Author: TheLagosianMagazine

By Peter Omopo  Ferriday, Louisiana — July 2, 2025 — Influential American Pentecostal preacher and televangelist Jimmy Swaggart has died at the age of 90, his family announced Tuesday via a post on his verified Instagram page. The statement described his passing as the culmination of a lifelong commitment to the gospel, calling it “the day he had sung about for decades.” “Today, our hearts are heavy as we share that Brother Swaggart has finished his earthly race and entered into the presence of his Saviour, Jesus Christ,” the family wrote. “His voice echoed through nations, his music softened hearts,…

By Peter Omopo  Abuja, July 2, 2025 — The unveiling of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a new unifying political platform for Nigeria’s opposition suffered a major disruption on Wednesday, after Wells Carlton Hotel and Apartments in Asokoro, Abuja, abruptly cancelled a fully paid reservation for the event. The event, billed as a significant step toward forming a broad opposition front to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections, was scheduled to take place later in the day. However, organisers were notified just hours before kickoff that the hotel could no longer host the…

By Peter Omopo  Lagos, July 2, 2025 — The Lagos chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has lauded the Dangote Refinery as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s industrial and economic future, describing the project as a “pivotal milestone” in the nation’s development trajectory. In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by its Chairman, Ibrahim Adigun, the youth body also praised the Bola Tinubu administration for implementing policies that have fostered industrial growth and enabled private sector success stories like the refinery. Adigun noted that the NYCN’s Directorate of Petroleum and Solid Minerals, led by Sheriff Lamidi, had…

By Peter Omopo  Abuja, July 2, 2025 — The Federal Government has announced plans to inaugurate a groundbreaking financing initiative dubbed the “Africans for Africa Fund”, aimed at mobilising capital within the continent to drive the growth and industrialisation of Africa’s mining and natural resource sectors. The initiative was disclosed on Tuesday by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, during a press briefing in Abuja ahead of the upcoming 2025 African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit (AFNIS), scheduled to take place from July 15 to 17 at the State House Conference Centre. Represented by the Director-General…

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…