Hello and welcome! In today’s trending news stories;
1. Ekene Abubakar Adams, a 39-year-old member of the House of Representatives from the Labour Party (LP), has died. As a first-time lawmaker, he chaired the House Committee on Sports and was praised for his dedication to grassroots sports development. His passing marks the third death of a House member this year, following the recent deaths of Olaide Akinremi and Isa Dogonyaro. Akinremi, known as Jagaban, was a 51-year-old representative of Ibadan North from the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Dogonyaro represented the Babura/Garki Federal Constituency of Jigawa State, also under the APC. Both were remembered for their contributions and the strong bonds they formed within the House.
2. Peter Obi is set to celebrate his 63rd birthday on July 19th and has urged well-wishers to donate gifts to support care homes, schools, and hospitals instead. He emphasized the importance of prayer for Nigeria and called on political leaders to prioritize the needs of the poor and marginalized. Despite the celebratory occasion, there are ongoing online criticisms and skepticism about his political future. Notwithstanding, Obi reflected on his life and contributions, encouraging others to remain faithful to Nigeria and their respective nations.
3. Following the lifting of the visa ban on Nigerian passport holders, the UAE has set a non-refundable application fee of ₦640,000 for visas, significantly higher than the previous fee of $100. Applicants must also obtain a Document Verification Number (DVN) before applying. This fee does not guarantee visa approval and is valid for only 14 days. Many Nigerians have expressed outrage on social media, calling the fee exploitative. The announcement came after Nigeria’s government engaged in discussions with the UAE to resolve diplomatic disputes, leading to the resumption of visa issuance and direct flights. Additionally, 190 Nigerians were repatriated from the UAE as part of ongoing government efforts.
4. Real Madrid officially welcomed Kylian Mbappé in a grand ceremony at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, attended by nearly 80,000 fans. The 25-year-old French star signed a five-year contract and wore the number nine jersey. Mbappé expressed his long-time dream of playing for Madrid and committed to honoring the club’s history. The event featured cheers, a speech in Spanish, and interactions with club president Florentino Pérez and former player Zinedine Zidane. Mbappé emphasized his dedication to the club and excitement for the upcoming season, where Madrid will start their La Liga campaign on August 19 against Mallorca.
5. Gareth Southgate has resigned as England manager following their Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain, confirmed by the English Football Association (FA) on Tuesday. Southgate’s contract was set to expire in December, but he chose to step down after eight years in the role. He expressed pride in his tenure and the honor of managing England. Southgate, 53, led England to significant achievements, including the 2018 World Cup semifinals, the Euro 2020 final, and the 2022 World Cup quarterfinals. The FA has begun the search for his successor, with candidates like Eddie Howe, Graham Potter, and Mauricio Pochettino in consideration. FA chief executive Mark Bullingham praised Southgate’s contributions, while England captain Harry Kane expressed his gratitude on social media.
6. The Nigerian police have arrested Linus Williams, CEO of Blord Group of Companies, on suspicions of terrorism funding, cryptocurrency fraud, and aiding internet fraud. The investigation, led by the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), targets Blord Group and its subsidiaries—Blord Real Estate Ltd, Blord Jetpaye Limited, and Billpoint Technology—for various offenses, including non-compliance with CBN regulations. The police emphasized their commitment to ensuring a safe cyberspace in Nigeria during the ongoing investigation.
7. Wizkid celebrated his 34th birthday on Tuesday, marking his influential journey in Nigerian music since his debut in 2011 with Superstar. He has set remarkable records, including being the first Nigerian artist to enter the Guinness World Records, reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and win a main category at the BET Awards. His contributions have significantly impacted the Afrobeats scene, inspiring a generation of artists. Reekado Banks praised his influence, while Wizkid expressed gratitude for the birthday messages from fans and colleagues.
