Author: Opalim Lifted

The Federal Executive Council (FEC), presided over by President Bola Tinubu, has approved the 2026 appropriation budget, with aggregate expenditure projected at N58.47 trillion — a six percent increase over the 2025 budget estimate. Tanimu Yakubu, director-general of the budget office, announced while briefing journalists on Friday. Yakubu said the proposed expenditure includes N4.98 trillion for government-owned enterprises (GOEs) and N1.37 trillion for grants and donor-funded projects. Statutory transfers were put at N4.1 trillion, while debt service accounts for the largest share of spending at N15.52 trillion. He noted that the debt service figure includes N3.38 trillion allocated to the…

“Budget of Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity” Presented by: His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR President, Federal Republic of Nigeria At the Joint Session of the National Assembly, Abuja Friday, 19 December 2025 PROTOCOLS Distinguished Senate President, Rt. Honourable Speaker and Honourable Members of the House of Representatives, Distinguished Senators and Honourable Members of the National Assembly, Fellow Nigerians, 1. I appear before this Joint Session of the National Assembly, in fulfilment of my constitutional duty, to present the 2026 Appropriation Bill of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 2. This is a defining moment in our national journey…

European Championship winners Spain will face Copa America champions Argentina in the ‘Finalissima’ game in Qatar in March next year, European soccer body UEFA announced on Thursday. The contest between the two continental champions was revived in 2021 when UEFA and South American confederation CONMEBOL strongly opposed FIFA’s plans for a biennial World Cup. Lionel Messi’s Argentina outclassed Italy 3-0 in the 2022 contest and the South American side will return to the Lusail Stadium in Qatar where they were crowned world champions three years ago. Finalissima 2025: Argentina face Spain to compete for Intercontinental Cup The match will be…

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) high court has rejected an application by Abubakar Malami, former attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice, seeking bail from the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). In a ruling on Thursday, Babangida Hassan, the presiding judge, said Malami’s detention was lawful and backed by a valid court order. Malami, a senior advocate of Nigeria, had approached the court through his counsel, Sulaiman Hassan, arguing that his continued detention by the EFCC in the course of an ongoing investigation was illegal and violated his constitutional right to personal liberty. The EFCC,…

A former senior aide to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has firmly dismissed claims that President Muhammadu Buhari opposed Osinbajo’s 2023 presidential ambition, describing recent accounts as misleading and historically inaccurate. Babafemi Ojudu, who served as Special Adviser on Political Matters in the Office of the Vice President between 2016 and 2022, was responding to excerpts from a new book by Dr Charles Omole, Muhammadu Buhari: From Soldier to Statesman. The book has sparked controversy by suggesting tensions within the Buhari presidency over Osinbajo’s bid. According to Ojudu, the suggestion that President Buhari was unsupportive is “implausible and mischievous”. Drawing on…

President Bola Tinubu will be hosting a national caucus meeting of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Presidential Villa today, bringing together Vice President Kashim Shettima, former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, state governors, serving and former top functionaries of the National Assembly, former governors, and members of the National Working Committee of the party. The National Caucus of the party normally holds ahead of the National Executive Council meeting. Today’s meeting is described by party insiders as strategic and consultative, called to strengthen party cohesion and chart key directions for upcoming political engagements. Participants are expected to deliberate…

The Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, CP Miller Dantawaye, has ordered the deployment of police personnel to places of worship and other public locations across the FCT ahead of the Yuletide celebrations. In a statement on Thursday, the command’s spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, said 2,202 police officers have been deployed across the territory in line with the 2025 festive season operational order to ensure the safety of residents and visitors. According to her, police personnel have been stationed at places of worship, recreational and event centres, major highways, motor parks, and other public spaces. She added that…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested five members of a syndicate allegedly defrauding unsuspecting individuals under the pretence of providing spiritual cleansing and solutions to various ailments. In a statement on Wednesday, Dele Oyewale, EFCC spokesperson, identified the suspects as Akingbola Omotayo, Adeola Funsho Ogunrinde, Yahaya Amodu, Kubratu Babalola Olaitan, and Familola Sunday Olaitan. Oyewale said operatives arrested them on December 7 and 8, 2025, at their shrines in Osun and Lagos states “following a thorough surveillance and intelligence on their fraudulent activities”. According to the EFCC spokesperson, the suspects, who operated as herbalists, allegedly defrauded one…

Teenager Lewis Miley scored a dramatic late winner as holders Newcastle United beat Fulham to reach the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup. The quarter-final looked to be heading for penalties after Fulham midfielder Sasa Lukic’s header cancelled out Yoane Wissa’s opener at St James’ Park. But Miley headed home at the near post from Sandro Tonali’s stoppage-time corner as Newcastle got back to winning ways following a damaging derby defeat against Sunderland on Sunday. The 19-year-old midfielder stepped up when Newcastle needed him most, having selflessly filled in at right-back because of injuries to Kieran Trippier, Lewis Hall, Dan Burn…

Rayan Cherki’s thunderbolt strike helped Manchester City overcome Brentford to reach the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup. City, who had not reached the last four of the competition since claiming a fourth triumph in a row in 2021, will face Newcastle in a two-legged semi-final. Brentford started brightly but could not capitalise and were then reliant on stand-in goalkeeper Hakon Valdimarsson to push away a rising effort from Cherki. Having had a sighter at goal, the Frenchman gave City the lead just after the half hour mark. The forward picked the ball up on the edge of the box, cut…