metro

Oluwo of Iwoland Confers ‘Atayese of Yorubaland’ Chieftaincy Title on VeryDarkMan

Published

3 months ago

July 15, 2026

Oluwo of Iwoland Confers ‘Atayese of Yorubaland’ Chieftaincy Title on VeryDarkMan

Social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has been conferred with the traditional chieftaincy title of Atayese of Yorubaland by the Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi, Telu I. The honour was bestowed during a colourful ceremony at the Oluwo’s palace in Iwo, Osun State, on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. The activist had travelled to the ancient town following a personal invitation from the monarch, arriving at Ibadan Airport ahead of the visit alongside coordinators of his Ratel movement from the Southwest region. The monarch had earlier described VDM as one of the country’s leading voices on transparency and accountability whose anti-corruption campaigns deserved “royal guidance,” setting the stage for what would become one of the most talked-about traditional ceremonies in recent times.

During the palace ceremony, the Oluwo personally adorned VeryDarkMan in traditional Yoruba attire (Aso Oke) before officially conferring the chieftaincy title upon him. The event was witnessed by palace chiefs, members of the Ratel movement, and other dignitaries who had gathered for the occasion, creating an atmosphere of celebration and cultural pride. The monarch, dressed in full traditional regalia, warmly received the activist and exchanged pleasantries with his guest while guests watched and recorded the ceremony for posterity. A particularly notable moment from the visit captured widespread attention online: VDM prostrated himself before the monarch in observance of Yoruba cultural tradition, a gesture reserved as a sign of deep respect for elders and traditional rulers. Videos of the moment quickly circulated across social media platforms, generating significant reactions from followers and observers who praised the display of Yoruba culture and tradition during the ceremony, with many commending the activist for honouring the customs of the land despite his often combative online persona.

READ ALSO:

Addressing his guest and members of the Ratel movement, the Oluwo described Iwo as a peaceful town that welcomes people from every background and declared his official identification with the movement, referring to himself as the “King of the Ratels.” The monarch stated that anyone who chooses to live in Iwo would receive the same love and care he gives to his own children, emphasizing the town’s reputation for hospitality and warmth toward visitors. He also emphasized that Iwo remains the only town where residents favour the monarchy system of government above every other form of governance, highlighting the deep-rooted cultural values that define the ancient kingdom. The monarch urged the movement to expand its mission beyond social advocacy by embracing politics, arguing that meaningful reforms and justice could only be achieved through political power. “I want you Ratels to know there is now a king in the Ratel. I want your help to cleanse our dirty culture and remove the bad from it. Today, VDM has been chosen,” the Oluwo declared. “Keep moving, but you should not stop yourself from politics because that is the only way you can implement your dreams so that you can even control kings,” he added, offering what many interpreted as strategic counsel for the activist and his movement to extend their influence beyond social media advocacy into the realm of political governance.

The conferment has generated widespread debate online, with supporters celebrating the recognition while others questioned the significance and scope of the title. Some commentators argued the title should have been limited to “Atayese of Iwoland” rather than extending it to “Atayese of Yorubaland,” while others described the honour as recognition of the activist’s advocacy and public engagement. One supporter commented: “Dem say pikin wey wash him hand clean go dine/Eat with Elders,” reflecting the popular sentiment that VDM’s journey from social media critic to traditional title holder represents a remarkable rise. Others drew connections to VDM’s journey and influence, with the visit becoming one of the most talked-about moments online. Some users expressed caution, with one writing: “Trust no one,” while another urged VDM to stay grounded despite the recognition, warning that traditional honours could potentially compromise his critical voice. The mixed reactions underscore the complexity of VDM’s public persona and the varied expectations his followers hold for his advocacy work.

The honour comes about three months after VeryDarkMan announced a temporary break from all social media platforms following allegations that his online activities were distracting Nigerian youths from demanding accountability from the government. The social media commentator disclosed the decision in a video shared on his Instagram page, saying he stepped away following the allegations that his posts had become a source of distraction for young Nigerians who should otherwise be focused on holding the government accountable. “Because of the allegations and accusations that it is my posts that have been distracting the Nigerian youths from holding the government accountable, I have decided to not post again on social media during this period,” he said, explaining his rationale for the temporary withdrawal. “I’m going to take a back stage,” he added, indicating his intention to allow other voices to emerge in the online advocacy space during his absence from social media platforms. The conferment of the chieftaincy title adds another milestone to VDM’s public engagements, as the activist continues to play a prominent role in national conversations on transparency, justice and public accountability. The visit and chieftaincy conferment have since become one of the most talked-about topics online, with many awaiting further details about the significance of the title and the activist’s remarks following the honour, while others continue to debate the implications of a social media critic accepting traditional recognition from a monarch.

Oluwo of Iwoland Confers ‘Atayese of Yorubaland’ Chieftaincy Title on VeryDarkMan

Related Topics:Atayese Oluwo VeryDarkMan Yorubaland

Up Next

APC Guber Candidate Sharafadeen Alli Gifts Brand-New Toyota Camry to Rescued Oyo Principal

Don't Miss

Court Orders Final Forfeiture of 48 Properties, University Linked to Ex-AGF Malami

metro

Five Injured as 40-Foot Truck Rams Two Buses on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

Published

6 hours ago

October 13, 2026

Trends Admin

Five Injured as 40-Foot Truck Rams Two Buses on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

Five people have sustained serious injuries after a 40-foot truck crashed into two commercial buses around Ojodu-Berger on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Lagos State.

The accident reportedly occurred at about 1:45 p.m. on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, near the Berger Pedestrian Bridge, inward Kara Bridge, causing significant traffic congestion along the busy highway.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) said the truck, identified as a 40-foot HOWO vehicle, collided with an interstate commercial Mazda bus and a Toyota Hiace bus, both carrying passengers.

According to the agency, its operatives stationed around the Ojodu-Berger axis responded to the crash and rescued five seriously injured people, comprising three women and two men, including a driver.

The victims were taken to the Lagos State Emergency and Trauma Centre at Toll Gate for medical assessment and treatment. Motorists assisted in transporting the injured, accompanied by LASTMA officials, while police officers from the Isheri Division also supported the rescue operation.

READ ALSO:

The collision triggered a traffic backlog extending towards Otedola Bridge, disrupting movement along the expressway, which connects Lagos with Ogun State and other parts of the South-West.

LASTMA officials managed traffic around the affected area and worked to remove the damaged vehicles from the carriageway to prevent further incidents and restore normal movement.

The vehicles involved, including the truck, were subsequently handed over to the police for investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash. The precise cause of the collision had not been established in the available reports.

LASTMA urged operators of heavy-duty vehicles to ensure their trucks were properly maintained and roadworthy before travelling. The agency also advised drivers to observe speed limits, comply with traffic regulations and follow instructions from traffic officials, particularly along busy highways.

The incident adds to a series of serious road crashes involving heavy-duty vehicles reported on Lagos roads in recent weeks, renewing concerns about vehicle safety and the risks posed by collisions involving trucks and passenger buses.

Motorists travelling through Ojodu-Berger, Kara Bridge and the Otedola axis were advised to exercise caution and anticipate delays while traffic officials managed the aftermath of the crash.

Five Injured as 40-Foot Truck Rams Two Buses on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

metro

VIDEO: Outrage as Indian National Assaults Nigerian Truck Drivers in Lagos

Published

14 hours ago

October 13, 2026

Trends Admin

VIDEO: Outrage as Indian National Assaults Nigerian Truck Drivers in Lagos

A viral video showing an Indian national allegedly assaulting two Nigerian truck drivers at a company’s premises along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway has sparked outrage, with transport stakeholders demanding justice and calling for an investigation.

The incident reportedly occurred on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at the premises of Karma Agric Feed & Foods Ltd, around Km 12 of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, opposite the old Ratcoc Quarry. The footage circulated widely on social media on Monday, October 12.

The two transport workers were identified as Rilwan Olajide, a truck driver, and Taiwo Yinusa, his motor boy. The video appears to show a confrontation between the drivers and individuals at the company’s premises, with the disagreement reportedly involving truck keys and a demand for demurrage compensation.

The situation allegedly escalated when a man identified in media reports as an Indian national struck one of the drivers with a stick. Another worker appeared to be restrained by other individuals and kicked while on the ground.

However, the full circumstances leading to the confrontation remain unclear, and the allegations have yet to be conclusively established.

The Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) condemned the alleged assault, describing the reported treatment of the workers as unacceptable. The association said the available video footage and other materials raised concerns about the alleged involvement of individuals connected with the company.

READ ALSO:

AMATO stressed that disagreements over payments, truck keys or other commercial matters should be resolved through lawful means rather than violence or intimidation. It also emphasised that every person in Nigeria is entitled to dignity and protection under the law, regardless of nationality or occupation.

The association called on the relevant police authorities to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation, preserve available evidence and identify everyone involved. It urged the authorities to prosecute anyone found culpable in accordance with the law.

AMATO also appealed to the management of Karma Agric Feed & Foods Ltd to cooperate with investigators and take appropriate steps to prevent a recurrence. It maintained that accountability should be based on the actions of individuals and should not be used to stigmatise Indian nationals generally.

In a separate response, the Lagos State Trucks and Cargo Committee (LASTCOC) reportedly directed truck owners and drivers to suspend the delivery and collection of consignments to and from the company pending further action over the incident.

The directive could affect cargo movement involving the company while transport operators await the outcome of efforts to address the allegations. LASTCOC also warned that operators who disregarded the directive could face sanctions.

The reported suspension underscores the growing tension between transport stakeholders and the company following the circulation of the video.

The incident has renewed concerns about the safety and treatment of Nigerian truck drivers and motor boys, who play a critical role in moving goods across the country. Transport stakeholders have insisted that workplace and commercial disputes must be handled through established procedures, with violence and intimidation investigated and addressed appropriately.

As of the latest available reports, there was no confirmed public announcement of an arrest or a formal police finding on the incident. The company’s response was also not available. The allegations therefore remain subject to investigation, and the responsibility of each person involved must be determined through due process.

VIDEO: Outrage as Indian National Assaults Nigerian Truck Drivers in Lagos

metro

$1bn Arms Fund: Buratai Challenges Defence Ministry to Account for Money

Published

15 hours ago

October 13, 2026

Trends Admin

Former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai (retd.)

$1bn Arms Fund: Buratai Challenges Defence Ministry to Account for Money

Former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai (retd.), has challenged the Ministry of Defence to explain how the $1 billion approved for military equipment procurement during his tenure was spent, insisting that neither he nor the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force handled the funds.

Buratai made the demand on Monday at the third conference of the Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DECAN) in Abuja, where he called for greater transparency in Nigeria’s defence spending and accountability for public funds allocated to national security.

The retired army chief said the National Economic Council (NEC) approved the $1 billion for defence procurement, but the money was released to the Ministry of Defence, which he said managed the procurement process.

“Not a single dollar of that fund passed through my hands or through the accounts of the Nigerian Army, Navy, or Air Force,” Buratai said.

He maintained that the armed services did not receive any portion of the money to initiate procurement directives, arguing that responsibility for explaining how the funds were disbursed and which contracts were awarded rested with the ministry that managed them.

Buratai described allegations surrounding the money as “political and malicious”, saying they first emerged during the 2019 general election period, when opposition figures alleged that the funds had been diverted for political purposes.

According to him, the Federal Government publicly denied the allegation at the time, but the controversy continued to damage the reputations of military service chiefs.

He faulted the Ministry of Defence for failing to publicly provide a detailed account of the disbursements and contract awards, insisting that accountability should rest with the institution responsible for managing the funds.

READ ALSO:

“The $1 billion arms procurement controversy festered because the institution that managed the funds, the Ministry of Defence, remained silent while Service Chiefs absorbed criticism,” he said.

Buratai called for the establishment of a Defence Procurement Transparency Portal to publish information on contracts awarded, contractors and delivery timelines, subject to legitimate national security restrictions.

He said the proposed platform would help the public understand how defence procurement funds were utilised without exposing sensitive operational information.

“When the media asks where the money went, the answer should come from the ministry that spent it, not from military officers who never touched it,” he said.

The former army chief also called for quarterly accountability bulletins summarising court-martial outcomes involving alleged human rights violations and operational misconduct.

He said such disclosures should protect the rights of accused personnel and avoid compromising ongoing military operations.

On allegations of human rights violations by security personnel, Buratai said credible complaints should be investigated and prosecuted where evidence substantiated wrongdoing.

“The military is not above the law,” he said, stressing the need for transparent disciplinary procedures capable of addressing misconduct at all levels.

At the same conference, former Senate President and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence, Ahmad Lawan, called for more predictable funding for the Armed Forces and other security agencies.

Lawan proposed dedicating a portion of national revenue to defence and security spending, alongside making military and security agency budgets a first-line charge to reduce delays in releasing funds.

He argued that troops could not be expected to achieve better operational results without adequate weapons, equipment and other resources.

Lawan said the National Assembly had consistently supported executive requests for security funding, adding that improved funding arrangements could help the military procure equipment in bulk and plan operations more effectively.

Meanwhile, Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris said military force alone could not resolve Nigeria’s security challenges.

Idris, represented by Voice of Nigeria Director-General Jibrin Ndace, said military operations needed to be supported by reliable intelligence, modern technology, coordination among security agencies and cooperation with local communities.

He said the Federal Government was pursuing military modernisation, improved surveillance and intelligence-led operations to address terrorism, banditry and other security threats.

Idris also disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had directed the preparation of a comprehensive National Threat Assessment and a rolling five-year Strategic Defence Operations Plan in August 2026.

According to the minister, the initiatives were intended to establish security priorities, improve coordination and guide the deployment of resources.

He said the President had also approved salary increases of between 30 and 80 per cent for Armed Forces personnel, effective September 2026, to recognise their sacrifices and improve welfare.

Idris urged journalists to verify information and report responsibly on security operations, while emphasising that responsible reporting should not shield the government or security agencies from scrutiny.

He said the media must continue asking difficult questions and holding public institutions accountable while respecting legitimate operational sensitivities.

Buratai’s demand has renewed attention on the management of the $1 billion defence procurement fund, with the former army chief insisting that the Ministry of Defence should provide an account of how the money was spent. His remarks do not, on their own, establish that the funds were misappropriated.