The Nigerian Army has withdrawn from the Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State as announced by Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, in a post on his verified Facebook account on Wednesday.

Army has Withdrawn from The Okuama community

On March 14, 2024, 17 military personnel were brutally killed in the Okuama community, leading to a military takeover of the area. The governor has now announced that residents of Okuoma can safely go back to their homes to start the reintegration and rebuilding process. The governor thanked President Bola Tinubu, Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, and the Nigerian Army leadership for their support and cooperation during this challenging time.

Oborevwori mentioned that his administration is committed to providing all the necessary support to help them settle down swiftly and happily in Okuama.

He wrote, “I have the pleasure to announce to you that upon many deliberations and collaborations between the state government and the military leadership, the Nigerian Army has agreed to withdraw its officers and men from Okuama.

“I spoke with the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja on Monday, 6th of May, and as at today, 8th of May, 2024, the military has withdrawn from Okuama. With this development, the people of Okuama can now safely return to their homes and begin the process of reintegration and rebuilding their homes.

I want to express my deep and profound gratitude to Mr. President, the COAS, and the hierarchy of the Nigerian Army for their understanding and cooperation. In my engagements with them, they demonstrated the highest level of concern and care for the plight of the displaced persons.

“To God be the glory that we have achieved an amicable resolution. I also extend my gratitude to members of the National Assembly, distinguished Nigerians, our traditional rulers, and other leaders of thought who stood with us in our travails. Your words of encouragement and prayers are greatly appreciated.

Let me assure all Deltans and residents in the state that this administration is irrevocably committed to enhanced peace and security in the state as contained in our MORE agenda. It is also pertinent to point out that matters of security are better handled with tact, wisdom, and patience; it is not meant to be a subject of daily media discourse as some would have wanted.

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As the people of Okuama start the process of returning to their homes, I pledge the commitment of the Delta State Government to make that process smooth and seamless. After a personal assessment of the community on the 20th of April, 2024, we have since commenced setting up an Internally Displaced Persons camp at Ewu to serve as a transition to aid their rehabilitation.

“We shall render all the necessary assistance they need to enable them to settle down quickly and joyfully in Okuama. It is my prayer and belief that never again would Delta experience the kind of tragedy that happened in Okuama.

Security, as we all know, is a shared responsibility. So, we will continue to count on the support and cooperation of every citizen to ensure that our state remains safe and peaceful. Once again, I commiserate with the families of the victims of the Okuama incident. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. God bless Delta State. God bless us all.”

President Bola Tinubu approved the National Anthem Bill 2024, restoring the old anthem “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.”

Tinubu Approves Legislation Reinstating Former National Anthem

This decision was announced by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during a session marking Nigeria’s 4th Republic Silver Jubilee.

The purpose was to launch the new national anthem, with Tinubu leaving to inaugurate the Abuja metro line. Both the Senate and the House of Representatives had passed the bill.

The previous anthem was “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” replaced in 1978 by “Arise, O Compatriots.” The event did not involve a speech by President Tinubu due to his prior engagement.

The old anthem “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” was replaced with the current one “Arise, O Compatriots in 1978.

Read the old anthem below:

Nigeria we hail thee,
Our own dear native land,
Though tribe and tongue may differ,
In brotherhood we stand,
Nigerians all, and proud to serve
Our sovereign Motherland.

Our flag shall be a symbol
That truth and justice reign,
In peace or battle honour’d,
And this we count as gain,
To hand on to our children
A banner without stain.

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The nation is eagerly awaiting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu‘s decision on the new national minimum wage in Nigeria.

Labour Criticizes Tinubu’s Approval of Minimum Wage, Says Government Is Not Serious Yet

The Tripartite Committee has recommended a minimum wage of ₦62,000, but labor leaders are pushing for ₦250,000, leading to a potential standoff.

The government’s proposal falls short of labor unions’ expectations, raising concerns about possible industrial unrest. Despite the committee’s conclusion, the divide between government and worker demands remains significant.

The Nigeria Labour Congress has criticized the government for not taking workers’ grievances seriously, citing the inadequacy of ₦62,000 to sustain a decent standard of living given the rising cost of living.

“No, not all. Far too low below the threshold. No deal. Govt is not serious yet.”

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) strongly supports the N250,000 minimum wage, stating its importance in addressing current socio-economic challenges.

Mr. Tommy Okon, TUC’s first deputy president, reaffirmed the organization’s unwavering support for this wage increase. He noted how it aligns with President Tinubu’s commitment to ensuring workers receive a living wage post fuel subsidy removal.

Okon justified the proposed amount by pointing out factors like housing, transportation, healthcare, education, and tariffs, all included in the cost of living index.

He expressed confidence in President Tinubu’s understanding of workers’ difficulties and urged him to seriously consider their proposal given the prevailing circumstances.

The labour leader said: “You are aware that our position is very clear on the minimum of N250,000. If we had done otherwise, you would have seen. So, we have taken our position to Mr. President, through the committee.

“So, let Mr. President decide. That is our position. We stand by ₦250,000 national minimum wage.

“Like I said, it is now at Mr. President’s prerogative, because what we have done is to help the government and also to help the President work this stuff. Remember, when Mr. President said fuel subsidy was gone, he said he was going to pay workers a living wage. So, we have been able to put out a variable facts that can technically prove that ₦250,000 could be manageable as a living wage. This is because when you look at the value of ₦62,000, and the present socioeconomic challenges, it cannot amount to what Mr. President referred to in his inaugural speech as a living wage.

“So, we are helping the government to work, because what the government has offered so far cannot be justifiable going by the present cost of living. The reason is that there is no variable fact to speak on it. Is it for housing? Is it for transportation? Is it for medical? Is it for education? Is it for tariff? These are indices that we have come to look at through the cost of living index that ₦250,000 is justifiable.

“So, that is what we are doing. And we believe that Mr. President is very sensitive, and that he would look at it as a democrat and see that, yes, what the workers have put forward is also considerable in line with the present reality. So, that is our position and we believe that Mr. President, who came on to announce the removal of fuel subsidy without consulting us, will also find a way to see that he appeases us, because when that was done, we never went on strike. So, in this case, Mr. President will also consider that they need to give us a wage of ₦250,000.”

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Images broadcasted in India depicted tangled wreckage of carriages, some flipped on their side, with one thrust high into the air and precariously balanced on another.

On June 17, 2024, spectators observe the aftermath of a collision between an express passenger Train and a goods train in Nirmaljote, near Rangapani station in India’s West Bengal state. (Photo by Diptendu DUTTA / AFP)

Seven individuals lost their lives in a collision between an express passenger train and a goods train in India’s West Bengal state on Monday. The incident led to the derailment of three passenger carriages.

Images from Indian broadcasters depicted the chaotic scene with overturned carriages, including one dangerously perched atop another.

Rescuers are currently searching through the twisted wreckage to ensure there are no additional casualties trapped underneath.

“We have confirmation of seven deaths and 39 passengers admitted at a local hospital with various injuries,” local police officer Iftikar-Ul-Hassan told AFP.

The incident is the latest to hit India’s creaking rail network, which carries millions of passengers each day.

“We just saw the bodies of a dead driver and a guard… their bodies were taken out,” Rajesh Kumar Singh, from the Railway Protection Force, told AFP.

“Some more bodies may be under the crash site, but we don’t yet know for sure.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his condolences to “those who lost their loved ones”, in a post on social media, adding that “rescue operations are underway”.

‘Tragic’

West Bengal’s Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called the crash “tragic” in a post on social media.

“Doctors, ambulances and disaster teams have been rushed to the site for rescue, recovery, medical assistance,” Banerjee said. “Action on war footing initiated.”

Banerjee reported that the collision occurred in the Phansidewa area of Darjeeling district, involving the Kanchenjunga Express train and a goods train.

Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that the injured individuals are being transferred to the hospital.

India possesses one of the largest rail networks globally and has witnessed multiple disasters over the years, with the most severe occurring in 1981 in Bihar state, claiming around 800 lives.

In June of the previous year, a triple-train collision led to the death of nearly 300 individuals in Odisha state. India has been making substantial investments in enhancing its rail network by constructing modern stations and implementing electronic signaling systems.

Recently, a train successfully traversed the world’s highest railway bridge, standing at 359 meters (1178 feet) above a river in India’s Himalayan region. Railway minister Vaishnaw made this announcement.

This arch-shaped steel structure spans the Chenab River, linking parts of northern Jammu and Kashmir state and integrating the disputed region with the rest of India.

The construction of the railway track has been in progress for almost thirty years, and a trial run has been conducted in anticipation of an official opening in the coming weeks.

A Nigeria Air Force (NAF) Helicopter has allegedly crashed in Tami village in the Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Monday, July 1st.

NAF helicopter crashes in Kaduna, pilot survives.

Local residents reported hearing a loud noise from the crash site and quickly went to the scene, where they witnessed the pilot coming out of the wreckage.

“A team of military officers from the Nigerian Air Force swiftly arrived at the scene to secure the area and conduct an initial investigation. They cordoned off the crash site to prevent unauthorized access and to ensure the safety of the villagers. The officers also began preliminary assessments to determine the cause of the crash, which remains unknown at this time” a resident said

The Nigerian Air Force is yet to release an official statement regarding the incident.