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Happy Golden Celebration Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal — By Victor Ganzallo

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It is the 50th birthday celebration of Kabiyesi Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal, Abisogun II, Oniru of Iru Kingdom. Indeed, it is worthy to celebrate this hardworking, focused, and a dedicated monarch who has served his country and state with uncommon dedication and was recently chosen by his people to lead them as their traditional ruler.

50 years on earth is no joke and to be celebrating it a few weeks after ascending the throne of his forefathers calls for celebration and rolling out the drums, but Kabiyesi Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal, Abisogun II as decided that the celebration should be a very quiet one. One is because of the need for people to observe social distancing in order continue the global fight against the pandemic coronavirus and two, because Kabiyesi feels it’s a time for him to quietly reflect, even while offering prayers to the Almighty for His mercies and love towards him, his family and Iru Kingdom as a whole.

To this end, Kabiyesi we hear has directed that the palace will not be taking visitors nor having any ceremonies at all, but that all well-wishers should please pray for him and the kingdom and celebrate his golden jubilee from their various homes.

Since ascending the throne a few weeks ago, he has embarked on a number of initiatives to reposition Iru and chart a course of prosperity for the kingdom. One of his initiatives that have been applauded by indigenes, residents, and businesses in the kingdom is the ‘Let’s Grow Iru Land Together’ project which took off shortly after his ascension.

According to the Oba Gbolahan Lawal, ‘My vision for Iru is to ensure we become one of the most desirable places to live, work and do business in Lagos, Nigeria and the continent, especially in the area of tourism, culture, health, and environment’.

A peace-loving gentleman, Abdulwasiu was the Aide de Camp to Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu throughout his tenure as the Executive Governor of Lagos State between 1999 and 2007 and carried out his assigned duty with admired candor and diligence. In spite of how tempestuous the politics that characterized the period were, his name never came up in any negative report or controversy.

Upon retirement from the force after the completion of his service to the nation, rather than return home and make politics a career, which would have happened on a platter of gold, considering his royal background and political connections, the lover of cerebral debates and intellectual stimulations opted to go back to school to further deepen his intellectual wells. He obtained an M.sc in Violence, Conflicts, and Development, from the School of Oriental and African Studies, SOAS, the University of London in 2008. Kabiyesi Abdulwasiu Gbolahan Lawal also did a program in the International Housing Finance Program and Advanced Management Program, AMP at the prestigious Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, the United States in 2015. These are strong testimonials to his quest for knowledge and personal development, which are his dream for the kingdom of Iru as its ruler.

Happy 50th birthday, Kabiyesi Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal, Abisogun II. May the Almighty bless and keep you, and continue to bless you with wisdom and strength to lead the good people of Iru Land.

-Victor Ganzallo

BIG STORY

400 Sex Tapes: Equatorial Guinea’s Baltasar Remanded In Prison

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The former Director-General of the National Financial Investigation Agency in Equatorial Guinea, Baltasar Engonga, has been remanded in Malabo’s Black Beach Prison.

The embattled former anti-graft chief was arrested days ago for allegedly recording over 400 sex tapes involving the wives of prominent figures in the country.

This scandal surfaced during a fraud investigation into the 54-year-old economist, resulting in an impromptu search of his home and office by ANIF officials, who reportedly discovered several CDs that revealed his sexual encounters with different married women.

As the footage leaked online, causing a media uproar, Equatorial Guinea’s President, Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, dismissed Engonga.

According to Decree No. 118/2024, dated 4th November, the dismissal was due to “irregularities committed in the exercise of his functions, as well as inappropriate family and social conduct for the performance of public duties.”

A viral video surfaced on social media on Friday, showing Engonga handcuffed on both hands and legs during a court appearance.

Confirming the situation, French online blog Afrikmatin reported that Engonga, who was officially removed from his role on November 6, 2024, was subsequently chained and transferred to Malabo Central Prison. He faces charges of corruption and embezzlement.

Additionally, online newspaper UGStandard reported that the sex tapes began circulating on social networks while Engonga was already held at Malabo’s notorious Black Beach Prison on charges of embezzling public funds, as reported by state television, TVGE.

In a fact-checking report published Wednesday, Dubawa verified that Engonga had indeed been taken into custody on corruption charges and is currently being held in Black Beach Prison.

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BIG STORY

JAPA: Canada Tightens Visa Rules, Ends Automatic 10-Year Multiple-Entry Visas

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Canada will no longer automatically grant 10-year multiple-entry visas to tourists, according to new guidelines issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

This decision marks a shift from the previous practice where eligible visitors were routinely issued long-term visas, permitting multiple entries over a decade.

Under the revised rules, immigration officers now have discretion to issue visas with shorter durations based on individual assessments.

Instead of a default extended validity period, each application will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Officers can decide whether to grant a single-entry or multiple-entry visa and determine its duration, moving away from the automatic issuance of maximum-validity multiple-entry visas.

“Guidance has been updated to indicate that multiple-entry visas issued to maximum validity are no longer considered to be the standard document. Officers may exercise their judgement in deciding whether to issue a single or multiple-entry visa and in determining the validity period,” said the IRCC.

The IRCC explained that this change is part of a broader strategy aimed at managing temporary immigration levels while addressing ongoing challenges such as housing shortages and rising living costs.

The policy adjustment reflects the Canadian government’s efforts to adapt its immigration approach in response to economic and infrastructure pressures.

Previously, Canada offered two types of tourist visas: multiple-entry and single-entry. Applicants were generally considered for the multiple-entry visa, which allowed them to visit the country multiple times over a period of up to 10 years or until one month before their passport’s expiration date.

Single-entry visas, issued for specific situations like official visits or participation in single events, were less common.

Now, with the updated guidance, maximum-validity multiple-entry visas will no longer be the standard offering.

Immigration officers will exercise their judgement to decide on the appropriate type and duration of the visa, tailoring it to the specific needs and circumstances of the traveller.

The application fee for a Canadian visitor visa remains unchanged at CAD 100 per person, with no difference in cost between single-entry and multiple-entry options.

However, the shift may result in increased application costs for frequent travellers, who might need to apply more often due to shorter-term visas.

This policy change is part of a wider effort to balance immigration levels with Canada’s current infrastructure capabilities.

Other measures announced include a reduction in the target for permanent resident admissions, which will drop from 500,000 in 2025 to 395,000, with further decreases planned for 2026 and 2027.

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BIG STORY

MC Oluomo Elected NURTW National President

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Former Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Lagos State Chapter, Mr. Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as “MC Oluomo,” was elected the new National President of the Union on Saturday.

Akinsanya was the sole candidate in the election, which took place at the Union’s Zonal Secretariat along the Osogbo/Ikirun road.

Delegates from the four Southwest states of Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, and Ekiti participated in the election.

The election, held during the Union’s Quadrennial Delegate Conference, was monitored and observed by the acting National President of the group, Aliyu Issa-Ore.

Issa-Ore, addressing the gathering, explained that the Union’s Constitution stipulates that the zone permitted to fill the national president’s position would elect its preferred candidate and present them to the national body.

The acting NURTW President, represented by Mrs. Adedamola Salam, Head of Finance at the National Headquarters in Abuja, added, “The Southwest zone has fully complied with the Constitution in electing Oluomo as President.

The delegates also elected Tajudeen Agbede as Vice President, Southwest, while Akeem Adeosun was chosen as Trustee from the Zone.

Shortly after taking the oath of office, Akinsanya, surrounded by associates and family members, called for peace and pledged to work towards unity among members.

He further stated, “I have forgiven everyone who has offended me, and I hope those I have offended will forgive me as well.

“This is our union, and we must be committed to preserving it. We will not allow anyone to destroy our means of livelihood.”

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