Author: Opalim Lifted

A heated confrontation unfolded during Thursday’s Senate plenary session when Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) protested the reassignment of her seat by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, leading to tense moments in the chamber. The session took an unexpected turn when Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan arrived to find her seat reassigned, with her nameplate removed. Outraged, she immediately raised her voice in protest, demanding an explanation for what she perceived as an unjustified move. Citing Order 10 of the Senate Standing Rules, which protects members’ privileges, Akpoti-Uduaghan sought recognition from the Senate President to air her grievances. However, Akpabio refused her request, escalating…

A US woman has sued a fertility clinic for allegedly implanting the wrong embryo in her during an in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedure. The woman identified as Krystena Murray became pregnant in May 2023 after undergoing IVF at Coastal Fertility clinic. However, after delivering a baby boy in December 2023, Murray discovered the clinic had “recklessly” transferred the embryo of another couple to her. According to the lawsuit, she said she “knew something was very wrong” because she delivered a “dark-skinned, African American baby” while she and her sperm donor were American. After delivery, she confirmed she was not related…

The federal government, through the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), has taken a significant step towards strengthening the bilateral relations between Nigeria and South Africa in the areas of hospitality, tourism, and travel. During a recent meeting between both African nations at NIHOTOUR headquarters in Abuja, Director General/CEO of NIHOTOUR,  Dr. Abisoye Fagade, stressed how important it was to use Nigeria’s tourism potential, especially the 2024 Lagos Detty December, to improve people’s perceptions of safety in the country and encourage peaceful coexistence. Also, Bobby J. Monroe The Consul General of the Republic of South Africa in Lagos, Nigeria,…

Lagos State House of Assembly has refuted the claims that 27 of its members are planning to defect to the Labour Party (LP), labelling the reports as “malicious and unfounded.” In a statement, yesterday, Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Strategy and Security, Ogundipe Stephen Olukayode, dismissed the allegations as “entirely false, misleading, and a deliberate attempt to misinform the public.” He said that the recent removal of former Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, and the subsequent election of Mojisola Meranda as the new Speaker were purely internal matters conducted in accordance with Nigeria’s constitution, and did not signal any intention…

The Federal Government has resolved the passport printer crisis at Nigeria’s consulates in New York and Atlanta, United States. Following directives issued by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in January 2025, the Nigeria Immigration Service delivered and installed new printers at both consulates on Tuesday. The move follows recent calls from Nigerians in the diaspora, who raised concerns about delays in the passport application process due to outdated printing machines. On Wednesday, in a statement signed by Babatunde Alao, the Special Adviser on Media to the Minister of Interior, Tunji-Ojo said, “The Ministry is committed to innovation and improved…

Borussia Dortmund clinched their spot in the Champions League last 16 after a goalless draw against Sporting in the second leg of their knockout play-off tie. The return leg was a formality after the German side posted a comprehensive 3-0 victory in Lisbon last week with goals from Serhou Guirassy, Pascal Gross and Karim Adeyemi. Dortmund were dominant and had the chance to break the deadlock when they won a penalty in the second half after Rui Silva’s challenge on Adeyemi, but the Sporting goalkeeper made amends by keeping out Guirassy’s spot-kick. The hosts, who lost last season’s final to…

Ryan Flamingo scored an extra-time winner as PSV Eindhoven produced a superb performance against Juventus to overturn their first-leg deficit and book a spot in the last 16 of the Champions League. PSV suffered a 2-1 defeat in the first leg of the tie in Turin, but fought with determination at home on Wednesday night to dump out the Italian giants in a frenetic encounter. Ivan Perisic and Ismael Saibari netted either side of a stunning Timothy Weah strike to make it 3-3 on aggregate in normal time before Flamingo sealed victory. PSV’s progression means they will face either Arsenal…

Paris St-Germain (PSG) roared into the last 16 of the Champions League with a thumping victory over Brest. Luis Enrique’s side will now face Liverpool or Barcelona with the draw due to take place on Friday, 21 February at 11:00 GMT, in Nyon Switzerland. Already leading 3-0 from the first leg of their knockout play-off, the hosts again exhibited their superiority over a fellow French side they have now defeated four times this season – scoring 18 times in the process. Bradley Barcola extended their advantage with a neat near-post effort and his fellow winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia tapped in PSG’s…

The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, has said there is no evidence that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is funding Boko Haram or any terrorist group. Mills stated after meeting with the Nigeria Governors Forum in Abuja late Wednesday night that no nation condemns Boko Haram’s violence more strongly than the US. He assured all that if any evidence is found, the US government will work with the Nigerian government to investigate it. Recall that on February 13, Congressman Scott Perry accused USAID of funding terrorist groups, including Boko Haram. Boko Haram is a terrorist…

Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have seized a cache of pump action rifles in the office of the chief security officer (CSO) to Mudashiru Obasa, the ousted speaker of the house of assembly, sources said. The pump action rifles were discovered during a routine “sweeping exercise”, a member of the assembly said, adding that live cartridges were also found. However, an associate of the former speaker has told newsmen that it is a “smear campaign” to prevent Obasa from returning to his office. Obasa is insisting that his removal as speaker was illegal and that he remains…