Author: TheLagosianMagazine

By Peter Omopo  The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) has issued a directive mandating all influencers and content creators to seek prior approval before publishing any form of advertisement on their platforms. The announcement was made on Monday in a statement signed by ARCON’s Director-General, Olalekan Fadolapo, who expressed concern over the surge in misleading advertisements, especially on digital media. Fadolapo referenced the recent CBEX ponzi scheme scandal as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by unregulated advertising, stressing the need for transparency and accountability in promotional content. “These tragedies underscore the importance of vetting advertising materials for…

By Peter Omopo  The Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) has announced that it will cease accepting cash payments across its operations starting July 1, 2025, as part of sweeping reforms aimed at transforming the agency into a modern, innovative, and digitally driven institution. In a statement issued on Monday by its Director of Corporate Communications, Franklin Alao, NIPOST said the initiative—tagged “Change of Renewed Hope Berths at NIPOST Shores”—is aligned with the federal government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and seeks to position the agency to meet the demands of Nigeria’s evolving digital economy. According to the statement, the transformation agenda is anchored…

By Peter Omopo  All 133 cardinal electors have arrived in Rome ahead of the highly anticipated papal conclave scheduled to begin on May 7, the Vatican confirmed on Monday. This development was announced by the Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, during a media briefing on the latest General Congregation—a series of meetings in which cardinals deliberate on the state and future of the Catholic Church. A total of 179 cardinals, including the 132 eligible to vote, participated in the tenth session held earlier in the day. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals,…

By Peter Omopo  Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has approved a minor cabinet reshuffle affecting five commissioners in his administration. The changes were announced on Monday in a statement issued by the governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, following a letter signed by the Chief of Staff, Segun Ogunwuyi, in Ibadan. According to the announcement, the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Seun Ashamu, has been redeployed to head the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources. In turn, the current Environment Commissioner, Abdulmojeed Mogbonjubola, will take over the Ministry of Public Works, Infrastructure and Transport. The reshuffle is part…

By Peter Omopo  The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disclosed that more than 1.5 million candidates who sat for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) scored below 200 out of a total of 1,955,069 candidates. According to the statistical analysis of the just-concluded UTME released on Monday, only 420,415 candidates achieved scores above 200, representing about 21.5 per cent of the total candidates. JAMB noted that approximately 75 per cent of the candidates scored below 200, while less than 1 per cent of the candidates managed to score above 300. The board also highlighted the participation of…

By Peter Omopo  The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has attributed the prolonged delay in the trial of 13 domestic staff of former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, to legal and procedural challenges linked to the gravity of the charges. The domestic staff, who have been held at the Okaka Correctional Centre in Yenagoa since 2019, are facing charges reportedly carrying capital punishment. Speaking during a press briefing on Monday ahead of the 2025 Law Week in Yenagoa, the chairman of the NBA’s Yenagoa branch, Somina Johnbull, explained that the sensitive nature of the case requires the full presence of all…

By Peter Omopo  The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), has called on officers of Senior Course 47 at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, to develop actionable strategies to tackle Nigeria’s persistent security challenges. Ibas made the appeal on Monday during a courtesy visit by the military officers to the Government House in Port Harcourt, as part of their study tour of the state. Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibibia Worika, the former Chief of Naval Staff underscored the importance of the officers’ mission, saying their findings must offer…

By Peter Omopo  Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has announced the resettlement of 6,000 families displaced by insurgency in Dikwa and Mafa Local Government Areas, amid growing concerns over deteriorating conditions in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps. Speaking during a visit on Monday to the Muna IDP camp in Maiduguri—one of the largest in the state, housing over 11,000 families—Zulum said the decision was prompted by rising incidents of criminal activities within the camp. He expressed alarm over the surge in prostitution, child abuse, gangsterism, and other illicit acts, warning that such trends were threatening efforts to restore peace and…

By Peter Omopo  The National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Ekiti State has renewed its commitment to the fight against female genital mutilation (FGM), human rights abuses, and poor hygiene practices through an intensified grassroots sensitisation campaign. Speaking at a public awareness programme held on Monday in Ado Ekiti, the NOA State Director, Mrs. Kemi Akomolafe, reaffirmed the agency’s resolve to eliminate FGM in the state, especially among women and children. “NOA is committed to fully eradicating female genital mutilation/cutting in Ekiti State. Citizens must take responsibility for their actions and work together to improve the state’s development,” Akomolafe said. The…

By Peter Omopo  Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has donated 23 Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) to traditional rulers across the state, commending their pivotal role in promoting peace, security, and community cohesion. The vehicle distribution ceremony, held Sunday at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House in Kaduna, saw the governor express gratitude to the monarchs for their ongoing support in the state’s non-kinetic approach to combating insecurity. Governor Sani attributed the success of Kaduna’s security strategy to the collaborative efforts of traditional leaders and security agencies. “They have been working day and night, sharing intelligence and staying close to the…