Author: Opalim Lifted

Over the years, many Nigerians have tragically lost their lives in preventable stampedes. Shoddy planning, poor organisation, impatience, desperation, and other factors have contributed to these avoidable disasters in large gatherings.  Innocent lives have been lost prematurely in stampedes, ranging from church events to food distribution and recruitment exercises. Food distribution is the major driver of all of these stampedes. In the last three days, at least 65 persons have lost their lives in stampedes that occurred during food distribution events in Anambra, Oyo, and the federal capital territory (FCT). In Oyo state, over 35 persons, mostly children, died on…

The death toll from the stampede in Anambra State has risen to 22, the local authorities said on Sunday. Spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, Tochukwu Ikenga, said the police have commenced an investigation into the incident. Ikenga, a Superintendent of Police, said those who sustained injuries are receiving medical treatment. “The commissioner of police, Nnaghe Obono Itam, visited the hospital where the victims of the tragic stampede that occurred on 21/12/2024 in Okija, Ihiala local government area, are receiving treatment and regrettably stated that twenty-two people lost their lives,” Ikenga said. “The CP commiserates with family and friends…

Tyson Fury refused to accept he lost his rematch against unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk and claimed the judges gave his opponent a “Christmas gift”. All three judges scored the fight 116-112 in Usyk’s favour, handing the Ukrainian a second successive win over the Fury. Fury and his promoter Frank Warren were both adamant that the Briton had done enough to win the contest in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. “The judges gave him a Christmas gift,” Fury said. “I feel like I won both fights. I know I had to knock him out but it’s boxing and this happens. There is…

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, has banned unorganized distribution of palliatives and relief items in the country during the festive period over tragic stampedes. Egbetokun issued the warning while reacting to the recent stampedes in Oyo, Anambra, and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT. Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Force PRO, revealed this in a statement on Saturday. Recall that a tragic incident had occurred in Ibadan on Wednesday, where a stampede at a children’s fun fair resulted in the death of at least 35 children and left many others critically injured. Also, not less than 20 residents of the Okija community…

Oleksandr Usyk defeated Tyson Fury to retain his unified heavyweight world titles and prove his status as a generational great with another close points win in their rematch in Saudi Arabia. Having inflicted a first career defeat on Briton Fury by split decision in May, Usyk’s astuteness and will to win once again prevailed at Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena – and he retained his WBA (Super), WBC and WBO titles. Fury, 36, found success in the first half of the fight. Some of the more eye-catching shots came from the Morecambe fighter, but the volume of punches and cleaner work were…

Substitute Alexander Sorloth scored an injury-time winner as Atletico Madrid fought back against Barcelona to replace them at the top of La Liga. Pedri opened the scoring for Barcelona in the 30th minute, linking up with fellow Spain midfielder Gavi before slotting a low strike past Jan Oblak. Despite their dominance, the hosts couldn’t hold on and Rodrigo De Paul hammered home the equaliser on the hour mark after leaping on a mistake from Marc Casado. Barcelona were left to rue more missed chances when Sorloth slammed in Nahuel Molina’s cross in the sixth minute of injury time to give…

Vandals have once again destroyed the 330-kilovolt Shiroro-Katampe Transmission Line, plunging Nigerians in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, into darkness. A statement by the spokesperson of the TCN, Ndidi Mbah, on Thursday night, said at approximately 11:43 PM, the 330kV Shiroro-Katampe circuit lost supply on the grid. “The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) regrets to announce that its 330kV Shiroro – Katampe transmission line was vandalized on Wednesday, 18th December 2024. “At approximately 11:43 pm, the 330kV Shiroro – Katampe circuit lost supply on the grid. A trial reclosure was attempted, but the line tripped again immediately. “A TCN lines…

Nigeria will today receive its first dose of Mpox vaccines, 11, 200 donated by the United States of America and facilitated by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. A statement by Gavi’s CEO Dr Sania Nishtar on Friday said the vaccines have been shipped to Abuja, after an agreement signed in November by Gavi to facilitate the donation of 305,000 doses of mpox vaccine to support the global and continental response. On 24 September, the US announced its intention to donate up to 1 million doses to support the mpox emergency and began discussions to donate the first 305,000 of those through…

The Nigeria Police Force has announced the unveiling of the NPF Insurance Co. Ltd to safeguard the welfare of  personnel and extend comprehensive insurance services to the general public. Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi made the announcement in a statement on Friday. The Inspector-General Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun while commending the Board of Directors under the leadership of its Chairman, AIG Olufemi Adenaike (Rtd.), emphasised that the NPF Insurance Co. Ltd is poised to become a pivotal entity in Nigeria’s insurance landscape, offering innovative solutions and exceptional service to meet the evolving needs of all Nigerians by…

The 22nd National Sports Festival, tagged Gateway Games Ogun 2024, slated for January 12th, has been rescheduled to be held next year from May 16th – 30th, 2025. This was part of Thursday’s communiqué issued at the end of the Joint Technical Meetings held in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital. Reading the communiqué, the Secretary of the Main Organising Committee (MOC), Thecla Opara, said that the postponement has become necessary to effect some of the recommendations of the technical committee to have a world-class festival. “The committee agreed that in order to give some time to effect the observations and…