Nigerian Newspapers Summary
Good morning! Here is today’s summary from Daily News 24. Stay informed with the top headlines shaping conversations across Nigeria, including Wike’s sharp criticism of Odili, Atiku and Bode George’s reaction to Seyi Tinubu’s military protocol breach, a tragic plane crash in South Korea, and key developments in governance, security, and accountability.
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1. Wike slams Odili over Rivers politics, calls him a ‘trader and sycophant’
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has criticized former Rivers State Governor, Dr. Peter Odili, accusing him of behaving like a political trader and sycophant. Wike stated that he wouldn’t be surprised if Odili goes as far as arranging a new wife for the current governor, Siminalayi Fubara, amid ongoing political tensions in Rivers State.
2 . Atiku, Bode George criticize Seyi Tinubu over military guard of honour incident
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and PDP chieftain Bode George have condemned Seyi Tinubu for inspecting a military-style guard of honour. Atiku called for an investigation, describing the act as a violation of military protocol, while George labeled the event as unprecedented and inappropriate.
3. Jeju Air crash kills 179, two crew members survive after Thailand-South Korea flight
A Jeju Air flight carrying 181 passengers from Thailand to South Korea crashed upon landing, resulting in a catastrophic fire. Authorities suspect a bird strike caused the crash. Tragically, 179 lives were lost, with only two flight attendants rescued from the wreckage.
4. Nigerian Army dismantles 20 illegal refineries, arrests eight suspects in Niger Delta
Troops from the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division have dismantled 20 illegal refineries and confiscated 21 boats used for oil theft in the Niger Delta. Over 90,000 litres of stolen petroleum products were recovered, and eight suspects were apprehended during the operation.
5. APC will dominate South South in 2027 elections, says Akpabio
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has expressed confidence that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will secure victory across all South South states in the 2027 elections. He described Senator Monday Okpebholo’s emergence as the Edo State governor-elect as a divine intervention.
6. Nigeria receives $1.5bn World Bank loan after implementing key economic reforms
The World Bank has fully disbursed a $1.5 billion loan to Nigeria after the Federal Government executed key economic reforms, including fuel subsidy removal and tax policy restructuring. This marks one of the fastest disbursements Nigeria has received, completed in under six months.
7. NDLEA arrests six foreigners, seizes nearly 2,000kg of cannabis in Lagos raid
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested six foreigners in Lagos after intercepting two boats carrying 1,960 kilograms of cannabis, known as “Ghanaian Loud.” The midnight operation took place at Eleko Beach on Christmas Eve.
8. Nigerian Navy accused of detaining lawyer over Coast Guard bill support
The Nigerian Navy has been accused of illegally detaining lawyer Kevin Okorie for supporting a bill proposing the creation of a Nigerian Coast Guard. His wife, Esther, revealed that Okorie was arrested on September 10, 2024, by naval personnel in Port Harcourt.
9. Former US President Jimmy Carter dies at 100
Former United States President and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Jimmy Carter has passed away at the age of 100. Carter, the 39th President of the US, died peacefully in his hometown of Plains, Georgia.
10. SERAP urges Tinubu, Shettima, and other officials to publish assets
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to direct the Code of Conduct Bureau to publish his declared assets. SERAP also urged Vice President Kashim Shettima, ministers, and governors to follow suit in the spirit of transparency.
