Hello and welcome! In today’s trending news stories;
1. An officer of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Deputy Comptroller Etop Andrew Essien, died after developing sudden health complications during an engagement with a House Committee at the National Assembly on June 25, 2024. Despite efforts from first responders and medical personnel at the National Assembly Clinic, he passed away around 1:00 pm. The House of Representatives, led by Speaker Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, expressed deep sadness and extended condolences to Essien’s family, friends, and colleagues, acknowledging his contributions to the NCS and the nation. President Bola Tinubu also expressed profound sadness, commiserating with the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and the entire NCS, and offered prayers for Essien’s family. The House is cooperating with relevant authorities to understand the circumstances surrounding the incident.
2. On Tuesday, members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) national transition committee protested at the Labour Party (LP) headquarters in Abuja, demanding the resignation of National Chairman Julius Abure, claiming his tenure had expired. Led by acting Chairman Abdulwaheed Omar, the protesters, chanting solidarity songs, were denied entry and dispersed by police using teargas. The Labour Party has faced a leadership crisis since Deputy National Chairman (South) Lamidi Apapa declared himself acting national chairman last year. Despite opposition, Abure was re-elected at a controversial national convention in Anambra, which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) did not monitor. The party’s Board of Trustees labeled the convention a charade and stated Abure’s tenure was over. In May, the LP formed a transition committee to revitalize the party and prepare for a new national convention.
3. WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is on his way to Australia after a US court in Saipan freed him following his guilty plea to a single charge of espionage as part of a deal with the US Justice Department. Assange’s sentence was equivalent to the five years and two months he had already served in a UK prison. The court ruled that he could go free immediately. His flight to Canberra, accompanied by Australia’s ambassador to the US, Kevin Rudd, was scheduled to arrive at 7:39 PM local time. Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese welcomed the development and thanked those who supported Assange’s release.
4. On Tuesday, five people were shot dead and 31 wounded during protests in Kenya over proposed tax hikes, according to the Kenya Medical Association. The protests, which began last week and have been mainly led by the youths, saw escalated violence as crowds clashed with police near the parliament. Police shot dead one protester near parliament, with AFP journalists witnessing three others lying motionless. The Kenya Human Rights Commission reported that police shot four protesters, killing one. The protests intensified as demonstrators, angered by a cost-of-living crisis, pushed back against barricades and threw stones at police. The crowds were trying to breach the parliament complex, where lawmakers were debating the controversial finance bill proposing tax hikes. Amnesty International Kenya reported the increasing use of live bullets by police in Nairobi. Despite a heavy police presence, thousands of protesters marched through Nairobi’s business district, chanting and livestreaming their actions. Protests also took place in other cities, including Mombasa, Kisumu, and Eldoret. The government, caught off guard by the scale of the protests, saw President William Ruto expressing willingness to talk to the demonstrators over the weekend
5. The House of Representatives Committee on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Nigeria has threatened to sanction telecommunications companies MTN and Airtel for repeatedly ignoring their invitations to discuss their CSR initiatives. Committee Chairman Rep. Oby Orogbu stated that the companies have been warned to comply or face a warrant of arrest. The CSR bill under consideration aims to sanction companies failing to perform CSR. Stakeholders expressed mixed reactions, with concerns about the proposed penalties and the financial burdens on companies. Representatives from the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Oil Producers Trade Section suggested alternative approaches and exemptions for certain industries
6. The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has delayed approving a new minimum wage for Nigerian workers to allow President Bola Tinubu to consult further with various stakeholders. Minister of Information Mohammed Idris announced that the decision to step down the memorandum on the Tripartite Committee’s report was made during a FEC meeting. The President plans to consult with state and local governments, the organized private sector, and labor groups before submitting an executive bill to the National Assembly. The consultations are necessary as the minimum wage issue affects multiple entities beyond the federal government. This decision follows a stalemate in the Tripartite Committee’s meeting, where the government and private sector proposed N62,000, while labor unions demanded N250,000
7. Socialite Pascal Okechukwu, known as Cubana Chief Priest, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have reached an out-of-court settlement over charges of naira abuse against him. Justice Kehinde Ogundare of the Federal High Court in Lagos ordered Okechukwu to forfeit N10 million to the federal government as a fine. The terms of the settlement, which both parties signed, include Okechukwu promising to be of good behavior, conducting campaigns against naira abuse, and posting sensitization videos on social media. Consequently, the court dismissed the charges against him. The EFCC had charged Okechukwu with tampering with and spraying naira notes at social events, violating the Central Bank Act of 2007
8. Afrobeat star Davido married his long-time partner Chioma Rowland in a lavish ceremony at Harbour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos. The event, held on Tuesday, was attended by top celebrities and dignitaries, including the Ooni of Ife, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and several state governors. The wedding, tagged #Chivido2024, trended widely on social media. Davido and Chioma’s relationship, which began several years ago, became official in 2018. They got engaged in 2019 but postponed their wedding due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The couple faced personal challenges, including the tragic loss of their son in 2022, but welcomed twins in October 2023. The wedding followed Davido’s recent confirmation of their marriage, solidifying their long-standing friendship and relationship
