Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naturenex roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Sunday, 13th October, 2024.
1. This Is Insensitive, Unfortunate; Reverse Sudden Fuel Price Hike – Peter Obi Tackles Tinubu
The former Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has condemned the recent increase in fuel price, calling on the Federal Government to reverse the sudden petrol price hike.
Naturenex reports that the former Anambra State Governor stated this in a post on his X handle on Saturday morning.
Naturenex reported earlier that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) announced a 14.8% hike in the price of petrol, raising it to ₦1,030 per litre from ₦897.
This marks the second petrol price increase within the past month, following a previous rise in September when the price surged from ₦615 to ₦897 per litre.
Reacting, Peter Obi described the latest increase as unfortunate and insensitive.
He called on President Bola Tinubu, who doubles as the Minister of Petroleum, to provide a full explanation, offer alternative options, and, most importantly, reverse the sudden price hike.
2. Reps Moves To Establish Bola Tinubu University
The House of Representatives has advanced a bill proposing the establishment of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Federal University of Nigerian Languages, aimed at promoting the study and preservation of Nigerian languages and culture.
The bill, sponsored by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu and eight other representatives, passed its first reading on Thursday.
The bill outlines that the university will be dedicated to fostering education in Nigerian languages and cultures for students of diverse backgrounds, regardless of race, creed, or political beliefs.
Section II, Part I of the bill obtained by Naturenex on Saturday, provides that the university, when established, shall “Encourage the advancement of learning and to hold out to all persons without distinction of race, creed, sex or political conviction, the opportunity of acquiring a higher education in Nigerian languages and cultures.”
Additionally, the university aims to produce graduates equipped to use Nigerian languages for societal growth and engage in research, innovation, and postgraduate training to help harness Nigeria’s natural and human resources.
It is expected to collaborate with other national institutions engaged in language and cultural studies to advance Nigeria’s linguistic heritage.
Outlined responsibilities include providing Nigerian language training and consultancy services, conducting outreach programs, and supporting in-service training and continuing education.
Section 1(2) of the bill emphasizes that the university’s mandate is to develop professionals skilled in Nigerian languages, enhance communication in local languages for national unity, and support knowledge acquisition in these areas.
3. Presidency Speaks On Tinubu’s Trip From UK To France
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has responded to the mounting criticism regarding the President’s recent travels.
After spending nine days in London, Tinubu moved to France for undisclosed engagements, prompting mixed reactions from the public.
On Friday, Masari shared on his Facebook page that following a nine-day stay in London, the President is scheduled to head to Paris for an undisclosed engagement.
He noted that he had visited President Tinubu at his private residence in London and announced that he would be accompanying the President to France.
The announcement of the President’s continued absence from Nigeria, especially during economic challenges, has led many on social media to question the appropriateness of his travels.
4. Homicide: Court Of Appeal Affirms Doguwa’s Acquittal
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld the clearance of Alhassan Ado Doguwa, a member of the House of Representatives, regarding allegations of culpable homicide.
A three-member panel of justices, led by Justice Adebukola Banjoko, dismissed the Kano State Government’s appeal against a previous judgment by the Federal High Court, citing lack of merit.
In its ruling, the Federal High Court in Abuja presided over by Justice Donatus Okorowo, determined that the charges against Doguwa infringed upon his fundamental human rights.
The court restrained the Kano State Government from arresting, detaining, or prosecuting the lawmaker, awarding him damages amounting to N25 million.
Doguwa, who represents the Tudun Wada/Doguwa Federal Constituency of Kano State, had argued that the offences related to the violence that occurred during the 2023 general elections in Kano were investigated as federal offences.
He was subsequently cleared of any wrongdoing by both the Kano High Court and the police.
Following the appellate court’s ruling, Doguwa expressed gratitude and reaffirmed his belief in the integrity of the Nigerian judiciary.
5. FG Approves Gas Supply To $3.3 Billion Methanol Plant
The Federal Government has signed a landmark gas sales agreement to facilitate the gas supply for the $3.3 billion Brass Fertilizer & Petrochemical Company Ltd.
The agreement, inked by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), involves key partners Shell, TotalEnergies, and Agip.
The signing ceremony took place at the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, with the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, highlighting the agreement as a “significant milestone” in the nation’s efforts to monetize its vast gas reserves.
“This agreement marks a major step toward utilizing our abundant natural gas resources for rapid industrialization and economic growth,” Ekpo stated.
The Minister urged all stakeholders to maintain the determination that has seen them through previous challenges, emphasizing the importance of achieving financial closure and commencing construction on the project as soon as possible.
6. EFCC Should Be Strengthened, Not Scrapped – Adamawa Gov
The Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, has expressed his opposition to calls for abolishing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), arguing instead for its reinforcement to improve its operational efficiency.
Naturenex reports that Fintiri’s comments were in response to a Supreme Court case filed by 16 state governors challenging the legality of the EFCC’s establishment.
During an interview on Channels TV’s Hard Copy on Friday, Fintiri emphasized, “Abolishing the EFCC is not the solution, regardless of the circumstances of its creation. What we need is to improve its functionality and eliminate the political interference that often leads to allegations of witch-hunting.”
He also criticized the federal government’s practice of confiscating state funds recovered through corruption investigations, calling it inappropriate.
7. ‘PDP Not Divided’ – Bauchi Gov, Mohammed Insists
The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, Bala Mohammed, has refuted recent claims regarding internal rifts within the opposition party.
The Governor of Bauchi State made this remark following a series of suspensions within the party leadership on Friday.
Naturenex reported earlier that the PDP crisis escalated on Friday morning with the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) division.
A faction of the PDP loyal to the acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, had, in a statement on Friday morning, announced the suspension of its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, and National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN).
The PDP National Director of Publicity, Chinwe Nnorom, made this known in a statement issued in the early hours of Friday.
Subsequently, another faction, in a statement issued by Ologunagba, suspended Damagum, the national chairman of the PDP.
Nevertheless, the Federal High Court in Abuja issued an order preventing the National Executive Committee (NEC) and the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the PDP from ousting Umar Damagum as the acting national chairman.
Justice Peter Lifu ruled that only Damagum should be acknowledged as the PDP national chairman until the party’s national convention, which is set for December 2025.
It is worth noting that the crisis rocking the PDP started after the party’s presidential primary polls ahead of the 2023 election.
However, following a private meeting with PDP stakeholders at the Government House in Bauchi on Friday, Governor Mohammed reiterated that the party remains united and is committed to constructively resolving its internal issues.
8. Sowore Drags GT Bank To Court For Freezing Accounts
Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has filed a lawsuit against Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), seeking N100 million in damages for the freezing of his accounts since 2019.
Naturenex reports that Sowore claims that the bank’s action violates his fundamental right to property.
The lawsuit, filed by his lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, at the Federal High Court in Lagos, accuses GTB of freezing Sowore’s accounts without valid justification or prior notice.
Sowore, a former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), opened the accounts in 2015.
He alleged that since 2019, the restrictions on his accounts have caused him significant financial hardship, disrupting his business activities and day-to-day life.
9. What Tinubu Told Me About Security In Sokoto – Gov Aliyu Reveals
The Governor of Sokoto State, Ahmed Aliyu, has shared his conversation with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu about the state’s security situation.
According to the governor, President Tinubu has assured him that his administration will see an end to banditry and other criminal activities in the state.
Aliyu acknowledged that the president’s directive for the Minister of Defence and military leaders to relocate to Sokoto serves as a clear testament to the government’s dedication to addressing banditry and other criminal activities, not only in Sokoto but throughout the North-West region as a whole.
Naturenex reports that Aliyu stated this while providing support to the Nigerian Military on Friday to enhance the troops’ capacity to combat banditry in Sokoto State.
10. EFCC Declares Oil Mogul, Henry Akinduro, Wanted For Fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Friday, declared an oil mogul, Bolaji Henry Akinduro, wanted for fraud.
According to a circular signed by the agency’s spokesman, Dele Oyewale, Akinduro allegedly obtained money under false pretence and committed stealing by conversion.
Akinduro is the executive chairman of Total Grace Oil and Gas Investment Limited.
The circular reads, “The public is hereby notified that BOLAJI HENRY AKINDURO, whose photograph appears above is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in an alleged case of Obtaining Money under False Pretense, and Stealing by Conversion.
“Akinduro, 51, is an indigene of Ondo State and his last known address is: 272, Patience Coker Street, Ajose Adeogun, Victoria Island, Lagos State.
“Anybody with useful information as to his whereabouts should please contact the Commission in its Ibadan, Uyo, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Benin, Makurdi, Kaduna, Ilorin, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, Port Harcourt or Abuja offices or through 08093322644; its e-mail address:info@efcc.gov.ng or the nearest Police Station and other security agencies.”
