Index to Nigerian Newspapers

Three suspected pirates detained on a Danish military vessel have been released after the government decided not to bring them to Denmark to face preliminary charges of attempted murder. The Gulf of Guinea is one of the world's most dangerous waterways.

 A new COVID-19 variant discovered in 12 patients near Marseille, contains 46 mutations, making it more resistant to vaccines and infectious. It is yet to be spotted in other countries or labelled a variant under investigation by the World Health Organization. Omicron is the dominant coronavirus variant in France, leading to surging case numbers. To combat this, French MPs have proposed legislation that would require most people to be vaccinated against Covid-19 to enter public spaces such as bars, restaurants and long-distance public transport. The bill aims to replace the health pass with a vaccine pass, which would only allow people who are fully vaccinated to gain access to those venues.

The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will have no say in who becomes the party's presidential candidate ahead of the 2023 general election. The decision will be made by the party's members across the six geopolitical zones through their votes. Ayu welcomed all aspirants, while Momodu urged the leadership to ensure a paradigm shift in selecting the party's 2023 presidential candidate. The PDP must search for a flag bearer with the requisite leadership and visionary qualities to challenge and dislodge those politicians who have held the country to ransom. Ohuabunwa has the experience, managerial skills and competence to manage many things at the same time, and understands how to motivate people to achieve. He is better prepared now than at the time of his first foray into the fray in 2011.

The Unity Project Nigeria and the Coalition for Good Governance and Economic Justice in Africa are two non-governmental groups that have denounced the heinous murder of five-year-old Hanifa by the head of the Kano primary school she attended. They insisted that the accused and those who helped him be held accountable for the "heinous crime" of violently taking an innocent and bright child's life. The government must start evaluating schools around the nation right away to make sure they are still conducive to learning and safe, and they must step up efforts to stop the recent wave of insecurity that puts the most vulnerable members of society in danger. The groups also expressed sympathy to the late Hanifa's family, praying for courage and strength in what is really a difficult time.

Oil prices rose ahead of an OPEC meeting in Vienna.In the meeting, producers are expected to extend a supply-cut deal that came into effect in January 2022 with the goal of tightening supplies and propping up prices. An extension may include a review in June     2022 should healthy demand overheat the market.

Prince Kassim Afegbua, a former Edo State Commissioner for Information, has urged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to jettison any thought of ceding the 2023 presidential position to the northern part of the country, as doing so would run contrary to democratic principles of fairness, balance and inclusion. He argued that the Southern geopolitical zones of Nigeria have eminently qualified Nigerians and are ready to take a shot at the number one job. He also urged the new management and members of the National Executive Committee of the PDP as well as the National Working Committee to speak with one voice in ensuring that the South is given what is due to it.

The United Nations (UN) Secretatry- General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Co-ordinator, Martin Griffiths has pledged to support Nigeria to help rebuild the lives of those affected by violence in the Northeast. He also met with Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, where the extremist group Boko Haram launched its Islamist insurgency in 2009 that has spread to neighboring countries such as Cameroon, Niger, and Chad.