Author: Opalim Lifted

The Presidency said on Sunday that President Bola Tinubu’s administration was focused on solving Nigeria’s economic and security challenges. It said the claim by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar that the government’s policies have created intense cost of living pressures was not grounded in facts, “as recent comparative cost of living indices show that Nigerians still enjoy the lowest cost of living in Africa.” It said that while current reforms were causing immediate pain, they would usher in an era of prosperity in the medium and long term. The Presidency also affirmed that it will not allow detractors to “stop…

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies are dashing hopes, creating pain, and causing despair among Nigerians. Atiku, in a statement on Sunday, added that ‘Tinubu’s poor response’ to the nation’s challenges is setting the stage for a prolonged and deeper economic crisis. Atiku’s statement followed the economic hardship that resulted from the removal of fuel subsidy by Tinubu during his inauguration. Tinubu said the subsidy was removed as the money was being funnelled into the deep pockets and lavish bank accounts of a select group of individuals, noting that the country could no longer…

Arsenal reduced Liverpool’s lead at the top of the Premier League to two points after a deserved victory in a tense encounter at Emirates Stadium. The Gunners knew defeat was unthinkable, and their cause was helped hugely by Liverpool’s normally reliable keeper Alisson, who endured a nightmare as two errors gifted Arsenal the goals that ensured three crucial points. It sparked joyous scenes at the final whistle as Arsenal condemned Liverpool to only their second league defeat this season, their first since a highly controversial loss at Tottenham in late September. Arsenal were rewarded for a lightning start when Bukayo…

Nigerians have been thrown into darkness as the national grid recorded its first collapse in 2024. Following the national grid collapse on Sunday morning, the system’s capacity dropped from 2,407 megawatts to just 31 MW by midday and to zero by 1 p.m. Distribution companies alerted consumers about the situation as Abuja Electricity Distribution Plc (AEDC) announced the grid collapse in a statement. It, however, assured that power would be restored as soon as the grid was stabilized. “The Management of Abuja Electricity Distribution Plc (AEDC) wishes to inform its valued customers that the power outage being experienced is as…

Some Africans have described the late Namibian president, Hage Geingob, as worthy of emulation for ensuring good governance. Geingob was Namibia’s longest-serving prime minister and third president, having been elected in 2014, and was serving his second term as president until his demise. Chronicle NG reported that Geingob died aged 82 in a hospital while on cancer treatment. Vincent Oyuko revealed that “when the President Hage Geingob discovered that he had cancer, he duly informed the citizens of Namibia. Before he left for the USA to seek specialized treatment, he also informed the citizens and made it clear that he…

Soldiers of 114 Battalion (Rear) of 6 Brigade, Nigerian Army, in conjunction with other security forces, on Saturday destroyed multiple bandits’ hideouts and rescued four kidnapped victims in Yorro Local Government Area of Taraba. This is contained in a statement signed by Lt. Olabodunde Oni, Acting Assistant Director, 6 Brigade Army Public Relations, and made available to newsmen in Jalingo on Sunday. It stated that the swift and decisive operation to flush out bandits and kidnappers disturbing the peace in Yorro and its environs commenced on February 2. The statement also noted that troops came into contact with bandits in…

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested 22 suspects in connection with the murder of one inspector, Usang Egbe, and for cult-related activities in the state. Inspector Usang Egbe was murdered in his residence in Afaha Ube, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, by his assailants on Wednesday night. Odiko Macdon, Akwa Ibom Command’s Public Relations Officer, said in a statement on Saturday that the arrests were made between the 31st of January and the 2nd of February 2024 after credible information and that the command would intensify its onslaught against criminal elements in the state. Rerun Polls: Kano police arrest…

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu “to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, and appropriate anti-corruption agencies to promptly probe the allegations that a $3.4 billion loan obtained from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is missing, diverted, or unaccounted for.” The 2020 annual audit report published last week by the Auditor-General of the Federation contains damning revelations, including that there was no document to show the movement and spending of the IMF loan. SERAP also urged him to ensure that “anyone suspected to be responsible…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has recovered over N30bn from the N37,170, 855,753.44 allegedly laundered in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs under the former minister, Sadiya Umar-Farouk. Sources in the anti-graft agency, who spoke on Friday, said the commission had also uncovered over N500 million from the scam associated with Umar-Farouk’s successor, Betta Edu, who was recently suspended by President Bola Tinubu, Punch News reported on Sunday. In December, it was reported that N37,170,855,753.44 was transferred from government coffers and sent to 38 different bank accounts domiciled in five legacy commercial banks belonging to or connected with a…

Hosts Ivory Coast kept up their incredible escape act at the Africa Cup of Nations as they came from behind to beat Mali 2-1 in Saturday’s quarter-final, scoring a last-gasp goal in extra time to book a semi-final with the Democratic Republic of Congo. Oumar Diakite got a touch to Seko Fofana’s strike to win the game for the Ivory Coast, who played with 10 men for most of the match after Odilon Kossounou was sent off shortly before halftime. Mali had taken a 71st-minute lead through Nene Dorgeles, but the home team, roared on by the crowd at the…