Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naturenex roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Monday, 9th September, 2024
1. President Tinubu Reportedly Set To Dissolve Cabinet, Inject Fresh Talent
President Bola Tinubu is on the verge of a significant cabinet reshuffle this week, a move aimed at revitalizing his administration with new perspectives and energies.
A high-ranking source close to the presidency disclosed to the Sunday Tribune that this decision is intended to address the stagnant performance issues that have marred the current cabinet’s tenure.
The president, fresh from his trip to China, is reportedly planning to finalize the dissolution before he departs for the upcoming United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
This timing suggests a strategic clearing of the deck, enabling him to engage on the international stage unencumbered by domestic political uncertainties.
Criticism of several ministers’ performances has not gone unnoticed by the presidency.
2. Tinubu’s VAT Increase Will Consume Every Nigerian – Atiku Warns
The 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has warned that the proposed Value Added Tax (VAT) increase by President Bola Tinubu would consume the citizens.
The former vice president said it was unfortunate that President Tinubu and his aides prefer to punish Nigerians through taxes and charges.
He decried that instead of searching for ways to improve the lives of Nigerians who are already overburdened by his government’s hard economic policies, the President seeks ways to fund his extravagant excesses.
In a statement, on Sunday, titled “The increase in VAT is set to become the blazing inferno that will consume the very essence of our people“, Atiku stated that Nigerians would find it more difficult with the VAT increase policy.
Atiku also bemoaned the President’s removal of import duty on rice, maize and other cereals. He explained that the policy has put farmers in serious economic problems and job loss.
3. Nigerian Army Speaks On Mass Resignation Of Soldiers Over Low Morale And Corruption
The Nigerian Army has denied reports of soldiers’ mass resignation due to allegations of corruption and low morale.
The denial was contained in a statement on Sunday by the spokesperson of the Nigerian Army, Major General Onyema Nwachuckwu.
He emphasized that the report about the mass resignation is misleading and a deliberate attempt to sow the seeds of disaffection and acrimony, as well as denigrate the patriotic service of personnel and the reputation of the Nigerian Army.
Nwachukwu added that service in the Nigerian Army is voluntary and not conscriptive, as individuals are free and at liberty to disengage at will based on established procedures.
According to him, the allegation of widespread resignation due to poor welfare is not only unfounded but also irrational.
4. Bandits Leader, Bello Turji Slashes Levy Imposed On Zamfara Villagers From ₦50 Million To ₦30 Million
The residents of Moriki town, located in the Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, have successfully persuaded the bandit leader, Bello Turji, to lower the ransom he set from ₦50 million to ₦30 million, with a payment deadline established for Wednesday.
It was gathered that the said amount is purportedly intended as compensation for the death of Turji’s cattle, which were killed by the new commander of the Army base situated in Moriki.
Each head of a household is expected to contribute ₦10,000, while unmarried individuals are required to pay ₦2,000.
Furthermore, it has been reported that the villagers are proceeding with the payment despite the commander’s counsel against it and his assurance that he would not harm Turji’s livestock again.
The villagers, as reported by Daily Post, are apprehensive that failing to comply with the demand may result in Turji escalating his violent actions against them, leaving them vulnerable to his aggression.
Additionally, it was reported that approximately fifteen local politicians and social activists remain in Turji’s captivity, having been abducted from within Moriki, despite the presence of military personnel in the area.
5. Niger Tanker Explosion: 48 Bodies Burnt Beyond Recognition Given Mass Burial
Victims of the petrol tanker explosion, which occurred on Sunday in Agaie Local Government Area of Niger State, have been given a mass burial.
The Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Abdullahi Baba-Arab, who gave the update on Sunday, said 48 persons whose bodies were burnt beyond recognition had been given mass burial in the local government.
According to him, during rescue operations, emergency responders discovered 18 more bodies after the initial 30 earlier reported.
“Following further search and rescue operations, my agency discovered 18 more bodies which were also burnt to death and all the dead have been given mass burial,” he said.
It would be recalled that no fewer than thirty (30) people died in a tragic explosion involving a fuel tanker on the Agaie-Bida Road in Niger State on Sunday morning.
The tanker collided with a trailer transporting cattle en route to Lagos State from Wudil, Kano State.
According to Baba-Arab who made the accident known, the incident happened on Sunday at about 12.30 am along Lapai-Agaie, 2km from Dendo Community in Agaie LG.
He also disclosed that over 50 cattle were also burnt alive and two other vehicles, a crane truck and a pickup van were caught in the inferno.
6. Tinubu Inherited Near-Bankrupt Nigeria, Making Efforts To Recover — Tafawa-Balewa
A former presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Abdul-Jhalil Tafawa-Balewa, has urged Nigerians to exercise patience with President Bola Tinubu, stating that he inherited a nearly bankrupt nation and is making efforts to address its problems.
In an interview with journalists on Sunday in Lagos, Tafawa-Balewa emphasized that reviving a country on the brink of collapse is an enormous challenge.
He acknowledged that while Tinubu is trying to steer the country in the right direction, more needs to be done to tackle the numerous issues facing Nigeria.
Tafawa-Balewa called on President Tinubu to reduce the cost of governance in order to free up resources for national development. He suggested that cutting unnecessary spending would be a crucial first step toward economic recovery.
He also advised Tinubu to reinforce his administration with skilled technocrats capable of helping to implement his development agenda.
He further argued that the current number of ministries, approximately 48, should be reduced to cut down on excessive government spending.
7. NDLEA Intercepts Europe-Bound Cocaine, Opioids Hidden In Sanitary Pads
In a significant drug bust, Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted shipments of cocaine and pharmaceutical opioids concealed within sanitary pads and hair treatment cream containers.
Naturenex reports that the shipments, destined for the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Cyprus, were seized at three courier firms in Lagos State.
NDLEA Director of Media & Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, revealed on Sunday that during an inspection on September 3, 2024, NDLEA officers discovered cocaine hidden in hair cream containers destined for Ireland.
Additionally, on September 6, 2024, another batch of 24 parcels containing 862 grams of cocaine was found in similar containers, this time intended for the UK.
In another operation, 525 pills of tramadol (225mg) and ecstasy (MDMA) concealed within sanitary pads were intercepted on September 3, 2024, at a different courier firm, headed for Cyprus.
The following day, NDLEA operatives seized a shipment of 200 ampoules of promethazine and pentazocine, disguised as food items and herbs, intended for London.
8. Youths Must Learn Patience, Follow Process – Speaker Abbas
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has advised Nigerian youths to learn how to be patient, pay attention to details and follow process logically.
Tajudeen Abbas said Nigerian youths are lucky to be in a generation that has the best education and technology.
Speaking at an interactive session of Legislative Mentorship Initiative, a video of which he posted on his X handle, on Sunday, Abbas stated that the young generations are better than his own generation.
He enjoined Nigerian youths to learn how to pay attention to details from the beginning to the end.
9. NANS Demands Reversal Of Fintech’s ₦50 Transfer Levy
The Senate Clerk of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Oladimeji Uthman, has urged economic policymakers to reconsider the recently implemented electronic transaction fees imposed by fintech companies.
In a statement released on Sunday, Uthman expressed his strong disapproval of the new regulation, which requires a deduction of ₦50 for every electronic transfer of ₦10,000 or more conducted through fintech services.
This policy, scheduled to be enforced starting September 9, 2024, is perceived as an additional financial strain on Nigerian students and the broader community.
Uthman noted that this new charge, which was previously limited to commercial banks, now applies to fintech platforms such as OPay and Moniepoint, effectively ending the period of complimentary banking services that many of these providers had offered.
Uthman urged the Federal Government to consider alternative revenue streams, including investments in agriculture, high-quality education, infrastructure enhancement, and job creation, instead of placing further financial strains on students and the general populace.
10. ‘I Am Pained’ – Peter Obi Reacts To Deadly Fire Explosion In Niger State
Former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi has mourned the loss of lives and animals in a fire accident that happened on Sunday in Niger State.
Obi, in a statement via his account on the X platform, said he is pained by the loss of lives caused by the accident.
Recall Naturenex had reported that no fewer than thirty (30) people died in a tragic explosion involving a fuel tanker on the Agaie-Bida Road in Niger State on Sunday morning.
The tanker collided with a trailer transporting cattle en route to Lagos State from Wudil, Kano State.
Reacting to the incident, Peter Obi described it as disheartening and unfortunate. He also sent condolences to the families of those involved in the accident as well as a similar one which occurred in Oyo State.
The former Anambra State Governor also appreciated the intervention of the emergency agencies that responded to the accident.
That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naturenex. See you again tomorrow.
