Nigerian Newspapers headline Today: 10 things you need to know Friday morning

Good morning! Here’s your daily scoop from Nigerian newspapers:

1. Big payday alert! The Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) just shared out a whopping N1.298 trillion to federal, state, and local governments for September 2024. The announcement came at the end of the FAAC meeting held in Abuja on Thursday.
   
2. Fuel and forex subsidies? Gone for good. The federal government officially pulled the plug on both policies. Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, broke the news during the presentation of the Nigeria Development Update by the World Bank on Thursday, October 17.
   
3. Mark your calendars! The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has set November 8, 2025, for the off-cycle governorship election in Anambra State. This announcement came from INEC boss Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who met with political party leaders on Thursday. A formal notice is expected to hit the public on November 13, 2024.
4. World Bank throws out a serious warning: If the government flips back on its current economic reforms, things could take a nasty turn for Nigeria. Dr. Ndiame Diop, the World Bank’s Country Director for Nigeria, delivered this blunt message at the launch of the Nigeria Development Update report in Abuja, saying, “Staying the Course” is the only way forward despite the tough times.
5. Here’s a shocker—some of those weapons used by terrorists? They once belonged to the government! The National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, made this jaw-dropping revelation during the Arms Destruction Exercise organized by the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons in Abuja.
   
6. Labour Party drama settles down a bit. INEC has officially recognized Julius Abure as the Chairman of the party. A letter sent to Abure and LP’s Secretary, Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim, invited them to the fourth consultative meeting with political parties held in Abuja on Thursday.
7. Scary scene in Edo State! A CNG-powered vehicle blew up at the NIPCO gas station in Benin City, leaving three people injured. The explosion rocked the station along the Benin-Auchi road early Thursday morning.
8. Tragedy in Jigawa sparks a promise from the government. Following a fuel tanker explosion in Majia town that claimed 153 lives, the Federal Government has vowed to help rebuild and rehabilitate the area. Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, delivered this promise while leading a delegation to condole with the state on Thursday.
9. Governor Bala Mohammed isn’t buying the World Bank’s advice. He openly criticized the World Bank’s doom warning, insisting the current economic reforms just aren’t cutting it. “People are hungry, and even someone like me risks being lynched,” the Bauchi State governor declared in a heated response on Thursday.
10. Flood alert for residents along River Benue! The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has urged people living near riverbanks to pack up and move to safer ground—pronto. With heavy rainfall, the water levels on the River Benue have risen to dangerous levels, Director-General Umar Mohammed warned in a statement issued Thursday.

That’s all the major highlights for today! Stay safe out there, and don’t forget to keep an umbrella handy—it’s that season! 🌧️

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