Nigerian Newspapers: 10 things to know this Friday morning, April 12

Former Governor of Abia State and ex-Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu, has passed away at the age of 72 in an Abuja hospital.

A female armed bandit, Faith Torkule, associated with militia kingpin Ukum Dekera, was apprehended by the Benue State Police Command’s Special Joint Task Force with a significant cache of ammunition.

The body of a kidnapped seven-year-old boy, Khalifa Saleh, was discovered in a water canal in Kano State.

Gunmen attacked a police checkpoint along the Abakaliki-Enugu Highway, resulting in the burning of a police patrol van. Casualties and abductions were reported, though verification was pending.

Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, mourned the passing of Nollywood actor Pope Obumneme Odonwodo, also known as Junior Pope, praising his contributions to entertainment and enlightenment.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) cleared suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, of fraud allegations.

Minister of Works, David Umahi, revealed the projected cost of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project, estimating it at N2.8 trillion, with each kilometer costing N4 billion.

The Africa Democratic Congress (ADC) is considering merging with various political parties nationwide to form a formidable coalition aimed at challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio reassured his constituents in Akwa Ibom that Nigeria’s situation is improving, urging them not to be anxious about the state of affairs.

AbdulSamad Rabiu, Chairman of BUA Group, expressed optimism about the strengthening of the Nigerian naira against the US dollar, predicting a drop in commodity prices and anticipating the dollar to exchange below N1,000 in the near future.