Author: Opalim Lifted

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Daniel Bwala, the spokesperson for the Atiku Abubakar campaign in 2023, as his special adviser on public communications and media. Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, said in a statement on Thursday that Tinubu also appointed Olawale Olopade as the director-general (DG) of the National Sports Commission (NSC) and Abisoye Fagade as the director-general of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism. The president also appointed Adebowale Adedokun as the DG of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP). “Olopade, the new director-general of the National Sports Commission, is a sports…

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have qualified for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with two games to spare in the qualifying series. Nigeria with 10 points in the kitty are assured a top two finish following the shock lone goal victory recorded by Libya in the Group D match away to Rwanda in Kigali. The Super Eagles are billed to face Benin Republic’s Cheetahs Thursday night in Abidjan before returning home to round off their qualifying campaign against Rwanda on Monday. Neither Rwanda on five points nor Libya who are now on four points can do enough to overtake the Super…

The body of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, has arrived in Abuja where he will be buried on Friday. The Nigerian Airforce plane NAF 918 carrying the body of the late COAS landed at the presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja, at around 12:15pm on Thursday. The remains of the late COAS left the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos around 11am. The military top brass were on ground to receive the remains of the late COAS in Abuja, with military band playing to the loudest. Upon arrival at the Abuja airport, a…

Claudio Ranieri has been appointed head coach of Roma until the end of the season – six months after announcing his retirement. Ranieri has also taken on a role advising the Italian club’s owners and will help in the search for a permanent manager. At the end of the season the 73-year-old will “transition into a senior executive role”, the club said. Ranieri, who has managed his hometown club twice before including a temporary stint in 2019, retired in May after guiding Cagliari to survival. His appointment comes after the sacking of Ivan Juric on Sunday. Claudio Ranieri open to…

The recently sworn in governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, has narrated the spiritual battle he faced to win the governorship election in September 2024.  In a statement issued by his chief press secretary, Fred Itua, on Thursday, Okpebholo said that the grace of God, constant prayers, and the support of the people was responsible for his electoral victory. The governor spoke at his post swearing-in Thanksgiving Service held at the Samuel Ogbumudia Stadium in Benin City, Edo State capital, where he urged Nigerians to trust in God alone irrespective of their challenges in life. Okpebholo remarked: “I want to…

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited claimed it has reached the mark of 1.8 million barrels per day of crude oil production. The state-owned oil company, NNPC which made the announcement on Thursday, also stated that it is set to hit the two million barrels per day target set by President Bola Tinubu by December 2024. The company also revealed that it is now producing 7.4 million standard cubic feet of gas to power the gas infrastructure especially the AKK. This is an improvement from 6.1 mmscf earlier in the year. The NNPCL noted that the accomplishment which aligns…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has requested an adjournment in the new case against the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, stating that the 30-day window for the previously issued summons is still active. The commission has granted administrative bail to his co-defendants, Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, and asked the court for an extension of time for Bello to appear. At the resumed hearing before Justice Maryann Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, EFCC Counsel Jamiu Agoro noted that the court’s order from October 3rd had not yet expired. “In that wise,…

The Nigerian Airforce (NAF) Wing of Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos has airlifted the remains of the late Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, en route to Abuja. At about 9:00 am, soldiers of the Guards Brigade solemnly received the body, preparing to pay their final respects to the fallen military leader. The late COAS body will be interned on Friday at the national military cemetery in Abuja. Chronicle NG reported that Lagbaja’s death was announced last week by President Bola Tinubu, who said the late COAS passed away in Lagos after a period of…

Influential Edo State politician Anthony Ojo has congratulated Senator Monday Okpebholo after being sworn in as the new Governor of the State. In his congratulatory message, Ojo expressed confidence in the abilities of Okpebholo to bring the dividends of democracy close to the people of Edo State. “The people of Edo State have total trust in your five-point agenda, capacity as a leader, and this is evident with their immense show of love. We have no single doubt that under you, this state will progress to the promised land,” the statement reads. Meanwhile, Anthony Ojo has confirmed his aspiration to…

Retired footballer Diego Forlan lost 6-1 6-2 in 47 minutes on his professional tennis debut in a doubles event in his native Uruguay. The former Manchester United and Atletico Madrid striker, 45, and Argentine partner Federico Coria lost to Bolivian pair Boris Arias and Federico Zeballos after receiving a wildcard for the Uruguay Open in Montevideo. The tournament was on the ATP Challenger Tour – the level below the main ATP Tour. Both Forlan and Coria and their opponents held serve to start the match, but Arias and Zeballos quickly pulled away after earning a break in the third game…