Author: Opalim Lifted

There is heightened tension in Rivers State as two factions (pro-Fubara and pro-Wike)of the state assembly hold parallel sittings. The Victor Oko-Jumbo-led Assembly and Martin Amaewhule groups hold parallel sittings at different venues. While Jumbo is loyal to Governor Sim Fubara, the Amaewhule-led House is loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. While the pro-Fubara lawmakers hold their sitting in an improvised Hallowed Chamber in the state Government House, Port Harcourt, the pro-Wike legislators sit at the official quarters of the State Assembly along Aba Road, also in the metropolis. Both houses commenced plenary by 10…

The Nigerian Meteorological (NiMet) Agency has predicted thunderstorms and rains from Monday to Wednesday across the country. NiMet weather outlook released on Sunday in Abuja forecasts morning thunderstorms on Monday over parts of Kebbi, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, Taraba and Kaduna states. It anticipated thunderstorms over parts of Adamawa, Taraba, Kaduna, Gombe, Borno, Yobe, and Jigawa states later in the day. “In the North Central region, rains are expected over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Kwara and Niger states during the morning hours. “While later in the day, thunderstorms and rains are anticipated over parts of the Federal Capital…

OPay, a prominent Nigerian financial technology company, has assured its customers that the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has set an industry standard for deposit insurance of N5 million. In a statement on Sunday, OPay said this not only underscored its commitment to financial security but also aligned it with the standards enjoyed by depositors at other commercial banks in the country. In May, the NDIC announced an increase in the maximum deposit insurance coverage for a mobile money operator from N500,000 to N5,000,000 per subscriber. This adjustment provides an important safety net for OPay users, significantly improving their fund…

Bayern Munich have signed winger Michael Olise from Crystal Palace for about 60m euros (£50m). The 22-year-old English-born France Under-21 forward made 90 appearances in all competitions over three seasons with Palace. Olise, who joined the Eagles from Reading for £8m in July 2021, has signed a five-year deal. Chelsea and Newcastle United registered their interest in Olise earlier this summer but the winger has chosen to move to Germany, where he will work under Bayern’s new manager Vincent Kompany. “I’m very happy to now be playing for such a big club – it’s a great challenge and that’s exactly…

Lewis Hamilton won a race-long fight with Max Verstappen and Lando Norris at a gripping, wet-dry British Grand Prix to take his first victory since December 2021. Hamilton had just enough to hold off a late charge from Verstappen’s Red Bull to take his 104th career win, and his ninth at home to become the record-holder for victories at a single circuit. Verstappen, who had struggled for pace through much of a race that was hit by two separate periods of rain, came alive in the closing laps to take second place from Norris, who grabbed the final position on…

President Bola Tinubu has called on Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS to work towards the establishment and sustenance of a regional standby force for the security and economic advancement of the community. Speaking during the opening of the 65th Ordinary Session of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government on Sunday, in Abuja, President Tinubu, who was unanimously re-elected the Chairman of the regional bloc, highlighted the expediency of a standby force in the face of growing security threats. “The Regional Action Plan against Terrorism has enhanced cooperation on training, intelligence sharing, and humanitarian interventions. In…

President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria has been re-elected as the chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), about one year after he took over the leadership of the regional bloc. Tinubu who rose to power in May 2023 was re-elected as the ECOWAS chairman during the 65th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government. That event took place at the Presidential Villa in Nigeria’s Abuja capital on Sunday. During his opening remark at the summit, President Tinubu urged ECOWAS member states to make financial commitments to help in the battle against terrorism…

Jon Landau, producer of Titanic and the Avatar films, has died at the age of 63. Known as the long-time producing partner of James Cameron, the movie-making heavyweight is credited with helping to make three of the top four highest-grossing movies of all time. His family announced his death on Saturday. No cause of death was given. Lord Of The Rings director Sir Peter Jackson and his wife Fran Walsh, whose Weta FX company were behind the visual effects house for both Avatar films, led tributes to the producer. “We speak for the entire Weta FX team when we say…

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) claimed the national grid was restored at about 9.57 p.m. on Saturday after a collapse. TCN’s General Manager, Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, said in a statement in Abuja on Sunday that there was a partial disturbance of the grid at about 3.09 p.m. on Saturday. She stated that operators commenced restoration efforts immediately after the incident, noting that “at about 9.57 p.m. on Saturday, the entire part of the grid that was affected was successfully restored. “The system disturbance, which brings to three the partial grid disturbances, with one total disturbance in 2024, is…

President Bola Tinubu has eulogized the resilience and professionalism of men of the Nigerian Army, describing them as pride of the nation. Tinubu, in his speech at the grand finale of the 2024 Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) held at the 3 armor division, Jos, said, “There is no doubt; you represent the pride of the nation; an institution with history; an institution that has never failed Nigeria. “Your charge now is not only to protect your country, but to do what is right and just at all times”. President Tinubu who was represented by the Minister of Defense Abubakar…