Author: TheLagosianMagazine

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…

By Peter Omopo  Former President Muhammadu Buhari has extended his condolences to former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, following the death of his sister, Charity Mustapha. In a statement issued on Monday in Abuja by his spokesperson, Malam Garba Shehu, Buhari expressed deep sorrow over Charity’s passing after a prolonged illness. He commended her courage and resilience throughout her illness, noting that “such a loss leaves a void that can never be filled.” The former president offered prayers for the repose of her soul and strength for the bereaved family during their time of mourning.

By Peter Omopo The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has issued a weather forecast predicting a mix of haziness and thunderstorms across various parts of the country from Tuesday through Thursday. According to the agency’s weather outlook released on Monday in Abuja, slight dust haze is expected to affect parts of Katsina and Kano States on Tuesday. Thunderstorms are also anticipated later in the day over parts of Taraba and Adamawa States. The North Central region is expected to experience sunny skies with patches of clouds, with possible early morning thunderstorms in Nasarawa. In the afternoon and evening hours, thunderstorms are…

By Peter Omopo  Governor Umaru Bago of Niger State has announced a relaxation of the curfew hours previously imposed on motorcycles and tricycles within the Minna metropolis. According to a statement released on Monday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ibrahim Bologi, the revised curfew will now take effect from 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., an adjustment from the earlier 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. restriction. The initial order, issued on April 29, was part of an executive directive aimed at curbing rising crime in the state capital. Authorities cited concerns over criminal elements using commercial tricycles, popularly…

By Peter Omopo  Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday called on the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice to strengthen its dedication to justice and the rule of law in West Africa. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the ECOWAS Court’s Sensitisation Outreach and External Court Sessions held in Victoria Island, Lagos, the governor emphasized the need for collective commitment to justice as a pathway to a peaceful and inclusive region. “It is only through collective dedication to justice that we can truly build a peaceful, prosperous, and inclusive West African community where every individual feels protected and empowered,” Sanwo-Olu…