Author: Opalim Lifted

Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has recounted how his wife allegedly developed frequent headaches after switching from Coca-Cola to fresh orange juice. In a video circulating online, Osinbajo said the headaches started a few months after his wife stopped drinking Coca-Cola and began consuming fresh orange juice. According to the former Vice President, his wife later sent a fresh batch of the orange juice for laboratory testing. He said the results allegedly showed that the oranges were unfit for human consumption because of chemicals purportedly used by farmers to ripen and preserve them. The claim has triggered online reactions, with…

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) are facing renewed scrutiny as Nigerians flood social media with reports of suspected counterfeit, fake and substandard products. The online campaign has highlighted alleged fake food, drugs, toothpaste, beverages, cosmetics and other consumer goods, raising fresh questions about how such products continue to reach Nigerian markets despite the statutory responsibilities of regulatory agencies. Some of the claims circulating online have not been independently verified. However, the growing volume of reports has heightened consumer fears and renewed calls for stronger surveillance, enforcement and…

The Ghanaian Ministry of Gender has launched the Marrify app, a digital platform designed to help prospective couples verify their partner’s marital status before getting married. The official launch ceremony was held recently in Ghana, with Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, the country’s Minister of Gender, in attendance. The Marrify app was launched in collaboration with MarryRight, an agency specialising in family law and marriage. Speaking at the event, Lartey said the application was an important step towards ensuring relationships are built on respect, integrity and accountability while helping to prevent gender-based violence. She said the launch gives couples an opportunity…

Volkswagen, the German carmaker, has approved plans to cut another 50,000 jobs by 2030 as it seeks to reduce costs and improve competitiveness. According to the BBC, the group, which includes Audi, Porsche, Skoda and the Volkswagen brand, is also considering the future of four of its plants in Germany. In a statement, Oliver Blume, Volkswagen’s chief executive officer (CEO), described the latest plan as a “strong signal” for the company’s future, saying the group is “taking responsibility for our entire workforce”. Blume said Volkswagen needs to fundamentally adjust its global workforce to safeguard its competitiveness amid shifting demand and…

Liverpool made light work of newly promoted Ipswich Town as Alexander Isak scored his first double for the club at Portman Road to secure their first Premier League win this season. The Sweden striker produced his most devastating performance since joining from Newcastle United for a British record £125m transfer fee 12 months ago, securing victory for his side by firing past Kjell Scherpen twice inside the opening nine minutes. The win in Suffolk was also the first of Andoni Iraola’s tenure, ensuring he avoided becoming the club’s first manager since Brendan Rodgers to fail to win any of his…

Uber’s sudden exit from Nigeria has opened a new battle for market share, with rivals Bolt and inDrive moving to strengthen their positions in the country’s ride-hailing industry. After about 12 years of operations in Nigeria, Uber announced its departure on September 2, citing “evolving business priorities and investment focus across the continent”. The exit leaves rivals competing for drivers, riders and investors in a market with more than 200 million potential customers. inDrive said Nigeria remains a key African market, noting that its active user base has continued to grow year-on-year. The company said it has made significant investments…

The African Union (AU) will launch the African Credit Rating Agency (AfCRA) on October 7 in Mauritius, in what it describes as a major step towards strengthening Africa’s financial sovereignty. The AU announced the planned launch in a post on X on September 2, saying the agency would challenge what it described as skewed risk perceptions that have led African countries to pay higher risk premiums when accessing global capital. The agency, headquartered in Mauritius, is expected to provide context-driven credit assessments for African sovereign and corporate entities. “The African Credit Rating Agency (AfCRA), headquartered in Mauritius, is created to…

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has dismissed a petition seeking an investigation into alleged “systemic kidnappings in Nigeria as crimes against humanity”. The petition was rejected by Pre-Trial Chamber II on September 1, 2026, amid continuing concerns over kidnapping incidents across the country. The decision was issued by a three-member panel comprising Rosario Salvatore Aitala, presiding judge, Sergio Godínez and Haykel Mahfoudh. According to the decision published on the ICC website, the court’s registrar transmitted the petition, filed by an unnamed individual, to the president of the Pre-Trial Division on August 24, 2026. The petition was titled, “Formal Communication Requesting…

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has decried the worsening cost-of-living crisis in Nigeria, saying young Nigerians should be building careers and businesses rather than selling their kidneys to survive. Atiku, in a post on his official X account, criticised the economic situation under President Bola Tinubu, citing reports that some desperate young Nigerians are selling kidneys for as little as ₦1.7 million to raise money for food, rent and school fees. The 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said the situation should “offend the conscience of every Nigerian”. “Young people should be selling dreams, ideas and innovation, not…

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) to grant Adeniyi Adeyemi, Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), access to his lawyers while in custody. Justice Obiora Egwuatu issued the order on Thursday while ruling on a fundamental rights suit filed by Adeyemi. However, the court declined to order his release, grant him bail or allow him access to medical treatment without first hearing from the respondents. The judge directed the IGP, the police and the AGF to show cause within 72 hours why the…