Author: Opalim Lifted

Controversial American rapper, Kanye West, has pleaded with President Donald Trump to pardon imprisoned music mogul, Sean Combs, popularly known as Puff Diddy. The 24-time Grammy winner took to social media, urging Trump to pardon Combs before his May 5 trial. His comments followed Trump’s sweeping pardon of nearly 1,500 January 6th defendants. Combs, 55, was arrested by NYPD on September 16 and remains jailed after being denied bail three times. Facing charges of racketeering, sex trafficking, and transporting individuals for prostitution, he could receive a life sentence if convicted. In addition, Combs is battling numerous sexual assault lawsuits, including…

The Federal Government has proposed a 12-year basic education model but has denied scrapping Junior Secondary School (JSS) and Senior Secondary School (SSS). The ministry stated that reports of an immediate policy change on the matter were untrue. Several media outlets had suggested that a new policy aimed at scrapping the Junior and Senior Secondary School system was already in effect. In a statement by the Director of Press at the Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, the ministry emphasised that the National Council on Education would review the proposal before any final decision is made. “At the Extraordinary National…

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arrested Usman Jibrin, a former chief of naval staff, over an alleged diversion of more than N3 billion. Jibrin was chief of naval staff from 2014 to 2015. Adam Yusuf, a deputy commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Kogi state, has also been arrested over the alleged fraud. In a statement signed by Demola Bakare, director of public enlightenment and education at ICPC, the commission said Yusuf, “who was at large until now, was taken into custody from his residence in Gwagwalada, Abuja, and…

Kayode Fayemi, former governor of Ekiti state, says President Bola Tinubu has good intentions for Nigeria, but noted that they are not enough to guarantee success. Fayemi spoke on Thursday when he appeared on Politics Today, a programme on Channels TV The ex-governor said the Tinubu administration needs to add an effective policy framework for the existing leadership acumen to ensure good governance. Asked to speak truth to power, Fayemi said, “power knows the truth,” noting that power does not act the truth “because sometimes there are many mediating factors”. “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has done many good things; we…

Tottenham arrived on Merseyside with what was a fine opportunity to end their 17-year trophy drought. They held a one-goal aggregate lead against Liverpool and pressure on boss Ange Postecoglou looked to have subsided somewhat after wins against Brentford and Elfsborg following a run of only three wins in 10 games. But the visitors looked edgy from the first whistle. The full throttle, all-out attacking style that has become synonymous with Spurs under Postecoglou was nowhere to be seen. Tottenham spent much of the match sat deep in their own half, having to defend waves of Liverpool attacks with just…

Liverpool are flying under head coach Arne Slot and triumph in the EFL Cup would present the Dutch manager with a first piece of silverware at Anfield – with his side also sitting six points clear at the top of the Premier League, still in the FA Cup and cruising through to the Champions League last 16. And while this would be seen as the least important of those four trophies, it could mark the beginning of a spectacular season for the Reds. It was Liverpool who arrived in the second leg with work to do, having trailed after the…

The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa is advocating the adoption of a 12-year basic education model to scrap secondary schools in Nigeria. Alausa, revealed this on Thursday in Abuja during the 2025 extraordinary National Council on Education meeting. The event was graced by commissioners for education in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), agencies and parastatals under the Ministry, and development partners. Alausa said phasing out the 6-3-3-4 model and introducing a 12-4 will reform education in Nigeria to align with global standards. Nigeria operates the 6–3–3–4 education system where a child enrols in school at age…

Holders Liverpool booked their place in the final of the Carabao Cup against Newcastle as they thrashed Tottenham. With a 1-0 deficit to overturn from the first leg of their semi-final, the Reds got the job done at a lively Anfield against a Spurs side who looked devoid of ideas. Liverpool were on top from the start and went ahead on 34 minutes when Yves Bissouma gave the ball away in midfield and Mohamed Salah played a clever cross for Darwin Nunez, who missed his effort before Cody Gakpo drilled in. The visitors, who had held hope of ending a…

Vice-President Kashim Shettima says African countries cannot continue to rely on foreign blueprints for development. Shettima spoke on Thursday during a symposium in Abuja to commemorate the 60th birthday of Kayode Fayemi, former governor of Ekiti state. In his speech titled: ‘Africa in the post-idea world’, Shettima said African countries have relied on foreign institutions and ideologies that treat the continent as consumers not creators. The vice-president said the continent should not see prosperity as a gift, but a prize to be won through responsible leadership in all facets of the society. “It is a prize to be won. And…

Brazil defender Marcelo has announced his retirement from football at the age of 36. The left-back, one of the most decorated players in history, played 58 times for Brazil. After coming through the ranks of Brazilian club Fluminense, Marcelo joined Real Madrid in 2007 at the age of 18. He won 25 pieces of major silverware in 15 years at the Bernabeu, including five Champions League titles and six La Liga titles. “At 18, Real Madrid knocked on my door and I arrived here. Now, I can proudly say that I am a true Madrileno,” Marcelo said in a video…