Author: Opalim Lifted

Caleb Mutfwang, governor of Plateau state, has blamed Nigeria’s persistent security challenges on the country’s elite. Speaking recently during a stakeholder meeting themed ‘Dialogue on Community Policing as a Panacea for Insecurity in Nigeria: The Case of Plateau State’, Mutfwang accused the elite of fuelling communal hatred. He said they could end the security crisis through decisive and intentional leadership if they decide. “My theory, is that more than anybody else, the challenges of insecurity in Nigeria, is an elite created problem. When the elite conspire to lead the people in the wrong direction, we will continue to have this…

In a rare and symbolic gesture, President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to Saint Lucia has ignited fresh momentum in Africa-Caribbean relations, sparking excitement across both regions. According to Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy. The visit, which some critics at home hastily dismissed, has in fact “opened a historic chapter in Nigeria’s foreign policy by deepening diplomatic, cultural, and economic ties with the Caribbean island nation’. Saint Lucia, home to many of African descent—including descendants of 19th-century Nigerian immigrants welcomed Tinubu with open arms. The visit underscores a shared heritage and mutual interest in…

President Tinubu’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Engagement, Fredrick Nwabufo, has knocked Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, for his comments on the President’s visit to Saint Lucia. Tinubu departed Nigeria to Saint Lucia on Saturday, a move which has been heavily criticised by many Nigerians, including Obi. In a statement, Obi had accused Tinubu of going on a vacation to the Caribbean country at a time when the country is battling a series of crises. “This is a President going for leisure when he couldn’t visit Minna, Niger state where over two hundred lives were lost and over 700…

The Presidency has firmly debunked viral reports claiming that George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), has been replaced. Speculation swirled on social media late Saturday, alleging that the SGF had resigned or been removed from his post. But in a swift response, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, branded the claims as entirely false and misleading. “Akume remains SGF,” Onanuga said in a statement released Saturday. “There has been no change in the status of His Excellency, Senator George Akume, as Secretary to the Government of the Federation.” Onanuga added…

Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd. (GTBank) has announced that all its branches across Nigeria will close earlier than usual on Monday, June 30. The bank made this known in a customer email sent on Saturday, informing clients of the temporary change in operation hours. According to the message, the early closure allows for the bank’s scheduled half-year audit activities. The statement read, “Please be informed that our branches nationwide will close to customers early on Monday, June 30, 2025, for our half-year audit.” It also specified different closure times for locations based on geographical locations in the country. Appeal Court overturns…

Aminu Alhassan Dantata, the iconic Kano-born businessman, began his journey in commerce before he was ten. It was a family tradition. His father taught him and his siblings the basics of trade early, encouraging them to understand the value of money and the importance of enterprise. By the time he was 24, Dantata had already begun representing the family business in Sokoto as a district manager, and when he was 36 years old, he bought his first aircraft for about $15,000. A year later, he sold it and purchased a jet for $2.5 million. Yet, Dantata described himself simply as…

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has issued Freedom of Information (FoI) requests to all 36 state governors in Nigeria, demanding full disclosure of how billions in security votes have been spent since 29 May 2023. In the letter dated 28 June 2025 and signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation urged governors to invite both the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to jointly investigate, monitor, and report on the use of these controversial funds. SERAP’s move comes amid intensifying insecurity across multiple states, including…

Paul Pogba has joined AS Monaco on a free transfer after signing a two-year contract, the Ligue 1 club said on Saturday, as the 32-year-old French midfielder looks to revive his career following a doping ban. Pogba was handed a four-year doping ban in February 2024 after testing positive for DHEA, which boosts testosterone levels. The suspension was cut to 18 months after a successful appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Italian club Juventus announced in November that they had mutually agreed to terminate his contract, which was due to expire in June 2026. The 2018 World Cup…

England Under-21s dramatically defended their European title with a thrilling extra-time win over Germany. Substitute Jonathan Rowe’s stooping header, two minutes after coming on, clinched the Euro 2025 crown in Bratislava as Lee Carsley’s side retained the trophy they won two years ago, a victory which ended a 39-year drought. Harvey Elliott swept in his fifth goal of the tournament after just five minutes before Omari Hutchinson drilled in to double their lead midway through the half. Hutchinson, Elliot and James McAtee were denied by Noah Atubolu and Jay Stansfield missed a tap in at the far post as England…

Frank Edoho, the popular media personality, has confirmed the end of his marriage to Sandra Onyenuchenuya, his second wife. Edoho was previously married to broadcaster Katherine Obiang, with whom he shares three children. In 2010, the marriage ended after seven years together. The TV host then married Sandra in 2013. They welcomed their first child in 2014 and a second child in 2016. However, in a recent interview on the ‘Tea with Tay’ podcast, Edoho revealed that his second marriage ended in December 2022, describing the experience as “devastating”. Though he did not explicitly state the cause of the split,…