It’s been barely two months since the fuel prices more than doubled from N197 to N537 per litre following the fuel subsidy removal on May 29, 2023. And while still trying to adjust to our new economic realities, on June 18, fresh news broke of yet another surge in fuel price to over N600 per litre. 

According to Chinedu Okoronkwo, the President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), the recent price hike is to help the petrol marketers themselves stay in business. He explained that the subsidy removal adversely affected their business so much that many have been unable to raise enough money to load from depots and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited. 

It’s alarming that we’re hardly 100 days into this new government, and life’s already unbelievably hard for citizens. It will now cost almost triple the amount it did in May to fill your vehicle’s fuel tank, and due to the current 22.79% inflation rate, food will get even more expensive. 

And I really hate to have to say this, but it looks like maybe Bubu wasn’t that bad. We know being president was more of a side gig for him, and his real job was touring Europe, but at least we weren’t at risk of having a $1 to N1000 exchange rate. President Tinubu promised us renewed hope, but the only thing that has been renewed is our subscription to another four years of suffering in 4D. 

What Else Happened This Week?

Police Arrest Suspected Cultists in Enugu State

On July 18, 2023, the Enugu State Police Command announced the arrest of 18 members of the Black Axe Confraternity who allegedly had plans to cause trouble during their 7/7 day celebration.  

The cultists were found in different locations in the state, and along with their arrest, the police recovered one pump action gun, six live ammunition (cartridges), three black berets with the inscription “Black Axe”, one sharp battle axe, three drums, three black-yellow face-caps with “Ezeagu Sub Zone 7 7” inscribed on them, and one yellow scarf. According to DSP Daniel Ndukwe, the spokesperson for the Enugu State Police Command, the suspects will be arraigned in court once investigations are concluded. 

If you’ve ever wondered what the legal punishment for cultism in Nigeria is, under the Criminal Code Act, anyone found guilty of cult activities or permitting meetings to be held in their residence is liable to a 3-year imprisonment. On the other hand, the Penal Code, which applies to Northern Nigeria, allows for 7-year imprisonment.

Question of the week

It’s not news that there has been a recent hike in the tuition fees of federal universities. Do you think this surge will improve Nigeria’s quality of education?

Video of the week

Ehen one more thing…

People change their names for many reasons, such as marriage, career demands, or simply a desire for a new identity. Changing your name in Nigeria is relatively straightforward, but you need to take a few important steps.

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Last week, we discussed the newly introduced annual vehicle ownership verification fee, set at ₦1,000. For today, we’ll be looking into the recent partnership between the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Market Traders Association of Nigeria (MATAN) to collect Value Added Tax (VAT) from traders. 

On July 3, 2023, the FIRS announced the VAT Direct Initiative to facilitate collecting and remittance taxes from this informal sector using unified systems technology, and traders will also be given identity cards to track their turnover. Nigeria currently has one of the lowest tax collection rates in the world at 10.8%; according to MATAN, there are about 40 million traders across the country, and this tax collection would help improve our tax base. Traders will also benefit from this, as the FIRS plans to work with security agencies to stop the illegal collection of taxes in the markets by thugs and self-appointed tax collectors. 

This is all part of President Bola “T-Baby” Tinubu’s plan to improve our revenue generation and fund more infrastructural and social projects. However, we all know that Nigeria is cursed with a corruption problem. So, once again, it looks like citizens struggling to make ends meet are being asked to make sacrifices with little to no assurance of tangible rewards. 

What else happened this week?

Diphtheria Outbreak in Abuja

On July 3, 2023, Sadiq Abdulrahman, the director of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Public Health Department, confirmed in a press briefing that the outbreak of diphtheria has already claimed the life of a four-year-old boy. 

Diphtheria is a deadly bacterial infection that affects the mucous membranes of the nose and throat. It can lead to breathing difficulties, health rhythm problems, heart, kidney, and nervous system damage, and death, especially in children. 

The recent outbreak in Abuja is said to have spread from Niger state, and so far, there have been eight reported cases. To combat the spread of this bacterial infection, residents are advised to take personal hygiene very seriously and to get vaccinated at any of the 400 vaccine outlets around the FCT. Also, the Public Health Department has started collaborating with states to prevent the further spread of this disease. 

Video of the week

Question of the week

With Elon Musk channelling his inner Lex Luthor, our days on Twitter might be numbered. Is it time for Nigeria’s tech space to create an alternative social media platform? 

Ehen one more thing…

The initial six months of 2023 are done and dusted. What should we expect as we step into the second half? Find out here

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We had two days of public holidays:

Last Wednesday and Thursday were the Eid-al-Adha celebrations that gave many of us a much-needed break from capitalism. And one thing that makes this last Salah break special is that it’s the last one we’ll have in a while, as the next national break is in October. So hopefully, you were able to make the most of the Salah break. 

Seven victims of kidnapping were rescued:

Sadly, many Nigerians have become desensitised to news like this, but for the families of the victims, this brings an end to their nightmare. On June 27, 2023, the Enugu State Police Command paraded 3 kidnappers notorious for terrorising the area. The police commissioner, represented by DSP Daniel Ndukwe, also revealed that 12 additional suspects responsible for the kidnapping, rape, and murder had also been apprehended. The police command acted on a series of distress calls and tip-offs and rescued seven kidnapped victims. They also recovered 7 firearms, two motor vehicles, one motorcycle, one dagger, and a cash sum of ₦701,000. 

The electricity tariff hike might not be happening:

The recent news of a 40% hike in the price of electricity tariffs effective July 1 threw many Nigerians into panic mode, and rightly so. However, on Wednesday, June 28, Mike Faloseyi, a spokesperson for the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), confirmed that they have yet to make such a statement. The Abuja and Ikeja Electricity Distribution Companies also recently announced to their customers that the news should be regarded as fake as no approval for an increment was given. 

17 women were rescued from a baby-making factory:

On June 25, 2023, some Nigerian Army troops raided a baby-making factory along Adamawa state’s Nigerian/Cameroon border. The soldiers were able to arrest seven operators of this factory, two babies, and 17 women between the ages of 19-21. These women were recruited as minors without the knowledge of their families and used for prostitution and the delivery of babies for sale for the past 3 years. Hopefully, these women will be able to get the help they need, and the perpetrators will be duly punished.

What Else Happened This Week?

Implementation of Proof of Vehicle Ownership to Kick Off in July

I’m going to say what everyone’s thinking—as a country, we might have jumped from frying pan to fire, but I’m sure there’s a bright side to this new development if we look hard enough. 

On June 27, 2023, the Federal Government Joint Tax Board introduced a Proof of Ownership Certificate (PoC) verification fee of ₦1000 to be paid annually by all motorists. According to Abdulhafiz Toriola, the Permanent Secretary for the Lagos state Ministry of Transportation, the PoC will contain information such as the licence plate number, model and year of manufacture, and the owner’s details. It’ll also show that a vehicle legally belongs to a person or an entity. 

Toriola further explained that the PoC will help track the real-time status of vehicles on the National Vehicle and Identification Scheme (NVIS) database and work towards the country’s national security and economic development; implementation is expected to begin in Lagos by July. However, this news hasn’t gone well with many Nigerians, who are still struggling to adjust to our new economic reality. Sadly, it’s starting to look like, once again, we’ve elected a government insensitive to the struggles of the everyday Nigerian. 

Video of the week

Question of the week

We’ve recently seen a resurgence of the National Television Authority (NTA) as the government’s mouthpiece. Do you think President Tinubu is responsible for this?

Ehen one more thing…

Whisper it quietly, but the FG has secured a new $500m loan from the World Bank. Who will be the beneficiaries of this loan? Find out here. 

I’ve often wondered what Fela would say or sing if he were alive to see us today, so I devised a means to talk to him.

Relax, I don’t have supernatural powers, but everything is possible with tech these days. I found an AI technology that lets you bring historical figures back to life, and here’s how my conversation with Fela went:

Fela: Hello, my people! It’s a pleasure to talk to you beyond the veil!

Tolu: Hello, sir. I just want you to know that Nigeria hasn’t gotten better since your passing o

Fela: Yes, my sister. It’s a shame that things haven’t changed much. But we must remember that change doesn’t come easily.

Tolu: Speaking of change, do you remember Muhammadu Buhari?

Fela: Ah yes, I remember him very well. Buhari was a military leader who governed Nigeria during one of its darkest periods. He was responsible for many atrocities and human rights violations. 

Tolu: Ehm, despite his atrocities, Nigeria voted him as president in 2015, and he ruled us for another 8 years till 2023. 

Fela: That is truly disappointing. It shows that our struggle for democracy and good governance must be continuous. We must remain vigilant in ensuring those in power are held accountable for their actions.

Tolu: Well said. Anyways, we have a new president. Guess who?

Fela: Hmm, I’m not a seer, my sister, but tell me, who is the new president? 

Tolu: Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Do you remember him?

Fela: Yes, I do remember him. He was a prominent figure in Nigerian politics during my time and played a significant role in the return to democracy after years of military rule. 

Tolu: You sound like a Tinubu fan

Fela: I’m not a fan of any individual politician o. My loyalty lies with the people and their struggle for democracy and social justice. Tinubu’s past contributions to Nigerian politics might be noteworthy, but it’s his present actions that matter the most.

Tolu: Well, during his inaugural speech, he finally removed fuel subsidy, and the suffering in Nigeria has increased.

Fela: Ah, the fuel subsidy issue has been contentious for some time. While it may bring short-term economic benefits, it’s important to consider the impacts on common people already struggling with poverty and hardship.

Tolu: I don’t understand your English. Are you in support of the subsidy removal?

Fela: No, I’m not. As an activist who always fought for the rights of the people, it’s important that policies put in place by the government better the lives of Nigerians as a whole.

Tolu: Do you think we should protest?

Fela: Absolutely. It’s our duty to hold our leaders accountable and fight for our rights.

Tolu:  You fought many times against police brutality, and we’re still experiencing the same brutality today. How can we stop this?

Fela: Ah, police brutality is an issue that has plagued our society for a long time. It’s not enough to condemn the actions of these police officers; we must address the root causes in the police system.

Tolu: Oh, ehen, did you hear that your last son, Seun, slapped a police officer?

Fela: Ehn? (laughs) My son Seun is a fighter like his father. But violence is never the solution to police brutality or any other societal issue. 

Tolu: What’s your advice for Nigerian youths today?

Fela: Never forget your roots, and always stand up for what you believe in. Don’t be afraid to challenge those in power and demand justice for yourself and your fellow citizens. Educate yourself on our issues and work towards solutions that benefit everyone, not a select few. And above all, remember the power of music and art to inspire people to change. As I’ve always said, “Music is a weapon”. 

If you’re interested in a series like this, where I speak with historical figures, please fill out this very short form. Thank you!

What else happened this week?

Civil Servants Suspended For Salary Padding

Corruption is a major problem in Nigeria that we typically blame our politicians for. However, we shouldn’t turn a blind eye to the amount of dishonesty and fraud present in ordinary citizens as well. On June 12, 2023, news broke of some civil servants from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), and the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) who were suspended and under probe for salary padding.  

An investigation revealed that an Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS) desk officer in charge of salaries connived with these civil servants to pad their salaries by manipulating the IPPIS system. For instance, a level 7 officer whose salary should be ₦60,000 was receiving over ₦400,000—the salary package of a director. Apparently, this salary padding had been going on for a while before it was finally caught wind of. 

Currently, steps are being taken to upgrade the IPPIS system, and the culprits will be handed over to the authorities for prosecution. 

Question of the week

President Bola Tinubu signed the Student Loan Bill on June 12, 2023. Is this a step in the right direction for the Nigerian education sector? And if you could change one thing about the Bill, what would it be?

Video of the week

Ehen one more thing…

Femi Gbajabiamila, Speaker of the House of Representatives, will be Nigeria’s 7th Chief of Staff. But what happens to his rep seat? Find out here

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If you recall, in July 2018, the federal government launched a national airline, Nigerian Air, which was to serve as the second national airline after the collapse of Nigerian Airways in 2003. But unfortunately, the whole thing turned out to be audio, as the only thing we saw was the logo of Nigerian Air and random pictures; no one ever saw an actual aircraft.

However, it looked like the wait was finally ending when, on May 27, 2023, the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, unveiled a Boeing 737-800 aircraft at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja. He also claimed it’d begin international and local flight operations before Monday, June 5. On a norms, this would be cause for celebration, but as you very well know, things don’t work normally here. A few hours later, news reports started pouring in that the unveiled aircraft was already over ten years old and actually belonged to Ethiopia Airlines. The plane was simply painted and presented to Nigerians as an aircraft belonging to Nigeria Air. 

A committee of the House of Representatives on Aviation carried out an investigation, revealing that the aircraft was chartered from Ethiopia and landed the day before. So far, the House has declared the entire launch of the national airline a fraud and has begun probing those involved. But like I said, this isn’t the first time we’ve seen this kind of situation. 

In August 2022, the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) management was asked by the Senate Public Accounts Committee (SPAC) to account for how ₦17.158 billion was spent. However, the NSITF couldn’t give a satisfactory explanation and claimed that the documents containing details of the expenditure were kept by the past management and had been beaten by rain and eaten by termites. And, of course, no one was ever penalised for this. 

Do you remember the story of the money-heist snake? In 2018, a sales clerk at the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Makurdi, Benue state, couldn’t account for ₦36 million made from the sales of JAMB scratch cards. She instead claimed that her household had spiritually stolen the money from JAMB’s vault with the help of a mysterious snake. At this point, we can say that Nigeria is fighting against power, principalities, and the animal kingdom. 

A sad theme around stories like this is that they usually get swept under the rug. Nonetheless, we’re going to keep an eye out to see how the Nigeria Air story unfolds, and hopefully the perpetrators are justly punished. 

What else happened this week?

Edo State Government Adopts Hybrid Work

Many Nigerians haven’t found adjusting to the recent fuel subsidy removal easy. But, the Edo state government is putting measures in place to make life a little easier for its people. 

On June 6, 2023, in a statement, the Special Adviser to the state governor on Media Projects, Obaseki, announced that the government had reduced the number of work days civil and public servants would have to commute to the office to three and encouraged them to work from home twice a week until further notice. 

He also stated that steps had been taken to increase the state’s minimum wage from ₦30,000 to ₦40,000. Obaseki also announced that efforts were already being taken to improve the power supply to homes and the availability of fibre optic cables to aid remote work and reduce the cost of transportation. 

Question of the week

Do you know “tapping” electricity and metre bypass is a theft that can earn you jail time in Nigeria? 

Video of the week

Ehen one more thing…

George Akume has been officially sworn in as the new Secretary to the Government of the Federation. Who is he, and what does his job entail? Find the answer here. 

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Let’s look at some key things that happened in Tinubu’s first week as Nigeria’s president.

Bye-bye to fuel subsidy

During Tinubu’s inaugural speech, he announced the removal of fuel subsidy, and this has caused nationwide panic as the price of fuel and transportation has doubled, queues are gradually returning to filling stations across the country, and many Nigerians are discovering that trekking has many health benefits.

You and I know that the problem isn’t in the fuel subsidy removal, because it would have happened sooner or later, but in how the announcement was made. Tinubu went off-script by proclaiming that the fuel subsidy was gone instead of stating it would be “phased out”. Also, no provisions have been implemented to cushion the effects of the subsidy removal. This is leading Nigerians to expect the worst from his administration.

We have a new Chief of Staff

On June 2, Femi Gbajabiamila, the outgoing Speaker of the House of Representatives, was announced as the new Chief of Staff to the President.

Nigeria’s dollar bonds surged

Tinubu’s fuel subsidy announcement has a bright side — it caused Nigeria’s dollar bonds to gain value. Bonds are like IOUs or promises. When Nigeria needs money, it can issue bonds to borrow money from people or investors. These bonds are in dollars. Now, why is the surge a good thing?

When the bonds rise in value, more people are interested in buying them. This shows that investors have confidence in Nigeria and believe it will repay the borrowed money. It also means that Nigeria can borrow money at better terms, helping the country’s economy and government finances in the long run. Although we lowkey don’t want the new government accumulating more debt, we’re yet to recover from the one Buhari put us in.

Tinubu’s baddie doesn’t belong in the other room

One thing we won’t miss about former President Bubu is how he always served us international disgrace. We’ll never forget his “My wife belongs to my kitchen, living room and my other room” speech. But it looks like Tinubu is more open-minded about gender roles.

On June 1, pictures of his wife, our First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, sitting in on a meeting between the President, vice-president Kashim Shettima, CBN governor Emefiele Godwin, and group chief executive officer of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, emerged on the internet. We can at least give Tinubu points for being progressive by being present with his wife in an economic meeting.  

While things aren’t starting off on a high note with the new government, hopefully they will pull a miracle that shocks all their haters.

What else happened this week?

The Nigerian Customs Service Embraces Technology

If you’ve ever been to a federal agency, you’ll first realise how tedious many processes are because they failed to modernise their system of operation. 

Thankfully, this is going to change soon, particularly for the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), as on June 2, the Comptroller-General of the NCS, Col. Hammed Ali (rtd), inaugurated a $3.2 billion modernization project to end manual operations. This project is geared towards fully automating the NCS, improving transparency and effectiveness, and eliminating corruption. 

The project is expected to last over 20 years and generate over $200 billion in revenue. 

Video of the week

Question of the week

The recent increase in fuel prices has caused a hike in the price of transportation. How do you plan to move around this period? 

Ehen one more thing…

A prince from Ile-Ife faces death by hanging for the murder of an OAU master’s student. Find out the events leading up to this case here.

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As with the common phrase, “All men do is lie,” Bubu was no different. He too dey lie. Bubu has spent more than half a year going abroad at different points for medical treatments; even more, he’s currently in London for a dentist appointment. 

During the 2023 general elections, many Nigerians hoped to finally get a president that wouldn’t ghost us for medical excursions overseas, but it looks like there’s something about the Aso Villa that turns you into an Ajala the traveller—globe trotting often for medical purposes.

On March 21, 2023, the press learned about the news that Nigeria’s president-elect, Bola Tinubu, was travelling to Europe for medical care. However, Tinubu’s campaign and media aides debunked the rumours, claiming he went to rest from the election activities, which, to be fair, is understandable. Tinubu finally returned to Nigeria on April 24, and barely three weeks later, it’s in the news again that he has packed his bags to continue his exploration of Europe. The reason this time is that the journey abroad is a “working trip” to meet investors and prepare for the inauguration on May 29.

My issue in all of this isn’t about Tinubu’s possible interest in being a tourist but rather how his administration might be eerily similar to Buhari’s. Nigerians already have enough PTSD from Buhari ghosting the country for months, without us hearing from the Presidency, and the last thing we want is for affliction rising the second time.. 

What else happened this week?

Two Dead After Wedding Ceremony in Kano

On May 11, news broke that two people were confirmed dead and eight were hospitalised after drinking tea at a wedding ceremony in Sheka, Kumbotso Local Government Area, Kano State. 

The tea is being reported to have been prepared with a local leaf called Zakami and a combination of other drugs. Thankfully, the hospitalised victims were effectively treated and discharged to go about their day-to-day activities. 

The spokesperson of the Kano State police command, SP Abdullahi Haruna, says that although no formal report was made to the police station, an inquiry will be made into the accident. 

Video of the week

Question of the week

On May 22, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) will mark its 50th anniversary. Do you think it’s time for the programme to be scrapped?

Ehen one more thing…

Nigerians face several challenges every second of the day, from lack of stable electricity to traffic congestion, or “go slow,” as they call it. But have you ever wondered how the term “go slow” came to represent traffic congestion? We have the answer here.

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Marriage can help you get away with a crime

This might sound like zobo but walk with me. As we all know, many religions preach the message of the husband being the head of the wife. And this has sadly been used to excuse discrimination and abuse against women, but did you know you can also use this to get away with some crimes? 

According to the Section 33 of the Criminal Code Act of the Nigerian constitution, a woman in Christian marriage isn’t criminally responsible for any crime she’s compelled to do by her husband in his presence? The only exception to this is if the offence committed is punishable by death, causes grievous harm or has the intention to cause grievous harm to another person. 

You can be punished for serving breakfast

A song goes, “Na everybody go chop breakfast”, but you can suffer from a broken heart and make money from it at the same time.

According to the Matrimonial Causes Act, 1990, if there’s an agreement to marry, and your partner decides to break off the relationship, you can sue for “Breach of promise to marry”. There are, however, two conditions to this; first, you must present proof that there was a promise of marriage, and next, evidence must be provided that your partner failed to fulfil that promise.

Witches belong in prison

Despite what Nollywood would have us believe, witchcraft isn’t welcome with open arms in Nigeria. According to the Section 210 of the Criminal Code Act, anyone found by actions or statements to have the power of witchcraft is guilty of a misdemeanour and liable to two years in prison. 

You can be flogged by the court

According to the Section 18 of the Criminal Code Act, if a boy under 17 is found guilty of an offence, the court, at its discretion, can order for him to be flogged in addition or substitution to any other punishment.

You can kind of get away with murder

I’m not quite sure why this Law exists given the loopholes it has. But according to Section 314 of the Criminal Code Act, a person won’t be considered to have killed another if the death of the other person doesn’t happen within one year and a day of the cause of death. 

An instance of this would be if you were to hit someone with your car, and the person dies due to complications after 366 days from the accident. 

Hopefully, you put this information to good use, and it serves you one way or the other…

What Else Happened This Week

JAMB Reschedules UTME Examinations

For many of us, our earliest memories of shege started with the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), popularly known as JAMB. It looks like things aren’t close to changing anytime soon. Tuesday, April 25, 2023, marked the first day of the UTME; it was riddled with technical issues. 

Out of the 708 examination centres, about 100 could not hold exams due to the technical challenges. This, of course, left many parents and candidates frustrated as they cursed the system.  

The board in charge of the UTME, i.e. the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has released a statement saying their technical team is on top of the issue, and all affected candidates will be rescheduled. It’s 2023, and it’s unfortunate JAMB still has the same problems it did a decade ago. 

Video of the week

Question of the week

On April 26, 2023, Multichoice announced its plans to increase DSTV and GOTV package prices by 17%. The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has given Multichoice seven days to reverse this price hike. Do you think Multichoice will rescind its decision?

Ehen one more thing…

The federal government has implemented a 40% increase in the salaries of some civil servants. Medical practitioners, non-teaching university workers and the police were excluded from this benefit. Find out why here.

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On Monday, April 17, 2023, the security agents and residents of Omole Estate Phase 2 saw the kind of crazy they weren’t prepared for. According to the estate’s laws, visitors in private or unbranded vehicles aren’t allowed in without producing a proper means of identification. 

However, when officials of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) who pulled up in a private vehicle were asked to identify themselves, they ignored the security guards and tried to force their way through. Annoyed at being stopped, one official stepped down from the vehicle and assaulted the guards. And before they could even grasp what was happening, touts came from nowhere. They started beating up the estate’s security agents. 

At this point, there was panic and chaos everywhere. When armed police officers finally arrived at the scene in a coaster bus and Hilux van, you’d think they’d try to defuse the situation or at least protect the security guards from being harassed, but we all know the Nigerian police is built different. They instead threatened to shoot the guards and tried to force one of them into the coaster bus. 

The police and the touts eventually took over the estate and prevented people from going in or out of it. 

You’d expect that this behaviour would be condemned by the government or the Police Force, but nothing has been said so far because human rights abuse in Nigeria is now, unfortunately, the norm. But, one lesson that can be learnt from this is if you’re ever in trouble, you have more chances of being saved by your village people than you do with the Nigerian police.

What Else Happened this Week?

Woman Sells Her Baby to Offset Bank Loan

Debt is a trap that many Nigerians are falling into with the number of microfinance banks and loan apps available now. People do many crazy things to escape the shame and embarrassment of defaulting on a payment, but things are getting out of hand.

On April 17, 2023, a complaint was lodged at the Ogun State Police Command by Nureni Rasaq, who reported that his wife left home with their 18-month-old baby to Lagos on March 15, 2023, but she returned without the baby. 

The woman was arrested, and on interrogation, she confessed that she went to Lagos to raise enough money to pay her debt to a microfinance bank. While hawking on a certain day, she met a man who offered to buy her baby for the sum of ₦600,000 and she agreed.

Investigations to recover the baby are underway, and the woman will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further questioning. 

Video of the Week

Question of the week

Traditional worshippers are demanding that the federal government declares August 20 as a public holiday for them. Do you think the federal government will agree to this?

Ehen one more thing…

Have you ever heard of the Ekumeku War? It’s a story of how Igbo vigilantes resisted Britain for 31 years. Learn more about this Nigerian history here.

On April 7, 2023, a movie titled Gangs of Lagos was released that gave insight into how thugs in Isale-Eko, Lagos, are used during Nigerian elections. However, there has been outrage from the Lagos state government recently over a scene that portrayed the Eyo masquerade as a villain. 

The Isale Eko Descendants Union released a statement on April 12, 2023, saying the movie defamed Isale Eko and the Eyo masquerade. On the same day, the Lagos state government called the film a total abomination derogating Yoruba culture. 

What’s amusing is that the Lagos state government is paying more attention to the “misinterpretation” of the Eyo masquerade than violence during elections which was the movie’s focal point. 

Is the government intentionally turning a blind eye to the message Gangs of Lagos tried to pass, or is the outrage from them performative because Nollywood is hitting too close to home this time? 

What else happened this week? 

NUPENG Raises Red Flag Over Fuel Subsidy Removal

When it comes to Nigeria, problem no dey finish. On January 5, 2023, the Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning reminded us again that by mid-2023, the federal government would  cease fuel subsidies. This means we’ll pay up to three times more than the current fuel price.

However, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) is warning the federal government that it may be over its head as our local refineries still aren’t operating fully. As a result, the removal of fuel subsidy might have negative economic impacts on Nigerians that the government is unprepared for. 

Hopefully, the government will work towards this and put the right structures in place to ensure that when fuel subsidies are finally removed, we won’t be plunged into multidimensional suffering. 

Video of the week

Question of the week

Nigeria’s president-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was listed on the Times 100 most influential list of 2023. On a scale of “this is a win for Nigeria” to “everyone is on drugs”; what do you think about this?

Ehen one more thing…

There was an unfortunate accident on April 13, 2023, where a seven-story building collapsed in Banana Island, Lagos. Here’s everything to know about the tragedy.

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