Author: Opalim Lifted

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar paid a surprise visit to Rauf Aregbesola, the former governor of Osun State, at his private residence on Friday. A video shared via Atiku’s official X handle showed the politician arriving at Aregbesola’s home, where he was warmly received. The pair were later seen walking into the residence flanked by their supporters. “Breakfast time at the residence of former Governor of Osun State, Engr Rauf Aregbesola,” Atiku captioned the clip, fuelling speculation about political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections. This visit comes months after Aregbesola was expelled by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun…

The Supreme Court has thrown out a lawsuit filed by all 36 Nigerian state governments and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) challenging the federal government’s management of recovered looted funds. In a unanimous decision delivered by Justice Mohammed Idris, the seven-member panel ruled that it lacked the jurisdiction to hear the matter, as such disputes should be brought before the Federal High Court. The suit, marked SC/CV/395/2021, was dismissed on technical grounds, leaving the governors without legal recourse at the apex court. At the heart of the legal battle was the allegation that the federal government, between 2015 and 2021,…

In an era marked by pressing global educational shifts and the urgent need for homegrown solutions, Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, is charting a visionary path, one that harmonises international collaboration with domestic transformation. His recent strategic mission to the United Kingdom signals not just a diplomatic engagement, but a remarkable leap forward in aligning Nigeria’s education system with global best practices. At the heart of Dr. Alausa’s UK visit was a bilateral meeting on Monday, 19th May, with the UK Secretary of State for Education, Rt. Hon. Bridget Phillipson. In what was widely seen as a…

Veteran Nigerian actor Femi Branch has launched a scathing critique of performers who fail to fully embrace their roles, accusing them of laziness and deceiving audiences.  In a recent interview with HipTV, the 55-year-old didn’t mince words, branding such actors as “frauds” who do a disservice to the craft. Branch condemned those who maintain the same appearance, expressions, or behaviour across different films, arguing that true acting demands transformation. He said such performers shift the burden onto viewers, forcing them to distinguish between actor and character instead of being immersed in the story. “You have someone that calls himself an…

UEFA has apologised for running out of winners medals during the Europa League final trophy ceremony on Wednesday after more Tottenham Hotspur players than expected lined up to receive their individual prizes. Tottenham captain Son Heung-min and two other players, the last to line up for individual medals, were left empty-handed after their team beat Manchester United 1-0 to win the club’s fourth European title on Wednesday. Son lifted the trophy without a medal around his neck. “To our great displeasure, we did not have enough medals available on stage during the trophy ceremony presentation due to an unexpected discrepancy…

The Northern Christian Association (CAN) in the 19 States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has commended the swift clarification by the Zamfara Government on the alleged forceful conversion of a lady to Christianity, while urging for vigilance and synergy on religious matters. The Northern CAN acknowledged the public statement by the Zamfara State Government debunking reports concerning the alleged subsequent arraignment of Zainab Muhamadu before a Shari’ah Court over the religious conversion. The Northern CAN Chairman, Reverend Joseph Hayab, and Secretary General, Bishop Muhammed Naga, in a statement on Thursday, commended the government’s swift response in addressing the concerns…

Ace Nigerian rapper, Ruggedman has reportedly been detained at the state criminal investigation department (SCID) in Panti, Yaba. In an Instagram post on Thursday, human rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu alleged that the rapper’s detention stemmed from an ongoing dispute with the Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN). Gwamnishu claimed that Ruggedman, whose real name is Michael Stephens, is currently being maltreated in police custody without proper investigation. “Ruggedman is currently detained at State SCID Panti on the instructions of a Deputy Commissioner of Police over PMAN issues,” he said. “No proper investigation has been concluded. He and others are…

Aliko Dangote, founder of the Dangote Group, has revealed that the Nigerian government gets 52 kobo revenue from every N1 generated from the production and sale of Dangote Cement. Dangote recently disclosed this at the 2025 Taraba International Investment Summit on May 21. “I’m sure it might be shocking to you to know that the federal government of Nigeria, not even the state, makes more money from, for example, our cement business. For every N1 we turn around, 52 kobo goes to the federal government of Nigeria,” the entrepreneur said. He said governments benefit from investments, whether private or public,…

A federal judge in the United States has blocked the department of homeland security order barring Harvard University from enrolling international students. Jeffrey White, the US district judge, halted the decision as Kristi Noem, secretary of the department of homeland security, made the order public on Thursday. White also barred the US government from arresting, incarcerating or transferring foreign students elsewhere, pending the outcome of a lawsuit challenging the termination of the legal status of several such students. Between March and April, over 4,700 international students had their permission to study in the US cancelled abruptly. Some two dozen students…

President Bola Tinubu has stated that politicians defecting from opposition parties to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are ‘bailing from a sinking ship’. The president spoke in Abuja on Thursday at the APC’s national summit, noting that the party is driving the aspirations of Nigeria. “Before I skip: I just need to tell those ones saying a one-party system is no good that one party is ruling and driving the aspirations of Nigerians,” he said. “Where do they stand? You don’t blame people bailing out of a sinking ship when they have no life jacket. I am glad of…