Good morning in Nigeria. Welcome Naija News Thursday, April 10, 2025, Nigeria’s top newspaper headlines
Former President Muhammadu Buhari has recommended members of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) to adopt a citizen-centered approach.
Buhari’s media aide Garba Shehu revealed in a statement Wednesday that the former president said the leadership not only raised challenges and opportunities, but balancing the two would greatly improve national progress.
The former president expressed confidence in the progress made by the governor elected on all Progress Conferences (APC) platforms and reiterated his call for continued dedication to the country’s progress.
He also said leaders should be consistent with the welfare of the people, not their own, to provide a personal example of having the same physical assets as the president had before.
He thanked the Tinubu government for renovating the Kaduna house and explained that while the building looks very same on the outside, it has done a lot of improvements inside.
He thanked the governor for his visit, saying that when he worked with several of them, some others were new to him.
The independent National Election Commission (INEC) vows to remain neutral and transparent to fulfill its duties as it touches on leadership quarrels in the Labor Party (LP).
The position was known by INEC’s acting chairman Sam Olumekun when the Labor Leader’s Visit (LP) leaders visited INEC headquarters on Wednesday, during which they urged the electoral body to formally recognize Senator Esther Nenadi Usman as the party’s legal chair.
LP delegations were received by the party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi and Abia Governor Alex Otti.
As Naija News reported earlier, Labor leaders filed a case asking INEC to take formal measures in light of the recent Supreme Court decision in recognition of Usman’s leadership.
After the meeting, an INEC statement stated that Governor Otti formally submitted a certified authentic copy of the party’s recent Supreme Court decision.
The statement confirmed that both sides had meaningful discussions aimed at strengthening democratic values.
The sole administrator of Rivers State, Deputy Admiral (RTD), IBOKETTE IBAS, has made great progress in reshaping the state’s administrative landscape, announcing a new appointment to the Civil Service and Local Government Services Commission.
Despite the restrictive orders of the Federal High Court, the changes are concurrent with the appointment of administrators of the controversial 23 local government committees.
In a formal announcement Wednesday, a special statement signed by the Secretary of the State Government (SSG) Professor Ibibia Lucky Worika confirmed the appointments, which included important figures from the state committees.
The latest appointment was conducted by a controversial action by Deputy Admiral Ibas, including the appointment of administrators of all 23 local government councils in the state.
The technical subcommittee on the sale of crude oil and refined products in the Naira Initiative said the federal government’s crude oil policy will continue.
Naija News reported that the subcommittee concluded Tuesday after the meeting to review progress and resolve ongoing implementation matters.
Wale Edun, Chairman of the Implementation Committee, Minister of Finance and Minister of Economic Coordination, attended the meeting; Chairman of the Zacch Addeji Technical Subcommittee and Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Tax Services (FIRS); NNPC Limited, Chief Financial Officer of Dapo Segun and Representative of the Dangote Refinery.
Stakeholders reaffirmed the Government’s ongoing commitment to the full implementation of this strategic initiative, directed by the Federal Executive Committee (FEC).
“The sales of crude oil and fine product in the Naira initiative are not temporary or sometimes interventions but key policy directives aimed at supporting sustainable local refining, enhancing energy security and reducing dependence on foreign exchange in the domestic oil market.
“As with any significant policy shift, the Commission acknowledges that implementation challenges may arise from time to time.
“However, through coordinated efforts among the parties, such issues are being actively addressed.
A statement from the committee reads to some extent: “The initiative remains in effect as long as it is aligned with the public interest and supports national economic goals,” a statement from the committee said in part.
Alo Raymond, head of Manguna in Bokkos local government area in Plateau State, revealed that the gunmen who recently attacked the community in the area were identifiable people.
Raymond made the statement at a peace meeting organized by the lieutenant. Olufemi Oluyede of the Chief of Staff (COAS), located in Bokkos.
Naija News recalled that on April 2, the gunmen launched a coordinated attack on Hurti, Josho, Daffo, Manguna and other communities in the area.
The violent attacks killed more than 50 residents, destroyed more than 300 houses, and displaced more than 1,000 people.
Similarly, on March 27, a separate attack targeted the mourners, killing 10 people.
Raymond stressed when talking about the tragic incident that the attackers were neither strangers nor concealed, making them easy to identify.
He further claimed that the repeated attacks were part of a larger plan to seize land from indigenous peoples.
Bashiru Lamidi Apapa announced on Wednesday that he has served as the leader of the Labor Party following the Supreme Court ruling that removed Julius Abure as president of the opposition state.
Apapa made the statement at a press conference Wednesday, citing the Supreme Court ruled on April 4, 2025 to invalidate Abure’s leaders.
He further clarified that all actions and decisions made by Abure since April 4, 2023 are now invalid after the Supreme Court decided to dismiss the cross-appe filed by Julius Abure, the ousted former President.
He also announced plans to restore the dying board to make it happen again.
President Bra Tinub’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State has raised legal challenges, with 11 governors (PDP) from the People’s Democratic Party filing a lawsuit with the Supreme Court.
The Governor is monitoring all elected members of the state with Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Mrs. Ngozi Odu, as well as the sole administrator of the Rivers State Capitol.
11 PDP governors bid SC/CV/329/2025 in their lawsuit, questioning the legitimacy of the actions taken by President Tinubu.
The governor believes that the suspension of elected officials in the state and the announcement of an emergency in the River State that violates the constitutional provisions of the River State.
In addition, the PDP governor is asking the court to assess whether the River State Capitol, which is under the guise of a state of emergency, is suspended.
They also seek clarification on the president’s actions, including threats to governors and lieutenant governors in other states, in violation of Nigeria’s constitutional principles.
Afrobeat singer David Adeleke (commonly known as Davido) of Nigeria has announced a white wedding with his wife Chioma, which will be held this year.
Naija News reported that it was ten months after the couple’s star-studded traditional wedding ceremony held at the Eko Hotel in Lagos State.
Davido revealed in his latest interview with the breakfast club that their highly anticipated white wedding will be held in Miami in August 2025.
He said: “In August this year, I had a white wedding in Miami.
“Our traditional marriages shut down Nigeria because in the eyes of our relationship, a lot of things happen in the public, besides losing children.”
The Premier League will receive at least five players in the Champions League next season as England consolidates its highest position in the UEFA national coefficient rankings in the 2024-2025 season.
This ranking not only establishes England’s football dominance, but also guarantees one of the two attractions allocated to Europe’s best-performing countries.
For now, England leads Spain and Italy in the coefficient rankings, taking second and third place respectively. This ranking is crucial because it affects the number of teams each country can send to European games based on performance in previous seasons.
Under the improved format of the Champions League, two additional group-level positions were awarded to the best performing countries in Europe since the previous season. Both Italy and Germany benefited from this arrangement during the ongoing season, ensuring other qualified positions for their teams.
Currently, the Premier League has five clubs participating in various European Championships, more than any other league. Historically, Serie A was the only league that could challenge England to dominate the coefficient rankings.
But even with representatives from the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League from Italy, the results of recent matches, such as Arsenal’s commendable victory against Real Madrid on Tuesday, seem to give England an edge.
Despite the fierce campaigns of Inter, Lazio and Fiorentina in their respective matches, it seems difficult to overturn England’s lead in the rankings.
This means that even if Arsenal, Aston Villa, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea will all lose every remaining European game this season, England can still secure one of the two highly sought-after qualifiers for the Champions League.
Lyon midfielder Nemanja Matic described Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana as one of the “worst goalkeepers” in Manchester United history.
Matic and his former club Manchester United plan to start making the remarks on Thursday, April 10 at 8 p.m.
When asked about Andre Onana’s assertion that the Red Magic should outperform No. 1, Matic questioned the Cameroonian’s goalkeeper certificate.
In response, Andre Onana spoke about Matic’s comments at the press conference. He acknowledged the challenges ahead but maintained confidence in the team’s capabilities, noting: “Of course, it’s not easy, but I think we’re in a strong position compared to them.”
Afterwards, Onana went on the official X page to clarify that he did not try to disrespect the French side, but did not fire at Matic.
That was the top newspaper headline in Nigeria today. Read more Nigeria news Naija News. See you tomorrow.
