Morning recap: Workers threaten October strike, Igbo traders urged to move beyond Chinese competition, Obi praised for supporting El-Rufai, other top stories

Public employees have warned of a three-day warning strike starting October 2nd if their demands over petrol prices, wage awards, and negotiations for a new minimum wage are not met by the federal government. The Senate and House of Representatives have approved an extension to the 2025 capital budget implementation period, with the deadline pushed to December 31st, 2026, pending presidential approval.

In Abia, Governor Alex Otti has encouraged Igbo traders to shift their focus from conventional trading to manufacturing and digital commerce, as competition from Chinese traders intensifies. A Lagos teenager who was detained in 2022 over a slippers case has been released and acquitted after Citizens Gavel took up his case, as the prosecution failed to present any witnesses.

Bello El-Rufai expressed gratitude to Peter Obi for consistently checking on his father during his detention, while Aliko Dangote stated that his group is prepared to face legal challenges over its planned refinery in Kenya.