Good day! Below is a Summary of News Stories Across Nigeria and Abroad:
1. Reinstated Chairman of the Kano State Anti-Corruption Commission, Barrister Muhyi Magaji Rimin Gado, has promised to reopen the alleged dollar fraud case against former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje. It would be recalled that an online publication, Daily Nigerian, had released some videos of Ganduje allegedly collecting kickbacks from contractors to the tune of $5 million. Although the ex-Governor had denied the allegation, saying the videos were doctored and even proceeded to court claiming damages, but Rimin Gado has insisted the case has to be deeply investigated. DAILY POST
2. A member of the House of Representatives representing Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency on the platform of Labour Party (LP), Hon. Ekene Abubakar Adams, has donated 10 500 KVA transformers, cars and Motorcycles to communities and individuals within his constituency The lawmaker also empowered the 66 wives of ward chairmen from Chikun/Kajuru, cutting across the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC) and LP with the sum of N150,000 each, while the 66 ward chairmen went home with undisclosed amount of money. Speaking with journalists on the sideline of the event, Hon. Ekene said the gesture was part of his personal project, not constituency project, following complaints he received from different communities in their challenges during his campaign, particularly the challenge of power in which he promised to assist them, a promise he said he was fulfilling. LEADERSHIP
3. The President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Festus Osifo says government officials have not demonstrated cost reduction as they still go about with “endless convoys” despite the effects of fuel subsidy removal on the masses. Comrade Osifo says it is time for politicians and the elite to make more sacrifices that will benefit the masses of the country.Osifo also decried the cost of governance while drawing attention to the dwindling capital expenditure. Osifo said Labour proposed N200,000 as the new minimum wage from N30,000 because it anticipated that the government would float the naira and allow market forces to determine the exchange rate of the national currency. He argued that the value of N30,000 five years ago when the minimum wage was last reviewed has so far reduced with mounting inflation rates, soaring food prices and transport fares, amongst others. CHANNELS
4. The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has knocked the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission over its proposed 114 per cent increase in the salaries of elected politicians, including the President, vice president, governors, and lawmakers. RMAFC has come under heavy criticism over its recommendation for an increase in the basic salaries of public office holders in the country. Chairman of the commission, Muhammadu Shehu, who was represented by RMAFC commissioner from Kebbi State, Mrs Rakiya Tanko-Ayuba, dropped the bombshell on Tuesday in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital, while presenting the reviewed remuneration package of political and judicial office holders to the State Governor, Dr Nasir Idris. But Obi described the recommendation as “insensitive,” warning that it should not be the priority of a nation still struggling with minimum wage with over 133 million Nigerians currently living in abject poverty. PUNCH
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5. Australia issued a legal notice to Twitter on Thursday, demanding information about what the social media platform is doing to tackle online hate. Twitter had dropped the ball on tackling hate, Australia’s eSafety commissioner Julie Inman Grant said. A third of all complaints about online hate reported to eSafety were about Twitter. It had received more complaints about online hate on Twitter in the past 12 months than any other platform. An increasing number of reports of serious online abuse had been made since Elon Musk’s takeover of the company in October 2022, Inman Grant said. Nearly one in five Australians had experienced online hate, she said. First Nations Australians, disabled and LGBT people experienced online hate at double the rate of the rest of the population, she added. Twitter’s terms of use and policies prohibited hateful conduct on the platform, but the company was not likely to be enforcing its own rules, Inman Grant said. VANGUARD
6. Nigeria’s talented singer-songwriter, Simi, has revealed that she has never experienced heartbreak in any of her relationships. The artist, also known as Simisola Kosoko, shared this during a recent interview with reality star Tacha on Cool FM, Lagos. During the interview, the singer clarified that her latest song, Stranger, which is themed on heartbreak, was not inspired by personal experiences. She emphasised that she serves as an ambassador for those who have encountered heartbreak, expressing her empathy towards their struggles. PULSE
7. Former Rivers United assistant coach, Fatai Osho is now the favourite to take charge at Akwa United. Akwa United have parted ways with their erstwhile handler, Deji Ayeni, following the expiration of his contract. Ayeni took charge of the Uyo club mid-way through the 2021/22 season following the resignation of Kennedy Boboye. The Promise Keepers missed out on a place in the Nigeria Premier League Super Six playoffs and also suffered an early exit from the Federation Cup. The management of the club are now looking for a new gaffer to tinker the team with Osho their preferred choice. DAILY POST
8. World 100m hurdles champion, Tobi Amusan says she is delighted by the giant strides Nigerian track and field athletes are taking in repositioning the country globally. Amsuan, while congratulating Nigerian collegiate stars that shone like million stars at the just concluded 2023 NCAA Outdoor championships in Austin Texas, said she was once an NCAA champion in 2017 and understands the athlete’s emotions and nuances in the field of action. Former World U20 200m champion, Udodi Onwuzurike ran inside 20 seconds thrice in the course of the NCAA outdoor season, capping his impressive season with an equally impessive 19.76 lifetime best run in the half lap event and the historic 200m gold at the championships. LEADERSHIP
9. British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has ruled himself out of contention to succeed the secretary general of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg. Wallace said “it’s not going to happen” and there are a lot of unresolved issues in NATO. He said the U.S. wants Stoltenberg to stay in the role. Earlier in the month, U.S. President Joe Biden said he would support a NATO leader from the UK when he met with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at the White House. He indicated that Wallace was a “very qualified individual” but it “remains to be seen” who will get the job. Before his trip to the White House, Sunak said Wallace is widely respected across the world. VANGUARD
10. Bill Gates is widely known for his multi-billion dollar company Microsoft and for his charitable works in Africa and particularly Nigeria, where he has received the national honour of Commander of The Federal Republic. While addressing a gathering of Civil Society organizations and the media in a recent visit, the billionaire shared a short anecdote about his daughter, who said he was lucky to be visiting Nigeria since he would get to see Burna Boy and Rema. The philanthropist went on to say that he couldn’t share in his daughter’s enthusiasm as he didn’t either of them. He did, however, recall seeing Davido and Wizkid perform during one of his visits to Nigeria.Gates’ statement has since caused a stir on social media as the billionaire has inadvertently echoed the words of Davido who recently referred to Burna Boy as a “New Cat” during an interview with a French media platform. PULSE
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