Author: TheLagosianMagazine

By Peter Omopo The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ekiti State, Bunmi Omoseyindemi, has described Saturday’s governorship election as peaceful, accessible and well-organised across the state. Speaking with journalists at the INEC headquarters in Ado-Ekiti, Omoseyindemi expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the election, stating that reports from across the state indicated that the process was generally smooth and orderly. The REC noted that polling units opened largely on schedule, in line with assurances previously given by the commission. According to him, monitoring reports showed that about 97 per cent of polling units…

By Peter Omopo No fewer than six persons have been confirmed dead following a multiple-vehicle collision involving tankers, articulated trucks and private vehicles at the Ibadan Toll Gate axis of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. The accident, which occurred on Friday night, sparked a major fire outbreak and caused severe traffic congestion that left hundreds of commuters stranded for several hours. Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Service, Moroof Akinwande, confirmed the incident, stating that eight other victims were rescued from the wreckage and handed over to officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) for medical attention. According to Akinwande, the…

By Peter Omopo The government of Ireland has deported 42 South African nationals who were residing illegally in the country, as part of a renewed crackdown on unlawful migration. According to reports, the deportees, comprising nine men, 18 women and 15 children travelling as family units, were removed from the country on a chartered flight from Dublin Airport on Thursday and arrived in South Africa on Friday morning. The operation reportedly cost the Irish government €735,000, equivalent to approximately $845,000, although authorities said the figure represents an initial estimate and that the final cost would be determined after the completion…

By Peter Omopo Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has formally presented the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly and the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, to the Emir of Ilorin, Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, ahead of the 2027 governorship election. The presentation took place during a courtesy visit to the Emir’s Palace in Ilorin shortly after the monarch announced the appointment of Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Dasuki as the 13th Chief Imam of Ilorin Emirate. According to details released by the Kwara State Government, Governor AbdulRazaq congratulated the Emir on the appointment of the new Chief Imam and…

By Peter Omopo Nigeria has signed a €200 million financing agreement with the European Investment Bank (EIB) to support small businesses, promote green energy initiatives, and accelerate digital innovation through the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN). The five-year financing facility is designed to expand access to credit for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) driving green growth and digital transformation across the country. The development was disclosed by the Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, in a post on X. According to him, the agreement aims to strengthen…

By Peter Omopo The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the conclusion of voting in most polling units across Ekiti State following the official close of polls at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday. In an update posted on its official social media platform, the electoral commission stated that the governorship election was conducted peacefully and orderly across the state, with all 2,445 polling units successfully opened for the exercise. According to INEC, 2,257 polling units, representing 92.31 per cent of the total, commenced voting as scheduled before 8:30 a.m., while 188 polling units, accounting for 7.69 per cent, experienced minor…

By Kolawole Omotola Olaide Billionaire businessman and Chairman of Femi Otedola has further strengthened his influence in First HoldCo after purchasing an additional 680.8 million shares valued at approximately N29.6 billion. The latest acquisition, executed through a private placement exercise, has increased Otedola’s stake in the financial services group to 20.42 percent, consolidating his position as the company’s largest shareholder. Sources familiar with the transaction disclosed that the shares were acquired at N44 per unit, significantly below the company’s market closing price of N61 per share on Thursday. The private placement reportedly raised about N45 billion, with Otedola and…

By Kolawole Omotola Olaide The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has called on refiners, depot operators, and fuel importers to reduce petrol prices following a decline in global crude oil prices. The association said the drop in international oil prices presents an opportunity for stakeholders in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector to lower ex-depot and pump prices, easing the financial burden on consumers and businesses grappling with economic challenges. In a statement issued by PETROAN’s National Public Relations Officer, Joseph Obele, the association’s National President, Billy Gillis-Harry, noted that recent developments in the global oil market should…

By Kolawole Omotola Olaide Former Lagos State Governor and ex-Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, is set to deliver the keynote address at the 2026 Annual Law Week of the Nigerian Bar Association Ikeja Branch, where discussions will focus on governance, leadership, economic development, and institutional accountability. The week-long event, scheduled to take place in Ikeja, Lagos, from June 19 to June 25, is themed “Altering the Status Quo: Going Against the Norm.” Chairman of the Annual Law Week Planning Committee, Chukwudi Kachikwu Enebeli, disclosed that Fashola will deliver a keynote presentation titled “Law, Leadership and the Ballot:…

By Kolawole Omotola Olaide The Federal Government has distributed about N13 billion in interest-free loans to 7,450 academic and non-academic staff members across public tertiary institutions in Nigeria as part of efforts to improve the welfare of education workers. The intervention, executed through the Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund (TISSF), covered beneficiaries in 153 public universities, polytechnics and colleges of education nationwide during the 2025/2026 programme cycle. According to information released by the Federal Ministry of Education, the initiative forms part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at strengthening staff welfare, boosting productivity and supporting the financial…