Author: Opalim Lifted

The House of Representatives (Reps) Ad Hoc Committee investigating the utilization of ecological funds released to the National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW) has uncovered N81.2 billion allegedly spent to plant twenty-one million trees in eleven states. Chronicle NG reports that the investigation spans from 2015 to date. Rep. Isma’ila Dabo, the chairman of the committee in Abuja, decried the persistence of environmental challenges in spite of the funds put into the program. He said the funds provided by the federal government and international partners necessitated the investigation. He said the committee would embark on an on-the-spot assessment…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Kaduna Zonal Command, has secured the conviction of Felix Gabriel, Hayble Wisdom, Joseph Yusuf, Amos Emmanuel, Solomon Haruna, Joshua Peter Bello, and Abraham Adewale Ajoboh before Justice N.U. Sadiq of the Kaduna State High Court on separate one-count charges bordering on cybercrime and cheating by impersonation. Six of the convicts met their Waterloo when operatives of the Command raided their hideouts at Narayi and Barnawa in Kaduna metropolis, following intelligence on their alleged internet-based fraudulent activities where they assumed the identities of foreigners to lure unsuspecting victims to part with monies in foreign…

Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time Formula One world champion, has signed a new deal with Mercedes and will continue to partner compatriot George Russell in 2024 and 2025, the company announced on Thursday. There were no financial specifics provided, but media sources said the arrangement may be worth 50 million pounds ($63.41 million) per year for Hamilton. The 38-year-old British driver last won a race in 2021, with Red Bull and double world champion Max Verstappen now dominating after ending Mercedes’ record streak of eight consecutive constructors’ world titles. Hamilton, the sport’s most successful driver, joined Mercedes from McLaren in 2013…

The Federal Government of Nigeria has commenced the improvement of facilities and infrastructure at Idu Train Station, Abuja, to improve the quality of service delivery. Mr. Fidet Okhira, Managing Director, Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), stated this after an inspection visit to the station on Wednesday. Okhira added that the move was to improve the customer service experience and ensure comfort and safety for users. He explained that the inspection became necessary following the unscheduled visit by the Minister of Transportation, Sen. Saidu Alkali, to the station. He added that Alkali had highlighted some issues that needed to be corrected. “My…

The Federal Government of Nigeria is set to revamp the nation’s steel sector to enhance the economy and create employment opportunities. The Minister of Steel Development, Shuabi Audu, said this in Abuja when he met with heads of agencies and departments in the ministry. Audu said that Nigeria’s abundant mineral resources hold the key to reshaping the nation’s economic landscape and extending the benefits of democracy to every Nigerian. “By tapping into the latent potential of the steel sector and channelling it into lucrative ventures, we can ensure that the dividends of democracy reach every citizen. “The steel sector stands…

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu will address the 78th Session of the high-level General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the UN headquarters in New York on Tuesday, Sept. 19. The UN correspondent reports that Tinubu, in his first outing to the Assembly, will be addressing world leaders in the evening of that day. The Nigerian President would be the fifth African leader to speak on day one of the gathering, according to the speakers list from the Office of the General Assembly President. According to the list, Tinubu will be the 14th speaker out of 20 leaders…

Spanish attacker Ansu Fati is poised to join Brighton on a season-long loan from Barcelona. Fati has dropped down the pecking order at Barcelona, which has to make room in their roster for Manchester City full-back Joao Cancelo to join them on loan. Brighton’s offer for the 20-year-old does not include a purchase obligation. Fati was also connected with Tottenham, although he is said to have been impressed with Brighton’s style of play under manager Roberto de Zerbi. If the move goes through as planned, it will be a huge coup for Brighton, who will be playing European football for…

The new stoppage-time rules implemented by English football this season to reduce time waste are “absurd” and will not be adopted in UEFA competitions, according to Zvonimir Boban, the European governing body’s chief of football. Following FIFA’s lead at the men’s and women’s World Cups, England’s referee body announced in July that officials would add time lost to goal celebrations, substitutions, and injuries. The goal is to expand the amount of time the ball is in play, with games now routinely lasting more than 100 minutes. Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, Manchester United defender Raphael Varane, and FIFPRO, the…

Inter Milan and Bayern Munich announced the signing of France defender Benjamin Pavard on Wednesday. No financial details were published, but Italian media reported that the 27-year-old signed a five-year contract with Simone Inzaghi’s side for roughly 32 million euros ($34.94 million). Benjamin, who joined Bayern from VfB Stuttgart in 2019, is a four-time Bundesliga champion. He also helped France win the World Cup in Russia in 2018. Inter have started their Serie A season strongly, winning their opening two games. Pavard strikes as France down Ireland in Euro 2024 qualifier Following the departure of Milan Skriniar to Paris Saint-Germain,…

A top minister said on Wednesday that at least 32 multinational electronics companies had applied to India’s incentive scheme to manufacture laptops, tablets, and servers in the country, weeks after the government put limitations on laptop imports. The government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking to increase domestic manufacturing capacity through its “Make in India” campaign, with major foreign companies either establishing their own operations or forming joint ventures with Indian firms. The applications were submitted by electronics companies as part of the country’s $2 billion production-linked incentive (PLI) program for information technology devices, which was unveiled in May,…