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ICPC nabs el-Rufai’s Finance Commissioner at Lagos airport in

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ICPC nabs el-Rufai’s Finance Commissioner at Lagos airport

The former Commissioner of Finance and Accountant General in Kaduna State, under Nasir el-Rufai’s administration, Shizzer Joy Nasara Bada, has been arrested by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) at the Lagos airport.

 

Bada was reportedly travelling out of the country on Sunday when ICPC operatives apprehended her, raising suspicions of a potential escape in the wake of mounting corruption allegations against the ex-governor el-Rufai, and herself.

 

Sources close to the government indicated that the ICPC had been tracking Bada’s movements after receiving an intelligence report suggesting that she might leave the country to evade investigation.

 

The arrest came as part of a broader crackdown on officials who served under el-Rufai’s administration, with multiple figures now under scrutiny for their roles in the alleged financial mismanagement of the state.

Already, el-Rufai has been indicted by the Kaduna State House of Assembly in its committee report of allegedly siphoning N423 billion from the state treasury. While the specific allegations against Bada remain under wraps, insiders believe they are connected to large-scale financial irregularities, including the mismanagement of public funds and alleged embezzlement.

 

Bada’s arrest has sparked widespread interest, with political observers questioning whether this could be the beginning of a wider probe into the former governor’s administration.

 

The Commission is expected to provide more details as the investigation unfolds, potentially exposing a web of corruption that could implicate several top figures.

Credit: Guardian NG

Lagos Government serves notices to over 280 illegal property owners in Eti Osa for master plan distortion 

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The Lagos State Government has issued contravention notices to more than 280 illegal property owners and occupiers within the Mayegun Waterfront Scheme, located in Eti Osa Local Government Area, citing violations such as master plan distortion, slum development, and risks of coastal erosion.

 

A statement posted on the Lagos State Government’s X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, confirmed that the action, carried out on Saturday, September 14, is part of the government’s broader effort to curb unregulated development that threatens Lagos’ urban landscape.

 

According to the statement, those served with the contravention notices have seven days to submit relevant documentation and approvals to justify their occupation of the properties in question.

 

Failure to comply with this directive will result in demolition notices being issued, as the government continues to demonstrate its firm commitment to enforcing urban planning laws and safeguarding the state’s vulnerable coastal areas.

 

“To forstall the creation of slums, distortion of Lagos State Master plan and erosion of the state coastal area, the Lagos State Government on Saturday 14th September issued contravention notices to over 280 illegal property owners and occupiers in the Mayegun Waterfront Scheme, located in the Eti Osa Local Government area of the State.

 

“Serving the Contravention Notices on them, the occupants are required to provide relevant documentation and approvals that justify their occupation of the properties in question within 7days of the notice, ,failure of which a demolition notice will be served on them,” the statement read.

 

The Lagos State Government has intensified its efforts to tackle the environmental and urban challenges caused by illegal developments, especially in vulnerable coastal areas, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable growth and the preservation of the state’s urban integrity.

 

What you should know

In recent months, the Lagos State Government has ramped up enforcement measures, issuing contravention notices to property owners and occupiers for violations including encroachment on designated wetlands, building over rights of way and drainage setbacks, and the erection of illegal structures.

 

These actions have included sealing off affected properties and, in some cases, demolition of the structures.

 

For instance, the state government recently sealed Maverick Estate in Gbagada for encroaching on a designated wetland and has plans to carry out similar enforcement in areas like Ejigbo, Badagry, and Ikorodu, where sensitive ecological zones have been compromised.

 

In August, several illegal structures along the System 157 drainage path and Orchid Road channels in Eti-Osa were demolished after property owners failed to honor an agreement to minimize the impact on the canal path.

 

These enforcement drives, which have been executed across the state, signal the government’s ongoing commitment to upholding urban planning regulations and protecting the environment.

 

More actions are expected in the coming months, highlighting the importance of compliance with building regulations in Lagos.

 

 

Regfyl, a Nigerian fraud detection company raises $1.1million

Regfyl, a Nigerian fraud detection company raises $1.1million | TechCabal

Regfyl, a Nigerian company that provides digital identity verification and fraud detection tools to businesses, has raised $1.1 million in pre-seed funding. The startup will use the funding to strengthen its sales, engineering and customer support team and build a supply chain compliance product.

 

Rally Cap led the funding round. Techstars, DCG, Musha Ventures, Africa Fintech Collective and other strategic angels also invested.

 

Launched in 2023 by Tunde Ibidapo-Obe and Tomiwa Erinosho, Regfyl helps businesses with customer and business onboarding, transaction monitoring, and fraud prevention. Regfyl also helps financial institutions with regulatory reporting/filing with financial regulators like Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Central Bank. The company currently serves about 20 businesses and counts Cowrywise. VFD Bank, Coronation, Piggyvest, and Budpay are among its clients.

 

“Trust is the currency of the digital economy, and at Regfyl, we are committed to being the operating system that underpins this trust across the continent,” said Tunde Ibidapo-Obe, CEO of Regfyl.

 

The startup charges a yearly subscription fee of ₦2 million ($1,220)for full access to its platform. It also charges a per-use fee for each individual or business customer screened and monitored.

 

Regfyl is part of a growing list of Nigerian companies helping financial institutions to detect and fight fraud. In its recently released Fraud and Forgeries Report, the Financial Institutions Training Centre (FITC) reported that Nigerian banks lost $25.7 million to fraud in Q2 2024.

 

It competes with similar businesses like SmileID, Dojah, Youverify that offer KYC compliance services to businesses. While these competitors offer just one compliance service to financial institutions, Regfyl claims to offer a unified compliance solution that helps businesses handle every section of their compliance, from KYC onboarding to transaction monitoring and regulatory filing.

 

“What we have done is to look at what the job of the compliance manager is and we have essentially brought all of it in one operating system,” said Erinosho.

 

Moonshot by TechCabal is gathering Africa’s most audacious builders and thinkers in Lagos, Nigeria. You can get tickets here.

 

Credit: Tech Cabal

Minister absolves Tinubu of blame on failed Dangote’s gas pipeline project

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The Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, has absolved the Bola Tinubu administration of blame on the failed attempt by the Dangote industries to build a 1,200-kilometer subsea gas pipeline.

He also stated that there is no provision in the Petroleum Industry Act, or its predecessor policies or legislation, that discourages private sector investment in gas infrastructure.

 

The minister clarified this in a statement issued by his spokesman, Louis Ibah, on Tuesday in Abuja.

 

The Vice President of Dangote Industries, Devakumar Edwin, had alleged during a webinar hosted by Nairametrics last week that government policies in the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors frustrated policies that bring gas from the sea to the shore.

 

According to him, another government policy that prevented them from executing the project was the government’s ownership of gas pipelines across the country regardless of who built them.

 

“We wanted to invest in a network of 1,200km of subsea gas pipeline to bring the gas to the shore, and our idea was not to export it as NLNG.

 

“The gas pipeline was supposed to bring in 2 billion SCF of gas. We did a one-year study by hiring two ships to identify the route through which we lay the subsea gas pipeline so that the gas could be collected and evacuated. But then, the government’s policy was that there could be one player upstream, midstream and downstream. We were trying to find a solution to that, but the government said all gas pipelines, once you build them, you’ll have them over to the Nigeria Gas company. So that is how the project was abandoned,” he noted during the webinar.

 

In response, the minister explained that the company’s decision to build or abandon the project was solely a business decision and was not caused by the policies of the current administration.

 

The statement read, “The attention of the Honourable Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo has been drawn to the recent statement attributed to the VP of Oil and Gas of Dangote Group regarding abandoning plans to build a 1,200km subsea gas pipeline due to government policies.

 

“Hon. Ekpo notes that the decision to build or abandon the project was solely a business decision of the Dangote Group, taken long before the inauguration of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration.”

 

Related News

Continuing, Ekpo said the current administration is diligently working to enhance infrastructure investment in the gas sector by fostering an environment that attracts investors willing to fund projects.

 

“The Federal Government, under President Tinubu, is committed to creating an environment that encourages investors who are willing to invest in projects in the Gas Value chain.

 

“As a matter of fact, the Federal Government has taken deliberate steps over the years to encourage and stimulate investment in the Gas Sector by approving various policies, such as the Gas Pricing & Domestic Demand Regulations (2023), the Natural Gas Pipeline Tariff Regulations (2023), the Nigerian Gas Transportation Network Code, the National Nigerian Gas Masterplan, the National Gas Policy (2017) and the Petroleum Industry Act 2021.

 

“These policies and laws provide a conducive environment for private sector investment in domestic gas development.

 

“The PIA established the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund to support more private sector investment in gas infrastructure development,” he added.

 

“Contrary to the view expressed by the VP Oil and Gas of Dangote Group, there is no provision in the PIA, or its predecessor policies and/or legislation, that discourages private sector investment in gas infrastructure.

 

“The PIA offers significant incentives for private entities to invest in the Gas Midstream and Downstream sectors. The Federal Government encourages private investment in gas infrastructure development, and several projects have been commissioned under President Tinubu’s administration.

 

“Notable examples of the positive impact of the FGN’s concerted effort to stimulate private sector investment in the Gas value chain include the resolution of gas supply issues to major projects like the Geometric Power Aba Limited Power Plant and the Brass Fertilizer and Petrochemical Company Limited demonstrates its support for local investors, with groundbreaking novel approaches to resolving issues.

 

“The Hon. Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas) wishes to reiterate that any private entity interested in investing in the Gas Midstream and Downstream sectors is free to do so, with government incentives available to encourage investments that contribute to national economic growth and development,” the statement concluded.

BREAKING: Over 3000 Lagos Community Residents In Distress, Rendered Homeless As Government Officials, Policemen Demolish, Set Fire To Buildings

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The demolition, which reportedly took place on Monday without prior notice, has left thousands of families homeless and in distress, SaharaReporters learnt.

Residents of Ayetoro community in the Yaba Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State have raised the alarm over the alleged demolition of their buildings by the Lagos State government officials, especially the Task Force and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA).

The demolition, which reportedly took place on Monday without prior notice, has left thousands of families homeless and in distress, SaharaReporters learnt.

One of the residents, Ajimuda Gbenga, told SaharaReporters on Tuesday that some policemen and LASEMA officials came and demolished their building.

Samuel Adebayo, a representative of the community, told SaharaReporters that he had spoken to several notable people about the incident but he was not sure who could come to their aid as soon as possible.

According to him, “This is a matter of urgency, and I trust SaharaReporters to bring attention to such issues.

“Our community existed long before the Oko-Baba Plant Market. However, due to the expansion of the plant market, there has been tension. Ayetoro, a neighbouring community, shares a boundary with the plant market.

“What is happening now is disturbing; the demolition began in the market, about 2 kilometers away from our community. I witnessed them using bulldozers to demolish houses. In areas they couldn’t reach, they resorted to setting homes on fire, leaving children and their mothers without shelter.

He said they extended the demolition towards the end of the plant market, crossing into their community.

“The boundary between the plant market and our community has been breached, and they are now setting homes in Ayetoro on fire. Over 3,000 residents are affected.

“We received information from one of their agents, who told us that the government’s directive was to demolish the community’s buildings. I cannot understand why the plant market’s expansion is now affecting the community and its residents.

Adebayo explained that they have destroyed houses in the heart of their community, and even set some buildings ablaze.

According to him, “This act of inhumanity is unacceptable.”

“The only way forward is to ensure the safety of everyone, and that’s why we are calling on SaharaReporters to help amplify our voices. The situation is dire, and they are deliberately setting fire to people’s homes. We cannot sit back and watch.

When asked who is responsible for the demolitions, said, “I was told LASEMA and the state government are involved.”

When SaharaReporters contacted the Director-General of LASEMA, Dr. Oluwafemi Oke-Osanyintolu, he said, “How can an agency swear to protect the safety of people be so reckless?”

He said, “How can they set people’s properties on fire?

“As a medical doctor trained to save lives, I find it unimaginable that such an act could occur, I have dedicated nearly 30 years to protecting people and saving lives. How could we now be accused of setting homes on fire? Think about it.”

OluFemi Oke-Osanyintolu explained that the allegation was “painful and unjust.”

He reiterated that LASEMA does not engage in demolitions, he said they are a rescue agency, not a demolition crew.

“Every activity LASEMA conducts is transparent, with the press always informed, from the moment an incident happens, we release a preliminary report, and after the situation is resolved, a confirmatory report follows.”

OluFemi Oke-Osanyintolu added that it is a barbaric and baseless thought to suggest that the agency is involved in the demolitions.

Efforts to get a response from the Lagos State Police Command spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, were unsuccessful as he did not answer calls nor respond to messages.

 

 

 

Dangote Refinery still in its pre-commissioning phase, yet to be full licence, says NMDPRA

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Dangote Refinery still in its pre-commissioning phase, yet to be full licence, says NMDPRA

 

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has revealed that Dangote Refinery is still in its pre-commissioning phase and has yet to receive a full operational licence.

 

This is coming at a time Danote Refinery and Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) contending Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) or petrol price

 

The update comes amid high expectations for the Dangote Refinery, which is anticipated to significantly reduce Nigeria’s reliance on fuel imports once it achieves full operational status.

 

The Head of Public Affairs at NMDPRA, George Ene-Ita, clarified that the refinery is currently undergoing a phased process, with only two out of four priority sections approved for the introduction of hydrocarbons.

 

“The entire plant is subdivided into four sections technically referred to as priorities one, two, three, and four,” Ene-Ita explained, adding that “At this stage of pre-commissioning, only priorities one and two have been given approval to introduce hydrocarbons, which allows the plant to operate on a test-run basis.”

 

Under this condition, Ene-Ita said the refinery is permitted to produce petroleum products such as diesel, jet fuel, and kerosene, which are then released into the market under regulatory supervision.

 

This pre-commissioning phase also involves conducting rigorous pre-startup and safety audits of the facility, Ene-Ita told The Guardian.

 

He noted that the audits include tests on the plant’s mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation systems to ensure the refinery’s readiness for full-scale production. Ene-Ita said full production and an increased volume of PMS would only be achieved when approval is given to introduce hydrocarbons into priorities three and four.

 

“Once these sections are operational, the plant will undergo a 90-day observation period during which additional tests and audits will be carried out to confirm compliance with regulatory guidelines. If, after 90 days, our technical team confirms that the facility adheres to all parameters, the refinery will be issued a License to Operate (LTO), marking its full operational status,” he said.

 

Ene-Ita said that this procedure is standard and applies to all refineries in Nigeria.

 

Regarding concerns over the colour of PMS produced during the pre-commissioning phase, Ene-Ita clarified that, according to the Nigeria Industrial Standards (NIS), the specified colour for PMS is Oxblood Red. However, since the refinery is not fully operational, the colour may not yet conform to this standard.

 

“It’s important to note that colour is not necessarily an indicator of product quality, nor is it a quality parameter in regulatory compliance. When the Dangote Refinery becomes fully operational, it will be expected to produce PMS that conforms to the NIS colour specifications,” Ene-Ita stated.

New X owner soon? Mark Cuban wants to buy twitter/X from Elon Musk—internet demands ‘bring back the bird!’

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New X owner soon? Mark Cuban wants to buy twitter/X from Elon Musk—internet demands ‘bring back the bird!’

Mark Cuban, one of the main ‘sharks’ from the ABC reality television series Shark Tank, just dropped a bombshell that’s got people on social media talking. He’s revealed that he has got his eyes on buying X/Twitter from Elon Musk, and the internet is having a field day with the news.

 

In a recent chat with Wired’s Lauren Goode, 66-year-old tech mogul Mark Cuban said he’d love to buy Fox News and X (formerly Twitter) if he had the money.

 

“If I had enough money, I’d buy it in a heartbeat,” Cuban joked, though he admits he doesn’t have the funds right now.

 

Cuban, a regular user of X, has been vocal about his dislike for the changes Elon Musk has made to the platform.

 

“I wish I could [buy X]. There’s no reason for him [Musk] to sell it,” Cuban told Business Insider.

 

How did people react?

 

The buzz around Mark Cuban’s desire to buy X has set social media buzzing.

 

Reactions have been all over the place—some folks are practically begging for the return of the old Twitter days with comments like, “TAKE ME BACK” and “IDC who buys it, JUST BRING THE BIRD BACK!”

 

One even said, “Please, buy it from him! We’re so tired of Elon!”

 

But not everyone is convinced it’s a realistic dream.

 

Some are pointing out the harsh financial reality with comments like, “Ridiculous, his net worth is 5 billion and half of that of the basketball team. Elon’s Tesla bonus was over 50 billion Cuban, which is pocket change to Elon.”

 

According to Forbes, Cuban’s net worth is $5.7 billion, and as one person wisely noted, “He’s $39 billion short. He can’t afford X!”

 

Looks like Cuban’s plan might need a bit more than wishful thinking.

 

To stay updated on the stories that are going viral, follow Indiatimes Trending.

Mohbad’s Father Demanded Quick Burial After Davido’s N2m Donation’, PA

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‘Mohbad’s Father Demanded Quick Burial After Davido’s N2m Donation’, PA

Adeyemo Boluwatife, the Personal Assistant to the late Mohbad has stated that the late Singer’s Father, Joseph Aloba demanded for immediate burial of his son after receiving N2 million from Davido. Adeyemo said this while testifying at the Coroner’s Inquest in Ikorodu on Wednesday.

 

The Coroner’s Inquest which began on September 29, 2023, was set up by the Lagos State Government to unravel the cause of Mohbad’s death.

 

Mohbad died on September 12 2023, under questionable circumstances, and was hurriedly buried the following day.

 

Following the calls for justice across the nation, his body was exhumed on September 21, 2023, for an autopsy by the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH.

 

However, during the court sitting on Wednesday, Adeyemo, who is also Mohbad’s nephew, told the Ikorodu Magistrate Court that Mohbad’s father insisted on burying him immediately, after receiving N2 million from Davido.

 

Adeyemo also claimed that he transferred N1 million to Mr Aloba, and later gave the remaining amount to Adura, Mohbad’s younger brother, after settling the hospital bills and ambulance rental fees. He further revealed that, Investigators took custody of the deceased’s phone after his death.

FULL LIST: Notorious bandits leaders killed by Nigerian Military

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FULL LIST: Notorious bandits leaders killed by Nigerian Military

Northern Nigeria especially North-West has become increasingly violent. This is due to the activities of militias, known locally as “bandits.”

 

The origins of the conflict in north-western Nigeria can be traced back to 2011 following disagreements between Hausa farmers and Fulani pastoralists.

 

Banditry in the northwestern states of Zamfara, Kaduna, and Katsina has reached an alarming position in recent years. They terrorise villages with impunity.

 

So far, security agencies have continued to launch onslaughts on terrorist and bandit activities in the north.

 

Similarly, the country’s military jets have carried out several air strikes in bandits enclaves.

 

In May, the Minister of Defence, Muhammad Badaru noted that the synergy among the Service Chiefs and sister agencies led to the killing of over 9,300 bandits and insurgents, while 7000 had since been arrested in the last year.

 

Recently, the Nigerian Army killed a notorious bandit leader and arms supplier, Kachalla Halilu Sububu, in a major operation against bandits in the northwest.

 

Sububu, a key figure in the region’s banditry, operated a large mining site in Dan-Kamfani, Anka Local Government Area, and owned thousands of cattle in the infamous Sububu Forest.

 

Also, many bandits are on the Army’s wanted list for various involvement in criminal activities.

 

Here’s a full list of some of the bandits’ leaders who have been killed as confirmed by the military:

 

1. Halilu Sububu

 

2. Buhari Alhaji Halidu otherwise known as “Buharin Yadi” – He unleashed terror on citizens in Kidandan/Galadimawa general areas of Giwa LGA, Sabon Birni/Kerawa general areas of Igabi LGA, other locations in nearby Sabuwa LGA of Katsina State, and indeed some parts of Niger and Zamfara states.

 

3. A kingpin commonly called Dangote was killed in a gun battle with Kachalla Dankarami’s camp along the Dumbunrun Forest between Batsari and Jibia local government areas of Katsina State.

 

4. Boderi Isyaku – A notorious bandit leader, responsible for the kidnapping of 39 students of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation and the attack on the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna in 2021.

 

5. Kachalla Dan Chaki

 

6. Dogo Gudali

 

7. Dogo Rabe – He was killed in an Air Force strike during an operation to flush out terrorists operating in communities between the Zurmi and Birnin Magaji areas in Zamfara State, and Jibia in Katsina State.

 

8. Alhaji Auta and Kachalla Ruga – They were killed alongside many of their gang members in a raid on their enclaves at Gusami Forest and Tsamre village in Birnin Magaji Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

 

9. Rufai Maikaji – He was a deadly bandit who commanded over a hundred fighters in the state.

 

10. Ya’u – He was killed in an ambush by the troops at a strategic crossing point in Burra, Ningi. He was the leader of the gang which is notorious for using heavy weaponry to instill terror among the residents of Burra and neighbouring communities.

 

11. Alhaji Karki – He was killed while attempting to overrun a military unit in Niger State. Karki, who once repented but later went back to criminality, had been terrorizing Niger communities and was responsible for killings, arsons and kidnappings in the areas.

 

12. Bandit leader “Yellow” – He was operating several bandit camps in Zamfara, Kaduna, and Katsina states, but was killed following Nigerian Airforce air strikes in Katsina and Zamfara states.

Victoria’s Journey from Underestimated to Unstoppable in BBNaija

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The story making waves right now is all about Victoria Onyenwere, a travel consultant and CEO of VS Global Travels. As one of the standout housemates in Big Brother Naija’s 9th season, themed “No Loose Guard,” Victoria is proving that you don’t need drama to trend—she’s trending for all the right reasons. Not only is she showcasing her impeccable skills as a fashion designer within the confined BBNaija house, but she’s also redefining what it means to stand out in a reality show where big personalities often dominate the narrative.

Victoria’s impact is undeniable, as she was recently named the Most Popular Housemate by the Africa Social Index and has been on the chart for an impressive seven weeks.  Early on, she faced criticism and was unfairly labeled by keyboard warriors who thought they had her all figured out. But, as the weeks rolled on, Victoria defied expectations and steadily built an impressive fanbase known as The Vikings. What’s groundbreaking about her journey is that her fanbase is already trending on social media—a rare feat, considering most fanbases only gain traction after the show ends. The Vikings aren’t just trending; they are fiercely rooting for Victoria, showing unwavering support.

Her fashion prowess has been nothing short of spectacular. With limited resources inside the house, Victoria has managed to create stunning outfits that could easily rival the work of top designers outside the house. What she’s accomplished with so little is nothing short of genius, and it’s clear that she’s positioning herself as a major force to be reckoned with post-show.

 

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A post shared by Victoria Onyenwere (@victoria_uvo)

As the grand finale approaches, Victoria stands out as a potential winner. Beyond her time in the house, she is poised to become a sought-after brand ambassador, with brands eager to partner with her thanks to her authenticity, creativity, and undeniable talent. Keep an eye on Victoria—she’s about to take the world by storm.