Author: TheLagosianMagazine

By Peter Omopo  In a sweeping nationwide crackdown on drug trafficking, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a Chinese businessman, an 80-year-old grandmother, and several other suspects. The operation, which targeted synthetic and hard drugs hidden in unusual packaging, led to the seizure of large quantities of illicit substances across multiple states. NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, disclosed in a statement on Sunday that Chinese national Liang Tak You was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Friday after arriving from Bangkok via Dubai on an Emirates flight. The suspect, a Malaysian-based naturalised citizen, was found…

By Peter Omopo  Akungba Akoko, Ondo State – July 27, 2025 Tension gripped the university town of Akungba Akoko on Saturday as students of Adekunle Ajasin University (AAUA) and members of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) staged a massive protest over the recent spate of killings involving students of the institution. The demonstrators took to the streets, demanding justice following the alleged murder of one of their colleagues, Joy Adeyemi, a student in the Department of Human Kinetics, who was reportedly killed by her boyfriend, said to be an indigene of the town. The suspect is currently on…

By Peter Omopo | July 27, 2025 Fresh cracks appear to have emerged in the long-rumoured political alliance between President Bola Tinubu and Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, as the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) leader launched a blistering attack on the Tinubu administration, accusing it of marginalising the North. Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano State and influential northern politician, made the remarks during a stakeholders’ dialogue on the 2025 constitutional amendment held in Kano, where he accused the Tinubu government of favouring the South while sidelining the North. The Presidency swiftly responded, with Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to the President…

By Peter Omopo  Abuja | July 27, 2025 — The emergence of Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, a northern Christian from Plateau State, as the new National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has stirred fresh debate over the possibility of the ruling party returning to a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket in the 2027 general elections. Yilwatda’s appointment on Thursday at the APC’s emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting — chaired by President Bola Tinubu — followed the resignation of former chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, a Muslim from Kano, citing health reasons. Until his elevation, Yilwatda served as the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs…

By Peter Omopo  Amichi, Anambra State | July 27, 2025 — At least five people have been confirmed dead and several others injured following a fatal road crash along the Nnewi-Okigwe Road near Chisco Park Junction in Amichi, Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State. The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) confirmed the incident, which occurred around 9:30 pm on Friday, was caused by brake failure of a speeding Mercedes-Benz tipper truck with registration number NNE 893 ZG. According to Margaret Onabe, the FRSC Anambra Sector Public Education Officer, the truck rammed into roadside pedestrians and collided with other…

By Peter Omopo  OSOGBO, July 27, 2025 — The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has announced that he will not contest the 2026 Osun State governorship election, putting to rest speculation about a possible political comeback. Oyetola, who served as Governor of Osun State from 2018 to 2022, made the declaration on Friday during a high-level All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders’ meeting held in Osogbo. The session was co-chaired by Oyetola, the Osun APC Chairman Tajudeen Lawal, and Chairman of the Elders’ Caucus, Sola Akinwumi. Amid growing speculation that he might rejoin the governorship race, Oyetola told…

By Peter Omopo  ABUJA, July 27, 2025 — Nigeria is on course to become Africa’s third-largest economy by Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2025, surpassing Algeria, according to the National Orientation Agency (NOA). The projection, published in the latest edition of NOA’s The Explainer, comes after the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) revised the country’s GDP figures, showing a 38 per cent growth due to a rebasing exercise that adopted 2019 as the new base year. According to the NOA, which operates under the Ministry of Information and National Orientation, the rebased data places Nigeria’s nominal GDP at ₦372.8 trillion…

By Peter Omopo  ADO-EKITI, July 27, 2025 — The Ekiti State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has fired back at former Governor Ayodele Fayose, asking him to formally exit the party after his scathing criticism during a televised interview. Chairman of the PDP Caretaker Committee in Ekiti, Dare Adeleke, in a strongly worded statement on Saturday, accused Fayose of betraying the party and openly undermining its integrity while still claiming membership. “Fayose himself admitted he is a bitter, disgruntled man who betrayed his party because he didn’t get what he wanted,” Adeleke said. “He calls PDP a carcass,…

By Peter Omopo  RABAT, July 27, 2025 — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured Nigeria’s Super Falcons of a hero’s welcome and national celebration following their sensational victory at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco. The Nigerian side staged a dramatic comeback at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat, overturning a 2–0 deficit to defeat host nation Morocco 3–2, clinching their record-extending 10th WAFCON title. Morocco struck twice in the first half through tournament top scorer Ghizlane Chebbak (12’) and Sanaâ Mssoudy (24’). But the Falcons responded with fire and grit: Esther Okoronkwo converted a penalty in…

By Peter Omopo  Renowned music executive, Soso Soberekon, has staked a whopping ₦120 million to settle the heated feud between controversial entertainer Portable and social media critic VeryDarkMan (VDM) — not with words, but with fists. The proposed boxing match is set to take place in Warri, Delta State, with ₦100 million earmarked for the winner and ₦20 million as a consolation prize for the loser. Soberekon has thrown the challenge open, urging both parties to accept the offer and resolve their differences in the ring once and for all. The ball is now in Portable and VDM’s court. Will…