Author: Opalim Lifted

Jeering International Limeira fans provoked Neymar to score the first “olimpico” of his career, the Brazil international said on Sunday after guiding Santos to a 3-0 win in the Paulista Championship. He netted directly from a corner in the 27th minute, bending in a right-footed shot which struck the far post and ended up in the goal. The 33-year-old also provided two assists for Tiquinho Soares score a first-half double. “They teased me and I said, now I’m the one who’s going to score the goal,” the Brazilian told TNT Sports. The home fans also taunted Neymar in the ninth…

The Donald Trump administration has begun the mass dismissal of United States Agency for International Development (USAID) employees. In a statement on its website, the agency said 1,600 personnel in the US will be affected by the layoffs. “As of 11:59 p.m. EST on Sunday, February 23, 2025, all USAID direct hire personnel, with the exception of designated personnel responsible for mission-critical functions, core leadership and/or specially designated programs, will be placed on administrative leave globally,” the statement reads. “Concurrently, USAID is beginning to implement a Reduction-in-Force that will affect approximately 1,600 personnel with duty stations in the United States.”…

In the annals of Nigeria’s security history, few stories are as compelling as the recent transformation of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). Once perceived as a secondary security agency, the NSCDC has undergone a remarkable metamorphosis under the leadership of the Minister of Interior, Hon. Minister Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and the visionary support of President Bola Tinubu. The NSCDC, established in 2003 and granted full paramilitary status in 2007, was initially tasked with protecting critical national infrastructure, disaster management, and community safety. However, over the years, the Corps faced numerous challenges, including inadequate funding, outdated equipment, and…

The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) has raised an urgent alarm over a diesel supply crisis caused by an ongoing strike by the Petroleum Tanker Drivers, a branch of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas  (NUPENG) Workers. ATCON President, Mr. Tony Emoekpere, disclosed in a statement sighted by Chronicle NG on Sunday that the fuel supply disruption is critically affecting telecom base stations, pushing them to the brink of a shutdown and threatening millions of mobile and internet users in the region. “This strike, which stems from the persistent harassment of tanker and petroleum product drivers…

Nigerians living in the United Kingdom have protested against rising cases of certificate of sponsorship scams in the country. Some UK-based Nigerians assembled on Marsham Street in London to participate in the protest on Thursday. A live video on TikTok showed a woman, Christiana Olabisi, aka Ferrari, with a megaphone, as she called on victims of the scams to join in the demonstration. She said, “No more scamming. Enough is enough. Whether you like it or not, all of you are going to get reported. “We are here waiting for you, for those of you still wanting to join the…

Liverpool tightened their vice-like grip on this season’s Premier League title as they extended their lead to 11 points with a comfortable victory at Manchester City. The leaders had already seen their position strengthened when Arsenal lost at home to West Ham on Saturday before moving into what looks like an unassailable position with a superb display against the fallen reigning champions. City opened brightly but were caught cold by a clever Liverpool corner routine after 14 minutes, Mohamed Salah scoring his 30th goal of the season after Dominik Szoboszlai played Alex Mac Allister’s delivery into his path. Salah repaid…

Alexander Isak scored his 50 Premier League goal as a rampant first-half performance from Newcastle United helped them beat Nottingham Forest at St James’ Park. Forest took an early lead through Callum Hudson-Odoi before Newcastle took control of the game with four goals in 11 frantic first-half minutes to go in 4-1 up at half-time. Lewis Miley and Jacob Murphy scored in quick succession to stun Forest, before Isak struck twice in the space of two minutes. Isak’s second – his 19th goal of the season – saw him reach the 50-goal mark in just 76 Premier League appearances, quicker…

Former Arsenal and Manchester United striker Robin van Persie has been appointed as Feyenoord’s new head coach. The 41-year-old, who retired from playing in 2019, has left fellow Dutch side Heerenveen to take charge of the club he had two spells at as a player, making 122 appearances for them and scoring 46 goals. Van Persie was also assistant coach at Feyenoord under Dick Advocaat and worked with their youth teams before taking charge of Heerenveen in May last year. The former Netherlands international leaves the club ninth in the Eredivisie after winning seven of his 23 games in charge.…

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) over its recent decision to increase Automated Teller Machine (ATM) transaction fees. SERAP argues that the fee hike is “unlawful, unfair, unreasonable, and unjust” and seeks a court order to stop its implementation. The suit, filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos under case number FHC/L/CS/344/2025, challenges the CBN’s directive, which imposes a N100 charge per N20,000 withdrawn from ATMs located outside bank branches, with additional surcharges of up to N500 for withdrawals at shopping centres, airports, and standalone cash points.…

Olympique de Marseille are no strangers to being trailblazers in French football and they have set yet another benchmark by becoming the first Ligue 1 club to establish an amputee football team. This new side will play their first French championship match at the weekend in a four-team league which includes amputee teams set up by Ligue 2 clubs Annecy and Paris FC. Bouaye complete the league. “When I was able-bodied, it was a dream to come and play here (for OM),” Marseille captain Jerome Raffetto, 45, whose former career in Ligue 2 was ruined by a road accident in…