Author: Opalim Lifted

Nigeria’s era as Africa’s largest fuel importer has ended following increased output from the Dangote refinery, according to Bloomberg. Citing an energy consultancy firm in a report on Wednesday, Bloomberg said the title is now held by South Africa, where operational fuel production capacity has shrunk. Elitsa Georgieva, executive director at CITAC, an energy consultancy, told the publication that Nigerian imports are dropping due to Dangote’s continued operation. “Since the beginning of this year, South African imports have been consistently highest in sub-Saharan Africa,” she said. According to Bloomberg, the shift illustrates the ambition of several African nations, including Uganda…

The Super Eagles of Nigeria defeated Ghana 2-1 in the semi-final of the 2025 Unity Cup. An early strike from Cyril Dessers and an own goal from Razak Simpson drowned out a second-half response from Brandon Thomas-Asante in a pulsating match at the G-tech stadium in London, UK, on Wednesday. Unity Cup is a four-nation exhibition tournament, but the arch-rivalry between Nigeria and Ghana transcended the friendly connotation of the match. The stadium started buzzing way before the first whistle even went for the latest instalment of the West-African derby. Eric Chelle, Super Eagles head coach, handed appearances to three…

A pilgrim from Zamfara state has delivered a baby in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, during the 2025 hajj exercise. The development that has sparked concerns over breaches of health regulations. Saudi Arabia and the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) have consistently warned that pregnant women should not participate in the pilgrimage due to its strenuous nature and the risk of medical emergencies. Despite the warnings, cases of Nigerian haji evading pregnancy screening continue to emerge. The 2025 guidelines issued by the Saudi ministry of health prohibit participation by women in their final two months of pregnancy or those with high-risk…

Tony Elumelu, chairman of United Bank for Africa (UBA), has acquired over 45 million shares in the financial institution. Bili Odum, group company secretary, announced the transaction in a regulatory filing on the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) on Tuesday. Odum said 45,034,044 shares were acquired on May 23 at N34.3 each – bringing the total transaction value to approximately N1.53 billion. In 2023, Elumelu raised his shares in UBA by 161.9 million to 2.54 billion (direct and indirect) from 2.38 billion in 2022. On May 25, 2024, the business mogul announced plans to further increase his stake in the company.…

Fans of Chelsea and Real Betis have clashed ahead of Wednesday’s Conference League final in Polish host city Wroclaw, authorities said, warning they would clamp down hard on violence. Footage on social media showed fans in the city centre hurling chairs at each other and taking part in running battles on Tuesday evening. Polish police said they were attempting to identify fans involved in one incident and had detained a Spanish citizen after a scuffle on Tuesday night. A further three Spaniards were detained in the early hours of Wednesday after they took down UEFA Conference League Final flags. Last…

A Federal High Court in Kaduna has ordered Nasir El-Rufai, former governor of the state, to pay N900 million in damages for the arbitrary arrest and detention of nine elders from the Adara community, Kajuru LGA, in 2019. Hauwa’u Buhari, the presiding judge, on Tuesday, delivered the judgment in a fundamental human rights suit filed by one of Adara elders. The Case On March 22, 2024, Awema Dio Maisamari, one of the elders and a former president of the Adara Development Association (ADA), filed a suit for the enforcement of his fundamental human rights. Maisamari had prayed for an order…

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that Israel had eliminated Hamas Gaza chief Mohammad Sinwar, one of its most wanted targets and the younger brother of the deceased group’s leader, Yahya Sinwar. Mohammad Sinwar had been the target of an Israeli strike on a hospital in southern Gaza earlier this month and Netanyahu said on May 21 that it was likely he had been killed. “We eliminated Mohammad Deif, (Ismail) Haniyeh, Yahya Sinwar and Mohammad Sinwar,” Netanyahu said, confirming the death to the Israeli parliament, known as the Knesset. “In the last two days we have been in…

Mohamed Salah says he can play until he is 40 years old and is still in talks about a possible future move to the Saudi Pro League. The Liverpool forward, 32, had a superb season, scoring 29 goals and delivering 18 assists as the Reds won the Premier League title. Sources told BBC Sport that Salah was in line to earn at least £500m in Saudi Arabia before he decided to sign a new contract at Anfield last month after a season of speculation. Speaking to Egyptian television channel ON Sports, external before supporters were injured when a car ploughed…

Lamine Yamal has signed a new six-year Barcelona contract following a breakout season in which he helped the Catalan club win a domestic treble. The 17-year-old Spain winger’s existing deal was set to expire at the end of the 2025-26 season but his new contract keeps him with Barca until 2031. Yamal, who made his Barca debut as a 15-year-old in 2023, scored 18 goals and made 25 assists in 55 appearances as Barca won La Liga, the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup in Hansi Flick’s first season as manager. Barca said Yamal signed the new contract on…

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai, Nigerian soldiers repelled a coordinated attack by Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists on the New Marte area in Borno state. The attack began at 1:35am on Tuesday, with personnel of the army and air force engaging the insurgents in a duel. According to the Nigerian Army, the attack resulted in the death of “several assailants”, with two soldiers also killed. “In a joint land and air operations, troops of Operation Hadin Kai defeated a BH/ISWAP night attack on New Marte, Borno State in a gruelling battle that commenced at 1:35 am this…