Author: Opalim Lifted

Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp has suggested Cody Gakpo might be their only major signing of the January window, saying the club “cannot play like monopoly” in the transfer market and that he has “faith and trust” in the players at his disposal. With forwards Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota both sidelined due to injury Liverpool brought in Gakpo, who scored three goals for the Netherlands at the World Cup, from PSV Eindhoven for a reported initial fee of 37 million pounds ($44.67 million). “I don’t want to disappoint anybody but we signed an outstanding player like Cody Gakpo and the…

Following the leadership crisis rocking the Apostolic Christian Church Mission, Omuma Road Aba, the Governor of Abia State, Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, has directed an immediate shutting of the church till further notice. In a government special announcement signed by Chris Ezem, the Secretary to Abia State Government, Ikpeazu warned, “Any attempt by any person or group of persons to flout or undermine this directive will be met with severe consequences.” The Governor further directed, “no religious activity or any other activity whatsoever including the intended church convention should hold at the church premises, 34 Omuma Road Aba, or Eziama High…

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Sunday wrote a letter to Nigerians asking them to elect the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, ahead of the February election. Obasanjo made this known in a new year message titled, “My appeal to all Nigerians particularly Young Nigerians.” According to Obasanjo, none of the presidential candidates is a saint, but when compared to the knowledge, discipline and what they can offer, Obi has an edge. He wrote, “none of the contestants is a saint but when one compares their character, antecedent, their understanding, knowledge, discipline and vitality that they can bring…

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Professor Abdulrasheed Na’allah, on Sunday, hailed the institution on the commemoration of the 35th anniversary of the school. In a statement made available to our correspondent on Sunday, Na’allah commended the institution for attracting N1 billion worth of research grants in 2022. The VC also encouraged the staff and students of the institution to continually keep the flag of the institution flying high. He said, “As you might know, today, our university, the great UofA of Nigeria, is 35 years old. Since 1988 when it was established, it has been witnessing a steady…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says 1,693,963 Permanent voter cards (PVCS) are yet to be collected in Lagos State as at Dec. 29. The commission, which made this known in a tabular summary to newsmen on Saturday in Abuja, categorised the uncollected PVCs into 916,961 old cards and 777,002 new cards. According to the document, Lagos has received 7,510,491 cards from INEC headquarters, comprising of 6,570,291 old cards and 940,200 new cards. 2023 general elections in danger, INEC raises alarm It added that out of the cards received by the state, a total of 5,816,528 PVCs (5,653,330 – Old…

Numerous blasts were heard in Kyiv and in other places around Ukraine and air raid sirens wailed across the country in the first couple hours after midnight on New Year’s Day. As the sirens wailed, some people in Kyiv shouted from their balconies, “Glory to Ukraine! Glory to heroes!” Reuters witnesses reported. Fragments from a missile destroyed by Ukrainian air defence systems damaged a car in the capital’s centre, but preliminarily there were no wounded or casualties, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said. Kyiv’s city military administration said that 23 Russian-launched “air objects” had been destroyed. The attacks came minutes after…

New Year speech by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) for the year 2023, which happens to be his last as President. My fellow countrymen and women, a very happy and prosperous New Year to you. First, I would like to thank and honour the Almighty who saw us through the year 2022 and has given us the opportunity to see another year. Each New Year is an opportunity to reflect on the past year, reposition, and move forward with the New. 2. As we celebrate the opportunity to be alive in the year 2023, we must also acknowledge…

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has granted pardon to 104 inmates in the five custodial centres. He signed the release order on December 28 based on the recommendation of the Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy. Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), said in a statement on Saturday that the gesture was also in compliance with Section 212 (1) (2) of the 1999 Constitution (amended) which empowers the governor to exercise the prerogative of mercy. 2023: Youth group recommend Sanwo-Olu for second term The Advisory Council relied on information provided by the correctional authorities, the nature…

An NGO, Doyin and Suzan Foundation, has donated foodstuffs and clothing materials to no fewer than 350 widows and Persons with Disability (PWDs) in some rural communities in Isanlu, Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi. The foundation also engaged the women in a dancing competition where three widows who emerged as winners received additional special gifts. The items distributed include rice, noodles, semovita, pastas, maggi, seasoning, tomatoes paste, salt, soaps & detergents, wrappers, flip-flops, among others. The founder of the organisation, Chief Mrs Adedoyin Ibikunle-Eshanumi, who inaugurated the distribution in Isanlu on Friday, said the initiative was borne out…

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has approved the establishment of three new departments and confirmed four acting directors of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCDA) as substantive directors. The Executive Secretary of FCDA, Alhaji Shehu Ahmad, made the announcement at a news conference on Saturday in Abuja. The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello has approved the confirmation of four acting Directors of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) as substantive Directors. Similarly, the Minister has also approved the creation of three new Departments as well as the appointment of five new Directors,” he said. Ahmad said those whose appointments…