Author: Opalim Lifted

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections, said he was blocked from visiting Benue by the state government. In a statement on Monday, Hyacinth Alia, governor of Benue, said he could not guarantee the safety of any individual or group visiting the state without approval from relevant authorities. Speaking about the development, Obi, who intended to visit both Plateau and Benue states to support the internally displaced persons (IDPs), expressed his frustration over the situation. Obi said he had scheduled his visit to Plateau on Sunday, April 13, and Benue on Monday, April…

Antoine Semenyo’s goal after just 53 seconds was enough for Bournemouth to beat Fulham and claim their first Premier League victory in almost two months. The Cherries enjoyed a lightning-fast start at Vitality Stadium as Semenyo bent a cool finish past Bernd Leno after snatching possession from Antonee Robinson. Evanilson should have doubled the hosts’ lead 15 minutes later, but the Brazilian smacked Alex Scott’s cutback off the crossbar from close range. Fulham lacked a clinical edge, with Rodrigo Muniz, Ryan Sessegnon and Joachim Andersen all missing solid chances to grab a leveller before the break. Despite charging forward and…

President Bola Tinubu has given marching orders to the Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, to summon the necessary political will to resolve the crisis and establish enduring peace. The president has also expressed profound sorrow over the recent bloodshed in the state, a tragedy that has claimed the lives of over 40 individuals. A statement issued by the presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, stated that President Tinubu, who strongly condemned the violence, extended his sympathies to Mutfwang, the state government, and the people of Plateau. In his call for harmony among the people of Plateau State, President Tinubu emphasised the importance…

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has announced the expansion of its Contactless Biometric Passport Application System to several countries in the Americas. In a recent statement by ACI AS Akinlabi, Service Public Relations Officer at NIS Headquarters in Abuja, confirmed that the service under Comptroller General Kemi Nandap is rolling out the next stage of implementation across Brazil, the United States, Mexico, and Jamaica this month. The contactless system, which enables Nigerians living abroad to renew their travel document without physically visiting passport offices for biometric enrollment, went live in the United States on April 11. Mexico, Brazil and Jamaica…

Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command have uncovered a car theft syndicate operating in Abuja, following a swift response to a distress call over a stolen vehicle. In a statement by the Command’s spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, the police revealed that the operation began on April 11, after the Durumi Division received a report of a stolen Toyota Corolla (2005 model, gold colour) with registration number KUJ 208 DA. The vehicle had been taken from the owner’s residence. According to Adeh, acting swiftly, officers tracked the car to a workshop in Durumi, where it was discovered being…

In a diplomatic engagement aimed at strengthening US-Nigeria ties, President Bola Tinubu met with Mr. Massad Boulos, Senior Adviser for Africa in US President Donald Trump’s administration, in Paris. The high-level discussion centred on forging a robust economic and security partnership between Nigeria, the African continent, and the United States. According to Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, the talks underscored a shared commitment to regional stability, mutual prosperity, and deepened cooperation anchored in mutual respect. Boulos conveyed Trump’s keen interest in enhancing direct engagement with Nigeria, describing the West African nation as a pivotal…

Newcastle United strengthened their push for a Champions League spot in the absence of unwell boss Eddie Howe with a crushing win over Manchester United at St James’ Park. Newcastle boss Howe was admitted to hospital on Friday having felt unwell for a number of days. Assistants Jason Tindall and Graeme Jones took charge against United and the players responded with a fine performance as they recorded a first league double over their opponents since the 1930-31 campaign. United boss Ruben Amorim dropped first-choice goalkeeper Andre Onana after his two mistakes against Lyon in Thursday’s 2-2 Europa League quarter-final first-leg…

Jadon Sancho’s stunning late goal capped a second-half fightback as Chelsea recovered from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Ipswich at Stamford Bridge. Enzo Maresca was facing surely the worst defeat of his tenure when Julio Enciso’s tap-in and Ben Johnson’s header put struggling Ipswich in sight of a famous win that would have kept alive their faint hopes of avoiding relegation from the Premier League. Chelsea hit back and reduced the arrears in the first minute after half-time, Marc Cucurella’s presence at the near post forcing an own goal from Axel Tuanzebe, before Sancho sent relief around the…

Mohamed Salah celebrated his new contract with another Premier League record as Liverpool moved to within two wins of clinching the title despite a lacklustre 2-1 victory over West Ham. Two days after top-flight defenders had to come to terms with the prospect of another two years of torment from the Egypt international, the Hammers’ 19-year-old wing-back Ollie Scarles found himself in the firing line. Scarles was turned inside and out by Salah, whose cross for Luis Diaz’s 18th-minute effort was his 45th Premier League goal involvement (27 goals, 18 assists) and the most in a 38-game season. Salah, favourite…

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, “to immediately withdraw the repressive bill for an act to amend the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, which seeks to regulate the activities of bloggers operating within the ‘territorial boundaries of Nigeria.” SERAP urged Mr Akpabio and Mr Abbas “to ensure that any amendment to the Nigeria Data Protection Act promotes and protects the rights of bloggers and other journalists and does not undermine the fundamental human rights of Nigerians.” SERAP also urged Mr Akpabio and Mr…