Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Editor roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Thursday, 8th February 2024.
1. Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Wednesday, received an official report on the January 16 explosion in the Old Bodija area of Ibadan, which claimed five lives, injured 77 persons and destroyed 58 houses. The Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Fatai Owoseni, a retired Commissioner of Police, disclosed to newsmen that the report linked three persons to the explosion.
2. The Senate on Wednesday assured that the much-awaited population and housing census slated for November this year will hold as scheduled. Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Identity and Population, Senator Abdul Ningi spoke during the screening of 17 of the 19 commissioner-nominees for the National Population Commission, NPC.
3. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL has commenced the production of 14,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude from offshore Akpo West Field. Spokesman of the oil giant, Olufemi Soneye made this known in a statement on Wednesday. According to him, the oil firm followed the directive by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to achieve the feat.
4. A bill for the amendment of the Electoral Act to provide for the conduct of the general election in one day was on Wednesday passed for ‘Second Reading’ in the House of Representatives. The intention of the bill is for the presidential, governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives and Houses of Assembly elections to hold in one day.
5. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday congratulated Nigerians following the country’s Super Eagles’ victory over South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in the ongoing 2024 CAF African Cup of Nations semi-final match. Tinubu eulogized the Super Eagles for their achievement, charging them to go on to achieve victory at the final of the tournament.
6. The Senate on Wednesday expressed worry over insecurity, declaring that the nation’s seat of power was under threat. Senate President, Godswill Akpabio said the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has been infiltrated, buttressing his point with references to attacks in places like Kubwa, Bwari, among others.
7. Two days after protesters stormed the streets of Minna, Niger State capital, over the rising cost of living, another set of protesters on Wednesday hit the streets of Suleja, still in Niger. Suleja is just a few kilometres away from the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja. The protesters called on President Bola Tinubu to end the hardship their suffering.
8. There is palpable fear in Katapka community, Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State following the alleged killing of three Nigerian Army personnel and two vigilantes by bandits who invaded the LGA on Tuesday. Chairman of Toto LGA, Abdullahi Aliyu-Tashas, described the killing of the soldiers as unfortunate.
9. The Bayelsa State Police Command has arrested one man simply identified as Tony for allegedly beheading his girlfriend, Maxuel Ebibraladei, in Kabeama community, Sagbama Local Government Area of the state. It was gathered that the tragedy occurred at about 3 am on Saturday. According to the suspect’s neighbour who pleaded anonymity, he was reportedly apprehended by residents in the community and handed over to the police.
10. Five suspects were arrested while six pregnant teenagers were rescued when the Anambra State Government in collaboration with security operatives on Wednesday raided a “baby factory” at Umunya in Oyi Local Government Area of the state. The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, told journalists that the “baby factory” where the babies were being sold had the name, ‘Mother and Child Hospital and Maternity’.
