Newspaper Headlines: Nigerian Airports Charges Highest In Africa And Other Top Stories For Today

• Sodiq Yusuf

THE International Air Transport Organisation (IATA) has condemned the Federal Government over what it called excessive taxes and charges in the nation’s airports which it said have been hindering the growth and profitability of indigenous carriers.

According to the NIGERIAN TRIBUNE,  lATA’s vice president, Africa and Middle East, Kamil Al Alwadhi, while speaking at the ongoing 7th Aviation Africa summit and exhibition in Abuja, said research shows that Nigeria ranks highest in airport charges in Africa, with Abuja airport becoming the most expensive airport in Africa followed closely by Lagos airport.

The IATA VP lamented the stagnant growth in the region, especially Nigeria, urging the Nigerian government to create a conducive environment at its airports for airlines to thrive.

On the other side, THE PUNCH reports that as tertiary institutions across the country begin a new session next week, the Academic Staff Union of Universities, parents and students started protests as more varsities continue to hike their fees amid a worsening economy.

ASUU as well as the associations of parents and students warned about the likelihood of mass dropouts of students following the hikes in fees by the universities across the country.

The union was worried about the development just as apprehensive parents expressed concerns over the implication of the fee hike for their children and wards in public tertiary institutions.

THE NATION leads with a caution from private employers of labour that the proposed strike by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) will be counter-productive if it goes ahead.

According to them, the NLC should seek better opportunities for its members to cushion subsidy removal  pain through dialogue with the government.

Early in the month, NLC President Joe Ajaero called out workers on a two-day warning strike, but it attracted mixed compliance on September 5 and 6.

Here are some other headlines;

1. Manufacturers slash output, jobs over forex crisis

2. Slain soldiers: Over 6,000 family members to get insurance claims

3. FG predicts heavy rainfall, flood in 48 towns

4. ASUU, parents protest as more varsities hike fees

5. Libya floods kills 6,000, victims buried in mass graves

6. Land grabbers’ violent return to Lagos leaves trail of blood, deaths

7. One feared killed as flood wreaks havoc in Lagos estate

8. Naira weakens to N950/dollar as forex scarcity worsens

9. 17-year-old boy commits suicide in Bauchi

10. Super Falcons forward, Oparanozie, retires at 29