Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naturenex roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Friday, 20th December, 2024
1. Tinubu Gives Urgent Direction To Security Agencies Over Ibadan Funfair Tragedy
President Bola Tinubu has urgently demanded that relevant authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the Ibadan children’s funfair stampede in Oyo State, which resulted in the loss of innocent lives and left many injured.
Naturenex reports that in a statement through his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu expressed sadness over the tragic incident and extended his heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of Oyo State, as well as to the grieving families who have lost their beloved children.
The President also urged the Oyo State Government to take every necessary measure to prevent such a tragedy from reoccurring and called on event organisers to prioritise the safety of all attendees, especially children.
2. Reps To Donate ₦704.91 Million From Half-Year Salary To Tinubu For Vulnerable Nigerians
The House of Representatives announced plans to donate ₦704.91 million to President Bola Tinubu on December 31, 2024, aimed at supporting vulnerable Nigerians facing economic hardships due to the recent fuel subsidy removal.
Naturenex recalls that back in July, the House resolved to donate 50% of their salaries for six months to alleviate the challenges faced by ordinary Nigerians. This decision followed a motion moved during a plenary session.
During Thursday’s plenary, Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, addressed his colleagues, saying, “If you recall, about five months ago, we decided to contribute half of our salaries to address the critical needs of the Nigerian people. I am happy to inform you that so far, we have contributed ₦704,907,578.82.
“On December 31, I will lead a delegation of leadership to hand over the money to the president for the exclusive use of the vulnerable Nigerians who really need it.
“The contributions you made highlight the steadfastness and dedication of members to addressing the critical needs of Nigerians.”
3. Garba Shehu Clears Air On Revocation Of Land Allocated To Buhari
Former presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu, has refuted reports suggesting that the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) revoked a plot of land belonging to former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Shehu clarified on Wednesday that the land was lawfully acquired for the Muhammadu Buhari Foundation by associates of the former leader and not owned by Buhari personally.
He explained that the land was allocated to the Foundation, established by Buhari’s supporters and associates, with full legal backing.
Shehu revealed that the Foundation faced challenges with the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) over what was described as an exorbitant certificate of occupancy fee.
He claimed the fee was unusually high compared to what similar organisations were charged.
While the reasons for the FCTA’s revocation remain unclear, Shehu suggested it might be an administrative error or an intentional act.
Shehu also disclosed that Buhari already owns a personal plot in Abuja, allocated before his presidency. During his tenure, Buhari had declined an additional land offer, urging that the allocation should go to those without plots.
4. Edo House Of Assembly Has No Right To Suspend LG Chairs – AFG Fagbemi
The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has said the Edo State House of Assembly lacks the constitutional right to suspend elected chairmen and vice chairmen of local governments in the state.
Lateeef Fagemi stated this at an event on Thursday. He said although he has limited facts on the political issue in Edo State, it was unlawful for the House of Assembly to exercise such power.
“Although the facts of the case was still vague, it is unlawful for a state’s House of Assembly to suspend duly elected Local Government leaders,” the Nation quoted him.
The Minister of Justice explained that the only organ with such power is the Legislature at the Local Government level.
5. NBS Data Hack: Your Administration Characterised By Bad Tidings – Atiku Knocks Tinubu
Former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar has stated that the administration of President Bola Tinubu is characterised by bad tidings.
He stated this on Thursday while reacting to the hacking of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) website.
The former vice president lamented that the development underscores the credibility crisis of the current administration.
Speaking via a statement by his media office, Atiku expressed hope that the hack was not an attempt to pigeonhole the integrity of data majorly used for planning and development and research purposes.
6. Wike, Security Agencies Planning To Arrest Ugochinyere – CUPP Raises Alarm
The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has claimed that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike and security agencies are planning to arrest the lawmaker representing Ideato Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon Ugochinyere Michael Ikeagwuonu.
The Coalition made the allegation in a statement made available to Naija News on Thursday after a press conference in Abuja.
Speaking via its Secretary-General, Peter Ameh, CUPP described the alleged plot as a grave threat to democracy.
They labeled it a “clandestine scheme to defame, tarnish, and stifle the voice of one of Nigeria’s most vocal and incorruptible opposition leaders.”
The group claimed that Wike allies, in collaboration with complicit security agencies, have been training fake witnesses for over six weeks in Abuja to provide false testimony against Ugochinyere.
“This is a desperate, low-budget Nollywood production whose purpose has already failed,” the Coalition claimed.
They emphasized that “Ikenga’s commitment to speaking truth to power is God-given and cannot be silenced by intimidation, blackmail, or false allegations.”
The coalition also announced plans for nationwide protests to resist the alleged plot.
7. Without Restructuring, Nigeria’s Tax System Will Remain Broken – Edwin Clark Tells Tinubu
Elder statesman and Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark, has emphasized that restructuring Nigeria is the only viable solution to the ongoing debates surrounding President Bola Tinubu‘s Tax Reform Bills.
In a statement addressing the contentious nature of the reform bills, Clark argued that adopting a new constitution or reverting to the 1963 Republican Constitution would resolve the issues at hand.
He insisted that restructuring the nation would provide a framework for more effective tax reforms.
Clark stressed that political consensus must be built among stakeholders to ensure that tax reforms are sustainable and enjoy broad-based support across political transitions.
8. Reps Push For NECO, UI, 22 Other Agencies To Be Excluded From 2025 Budget, Cites Reason
The House of Representatives’ Committee on Public Accounts has called for the exclusion of the National Examinations Council (NECO), the University of Ibadan (UI), and 22 other government agencies from the 2025 federal budget.
Naturenex learnt that this move follows allegations of unaccounted funds allocated to these agencies in 2024 and preceding years.
Bamidele Salam, Chairman of the Committee, disclosed this development during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on Thursday.
Salam attributed the decision to the agencies’ failure to account for the funds allocated to them and their refusal to honour several summons from the House.
9. EFCC Summons Suspended Edo LG Chairmen For Interrogation
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reportedly summoned the suspended chairmen of the 18 local governments in Edo State for questioning.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the invitation was issued in a letter from Abdulkarim Chukkol, the Director of Investigation at EFCC, to the Secretary to the State Government.
The letter, dated December 17, instructed the chairmen of Akoko-Edo, Egor, Esan Central, Esan North East, Esan South East, and Esan West to appear at the EFCC office on Thursday, December 19.
Also expected to report on the same day are the chairmen of Etsako Central, Etsako East, and Etsako West local governments.
The remaining chairmen from Igueben, Ikpoba Okha, Orhionmwon, Ovia North East, Ovia South West, Owan East, Owan West, and Uhunmwode are scheduled to appear on Friday, December 20.
Chukkol’s letter requested that the chairmen bring certified true copies of several documents, including staff strength and payroll details, as well as the accounts where funds are deposited for staff salaries and their respective statements of account from January 1 to the present.
The request was made in accordance with Section 38(1) and (2) of the EFCC (Establishment) Act, 2004.
10. Senate Passes 2025 Budget For Second Reading
The 10th Senate led by Godswill Akpabio, on Thursday, passed the N49.7tn 2025 Budget for a second reading.
Naturenex reports that the budget was passed during plenary after various deliberations on the budget which was presented yesterday by President Bola Tinubu.
The budget was later referred to the Committee on Appropriations after being put to a voice vote by Akpabio, who presided over the session.
The Committee on Appropriations is chaired by Senator Solomon Adeola.
Tinubu, on Wednesday had presented the 2025 Budget of Restoration to a joint session of the National Assembly, targeting peace and prosperity with a revenue projection of ₦34.82tn to fund the aggregate expenditure of ₦47.9tn.
