Author: TheLagosianMagazine

By Peter Omopo  The United States and Yemen’s Huthi rebels have reached a ceasefire agreement aimed at restoring safe navigation in the Red Sea, following months of rebel attacks on commercial shipping, mediators announced on Tuesday. The breakthrough came after diplomatic efforts spearheaded by Oman, whose Foreign Minister, Badr Albusaidi, confirmed that “recent discussions and contacts… with the aim of de-escalation” had culminated in a truce between the two sides. “Neither side will target the other… ensuring freedom of navigation and the smooth flow of international commercial shipping,” Albusaidi said in a statement, signaling an end to a prolonged maritime…

By Peter Omopo  In-form Nigeria Premier Football League newcomers, Ikorodu City, will continue their chase for a historic continental ticket on Wednesday when they host Bayelsa United in a crucial matchday 36 encounter at the Onikan Stadium in Lagos. The high-flying Lagos-based side, coached by Nurudeen Aweroro, head into the midweek tie buoyed by a hard-fought 1-0 win over Wikki Tourists in the quarter-finals of the President Federation Cup—a victory that sealed their place in the semi-finals of Nigeria’s oldest club competition. Nicknamed “The Oga Boys,” Ikorodu City have enjoyed a strong run of form lately, recording three wins, one…

By Peter Omopo  Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has urged President Bola Tinubu to lead by example by replacing his foreign-made official vehicles with locally manufactured ones, such as Innoson or Nord, in line with the newly approved “Nigeria First” policy. Atiku, in a statement issued on Wednesday by his Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, said such a symbolic move would do more to strengthen Nigeria’s local industries than lengthy policy documents. His remarks come days after the Federal Executive Council approved the “Nigeria First” policy, which mandates…

By Peter Omopo  The Federal Government has initiated a comprehensive overhaul of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) with the aim of transforming the scheme into a more strategic tool for youth empowerment, national development, and security. The move was announced on Tuesday in Abuja during the inauguration of a high-level review committee tasked with evaluating and repositioning the 51-year-old programme. The committee includes representatives from government ministries, civil society, and the private sector. Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, said the review is driven by growing concerns over the safety of corps members, outdated infrastructure, and the scheme’s relevance…

By Peter Omopo  Tensions between nuclear-armed neighbors India and Pakistan escalated sharply on Wednesday after India launched a series of airstrikes in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir in retaliation for last month’s deadly attack on Indian tourists in Kashmir. The Indian government said the military operation—codenamed Operation Sindoor—targeted nine sites linked to militant groups Lashkar-e-Tayyiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed in what it described as “precision strikes” that avoided civilian and military infrastructure. Officials in New Delhi said the 25-minute operation was a direct response to the April massacre in which 26 people, mostly Indian tourists, were gunned down at a mountain resort in…

By Peter Omopo  The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday welcomed a major wave of defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, including the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku. Agbebaku was joined by fellow PDP lawmakers Sunny Ifada (Esan Central) and Yekini Idaiye (Akoko Edo I), bolstering the APC’s dominance in the 24-member assembly to 18 seats, leaving the PDP with just six. The high-profile defections were formalised at a ceremony in Benin City, where several other PDP chieftains, including former Deputy Speaker Roland Asoro, ex-House Majority Leader Nosa Nosayaba, and…

By Peter Omopo  The National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) has issued a five-day ultimatum to the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), demanding a comprehensive breakdown of student loan disbursements, specifically how polytechnic students have benefited from the scheme. The ultimatum comes amid growing concerns and allegations of financial irregularities surrounding the student loan programme. The National Orientation Agency recently accused some tertiary institutions and banks of engaging in fraudulent deductions from loan disbursements meant for students. Adding to the controversy, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) last week revealed that out of the N100 billion…

By Peter Omopo  The Houses of Assembly in Benue and Zamfara States have firmly rejected a summons issued by the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions, describing the move as unconstitutional and an overreach of the federal legislature’s authority. The committee had summoned the Governors of Benue and Zamfara States, Hyacinth Alia and Dauda Lawal, along with the Speakers and principal officers of both state legislatures, to appear before it on Thursday, March 8, 2025. The summons was reportedly issued to demand explanations as to why the House of Representatives should not take over the legislative functions of the…

By Peter Omopo  Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has reaffirmed his confidence in Nigeria’s potential for greatness, stating that the country possesses all the human and material resources needed to thrive. Speaking on Monday at the inauguration of new substations of the Geometric Power Plant in Ogbor Hill, Aba, Abia State, Obasanjo said his decision to license the power company during his presidency was rooted in a belief in local capacity and innovation. The former president praised the progress made by Geometric Power, founded by renowned engineer and former Minister of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji, as a testament to what Nigerians…

By Peter Omopo  The Presidency on Tuesday dismissed any suggestion that President of the African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, poses a political threat to the administration of President Bola Tinubu. Speaking during an appearance on TVC’s Beyond the Headlines programme, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, stated that the government does not view Adesina, a former Nigerian minister and international development economist, as a rival or political challenger. “As a politician, I don’t consider Dr. Akinwumi a threat to this president or to our political party,” Onanuga said. He also responded to Adesina’s…