Author: Opalim Lifted

A Muslim trader, Sa’idu Murtala, has shared how a Christian resident saved his life during the deadly attack on Angwan Rukuba community in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State. The incident, which occurred on Sunday, left at least 28 people dead after gunmen opened fire at a popular bar, triggering panic across nearby communities. Murtala, a garden egg seller, said he was attending to customers around 7:30pm when the attack began. According to him, the situation quickly turned chaotic as gunshots rang out, forcing residents and traders to scramble for safety. “I was with my friend Hassan, who…

The Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has called on Nigeria to champion the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) initiative. According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Okonjo-Iweala made the call virtually at the maiden Nigeria Aircraft Acquisition and Investment Summit (NAAIS) 2026 on Wednesday in Lagos. The summit had the theme: “Unlocking Capital, Confidence and Capacity in Nigeria’s Aviation Industry.” Okonjo-Iweala noted that SAATM, unveiled in 2018 as a flagship project of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, seeks to create a single, unified and liberalised aviation market across the continent. She explained that…

Rising fuel prices are accelerating interest in electric vehicles (EVs) across Nigeria, as households and businesses search for cheaper transport alternatives. Industry experts say the surge in petrol costs is no longer just an economic concern but a turning point, pushing electric mobility from a fringe idea into a practical solution for everyday use. At the Abuja Compact on Electric Mobility Roundtable, stakeholders highlighted how increasing transport expenses are reshaping decisions, especially among commercial drivers and small business owners. They noted that as fuel eats deeper into incomes, EVs are becoming less of a futuristic concept and more of a…

As the world marks World Autism Awareness Day 2026, families of children with autism in Nigeria are grappling with rising costs, limited access to care, and weak enforcement of disability rights. At the heart of the crisis is affordability. Autism management depends heavily on long-term therapy, yet many households struggle to keep up with the financial demands. At Lagos University Teaching Hospital, speech therapy costs between N12,000 and N15,000 for six weeks, while behavioural and occupational therapies range from N10,000 to N12,000 each within the same period. With weekly sessions required across multiple therapies, expenses quickly escalate, placing sustained pressure…

Nigeria is set to temporarily recruit retired teachers and skilled volunteers in a bid to address its worsening teacher shortage crisis. The proposal, contained in the newly released National Teacher Policy by the Federal Ministry of Education, outlines urgent measures to plug staffing gaps and improve learning outcomes across the country. According to the document, authorities may deploy experienced professionals outside the active workforce, especially in regions facing acute shortages or crisis situations. “In case of crisis areas where retired teachers and highly skilled volunteers are available, state ministries of education shall consider recruitment temporarily to fill existing human resource…

Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has ordered a large-scale deployment of security personnel to Plateau State following deadly attacks in Jos. The directive comes after violence in Angwan Rukuba, located in Jos North Local Government Area, where several residents were killed. In a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Anthony Placid, the IGP strongly condemned the killings, describing them as tragic and unacceptable. Disu also extended condolences to the Plateau State Government and families affected by the attacks. As part of the response, the IGP had earlier deployed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of…

Economic activities were severely disrupted across parts of Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State on Wednesday, as tension escalated days after the deadly Angwan Rukuba attack. Several volatile communities, including Farin Gada, Nasarawa Gwom, Filin Ball and Zololo Junction, witnessed unrest, with angry youths reportedly taking to the streets, attacking passers-by and vandalising vehicles. Residents described a climate of fear and uncertainty, with many choosing to remain indoors. A resident of Farin Gada alleged that some persons were killed or injured during the disturbances, while attempts were made to burn a worship centre in the Changyap area. Shops…

President Bola Tinubu has postponed his Thursday trip to Iperu in Ogun state, where he is expected to inaugurate operations at the Gateway International Cargo Airport. In a statement on Wednesday, Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, said Tinubu will instead travel to Jos, capital of Plateau state, to commiserate with residents over recent terrorists attacks that claimed the lives of civilians. Onanuga said the president’s visit is aimed at sympathising with the state government and families affected by the attacks. According to the presidential spokesperson, Tinubu will travel to Lagos from Jos to observe…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will no longer accept correspondence from either faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by David Mark or Rafiu Bala, following its review of the March 12 Court of Appeal judgment. In a statement issued on Wednesday, Mohammed Kudu, INEC commissioner for information and voter education, said the commission will also refrain from engaging with both groups or monitoring their meetings, congresses, and conventions pending the determination of the case before the Federal High Court. Kudu said INEC received a letter from the law firm of Suleiman Usman SAN & Co.,…

The trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, took a new turn on Wednesday as a prosecution witness told the court that the 2022 naira redesign exercise breached provisions of the law. Testifying before Justice Maryanne Anineh at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, the seventh prosecution witness, Chinedu Eneanya, said the process failed to comply with the Central Bank of Nigeria Act 2007. Emefiele is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on a four-count charge linked to the alleged unlawful printing of redesigned naira notes. Under cross-examination by…