Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naturenex roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Monday, 4th November, 2024
1. President Tinubu To Swear In Seven New Ministers On Monday
President Bola Tinubu will swear in the seven new ministers appointed to his cabinet on Monday.
Naturenex reports that the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, made this known in a statement via X on Sunday.
The latest development follows the clearance of the ministers by the National Assembly last week.
2. ‘Tinubu Can Only Resolve Things Through Painful Decisions’ – Minister
The Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, has emphasized that the economic reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu, though challenging, are necessary to address Nigeria’s pressing issues.
Speaking on Sunday at the flag-off of relief material distribution for flood victims in Akure, Momoh assured that these “painful but necessary” measures are in the country’s best interest and would yield benefits in the near future.
Momoh was in Akure to oversee the distribution of palliatives and relief items, worth millions of naira, intended to aid residents in the nine Niger Delta states affected by recent floods.
He emphasized that Tinubu’s reforms reflect his commitment to Nigeria’s development and a genuine desire to improve citizens’ lives.
Flagging off the distribution, Momoh said the relief items by the federal government were designed to cushion the effects of the flood on the beneficiaries.
3. Election Loser Would Have Plunged Nigeria Into Worst Situation If He Won 2023 Presidential Election – Presidency Blasts Atiku
The Presidency has launched a sharp rebuke against former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, asserting that the nation would be in a deeper economic crisis had he won the last election.
In a statement released late Sunday and signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the Presidency alleged that Atiku’s tenure as Vice President, particularly in overseeing Nigeria’s privatisation program, was “questionable” and damaging to national interests.
The Presidency further alleged that Atiku and his former boss, Olusegun Obasanjo lacked commitment to the nation’s education sector, choosing instead to establish their own private universities while public institutions struggled.
According to the statement, one of the primary reasons Atiku lost in 2023 was his widely-publicized plan to sell the Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) and other national assets, which the Presidency claimed was intended to benefit his “close associates” rather than Nigerians.
4. Don’t Play Politics By Telling Lies From The Pit Of Hell – Aiyedatiwa Blasts Ajayi
The Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has labelled the claim by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the state, Agboola Ajayi, that he receives N1.2 billion as security votes for the state as lies from the pit of hell.
According to Aiyedatiwa, who is also the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the November 16 governorship election, Ajayi is only trying to play politics with his claims.
The Governor made the denial on Sunday during the Ondo State governorship election debate organized by Channels Television and its partners.
Though he didn’t reveal how much he gets as security vote, Aiyedatiwa narrated that all government expenditures are governed by budgets, and the details of the Ondo State budget are available online.
On the security situation in Ondo, Aiyedatiwa said the state is safe, adding that Ondo remains one of the safest states in the country.
5. CAF Verdict: FG Denies Report Of Harassments, Arrest Of Nigerians In Libya
The federal government has debunked claims that Nigerians are getting subjected to harassment and ill-treatment in Libya as a result of the recent ruling by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), which awarded the Super Eagles three points and a fine of $50,000 against Libya following a botched 2025 AFCON qualifier.
There had been reports that following the CAF verdict issued in favour of the Super Eagles of Nigeria, authorities in Libya had begun arresting and ill-treating Nigerians in the North African nation.
The report claimed the Nigerian community in Libya is facing a wave of mass arrests and fines following the recent ruling by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), which went against them.
However, a statement issued on Sunday by the Spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Eche Abu-Obe, said reports available to the government show otherwise.
It stressed that Nigerians in the North African country were going about their normal businesses.
6. Stop Squandering Oyo Money On Your 2027 Presidential Ambition, Leave Tinubu Alone – APC Fires Makinde
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State of engaging in unguarded and unjustified attacks against the ruling Party and the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Naturenex reports that while speaking at a recent event in Ibadan on Saturday, Makinde blamed the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the turmoil in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other opposition parties.
He stated that the 2027 presidential election will be between Nigerians and the ruling party.
Reacting in a statement on Sunday, the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Felix Morka, described the Oyo State Governor as the leading but rather shoddy drummer for his 2027 political ambition.
The APC spokesperson said Makinde and his co-confused leaders of the PDP should quit pointing fingers at the ruling party and take full responsibility for their “disgraceful failure to handle the party’s implosion and decay.”
Morka said Makinde has failed to prove himself as an effective leader, adding that his lackluster performance as Governor speaks for itself, and undermines his credibility.
According to the APC spokesperson, instead of prioritizing the needs of Oyo people who elected him to tackle their local issues, he has chosen to divert his attention and squander the state’s resources in pursuit of unhinged 2027 ambition.
He noted that Makinde must know that Nigeria’s scale and complexities demand more than his vain and self-indulgent ambition.
7. Dangote Finally Reveals Price Of Petrol From Its Refinery, Tackles IPMAN, PETROAN
The management of Dangote Refinery on Sunday, revealed the price it is selling petrol per litre from its refinery to marketers.
According to Dangote, petrol from its refinery is sold to trucks at the rate of ₦990 per litre, while it is sold to ships at the rate of ₦960 per litre.
The statement from the company, signed by its Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, said the clarification became necessary following disinformation from certain stakeholders.
Specifically, Dangote said the claim by the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) that imported fuel is cheaper than the one from its refinery is false.
It added that anyone who claims to be importing cheaper Petrol Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol might be bringing in sub-standard products into the country and conniving with international traders to dump low-quality products in Nigeria.
The statement also alleged that an international trading company has recently hired a depot facility next to Dangote Refinery with the objective of using it to blend substandard products that will be dumped into the Nigerian market to compete with fuel from its refinery.
Dangote further alleged that the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) does not have laboratory facilities which can be used to detect substandard products when imported into the country.
8. NASU, SSANU Suspend Strike With Conditions
The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) have announced the suspension of their nationwide indefinite strike over withheld salaries.
The unions disclosed that the suspension will take effect on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.
In a joint statement signed by NASU General Secretary, Prince Peters Adeyemi, and SSANU National President, Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, the unions stated that their decision follows a period of industrial action that began on October 28, 2024.
The unions had embarked on the strike in response to what they described as the “government’s insensitivity” to their demands regarding unpaid salaries.
The unions expressed that the strike was a necessary step to draw attention to their plight, emphasizing their commitment to ensuring fair treatment and timely payment for their members across institutions nationwide.
9. Police Arrest 113 Chinese, Malaysians, Others For Cybercrimes, Hacking In Nigeria
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has disclosed that its operatives have arrested 130 foreign nationals and Nigerians for cybercrime and hacking.
Naturenex reports that this was made known in a statement released on Sunday by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi.
He disclosed that the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun has ordered a thorough investigation into possible security threats and networking.
Adejobi said the arrest was made during a coordinated raid on a building at the Next Cash and Carry area of Jahi, Abuja, where the suspects were reportedly using computers and other sophisticated devices to facilitate criminal activities.
10. #EndBadGovernance: Court Set ₦10 Million Bail For ‘Minors’ While It Gave A Lawmaker ₦500,000 Bail – Ex-Presidential Aide
Former presidential spokesman, Laolu Akande has sharply criticized the Federal Government’s arraignment of minors involved in the #EndBadGovernance protests, calling it a “national disgrace” that tarnishes Nigeria’s democratic reputation.
Speaking on Channels Television on Sunday, Akande condemned the government’s handling of the cases, describing the situation as “embarrassingly shoddy” and a serious misstep in upholding Nigeria’s legal and ethical values.
Akande expressed concern that the detention and arraignment of young protesters contradict the democratic image Nigeria seeks to project globally.
He noted that the government’s approach sends a troubling signal about the nation’s commitment to fair treatment and justice, particularly for its youth.
The detained minors have reportedly been held far beyond the lawful time limits, languishing in various detention facilities across the country.
