Nigerian Newspapers: 10 things you need to know Wednesday morning

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

1. Senate President Godswill Akpabio has said the red chamber is working towards securing tickets for some of the senators who lost the bid to contest the 2027 general elections. Speaking after the 4-week recess of the Senate Akpabio congratulated those who lost the primaries in anticipation of the desired results.

2. Bandits have again attacked Dan Gulbi community in Tureta Local Government Area of Sokoto State, barely two days after a similar assault that left 17 people, including Sallah visitors, dead. Residents said the attackers, who arrived in large numbers on motorcycles, stormed the village at about 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday and began shooting sporadically, forcing villagers to flee for safety.

3. The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has broken silence on the controversy involving Lere Olayinka, spokesman of Federal Capital Territory, FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. Olayinka had taunted Emeka Ike, a Nollywood actor, for registering in Imo State and transferring his registration details to the FCT on May 15.

4. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday returned to Abuja after spending the Eid-el-Kabir holiday in Lagos, where he combined the festive period with a series of political, governmental and diplomatic engagements. The President arrived at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja and was received by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila and other senior government officials.

5. The Federal Government on Tuesday inaugurated an Inter-Ministerial Committee to coordinate activities for the 27th Democracy Day celebration, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu expected to address a joint session of the National Assembly as part of events marking the June 12 anniversary. Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator George Akume inaugurated the committee in Abuja.

6. The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, on Tuesday declared a three-day national mourning from June 12, to June 14 to honour the victims of mass abductions, and banditry across the nation. CAN also designated June 14 as “Black sunday” in Churches as a mark of solidarity with families affected. 

7. The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has urged the federal government to give Nigeria’s security chiefs a 90-day deadline to eliminate terrorists across the country or resign from office. Adeboye made the call in a video shared on X on Tuesday in which he expressed concern over the country’s security situation and urged authorities to act swiftly against those responsible for the violence.

8. Members of the organised private sector have cautioned against expecting private sector employers to automatically match the N100,000 minimum wage being adopted by some state governments. They warned that many small and medium-sized enterprises are already struggling under rising production costs and shrinking profit margins.

9. Ogun State Police Command has debunked reports of bandit attacks and invasions of communities and schools in parts of the state, clarifying that the recent arrest of 38 Ivorians in Atan-Ota was unrelated to banditry or terrorism. The command’s public relations officer, Babaseyi Oluseyi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday.

10. Actor Adeshina Okiki Janmole has died following a fatal car accident, according to reports on Tuesday. Details of the crash remain limited, but actor Akin Olaiya confirmed the incident by sharing a video from the accident scene. He expressed sadness over Janmole’s death and bid him farewell, he wrote: “Inalilahi Wainalilahi Rojihuna. This is sad. Rest in peace, Adeshina Okiki Janmole.”