Hello and welcome! In today’s trending news stories;
1. Nigeria’s Aviation Minister, Festus Keyamo, announced the return of Emirates Airlines to Nigeria after a two-year hiatus, opening more international routes for local airlines. Speaking in Lagos, Keyamo confirmed the airline’s permanent return and said the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) with the UAE will secure these routes. He emphasized that Emirates’ return promotes competition and benefits Nigerians through better pricing. Keyamo credited President Tinubu for restoring ties with the UAE, which had been strained by visa suspensions, and called the new BASA a victory for Nigerians, particularly those with investments in the UAE.
2. The Defence Headquarters announced the dismissal of Seaman Abbas Haruna for disobedience, resisting arrest, and offenses related to public and service property. The dismissal, confirmed on September 19, 2024, followed a General Court Martial. Haruna had disrupted a military parade during a joint operation in Taraba in 2018, resisted arrest, and fired 16 rounds of ammunition. His wife, Hussaina Iliyasu, claimed he was unlawfully detained for nearly six years. Haruna pleaded guilty to all charges and was sentenced to a reduction in rank and dismissal. Authorities clarified that he was mentally stable before the trial.
3. President Bola Tinubu left Nigeria for the United Kingdom on October 2 for a two-week annual leave, a working vacation. His spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, stated that Tinubu will use the time to reflect on his administration’s economic reforms. However, the announcement sparked mixed reactions among Nigerians, with some criticizing the timing due to the country’s economic hardships and others choosing to vacation in a foreign country rather than a resort in Nigeria. A few defended his decision, saying he deserves rest for his efforts in office. Some also expected him to hand over duties to Vice President Kashim Shettima during his absence.
4. A large crowd gathered at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secretariat in Port Harcourt before the October 5 local government elections, causing traffic congestion and prompting a security presence. Protesters, holding placards with slogans like “Say no to LGA election” and “RSIEC must obey court judgment,” opposed the election amidst ongoing tension between Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. The protest, which included PDP and Tony Okocha-led APC members, centered on court rulings preventing the release of the voter register for the election. Despite this, Fubara vowed to proceed with the election and implemented restrictions on movement during the election period.
5. At least 60 bodies were recovered after a boat carrying 300 people capsized on October 1 at the Gbajibo River in Mokwa, Niger State. The boat was en route to the annual Maulud celebration when the accident occurred. Local authorities confirmed ten people were rescued, with several still missing. Rescuers, including the State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) and local volunteers, are continuing search efforts. NSEMA Director-General Abdullahi Baba-Arah reported that 150 people were rescued, while investigations into the cause of the accident are ongoing. This is the third boat accident in the area in recent months.
6. In August, Maria Makgato and Lucia Ndlovu were allegedly shot and killed by Zachariah Johannes Olivier, a farm owner in Limpopo, South Africa, while searching for food. Olivier reportedly fed their bodies to his pigs to hide the crime. The incident occurred on August 17 and has fueled racial tensions in the country. Olivier and two employees, Adrian de Wet and William Musora, face charges of murder and attempted murder for shooting Lucia’s husband, Mabutho Ncube, who survived and reported the crime. Makgato’s family, especially her four sons, are devastated. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party called for the farm’s closure, and the South African Human Rights Commission urged anti-racism dialogues. The case is part of a broader trend of racially charged violence, including two recent incidents in Mpumalanga and Western Cape, where racial tensions have escalated.
7. Kemi Badenoch, the Nigerian-born British Secretary of State for Business and Trade, is facing backlash after reportedly mocking migrant care workers by calling them “bottom wipers.” Her comments, aimed at highlighting the influx of low-wage migrant workers in the UK care sector, sparked outrage on social media and among advocacy groups. Critics argue that her remarks disrespect care workers, who played crucial roles during the COVID-19 pandemic. Supporters claim she emphasized the need for better job opportunities in skilled professions. Badenoch, known for her outspoken views, spent part of her childhood in Lagos, Nigeria.
