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How Laolu Martins, Bukka Hut Boss Committed Suicide After Losing A Bet Review!
.On Wednesday, September 28, 2022 will not be forgotten in a hurry as it was a very sad day as a very sad day for family members, friends and well wishers of one of the owners of a popular restaurant chain, Bukka Hut, Laolu Martins as he reportedly committed suicide in the early hours of the day.
While many were still confused about his sudden death, a renowned theatre producer and investment banker, Joseph Edgar, aka The Duke of Shomolu confirmed that the CEO of NISL Ventures slipped into depression after losing a bet.
The family of Laolu Martins said in a statement that was released on Wednesday that the quintessential banker with over 21 years of experience in investment banking, corporate banking, stockbroking, asset management and pension fund management, died in the evening of Tuesday, September 27, 2022.
“We hereby solicit the support and understanding of everyone as the family grieves the loss of our beloved Laolu in our privacy.
“Our kind request is that you support the family – wife, children, aged mother and father and his siblings with your prayers at this difficult time.
“Further announcements will be made by the family,” the statement said.
Martins started his career with PricewaterhouseCoopers in 1999.
He joined Investment Banking & Trust Company Plc now Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc where he served in the Financial Control and Trade Finance/Foreign Operations units of the Bank before being seconded to Stanbic IBTC Asset Management Ltd where at various times he was Financial Controller, Head Asset Management and lastly Head Stockbroking.
He later resigned in 2005 to join Shell Nig. CPFA Ltd, the Fund Manager of the Shell Companies in Nigeria Pensions Scheme where he was Head, Investments up till 2008 when he resigned to join Nigeria International Security Limited, NISL, an independent financial services firm specialising in investments within the Nigerian space.
In a tribute titled; “Laolu Martins – sad end to a beautiful life,” Edgar wrote:
“I just got a call from my sister Ore. Edgar see what i am seeing o. Pls check if its true.
“It was a post about Laolu. He was said to have committed suicide at 3am this morning in Lekki.
“I screamed. Made a call and confirmed the incident.
“They said he had taken a bet against the dollar and with this rubbish going on in the forex markets he lost big time and may have slipped into a depression leading to this.
“These are not confirmed but what is confirmed is that Laolu is no more.
“Laolu was brilliant. A stockbroker, Asset Manager and an Investment banker.
“I first met him while he was at Shell Trustees. He was a brilliant Fund manager who used to give me business.
“I was then in BGL and had pencilled down Shell Trustees, First Trustees and NPA Superannuation Fund to break
“I had broken the other two with First Trustees where the super brilliant Ekure was the MD and NPA where the late man about town Henry Abebe was head
“But Shell was tough. You cdnt even enter their office talkless of breaking anything.
“So, i got Laolu’s email and sent him a passionate mail telling him why he needed my services if he was going to make a mark at Shell.
“He replied and gave me an appointment and there started a beautiful friendship.
“I watched him grow. Saw him aquire NISL and go into the Fast Food business with his partners as they opened Buka Hut all over the place.
“He started supporting my plays and he will be calling me to ask if i wont come for sponsorship since his money was ‘small’.
“Then i stopped hearing from him. Calls where not returned but i didn’t mind since i could see that he was doing well.
“They had just opened a new outlet at keffi and i was proud of him and his people
“Then i went to eat Afang at the new Just Afang restaurant in Ikoyi beside his office and branched to ask him to join me.
“He wasn’t in the office and still didnt take my calls so i left him since i didnt even knw the cost of the Afang bf i go and shoot myself
“So you can imagine my shock as i hear this story this morning. This last night o, Laolu jumped and left.
“Whatever has led to this, is really not worth it. But then again, people have different constitutions and mental aptitude
“This is why we must be kind to each other. Reach out, call people ask after their well being
“Much more importantly. If you have a problem, shout. Ask for help, seek advice. Dont be quiet shout.
“If Buhari with all the problem of this country on his head is still seating comfortably in Aso rock with tootpick in his mouth, why would you now with your own small problem come and jump
“This is really sad. Really really sad.
“Kai. May his soul rest in peace.”
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BREAKING: Tinubu, Starmer Meet as £746m Port Investment Deal Set for Signing
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President Bola Tinubu is currently meeting with United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer in a high-level bilateral engagement aimed at strengthening ties between Nigeria and Britain.
A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Monday, said the meeting will culminate in the signing of various Memoranda of Understanding and agreements, including those on trade, investment, defence, and cultural cooperation.
The statement said the meeting reinforces Nigeria’s commitment to deepening bilateral relations, attracting foreign investment, and modernising key infrastructure to support economic growth.
It added that a major highlight of the visit was the signing of a £746 million financing agreement between UK Export Finance, the Nigerian Ports Authority, and the Federal Ministry of Finance.
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The statement said the deal will fund the refurbishment of two key maritime infrastructures — the Lagos Port Complex (Apapa Quays) and the Tin Can Island Port Complex.
The President and the First Lady had earlier been the guests of their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle.
Tinubu was accompanied by a high-profile delegation, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi; Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Idris Mohammed; and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu.
Other members of the delegation include Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole; Minister of Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa; Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani; Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa; National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu; and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mohammed Mohammed.
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Breaking: Senegal Lose AFCON Crown as CAF Declares Morocco Winners
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Morocco have been officially crowned champions of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after the CAF Appeal Board overturned the result of the final against Senegal. The decision comes after extraordinary scenes in Rabat where the Lions of Teranga walked off the pitch in protest, leading to a retrospective 3-0 forfeit victory for the host nation.
In a detailed statement, the CAF Appeal Board confirmed that the appeal lodged by the FRMF was “declared admissible in form and the appeal is upheld.” This landmark ruling effectively strips Senegal of what would have been their second continental crown, rewarding the hosts for a match that descended into chaos during extra time.
The roots of the controversy lie in a heated moment deep into stoppage time when Morocco’s Brahim Diaz went down in the box. While the referee initially waved play away, a VAR review resulted in a spot-kick for the hosts. This sparked a furious reaction from the Senegalese bench, with head coach Pape Thiaw instructing his players to return to the dressing room in a protest that lasted several minutes.
The CAF Appeal Board found that “the conduct of the Senegal team falls within the scope of Articles 82 and 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations.” By leaving the field of play, Senegal was deemed to have infringed on the regulations, leading to the administrative 3-0 defeat. The ruling sets aside the previous CAF Disciplinary Board decision and confirms that the protest lodged by Morocco has been fully upheld
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NRC Confirms 26 Injured in Mid-Route Train Incident, Says Opeifa
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No fewer than 26 passengers and onboard personnel sustained varying degrees of injuries following a train incident along the Abuja–Kaduna rail corridor on Monday.
The incident, which occurred at about 9:16 a.m. near Asham Station, involved the KA-2 service travelling from Rigasa to Idu. According to an interim report released by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), a loud bang was heard as the power car and a trailing locomotive collided with one of the coaches.
Preliminary findings indicate that the incident may have been caused by a fault in one or more couplers, leading to a possible disconnection within the train formation. However, authorities confirmed that none of the coaches derailed.
The train had earlier departed Rigasa Station at 7:15 a.m., arriving at Jere slightly ahead of schedule before departing a few minutes later after an additional locomotive was coupled to improve operational resilience.
Following the incident, affected components—including a locomotive, power car, and one passenger coach—were detached from the train to allow the journey to continue safely.
A total of 481 people were onboard at the time, including passengers, crew members, security personnel, vendors, cleaners, and other service providers. Of the 459 passengers booked for the trip, 429 were confirmed to have boarded.
Despite the disruption, the train resumed movement at about 9:42 a.m., arriving in Kubwa at 10:10 a.m. and terminating at Idu Station at 10:39 a.m., with an overall delay of approximately 38 minutes.
The NRC stated that injured persons included passengers, staff, and security personnel, although details of the severity of injuries were not fully disclosed.
Train services on the route were later restored the same day, with subsequent trips resuming operations, albeit with delays. The Managing Director of the NRC, Kayode Opeifa, was onboard one of the recovery services to monitor the situation.
The corporation assured the public that a full investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the incident and to prevent future occurrences.
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