Author: Opalim Lifted

To encourage civil servants to be productive in Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu’s administration has introduced yet another national anthem for the Federal Civil Service (FCS). Mrs. Esther Walson-Jack, Head of the Federation’s Civil Service, unveiled the Change song and video at a retreat for Federal Permanent Secretaries in Suleja, Niger State. Chronicle NG reports that the reintroduction of the previously launched anthem aims to drive reforms in the civil service. The Ministry of Interior on Saturday revealed this in a statement on X.com. Walson-Jack said, “This song, a source of pride and inspiration, will also serve as a “clarion call…

Flora Ugwunwa has won a silver medal in women’s Javelin F54 at the ongoing Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. She finished 2nd in the event with a throw of 19.26m behind Uzbekistan athlete Nurkhon Kurbanova who set a world record with a throw of 21.12m. Ugwunwa’s feat has made Nigeria rake in the first medal in women’s Javelin category, with a total medal of four so far. The 40-year-old Nigerian has continued to shine, having now won three consecutive Paralympic medals – two golds (Rio, Tokyo) and now Silver (Paris). The bronze medal was won by Elham Salehi of Iran who…

A resident in the state of Missouri has become the first in the United States to test positive for bird flu without a known exposure to infected animals, authorities said. The adult patient, who has underlying conditions, was admitted to hospital on August 22, received antiviral medications against influenza, then recovered and was discharged, according to statements from the Centers for Control and Disease Prevention and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Because the patient’s flu type appeared suspicious on an initial test, it was sent for additional testing in state and federal laboratories, which revealed it was…

OPay has announced a new charge on electronic transfers into personal and business accounts in compliance with Federal Inland Revenue Service regulations. Starting September 9, 2024, a one-time fee of N50 will be applied to transfers of N10,000 and above. In a notice to its customers on Saturday, OPay stated, “Dear valued customers, please be informed that starting September 9, 2024, a one-time fee of N50 will be applied for electronic transfer of N10,000 and above paid into your personal or business account in compliance with the Federal Inland Revenue Service regulations.” The company clarified that the charges are requirements…

Legendary former Liverpool captain Ron Yeats, described by Bill Shankly as a “colossus”, has died at the age of 86. The ex-Scotland defender was part of the Liverpool side that won the Second Division title under manager Shankly in 1962. Yeats went to win two top-flight titles, the FA Cup and the Charity Shield three times, helping establish Liverpool as one of the most successful clubs in the country. He played 454 games before joining Tranmere as player-manager in 1971. More than 400 of those appearances were as captain, a tally bettered only by Steven Gerrard. In January it was…

Following the hike in fuel prices, Nigerians opted for trekking and cycling in major cities for interstate movement, increasing the cost of transportation nationwide. Some residents of Ogun State said they had abandoned their cars in favour of public transport, coupled with trekking, to cope with the unbearable hardship caused by the fuel crisis. A senior health worker in the state, Mrs. Fauziyah Adesola, said she had dropped her car and cut down on unnecessary journeys. “With the fuel subsidy removal and the price rising from N200 to N600 per litre, I initially tried to stubbornly use my personal car,…

Brazil got back to winning ways in the South American World Cup qualifiers with a drab 1-0 victory over Ecuador on Friday thanks to first-half goal by Real Madrid forward Rodrygo. After its first streak of losses in three successive qualifiers, Brazil did just enough to earn the win that lifted the struggling five-time World Cup champions to fourth in the standings with 10 points. They are eight points behind leaders Argentina and only two points over Ecuador in sixth, the last spot guaranteed a berth at the 2026 finals. Playing their first match after a disappointing Copa America defeat…

Italy lost Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori to injury as they recorded a surprise 3-1win in France in their Nations League opener. The Gunners player was hurt in a freak collision as Ousmane Dembele was tackled by another player and caught him on the back of his leg with his studs as he landed. He tried to play on for a few minutes but had to be replaced. Bradley Barcola gave France the lead after just 12 seconds, intercepting an Italy pass before bursting into the box and slotting home. Italy were almost level five minutes later but Davide Frattesi’s header…

Nigeria’s Onyinyechi Mark has shattered the Paralympic record in the women’s 61kg powerlifting category, lifting an astounding 145kg. This remarkable feat surpasses the previous record held by compatriot Lucy Ejike. Onyinyechi Mark’s performance has all but secured Nigeria’s first gold medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, with one lift remaining. Her closest competitor is attempting 138kg on her final lift, while Mark aims to further extend her record with a final attempt of 147kg. Team Nigeria has a storied history in the Paralympics, consistently excelling in powerlifting and athletics. At the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, Nigeria secured ten medals, including…

The father of a 14-year-old boy accused of killing four people at his high school in the US state of Georgia has been arrested. Colin Gray, 54, is facing four charges of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second-degree murder and eight of cruelty to children, said the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI). Authorities have charged his son, Colt Gray, with four counts of murder and said they plan to prosecute him as an adult. His first court appearance is due on Friday morning. The shooting on Wednesday at Apalachee High School in the city of Winder, near Atlanta, left two…