Author: Opalim Lifted

Hosts Ivory Coast eliminated reigning champions Senegal in a penalty shootout to book their place in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals following a 1-1 draw after extra time in Yamoussoukro. Franck Kessie, who had scored from the spot four minutes from the end of normal time, converted the winning penalty to seal an extraordinary victory for the hosts, who redeemed themselves after a humiliating group-stage display that culminated in two defeats. Senegal had made a dream start when Habib Diallo struck in the fourth minute from a Sadio Mane cross. The Elephants’ quarter-final on Saturday (17:00 GMT) will…

Some political commentators have blamed Alhaji Atiku Abubakar’s loss at the 2023 presidential poll on the political difference with Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, who reportedly backed the eventual winner of the poll, Bola Tinubu of the APC. Chronicle NG reported that Makinde has criticized Atiku, for his silence on the recent Ibadan explosion. Makinde slammed the PDP Chieftain’s lack of sensitivity, calling it “insensitive” for him to not offer condolences or even acknowledge the tragedy. He further stated that Atiku’s silence conveys a worrying message about his character and judgement. “I am particularly grateful because the musketeers that…

Liverpool reached the FA Cup fifth round with an entertaining victory over Norwich in their first game since manager Jurgen Klopp announced he would leave at the end of the season. Anfield’s long goodbye to Jurgen Klopp began with a comfortable 5-2 FA Cup fourth-round victory over Norwich. The Liverpool boss, who on Friday announced his departure at the end of the season, sat in contemplative mood as the Kop belted out ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ before kick-off. It was followed up in the first minute by a rendition of ‘I’m so glad that Jurgen is a Red’ but the…

The Federal Government has ordered an investigation into allegations of corruption against the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla. Ogalla is accused of providing security for oil thieves and receiving huge sums in return for the federal government’s touted war against oil thieves. In a statement by the director of press in the ministry of information, Mr. Henshaw Ogubike, the minister of state for defence, Muhammed Bello Matawalle, called for a thorough and impartial investigation to ascertain the truth of the claims. He said the administration of President Bola Tinubu has zero tolerance for corruption in the public…

Two masked gunmen shot one person dead during Sunday service at a church in Istanbul, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said, adding that authorities were working to capture the gunmen. Yerlikaya, who condemned the attack, said it took place around 0840 GMT at the Italian Santa Maria Catholic Church in the Sariyer district. “C.T., who was among those participating in the service, was the target of a gun attack by two masked individuals and sadly lost his life,” the minister said on social media platform X, referring to the initials of the victim. Turkish officials tend to not use the full…

Angola beat Namibia 3-0 to reach the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations after both sides finished with 10 men in Bouake. The Black Antelopes, who won Group D, looked to have made the worst possible start when goalkeeper Neblu was shown a red card for handball outside the area in the 17th minute. Angola, though, took the lead in the 38th minute through Gelson Dala. Namibia, through to the knockout stages for the first time after finishing among the best third-placed teams, then found themselves also down to 10 men when defender Lubeni Haukongo was sent off for…

A 12-year-old pupil of Dowen College, Lekki, Lagos State, Sylvester Oromoni Jr., who died on November 30, 2021, has been laid to rest. Oromoni was laid to rest on Saturday at the family’s compound in Ogbe-Ijoh, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta, after two years of fighting for justice. He was born on December 4, 2009, and died on November 30, 2021, amid controversial circumstances, following alleged torture by some senior students of his college. The burial attracted several dignitaries. Emotions were high as family members, friends, and well-wishers wept while mourning his (Sylvester’s) untimely death. In a brief…

The winner of the 2023 governorship election in Kogi State, Usman Ododo, has been sworn in as the Kogi State Governor. Ododo, a member of the All Progressive Congress, took his oath of office as the state governor in Lokoja, the state capital, on Saturday, following his November 11 victory. After several months, he was elected to take over from Yahaya Bello, who had completed his second term in office. He took the oath of office at around 2:24 p.m. in Lokoja on Saturday. His inauguration came just minutes after Salifu Joel Oyibo took his oath of office as the…

Peter Obi, the candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 presidential election, has expressed his delight to read the inspiring success stories of Nigerians making outstanding impacts in their respective fields of endeavour on the national and global stage. The former Anambra State governor said his desire is to see a new and productive Nigeria. Chronicle NG reports that Obi acknowledged three notable Nigerians, Philip Ozuah, Adebayo Ogunlesi, and Tope Awotona, for making giant strides as immigrants. Obi, in a statement on his verified X handle on Friday, said, “It is my habit to celebrate such Nigerians in order…

A private jet with about 10 passengers onboard, including Very Important Persons (VIPs), has overshot the Ibadan airport runway in the Oyo State capital. An impeccable source said the incident happened on Friday around 11 a.m. at the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, Channels TV reported on Friday. The jet with registration number N580KR missed the runway and skidded into the nearby bush. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) immediately deployed firefighters and rescue officials to the scene. But there was no death or casualty recorded. “It was a private plane from Abuja. It landed safely but overshot the runway.…