Good morning! In today’s trending news stories;
1. Chief Frank Kokori, the former General Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has died at 80 years old. He passed away on the day he was supposed to celebrate his 80th birthday due to a kidney-related ailment at a private hospital in Warri, Delta State. Kokori was an activist associated with the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) and gained prominence in the struggle for the validation of the annulled June 12, 1993, presidential election. Various dignitaries and associates are expressing their condolences and tributes to Kokori, highlighting his contributions to the struggle for democracy in Nigeria.
2. Dangote Refinery, Africa’s largest at $20 billion, is set to start fuel production as the first shipment of 950,000 barrels of Nigeria’s Agbami crude arrives. The refinery aims to meet 12% of Africa’s product demand, reducing continental petroleum imports by 36%. Owned in part by NNPC, it will produce gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and propane. Dangote prioritizes supplying petrol to Nigeria before exporting. The facility, expected to create over 100,000 jobs, faced delays but is now gearing up for production, with full operational capacity projected around mid-2025.
3. Writer and poet Benjamin Zephaniah has died at the age of 65. He passed away after an eight-week battle with a brain tumor. He was a prolific author, actor, and a Peaky Blinders cast member. Zephaniah, known for rejecting an OBE in 2003, was a vocal advocate against colonialism and racism. Tributes have poured in from various figures in literature, entertainment, and beyond, mourning the loss of a “titan of British literature.”
4. The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Wike, has dismissed a protest demanding his resignation, labeling it as sponsored. Despite acknowledging the right to demonstrations in a democratic setting, Wike remains unfazed and suggests that the protesters were paid. He emphasizes his commitment to the well-being of FCT residents and asserts that his administration will make decisions for the benefit of the majority.
5. An unidentified truck collided with a pedestrian bridge at Alapere Estate in the Ketu axis of Lagos around midnight on Friday. The incident, shared by an eyewitness on social media, caused injuries to about five people from a bus near the accident site. The bridge was destroyed as a result of the impact.
6. Everton secured a 3-0 victory over Newcastle, moving them out of the Premier League relegation zone despite a 10-point deduction for financial rule breaches. Dwight McNeil, Abdoulaye Doucoure, and Beto scored the goals. The Toffees, motivated by perceived injustice, are now one point clear of the bottom three. Newcastle, seventh in the league, suffered due to errors by Kieran Trippier and fatigue. Everton fans protested the points deduction, but the team’s fortunes improved. Despite missed chances by Newcastle, Everton capitalized on opportunities to claim a crucial win.
7. Reality star Laura Ikeji has publicly confronted actress Iyabo Ojo over their ongoing feud during the finale of Real Housewives of Lagos Season 2. Laura accused Iyabo of constant irritation and attempted to bully her, mentioning a past altercation for which she apologized multiple times due to the respect she had for Iyabo. However, Laura now claims to have zero respect for Iyabo, withdrawing all past apologies. She expressed a willingness to confront Iyabo if she returns for Season 3, vowing not to shy away from a fight.
