Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naturenex roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Tuesday, 15th October, 2024
1. Super Eagles Team Arrive Nigeria After Libya Ordeal
The Super Eagles of Nigeria have returned to Malam Aminu Kano International Airport following a difficult ordeal in Libya.
Naturenex understands that the Super Eagles flight from Libya was three and half hours
Their chartered flight will refuel in the ancient Northern Nigerian city before it makes it way to Abuja and then Lagos.
Recall that the Super Eagles flew to Libya on Sunday, October 13, in preparation for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against the Mediterranean Knights at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, October 15.
After landing at the Al Abraq Airport in Libya, the Super Eagles were left stranded for over 13 hours without any assistance from the host Libyan Football Federation.
A statement from the NFF communication department said the Super Eagles’ chartered aircraft was unexpectedly diverted to Al Abraq Airport, a small airport primarily used for hajj operations, instead of landing at the intended Benghazi Airport.
This unexpected diversion has left the players and officials fatigued and bewildered, as they have not received any reception or transportation to their hotel, which is reportedly a 3-hour drive away in Benghazi.
2. Economic Hardship: We Empathise With The Poor, But We Have No Option – FG
The Federal Government has stated that it does not plan on changing its economic policies.
The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima said the government empathises with the poor, but the economic policies are inevitable.
He stated this in Abuja on Monday during the 30th anniversary of the Nigerian Economic Summit.
He defended the economic policies of the current administration, while highlighting steps taken by the government to improve the economy.
3. President Tinubu Reacts As Super Eagles Return To Nigeria After Ordeal In Libya
President Bola Tinubu has warmly welcomed the Super Eagles back to Nigeria after their harrowing ordeal in Libya.
According to a statement on Monday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu warmly welcomes the safe return of the players.
The Nigerian leader described the happening in Libya as unsportsmanlike and inhumane and called for collaborative efforts to prevent a future occurence.
While expecting the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to conduct a thorough investigation and recommend appropriate action against those who violated the rules of sports engagement as enshrined in the organisation’s Statutes and Regulations, President Tinubu commended the coordination between the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Federal Ministry of Sports Development in handling the debacle.
4. Edo 2024: Ighodalo, PDP File Petition At Tribunal, Vow To Reclaim ‘Stolen’ Mandate
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the 2024 Edo State governorship elections, Asue Ighodalo, have filed a petition at the tribunal challenging the results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
This was disclosed on Monday by the chairman of the PDP in Edo State, Anthony Aziegbemi.
Briefing newsmen in Benin, the Edo State capital, Aziegbemi, said the PDP is set to reclaim its stolen mandate, arguing that it is sure the tribunal would overturn the results of the September 21 election as declared by INEC.
He accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of manipulating the outcome of the election and also attempting to stall the court order for the PDP to inspect election materials at the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at Aduwawa.
Aziegbemi said while the PDP was busy gathering evidence to pursue its case at the tribunal, the APC and its chairman, Jarret Tenebe, were lying and spreading falsehood to actualize the evil ploy of the APC.
5. Super Eagles: Foreign Affairs Minister Meets Shettima As FG Summons Libya Charge d’Affaires In Abuja
The federal government of Nigeria has revealed that it is taking action to remedy the unfair treatment of the Super Eagles and officials in Libya.
Naturenex reports the government has summoned the Libyan Charge d’Affaires in Abuja to explain his country’s action.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, revealed this to journalists after a meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday.
This follows the saga that have unfolded since the Super Eagles flew to Libya on Sunday, October 13, in preparation for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against the Mediterranean Knights.
The Nigerian footballers and officials have been left stranded in dire conditions since arrival and not allowed to depart the airport even after their flight was diverted.
Speaking with State Houe correspondents, Tuggar described the situation with the Super Eagles as unfortunate. He added that officials from the Nigerian mission in Libya have been dispatched to engage with the Super Eagles delegation to address the matter.
Tuggar added that all stakeholders are been engaged to resolve the situation as fast as possible.
6. ‘It’s A Greek Gift For Vote Buying’ – Ondo PDP Faults Aiyedatiwa’s ₦73,000 Minimum Wage For Civil Servants
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State, has faulted the announcement of a ₦73,000 minimum wage for civil servants in the state by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
The PDP, in a statement on Monday, said the Governor approved the minimum wage as a greek gift to the workers in order to get their votes in the forthcoming governorship election in the state.
Naturenex recalls that Aiyedatiwa announced the new minimum wage during the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign flag-off held in the Ondo West Local Government Area on Saturday.
However, the PDP, in a statement signed by the Special Adviser Media and Publicity of its Campaign Organisation, Ayo Fadaka, questioned why the Governor announced the wage during a political programme.
The PDP urged the people of Ondo to avoid getting deceived by the announcement, labelling it as a Greek gift.
However, the Governor has countered the submission of the PDP.
Reacting to the statement of the opposition party, Aiyedatiwa cautioned the PDP against any attempt to use the welfare of workers to score cheap political points.
The Governor, in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on New Media, Sunday Abire, said workers in the state deserve the new minimum wage, and the PDP should heal itself.
7. APC Suspends Former Bayelsa Deputy Gov, Six Others Indefinitely
The Yenagoa Local Government chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has announced the indefinite suspension of former Deputy Governor Werinipre Seibarugu along with six other individuals due to alleged anti-party activities.
Naturenex reports that Seibarugu, who previously served as deputy to a former governor and the recent Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, has also served as an acting governor and speaker of the State House of Assembly.
The suspension of the party chieftain happened following a minor incident that occurred at the Di Crab Hotel in Yenagoa, where the Chairman of the Yenagoa Local Government Chapter, Tonye Okokuro, hesitated to mention Seibarugu’s name on three occasions until other members of his executive committee urged him to do so.
According to The PUNCH, the announcement of the suspensions, which included seven members, was delayed following an earlier attack on the Sagbama Local Government executive committee members by hired thugs.
In addition to Seibarugu, those suspended include Osomkime Blankson, Mr. Alex Blankson, Chief Olomo Agbama Apina, Dr. Pakinson Mamanuel, Ebiye Waripamo, and Pastor Esther Saiyou.
8. Hardship: ‘I Can’t Afford To Eat Egg In My House’ – Former Governor, Suswam
Former governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, has lamented the current hardship in the country and the adverse effect on many Nigerian homes.
Naturenex reports that Suswam, while speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, decried that a crate of eggs less than N1,000 is now N10,000 due to the current economic hardship.
He said the current cost of eggs would make it difficult for him and other Nigerians to afford eggs in their houses.
The senator also urged President Bola Tinubu to reevaluate his economic team by calling for an urgent meeting, stressing that many Nigerians find it challenging to transport themselves to work.
9. Japa: Why Nurses Should Not Be Stopped From Leaving The Country – Peter Obi
The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi has said that nurses and other professionals travelling overseas for greener pastures should not be stopped.
According to Obi, their immigration is beneficial to the country.
The former Anambra governor asserted that foreign remittances can be a form of revenue for the country.
He stated this at St Charles Borromeo College of Nursing and Midwifery in Onitsha on Monday.
Obi, who donated money to the institution, noted that education and health are the currencies with which people will transact in the future.
The former LP flag bearer said Nigeria has over 200 million people and there is no need to restrict people from travelling out of the country for greener pastures.
He urged Nigerian leaders to concentrate on training more people.
10. CAF Investigates Libya’s Treatment Of Super Eagles’ Players
The Confederation of African Football has condemned the ordeal faced by Nigeria’s national football team, the Super Eagles, at a Libyan airport.
Naturenex reports that the football body made this known in a statement on Monday titled, “CAF Views the Disturbing and Unacceptable Experiences of the Nigerian National Football Team (‘Super Eagles’) at an Airport in Libya in a Very Serious Light.”
CAF highlighted immediate steps to engage both Libyan and Nigerian authorities, following reports that the team and their staff were left stranded under distressing conditions for several hours.
“The Confederation Africaine de Football (CAF) has been in contact with the Libyan and Nigerian authorities after it was informed that the Nigerian National Football Team (‘Super Eagles’) and their technical team were stranded in distressing conditions for several hours at an airport that they were allegedly instructed to land at by the Libyan authorities.
“The matter has been referred to the CAF Disciplinary Board for investigation, and appropriate action will be taken against those who violated the CAF Statutes and Regulations,” it read.
That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naturenex. See you again tomorrow.
