Author: Opalim Lifted

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has vowed to resign if the ongoing Abuja–Kaduna–Kano Road project is found to be substandard, declaring his readiness to subject the work to independent testing. Umahi made this statement while defending his budget before a joint session of the National Assembly on Wednesday. During the session, questions were raised over the award of a section of the project to a company some legislators described as unknown and previously associated with generator sales. Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) demanded to know why the contract was withdrawn from an established construction firm and awarded to another…

Chukwuma Soludo, governor of Anambra State, says the state is one of the safest in Nigeria following sustained collaboration between security agencies and local vigilante groups. NAN reports that Soludo spoke in Abuja on Wednesday shortly after meeting President Bola Tinubu at the State House. The governor noted that Tinubu’s message on tackling insecurity nationwide at the just-concluded National Economic Council (NEC) conference was emphatic and reassuring. “The president’s message was emphatic, and we’re quite excited to listen to the president and his determination to stamp out insecurity nationwide,” he said. Soludo said the protection of lives and property is…

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has dismissed reports claiming it was ordered by the Federal Government to halt enforcement against sachet alcohol. NAFDAC recently announced that it had begun enforcing the ban on the production and sale of alcohol packaged in sachets and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles across the country. However, on Wednesday, reports circulating on social media claimed that the Federal Government had directed NAFDAC to suspend all enforcement actions relating to the ban. In a statement signed by its Director-General, Mojisola Adeyeye, the agency described the publication as “false” and “misleading,” adding…

Gunmen have abducted five persons from Makeke Health Centre in Umakeke community, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State. The National Coordinator of the Movement for the Advancement of Akoko Edo People, Mr. Omowumi Bode Ekundayo, disclosed this to journalists on Wednesday in Benin City. He identified the victims as a nurse at the health centre, Mrs. Gladys Okomayin; a female secondary school student, Miss Tope Oriloye; and Mr. Samuel Ilesanmi, who had reportedly taken his son to the facility for treatment. The identities of the two other victims were not immediately disclosed. It was gathered that the kidnappers later…

Roberto De Zerbi has left his role as manager of Marseille by mutual consent. The Italian’s departure from the French club follows a 5-0 thrashing by Paris Saint-Germain and their recent exit from the Champions League after a 3-0 defeat to Club Brugge. De Zerbi took over at Marseille in the summer of 2024 after leaving Brighton, where he spent just under two years in charge. He led Marseille to a second-place finish in Ligue 1 last season and leaves with the club currently fourth in the French top flight — 12 points behind leaders PSG. “Olympique de Marseille and…

Nottingham Forest have sacked Sean Dyche as head coach after just 114 days in charge and are looking for their fourth boss of the season. Forest were held to a goalless draw at home by bottom club Wolves on Wednesday and are just three points above the Premier League relegation zone with 12 games remaining. Dyche, 54, succeeded Ange Postecoglou in October and had signed a contract until the summer of 2027. “Nottingham Forest Football Club can confirm that Sean Dyche has been relieved of his duties as head coach,” a statement read. “We would like to thank Sean and…

An Arik Air Boeing 737-700 aircraft operating Lagos to Port Harcourt flight on Wednesday diverted to Benin airport after the crew “heard a loud bang from the left engine”. In a statement, Arik Air said the aircraft, operating flight W3-740 with registration 5N-MJF, was descending into Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, when the incident occurred. The airline added that as a precautionary measure, the flight crew diverted to Benin. “There were no injuries to passengers and crew as all 80 passengers on board were safely disembarked. Arrangements have been made to transport the affected passengers to their final destination,” Arik…

In a landmark ruling against transnational cybercrime, the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has sentenced two Chinese nationals to 46 years’ imprisonment each over a massive cryptocurrency fraud and money laundering operation. Justice Daniel Osiagor delivered the judgment on Wednesday, convicting Huang Haoyu, also known as Ken, and An Hongxu, both directors of Genting International Co. Limited. The court found them guilty of laundering more than N3.4 billion and handling over $2.5 million in USDT (Tether) through fraudulent channels. The sentencing followed a dramatic shift in the trial when the defendants changed their pleas from not guilty to guilty.…

The Director General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Binta Bello, has revealed that human traffickers have now upped their game targeting youth with tech skills for cyber enabled crimes. The DG made the revelation following the rescue of 23 suspected victims of human trafficking in Thailand just weeks after she vowed to intensify the fight against human traffickers, upscaling the agency’s strategic and deepening collaboration to combat trafficking targeting vulnerable Nigerians. She explained that 23 suspected victims were rescued and repatriated back to Nigeria in a significant operation, a collaboration between Nigeria, Myanmar…

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Tuesday paid a visit to former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (Rtd), at his Hilltop residence in Minna, the Niger State capital. Atiku arrived at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport, Minna, alongside some chieftains of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), including the Assistant National Youth Leader, North Central, Hassana Shuibu Dada. He then proceeded directly to Babangida’s residence. Similarly, Governor Makinde arrived at Babangida’s residence a few minutes after Atiku. Details of the closed-door meeting between the leaders remain sketchy, but it may not be…