Author: TheLagosianMagazine

By Peter Omopo Former UK shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick has joined Reform UK, marking the most senior defection from the Conservative Party to Nigel Farage’s movement to date. Jenrick’s defection came hours after he was sacked by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who accused him of secretly plotting to leave the party in a manner designed to cause maximum political damage. Badenoch said she had “clear, irrefutable evidence” of his intentions, adding that his departure was “a good day” for the Conservatives. Jenrick was formally unveiled as a Reform UK Member of Parliament at a press conference on Thursday by…

By Peter Omopo Nigeria on January 15, 2026, marked 60 years since the country’s first military coup of 1966, an event that fundamentally altered its political history. The date is observed annually as Armed Forces Remembrance Day to honour members of the Nigerian Armed Forces who lost their lives in the two World Wars, the Nigerian Civil War, as well as in peacekeeping and internal security operations. The January 15, 1966 coup, led by Major Patrick Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu, brought an abrupt end to Nigeria’s First Republic, which was headed by Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa and ceremonial President Nnamdi Azikiwe.…

By Peter Omopo The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has upgraded its passport tracking system with a new feature designed to inform applicants when their passports are ready for collection. The Service said the update, tagged “Passport Produced,” provides clearer information to applicants by indicating whether a passport is ready for physical pickup or awaiting courier delivery, with the aim of improving transparency and efficiency in the application process. In a statement posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday, the NIS explained that the enhancement would help applicants better understand processing timelines. “The new addition, tagged ‘PRODUCED (PASSPORT…

By Peter Omopo The Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, has denied claims that the Federal Government has suspended the issuance of implementation guidelines for the newly enacted tax laws due to uncertainty over their final versions. A media report had alleged that the government paused the release of the guidelines, quoting Oyedele as directing the Nigeria Revenue Service and the Joint Revenue Board to hold on, as the authentic version of the laws was unclear. The report claimed that Oyedele made the remarks in Lagos on Tuesday after delivering a keynote address…

By Peter Omopo President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated Nigerian artistes who emerged winners at the 9th edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), describing their achievements as clear evidence of the continued growth and global recognition of Nigeria’s music and creative industry. The President commended the artistes for making the country proud on the continental stage, noting that their success reflects the creativity, resilience and talent of Nigerian youths, as well as Nigeria’s expanding influence in African and global music. Nigerian artistes recorded significant successes at the awards ceremony, which was held from January 7 to 11, 2026,…

By Peter Omopo Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has inaugurated the maiden edition of the rotational Oyo State Council of Obas, appointing the Olubadan of Ibadanland as chairman of the council for an initial two-year term. The inauguration follows the recent passage of an amendment to the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs Law by the Oyo State House of Assembly, which introduced a rotational chairmanship arrangement among first-class traditional rulers in the state. However, the development has continued to generate reactions, with the Oyo Forum, Abuja, expressing strong opposition to the rotational chairmanship clause. The group had…

By Abiodun Moshood O. In a remarkable celebration of literary genius and cultural heritage, Rashidat Olamidayo Ajakaye has emerged as a notable figure in Nigerian literature with the publication of her compelling article, The Potential Feasibility of Social Sanity Through Achebe’s Short Stories (Since 1972-2010). Her work has not only been recognized for its depth and insight but has also led to her receiving two prestigious certificates, underscoring her significant contribution to the 10th Chinua Achebe Poetry/Essay Anthology. According to Izunna Okafor, the Project Coordinator and Editor-in-Chief of the Anthology, the festival was dedicated to celebrating Achebe’s contributions and legacies…

By Asiwaju Dele Taiwo In life, your true “next of kin” isn’t just the people tied to you by blood. It’s those who show up, stand by you in tough times, and celebrate your victories without hesitation. These are the friends, mentors, and loved ones who see your worth, support your growth, and care for your well-being unconditionally. Cherish and invest in these relationships because, in the end, it’s not legal documents or titles that define family. It’s love, loyalty, and presence that truly matters. Asiwaju Cares

By Peter Omopo The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has expressed condolences to the government and people of Kogi State over the death of veteran journalist, politician, and co-founder of Newswatch magazine, Yakubu Mohammed. In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Rabiu Ibrahim, the minister described the late Mohammed as a “true patriot who believed in Nigeria,” noting that his passing represents a significant loss to the nation’s media landscape. Idris said Yakubu Mohammed devoted more than five decades of his life to journalism, during which he played a leading…

By Peter Omopo Two additional members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have withdrawn their support for the ongoing impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, calling instead for a peaceful resolution of the political crisis in the state. The lawmakers, Barile Nwakoh, who represents Khana Constituency I, and Emilia Amadi of Obio/Akpor Constituency II, made their positions known on Tuesday, barely 24 hours after two of their colleagues adopted a similar stance. Although they maintained that the governor and his deputy allegedly breached certain constitutional provisions, the legislators said they were persuaded to reconsider…