Author: Opalim Lifted

The federal government has commenced payment of February 2026 salaries to treasury-funded workers and will start clearing the outstanding three months’ wage award arrears from March. The move follows pressure from organised labour, which had issued a Friday deadline demanding the immediate release of funds to settle pending wage awards and allowances owed to workers across ministries, departments, and agencies. The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (Trade Union side) warned that failure to meet the February 27 ultimatum would prompt decisive action by the eight civil service unions. In a statement on Monday, the office of the Accountant-General of…

Israeli strikes has killed 31 in Lebanon after fresh cross border hostilities with Hezbollah, Lebanese health authorities have confirmed. The deadly raids, carried out overnight, targeted areas in southern Lebanon and the southern suburbs of Beirut known to be strongholds of Hezbollah. Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health said at least 31 people were killed, while more than 100 others sustained injuries. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the strikes were aimed at Hezbollah infrastructure and senior operatives. Israeli officials described the operation as a response to recent rocket and drone fire launched from Lebanese territory into northern Israel. Security sources…

The Nigerian Embassy in Doha has issued a security advisory to Nigerian nationals in Qatar, urging them to register their presence and strictly comply with safety directives from Qatari authorities as the Middle East crisis escalates. In a statement issued late Saturday, the embassy said the advisory was necessary “in view of the evolving security situation in the region.” It directed Nigerians residing in Qatar to register by sending their personal details to nigerianembassy.doha@gmail.com. The required information includes full name, contact address in Qatar, mobile number, and copies of their international passport and/or Qatar Identification (QID) card. The mission also…

Iranian state media have confirmed the killing of Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, following a barrage of missile strikes allegedly carried out by Israel and the United States on Saturday. Khamenei’s daughter, grandchild, daughter-in-law and son-in-law were also reportedly killed in the military operation. Debate over whether Khamenei was indeed among those killed in the joint operation raged across the world late Saturday, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu choosing his words carefully when he said, “There are many signs the supreme leader is no longer with us.” “The Supreme Leader of Iran has reached martyrdom,” state broadcaster Islamic Republic…

A notorious drug kingpin, Reginald Peter Chidiebere, has been apprehended by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) following a large seizure of cocaine and heroin linked to him at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja, Lagos. Chidiebere was first arrested in 2013 for his involvement in a cocaine shipment into Nigeria and was subsequently charged before Justice Ayokunle Faji at the Federal High Court. However, he jumped bail after being granted release and evaded capture for over a decade. According to a statement by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, “He (Chidiebere)…

One person has been confirmed dead and 11 others injured after Iranian missiles struck airports in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Iran launched the attacks on Saturday night in response to what it described as a massive and ongoing assault on the country by the United States and Israel. Abu Dhabi Airports confirmed the incident in a statement posted on X on Sunday. “Authorities in Abu Dhabi are responding to an incident resulting from the interception of a drone that targeted Zayed International Airport. The interception led to falling debris, which resulted in the death of an Asian national and seven…

Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, has dismissed claims circulating online that kitchen staff at Aso Rock were arrested or attempted to poison President Bola Tinubu. In a terse post on his Facebook account on Sunday, Onanuga described the report as fake. “No Aso Rock kitchen staff arrested. No Aso Rock kitchen staff attempted to poison President Tinubu. Please ignore this fake news being disseminated by this video,” Onanuga said. The rumour, which gained traction on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X, earlier on Sunday, was fueled by a 90-second video which had become viral.…

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to urgently investigate major global technology companies over alleged abuses affecting Nigeria’s digital economy, media freedom, privacy rights and democratic integrity. In a complaint dated February 28, 2026, and addressed to FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman and CEO, Mr Tunji Bello, SERAP accused companies including Google, Meta (Facebook), Apple, Microsoft (Bing), X, TikTok, Amazon and YouTube of deploying opaque algorithms and leveraging market dominance in ways that allegedly undermine Nigerian media organisations, businesses and citizens’ rights. The complaint, signed by SERAP Deputy Director…

At least 53 people have died after an Israeli airstrike hit an elementary girls’ school in Minab, Hormozgan province, southern Iran, on Saturday. State media reports that rescue workers are still clearing debris, with 63 more injured in the devastating attack. The strike is part of ongoing military operations by the US and Israel across Iran, which have sharply escalated regional tensions. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi shared a photo of the destroyed school on X, expressing grief over the loss of “innocent children” and warning that “these crimes against the Iranian people will not go unanswered.” Russia Condemns the…

The Federal Government has issued a travel advisory for Nigerians in Iran and Gulf countries following fresh military strikes across the Middle East. In the early hours of Saturday, the United States and Israel launched coordinated missile strikes on Iran. Tehran later responded with retaliatory attacks in parts of the Gulf region, raising fears of a broader conflict. In a statement signed by Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the government said it is closely monitoring the “evolving and volatile situation” in the Middle East. Heightened Tension Triggers Warning According to the ministry, the advisory became necessary…