Author: Opalim Lifted

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has warned prospective corps members to avoid travelling at night as preparations begin for the 2026 Batch ‘A’ Stream II orientation exercise. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the scheme said the 21-day orientation course will take place simultaneously across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). According to the Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, registration of prospective corps members will begin on Wednesday, April 22, and end at midnight on Friday, April 24, 2026. She added that the swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for April 24, while the orientation…

Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has raised fresh concerns over how Nigerians perceive the Supreme Court of Nigeria, warning that its role in electoral disputes must go beyond delivering final judgments to earning public trust. Speaking at the 2026 conference of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Legal Practice, Osinbajo stressed that although Supreme Court decisions are constitutionally final, they must also inspire confidence among citizens to sustain democracy. He cautioned that finality does not automatically mean infallibility in the eyes of the public, especially in politically sensitive election cases. According to him, the judiciary must avoid any perception of…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested a suspected fake football agent over an alleged N11 million fraud. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the anti-graft agency said operatives of its Benin Zonal Directorate apprehended Osagie Etinosa following intelligence gathered through open source investigations. According to the EFCC, the suspect had been posing on Instagram as a professional football agent under the handle @officialking_etto, where he allegedly claimed to connect aspiring players with foreign clubs for trials and recruitment. The commission revealed that in one reported case, Etinosa collected N11,000,000 from a victim, Samuel Beke Ohazuruike, with a…

A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced four members of Boko Haram to life imprisonment after they pleaded guilty to terrorism charges. The trial judge, James Omotosho, delivered the ruling on Tuesday, convicting a total of 18 defendants over their involvement in terrorist activities. The prosecution, led by Lateef Fagbemi, attorney-general of the federation, alongside Rotimi Oyedepo, presented confessional statements and investigation reports through a witness from the Department of State Services (DSS). The court admitted the evidence. Those handed life sentences are Ali Abiso, Bakura Abah Kabiru, Ado (also known as Luka Garba), and Babagoni Masawai. According to…

The Federal Government has rejected claims by a coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) that Nigeria is on the brink of collapse. On Tuesday, over 50 CSOs including ActionAid Nigeria, Amnesty International Nigeria, BudgIT Foundation, Centre for Democracy and Development, Media Rights Agenda, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, and Yiaga Africa warned that the country faces worsening insecurity, rising poverty, and governance challenges. The coalition said Nigerians are grappling with economic hardship while political leaders “trade rhetoric,” adding that insecurity, inequality, and economic strain have deepened despite rising government revenues. Speaking on Wednesday at the 81st general assembly and 23rd…

At least 20 people have been killed after Terrorists launched coordinated attacks on communities in Niger State and Kebbi State, deepening concerns over insecurity in northern Nigeria. According to Reuters, the Niger attack occurred in Shiroro LGA, where residents said the assailants operated for hours, razing homes and overwhelming security personnel. Villagers fled in large numbers to nearby communities including Gwada, Zumba, and Galadima Kogo in search of safety. Police spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun confirmed that terrorists invaded Bagna and Erena villages on Tuesday, killing two community guards and a driver, while several others sustained injuries. In a similar wave of…

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), under the leadership of Kabiru Turaki, has called on Joash Amupitan to address allegations that officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) received land and cash gifts from Nyesom Wike. In a recent statement, Ini Ememobong described the reports as “disturbing and worrisome”, warning that they could undermine public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system. According to the PDP, Mohammed Haruna, supervising national commissioner for the FCT, allegedly admitted to receiving such gifts from the minister. The party said the claims appear to support growing concerns about a possible “land-for-favour” arrangement aimed at influencing key…

Peter Obi, African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain has called on Nigerians to resist what he described as a growing push towards a one-party system, urging citizens to defend democracy through peaceful action. The former presidential candidate of the Labour Party made the call ahead of a planned protest at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja. Obi’s statement comes amid a deepening leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), where multiple factions are battling for control of the party. ADC crisis deepens The dispute escalated on April 1 after INEC withdrew recognition of factions led…

The Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted and sentenced four men to prison for supplying goods to Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State. The convicts Shehu Bukar, Hamzat Yahuza, Hamatu Modu, and Isah Ali were found guilty of aiding terrorism through the supply of food, livestock, drugs, and information. Presiding judge, Binta Nyako, delivered the sentences in separate rulings on Tuesday. Bukar, a father of three, received a 20-year jail term after admitting to selling goats to insurgents. The court dismissed his plea for leniency after he changed his plea to guilty on one count. Yahuza, who has six…

The World Bank has said Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms are beginning to deliver results, with stronger growth and improving macroeconomic stability. In its latest Nigeria Development Update released Tuesday, the bank noted that the country’s economy remains on a steady growth path, largely driven by the services sector. Nigeria’s real gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 4.0 percent in 2025, following a 4.1 percent expansion in 2024. Growth was powered by sectors such as ICT, financial services, and real estate. Early indicators for 2026 suggest continued expansion across sectors, although global tensions have slightly slowed momentum. Inflation has also eased…