Nigerian Newspapers September 17: Wage Awards, Anambra Debt Controversy, Olu Jacobs , Others

Newspapers in Nigeria reported on a variety of issues from from the demand by the Nigerian Labour Congress for wage award and sales of crude in naira to local refiners to cushion the effect of the rising cost of Petrol and Diesel on Nigerians, Others lead with the controversy between the Anambra State government and former governor, Peter Obi,  on alleged legacy loans from his time as governor.

The death of Nollywood, Hollywood and Theater acting legend, Oludotun Baiyewu Jacob’s MFR, more popularly known as Olu Jacobs also got prominent mention across all the newspapers.

1. The Nation leads with the controversy surrounding legacy debts of Anambra state between the State government led by Prodessor Charles Chukwuma Soludo and former governor, Peter Obi, who is also the Presidential candidate of the NDC in the 2027 General election.

The dispute over the financial legacy of Peter Obi’s eight-year administration in Anambra State has moved to the centre of the 2027 presidential campaign.

The Presidency yesterday challenged the former governor to honour a pledge to stop campaigning if evidence emerges that he left the state with outstanding liabilities.

The latest exchange was triggered by figures released by the Anambra State Government showing eight external loans which it said were contracted during Obi’s tenure and still had an outstanding balance of $92.35 million, equivalent to about N127.37 billion as of June 30.

2. The Punch leads with the demand by the Nigerian Labour Congress for a wage award and sales of crude in naira to cushionbthe effects of the rising costs of Petrol and Diesel on Nigerians.

The pump price of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly known as petrol, has continued to rise across states, with the product selling for as much as N1,500 per litre in Kano, Yobe, Sokoto, Borno, Taraba and Zamfara, while prices have also risen sharply in other parts of the country.

This came as the Nigeria Labour Congress called on the Federal Government to urgently introduce measures to cushion the impact of the rising price of petrol, including the payment of reasonable wage awards to workers and the sale of crude oil to local refineries in naira.

The NLC, in a statement signed by its President, Joe Ajaero, on Wednesday, said petrol now sells for about N1,430 per litre in major cities, with prices reportedly higher in less accessible locations.

The labour centre warned that the rising cost of petrol would further worsen the economic hardship facing Nigerians, noting that increases in transportation costs typically trigger higher prices of food, rent, school fees and other essential goods and services.

3. The Daily Independent leads with constitutional amendment process with the National Assemly moving the process to State Assemblies who are now expected to act within 30 days on all the amendments.

The National Assembly has transmitted the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, to the Houses of Assembly of the 36 states of the federation for consideration and approval.

The transmission, carried out on Wednesday, followed a directive from the leadership of the National Assembly and represents the next stage in the constitutional alteration process.

The Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, said the bill was transmitted to the state legislatures in accordance with Section 9 of the 1999 constitution, which sets out the procedure for altering the nation’s constitution.

Section 9 provides, among other requirements, that a bill seeking to alter the constitution shall not be passed by either chamber of the National Assembly unless it is approved by a resolution of not less than two-thirds of the Houses of Assembly of the 36 states.

In transmitting the bill, Ogunlana requested the state assemblies to consider it in accordance with their respective legislative procedures and communicate their resolutions to the National Assembly upon conclusion of their consideration.

4. The Sun in one of itsvleadin stories continues the coverage of the controversy around the concessioning of the Kings’ College Lagos to the old boys association.

The minister education, Tunji Alausa, was quoted to have described the concession as a rescue mission by the Federal Government.

Amid protests over the concession of King’s College, Lagos, to its Old Boys’ Association, Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has defended the Federal Government’s decision, painting a grim picture of a school system he said had degenerated into dungeons of stench, darkness and decay unfit for training Nigeria’s future leaders.

Alausa, who spoke when he received a management team of The Sun Publishing Limited, led by its Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, Onuoha Ukeh, said conditions at King’s College and some other Federal Unity Colleges had deteriorated to unacceptable levels and required urgent intervention.

Recalling a visit to King’s College about a year ago, the minister said he was moved to tears by what he saw — filthy hostels and classrooms, unusable bathrooms, inadequate infrastructure and prolonged power outage.

“The hostels reeked of stench. Bathrooms were unclean. Dormitories looked like dungeons. The cafeteria resembled a place where slaves were fed. The school had no electricity for nine months,” Alausa said.

5. This Day in one its front page stories reports on the tributes from all walks of life for Acting Legend, Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs more popularly known as Olu Jacobs.

President Bola Tinubu, yesterday, joined other Nigerians to mourn the passing of veteran Nollywood actor and film executive, Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, popularly known as Olu Jacobs, who passed away at the age of 84.

Olu Jacobs brought grace and finesse to the Nigerian film industry, combing local and international experiences to shape a career that spanned decades.

After his training at London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, Olu Jacobs built a career in British television before returning home to Nigeria, where he became a major force in the film industry.

He won major industry honours and awards for his pioneering roles and was also conferred with the national award of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR).

Tinubu, in a statement by his Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described the late Olu Jacobs as one of Nigeria’s most distinguished actors and a towering figure whose remarkable career spanned theatre, television, and film globally.