Hello and welcome! In today’s trending news stories;
1. Journalist and filmmaker Dan Bello, known for his satirical skits, has responded to the Kano Chapter of the APC’s call for his arrest by releasing an exposé on alleged public funds theft by former Kano commissioner Murtala Sule Garo. In his skit, Bello accused Garo of embezzling N10 billion, which was supposedly meant for diesel purchases for water treatment plants. He provided documents and receipts linking Garo to the crime, claiming that Garo funneled the money through companies he owned, converted it to Saudi Riyals, and invested in real estate in Makkah. Bello criticized the APC for corruption, referencing past allegations against other Kano officials, including former governor Umar Ganduje.
2. The CCC (NYSC) has denied reports circulating on social media that corps members’ bank accounts are being upgraded to accommodate a new N70,000 minimum wage. The NYSC stated that no directive has been issued by the government to start paying this amount. In a statement from NYSC’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Eddy Megwa, the corps labeled the report as false and misleading. The NYSC advised corps members and the public to disregard such misinformation and warned bloggers and influencers against spreading unauthorized statements about the organization.
3. Tomato prices in Nigeria have dropped to a seven-month low due to the new harvest season and a break in the July/August rains. From January to August 2024, tomato prices fell by 58%, with a big basket now costing between N45,000 and N75,000 across major markets, compared to N120,000 earlier in the year. A small basket now costs N6,500, down from N13,000. The price drop is attributed to the current harvest and favorable weather conditions. Similarly, the price of Habanero peppers has decreased by 63% from its peak. This price reduction brings relief to Nigerians who had previously substituted tomatoes with cheaper alternatives. Despite the drop, experts warn that prices may rise again as market conditions normalize.
4. Hezbollah fired a large number of rockets at northern Israel on Sunday night, escalating tensions as Israeli forces remain on high alert for potential Iranian retaliation following the assassination of a Hamas leader in July. This rocket fire, a near-daily event since the Gaza conflict began, was described by Hezbollah as support for Palestinians and retaliation for Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon, where 12 people were injured. Although about 30 rockets were launched, no injuries were reported in Israel. The situation remains tense, with Israeli forces prepared for potential Iranian attacks, and mediators pushing for ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas to prevent a wider regional conflict.
5. The 2024 Paris Olympics concluded on Sunday night with the U.S. and China tying for the most gold medals at 40 each, though the U.S. led in total medals with 125. U.S. gymnast Jordan Chiles must return her bronze medal due to an appeal being ruled invalid. The U.S. women’s basketball team narrowly won gold, and the Netherlands’ Sifan Hassan claimed victory in the women’s marathon. The closing ceremony featured performances by French and American artists as Paris handed off the Games to Los Angeles, which will host in 2028 with plans for a climate-conscious event. The Paralympics, also in Paris, begin on August 28. Sadly, Nigeria took home no medal at the tournament this year.
6. Nigerians have reacted to the crowning of Mia Le Roux as the 2024 Miss South Africa, the first deaf woman to win the title. The 28-year-old model and marketing manager from Free State was crowned at a ceremony in Pretoria. Her win follows a divisive competition where finalist Chidimma Adetshina, a law student, withdrew amid a citizenship controversy linked to her Nigerian heritage. Adetshina faced allegations of identity theft involving her mother, sparking discussions on xenophobia and Afrophobia in South Africa. Reactions to Le Roux’s win have been mixed, with some celebrating her victory while others, including Nigerian figures like Burna Boy and Reno Omokri, expressing dissatisfaction, particularly concerning the treatment of Adetshina.
