Author: TheLagosianMagazine

By Peter Omopo  Former President Goodluck Jonathan has cautioned against the emergence of a one-party state in Nigeria through political manipulation, warning that such a development could threaten the country’s fragile democracy. Jonathan issued the warning on Wednesday in Abuja while delivering a keynote address at a memorial lecture in honour of the late elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark. He noted that while some countries have successfully implemented a one-party system, such as Tanzania under Julius Nyerere, those arrangements were deliberately planned to suit their unique socio-political realities—not imposed through subversive tactics. “A one-party state may not be inherently evil.…

By Peter Omopo  In a visit to Terra Kulture in Lagos, the Oniru of Iruland, Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal, Abisogun II, praised the institution for its significant contributions to cultural development, youth empowerment, and economic growth. The visit, which took place on Monday, was part of a series of engagements leading up to his fifth coronation anniversary, set for June 7, 2025. According to a statement released on Wednesday, the monarch noted that the visit was aimed at recognizing institutions that align with Iruland’s development vision, known as #LeGIT (Let’s Grow Iru Together). Oba Lawal emphasized that the #LeGIT agenda…

By Peter Omopo  Ayodeji Oyekunle, a scholar on gender politics and democratic governance, has emphasized that Nigeria’s democracy remains incomplete without equal representation of women in decision-making positions. She made the statement in her paper titled “Women’s Political Participation and Representation in State Legislatures, Southwest, Nigeria”, which was made available to The PUNCH on Wednesday. Oyekunle argued that for Nigeria to achieve true democratic development, women’s political participation should not be seen as an optional addition but as a crucial foundation for good governance. She highlighted that since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, one of the significant contradictions in…

By Peter Omopo  The Media and Publicity Office of the Alaafin of Oyo, Bode Durojaye, has issued a statement denying allegations linking the Alaafin to the death of Chief Lukman Ojora Arounfale, a Yoruba monarch based in the United States. Arounfale, known as the Baba Oba of Oyotunji African Village in South Carolina, reportedly passed away after an alleged assault, which some reports claimed was ordered during a visit to the Alaafin’s palace. Speculation surrounding the incident suggested that the assault might have been connected to a rift between the Alaafin of Oyo and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye…

By Peter Omopo  The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has inaugurated several significant development projects in Bayelsa State, including a renovated Cottage Hospital, Community Secondary School, and a free medical outreach aimed at improving healthcare and education in the Niger Delta region. The initiatives, built by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in collaboration with the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) office of the First Lady, are part of efforts to enhance essential services in the region. At a ceremony held in Otuasega community, Ogbia Local Government Area, Senator Tinubu, alongside key dignitaries including the Minister of Regional Development,…

By Peter Omopo  An officer and a soldier of the Nigerian Army were killed in the early hours of Wednesday during a fierce battle with Boko Haram insurgents in Izge community, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State. The Emir of Gwoza, Alhaji Mohammed Shehu Timta, confirmed the incident in an interview with Channels Television, revealing that the terrorists stormed the farming settlement around 1 a.m., firing sporadically in a surprise midnight raid. Troops of the Nigerian Armed Forces, supported by members of the Civilian Joint Task Force, local hunters, and vigilante groups, responded swiftly and repelled the attackers after…

By Peter Omopo  Tension gripped residents and commuters in Asaba, Delta State, on Tuesday evening after a fuel-laden tanker overturned along the heavily damaged Asaba-Onitsha expressway, spilling fuel and sparking fears of a possible explosion. The incident occurred around 7 p.m. at the Ezenei axis of the expressway, a section long plagued by poor road conditions. Witnesses said panic spread quickly as fuel flowed into nearby drains, particularly the Ajaji (Bonsac) gutter, prompting people in the area to flee for safety. Security and emergency personnel, including officers from the Nigeria Police and Delta State Fire Service, quickly arrived at the…

By Peter Omopo  The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, on Wednesday announced that 24 federal tertiary institutions across Nigeria have been successfully powered by solar energy under the Federal Government’s “Energising Education Project.” Speaking in Abuja at a collaboration agreement signing ceremony with the vice chancellors of the beneficiary institutions, Alausa also revealed that eight additional universities have joined the fourth phase of the initiative. The minister, who had earlier inspected the newly commissioned solar facility at the University of Abuja—recently renamed Yakubu Gowon University—praised the project as a transformative milestone for education in Nigeria under President Bola Tinubu’s…

By Peter Omopo  Kolade Alabi, Chairman of Bariga Local Government Area in Lagos State, collapsed on Wednesday during an All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders’ meeting at the party’s state secretariat in Ikeja. Alabi, who also serves as the Lagos State Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), was reportedly addressing party members when he suddenly slumped. He was immediately attended to and later revived before being taken to a hospital by ambulance for further medical attention. Details on his current condition remain undisclosed as of the time of this report.

By Peter Omopo  Nigeria is set to welcome delegates from at least 35 countries for the 61st Africa Day celebration, scheduled to take place from May 24 to 27 in Abuja. The announcement was made on Wednesday during a press conference by Mr. Young Piero, Coordinator and Director of Parliament for the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific Joint Sessions of the Africa Union Simulation. Africa Day marks the founding of the Organisation of African Unity—now the African Union—on May 25, 1963, and serves as a moment to reflect on the continent’s achievements and ongoing challenges. This year’s event will feature a…