Top news items in major Nigerian media outlets

The following are news highlights in leading Nigerian media outlets on Monday.

-- The World Bank and International Monetary Fund have piled pressures on the Nigerian government to come up with an economic blueprint, if its drive for foreign loans was not to be stalled. (Vanguard)

-- There are indications that Ford Motor Company has suspended its planned exportation of 500 units of vehicles meant for the Nigerian market owing to the current economic recession.

The United States automaker was said to have assembled the vehicles in its South African factory and completed all arrangements to ship them to Nigeria before halting the decision. (The Punch)

-- Niger Delta militants on Sunday claimed an attack on a gas pipeline in a protest of upcoming talks between the Nigerian government and leaders from the oil-producing south.

In a statement, the Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate group said it would not support the talks being held by Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari and representatives from the Niger Delta to end the oil infrastructure sabotage. (The Guardian)

-- Malaria fever is ravaging states across the country as hospitals and health centers are being overwhelmed by thousands of patients daily.

Reports from the states revealed that dozens have been killed by the epidemic. Many patients resort to herbal medicine due to their poor financial state or congestion in the public health facilities. (Daily Trust) Endit