Author: TheLagosianMagazine

By Peter Omopo  Former President Goodluck Jonathan has reiterated the need for forgiveness and reconciliation in Nigeria, stressing that he does not bear grudges against anyone. Jonathan made the remarks during a public engagement at the weekend, where he emphasized that forgiveness is a vital tool for peacebuilding and national unity. The former president’s message, observers noted, reflects his long-standing philosophy of prioritising peace over personal interest—a principle most visibly demonstrated when he conceded defeat in the 2015 presidential election, a move that many believe averted a major national crisis and outbreak of violence. “I don’t bear grudges against people.…

By Ismaila Uba Misilli 25th September, 2025 – Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, has expressed immense delight over the elevation of Dr. Kupan D. Amos, Ph.D, mni, to the rank of Deputy Controller General (DCG) of Corrections in the Nigeria Correctional Service. Dr. Amos Kupan was officially decorated with his new rank, on Thursday, 25th September, 2025, by the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, following the approval of his promotion by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, based on recommendations by the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB). An…

By Oluwabukunmi  The Federal Government has directed all Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs), and higher institutions across the country to begin mandatory verification of academic credentials as part of efforts to curb the use of fake certificates. The enforcement, tied to the National Policy for the Nigerian Education Repository and Databank (NERD), will officially commence on October 6, 2025, according to a circular signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, and made available to newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday. Verification to Be Conducted Through NCVS Under the policy, every current and prospective staff member…

By Oluwabukunmi  New York, September 17, 2025 — The Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, has urged Nigeria to prioritise private sector participation as a cornerstone of economic growth, warning that government spending alone cannot deliver the scale of transformation required. Speaking at a high-level investment summit on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, Sanusi emphasised that unlocking Nigeria’s economic potential requires strong collaboration between government and private capital. “Nigeria cannot rely solely on government spending. The private sector must be given a central role in driving growth and attracting the investments needed…

By Peter Omopo Yenagoa – September 25, 2025 – Two prominent clerics, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev. Matthew Kukah, and the General Overseer of the Word of Life Bible Church, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, have lauded the Governor Douye Diri-led administration for its developmental achievements and strong commitment to Christian values in Bayelsa State. The faith leaders gave their commendations during separate courtesy visits to the Government House, Yenagoa, on Monday, where they described Bayelsa’s transformation in recent years as remarkable. Pastor Oritsejafor, who expressed delight at Bayelsa’s public declaration as a Christian state, praised Governor Diri and his…

By Oluwabukunmi Warri – September 25, 2025 – A Niger Delta activist, Mr. Ebikeme Amafini, has called for the establishment of a comprehensive Ijaw development agenda, describing it as crucial for the socioeconomic empowerment of the Ijaw people both in Nigeria and the diaspora. Amafini, who serves as the Secretary of the Ijaw National Congress of the Americas (INC-A), made the call in a statement released to journalists in Warri on Monday. He specifically urged Ijaw groups and leaders to discontinue the use of the phrase “Ijaw struggle”, which he argued projects a self-defeating image, and instead embrace a more…

By Oluwabukunmi Asaba – September 25, 2025 – Over 500 councillors across the 25 local government areas of Delta State have called for an upward review of their salaries and improved welfare, citing the growing demands of grassroots governance. The appeal was made on Tuesday in Asaba during the Delta State Councillors’ Symposium 2025, chaired by the Chairman of the Delta State Councillors’ Forum, Mr. Ekpemupolo Samuel. The event was themed “Repositioning the Grassroots: Strengthening Local Governance for Sustainable Development in Nigeria in the Wake of Local Government Autonomy.” Speaking at the gathering, Samuel lamented the poor welfare of councillors,…

By Peter Omopo Maiduguri, Sept. 24, 2025 – A General Court Martial of the Nigerian Army has sentenced three soldiers to life imprisonment for selling and diverting arms and ammunition to terrorist groups in Borno State. The judgment, delivered in Maiduguri on Tuesday, followed months of investigation and trial which exposed how the convicted personnel illegally supplied weapons to insurgents, undermining counterterrorism operations in the North-East. Military prosecutors told the court that the soldiers were caught after intelligence reports linked them to the diversion of several rounds of ammunition and military-grade weapons, some of which were later recovered from terrorist…

By Peter Omopo Jos, Sept. 19, 2025 – A Nigerian soldier, Private Lukman Musa, has been sentenced to death by hanging for the murder of a tricycle operator in Bauchi State. The verdict was delivered on Thursday by Brigadier General Liafis Bello, President of the General Court Martial of the 3 Division Nigerian Army, convened at Maxwell Khobe Cantonment in Jos, Plateau State. Musa was convicted on two counts—culpable homicide and unlawful possession of ammunition—following the killing of 32-year-old Abdulrahman Isa in Azare, Bauchi State. According to the prosecution, Musa, along with an accomplice identified as Mr. Oba, lured Isa…

By Oluwabukunmi Gombe, Sept. 24, 2025 – Gombe State has been ranked the second most transparent state in Nigeria, scoring 99 out of 100 points in BudgIT’s latest Subnational Transparency Assessment. The civic-tech organisation’s report, which evaluated fiscal openness across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory in the second quarter of 2025, placed Gombe just behind Ekiti State, which topped the ranking with 100 points. BudgIT attributed Gombe’s strong performance to its consistent commitment to transparency and accountability in governance under Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya. According to the report, Gombe excelled in the timely publication of critical fiscal…