Author: Opalim Lifted

Veteran Nigerian actor and film executive, Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, popularly known as Olu Jacobs, has died at the age of 84. His son, Olusoji Jacobs, announced his passing in an Instagram post on Wednesday, September 16, 2026. In the family announcement, Olusoji described the veteran actor as “The Lion of Lufodo” and said the family was grateful to God for his life. “It is with gratitude to God for a life well lived and fought, that we announce the passing of our dear husband, father, grandfather and uncle. The Lion of Lufodo,” he wrote. He also appealed to bloggers and…

Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Industries Limited, has said petrol remains relatively cheaper in Nigeria than in neighbouring countries, with the price gap encouraging cross-border smuggling. Dangote made the remarks during an interview with Arise TV on Tuesday, amid fresh increases in petrol prices across the country. He said the cost of petrol in Nigeria should be compared with prices in neighbouring countries before determining whether the product is expensive. “Expensive is relative,” Dangote said, adding that petrol in some neighbouring countries is between 30 and 50 per cent more expensive than in Nigeria. He said the price difference creates…

Writer Chimamanda Adichie and her husband, Ivara Esege, have said they are seeking accountability and reforms in Nigeria’s healthcare system following the death of their 21-month-old son, Nkanu Nnamdi. The couple said their pursuit of answers was not motivated by financial compensation but by the need to ensure that other Nigerians do not go through a similar experience. In an interview with The New York Times, Adichie and Esege said they wanted the inquiry into their son’s death to help expose gaps in the country’s healthcare system and push for changes that could prevent similar incidents. Nkanu died at Euracare…

Nigerian comedian Anita Asuoha, popularly known as Real Warri Pikin, has apologised to her husband, Ikechukwu, following a viral moment involving singer Timaya at the 2026 African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA). Real Warri Pikin joined Timaya on stage during his performance at the awards ceremony held in Dallas, Texas, on Saturday, September 12. A video from the event showed the comedian approaching Timaya as he performed before the singer lifted her off the ground. The brief interaction quickly spread across social media, with some users questioning the moment because Real Warri Pikin is married. Timaya appeared to acknowledge the situation…

Nigeria has secured a place in JP Morgan’s newly introduced Government Bond Index–Emerging Markets Edge (GBI-EM Edge), in a development the Federal Government says reflects growing investor confidence in the country’s economic reforms. The Federal Ministry of Finance said JP Morgan, manager of the world’s most widely tracked emerging market bond indices, had included selected Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) Bonds in the new benchmark. The GBI-EM Edge tracks local-currency government debt across frontier emerging markets. Nigeria earned inclusion based on the liquidity of its domestic bond market and the size of its government bond issuances. The ministry said FGN…

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has warned investors against fraudulent platforms and unauthorised agents seeking to collect applications or funds for the Dangote Refinery initial public offering (IPO). The warning came on Monday as the IPO opened for subscription, with the regulator urging prospective investors to use only officially approved receiving agents and subscription channels. The SEC advised investors to obtain information about the offer only through its official channels, the issuer’s official channels and other channels approved for the IPO. It also urged investors to verify the authenticity of websites, platforms and links before providing personal or financial…

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has said that the rising cost of petrol is imposing severe hardship on Nigerians. Reacting on Tuesday through its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said that with petrol now selling for as much as N1,470 per litre, transportation, food and other basic needs have become more expensive. “Food, transportation, electricity, education, and everything Nigerians need to survive respond directly to the price of fuel and combine to make life difficult for the majority of Nigerians,” the party said. The ADC cited reports of private schools increasing fees by between 30 and 40…

For many Nigerian families, a trip to the market is no longer simply about deciding what to cook for the week. It has become an exercise in arithmetic calculating what can be bought, what has to be left behind and which bills can wait. “I used to buy yam, tomatoes, pepper, chicken and other things without thinking too much about the price. But they have become more expensive. Now, before I pick anything, I check the price and calculate what I can afford,” Damilola, a Lagos-based lady who lives alone, said. She said the money that once covered a week’s…

Veteran Nollywood actor Lere Paimo has said he began his acting career in 1958, putting the start of his career four years ahead of veteran actor Pete Edochie’s stated 1962 timeline. The 86-year-old actor made the clarification during an interview with actor Kunle Afod, posted on YouTube on Monday, as a debate over seniority among Nigeria’s veteran actors resurfaced. Paimo’s comments followed Edochie’s recent challenge to actors who claimed they began their careers before him to come forward and substantiate their claims. Edochie had said his acting career dates back to 1962, when he was 15, citing his performance in…

Pascal Odinaka, the Nigerian dancer popularly known as Poco Lee, will appear before Snaresbrook Crown Court in the United Kingdom on February 8, 2027, for a plea hearing.q The date was fixed after his scheduled appearance on Tuesday could not proceed because the charge sheet was unavailable. Poco Lee had been due in court on September 15 for a plea and trial preparation hearing on the charges against him. He, however, did not enter a plea because the charge sheet was unavailable. Although the dancer was not present, the courtroom was reportedly filled with Nigerians who came to observe the…