Author: Opalim Lifted

Dangote Refinery says it will begin the nationwide distribution of diesel and premium motor spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, on August 15. In a statement on Sunday, Dangote said it has acquired 4,000 new compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered tankers to enhance its fuel distribution capacity across the country. The refinery said the rollout will be phased and supported by investments in CNG stations and over 100 mobile CNG tankers to guarantee efficient last-mile delivery. The company said it will supply petroleum products directly to marketers, petrol dealers, manufacturers, telecom firms, aviation players, and other large-scale users, at no additional…

The Nigerian Senate is currently reviewing a bill that proposes increasing the number of Supreme Court justices from 21 to 30, as pressure mounts over the court’s growing backlog. Senator Osita Izunaso, representing Imo West, disclosed the proposal during a media briefing in Abuja to mark his second anniversary in the 10th National Assembly. He said that although the Supreme Court recently met its constitutional limit of 21 justices after 11 appointments in 2023, the volume of pending cases has made the current figure “grossly inadequate.” Izunaso stressed that even with the court operating at full capacity, it remains “overwhelmed,”…

Bright Chimezie, the renowned Nigerian highlife musician, has entered into a promotional agreement with Sony Music Publishing (SMP). The global music company announced the partnership in an Instagram post, expressing enthusiasm about the collaboration. According to the post, the deal aims to bring Chimezie’s music to new audiences while preserving and celebrating his artistic legacy. “SMP is honored to announce the introduction of the Legendary and extraordinary Bright Chimezie into the family,” the post reads. “Known for his vibrant style, infectious rhythms, and the creation of the “Zigima Sound.” Bright Chimezie is a towering figure in African music. “With a…

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami were held to a 0-0 draw by Egyptian side Al Ahly on Saturday as FIFA’s new 32-team tournament got off to a smooth start in front of 60,927 fans in Florida. Messi was denied a storybook stoppage-time winner when he saw his curling shot from 20 yards out tipped on to the bar by Mohamed El Shenawy as Miami piled on the pressure in the final minutes of the game. Al Ahly, who were cheered on by over 10,000 of their supporters, were left to rue a first-half penalty from Egypt international Trezeguet which was…

Kamaru Usman secured a unanimous decision victory over Joaquin Buckley in their UFC main event fight at State Farm Arena in Atlanta on Sunday morning. The 38-year-old former UFC welterweight champion scored 49-46, 49-46, 48-47 on all three judges’ scorecards to secure a surprise victory over the on-form challenger. The victory ended a run of three consecutive defeats for the former five-time defending champion. It also ended a run of defeat that started in 2021, tasting victory for the first time in almost four years. Usman, who had been off the arena for 20 months, showed the packed venue why…

A helicopter carrying Hindu pilgrims has crashed in India, killing seven people on board. The accident happened within minutes of the helicopter taking off, officials said, on what should have been a 10-minute flight. The helicopter was flying to Guptkashi, a prominent Hindu pilgrimage site in the Himalayas, from Kedarnath temple town in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand. It comes three days after an Air India flight crashed less than a minute after taking off from Ahmedabad airport in northwestern India, killing at least 270 people. The helicopter, which was operated by private helicopter service Aryan Aviation, went down…

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has clarified that its recently announced three-day fasting and prayer programme is not a substitute for tangible policies on food security, following widespread criticism from the public. An internal memo dated 11 June, issued by Adedayo Modupe, Director of Human Resource Management, invited ministry staff to a spiritual exercise aimed at seeking divine guidance in support of Nigeria’s food security efforts. “All staff of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security are invited to a solemn prayer session for God’s guidance and success in supporting the government’s efforts to achieve food…

Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke to US President Donald Trump for 50 minutes on Saturday, focusing on hostilities between Israel and Iran and calling for efforts to bring them to an end. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said Putin condemned the Israeli military operation against Iran and expressed concern about the risks of escalation. Trump, in his account on Truth Social, said most of the discussion centered on the Middle East, but that he also told Putin that Russia’s war in Ukraine should end. “Vladimir Putin condemned Israel’s military operation against Iran and expressed serious concern about a possible escalation of…

Fela Kuti, the late Afrobeat legend, has been inducted into the 2025 Grammy Hall of Fame for his 1976 album, ‘Zombie’. The Grammy Hall Of Fame was established by the Recording Academy in 1973 to honour recordings of lasting qualitative or historical significance that are at least 25 years old. Inductees are selected annually by a special member committee of eminent and knowledgeable professionals from all branches of the recording arts. Accepting the award on behalf of his family, Fela’s eldest son, Femi Kuti described it as an “honour”. “Our father’s legacy lives on. We are honoured to accept this…

Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka has called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently investigate the unresolved and suspicious deaths of key Nigerian figures, including Dele Giwa, Bola Ige, and Kudirat Abiola. Speaking to select journalists in Lagos on Saturday, Soyinka said numerous Nigerians—both at home and abroad—may hold vital information that could help uncover the truth behind these high-profile killings. The acclaimed playwright made his appeal during Nigeria’s Democracy Day commemorations on 12 June 2025, where President Tinubu addressed a joint session of the National Assembly and posthumously honoured several champions of the country’s democratic struggle. While Soyinka welcomed the…