Nigerian Newspapers: 10 Things You Need To Know Today, Sunday, 9th May, 2021

Here is 10 things you need to know this Sunday, 9th May, 2021 and summary from Nigerian Newspapers:

1. Prominent Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Ahmad Gumi, has said that he will head to Aso Rock if his child is abducted by bandits.Speaking in an interview with BBC Pidgin on Friday, the cleric reiterated his stance that ransom should be paid to bandits to free their captives.

On Wednesday, the cleric had urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to pay the N100 million demanded by the abductors of Greenfield University students kidnapped in April. Commenting again on the development, Gumi said the federal government has to choose between the option of saving the lives of students or paying the N100 million.

2.The Benue State Government has accused the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai of misleading President Muhammadu Buhari on issues of security in Nigeria. Governor Ortom’s Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase made the accusation in a statement on Saturday.

3. Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani has opined that Igbos have been suffering a collective punishment in Nigeria.This is as the former lawmaker added that the Igbos have suffered marginalization since the civil war which took place between 1967 and 1970.

He added that the marginalisation has affected the political fortunes of the region but the Igbos have proven to be dependable and patriotic. Sani made the submission on Saturday in Kaduna at a meeting organised by the Association of Eze-Ndigbo in Diaspora.

4.The Chairman of the Kogi Chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Wakili Damina, who was allegedly kidnapped on Tuesday, has been released. The state Secretary of the association, Mr Adamu Abubakar told newsmen in Lokoja on yesterday.

5. Irked by the spate of insecurity besetting the country, the founder of Christ Embassy, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, has declared a 2-day prayer and fast. Addressing newsmen yesterday in Abuja, Oyakhilome, who spoke through a senior pastor, Deola Philips, explained that the church would not sit back while the country burns.

6. Former Big Brother Housemate, and social media influencer Alexandra Asogwa, better known as Alex Unusual, has said she learned how to ignore people at the Big Brother Naija House. She made this know in an interview with Saturday Beats, where she said she does not enjoy controversies, even though it sells some people better in the public space.

7. Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, yesterday, said he doesn’t believe Nigerian unity is attainable under the current regime of the President Muhammadu Buhari due to its systemic failure. Soyinka said this in Abuja.

8. The Police Command in Osun said it has arrested eight suspected members of a kidnap syndicate who relocated to hide in the state after operating in Benue. SP Yemisi Opalola, the command’s spokesperson, said in a statement on Saturday.

9. The student of Abia State University (ABSU), Uturu, who was still left in the custody of a criminal gang, after being abducted while journeying along the Okigwe-Uturu Road recently, has been released. Governor Okezie Ikpeazu made this known on Saturday evening.

10. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) says Nigeria will “become ungovernable” if the federal government continues to ignore criticisms and recommendations.

In a statement issued on Friday and signed by the President of CBCN, Augustine Akubeze, the clergies also asked President Muhammadu Buhari to address the country on his effort in tackling insecurity.The bishops, who also bemoaned the spate of abduction of students by bandits, said Nigerians want to “directly hear” from Buhari — and not presidential spokespersons.

The Catholic leaders urged the president to convene a national conference geared towards implementing restructuring and devolution of power.