Author: Opalim Lifted

Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, commended the over two decades of global healthcare funding and support that Africa’s most populous country, has been enjoying to date. Pate acknowledges that for decades, Norway has been a leader in global health and a driving force in reducing unfair health disparities globally. The health minister raised concerns as quoted in the Altinget report: “Now, as budgets are tight and experts call for a new focus, politicians face a crucial choice: Will Norway continue to lead the way?” A LOT AT STAKE “As Africa’s most populous country, Nigeria,…

President Bola Tinubu on Friday commended the Nigeria Governors’ Forum for their unanimous support of the four tax reform bills presently being reviewed by the National Assembly. The President noted that the dialogue between the NGF and the Presidential Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy Reform highlights the power of constructive conversation in resolving differences. He said “Thursday’s productive consultation between the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and the Presidential Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy is a commendable example of cooperation between the Federal and State governments.” Tinubu particularly extended special commendations to the Chairman of the Governors’ Forum, Kwara State…

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has returned to management after more than three years in the wilderness to take charge of Besiktas. The 51-year-old hasn’t held a managerial role since being axed by Manchester United in November 2021 following a shock 4-1 defeat at Watford. At this stage last year, the Norwegian was in talks about returning to football to take charge of Sweden’s national team, but ultimately missed out to Jon Dahl Tomasson. But he is now set to finally step back in the dugout of a club as he prepares for a new chapter in Turkey. After announcing talks with…

Belgium head coach Domenico Tedesco has been sacked after less than two years in charge. The Italian-German had been under pressure following a series of disappointing results, with his side winning just two of their past 10 games. Tedesco’s last match in charge saw Belgium slump to a 1-0 Nations League defeat against Israel in November and meant the Red Devils finished third in their group. In a statement, the Belgian FA said the national team “did not perform as we hoped” in the Nations League and at Euro 2024, where they lost to France at the last-16 stage. Tedesco…

Pep Guardiola said on Friday that Erling Haaland’s new nine-and-a-half-year contract at Manchester City is “exceptional news” for the Premier League champions. The 24-year-old striker’s existing deal was due to expire in June 2027 but he has now committed his future to the club for the next decade. The Norwegian made an instant impact after arriving in Manchester from Borussia Dortmund in 2022 and his overall tally for the club stands at a remarkable 111 goals in 126 games. Haaland’s decision to commit his long-term future to Man City is a major coup for the club during a season in…

Former Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is in talks to become the new head coach of Besiktas. If the 51-year-old Norwegian is appointed it will be his first managerial position since being sacked by United in 2021. Besiktas, who are sixth in the Turkish Super Lig, parted ways with Dutchman Giovanni van Bronckhorst in November. “Our company has started negotiations with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for the position of Football A team technical director,” the club said in a statement. That is the head coach role that Van Bronckhorst previously held. Former striker Solskjaer replaced Jose Mourinho on an interim…

Newly recruited prison workers in the UK — including many from Nigeria — are reportedly seen camping or sleeping in their cars to save on accommodation. The recruitment of foreign workers was part of measures to address the shortage of personnel to oversee the UK’s overcrowded prisons, Telegraph reported. The service is for the first time sponsoring skilled worker visas for overseas workers after a change in the rules enabled them to recruit from abroad. The service governors said many of the recruits came from Nigeria and included not only skilled workers but also those switching from other visa routes.…

Amad Diallo scored a stunning late hat-trick as Manchester United turned what seemed certain to be a humiliating defeat into a thrilling victory over Southampton at Old Trafford. United appeared to be heading for a fourth consecutive top-flight home defeat for the first time since 1930 as they laboured badly trying to overcome a Southampton side who had won just once all season and suffered a 5-0 home loss to Brentford on their last league outing. But Diallo, a week after signing a new five-and-a-half year contract, had other ideas. The Ivorian, moved into an attacking role from the wing-back…

The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted former acting Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Anamekwe Nnabuoku, bail in the sum of N500 million, with two sureties each providing a similar sum, in relation to accusations of his involvement in N1.96 billion fraud. This was revealed via a ruling by Justice James Omotosho, on Wednesday, January 15. In his ruling on Anamekwe Nnabuoku’s bail application, Justice James Omotosho, following arguments presented by his lawyer, Isidore Udenko, directed that the sureties must own landed property within Abuja and provide affidavits of means. Justice Omotosho specified that each property should be valued…

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated six distinguished Diaspora Nigerians named by President Joe Biden among the 400 recipients of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) in the United States. This prestigious recognition, established by former President Bill Clinton in 1996, is the highest honour bestowed by the United States government on outstanding scientists and engineers in the early stages of their careers. This year’s awardees, announced by Biden on January 14, 2025, are employed or funded by 14 participating United States government agencies. Tinubu, in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga on Thursday, Tinubu…