Author: Opalim Lifted

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has sworn in two commissioners, 20 permanent secretaries, and members of the governing council of the Edo State College of Health Sciences and Technology, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to inclusive governance. A major highlight of the ceremony was the appointment of Melody Omosah as Edo State’s first visually impaired permanent secretary, a milestone Governor Okpebholo described as a testament to merit, competence and equal opportunity. In a statement shared on his official Facebook page, the governor said Omosah’s appointment demonstrated that ability, rather than disability, should determine leadership opportunities. “This occasion marks a historic milestone…

The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has earmarked N140 million for the construction and rehabilitation of emir palaces and mosques in Kaduna State, according to the 2026 Appropriation Act. The allocation appears under the ministry’s headquarters’ capital projects, despite the projects having no direct connection to livestock development. According to the budget, the ministry proposed N140 million for the construction and rehabilitation of emir palaces and mosque(s) in Birnin Gwari/Giwa Federal Constituency, Kaduna State. The allocation is among several constituency projects included in the ministry’s 2026 budget. The ministry also budgeted N2.1 billion for the construction of schools for students…

Chinese President Xi Jinping has unveiled 5,000 artificial intelligence (AI) training opportunities for developing nations over the next five years, as China intensifies efforts to shape global AI governance and bridge the digital divide between developed and developing countries. Speaking on Friday at the opening ceremony of the 2026 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai, Xi also announced plans to establish international AI application cooperation centres with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the African Union (AU), the League of Arab States, the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), the Shanghai…

France has taken a major step towards legalising assisted dying after parliament approved a landmark bill granting eligible adults with incurable illnesses the right to seek medical assistance to end their lives. The legislation, championed by President Emmanuel Macron, now awaits a review by the Constitutional Council before it can become law. If approved, France will join countries including the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland and Canada in permitting assisted dying under specific legal conditions. The reform fulfils a pledge Macron made during his successful 2022 re-election campaign and is regarded as one of France’s most significant social policy changes since the…

The United Kingdom government has announced plans to introduce a midnight social media curfew for teenagers aged 16 and 17 as part of wider efforts to improve young people’s wellbeing and online safety. Under the proposal, social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube would, by default, become unavailable to users in this age group between midnight and 6:00 a.m. Teenagers would, however, be able to disable the restriction by changing their account settings. The government also wants technology companies to switch off features such as auto-play and infinite scrolling by default for older teenagers, arguing that the measures…

The National Examinations Council (NECO) has dismissed allegations that Government Secondary School, Olowa, in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State is a “miracle centre”, following the abduction of students and officials during the ongoing 2026 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE). The clarification comes after armed men attacked the school on Tuesday, kidnapping students, the school principal and a NECO ad hoc staff member while candidates were writing their examination. Speaking after the incident, the Commanding Officer of the 21 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, Godiya Solomon Monde, alleged that the isolated school was known as a “miracle centre” for…

Andy Burnham has officially become leader of the UK’s ruling Labour Party, paving the way for him to become the country’s next prime minister after promising to restore “hope” and improve living standards across Britain. Burnham, 56, was confirmed as Labour leader at a special party conference on Friday following the resignation of Keir Starmer, who stepped down last month after months of political turmoil and policy setbacks. As Labour commands a comfortable majority in parliament following its 2024 general election victory, Burnham will automatically become prime minister without the need for a fresh election. He is expected to be…

More than 40 million Nigerians who depend on airtime lending services are awaiting a crucial judgment from the Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday in a case that could determine the future of one of the country’s most widely used telecom services. The case, marked FHC/L/CS/760/2026, was filed by the Wireless Application Service Providers Association of Nigeria (WASPAN), which is challenging the legality of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC)’s Demand for Electronic Onboarding (DEON) Consumer Lending Regulations 2025 as they apply to airtime lending. The judgment is expected to end months of uncertainty that followed the…

The Federal Government has filed criminal charges against three men over their alleged involvement in the abduction of pupils and teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. The 10-count charge, filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, accuses Abdulrazak Umar, also known as Abu Khalifa or Abu Khalid, Yunusa Musa (Yunusa bin Musa), and Shamsu Adamu Sani (Abu Itisar) of terrorism-related offences, kidnapping, concealment of information, incitement and illegal mining. According to the charge sheet, the defendants, all from Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State, allegedly conspired with three other suspects — Muhammad Sani,…

The Supreme Court has affirmed the final forfeiture of properties and $2.045m linked to Godwin Emefiele, former governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), to the federal government. In a unanimous judgment delivered on Friday, the apex court overturned the decision of the court of appeal in Lagos, which had nullified the forfeiture order. The court held that the court of appeal erred when it overturned the forfeiture order and directed that the matter be reheard by the trial court. On November 1, 2024, Deinde Dipeolu, judge of a federal high court in Lagos, ordered the permanent forfeiture of monies…