Author: Opalim Lifted

Lere Olayinka says Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), remains the political leader of Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers state. Olayinka, Wike’s senior special assistant on public communication and social media, spoke on Wednesday when he featured on Prime Time, a programme on Arise TV. “Fubara is a leader, but leaders have leaders. I am a boy now to somebody but there are people who are also boys to me. The person that I am a boy to is also a boy to somebody,” he said. “Fubara is a leader, but Fubara has a leader and that…

Tottenham overcame yet another injury setback to reach the last 16 of the Europa League as teenage record-breaker Mikey Moore sealed victory over Elfsborg. Tottenham, who were already without 12 players because of injury and ineligibility, lost substitute defender Radu Dragusin when he went down hurt in the second half with the game goalless. But substitute Dane Scarlett, 20, lifted the mood by heading the home side into a 70th-minute lead before 19-year-old fellow substitute Damola Ajayi made it 2-0. Seventeen-year-old winger Moore then fired his first goal for the club in the fourth minute of stoppage time, a wonderful…

Man United advanced straight to the Europa League last 16 as Kobbie Mainoo scored one and assisted another to help Ruben Amorim’s side to a win at FCSB. After a relatively drab first 60 minutes in Bucharest Mainoo’s low pass found wing-back Diogo Dalot, who was unmarked at the back post to comfortably tap Man United ahead. Eight minutes later the England midfielder got on to the scoresheet by side-footing home Alejandro Garnacho’s cut-back. Amorim opted to start Mainoo in a more advanced position and the midfielder rewarded the Portuguese’s call with his first goal of the season, having not…

Rotimi Amaechi, former minister of transportation, says President Bola Tinubu and other members of the political class would not cede power to the younger generation without a fight. Amaechi added that politicians often resort to extreme measures to win elections. The former governor of Rivers spoke in Abuja at a national conference on strengthening democracy in Nigeria, organised by the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development. Amaechi harped on the need for political vigilance, warning that power must be fought for, while urging Nigerians to always safeguard their votes if they intend to achieve a semblance of credible leadership.…

Steven Gerrard has left his post as Al-Ettifaq manager by mutual consent, the Saudi Pro League club said on Thursday, after a run of two wins and eight losses in 14 league games left the club languishing in 12th place in the standings. The former Liverpool and England midfielder joined the Saudi side in July 2023 on two-year deal, which was later extended by another two years. Al-Ettifaq came sixth under Gerrard last season, having finished in seventh spot before his appointment. “Gerrard has honoured the club and for that he will never be forgotten. This decision, which we have…

Bisi Akande, a former governor of Osun state, has claimed that the #EndSARS protest of 2020 was “manufactured” by the ‘Obidient’ movement to stop the presidential ambition of Bola Tinubu. ‘Obidients’ are supporters of Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election. Akande spoke in an interview with Edmund Obilo which was posted on YouTube. The All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain also claimed that the #EndSARS protest was conceived in and funded from the United States. “EndSARS was aimed and designed to be the end of Tinubu. Those behind the EndSARS knew what they were…

Nasir El-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna state, has issued a riposte to Daniel Bwala, the special adviser on policy communication to President Bola Tinubu. On January 28, El-Rufai criticised the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for “straying away from its core values”, adding that he does not recognise his political party any longer. “I am the founding member of the APC. But frankly, I no longer recognise the APC. No party organ has met in two years — no caucus, no NEC, nothing. I don’t even know if it is a one-man show. It is a zero-man show,” El-Rufai said…

Liverpool teenager Amara Nallo learned a harsh lesson as he was sent off four minutes after coming off the bench to make his senior debut in the Champions League game at PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday. The 18-year-old was shown a straight card for hacking down Johan Bakayoko in the 87th minute of Liverpool’s 3-2 defeat, their first in this season’s competition. It gave him the dubious distinction of becoming the youngest ever Liverpool player to be sent off. “It is cruel but he has never played first team football before and to make your debut in the Champions League is…

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) says its members will embark on a nationwide protest on February 4 to kick against the 50 percent telecommunications tariff increase. On January 20, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) granted approval to telcos for a 50 percent tariff hike. Joe Ajaero, president of NLC, criticised the federal government for approving the hike in tariffs and described it as a “clear assault” on Nigerian workers’ welfare. In a statement on Wednesday, the labour body said the federal government should immediately suspend the increase in the tariff. According to Channels TV, Ajaero said the protest would serve…

President-General, Nigeria Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has expressed support for the establishment of an Independent Shariah Arbitration Panel in Ekiti and Oyo states. But the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, condemned the attempt to introduce Sharia in the Southwest, saying it is alien to Yoruba culture and religious beliefs. The 20th Sultan of Sokoto and the spiritual leader of Nigeria’s Muslims also expressed concern about the spate of intolerance and disregard for the rights of Muslims, especially in the southern part of the country. He noted that Muslims…