Author: Opalim Lifted

The governments of Lagos, Ogun and Oyo have declared Thursday, August 20, 2026, a public holiday to celebrate the 2026 Isese Day. The announcements were conveyed in separate statements issued by officials of the Lagos, Ogun and Oyo governments. Idris Aregbe, the special adviser to the Lagos governor on tourism, arts and culture, announced the public holiday in a statement released on Wednesday. Aregbe said Isese Day is more than a public holiday but a “living expression” of Yoruba spirituality. The special adviser said the public holiday would allow residents to fully participate in the traditional celebration. “Ìṣẹ̀ṣe is not…

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved an amendment to the National Mental Health Act 2021 to remove attempted suicide as a criminal offence in Nigeria. Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing State House correspondents after the weekly FEC meeting. Pate said the proposed amendment would be transmitted to the National Assembly for consideration and passage. Under Nigeria’s existing criminal laws, attempted suicide remains an offence under provisions inherited from the colonial-era Criminal Code and Penal Code. The minister said this conflicts with the National Mental Health Act, which provides protection, treatment…

President Bola Tinubu has joined the United States Department of Justice’s request for additional time to respond to a court order concerning the release of records linked to allegations of drug trafficking against him. Christopher Carmichael, one of Tinubu’s lawyers, filed a notice of joinder at the US District Court on behalf of the Nigerian president, supporting the government’s request for a 10-day extension. “Intervenor joins Defendants’ motion for a 10-day extension of time to file response to the motion for summary judgment (DE 92), in as much as Intervenor requests that the responses remain on the same schedule,” the…

President Bola Tinubu has approved the immediate preparation of a National Threat Assessment and a five-year Strategic Defence Operations Plan aimed at improving coordination among Nigeria’s defence, intelligence and security agencies. The President gave the directive on Wednesday during the Federal Executive Council meeting at the State House, Abuja, stressing the need for a unified strategy to address Nigeria’s changing security challenges. Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, said in a statement that Adeyinka Famadewa, special adviser on homeland security, would coordinate the nine-member committee constituted by Tinubu to prepare the strategic defence operations plan…

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday met with the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, and the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, at the State House, Abuja. The meeting focused on the management and disposal of houses seized nationwide by the anti-graft agency, with emphasis on transparency and accountability. The State House media office disclosed the meeting in a statement and photographs released on Tuesday night. It said Olukoyede and Darma briefed Tinubu on “the management and disposal of seized houses nationwide, under the rules of transparency and Accountability” at the…

Senator Ben Murray-Bruce has urged President Bola Tinubu to appoint more “mad men” into his administration — individuals he says are willing to challenge entrenched interests, confront broken systems and deliver measurable results. Murray-Bruce, a former Peoples Democratic Party governorship aspirant, made the call in an open letter to Tinubu published on his X account on Wednesday. The former senator said his support for the administration should not prevent him from criticising its policies or offering suggestions aimed at improving the country. “Mr President, I write this as a supporter of your administration and as a Nigerian who wants you…

Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, is set to perform two concerts at St Petersburg’s 70,000-capacity Gazprom Arena in October, marking his most significant return to Russia since Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Tickets for both shows reportedly sold out within hours of going on sale on Monday, with prices ranging from 9,000 roubles (£78) to 160,000 roubles (£1,394). The concerts come as West attempts to rebuild his career after years of controversy surrounding antisemitic and pro-Nazi statements. The rapper apologised for his remarks in January, attributing his behaviour to a brain injury and bipolar disorder. He said he was…

Davido, the Nigerian Afrobeats singer, says he is stepping away from Nigerian politics, describing the political landscape as “evil”. The 33-year-old singer made the remark on X while reacting to a post by Dayo Israel, the All Progressives Congress (APC) national youth leader, who outlined factors he believed contributed to the party’s defeat in the Osun governorship election. Ademola Adeleke, Davido’s uncle and candidate of the Accord Party, was declared the winner after securing 511,067 votes to defeat Bola Oyebamiji of the APC, who polled 444,815 votes. Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) finished third with 17,180 votes.…

Bayern Munich midfielder Jamal Musiala has revealed he has been diagnosed with a neurological disorder after collapsing during a match for the second time in four days. The 23-year-old went down six minutes after coming off the bench in Bayern’s 4-2 friendly win at Heidenheim on Tuesday. He required medical attention before being assisted from the pitch. Musiala had also collapsed during Bayern’s 3-1 friendly victory over RB Leipzig on Saturday. In a statement on Instagram, the Germany international said doctors had diagnosed him with temporary episodes linked to a neurological dysfunction. “I’ve been diagnosed with temporary, brief, but easily…

Barcelona have signed Spain midfielder Rodri from Manchester City on a deal running until June 2030, bringing the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner to Camp Nou in a major coup for the LaLiga champions. According to Reuters, the 30-year-old joins Hansi Flick’s side for a reported £65.4 million ($88.56 million), with Barcelona beating Spanish rivals Real Madrid to the midfielder’s signature. Rodri’s contract with Manchester City had been due to expire in June 2027. “FC Barcelona and Manchester City have reached an agreement for the transfer of Rodrigo Hernandez Cascante, known in the football world as Rodri, who is committing to…