• UAE lifts visa ban on Nigerians
• FG reveals minimum wage bill will be sent to National Assembly after NLC meeting with Tinubu
• Mercy Chinwo and husband provide 100 UNICAL students with scholarships
• FIRS seals AEDC’s Headquarters despite owing ₦362.3 million electricity bill
• FG shares 740 truck-load of rice to states across the country

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

UAE lifts visa ban on Nigerians

The government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has lifted the visa ban placed on Nigerians, barring them from entering the Middle Eastern country.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, revealed that an agreement between the governments of both countries was drafted and signed, leading to the erasure of the restriction on Nigerians.

“Effective from 15th July, Nigerian passport holders can obtain visas to go to the United Arab Emirates,” he said.

FG reveals minimum wage bill will be sent to National Assembly after NLC meeting with Tinubu

The federal government has announced that after the meeting between President Bola Tinubu and the Organised Labour on Thursday, July 18, the minimum wage bill will be submitted to the National Assembly for approval.

Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, stated that the President and the Organised Labour are scheduled to meet and discuss the matter of the minimum wage as it has been delayed long enough.

The NLC and the TUC had initially begun their minimum wage proposal at ₦494,000, claiming that the cost of living had risen beyond control; however, the proposed minimum wage from the Organised Labour stands at ₦250,000 while the government has proposed ₦62,000.

Mercy Chinwo and her husband provide 100 UNICAL students with scholarships

Nigerian gospel artist Mercy Chinwo and her husband, Blessed Uzochikwa, have announced their decision to support 100 students of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) by offering them full scholarships through the ‘MercyisBlessed’ Foundation.

The couple announced this during their last visit to the school, stating that they would pay full scholarships and other fees to ensure that the students continue their education without interruptions.

“The criteria for selection and other modalities to shortlist eligible candidates would be communicated through appropriate channels. The scholarship is with immediate effect,” their statement reads.

FIRS seals AEDC’s Headquarters despite owing ₦362.3 million electricity bill

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has sealed the headquarters of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), demanding the emergency evacuation of all staff members despite owing a whopping sum of ₦362.3 million electricity bill.

The Special Adviser, Media, to the Chairman of FIRS, Zach Adedeji, hinted that the FIRS would not seal a building without having a reason to as he suggests that AEDC had received a notice on violation of tax laws which is what could have led to the sealing of the headquarters.

FG shares 740 truck-load of rice to states across the country

The federal government has released 740 trucks loaded with rice to 36 states to combat the food crisis citizens face following the FEC meeting in Abuja.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, affirmed that the 740 trucks were sent to the 36 states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to help alleviate hunger in the country.

The trucks will be distributed to all states, each claiming 20 trucks, each containing 1,200 25kg bags of rice.