Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naturenex roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Friday, 27th September, 2024
1. SGF Lists Tinubu’s Achievements Ahead Independence Celebration
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, has asserted that the current administration has made considerable strides in enhancing the daily lives of Nigerians.
Speaking at a World Press Conference on Thursday, commemorating the 64th Independence anniversary, Akume emphasized the introduction of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) initiative.
According to Akume, this initiative has significantly alleviated transportation difficulties for many citizens.
He revealed that, as part of the government’s efforts to promote the use of CNG-powered vehicles, free distribution of CNG conversion kits has commenced across the nation.
Akume also said the president also gave priority to the growth of the economy through the SMEs.
2. Nigeria Should Not Be Importing Food – Edun
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has outlined a plan aimed at reducing Nigeria’s reliance on food imports.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, ahead of the country’s 64th Independence Day celebration, Edun emphasized that increasing domestic agricultural production and enhancing food security is central to the government’s economic recovery strategy.
Edun stated firmly, “Nigeria should not be importing food,” highlighting the government’s vision of achieving self-sufficiency in food production.
He described the heavy reliance on imports as unsustainable and stressed that the country’s future lies in growing its own food.
3. Bobrisky: FG Suspends Senior Prisons Officers
The Federal Government, on Thursday, suspended the officers in charge of the Maximum and Minimum Custodial Centres, Kirikiri, Lagos State.
The decision was taken after an audio leak indicating that crossdresser, Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky who was convicted of a crime and sentenced to six months in jail was given an apartment outside the custodial centre.
Secretary of the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board, CDCFIB, Ja’afaru Ahmed, disclosed this in a statement released in Abuja.
Ahmed, in the statement, said the suspension of the officers is to allow for further investigation on the various allegations, assuring that the outcome would be made public when it is concluded.
4. Gov Ododo Hiding Yahaya Bello In Kogi Govt House, We Have Not Cut Any Deal For Him – EFCC
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has accused the Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, of hiding his predecessor, Yahaya Bello, at the state Government House.
The EFCC said that through his actions, Ododo has made himself an accomplice in crime even though he enjoys immunity as a sitting governor.
The allegations were made on Thursday by EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, during an interview with Arise TV.
He also accused Bello of insincerity and evasion for failing to present himself before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja, despite a court order.
Speaking on the appearance of the former Governor at the car park of the EFCC headquarters on September 18, Uwujaren said Bello only did a media stunt targeted at deceiving members of the public and carrying out a sinister objective.
The EFCC accused Governor Ododo of constantly shielding Bello from arrest including facilitating his predecessor’s escape when the EFCC first attempted to arrest him at the Kogi State Government House in Lokoja.
He added that during the recent visit to the EFCC office, Ododo breached EFCC security protocols by driving directly into the commission’s car park without notifying security officers of Bello’s presence.
Reacting to reports that Bello has negotiated a deal with some senior officials in President Bola Tinubu’s government which would allow him to make a plea bargain which would see him return the alleged stolen state funds raced to him, Uwujaren said no such deal was in place.
5. Nigeria Did Not Lose $49.8 Billion Under My Watch – Jonathan
Former President, Goodluck Jonathan, has refuted claims made by the 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, in his recently launched book regarding a purported loss of $49.8 billion during his administration.
Speaking in Abuja at the book launch titled “Public Policy and Agent Interests: Perspectives from The Emerging World,” Jonathan emphasized that such a significant financial loss would have rendered the country incapable of meeting its salary obligations.
The former president’s comments came in response to assertions made by Sanusi, who argued in his book that the alleged financial mismanagement was detrimental to the nation’s economy.
The book was edited by former Minister of Finance, Shamsuddeen Usman.
Jonathan said the Financial Reporting Council of CBN couldn’t investigate the allegations due to limited time.
He, however, said after forensic audits, nobody was able to say $50 billion was missing.
6. Court Sentences Offa Bank Robbery Suspects To Death
Justice Haleemah Salman of the Kwara State High Court has declared the five accused individuals responsible for the Offa robbery cases guilty of unlawful firearm possession, robbery with a weapon, and negligent manslaughter.
Justice Salman gave the verdict on Thursday while presiding over the case.
She sentenced the accused persons to death by hanging.
Naturenex recalls that the Offa robbery incident happened in 2018.
The suspects were charged with criminal conspiracy to rob the banks, murder of nine policemen and other citizens, and illegal possession of firearms.
7. Edo Election: INEC Presents Certificate Of Return To Okpebholo
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially presented the certificate of return to the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Monday Okpebholo, following his victory in the Edo State governorship election.
The presentation took place at the INEC headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, solidifying Okpebholo’s position as the elected governor.
Okpebholo emerged victorious in the election held on September 21, where he secured a total of 291,667 votes, defeating his closest rival, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who garnered 247,274 votes. Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP) trailed in third place with 22,763 votes.
In this election, Okpebholo’s APC party made significant gains, winning in over 10 of the 18 local government areas, while the PDP managed to claim marginal victories in the remaining councils.
Notably, the APC dominated in two of the three critical senatorial districts within the state, reflecting a decisive shift in the political landscape of Edo.
8. Cabinet Reshuffle: Only The President Knows Who Will Go Or Stay – Bwala Says, Speaks On Becoming Tinubu’s Spokesperson
A former campaign spokesperson for the Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign in 2023, Daniel Bwala, says only President Bola Tinubu knows members of his cabinet who will be sacked and those who will be retained.
According to him, anyone who says he/she knows who will be retained or sacked in the imminent cabinet reshuffle is only second-guessing.
Speaking on Thursday as a guest on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, Bwala submitted that both the timing of the reshuffle as well as those who get retained or shown the exit door out of the cabinet, remains the exclusive prerogative of President Bola Tinubu.
During the TV interview, Bwala also reacted to suggestions in certain quarters that he might be chosen to occupy the position of the spokesperson to President Tinubu, which has remained vacant since Ajuri Ngelale resigned from the position.
He said he has only read the insinuations on social media, adding that all he does in support of the government is not because he wants an appointment but because he believes every citizen should support the government in discharging its responsibilities.
9. House Of Reps Ask Dangote To Disclose Cost Of Petrol From Refinery
The House of Representatives has asked the owner of Dangote Refinery, Aliko Dangote, to reveal the real cost he is selling petroleum from his refinery to NNPC Limited and other major marketers.
The lawmakers made the demand following a motion moved by Oboku Oforji on Thursday during plenary.
Naturenex reports that there has been a dispute between NNPC Limited and Dangote Refinery over the cost per litre of petrol from the refinery.
NNPC Limited has claimed to be buying petrol at ₦898/litre from Dangote. However, the refiner disputed the figure, stating that it is selling less than the amount.
Speaking on the situation, the lawmakers asked NNPC to disclose the amounts the refinery is paying for crude oil.
The lawmakers also urged the management of Dangote Refinery to build, acquire or partner to get Tank Farms or depot across the geo-political zones in the country.
10. Edo Election: ‘I Have A Lot Of Evidence To Win The Case At Tribunal’ – PDP’s Ighodalo Declares
The candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the recently concluded governorship election in Edo State, Asue Ighodalo, has expressed strong confidence that he will reclaim his supposedly ‘stolen’ mandate at the Edo State Election Petitions Tribunal.
Recall that in the closely contested governorship election held on September 21, Ighodalo faced defeat against Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC), with a significant vote difference of 44,393.
According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Ighodalo won 247,274 votes, while Okpebholo secured 291,667 votes. Olumide Akpata, representing the Labour Party (LP), finished in third place with 22,763 votes.
However, while appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Ighodalo asserted that the election resulting in Okpebholo’s election as governor was neither free nor fair.
He further noted that his legal team has pinpointed over 150 polling units where the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) was not utilized.
