Good Morning. Here’s a recap of top trending news stories this morning.
1. President Bola Tinubu has signed a bill into law to revert to Nigeria’s old national anthem, originally adopted at the country’s independence on October 1, 1960. The current anthem, which was introduced in 1978 by the Olusegun Obasanjo military regime, will be replaced. Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced this at a joint session of the National Assembly.
2. The Housing Development Advocacy Network (HDAN) praised the Tinubu-led administration for its housing sector performance, noting solid foundations for sustainable development. However, Executive Director Festus Adebayo highlighted challenges due to high interest rates, urging government incentives for first-time homeowners and better strategies for affordable housing delivery.
3. The Federal Government has announced an intensified crackdown on illicit mining, detaining numerous unlicensed miners since April for allegedly stealing lithium, a crucial mineral used in batteries for power systems, cellphones, and electric cars. The government also revealed that solid minerals theft costs the country’s Gross Domestic Product approximately $9 billion annually.
4. The Nasarawa State Government has allocated 25 hectares of land to the Federal Housing Authority for the Renewed Hope Housing program, as revealed by Governor Abdullahi Sule during a visit from the FHA’s Managing Director, Hon. Oyetunde Ojo, on May 28, 2024.
5. Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has approved various projects for the Nigeria Air Force (NAF). These include completing a boarding school in Zarama community, a primary school at the Air Force Base, and a training center in Angalabiri community. He also instructed the completion of documentation for the Certificate of Occupancy for the NAF’s permanent site near the state airport.
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6. Abuja residents will enjoy free rides on the Abuja Rail Mass Transit (ARMT) until the end of the year, following its inauguration yesterday by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The President requested that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, extend the initially promised two-month free ride period until December.
7. Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that his administration inherited 34 uncompleted projects valued at over N225.279 billion, spanning 13 local government areas. He also stated that the Rivers State Government, under his leadership, has awarded nine new road projects worth N534.332 billion.
8. The Abia state government has commissioned a new 3.5-kilometer, 6-lane road. This newly constructed highway, stretching from Okpara Square to Express Tower Roundabout, is expected to significantly improve traffic flow and reduce congestion within the city.
9. Despite complaints about low power generation and gas shortages affecting supply, Nigerian electricity distribution companies managed to increase their monthly revenue from N95 billion in January to N100 billion in March 2024. In February, they generated N97 billion in revenue, according to data from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission.
10. A fire incident destroyed property worth millions of naira when it engulfed several wooden shanties at Tejuosho Market in Yaba, Lagos State. The blaze reportedly began in a room where a community member had left food unattended on a gas cooker.