Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naturenex roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Sunday, 1st December 2024.
1. Tax Reform Bills: Some Lawmakers Do Not Understand Its Content – Barau
The Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, has explained that the controversial Tax Reform Bills was quickly passed to allow the public to comment on them.
Jibrin acknowledged that most people, including some lawmakers, do not understand its contents.
Naturenex reports that the bills, which were transmitted to the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu earlier in September, have sparked reactions, especially among Northerners, who felt the legislation would further plunge the region into more economic hardship.
Northern governors, traditional leaders and other different groups have rejected the bills, saying they are inimical to the region and the nation at large.
In an interview with BBC Hausa service, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State decried that governors would not be able to pay salaries if the bills were passed into law, expressing concerns over how the bills had received urgent attention at the National Assembly.
But speaking with BBC Hausa, Senator Barau Jibrin, who has come under heavy criticism, especially on social media, for supporting the bills, said the speedy passage was to enable Nigerians to have room to comment on the legislation before considering the next line of action.
He said, “Because of the contents of the bills, we decided to invite experts or the people who developed them on behalf of the President (the Finance committee led by Sani Musa) to explain to us the provisions of the bills and also advise us so that Nigerians will know about it.
“The bills have to scale the second reading before they can be taken to the committee for a review. And while we could ask (the committee) questions, Nigerians who might have only watched it on the television could not have room to ask questions. That was why it was resolved that the bills would be passed for the second reading so that Nigerians would have the chance to comment, give their contributions and also ask questions.”
2. ‘The Calibre Of People Who Escort Illegal Oil Bunkers Would Shock Nigerians’ – Fisayo Soyombo
Nigerian investigative journalist, Fisayo Soyombo, has expressed concern over the kind of security cover available for oil bunkers in the country.
Naturenex reports that the founder of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), in an interview with Arise TV morning show, said he was conducting an undercover investigation when the Nigerian Army arrested him.
Soyombo stated that there are innocent military men, but there is a need to sanitise the saboteurs who enable oil bunkers to thrive.
According to the journalist, it is not only oil bunkers that are thieves but also those who are meant to supervise the sector, adding that “What we would need is an overhaul of the system.”
He said, “It would shock you the kind of people who escort illegal oil bunkers out of Port-Harcourt.
“The army spokesman already compromised my security by going online to say that they found illegal bunkers.
“There are clean men in the military but we need to clean up the saboteurs who enable oil bunkerers to thrive.
“This is a new level for me that I need to do it. Rather than change approach, I will rather stop, maybe I have one, two, three under-cover investigations and I will stop.
“It is not the fun of it but the situations we found ourselves. Imagine the story I did on smugglers. People have to know that in their country they can be safe, and we need to expose these wrongdoings.
“The figure being put out in terms of Crude oil theft are an underestimation of what’s happening. The Crude we were to move was for 50,000 barrel, if the man who got annoyed that he wasn’t bribed didn’t talk, we would have had two trucks move out. There is no institution that can say for a fact the barrels are being lifted daily.”
3. FG Raises Loan For MSMEs To ₦5 Million
The Federal Government has increased the maximum amount available for small businesses to access through single-digit loans to ₦5 million, aiming to promote inclusive economic growth across the nation.
This announcement was made by Dr Olasupo Olusi, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank of Industry (BOI), during a town hall meeting held in Lagos on Friday, which focused on the Federal Government Grant and Loan Scheme.
The Federal Ministry of Finance organized the event in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investments, the Presidency, the Bank of Industry, and various other stakeholders.
Olusi, represented by Umar Shekarau, Executive Director of MSMEs at the Bank of Industry, commended President Bola Tinubu for establishing a ₦200 billion Presidential Intervention Fund to support Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises.
He noted that ₦75 billion from the presidential conditional grant and loan scheme is allocated explicitly for MSMEs, with the initiative anticipated to generate thousands of direct and indirect job opportunities throughout the country.
The head of the Bank of Industry stated that the fund, readily available for disbursement at a competitive interest rate of nine per cent, is being managed through the Bank of Industry’s nationwide network.
He encouraged business owners to either visit the Bank of Industry directly or register online to access loans and grants, emphasizing that they should avoid intermediaries in the process.
4. Delusional Outburst, Threat To Nigeria’s Judiciary – Gov Okpebholo Fires Osita Chidoka
Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has berated a former Aviation Minister, Osita Chidoka, for claiming that the 2024 Edo State governorship election was rigged to favour the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Naturenex reports that Chidoka, the founder of a non-profit organisation, Athena Centre, had insisted the September 21 Edo State governorship election should not stand.
The former Minister, during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, indicted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the conduct of the election.
Athena Centre reportedly reviewed the election, which produced the APC candidate, Okpebholo, as governor of the South-South state, claiming that it was compromised.
Recall that Okpebholo polled 291,667 votes to beat his closest contender, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who polled 247,274 votes.
However, Chidoka, who presented the Athena Centre’s findings on the Edo State election, stated that there was substantial evidence of systemic rigging.
He said, “The evidence of systemic rigging observed in this election is so substantial that we cannot call the results,” Chidoka said on the programme.
“The evidence of systemic rigging is so substantial that we think that this election should not be allowed to stand. If this stands, then there is no election in 2027.”
5. NPC Denies Plans To Hold Census In 2025
The National Population Commission (NPC) has refuted online claims that its chairman, Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra, announced 2025 as the date for Nigeria’s next population and housing census.
In a statement signed by Erelu Taibat Yemi Oloruntoba, the acting director of public affairs, the commission clarified that no official date has been set for the census.
The statement explained that the chairman’s comments during the 30th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development in Abuja were misinterpreted by some individuals aiming to mislead the public.
“The chairman expressed optimism that President Bola Tinubu would issue a proclamation on the census in the coming year but did not specify any date. The authority to announce a census date lies solely with the president, not the NPC,” the commission stated.
The NPC emphasized its dedication to transparency, noting that discussions with the presidency on a new timeline are ongoing following the postponement of the exercise by the previous administration.
Despite the United Nations’ recommendation to conduct population censuses every 10 years, Nigeria has not conducted one since 2006, leaving an 18-year gap in accurate demographic data.
6. Okpebholo, APC Jittery Over Exposure Of Systemic Rigging In Edo, Lies To Cover Fraud – Obaseki
Former Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has claimed that the independent analysis by the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership of the Edo State governorship election has thrown Governor Monday Okpebholo into a frenzy.
Recall that Osita Chidoka, the founder of the Centre, had claimed that the governorship election results shouldn’t have stood.
Chidoka, who presented the Athena Centre’s findings on the Edo State election on Channels Television’s Politics Today, stated that there was substantial evidence of systemic rigging.
But in a statement to Naija News on Saturday, Okpebholo’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, said in a well-orchestrated plot hatched by the PDP, in connivance with Chidoka, tried to bully and blackmail the judiciary into circumventing the will of Edo people.
He said the shameful display on Channels Television’s Politics Today reeled out numbers purchased from ‘Oluwole market,’ and impetuously concluded that the 21st September governorship election in Edo State was rigged.
In a swift reaction to Okpebholo’s comments, Obaseki’s Media Adviser, Crusoe Osagie, in a statement to Naija News, said the program on Channels TV showed overwhelming evidence and data exposing the systemic rigging and brazen subversion of the people’s will during the September 21 governorship election.
According to the former governor’s aide, the show must have been a difficult 30 minutes for even the most vile criminal.
7. Hardship: It’s Not A Good Idea To ‘Japa’ – Cardoso Begs Nigerians
The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Yemi Cardoso, has appealed to Nigerians to shelve any plan of leaving the country because of economic hardship.
Yemi Cardoso said the current economic hardship in the country required the collective effort of all Nigerians to fix it.
He stated that the government, through its policies, is building an economy that would sustain and help businesses thrive.
The CBN Governor made the appeal in a keynote address at the 59th annual Bankers Dinner of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, CIBN, in Lagos.
“It is not a good idea to japa at this stage. Two reasons. One, those who may decide they are going to do that, they will sell and get rid of their assets.
“You’ll be doing it for cheap. Predators, who are outside looking for bargains, will come and take it and pocket it, put it in their pocket and wait for the turnaround and sell it away.
“Number two, you want to be part of the solution. You want to be part of the solution, and this is time that we need all hands on them,” Daily Post quoted him.
While acknowledging the hardship Nigerians face because of the government’s economic reforms, he said “the reforms were focused on tackling challenges of today and on securing the opportunities of tomorrow with the aim of building an economy where everybody thrives”.
8. ‘Governor-Select, Focus On What You Are Selected To Do’ – PDP Slams Okpebholo
The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has lampooned Governor Monday Okpebholo over his recent statement in what it described as a systemic plot to conceal the manipulation that tainted the governorship election held on September 21.
In a statement issued through Chris Osa Nehikhare, the Publicity Secretary of Edo PDP Caretaker Committee, the opposition camp’s attention was drawn to an absurd and disappointing statement attributed to the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor-select of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo.
PDP observed that in the statement, Okpebholo made unfounded and exaggerated claims in a futile attempt to undermine the independent analysis conducted by the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership, a non-partisan research organization, which reportedly revealed the events that occurred during the last governorship election.
According to PDP, the analysis, supported by irrefutable evidence and data, clearly illustrated the systematic rigging orchestrated by the electoral authority, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to benefit the APC.
PDP also alleged that Governor Okpebholo was instead selected and not duly elected.
The opposition party admonished the incumbent Governor of Edo State to focus on whatever he was selected to do instead of his lamentation and threats, which,h according to them, now make him sound like a broken record.
9. ‘Nigerian Army Did Not Arrest Me’ – Fisayo Soyombo Speaks On Detention
Nigerian Investigative Journalist, Fisayo Soyombo, has refuted claims of the Nigerian Army on his arrest while conducting an undercover investigation.
Naturenex reports that Fisayo, the founder of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), has been arrested and detained for three days by the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital.
Later on Friday, FIJ confirmed that the journalist had been released.
Before Soyombo’s release, the Acting Deputy Director 6 Division Army Public Relations, Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, in a statement, said Fisayo was arrested alongside other individuals engaging in oil bunkering.
He stated that all suspects are currently undergoing preliminary investigation to ascertain their level of involvement or otherwise.
However, in an interview with Arise TV, Soyombo clarified that he was not arrested with oil thieves but had approached the military personnel, thinking they were there to facilitate a settlement.
He admitted that he did not inform the Nigerian Army about his investigation due to mistrust.
He said, “There was no arrest; the Nigerian army did not arrest me. They spotted me, flashed their torch, and I came out and wanted to open a conversation. I didn’t show them my ID because the illegal bunkerers had said they had settled everyone, and the guys who came were the ones that were not settled, and a conversation was going to settle them, so I just thought it was a settlement conversation, and I came forward.
“The real growls of the army were that, one, I didn’t carry them along. I won’t deny that I have low trust for Nigerian public institutions – I didn’t trust the army, I didn’t carry them along but also known illegal oil bunkerers were bribing different people with various security formations and I would endanger my life by carrying them along if I didn’t know who was who.”
He revealed that after being detained in a military camp, he maintained his cover as an illegal oil bunkerer until he was taken to the Sixth Division headquarters.
10. How I Begged Abacha Not To Kill Obasanjo – Gowon
Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, has recounted how he pleaded with the late Gen. Sani Abacha not to execute former President, Olusegun Obasanjo for an alleged coup plot in 1995.
Naturenex recalls that Obasanjo was arrested in 1995 by Abacha and convicted of being part of a planned coup to overthrow his government.
Obasanjo, despite pleading innocent to the coup, was sentenced to death.
The ex-President spent three years in prison before he was released in 1998 following the death of Gen. Abacha on June 8 of that year.
Speaking at the maiden edition of the Interdenominational Unity Christmas Carol and Praise Festival organised by the Plateau Government, Gowon said he wrote a letter to Gen. Abacha pleading with him to stop the execution of Obasanjo.
He said, “I wrote a letter to Abacha; I pleaded with him that God made him a leader to do good and not evil. I sent my wife with the letter in the middle of the night to Abacha in Abuja; I pleaded with him that such a thing should not happen.
“I’m glad that soon after that, things changed, and not only that Obasanjo left prison, he became our president in 1999.
“This is something that only prayers and sincerity can do; I’m happy that today myself and Obasanjo are here to celebrate the unity of Plateau.”
Gowon and Obasanjo, who were both special guests of honour at the event, also thanked the state government for organising the carol, adding that it would further unite the citizens of the state.
