Author: Opalim Lifted

United States President Donald Trump says Iran and Israel have agreed to a “total and complete” ceasefire. The US president announced that the ceasefire will take effect on Tuesday, saying it will effectively bring the 12-day war to a close. “Officially, Iran will start the ceasefire and, upon the 12th hour, Israel will start the ceasefire and, upon the 24th hour, an official end to the 12-day war will be saluted by the world,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “During each ceasefire, the other side will remain peaceful and respectful. On the assumption that everything works as it should, which…

The Department of State Services (DSS) wrote to Moses Gara, commander of operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), about planned attacks on communities in Benue and Nasarawa states in May, according to a leaked memo. The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) launched operation Whirl Wind Stroke in Benue in 2018. The operation comprises the military, police, and DSS. On June 13, gunmen attacked Yelewata and Daudu communities in Guma LGA of Benue, killing over 200 people, including internally displaced persons (IDPs) and farmers. In a leaked memo dated May 13 seen by Chronicle NG, the secret police said intelligence revealed that suspected “Fulani militias”…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested Umar Isa, a former chief financial officer (CFO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited. The arrest was related to an alleged $7.2 billion fraud connected to the rehabilitation of the Kaduna, Warri, and Port Harcourt refineries. Isa, who oversaw the release of funds for the turnaround maintenance of the three refineries during his tenure as CFO, is reportedly under investigation along with other key officials for alleged abuse of office, corruption, fund diversion, and kickbacks from contractors. Jimoh Olasunkanmi, an ex-managing director of Warri refinery, is also in the…

Nigerian woman Tola Brown has finally welcomed her first child after seven years of battling infertility. In a recent X post, Tola opened up about the challenges she endured, including multiple surgeries, four miscarriages, and two failed IVF attempts. The lady who accompanied the post with maternity shoot photos disclosed that despite the emotional and physical toll, she never lost hope. Tola expressed deep gratitude to God for answering her prayers. She also encouraged other women facing similar struggles to remain steadfast in faith. “2 failed IVF, 4 miscarriages, 4 uterine surgeries (polyps and reoccurring adhesions), PCOS, 7years of trying-…

Ric Hassani, the Nigerian singer, has opened up about the difficulties he faced breaking into the music industry. In an interview on CreativiTea podcast, Hassani revealed that he worked at a bank before his music career picked up. He also said his entry into the music scene was met with rejection, largely because his sound did not align with what the industry considered commercially viable. “When I first came to Lagos, nobody wanted to sign me because I came to Lagos with a different type of sound,” he said. According to the singer, his turning point came when one of…

MultiChoice has confirmed the premiere of the Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) Season 9 reunion show, set to air from June 23 at 10pm. The highly anticipated special will broadcast exclusively on Africa Magic Showcase and Africa Magic Family. In an official Instagram post, the organisers dropped a teaser photo featuring a mix of familiar housemates alongside the ever-charismatic Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, who returns as host. Fans were promised a reunion brimming with “new energy and drama,” as unresolved tensions and fiery emotions are set to reignite among the former housemates. Dubbed the “No Loose Guard” season, BBNaija Season 9 introduced a…

Favour Ofili, one of Nigeria’s brightest sprinting stars, remains officially listed as a Nigerian athlete by World Athletics (WA) — despite mounting reports that she’s set to switch her sporting allegiance to Turkey. The 22-year-old 150m world record holder is said to have written to the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), requesting a nationality change following years of reported frustration with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN). Social media buzzed on Sunday with claims that Ofili had finally had enough, citing unfair treatment at international events. So far, both the AFN and Ofili have remained silent. Chronicle NG’s check on the…

Hyacinth Alia, governor of Benue, has suspended Mkor Aondona, his special adviser on research and planning, following his recent arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). On Saturday, EFCC announced the arrest of Aondona after some female students accused him of sexual exploitation, cyberbullying and blackmail. The petitioners accused the governor’s aide of using sexual favours as a condition for job appointment and also obtaining videos of every sexual act without their consent while threatening to leak the videos if they refused to continue having sex with him. In a statement on Sunday, Alia said Aondona’s suspension is…

Sierra Leone’s President Julius Bio has been elected as the chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Bio succeeds President Bola Tinubu, who chaired the regional economic bloc for the past two years. The Sierra Leonean president succeeded Tinubu on Sunday during the 67th ordinary session of the authority held in Abuja. Prior to the election, there were speculations that Senegalese President Bassirou Faye would take over the seat. Bio promised to prioritise restoring constitutional order and deepening democracy in the fragmented region. He also named revitalising regional security cooperation, unlocking economic integration, and building institutional credibility…

President Bola Tinubu has urged Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) leaders to prioritise a collective approach against the security challenges in the region. Tinubu spoke in Abuja on Sunday during the 67th ordinary session of the ECOWAS authority of heads of state and government. The president said the security threats within the region are “transnational and driven by a dangerous network that respects no borders”. He said no single country in the region can tackle its security challenges alone and expressed concern over the slow pace of activation of the ECOWAS standby force. “No single nation can therefore…