Author: Opalim Lifted

The Nigerian Communications Commission has directed MTN Nigeria, Airtel, and other telecommunications firms to fully bar phone lines without National Identity Numbers and those whose NINs have not been verified. This was disclosed in a corporate notice that MTN Nigeria filed with the Nigerian Exchange Limited, revealing the directive from the NCC and the attached deadlines for the barring. In the statement signed by its company secretary, Uto Ukpanah, MTN Nigeria said, “This is part of an industry-wide directive that requires phone lines for which the subscribers have not submitted their National Identity Numbers to be barred on or before…

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has unveiled a list of adulterated wines and drinks in circulation, even as it has enlightened Nigerians on steps to verify the original products. This includes the manufacturing of all kinds of adulterated products, especially different kinds of wine, from a wide variety of brands ranging from Seaman Schnapps, Henessy, Four Cousins, Carlo Rossi, Jenney, Chelsea London Dry Gin, Schnapp Dry Gin, McDowells, Black Labels, Gordons, Martell, Campari, Smirnoff Ice, Eva Non-Alcoholic Drink, Evra Non-Alcoholic Drink, Cartel, and others. There is also date revalidation for expired products like Peak…

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) revealed that one of every 10 cancer cases in Nigeria can be traced to alcohol, and 4.7 percent of overall cancer cases in Nigeria in 2019 can be attributed to the consumption of adulterated alcohol. In a major bust, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has shut down the Eziukwu Market, popularly known as Cemetery Market, in Aba, Abia State, after uncovering a vast network of counterfeiters producing and selling dangerous fake beverages. The closure, enacted without a specified reopening date, came after NAFDAC intercepted and exposed…

Canadian singer, Celine Dion, no longer has control over her muscles, Claudette Dion disclosed. A year after the cancellation of her world tour in December, the 74-year-old sibling suggests that Celine Dion’s return to the stage may take a while due to her ongoing battle with the progressive and incurable neurological disorder known as stiff person syndrome. This disorder prompts the body to attack its nerve cells, severely impacting mobility. Claudette said, ‘She works hard, but she has no control over her muscles. What breaks my heart is that she has always been disciplined. She has always worked hard. Our…

Nigeria’s development partners are worried that there are no allocations in the 2024 budget of the federal government for the Safe Schools Initiative (SSI) it established alongside a host of international stakeholders in 2014, Empowered Newswire reported. The SSI arose following a series of terror attacks on schools and the abduction of school children in 2014 in Nigeria, causing former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, as UN Special Envoy on Global Education, and then Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to float the initiative, which then drew widespread global endorsement. The Safe Schools Initiative was a concerted effort by the international community…

A tourist, Nathan Lugo, has shared his experience at Cotonou Cadjehoun International Airport in the Benin Republic, comparing it with the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, Nigeria. In a recent post on his Facebook page, Lugo, an American Ifa devotee, noted that the Cotonou airport is better than the Lagos airport. He also stated that he was not discriminated against as an Orisa devotee at the airport in Cotonou, as opposed to the MMIA in Lagos. Sharing photos, he wrote, “I’ve been to Yorùbáland on the Benin Republic side on several occasions for several years now. My first time was…

Babatunde Fashola, former Minister of Powers, Works, and Housing and two-term Lagos state governor, has said that President Bola Tinubu’s intervention is not required in the ongoing political tensions in Ondo and Rivers states, as the constitution doesn’t give room for such. “Does the Constitution assign a role to the President in this matter?” Fashola asked while speaking at the Nigerian Air Force Officers Mess Honourary Members Forum 2023 Annual Lecture held in Lagos on Saturday. Despite calls for the president to get involved, Fashola said the constitution clearly outlines the proper procedures and roles of officials in such situations.…

The Africa Organized Crime Index 2023, compiled by the Enhancing Africa’s Response to Transnational Organized Crime (Enact) project, reports that Nigeria and Mali both ranked at the highest levels for kidnapping for ransom. The Enact project revealed that Nigeria ranked second, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) topping the continental charts when it comes to the scourge of organized crime. “The most pervasive criminal market in Africa was human trafficking, report disclosed.” “Over the past five years, criminality across Africa has steadily increased and shows no sign of slowing down. Human trafficking remains a serious challenge; the cocaine…

The World Bank has revealed that approximately 99.9% of targeted poor and vulnerable households are yet to receive the Federal Government’s recently announced N25,000 per month cash handout. The data presented by the World Bank’s Lead Economist for Nigeria, Alex Sienaert, was presented last week in Abuja during the Nigeria Development Update, December 2023 edition, according to The Times. The Federal Government intends to provide cash transfers to low-income households, paying N25,000 per month for three months, according to his presentation material. President Bola Tinubu introduced the Conditional Cash Transfer Programme on October 17, 2023, with funding support of $800…

Arsenal eventually saw off a stubborn Brighton to move back to the top of the Premier League, where they remained after Liverpool were held to a goalless draw by Manchester United. The Gunners, now a point clear at the summit, claimed their success thanks to Gabriel Jesus’ header and Kai Havertz’s late strike. Mikel Arteta’s side dominated the first half against Brighton without reward, but the tension eased when Jesus turned in after a corner. The hosts were almost punished when Pascal Gross poked a golden chance wide before Havertz sealed victory to spark joyous celebrations at a relieved Emirates…