Author: Opalim Lifted

Substitute Harvey Barnes marked his return from a long injury with a goal to rescue a point for Newcastle in an extraordinary eight-goal thriller against Luton. In a breathless encounter, Sean Longstaff swept the hosts into the lead, only for defender Gabriel Osho to head an equalizer off the underside of the bar. The Hatters, however, were on level terms for just two minutes as Longstaff restored Newcastle’s advantage after Thomas Kaminski parried Anthony Gordon’s attempt into his path. But Luton were far from done and equalized a second time before half-time, with Ross Barkley firing home from five yards…

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) assured members of the public that it will not convert the foreign exchange in the domiciliary accounts of customers into naira, as falsely reported by a national newspaper. In a circular issued on Saturday, the CBN said it would never do anything to undermine the currency and the economy. The circular titled ‘No Plans to Convert Domiciliary Account Holdings into Naira.’ was signed by the Acting Director of Corporate Communication, Sidi-Ali, Hakama (Mrs.). It reads in part, “The attention of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has been drawn to a story published by…

Nigeria striker and Africa Footballer of the Year, Victor Osimhen, who guided Napoli to win their first league title in 33 years, has not been celebrated despite his progress in the ongoing African Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast. The 25-year-old scored 26 Serie A goals in 32 appearances in 2022–23 and managed 31 goals in all competitions last season. Osimhen was crowned the Italian Footballers’ Association Player of the Year in December 2023. His club (Napoli) act has been perceived as dishonourable, unwelcoming, and disrespectful, and he has been urged to dump the club despite the contract extension. Chronicle…

34 constituencies across Nigeria today in the Saturday rerun election will vote for a senator, House of Representatives members, and State House of Assembly members after months of campaigns and preparations by candidates of various political parties. The rerun elections will be held in one senatorial district, 11 federal constituencies, and 22 state assembly constituencies in Lagos, Ebonyi, and seven other states. However, ahead of the exercise, the Department of State Services and the State Police Command have cautioned troublemakers and criminals to steer clear of polling units across the 34 constituencies in the country. Also, some state police commands…

The Department of State Services (DSS) has called for violence-free conduct during Saturday’s bye-elections. The Independent National Electoral Commission will conduct elections to fill various vacant political seats in 26 states of the country. The states are Ebonyi, Yobe, Kebbi, Lagos, Ondo, Taraba, Benue, Borno, Kaduna, Plateau, and Akwa Ibom. Others are Anambra, Cross River, Delta, Enugu, Jigawa, Katsina, Adamawa, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Kano, Nasarawa, Niger, Oyo, Sokoto, and Zamfara. Peter Afunanya, DSS PRO, in a statement on Friday, urged the electorate and political parties to avoid any actions that could cause a breakdown of law and order. Miyetti Allah’s president…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has recovered a total of N70,556,658,370.5 within 100 days, between October 2023 and January 19, 2024. Details of the recovery outlined in an EFCC document titled ‘Operations and Recoveries’, were obtained on Wednesday, reports said. The document revealed that between October 2023 and January 19, 2024, the EFCC recovered N60,969,047,634.25, $10,522,778.57, £150,002.10, and €4,119.90, making a total of N70,556,658,370.5 recovered by the anti-graft commission within the period. Within the same period, the EFCC received a total of 3,325 petitions, accepted 2,657 of the petitions, and secured the convictions of 747 persons for financial…

DR Congo came from behind to beat Guinea 3-1 and book a semi-final spot at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. Mohamed Bayo put Guinea ahead with a 20th-minute penalty after the forward was fouled by Chancel Mbemba, who then fired in from a narrow angle at the other end to equalize seven minutes later. DR Congo had a penalty of their own in the second half when Julian Jeanvier clipped the legs of Silas, and Brentford forward Yoane Wissa converted to give the Leopards the lead with 25 minutes left. The West Africans had little response after going behind,…

The family of one Aondoove Gwaza, a director at the Federal Housing Authority Mortgage Bank in the Federal Capital Territory, who was abducted from his home during an attack about 200 metres close to a military base in Pwanbara in the Bwari Area Council of Abuja, has been devastated, as the kidnappers have yet to contact his relatives as of Thursday night. The kidnappers, who struck at about 12:30 a.m. on Thursday, shot indiscriminately, causing panic in the area, before escaping through the bushes with the abductee. Residents revealed that soldiers were stationed at a military base popularly known as…

Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, has said the Federal Government’s directive to the Central Bank of Nigeria to take over the responsibility for crude oil sales proceeds from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) is illegal. President Bola Tinubu had, on Monday, reportedly directed the CBN to assume responsibility for crude oil sales proceeds from the NNPCL. Consequently, NNPC is expected to submit the receipts for crude oil sales to CBN for vetting and documentation. Reacting, Atiku said in a statement on Thursday that Tinubu’s directive undermined the operational independence of the national…

Suspected armed herders in endless attacks on Agatu local government area of Benue State have killed a total of 55 farmers so far in cold blood from January 2024 to date. The herders attacks started on January 18, 2024, and continued unabated, as they have displaced thousands of people who are now seeking refuge in neighbouring Kogi State, as well as many who are missing. It was also gathered that, in the first attack, 32 corpses were recovered, eight corpses were recovered in the second attack, and the latest attack on Wednesday night claimed 15 people and is still counting,…