Author: Opalim Lifted

Security forces have arrested an alleged notorious bandit and kidnapper at the hajj camp in Abuja. A source at the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) told TheCable that the suspect, identified as Yahaya Zango, was arrested by security operatives, including the Department of State Services (DSS), on Sunday during the screening of intending pilgrims. The suspected bandit is linked to multiple kidnapping incidents. On May 12, NAHCON completed the airlift of intending pilgrims in four states to Saudi Arabia. A total of 64,188 Nigerians are expected to take part in this year’s pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. Police dismiss viral…

The Flying Eagles of Nigeria defeated Egypt 4-1 on penalties to claim bronze at the U20 African Cup of Nations tournament. In the match played at the 30 June stadium, the Flying Eagles came from behind to hold Egypt to a 1-1 draw in regulation time before forcing penalties, where they triumphed. The Flying Eagles stomped on the tournament hosts in the penalty shootout to finish the tournament as the third-best nation, consigning the Junior Pharaohs to defeat in the losers’ final. Still downcast from their semi-final loss to South Africa, the Nigerian side conceded in the third minute when…

Victor Osimhen scored as Galatasaray defeated Kayserispor 3-0 at the RAMS Park to clinch the Turkish Super Lig title on Sunday. The crowd favourite scored the opener that led Galatasaray to a 25th league title. It was also the Istanbul club’s third title in a row. Osimhen set the party in motion with his goal in the 26th minute, rising highest to finish off Gabriel Sera’s cross with a header. Baris Yilmaz doubled the lead three minutes later as the champions went into the interval with a healthy two-goal lead. Fernando Muslera, the veteran goalkeeper who will be leaving the…

President Bola Tinubu arrived in Rome, Italy, on Saturday to attend the inauguration mass of Pope Leo XIV, the 267th bishop of Rome and head of the Catholic Church. Shortly after his arrival, Tinubu shared photos from the Vatican, including images from a dinner held in his honour. In a post on his official X handle, the president said he was hosted to the dinner by Pietro Parolin, a cardinal and secretary of state to the Vatican. “Upon my arrival in Rome ahead of the solemn Mass marking the beginning of the Pontificate of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, I…

President Bola Tinubu has called on Nigerians to transform the nation’s diversity into a powerful force for stability and economic growth. Speaking in Rome on Sunday during a meeting with members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, Tinubu emphasised that unity across ethnic and religious lines remains critical to Nigeria’s development. “If we use our diversity not for adversity but for prosperity, the country’s hope is stability and progress,” said Tinubu, who is in Rome to attend the installation mass of Pope Leo XIV. The President, a Muslim, described the moment as historic, noting the significance of leading Nigeria…

Pope Leo XIV formally began his reign on Sunday by reaching out to conservatives who felt orphaned under his predecessor, calling for unity, vowing to preserve the Catholic Church’s heritage and not rule like “an autocrat”. After a first ride in the popemobile through an estimated crowd of up to 200,000 in St. Peter’s Square and surrounding streets, Leo was officially installed as the 267th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church at an outdoor Mass. Well-wishers waved U.S. and Peruvian flags, with people from both countries claiming him as the first pope from their nations. Born in Chicago, the 69-year-old…

President Bola Tinubu has arrived in Rome, Italy, to attend the installation of Pope Leo XIV at St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican on Sunday. A statement by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, said President Tinubu was received at the Mario De Bernardo Military Airport by Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, and officials from Vatican City and the Nigerian Embassy after the plane touched down at 6 pm local time. Tinubu is in Rome at the invitation of Pope Leo XIV, who was elected by the College of Cardinals during a conclave held 17 days after the…

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has issued a Freedom of Information request to the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mr. Bayo Ojulari, demanding a full public explanation regarding the alleged disappearance of N500 billion in oil revenue between October and December 2024. The call follows a recent World Bank revelation that out of N1.1 trillion generated from crude oil sales and other income during that period, the NNPCL remitted only N600 billion to the Federation Account, leaving a shortfall of N500 billion unaccounted for. In the request dated 17 May 2025…

Abdullahi Bello, chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), has asked Nigerians to report public servants living above their means. Speaking in an interview with Daily Trust, Bello said the bureau will soon launch a platform for Nigerians to submit such complaints. “One of the first things I did upon assumption of duty was to establish a forensic accounting and financial investigation unit within the bureau,” he said. “I previously worked with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and I understand the importance of technical analysis. “What this unit does is to examine public officers’ asset declarations, comparing…

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has finally dismantled longstanding barriers that have kept millions of Nigerians in the diaspora disconnected from their homeland’s financial system. With the official launch of the Non-Resident Bank Verification Number (NRBVN) yesterday in Abuja, the CBN has systematically removed the obstacles that once restricted Nigerians abroad from making seamless and cost-effective financial transactions to Nigeria. This transformative initiative is already generating excitement among Nigerians living overseas, who see it as a long-awaited dream come true. With the NRBVN, they can now carry out financial transactions from anywhere in the world as if they were…