Nigerian Newspapers: 10 things you need to know Sunday morning

Good morning! Here is today’s summary from Nigerian Newspapers:

1. Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, on Saturday, gave President Bola Ahmed Tinubu a pass mark on his performance in office, saying the Nigerian leader is doing his best across key sectors of governance. Gowon spoke with journalists after paying a courtesy visit to the President at the State House, Abuja, where he said he came primarily to appreciate the efforts of the administration and to encourage the President in his leadership of the country.

2. The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has fixed April 14, 2026, for its National Convention as part of activities to renew the party’s leadership structures nationwide. This was disclosed in the official schedule of activities for the conduct of the party’s 2026 congresses and National Convention released late Saturday.

3. Kanam Development Association, KADA, an umbrella body of people of Kanam local government area of Plateau state, on Saturday, narrated how bandits ambushed and killed soldiers and vigilantes in wanka community, Kyaram district of the LGA. The group said 12 soldiers and eight vigilantes lost their lives during the ambush.

4. A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Kenneth Okonkwo, has alleged that the continued detention of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai is politically motivated, directly linking his ordeal to his association with the opposition party. Okonkwo, a lawyer, made the allegation weekend during an appearance on Channels Television’s Morning Brief, where he also condemned the detention as a violation of El-Rufai’s constitutional rights.

5. Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, weekend, summoned the largest airline in the country, Air Peace, over what it described as unexplained disruptions. Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the NCAA, Michael Achimugu, also disclosed that it received complaints from passengers on the Heathrow-Abuja flight who were rerouted via Gatwick-Lagos-Abuja and left stranded in Lagos.

6. A professor in the department of Food Technology, University of Ibadan, Professor Abdulrahman Akinoso, has emerged the Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, faction loyal to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Mr Nyesom Wike, in Oyo State. Akinoso was elected alongside 38 other executive members of the party at the congress held on Saturday.

7. The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Imo State says it has one Tochukwu Ogaranya, 52, alongside five pregnant women, aged between 25 and 33, in its custody for alleged child trafficking. The command also said that it rescued five newborn babies from the suspects. The NSCDC Commandant in Imo, Mr Basil Igwebueze, said this in Owerri, on Saturday, while briefing newsmen on the recent exploits by the command.

8. An official of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps died on Friday during the distribution of Ramadan and Sallah palliatives in Tudun Wada Local Government Area of Kano State. The distribution programme was organised by the member representing Doguwa/Tudun Wada Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Alhassan Ado Doguwa.

9. Bauchi State Police Command has arrested two constable candidates for alleged certificate forgery at the Police Training School Bauchi. The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Nafiu Habib, made the disclosure in a statement issued weekend. Habib said the screening was led by A.Y. Dickson, who headed the team conducting the recruitment process at the training school.

10. President Bola Tinubu has overridden the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, by moving the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau to the Presidency. Although it has yet to be stated which office within the Presidency the bureau will now report to, it was gathered that the President has approved its relocation from the Ministry of Aviation to the Presidency.