Category: Nigerian Tribune

THIRTY-THREE suspected drug peddlers and other criminals were, on Monday, arrested by the police in Lagos State.

The suspects were arrested by the operatives of the Lagos State Task Force on the Environment and Other Related Offences.

The raids took place in Ikate Bus Stop, Marwa Bus Stop, Muri Okunola Park in Victoria Island, Obalende Underbridge, Law School Junction, and other adjoining locations along the Lekki-Epe Expressway.

Spokesperson for the agency, Abdulraheem Gbadeyan, confirmed the arrests, in a statement, on Monday.

Gbadeyan said: ‘In furtherance of its statutory mandate and in alignment with the THEMES Plus Agenda of the Lagos State government, particularly its zero-tolerance stance against environmental degradation, drug abuse, and criminality, the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit (Taskforce) has intensified its routine enforcement operations across the metropolis.

‘The early morning operation, conducted on Monday, July 27, targeted street urchins, miscreants, suspected drug addicts and peddlers, illegal commercial motorcyclists (Okada riders), street traders, illegal ticket touts, and other criminal elements whose activities pose threats to public safety and environmental order.’

According to him, ‘areas covered during the exercise included Ikate Bus Stop, Marwa Bus Stop, Muri Okunola Park in Victoria Island, Obalende Underbridge, Law School Junction, and other adjoining locations along the Lekki-Epe Expressway, where the presence of suspected criminal elements had become noticeable.’

Gbadeyan added that, ‘at the end of the operation, a total of 33 suspects were arrested, while several exhibits were recovered. Items seized include substances suspected to be Tramadol, Indian hemp, Colorado, marijuana, cannabis, as well as dangerous weapons and objects such as scissors and cutlasses.’

He explained that the decision to purchase the aircraft was made long before the recent abduction of pupils and teachers at Ahoro Community Grammar School in Oriire Local Government Area, noting that the incident did not influence the state’s decision.

According to him, the size of Oyo State made it necessary for the government to invest in aerial surveillance to enable security agencies to monitor more areas within a shorter period.

The governor said some people had questioned the delay in the arrival of the aircraft. He added that the aircraft had now arrived and expressed confidence that the government would continue taking decisions that served the interest of the people.

Makinde also said insecurity could hinder meaningful development, adding that the safe return of the abducted pupils and teachers had allowed the state to continue pursuing its development agenda.

He disclosed that the aircraft were flown into Ibadan by Nigerian Air Force pilots, adding that the state had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to jointly operate the surveillance aircraft.

The governor assured residents that his administration would continue to serve the people and remain committed to protecting lives and property across the state.

He said, ‘He said, ‘When we took the decision to purchase this surveillance aircraft, it was because of the sheer landmass, the size of Oyo State. We knew that we had to complement the boots on the ground. We didn’t know Oriire was going to happen.

‘You know, I’ve seen people criticise us and say, ‘Where’s the aircraft? Now they require it at Oriire.’ But we planned for the aircraft, you know, for us to be able to cover as much of the landmass in Oyo State as possible within the shortest possible time. I’m glad that now it’s here, and I believe we will always do what is right in the interest of our people.

‘Because in an atmosphere of insecurity, you can hardly do anything. People say I look better now because our children are back, our teachers are back, and we’re moving on with the plan for Oyo State.’

Ahead of the 2026 World AIDS Day, OGWA Studios has announced the lead cast for its upcoming short film and national awareness campaign, BI30, a project aimed at tackling the deeply rooted stigma surrounding HIV testing in Nigeria.

Nollywood actors Durotimi Okutagidi and Adeola Awodein have been tapped to lead the cinematic campaign.

According to the studio, the announcement goes beyond traditional casting, marking the beginning of a nationwide conversation on sexual health, trauma, and healing under the theme ‘The Courage to Know.’

Okutagidi will play the role of Ehi, a young Nigerian man approaching his 30th birthday who finally decides to confront a fear he has carried since childhood by taking an HIV test.

The narrative is centred around a deeply personal counselling session. Awodein stars opposite him as the HIV counsellor-a character designed to represent compassion and to remind the public that testing is an act of self-respect and responsibility, rather than an admission of guilt.

The film’s writer, director, and executive producer, Prosper Light, explained that the casting process was heavily focused on finding performers who could carry the emotional weight of the subject matter and connect with viewers on a visceral level.

‘BI30 was never conceived as a film that lectures people. It invites audiences into a deeply human experience,’ Light stated. ‘Before we cast actors, we searched for people capable of creating empathy. Because empathy changes behaviour in ways information alone sometimes cannot.’

Scheduled to commence production in the coming months, the film will officially premiere on December 1, 2026.

However, OGWA Studios noted that the screening will serve merely as the launchpad for a broader grassroots movement.

Following its debut, the BI30 project will extend beyond the screen into university tours, community conversations, healthcare partnerships, and youth-focused public awareness activations. The studio hopes these initiatives will encourage informed, stigma-free dialogue around HIV testing and sexual health across the country.

The Ondo State Universal Basic Education Board (ODSUBEB) has reaffirmed its commitment to improving the quality of basic education through stronger community participation with the inauguration and orientation of newly elected State, Senatorial, and Local Government Education Area (LGEA) executives of the School-Based Management Committee (SBMC).

The event, held at St. James CAC Mega Primary School, Irowo, Akure, featured the official presentation of the Revised School-Based Management Committee (SBMC) Operational Documents, designed to enhance the effectiveness of SBMCs across the state in line with the current policies and guidelines of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).

Delivering her address at the inauguration, the Permanent Secretary of ODSUBEB, Princess Abike Bayo-Ilawole, described the occasion as a significant milestone in the collective effort to strengthen community participation in the delivery of quality basic education in Ondo State.

The Permanent Secretary, in a statement signed by the Head, Media and Publicity, Ondo State Universal Basic Education Board, ODSUBEB, Mr Banjo Egunjobi, noted that the School-Based Management Committee remains one of the strongest links between schools and the communities they serve, emphasising that the commitment, transparency, and dedication of committee members are critical to improving access to education, promoting equity, and enhancing learning outcomes for every child.

According to the Permanent Secretary, the revised operational documents clearly define the roles, responsibilities, and operational procedures of SBMCs to ensure greater efficiency and accountability.

She encouraged participants to study the revised guidelines carefully, ask relevant questions during the orientation, and fully understand their responsibilities for effective implementation.

Princess Bayo-Ilawole charged the newly inaugurated executives to uphold the highest standards of integrity, accountability, transparency, and selfless service.

She urged them to provide purposeful leadership that promotes inclusive community participation, prudent management of school resources, effective school improvement planning, and sustained support for the enrolment, retention, and successful completion of basic education by every school-age child.

She also expressed concern over emerging social challenges confronting learners, including drug abuse, negative attitudes, and other harmful behaviours, stressing that SBMC executives must work closely with schools, parents, traditional institutions, religious bodies, and other stakeholders to address these issues and create a safe, supportive, and conducive learning environment.

The Permanent Secretary reiterated the Board’s determination to build a vibrant and high-performing SBMC structure that will serve as a model for other states across Nigeria.

‘Your selection is a call to service and a unique opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the development of education in our dear state. I urge you to discharge your responsibilities with diligence, fairness, commitment, and dedication,’ she said.

In his goodwill message, the Chairman of the Association of Primary School Head Teachers of Nigeria (AOPSHON), Ondo South Senatorial District, Comrade Babajide Adesina, described education as the greatest investment any nation can make in achieving sustainable development.

Comrade Adesina observed that the government alone cannot provide all the resources required to achieve quality basic education.

According to him, the establishment of the School-Based Management Committee provides an effective platform for communities to actively participate in the planning, management, monitoring, and overall development of their schools.

In his presentation, the resource person, Professor Ayeni Adeolu John of the Department of Educational Management, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, highlighted the significance of the revised School-Based Management Committee (SBMC) Operational Documents, stressing that effective implementation of the guidelines would enhance community participation, strengthen school governance, improve accountability and transparency, and promote sustainable development in the basic education sector.

The newly inaugurated State Chairman of the School-Based Management Committee (SBMC), Dr. Olutayo Olujuyigbe, expressed appreciation to the Ondo State Universal Basic Education Board (ODSUBEB) for the confidence reposed in the committee members and assured the Board that they would discharge their responsibilities with dedication, integrity, and commitment.

He pledged that the committee would not fail in its mandate but would work diligently with relevant stakeholders to strengthen community participation and support the delivery of quality basic education across Ondo State.

Earlier, the Director of Social Mobilisation, Ondo State Universal Basic Education Board (ODSUBEB), Mrs. Olukemi Akinmoladun, urged the newly inaugurated State, Senatorial, and Local Government Education Area (LGEA) executives of the School-Based Management Committee (SBMC) to strengthen collaboration among schools, parents, communities, traditional institutions, religious bodies, and government agencies.

Mrs. Akinmoladun emphasised that the Board expects the new executives to provide purposeful leadership that will promote community ownership of schools, improve accountability and transparency, increase learners’ enrolment and retention, and support the effective implementation of school improvement initiatives.

The inauguration and briefing marked another important step in ODSUBEB’s ongoing efforts to strengthen school governance, deepen community ownership of education, and improve learning outcomes for every child in Ondo State.

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) has unveiled a 10-Year Agrifood System Strategy and Action Plan that would be submitted to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for approval as part of efforts to align Nigeria’s food security agenda with the African Union’s CAADP Kampala Declaration (2026-2035) as well as revolutionising the agricultural ecosystem

Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, made this known during the Agrifood System Working Group Meeting in Abuja.

Senator Kyari said the directive that came from President Bola Tinubu, with a clear charge to move beyond rhetoric, beyond pilot projects, and fragmented interventions, and deliver a coherent, bankable, and implementable plan to transform Nigeria’s agrifood system, considers food security a national security imperative.

He said: ‘Governance is not merely one of six strategic objectives of the Kampala Declaration; it is the bedrock upon which all other pillars sustainable production, investment, food security, inclusivity, and resilience must stand,’

He noted that the Strategy was developed following extensive stakeholder’s consultations and validations across the six geopolitical zones and at the national level to ensure broad participation, inclusivity, and national ownership.

The minister, Nigeria, as a dedicated Member State, is fully pledged to the Kampala Declaration adopted in Uganda in January 2025. Key targets include achieving a 2.45 percent increase in agrifood output, tripling intra-African trade, reducing post-harvest losses by 50 per cent, mobilising $100 billion in public and private investment, and reinvesting at least 15 per cent of agrifood GDP annually.

Kyari disclosed that the Strategy and Action Plan will be presented for adoption by the Working Group and subsequently forwarded to Federal Executive Council for approval. This, he said, will ensure every ministry, Department, and Agency align programmes and budgets with the unified vision.

Highlighting milestones under the Renewed Hope Agenda, the Minister highlighted that the administration has distributed over 10 million bags of fertiliser alongside a Guaranteed Price Model for 2 million smallholder farmers, adding that an additional 1.9 million bags of fertilizer have also been distributed to over one million farmers.

Other achievements include the distribution of over half a million bags of free fertilizer to over 120,000 farmers across 25 states and the FCT by NADF, also through its on-lending product has disbursed over 16 Billion to all value chains while also championing blended finance initiatives.

”Establishment of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs), government-enabled, private-sector-led areas that bring infrastructure directly to farming communities, enabling farmers to process raw produce into packaged goods”.

”In addition, the Renewed Hope Agricultural Mechanisation Programme has deployed 2,000 tractors and other equipment to modernize farming practices, while the distribution of one million improved hybrid cocoa seedlings is repositioning Nigeria’s cocoa industry for greater global competitiveness”.

Sen. Kyari revealed that the impact of these interventions is already evident, with essential food commodities recording price reductions of up to 50 per cent nationwide.

To drive implementation, he said, the Agrifood System Working Group whose membership cuts across public and private sectors, development partners, academia, farmers’ associations, and civil society, will meet biannually to review progress and proffer solutions.

The Minister also revealed that a Community of Practice meeting for State Commissioners overseeing agrifood systems will hold in September 2026 to strengthen coordination and drive domestication at the sub-national level.

‘I enjoin all stakeholders to embrace governance as our collective responsibility. Let us strengthen inter-ministerial coordination and ensure that accountability is not an afterthought but a guiding principle,’ Sen. Kyari urged.

‘The time to act is now. Let us demonstrate the political will, the governance capacity, and the collective resolve to transform our agrifood systems and deliver the Nigeria we want,’ he added.

In his remarks, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, stated that there is a need to provide robust and accurate data system in the agricultural ecosystem.

He commended the Agrifood System Working Group as a practical pathway to strengthen productivity, nutrition, and market access, and extended appreciation to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for providing the enabling environment for the milestones being celebrated.

Speaking during the Ministerial Statements on Agrifood system Transformation, the Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha stated that ”the successful implementation of this Strategy will require adequate financing, innovative funding mechanisms, strong public-private partnerships, active participation of State Governments, and sustained support from our development partners”.

He added that ” we must ensure that resources are deployed efficiently, transparently, and in a manner that delivers measurable results”.

In a welcome address, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, stated that ”the Kampala Declaration provides a clear framework for coordinated action across the agrifood system, promoting investment, resilience, policy coherence, and mutual accountability. Nigeria’s agrifood system remains central to our national development objectives. It supports livelihoods, fuels rural economies, and offers significant opportunities for job creation and inclusive growth”.

Dr. Ogunbiyi pointed out that ”the setting up of the Agrifood System Working Group to strengthen governance mechanisms holistically, addressing these interconnected issues and proffering lasting solutions toward food security for our people. This is why a collaborative approach is not just an option; it is an absolute imperative. We need the ingenuity of our researchers and academia to provide cutting-edge solutions’.

The immediate past chairman of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Ibadan branch, Mr Ibraheem Folarin Bello, FNSE, has urged graduating students of Baptist High School, Ede, Osun State, to consider careers in engineering to enable them to contribute to solving societal problems.

He made the call while presenting cash awards on behalf of the school’s former students to some outstanding students in recognition of their academic excellence, discipline and commitment during a valedictory service held on the school premises recently.

Bello, who was the senior prefect during his set, encouraged students with a passion for mathematics and science to consider careers in engineering, adding that the profession transforms ideas into reality, solves societal problems, builds infrastructure, drives technological advancement and contributes significantly to national development.

He further stated: ‘We also need dedicated doctors, lawyers, teachers, accountants, architects, scientists, entrepreneurs and other professionals who will serve humanity with excellence and integrity.

‘To our graduating students, today marks the beginning of another important chapter in your lives. As you prepare for higher education and future careers, I encourage you to dream big and work hard to achieve your dreams. Nigeria and the world need young professionals who are competent, innovative and committed to making a difference.

‘The awards being presented to some outstanding students today are not just a reward for hard work; they are an encouragement to keep striving for excellence. We hope they inspire every student here to believe that dedication, integrity and perseverance always produce positive results,’ he said.

He reminded the students that success is built on discipline, hard work, honesty, respect for others and faith in God.

‘Never allow your background or present circumstances to limit your future. Your determination and character will take you farther than your challenges.’

Another highlight of the event was the presentation of a cash award by Bello, on behalf of his set, to their Geography teacher, Mr Oba Adeeyo, in appreciation of his invaluable support and guidance while they were in the school.

THE leadership crisis rocking the Ondo State House of Assembly has deepened, with Speaker, Rt. Honourable Olamide Oladiji, reportedly intensifying efforts to fend off an impeachment move by lawmakers seeking his removal from office.

The Speaker is under pressure after majority of the 26-member assembly reportedly endorsed moves to impeach him over allegations of financial misconduct involving about ?44 million allegedly linked to the reordering of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) budget.

Despite reports that no fewer than 21 of the 26 lawmakers have endorsed the impeachment notice, the Speaker is reportedly engaging in last-minute consultations with political stakeholders and other influential figures in and outside the state in a bid to retain his position.

Sources within the Assembly disclosed that the crisis has triggered intense lobbying, with efforts underway to reconcile aggrieved lawmakers before the House reconvenes, even as the lawmakers are said to have given the Speaker until Sunday (yesterday) to resign or face impeachment.

Sources also said Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has been holding consultations to defuse the crisis, but lawmakers backing the impeachment move are said to have remained firm in their resolve to remove the Speaker.

The lawmakers have reportedly insisted that the impeachment move is an internal legislative affair and not influenced by the executive arm of government.

However, allies of the Speaker have dismissed reports suggesting that his removal is imminent, insisting that he has not resigned and, therefore, remains in office.

The crisis escalated after Honourable Olawumi Fayemi-Obayelu, who represents Ilaje Constituency II, levelled a series of allegations against the Speaker, accusing him of undermining legislative procedures, interfering with oversight functions and overseeing irregularities in the handling of OSOPADEC matters.

Fayemi-Obayelu has alleged that a House resolution relied upon in relation to the OSOPADEC budget was forged, insisting that lawmakers never sat on the date the document purportedly claimed the Assembly deliberated and approved adjustments to the commission’s budget.

She said the controversy dated back several months and centered on the assembly’s consideration of the OSOPADEC 2025 budget.

According to her, despite serving as the Vice Chairman of the House Committee on OSOPADEC, she and the other lawmaker representing Ilaje constituencies were excluded from an ad hoc committee constituted to consider the budget.

Fayemi-Obayelu further alleged that tensions escalated after the House Committee on OSOPADEC commenced an investigation into the commission’s activities through public hearings and invitations to its officials.

She claimed some individuals attempted to influence the committee’s investigation with financial inducements and called for an independent probe by anti-corruption agencies.

One of her major allegations concerns a House resolution she claimed was used to approve adjustments to the OSOPADEC budget, saying the document indicated that the Assembly met, deliberated and approved changes to several budget line items.

She, however, maintained that no parliamentary sitting took place on the date reflected in the resolution.

She argued that attendance records, parliamentary proceedings and other official legislative documents would show that several lawmakers were attending engagements elsewhere across the state on the day in question, making it impossible for the House to have conducted the sitting.

The lawmaker said the disputed resolution had far-reaching implications because it allegedly involved adjustments to budgetary allocations running into billions of naira.

She called for investigators to examine all documents connected with the alleged adjustments, including parliamentary records, official correspondence and budget implementation documents, to establish whether due process was followed.

Fayemi-Obayelu said dissatisfaction among lawmakers eventually culminated in moves to seek a change in the Assembly’s leadership.

According to her, a majority of members endorsed a document expressing loss of confidence in the Speaker over what she described as repeated violations of legislative procedures and the handling of the OSOPADEC matter.

She claimed that before any public action was taken; the aggrieved lawmakers met Aiyedatiwa and presented their grievances, supporting documents and signatures.

Calling for an independent investigation, the lawmaker urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant security agencies to investigate the allegations surrounding the disputed House resolution, the handling of the OSOPADEC budget and related issues.

When contacted, the embattled speaker denied the allegations, saying he was not aware of any impeachment notice and said his office had issued a statement over the allegations

The statement titled ‘Re: Fabricated resignation rumours and baseless N44M OSOPADEC allegations: a disservice to truth and an insult to logic, read: ‘The attention of the Office of the Speaker, Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, has been drawn to a sensationalized, malicious, and entirely fabricated report, alleging an ongoing leadership crisis, an impending impeachment threat, and a contemplated resignation over an alleged N44 million OSOPADEC fund

‘We state unequivocally, without an atom of ambiguity, that Rt. Honourable Olamide Oladiji never contemplated resigning, nor is there any leadership crisis within the 10th Ondo State House of Assembly,’ he said.

‘The report is a total figment of the imagination of its authors and their nameless, cowardly sources. It is false, completely lacks merit, and is sponsored by desperate political detractors aimed at destabilising the legislative arm and heating up the polity.

‘Given that the sponsors of this rumor failed to present valid evidence, the premise of this fake news is not only absurd but also an insult to the intelligence of the reading public.

‘To further expose the malicious intent of these anonymous ‘sources’, we wish to clarify the internal financial procedures of the Assembly.

Fresh allegations of sexual harassment, cult-related activities and academic misconduct have cast a shadow over Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, with students expressing fears over what they describe as a worsening atmosphere on campus.

Investigations revealed that many students, particularly female students, are allegedly reluctant to report cases of misconduct due to fears of intimidation and victimisation.

Sources within the institution alleged that disciplinary standards put in place by the previous administration have weakened in recent months, creating room for the resurgence of unethical practices involving some lecturers and students.

According to the sources, some lecturers allegedly demand sexual favours or cash payments from female students in exchange for favourable academic grades.

Two lecturers from the Public Administration and Graphics Design departments, whose identities were withheld, were mentioned in the allegations.

They were accused of asking students to either submit to sexual advances or pay between ?70,000 and ?80,000 to secure passing grades.

A source, who spoke anonymously, claimed that the institution had previously curtailed such practices through strict disciplinary measures but alleged that lax enforcement had allowed them to return.

‘Some lecturers now operate without fear. There are reports of a lecturer allegedly asking a student to book and pay for a hotel room before he would consider assisting her academically,’ the source alleged.

The source further claimed that a student who reported the incident to a management official was allegedly intimidated instead of receiving protection.

‘There is growing concern that the disciplinary structure has weakened. Many students are afraid to report cases because they fear victimisation or possible expulsion,’ the source said.

Beyond the allegations of sexual misconduct, concerns have also been raised over an alleged resurgence of cult activities on campus.

Sources claimed that late-night meetings and initiation ceremonies, previously suppressed by the institution, have resurfaced around student hostels.

One source alleged that a cult initiation took place between 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m. near a female hostel, adding that although security personnel reportedly alerted the management, no immediate action was taken.

Observers also expressed concern over the alleged relaxation of campus regulations, including dress code enforcement and compulsory use of student identity cards, as well as the reported return of handout sales by some lecturers despite rising school fees.

Responding to the allegations, the Polytechnic’s Public Relations Officer, John Amos Onimisi, confirmed that the management had suspended six lecturers on July 22, 2026, for the unauthorised sale of handouts and textbooks. He also disclosed that another lecturer had been suspended over allegations of sexual harassment.

Onimisi said the institution’s disciplinary committee has commenced an investigation into the allegations and assured that the outcome of the probe would be made available to journalists upon its conclusion.

You might remember opening an old slot game on a small laptop, hearing a sharp coin sound, and watching three reels stop almost instantly. Nothing moved except the symbols. Then you open a newer game on your phone and find layered backgrounds, side features, and tiny animations after every spin. The change feels obvious, but the reasons behind it are more interesting than the surface polish.

The early games felt almost mechanical

Older online slots borrowed heavily from physical machines. You saw familiar fruit symbols, simple pay lines, and a bright button that did nearly all the work. To be fair, that directness had its own charm.

Three reels told you everything

You did not need a tutorial. Three reels, a few symbols, and one clear result made the whole rhythm easy to follow. A round could finish in a couple of seconds.

That simplicity made every symbol feel larger than it really was.

Sound did more than graphics

Early games often relied on short electronic tones because the visuals had limited movement. You heard a click, a chime, or a brief burst after a win. The sound carried the moment.

And sometimes it still does.

Phones changed what you expected

Once slots moved comfortably onto phones, you stopped treating them like small copies of desktop games. You expected touch controls, readable text, and quick loading during a spare five minutes, without demanding that you stop and study the screen.

Screens became part of the design

A vertical phone screen changed where buttons sat and how much information you could see at once. Developers had to make symbols readable without filling the display with clutter.

You also started noticing smoother menus. Honestly, most people do not realise how much a badly placed spin button can interrupt the whole mood.

Themes started doing more work

A theme once meant little more than a background picture and matching icons. Later games began using characters, short scenes, and small visual changes to give each session a distinct feel.

You can see that shift on sites such as slot88, where the attraction often depends on how quickly a game communicates its mood.

Features became part of the story

Modern slot games often give you more to notice between spins. A symbol may expand, a background may change, or a side feature may appear after a certain combination.

Bonus rounds stopped feeling separate

Older bonus rounds could feel like a different screen pasted onto the main game. Newer designs often carry the same colours, characters, and sound cues into the extra feature.

The result feels more connected, though not exactly invisible.

Small animations now guide your eyes

A glowing frame can show you where a feature began. A moving symbol can suggest what changed, even before you read the message on screen.

Weirdly enough, these tiny movements can matter more than a large cinematic sequence.

You have more control over pace

Many newer games let you adjust sound, speed, or animation length. You can keep the full presentation or move through rounds more quickly.

That choice matters because you may want spectacle at home and something quieter during a short break.

The next change may feel smaller

You will probably keep seeing cleaner controls, more adaptable layouts, and features that react to how you play. The changes may not look dramatic at first.

You might simply notice that a game remembers your preferred sound level or opens with fewer explanations. Small comforts tend to become normal before you realise they arrived.

At some point, visual polish may stop being the main difference. You may care more about whether a game respects your time and keeps its ideas clear.

But the old three-reel rhythm will probably stay around too. You may return to it now and then, partly for nostalgia, partly because simple can still feel right.

A bill aimed at putting an end to religious preaching and hawking inside commercial vehicles scaled all legislative hurdles and was passed quietly by the Senate a few days ago. The bill, tagged Federal Road Safety Corps (Amendment) Bill, 2026, seeks to strengthen road safety enforcement and curb practices considered capable of distracting drivers. It is now awaiting presidential assent. When it becomes law, its built-in sanction regime will impose specific punishments for violators. These include preachers and traders in commercial vehicles, as well as motorists who refuse to cooperate with officials of the FRSC during roadside breath tests conducted on reasonable suspicion. The amendment, said to be part of a broader review of the FRSC Act, will use stiffer penalties for traffic offences to bolster compliance with traffic regulations, reduce road carnage, and enhance safety on Nigerian roads.

The objective of the proposed law can hardly be faulted. Legislating against potentially dangerous and unacceptable activities that could negatively impact the concentration of commercial drivers, thereby endangering the lives of passengers, would seem to be the right thing to do. However, many find it offensive that the proposed law places preaching in the same category as commercial hawking. While one involves the exchange of goods for money, the other involves words, ideas, and faith. This distinction is crucial, given the sensitivity of the faithful, but the proposed law does not make it so. In any case, the pertinent question is whether these practices, objectionable as they may seem, have actually been proven to contribute to road accidents. If there is empirical evidence to support the assumptions upon which the proposed law is predicated, then by all means it should become law. However, it is unclear whether data was made available on the nexus between these activities and road crashes when the bill was undergoing legislative scrutiny.

There are other issues that require further clarification. One is the thin line between preaching and praying in buses. While the holiness and moral conduct of followers of different faiths in the country could be a subject of interrogation, it is undeniable that Nigerians are highly religious and believe that the Supreme Being plays a significant role in human affairs. That is why, in many instances, people pray inside commercial vehicles at the commencement of journeys and/or when they sense that danger is imminent. Will the proposed law not infringe on the constitutional rights of citizens to practise their religion without let or hindrance if it effectively bans praying in buses? Will it not, in specific terms, constitute a clear violation of Sections 38(1), 39(1), and 42(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria? There is also the issue of the economic realities facing many Nigerians and businesses, especially nano and small-scale enterprises. Many have had to improvise by using agents in commercial vehicles to reach potential customers because of the cost implications of opening multiple outlets to sell their products. Would banning trading or hawking in commercial vehicles not compound the economic challenges of these people and businesses? While the objective of the proposed law can hardly be contested, is there no other way to reorient motorists to remain focused while driving, instead of imposing a blanket ban on preaching and trading in buses?

Another issue is the doubtful efficacy of the proposed law in reining in these practices, especially in the likely absence of evidence to prosecute offenders. For instance, while the objective may be to avoid distractions on the road, it may be hard to find a Nigerian who will report another Nigerian to the authorities for preaching or hawking on a public bus, given the country’s religious character and economic realities. How do you establish guilt, and where and how do you impose punishment? How do you gather evidence when most public buses have no video recording facilities?

Again, the proposed law expects FRSC officials to subject drivers to roadside breath tests to identify motorists who drive under the influence of alcohol. This is the way to go, given the effect of alcohol on cognitive function and the resultant poor judgment. We support any measure that will prevent or punish drivers for drinking while driving. However, asking the FRSC to enforce this aspect is fraught with danger because this is traditionally a police function. The corps cannot reasonably be expected to compel drivers to take a breathalyser test, especially inebriated ones, because its officials do not bear arms. Or is the government considering the long-standing request by the FRSC to carry firearms? The FRSC has for some time seemed to focus on revenue generation: booking traffic offenders and directing them to make payments to its accounts at designated points. And often, it does not matter whether the infractions for which fines were paid have been rectified by the offending motorists.

If there is any discernible good that the proposed law may do, it is to jolt the corps out of its protracted lethargy and distraction, and compel it to face its core mandate of accident prevention. Truth be told, the alleged objectionable practices, especially hawking and preaching in commercial buses, which the proposed law seeks to ban, detract from international best practices. But every jurisdiction has its peculiarities, and laws are made to regulate the conduct of citizens with a view to promoting safety, security, wellbeing, comfort, and happiness for all, or at least the vast majority – not to annul their rights or compound their existing problems. Thus, while we do not object to sanity in public buses, we urge that the Nigerian public be sufficiently consulted, and that the effect of the bill on society, especially its unintended consequences, be thoroughly considered before it becomes law. All grey areas should be addressed before the President assents to the bill.