Author: Opalim Lifted

Nigerian players and officials of the Super Eagles are currently stranded in Libya, where the second leg of the AFCON 2025 qualifier game is to take place. Following Libya’s 1-0 loss to Nigeria in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Friday, both teams were expected to face off again in Benina, their fourth Group D match. The Super Eagles had departed for Libya on Sunday afternoon, but according to reports from the camp of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), an hour to landing at Benghazi, their destination, the Nigerian aircraft was diverted to Al Abraq, a city which is more than two…

Burkina Faso became the first team to qualify for the 2025 African Cup of Nations finals, joining hosts Morocco in the 24-team tournament following a 2-0 win in Burundi on Sunday. A goal from Mohamed Konate and Bertrand Traore’s penalty, took the Burkinabe to 10 points from four games in Group L and ensured they will not finish outside the top two. Senegal are in second place with seven points from three matches and will also qualify if they win away to Malawi on Tuesday. Burundi have three points from four games and Malawi none from three. The top two…

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency has predicted thunderstorms and rains from Sunday to Tuesday across the country. NiMet`s weather report released on Saturday in Abuja forecasts morning thunderstorms on Sunday in the northern region with moderate precipitation over parts of Gombe, Bauchi, Adamawa, and Taraba. According to the report, thunderstorms with moderate precipitation are expected over parts of Adamawa, Kaduna, Sokoto, Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba, Kebbi, Southern Katsina, Kano, Zamfara, Borno and Yobe later in the day. “ In the North Central region, thunderstorms with moderate rains are envisaged over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Nasarawa, Kwara and Benue in…

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has sparked controversy with his recent remarks; he admitted, “Times are difficult” and advised Nigerians, “Wherever you see free food, please endeavour to avail yourself.” This comment comes at a time when Nigerians are grappling with economic hardships due to President Bola Tinubu’s policies, such as the removal of fuel subsidy. The country has witnessed a significant hike in petrol prices, with NNPC Ltd. increasing prices by over 15% in less than a month. Many people have criticized Akpabio’s statement, seeing it as insensitive and mocking. This isn’t the first time he’s made similar remarks. In…

The presidency has denied that Nigeria was snubbed by other nations in the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) election. The Presidency said contrary to some media reports, Nigeria did not vie for the position at all but supported the countries endorsed by African region. This clarification was made in a statement on Sunday by the presidential aide, Bayo Onanuga. The statement read: “On October 9, 2024, the United Nations General Assembly elected 18 members to the Human Rights Council for the 2025-2027 term. “The members elected to the Council are Benin, Bolivia, Colombia, Cyprus, Czechia, Democratic Republic of the…

Thousands protested on Sunday in Madrid to demand more affordable housing amid rising anger from Spaniards who feel they are being priced out of the market. Under the slogan “Housing is a right, not a business”, residents marched in the Spanish capital to demand lower housing rental prices and better living conditions. Twelve thousand people took to the streets, according to the Spanish government. “Spaniards cannot live in their own cities. They are forcing us out of the cities. The government has to regulate prices, regulate housing,” said nurse Blanca Prieto, 33. In July, Spain’s government announced a crackdown on…

Giorgio Armani, the founder of the eponymous Italian fashion brand, said in an interview published on Sunday that he plans to retire within the next two or three years. Giorgio Armani is 90 years old and has so far been tight-lipped about the succession plans for the company he founded in 1975 and still firmly controls. “I can still give myself two or three years as head of the company. Not more, it would be negative,” he told Italy’s Corriere della Sera newspaper. Armani said he has restless nights in which he dreams of a future in which “I no…

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has demanded an immediate reversal of the latest increase in the price of fuel. SERAP urged President Bola Tinubu “to direct the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to immediately reverse the second increase in petrol prices in one month, pending the hearing and determination of the suit before the Federal High Court, Abuja challenging the legality of the powers of the NNPCL to increase petrol prices.” The latest increase has seen NNPCL outlets in Lagos sell a litre of petrol for N998 from the initial price of N855, while in Abuja, it…

The Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) has warned that prices of eggs may increase from the current N5,500 to N10,000 per crate if urgent measures are not taken to support poultry farmers. The rising cost of the protein is attributed to the high cost of transportation as a result of fuel subsidy removal as well as the indiscriminate increase in feed prices by the millers. Musa Hakeem, PAN Secretary, FCT chapter, said this at a press briefing to commemorate World Egg Day on Saturday in Abuja. Hakeem said the Federal Government must, as a matter of urgency, declare a state…

Martin Zubimendi’s volley from outside the penalty area meant Spain’s first home game since winning Euro 2024 was a victorious outing against Denmark in the UEFA Nations League. The European champions were heading for a frustrating draw until midfielder Zubimendi, who turned down the chance to join Liverpool in the summer, scored in the 79th minute. Zubimendi beat Kasper Schmeichel with a first-time shot from about 22 yards which took a deflection before hitting the net, the Real Sociedad player’s first goal for his country. Schmeichel will feel he should have done better, but the Denmark goalkeeper had frustrated Spain…