Author: Opalim Lifted

Commemorating Over Two Years of His Active Return to Journalism Laolu Akande’s 35-year career is proof that journalism can be consequential both outside and inside government. From a newsroom under Sani Abacha’s junta to the White House and United Nations press corps, to the Vice President’s office in Aso Rock, and back to a Channels TV studio in December 2023, he has reported from every side of power. Two years into his active return to journalism with Inside Sources, the through line is clear: information is power, and Akande has spent a lifetime ensuring it flows to the people. From…

The Federal Government has opened applications for the second cohort of its Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme as part of efforts to improve skills development and create more job opportunities across the country. The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, recently announced the development via his X handle, describing the initiative as central to the administration’s human capital development agenda. “Today marks the opening of applications for the second cohort of our National TVET Programme, a key step in advancing human capital development,” he said. He noted that the programme recorded over 1.3 million applications during its first…

The Federal Government has opened Phase 2 of the FME TVET 2026 registration, offering Nigerian youths access to free technical and vocational training aimed at boosting employment and entrepreneurship. The programme, under the Federal Ministry of Education’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training initiative, is designed to equip participants with practical, job-ready skills while providing financial support during training. According to details released in the official guide, successful applicants will receive free tuition, monthly stipends ranging from ₦22,500 to ₦45,000, and recognised certification upon completion. Participants will also gain access to business loans, startup grants, and hands-on industry experience. Who…

Arsenal reached the Champions League semi-finals after fighting out a cagey goalless draw with Sporting at Emirates Stadium. The Gunners came into the game with a 1-0 lead from the first leg thanks to Kai Havertz’s late goal in Portugal last week and that strike was enough to see Mikel Arteta’s team take their place in the last four of the competition. Arsenal started the game in an extremely positive manner but despite the Gunners having more of the ball, it was visitors Sporting who came closest to scoring in the first half. Francisco Trincao, Pedro Goncalves and a loose…

Civil society groups have raised alarm over persistent disruptions affecting key digital platforms managed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), warning of risks to voter participation and transparency. Enough is Enough Nigeria and CivicHive have criticised INEC over what they describe as the “inaccessibility” of its Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) and IReV portals. In separate letters addressed to INEC chairman, Joash Amupitan, the groups demanded urgent clarification and greater transparency around the disruptions. EiE Nigeria, in a letter dated April 15, said it received widespread complaints from citizens unable to complete voter registration, schedule appointments, or replace lost or…

Guinness Nigeria Plc has announced an interim dividend of ₦2.00 per ordinary share for the quarter ended 31 March 2026, signalling a strong earnings recovery and renewed focus on shareholder returns. The company reported a profit after tax of ₦10.39 billion in Q1 FY2026, representing a 48 per cent year-on-year increase from ₦7.03 billion in Q1 FY2025. Earnings per share rose to ₦4.74, up from ₦3.21 in the prior period. Revenue grew by 4 per cent to ₦122.77 billion, while operating profit remained resilient at ₦17.18 billion, despite margin pressures. Notably, net finance costs declined significantly to ₦1.43 billion, from…

Rotimi Amaechi, former minister of transportation, has asked the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to elect a viable presidential candidate capable of defeating President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections. Speaking at the ADC convention on Tuesday in Abuja, Amaechi urged party members to shun ethnic or religious considerations when choosing a presidential candidate, noting that such a move could undermine efforts to build a formidable coalition. “If you think President Tinubu will hand over power to you, you are wasting your time. ADC must come together and decide on a viable candidate,” Amaechi said. “When we joined APC [before 2015],…

The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) said all domestic airlines could suspend operations from April 20 if urgent action is not taken to address the spike in aviation fuel costs. In a notice dated April 14, Abdulmunaf Yunusa Sarina, AON president, raised the alarm in a letter to Clement Isong, executive secretary of the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria. Top government officials, including Bola Tinubu, Kashim Shettima, and Festus Keyamo, were copied in the correspondence alongside regulators and security agencies. Fuel price surge sparks crisis According to AON, the price of Jet A1 fuel has surged from N900 per…

Kristalina Georgieva, head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), has warned that countries could seek between $20 billion and $50 billion in financial support in the near term as global economic pressures intensify. Speaking at the ongoing IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington DC, Georgieva said at least a dozen nations, many in sub-Saharan Africa are expected to request assistance. The anticipated surge in demand comes as low-income countries grapple with rising energy costs triggered by the ongoing Middle East conflict, which has disrupted supply chains and pushed inflation higher. According to Georgieva, several African economies fall into what she…

The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has launched a review into a cybersecurity breach involving unauthorised access to parts of its information systems. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the commission confirmed that the incident affected only “limited aspects” of its digital infrastructure. According to CAC, the breach was detected early, prompting an immediate activation of its internal response protocols to contain potential risks. The commission said it is currently working with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), alongside other relevant government agencies and partners, to determine the full scope and impact of the incident. “CAC promptly activated its response…