Evening Recap: Man stabs Sokoto Islamic cleric, FG pays ex-Nigeria Airways workers N18bn, other top stories

An Islamic cleric, Malam Musa Lukwa, was stabbed twice in the neck shortly after leading Friday prayers at a mosque in Sokoto, with the alleged attacker later killed by worshippers.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has begun paying N18 billion in severance benefits to 2,700 former Nigeria Airways workers, more than 20 years after the airline was liquidated.

PUNCH Online highlights these and many more stories for readers’ consumption

Man stabs cleric after Friday prayer in Sokoto

Tension gripped parts of Sokoto metropolis on Friday after an Islamic cleric, Malam Musa Lukwa, was stabbed shortly after leading the Juma’at prayer at his mosque in the Mabera area of the city.

The attacker, reportedly a young man among the worshippers, allegedly stabbed the cleric twice in the neck before other worshippers overpowered and killed him.

Read the full story here: https://punchng.com/man-stabs-cleric-after-friday-prayer-in-sokoto/

2. FG pays 2,700 ex-Nigeria Airways workers N18bn

The Federal Government has commenced the payment of N18bn in outstanding severance benefits to 2,700 former workers of the defunct Nigeria Airways, more than two decades after the national carrier was liquidated.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, disclosed this on Friday during a press briefing at the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja.

Read the full story here: https://punchng.com/fg-pays-2700-ex-nigeria-airways-workers-n18bn/

3. Dangote Refinery IPO better than selling PVC for N10,000, Rewane says

Economist Bismarck Rewane has urged Nigerians to invest in the Dangote Refinery Initial Public Offering rather than seek quick financial gains by selling their Permanent Voter Cards.

Rewane said the IPO could encourage millions of Nigerians, particularly low-income earners, to move from short-term consumption to long-term investment by becoming shareholders in one of the country’s biggest companies.

Read the full story here: https://punchng.com/dangote-refinery-ipo-better-than-selling-pvc-for-n10000-rewane-says/

4. Melaye threatens mass action if Atiku is arrested over corruption petition

Former Kogi West Senator, Dino Melaye, has warned the Federal Government against inviting, arresting or interrogating the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, over a corruption petition before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Melaye said the ADC would prove that Nigerians were more than those in government if Atiku was invited or arrested over what he described as a frivolous petition.

Read the full story here: https://punchng.com/melaye-threatens-mass-action-if-atiku-is-arrested-over-corruption-petition/

5. Sowore celebrates son on 17th birthday in US

African Action Congress Presidential Candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has celebrated his son, Olukomi Sowore, on his 17th birthday in the United States.

Sowore, who recently returned to the US after 20 months away from his family, described his son as strong, courageous and independent-minded.

Read the full story here: https://punchng.com/sowore-celebrates-son-on-17th-birthday-in-us/