Author: TheLagosianMagazine

By Peter Omopo | September 17, 2025 President of Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has cast doubt on the revival of the Ajaokuta Steel Complex, warning that the decades-old project has been overtaken by global technological advancements. Speaking in an interview with journalists on Tuesday, Africa’s richest man said Nigeria cannot build a strong economy without a functional steel industry, but insisted that the dream of seeing Ajaokuta work is no longer realistic. “The steel we are talking about, we will definitely look at the opportunities of doing that. There is no nation that you can build without a…

By Sola Ojewusi Abuja, September 17, 2025 — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced the end of the six-month state of emergency imposed on Rivers State, declaring that democratic governance will resume in the oil-rich state from September 18. In a national broadcast on Wednesday, the President said the measure, first proclaimed on March 18, 2025, was a painful but necessary step to save Rivers State from “a total paralysis of governance.” He recalled that deep-seated political hostilities between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly had crippled governance, escalated insecurity, and led even the Supreme Court…

By Peter Omopo | September 17, 2025 The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the November 16, 2024, Ondo State governorship election, Mr. Agboola Ajayi, has formally withdrawn his appeal at the Supreme Court challenging the victory of Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Ajayi, who served as Ondo’s former Deputy Governor, confirmed the withdrawal in a letter dated September 16, 2025, and addressed to the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court in Abuja. The letter, obtained by PUNCH on Wednesday, followed consultations with his family, party stakeholders, associates, and legal advisers. Although Ajayi did not…

By Peter Omopo | September 17, 2025 Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has approved the appointment of Orok Okon as the new Head of the State Civil Service. The appointment takes effect from September 19, 2025, following the retirement of Dr. Innocent Eteng. In a statement issued on Tuesday by his Chief Press Secretary and Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Linus Obogo, the governor praised Dr. Eteng for decades of service, describing his career as “a beacon of excellence and commitment.” Otu urged the incoming Head of Service to bring “vision, integrity, and reform-driven zeal” to the…

By Jimmy Fatunbi The Executive Chairman of Onigbongbo LCDA, Hon. Moyosore Adebanjo, received in audience renowned Nollywood actor, Mr. Muyideen Oladapo, popularly known as LALA, at the council secretariat. Mr. Muyideen, during his visit, warmly congratulated the Chairman on his emergence and assumption of office as the Executive Chairman of Onigbongbo LCDA. He also used the occasion to officially invite Hon. Moyosore to his much-anticipated stage play titled “The Gods Have Spoken.” In his remarks, Hon. Moyosore Adebanjo appreciated the thoughtful courtesy visit of Mr. Muyideen and expressed delight at the actor’s recognition of the administration’s vision for progress in…

By Peter Omopo | September 17, 2025 Nigeria’s largest carrier, Air Peace, has announced the creation of 1,000 new jobs for young Nigerians through its 2025/2026 Graduate Trainee Programme, in response to the Federal Government’s recent suspension of the 4 per cent Free on Board (FOB) levy on imported goods. The levy, introduced by the Nigeria Customs Service earlier this year, had triggered widespread backlash from manufacturers, importers, and clearing agents, who warned it would worsen inflation, undermine trade competitiveness, and damage the country’s investment climate. Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, confirmed the suspension after…

By Peter Omopo | September 17, 2025 The Rivers Elders Council has appealed to Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the State House of Assembly to avoid further conflict and focus on rebuilding peace and development in the state as the six-month emergency rule ends. In a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, Council Chairman Chief Ferdinand Alabraba said the return to full democratic governance offered stakeholders a chance to reflect on past crises and embrace reconciliation. “We urge all stakeholders, without exception, to embrace the peace and reconciliation that has now returned to our dear state,” the statement read. The…

By Peter Omopo | September 17, 2025 The Governing Council of the Federal Polytechnic, Bida, Niger State, has suspended the activities of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Bida chapter, following the union’s declaration of an indefinite strike. The suspension, announced on Tuesday by the institution’s Registrar, Hussaini Enagi, came a day after lecturers commenced the industrial action, which disrupted ongoing second-semester examinations. Enagi, in a statement, said the council’s decision was taken “in view of the rising tension and prevailing negative security reports” on campus. He directed lecturers to comply strictly with the suspension order. The strike, declared…

By Peter Omopo | September 17, 2025 Former Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, has cautioned labour unions and oil industry stakeholders against what he described as a deliberate attempt to demonise the Dangote Refinery, urging dialogue over confrontation. His remarks come amid a dispute between the refinery and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) as well as the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN). NUPENG had recently shut down depots in protest, alleging that the refinery barred truck drivers from joining the union, contrary to the provisions of the Trade Union Act. DAPPMAN, meanwhile,…

By Peter Omopo | September 17, 2025 The Chairman of Carnival Calabar Commission, Gabe Onah, has called for increased private sector participation to secure the future of Africa’s biggest street party, warning that overdependence on government funding is unsustainable. Onah made the appeal on Tuesday during the 21st Akwaaba African Travel Market in Lagos, where he highlighted the carnival’s impact on tourism and economic development in Cross River State. “Carnival Calabar must breathe beyond the stranglehold of government. For sustainability, the private sector has to take more than a passing interest,” he said. Now in its 20th year, the carnival…