Nigerian Newspapers: 10 things you need to know Wednesday morning

Good morning! Here is today’s summary from Nigerian Newspapers:

1. Former Kaduna governor, Malam Nasiru El-Rufai has said he can swear by the Holy Qur’an that he did not steal public funds while in office, challenging his predecessors and other leaders to do the same. He also announced plans to return to politics in 2027 after he must have finished his studies.

2. A rescue team of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has rescued three accident victims and recovered N8,620,000 at the scene in Kaduna State. Spokesman of the FRSC, Assistant Corps Marshal Olusegun Ogungbemide, who announced this in a statement on Tuesday, October 1, said the accident involved two vehicles.

3. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the 64th Independent Day Speech by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as another lethargic and windy rhetoric of false performance claims, “scripted to delude Nigerians in the face of abysmal failure of the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.”

4. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) flag carrier Emirates flight landed at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, on Tuesday. This is coming two years after the suspension of operation by the airline over several issues including unresolved trapped funds belonging to the airline.

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5. In the spirit of the 64th Independence Anniversary of the country, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has honoured the Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun; and Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau. Also honoured were the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu.

6. Eleven persons have been confirmed dead with six others in critical condition following a cholera outbreak in the Apaogbozu community of Apa, in Ado Local Government Area of Benue State. This was disclosed to newsmen in Makurdi by the immediate past secretary to the Ado Local Government Council, Dr Perpetual Okafor, who hails from the area.

7. The immediate past governor of Benue, Samuel Ortom, has said that God told him not to contest any election in 2027. Ortom made the disclosure on Tuesday in Makurdi when the Peoples Democracy Party, PDP, G-14 members paid him a courtesy visit.

8. The National Bureau of Statistics has stated that Nigeria recorded a reduction in petrol importation following the removal of fuel subsidy by President Bola Tinubu in May 2023. It also said fuel imports reduced to 20.30 billion litres in 2023 from the 23.54 billion litres recorded in 2022, showing a decrease of 13.77 per cent year-on-year.

9. Ogun State Police Command has arrested at least five persons in connection with the death of a fisherman named Segun Sikiru in the Iwopin town of Ijebu-Ode Local Government Area. It was learnt from the state police command on Monday that the incident occurred when the suspects allegedly assaulted the victim with a bamboo stick and discarded his body in a lagoon in the community.

10. The Nigerian Army said, on Tuesday, that its troops in a series of decisive operations, have dealt crushing blows on terrorists, neutralising several high-profile fighters and recovering lethal weapons, including rocket bombs and a significant cache of ammunition. A statement by Army headquarters said the operations further crippled the adversary’s freedom of action across the country.