Housing TV Africa

Good Morning. Here’s a recap of top trending news stories this morning

1. The Africa International Housing Show (AIHS) has announced a strategic collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development for its 18th edition, taking place from July 20-27 2024 at the National Stadium. The event will gather top stakeholders in the housing and construction sectors to address the critical issue of “Financing the Housing We Need,” with a focus on sustainable and affordable housing for low-income earners. Festus Adebayo, the Coordinator of AIHS, highlighted the importance of the collaboration with the ministry, stating that it is a significant boost to the event.

2. Organised labour appears to have backed down on its demand for N250,000 as minimum wage. Trade Union Congress (TUC) President Festus Osifo said yesterday that there was nothing sacrosanct about the N250,000, adding that labour was receptive to adjustments.

3. As the threat of a cholera outbreak looms over several states in Nigeria, the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) has urged citizens to exercise caution and prioritize health and safety, particularly during the Salah celebrations. According to the Director-General of the NBMA, Dr. Agnes Asagbra, 1,141 suspected cases and 30 deaths have been reported across Bayelsa, Zamfara, Abia, Cross River, Bauchi, Delta, Katsina, Imo, Nasarawa, and Lagos States.

4. The family of Mr John Ekpono from Agharoza, Iboko in Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State has been rendered homeless after they faced a violent attack from some youths in the area. The youths, influenced by a religious figure’s revelation that accused Ekpono of being the cause of the community’s stagnation, went on a rampage, destroying Ekpono’s houses, farmlands, and other possessions. The incident left Ekpono’s family in tears and anguish, as their livelihood was destroyed based on unfounded allegations.

5. The Nigeria Police Force has flagged alarming irregularities and corruption in the recently released list of successful candidates for the 2022/23 police constable recruitment. According to force spokesman ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, thorough review of the published list revealed several anomalies, including names of individuals who did not participate in the recruitment process, names of candidates who failed the Computer Based Test or physical screening, and even those disqualified due to medical unfitness.

6. The Tin Can Island command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Friday announced a significant drug bust that resulted in the interception of over 2,000 packets of Cannabis indica, imported from Canada, valued at a staggering N3.2 billion. The command also seized Codeine syrup, Tramadol, and other contraband from India worth N964.3 million, bringing the total value of seized drugs to an impressive N4.16 billion.

7. Socio-political commentator, Reno Omokri, has posited that the Nigerian government should end monetary spending on prisons and prisoners suggesting that it is unfair that law-abiding citizens struggle to provide for themselves while inmates receive such benefits. In his opinion, prisoners should be made to work on farms and build infrastructure in exchange for their food and board, as is done in China.

8. Governor Seyi Makinde has approved the appointment of Esv Sarafadeen Toyeshe Lawal (FNIVS) as the General Manager of the Oyo State Housing Corporation. This was contained in a letter dated 14th of June, 2024 and signed by the Head of Service, Mrs Olubunmi Oni. Before his appointment Lawal, the Director of Estate, Town Planning & Survey has been serving as the Head and Coordinating Director of the Corporation.

9. Torrential rainfall early Friday morning caused significant damage to the Plateau State Specialists Hospital in Jos, leaving doctors and health officials stranded and scrambling for safety. Confirming the incident to City Round, the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Prof Christopher Yilgwan, revealed that affected medical staff had been relocated to other locations to ensure their safety and well-being, while efforts to mitigate the effects of the storm were underway.

10. The Federal Government has approved the deployment of additional 350 mining marshals to various parts of the country for effective safeguarding of the nation’s minerals resources. This was as the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, declared that the deployment of additional operatives to the mining marshals underscores the federal government’s commitment to reforming the mining sector. It will be recalled that government early this year inaugurated the first batch of 2,220 mining marshals to secure mining sites.