Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naturenex roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Thursday, 12th December, 2024
1. Tinubu Vows To Strengthen Nigeria-Germany Ties For Mutual Prosperity
President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to deepening the partnership between Nigeria and Germany, with a focus on energy and key sectors crucial for economic development.
Speaking during a bilateral meeting with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Tinubu emphasized the need for stronger collaboration that would yield mutual benefits for both countries.
He reiterated Nigeria’s openness to international business partnerships and assured that the ongoing economic reforms were designed to create an enabling environment for foreign investments.
The Nigerian leader highlighted the eagerness of both Nigerian and German leaders to strengthen ties, with previous engagements serving as proof of their shared commitment to business collaboration.
Tinubu also pointed out his administration’s efforts to improve business rankings and establish frameworks to ensure long-term prosperity for both nations.
At the conclusion of the bilateral talks, President Tinubu expressed optimism about enhancing people-to-people connections and facilitating economic opportunities at the governmental level.
2. 2027: Atiku Is Against Igbos, Wants Peter Obi To Be His Vice President – Ohanaeze Ndigbo
The Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has carpeted former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his reported push for a northern presidency in 2027.
The group submitted that by his push and open romance with Peter Obi, Atiku wants to make the former Labour Party presidential candidate his Vice President.
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo, however, said it stands against any attempt to install a northern presidency in 2027, saying power must remain in the south until 2031.
The Igbo socio-cultural group submitted further that the push by Atiku for a northern presidency in 2027 is provocative, against the dynamics of Nigerian politics, and is in total disregard for the southeast.
The statement on Wednesday, signed by the group’s Secretary General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, noted that Atiku’s pursuit of a northern presidency has tarnished his image among Igbo people.
3. Darkness As National Electricity Grid Collapses
The national electricity grid has reportedly collapsed, throwing most parts of the nation into darkness.
Naturenex reports that the grid collapse was experienced across the country on Wednesday afternoon.
It was gathered that the move to restore power supply has commenced.
“The major grid setback has occurred and the restoration is to commence,” a tweet via the official X handle of the National Grid confirmed that it collapsed at about 2:09 pm on Wednesday.
The latest disruption of electricity from the grid makes it the 12th collapse in year 2024.
Fro. From January 2024 till November, the grid has collapsed 11 times.
Within one week in October, the grid collapsed three times with its attendant blackouts.
4. Senate Declares Okpebholo’s Seat Vacant
The Senate has officially declared the Edo Central senatorial seat vacant following the emergence of Monday Okpebholo as the Governor of Edo State.
The seat was declared vacant on Wednesday during a plenary presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The Senate also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to organize a new election to fill the vacancy left by the departure of Okpebholo from the legislative chamber.
On Wednesday, the lawmakers conducted a valedictory session for the Edo State Governor as he bid farewell to the Senate.
During the session, Akpabio charged Okpbeholo to keep his legacy of good works as he carries out his duties as governor of Edo state.
5. ‘It Is Only A Distraction’ – Sanusi Speaks On Sealing Of Emir’s Palace
The 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has stated that the Kano Emirate is still unaware of the reasons behind the sealing of his palace by security operatives last week.
Naturenex reported that police and DSS operatives had blocked the entrance to the Gidan Rumfa Palace, restraining free movement in and out.
The move was reportedly aimed at averting a potential breakdown of law and order in Bichi town, where the Emir was scheduled to install a district head.
While the Nigeria Police Force has yet to comment on the matter, according to sources, the action was prompted by intelligence suggesting plans by residents of Bichi to disrupt the installation.
Speaking on Wednesday when a delegation from Bichi came to thank him for the appointment and register their allegiance, Sanusi said the sealing of the palace was a mere distraction and would not stop anything.
According to the Sanusi, a new date will be fixed for escorting the Bichi district head, which will be done peacefully.
He urged the people of Bichi to remain calm and peaceful, noting that another date would be fixed.
6. We’ll Handle Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso With Wisdom – Tinubu Tells German President
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said the interest and welfare of the citizens in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger remain priority for leaders of ECOWAS, assuring that wisdom and diplomacy will make the difference in reintegrating the countries into the commission.
Receiving the President of Germany, Frank–Walter Steinmeier, in a State Visit at the Presidential Villa, President Tinubu, who is the Chairman of ECOWAS, noted that the leadership of the three countries had been reluctant in bringing out transition programmes with clear dates.
Naturenex reports that this was made known in a statement on Wednesday by Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy.
President Tinubu told the German leader that the regional body would leave the door open for the return of democracy in the countries.
7. ‘They Still Cannot Believe They Lost’ – Akpabio Mocks Senator Ningi, Opposition Parties Over Okpebholo’s Victory
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has made fun of Bauchi Central Senator, Abdul Ningi, while taunting the opposition parties over the outcome of last governorship election in Edo State.
Naturenex reports that Akpabio during the plenary on Wednesday after the senators allowed Governor Monday Okpebholo into the chamber to bid them farewell, said the opposition parties are yet to believe that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) won.
Akpabio said the APC senators were happy with Okpebholo but the opposition senators were not.
The Senate President also mocked Ningi for not commenting on the election on the floor of the Senate over fear of being sanctioned by the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
8. Adelabu Speaks On Plan On National Grid After Meeting Tinubu, German President
Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has announced that Nigeria is set to add 150 megawatts (MW) of electricity to its national grid before the end of the year, marking a significant boost in the country’s power supply.
Adelabu disclosed this on Wednesday while addressing journalists after a closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The minister attributed the upcoming increase to the successful completion of the pilot phase of the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI), a collaborative effort between Nigeria and Siemens aimed at modernizing and expanding the country’s electricity infrastructure.
Adelabu outlined significant advancements in the country’s energy sector, emphasising the crucial role of international collaboration, particularly with Germany.
Adelabu noted that the Siemens project is a flagship component of the partnership, aimed at implementing both brownfield and greenfield transmission substations under the PPI.
According to the minister, the pilot phase includes the importation and installation of 10 power transformers as well as 10 mobile substations — with eight already commissioned.
Adelabu said the next phase would involve revamping 14 existing substations and establishing 23 new ones across the country.
9. ‘Provide Evidence’ – Wike’s Aide Tackles Those Alleging Land Grabbing, Releases Documents
Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has challenged those circulating falsehood about their lands being grabbed by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to provide genuine evidence that they owned such land.
In a statement on Wednesday, Olayinka cautioned self-appointed social media activists to be mindful of being used to promote false claims.
He said, “The most reasonable thing for anyone to do is to find out from both sides before going public with any issue.”
Referring to a recent video being circulated on a land located Life Camp, particularly Plot No. 2241, Gwarimpa District, Cadastral Zone C02, Abuja, the FCT Minister’s Spokesperson challenged those claiming ownership of the land to provide Right of Occupancy or Certificate of Occupancy granted by the FCTA.
10. NMDPRA Speaks On Stopping Gas Supply To GenCos Over ₦2 Trillion Debt
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has debunked claims of cutting the gas supply to power generating companies (GenCos).
The Authority described reports that it directed the stoppage of gas supply to GenCos over ₦2trn debt as “false and completely unfounded”.
Speaking via a statement on Wednesday, NMDPRA also denied instructing wholesale gas suppliers to stop further supply of gas to companies due to failure in payment obligations.
