Author: Opalim Lifted

The Rivers State political crisis deepened further on Thursday as six commissioners loyal to Mr. Nyesom Wike resigned from the cabinet of Governor Siminalayi Fubara. This was as the two factions of the split state House of Assembly held separate sittings on Thursday. The commissioners who tendered their resignations were the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Zacchaeus Adangor (SAN); the Commissioner for Works, Dr. Des George-Kelly; the Commissioner for Special Duties, Emeka Woke; the Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mrs. Inime Aguma; the Commissioner for Finance, Isaac Kamalu; and the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Chinedu Mmom. Of…

13-year-old child comedienne Emmanuella Samuel, popularly recognized for her comedic performances on the Mark Angel YouTube channel, stirred varied reactions among internet users following the emergence of a video on Thursday. The viral footage captured Emmanuella donning a black dress with a high slit, showcasing her dancing skills while wearing heels. https://twitter.com/CarterVee4/status/1735087458071560647?t=USr1jhp0TjY7T294ikVViw&s=19 Chronicle NG reports on social media users reacted to the trend. Some argued that she was too young to be posting content like that; others considered the video to be acceptable and applauded the comedienne for her growth. Daniel Regha wrote, “Emmanuella is about 13 years old; she’s…

The e-commerce giant Jumia said it will cease operations for its food delivery service, Jumia Food, in Nigeria and other six African countries by the end of December 2023. The other six Jumia operational countries to face this are Kenya, Morocco, Côte d’Ivoire, Tunisia, Uganda, and Algeria. “The more we focus on our physical goods business, the more we realise that there is huge potential for Jumia to grow, with a path to profitability. We must take the right decision and fully focus our management, our teams, and our capital resources to go after this opportunity. In the current context,…

The price of pharmaceutical drugs has risen almost tenfold in Nigeria in the past few months, forcing patients to cut their dose or turn to traditional alternatives, Reuters reported on Thursday. Pharmaceutical industry officials said the plunge in the value of the naira after the removal of currency controls in June has sent the prices of new stocks rocketing. The departure of British drug maker GlaxoSmithKline after increased local competition and imports from India and China was also adding to the woes. “I used to buy three medicines prescribed to me, but now I have reduced them to two, which…

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday urged governments to treat e-cigarettes similarly to tobacco and ban all flavours, threatening cigarette companies’ bets on smoking alternatives. Some researchers, campaigners, and governments see e-cigarettes, or vapes, as a key tool in reducing the death and disease caused by smoking. But the UN agency said “urgent measures” were needed to control them. Citing studies, it said there was insufficient evidence that vapes helped smokers quit, that they were harmful to health, and that they could drive nicotine addiction among non-smokers, especially children and young people. More 13- to 15-year-olds are using vapes…

14 shops caught fire in two incidents that took place between Tuesday evening and the early hours of Wednesday in the Tanke neighbourhood of Ilorin in the Ilorin South Local Government Area of Kwara State. At about 6 p.m. on Tuesday, seven shops at Zion Overcomer, opposite Duro Suleiman House on University Road, in the Tanke area were reportedly burned, while the second incident also occurred at the Tanke Oke-Odo area on University Road at about 1.30 a.m. on Wednesday, where another seven shops were destroyed by fire. At about 6 p.m. on Tuesday, seven shops at Zion Overcomer, opposite…

Pope Francis has chosen to be buried not in St. Peter’s Basilica alongside his immediate predecessors but in a basilica in Rome, he revealed in an interview broadcast on Wednesday. “The place is already prepared. I want to be buried in Santa Maria Maggiore,” the pontiff, who turns 87 this weekend, told Mexican broadcaster Televisa’s N+ streaming service. In the same interview, he revealed that he planned to visit Belgium in 2024 and also hoped to visit his native Argentina and Polynesia. Francis’s decision meant he would become the first pope to be buried outside the Vatican for more than…

AC Milan substitute Samuel Chukwueze struck a superb late winner to seal a 2-1 victory over Newcastle United as both teams exited the Champions League at St James’ Park on Wednesday. At one point on a nerve-jangling climax to Group F, Newcastle were heading for the last 16 as they led through Joelinton’s rasping first-half drive and Paris St Germain trailed in Germany to Borussia Dortmund. But seven-times champions Milan were far better in the second half as Newcastle ran out of steam and Christian Pulisic equalised on the hour from Olivier Giroud’s pass. With both sides going for victory,…

Siminalayi Fubara Rivers State Governor began demolition of the state assembly complex on Wednesday under tight security. Chronicle NG reports that a viral video posted on X showed how part of the building is being demolished. A social media user also shared pictures of the part of the demolished building on Facebook. “Former Governor, Mr. Wike, was so obsessed with flyovers that he left the State Assembly chambers in tatters. Our governor and leader, His Excellency Sim Fubara, is committed to true infrastructural transformation across every sector of the river. He is going to build a State Assembly chamber befitting…

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu pledged to provide 300 security patrol vehicles in 2024 to fortify state security after four consecutive years of zero bank robberies. The governor added that it was the longest period over the past 20 years. Sanwo-Olu, according to a statement on Tuesday by his chief press secretary, Gboyega Akosile, said this at the 17th Town Hall Meeting on Security, organised by the Lagos State Security Trust Fund and held at the Eko Hotels Suites, Victoria Island. “Our relentless efforts to enhance security have yielded results. At the 17th Town Hall meeting on security, we discussed…