Nigerian Newspapers: 10 things you need to know Thursday morning
Good morning! Here is today’s summary from Nigerian Newspapers:
1. Tragedy struck in Anambra State where five siblings died of suspected food poisoning and their mother in a critical condition in Ogidi, Idemili North local government area. Robinson Arinze Aghalu, 79-year-old retired soldier and father of the deceased children, said the incident occurred after his children consumed a meal prepared by their mother.
2. Julius Abure-led National Working Committee has suspended Labour Party’s only governor, Alex Otti (Abia State), Federal Capital Territory Senator Ireti Kingibe, Senator Darlington Nwokocha and three House of Representatives members. Also suspended indefinitely are Afam Ogene (Ogbaru, Anambra), leaders of the LP caucus, Amobi Ogah (Isuikwato/Umuneochi Constituency, and Seyi Sowunmi (Ojo Constituency).
3. The Speaker of Edo House of Assembly, Mr Blessing Agbebaku, said he joined the All Progressives Congress, APC, to retain the benefits of the office of Speaker for the development of his constituency. Agbebaku, alongside two other House members, Hon. Sunday Fada Eigbiremonlen and Hon. Idaiye Yekini Oisayemoje, on Tuesday defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC.
4. Renowned economist and political activist, Professor Pat Utomi has assumed a formal opposition role with the formation of a “shadow government” to serve as critique of President Bola Tinubu’s administration. The move is coming weeks after the opposition coalition announced by former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar.
5. The Senate passed two of the four Tax Reform Bills, on Wednesday. The bills are expected to reform Nigeria’s tax laws. Lawmakers approved the bills after considering and adopting recommendations from the Senate Committee on Finance, led by Sen. Sani Musa.
6. Boko Haram terrorists have killed an army captain in Izge community of Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State. The terrorists who struck in the early hours of Wednesday also killed a soldier. Confirming the incident, the Emir of Gwoza, HRH Alhaji Mohammed Shehu Timta, said the assailants stormed the area around 1am and engaged the troops.
7. An 18-year-old apprentice has allegedly impregnated 10 girls in just five months, including his master’s daughter and a salesgirl in Anambra State. Reports say he was first sent to learn a trade under a master, but within three months, he got both his boss’s daughter and a salesgirl pregnant. This, however, led to his dismissal from the apprenticeship.
8. Terrorists and bandits are in for tough times with the acquisition of nine new fighter jets by the Nigerian Air Force. Forty-nine more fighter aircraft are expected to join the fleet, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, said on Wednesday.
9. The first round of voting on Wednesday failed to produce a new Pope. Black smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, an indication that the process will continue today (Thursday).
10. The naira on Wednesday depreciated to N1, 610 per dollar in the parallel market from N1,605 per dollar on Tuesday. Similarly, the Naira depreciated to N1,612 per dollar in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM).
