TheCable

The Punch reports that at least 18 outgoing governors will retire into lives of luxury with generous pension benefits despite mounting debts and unpaid workers’ salaries. The newspaper says state governments have faulted the plan by the federal government to cede the feeding of inmates in correctional centres to states.

The Nation reports that Ali Ndume, a senator, said 69 senators have promised to support Godswill Akpabio, former Akwa Ibom governor, as senate president. The newspaper says rising food prices and the lingering effect of cash crunch are eroding Nigerians’ purchasing power as inflation heads to a new 17-year high.

Daily Trust reports that a basket of tomato now costs N70,000 in the southern part of Nigeria as many households and restaurants resort to tomato pastes as alternatives for cooking. The newspaper says at least 38 persons, including children and women, have been reportedly killed by yet-to-be-identified gunmen in Takalafiya, Karu LGA of Nasarawa state.

The Guardian says Nigeria’s external debt climbed from $2.1 billion in 2006 to about $41.8 billion in 2023. The newspaper reports that Lagos state is grappling with the challenges of managing waste produced by residents.

THISDAY reports that Akpabio has commenced reconciliatory moves to pacify aggrieved lawmakers-elect over the zoning arrangement of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the leadership positions in the 10th national assembly. The newspaper says the Police Service Commission (PSC) has condemned the assault on police officers by some individuals.