Author: Opalim Lifted

India’s battle over food warning labels has intensified, with the Supreme Court scrutinising a decision by the country’s food-safety regulator to abandon plans for prominent nutritional warnings on packaged foods. The dispute has put major food and beverage companies, including Coca-Cola and Nestlé, under scrutiny as health activists push for clearer information about high levels of sugar, fat and salt. A can of Fanta sold in Britain contains 63 calories, while the Indian version contains three times as much sugar and an artificial colourant that would require a prominent health warning in Europe. In India, the colourant is listed only…

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has reaffirmed his pledge to restore fuel subsidy if elected president in 2027, distancing himself from comments by one of his media aides suggesting the policy would eventually be phased out. Atiku made the clarification in Abuja while receiving the Osun State leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), insisting that his position on subsidy had not changed. He said a previous statement by one of his press aides did not reflect his position or carry his authority. “Earlier, one of my Press Aides contradicted me in a policy statement as far as subsidy is concerned.…

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has called for the immediate rescue of more than 60 worshippers reportedly abducted from a mosque during Jumu’at prayers in Dekara, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State. The worshippers were  scores of residents reportedly killed, injured or abducted when terrorists attacked four camongommunities in the area on August 21. The council, in a statement signed by its Public Affairs Officer, Abbas Jimoh, condemned the attacks on Gbeji (Gidan-Zana), Kpenya, Giyan Gbasu and Dekara, describing them as a grave assault on innocent civilians. It said about 30 people were reportedly killed in…

Former Kaduna Central Senator Shehu Sani has criticised former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar over his promise to restore fuel subsidy if elected president in 2027, describing the pledge as impracticable and an attempt to deceive Nigerians. Sani made the remarks while speaking with journalists in Abuja at the weekend, questioning Atiku’s decision to reverse his previous position on fuel subsidy. “What he is saying is outright deception of Nigerians,” Sani said. The former senator argued that Atiku had previously supported subsidy removal and economic policies associated with the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF). He said the former vice-president’s current…

Former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has called on Nigeria to embrace Open and Distance Learning (ODL) as a national necessity, saying it is critical to meeting the country’s growing demand for university education. Osinbajo made the call on Tuesday at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Distance Learning Institute’s Fifth International Colloquium in Lagos. The colloquium was themed “Reimagining Open Distance Learning Ecosystem: Technology, Policy and Institutional Priorities.” Osinbajo said more than 2.2 million young Nigerians seek university admission annually, while the country’s tertiary education system has historically admitted only about 25 per cent of applicants. He projected that Nigeria’s population could…

President Bola Tinubu has described the Hausa people as important pillars of Nigeria’s unity and progress. The President stated this in a message commemorating Hausa Day, which is being celebrated at the historic Daura Palace. In a statement on X on Wednesday, Tinubu said the Hausa community had continued to make significant contributions to the country’s development. He added that the Hausa language had grown into an important means of communication, unity, and commerce beyond Nigeria. He congratulated the Hausa community on the occasion, acknowledging the cultural and linguistic significance of the Hausa people to Nigeria and the wider world.…

Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has called for a people-centred approach to justice reform in Nigeria, urging stakeholders to redesign the justice system around the needs of citizens. Osinbajo made the call during a panel session at the 66th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The former Vice President, who is a professor of law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, said a justice system focused on citizens would strengthen governance, improve the relevance of the legal profession and offer greater protection to Nigerians. Represented at the session by former Lagos State Attorney-General…

MTN Group is exploring banking licences in some of its African markets as the telecommunications giant considers using its own balance sheet to expand lending to customers. Ralph Mupita, MTN’s group chief executive officer, disclosed the plan on Tuesday while speaking with journalists. Mupita said the proposed banking licences could enable MTN to take deposits and eventually lend directly to customers in markets where it has large customer bases and significant funds held in mobile money wallets. “We’re beginning to explore, where it makes sense and where there are large customer bases and significant floats in wallets, whether it may…

Zacuten Technologies says it is owed more than $4 million after a disputed $13.07 million transaction involving Plaude Technologies Limited and Plaude Inc., raising questions over payment representations, financial capacity and other multi-million-dollar claims. In a press release, the Lagos-based company said Plaude has acknowledged that the transaction was valued at approximately $13.07 million and that about $8.95 million was transferred. Zacuten said the remaining $4.1 million to $4.2 million has not been paid. Godsreal Ojinaka, CEO of Zacuten Technologies, said the company had sought answers, supporting documentation and a clear payment timeline but remained without a satisfactory resolution. “This…

Bruno Fernandes, the lynchpin of Manchester United’s attack who provided a Premier League-record 21 assists during the 2025-26 season, was named the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Player of the Year on Tuesday. Club captain Fernandes, a United player since 2020, also scored nine goals as he helped the club finish third in the English top flight. Manchester City forward Khadija Shaw, who was the Women’s Super League top scorer with 21 goals, was named Women’s Player of the Year for the second time, having previously won the award in 2024. The men’s annual award, voted for by members of the…