Author: Opalim Lifted

Amnesty International (AI) has called on President Bola Tinubu to order a thorough probe into the disappearance of Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Dadiyata. At a press conference on Saturday, Isa Sanusi, country director of Amnesty International Nigeria, said Idris’ family needs closure on the case. Dadiyata was popular on social media for criticising the government until masked gunmen abducted him in Kaduna on August 2, 2019. Six years after his abduction, Idris’s whereabouts remain unknown. Sanusi said Idris’s continued disappearance sends “a chilling message to government critics,” adding that “even if the government didn’t take him, they failed to…

Brazil successfully defended their Women’s Copa America crown by defeating Colombia 5-4 in a shootout on Saturday to claim their ninth continental title after a roller-coaster final in Quito ended 4-4. The decider at the Estadio Rodrigo Paz Delgado saw Colombia take the lead three times, only for the defending champions to respond on each occasion. Brazil great Marta forced extra time with a late equaliser and the veteran struck again in the 105th minute to seemingly seal victory. But a resilient Colombia found yet another equaliser to send the encounter to penalties, where the defending champions’ experience ultimately prevailed.…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has debunked claims that Bayo Ojulari, Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, was abducted and forced to resign. A source within the EFCC dismissed the report — published by an online newspaper on Saturday — as “ridiculous and mischievous,” clarifying that Ojulari was neither detained nor coerced into submitting a resignation letter. The controversial report further alleged that Adeola Ajayi, Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), was complicit in the supposed plot. However, insiders in the anti-graft agency strongly refuted the allegations, describing them…

In a move poised to ignite national debate, Colombia’s government is set to appoint former gay porn actor and LGBTQ+ rights activist Juan Carlos Florian as the country’s new Equality Minister, a senior government official confirmed to AFP on Friday. Florian’s appointment marks a bold and unprecedented step in a deeply Catholic and socially conservative nation. Once a sex worker and adult film creator, Florian has transformed his public life into that of a staunch human rights defender, advocating for the marginalised and LGBTQ+ communities. The new role will place him at the helm of Colombia’s Ministry of Equality, responsible…

D’Tigress of Nigeria have qualified for the final of the 2025 Women’s Afrobasket in Côte d’Ivoire. The team defeated Senegal 75–68 in the semi-final clash at the Palais des Sports de Treichville in Abidjan on Saturday. The victory secured Nigeria’s fifth consecutive Women’s Afrobasket final appearance since 2017. D’Tigress progressed to the semi-final after trouncing Cameroon in the quarter-final on Thursday. The game against Senegal, Nigeria’s perennial basketball rival, was a much tougher contest. The Senegalese team was led by Otis Hughley, a former D’Tigress coach who guided Nigeria to three consecutive Afrobasket titles between 2017 and 2021. Despite the…

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has urged citizens to strictly adhere to the terms of their visas when travelling to the United States to avoid broad restrictions on Nigeria. The NIS issued the advisory following concerns raised by the U.S. over the misuse of permits by some Nigerian nationals. In a statement signed by NIS spokesperson A.S. Akinlabi, the service warned that violations of U.S. immigration or other laws could lead to permit revocation or deportation. “Applicants are reminded that security screening by U.S. authorities continues beyond the initial entry,” the statement read. “Breaching visa conditions, including overstaying, may attract…

Ademola Lookman, Super Eagles of Nigeria winger, has deleted posts related to Atalanta, his Italian club, on his Instagram page. The development follows the club’s rejection of Inter Milan’s latest offer to sign the 27-year-old. On Friday, Atalanta rejected €42 million plus €3 million add-ons from Inter Milan for Lookman. The Bergamo club insist on its asking price of €60 million for Lookman despite the player and Nerrazuri reportedly agreeing on personal terms. Reacting to Atalanta’s decision, the Nigerian forward  unfollowed the club on Instagram and deleted the team’s name from his bio. Lookman also removed posts and pictures of…

The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has announced a fresh power outage affecting several parts of Nigeria’s capital city, Abuja. The distribution company disclosed this in a notice issued on Saturday via its official X account. According to AEDC, the outage is due to a technical fault. Areas affected include Amazon Street, Lephalala Street, Ganges Street, and Panama Street, as well as parts of Danube Street and Osun Crescent. Other impacted areas are Rhine Street, Urban Shelter Katampe, Living Faith Church Katampe, Jahi Village, Katampe Extension, Jahi by Gilmore, and surrounding environs. “We regret to inform you that the power…

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe says the transfer situation surrounding striker Alexander Isak is “complex” and “far from ideal”. Newcastle turned down a £110m bid from Liverpool for Isak on Friday, with the Magpies valuing him at about £150m. The 25-year-old was left out of Newcastle’s pre-season tour of Asia with what the club described as a “minor” thigh issue. The Swede has since been training alone at former club Real Sociedad – something Howe said he found out about through the media. “I think from my situation, I am very much removed from everything that is happening back home,”…

Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-min will bring his 10-year spell with the Premier League club to an end this summer, the 33-year-old South Korean said on Saturday. Son, who is under contract until 2026, led Spurs to their first trophy in 17 years with their win over Manchester United in the Europa League final in May, having joined the North London club from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015. While the South Korean forward did not disclose his next destination, British media have linked him with a move to Major League Soccer club Los Angeles FC. “I have decided to leave the…