Good morning in Nigeria. Welcome Naija News Top newspaper headlines in Nigeria on Friday, March 21, 2025
President Bola Tinubu praised the leadership of the National Assembly, which declared a state of emergency in the River State for their patriotic stance.
Naija News reported that the Senate approved Tinob’s declaration of emergency against the River State to exercise his constitutional powers under the 1999 constitution.
The Senate also approved a moratorium on Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Lt. Governor Ngozi ODU and members of the Rivers State Capitol.
The House earlier approved Tinubu’s statement of emergency rule in the river through a voice vote.
In a statement Thursday with the Special Adviser for Information and Strategy, Tinubu said the Senate’s decisive and patriotic approval of the State of Emergency State of Rivers is a key step in restoring stability after a protracted political crisis that has paralyzed the state’s government and national economy for more than 15 months.
Tinubu praised the leaders of the National Assembly, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, and other key officials and members to prioritize the safety and welfare of the people of the River State and other considerations.
He reiterated the Government’s commitment to deepening cooperation with the National Assembly to promote peace, economic resilience and equitable development across Nigeria.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, as well as several prominent members of the ruling of All Progressive Congress (APC), formally formed a coalition aimed at challenging President Bra Tinub in the upcoming 2027 election.
Naija News reported that the press conference held on Thursday strongly showed key opposition figures, including Labour’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, represented by Yunusa Tanko.
Other important figures at the conference include Babachir Lawal, former federal government secretary; Nasir El-Rufai, former Kaduna Governor; Peter Ahmeh, state secretary of the United Political Party Alliance; and convened Segun Showunmi, among others.
Among the key figures who were unable to participate but apologize, the announcement was former Governor Rotimi Amaechi, Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State and Abdullahi Adamu, former President of APC. Despite their absence, their support for the cause of the alliance was recognized.
Atiku confirmed this, reading a press conference on Thursday, a cross-sectional introduction of leaders and political stakeholders from Abuja from all over the country.
Atiku answered a question whether the party started to launch the alliance to Tonibu in 2007, and the former vice president said: “Yes, this is the birth of the opposition coalition.
Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), said that all legion members will receive a 77,000-month stipend starting in March 2025.
Naija News reported that Nafiu was known when interacting with corps members of Wuse and Garki NYSC regional offices in the federal capital region on Thursday.
He said the program and the federal government responded to the welfare of NYSC members and would continue to ensure that their well-being is always given the highest priority.
Nafiu advises that they remain calm, dedicated, focused and disciplined when appreciating the selfless service provided by Legion members to the country.
NYSC DG also praised the founders of the program to conceive this vision, adding that the beautiful program is building bridges and uncovering graduate youth to learn and understand the cultural value of places outside their birthplace.
He further noted that New York City management will continue to instill patriotism, discipline, self-restraint, good ethics, leadership and teamwork, and among the continuous members of the Legion.
The National Judicial Commission (NJC) refuted the claims of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), and Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, directed Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the detention of the indigenous people of Biyafura (IPOB), to release and repatriate Kenya immediately.
In a statement to the media on Thursday, the Council described the report as a fabrication by the author, highlighting that CJN is not involved in Kanu.
As stated in the announcement signed by NJC Deputy Director of Information Kemi Ogedengbe, the Council called on the public to dismiss such false narratives.
Naija News reported that Kanu, facing seven felony charges of treason brought by the federal government, will appear in the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday, March 21, 2025.
He will make a new request by Judge James Omotosho, who is appointed on the ground, after former Justice Binta Nyako resigned due to Kanu’s claim to bias.
Some relevant leaders and political stakeholders in Nigeria rejected the state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu of Hebei.
The leaders addressed the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar at a joint press conference on Thursday, accusing President Tinob of declaring a violation of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Naija News recalled Tuesday that Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the River State swallowed the state amid a political crisis.
He also suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy MP for six months and appointed the sole administrator to take charge of affairs in the state.
However, the relevant stakeholders rejected the president’s position on Thursday and called on Nigerians to demand justice.
They also accused the president of committing five major constitutional violations by declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State.
Political leaders accuse Tinubu of illegally removing the governor and state legislature, abuse of Article 305 of the state of emergency, failing to meet the constitutional requirements of the emergency rules, failing to comply with due process and neglect other legal avenues.
Ibok-Ete Ibas, the only retired chief executive of the River State government, assured residents that he was not a partisan actor or political rival in the state, but a stable force designed to restore governance and order.
In the state airing Thursday, Ibas resumed his duties in Port Harcourt, highlighting his commitment to protecting civil liberties and ensuring the safety of all citizens.
Ibas, who previously served as the 20th Indigenous Navy Chief of Staff in Nigeria and served as Ghana’s High Commissioner, confirmed that his main mission was to bring peace to the Rivers State.
He described the state’s ongoing political crisis as a major setback to governance and democracy, acknowledging the difficulties faced by families and businesses in uncertainty.
Ibas praised President Bola Tinubu for his swift action in declaring a state of emergency in the River State, stressing that the move is necessary to restore stability and revitalize the state’s economy.
Former Labor presidential candidate (LP) Peter Obi has expressed approval to the National Assembly for the state of emergency imposed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Rivers State.
Naija News had earlier reported that both the Senate and the House could be imminent in Rivers’ emergency rules, and the six-month suspension was slammed by Gov. Siminalayi Fubara.
In a statement Thursday afternoon, Peter Obi passed the violation by using voice vote, accusing lawmakers of joining “salt as harm”.
The constitution is clear, he said, that this cannot be done by voting voices, but by calling an individual answer “yes” or “no.”
Controversial hip-hop singer Habeeb Okikiola (renamed Portable) apologizes to Fuji musician King Saheed Osupa after throwing insults at him.
Naija News reported that Portable mocked the veteran Fuji musician for his songs removing copyright infringement from streaming platforms.
Portable uses a line from Osupa’s song, which was removed from Spotify and Apple Music after complaints from Fuji Singer and its publisher.
While expressing anger at Osupa’s actions, Portable blew up the senior colleague in viral videos online to report his songs.
“Zazu Zeh” Crooner said Osupa had nothing and accused him of not supporting his profession, such as Pasuma.
But in a video through the Instagram page Thursday, the portable outbreak expressed regret, saying he had been facing Ospar’s disrespectful behavior online.
He accused himself of his behavior and begged Ospar to forgive him and adopt him as his son.
Zimbabwe’s president Emmerson Mnangagwa promised a $150,000 reward to the national football team Warriors if they beat Nigeria in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) President Nqobile Magwizi confirmed the commitment as the team sought first World Cup qualification.
Currently, Michael Nees’s team has only 2 points in Group C on Michael Nees’ campaign, facing a crucial period in their campaign.
The Warriors will start with the Benin Republic at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban today before heading to Uyo, Nigeria, to clash with the Super Eagles next Tuesday.
According to a statement released by Zifa, the government reaffirmed its dedication to national football by winning $150,000 for Benin, and another $150,000 if the team wins Nigeria.
Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe made it clear that he had never been as eager as Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, stressing that the two players remain irreplaceable in football.
Despite the ongoing comparison with the two legendary characters, Mbappe downplays any concept of stepping onto the shoes. Since joining Real Madrid last summer, he has scored 30 goals in 43 games in all competitions.
He has only two goals, which will surpass Ronaldo’s first season with 33 goals, a milestone for the Portuguese star and former Dutch International Ruud Van Nistelrooy.
However, Mbappe insists that breaking the record doesn’t mean he is taking over their legacy.
After his 30th goal of the season, the 26-year-old has remained modest about his achievements, acknowledging the impact Messi and Ronaldo have on football.
That was the top newspaper headline in Nigeria today. Read more Nigeria news Naija News. See you tomorrow.
