Author: Opalim Lifted

The South African government has declared Tuesday, June 30, a normal working day despite planned nationwide anti-immigration protests and calls by civic groups for undocumented migrants to leave the country. In a statement posted on its official X account, the government said public services, schools and businesses would continue operating as usual, urging residents to rely only on verified government information. The announcement comes as anti-immigration groups, including the March and March Movement and Operation Dudula, mobilise supporters for demonstrations over illegal immigration, unemployment, crime and pressure on public services. The groups have declared June 30 as a deadline for…

Nigerian troops have rescued 10 students abducted during Monday’s terrorist attack on Government Day Secondary School in Lassa, Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, while efforts continue to rescue the remaining victim. The students were writing the National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examination when suspected ISWAP terrorists stormed the school, firing sporadically and forcing students and teachers into the bush. According to a statement by Capt. Mohammed Goni, Acting Military Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, troops launched an immediate air and ground rescue operation after receiving reports of the attack. He said the Theatre Command deployed…

Cody Gakpo was denied an emotional winner as Morocco came from behind to beat the Netherlands on penalties in Monterrey to showcase their World Cup credentials and reach the last 16. Morocco dominated much of the game but were thwarted by inspired goalkeeping from Bart Verbruggen and the woodwork before Gakpo, who had announced the loss of his unborn son on Saturday, smashed home 18 minutes from time after a lightning-fast break. But in a grandstand finish, Issa Diop thumped home a stoppage-time header, sending the game to extra time and ultimately penalties. The Dutch missed three of their spot-kicks,…

WhatsApp has announced the introduction of usernames, a new feature designed to give users more privacy by allowing them to connect without sharing their phone numbers. In a statement released on Monday, the instant messaging platform said phone numbers are personal and users may not always want to disclose them when starting a conversation. “Your phone number is personal and sometimes you want to connect without handing it over. That’s why we’re introducing usernames for WhatsApp,” the company said. According to WhatsApp, users can begin reserving their preferred usernames this week ahead of the feature’s full launch later this year.…

Gabriel Martinelli scored a dramatic 95th-minute winner as Brazil came from behind to beat Japan and set up a World Cup last-16 tie against Norway or Ivory Coast. With just seconds left, Brazil won possession back on the edge of the Japan box and Bruno Guimaraes slipped the ball into Martinelli, who took a touch before slotting in off the post. It was a heartbreaking end for Japan, who had more than matched Brazil in the first half and battled valiantly in the second, but Carlo Ancelotti’s side kept pushing and got their reward in final moments. Japan were comfortable…

“We need innovative mechanisms to finance healthcare systems” – Former VP Osinbajo Former Vice President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has called for innovative healthcare financing models to help address the country’s growing healthcare funding challenges, saying government spending alone cannot meet the sector’s needs. Speaking at a high-level roundtable organised by Future Perspectives, in partnership with the Gates Foundation, Osinbajo stressed the need for sustainable financing solutions to improve access to quality healthcare across Nigeria. The event was held in Lagos on June 10, 2026, and brought together government officials, development finance institutions, investors, healthcare executives and capital market…

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the establishment of the National Snakebite Treatment and Research Centre alongside health procurements worth N73.9 billion aimed at improving access to essential medicines and strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system. The approvals were announced on Monday by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, after the weekly FEC meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu. Pate said Nigeria records an estimated 43,000 snakebite cases every year, with the North-East, North-West and North-Central regions accounting for the highest number of incidents. According to him, the new centre will provide specialised treatment for snakebite victims,…

The Federal Government says it is working with oil marketers and regulators to ensure that declines in global crude oil prices are reflected more transparently in the pump price of petrol across Nigeria. Speaking to journalists after Monday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu, Taiwo Oyedele, minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy, said the government is seeking a balance between protecting consumers and ensuring downstream operators remain commercially viable. According to Oyedele, marketers often increase pump prices quickly when crude oil prices rise because of replacement costs, but are slower to reduce prices…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed money laundering charges against Ahmed Dikko and Jimoh Yisawu, former managing directors of the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) and Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC), over the alleged diversion of funds released for the rehabilitation of Nigeria’s refineries. According to a report by Premium Times, the anti-graft agency filed separate charges against the two former refinery chiefs at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Abuja on June 22. Dikko is facing a 12-count charge, while Yisawu is facing an eight-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering,…

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has appealed for calm ahead of planned nationwide anti-immigrant protests, warning that anyone engaging in violence or criminal acts will face the full weight of the law. The demonstrations, scheduled for Tuesday, are being organised by anti-immigrant groups demanding the removal of undocumented migrants from the country. In a statement issued on Monday, Ramaphosa stressed that while South Africa’s Constitution guarantees the right to peaceful protest, that right does not extend to violence or intimidation. His appeal comes amid a resurgence of xenophobic tensions that have seen several protests turn violent in recent months. Organisers…