Author: Opalim Lifted

An innocent concert moment has spiralled into a viral scandal after Andy Bryon, CEO of US tech firm Astronomer, was caught on the Coldplay kiss cam not with his wife, but with his company’s Chief People Officer, Kristin Cabot. The now-viral clip from Wednesday night’s show at Gillette Stadium, Massachusetts, shows the pair swaying together, arms wrapped around each other, before being beamed onto the jumbotron. Things turned awkward fast. As Coldplay frontman Chris Martin encouraged a smooch, Cabot quickly turned her face away while Bryon ducked out of the frame. The band’s frontman joked: “Oh what? Either they’re having…

Yemi Adaramodu, spokesperson of the Senate, has described the coalition of opposition forces under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a gathering of “recycled politicians united only for comic relief.” Adaramodu, who chairs the senate committee on media and public affairs, said the All Progressives Congress (APC) is unbothered by the coalition, describing it as a familiar gathering of old political actors. “Who is new? Who is there? And who was newly introduced?” he asked during an interaction with journalists. The senator dismissed suggestions that the APC was in panic mode following the unveiling of the ADC as the preferred…

Ola Olukoyede, chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has called on stakeholders to join hands with the agency in tackling the menace of naira abuse. Olukoyede spoke in Lagos on Friday during a sensitisation programme with movie producers, musicians, non-governmental organisations, media, bureau de change operators, and legal practitioners. The EFCC chairman said the naira is not just a means of exchange but a profound symbol of national sovereignty and pride. He also said the naira’s value and integrity directly impact Nigeria’s economic stability and national image. “The naira is a symbol of our sovereignty. How we…

Monday Okpebholo, governor of Edo, has warned Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, not to come to the state again without security clearance. Speaking on Friday while receiving Marcus Onobun, member of the house of representatives, to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Okpebholo said Obi’s recent visit to the state coincided with the killing of three people. The governor accused Obi of contributing to a resurgence of violence in the state. “That man who says he has no ‘shishi’ came and dropped N15 million. Where did he get it from? After he…

The federal government has insisted that the threats made by Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to break up Nigeria are not casual or empty threats. During a court session at an Abuja federal high court on Friday, Adegboyega Awomolo, counsel to the federal government, prayed James Omotosho, presiding judge, to dismiss Kanu’s no-case submission and compel him to open his defence in the terrorism charges filed against him. Awomolo told the court that Kanu, in a broadcast on Biafra Radio, openly declared his intention to disintegrate Nigeria and establish a sovereign Biafra. He noted…

Suleiman Ciroma, a witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has told the federal high court in Abuja how $12 million was exchanged in cash transactions at SunTrust Bank within 10 days. Ciroma gave the narration on Thursday while being led in evidence by Ekele Iheanacho, counsel to EFCC, in the ongoing trial involving Halima Buba, the managing director and chief executive officer (CEO) of SunTrust Bank, and Innocent Mbagwu, the bank’s executive director and chief compliance officer. Ciroma, a businessman and former bureau de change (BDC) operator, confirmed knowing Buba and identified her in court but noted…

Wolves have inducted former forward Diogo Jota into their Hall of Fame “in a tribute that honours both his remarkable achievements for the club and the deep impact his passing has had on the footballing world”. The Portugal international and his 25-year-old brother Andre Silva, who was also a footballer, died in a car crash on 3 July in the Spanish province of Zamora. Jota moved to Wolves from Atletico Madrid in July 2017 – in a deal which was initially on a season-long loan and then made permanent – before going on to join Liverpool in 2020. He scored…

The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) has announced a temporary suspension of its recruitment portal. The portal is dedicated to recruitment into paramilitary agencies — Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Fire Service (NFS), and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS). The suspension comes just two days after the portal was opened for recruitment applications into the four parastatals. In a statement issued on Wednesday by AM Jubril, secretary to the board, the CDCFIB said the suspension is part of an effort to optimise the efficiency of its system. He added that the…

US President Donald Trump has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, a blood circulation issue after noticing “mild swelling in his lower legs,” according to Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary. Speaking on Thursday, Leavitt describe it as a “common condition, particularly in individuals over the age of 70”. Leavitt said Trump, 79, underwent multiple tests, including a complete blood count, comprehensive metabolic panel, and coagulation profile. Leavitt noted that the results were encouraging. “Importantly, there was no evidence of deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease… An echocardiogram was also performed and confirmed normal cardiac structure and function; no signs…

Nigerian singer Adekunle Gold has melted hearts online after gifting ₦250,000 each to several graduates with first-class degrees, a gesture that has sparked praise and gratitude across social media. The 38-year-old artist, known for his hit ‘Sade’, took to X with a simple request: “If you graduated with First Class, post your transcripts.” What started as a casual post quickly went viral, garnering thousands of likes and retweets as users proudly shared their academic results. Gold later announced that beneficiaries were randomly selected and asked them to check their inboxes for confirmation. Soon after, delighted recipients began posting proof of…