Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the OsunDaily roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Thursday, 19th June, 2025

The President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday declared that the value of human lives is greater than that of cows.

OsunDaily reports that President Tinubu made the assertion while speaking during his condolence visit to Benue State over the mass killing of residents by armed bandits and terrorists.

The Nigerian leader submitted that lives must be preserved, as they are tired of burying people.

He also called on the people of the state to join hands and work together in ensuring the safety of lives and properties, and prevent barbaric actions such as those which led to the massacre of several Nigerians in Yelewata, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State and other communities around the Benue-Nasarawa corridor.

He called on the people to join him and other leaders in the fight against insecurity.

Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (retd), has attributed the collapse of the Aburi Accord to a fundamental disagreement between the federal government and the then Eastern Region leader, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, over control of military forces across the regions.

OsunDaily reports that Gowon said Ojukwu’s insistence that regional governors should command zonal military units was a red line the federal government could not cross.

Speaking in an interview with Arise News on Wednesday, Gowon stated that although both parties approached the January 1967 Aburi meeting in Ghana with sincerity, Ojukwu’s interpretation of the discussions went beyond the intended scope.

The former military leader said the federal delegation never saw the Aburi summit as a forum for constitutional restructuring or military devolution, but rather a peace dialogue among officers.

Gowon revealed that shortly after returning from Aburi, he was struck by illness, which delayed the federal government’s official response to the terms of the accord.

In the interim, Ojukwu allegedly made public declarations about the Accord that had not been jointly agreed upon.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chair of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, has expressed strong concern over reported plans by the United States to impose visa restrictions on all member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

OsunDaily reports that the Minister made this known while speaking at the opening of the 54th Ordinary Session of the Mediation and Security Council at the Ministerial Level held Wednesday in Abuja.

Tuggar warned that such a move would pose a serious threat to trade, diplomacy, and regional development.

Tuggar, who also serves as Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, described the policy as not only a diplomatic setback but also a missed economic opportunity.

He noted that ECOWAS is home to abundant natural resources, including critical minerals and rare earth elements.

He urged the United States to reconsider its approach, emphasizing that ECOWAS nations remain open to global partnerships and are ready to engage with any country that allows for ease of travel for legitimate business and diplomatic purposes.

A former Vice President of Nigeria, Alhaji Namadi Sambo, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

OsunDaily reports that Sambo, born 2nd August, 1954, is a Nigerian politician who was Vice President of Nigeria from 19 May 2010 to 29 May 2015.

The Kaduna-born politician served during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

He previously served as Governor of Kaduna State from 2007 to 2010.

Following his defection, the former Vice President was pictured with the incumbent Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani.

Sambo became the latest high-profile politician to dump the PDP for the APC in the build-up to the 2027 general elections.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested a former Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Moses Thomas Sule and 14 other members for alleged money laundering.

The 14 members are: Gwottson Fom, Sani Abubakar, Jwe Philip Gwom, Thomas Dantong, Happiness Mathew Akawu, Cornelius Dotyok and Agbalak Ibrahim.

Other members are: Danjuma Azi, Fwangje Bala Ndat, Salome Tanimu Wanglet, Namba Rimuyat, Nimchak Rims, Ishaku Maren and Paul Datugun.

OsunDaily reports that the former legislators were arrested following claims by some concerned citizens of the state against them for allegedly violating the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and abuse of procurement processes.

According to investigations, the former legislators spent only six months in office and the state government bought several luxury vehicles for them in their official capacities.

President Bola Tinubu has directed the security chiefs to arrest perpetrators of last Friday’s massacre in the Yelewata community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.

Tinubu gave the order on Wednesday while speaking during a town hall meeting with political leaders in Benue State.

“Christopher… We need to get our ears to the ground. Let’s get those criminals. Let’s get them out,” Tinubu told the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, during a town hall meeting.

Tinubu earlier visited persons recovering from last Friday’s attack by armed herders at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital.

Veteran Nollywood actor, Ganiu Nafiu, popularly known as Alapini, has expressed regret over supporting President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 presidential campaign.

OsunDaily reports that Alapini, in an interview on ‘Behind the Fame – African A-List TV’ on YouTube, lamented the lack of recognition and neglect that followed Tinubu’s presidential election win.

Alapini said the hope they had during the campaign season has since turned into disappointment, stressing that he and many other veterans spent two months campaigning for Tinubu, expecting that their loyalty and visibility would be appreciated after the victory.

Speaking further, Alapini said that despite the visible participation of elderly actors in campaign events, neither Tinubu’s son, Seyi Tinubu, nor the All Progressives Congress acknowledged their efforts.

The thespian also cited his colleague, Olaiya Igwe, who infamously stripped naked at a beach to pray for Tinubu’s victory, stressing that he has not been free from the curses laid on him.

Alapini berated Seyi for focusing his philanthropic efforts in Northern Nigeria, suggesting that Yoruba communities have been sidelined.

Popular Nigerian comedian, Efe Warriboy, has accused Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, of playing politics with lives of the masses in the state.

Efe made the remark while reacting to the declaration of Wednesday, June 18, as a public holiday to welcome President Bola Tinubu to the state amid statewide mourning over the recent Yelewata massacre.

OsunDaily recalls that the Benue State government, in a statement released on Tuesday by the Secretary to the State Government, Serumun Deborah Ambe, declared Wednesday a public holiday to honour Tinubu during his one-day visit to the state and urged residents to come out en masse to welcome the president.

Reacting, Efe Warriboy, in a video via his Instagram page, claimed that the declaration of a public holiday over Tinubu’s visit to the state is a mockery of the bereaved people of Benue.

He further questioned the conscience of Nigerian politicians, asking if a deal had been signed with a foreign company to reduce the Nigerian population.

The 2025-2026 Premier League season will kick off on Friday, August 15, with reigning champions Liverpool hosting Bournemouth at Anfield, marking the start of another thrilling campaign.

Arne Slot’s side will begin their Premier League title defence under the lights as the traditional curtain-raiser of the English top flight.

After an impressive first season in charge, Slot’s Reds will be looking to continue their dominant form in front of a home crowd.

One of the standout fixtures of the opening weekend sees Manchester United welcome Arsenal to Old Trafford on Sunday, August 17. The clash of these two traditional rivals is expected to set the tone for a fiercely competitive season.

Newly promoted Sunderland, back in the Premier League for the first time since 2016-2017, will start their return to the top flight at home against West Ham United.

The 2025-2026 season spans 380 matches played across 33 weekends and five midweek rounds, culminating on Sunday, May 24, 2026.

According to the Premier League, the August 15 start, 82 days after the 2024-2025 season ended, ensures maximum rest time for players.

Manchester City got their 2025 FIFA Club World Cup journey off to a confident start with a comfortable 2-0 win over African champions Wydad Casablanca at the King Abdullah Sports City on Wednesday evening.

Pep Guardiola’s side, determined to reassert their global dominance after a third-place league finish back home, wasted no time in asserting their quality.

Phil Foden broke the deadlock in just the 2nd minute with a crisp finish following a quick passing move that caught the Moroccan side off guard.

City continued to control possession and tempo, probing for gaps in a well-organised Wydad defence.

Their persistence paid off again in the 42nd minute when Jérémy Doku, who had been lively on the flanks, doubled the lead with a clinical strike to cap off a slick attacking sequence.

That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on OsunDaily. See you again tomorrow.