Author: Opalim Lifted

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…

The Kogi State Police Command has confirmed the death of Major Joe Ajayi (rtd), who was found dead days after his family paid a N10 million ransom to his abductors. The tragic news was confirmed on Monday in Lokoja by the state’s police spokesperson, Williams Ovye-Aya. Ajayi, aged 76, was kidnapped from his residence in Odo-Ape, within Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area, on May 21. Despite frantic efforts by his family, including negotiations and the eventual ransom payment, he did not make it out alive. According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the Bunu Leaders’ Forum revealed that the abductors…

Tigran Gambaryan, the Binance executive who was detained in Nigeria for nearly eight months last year, is leaving the crypto exchange. Gambaryan’s exit as the firm’s head of financial crime compliance officer comes months after his release amid broader regulatory challenges facing Binance globally. The executive, also a former United States Internal Revenue Service agent, was arrested in Nigeria in February 2024, following a clampdown on Binance over an alleged manipulation of the Nigerian currency. According to a report by Bloomberg, a message was sent to the publication on his last day with the firm. “Tigran has made a lasting…

The Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa has endorsed Laffmattazz with Gbenga Adeyinka and Friends. Aiyedatiwa who received Gbenga Adeyinka, the Grand Comedian of the Nigeria (GCON) on Tuesday, 3 June 2025, expressed his endorsement of the show and said the state is happy to host Laffmattazz with Gbenga Adeyinka and Friends at the FMT Events Center, Ala Quarters, Akure on Thursday, June 12. Aiyedatiwa while pulling his weight behind the comedy event, disclosed that Ondo State is a safe haven for tourism and entertainment, thereby promising to work with the organisers to reel out a successful show. The ‘Sho…

Tems is set to perform at the maiden FIFA Club World Cup final halftime show. In a statement, Global Citizen, the show’s producer, said the show will take place at MetLife Stadium in New York on July 13. The halftime show will be broadcast live and free to audiences worldwide via DAZN.com. Joining Tems on the star-studded lineup are Colombian singer J Balvin and American singer Doja Cat. Speaking about the event, Tems said the show will be a moment to celebrate football and the unifying power of music. The Grammy-winning Nigerian singer revealed her excitement to be part of…

Maryam Abacha, widow of Sani Abacha, a former military head of state, said her husband saved money for Nigeria that was looted after he passed on. Speaking during an interview with TVC, Maryam demanded proof that her husband stashed looted funds abroad. Abacha was Nigeria’s military ruler and commander-in-chief of the armed forces from 1993 to 1998. He died on June 8, 1998. The Federal Government has announced recovery of tranches of monies reportedly stashed by Abacha in foreign banks. As of 2020, over $3.624 billion of the Abacha loot had been recovered. The recoveries were made by four administrations.…

World heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk has offered Donald Trump the chance to live in his house in a bid to help the United States president understand the war in Ukraine. Trump had vowed to resolve the conflict between Russia and Ukraine “in 24 hours” if he was elected president. But there has been no end to Russia’s invasion since Trump returned to the White House in 2024. Ukrainian boxer Usyk, who has been a tireless campaigner for peace in his homeland, believes Trump needs to have a clearer view of the dire situation if he is to find a solution…

Iyabo Ojo has slammed Tanzanian socialite Mange Kimambi over a comment about her daughter Priscilla. In a recent Instagram post, Kimambi criticised Priscilla and her Tanzanian husband Juma Jux for allegedly distracting Tanzanians from the country’s ongoing political movement. The blogger asked the couple to “stop posting stupid content” for the next five months. “We are fighting for our rights. We need our people to pay attention to the fight, so we don’t need you and Jux to distract our people with stupīd content,” Kimambi said. “We need you and Jux to sit down for the next 5 months. After…

Portugal beat neighbours Spain in a penalty shootout to settle a frantic final in Munich and win their second Nations League trophy. Cristiano Ronaldo pulled Portugal level at 2-2 in the 61st minute, but there was nothing else to separate the two sides when the referee signalled the end of normal time. Subbed off before extra time, Portugal captain Ronaldo dropped to the turf and sobbed tears of joy on the sidelines after Ruben Neves slotted home the winning penalty following Diogo Costa’s save from Alvaro Morata’s spot-kick. Winners of the 2023 edition, Spain had opened the scoring in the…

Kylian Mbappe scored his 50th international goal as France beat Nations League hosts Germany in their third-place play-off. The captain finished well for the 45th-minute opener following a pass from Real Madrid team-mate Aurelien Tchouameni. And Mbappe set up the second goal six minutes from time when he pounced on a mistake from Robin Koch and unselfishly squared the ball for Michael Olise to slot into the empty net. Germany had their chances, though, with both a penalty award and goal overturned by the video assistant referee (VAR). First Karim Adeyemi was awarded a spot-kick after being brought down by…