Author: Opalim Lifted

The African Union (AU) will launch the African Credit Rating Agency (AfCRA) on October 7 in Mauritius, in what it describes as a major step towards strengthening Africa’s financial sovereignty. The AU announced the planned launch in a post on X on September 2, saying the agency would challenge what it described as skewed risk perceptions that have led African countries to pay higher risk premiums when accessing global capital. The agency, headquartered in Mauritius, is expected to provide context-driven credit assessments for African sovereign and corporate entities. “The African Credit Rating Agency (AfCRA), headquartered in Mauritius, is created to…

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has dismissed a petition seeking an investigation into alleged “systemic kidnappings in Nigeria as crimes against humanity”. The petition was rejected by Pre-Trial Chamber II on September 1, 2026, amid continuing concerns over kidnapping incidents across the country. The decision was issued by a three-member panel comprising Rosario Salvatore Aitala, presiding judge, Sergio Godínez and Haykel Mahfoudh. According to the decision published on the ICC website, the court’s registrar transmitted the petition, filed by an unnamed individual, to the president of the Pre-Trial Division on August 24, 2026. The petition was titled, “Formal Communication Requesting…

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has decried the worsening cost-of-living crisis in Nigeria, saying young Nigerians should be building careers and businesses rather than selling their kidneys to survive. Atiku, in a post on his official X account, criticised the economic situation under President Bola Tinubu, citing reports that some desperate young Nigerians are selling kidneys for as little as ₦1.7 million to raise money for food, rent and school fees. The 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said the situation should “offend the conscience of every Nigerian”. “Young people should be selling dreams, ideas and innovation, not…

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) to grant Adeniyi Adeyemi, Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), access to his lawyers while in custody. Justice Obiora Egwuatu issued the order on Thursday while ruling on a fundamental rights suit filed by Adeyemi. However, the court declined to order his release, grant him bail or allow him access to medical treatment without first hearing from the respondents. The judge directed the IGP, the police and the AGF to show cause within 72 hours why the…

At least 43 people have died after inhaling toxic fumes during an alleged illegal fuel siphoning operation in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State. The incident occurred around midnight on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at Okari Jetty in Okrika Mainland, where a vessel was reportedly loading petroleum products for export. Sources in the community said more than 200 youths from neighbouring communities arrived in wooden boats and attempted to siphon fuel through an illegally connected tapping point on a pipeline linked to the facility. Witnesses said the victims were exposed to concentrated chemical fumes while loading the product into…

Two workers have been rescued alive from a tunnel linked to a hydropower station in Nepal, nine days after a devastating glacier collapse unleashed ice, rock and mud through the Trishuli River valley. The dramatic rescue on Friday offered a rare moment of hope as search teams continued looking for survivors following the August 26 disaster, which has killed more than 1,300 people and left thousands missing. Officials and rescue workers believe the collapse trapped at least 900 people inside tunnels connected to six hydropower projects along the Trishuli River. Kabir Maharjan and Sanjay Sah were pulled from a tunnel…

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has praised President Bola Tinubu’s democratic credentials, saying his administration has created an environment where a ruling party can lose a state election without “the sky” falling. Sanwo-Olu spoke on Thursday at Freedom Online’s seventh annual lecture held at the Sheraton Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos, where he discussed Nigeria’s democracy and preparations for the 2027 elections. The governor pointed to the August 15 Osun governorship election as evidence of Tinubu’s commitment to democratic principles. The election was won by incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke, who contested on the platform of another party and defeated the All…

Argentina’s football authorities have announced a nationwide tribute to Lionel Messi following the superstar’s decision to retire from international football. The Argentine Football Association (AFA) said all football matches across the country this weekend will be paused in the 10th minute of the first half for a 60-second round of applause in honour of Messi’s international career. The tribute will apply across men’s and women’s divisions and disciplines. “For the upcoming matchday across all men’s and women’s divisions and disciplines, matches will be paused in the 10th minute of the first half for a minute of applause in recognition of…

Nigerian journalist and public affairs analyst Oluwafemi Popoola says Atiku Abubakar’s fresh push on subsidy and economic relief is creating a new political headache for Tinubu ahead of 2027, while Peter Obi could be losing ground. Popoola, a Nigerian journalist and columnist who previously served on the media strategy team of former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, made the observation in a recent viral article published by TheCable titled, “Atiku’s Subsidy Gambit: Tinubu Has a New 2027 Problem.” He argued that Atiku’s renewed focus on fuel prices, foreign exchange, transportation and the rising cost of living could give the former vice-president…

Nigeria has denied allegations that it backed the recent failed coup attempt in Niger Republic, describing the claims as baseless and mischievous. The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, made the clarification in a statement issued yesterday in response to social media claims that the coup attempt was backed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and, by implication, the Nigerian government. The government said the claims were “baseless, irresponsible” and a deliberate attempt to misinform the public and damage Nigeria’s reputation. Enikanolaiye stressed that Nigeria is a peace-loving nation committed to constitutional order, democracy…