Author: Opalim Lifted

The Falconets moved into the next round of the FIFA U20 World Cup qualifiers with a dominant 4-0 win over Rwanda at the Lekan Salami stadium, Ibadan, on Saturday. The win sealed a 5-0 aggregate result for the junior Falcons who flexed their superiority against the She-Amavubi youngsters in a stadium filled with fans still celebrating the coronation of a Rashidi Ladoja, the new Olubadan. The celebrations continued with the first goal on 13 minutes when Precious Oscar converted a cutback for 1-0, before Tumininu Adesina raised the noise a notch with her brilliant goal scored directly from a corner…

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has resumed the sale of petrol in naira, just a day after suspending the policy, following swift intervention from the federal government. In an email to clients, the refinery confirmed the move, crediting the decision to the intervention of the Naira-for-Crude Technical Committee chairman. “Following the intervention of the Naira for Crude Technical Committee chairman, we are pleased to inform you of the resumption of PMS sales in naira commencing immediately,” the statement read. Customers were advised to begin placing orders in naira, with the option of self-collection or free delivery to designated locations nationwide. The brief…

President Bola Tinubu has called on Nigerians to put aside their differences and work together to achieve peace, prosperity and development. Speaking through Mohammed Idris, minister of information and national orientation, during a special Jumaat prayer at the National Mosque, Abuja, Tinubu said the country could only fulfil the dreams of its founding fathers if citizens embraced unity and peaceful coexistence. “Differences will always exist. But the president’s message is one of hope, unity, and togetherness,” Idris told worshippers. He added that Nigerians must embody these values to realise the progress and prosperity promised by the Tinubu administration. The president…

The Nigerian naira has been ranked as the ninth weakest currency in Africa, according to a September 2025 report by the Forbes currency calculator. Despite a rare slowdown in inflation this year, the ranking underlines the ongoing pressure on Nigeria’s exchange rate. The Forbes tool, which tracks real-time foreign exchange market data via the Open Exchange Rates API, listed the ten weakest African currencies against the US dollar. Africa’s Weakest Currencies – September 2025 São Tomé & Príncipe Dobra – 22,282 per $1 Sierra Leonean Leone – 20,970 per $1 Guinean Franc – 8,680 per $1 CBN warns against naira…

The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has approved new rules allowing Nigerians abroad and foreign workers in Nigeria to contribute to pension funds in foreign currency. The new regulations apply to Nigerians living and working abroad and employees of foreign companies and international organisations in Nigeria not covered by the Pension Reform Act 2014. According to the regulation, foreign currency pension contributors will receive their retirement benefits in dollars, either through en bloc payment or programmed withdrawal. The commission said Nigerians and foreigners working in Nigeria for foreign companies and international organisations can access their pensions upon reaching the age of…

Gabriel Magalhães scored a 96th-minute winner as Arsenal came from behind to beat Newcastle United in the Premier League at St James’ Park. The defender got his head on the end of Declan Rice’s corner to send manager Mikel Arteta and his staff wild on the touchline. Mikel Merino’s late glancing header off the post cancelled out Nick Woltemade’s opener in a tempestuous game. And the Gunners took all three points to close the gap on league leaders Liverpool to two points and leave Newcastle floored. Newcastle were on course for victory after the towering Woltemade easily rose above Gabriel…

Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN), a renowned legal scholar and administrator, has emerged as the likely successor to Prof. Mahmood Yakubu as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). According to SaharaReporters, President Bola Tinubu directed Yakubu to proceed on terminal leave months before the expiration of his second tenure in December 2025. Insider sources described the move as fallout from what the presidency allegedly viewed as Yakubu’s “last-minute betrayal” of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The directive followed a closed-door meeting between Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma and the president. Uzodimma reportedly accused Yakubu of covertly backing…

Ollie Watkins ended his goal drought as Aston Villa came from behind to beat Fulham for their first Premier League win of the season. The England striker had not scored in his previous nine games, the joint-worst run of his Aston Villa career, but his equaliser gave Villa the platform for victory. John McGinn and substitute Emi Buendia – his first Villa goal for a year – scored twice in two minutes just after the break to put the game beyond Fulham. Raul Jimenez’s header had given the visitors a third-minute lead but the striker was forced off injured soon…

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections, has apologised to those criticising him for describing Rashidi Ladoja, the new Olubadan of Ibadanland, as “ my dear brother”. On Saturday, Obi published a goodwill message via X to celebrate the coronation of Ladoja as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland. “I warmly congratulate my dear brother, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, Arusa I, on his installation as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland,” Obi wrote on X. Obi’s message was heavily criticised by his critics who argued that it is “disrespectful” for the former Anambra governor to…

Professor Mahmood Yakubu, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman, was quietly sent forth in Abuja in June but the farewell was cut short when President Bola Tinubu asked him to stay on. On June 15, Yakubu’s closest aides and associates hosted an unpublicised dinner in his honour at the Continental Hotel, Abuja. The gathering marked what was expected to be his exit after serving two unprecedented terms as umpire of INEC. Yakubu had cleared out his office, prepared handover notes, and even stacked away piles of books and personal effects. His plan was to proceed on a three-month terminal leave…