Author: TheLagosianMagazine

By Peter Omopo The Presidency has called on Nigerians to help enforce President Bola Tinubu’s directive ordering the withdrawal of police escorts from VIPs by reporting anyone found violating the policy. The appeal was made by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Daniel Bwala, during a TV interview on Sunday. Bwala emphasised that public participation was crucial to ensuring full compliance with the executive order. “If you identify a celebrity, a private sector individual, or anyone who still has police escorts against the president’s directive, capture evidence — a photograph or video — as much…

By Peter Omopo The Plateau State Government has revealed that the state recorded 2,786 new HIV infections and 460 HIV-related deaths in 2024. The disclosure was made on Monday by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nicholas Ba’amlong, during the 2025 World AIDS Day commemoration held in Jos. World AIDS Day is marked annually on December 1, and this year’s theme is “Overcoming Disruption: Sustaining Nigeria’s HIV Response.” Over 51,000 People Living with HIV in Plateau Ba’amlong noted that as of September 2025, 51,370 residents of Plateau State were living with HIV, comprising 14,001 males and 33,055 females. He added that…

By Peter Omopo French energy multinational TotalEnergies has announced the sale of a 40 per cent stake in two Nigerian offshore exploration licences to Star Deep Water Petroleum Limited, a subsidiary of US oil major Chevron. The company disclosed the development on Monday in an official statement, noting that the transaction remains subject to regulatory approval by Nigerian authorities. Deal Covers 2,000 Sq Km in West Delta Basin According to TotalEnergies, the agreement involves exploration licences covering approximately 2,000 square kilometres in the West Delta basin — an area considered highly prospective for deepwater oil and gas discoveries. Despite the…

In a world filled with noise, criticism, and comparison, choose to be a source of peace, love, and encouragement, especially to the one you call your partner. Healthy relationships and marriages aren’t built on perfection, but on two people who consistently choose grace, kindness, and understanding. Speak life into your partner. Celebrate their strengths. Cover their weaknesses with love. Be the kind of person who makes them feel supported, valued, and safe. Even on social media, let your presence reflect light, compassion, and integrity. You never know who needs the encouragement you carry. Remember, love is an action that makes…

By Peter Omopo Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has expressed deep sadness over the death of former state chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and embattled 30th Owa of Igbajo, Adegboyega Famodun, who passed away at the age of 67 after a brief illness. Famodun’s death was confirmed on Sunday by the Gbeleru Royal Family of Igbajo, marking the end of a turbulent period defined by political, traditional, and legal battles surrounding his reign as monarch. A Monarch in Controversy Famodun was installed as the Owa of Igbajo in 2022 during the final days of former Governor Gboyega Oyetola’s…

By Sola Ojewusi Dozy Mmobuosi’s Against the Odds sits within the growing corpus of African entrepreneurial memoirs, yet it distinguishes itself through an unusual blend of candour, strategic thinking, cultural memory, and developmental vision. The work functions simultaneously as a personal narrative, a philosophy of leadership, a study in enterprise formation, and an articulation of Africa’s future within the global innovation economy. In its ambition and intellectual breadth, the memoir reflects not merely the life of a Nigerian tech visionary, but the anxieties and aspirations of a continent redefining its place in the 21st century. I. Genesis of a Vision:…

By Peter Omopo Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s political bloc within the African Democratic Party (ADC) has begun scouting for a southern running mate ahead of the 2027 presidential election, Sunday PUNCH has learnt. Reliable party sources revealed that Atiku’s camp is eyeing former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi as its top choice for the vice-presidential slot. Should Obi decline, the bloc is reportedly prepared to turn to former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi. Atiku Allies Push for Atiku–Obi Alliance Speaking on Saturday, Atiku’s close associate and publisher, Dele Momodu, urged Obi to join forces with the former vice…

By Peter Omopo Air travel across Nigeria has surged in recent months as more citizens turn away from long-distance road journeys due to worsening insecurity and frequent reports of kidnappings on major highways. Airlines say demand has risen far beyond levels recorded during the same period last year, with bookings for the festive season already near full capacity. The Public Relations Officer of United Nigeria Airlines, Chibuike Uloka, confirmed the trend to Sunday PUNCH, attributing the rise to improved airline operations, expanded capacity, and a growing public preference for safer and faster travel. “Look at the statistics. It is not…

By Peter Omopo Despite President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive ordering the withdrawal of police personnel from VIP protection duties, mobile police officers attached to private companies and corporate establishments continue to provide security at their posts, Sunday PUNCH investigations have revealed. The President had mandated the removal of officers from VIP details to enable their redeployment to core policing responsibilities nationwide. Following this, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, announced on Thursday that 11,566 officers had already been withdrawn and reassigned. However, checks across several organisations in Abuja on Friday showed that officers posted to private companies remain fully on…

By Peter Omopo President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has submitted a fresh list of 32 ambassadorial nominees to the Senate, seeking their swift confirmation as part of ongoing diplomatic appointments aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s foreign missions. In two separate letters addressed to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, President Tinubu requested the confirmation of 15 career ambassadors and 17 non-career ambassadors, marking the second major batch of nominations in recent weeks. The new list follows the earlier submission of three nominees. The President’s latest nominees include 10 women—four among the career diplomats and six in the non-career category—reflecting what officials describe as…