• Representatives demand the reversal of electricity tariff hike
• 58 countries show support for Okonjo-Iweala’s return as WTO DG for a second term
• House of Representatives pass the ₦70,000 minimum wage bill
• FG calls for emergency meeting over planned nationwide protest
• Inspector General of Police says crime rate is dropping in Nigeria

Across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, these are the five top Nigerian news stories you shouldn’t miss.

Representatives demand the reversal of electricity tariff hike

The House of Representatives has instructed the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) along with Distribution Companies (DISCOs) to reverse the recent electricity tariff hike for Band A customers with immediate effect.

The order was given after adopting a report by the House Committee on Power. The report stated that Nigerians could not afford the new rate; therefore, it recommended the return of the old rate.

58 countries show support for Okonjo-Iweala’s return as WTO DG for a second term

The World Trade Organisation (WTO). Revealed that about 58 countries have supported the African Group proposal, suggesting that Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala returns as the Director General of the WTO for a second term.

According to the statement released by the Geneva-based organisation, 68 countries in 164 voted for the return of Okonjo-Iweala’s second term.

“The African Group requests that the current director-general make herself available to serve a second term and has proposed that reappointing the director-general should be started as soon as possible,” the World Trade Organisation said.

House of Representatives pass the ₦70,000 minimum wage bill

The House of Representatives has passed the bill suggesting the increase of the minimum wage from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000.

The President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, presented the bill to the National Assembly for consideration and acceptance after a dialogue with the Organised Labour, leaving them to forgo their ₦250,000 minimum wage proposal for Tinubu’s offer of ₦70,000.

The passed bill also includes the reduction of the number of years for reviewing a minimum wage from five years to three years.

FG calls for emergency meeting over planned nationwide protest

The Federal Government has called for an emergency meeting over the planned nationwide protest, which is scheduled for August 1, 2024.

The FG had called for a meeting after President Tinubu had tried appealing to Nigerians (the protesting groups), requesting that they shelve their protests so that he (the President) could be given more time to execute more people-focused programs.

According to a circular, the emergency meeting is set to begin at 10 am on July 24. at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Conference Room.

The purpose of the protest is to be a voice against hunger in the nation as Nigerians are tired and wounded over the economic crisis in the country, with food inflation rising to 40.87%.

Inspector General of Police says crime rate is dropping in Nigeria

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, claimed that the crime rate within the country has been declining throughout the past few months due to the new security strategies introduced by the police.

He confidently stated that major crimes reduced to 416 in the last month compared to 734 crimes committed in May.

“We recorded remarkable successes in the fight against criminalities in the last month, manifesting in the arrest of a total of 1,284 suspects nationwide, and the recovery of 284 firearms, 6,702 ammunition rounds, 107 vehicles, and we rescued 97 kidnapped victims,” he said.