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Nigerian Newspaper Headlines Good morning, Nigeria. Welcome to the StartSmart Nigeria roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Monday, 30th June, 2025
1. ‘It’s Mere Disinformation’ – OSGF Breaks Silence On George Akume’s Alleged Sack
The Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) has announced reports claiming that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has replaced Senator George Akume as SGF.
StartSmart gathered that this was revealed in a statement issued on Sunday by Segun Imohiosen, The Director, Information & Public Relations, OSGF,
According to the statement, the OSGF narrates the claims on Akume’s purported removal from office as mere disinformation.
It reveals emphatically that the information is entirely false, misleading, and lacks any basis in fact, as Tinubu has no intention of doing so.
2. Saint Lucia: Stop Fouling This Space With Your Lamentations – Presidency Fires Back At Peter Obi
The presidency has condemned Peter Obi’s criticism of the recent foreign trip embarked upon by President Bola Tinubu, describing the ex-Anambra Governor’s submissions as unnecessary lamentations.
StartSmart Nigeria recalls that the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, had criticized President Bola Tinubu’s trip to Saint Lucia and Brazil for the BRICS summit. Nigerian Newspaper Headlines
The former Governor described the trip as a grave misstep at a time when Nigerians face deep economic deprivation and widespread insecurity.
In a post via 𝕏 on Saturday, Obi wrote that Tinubu’s travel arrangements disclose a misplaced agenda prioritizing political optics over citizens’ urgent needs.
However, in a statement on Sunday by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Engagement, Fredrick Nwabufo, the government justified Tinubu’s most recent foreign trip, saying it is targeted at strengthening Nigeria’s engagement with Caribbean nations and strengthen South-South cooperation.
It cautioned Obi against spreading pessimism about Tinubu’s efforts to reposition Nigeria in a positive light globally, adding that the former LP presidential candidate is prone to throwing public tantrums.
The statement added that President Tinubu is the visionary who sees Nigeria for its immense greatness and who has returned the nation to global reckoning.
3. Nigeria Was Borrowing Every Day The Way Fish Drinks Water – Oshiomhole Reveals How Naira Collapsed During Buhari’s Administration
The senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole has, claimed that the excessive printing of money by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) through the Ways and Means policy during erstwhile president Muhammadu Buhari’s administration led to the crippling of the naira.
StartSmart Nigeria reports that the Ways and Means provision allows the Federal Government to borrow from the CBN if it needs emergency finance to fund delayed government expected cash receipts of fiscal deficits.
Speaking at a Progressives Governors Forum’s Meeting and Interactive Session in Benin City, Edo State, on Saturday, Oshiomhole blamed the policy for the eventual collapse of the Nigerian currency against the US dollar.
He further added that Nigeria was “borrowing every day the way fish drink water”, adding that it has become President Bola Tinubu’s burden to pay back those loans to guarantee the sovereignty of Nigeria.
4. No Organ, Group Or Officer Of The Party Has The Power To Change Monday’s NEC Meeting – PDP
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has maintained that it would proceed with the 100th meeting of its National Executive Committee (NEC) as scheduled tomorrow, Monday, 30th June, 2025.
The party also insisted that no organ, group or officer of the party has the power to alter, change, vary, veto or convert the already convened NEC meeting. Nigerian Newspaper Headlines
This position was made known in a statement by the PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Amb. Taofeek Arapaja, on behalf of the National Working Committee (NWC), during a press conference on Sunday.
He insisted that the PDP NEC meeting and the National Convention scheduled for Thursday, 28th to Saturday, 30th August, 2025 would be hosted as scheduled.
Arapaja added that there is no truth in certain reports claiming the NEC meeting has been converted to a Special Expanded National Caucus meeting, as no such organ is recognized by the party constitution or guidelines.
5. 13 Abducted Benue Links Passengers Rescued
Thirteen passengers of Benue Links Transport Company who were kidnapped last week at Eke in Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State have regained their freedom following a coordinated rescue operation by security operatives and local vigilantes. Nigerian Newspaper Headlines
StartSmart Nigeria eports that the Chairman of Okpokwu LGA, Adah Inalegwu, confirmed the development on Sunday while speaking to Channels Television.
According to Inalegwu, the victims were rescued in batches. He revealed that two of the passengers were freed on Saturday after security personnel intensified search operations across the forested region.
He added that local youths from neighbouring Kogi State were also mobilised to support the operation, putting additional pressure on the abductors. Nigerian Newspaper Headlines
Inalegwu also praised Governor Hyacinth Alia for providing logistical support that strengthened surveillance and tracking efforts.
The rescued passengers are currently undergoing profiling and medical checks and are expected to be reunited with their families soon.
Naija News had earlier reported that suspected gunmen, last Sunday, attacked a Benue Links commercial bus, robbing passengers and abducting several victims into the nearby bush.
6. Ohanaeze Tackles Gowon Over Civil War Remarks
The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has strongly faulted recent comments by exMilitary Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (retd.), who claimed that the Nigerian Civil War was not directed at the Igbo people but rather triggered by secessionists. Nigerian Newspaper Headlines
Ohanaeze described Gowon’s remarks as not only “gross misinformation” but a “blatant distortion of historical facts,” insisting that the former leader’s position was a grave affront to the collective memory and dignity of the Igbo nation.
In a statement issued on Sunday by a factional Deputy President-General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, Ohanaeze called out General Gowon of downplaying the deliberate targeting and massacre of Igbos, particularly during the 1966 Northern riots, which they say precipitated the civil war.
Ohanaeze further alleged that Gowon, who is now 91, was manipulated by “colonial interests and the Fulani oligarchy” during his time in power, which led to decisions that left the Igbo people vulnerable.
The group emphasised that it was necessary to counter what it described as a growing attempt to rewrite the history of the Nigerian Civil War, particularly narratives that downplay the scale of atrocities against the Igbo. Nigerian Newspaper Headlines
StartSmart Nigeria recalls that General Gowon had earlier stated that the Biafran conflict was instigated by secessionist actions in 1966, not by any ethnic targeting.
7. We Were Paid ₦10,000 Per Day – Lalude Laments Over Unpaid Dues In Tinubu’s Campaign
Veteran Nollywood actor Lalude has expressed regret and frustration over campaigning for President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking in a video spotted on social media, he lamented that he and his colleagues were offered ₦10,000 daily for feeding while campaigning for President Bola Tinubu in 2023.
He fumed that, aside from the ₦10,000 given to them daily, they had not received campaign rewards after two years of Tinubu in office. Nigerian Newspaper Headlines
The actor’s outburst is coming a few days after his colleague, Alapini, expressed regret for campaigning for Tinubu alongside hundreds of his colleagues
StartSmart Nigeria leant that Nigerian celebrities who declared support for Tinubu during the last general elections include Saheed Balogun, Bimbo Akintola, Toyin Abraham, Eniola Badmus, Olaiya Igwe, and Seyi Law, among others. Nigerian Newspaper Headlines
8. 2025 Club World Cup: PSG Knockout Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami
The journey is over for Lionel Messi and his Major League Soccer club, Inter Miami at the ongoing 2025 Club World Cup.
French Ligue 1 and UEFA Champions League reigning winners, Paris Saint-Germain proved to be insurmountable for Lionel Messi, and his teammates.
PSG got the goal as early as the 6th minute of the encounter thanks to Joao Neves’ strike. Before the MLS side could fight back, the 20-year-old Portuguese midfielder scored his second goal of the match.
Afterwards, the rain of goals continued as Tomás Avilés scored an own goal in the 44th minute and then Achraf Hakimi sealed the win in injury time of the first half.
Interestingly, Inter Miami, who are currently placed sixth in Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference, successfully prevented the French side from scoring more goals throughout the second half. Hence, the game ended in a 4-0 bashing of the American club.
Messi, who faced PSG for the first time since he left the club after the 2023-2024 season, could not do much but recorded a couple of goal-scoring chances.
With the 4-0 win over Inter Miami in the Club World Cup round of 16, PSG have booked themselves a place in the quarter-finals stage of the competition. Nigerian Newspaper Headlines
9. Abakaliki FC’s Team Bus Involved In Accident After Losing President’s Federation Cup Final
It was a double jeopardy for Abakaliki FC as a bus carrying officials of the club crashed on its way back to Ebonyi state from Lagos.
The accident happened hours after Abakaliki FC suffered a 4-3 defeat on penalties in the President’s Federation Cup final against Kwara United at the Onikan Stadium in Lagos on Saturday, June 28.
A statement from the Nigeria National League (NNL) side published on their official Facebook page confirmed that the accident took place along the Benin-Ore expressway in the early hours of today.
The statement also confirmed that no life or injury was recorded in the accident, but the bus was mildly damaged due to the crash. Nigerian Newspaper Headlines
According to the club, the crash occurred shortly after the bus driver lost control of the brakes and was forced to collide with a moving truck near Ondo.
The second-tier club confirmed, “To God be the glory, no injury and no life was lost.
“On our way back from Lagos after yesterday’s president federation cup finals to Ebonyi State today (29/6/2025), one of our vehicles (official’s bus) failed brake along Ondo express highway and hit a moving truck at the back.
”We thank God, we are all safe and sound. To God be the glory!”
10. Napoli Set To Recall Victor Osimhen As Al Hilal Prepares New Offer
Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen is expected to resume training at Napoli as his future remains uncertain amid mounting transfer speculations.
Note that Victor Osimhen, who is currently enjoying his holiday in Lagos, Nigeria, spent last season on loan at Galatasaray, where he continued to prove his goalscoring prowess.
During the loan spell, the 26-year-old Osimhen finished the campaign as the Turkish league’s highest goalscorer. He helped Galatasaray to win two trophies, including the league title.
The Nigerian international scored 37 goals and provided eight assists in 41 appearances across all competitions for the Turkish side. Nigerian Newspaper Headlines
Due to this performance, top European clubs like Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool, Juventus, and Galatasaray have been pushing to sign him permanently. However, none of them has made tangible progress in their pursuit. Nigerian Newspaper Headlines
Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal seems to be the most interested side in the Nigerian international. Even though Osimhen has rejected their offers multiple times, they are reportedly set to make another offer, which could earn Osimhen €50 million per season.
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