by: MorufAkanbi Oloyede Sulaimon 

 

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Sanwo-Olu issues update on Lagos Island fire incident

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has urged Lagosians to remain calm following the fire incident that engulfed the 25-storey Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) Building on Martins Street, Lagos Island.

The cause of the fire has yet to be ascertained, but no casualty was recorded, Sanwo-Olu said.

In a statement issued on Thursday by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, the governor said he had been personally monitoring the situation since the incident was reported.

According to the statement, Sanwo-Olu immediately directed the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service to intensify response efforts and ensure the evacuation of adjoining buildings to guarantee public safety.

The distress call was received at 4:41 pm, prompting a swift response from fire crews at the Ebute Elefun and Dolphin fire stations, with reinforcement from the Sari Iganmu Fire Station and the Alausa headquarters

Firefighters arrived at the scene within 12 minutes, at 4:53 pm, and commenced coordinated containment operations.

Preliminary reports indicated that the fire started on the fifth floor of the building before spreading to other levels. 

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The affected structure, formerly used as corporate office space, currently serves mainly as a warehouse and retail outlet for clothing materials.

The governor remained in constant communication with emergency responders and security agencies well into the early hours of the morning. As of 3:40 am, when the fire had largely subsided, he was still receiving updates and issuing directives.

He specifically instructed that no individual must be left behind in the building, emphasising the primacy of human life over property

The  governor said: “Our priority is the safety of lives. I have directed that the building and its surroundings be thoroughly secured and that emergency personnel must ensure that no one is left inside.
“I commend our firefighters and first responders for their swift and courageous response. Lagosians should remain calm; the situation is under control.”

Security agencies have since been deployed to cordon off the area, while first responders continue safety assessments to prevent secondary incidents.

The Lagos State Government assured residents that it remains fully on top of the situation and will continue to provide updates as necessary.

GET STARTED ON META TRADER5

By: MorufAkanbi (ALM)

     

New MetaTrader 5 Platform Build 5260: Enhancements in Algo Forge, extended OpenBLAS support, and new inheritance rules in MQL5

  

MetaQuotes 2025.09.04 16:56

On Friday, September 5, 2025, an updated version of the MetaTrader 5 platform will be released.

In this build, we continue expanding the OpenBLAS linear algebra library in MQL5 with a new set of functions. These methods provide developers with a complete transformation cycle, from preliminary matrix preparation to precise and stable spectrum computation.

We have also improved file handling in Algo Forgeprojects, accelerating hash calculations and eliminating false detections of file modifications. 

On the service website, we have published comprehensive MQL5 Algo Forge documentation. It clearly demonstrates all the features and advantages of using the Git system for algorithmic traders: how to explore projects, follow interesting publications, collaborate, and clone repositories.

MetaTrader 5 Client Terminal

1. Terminal: Fixed display of margin settings in trading symbol specifications. Previously, when floating leverage was used (e.g., calculated based on account position volume), margin parameters in contract specifications could be shown incorrectly.
2. Terminal: Fixed order book sorting for symbols with negative prices allowed. Orders with positive, negative, and zero prices are now displayed correctly and in proper order. 
3. Terminal: The terminal user guide now includes a new section How the Tester Downloads Historical Data. It summarizes the key points needed to understand how the Strategy Tester works with trading history. To ensure calculation stability, the tester always loads a "pre-start history buffer":
• D1 and below — from the beginning of the previous calendar year. This provides at least 1 year of history. Example: if the test start date is 01.03.2023, the terminal will download form the terminal data from 01.01.2022. This equals to 14 months before the test start.
• W1 — at least 100 weekly bars (~2 years).
• MN1 — at least 100 monthly bars (~8 years).

If the available history is insufficient, the tester automatically shifts the actual start date forward to the nearest point that meets the requirements.

In such cases, testing begins later than the date specified by the user. The tester log will show a relevant message, for example:


4. MQL5: Added five new OpenBLAS methods in the Matrix Balance section, expanding functionality for square matrices. The new set of functions provides:
   
   • Matrix balancing for improved accuracy in eigenvalue calculations.
   • Back transformations of eigenvectors.
   • Reduction to Hessenberg form and Schur decomposition, including orthogonal matrix generation.
   
   These methods give developers a complete transformation cycle, from preliminary matrix preparation to precise and stable spectrum computation.
   
   The methods are based on LAPACK algorithms (GEBAL, GEBAK, GEHRD, ORGHR, HSEQR), ensuring high performance and reliability:
   
   
   • MatrixBalance: Balances a general real or complex matrix by permuting rows and columns and applying diagonal similarity transformations. Balancing may reduce the 1-norm of the matrix and improve the accuracy of the computed eigenvalues and/or eigenvectors (LAPACK function GEBAL).
   • EigenVectorsBackward: Forms the right or left eigenvectors of a real or complex general matrix by backward transformation on the computed eigenvectors of the balanced matrix (LAPACK function GEBAK). 
   • ReduceToHessenbergBalanced: Reduces a real or complex general balanced matrix to upper Hessenberg form by an orthogonal similarity transformation (LAPACK function GEHRD).
   • ReflectHessenbergBalancedToQ: Generates orthogonal matrix Q which is defined as the product of elementary reflectors of order n as generated by reducing to Hessenberg form (LAPACK function ORGHR).
   • EigenHessenbergBalancedSchurQ: Computes the eigenvalues of a Hessenberg matrix and the matrices T and Z from the Schur decomposition; optionally computes the Schur factorization of an input matrix reduced to the Hessenberg form (LAPACK function HSEQR).
   
   
   
5. MQL5: Added two new methods in the Eigen Values section. Both functions efficiently compute eigenvectors after Schur decomposition, completing the full set of linear algebra tools in MQL5:
   
   
   • EigenVectorsTriangularZ: Computes eigenvectors of a real upper quasi-triangular or complex upper triangular matrix (Schur form). Uses the decomposition A = Q · T · Qᴴ (LAPACK function TREVC). Provides high accuracy.
   • EigenVectorsTriangularZBlocked: Block version for computing eigenvectors of a real upper quasi-triangular or complex upper triangular matrix (LAPACK function TREVC3). Faster but not so accurate.



6. MQL5: Introduced an important change in inheritance with the new method hiding rule
   
   Previously, if a derived class or structure defined a method with the same name as in the base class, overloading was performed: all versions (from both the parent and child) were available in the derived class. Now, methods with the same name in a derived class hide base class methods (method hiding).
   
   To call a hidden base class method, you must explicitly specify its scope when calling it: 
   For some time, the MQL5 compiler will issue a warning if a hidden base method is a better match for the call parameters than the available derived method. Example for the above code d.Print(10): 
   
   
   
   
   
   
7. MQL5: Added the using operator for restoring base class method overloads.
   
   To control the new behavior, MQL5 introduces the 'using' operator. It allows you to "pull" all overloads of a method from the base type into the scope of a class or structure:
   
   If 'using Base::Print;' is removed, then calls to d.Print(42) and d.Print(3.14) will be unavailable; only Derived::Print(string) will remain.
   
   Additionally, in this example, you can see that protected methods from the base class become accessible in the derived class (their visibility changes from protected to public).
   
   This gives developers more flexible and predictable control over class hierarchies, allowing them to precisely define which base class method overloads should remain accessible in derived types.
   
   
8. MetaEditor: Accelerated SHA-1 hash calculations for Git operations in Algo Forge. Performance improvements exceed 40% for bulk operations.
9. MetaEditor: Fixed file modification checks for Git operations. If only the modification time changes but the file content remains the same, the file is no longer treated as modified. This eliminates false detections and prevents conflicts with remote repositories.
10. Algo Forge: Published MQL5 Algo Forge User Guide. It highlights all the key benefits of Git without unnecessary complexity:
• reliable version history storage and branching,
• fast experimentation and safe merging of changes,
• create your own repository or fork other developer' projects in one click,
• transparent team collaboration with tracked contributions,
• a catalog of open projects with the opportunity to learn from others.


Cloning Another Developer's Project
Open the project you want to clone on forge.mql5.io and click Fork. Enter a name and description for the fork and save.




In MetaEditor, using the same MQL5 account, run the Refresh command in the Navigator. Your fork will appear in the Shared Projects folder. Download it from Algo Forge using Git Clone. You'll receive not only the project files but also its full commit history and all branches. This means you can continue working on the fork while still having the entire history of the cloned project.  




11. Added translation of the terminal interface into Irish.
12. Updated user interface translations.

Web Terminal

1. Fixed display of trading and quoting sessions in symbol specifications.
2. Fixed display of margin settings display in symbol specifications.
3. Fixed display of trading and quoting sessions in symbol specifications.
4. Added support for Contest account type. Such accounts are displayed in blue, while demo accounts appear in green.
5. Fixed accuracy of floating leverage margin calculations under certain conditions. 
6. Fixed an issue when opening a new account where the Next button sometimes failed to proceed to the next step.
7. Fixed an issue where it was not possible to place a limit order between Bid and Ask prices for Exchange execution.
8. Fixed display of order execution prices. Once an order is sent, its execution results appear in the window: a successful trade operation or a reason why it has not been executed. In some cases, the execution price was incorrectly shown as "0".
9. Fixed an issue where the quick position close button was not displayed.
   
   
   
   
10. Fixed display of trading account currencies in the account selection window.

The update will be available through the Live Update system.

• Working with Projects - Projects and MQL5 Storage
• How the Tester Downloads Historical Data - Algorithmic Trading, Trading Robots
• Strategy Testing - Algorithmic Trading, Trading Robots

In addition, MQL5 now enforces stricter control over inheritance and method overloading in classes and structures. The new inheritance behavior and compiler constraints help prevent potential errors in application logic.

 

Oyedele dismisses claims on Nigeria Taxes Laws

blogmemurphy.blogspot.com/gistme

   

Oyedele dismisses claims on Nigeria’s tax laws

He said the controversy rests on a fundamental problem realting to the absence of the officially certified harmonised bill passed by the National Assembly.

By morufAkanbi

 December 22, 2025

Reading Time: 2 mins read

The chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, has rejected claims that Nigeria’s newly enacted tax reform laws were altered after their passage by the National Assembly, saying materials circulating in the media are false and based on documents that are not authoritative.

The dispute erupted after a member of the House of Representatives, Abdulsamad Dasuki, alleged discrepancies between the tax laws passed by lawmakers and the versions later gazetted and released to the public.

     Civil society groups and opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, subsequently called for the suspension of the laws, which are scheduled to take effect on 1 January 2026.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Monday, Mr Oyedele said the controversy rests on a fundamental problem, which is the absence of the officially certified harmonised bill passed by the National Assembly

  “Before you can say there is a difference between what was gazetted and what was passed, we have what has not been gazetted. We don’t have what was passed,” he said.

He explained that it is the only document that can authoritatively confirm what lawmakers approved is the harmonised version certified by the clerk of the National Assembly and transmitted to the president for assent.

  He added that neither the House of Representatives’ version nor the Senate’s version can be treated as final on their own, stressing that only lawmakers involved in the harmonisation process can confirm what was sent to the president.

He also addressed claims relating to a supposed provision requiring a 20 per cent deposit under Section 41(8), which has featured prominently in circulating reports.

Mr Oyedele said that provision appeared in an earlier draft but does not exist in the final gazetted law. He said enquiries he made showed that a document being circulated as a committee report did not originate from the House committee set up to review the issue.

“What is out there in the media did not come from the committee set up by the House of Representatives,” he said.

Beyond the immediate controversy, Mr Oyedele said the episode exposed deeper weaknesses in Nigeria’s legislative process, particularly around quality control and document security.

He warned that legislation is too important to be left vulnerable to confusion arising from multiple versions of the same law, noting that similar problems had occurred in the past with major laws such as the Petroleum Industry Bill and the Companies and Allied Matters Act.

President Bola Tinubu recently signed four tax reform bills into law, the Nigeria Tax Act, the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act, which are designed to operate under a single authority, the Nigeria Revenue Service.

READ ALSO: Tax Reforms: CISLAC expresses concern about alleged alteration of assented law

The federal government has described the reforms as the most significant overhaul of the country’s tax system in decades.

The laws, which faced resistance from some federal lawmakers, particularly from the northern part of the country, are intended to simplify tax compliance, expand the tax base, remove overlapping taxes and modernise revenue collection across federal, state and local governments.

For now, Mr Oyedele said the appropriate step is to allow lawmakers to conclude their investigation into the matter, after which any confirmed issues can be addressed based on the facts rather than speculation.

Metal Trader 5 platform will be released

blogmemurphy.blogspot.com/gistme

     n Friday, November 14, 2025, an updated version of the MetaTrader 5 platform will be released.

This version introduces a major upgrade to the charting engine. The legacy GDI framework has been replaced with the modern Blend2D engine, which provides significantly faster and smoother rendering of charts and indicators. With advanced rendering algorithms and hardware optimization support, Blend2D delivers crisp, detailed graphics, accurate handling of transparency, and consistent performance across all systems, including high-resolution displays.

In addition, we've expanded support for the OpenBLAS linear algebra library in MQL5, with around 20 new functions added for working with matrices and vectors.

The web version of the platform has also been improved, offering enhanced stability and security. Users can now change the display mode for volumes directly in the order book.

MetaTrader 5 Client Terminal

1. Terminal: Updated charting graphics core. The legacy GDI framework has been replaced with the modern Blend2D engine.
   
   Higher Performance 
   Blend2D uses modern rendering architecture and efficiently utilizes multi-core CPUs, ensuring smooth chart and indicator rendering even with a large number of objects. 
   
   Hardware Acceleration and CPU Optimization 
   Optimized for modern instruction sets (SSE, AVX), Blend2D significantly accelerates visualization compared to GDI, which does not support these optimizations. 
   
   Crisp and Smooth Graphics 
   Advanced anti-aliasing and precise color handling provide smooth lines, soft transitions, and visually clean charts, which is particularly noticeable when zooming or using high-resolution (HiDPI, 4K) displays. 
   
   Modern Effects and Transparency 
   Blend2D supports alpha composition and advanced color operations, enabling semi-transparent elements, shadows, and other modern graphic effects. 
   
   Unified and Stable Rendering 
   Blend2D provides consistent rendering across all systems, independent of OS version or video driver configuration. 

   
   
   

   
   
2. MQL5: Added matrix methods that perform level 2 linear algebra calculations (matrix-vector): BLAS Level 2: 
   
   
   • BlasL2GeMV — matrix-vector product
   • BlasL2GeR — rank-1 update
   • BlasL2GeRC — rank-1 conjugated update
   • BlasL2SyMV — matrix-vector product for a symmetric matrix
   • BlasL2SyR — rank-1 update of a symmetric matrix
   • BlasL2SyR2 — rank-2 update of a symmetric matrix
   • BlasL2HeMV — matrix-vector product for a Hermitian matrix
   • BlasL2HeR — rank-1 conjugated update of a Hermitian matrix
   • BlasL2HeR2 — rank-2 conjugated update of a Hermitian matrix
   • BlasL2TrMV — a matrix-vector product using a triangular matrix
   
   
3. MQL5: Added matrix methods that perform level 3 linear algebra calculations (matrix-vector): BLAS Level 3:
   
   
   • BlasL3GeMM — matrix-matrix product for general matrices
   • BlasL3SyMM — matrix-matrix product where the input matrix A is symmetric
   • BlasL3HeMM — matrix-matrix product where the input matrix A is Hermitian
   • BlasL3TrMM — matrix-matrix product where the input matrix A is triangular
   • BlasL3SyRK — symmetric rank-k update
   • BlasL3HeRK — Hermitian rank-k update
   • BlasL3SyR2K — symmetric rank-2k update
   • BlasL2HeR2K — rank-2k conjugated update of a Hermitian matrix
   
   
4. MQL5: Fixed WebRequest issue that could, in some cases, cause the connection to a remote host to drop. 
5. MQL5: Fixed a rare crash that could occur when variables were not initialized. 
6. MQL5: Fixed a rare crash that could occur when using the IntegerToString function. 
7. Tester: Fixed duplication of custom events when EventChartCustom was called during visual testing. 
8. Tester: Fixed the behavior of IsStopped during forced test termination.
   
   

MetaTrader 5 WebTerminal

1. Added the ability to switch volume display mode in the order book. Use the button on the top panel to view volumes in lots or units. 

   
   
   

   
   
2. Fixed freezing when viewing the order book on mobile devices.
3. Corrected the display of current price in the trade dialog when an operation fails (e.g., insufficient funds). Previously, a zero price could be shown in such cases.
4. Enhanced data storage security in the browser. 

The update will be available through the Live Update system.

• Matrices and vectors
• Welcome to algorithmic trading