Author: Opalim Lifted

The Senate approved a $516.3 million loan request by President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday. The funds will be used for the construction of the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway (Section One, Phase 1A and 1B). The approval followed the Senate’s consideration of the report of its Committee on Local and Foreign Debts. The committee, chaired by Senator Magatagarda Wamakko, recommended approval of the loan. The syndicated financing facility is being sought from Deutsche Bank, according to a request letter Tinubu sent to the Senate last Thursday. Tinubu wrote, “The proposed financing arrangement comprises a syndicated loan to be secured through Deutsche Bank AG,…

The Dangote Refinery has increased its petrol price, raising its ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit by N75 per litre, while also suspending product sales following a disruption in its Proforma Invoice process. Price data from Petroleumprice.ng, along with confirmation from a Dangote Refinery official on Wednesday, showed that the petrol loading price rose from N1,200 per litre to N1,275 per litre, while coastal supply prices increased to N1,215 per litre. The change followed operational adjustments and has started affecting the downstream petroleum market. The official confirmed the development, saying, “Yes, the increase of PMS to N1,275 per litre is…

The Delta State Police Command has arrested an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Usman Nuhu, over the fatal shooting of a 28-year-old suspect in Effurun. The incident, which occurred on Sunday, sparked outrage after a disturbing video surfaced online on Tuesday showing the moment the restrained suspect was shot. In the video, the victim identified as Mene Ogidi is seen sitting on the ground with his hands tied behind his back before the officer, dressed in plain clothes, opens fire at close range. Police spokesperson in the state, Bright Edafe, confirmed the development, stating that the officer has been transferred…

A police officer has shot dead a restrained suspect in Delta State, triggering outrage after a disturbing video of the incident surfaced online. The footage, which lasts under two minutes, shows the suspect sitting on the ground with his hands tied behind his back. He is heard pleading with officers not to shoot him, insisting he was misled by a friend. The suspect, later identified as 28-year-old Mene Ogidi, begged in Pidgin English, offering to lead officers to the alleged accomplice in Sapele. “Officers, abeg, I go tell you everything. Na my friend deceive me… I go carry you go…

The global oil market is entering a volatile phase as Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) struggles to absorb the shock of a major member’s exit while geopolitical tensions escalate across the Middle East. Fresh warnings from United Nations Conference on Trade and Development suggest the ongoing regional conflict is no longer just political, it is rapidly evolving into a wider economic threat with global consequences. Oil prices reflected the tension, climbing above $110 per barrel amid stalled efforts to reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global crude supply. At the centre of the disruption…

Paris St-Germain, PSG came out on top in a nine-goal thriller against Bayern Munich at the Parc des Princes to take a slim advantage in their Champions League semi-final. Five goals were scored in a breathless first half before the mayhem continued in the second period when holders PSG began to pull away, opening up a three-goal lead. But Bayern, already crowned Bundesliga champions and pushing for a Treble, cut the deficit to one to set up a scintillating second leg in Munich. As the two top-scoring sides in the competition this year, it was only fitting that the buoyant…

Tension is rising in Kwara State as terrorists holding 176 abducted residents of Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area have issued a chilling ultimatum to the Federal Government. The attackers warned they would begin killing the captives within one week if their demands are not met, according to the community’s traditional ruler, Salihu Bio. Bio, whose wife is among those abducted, disclosed that the threat was communicated to families after a Jumu’ah prayer session held by the captors on Friday. He said one of the victims was permitted to contact her relatives on Saturday, confirming that all abductees were…

Air travellers across Nigeria are facing fresh disruption as airlines struggle with the shortage of Jet A1 aviation fuel, forcing flight delays, cancellations and overnight suspensions. At Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, dozens of passengers were left stranded after a United Nigeria Airlines flight from Abuja to Benin was repeatedly rescheduled. Flight UN0572, initially billed to depart at 12:20 p.m., was first delayed to 4:20 p.m. Passengers waited for hours with no clear communication before another announcement shortly before 7:00 p.m. pushed the departure to 7:00 a.m. the following day. The development left many travellers stranded at the airport overnight, with…

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered an accelerated hearing in the high-stakes trial of six individuals accused of plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik fixed April 29, April 30, May 4 and May 5 for the commencement of trial proceedings, alongside hearings on bail applications filed by the defendants. At the resumed session, the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), told the court the prosecution was ready to proceed, noting that witnesses were available, depending on the court’s schedule. However, the court ruled that the trial would begin before any consideration of…

The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has unveiled a comprehensive reform of Nigeria’s fire safety sector, aimed at eliminating substandard equipment from the market while creating more than 150,000 jobs for Nigeria’s youth. The project, titled the ‘Nigeria Fire Extinguisher Control’ (NFEC) initiative, is a collaborative effort with the Federal Fire Service under the leadership of Controller General Olumode Adeyemi. It seeks to overhaul the regulation, distribution, and maintenance of fire safety tools across the federation. Describing the current proliferation of fake, expired, and poorly maintained extinguishers as a “long-standing threat to public safety,” the Minister warned that many…