Good Morning. Here’s a recap of top trending news stories this morning.
1. Executive Director of Project Implementation at the Federal Housing Authority, Remi Omowaiy has stated that the proposed 50,000 Federal Government Housing Scheme aims to rejuvenate the economy. Speaking in Modakeke, Osun State, Omowaiye noted that the scheme would create jobs and benefit real estate-related businesses. At the event, 750 community members received business grants totaling about N3.7 million.
2. The organized labour has insisted that its indefinite strike will commence today due to the federal government’s refusal to increase the minimum wage above N60,000. Labour demands N494,000 and reaffirmed their stance after a three-hour meeting in Abuja with the National Assembly leadership and top government officials.
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3. Intending travellers have been left stranded as all entry points into the domestic terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport are inaccessible. Entry points were blocked due to an industrial action by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC). A video online shows intending passengers lamenting their inability to access the airport.
4. The Ekiti State Government has approved N1.197 billion for various projects, including road construction, flood prevention, and the procurement and distribution of agricultural inputs to farmers. The government will pay final compensation for airport land acquisition. The approvals include N301.98 million as the final compensation tranche to 377 claimants affected by the airport acquisition process.
5. Nigeria experienced about 604 building collapses between 1974 and May 30, 2024, according to the Building Collapse Prevention Guild. Lagos State accounted for 57.28% of these incidents, with over 346 collapses in the past 50 years. Anambra, Abuja, and Oyo followed with 3.98%, 3.65%, and 3.48% respectively. In 2022, Taraba, Bayelsa, Gombe, and Yobe States reported their first building collapses. States like Zamfara, Taraba, Yobe, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Sokoto, Gombe, Katsina, and Kebbi each recorded only one collapse.
6. The Q1’24 GDP report from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reveals contractions in key sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, and trade, indicating a rising unemployment rate, according to Financial Derivatives Company (FDC). Although the GDP grew by 2.98% in Q1’24, which is 0.67% higher than Q1’23, it is slower than the 3.46% growth in Q4’23, suggesting an “underwhelming performance.”
7. An ex-employee, identified as Zubar, along with an accomplice named Rasaq, killed businessman Ali Usman in the Agbowa Ikosi community in Epe, Lagos State. Usman, from Kwara State, was ambushed by the suspects while riding his motorcycle with his son near his home. The attackers repeatedly hit Usman’s head with sticks until he lost consciousness, leaving his five-year-old son unharmed. They then stole Usman’s valuables, including N3.2 million, before fleeing the scene.
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8. The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has announced plans to upgrade infrastructure at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu and to establish a full cargo processing hub to serve the South East. However, these plans are still under discussion between the Enugu State Government and the ministry.
9. The Borno State government has implemented a spiritual strategy to address the recurring destruction of electricity towers along the Maiduguri-Damaturu Road. Governor Babagana Zulum ordered the recitation of the Holy Quran to combat the vandalism. The session, overseen by Abba Ali Abbari, Chairman of Konduga Local Area, involved Islamic scholars and traditional leaders. During the session, the local government’s information officer publicly invoked spiritual curses on those responsible for the vandalism.
10. Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has initiated the construction of four rural roads, totaling 39.8 kilometers, to connect several agrarian communities across four local government areas. The projects include a 13km road from Turawa to Dinya through Soba LGA, a 6km asphalt road from Rafin Guza in Kaduna North LGA to Kukumaki in Igabi LGA, a 15km road connecting Kasuwan Magani to Wusar in Kajuru LGA, and a 5.8km road from Gwaraji to Wusar, linking Igabi and Kajuru LGAs.