These are the stories you should be monitoring today:

Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has approved N33,000 as minimum wage for all staff in his conglomerate.

According to the Managing Director of Gotel Communications (a media outfit owned by the former Vice President), Mohammed El-Yakub, who confirmed the development to Sahara Reporters on Thursday, said “the N33,000 new salary scale, which takes effect from November 2018, includes domestic servants and all categories of workers on the former VP’s payroll.”

He added that over 100,000 people are currently on a monthly payroll of the former Vice President.

---

In a related development, the Presidency on Thursday criticised some political actors in the country over the controversy surrounding President Muhammadu Buhari’s position on the proposed N30,000 minimum wage, saying “stiff judgment awaits them at the polls.’’

According to Presidential Media aide, Femi Adesina, who issued a statement in Abuja on Thursday, “those who have latched onto the concocted controversy to play cheap politics, we appeal to them to remember that elections are not won through loquaciousness, and trying to demean the President at every drop of a hat.”

“But then, it is not surprising, as they have nothing else to sell to Nigerians, if they don’t ride on the name of the President. Stiff judgment awaits them at the polls,” it read.

---

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has charged the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and INTERPOL to track down the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, reported to have fled the country to the United States of America.

In a statement by the party’s spokesman, Kola Ologbindiyan, the PDP which demanded that the APC and the Presidency must immediately produce Oshiomhole to face investigation and prosecution in court, said Oshiomhole’s swift flight out of the country at the heat of the investigation by the Department of State Services (DSS) over alleged corruption charges is suspect and goes to confirm allegations that the Presidency is shielding him from prosecution.

“It is ludicrous that the APC, in its lying proclivities, believes that by dismissing Oshiomhole’s arrest as a rumour and aiding him to momentarily flee the country, it would succeed in getting him off the DSS hook as well as sweeping the matter out of public discourse with its famished broom.” the statement read in part.

---

President Muhammadu Buhari has declared a state of emergency on the water supply, sanitation and hygiene sectors, a move he said is aimed at reducing the high-prevalence of water-borne diseases in different parts of the country, which has caused preventable deaths.

Buhari disclosed this on Thursday, while inaugurating the National Action Plan for Revitalisation of Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Sector at State House Conference Centre in Abuja

---

The Nigerian Army says the situation at Katarko in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe have been brought under control after troops foiled terrorists attempted attack on the military location in the town.

According to a statement on Thursday by army spokesman, Brig. Gen. Texas Chukwu, the troops immediately swung into action following a tip off and pushed the terrorists backward with superior fire power, causing some of the terrorists to escape into nearby bushes.

He however said efforts were on to get them as the troops were currently embarking on clearance patrol in the area.

---

And stories from around the world:

Syrian troops have liberated 19 women and children hostages held by the Islamic State group since July in a military operation in the country’s center, ending a months-long crisis that has stunned Syria’s Druze religious minority, state media reported Thursday. (Associated Press)

---

The US inquiry into alleged Russian meddling during the 2016 election could be under threat after President Donald Trump fired Attorney General Jeff Sessions, top opposition Democrats say. (BBC)

---

Prime Minister Theresa May steps up attempts to court European support for a Brexit deal on Thursday as negotiations on securing a smooth British divorce from the world’s biggest trading bloc enter their final stages. (Reuters)

---

A 28-year-old former Marine opened fire in a California country music bar packed with college students, killing 12 people including a police officer as dozens of terrified youngsters stampeded towards the door, authorities said Thursday. (AFP)

---

The Lebanese Shi’ite group Hezbollah said on Thursday it was up to Prime Minister-designate Saad al-Hariri to resolve a row over Sunni representation that has obstructed the formation of a new government. (Reuters)