Author: TheLagosianMagazine

By Peter Omopo  The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has confirmed the arrest of social media personality Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, over what it described as “grave allegations of financial malfeasance.” In a statement issued on Tuesday, the EFCC said Otse was apprehended following his repeated refusal to respond to multiple invitations linked to petitions received by the commission regarding alleged financial crimes. “Martins Innocent Otse was invited owing to a series of petitions bordering on sundry issues of alleged financial crimes raised against him,” the statement read. “He refused to show up in spite of several…

By Peter Omopo  Veteran forward and Kano Pillars star, Ahmed Musa, is set to return to the national team as he prepares to captain the Super Eagles at the upcoming Unity Cup exhibition tournament, scheduled to take place from May 26 to 31 at Brentford Stadium in London. Kano Pillars confirmed Musa’s participation in a statement posted on their official X handle on Monday, stating, “Captain Ahmed Musa is set to lead the Super Eagles at the Unity Cup Four-Nation Tourney from May 26-31, 2025, at Brentford Stadium, London.” The 31-year-old has been enjoying a resurgence in form for the…

By Peter Omopo  Nigeria delivered a strong performance at the 40th African Wrestling Championships held in Casablanca, Morocco, finishing second overall behind Egypt in the medal standings. Team Nigeria secured a total of 12 medals—10 gold, one silver, and one bronze—trailing Egypt, which topped the table with 24 medals, including 11 gold, eight silver, and five bronze. The Nigerian women’s team emerged as the highlight of the tournament, dominating the freestyle events by winning nine out of the 10 available gold medals. The sole exception was the 57kg category, claimed by Algeria’s Chaimaa Aouissi. Nigeria’s gold medalists in the women’s…

By Peter Omopo  The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 35 individuals suspected of internet fraud in Auchi, Edo State. The arrests, which were carried out in various locations across the town, including Vigilante Street, off Sabo Ibenafo Road, and the Back of Yak area, followed credible intelligence linking the suspects to cybercrime activities. In a statement posted on its verified X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday, the EFCC said the operation was part of its ongoing efforts to clamp down on internet fraud and other economic crimes across the country. “We remain resolute in our mandate to…

By Peter Omopo  The Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency has announced that it will commence the airlifting of intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for the 2025 Hajj on May 14. This was disclosed on Tuesday in Kaduna by the Executive Chairman of the Agency, Malam Salihu Abubakar, in a statement issued by the agency’s Public Relations Officer, Malam Yunusa Abdullahi. Abubakar revealed that a total of 4,060 pilgrims from Kaduna State are expected to participate in this year’s Hajj exercise. He added that UMZA Airline has been designated as the official carrier for the airlift to the Kingdom of Saudi…

By Peter Omopo  Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has emphasized the pivotal role of women and youth in addressing the country’s food insecurity, urging increased participation in agriculture as a pathway to economic stability and national development. Speaking on Monday during the launch of the second phase of the Renewed Hope Initiative Women and Youth Agricultural Support Programme in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Mrs. Tinubu, represented by the wife of the Ogun State Governor, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, said women and youth are critical stakeholders in the nation’s agricultural transformation. She noted that with Nigeria’s vast population of energetic youth and…

By Peter Omopo  Global accounting giant PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has announced plans to lay off approximately 1,500 employees in the United States, citing historically low attrition rates as a key reason behind the move. A spokesperson for the firm confirmed the development to Reuters on Monday, noting that the layoffs represent about 2% of PwC’s U.S. workforce, which currently exceeds 75,000 employees. “This was a difficult decision, and we made it with care, thoughtfulness, and a deep awareness of its impact on our people,” PwC stated. “Historically low levels of attrition over consecutive years have made it necessary to take this…

By Peter Omopo  The Remo Committee on State Creation has reaffirmed its commitment to preserving the distinct identity of the Remo people in the ongoing agitation for the creation of a new state out of Ogun State. In a statement signed by the committee chairman, Aare Kola Oyefeso, and secretary, Mr. Wole Awe, and made available on Monday, the group revealed that it had submitted a separate memorandum to the National Assembly with the endorsement of the Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi. According to the committee, the decision to pursue a distinct proposal for a “Remo-Ijebu State” with Sagamu…

By Peter Omopo  Gabon’s newly sworn-in president, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, is stepping into office with a strong popular mandate but faces formidable economic challenges as he takes the helm of the oil-rich Central African nation. Oligui, a 50-year-old general who came to power in an August 2023 coup, was officially elected president with 94.85 percent of the vote in the April 12 election, which international observers said was largely free of irregularities. His swearing-in ceremony on Saturday drew a crowd of around 40,000 at a stadium near the capital, Libreville, signaling high public expectations for reform and development. As…

By Peter Omopo  President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has clarified that the resistance to the success of his $20 billion refinery is being fueled by major oil marketers and traders, not the newly constituted leadership of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). In a statement released on Tuesday, Dangote praised President Bola Tinubu for appointing a competent and technically experienced team to lead NNPCL, citing the appointments of Mr. Bayo Ojulari as Group Chief Executive Officer and Mr. Ahmadu Kida as Non-Executive Chairman. Dangote said he recently visited the president to commend him for assembling what he described…