Author: Opalim Lifted

President Bola Tinubu has signed the south-west and south-south development commission bills into law. Benjamin Kalu, deputy speaker of the house of representatives, made the announcement during plenary on Wednesday. “No mechanism is too much to trickle down development and dividends of democracy to the grassroots,” Kalu said. “I am sure that with these development commission, the impact of this administration will be felt by the grassroots. “We thank Mr president for completing it to the entire geo-political zones.” PDP governors take Tinubu, Senate to Supreme Court over Fubara’s suspension The six geo-political zones in the country now have commissions…

George Akume, secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), said President Bola Tinubu is committed to addressing challenges in national policy execution across government institutions. Akume spoke on Tuesday at a stakeholders’ validation session on the ‘Draft National Policy Development and Management Framework’, in Abuja. The event was organised by Hadiza Bala Usman, special adviser to the president on policy and coordination. The SGF noted that the current administration recognises that effective governance depends on structured and well-implemented policies. Akume said the lack of coordination among ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) has been a major hindrance to Nigeria’s policy…

Rena Wakama has been named the new assistant coach at Chicago Sky of the US Women’s National Basketball Association (NWBA). Wakama, current head coach of the D’Tigress, Nigeria’s national women’s basketball team, was announced into her new role in a statement by Chicago Sky on Tuesday. The 32-year-old US-born coach is the third assistant hired by Chicago Sky to support Tyler Marsh, the head coach. Wakama joins the duo of Courtney Paris and Tanisha Wright as assistants ahead of the 2025 WNBA regular season starting in May. Speaking on her appointment,  Wakama expressed eagerness to work with her team at…

Oby Ezekwesili, former Minister of Education, has given her account of the altercation with Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, the lawmaker representing Ebonyi North, during a Senate Ethics Committee hearing. Earlier on Tuesday, the two politicians clashed during the Senate panel’s hearing on a fresh petition submitted by Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the suspended senator representing Kogi Central. Tensions flared when the former minister told Nwaebonyi, the Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, to “shut up” during the proceedings. Speaking in an interview with Arise TV, Ezekwesili explained that the Senate panel had stated the case was sub judice as it was already before the…

Contractors working on federal projects nationwide have called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the payment of outstanding debts owed by the Federal Government.   Accusing the government of intentionally delaying project funding, they urged the President to instruct the Finance Minister, Wale Edun, to fast-track the release of funds to settle their dues. They emphasised that the failure to disburse payments has not only forced them to abandon project sites but is also exacerbating their financial losses. Speaking on behalf of the contractors on Tuesday, Austin Emegwagwa revealed that the last payments were made in October 2024. He stated…

A last-minute goal from Tawanda Chirewa denied Nigeria victory as Zimbabwe secured a 1-1 draw in their Group C World Cup qualifier on Tuesday. Victor Osimhen had put Nigeria ahead in the 73rd minute with a well-placed header from Ola Aina’s cross. The Super Eagles appeared to be heading for three points until Chirewa struck in the 90th minute, slipping past defenders and toe-poking the ball under goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali. The match, played at the Godswill Akpabio stadium in Uyo on Tuesday, saw Nigeria dominate possession and create several chances. Tolu Arokodare, who replaced Samuel Chukwueze in the 59th minute,…

Interpol has announced the arrest of 306 suspects linked to cybercrime scams as part of Operation Red Card, conducted between November 2024 and February 2025 across seven African countries, the BBC News Pidgin edition reported on Tuesday. The operation targeted mobile banking, investment, and messaging app scams, uncovering more than 1,500 victims. “The arrests are part of Operation Red Card, conducted from November 2024 to February 2025, aimed at disrupting cross-border criminal networks causing significant harm to individuals and businesses,” BBC quoted Interpol as saying. “Authorities in seven African countries have arrested 306 suspects and seized 1,842 devices in an…

The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Sylvester Nwakuche as the comptroller-general (CG) of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS). The approval followed the presentation of a report by the senate committee on interior, chaired by Adams Oshiomhole, senator for Edo north, who moved the motion for Sylvester Nwakuche’s confirmation at Tuesday’s plenary. Titus Zam, senator representing Benue north-west, seconded the motion. Presenting the committee’s findings, Oshimohole said the nominee was “thoroughly” screened on March 12. “The committee found the nominee as one with an impeccable character, full of exposure, experience, intellect, energy, drive and worthy of the nomination,” Oshiomhole said.…

A bill seeking to make the court of appeal the final arbiter for the determination of governorship election petitions has scaled second reading at the house of representatives. The bill, sponsored by Nnamdi Ezechi, lawmaker representing Ndokwa east/Ndokwa west/Ukwuani federal constituency of Delta state, seeks to alter section 246 of the 1999 constitution. Currently, section 246 of the constitution states that the decisions of the court of appeal in respect of litigations arising from the national, state houses of assembly election petitions shall be final. The bill intends to alter that provision of the constitution to include governorship elections. In…

President Bola Tinubu has extended his congratulations to former President Goodluck Jonathan for being honoured with the 2025 Sunhak Peace Founders’ Award. In a statement issued on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu praised Jonathan for his unwavering commitment to peace and democracy, calling it a patriotic endeavour that has garnered international acclaim. “The President remarked that Dr Jonathan’s receipt of the Sunhak Peace Award underscores his courageous contributions to peacebuilding and the advancement of democracy across Africa and beyond,” the statement read. Tinubu also highlighted Jonathan’s historic decision to accept the outcome of…