Author: Opalim Lifted

Nigeria’s presidential complex, Aso Rock Villa, is set to disconnect completely from the national electricity grid and operate on an independent solar power system as the Federal Government moves to tackle what it describes as an unsustainable annual electricity bill of about ₦47 billion. The transition follows the completion of the Aso Rock solar project, a mini-grid initiative approved under the administration of Bola Tinubu to provide a more reliable and cost-effective energy supply for the nation’s seat of power in Abuja. Speaking to lawmakers earlier this year, State House Permanent Secretary Temitope Fashedemi disclosed that the solar installation was…

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against NNPCL, seeking a court order compelling the company to account for approximately ₦5.9 billion allegedly spent on the incorporation, transition and rebranding of the former Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) into the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). According to SERAP, the sum comprises ₦2.9 billion reportedly paid by NNPC for incorporation expenses from petroleum product proceeds and another ₦2.9 billion charged by the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS) to crude oil revenue for the same purpose. In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1248/2026 and filed at the Federal…

Somali referee Omar Artan, who was denied entry to the United States to officiate at the World Cup, will still receive his full tournament fee. Artan was interrogated for 11 hours by US immigration authorities at Miami International Airport on Monday before being told he would not be allowed into the country after his diplomatic passport and single entry US visa were rejected. A US government official said Artan had not been allowed to enter the country because of an alleged “association with suspected members of terror organisations”. Artan said he had been questioned by border officials over his links…

Political communications strategist Laide James has unveiled an ambitious civic media initiative aimed at creating what is projected to become Africa’s largest platform for direct dialogue between voters and political office seekers ahead of Nigeria’s next general elections. The initiative, which comes amid growing concerns over declining public trust in politics, is designed to provide Nigerians with long-form conversations featuring presidential aspirants, governorship hopefuls, senatorial candidates, political party leaders, policy experts, and other key public figures. Analysts note that the scale, structure, and projected reach position the platform as the largest voter-to-candidate dialogue initiative in Africa. They add that measurable…

Nestory Irankunda became Australia’s youngest World Cup goalscorer as a youthful Socceroos upset Turkey. The Watford forward scored a fine first-half goal before Connor Metcalfe got the second to give Tony Popovic’s side the perfect start to their Group D campaign in Vancouver. Irankunda, at 20 years and 125 days, beat the record of Brett Holman, who scored against Ghana in 2010 when he was aged 26 and 84 days. Former Bayern Munich player Irankunda was one of 10 World Cup debutants for Popovic’s team in the youngest side in the tournament since France against Australia in 2018. Irankunda’s finish…

The New York Knicks defeated the ​San Antonio Spurs 94-90 on Saturday ‌to claim their first NBA championship since 1973. Jalen Brunson scored a game-high 45 ​points as the Knicks closed ​out the best-of-seven NBA Finals in ⁠five games, just days after ​completing the greatest comeback seen in the ​championship round. Brunson was named Finals MVP after his relentless performance helped New York come ​from behind to clinch the ​title on the road in front of a ‌strong ⁠contingent of traveling Knicks fans. The Spurs started strong once again and held several double-digit leads all night, but ​the ​Knicks crawled…

John McGinn repaid head coach Steve Clarke’s faith in him by firing Scotland to their first World Cup win in 36 years as they edged past Haiti on their return to the men’s tournament after a 28-year absence. Clarke said pre-match that the selection of Aston Villa captain McGinn instead of Ryan Christie was “probably the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make” and challenged the 31-year-old to prove him right. It is safe to say that sending his country to the top of Group C while taking a significant step towards reaching the knockout stage for the first time…

Vinicius Jr spared Brazil the embarrassment of defeat in an opening World Cup match for the first since 1934 as his spectacular solo goal earned a draw for the five-time winners against Morocco at the New York New Jersey Stadium. Brazil fell behind in the 21st minute when Ismael Saibari lifted the ball over the onrushing Alisson Becker from outside the area following a lapse in communication between the Liverpool goalkeeper and his defenders, Gabriel and Marquinhos. It was the first time the African champions had scored against South American opposition at the World Cup, having failed to do so…

Qatar scored a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser as they fought back to draw against Switzerland to claim their first-ever point at a World Cup finals. Boualem Khoukhi headed home Homam El Amin’s cross in the 94th minute to spark wild celebrations among Julen Lopetegui’s squad. It delivered a remarkable conclusion to a one-sided affair that Switzerland had dominated and had looked likely to be settled by Breel Embolo’s first-half penalty. The Switzerland striker fired in after Remo Freuler was clattered by Qatar goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada, although television replays appeared to show that the Bologna midfielder had strayed marginally offside in the…

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has confirmed the death of Rabe Abubakar, the retired general who died in bandit captivity. The former Director of Defence Information and his wife were abducted in May while travelling through Katsina State. On June 6, a video showing Abubakar and his wife appealing to the Katsina State Government to secure their release by facilitating the release of detained bandits and seized livestock surfaced online. On Saturday, the Katsina State Government confirmed that the retired general had died in captivity. Nasiru Mu’azu, the state commissioner for internal security and home affairs, said Abubakar died from complications…