Author: Opalim Lifted

President Bola Tinubu has extended a public invitation to Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to join the ruling political party — All Progressives Congress (APC). Speaking at the commissioning of the newly constructed Shehu Shagari Way and other road projects in Abuja’s Katampe district on Wednesday, Tinubu said, “He (Wike) is not a member of my party — not yet. But the day he changes his mind and joins the progressives, we’ll welcome him with open arms.” The president lauded the project as a significant milestone in his administration’s urban renewal agenda, calling it a…

Meta has partnered with the federal government to launch the Llama Impact Accelerator, an eight-month artificial intelligence (AI) programme aimed at supporting Nigerian startups. In a recent statement, Meta said the initiative is being executed in collaboration with the ministry of communications, innovation and digital economy (FMCIDE), the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). The tech giant said the programme is open to startups leveraging its open-source Llama models to develop AI-driven tools across four areas: agriculture, security and safety, healthcare, and a wildcard category for other high-impact sectors. According…

Akure is set for a thrilling Independence Day celebration as Laffmattazz with Gbenga Adeyinka and Friends lands in the Ondo State capital on Thursday, June 12, with a major surprise in store — a free plot of land to be won, courtesy of leading property firm, E-Swift PropertyMart. E-Swift PropertyMart, the biggest digital real estate company in Akure and one of the most reputable across southwestern Nigeria, has partnered with the Laffmattazz brand to make this Democracy Day edition unforgettable. The company’s CEO, Mr Ezekiel Omolayo, announced that a lucky attendee at the show will walk away with a free…

New Zealand has introduced a new long-term visitor visa designed to reunite migrant families by allowing parents to live in the country for up to a decade. Dubbed the Parent Boost Visa, this initiative comes into effect on 29 September 2025, according to a statement from Immigration New Zealand. The move aims to support family bonds by giving parents of residents or citizens the opportunity to spend extended time with their children without needing to apply for residency. “This is meant to help families stay together longer,” the immigration department noted. Under the visa’s framework, applicants are granted an initial…

Khaby Lame has left the US after being detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for allegedly overstaying the terms of his visa. The Senegalese-Italian TikToker was reportedly detained at the Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas on June 6. The ICE, multiple local reports reveal, said Lame entered the country on April 30 but was detained for “overstaying the terms of his visa”. The agency said the 25-year-old comedian was granted voluntary departure and has since left the US. Following the incident, Lame posted a picture to his Instagram story on Monday with the location tagged in São…

Elon Musk has admitted that some of his recent social media attacks on US President Donald Trump “went too far,” marking a notable retreat after a heated online feud between the two. Just days after stepping down as head of the White House’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Musk traded barbs with Trump, criticising the president’s proposed “Big Beautiful Bill” as a major setback to DOGE reforms. The clash escalated on X, with Musk backing calls for Trump’s impeachment, branding him ungrateful for previous support, and even suggesting the president was linked to Jeffrey Epstein. He also warned that Trump’s…

Ayra Starr, a Nigerian singer, and Kendrick Lamar, a US rapper, were among the biggest winners at the 2025 BET Awards. This year’s edition was held at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles. Kevin Hart, the American actor and comedian, hosted the event. The BET Awards are an American show established in 2001 by the Black Entertainment Television network to celebrate black entertainers and other minorities in music, film, sports, and philanthropy. Out of his 10 nominations, Lamar won five awards, including ‘Album of the Year’, ‘Best Collaboration’, ‘Best Male Hip Hop Artiste’, ‘Video of the Year’, and ‘Video Director…

Jesutega Onokpasa, lawyer and political commentator, is dead. Jesutega Onokpasa, who was a member of the APC presidential campaign council in 2023, died under yet-to-be-disclosed circumstances. Okezie Atani, an All Progressives Congress (APC) supporter, announced the news on his social media page on Tuesday. Gerald Nwaorisa, a longtime associate of Onokpasa, confirmed the development on Tuesday. The Advocates for Good Governance and Humanity, a group to which Onokpasa belonged, described his passing as “a profound loss to Nigeria’s political and legal landscape”. In a tribute signed by Zainab Ibrahim, director-general of the group, the organisation described Onokpasa as a passionate…

Atletico Madrid have signed Argentine goalkeeper Juan Musso from Atalanta on a three-year contract, both clubs said on Tuesday. The 31-year-old joined Atletico on loan last season, serving as a backup to first-choice goalkeeper Jan Oblak. He made nine appearances during his loan spell, featuring in seven Copa del Rey matches and two LaLiga games. Musso, who has played twice for Argentina since making his debut in 2019, spent three seasons at Atalanta and won the Europa League with the Serie A side last year. Having risen through the ranks at Club de Regatas San Nicolás, he signed for Racing…

Governor Umaru Bago of Niger State has announced a donation of ₦1 billion to assist victims of the recent flood disaster in Mokwa Local Government Area. The governor made the announcement during an on-the-spot assessment of the affected areas, where several homes and properties were destroyed by the devastating floods. While addressing residents, Bago stressed the importance of avoiding construction or habitation near waterways to prevent future loss of lives and property. He commiserated with the victims and assured them that all cash and material donations from the federal government, individuals, and donor agencies would be used transparently and for…