Today's Headlines: Flood: Lagos Commissioner Taunts Rhodes-Vivour; 61-Year-Old Electrocuted in Lagos
Lagos Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, taunted Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, Labour Party's 2023 Lagos governorship candidate, over comments on the recent floods in Lagos. Rhodes-Vivour criticized the government for not clearing canals, leading to flooding. Wahab responded dismissively and defended demolitions of structures obstructing water flow, which some claimed were politically motivated against Igbo-owned properties. Wahab refuted this as an ethnic narrative, emphasizing the ongoing removal of obstructive structures.
A 61-year-old man in Lagos died from electrocution during a flood in Orile-Iganmu, as confirmed by Police spokesperson SP Benjamin Hundeyin. The incident occurred on Wednesday during heavy rain, when the man, wading through floods, grabbed a street light pole and was electrocuted. The police urged the public to prioritize safety during such conditions.
Long queues are reappearing at petrol stations in Nigeria due to a $6 billion payment backlog incurred by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPCL) for imported petrol. The delays in payments, stretching beyond the usual 90 days, have led to reduced petrol imports and strained availability across major cities like Lagos and Abuja. International traders are reluctant to supply more fuel until outstanding debts are settled, exacerbating the scarcity and queuing issues nationwide.
ASUU (Academic Staff Union of Universities) at the University of Lagos threatened to go on strike if the government doesn't address their demands after weeks of nationwide protests. They wrote open letters and protested with students, highlighting unresolved issues like funding and salary concerns. ASUU's chairman emphasized the need to inform the public about the government's inaction. The protests included demands for renegotiation of agreements, release of withheld salaries, and better funding for universities. If the government remains unresponsive, ASUU may strike.