Hello and welcome! In today’s trending news stories;
1. Adams Oshiomhole, Senator representing Edo North, sparked outrage by commenting that Betsy Obaseki, wife of Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki, “has no child.” The controversy arose after Betsy Obaseki claimed that only the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo, had a wife among the contenders, implying this was a reason for women to support him. In response, Oshiomhole criticized her statement, pointing out that she and her husband are childless and have not adopted. His remarks received backlash on social media, with many criticizing the personal nature of his comments and calling for civility in political discourse.
2. Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has threatened to instigate political crises in any state where a governor interferes with Rivers State’s politics. This warning follows a recent decision by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors to support Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and seek control of the party’s structure in the state. Wike, addressing his loyalists, asserted his continued leadership of the PDP in Rivers State and vowed to resist any attempt to remove the structure he established. He also criticized the governors and promised to retaliate if they interfered. Wike further emphasized his commitment to the PDP and warned against external interference, hinting at possible defections within the party.
3. The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has acknowledged that the ongoing fuel scarcity in the country is largely due to its outstanding debt to international oil traders. NNPC spokesperson Olufemi Soneye confirmed that supply disruptions have been caused by these debts, although the corporation did not disclose the exact amount owed. Reports indicate that NNPC is struggling to maintain fuel supply after the removal of the fuel subsidy in May 2023, with debts potentially amounting to $6.8 billion. The corporation is seeking financial relief from the federal government, raising concerns about a possible reintroduction of the subsidy amid growing social anxiety. Fuel scarcity has returned to major cities like Lagos and Abuja, with prices reaching as high as N1,000 per liter.
4. Eniola Bolaji, an 18-year-old Nigerian athlete, won Nigeria’s first medal at the 2024 Paris Paralympics by securing a bronze in the women’s singles SL3 badminton event. She defeated Ukraine’s Kozyna Oksana 2-0 in a dominant third-place match, winning both sets 21-9. Bolaji made history earlier by becoming the first African to reach the semi-finals of a badminton event at the Paralympics, though she lost to China’s Xiao Zhuxian. Bolaji dedicated her win to her late coach, Bello Rafiu Oyebanji, who passed away while she was preparing for the Tokyo Olympics. Other Nigerian athletes, including Flora Ugwunwa in women’s shot put and Kayode Alabi and Isau Ogunkunle in men’s table tennis, compete in the Games.
5. Chidimma Adetshina, a 23-year-old law student with Nigerian roots, won the Miss Universe Nigeria title after withdrawing from the Miss South Africa contest due to a controversy over her citizenship. Born to a Nigerian father and a South African mother, Adetshina faced backlash from South Africans, including government officials, who questioned her eligibility to represent South Africa. Following an investigation into her citizenship and her mother’s alleged identity theft, Adetshina withdrew from the contest for her safety. She was later invited to compete in Miss Universe Nigeria, where she emerged victorious. Adetshina will now represent Nigeria at the Miss Universe competition in November.
6. Nigerian international music star Rema, whose real name is Divine Ikubor, donated N150 million to Christ Embassy Church in Benin City, Edo State. The donation was made in gratitude for the church’s support during his family’s difficult times, especially after the loss of his father when he was eight years old. Rema, who was in the state for the Edo@33 celebrations, explained that the church had helped his mother start a business, which sustained the family. His donation includes funds for the church’s infrastructure, the Rhapsody of Realities publication, support for the teen church, and assistance for widows.
