Author: Opalim Lifted

Adeola Ajayi, the director-general (DG) of the Department of State Services (DSS), says Christopher Musa, the chief of defence staff (CDS), was denied a Canadian visa because he underestimated him. He joked. Ajayi was reacting to comments made by the CDS regarding his visa application to the Canadian high commission, which was unsuccessful. The CDS spoke at the maiden annual lecture of the Alumni Association of the National Institute for Security Studies (AANISS) in Abuja. Musa had narrated how he and other top military officers were supposed to be in Canada for an official assignment but were denied visas. “Every disappointment…

A federal high court in Lagos has reaffirmed that the arrest warrant issued against Ezekiel Onyedikachi, the former manager of gospel singer Mercy Chinwo, remains valid. Onyedikachi is accused of diverting approximately $345,000 in royalties due to Chinwo without remitting them. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) obtained the arrest warrant from Alexander Owoeye, the judge, on January 16, following an ex-parte application. The commission alleged that Onyedikachi had converted the royalties for his personal use without Chinwo’s knowledge or consent. Bilikis Buhari, the EFCC counsel, told the court that the prosecution was unable to effect service of the…

Personnel from the Department of State Services (DSS), accompanied by Nigeria Police, on Monday morning, raided the Lagos State House of Assembly, sealing off the offices of the Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, her Deputy, and the Clerk of the House. The raid, which took place at dawn, has sent shockwaves across political circles in the state. By 10:00 AM, armed security personnel had taken control of the Assembly premises at Alausa, Ikeja, and were thoroughly frisking passersby. Meranda, however, arrived at the premises at approximately 11:15 AM with her convoy. The exact reasons behind the action remain unclear, but sources suggest…

Former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, criticized Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, and other senior military officers after they were denied visas by the Canadian Embassy. Odinkalu remarked that the CDS and the top officers who are outraged about being denied visas to attend the Invictus Winter Games should be ashamed of themselves. He questioned the rationale behind sending a delegation of over 70 officers, led by the Chief of Defence Staff, to Canada for the Invictus Winter Games while Nigeria is grappling with severe insecurity. Odinkalu also questioned when…

Seplat Energy Plc, an indigenous oil and gas producer, is settling down to business in Akwa Ibom State with its successful acquisition of the assets and liabilities of ExxonMobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited last year. It was one of the protracted corporate purchases in Nigeria’s oil industry lasting well over five years. ExxonMobil had operated in the state for over 50 years (It started as Mobil and in November 1999, merged with Exxon to form ExxonMobil) and had become an important part of Akwa Ibom community until it was bought last year for $1.3 billion by Seplat. To make its presence…

The Nigerian government has rejected the proposal to create a new department in the African Union (AU) out of the existing department of political affairs, peace, and security. Nigerian diplomat Bankole Adeoye heads the department of political affairs, peace and security. Adeoye won reelection for another term at the 38th ordinary session of the assembly of the heads of state and government, which ended on Sunday. President Bola Tinubu said Nigeria supported the idea of reforming the union but argued that creating another department out of an existing one would increase spending. “We do not support the proposal to reconfigure…

Anuoluwapo Opeyori has won the men’s singles at the 2025 All-African Senior Badminton Championship.  The 27-year-old defeated Egypt’s Adham Elgamal in the final on Sunday inside the Gymnase de Japoma in Duoala, Cameroon. Opeyori eased past the Egyptian to a 21-7 win for the first set. But the Nigerian had to work harder to claim the second set with his opponent reinvigorated. The set ended 23-22, with both players pushed all the way. The triumph is Opeyori’s fifth continental title. He has won the last four consecutive gold in the men’s singles. Anuoluwapo Opeyori first won a gold medal in…

PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc says it will convert a N51.79 billion ($34,26 million) intercompany loan from its UK-based parent company, PZ Cussons Holdings (PZCH), into equity as part of a financial restructuring. In a document published on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) on Saturday, but dated February 13, 2025, the company said 2.19 billion new ordinary shares at N23.60 per share will be issued to PZCH. The move was approved at a special board meeting on February 13. According to the manufacturer of personal healthcare products, the conversion will increase PZ Cussons Nigeria’s share capital from N1.99 billion to N3.08…

Chimamanda Adichie, the award-winning author, has welcomed twins with her husband at age 47. The boys, born in April 2024, were revealed during her interview with The Guardian on Saturday. The writer revealed she kept the birth of her twin from the public to “protect” them. She said that Nigerians’ curiosity about people’s personal lives makes her even more reluctant to share. “I want to protect my children. I’m okay with having them mentioned, but I don’t want the piece to become about them,” she said. “So, here is the thing, Nigerians are sosy. They want to know about your…

Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi on Sunday, visited the Lekki residence of the late Afenifere leader, Pa Ayodele Adebanjo, extend their condolences to his family. The visit came two days after the death of the 96-year-old Yoruba socio-cultural leader, who passed away on Friday at his Lagos home. Other notable visitors included former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel, Labour Party’s Lagos governorship candidate Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, and human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi. In an X post, Rhodes-Vivour described the visit…