The Enugu State Gaming Commission has launched a license revalidation exercise to combat the activities of illegal lottery operators and restore integrity to the state’s gaming and lottery sector.

This move follows calls from industry stakeholders for improved regulation to eliminate fraud and increase public trust in the sector.

Speaking at a one-day Gaming Stakeholders Engagement Forum in Enugu, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Prince Arinze Arum, explained that the revalidation exercise is aimed at addressing regulatory gaps and reinforcing the system.

He also announced a temporary suspension of new licenses to ensure that existing operators comply with the required standards.

“We are halting all new license issuances and revalidations temporarily. This is to ensure fairness, uphold integrity, and demonstrate a zero-tolerance approach to illegal operators in the state,” Arum said.

Arum further assured that the commission is working towards establishing a sustainable and transparent environment for regulated gaming, with the use of advanced technology for monitoring, enforcement, and management.

These efforts, he noted, will improve efficiency and accountability across the sector.

“State-of-the-art technology is being deployed to monitor all gaming and lottery activities, ensuring uniformity and transparency,” he said

The commission also engaged stakeholders to identify weaknesses, improve processes, and eliminate unlicensed operators.

The focus is on tightening regulatory gaps, enhancing data collection, and addressing the activities of illegal operators.

Participants at the forum unanimously agreed on the need to adopt global best practices to foster the sector’s growth.

They emphasized that the gaming industry, with its potential to generate substantial revenue, could significantly boost the state’s economy and create employment opportunities for the youth.

Mr. Arinze Okeani, a representative from BetKing Lotto, praised the state government for revitalizing the Gaming and Lottery Commission but called for stronger regulations to curb exploitation by fraudulent operators.

“The commission should implement effective strategies to harmonize operations and identify rogue operators. Those found guilty must face prosecution to serve as a deterrent,” Okeani said.

Similarly, Darlington Umezurike of Premier Lotto highlighted the importance of promptly honoring winning claims to maintain public trust.

“Trust and reliability are the foundation of the gaming industry. It’s vital that all stakeholders ensure winnings are paid out promptly to build confidence and sustain growth,” Umezurike stated.

Through these efforts, Enugu State Government aims to transform the gaming and lottery sector into a model of fairness, transparency, and economic growth.

A fire broke out at the Ebute Ero market in Lagos State early on Saturday, causing damage to several shops.

The incident was confirmed by Margaret Adeseye, the Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service.

The fire started near the Police Station close to Carter Bridge on Lagos Island.

However, thanks to the swift response of firefighters from the Ebute Elefun, Dolphin, Sari-Iganmu, and Alausa stations, the fire was quickly contained, preventing it from spreading to other parts of the market.

Adeseye reported that while the fire was extinguished, it resulted in the destruction of several lock-up shops in the market, which primarily trade in tools and kitchenware.

A mop-up operation is currently underway, and authorities are conducting an enumeration to assess the extent of the damage and estimate the value of losses.

An investigation is also in progress to determine the cause of the fire. Fortunately, there have been no reports of casualties from the incident.

Fisayo Soyombo, founder of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), has been released by the Nigerian Army after spending three days in detention.

Soyombo was arrested by the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, under the claim that he was involved in “illegal oil bunkering” at a site the military described as such.

The FIJ confirmed Soyombo’s release on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, stating, “We can confirm that our founder, @fisayosoyombo, has now been released by @HQNigerianArmy, following the intense media campaign you all mounted.”

The FIJ rejected the Army’s allegations, calling them a distortion of Soyombo’s investigative work. “FIJ acknowledges the Nigerian Army’s deliberate mischaracterisation to suggest an involvement in ‘illegal oil bunkering.’ FIJ will also address this statement appropriately,” the organization said.

The media group also expressed concern about Soyombo’s safety, given the sensitive information he reportedly shared with the Army during his detention.

“Our immediate concern is regarding the safety of Fisayo Soyombo in light of extensive information sharing with the Army on his fieldwork during the period of his detention. We are assessing the situation and hoping that his safety will not be jeopardised after release,” FIJ added.

Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has expressed strong opposition to the bill proposing the removal of the police from the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).

Speaking to police officers in Abuja, Egbetokun warned that exiting the scheme would not benefit the police force.

He pointed out that if the police were to leave the CPS, they would regress to a system where their pensions would be dependent on political decisions and annual budget allocations, rather than a structured pension scheme.

He explained, “If we exit the current CPS, we are going back to square one, where pensions will be in the hands of politicians and subject to yearly budget constraints. When the government lacks funds, pensions will not be paid, and you will have to wait months, just like the retirees of the past.”

Egbetokun emphasized the importance of understanding the full details of the bill before calling for a change, urging police officers to consider where they would be going if they exited the scheme.

He said, “You must know where you’re going before shouting ‘I want to go’.”

As an alternative, Egbetokun revealed that he is working on a new pension system that would allow police officers to retire with their full salary as their monthly pension, ensuring better financial security for retirees.

“Let us be careful not to move from the frying pan to the fire. I care about your welfare, and I will continue fighting for the best pension for our police officers in retirement.”