogun state indigene has been placed in Heat 2 of the semi-final lineup, where she will compete against…

Nigerian athlete Israel Okon has advanced into the semi-final of the men’s 100m event at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. The fast-rising sprinter took first position in 10.04s in Heat 6, fending off the duo of second-placed Zharnel Hughes of Great Britain and Italy’s Lamont Jacobs in third place. The 18-year-old ranked sixth among seven athletes who won their heats, higher than Letsile Tebogho, the 200m Olympic gold medalist. Okon, the national 100m champion, has been placed in Heat 3 of the semi-final which will take place on Sunday. He will face a competitive field that includes Tebogho, Botswana’s…

Nonye Soludo, wife of Chukwuma Soludo, governor of Anambra, has threatened legal action against Uche Ekwunife, a former senator, over an allegation of infidelity. Ekwunife, deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming Anambra gubernatorial election, had alleged in a viral video that Soludo and his wife were part of the administration of the late Chinwoke Mbadinuju, who was the governor of the state from 1999 to 2003. The former senator alleged that the administration of the late Mbadinuju failed Anambra state. However, in a recent statement, Soludo said Ekwunife had spread “malicious claims” about her…

Reality TV star and actress Phyna has laid her younger sister Ruth Otabor to rest. Ruth passed away on August 31 after a road accident involving a Dangote truck on August 13. The 24-year-old had just graduated from Auchi Polytechnic six days before the incident and suffered severe injuries, including the amputation of her leg. The burial ceremony, held on Saturday at Ruth’s residence in Ogun State, was attended by friends and fellow ex-BBNaija housemates Christy O and Groovy, all dressed in black to show their support. The atmosphere was emotional as Phyna and the mourners paid their last respects…

Liverpool staged another dramatic late show as Mohamed Salah’s stoppage-time penalty maintained their flawless start to the Premier League season and broke the hearts of battling Burnley. Burnley looked to have frustrated the champions until substitute Hannibal handled Jeremie Frimpong’s cross deep into five minutes of additional time, allowing Salah to blast home the spot-kick in front of Liverpool’s elated travelling fans. Salah’s winner came just as Burnley were within touching distance of being the first team to take points off Liverpool this season. Liverpool head coach Arne Slot left new £125m British record signing Alexander Isak out of his…

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to identify and prosecute politicians and political parties engaging in early election campaigns, warning that failure to act could lead to legal action. In a letter dated September 13, 2025, and signed by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation urged INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu to monitor political parties breaching constitutional and statutory provisions that prohibit campaigning outside the legally prescribed period. SERAP stressed that such early campaigns are “unconstitutional and illegal” and can have adverse effects on economic development due to prolonged…

Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has showered praises on celebrity chef, Hilda Baci, following her recent Guinness World Record attempt for the largest pot of Jollof rice. In a post shared on his verified Instagram page on Saturday, Osinbajo described the cook-a-thon as a powerful reminder that greatness can spring from the most ordinary places — even a pot of rice. “@hildabaci reminded us yesterday, that greatness can begin in the simplest of places, even in a pot of rice,” he wrote. Osinbajo commended the chef for what he described as a creative expression of Nigerian culture, saying Baci turned…

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its five-day warning strike just two days after it began, restoring services at federal hospitals across the country. Confirming the decision on Sunday, NARD president Tope Osundara said doctors are to resume work immediately. “The strike has been suspended. Some of our demands have been met, and the government has promised to address the others. This is a sign of goodwill and to support Nigerians who need care in our hospitals,” Osundara told reporters. The association had downed tools on Friday, paralysing activities in public health facilities nationwide. While certain demands…