Author: Opalim Lifted

The Supreme Court of Nigeria has imposed a N5 million fine on a former presidential candidate, Ambrose Owuru, for harassing President Bola Tinubu with frivolous and vexatious suits. Owuru, who contested the 2019 presidential election against former President Muhammadu Buhari on the platform of the Hope Democratic Party (HDP), was ordered to pay N5 million to Tinubu. Justice Uwani Musa Aba-Aji issued the order against the former presidential candidate while dismissing his fresh suit praying for the removal of Tinubu as Nigeria’s President. Apart from the N5 million fine, the apex court ordered its Registry not to accept any frivolous…

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of eight new permanent secretaries in the Federal Civil Service. Bayo Onanuga, presidential spokesperson, said the secretaries are appointed to “fill existing and impending vacancies in some states and geopolitical zones”. The new permanent secretaries are Onwusoro Maduka Ihemelandu (Abia state), Ndiomu Ebiogeh Philip (Bayelsa state) and Ogbodo Chinasa Nnam (Enugu state). Others are Anuma Ogbonnaya Nlia (Ebonyi state), Kalba Danjuma Usman (Gombe state), Usman Salihu Aminu (Kebbi state), Oyekunle Patience Nwakuso (Rivers state) and Nadungu Gagare (Kaduna state). Onanuga said the secretaries were appointed “after a diligent selection process” by the office…

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the renaming of the University of Abuja (UniAbuja) to Yakubu Gowon University. Mohammed Idris, the minister of information, spoke at the 14th council meeting of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which is the last for 2024. Idris said the renaming of UniAbuja is to honour General Yakubu Gowon (retd) who recently celebrated his 90th birthday. The minister emphasised that the proposal to rename the university will be forwarded to the national assembly for formal approval, ensuring that the change is officially recognised. Yakubu Gowon is a retired Nigerian military officer who served as the head…

The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced 16 days of free train rides across the country for Nigerians travelling to celebrate Christmas with their families. Mohammed Idris, minister of information and national orientation, said the free train rides will commence on December 20. Idris said the initiative aims to cushion the impact of transportation costs, particularly for vulnerable Nigerians. “As we did last year, there will be free train service to all Nigerians from December 20 up until January 5, free train service nationwide,” Idris said. “This is consistent with the President’s desire to cushion the effect of transportation, especially…

President Bola Tinubu says the final investment decision (FID) of Shell and its partners on the Bonga north deepwater project, which is worth $5 billion, demonstrates a milestone for Nigeria’s energy sector. Earlier today, Shell announced an FID on the deepwater offshore project in Nigeria. In a statement on Monday by Bayo Onanuga, presidential spokesperson, Tinubu welcomed the announcement of the FID on the deepwater offshore field. Speaking on the development, Tinubu said the renewed hope agenda primarily focuses on attracting investments to transform the Nigerian economy and deliver prosperity to the people. “We designed our policies and reforms from…

Ademola Lookman has been crowned the 2024 African Footballer of the Year in a historic event that confirmed his status as one of the best players in the world in the current calendar year. The announcement was made during a glittering ceremony in Marrakech, Morocco, celebrating the finest talents in African football. The Super Eagles of Nigeria forward shook off competitions from South Africa’s Ronwen Williams, Cote d’Ivoire’s Simon Adingra, Achraf Hakimi of Morocco, and Guinea striker Serhou Guirassy to win the price. The Atalanta forward had a sensational year, dazzling fans with his incredible skill, blistering pace, and clinical…

Super Falcons of Nigeria safe hands, Chiamaka Nnadozie, has once again been crowned the CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year for 2024. Nnadozie was crowned at the award ceremony in Marrakech Morocco, winning it for the second successive year after her last year victory. This solidifies her reputation as one of the finest shot-stoppers in world football. The Paris FC of France goalkeeper beat competitions from fellow goalkeepers, Sanaa Mssoudy of Morocco and Babra Banda of Zambia. Nnadozie played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s impressive campaign at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and was instrumental in Paris…

The Nigerian women’s national football team, Super Falcons, have been crowned National Team of the Year at the CAF Awards 2024. The Super Falcons were crowned at the CAF Awards ceremony currently holding in Marrakech Morocco. This feat, announced on Monday has further cemented their dominance and excellence in African football. The Nigerian team won the award ahead of Banyana Banyana of South Africa and Atlas Lionesses of Morocco who were the other teams in contention for the Women’s National Team of the Year. The President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Gusau, who received the award dedicated it to…

Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo), a subsidiary of Shell plc, has announced a final investment decision (FID) on Bonga North, a deep-water project off the coast of Nigeria. The project will sustain oil and gas production at the Bonga facility, the company said in a statement on Monday. Bonga North currently has an estimated recoverable resource volume of more than 300 million barrels of oil equivalent (boe) and will reach a peak production of 110,000 barrels of oil a day, with first oil anticipated by the end of the decade. “This is another significant investment, which will…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned a former managing director of the defunct Bank PHB Plc (now Keystone Bank Limited), Francis Atuche, and two others before the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos on a nine-count charge bordering on conspiracy to commit felony and forgery. Atuche and the two others, Nnosiri Joachim (also known as Ifeanyi) and Uguru Onyike were arraigned before Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe. When the charge was read to the defendants, they all pleaded not guilty. Prosecution counsel, Fanen Anum, told the court that the matter is starting de novo and therefore asked the…