Author: Opalim Lifted

Police arrested more than 400 people in Istanbul on Thursday, with parts of Turkey’s biggest city paralysed in a bid to prevent May Day demonstrations, a lawyers group said. On Wednesday city authorities closed metro, bus and ferry services in the metropolis and arrested 100 people who were allegedly planning to protest in the city’s central Taksim Square, where demonstrations have been banned since 2013. This year’s May Day comes as the government is embroiled in a showdown with the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CPH), following the detention of its presidential candidate Ekrem Imamoglu. Imamoglu, who is Istanbul’s mayor,…

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ola Olukoyede, has declared a no-nonsense stance on budget theft, revealing that the Commission is closely tracking the 2025 budget implementation by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to ensure that allocations are not looted. Speaking on Tuesday, 29 April, during a courtesy visit by Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) to EFCC headquarters, Olukoyede lamented Nigeria’s dismal capital budget performance, citing years of under-25% implementation despite full releases. “If we can do even 50 percent of our capital budget, Nigeria will be fine infrastructure-wise,” he stated. “We’re monitoring…

United States Department of States has restated its resolve to continuously deliver in line with President Donald Trump’s vision to make the country great again, listing tremendous gains not only on the continent but also across the globe. During a press briefing to mark the Trump’s 100 days in office, the spokesperson, Tammy Bruce, noted that the Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, had advanced the administration’s foreign policies. She said: “As I said in my first briefing, Secretary Rubio promised to deliver a foreign policy grounded in President Trump’s vision – one that would make America stronger, safer, and more…

At a high-powered Executive Leadership retreat hosted by the new Ghanaian government in Ada, Ghana, former Nigerian Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, delivered a rousing keynote that drew applause and reflection in equal measure. Earlier in the day, Ghana’s President John Mahama and Nigeria’s ex-President Goodluck Jonathan had laid the groundwork with powerful addresses that challenged Africa’s leaders to rise to the moment. But it was Osinbajo’s sharp insights, drawn from years at the helm of Africa’s largest economy, that truly electrified the room. Speaking on ethical leadership, economic transformation, and the role of integrity in governance, Osinbajo struck a…

In a bold stride towards reshaping Africa’s debt landscape, former Nigerian Vice President and African Leaders Debt Relief Initiative (ALDRI) envoy, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, led a high-level dialogue exploring viable debt relief strategies for the continent. Osinbajo held discussions with two heavyweight global economic voices—Mr. Trevor Manuel, celebrated anti-apartheid stalwart and former South African Minister of Finance, and Mr. Mahmoud Mohieldin, the UN Secretary-General’s lead expert on debt matters. The meeting zeroed in on sustainable solutions to Africa’s mounting debt burden, with Osinbajo championing the need for a more equitable international financial framework. “The current global debt architecture must evolve…

Former Nigerian Vice President and Global Advisor, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, made a compelling appearance on the global stage during the 2025 IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington DC, spotlighting climate action and debt reform as central pillars for sustainable development in Africa and beyond. On the sidelines of the high-level summit, Osinbajo participated in a pivotal Business Meeting on Country Platforms, jointly hosted by the Presidential Climate Council (PCC), the World Resources Institute (WRI), and the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP). The discussions centred on aligning international financial support with climate-resilient growth strategies in emerging economies. In…

Former Nigerian Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, made a powerful return to the global stage as he delivered a keynote address at the Global Forum on Partnership for Anticorruption, held at the World Bank Headquarters in Washington DC. Osinbajo joined an influential panel discussion on the critical role of elected and political office holders in the fight against corruption, offering insightful perspectives shaped by years of public service at Nigeria’s highest levels. His co-panelists included Ecuador’s Attorney General, Ms Diana Salazar; Senator Amara Konneh of Liberia; and his former advisor and ex-Attorney General of Ogun State, Akingbolahan Adeniran. The session…

Legendary juju musician Sunday Adeniyi Adegeye, popularly known as King Sunny Ade (KSA), has responded to swirling rumours of his alleged abduction, reassuring fans that he is safe and in good health. The speculation was sparked after Damilola Esther, one of the 78-year-old icon’s children, raised alarm over his whereabouts late Monday. In a series of Instagram posts, she accused her stepbrother, Dayo, of allegedly detaining the musician and exploiting him financially. However, another of King Sunny Ade’s sons, Emperor, debunked the allegations on Tuesday morning. In a viral video obtained by this Chronicle NG, King Sunny Ade dismissed the…

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested popular businessman E-Money over allegations of naira abuse and defacement of foreign currencies. The socialite, born Emeka Okonkwo Daniel, was arrested at his Omole, Lagos residence in the late hours of Monday. E-Money’s arrest was said to have stemmed from a viral video showing him spraying American dollars at a social event, an act that violates the Foreign Exchange Act. An EFCC insider revealed that preliminary investigations are ongoing, and he will be charged to court as soon as the probe is concluded. When contacted, Dele Oyewale, EFCC spokesperson,…

Prime Minister Mark Carney pledged on Tuesday to defeat the United States in Donald Trump’s escalating trade war, after leading the Liberal Party to a remarkable electoral comeback and securing another term in office. Following a campaign dominated by Trump’s tariffs and annexation threats, Carney promised to forge “a new path forward” in a world “fundamentally changed” by a United States now openly hostile to free trade. “We are past the shock of America’s betrayal, but we must never forget its lessons,” said Carney, the former governor of both the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, who entered…