Author: TheLagosianMagazine

By Peter Omopo  Abuja, July 2, 2025 — In a major political shakeup, former Senate President David Mark has officially resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), ending decades of loyalty to the party he once helped lead. In a resignation letter dated June 27, 2025, and addressed to the PDP Chairman of Otukpo Ward 1 in Benue State, Mark cited the party’s worsening internal divisions and persistent leadership crisis as key reasons for his departure. The letter, obtained by The PUNCH on Wednesday, described the PDP as “a shadow of its former self” and lamented its decline into public…

By Peter Omopo  Akure, July 2, 2025 — Tension is brewing across Ondo State following renewed calls for a formal investigation into the death of former Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, who passed away on December 27, 2023, in Germany after a prolonged illness. The Ondo State Government confirmed on Monday that it had received multiple petitions from residents of Owo, the late governor’s hometown, as well as from professional organisations, requesting a coroner’s inquest into the circumstances surrounding Akeredolu’s demise. Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Kayode Ajulo, acknowledged the mounting pressure in a statement, noting that under the Coroners…

By Peter Omopo  Abuja, July 2, 2025 — A civil society organisation, the Centre for Democratic Integrity and Leadership, has accused unnamed political opponents of orchestrating a coordinated smear campaign against the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, following fresh allegations linking him to controversial land allocations involving his children. The group’s reaction comes on the heels of Wike’s categorical denial of reports suggesting that he illegally allocated large portions of land in the Maitama and Asokoro districts to his sons through companies allegedly tied to his family. In a statement released Tuesday by his Senior Special…

By Sola Ojewusi  In an age where leadership too often builds walls instead of bridges, where thrones can become distant and monarchs aloof, the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has brought to the revered throne of Oduduwa what can only be described as a breath of fresh air—a human face, a father’s heart, and a loving patriarch’s embrace. His down-to-earth attitude, his readiness to stoop in love to lift up his children, and his willingness to snuggle up to his offspring—both biological and metaphorical—speak volumes about a man on a divine mission: to…

By Peter Omopo  Wailo, Bauchi State — July 1, 2025 — The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has praised Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, for his commitment to youth development through major infrastructural upgrades at the state’s permanent orientation camp. The commendation came on Tuesday during the closing ceremony of the 2025 Batch ‘A’ Stream II orientation course held at the Wailo Camp in Ganjuwa Local Government Area. NYSC State Coordinator, Umoren Kufre, expressed deep appreciation for the renovation of corps members’ hostels, the rehabilitation of officials’ residential blocks, and the construction of a new multipurpose hall — all undertaken…

By Peter Omopo  Abakaliki, July 1, 2025 — Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has announced a ₦1 million cash reward for each of the 34 registered players of Abakaliki Football Club, following the team’s heroic performance at the 2025 President Federation Cup, where they finished as runners-up. The governor made the announcement on Monday while receiving the team at Government House, Abakaliki, days after they narrowly lost 3–4 on penalties to Kwara United in a goalless final held at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos on June 28. In addition to the players’ reward, head coach and ex-international Ifeanyi Onyedika…

By Peter Omopo  Lagos, July 1, 2025 — The Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) has announced major changes to its key stock market indices following its half-year review, including a reshuffling of the NGX 30 Index, which tracks the performance of the top 30 most capitalised and liquid stocks on the Exchange. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Exchange said the review was based on its market capitalisation methodology, with the new changes taking effect at market open on July 1. In the latest revision, Aradel Holdings Plc and Wema Bank Plc were added to the prestigious NGX 30 Index,…

By Peter Omopo  July 1, 2025 – Lagos, Nigeria — Nigerian-born lawyer and politician, Owolabi Salis, has etched his name in history as the first Nigerian to travel to space, joining the crew of Blue Origin’s NS-33 mission, which successfully launched from West Texas, United States, on Sunday. Salis was part of a six-member civilian crew aboard the New Shepard suborbital spacecraft, operated by Blue Origin, the aerospace company founded by Amazon’s Jeff Bezos. The historic flight lasted approximately 10 minutes, reaching an altitude of 105.2 kilometres, surpassing the Kármán line—the internationally recognised boundary of space. The other crew members…

By Peter Omopo  Lagos, July 1, 2025 — The Ojora of Ijora and Iganmu Kingdom, Oba AbdulFatai Oyegbemi, has announced the immediate dethronement of six traditional chiefs for allegedly impersonating him at a Labour Party campaign flag-off in Apapa, Lagos State. The monarch accused the affected chiefs of attending the political event without prior approval from the palace and violating traditional protocols by presenting themselves as royal representatives. The dethroned chiefs include Chief Lateef Ojora (Bale Alaba Oro), Chief Saliu Biliamin (Bale Alafia Dodoro), Chief Taiwo Hassan (Bale Oke Ira), Chief Idris Ojora (Bale Abule Kere), Chief Hakeem Oseni (Bale…

By Peter Omopo  Abuja, July 1, 2025 — The Federal Ministry of Aviation has initiated high-level consultations with the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) as part of preparations for the forthcoming Nigeria Airshow, with the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, leading a delegation to NAF headquarters. The visit, confirmed in a statement signed by Odutayo Oluseyi, Head of Press and Public Affairs at the Ministry of Aviation, was aimed at strengthening collaboration with the military to ensure a successful hosting of the international aviation event. Dr. Kana expressed appreciation for the professionalism consistently displayed by the Air Force and emphasised…