Encomiums, Knocks As Nigeria Celebrates 63rd Independence Anniversary And Other Newspaper Headlines Today

Editorials, opinion articles, interviews, special reports and congratulatory messages commemorating the 63rd Independence Anniversary of Nigeria dominate the front pages of Nigerian newspapers today, Sunday, October 1st.

The Punch reports that gunmen have abducted at least 17 members of the Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Igan, Akure, and demanded N50 million in ransom. The newspaper also reports that Wande Abimbola, former vice chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), says the regional government is best for Nigeria, adding that states are spreading poverty.

The Nation says the Ogun governorship election tribunal has affirmed Dapo Abiodun as the duly elected governor of the state. The newspaper reports that Godswill Akpabio, president of the senate, has urged Nigerians not to lose hope in the country.

Daily Trust reports that Abdullahi Adamu, former chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), says he has no apology for backing a northern candidate for the 2023 presidential election ticket in the party. The newspaper says a mother successfully arrested the suspect who reportedly abducted her daughter and demanded ransom for her release in Zaria, Kaduna.

The Guardian reports Nigerian children describing their dreams for the country to President Bola Tinubu. The newspaper has an editorial detailing how Nigeria can recover its lost hope.

Daily Independent says the supreme court has fixed October 5 as the date to hear the federal government’s appeal against Nnamdi Kanu. The newspaper reports that the senate has urged labour unions to jettison their planned indefinite strike and embrace dialogue.

• Sodiq Yusuf