Happy Independence Day! In today’s trending news stories;
1. President Bola Tinubu in the broadcast on the 63rd Independence Day speech, announced a new development. According to him, “Based on [the government’s] talks with labour, business and other stakeholders, [they] are introducing a provisional wage increment to enhance the federal minimum wage without causing undue inflation. For the next six months, the average low-grade worker shall receive an additional N25,000 per month.” He noted that his administration was doing all to reduce the effect caused by the fuel subsidy on Nigerians.
2. Judge Nancy Maldonado has ruled in favour of Atiku, denying the appeal filed by President Tinubu. The judge ordered the Chicago State University to release President Tinubu’s Academic Records by Monday, 2nd October. She added that the deposition of the Chicago State University must be completed by 5:00 p.m. CDT on Tuesday, October 3, 2023. She also reckoned that any request for a hold of the judgement pending appeal against her judgment to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeal will be denied
3. With an estimated N54.13 trillion domestic debt and s N33.25 trillion external debt at the end of the second quarter of 2023, Nigeria is on the row for yet another loan. The federal government of Nigeria is seeking for a new $1.5 billion loan from the World Bank. The loan which would be due in 2024 is entitled ‘Nigeria Human Capital for Opportunities and Empowerment.’ Punch Newspapers reports that there are also pending talks on five other loan projects.
4. The Federal Government has a plea bargain by Godwin Emefiele, the former CBN Governor to surrender a sum of N50 billion in order to facilitate an early release from the custody of the Department of the State Service (DSS). The announcement was made via a statement by the Director of Information in the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs Modupe Ogundoro.
5. Akwa Ibom state government-owned airline, Ibom Air is set to debut international services between Nigeria and Ghana from on October 17. The airline will connect Lagos and Accra with twice-daily flights. According to Ibom Air, “the 216-NM (250 miles, 400 km) flight will initially be served through the carrier’s Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft while the jet will be replaced with the larger Airbus A220 when the demand outgrows the CRJ.
6. Suicide Bombers target Turkey’s interior ministry. According to Reuters, “The explosion happened just hours before parliament was due to reconvene.” The explosion had left two officers injured. The identity of the attackers are still yet to be identified.
7. Award-winning Nigerian singer, Tems has caused a stir once again on social media due to her response to a fan who compared her looks in a recent photo to River goddess Yemoda which embodies Oshun. The star replied him stating that ” Jesus Christ… changed her life.”
