Author: TheLagosianMagazine

By Peter Omopo  Nigeria’s cultural heritage remains scattered across the world, locked away in glass cases and private collections far from the soil that birthed them. From Benin bronzes in Europe to Nok terracottas in American vaults, the story of stolen art has become familiar—but the urgency to bring them home is fading into silence. Calls for restitution, once loud and passionate, now echo faintly, overshadowed by politics and bureaucracy. While other nations have pushed harder for the return of their artifacts, Nigeria seems caught between diplomatic niceties and lack of sustained pressure. Even more troubling is the state of…

By Peter Omopo  The Federal Government on Tuesday inaugurated a newly built 80-bed specialist hospital in Ugbuwangue community, Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, dedicated to maternal and child healthcare. The hospital, constructed through the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), was formally handed over to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba, for management. Speaking at the inauguration, the Olu of Warri, His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, commended President Bola Tinubu for the project, describing it as a critical intervention that would promote good health for mothers and children in…

By Peter Omopo  The Edo State House of Assembly on Wednesday confirmed eight commissioner-nominees forwarded by Governor Monday Okpebholo. Their confirmation followed the adoption of a report presented by the House Committee on Rules, Business and Government House, which reviewed the nominees’ credentials and recommended their clearance after outlining 11 key findings. Speaker of the House, Blessing Agbebaku, who presented the report, said all the nominees were competent, qualified, and indigenes of Edo State. He urged them to work closely with the governor in advancing the state’s development. “I charge the new commissioners to be proactive and work in synergy…

By Peter Omopo  Former presidential candidate and Labour Party leader, Peter Obi, has strongly criticised the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) over its proposal to increase the salaries of political office holders by more than 100 per cent. In a statement posted on X late Wednesday, Obi described the move as a “shameless grab for more” at the expense of ordinary Nigerians grappling with worsening economic conditions. “The recent proposal by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission to increase the salaries of political leaders is causing widespread anger and bitterness among Nigerians,” Obi said. “Such thinking in…

21st August 2025 By Peter Omopo Tension has escalated in the Ubulu-Uku kingdom of Delta State following the alleged suspension of the Onishe (kingmaker), Chief Asika Onwordi James, a move that has triggered confusion and division within the community. A suspension letter, currently circulating on social media, announced the removal of Chief Onwordi, but a counter-letter purportedly signed by the traditional ruler, HRM Obi Chukwuka Noah Akaeze I, has rejected the development, describing it as fake and unauthorized. The counter statement read, “On behalf of His Royal Majesty, Agbogidi Obi Chukwuka Noah Akaeze I, Obi of Ubulu-Uku Kingdom, and the…

By Peter Omopo / 20th August 2025 Pioneer National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Osun State Governor, Chief Bisi Akande, on Wednesday led a delegation of party chieftains to Kaduna to condole with the family of late former President Muhammadu Buhari. Akande described Buhari as “a patriotic leader” whose legacy of service and integrity would outlive him. Speaking at the residence of the late president, the APC elder statesman said the news of Buhari’s death came to him as a personal shock. “I first heard of his death when I was abroad. Before then, I had…

By Peter Omopo / 20th August 2025 The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has reiterated that passengers must completely switch off their mobile phones and other electronic devices during aircraft take-off and landing, stressing that the measure is crucial for aviation safety. Speaking on Arise Television’s News Night on Tuesday, NCAA spokesperson, Michael Achimugu, said compliance was not optional as it forms part of airlines’ security programmes and safeguards passengers’ lives. Achimugu’s clarification followed a recent incident in which Ibom Air banned a passenger, Comfort Emmanson, after she physically assaulted a crew member who instructed her to turn off her…

By Peter Omopo / 20th August 2025 The International Council for Ifa Religion (ICIR) has appealed to the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, to resolve their differences and work together in the interest of peace and development in Yorubaland. The council’s President, Fayemi Fakayode, made the appeal in a statement issued in Ibadan on Wednesday, stressing that unity among Yoruba monarchs would fast-track progress and strengthen cultural heritage. The call comes amid a rift between the two foremost traditional rulers after the Alaafin faulted the Ooni’s decision to confer the title…

By Peter Omopo / 20th August 2025 The Federal Government has clarified that patients in the Northwest are not excluded from its kidney dialysis subsidy scheme, currently being piloted across 11 federal tertiary health institutions. In a statement released on Wednesday, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare said the initiative has reduced the cost of a dialysis session from about ₦50,000 to ₦12,000. The statement, signed by the Deputy Director and Head of Information & Public Relations, Alaba Balogun, explained that the subsidy is part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at easing the financial burden on…

By Peter Omopo / 20th August 2025 Former Super Eagles forward, Brown Ideye, has officially retired from professional football at the age of 36. Ideye confirmed his decision on Tuesday in a post shared via his X handle, describing the move as one made with “mixed emotions.” “After much thought and consideration with mixed emotions, I’ve decided to retire from professional football,” he wrote. “I will first like to thank God for the talent and the long career I’ve enjoyed. I thank my family and friends for their unwavering love, support and understanding till this day.” The striker, who earned…