Author: Opalim Lifted

Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, the president and founder of LoveWorld Incorporated, better known as Christ Embassy, has reacted to the inferno that gutted the main auditorium of the church headquarters at Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos, on Sunday. Speaking during a sermon at the church’s campground in Asese, Ogun State, Oyakhilome described the fire outbreak at the building as an opportunity to “build a bigger, better, and more glorious one.” Stating that nothing happens in the life of a child of God by accident, Oyakhilome recalled that, “During the 2001 Ikeja cantonment bombing incident, the building vibrated so much and we thought it…

An inferno has engulfed the headquarters of Christ Embassy Church, located in Oregun area of Ikeja, Lagos State. An eyewitness confirmed this to reporters. Several videos on X have also captured the massive edifice in flames. The fire that broke out in the early hours of Sunday caused significant damage to the church property, sending shock waves throughout the immediate community and beyond. Officials of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service are also said to have arrived at the scene to try and put out the fire. The police have cordoned off the area to prevent a breakdown of…

Bernardo Silva’s first goal at a major tournament, a calamitous own goal from Samet Akaydin and a Bruno Fernandes tap-in, gave Portugal a comfortable 3-0 win over Turkey on Saturday to guarantee qualification for the last 16 as Group F winners. Silva gave Portugal the lead in the 21st minute, rifling home after Nuno Mendes’ cross deflected kindly into his path, before Akaydin failed to look and passed the ball beyond onrushing goalkeeper Altay Bayindir seven minutes later. Fernandes effectively ended the contest after 56 minutes when Cristiano Ronaldo, who could have become the oldest goalscorer in European Championship history,…

Substitute Saba Lobjanidze wasted a golden chance for Georgia with the final kick of the game as the debutants claimed a first ever point in a major tournament with a 1-1 draw with the Czech Republic. Georgia, the lowest-ranked side in the tournament, took the lead in first-half stoppage time when striker Georges Mikautadze slotted in from the penalty spot. But the Czech Republic – quarter-finalists three years ago – were by far the more dangerous side throughout and finally replied when Patrik Schick turned in after substitute Ondrej Lingr hit the post. Schick then limped off with an injury…

Everton have signed midfielder Tim Iroegbunam from Aston Villa for a reported £9m. England Under-20 international Iroegbunam made 15 appearances in all competitions for Villa last season and spent the 2022-23 campaign on loan at Championship side QPR. “We’re pleased to add Tim to our midfield options,” said Everton manager Sean Dyche. “He is a young player who is still learning and developing but clearly has a lot of the qualities we want in that area of the pitch.” Iroegbunam, 20, has signed a deal until the end of June 2027 with Everton. “Everton is an amazing club, a big…

Chelsea are closing in on signing attacking midfielder Omari Kellyman from Aston Villa for a reported £19m. The deal is in the process of being done, with personal terms and a medical needing to be sorted. Discussions are under way for a five or six-year contract, with the 18-year-old expected to be part of Enzo Maresca’s first team squad. The highly-rated youngster has made six first-team appearances at Villa Park and is an England Under-19 international. Villa have also agreed to buy defender Ian Maatsen from Chelsea for £37.5m this week – as both clubs remain conscious of the Premier…

Johnson Kokumo, the national coordinator of the National Centre for Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), has called on the Nigeria Police to provide a database of recovered illicit arms. Kokumo, retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG), requested this when he led the centre’s management team on a courtesy visit to the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on Friday in Abuja. He said the visit was to solicit more support and collaboration in intelligence sharing, adding that the police were highly dependable regarding intelligence gathering. “We are equally seeking the support and understanding of the Inspector General of…

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said operational adjustments have been made by the military to prioritize protection for farmers to ensure successful rainy-season farming. The director, defence media operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, made this known on Friday in Abuja while giving updates on the operations of the military. Buba said the military had intensified intelligence collection efforts targeted at hunting terrorists and striking them where they may be hiding and hibernating. He said the aim was to eliminate the terrorists and the infrastructure that supports their activities. According to him, troops will continue to employ significant firepower to neutralize terrorists and…

Late goals by Christoph Baumgartner and Marko Arnautovic gave Austria a hard-fought win over Poland and boosted their hopes of reaching the last 16 at Euro 2024. With both teams losing their opening matches in Group D, to France and the Netherlands, they came to Berlin knowing that another defeat would put them on the brink of elimination. The high stakes gave the encounter the feel of a knockout tie, with both sets of fans creating a noisy atmosphere at the Olympiastadion, matched by a frenetic tempo on the pitch. It was Austria who struck first, when Gernot Trauner rose…

Roman Yaremchuk scored a crucial winner for Ukraine as they bravely fought back from behind to beat Slovakia and keep their Euro 2024 campaign alive. The Valencia striker had been on the pitch for 13 minutes when he gave his side the lead. Yaremchuk was alert to Mykola Shaparenko’s ball over the top and finished smartly. A brilliant touch allowed him to delicately nudge the ball past Slovakia goalkeeper Martin Dubravka into the bottom left corner from six yards out. Ivan Schranz scored after 17 minutes to put Slovakia in front, with his second goal in as many games, before…