Author: TheLagosianMagazine

By Peter Omopo In the heart of Alimosho, where tradition meets the promise of a vibrant future, history was made on a day bathed in splendour and joy. The ancient Isheri Olofin Kingdom, famed for its rich cultural heritage and age-old values, witnessed a momentous occasion — the coronation of a remarkable daughter of the soil, Chief Mariam Hamzat Omotunde, as the Sigbaaje of the kingdom. It was under the royal auspices of His Royal Majesty, Oba Dr. Ibrahim Olasunkanmi Ayinde Lawal Bello, Olanwa 1, the Onisheri of Isheri Olofin, that this honour was bestowed. The air was filled with…

By Peter Omopo  Abuja | June 28, 2025 — Nigerian music star Dapo Oyebanjo, popularly known as D’banj, has announced a landmark equity partnership between his Creative, Reality, Entertainment, Arts and Music (C.R.E.A.M) Platform and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank). The collaboration, which falls under Afreximbank’s Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) initiative, aims to empower Africa’s creative and cultural industries by providing funding, training, and international exposure for emerging talent across the continent. D’banj made the announcement on Saturday via his verified Instagram page, describing the partnership as a transformative step for African creatives. “I’m proud to say that Afreximbank and…

By Peter Omopo  Kano | June 28, 2025 — A funeral prayer in absentia (Salatul Ga’ib) was held in Kano on Saturday for late business magnate and philanthropist, Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata, who passed away in Dubai on Friday at the age of 94. The solemn rite took place at the Umar Bin Khattab Mosque in the Kano metropolis and was led by Sheikh Ibrahim Khalil, Chairman of the Kano State Council of Ulamas. According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), thousands of mourners gathered for the prayer, including top dignitaries such as the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau…

By Peter Omopo  Port Harcourt | June 28, 2025 — In a rare joint public appearance amid ongoing political tensions, the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, on Saturday attended the burial of the uncle of Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, in Rumuepirikom, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State. The event drew a host of political dignitaries, including the suspended Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, further highlighting the significance of the gathering in the context of the state’s protracted leadership crisis. Their joint appearance comes just days after a high-level reconciliation meeting…

By Peter Omopo  Ibadan | June 28, 2025 — Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Saturday called for a national rebirth and greater inclusion of Nigerian youths in leadership roles, stressing the urgent need for citizens to actively engage in politics and governance to break the cycle of national crises. Makinde made the call in Ibadan while celebrating the 70th birthday and 50 years of ministry of Reverend Moses Aransiola and his wife, Pastor Funmilayo Aransiola. The governor, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, praised the Aransiolas for their impactful spiritual work and prayed for…

By Peter Omopo  Abuja | June 28, 2025 — Nigeria’s total public debt rose to ₦149.39 trillion in the first quarter of 2025, according to data released on Friday by the Debt Management Office (DMO). The figure represents a ₦27.72 trillion or 22.8% increase compared to ₦121.67 trillion recorded in the same period last year. On a quarterly basis, the debt stock also climbed by ₦4.72 trillion or 3.3% from ₦144.67 trillion in December 2024. The DMO attributed the continued rise in public debt to fresh borrowings by the Federal Government and the depreciation of the naira, which significantly raised…

By Peter Omopo  Abuja | June 28, 2025 — The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on Nigeria’s security chiefs to ramp up preparations for a series of crucial electoral activities slated for the next six months. This appeal was made on Friday during a high-level meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), convened at INEC headquarters in Abuja. The meeting was attended by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; and representatives from various security and intelligence agencies. INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, highlighted the upcoming electoral calendar, warning…

By Peter Omopo  Abuja | June 28, 2025 — President Bola Tinubu has appointed Ismael Ahmed, a former aide to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, as the Executive Chairman of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGi). The appointment was announced in a statement issued on Friday by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. According to the statement, Ahmed will oversee and coordinate the PCNGi’s operations, which form part of the administration’s broader efforts to cushion the effects of the fuel subsidy removal by providing Nigerians with cheaper, more accessible, and environmentally friendly energy alternatives. The PCNGi is one…

By Peter Omopo  Agege, Lagos | June 28, 2025 — The Lagos State Government has announced the immediate reopening of the Oko-Oba Abattoir in Agege, following substantial compliance by its operators with required environmental and hygiene standards. The facility was initially sealed on June 19 over what authorities described as “environmental violations and inappropriate operational practices.” Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, made the announcement in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, confirming that the abattoir had now met “the minimum benchmark for the operations of abattoirs in the state,” which it had previously flouted.…

By Peter Omopo  Kano, June 28, 2025 — Renowned businessman and philanthropist, Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata, has passed away at the age of 94. His death was confirmed on Saturday in a Facebook post by his Principal Private Secretary, Mustapha Abdullahi Junaid. “It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of our beloved father, Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata,” the statement read. Dantata, a respected figure in Nigerian business and social circles, was the last surviving member of the first generation of the famous Dantata family of Kano. He was widely celebrated for his contributions to commerce, community…