Good morning, Nigeria. Welcome to the Naturenex roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Saturday, 16th November, 2024.
1. CBN Issues Directives To Banks Amidst Cash Scarcity
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has instructed commercial banks to prioritize cash disbursements through automated teller machines (ATMs), warning that institutions failing to comply would face penalties.
In a statement issued on Friday, Solaja Olayemi, Acting Director of the Currency Operations Department at the CBN, emphasized the need to ensure easier access to cash for Nigerians amidst reports of scarcity.
The CBN also cautioned against supplying naira notes to individuals or groups involved in the illegal hawking of currency.
Naturenex reports that the directive comes as citizens lament the scarcity of cash, which has disrupted transactions and heightened economic uncertainty.
In the circular signed by Olayemi, the apex bank said it commenced spot checks to ensure efficient and responsible cash disbursement to the public and prevent the disbursement of mint banknotes to persons hawking naira notes.
2. Tinubu Confers Posthumous CFR Honour On Late COAS Lagbaja
President Bola Tinubu has bestowed a posthumous award of the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) on the late Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja.
Naturenex reports that Tinubu conferred the honour on Friday, during the funeral service in honour of Lagbaja, which was held at the National Cemetery in Mogadishu, Abuja.
The event had Vice President Kashima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Defence Minister, governors and top military officials in attendance.
President Tinubu praised the virtues of the late COAS, eulogising his contributions to national security.
According to Tinubu, Lagbaja’s appointment as the COAS was one of his best achievements since he assumed the office of the presidency.
3. Wike To Falana: Nothing Wrong In Building Houses For Judges, No Absolute Separation Of Powers
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has stated that there is nothing wrong with building houses for judges.
Recall that human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), in a recent interview, stated that the construction of houses for judges and justices by the Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was unconstitutional and an embarrassment to the judiciary.
Naturenex reports that in September, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the construction of 40 housing units for judges and justices in the FCT. Of the 40 units being constructed in the Katampe District, 20 will be allocated to the FCT High Court, 10 to the Federal High Court, and 10 to the Court of Appeal.
This had drawn criticism, with Falana claiming that such action was capable of influencing the judges, “you cannot be seen to be giving cars or houses to judges who are going to determine your cases.”
Reacting in a statement on Friday, Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, described Falana’s position as patently wrong and a mere display of emotions and sentiments against the FCT Minister.
He insisted that there was nothing wrong with the federal government providing accommodations for judges as well as officials of other government arms.
Olayinka said even though there is separation of powers in a democracy, there is also what is known as checks and balances, meaning that there can be no absolute separation of powers among the three arms of government.
4. Nigeria’s Inflation Rises To 33.88%
From Survival To Solutions: Unpacking Nigeria’s Toughest Challenges Amid Inflation
The surge in food and fuel prices has driven Nigeria’s inflation rate to 33.88% in October 2024, up from 32.70% in September, according to the latest report from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
The NBS released its Consumer Price Index and Inflation report for October on Friday, revealing that the month-on-month headline inflation rate stood at 2.64%.
Food inflation also recorded a significant increase, rising to 39.16% in October compared to 37.77% in the previous month.
Earlier in the week, the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Inflation Expectation Survey had forecasted a rise in the nation’s inflation rate, which has now been confirmed.
Naturenex reports that energy costs have seen a sharp increase during the period under review. Petrol prices soared to over ₦1,030 per litre in October, up from ₦617 per litre recorded in August 2024.
5. Supreme Court Rules On Suit Instituted By Governors Against EFCC, ICPC, NFIU
Supreme Court on Friday dismissed the suit instituted by some state Attorneys General challenging the establishment of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Act.
Naturenex reports that the suit, which was initially instituted by attorneys general of 16 states, sought the scrapping of the anti-graft agency.
The suit also sought the scrapping of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
While some states withdrew from the suit, some others asked to be joined as co-plaintiffs.
In a unanimous judgment on Friday, a seven-member panel of the apex court held that the suit was without merit.
In the lead judgment by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji, the Supreme Court resolved the six issues raised for determination in the suit against the plaintiffs.
The Supreme Court held that the National Assembly validly enacted the laws establishing the anti-corruption agencies within its legislative competence.
6. This Election Is A Litmus Test To Show Your Hunger, Anger – Makinde Tells Ondo Electorates
The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has said the Ondo state election is a litmus test for Nigerians to demonstrate that their hunger and anger can lead to real change.
Naturenex reports that in a newsletter released on Thursday night, titled “It’s Time to Make a Bold Statement,” Makinde said that those who value good governance should vote for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the election.
He urged the Ondo State electorates to turn out in large numbers on Saturday to make a bold statement to the All Progressives Congress (APC) about its lack of people-centred policies.
Makinde argued that the PDP is the party that can rescue Nigeria and lift it out of its current economic challenges, adding that evidence from PDP-governed states shows the party’s ability to deliver the development needed across the country.
7. ‘From A Motor Garage Tout He Became Betrayer Of Jonathan, Others’ – Adeyanju Attacks Wike
Human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, on Friday, launched a scathing criticism against the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, describing him as a “serial betrayer.”
He also controversially remarked that Nigerian singer Portable is “better” than Wike in terms of loyalty.
Addressing journalists during a press conference in Abuja, Adeyanju accused Wike of betraying key political allies, including former President Goodluck Jonathan and former Rivers State governors Peter Odili and Rotimi Amaechi.
Wike, who was recently appointed as FCT Minister by President Tinubu, has faced scrutiny over his political maneuvers and alliances, particularly after switching allegiance from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to support Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.
8. You And Your Paymaster Are Liars Masquerading As Democrats – Rivers APC Knocks Tony Okocha
The All Progressives Congress (APC), Rivers State chapter, has accused the sacked Caretaker Committee Chairman, Tony Okocha of trampling on the rule of law.
Speaking via a statement issued on Friday by the state Publicity Secretary, Darlington Nwauju, the APC accused Okocha and his “paymasters” of engaging in the same actions they previously accused others of.
Nwauju described Okocha as a liar masquerading as a democrat.
He noted that despite a ruling by the Rivers State High Court, Okocha has continued to present himself as the CTC Chairman of the party.
He said, “Tony Okocha is trampling on the rule of law and he knows it. The very same thing both he and his paymaster have been shouting against others is what they have been dancing naked doing.
“The worry is not just that we all can see liars masquerading as democrats but it is worse that these liars are also hypocrites.
“Despite a ruling by the Rivers State High Court, Okocha has continued to present himself as the CTC Chairman of the party.”
9. Edo Governor, Okpebholo Appoints Chief Of Staff
Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has approved the appointment of Hon. Gani Audu as his Chief of Staff.
Naturenex reports that the appointment takes immediate effect.
This was made known in a statement on Friday by Okpebholo’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua.
In an official communication signed by the Secretary to State Government (SSG), Musa Umar Ikhilor, Audu’s appointment will help Governor Okpebholo in driving meaningful reforms in the State.
“It is hereby announced for the information of the general public, particularly the good people of Edo State, that His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, Governor of Edo State, has approved the appointment of Hon. Gani Audu as his Chief of Staff. The appointment takes immediate effect,” the official communication read.
10. ‘Lakurawa Terrorist Group Is Not New’ – Former DSS Director, Ejiofor Reveals Origin Of Insurgents
A former Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mike Ejiofor, has given a brief history of the terrorist group Lakurawa, causing havoc in the North-western part of the country.
Naturenex recalls that last week, the Defence Headquarters announced the emergence of Lakurawa as a new terrorist group operating in Sokoto and Kebbi states.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, said the terror group has worsened the insecurity in the North-West region, but the Nigerian army is already containing them.
However, Ejiofor, during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Friday, maintained that the group had been in existence and the government neglected them after the death of their founder.
While giving a brief history of the insurgents’ origin, the former DSS director noted that members of Lakurawa are not Nigerians but are from Niger Republic and Mali, respectively.
That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naturenex. See you again tomorrow.
