Author: Opalim Lifted

D’Tigers of Nigeria defeated Madagascar 77–59 in their opening game of the 2025 men’s AfroBasket in Angola. The Nigerians never looked in doubt of a victory throughout the match played at the Pavilhao Multiusos de Luanda on Wednesday. The game opened with a strong start from both sides, but Nigeria took the first quarter 18–14. Madagascar improved their performance in the second quarter but D’Tigers held on to a narrow halftime lead of 38–37. D’Tigers then dominated the third quarter 55-46, before sealing the 18-point victory in the final quarter. Caleb Agada led from the front with an all-around display,…

Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation and aerospace development, has defended the appointment of Wasiu Ayinde, the Fuji artiste popularly known as Kwam 1, as an ambassador for airport security protocol. Keyamo described the role as unpaid community service rather than a prestigious position with perks. On August 5, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) suspended two ValueJet pilots over a safety breach at the domestic terminal of the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, which was linked to the disorderly conduct of Kwam 1, who was on board the flight. Keyamo had directed the agency to place the musician on a…

President Bola Tinubu will on Thursday, August 14, embark on a two-nation trip to Japan and Brazil. Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, said Tinubu will stop over in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), before proceeding to Japan. The president is expected to attend the ninth Tokyo international conference on African development (TICAD9) in Yokohama from August 20 to 22. With the theme “Co-create Innovative Solutions with Africa”, TICAD9 will focus on Africa’s economic transformation, private investment, innovation, and the creation of a resilient, sustainable society that ensures human security, peace, and stability. Onanuga said…

Legacy FM, a privately owned radio station in Ebonyi State, has lifted the suspension of its acting general manager, Godfrey Chikwere. The management recently announced that Chikwere had been directed to resume work with immediate effect from August 12, 2025. The station had recently suspended Chikwere over his persistent criticism of Francis Nwifuru, the governor of Ebonyi State. Legacy FM had accused the general manager of exhibiting unruly behaviour and flouting its code of conduct. “The management of Legacy FM 95.1, The Sound of Now, hereby suspends the acting General Manager, Godfrey Chikwere, with immediate effect, till further notice,” the…

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday appointed new boards for the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), reinforcing oversight of two key agencies in the country’s telecoms and digital infrastructure sector. This was contained in a statement announced by the special adviser to the president on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Tuesday. The NCC, which regulates Africa’s largest telecom market by subscriber numbers, will be chaired by Idris Olorunnimbe, a former board member of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, where he led youth employment and entrepreneurship initiatives. Dr Aminu Wada will remain the commission’s…

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Chisom Obih and renowned communications specialist Ralph Akinfeleye to the governing councils of two federal universities. The appointments, confirmed on Tuesday in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, fill existing vacancies. Obih will serve on the governing council of Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi state. He is flling a position left vacant by the death of a previous member. Akinfeleye, a professor, was appointed to the governing council of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun state. He is a former head of the department of mass…

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Rinsola Abiola as the director-general (DG) of the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre (CLTC). Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, announced the appointment in a statement on Monday. “Ms. Abiola, an expert in strategic communication and government relations, previously served as Senior Special Assistant to the President,” the statement reads. “In addition, President Tinubu appointed Nasir Bala Aminu Ja’oji as Senior Special Assistant on Citizenship and Leadership. “Mr. Ja’oji, who had served as Special Adviser on Mobilisation to the Governor of Kano State and a member of the Governing Council…

President Bola Tinubu has relieved Muheeba Dankaka of her role as executive chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC) hours after her reappointment for a second five-year term was announced by the presidency. Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu’s special adviser on information and strategy, had earlier announced Dankaka’s reappointment in a statement issued on Monday. The president had also appointed Mohammed Musa as the commission’s secretary and retained Kayode Oladele from Ogun as commissioner. However, in a fresh statement issued shortly afterwards, the presidency announced that Ayo Omidiran, a former house of representatives member, would succeed Dankaka as chairperson of the FCC.…

President Bola Tinubu has reappointed Muheeba Dankaka as the chairperson of the Federal Character Commission (FCC). In a statement issued on Monday, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu’s special adviser on information and strategy, said Dankaka will serve a second term of five years. The president also appointed Mohammed Musa as the commission’s secretary and retained Kayode Oladele from Ogun as commissioner. Oladele, a former member of the house of representatives, was appointed in 2024. Following Dankaka’s first-term tenure’s expiration, he served as the commission’s acting chairman. Tinubu renewed the appointment of Lawal Ya’u Roni, Abubakar Bunu, and Eludayo Eluyemi, who represent Jigawa,…

The federal government has given the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) a four-week ultimatum to resolve cases of abuse, unlawful detention of minors, and other irregularities in juvenile custodial centres nationwide. Magdalene Ajani, the permanent secretary at the ministry of interior, issued the directive during the third public hearing of the independent investigative panel on alleged corruption and other violations against the NCoS. Ajani, who chairs the panel, raised concerns about the mixing of juveniles with adult inmates, poor welfare conditions, and systemic administrative lapses within the correctional system (NCoS). “You are going to send to the ministry the status report…