Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naturenex roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Thursday, 14th November, 2024
1. Tinubu Invites Indian Prime Minister To Nigeria
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Nigeria on Saturday, marking the first visit by an Indian prime minister to the country in 17 years.
Naturenex reports that the visit comes at the invitation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
During his visit, Prime Minister Modi will engage in discussions aimed at strengthening the strategic partnership between India and Nigeria and exploring new areas to deepen bilateral cooperation.
He is also expected to address the Indian community in Nigeria.
Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Shri G. Balasubramanian, highlighted the long-standing strategic partnership between the two nations, dating back to 2007, with increasing collaboration in sectors such as energy, defense, and the economy.
2. “NAHCON Is Very Dirty” – Reps Committee Tackles Agency Over ₦90bn 2024 Hajj Exercise ‘Scam’
The House of Representatives Committee set up to probe the operations of the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) over the 2024 Hajj exercise has described the commission as dirty.
The lawmakers told the new NAHCON Chairman, Abdullahi Usman, that he was presiding over a very “dirty” agency.
Naturenex recalls following the controversy which surrounded the utilization of the ₦90bn subsidy provided by the federal government for the 2024 Hajj exercise, President Bola Tinubu, in August, sacked the embattled Chairman of the commission, Jalal Arabi and replaced him with Usman.
The House of Representatives also set up a panel in July 2024 to investigate NAHCON activities regarding the shoddy arrangements and treatment of Nigerian pilgrims during the 2024 Hajj exercise.
Speaking at the investigative hearing of the committee on Wednesday in Abuja, the Chairman of the House Committee and member representing the Jibia/Kaita Federal Constituency, Sada Soli, told the NAHCON Chairman that he was presiding over a “dirty” agency.
Soli, in his opening address during the Committe’s sitting, pointed out the importance of the Hajj exercise in the life of Muslims and stressed the need to remove every bottleneck challenge in the fulfilment of the spiritual exercise.
3. Tinubu Labels Opposition As ‘Reactionary Politicians’ In Ondo
President Bola Tinubu has referred to opposition members as “reactionary politicians,” urging Ondo State voters to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the upcoming governorship election.
The President, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, made the statement during the grand finale of the campaign rally for APC candidate Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa in Akure on Wednesday.
Addressing a crowd of supporters, Tinubu questioned whether former governors of Ondo State would have supported any party other than the APC.
“If Ajasin were still alive, is he going to vote for the APC or a reactionary party? If Akeredolu were here, would he support APC or the reactionary party?” he asked.
Tinubu described a vote for the APC as a step toward progress and the continuation of developmental projects in the South-West region.
In a significant announcement, Tinubu shared the approval of a federal teaching hospital for Ondo State, promising continued investment in the state’s growth.
4. Lakurawa: Nobody Dares Tinubu And Wins – Ribadu Warns Terrorists
The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, has issued a warning to the new terrorists group in the North-West known as Lakurawa.
Ribadu warned that their days are numbered if they don’t desist from acts of terrorism.
Naturenex reports that the NSA made this known while speaking at the opening ceremony of the Comptroller General of Customs Conference in Abuja on Wednesday.
The security chief stated that nobody dares President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and gets away with it.
While insisting that the terrorist group have come at the wrong time when the Tinubu is in power, the NSA vowed that they will be kicked out of Nigeria.
5. Anyaoku Calls For Abandonment Of 1999 Constitution
Former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, has urged Nigeria to abandon its 1999 Constitution, warning that failure to do so will continue to hinder the country’s development.
Anyaoku expressed these views on Wednesday during the launch of the book, The Noble Academic and Patriot: A Biography of Emeritus Professor Akinjide Osuntokun, held at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) in Lagos.
Describing the 1999 Constitution as “unitary,” Anyaoku argued that sustainable development in pluralistic societies is only achieved through true federal constitutions.
In his speech, chairman of the Occasion, Anyaoku said Nigeria, like many other countries across the world, was a pluralistic country whose population comprised peoples long established in their separate geographical areas with different histories, cultures, languages and religions.
6. Army Accuses IPOB, ESN Of Killing 2 Soldiers In Abia
The Nigerian Army has accused the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN) of killing two soldiers in Umuahia, Abia State capital, on Wednesday.
Naturenex reported that unknown gunmen attacked troops of the Joint Task Force South-East Operation, code-named UDO KA, deployed at a checkpoint along Umuahia-Owerri Road, in Umuahia South local government area.
Lt. Col. Jonah Unuakhalu, in a statement, on Wednesday, said the attack was carried out by “irredentist group of the IPOB, and the ESN“.
He added that the Army will continue to carry out its constitutional role of safeguarding lives and property in line with global best practices as laid down in the rules of engagement guiding its operations.
7. You Are A Poor Student Of History, Stop Associating With Alcoholics – Atiku’s Ally Tackles Makinde
Dimeji Fabiyi, an associate of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has described the remarks by Governor Seyi Makinde on the qualifying criteria for presidential candidates as portraying the Oyo State Governor as a poor student of history.
Governor Makinde had made a remark insinuating age as a limiting factor for presidential hopefuls.
But Fabiyi, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, in his response to Makinde, noted that Atiku is of sound mind and body, with the intellectual firmament that measures far ahead of Seyi Makinde.
In a statement to Naija News on Wednesday, Fabiyi noted that while Atiku may be older than Makinde, he has the experience and a cosmopolitan ability to problem-solve.
The PDP chieftain further admonished the Oyo State governor to take a lesson from the just concluded presidential election in the United States where President-elect Donald Trump won overwhelmingly against a much younger opponent.
8. 13 Students Suspended Over Bullying Incident At Federal Government College Enugu
The Federal Government has suspended 13 students of the Federal Government College in Enugu State for allegedly bullying their school mate.
The students were suspended for a period of three weeks.
This was contained in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday by the Director of Press and Public Relations in the Ministry of Education, Folashade Boriowo.
The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, ordered the suspension of the students based on a viral video showing some students of the school engaging in acts of bullying.
Alausa reaffirmed the ministry’s unwavering commitment to maintaining a safe and conducive learning environment in all federal schools across the country.
According to him, a recent report received by the Federal Ministry of Education highlighted the bullying incident at the FUC, Enugu, which raised significant concerns about safety and discipline within the school environment.
9. What We Are Doing To Crush Lakurawa Terrorist Group – FG
The federal government has announced that it is taking decisive actions to dismantle Lakurawa, a newly formed terror group responsible for recent violent attacks in Northwestern Nigeria.
Naturenex reports that this group has been linked to a wave of deadly incidents and cattle thefts across Sokoto and Kebbi states.
Reports indicate that Lakurawa’s activities in Kebbi’s Augie Local Government Area have already resulted in the deaths of 15 people and the theft of over 100 cows, raising alarm amid ongoing security concerns in the region.
In an interview with BBC Hausa, Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar stated that the government is deploying additional resources and personnel to curb this growing threat.
He emphasized that new strategies are being rolled out, including reinforcements and advanced equipment, to restore stability in affected areas.
He added that key defense leaders, including Chief of Defence Staff Christopher Musa and the heads of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, have aligned on a comprehensive approach to contain the threat.
10. EFCC Seizes Ex-Delta Governor Okowa’s Passport, Restricts Foreign Travel
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has barred former Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, from leaving the country following the seizure of his passport as part of his bail conditions.
Okowa, who was reportedly detained by the EFCC last week over allegations of diverting N1.3 trillion in public funds, was granted administrative bail on Sunday.
The EFCC had allegedly summoned Okowa to its Port Harcourt office last Monday, where he was detained in connection with funds earmarked for oil-producing states under the 13 per cent derivation allocation.
The funds said to have been misappropriated between 2015 and 2023 during Okowa’s tenure as Delta governor, have raised significant concerns.
Confirming the passport seizure to The Guardian, EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, explained that “it is standard practice for law enforcement agencies to retain passports and other documents as part of bail conditions pending the conclusion of investigations.”
He said, “That is normal practice in law enforcement; when you grant somebody bail, you ask for the person’s international passport and some other conditions. It is normal.”
That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naturenex. See you again tomorrow.
