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Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Friday, 8th August, 2025
1. ‘It Is Not A Confirmed Reality’ – Presidency Rejects Hunger Claims
The presidency has rejected claims that Nigeria is on the verge of collapse and that 33 million Nigerians are at risk of hunger.
Naija News reports that the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, made this known while responding to a recent editorial by Daily Trust titled “Nigeria is Collapsing under Tinubu’s Watch.”
In a statement on Thursday, Dare said that such assertions are exaggerated and not backed by facts, criticising the piece for fuelling public despair and misrepresenting the actual state of the nation.
The Presidential Aide emphasised that while the country is facing economic challenges, the situation is not as dire as some reports suggest.
“The claim that 33 million Nigerians are at risk of hunger is a projection, not a confirmed reality,” Dare said, referring to figures from the Cadre Harmonisé report, a regional tool used to predict potential food insecurity.
He described the editorial as part of a pattern of alarmist journalism that overlooks ongoing efforts by the federal government to stabilise the economy and support citizens.
2. Video: ‘We Want Peace’ – Bello Turji Confirms Talks With Tinubu Govt
Notorious bandits kingpin, Bello Turji, has released a new video message confirming that negotiations are ongoing with him to end violence and insecurity in parts of Zamfara and neighbouring states.
In the video, which surfaced online on Thursday, Turji said the negotiations were aimed at fostering lasting peace to allow farmers and herders coexist peacefully and go about their livelihoods without fear of violence or harassment.
What we want is peace — peace that will enable Fulani herders and Hausa farmers to live without fear or oppression,” Turji said in Hausa language in the video shared by Zagazola Makama on X (formerly Twitter).
The terrorist commander, however, launched a scathing attack on his staunch critic, Sheikh Murtala Bello Asada.
Naija News reports that Asada is an Islamic cleric who had recently dismissed reports of any negotiations between the terrorist leader and government representatives.
Turji accused the cleric of deliberately misleading the public.
3. NCAA Blacklists Fuji Star, Kwam 1 For Six Months Over Airport Misconduct
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced a six-month blacklisting of renowned Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as Kwam 1, following his alleged unruly conduct at the domestic terminal of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Naija News reports that the decision was disclosed on Thursday by the NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, during a press briefing.
Achimugu said, “As we speak, the passenger is going to be blacklisted for the next six months flying in Nigeria. Everybody involved in this will be brought to book.”
He emphasised that aviation safety regulations apply to all passengers, regardless of social status or political connections.
“Aviation rules are made for everybody, for the protection of everybody. These rules are global. There is nothing about the rules that is to antagonise any passenger,” he said.
He revealed that the authority is currently writing to the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Inspector-General of Police to initiate legal proceedings against the music star.
4. WAEC Withdraws 2025 WASCCE Results, Orders Candidates To Recheck Results
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has announced that it is embarking on a comprehensive review of the recently released results of the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
WAEC, in a statement signed and released on Thursday by its Acting Head of Public Affairs, Moyosola Adesina, stated that the review became necessary following the discovery of some glitches and bugs.
The examination body stated that it is therefore embarking on an urgent review to correct the technical glitches that led to this situation.
WAEC disclosed further that as a result of the ongoing review, result checking and viewing have been temporarily denied on its result checking portal.
Naija News reports that WAEC also directed candidates who have previously checked their results to recheck them after twenty-four hours, starting from today, Thursday, 7th August 2025.
The examination body noted that it carried out paper serialization on Mathematics, English Language, Biology and Economics, which revealed some technical bugs in the previously released results.
5. ‘GMO Foods Not Dangerous For Nigerians’- FG Confirms
The Federal Government, through the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has assured Nigerians that Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in food are safe for consumption, provided proper safety evaluations and labelling protocols are followed.
Speaking during a live appearance on Sunrise Daily, a Channels Television breakfast show, on Thursday, NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said there is widespread misconception about GMOs, which often results in unnecessary public fear.
Adeyeye, a professor of pharmaceutics, emphasised that NAFDAC collaborates closely with the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) to ensure that all genetically modified food items are adequately tested and certified safe before entering the Nigerian market.
Adeyeye shared her personal approach to healthy food choices, advising Nigerians to pay attention to product labelling.
According to her, food labelling gives consumers the power to make informed decisions, especially in distinguishing between organic and non-organic foods.
6. Osinbajo Was Warned Not To Enter Kabba – Ojudu Reveals Chilling Detail Behind 2019 Helicopter Crash
Babafemi Ojudu, former Special Adviser on Political Matters to late ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, has disclosed that former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, warned former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo against visiting the Kabba area of the state.
Naija News recalls that in 2019, Osinbajo was involved in a helicopter crash in Kabba, Kogi State, during a political campaign.
The helicopter captain was blamed for allegedly deploying inappropriate landing techniques and not adhering to company procedures.
Speaking on the incident in a Facebook post tagged ‘My Helicopter Crash Experience’, Ojudu said Bello had disclosed that Osinbajo was warned that they might harm him if he set foot in their domain.
The former presidential aide made the revelation while reacting to the helicopter crash that killed two ministers and six others in the Ashanti region of Ghana.
Due to the alleged spiritual threat, Ojudu disclosed that Bello had refused to visit the site after the crash, stressing that they had to travel down to his residence in the Okene area of the state.
7. How Jim Iyke Tried To Take My Life – Gideon Okeke
Nollywood actor Gideon Okeke has reopened his long-standing conflict with fellow actor Jim Iyke.
Naija News reports that the actor claimed that Iyke once attempted to shoot him during a film production.
He made the allegation in an emotional video shared on Instagram, where he also apologised for his recent public outbursts.
Gideon explained that the incident allegedly happened on January 18, 2024, during a heated moment on set.
According to him, Jim Iyke reached for a gun with the intention to harm him.
He said if the action had succeeded, the result could have been fatal.
Although he did not mention the names of those present, he expressed disappointment that none of them have spoken up about what happened.
While addressing the matter, he also apologised to his fans, colleagues, and supporters, saying his recent behaviour was not consistent with the person they knew.
8. ‘My Mum Abandoned Us When Life Became Hard For My Dad’ – Hermes
Reality TV star, Hermes Iyele has revealed how his family went through tough times after his father lost his job.
Naija News reports that the former Big Brother Naija housemate said his mother left and stayed away for seven years.
In an interview with media personality Chude, the 28-year-old spoke about how his father, who once worked with the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), became a commercial bus driver after facing financial problems.
The family had to move into an unfinished building during this period of hardship.
Hermes revealed that things became so difficult that his mother refused to join them in the new living condition.
She left one night and did not return until seven years later.
At the time, Hermes and his siblings were still very young and had to grow up without their mother.
He explained that even though the experience was painful, he has chosen not to hold any bitterness toward her.
9. Barcelona Strip Marc-André ter Stegen Of Captaincy Amid Disciplinary Proceedings
Barcelona have removed Marc-André ter Stegen from his role as first-team captain following disciplinary proceedings involving the German goalkeeper.
Barcelona announced the decision in an official statement, confirming that Ter Stegen would no longer serve as captain while the issue remains unresolved.
The 33-year-old, who has been sidelined after undergoing back surgery in late July, is reportedly in dispute with the club over the sharing of his medical information with La Liga.
According to reports, Ter Stegen has declined to authorise Barcelona to release his medical data, which could affect the club’s ability to register new players depending on the length of his absence.
Ter Stegen recently posted on social media that he expects to be out for three months. However, La Liga rules stipulate that a player must be unavailable for at least four months to be classified as a long-term absentee, a designation that would allow the club to make certain transfer-related adjustments.
During his absence from the captaincy, vice-captain Ronald Araujo will assume the role.
10. Vinicius, Gyokeres, Dembele, Mbappé Lead 2025 Ballon d’Or Charge As Nigeria Misses Out On Nominations
The official shortlist for the 2025 Ballon d’Or has been revealed, with Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr., England’s Jude Bellingham, Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres, French stars Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé among the headline names competing for the prestigious award.
However, in a sharp contrast to previous editions, no Nigerian player made the cut for this year’s Ballon d’Or men’s and women’s best footballer nominations.
In the 2023 edition of the award, there was reason to celebrate with Victor Osimhen breaking into the top 10 and Super Falcons icon Asisat Oshoala earning yet another nod on the women’s side. Ademola Lookman also earned recognition in 2024, finishing 14th in the final shortlist.
The men’s shortlist features 30 elite talents from across Europe and beyond. Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr. is joined by teammates Jude Bellingham and Eduardo Camavinga, while Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, and Mohamed Salah continue their perennial presence in the elite club.
One of the most talked-about inclusions is Napoli and Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay, who has made a strong case following a string of game-changing performances in both the Italian Serie A and international duty.
That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.
The post Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Friday, 8th August, 2025 appeared first on Naija News.
