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Insecurity In Nigeria: Lagos State Set To Ban Commercial Motorcyclists

Okada Riders

The Lagos State government has taken a step to curb the rate of insecurity in the state by further strengthening the ban imposed on commercial motorcyclists, also known as okada riders, in the state. With several crimes reported in several parts of the state, the Lagos State governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu is set to announce a new policy on okada riders operation in the state.

With the spate of crime perpetrated by the okada riders on the increase, it is claimed that the policy to be unveiled on Tuesday, May 17, 2021, would be aimed at imposing a further ban on okada riders. An insider in the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation revealed to Sunday Tribune that part of the policy would include a roll-out of buses that would help ease the transportation burden in the event that commercial motorcyclists are banned. According to him, “as more buses are rolled out across routes in Lagos, that means okada is gone forever.” There have been partial okada bans in the past – in some areas – but the incoming ban seems to be a total eradication in all parts of  Lagos metropolis.

This policy is set to be rejected by the over 400,000 okada riders who ply Lagos’ roads as they see the policy as inhuman and inconsiderate but when asked why the commercial cyclists have not been carried along, the source was quick to point out that the okada riders have been asked to form themselves into a formal body under the National Union of the Road Transport Workers (NURTW), which will help in organizing them, but they have refused to do that.

This is not the first time the Lagos State government will be announcing a ban on commercial motorcyclists in the state. Former Lagos State governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, issued an okada ban in 2012, restricting their operation in certain parts of the states, however, they have since returned to all the routes they were banned from. That being said, this incoming ban seems certain because it is the first time an immediate alternative is provided (buses) to provide an easy landing for road users.

One thing is sure, with the rising insecurity levels in the state and the use of okada to perpetuate all kinds of crime in different parts of Lagos metropolis, it does seem like okada riders have run their course in Lagos state. The state command of the Nigeria Police Force released a report that between January and early May, okada riders have been responsible for 83 percent of 385 cases of avoidable fatal accidents in the state. Also, they have been involved in 218 criminal incidents with 480 guns of various calibers seized.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hakeem Odumosu further reiterated the above facts when he said:

“The menace of okada operators does not end with avoidable accidents. Crime reports from the field have shown that a greater percentage of crimes ranging from armed robbery, cultism, kidnapping, murder, burglary, and stealing to traffic robbery, carjacking, and cash snatching from bank customers are attributable to hoodlums who operate on okada. The nuisance constituted by the okada operators on Lagos roads has become a danger to law-abiding citizens.”

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News

10 things To know about The New Pope Leo XIV

Following Pope Francis’s passing, United States Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has emerged as the 267th leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.

Senior Cardinal Dominique Mamberti announced Prevost to a cheering crowd on St Peter’s balcony on Wednesday afternoon, saying the famous Latin words “Habemus Papam,” meaning “we have a pope.”

Picking the papal name Leo XIV, the newly elected Pope becomes the first American to occupy the exalted religious position.

Speaking in Italian, the 69-year-old described his predecessor as always “courageous and blessed Rome.”

1. Prevost was born on September 14, 1555, in Chicago, Illinois, to parents Louis Marius Prevost and Mildred Martinez.

2. In 1997, he entered the novitiate of the Order of Saint Augustine (OSA) and made his solemn vows in 1981.

3. As a former prefect of the influential Dicastery for Bishops, Prevost shared similar views to his immediate predecessor and spent many years as a missionary in Peru before he was elected the head of the Augustinians for two consecutive terms.

4. The Chicago-born prelate earned his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Villanova University in 1977, before proceeding to Catholic Theological Union in Chicago for his Master of Divinity. He subsequently bagged both a licentiate and doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical College of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome, with a doctoral thesis on “The role of the local prior in the Order of Saint Augustine.”

5. He was ordained as a priest in 1982 and joined the Augustinian mission in Peru shortly after, where he served as chancellor of the Territorial Prélature of Chulucanas from 1985 to 1986.

6. Between 1987 and 1988, he was in his home country of the US, working as pastor for vocations and director of missions for the Augustinian Province of Chicago. In 1988, he returned to Peru, where he spent the next ten years heading the Augustinian seminary in Trujillo and teaching canon law in the diocesan seminary, doubling as prefect of studies. Prevost also served in other capacities there, including as a parish pastor, diocesan official, director of formation, seminary teacher, and judicial vicar.

7. He returned to Chicago in 1999 and was elected provincial prior of the “Mother of Good Counsel” province in the archdiocese, before emerging as prior general of the Augustinian order and serving two terms until 2013.

8. The American prelate returned to Peru in 2014, following his appointment as the apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Chiclayo by Pope Francis. He was elevated to Bishop of Chiclayo in 2015, where he served as vice-president and member of the permanent council of the Peruvian Bishops’ Conference from 2018 to 2023.

9. Prevost served as apostolic administrator of Callao in Peru between 2020 and 2021.

10. In January 2023, Pope Francis appointed Prevost as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, a powerful position responsible for selecting bishops. He held this position until his predecessor died on April 21, 2025. On September 30, 2023, Pope Francis elevated Prevost to the rank of Cardinal.

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Entertainment

Wizkid Cancels multiple North America dates on ‘Morayo’ Tour, Sparking Online Debate

Nigerian superstar Wizkid has cancelled several dates on the North American leg of his much-anticipated ‘Morayo’ world tour, sparking concern among fans and insiders alike.
The cancelled shows include major venues such as:

June 5 – State Farm Arena, Atlanta

June 7 – Madison Square Garden, New York

June 11 – Scotiabank Arena, Ontario, Canada

June 15 – CFG Bank Arena, Baltimore

While his team has yet to release an official statement explaining the latest development, fans anxiously await clarity and possible new dates.

Despite the setback, sources suggest that the European leg of the Morayo Tour will continue as planned, with no current indications of change.

However, reactions online hint at deeper personal struggles. A close associate, Godson, stirred concern on social media when he responded to a fan’s inquiry about the cancellations by asking for prayers for Wizkid.

“Add him to your prayer. I think he’s still grieving, and nobody is helping him achieve this. Sad,” Godson posted.

Fans have since flooded social media with messages of support, urging the Star Boy to take all the time he needs to heal.

News of Wizkid’s North American tour cancellations has sparked a social media frenzy, with fans and critics flooding platforms like X (formerly Twitter) with mixed reactions, ranging from deep concern to outright mockery

Some fans expressed disappointment over the show cancellations, while others pointed fingers at poor planning, low ticket sales, and questionable timing.

Here are some of the most viral reactions:

@abazwhyllzz: “So none of his fans could buy ticket despite the ticket price reduction??? Brooo, this guy is finished.”

@mafia3O: “Cancelled in the midnight thinking people would not notice.”

@bigHotbaby1: “Wizkid scheduled his tour the same day there’s a big game in New York? Who’s advising this guy?”

@Zillionhood: “WizKid should retire this year with little dignity, by 2026 he will be retiring with mucha shame on him.”

@twnty__one: “Shey dem him fans no see money buy ticket ni or why the cancellation? Lol popsy una.”

Fanbase Rivalries Heat Up
The news also reignited the age-old Stan wars between fanbases, with some accusing media platforms of showing bias in their coverage.

@sakpo0007_: “Nah you guys are unreal. No single post on your page about Davido’s ‘5ive’ Spotify streams deduction but yeah it’s Wizkid news, y’all are active now… Fvckers.”

@bisolaa_0: “You updated this faster than Davido deducted streams on Spotify. Smh.”

@1stsonofdavido: “You see Wizkid downfall? I’m always there like Toyota Hilux. If it was Davido, everywhere for don scatter. Like I said, any Wizkid slander, I’m always there.”

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Celebs

Burna Boy gears up for the release of his 8th album with ‘Sweet Love’

Burna Boy

Grammy award-winning global icon Burna Boy ushers in his highly anticipated eighth studio album ‘No Sign of Weakness’ with today’s release of the seductive new single ‘Sweet Love.’

The song is set to be followed by a music video, which will complement its breezy feel.

The song produced by Major Seven is a romantic, reggae-leaning track that showcases Burna Boy’s unmistakable vocal charisma and signature blend of global influences with melodic pop sensibility.

‘Sweet Love’ continues Burna Boy’s standout year, building on the momentum of No Sign of Weakness’s first single, ‘Update’.

Produced by P2J (Beyoncé, Tems) and built around a sample of Soul II Soul’s iconic 8 the track blends Afrobeats with anthemic, club-ready energy.

The official video, which weaves together powerful visual vignettes inspired by the album’s central themes, has already surpassed 5 million views on YouTube.

Burna Boy has previously released the bubbling ‘Bundle By Bundle,’ which has amassed over 24M Spotify streams and 8.5M video views.

Most recently, Burna Boy joined French-Haitian singer Joé Dwèt Filé for the remix of the viral hit ‘4 Kampé,’ fusing Afrobeats and Haitian Kompa into a cross-cultural anthem that continues to chart across platforms globally.

Last month, Burna Boy became the first-ever cover star of Billboard France, coinciding with his historic, sold-out show at the Stade de France, making him the first African artist to headline the iconic venue.

The multi-award-winning global star followed up on his Stade De France concert with another historic concert in Manchester, where he sold out the Co-op Arena, which is the biggest indoor Arena in England.

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