Author: Opalim Lifted

The Northern Christian Association (CAN) in the 19 States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has commended the swift clarification by the Zamfara Government on the alleged forceful conversion of a lady to Christianity, while urging for vigilance and synergy on religious matters. The Northern CAN acknowledged the public statement by the Zamfara State Government debunking reports concerning the alleged subsequent arraignment of Zainab Muhamadu before a Shari’ah Court over the religious conversion. The Northern CAN Chairman, Reverend Joseph Hayab, and Secretary General, Bishop Muhammed Naga, in a statement on Thursday, commended the government’s swift response in addressing the concerns…

Ace Nigerian rapper, Ruggedman has reportedly been detained at the state criminal investigation department (SCID) in Panti, Yaba. In an Instagram post on Thursday, human rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu alleged that the rapper’s detention stemmed from an ongoing dispute with the Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN). Gwamnishu claimed that Ruggedman, whose real name is Michael Stephens, is currently being maltreated in police custody without proper investigation. “Ruggedman is currently detained at State SCID Panti on the instructions of a Deputy Commissioner of Police over PMAN issues,” he said. “No proper investigation has been concluded. He and others are…

Aliko Dangote, founder of the Dangote Group, has revealed that the Nigerian government gets 52 kobo revenue from every N1 generated from the production and sale of Dangote Cement. Dangote recently disclosed this at the 2025 Taraba International Investment Summit on May 21. “I’m sure it might be shocking to you to know that the federal government of Nigeria, not even the state, makes more money from, for example, our cement business. For every N1 we turn around, 52 kobo goes to the federal government of Nigeria,” the entrepreneur said. He said governments benefit from investments, whether private or public,…

A federal judge in the United States has blocked the department of homeland security order barring Harvard University from enrolling international students. Jeffrey White, the US district judge, halted the decision as Kristi Noem, secretary of the department of homeland security, made the order public on Thursday. White also barred the US government from arresting, incarcerating or transferring foreign students elsewhere, pending the outcome of a lawsuit challenging the termination of the legal status of several such students. Between March and April, over 4,700 international students had their permission to study in the US cancelled abruptly. Some two dozen students…

President Bola Tinubu has stated that politicians defecting from opposition parties to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are ‘bailing from a sinking ship’. The president spoke in Abuja on Thursday at the APC’s national summit, noting that the party is driving the aspirations of Nigeria. “Before I skip: I just need to tell those ones saying a one-party system is no good that one party is ruling and driving the aspirations of Nigerians,” he said. “Where do they stand? You don’t blame people bailing out of a sinking ship when they have no life jacket. I am glad of…

President Bola Tinubu has charged the newly inaugurated board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) to consolidate ongoing economic reforms and reposition Nigeria’s oil and gas sector for global competitiveness. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony on Thursday at the State House, Abuja, Tinubu said he deliberately selected board members with sterling reputations and proven industry expertise, describing them as the “best the industry can offer.” “When I started searching, it took a while to come up with the kind of character that you represent. You have the reputation, resourcefulness and experience to help the country. It is…

The Donald Trump-led United States government has restricted Harvard University from enrolling international students. Kristi Noem, secretary of the department of homeland security, announced the decision in a statement issued on Thursday via X. Noem cited the university’s failure to stem “violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus” as reasons for the “harsh penalty”. “This decertification also means that existing aliens on F- or J- non-immigrant status must transfer to another university in order to maintain their non-immigrant status,” the statement reads. Harvard University has been embroiled in a funding row with the Trump administration,…

President Bola Tinubu has asked the National Assembly to approve N1.48 trillion as the 2025 budget for Rivers state. Tinubu’s request was read by Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house of representatives, during plenary on Thursday. Senate President Godswill Akpabio also read the letter on the floor of the red chamber. In the breakdown, Tinubu said N324 billion is proposed for infrastructure, N166 billion for the health sector, N75.6 billion for education, and N31.4 billion for agriculture. The president asked the house to consider and pass the appropriation bill expeditiously. On April 3, Ibok-Ete Ibas, the sole administrator of Rivers,…

The Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) has formally endorsed President Bola Tinubu as the sole candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 presidential election. Hope Uzodimma, governor of Imo state and chairman of the forum, announced the decision on Thursday at the APC summit in Abuja. Speaking on behalf of the forum, Uzodimma said the governors were united in their support for Tinubu’s re-election bid. “That for Nigeria to get to her destination faster in prosperity, that the president should be used and adopted as our flag bearer for 2027 presidential election, for a second term in office,”…

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced a fresh reduction in the pump prices of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) nationwide. The new rates now range from ₦875 to ₦905 per litre, depending on location. A breakdown of the revised prices shows, Lagos:₦875, South-West ₦885, North-East: ₦905, North-West & Central: ₦895, and South-South & South-East: ₦905 Prices indicate a ₦15 reduction per litre across all regions and partner retail outlets, applying to all major fuel marketers in partnership with the refinery, including MRS, Ardova, Heyden, Optima Energy, Techno Oil, and Hyde Energy. Before the new price template, Lagos residents paid ₦890 per…