ABUJA, September 22, 2026 — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated legendary Nigerian musician and global juju music icon, Chief Sunday Adeniyi Adegeye, popularly known as King Sunny Ade, on his 80th birthday, describing him as an embodiment of musical excellence and an outstanding ambassador of Nigerian culture.

In a birthday message issued on Tuesday, President Tinubu commended the veteran musician for eight decades of remarkable achievement, creativity and service to the arts, noting that his career had helped transform juju music from a distinctly Nigerian musical tradition into a globally recognised cultural treasure.

The President said King Sunny Ade had enriched Nigeria’s cultural landscape and brought joy to millions of people across generations through his extraordinary talent, discipline and enduring passion for music.

“Today, I warmly celebrate Chief Sunday Adeniyi Adegeye, the legendary King Sunny Ade and an icon of Nigerian and African music, on his 80th birthday,” Tinubu said.

He described the celebrated musician as one of Africa’s most distinguished entertainers, whose career had taken the richness of Nigerian culture to audiences across the world.

According to the President, King Sunny Ade’s distinctive musical style, characterised by the masterful fusion of guitars, talking drums and other traditional instruments, together with his captivating dance performances and innovative approach to music, had earned him a distinguished place in the history of African arts and entertainment.

Tinubu also praised the musician’s contribution beyond entertainment, describing him as a “proud ambassador of Nigeria” whose international career demonstrated the ability of the country’s cultural heritage to transcend geographical boundaries and communicate powerfully with audiences around the world.

The President noted that King Sunny Ade’s influence extended across generations of musicians and creative practitioners, stressing that his music had served not only as a source of entertainment but also as a vehicle for cultural preservation and national identity.

“Your music has not only entertained, but it has also preserved our cultural identity, celebrated our traditions and projected the beauty and diversity of our country to the world,” the President said.

Tinubu further acknowledged the broader significance of the veteran musician’s career to Nigeria’s creative industry, noting that his accomplishments had inspired generations of musicians and other practitioners in the arts and entertainment sector.

He said the achievements of cultural icons such as King Sunny Ade underscored the importance of Nigeria’s creative heritage and its capacity to serve as an instrument of cultural diplomacy and international recognition.

“As President, I deeply recognise and celebrate the immense contributions of our cultural icons,” Tinubu said, expressing gratitude to God for granting the musician the grace to attain the milestone.

The President described King Sunny Ade’s 80 years as a testament to excellence, perseverance and sustained service to the arts.

“At 80, you embody excellence, perseverance and service to the arts. Your achievements remind us that talent, when combined with dedication and commitment to one’s heritage, can become an enduring national legacy,” he said.

Tinubu extended his congratulations to the music legend on behalf of his family, the Federal Government and the people of Nigeria, while praying for his continued good health, wisdom and many more fulfilling years.

King Sunny Ade, born Sunday Adeniyi Adegeye, is widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most influential musicians and one of the foremost international ambassadors of African popular music. His career has spanned several decades, during which he has played a significant role in the evolution and international visibility of modern juju music.

His 80th birthday therefore marks a significant milestone not only in the life of one of Nigeria’s most celebrated entertainers but also in the history of the country’s contemporary cultural and creative expression.

The post Tinubu Celebrates King Sunny Ade at 80, Hails Legendary Musician as Cultural Ambassador appeared first on The Lagosian Magazine.

The growing presence of Chinese traders, manufacturers and products in Nigeria has generated controversy. Some Nigerian traders see it as a threat to indigenous businesses, while many consumers see something entirely different: competition, lower prices and greater choice.
The debate, however, should not be reduced to ethnicity. It should be examined through the lens of economics.

The fundamental question is simple: Should government protect traders from competition, or protect consumers from excessive prices, poor quality and market monopolies?
Competition is one of the most powerful forces in a market economy. When a few traders or distributors control the supply of a product, they acquire considerable market power and can influence prices. But when another competitor enters the market with cheaper or better alternatives, that power begins to diminish.
That is where Chinese businesses can make a significant difference.

For years, Nigerians have complained about the wide gap between the cost of goods at source and what consumers eventually pay. A product may pass through several layers of importers, distributors, wholesalers and retailers before reaching the final consumer, with every layer adding a margin.

When Chinese companies establish direct supply chains, wholesale outlets or manufacturing operations, they can reduce some of those intermediary costs. The result can be lower prices.

And for an ordinary Nigerian struggling with declining purchasing power, a cheaper product is not merely a business statistic. It can mean more money left for food, transportation, education, healthcare or other necessities.

But there is an important qualification: Chinese goods are not automatically superior. China produces everything from world-class technology to very cheap products of varying quality. The appropriate response is therefore not to accept or reject Chinese goods wholesale.

The answer is regulation. Products—whether imported or locally manufactured—should meet Nigerian standards. Substandard and counterfeit products should be removed from the market regardless of whether they come from China, Nigeria or anywhere else.

The real danger is when legitimate concerns about local businesses become an argument for eliminating competition altogether.
Protecting Nigerian businesses is understandable. But there is a difference between protecting Nigerian enterprise and protecting Nigerian enterprise from competition.

If a Nigerian manufacturer cannot compete with a cheaper imported product, government should ask why. Is electricity too expensive?
Is credit unavailable or unaffordable?
Are transportation and logistics costs excessive?
Are ports inefficient? Are taxes and levies discouraging production? Are Nigerian manufacturers operating without modern technology? These are the questions that should drive economic policy.

Banning competitors without fixing these structural problems may protect a business temporarily, but it does not make that business more productive. The consumer may simply continue paying higher prices.

Indeed, Chinese competition could become a wake-up call for Nigerian enterprise. It can force businesses to improve efficiency, reduce unnecessary costs, invest in technology, improve quality and rethink distribution.
There is also no justification for turning this debate into an ethnic confrontation. The fact that Igbo entrepreneurs have historically played a major role in Nigerian commerce and distribution is an important part of Nigeria’s economic story.

But commercial success should not translate into permanent ownership of a market.
Markets should be governed by rules, not ethnicity. If a Chinese company breaks Nigerian law, it should face the law. If a Nigerian trader sells counterfeit goods, the same principle should apply. If either provides quality products at competitive prices, consumers should be allowed to benefit.

Nigeria should therefore pursue a balanced policy: welcome legitimate foreign investment, enforce standards, prevent unfair trade practices, support local manufacturers and, above all, protect the consumer.

Chinese investment should also be encouraged to go beyond simply selling finished products. Nigeria should demand more local employment, assembly, manufacturing, skills development, technology transfer and local sourcing.
The ultimate objective should be to make Nigerian businesses strong enough to compete—not so protected that they cannot survive without protection.

The Chinese presence in Nigeria, therefore, does not have to be viewed as an invasion of Nigerian commerce. It can be viewed as a challenge to Nigerian businesses and an opportunity for Nigerian consumers.

Competition may reduce the comfortable margins of some businesses, but it can simultaneously increase the purchasing power of millions of consumers.

And in an economy where millions of Nigerians are struggling to make every naira count, the consumer cannot be treated as collateral damage in the battle to protect somebody else’s market share.

Nigeria needs competition—but competition under strong rules. We should protect Nigerian enterprise, but we should not protect inefficiency.
We should welcome foreign investment, but demand value from it.

And above all, economic policy must remember the person at the end of every supply chain: the ordinary Nigerian who has to pay.

Film Director and Public Affairs Analyst, Tola Balogun sent this in from Abuja.

The post Chinese Competition: Why the Ordinary Nigerian May Be the Biggest Winner appeared first on The Lagosian Magazine.

It was a day of tears, laughter, music, colour and thanksgiving in Ikorodu, Lagos State, last Friday, September 11, 2026, as family members, friends, church members, associates and well-wishers gathered in their hundreds to bid a final farewell to the late Reverend Ibikunle Oni.

But while the occasion marked the physical departure of a beloved patriarch, clergyman and community figure, it was anything but a sombre affair. In the characteristic tradition of the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria, where the passage of an accomplished elder is often transformed into a celebration of a life well lived, the funeral became a magnificent expression of gratitude, fellowship and hope in the Christian promise of eternal life.

From the church service to the grand reception later in the day, the atmosphere was charged with emotion and celebration. The colourful spectacle of guests resplendent in carefully coordinated aso ebi, the melodious sounds of live band music, spontaneous dancing, singing and warm embraces combined to create an unforgettable farewell to a man whose life had touched many people.

The sheer size of the gathering testified to the breadth of Reverend Oni’s relationships and the affection in which he was held. Relatives travelled from different places to join the family, while friends, former associates, church members, neighbours and well-wishers converged on Ikorodu to honour the departed.

For many of those present, the funeral was not simply an occasion to mourn the dead. It was an opportunity to remember the man, celebrate his accomplishments, honour his values and give thanks to God for the years granted to him.

The church funeral service provided the spiritual foundation for the day’s activities. In an atmosphere of solemnity and thanksgiving, prayers, hymns, tributes and messages celebrated Reverend Oni’s Christian faith and the example he left behind.

The service also reflected the enduring Christian belief that death is not the ultimate end but a passage into eternity. The sorrow of separation was therefore accompanied by the consolation of faith and the assurance that those who die in Christ are received into eternal life.

For the family, the service represented an important moment of transition: saying goodbye to their father, grandfather, relative and friend while entrusting his soul to God.

Reverend Oni’s children, including Olabisi Awoyemi, Babatunde Oni, Nwaofeh Oluwatoyin and Oluwayemisi Ogunbayo, were at the centre of the celebration, surrounded by members of the extended family and a large circle of friends and admirers.

The presence of the grandchildren added another poignant dimension to the ceremony. They represented the continuation of the family line and the enduring legacy of a man whose life had become part of the history and identity of his family.

Following the church service, attention shifted to the grand reception, where the mood became markedly more celebratory.

The reception offered a vivid illustration of the Yoruba understanding of a befitting farewell for an accomplished elder. Rather than allowing grief to overwhelm the gathering, family and friends chose to celebrate the memories, relationships and values that Reverend Oni left behind.

The venue came alive with colour as guests appeared in beautiful aso ebi outfits, creating a magnificent tapestry of Yoruba fashion and communal identity. Men and women, young and old, participated in the celebration, transforming the reception into a spectacular gathering of generations.

Then came the music.

The live band provided the soundtrack to an afternoon of celebration, with familiar melodies filling the venue and drawing guests onto the dance floor. What began with a few dancers soon developed into a lively celebration as family members, friends and well-wishers danced with abandon.

There were moments when tears gave way to laughter and when memories of the departed inspired smiles rather than sorrow.

Guests sang, danced and celebrated together, demonstrating one of the most enduring characteristics of Yoruba social culture: the ability to combine grief with gratitude, solemnity with festivity and remembrance with celebration.

The dancing was particularly significant. In Yoruba tradition, the final celebration of an elder is often an affirmation that the deceased lived a meaningful life and that the community will continue to carry his memory. The dance, therefore, was not a denial of grief but an expression of thanksgiving.

The Christian dimension of the ceremony complemented this traditional cultural expression. While the church proclaimed the hope of resurrection and eternal life, the reception celebrated the earthly journey of the deceased and the relationships he cultivated during his lifetime.

Together, the two dimensions produced a distinctly Yoruba-Christian farewell.

Throughout the day, the atmosphere reflected the dual consciousness of the gathering: sadness at the loss of a loved one and gratitude for the privilege of having shared his life.

For those who knew Reverend Oni personally, the occasion was an opportunity to recall individual memories and moments spent with him. For those who knew him through his family, church or community, it was an opportunity to identify with a family celebrating the legacy of a man who had become an important part of their lives.

The large turnout was perhaps the most eloquent tribute of all.

People do not gather in such numbers merely because a funeral invitation has been extended. They gather because the person being honoured mattered.

And on Friday, September 11, that affection was visible everywhere in Ikorodu.

From the solemnity of the church service to the exuberance of the reception, Reverend Ibikunle Oni’s final ceremonies became a powerful demonstration of the communal nature of Yoruba society. The occasion brought together generations, families, friendships and communities in a shared act of remembrance.

It was also a reminder that the legacy of an individual is rarely confined to his immediate family. It lives in the memories of friends, the values transmitted to children, the stories told by grandchildren and the relationships established over many years.

As the music played and the dancers moved across the reception venue, the message was unmistakable: Reverend Oni would be missed, but he would also be remembered with joy.

The celebration therefore became an affirmation of life itself.

There were prayers for the repose of his soul, expressions of sympathy for his family and reflections on mortality. But there was also music, colour, laughter and dancing—the familiar Yoruba response to the passing of an elder whose life deserves to be celebrated.

In the Christian tradition, the faithful look beyond the grave to eternity. In Yoruba cultural consciousness, the memory of a departed elder continues through the family and community. At Reverend Oni’s funeral, these two worldviews came together seamlessly.

The result was a farewell that was both spiritual and cultural, solemn and joyful, intimate and grand.

By the time the celebrations drew to a close, the gathering had succeeded in doing something remarkable: it had transformed a day of departure into a day of thanksgiving.

Reverend Ibikunle Oni had been ushered into eternity not only with prayers, hymns and Christian hope, but also with the warmth of family, the embrace of friends, the colours of Yoruba culture, the rhythm of live music and the joyful dance of a community determined to celebrate the gift of his life.

For his children and grandchildren, the journey of mourning will continue. But so too will the legacy.

And for everyone who gathered in Ikorodu on that memorable Friday, September 11, 2026, the farewell to Reverend Ibikunle Oni will remain a celebration of a life that mattered, a man who was loved and a legacy that will continue to live in the generations he left behind.

He came, he lived, he touched lives—and, in the end, he was celebrated home.

May his soul rest in perfect peace.

All Pictures by Photo Editor, Samson Sule

The post Celebrating a Life Well Lived: Family, Friends Turn Funeral of Reverend Ibikunle Oni into Joyous Farewell. appeared first on The Lagosian Magazine.

September 16, 2026

Nigeria’s theatre and film industry has been plunged into mourning following the death of veteran international actor and film executive, Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, popularly known as Olu Jacobs, at the age of 84.

Jacobs died on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, bringing to an end a remarkable acting career that spanned more than five decades across theatre, television and film. His death was announced by his family through a statement shared on social media by his son, Olusoji Jacobs, and his wife, veteran actress Joke Silva. 

The family described the celebrated actor as “The Lion of Lufodo”, announcing his dates of birth and death as 11 July 1942 – 16 September 2026. It also appealed to bloggers and social-media influencers to respect the family’s privacy as they mourn their patriarch.

An extraordinary career

Born in Kano on July 11, 1942, to parents of Egba Alake origin in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Olu Jacobs developed an early passion for drama and the performing arts. He subsequently travelled to Britain, where he trained at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), London.

His professional career took him through the British stage and television before his eventual return to Nigeria. During his years in Britain, he appeared in a number of television productions, including The Goodies, Till Death Us Do Part, Barlow at Large, The Tomorrow People and The Professionals. He also worked in theatre and appeared in international productions.

His return to Nigeria marked the beginning of an even more influential chapter in his career. Jacobs became one of the most recognisable faces of Nigerian theatre, television and the emerging Nigerian film industry.

With his imposing presence, deep voice, commanding delivery and ability to inhabit vastly different characters, he became particularly associated with roles as traditional rulers, elders, aristocrats, political figures and men of authority.

He appeared in more than 100 films, while simultaneously maintaining a strong connection with theatre. His body of work helped bridge Nigeria’s traditional stage culture with the rapidly developing home-video and Nollywood industries.

The Lion of Lufodo

Beyond his work before the camera, Jacobs and Joke Silva became important figures in Nigeria’s performing-arts establishment.

Together, they were associated with Lufodo Group, through which they pursued theatre, film production and training. Their work included the development of the Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts, reflecting their commitment to professionalising and nurturing Nigeria’s creative industry.

Their marriage also became one of the most celebrated partnerships in Nigerian entertainment, with the two actors frequently appearing together in theatrical and screen productions.

A decorated thespian

Olu Jacobs received numerous honours during his distinguished career. Among them was the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in 2007. He was also honoured with a national award, Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR), in 2011.

In 2021, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Africa International Film Festival, an honour that recognised his extraordinary contribution to African cinema and the performing arts.

His career consequently extended beyond entertainment into cultural history. For generations of Nigerians and Africans, Olu Jacobs represented the transition from the old tradition of professional theatre to contemporary African cinema.

Years away from the screen

In his later years, Jacobs largely withdrew from public acting as his health declined. Joke Silva had previously spoken publicly about his battle with Lewy body dementia, a progressive neurological condition.

His health also made him the subject of repeated false death reports over the years. On several occasions, his family and colleagues were forced to dismiss reports that he had died. Those earlier rumours made Wednesday’s announcement particularly poignant.

In July 2026, however, Silva celebrated her husband’s 84th birthday, describing him affectionately as “The Lion of Lufodo.”

An era ends

With his death, Nigeria loses one of the most accomplished actors of the generation that helped establish professional acting as a powerful force in the country’s cultural landscape.

Olu Jacobs was more than a Nollywood star. His career connected British television, Nigerian theatre, traditional African performance and modern Nigerian cinema, giving him a rare place in the history of African entertainment.

For millions who watched him on stage, television and the big screen, his distinctive voice, regal bearing and unforgettable performances became part of the cultural memory of several generations.

His death marks the passing of one of the great figures of Nigeria’s performing arts.

Olu Jacobs — actor, thespian, mentor, film executive and “Lion of Lufodo” — was 84.

The post BREAKING: Veteran Nigerian Actor Olu Jacobs Dies at 84 appeared first on The Lagosian Magazine.

By Jimmy Fatunbi

Security agencies have intensified surveillance around schools, NYSC orientation camps, places of worship and other vulnerable locations following intelligence of plans by terrorists to launch coordinated attacks across the country.

The Nigeria Police Force, in a security alert circulated to formations nationwide, said the planned attacks could coincide with the resumption of the 2026/2027 academic session.

According to the alert, intelligence available to the Department of Operations indicated an “increased mobilisation of terrorist elements for possible coordinated attacks” on schools, places of worship, NYSC orientation camps and other vulnerable targets.

The communication was circulated to Assistant Inspectors-General of Police overseeing Zones 1–17, Mobile Police formations, counter-terrorism units and other specialised formations, as well as Commissioners of Police across the states.

It was also copied to various departments at Force Headquarters, including Intelligence, the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Research and Planning, Information and Communication Technology, Training and Development, Finance and Administration, and the Force Security Department.

The police said intelligence had also indicated the movement of armed elements from Katsina through Kaduna towards Plateau State.

The alert further disclosed that suspected Islamic State West Africa Province operatives and their local collaborators were conducting surveillance and reconnaissance of potential targets.

The police described the threat to schools as particularly concerning, given the possibility that attacks could coincide with the reopening of schools for the 2026/2027 academic session.

The Department of Operations consequently directed commands and formations to strengthen security around schools, places of worship, NYSC camps and other vulnerable locations.

“All personnel should maintain heightened vigilance and report suspicious persons, vehicles, movements or objects through established channels,” the police said.

Commanders were directed to intensify intelligence-led surveillance, patrols, stop-and-search operations, access control and rapid-response arrangements around identified vulnerable locations.

Commissioners of Police were also ordered to tighten security at state borders, entry and exit routes and other critical approaches to prevent the infiltration and movement of armed elements.

The Defence Headquarters said it was monitoring the situation.

“We are monitoring the situation,” the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, said.

NSCDC strengthens intelligence network

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps also said it had doubled its intelligence network across its state commands to protect schools and other learning institutions.

Speaking on security arrangements for the reopening of schools, the NSCDC spokesperson, Babafemi Afolabi, said intelligence-driven operations involving federal and tactical squads had thwarted more than 100 attempted attacks on schools.

Afolabi said the Commandant-General had briefed state commandants and directed personnel to remain vigilant.

“All tactical squads, officers, and men of the Corps in different state commands—the Commandant General has already briefed them through their commandants. So, now that schools have resumed, they’ve doubled their intelligence network, and I’m very sure that nothing of such will happen,” he said.

He urged parents who were apprehensive about sending their children back to school to allow them to resume, while calling for closer cooperation between communities and security agencies.

“I would advise parents and their wards to just let them free to go to school. Nothing of such will happen. That’s why we’ve been able to work in collaboration with other stakeholders, even the community leaders,” he said.

Afolabi stressed that security was a collective responsibility and urged residents to promptly report suspicious activities in their communities.

He added that the NSCDC was working with private security personnel across the country to strengthen intelligence gathering.

“Not only Civil Defence are doing this; we work together with other sister agencies, and also the private guards. We have millions of them all over the federation,” he said.

Ex-police, DSS chiefs urge vigilance

Former Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Ali Amodu, and former Director of the Department of State Services, Mike Ejiofor, also urged residents and security agencies to heighten vigilance following the alert.

Amodu said issuing security alerts was part of the responsibility of law enforcement and intelligence agencies to gather and share information capable of preventing attacks.

He urged Nigerians not to take such warnings lightly, saying citizens should remain alert and report suspicious activities to the authorities.

“Security is everybody’s business. I must be very frank with you, over the years, we Nigerians have taken things for granted. It is now dawning on us that there is a need for us to be very cautious in what we do and to be alert,” Amodu said.

The former police chief specifically urged residents to report strange persons, suspicious vehicles and unusual movements, particularly around worship centres.

He also noted that with the 2027 general elections approaching, there was a need for increased vigilance.

Ejiofor similarly urged security agencies and citizens to act on preventive intelligence to ensure that people were not caught unawares.

“If you get such an advisory, we should take it seriously so that people are not caught unawares,” he said.

He stressed that preventing terrorist attacks required cooperation among the military, police, intelligence agencies, governments and citizens.

“Now that we have preventive information, we should be sitting up. All of us—the military, the police, the state government, the Federal Government—everybody must be involved. But most importantly, the people must be security conscious,” Ejiofor said.

He encouraged residents to embrace the principle of “see something, say something” by promptly reporting suspicious activities to security agencies.

Parents express fears

Amid the heightened security concerns, parents have expressed fears about sending their children back to school.

The National Secretary of the Uche Onyia-led faction of the National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria, Ibrahim Nabayi, said many parents were worried about the safety of their children and called on governments at all levels to urgently strengthen security around schools.

“Parents are worried now, parents are scared of sending children back to school,” Nabayi told The PUNCH on Monday.

He urged the government to deploy all available resources to address security challenges around learning institutions.

Nabayi also advocated the deployment of technology capable of detecting potential threats around schools, suggesting that surveillance systems should monitor activities within a five-kilometre radius of schools.

He said many schools remained vulnerable because existing security personnel might be unable to repel heavily armed attackers.

“All our schools are porous. The kind of ammunition these guys move around with is more than what the security guards in the schools have. They cannot contain them until there’s intervention of a superpower,” he said.

Nabayi recalled that the present Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, introduced the Safe School Initiative while serving as Chief of Defence Staff, under which schools were mapped for improved surveillance, coordination and rapid response.

He said the association reminded the minister about the initiative during a courtesy visit about three months ago and that the minister pledged that the Federal Government would strengthen the programme.

Nabayi called for greater collaboration among security agencies, communities and parent-teacher associations, stressing that residents should promptly report suspicious activities around schools.

“We want synergy between the government and the communities where schools are located. Security is not the responsibility of the government alone,” he said.

Calls to relocate pupils from high-risk areas

On whether schools in areas considered particularly vulnerable should be temporarily closed, Nabayi said that could be the best option in some circumstances.

However, he advocated relocating pupils in high-risk communities to safer schools rather than shutting down education completely.

He cited a previous situation in Kaduna State where vulnerable pupils were transported to safer locations to enable them to sit their examinations before being returned to their parents.

“I think instead of closing down schools, they transfer to the nearby schools that are safer and more reliable in terms of security. It’s a dynamic approach,” he said.

Nabayi warned that prolonged school closures could further disadvantage children, especially those without access to online learning facilities.

He also called for the Federal Government to involve PTAs and other critical stakeholders in efforts to protect schools and sensitise communities.

According to him, NAPTAN had previously conducted sensitisation programmes for school administrators, pupils and other stakeholders on ways to mitigate security threats but suspended the initiative because of inadequate funding.

He expressed concern over the current state of the Safe School Initiative and urged the government to revive and properly implement the programme.

“The most unfortunate thing in this country is the somersault in policy decision-making. And the issue of the Safe School Initiative—we have been clamoring for the Safe School Initiative right from the attack on the Chibok girls,” Nabayi said.

He further urged the government to use technology to monitor activities around schools and establish systems capable of detecting suspicious movements and alerting a central monitoring centre.

Nabayi said NAPTAN was willing to partner with the government to educate pupils and communities on identifying and reporting potential threats.

“For parents who are apprehensive, it is a genuine fear, and I respect that. I cannot send my child where he is not safe,” he said.

He urged the government to “dust off and implement properly” the Safe School Initiative and called for an independent assessment of its implementation across schools.

“Once the government can create a safe environment, education thrives. When there is fear, nothing can be learned,” Nabayi said.

Previous attacks heighten concerns

The latest security alert comes against the backdrop of previous attacks and abductions targeting schools and other public institutions.

In May 2026, dozens of students and teachers were abducted in separate attacks on schools.

On May 15, armed men reportedly attacked three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, abducting 49 pupils, teachers and a toddler. A mathematics teacher was also killed while in captivity.

The Department of State Services had also alerted Muslim and Christian leaders in Osun State to an alleged plan by terrorists to attack places of worship and other public gathering centres ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Security agencies have consequently urged residents, school authorities, religious leaders and community members to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons, movements and objects to the appropriate authorities.

The post Terrorists, Informants Spying on Schools, Worship Centres, Others — Police appeared first on The Lagosian Magazine.

By Jimmy Fatunbi

The Osun State Police Command has recovered another corpse from the premises of the Mayfair Motor Park in Ile-Ife, bringing the death toll from Sunday’s shooting incident at the park to two.

The development came as the remains of Olalekan Oyeyemi, a chieftain of the Accord Party in Osun State popularly known as Emir Ajagungbade, were buried on Monday at his newly completed residence in the Agunbelewo area of Osogbo.

Oyeyemi was reportedly shot dead on Sunday during a clash involving him and a group led by another leader of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, identified as Sibi, at the Mayfair Motor Park.

A video circulating on social media showed the deceased lying face down in a pool of blood inside a vehicle shortly after the incident.

The state governor, Ademola Adeleke, subsequently confirmed Oyeyemi’s death in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed. The governor directed the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Zungura, to identify and arrest those responsible for the killing.

The incident has also been linked to moves by some members of the transport union to install Oyeyemi as the next Osun State chairman of the NURTW.

Giving an update on Monday, the state police spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, said the Mayfair Motor Park had been shut down following the violence.

He said the police had recovered another corpse from the scene and deposited it at the morgue.

According to him, the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.

Ojelabi urged individuals being mentioned in connection with the incident to report themselves to the nearest police station rather than engaging in self-defence on social media.

He added that the Commissioner of Police had assured that everyone found to be involved in the incident would be arrested and prosecuted, regardless of their status.

Meanwhile, traditional burial rites were performed for Oyeyemi at his residence in Agunbelewo, with close family members and traditional priests in attendance.

His associates, who accompanied his remains from the Osun State University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, were reportedly asked to remain outside the premises while the traditional rites were conducted.

Tension had earlier risen at the hospital following an alleged attack on two hospital workers by suspected associates of the deceased. The workers were reportedly attacked after they were discovered recording the proceedings with their mobile phones.

When PUNCH Metro visited the hospital on Monday, additional police vehicles conveying operatives had arrived at the facility, helping to restore calm.

Commissioner Denies Endorsing Oyeyemi for NURTW Chairmanship

Meanwhile, the Osun State Commissioner for Transportation, Sesan Oyedele, has denied allegations that he summoned NURTW leaders to his residence in Modakeke on Sunday and told them that the state government had endorsed Oyeyemi as the next chairman of the union.

Two NURTW leaders in Ile-Ife, identified as Gbadagesin and Kazeem Akeem, had made the allegation in videos circulated on social media.

Oyedele, however, dismissed the claim, saying the individuals who spoke about the meeting were not present when the issue of the union’s chairmanship was discussed.

According to the commissioner, the transport union members visited him after informing him that they had agreed to support Oyeyemi’s candidacy for the NURTW chairmanship.

He said he only promised to present their position to Governor Adeleke, the Chief of Staff and other relevant officials when the governor returned to the state.

Oyedele said the union leaders visited his residence around 9am on Sunday, adding that he was informed about two hours after their departure that Oyeyemi had been killed.

He appealed to residents to remain calm, assuring them that efforts were underway to resolve the crisis.

The post Osun Shooting: Police Recover Second Corpse as Slain Accord Chieftain Is Buried appeared first on The Lagosian Magazine.

By Jimmy Fatunbi

Five Nigerians based in South Africa who were extradited to the United States on September 11 over alleged wire fraud and money-laundering offences could face a combined maximum sentence of up to 100 years in prison if convicted.

The defendants are expected to appear before US District Judge Michael Shipp at the federal court in Trenton, according to a statement issued on Monday by the United States Department of Justice.

The suspects were extradited following allegations that they defrauded American women of more than $6 million through online romance scams. They were initially arrested in Cape Town in 2021 at the request of US authorities.

US Attorney Robert Frazer identified the defendants as Perry Osagiede, 57; Franklyn Edosa Osagiede, 42; Osariemen Eric Clement, 40; Collins Owhofasa Otughwor, 42; and Musa Mudashiru, 38.

According to the superseding indictment, the defendants are accused of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering in connection with activities allegedly carried out between 2011 and 2021.

Perry Osagiede, Franklyn Osagiede and Clement also face individual wire-fraud charges, while Perry Osagiede, Franklyn Osagiede and Otughwor have additionally been charged with aggravated identity theft.

Frazer alleged that the five men were leaders of Black Axe, which he described as an organisation headquartered in Benin City, Nigeria, with operations across several countries.

He said the organisation operates through regional chapters known as “zones” and alleged that the defendants held leadership positions within its Cape Town Zone.

According to the US attorney, Perry Osagiede founded the Cape Town Zone and served as its zonal head. He alleged that the defendants and other members participated in and discussed various fraudulent schemes.

“From at least 2011 through 2021, the Black Axe defendants and other conspirators worked together from Cape Town to engage in widespread internet fraud involving romance scams and advance-fee schemes,” Frazer said.

He alleged that the suspects used social media platforms, online dating sites and Voice over Internet Protocol telephone numbers to identify and communicate with victims in the United States while operating under various aliases.

The victims were allegedly deceived into believing that they were engaged in romantic relationships with the defendants and were subsequently persuaded to send money and other valuables overseas, including to South Africa.

Frazer further alleged that, in some cases, victims were threatened with the release of sensitive photographs when they hesitated to send money. He also accused the group of using US-based bank accounts belonging to victims and other individuals to transfer proceeds to South Africa.

The defendants were also accused of laundering proceeds from business email compromise schemes, romance scams and advance-fee fraud through aliases and business entities allegedly created to conceal the source of the funds.

The US Department of Justice said each wire-fraud conspiracy and wire-fraud charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

The money-laundering conspiracy charge also carries a maximum sentence of 20 years, with a fine of up to $500,000 or twice the value of the property involved, whichever is greater.

Aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory two-year prison sentence, which must be served consecutively to any other sentence imposed.

The DOJ said the five defendants were arrested in South Africa in 2021 at the request of US authorities and extradited to the United States on September 11, 2026.

However, the department emphasised that the charges contained in the superseding indictment remain allegations and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

“The charges and allegations contained in the superseding indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty,” Frazer said.

The post Five South Africa-Based Nigerians Face Up to 100 Years in US Prison appeared first on The Lagosian Magazine.

The death of Alhaji Bamanga Muhammad Tukur at the age of 90 has removed from Nigeria’s political and economic landscape one of the few men whose public career traversed several defining eras of the nation’s post-independence history.

From public administration and the management of Nigeria’s ports to elective politics, state governance, federal ministerial office, private enterprise and the leadership of major African business organisations, Tukur’s career reflected the changing fortunes and aspirations of Nigeria and the African continent over more than five decades.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in mourning the elder statesman, described his passing as the end of “a remarkable chapter in Nigeria’s political and economic history.”

That description captures the breadth of a career that was considerably larger than any single political office he occupied.

Born on September 15, 1935, Bamanga Tukur emerged from Adamawa into national prominence at a time when Nigeria was still developing the institutions and leadership structures of a newly independent country. He would eventually become one of the prominent sons of the old Northern region and, later, one of the most recognisable political and business figures from Adamawa.

He was known traditionally as the Tafidan Adamawa, a title that reflected his standing within the Adamawa Emirate and his importance in the social and political life of the state.

But Tukur’s influence was not confined to traditional authority or regional politics. His career was defined by a willingness to operate across institutional boundaries, moving between government, business, politics and international economic advocacy.

One of the earliest major milestones in his public career was his appointment as General Manager of the Nigerian Ports Authority in 1975.

The position placed him at the centre of one of Nigeria’s most strategically important economic institutions. The ports were, and remain, critical gateways for the nation’s international commerce, connecting Nigeria to global markets and supporting the movement of goods into and out of the country.

Between 1975 and 1982, Tukur was involved in efforts to modernise port operations and improve the efficiency of Nigeria’s maritime sector.

His years at the Nigerian Ports Authority established his reputation as an administrator capable of managing a large and strategically important public institution. They also gave him an understanding of logistics, trade and infrastructure that would later complement his activities in the private sector and African business community.

Tukur subsequently entered the turbulent world of Nigerian politics.

The Second Republic offered him the opportunity to translate his administrative experience into elective political leadership. In 1983, he was elected Governor of the old Gongola State.

At the time, Gongola was one of Nigeria’s large states, covering territory that would eventually become Adamawa and Taraba states. His governorship therefore belonged to an earlier phase of Nigeria’s state structure, before the extensive creation of additional states transformed the country’s political map.

His emergence as governor placed him among the political actors of the Second Republic, a period that remains significant in Nigeria’s democratic history because it represented the country’s return to civilian rule after years of military government.

The Second Republic, however, was short-lived. The military coup of December 1983 brought the democratic experiment to an abrupt end and returned the country to military rule.

Tukur’s career nevertheless continued.

Rather than disappearing from national life, he increasingly built his influence through business and economic leadership. In the private sector, he became Chairman of BHI Holdings and the DADDO Group of Companies.

The business interests associated with the groups extended across manufacturing, agriculture, logistics and trading, providing Tukur with another platform through which he could pursue his longstanding interest in economic development.

His movement between government and business reflected a philosophy that would become increasingly visible in his later African activities: that political sovereignty alone could not deliver prosperity without economic capacity, productive enterprise and strong private-sector participation.

That philosophy also informed his return to government at the federal level.

Between 1993 and 1995, during the administration of General Sani Abacha, Tukur served as Federal Minister of Industries.

The portfolio placed him at the heart of debates concerning Nigeria’s industrialisation, manufacturing capacity and economic development. It also reinforced the connection between his public-sector experience and his private-sector interests.

But perhaps one of the most enduring dimensions of Tukur’s legacy was his work beyond Nigeria.

At a time when the African continent was grappling with the consequences of economic dependency, weak intra-African trade and limited industrial capacity, Tukur became an outspoken advocate of a stronger African economic renaissance.

He served as Executive President of the African Business Roundtable and Chairman of the NEPAD Business Group.

Through these platforms, he championed the expansion of intra-African commerce and the development of an African economy driven increasingly by indigenous enterprise and private-sector investment.

His advocacy placed him within a generation of African business leaders who argued that the continent’s development could not depend exclusively on governments or foreign assistance.

For Tukur, African governments, businesses and institutions had to build the capacity to create wealth internally, expand trade among African countries and develop sustainable economic partnerships.

The emergence of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development, NEPAD, provided a particularly important platform for this philosophy.

Tukur’s involvement with the NEPAD Business Group reflected his conviction that the private sector should have a central role in implementing Africa’s development agenda.

His continental work consequently gave him a profile that extended beyond Nigeria’s political class. He became part of the broader conversation about Africa’s economic transformation and the role of African businesses in determining the continent’s future.

Yet Nigerian politics continued to exert a powerful pull on his career.

In March 2012, Tukur became National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Nigeria’s dominant political party at the time.

His emergence as chairman occurred during a period of considerable internal tension within the party and intense political competition across the country.

As national chairman, he sought to assert party discipline and strengthen the mechanisms for consensus within the organisation.

His tenure lasted until January 2014, when he stepped down amid growing internal disagreements within the party.

Despite the controversies that accompanied his period in office, Tukur’s place in Nigerian political history was already firmly established. He had participated in the country’s political life across multiple generations, from the Second Republic to the Fourth Republic.

Few Nigerian politicians could claim a comparable institutional journey.

He had been an administrator before becoming an elected governor; a governor before becoming a businessman; a businessman before returning to federal public office; a continental business leader before becoming national chairman of one of Nigeria’s largest political parties.

This breadth was central to the way President Tinubu remembered him.

According to the President, Tukur was “urbane, generous and deeply rooted in the values of integrity and service that the Adamawa Emirate and the nation hold dear.”

Tinubu also described him as “a man of big ideas and bold enterprise” who believed in Nigeria’s limitless potential.

The words are significant because Tukur’s career was ultimately characterised by the intersection of ideas and institutions.

He belonged to a generation that viewed national development through the prism of institution-building, public service and economic enterprise. His professional life moved through some of the institutions that were central to Nigeria’s development: the ports, state government, the federal Ministry of Industries, private-sector conglomerates and national and continental business organisations.

His political journey also mirrored Nigeria’s own difficult democratic trajectory.

He was part of the political generation that emerged during the Second Republic, witnessed the return of military rule, participated in governance under a military administration and later returned to partisan politics under the Fourth Republic.

In this respect, his life provides a window into the evolution of Nigeria’s political elite over the decades.

For Adamawa, however, his passing carries a particularly profound significance.

Tukur was not merely a former governor or national politician. As Tafidan Adamawa, he occupied an important place in the traditional and social hierarchy of the emirate. His influence extended into the state’s political, business and community affairs.

His death therefore represents the passing of one of the state’s most recognisable elder figures.

For the business community, his legacy is associated with the conviction that Nigerian enterprise could compete and contribute to national development.

For the political class, he represented a generation of politicians whose careers were shaped by the transition between military and civilian rule.

For the African business community, he was an advocate of stronger economic integration and greater private-sector participation in the continent’s development.

And for younger generations of Nigerians who encountered him primarily through his later political roles, his career provides a reminder of how dramatically the country’s political and economic institutions have evolved since independence.

President Tinubu has extended condolences to the Tukur family, the Fombina Emirate of Adamawa, the government and people of Adamawa State and the wider political and business communities in Nigeria and across Africa.

He prayed that Almighty Allah would forgive Tukur’s shortcomings, grant him Aljannah Firdaus and comfort those mourning his death.

With his passing, Nigeria loses more than a former governor, minister or political party chairman. It loses a witness and participant in several chapters of the country’s modern history.

Bamanga Tukur belonged to a generation that saw Nigeria move from the optimism of independence through military interventions, political upheavals, economic transformations and the eventual consolidation of the Fourth Republic.

He served, governed, built businesses, led political organisations and spoke for African enterprise.

His was, in the fullest sense, a life lived at the intersection of Nigeria’s public and private destinies.

And as the tributes begin to gather around his family, Adamawa and the nation, the measure of Bamanga Tukur’s legacy will ultimately rest not only in the offices he occupied, but also in the institutions he helped shape, the economic ideas he championed and the generations of Nigerians and Africans who encountered him in the long journey toward national and continental development.

At 90, the Tafidan Adamawa has departed.

But the chapter of Nigerian history in which he played so many roles will remain.

The post Bamanga Tukur: The End of an Era in Nigeria’s Political and Economic History appeared first on The Lagosian Magazine.

Political activities ahead of the 2027 governorship elections have intensified across Nigeria following the formal commencement of campaigns, as candidates and political parties unveil policy proposals aimed at winning the support of voters.

The campaign season officially opened on Wednesday, September 9, with candidates focusing their messages on issues including insecurity, agriculture, education, healthcare, workers’ welfare and economic development.

Across the North West, South West and South East, political parties have begun presenting their programmes while appealing to voters and calling for peaceful, issue based campaigns. Security, economic hardship and the delivery of essential social services are expected to dominate the contests as candidates seek to distinguish themselves ahead of the elections.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army has announced a major redeployment of senior officers to key command, operational and staff positions as the military moves to strengthen its response to the country’s evolving security challenges.

The redeployments were approved by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Waidi Shaibu, and are expected to affect several strategic formations across the Service.

According to the Army spokesperson, Appolonia Anele, Maj Gen I. A. Ajose has been moved from the Army Headquarters Department of Army Operations to the Theatre Command, Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai, where he will serve as Theatre Commander.

The Army said the postings were part of efforts to enhance operational effectiveness and align its leadership structure with prevailing security demands.

In the petroleum sector, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority have become embroiled in a legal dispute over the regulator’s directive suspending propane loading and truck out operations at the refinery.

The dispute came before the Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday, with NMDPRA asking the court to discharge an interim order preventing it from enforcing the suspension.

Dangote, however, accused the regulator of abusing its powers, as both parties presented their positions over concerns surrounding the quality and distribution of propane from the refinery.

The court had earlier, on August 31, restrained NMDPRA, its officers, agents and representatives from entering, sealing, shutting down, restricting access to, obstructing, suspending, disrupting, inspecting, supervising or sanctioning operations at the refinery pending the hearing and determination of the substantive application.

Elsewhere, the Benue State Police Command has arrested 46 people allegedly linked to the blockade of the convoy of Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, during his visit to the state on Tuesday.

The Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, disclosed the arrests at a press conference in Makurdi on Wednesday.

Nwadiogbu said police personnel deployed for Obi’s visit adopted a professional and tactical approach to prevent the situation from escalating into violence that could have resulted in loss of lives and destruction of property.

The development has triggered widespread condemnation, with attention focused on the circumstances surrounding the incident and the response of security agencies.

In the United States, President Donald Trump has also made a major campaign pledge ahead of the November midterm elections, promising a $5,000 federal dividend to every adult American if Republicans retain control of both chambers of Congress.

Trump made the pledge on Wednesday at the Republican Party’s first midterm convention in Dallas, Texas, where he urged voters to support Republican candidates in the House of Representatives and Senate.

He said the proposed payment would be made if Republicans succeeded in retaining control of both chambers, turning the political gathering into a major campaign appeal ahead of the elections.

The developments have placed politics, national security, the petroleum industry and international political developments among the major stories attracting attention as Nigeria and other countries approach significant political and economic milestones.

The post 2027 Governorship Campaigns Begin as Army Redeploys Generals, Dangote and NMDPRA Clash appeared first on The Lagosian Magazine.

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has described agricultural mechanisation as critical to attracting more young Nigerians to farming, empowering women and strengthening Nigeria’s food security.

Tinubu made the remarks on Wednesday at the National Colloquium on the Role of Women and Youth in Advancing Agricultural Mechanisation in Nigeria, held at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja, where the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security unveiled the Agri360 Mechanisation Training Initiative.

The First Lady, who was represented at the event by the wife of the Vice President, Nana Shettima, also commended the ministry for launching the programme, which is expected to equip 5,000 women and young Nigerians across the country with practical skills for modern agricultural production.

According to her, the initiative would provide training in agricultural mechanisation, digital agriculture, equipment operation and maintenance, entrepreneurship and agribusiness management.

Tinubu said modernising agriculture through mechanisation would improve productivity, reduce the physical burden associated with traditional farming and make the sector more appealing to younger Nigerians.

She noted that the benefits of mechanisation would extend beyond crop production to areas such as machinery operation and maintenance, agricultural processing, logistics, technology and other segments of the agricultural value chain.

The First Lady further observed that young Nigerians were increasingly using digital technologies to transform agriculture, citing precision farming, artificial intelligence and drones as examples of innovations reshaping the sector.

She said the changing approach was helping young people view agriculture not merely as subsistence farming but as a viable business and career capable of creating wealth and improving livelihoods.

Tinubu also emphasised the importance of expanding opportunities for women in agriculture, stressing that providing them with relevant skills, productive resources and access to income generating opportunities would have positive effects on their families and communities.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, said mechanisation was essential to easing the burden of agricultural production and reducing the level of physical strength traditionally required for farming.

Kyari explained that the Agri360 initiative would cover the agricultural value chain from land preparation through production to value addition, while also addressing access to water and agricultural machinery.

He said the government was moving beyond discussions to concrete action by treating agriculture as an economic enterprise capable of improving the livelihoods of farmers and contributing significantly to national development.

The minister added that the initiative aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which places agriculture at the centre of efforts to achieve food security, create jobs and drive economic growth.

Participants at the colloquium identified low levels of mechanisation, inadequate access to finance, limited technical skills and poor infrastructure as major constraints to agricultural productivity in Nigeria. The exclusion and limited participation of women and young people were also highlighted as challenges requiring urgent attention.

They stressed that expanding access to modern agricultural machinery and related skills could reduce the drudgery associated with farming, improve productivity, generate employment and make agriculture more attractive to Nigeria’s growing youth population.

The participants further maintained that greater inclusion of women and youths in mechanised agriculture would strengthen the country’s food production capacity while creating new opportunities across the wider agricultural value chain.

The post Mechanisation Key to Attracting Youths, Empowering Women in Agriculture, Says Oluremi Tinubu appeared first on The Lagosian Magazine.