Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naturenex roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Thursday 5th December, 2024
1. Tinubu Returns To Nigeria After France, South Africa Visits
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has returned to Nigeria after concluding official visits to France and South Africa, where he co-chaired the 11th Bi-National Commission in Cape Town.
Naturenex reports that the president’s plane landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at approximately 9:10 pm on Wednesday.
The visit aimed to strengthen ties in key areas such as agriculture, security, education, health, youth development, employment, innovation, and energy transition.
After a three-day engagement in France, Tinubu traveled to South Africa on Monday to co-chair the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
During the session, Tinubu called for enhanced collaboration between the two nations. He praised South African companies, including MTN and MultiChoice, for their contributions to Nigeria’s economy, while also commending Nigerian firms such as the Dangote Group and Access Bank for their successes in South Africa.
2. Farotimi’s Arrest: Tinubu Is Harassing Citizens To Create One-Party-State – Atiku
Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of harassing citizens and opposing voices, including Dele Farotimi, with the intention to create a one-party state.
Atiku Abubakar said the arrest of the human rights lawyer, Farotimi, was a reminder of the days of military dictatorship.
In a statement on Wednesday, Atiku stated that the use of police to abduct Farotimi in an alleged defamation case was an abuse of power.
The former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) told President Tinubu that continued arrests of dissenting voices by his administration undermine the principles of democracy.
He emphasized that freedom of speech remained a constitutional right. Atiku highlighted that defamation is a civil matter that should be addressed in the courts, stressing that he had been abused, but resorted to the court.
The former Vice President called for the immediate release of the human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi.
3. CBN Clarifies ‘Forced Mass Retirement’ Of Staff
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has clarified that its Early Exit Package (EEP) is voluntary and without any negative repercussions for eligible staff.
Naturenex reported that the CBN is preparing to retire approximately 1,000 employees by the end of the year, as part of a strategic workforce realignment under the leadership of Governor Olayemi Cardoso, which is expected to cost over N50 billion in severance packages.
Sources within the CBN disclosed that the affected employees include staff members who have served in various capacities across the bank.
Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday, the Ag. Director of Corporate Communications, Hakama Sidi Ali, dismissed claims of forced mass retirements, explaining that the EEP is voluntary.
Ali stated that the decision to implement the exercise resulted from extensive consultations with the Bank’s Joint Consultative Council (JCC), a body representing staff interests.
According to her, the EEP is a longstanding policy previously accorded to the executive cadre but has now been made available to eligible staff at all levels.
She further emphasized that the initiative is an internal corporate matter designed to promote career development for staff.
4. Senate Summons Keyamo, Others Over Flight Delay, Cancellations
The Senate on Wednesday, ordered its Committee on Aviation to summon the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.
The Minister, the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Chris Najomo, airline operators and other relevant stakeholders were summoned over incessant flight delays and cancellations.
The Committee on Aviation is mandated to investigate the increasing frequency of flight delays and cancellations by airline operators in the country.
The development is coming after a motion presented by Senator Buhari Abdulfatai (Oyo, APC) during plenary, highlighting the negative impact of these disruptions on Nigeria’s socio-economic growth and public confidence in the aviation sector.
The investigation will aim to uncover the root causes of the persistent disruptions and propose lasting solutions to improve the reliability and efficiency of air travel in Nigeria.
5. Yuletide: FG Declares Special Train Service For Nigerians
The federal government has approved a special end-of-the-year train service for Nigerians in commemoration of the Christmas and New Year festivities.
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) made the announcement in a statement on Wednesday by its Deputy Director, Public Relations, Yakub Mahmood.
The statement disclosed that the directive was given by the federal government through the Federal Ministry of Transportation.
Mahmood, however, said the modalities for the special train service would be disclosed to the public soon.
6. Senate Makes Fresh Announcement On Tax Reform Bills
The Nigerian Senate has established a committee to examine the ambiguous aspects of the much-debated Tax Reform Bills and to provide a report to the full Senate prior to the public hearing on these bills.
Naturenex understand that the committee is led by the Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South).
The development was announced by the Deputy Senate President, Barau I. Jibrin (APC, Kano North), during the plenary session on Wednesday.
Barau, who presided over the meeting, noted the existing controversies surrounding the bills and indicated that the committee is tasked with engaging in consultations with the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), the executive branch, and other key stakeholders.
7. Niger Delta Is Not Biafra – PANDEF Warns
The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has distanced the Niger Delta and South-South geopolitical zones from the agitations for an independent Biafra nation.
PANDEF, in a statement on Wednesday by its National Youth Leader, Donben Donyegha, said any attempt to drag the regions into the Biafra agitations would be firmly resisted.
Donyegha insisted that the Niger Delta region is not interested in breaking away from Nigeria, and those including the region in Biafra agitations are insulting the people of the area.
He added that including the region in any plan to break away from Nigeria is provocative behaviour.
8. Cash Scarcity: CBN Gives Banks Fresh Directives Ahead Of Festive Season
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has instructed Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) to guarantee seamless cash disbursements to customers, both over-the-counter and via Automated Teller Machines (ATMs).
This directive was outlined in a statement co-signed by the Acting Director of Currency Operations, Muhammed Olayemi, and the Acting Director of Branch Operations, Aisha Isa-Olatinwo.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the directive follows widespread complaints from bank customers about severe cash shortages nationwide.
In response, the apex bank urged affected individuals to report instances where they are unable to access cash through the prescribed reporting channels.
The CBN emphasized that such feedback would aid in addressing obstacles to cash availability and enhance currency circulation nationwide.
9. Senate Calls For Urgent Action On Benue Insecurity, Proposes Solutions
In response to the persistent killings in Logo Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State by suspected herdsmen, the Senate has called for urgent measures to address insecurity and prevent further violence.
Among the directives issued, the Senate urged security agencies to tackle the proliferation of arms across the country and recommended the inclusion of funds in the 2025 budget for constructing a Mobile Police Barracks in Ayilamo, Logo LGA.
Naturenex understands that this initiative aims to strengthen security in the troubled region.
Additionally, the Senate proposed the establishment of ranches across all local governments in Nigeria to restrict cattle movement and curb herder-farmer conflicts.
The resolution followed a motion of urgent national importance brought by Senator Emmanuel Udende, highlighting ongoing attacks in communities such as Ayilamo, Anyiin, Uzer, and Azege within Logo LGA.
10. 2027: Don’t Shoot Yourself In The Foot, Back Tinubu – Doyin Okupe Tells North, Says Buhari Finished Nigeria
Former presidential aide and ex-Director General of the Peter Obi 2023 Presidential Campaign Organisation, Dr. Doyin Okupe, has declared that the presidency will remain in the South come 2027, dismissing any potential shift of power to the North.
Speaking in an interview with The Sun, Okupe acknowledged the growing mobilization among northern elites and young political minds, describing it as a positive step toward addressing long-standing neglect of the region’s masses.
However, he dismissed the possibility of a northern presidency in 2027, citing Nigeria’s established tradition of power rotation.
Okupe highlighted the historical precedent of balancing regional representation in leadership to maintain national unity.
He cited past instances, such as the presidency of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, which followed an unwritten consensus to assuage the South-West after the annulled June 12, 1993, presidential election.
