Author: TheLagosianMagazine

By Peter Omopo September 4, 2025 A Zambian court on Thursday sentenced former Foreign Affairs Minister Joseph Malanji to four years in prison with hard labour after finding him guilty of corruption. Malanji, who served under ex-president Edgar Lungu between 2018 and 2021, was arrested in late 2021 over allegations that he used embezzled state funds to acquire luxury assets, including two Bell 420 helicopters. Delivering judgment, Magistrate Ireen Wishimanga said she considered the defence’s plea for leniency but ruled that the gravity of the offence warranted a custodial sentence. “I have heard the spirited mitigation by counsel and taken…

By Peter Omopo September 4, 2025 Amnesty International has urged the Federal Government to take urgent steps to halt recurring killings and human rights violations in the South-East region. The call was made on Thursday by the organisation’s Country Director in Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, during the relaunch of its report, “A Decade of Impunity: Attacks and Unlawful Killings in South-East Nigeria”, held in Ikeja, Lagos. The report, first released in August, revealed that at least 1,844 people were killed between January 2021 and June 2023 in the region. Amnesty accused both state and non-state actors of committing grave abuses, including…

By Peter Omopo September 4, 2025 The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has ordered retired soldiers protesting at the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja over unpaid benefits to vacate the premises, warning that their action is obstructing government operations. Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, said the agitation arose from the introduction of two separate salary charts in 2024, following the implementation of the new minimum wage. According to him, a “pre-minimum wage chart” was applicable from January 1 to July 28, 2024, while the “minimum wage chart” took effect…

By Peter Omopo September 4, 2025 The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has ordered retired soldiers protesting at the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja over unpaid benefits to vacate the premises, warning that their action is obstructing government operations. Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, said the agitation arose from the introduction of two separate salary charts in 2024, following the implementation of the new minimum wage. According to him, a “pre-minimum wage chart” was applicable from January 1 to July 28, 2024, while the “minimum wage chart” took effect…

By Peter Omopo September 4, 2025 President Bola Tinubu on Thursday departed Abuja to begin a 10-day vacation in Europe as part of his 2025 annual leave, the Presidency has announced. A statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the President would spend the period between France and the United Kingdom before returning to Nigeria. “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja today, September 4, to commence a working vacation in Europe, as part of his 2025 annual leave. The vacation will last 10 working days,” the statement read. However, the Presidency did not…

By Peter Omopo September 3, 2025 The Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) has announced plans to privatise 91 federal assets as part of efforts to improve efficiency, attract investment, and strengthen key sectors of the economy. Director-General of the BPE, Ayodeji Gbeleyi, disclosed this during a media briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, stressing that the process would be carefully executed, sector by sector, to safeguard national interests. “There are 91 public enterprises still outstanding within the purview of the Public Enterprises Act,” Gbeleyi said, adding that 16 firms in the oil and gas sector, including refineries and depots, as well…

By Peter Omopo September 2, 2025 Super Falcons star Asisat Oshoala has completed a move to Saudi Women’s League giants Al Hilal, signing a two-year contract after leaving US side Bay FC. The 30-year-old striker underwent her medical on Monday night before finalising the transfer, which marks a new chapter in her illustrious career spanning Europe, Asia, and North America. Oshoala joined Bay FC in February 2024 after a highly successful spell with FC Barcelona Femení, where she won multiple league and Champions League titles. During her time in the US, she made 25 league appearances last season—23 of them…

By Peter Omopo September 3, 2025 The Super Eagles have kicked off their preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, holding their first training session in Uyo on Tuesday with 15 players in camp. Captain William Troost-Ekong was among the early arrivals as training commenced a day after the camp officially opened. Others who featured in coach Eric Chelle’s maiden session include Bruno Onyemaechi, Amas Obasogie, Felix Agu, Adeleye Adebayo, Chidozie Awaziem, Benjamin Fredericks, Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru. Also present were Moses Simon of Paris FC, wing-back Olaoluwa Aina, defender Bright Osayi-Samuel, and Fulham duo Calvin…

By Peter Omopo September 3, 2025 The United States Government has committed $32.5 million to support food and nutrition assistance for vulnerable populations in Nigeria’s conflict-affected Northeast and Northwest regions. The US Embassy in Abuja announced the intervention in a statement on Wednesday, noting that the funds will enable the World Food Programme (WFP) Nigeria to reach an estimated 764,205 people grappling with insecurity and displacement. The package includes general food distributions and specialised nutrition support for high-risk groups. According to the Embassy, at least 41,569 pregnant and breastfeeding women and girls as well as 43,235 children will receive nutrition…

By Peter Omopo September 3, 2025 President Bola Tinubu has directed all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to implement mandatory health insurance for their employees, in line with the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act, 2022. The directive, announced on Wednesday in a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, mandates the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to issue a service-wide circular ensuring compliance. According to the statement, the order covers five key areas, including the compulsory enrolment of all government employees under the NHIA scheme, with the option for agencies to adopt…