Hello and welcome! In today’s trending news stories;
1. The House of Representatives has passed a bill to revert to Nigeria’s old national anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” replacing the current anthem, “Arise, O Compatriots,” which has been in use since 1978. The bill swiftly passed through all readings. House Leader Professor Julius Ihonvbere argued that the old anthem is a national symbol that better acknowledges the nation’s realities. However, Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda opposed the bill, citing the colonial origins of the old anthem and questioning its priority amid national challenges. Despite this, the bill passed and moved to the Senate, where it also cleared the first and second readings. The Senate has referred the bill to the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters, with a report expected in two weeks. Senators supporting the bill believe it will foster unity, peace, and prosperity.
2. Four years after being deposed, Muhammadu Sanusi II has been reinstated as the Emir of Kano by Governor Abba Yusuf. This reinstatement followed the repeal of the Kano State Emirates Council Law of 2019, which divided the Kano Emirate into five separate emirates under the administration of Yusuf’s predecessor, Abdullahi Ganduje. The controversial division led to Sanusi’s removal in 2020 due to accusations of insubordination and disrespect. Governor Yusuf’s new law restores the Kano Emirate to its pre-2019 status and voids all appointments made under the 2019 law, giving current emirs 48 hours to vacate their palaces. This move reversed Ganduje’s policy, which many saw as politically motivated to weaken Sanusi. Sanusi’s removal was widely viewed as political retribution for his criticisms of government corruption and financial mismanagement.
3. Nigeria’s Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, announced the federal government’s decision to revert to the original alignment for the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway between km 16 and 25. This decision, made during the 3rd stakeholders meeting in Lagos, follows significant concerns from stakeholders, including telecommunications companies and residents of the Okun Ajah community, about the new route. The original alignment will result in the demolition of 750 houses, while the new route would have demolished 490 houses. Representatives from MTN, 2Africa, and other telecoms highlighted the potential disruption to critical infrastructure, such as the 2Africa submarine cable and a 50-megawatt power plant, if the new alignment was pursued. Umahi claimed the decision was influenced by President Bola Tinubu’s intervention and was not solely due to community pushback. The announcement was met with relief and applause from the Okun Ajah residents, who had expressed concerns about the potential loss of their properties. President Tinubu is scheduled to flag off the coastal road project in Lagos on Sunday.
4. Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka in an interview with Noble Eyisi, expressed his hope that former Anambra governor Peter Obi would not run for the presidency in the 2027 election. Soyinka criticized Obi for allegedly encouraging the hostile behavior of his supporters, known as ‘Obidients’, and claimed this conduct disqualifies him from leadership. Soyinka argued that Obi controls these divisive forces and warned that political leaders who endorse such actions may eventually face backlash. He emphasized his disappointment in leaders promoting such divisive behavior, stating it reveals their incompetence to govern a diverse society.
5. Nigerian highlife singer Chinedu Okoli, known as Flavour, has announced the passing of his father, Elder Onyemaechi Okoli, who died on May 22, 2023. Flavour shared the news on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, writing in Igbo, “My father, Ijele’s father, rest well. God gave and God has taken.” Fans and colleagues have been sending their condolences, but the family has not yet announced funeral arrangements.
6. Nigerian singer, actor, and politician Olubankole Wellington, popularly known as Banky W, announced on Instagram that he has survived cancer once again. Sharing a video of his treatment and recovery, he captioned it: “Final Score- Christ 4- Cancer Tumors 0”. Banky W credited his faith in God for helping him through the ordeal, emphasizing that while faith might not prevent challenges, it helps in overcoming them. He shared his story to encourage others facing difficulties. He expressed gratitude to his wife, Adesuwa Wellington, and his doctors, Dr. Onyedika and Dr. Adenuga, for their support. Banky W celebrated his victory over cancer and prayed for it not to return.
7. On the May 23 match between Al-Nassr and Al-Riyadh, Al-Nassr needed a late goal to secure a 2-2 draw against relegation-threatened Al-Riyadh after a disappointing performance. Despite being favorites, Al-Nassr struggled throughout the match. Otavio’s deflected shot gave them an early lead, but Cristiano Ronaldo missed several key chances. Al-Riyadh equalized through Andre Gray and took the lead with a stunning bicycle kick from Mohammed Al-Aqel. Ronaldo’s woes continued in the second half, and Aymeric Laporte was sent off for an off-the-ball slap, reducing Al-Nassr to ten men. Meshari Al-Nemer finally equalized in the seventh minute of injury time. Al-Nassr will face Al-Ittihad next and then prepare for the King’s Cup final against Al-Hilal.
