10 things You Need to Know Inside the Nigerian Newspaper This Saturday Morning (18/05/2019)


Here is today’s summary from Nigerian Newspapers:


1. The Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu is set to be closed down by the Federal. The Minister of State for Aviation said the airport will be closed down over the state of the runway. Speaking in Lagos at a stakeholders forum on Friday, the Minister explained that the airport will be degraded for international operations because the runway length is not ideal for such operations. According to him, the market, television masts and free trade zone need to be relocated for the airport to be fit for safe flights.

2. Nnamdi Kanu, a leading agitator for a Sovereign State of Biafra and the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has attacked the Government of Nigeria for failing to recognize and honour late Gen. Aguyi Ironsi. Nnamdi Kanu wondered why MKO Abiola, a Yoruba man, who, according to him, was never President or ascended the seat of power would be honoured on June 12 by the President Muhammadu Buhari government while Ironsi who ruled as a military head of State is not remembered either by his people, the Igbo, or the Nigerian Government.

3. Following safety concerns raised by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) on potential air hazards in and around the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, the Enugu State Executive Council has ordered the immediate closure of Orie Emene Market near the airport. Briefing newsmen after the council’s meeting on Friday, the State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Ogbuagu Anikwe, disclosed that the council also closed the abattoir near the airport and equally ordered the immediate removal of all illegal structures encroaching on the land of the airport.

4. The Department of State Services, DSS, Friday, condemned the alleged call for revolution in the country. It also accused the organisation it called the Nigeria Continuity and Progress (NCP) of being responsible for the alleged revolutionary call. DSS spokesman, Peter Afunanya disclosed this in a statement. He dismissed the group as being unpatriotic as it allegedly called for a revolution and forceful change of government.

5. Rivers Police Command says it has killed six alleged kidnap suspects in a shootout with the police. Mr Usman Belele, the State Police Commissioner, said this in Port Harcourt on Friday at a news conference. The CP said his men had stormed their hideout at Eneka in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers. He said on sighting the police, the suspects allegedly opened fire and wounded two police officers. Belel said when his officers returned fire, five gang members were “fatally wounded.”

6. Former president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, has tasked Nigerians to pray and support the Federal Government to overcome the spate of kidnapping, terrorism and banditry in the country. He described as worrisome the spate of kidnappings and insecurity in the country, saying that insecurity has been there before now, but has now assumed a wider dimension.

7. The Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, on Friday revealed that governors cannot openly interfere in the rift between Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje and Emir Muhammadu Sanusi. He further revealed how Northern Governors secretly met some time ago to quell the tension over Kano Emirate. He spoke in Kaduna on Friday in a chat with newsmen after the Northern Governors’ meeting.

8. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it only knows Mr. Omoyele Sowore as the substantive National Chairman of the African Action Congress (AAC). INEC reacting in a statement signed by Rose Oriaran-Anthony, secretary to the commission on Friday said the electoral body only recognises Sowore as Chairman.

9. Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has promised to clear all backlog of salaries owed by the state government to workers before December. The Governor spoke to reporters in Kaduna yesterday shortly after the Northern State Governors Forum, NSGF, meeting. He explained that his administration did not incur any debt through the non-payment of salaries due to workers since he assumed office, saying that what remains outstanding as workers’ salaries was incurred by the administration that preceded his government, which he has inherited.

10. The Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, has emerged as Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum for the next four years. He was elected by his fellow governors during the meeting of the forum which held in Kaduna on Friday.
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