On Monday, June 3, millions of Nigerians were without electricity after the national grid was shut down as part of a general strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) over the hike in electricity tariffs and the lack of consensus on a new minimum wage.

The strike also hounded activities in critical sectors of the economy. Schools, businesses, hospitals, and airports were shut, and long queues returned to fuel stations.

However, the NLC and TUC, on Tuesday, suspended their industrial action for five days after a meeting between the labour leaders and the federal government.

Labour noted that the strike was suspended to give the government time to deliberate on the unresolved issues.

On the same day, actress Toyin Abraham said she had decided to keep her political affiliations private in the future, adding that she had learnt her lesson after social media users trolled her for voting for President Bola Tinubu in 2023.

“If things didn’t go well, why do I have to be the one to suffer for it? I remember I voted for (ex-president) Jonathan, and I was bullied, but I didn’t put the blame on anyone after everyone chose (ex-president) Buhari. So, please, why would they be cursing and trolling me every time.”

On Wednesday, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun appointed Yetunde Longe as the secretary of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

With this appointment, Ms Longe became the first female secretary of the force.

On Thursday, Garett Southgate, the manager of the England Senior team, announced the final 26-man group for the UEFA Euro 2024 tournament, which will commence in Germany next week.

The big names to miss out are Harry Maguire, who was removed due to injury, and Jack Grealish, who did not make the squad due to a lack of playing time at club level.

Others who did not make the list are James Maddison, Curtis Jones, Jared Branthwaite, Jarell Quansah and James Trafford.

Surprisingly, Manchester United’s left-back Luke Shaw, who was largely unavailable for his club in the just-concluded campaign, made the final equaliser, while youngsters Kobbie Maino and Adam Wharton were also included.

Still in sports, the Super Eagles played a 1-1 draw with the Bafana Bafana of South Africa at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday.

The result was Nigeria’s third consecutive draw in the Group C World Cup qualifiers, which leaves Nigeria fifth with three points in the log table.

The Super Eagles were behind when Themba Zwame struck in the 28th minute as Hugo Broos’ team was disciplined at the back to prevent the Eagles from scoring.

Early in the second half, Dele Basiru equalised but the scores remained that way till full time as Nigeria remained fifth on the table with South Africa in fourth.

Also, it was a night of glitz and glamour as Nigerian singer Oladapo Oyebanji, popularly known as D’banj, celebrated his 20 years of musical excellence in a sophisticated ceremony.

The event witnessed several guests and fans mime along while D’banj’s songs from 2004 were played to their delight.

Among the celebrities that turned up at the event are: Clarence Peters, Legendary music video director; Nollywood actres, Funke Akindele; Afrobeats Musician, Femi Kutu; Timaya; ID Canada; Kenny Ogungbe; Bisola Aiyeola, Mr Macaroni, Ini Edo , Tobi Bakare amongst others.

On Saturday, in a friendly match between Croatia and Portugal for the Euro 2024 tournament, Cristiano Ronaldo’s team was defeated 2-1.
Ronaldo was an unused substitute as Portugal lost the game to a Modric penalty and Ante Budimir strike.

(NAN)