Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naturenex roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Tuesday, 12th November, 2024
1. Tinubu Acknowledges The Country Is Hard, Says There Will Be Light At The End
President Bola Tinubu, on Monday, acknowledged the hardship in the country but promised that it would only be for a while.
The President assured that the policies and programmes of his administration are on track, but Nigerians should not expect instant results.
President Tinubu, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, spoke at the 70th birthday of the Serving Overseer of Citadel Global Community, Pastor Tunde Bakare, in Lagos.
He appealed for patience and understanding from Nigerians, assuring that there would be light at the end.
2. ‘End Israel Aggression On Gaza’ – Details Of Tinubu’s Address During Arab-Islamic Summit
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia called for an end to Israeli aggression in Gaza, warning that the conflict in Palestine has persisted for far too long, inflicting immeasurable suffering.
Addressing the extraordinary Arab-Islamic Summit, convened to address the current situation in the Middle East, President Tinubu expressed deep concern on the humanitarian conditions in Gaza.
The one-day summit was a follow-up to the Riyadh summit last year, and was attended by Heads of State and Government of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the League of Arab States.
Reiterating Nigeria’s call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, Tinubu affirmed the country’s support for a two-state solution, where both Israeli and Palestinians can co-exist in security and dignity, noting that this solution remained a viable part to lasting peace in the region.
The Nigerian leader called on parties in the conflict in the Middle East to respect the principles of proportionality and the basic rights of civilians, consistent with global legal and diplomatic frameworks.
3. IPMAN, Dangote Reach Agreement For Direct Petrol Supply
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has reached an agreement with Dangote Refinery for direct fuel product supply.
Naturenex reports that this partnership was confirmed by IPMAN’s National President, Abubakar Garima, during a press briefing in Abuja on Monday after a session with the Association’s National Working Committee.
According to Garima, this collaboration is aimed at ensuring a consistent and affordable supply of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) across Nigeria.
He called on IPMAN members to support the new partnership, emphasizing that it promotes backward integration and could positively influence Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves.
“IPMAN members should rely on Dangote Refinery and Nigerian refineries for white products, creating more job opportunities and supporting President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda,” Garima added.
This deal comes after several months of negotiations and is anticipated to boost efficiency, reduce prices, and stimulate economic growth.
4. Lakurawa Terrorist Group Shows Our Intelligence Gathering Is Below Average – Shekarau
Former governor of Kano State, Ibrahim Shekarau, has blamed the lack of proper intelligence gathering for the emergence of new terrorist group, Lakurawa.
Naturenex reported that the terrorist group had last week invaded Mera, Augie Local Government Area of Kebbi State, killing 15 people and stealing over 100 cows.
Featuring on Channels TV’s programme, Sunrise Daily, Shekarau said the terrorist group have begun giving communities in the northern region nightmares and collecting levies.
Shekarau stated that the federal and state governments can address the issue of the new terrorist group through proper intelligence gathering and community policing.
5. Unlike You, I’m Not A Bigot; Wickedness Is Exclusively For T-Pain – Atiku Fires Tinubu
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies and approach to governance is killing Nigerians, and this should be his focus rather than attacking the opposition, which is not in the saddle.
Naturenex reports that Atiku said this in a statement on Monday by his Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, in reaction to a statement by the Presidency on Sunday.
Atiku argued that Tinubu’s abysmal performance in the last 18 months had made it clear to all Nigerians that he came into office unprepared, hence the many policy flip flops that has so far characterized his tenure.
He said that Tinubu was obviously unprepared for office, adding that the President acts first and thinks of the consequences afterwards.
Atiku pointed out that the CNG initiative has so far failed to fully kick off because of a lack of gas infrastructure in most states, stressing that the result is that transport costs continue to soar along with prices of food.
6. IGP Denies Arrest Of Minors During #EndBadGovernance Protests
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has dismissed reports suggesting that minors were arrested during the recent #EndBadGovernance protests.
The IGP clarified that those taken into custody were not peaceful protesters but criminal elements involved in arson, looting, and the destruction of property.
In a statement, Egbetokun emphasized, “Minors were not arrested for participating in protests. This narrative is being falsely propagated.”
According to him, the detained individuals were captured on video engaging in criminal acts, including setting public facilities ablaze and looting shops and warehouses.
Egbetokun further disclosed that police officers were apprehended for escorting 100 foreigners, including Chinese and Malaysian nationals, detained over alleged cybercrime activities in Abuja.
7. Government Should Forget About It, Port Harcourt, Other Refineries Are Dead – Emmanuel
A Nigerian economist, Kelvin Emmanuel, has ruled out the probability that government-owned refineries would still function in the country.
Speaking on Monday during an interview with Channels Television, the economist said government-owned refineries in Nigeria should be considered as dead assets.
Emmanuel lamented that over sixty years, the government has proven that it doesn’t have the capacity to manage the refineries.
He decried the various missed deadlines the government had given the refineries to start operation again despite the volume of money being pumped into repairs and maintenance of the facilities,
He spoke while responding to a question on the probability that petrol prices would reduce in Nigeria if government-owned refineries such as the one in Port Harcourt are brought back to life.
8. Okupe Denies Saying Jonathan, Atiku Or Peter Obi Would Defeat Tinubu In 2027
A former Director-General of the Peter Obi Presidential Campaign Council, Doyin Okupe, has denied saying President Bola Tinubu is not certain to win the 2027 presidential election.
Okupe, in a statement on Monday, said his words were taken out of context by those who wanted to misinform the public and sow discord in the system.
The former presidential spokesperson insisted that he remains a firm supporter of President Tinubu’s administration and also a believer in the ability of Tinubu to turn the situation in Nigeria around for the better, maintaining that the President is not responsible for the current predicament the country is experiencing.
According to him, the claims attributed to him that if the North sponsors former President Goodluck Jonathan or a joint ticket between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi means the end of the road for Tinubu in 2027 were intentionally taken out of context.
Okupe submitted that those behind the misrepresentation of his statement were clearly out to misinform the public through media manipulation.
9. No Single Individual Can Govern Nigeria Alone – Aregbesola Demands Return To Parliamentary System Of Govt
A former Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, has stated that he is opposed to the executive system of government.
He opined that it is high time Nigeria ditched the presidential system of government and returned to the parliamentary system.
According to him, it is impossible for a single individual to govern 120 million people without checks and balances.
Aregbesola stated this at a National Dialogue on Home-Grown Parliamentary System in Abuja on Monday.
He argued that the arrangement in the parliamentary system is best suited for a country like Nigeria.
10. We’re Part Owners Of Dangote Refinery, Not Sabotaging Local Refineries – Kyari
The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, has said there is no sabotage of local refineries by the company.
Mele Kyari said NNPCL is committed to resolving Nigeria’s energy dilemma by ensuring energy security, sustainable growth and energy affordability.
According to NNPC’s spokesman, Olufemi Soneye, Kyari stated this at the opening ceremony of the 42nd Nigeria Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) Annual International Conference and Exhibition themed: “Resolving the Nigeria Energy Trilemma: Energy Security, Sustainable Growth and Affordability” in Lagos, on Monday.
The GCEO, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the occasion, also said the company has perfected plans to deliver 12 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Mother Stations and Mini LNG Plants soon, as part of efforts to boost the existing 1.6 billion standard cubic feet (bscf) of gas supply for domestic market.
According to him, NNPC is set to collaborate with private refineries to ensure affordable and sustainable petroleum products supply; Naira-for-crude transactions in order to stabilize the local currency and regulate forex markets.
This, he added, will bring about expansion of gas infrastructure such as the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline and the Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) Gas Pipelines projects and the development of cleaner energy options, such as Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).
