Author: Opalim Lifted

Senator Ireti Kingibe has taken a swipe at Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), accusing him of being disconnected from the people and fuelling growing resentment in Abuja. Speaking on Political Paradigm, a Channels TV programme, Kingibe said Wike’s leadership style has left residents feeling sidelined and insecure. “Most of Abuja is pitch dark,” she said. “So I go there, put solar lights in the spaces I can just so young people can feel safer. You can’t lock them indoors forever.” Kingibe added that residents often reach out to her about security issues in their communities, particularly…

Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has said the state’s anti-open grazing law is being rendered ineffective by a stark security imbalance herders’ militias wielding AK-47s, while state-enforced guards are limited to basic Dane guns. Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Kula Tersoo, Alia said the Benue State Community Volunteer Guards lack the firepower to confront armed herdsmen and their militias, who routinely breach the 2017 law with impunity. “The governor has been open about the challenges,” Tersoo stated. “These guards are not allowed to carry sophisticated weapons. Meanwhile, armed herders flaunt AK-47s and AK-49s as they graze cattle across the…

Former Arsenal sporting director Edu Gaspar has joined Nottingham Forest in a newly established global head of football role. Forest said the Brazilian will “oversee all football-related functions, including recruitment, performance, squad strategy and player development”. Edu, 47, played for Arsenal between 2001 and 2005, winning two Premier League titles, and rejoined them in 2019 as technical director. He was promoted to sporting director in November 2022 but resigned in November 2024. “I’m truly excited about this new chapter and honoured by the trust placed in me,” said Edu. Arsenal sporting director Edu set to leave club “This project connects…

US President Donald Trump has announced that countries supporting the “anti-American policies of BRICS” will face an additional 10 percent tariff. “There will be no exceptions to this policy,” Trump said in a Truth Social post. His announcement comes as the US begins formally notifying affected countries of the tariffs declared earlier this year, with letters and deals set to roll out on Monday. Trump has long criticised BRICS, an economic bloc whose members include Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The organisation was designed to boost countries’ international standing and challenge the US and western Europe. The group…

President Bola Tinubu has called for greater equity and inclusion of low-income and emerging economies within global systems. Tinubu stated that these measures should be spread across the governance, financial, healthcare, and climate change milieu. The president spoke at the 17th BRICS meeting on Saturday in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Nigeria was admitted as a partner country to the bloc in January. According to a statement issued Sunday by Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, Tinubu said environmental degradation, the climate crisis, and healthcare inequalities should receive more attention, as they slow growth and development.…

At least 82 people including 28 children have died in catastrophic flash floods that struck Texas on Friday, with officials warning the toll is likely to rise. As of late Sunday, 41 people remain missing while search and rescue operations race against time and more rain. The devastating surge on the Guadalupe River, described as a “one-in-100-year event”, reached heights of 20 to 26 feet, destroying roads and sweeping away anything in its path. Camp Mystic, a popular summer camp near the river, confirmed that 10 girls are still unaccounted for. More than 400 emergency responders from 20 agencies have…

Enugu is set to soar higher as Enugu Air, the state’s first commercial airline, officially launches on Sunday, 7 July, with Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, scheduled to inaugurate the groundbreaking venture. In a statement signed by State Commissioner for Transport, Obi Ozor, the government expressed pride in unveiling the new airline, calling it a pivotal step in Governor Peter Mbah’s vision to transform the state into a modern transportation and aviation hub. The airline, fully owned by the State Government, will commence operations with a maiden domestic flight, connecting Enugu, Abuja, and Lagos forming what it…

Wild Africa, a conservation nonprofit, has called for urgent and consistent action to reduce the risk of future pandemics by tackling Nigeria’s illegal bushmeat trade. In a statement on Sunday to mark the World Zoonoses Day, the organisation said by fast-tracking the new wildlife bill, and protecting the country’s dwindling natural habitats, Nigeria can cut zoonotic diseases. Wild Africa said zoonotic diseases, illnesses that can spread from animals to humans, including Ebola, Mpox (Monkeypox), Lassa Fever, and COVID-19, have impacted Nigeria in recent years. According to the World Health Organization, 75% of emerging infectious diseases in humans originate from animals,…

Mexico fought back from conceding an early goal to beat Mauricio Pochettino’s United States and defend their Gold Cup title in Houston, Texas. Former Tottenham and Chelsea manager Pochettino saw his team gain a fourth-minute lead through Crystal Palace defender Chris Richards. He headed in from Sebastian Berhalter’s free-kick, with the ball bouncing down off the underside of the crossbar and just crossing the line. But the US advantage only lasted 23 minutes as Fulham striker Raul Jimenez equalised with a first-time shot on the turn into the roof of the net from eight yards out, following Marcel Ruiz’s intelligent…

Rinsola Babajide put in an impressive performance as the Super Falcons of Nigeria scored twice in the first half to inflict a 3-0 defeat on Tunisia in their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2024 match at the Larbi Zaouli stadium in Casablanca, Morocco. The lanky forward lit up the Group B opener with a goal and assist, with Asisat Oshola and Chinwendu Ihezuo also getting on the scoresheet as the Super Falcons made light work of their North African opponent. On the first test of their Mission X campaign, Justine Madugu, Falcon’s head coach, handed Oshoala and Ashleigh Plumptre…