Author: Opalim Lifted

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has discontinued the naira-for-crude deal with Dangote Petroleum Refinery and other local refineries, TheCable reported. The development could trigger an uptick in the pump price of petrol as local refineries — including Dangote — will now rely on international suppliers for feedstock, gulping huge costs in dollars. The NNPC reportedly told the refineries it has forward-sold all its crude, although production is now said to be higher than when the deal commenced. Nigeria officially commenced the sale of crude oil and refined petroleum products in naira to local refineries on October 1, 2024.…

China is set to introduce artificial intelligence (AI) courses in primary and secondary schools in a bid to strengthen the country’s goal to dominate the sector.  The Beijing Municipal Education Commission’s website, schools in Beijing, the capital of China, will offer at least eight hours of artificial intelligence classes periodically — starting from the coming fall semester which begins on September 1, authorities said. The statement said the schools can run them as stand-alone courses or integrate the courses with existing curricula like information technology and science. “Build municipal general basic courses. Implement the requirements of the national curriculum plan…

Five terror attacks that occurred in Nigeria in 2024 have been ranked among the world’s 50 most devastating, the 2025 Global Terrorism Index reported. The attacks, which took place in Yobe and Borno states, were carried out by Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). They were ranked 7th, 9th, 24th, 30th, and 33rd on the global list in the report obtained by Chronicle NG. According to the report released on March 5, 2024, the deadliest of the Nigerian attacks occurred on September 1, 2024, in Yobe State, when 100 people were killed in an armed assault…

Arsenal’s faint hopes of winning the Premier League took another blow on Sunday despite Declan Rice securing Mikel Arteta’s men a 1-1 draw on a day of protest at Manchester United. The Gunners could ill afford any slip-up given their title hopes hung by a thread, but their failure to match Liverpool’s result the previous day leaves them needing a miracle with 10 games left. Arsenal sit 15 points behind the leaders after Rice cancelled out Bruno Fernandes’ free-kick as United impressively overcame recent exertions and the fact they were without 11 players for a game Ruben Amorim simply wanted…

Chelsea moved back into the Premier League top four as Marc Cucurella’s second-half strike sealed a scrappy win against Leicester City at Stamford Bridge. It was the Spain left-back’s fifth goal of the season – and second in successive league games after netting against Southampton. Cucurella’s crucial goal came on the hour mark, beating visiting keeper Mads Hermansen with a left-footed effort from 25 yards. Chelsea had been frustrated until then, with Hermansen saving Cole Palmer’s penalty midway through the first half following a trip on Jadon Sancho by Victor Kristiansen. The miss ended Palmer’s 100% record from the spot…

Former Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, has said a virile civil service sector remained key to the country’s success and national development. Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 2024 AIG Public Leaders Programme, in Abuja, Osinbajo said the civil service has a legal and accepted vehicle by the government to make life bearable for Nigerians. The former vice president particularly commended the various initiatives by the Aig-Imoukhuede (AIG) Foundation, partnering the government towards restoring the civil service to its former glory. Osinbajo pointed out that the service had driven national progress in the past, having been credited for facilitating…

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Senate President Mr Godswill Akpabio to “immediately rescind the patently unlawful suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, as the purported suspension is based solely on the peaceful exercise of her constitutionally and internationally recognized right to freedom of expression.” SERAP said, “The Senate should immediately reinstate Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan, and revise parliamentary procedures that unduly restrict senators’ human rights.” The Senate last week suspended Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months, after she reportedly ‘spoke without permission’ and ‘refused her new seat in the upper legislative chamber.’ Her salary and allowances will not be paid…

The leadership of the Senate has denied suspending Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment. Rather, the upper chamber reiterated that Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended specifically due to her flagrant disobedience to Sections 6.1 and 6.2 of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (As Amended) and her unparliamentary behaviour during its plenaries and proceedings. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, made these clarifications in a three-page statement on Saturday “amid the deliberate misinformation and false narratives being circulated by certain media organisations.” Contingent on the report of its Committee on Ethics and Privileges, the Senate had suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for…

Portable, the controversial Nigerian singer, has rebuked social media critic VeryDarkMan (VDM) for asking him to feature on a diss track aimed at gospel artiste Mercy Chinwo. VDM had revealed plans to release the diss track ‘Body of Christ’ in response to Chinwo’s N1.125 billion defamation lawsuit against him. The lawsuit was filed after VDM accused Chinwo of diverting funds from shows without remitting them to her former label. Portable took to Instagram to express his discontent with VDM’s feature request. He warned VDM to stop mentioning his name and accused him of defaming people, their businesses, and marriages. The…

Davido, the Afrobeats sensation, has been selected by King Charles III to feature on his exclusive playlist ‘King’s Music Room’. The playlist, curated by the king himself and recorded at Buckingham Palace, showcases his favorite tracks from artistes across the commonwealth, including Bob Marley, Kylie Minogue, and Grace Jones. King Charles III created the playlist to share the music that brings him joy, highlighting the impact of music on his life. He also shared anecdotes about his encounters with some of the artistes featured. “Throughout my life, music has meant a great deal to me. I know that is also…