Author: TheLagosianMagazine

By Peter Omopo  Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has urged African countries to move from rhetoric to action in the implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), calling for greater regional cooperation and open skies across the continent. Speaking at the three-day Plenary Session and Council of Ministers Meeting hosted by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in Abuja on Monday, Keyamo emphasized the need for urgent steps to actualize SAATM, a flagship project of the African Union aimed at liberalizing air transport. “Despite strong political will and repeated declarations, progress has been slow,”…

By Peter Omopo  Adeola, the daughter of popular Nollywood actress Jumoke George, has returned to Nigeria after being trafficked to Mali and spending four years in the West African country. The development was confirmed on Monday by the Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa. According to Dabiri-Erewa, the commission facilitated Adeola’s return as part of its ongoing efforts to repatriate and rehabilitate victims of human trafficking abroad. Details surrounding the circumstances of her trafficking and rescue are yet to be fully disclosed.

By Peter Omopo  The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has issued a formal apology to President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) over recent verbal attacks launched by its former presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. In a statement released on Sunday in Lagos, the NNPP’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Oginni Olaposi, disassociated the party from Kwankwaso’s remarks and emphasised that he no longer represents the NNPP in any capacity. “We hereby tender an unreserved apology to President Tinubu and the entire APC family, led by Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, for the unwarranted insults, abuse, and maligning statements…

By Peter Omopo  Tragedy struck on Sunday afternoon in the Idi Araba area of Mushin, Lagos State, as a one-storey building under construction collapsed, killing one person and injuring three others. The incident occurred around 3:30 p.m., prompting an emergency response from relevant agencies. Officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, and other first responders were quickly mobilised to the scene. Coordinator of the Lagos Territorial Office of NEMA, Ibrahim Farinloye, confirmed that one of the trapped construction workers was recovered dead, while three others were rescued alive from the debris. “So far,…

By Peter Omopo  The Nigerian military has confirmed the death of Shaudo Alku, a close associate of notorious terrorist leader Bello Turji, in a precision airstrike carried out in Sokoto State. According to a statement by the Armed Forces, the air raid was executed on Sunday by the Air Component of Operation Fagge Yama, targeting a terrorist hideout near Tunfa Primary School in Isa Local Government Area. Alku, described as a key figure in Turji’s network and a central player in cross-border terrorist logistics, was killed alongside several fighters and suspected senior commanders during the strike. Intelligence reports revealed that…

By Peter Omopo  Katsina State Governor, Mallam Dikko Radda, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Colonel Joseph Akaagerger (retired), the former Military Administrator of Katsina State, who passed away at the age of 69. In a statement issued on Monday by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Mohammed, Radda described Akaagerger’s tenure from August 1998 to May 1999 as a period of profound impact during Nigeria’s transition to democracy. “In the brief but impactful period he spent steering the affairs of our state, he built bridges that have withstood the test of time,” Radda said. “Today, we don’t…

By Peter Omopo  Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has clarified that his recent trip to the Vatican for the papal inauguration was not politically motivated, urging Nigerians to focus instead on the spiritual and moral message delivered during the event. In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, Obi described the visit as a “deeply solemn and reflective” experience, emphasizing that his attendance at the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV was consistent with his past participation in official global ceremonies. “This was never a political event and should remain untouched by politics. Some moments are best…

By Peter Omopo  Pope Leo XIV is set to hold his first private audience with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday, shortly after the solemn inauguration mass marking the beginning of his papacy, the Vatican has announced. Addressing global leaders and dignitaries at St. Peter’s Square in Rome, the Pope renewed his call for peace in Ukraine, stating, “The martyred Ukraine is waiting for negotiations for a just and lasting peace to finally happen.” Zelenskyy was among several world leaders—including royalty and faith figures—who attended the historic mass. The Ukrainian president was also seen exchanging greetings with U.S. Vice President…

By Peter Omopo  The Federal Government, along with 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has repaid over N13 trillion in domestic debt between June 2023 and December 2024, according to a new report by the National Orientation Agency (NOA). The update was published in the May 16, 2025 edition of The Explainer, the agency’s weekly bulletin, and highlights what it described as an “unprecedented reduction” in debt burdens across the federation. The report noted that N1.85 trillion was repaid specifically by the 33 states and the FCT, indicating a deliberate effort by sub-national governments to manage and reduce…

By Peter Omopo  Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) has been honoured with the Corporate Merit Award by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) for producing the highest number of chartered accountants in the country. The award was presented at ICAN’s 2025 Awards and Dinner Night, held in Lekki, Lagos, on Saturday. According to a statement issued by the Head of Public Relations at YABATECH, Mr. Adekunle Adams, the recognition highlights the college’s longstanding contribution to the accounting profession in Nigeria. He noted that ICAN’s very first professional examination was held at YABATECH, and the college has consistently produced…