Author: Opalim Lifted

Former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has highlighted the determination of young African leaders to build stronger institutions, competitive economies and a more connected continent. Osinbajo made the remarks after hosting 23 Elevate Africa Fellows from 18 African countries in Abuja. He said discussions centred on some of the continent’s toughest challenges, including strengthening institutions, improving economic competitiveness and leading effectively through complexity. The former vice-president said the dinner also provided an opportunity to hear about the fellows’ work across policy, technology, entrepreneurship, education, health, finance and the arts. “What struck me most?” Osinbajo said. “The diversity of paths, but the unity…

President Bola Tinubu has ordered Nigeria’s security and intelligence agencies to launch an immediate, coordinated operation to rescue victims abducted during a recent mass kidnapping in Niger State. The directive followed the abduction and killing of residents in the state, which the President condemned as a barbaric attack on innocent Nigerians. In a statement issued by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu directed the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS) and other relevant security and intelligence agencies to mobilise for the rescue operation. The President also ordered the Service Chiefs to provide regular updates on…

A five-day gridlock on major roads across Nigeria’s South-South has disrupted businesses, stranded commuters and left thousands of trucks carrying essential goods trapped for days. The crisis, particularly along the Benin-Sapele-Effurun Road, has reportedly cost manufacturers more than N500 billion, with factories unable to receive raw materials or distribute finished products. The figure excludes losses suffered by traders and distributors as perishable goods remain stuck on the roads and risk spoiling before reaching their destinations. Videos circulating on social media show stranded commuters abandoning vehicles and trekking long distances, while commercial motorcycles have become a major means of escaping the…

Former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has shared highlights of his engagement with students and faculty at the Lagos Business School (LBS), where he spoke on the theme, “Leading Without a Blueprint.” Osinbajo said the visit provided an opportunity to reconnect with members of the LBS community, including Dean Prof Olayinka David-West, MBA Director Chinedu Ewuzie, Mrs Owen Omogiafor OON and Prof Pat Utomi. He also visited Prof Olawale Ajai’s class before addressing MBA students on leadership and decision-making in uncertain circumstances. The former vice-president said the session focused on the reality that some of the most important challenges leaders face do…

Nigeria can no longer rely solely on a centrally controlled police structure to tackle its growing security challenges, Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, has said. Gbajabiamila spoke on Monday at a special session of the 66th annual general conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), titled “NBA Takes the Mic: Who Polices Nigeria?”, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Delivering President Tinubu’s message to the legal community, the Chief of Staff said the administration was committed to addressing what it described as a structural weakness in Nigeria’s policing system. “A country of our size and diversity cannot…

Tottenham have signed Brazil winger Savinho from Manchester City for an initial £75m. The 22-year-old has joined Spurs on a long-term contract, with Roberto De Zerbi’s side potentially paying a further £10m in add-ons. Savinho’s move to north London has been more than 12 months in the making, with Spurs having failed in a bid to sign him last summer. Savinho opted to remain at the Etihad Stadium, but his game time was limited under Pep Guardiola last term, when he made just seven Premier League starts. “It’s taken a while but I’m very happy to be here,” said Savinho.…

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) on Monday picketed the Abuja Continental Hotel over alleged violations of workers’ rights, including the denial of unionisation and collective bargaining. The action brought union leaders and workers’ representatives to the hotel premises after the TUC said repeated attempts to resolve the dispute through dialogue had failed. TUC Secretary-General, Nuhu Toro, said the union had exhausted peaceful avenues after writing to the hotel management on August 4. “The issue is very clear. Workers are being treated as slaves at Abuja Continental Hotel. Their rights are being violated,” Toro said. According to him, the…

Chelsea made a flying start to the Xabi Alonso era on Monday, beating London rivals Fulham 3-2 in an entertaining Premier League opener. Joao Pedro, Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer all scored as Chelsea survived a late Fulham fightback to claim three points at Craven Cottage. The visitors needed just 31 seconds to take the lead. Palmer found Joao Pedro, who lifted the ball over Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno to register the fastest goal scored in the opening round of a Premier League season in the competition’s 34-year history. Fulham responded in the 24th minute when Josh King beat Robert…

The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) has uncovered emerging tactics used by terrorist financiers to conceal the identities of those controlling illicit funds, including the use of pre-registered SIM cards, accounts linked to deceased persons and bank accounts opened in women’s names. The disclosure was contained in the NFIU’s 2025 Annual Report, which identified weak customer identification controls, disconnected SIM-Bank Verification Number (BVN) linkages and proxy accounts as emerging enablers of financial crime and terrorist financing. According to the report, terrorist financiers exploit gaps between mobile phone identities and financial records by using SIM cards that are not registered to…

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has introduced a new system allowing candidates to upload their O’level results from home while the board verifies them directly with the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and other examination bodies. JAMB spokesperson Fabian Benjamin announced the development in a statement on Monday, describing it as part of the board’s renewed effort to make its services easier, faster, safer and more convenient for candidates. Under the new arrangement, candidates can upload their results through JAMB’s eFacility platform without making unnecessary visits to computer-based test (CBT) centres. The board said the system will also…