Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naturenex roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Monday, 30th September, 2024
1. Tinubu Govt Presents CNG Buses To Labour, Students
The government of President Bola Tinubu on Sunday, presented 64 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses each to Labour and student leaders at the State House in Abuja.
The presentation of the buses is in fulfilment of the promises made by the government during negotiations on the new minimum wage and how to alleviate the suffering of the people.
It would be recalled that President Tinubu in July, promised to give 36 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to the labour unions in the country.
The President made the announcement during his meeting with the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to discuss the new minimum wage for Nigerian workers.
According to the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the move is part of efforts to ameliorate the high cost of living by workers.
He added that the 36 CNG-powered buses have a sitting capacity of 100 each.
The presentation of the buses, as promised, was done on behalf of the federal government by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, on Sunday, 29th September.
2. Vice President Kashim Shettima Returns To Nigeria After UNGA In New York
Vice President, Kashim Shettima has returned to Nigeria after the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meeting in New York, the United States.
Kashim Shettima landed in Abuja, on Sunday. The Vice President, who represented President Bola Tinubu, presented Nigeria’s National Statement at the General Debate, as well as engaged in several bilateral meetings and numerous sideline events at the General Assembly.
According to his spokesman, Stanley Nkwocha, “he will proceed to join President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to mark some events put together as part of activities commemorating Nigeria’s 64th Independence anniversary.”
3. Wike: I Can’t Donate My Kidney Or Liver Because Of Loyalty – Fubara
The Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that he would always stand for what is right, but won’t give his liver or kidney to anybody in the name of loyalty.
Governor Fubara made the declaration on Sunday in what is believed to be a direct response to his predecessor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
It would be recalled that Wike had on Saturday, while speaking at a reception held by the Ijaw Peoples Congress in Rivers State, among other things, said he made Fubara the Governor of the State, but the Governor turned his back against him and others who worked for him after the election.
But speaking on Sunday, at the Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service organized as part of activities marking the 64th Independence Day Celebration of Nigeria at St. Paul’s Cathedral of the Anglican Communion at Garrison Junction in Port Harcourt, Fubara maintained that he belongs to the school of thought that believes in doing the right thing even if they are in the minority.
Responding to the allegation by Wike that he is behind an attempt to bomb the venue of the grand civic reception by Rivers Ijaw People’s Council, RIVCO, at Rainbow Town, in Port Harcourt on Saturday in his honour, Fubara denied any such responsibility.
The Governor maintained that he has never given instruction for any security agency to do something wrong.
4. Tinubu Appoints Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe As DG China-Nigeria Partnership
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, as director-general and global liaison for the Nigeria-China strategic partnership reached by the two countries during the President’s visit in early September.
Joseph Tegbe, a 1988 first-class graduate in civil engineering from Obafemi Awolowo University, will report directly to the President.
A statement from Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said “he will immediately submit a strategic action plan to enable Nigeria to benefit from the agreements between the two countries in Beijing.
“As the czar of the strategic partnership, he will lead day-to-day operations, engage continuously with the Chinese counterparts, and ensure that all deliverables are met and synchronized with national development goals.
“In the strategic plan, he will outline the specific deliverables, timelines, and key performance indicators for each area of cooperation. This will include priority projects, projected investments and expected socioeconomic outcomes.”
5. Edo State: Oshiomhole List Obaseki’s Sins, Reasons For His Defeat
Former Edo State governor, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, has criticized incumbent Governor Godwin Obaseki, labeling his tenure as a failure and asserting that there is nothing in Obaseki’s eight years in office to justify support for the candidate he endorsed in the just concluded gubernatorial election.
In an interview with ARISE NEWS on Sunday, Oshiomhole expressed skepticism regarding Obaseki’s influence on the electorate, stating that the governor had effectively “burned his bridges” with those who once supported him.
This breakdown in relationships, he claimed, has left Obaseki as a “lonely man” in politics, isolated from the very constituents he needs to rally behind his chosen successor.
6. You Have Been Expelled From NNPP, You Can’t Speak For The Party – Aniebonam Fires Galadima
The Founder and National Leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Boniface Aniebonam, has stated that Buba Galadima is not in a position to speak for the party.
This is as he maintained that Galadima and some others have been expelled from the NNPP.
Speaking in a statement on Sunday in Lagos, Aniebonam also debunked the claim by Galadima that the federal government is fighting the NNPP government in Kano.
He warned against making unverifiable claims about government activities.
Aniebonam, however submitted that there is a need to differentiate the Kwankwassiya movement and the NNPP.
He declared that NNPP as a party is not under any form of attack in Kano State.
7. Corruption: ‘It’s Only In Nigeria That You Steal Money And You Are Celebrated’ – Ndume
The senator representing Borno South in the National Assembly, Mohammed Ali Ndume, has expressed his frustration over the pervasive corruption in Nigeria, noting that those who steal public funds are often celebrated.
Speaking to journalists in Kano on Sunday, Ndume voiced his concerns, highlighting the nation’s lack of effective laws to combat corruption.
Ndume explained how, in many cases, individuals who gain sudden wealth are not questioned about its source.
The senator also revealed his efforts to pass legislation targeting unexplained wealth in Nigeria, which were unsuccessful. He recalled approaching a former head of state to support an executive bill on the matter, only to be turned down.
In addition to corruption, Ndume also raised concerns about the growing hunger crisis in the country.
He urged for greater investment in agriculture, pointing out that Nigeria has vast arable land that remains underutilized.
8. Release Nnamdi Kanu To Honour Late Ohanaeze Leader, Iwuanyanwu – Kanu’s Family Appeals To Tinubu
The family of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to honour the late President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, by facilitating Kanu’s release.
They argue that this would be a fitting tribute to the late Igbo leader, who passed away in July and will be laid to rest on November 2nd.
The family also called on South-East governors and regional leaders to unite and push for Kanu’s freedom, expressing concern that they have not done enough to secure his release.
They believe that now is the perfect time to pursue a political resolution to Kanu’s case, following the recusal of Justice Binta Nyako from his trial.
According to them, her recusal offers a fresh opportunity for political dialogue, which they hope President Tinubu will seize, as he did in granting freedom to Yoruba separatist leader Sunday Igboho.
Prince Emmanuel Kanu, speaking on behalf of the family, made an impassioned plea for President Tinubu to apply the same fairness in Kanu’s case, as was shown in Igboho’s.
9. Adopt Class Suicide In Oil Sector – Okechukwu Tells Tinubu
The former director general of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Osita Okechukwu, has urged President Bola Tinubu to adopt the theory of class suicide in the oil sector to ensure optimal performance.
The Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) stated that the time had come for the President to whip all stakeholders involved in the oil sector for him to achieve his governance goals.
Okechukwu stated this on Sunday while reacting to a statement from the spokesman of Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Olufemi Soneye.
Soneye, last Saturday, in Abuja, at an interactive session with National Assembly Correspondents stated that Nigeria can achieve the production of 3 million crude oil barrels per day with the cooperation of all stakeholders.
In reaction, Okechukwu explained that the revelation of the NNPC spokesman should wake the President to act. He noted that income from 3 million barrels of crude oil per day would address the 133 million multidimensional poverty challenge facing the country.
10. Police Seal Edo Deputy Governor’s Office
The office of the Deputy Governor of Edo State, located on Osadebe Avenue in Benin, has been sealed off by a heavy police presence, raising eyebrows amid ongoing political tensions in the state.
On Sunday, stern-looking policemen were observed at the site, with a machine gun-mounted police truck and three officers stationed at the entrance.
This office was previously relocated from the Government House during a notable standoff between Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu and Governor Godwin Obaseki.
As of Sunday, the entry gate to the office remained closed, and it appears that access has been completely restricted.
Reports indicate that staff members of the deputy governor’s office were instructed on Friday to report to the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Agency instead.
Additionally, official vehicles from the deputy governor’s office, including the Press Crew bus, have been moved to the office of the Head of Service located within the Government House.
