Hello and welcome! In today’s trending news stories;
1. The National Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have declared an indefinite strike starting June 3, 2024, following failed negotiations with the government over a new minimum wage. The unions demanded a raise to address increased living costs due to recent government policies, proposing a minimum wage of ₦495,000, while the government offered ₦60,000, deeming the union’s demand unsustainable. The strike will impact essential services, including fuel distribution, health, and banking, as affiliates like NUPENG, NUEE, and others have been instructed to comply. Despite last-minute negotiations with the National Assembly, the unions proceeded with the strike. Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi called the strike premature and illegal, urging a return to negotiations to avoid unnecessary hardship for Nigerians.
2. The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has appealed to organized labour to consider the impact of their planned indefinite strike on students taking the West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE). Dr. Amos Dangut, Head of WAEC’s National Office, highlighted that many WAEC employees are members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), which have called for the strike starting June 3, 2024. WAEC, acknowledging the workers’ concerns, reminded the unions of their longstanding partnership and the ongoing WASSCE exams, which began on April 30 and will end on June 24. The upcoming week includes critical exams such as Physics, Economics, Government, and Civic Education. Dangut stressed that any disruption would disadvantage the candidates and urged stakeholders and unions to ensure the smooth continuation of the exams.
3. Abia State Governor Alex Otti has vowed to identify and prosecute those involved in the killing of five soldiers at Obikabia Junction. During a condolence visit to the 144 Battalion of the Nigerian Army in Asa, Ukwa West LGA, he expressed his sympathy to the families of the fallen soldiers and condemned the act as a criminal attempt to destabilize the state. Otti pledged to work with security agencies to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice, offering a 25 million Naira bounty for information leading to their capture. He also announced automatic university scholarships for the children of the deceased soldiers, ensuring the continuity of this support through legislation. The visit included various government officials, including the Speaker of the Abia House of Assembly and the Brigade Commander of the 14 Brigade Ohafia, who affirmed their ongoing efforts to apprehend the culprits.
4. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has revoked the license of Heritage Bank Plc due to its breach of Section 12 (1) of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA), 2020. Acting Director of Corporate Communication, Hakama Sidi Ali, announced this decision on June 3, 2024, citing the bank’s inability to improve its financial performance despite various supervisory interventions by the CBN. This step was taken to protect financial stability and maintain public confidence in the banking system. The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has been appointed as the bank’s liquidator. The CBN assured the public that the financial system remains robust.
5. Finidi George, recently appointed as Nigeria’s head coach, faces his first significant tests with the Super Eagles in the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin. These matches are crucial as Nigeria has only earned two points from their first two qualifiers in Group C. Despite the injury absence of Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, George relies on Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman and Bayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface. George previously led Enyimba to a league title and served as an assistant to former Nigeria coach Jose Peseiro, who took Nigeria to the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
6. South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged political parties to collaborate for the nation’s benefit following the African National Congress (ANC)’s historic loss of its parliamentary majority in the recent election. This marks the worst performance for the ANC, which led the country for 30 years since the end of white minority rule. The ANC’s support dropped to 40.2 percent from 57.5 percent in 2019, securing 159 seats out of 400, down from 230. The Democratic Alliance (DA) won 21.6 percent, and the new party uMkhonto we Sizwe, led by former president Jacob Zuma, garnered 14.7 percent. Despite the poor results, ANC officials support Ramaphosa, rejecting calls for his resignation. They acknowledged past governance mistakes and are committed to forming a stable government. Political parties have two weeks to negotiate before the new parliament convenes. The ANC may form alliances with the DA and the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) to secure governance. The ANC’s leadership will strategize their next steps in a forthcoming meeting.
7. Claudia Sheinbaum, candidate for the ruling Morena party, is projected to become Mexico’s first female president. Sheinbaum, a 61-year-old climate scientist and ally of outgoing President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, led in polls with support between 49% and 67%. She holds degrees in physics and energy engineering and has an esteemed academic career, including contributions to the Nobel Peace Prize-winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. She was the first woman elected as Mexico City’s head of government in 2018 and has held various political roles since 2000. Sheinbaum’s campaign focuses on continuing the “Fourth Transformation” policies of López Obrador, which aim to improve social welfare. However, she faces significant challenges, including addressing Mexico’s high rates of violence, homicide, and femicide, as well as improving security nationwide. The election, marked by violence, is seen as a referendum on López Obrador’s policies, particularly his approach to criminal violence. Sheinbaum’s presidency, set to begin October 1 pending electoral validation, coincides with upcoming US elections,
