Author: Opalim Lifted

Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football at the age of 39, bringing an end to one of the most remarkable careers in Argentina’s history. Messi, who captained Argentina to victory at the 2022 World Cup and the 2026 final, confirmed his decision on Monday. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner leaves the national team as Argentina’s record appearance-maker and leading scorer, with 125 goals in 207 appearances. His international career was marked by years of disappointment before a dramatic turnaround. After losing the 2014 World Cup final and successive Copa America finals, Messi finally won his first major…

Obafemi Martins, the former Super Eagles striker, says Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Tinubu, is the individual who can “change” Nigerian football. Martins spoke on Monday in a chat with Mikel Obi on ‘The Obi One Podcast’. The former Inter Milan forward was reacting to the ongoing crisis rocking the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), which has seen a series of resignations and reshuffles in recent days. Martins said Nigerian football administration had been a problem since he was a player, and he volunteered Seyi as the best man to clean up the system. The 41-year-old said the president’s…

Liverpool have completed the signing of France forward Bradley Barcola from Paris St-Germain for a fee worth up to £123m. PSG initially valued the 23-year-old at £145m, but Liverpool will pay an initial £106m plus £17m in potential add-ons. Barcola has signed a five-year contract to become the fifth new arrival at Anfield this summer, following the signings of winger Victor Munoz and defenders Jeremy Jacquet, Ronald Araujo and Ifeanyi Ndukwe. “It took a long time but I’m really happy today to be able to play for Liverpool and all I want is to be on the pitch and be…

Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has declared the activities of a group reportedly operating as Hisbah illegal in the state, ordering security agencies to immediately halt its operations. Mutfwang’s Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday following reports of the group’s activities in parts of Jos North Local Government Area. According to Bere, the governor’s directive followed allegations of intimidation, harassment, extortion and the imposition of unauthorised rules on residents. Mutfwang warned those involved to stop the activities or face arrest and prosecution in accordance with Nigerian law. The governor stressed that…

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Federal Government and the Department of State Services (DSS) to immediately withdraw all charges against journalist and activist Omoyele Sowore, describing them as bogus. SERAP also called on the government to end the continuous harassment and intimidation of Sowore over the peaceful exercise of his human rights. Deputy Director of the group, Kolawole Oluwadare, said the reported decision by the DSS to seek an adjournment of Sowore’s case until after the 2027 presidential election does not address the fundamental issue. According to SERAP, the charges should never have been brought…

The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has demanded an apology from the Department of State Services (DSS) and the withdrawal of the alleged cybercrime case against him. Sowore made the demand during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Monday, where he accused the secret police of subjecting him to a wrongful trial. The development followed a directive by the DSS for its counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, to seek an adjournment of the case until after the 2027 presidential election. Sources familiar with the matter said the move was intended to allow Sowore…

The Department of State Services (DSS) has directed its counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, to seek an adjournment of the alleged cybercrime case against African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, until after the 2027 presidential election. According to a source familiar with the matter, the move is intended to allow Sowore to fully participate in the electioneering process without the court proceedings hindering his political activities. The DSS instituted the case over social media posts in which Sowore described President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal”. The posts, published on Sowore’s X account and Facebook page on August 25, 2025,…

As political campaigns for Nigeria’s 2027 general elections gather momentum, a viral message urging voters to reject campaign gifts such as money, rice, spaghetti and other food items has struck a chord with Nigerians. The message calls on politicians to campaign with their records rather than material handouts, urging voters to demand “truth, accountability and real results” instead of promises and speeches. “Don’t allow anybody to come and campaign with money, rice, spaghetti, or taliya,” the message reads. “Let them campaign with what they have truly done for the community — not empty promises and lies.” The message comes as…

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of replacing its genuine candidates for the 2027 Anambra State House of Assembly election with “impostors”. In a statement on Sunday, NDC National Chairman Moses Zuwoghe alleged that 10 names published by INEC were not authorised or submitted by the party. Zuwoghe said the alleged substitutions were particularly troubling because they occurred in Anambra, the home state of the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi. He alleged that the names were inserted into INEC’s system without the party’s approval. “I, as Chairman of the Party and custodian of…

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State has called for stronger security around churches and mosques following the abduction of Muslim worshippers in Borgu Local Government Area. Bulus Yohanna, CAN chairman in Niger State and Catholic bishop of Kontagora Diocese, made the call during his homily at St Michael Catholic Cathedral, Kontagora, on Sunday. According to Channels TV, Yohanna urged security agencies to increase protection around places of worship, especially during Friday Juma’at prayers and Sunday services. His call followed the abduction of worshippers in Dekara district of Borgu during Friday prayers on August 21. Suspected terrorists reportedly…