Author: TheLagosianMagazine

By Peter Omopo  The Naira appreciated slightly against the U.S. Dollar on Friday, closing the trading week on a positive note at the official foreign exchange market. According to figures from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the local currency gained N0.60k to trade at N1,598.72 per dollar, up from N1,599.32 recorded on Thursday. This reflects a 0.03 per cent appreciation. The Naira had shown signs of resilience earlier in the week, posting consecutive gains. It rose by 0.02 per cent on Tuesday and recorded a stronger appreciation of 0.21 per cent on Wednesday. The modest gains are seen as…

By Peter Omopo  A gas explosion rocked the Nobpet fueling station near the Air Force Junction in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Thursday morning, leaving five people injured and eight vehicles destroyed. The explosion, which occurred at about 10 a.m. in the gas section of the facility, triggered a fire that quickly spread to the nearby premises of the Ebonyi State Transport Corporation, where the damaged vehicles were parked. Emergency response teams from the Rivers State Fire Service and the Nigerian Air Force Fire Service worked together to bring the blaze under control, preventing further damage. One of the victims,…

By Peter Omopo  A new immigration reform proposal unveiled by the British government has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s youth population, many of whom had set their sights on relocating to the United Kingdom for work or academic opportunities. The UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, on Monday presented the 2025 Immigration White Paper titled “Restoring Control over the Immigration System”, outlining sweeping changes aimed at reducing net migration by 100,000 annually. The proposals target work, study, family, and asylum migration routes, and have been met with widespread concern both within and outside the UK. Among the key proposed measures are tougher…

By Peter Omopo  Former Premier League striker Gabby Agbonlahor has urged Chelsea to prioritise the signing of Nigerian international Victor Osimhen in the upcoming summer transfer window, describing him as a significant upgrade on current forward Nicolas Jackson. Speaking on talkSPORT, Agbonlahor said Osimhen’s qualities make him an ideal fit for Chelsea’s attack under incoming manager Enzo Maresca. “I think Osimhen is a Chelsea player,” Agbonlahor said. “He’s a better option than Nicolas Jackson, a better finisher. He’s outstanding in the air, can hold the ball up, and get in behind as well. Surely that’s a no-brainer to go and…

By Peter Omopo  Lagos State has pledged immediate rewards for athletes who excel at the upcoming 22nd National Sports Festival, tagged Gateway Games 2024, as part of efforts to boost morale and performance. The Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu, made the announcement during a visit to the state’s athletes’ camp at Akinde Anglican Church Hostel in Bariga, ahead of their departure on Friday. “Mr. Governor is deeply inspired by excellence and events that position Lagos as a leader, especially in sports,” Fatodu said, assuring the athletes of the government’s full support and commitment to their…

By Peter Omopo  The Ekiti State Government has received 110 solar-powered pumps and accompanying equipment for the construction of new water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities across the state, in a major step toward improving basic infrastructure and public health. Speaking during the delivery of the items in Ado Ekiti on Friday, the Commissioner for Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Prof. Mobolaji Aluko, said the facilities would be installed in 55 schools and 55 health centres. He noted that the initiative is part of the state’s commitment to expanding access to potable water and proper sanitation in both urban and rural…

By Peter Omopo  Families of Nigerian soldiers killed in recent battles against insurgents in the North-East have called on the Federal Government to urgently address the escalating insecurity, lamenting the persistent loss of lives and what they describe as the government’s inadequate support for bereaved military families. Their pleas come in the aftermath of a deadly attack on a Forward Operating Base in Marte, Borno State, on Monday, which claimed the lives of at least five soldiers. According to military sources, insurgents overran the base, looted weapons, and fled with military vehicles. The Defence Headquarters, however, said the attack was…

By Peter Omopo  The Federal Government has confirmed 2.3 million households for payment under its ongoing conditional cash transfer programme, as part of renewed efforts to cushion the economic impact of recent reforms, including fuel subsidy removal and exchange rate unification. The confirmation follows the commencement of a revalidation exercise of the National Social Register, aimed at ensuring that only eligible Nigerians benefit from the government’s palliative initiative. Director General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Abisoye Coker-Odusote, disclosed this at a press briefing held at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja. She explained that the revalidation is being conducted…

By Peter Omopo  The Israeli military has launched a new large-scale offensive in the Gaza Strip, dubbed Operation Gideon’s Chariots, resulting in the deaths of at least 100 people, according to Gaza’s civil defence agency. In a statement on Saturday, the Israeli army said it had begun the “initial stages” of a renewed campaign aimed at regaining operational control in Gaza, rescuing hostages, and defeating Hamas. The army reported that more than 150 targets across the enclave were hit in the last 24 hours. “The expansion of the battle in the Gaza Strip is intended to achieve all of the…

By Peter Omopo  Finnish authorities have filed terrorism-related charges against a man believed to be Simon Ekpa, a Nigerian-Finnish national and self-styled leader of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile. In a statement released on Friday, Finland’s National Prosecution Authority announced that a Finnish citizen had been charged with “public incitement to commit crimes with terrorist intent” and “participation in the activities of a terrorist group.” The alleged offences reportedly took place in the city of Lahti between 2021 and 2024. Although the statement did not name the suspect, Finnish public broadcaster YLE identified him as Simon Ekpa, a controversial…