Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naturenex roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Thursday, 28th November, 2024
1. Tinubu Arrives France For State Visit
President Bola Tinubu has arrived in Paris for a three-day official visit following the invitation of French President, Emmanuel Macron.
Naturenex reports that the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a terse statement, disclosed that Tinubu, accompanied by First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, landed at Orly Airport in Paris around 5:10 p.m. on Wednesday.
Onanuga said that Tinubu was taken to a designated place where he would be honoured by a military reception.
Onanuga said the visit would focus on strengthening political, economic, and cultural relations and establishing more partnership opportunities, particularly in agriculture, security, education, health, youth engagement and employment, innovation, and energy transition, which promises significant benefits for Nigeria.
Onanuga added that the French leader would host Tinubu and his wife at a state dinner before departure.
2. Tinubu: Yoruba Culture Does Not Allow Such Insult To Obasanjo, You Will Pay For It – Bode George Tells Onanuga
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Bode George has said the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, would pay for insulting former President, Olusegun Obasanjo.
Naturenex reported that Obasanjo had described Nigeria under President Bola Tinubu as a failing state while highlighting the pervasive corruption and leadership failure under his administration.
In response, Onanuga in a statement blasted Obasanjo, saying he was not an ideal Nigerian leader.
Tinubu’s aide faulted Obasanjo for taking to the public media to bestow his unsolicited wisdom on leadership and governance in Nigeria.
Onanuga noted that Obasanjo had continued to blame those who served after his tenure for the nation’s myriad of challenges even when he had his many flaws.
Reacting, Bode George while featuring on Nigeria Info FM said Onanuga would be made to pay for insulting Obasanjo, someone old enough to be his father, adding it is not allowed in Yoruba land.
3. FG Spends ₦8.8 Billion Fixing Vandalized TCN Towers In 2024
A total of ₦8.8 billion has been spent by the federal government in fixing electricity transmission towers belonging to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) in 2024 alone.
This was disclosed on Wednesday by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Suleiman Abdulaziz, at the Quarterly Power Sector Working Group meeting held in Abuja.
Abdulaziz, who was represented by the Executive Director, Transmission Service Provider, TCN, Olugbenga Ajiboye, revealed that 128 transmission towers have been destroyed either by vandals or bandits across the country between January and November 2024.
He however lamented that when the vandals are arrested and taken to the Police for prosecution, they were bailed based on theft and not vandalism, which is not a bailable offence.
4. Supreme Court Affirms Ezeokenwa As APGA National Chairman
The Supreme Court has upheld the leadership of Sly Ezeokenwa as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and fined Edozie Njoku ₦20 million for filing a baseless lawsuit at the FCT High Court, Bwari.
Earlier, the Federal High Court in Abuja had ruled against Mr. Njoku, barring him from claiming the party’s chairmanship.
Justice James Omotosho declared there was no valid court judgment, including from the Supreme Court, that recognized Njoku as APGA’s leader.
APGA and Mr. Ezeokenwa, as plaintiffs, had filed a suit (FHC/ABJ/CS/966/2024) against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Mr. Njoku after INEC replaced Ezeokenwa’s name and his executive team on its website with Njoku’s leadership.
Justice Omotosho ruled that INEC had no legal basis to recognize Njoku, emphasizing that the Supreme Court had already settled the chairmanship dispute in its March 2023 ruling.
5. FG Collects Over 60 Taxes, Levies From Nigerians, Businesses Yet Nothing To Show For It – Oloyede Fumes
The Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, has expressed concerns regarding the government’s numerous taxes and levies collected from Nigerians and businesses with nothing to show for it.
Speaking on the effectiveness of the federal government’s tax collection efforts during a Senate plenary session on Wednesday, Oyedele remarked that the current fiscal framework stifles growth, as the numerous taxes collected yield no tangible benefits.
He also emphasized the government’s commitment to addressing Nigerian businesses’ obligation to pay taxes despite experiencing losses, highlighting the necessity for thoroughly examining the system through essential reforms.
However, after the discussions on Wednesday, the legislators opted not to pose any questions, deciding instead to invite the team to the next legislative session to elucidate some aspects of the proposed reforms before reaching a final decision.
Naturenex reports that Oloyede’s assertion came after the Senate’s protest on Wednesday regarding the entrance of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Chair, Zacch Adedeji, along with consultants, into the Upper Chamber.
The lawmakers suspended their rules to allow Adedeji and the consultants to explain the Tax Reform Bill.
6. North Must Ensure That Its Actions Are In The Best Interest Of Nigeria – Gowon Tells Shekarau Delegation
Former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, has urged the people of the northern region and their leaders to always put the interests of Nigerians first.
According to him, having different opinions or positions on an issue should not hinder the North from working together with other regions for the good of the country.
Naturenex reports Gowon made the submissions on Wednesday when he hosted a delegation from the League of Northern Democrats (LND) led by Ibrahim Shekarau at the Yakubu Gowon Centre in Abuja.
The former Nigerian leader stressed the need to foster unity and collaboration across Nigeria’s diverse regions.
The elder statesman also explained he deliberately avoids partisan politics so as to focus on national service.
7. Ex-Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello Pleads Not Guilty To ₦110 Billion Fraud Charges
The immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, on Wednesday pleaded not guilty to a 16-count charge filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Bello was arraigned alongside two co-defendants, Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, before Justice Maryann Anenih at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Maitama.
The charges include conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and possession of unlawfully obtained property, linked to allegations of a N110 billion fraud.
The former governor’s appearance in court followed weeks of uncertainty about his whereabouts.
Specifically, the EFCC alleged that the former governor misused state funds to acquire properties, including No. 35 Danube Street, Maitama District, Abuja (N950 million), No. 1160 Cadastral Zone C03, Gwarimpa II District, Abuja (N100 million), and No. 2 Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Street, Asokoro, Abuja (N920 million).
8. Only NNPCL Has Access To Fuel From Port Harcourt Refinery – Soneye
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has clarified that products from the recently revived Port Harcourt Refinery Company (PHRC) are designated exclusively for its retail outlets, contrary to speculations about bulk sales.
The Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPCL, Olufemi Soneye, made this disclosure on Wednesday, stating that the refinery has not yet commenced bulk sales nor activated its purchase portal.
He added that the company continues to market products sourced from the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals, which include Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) fees.
The announcement comes amidst heightened interest in the refinery’s operations following its restart after years of inactivity. The refinery, which is currently producing 60,000 barrels per day, is expected to significantly reduce Nigeria’s dependency on imported petroleum products.
9. PH Refinery: Nigerians Deserve Clarity, Reduction In Petrol Prices – Peter Obi To NNPC
The former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has called on the federal government to provide clarity and accountability regarding the management of the nation’s vital oil resources.
Naturenex reports that the former Anambra State governor said this while reacting to the commencement of oil production at the Port Harcourt Refinery.
In a statement on his X handle on Wednesday, Peter Obi commended the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) for revamping the old refinery.
He, however, noted that Nigerians now await the corresponding impact and benefits on pump prices and the overall economy.
10. Details Of What President Tinubu Will Be Doing In France Emerges
The presidency has shared details of what President Bola Tinubu and his wife, Oluremi Tinubu, would be doing on a three-day official visit to Paris, France.
Naturenex reports Tinubu, accompanied by First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, arrived in Paris on Wednesday evening for a three-day State Visit to fortify Nigeria-France relations.
Following the arrival, the Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement on Wednesday, narrated that during the visit, the Nigerian leader will attend a distinguished reception at the Palais de l’Élysée.
Also, President Tinubu, during the visit, will address initiatives to boost youth exchange programs and enhance skills, engage in strategic political and diplomatic discussions, while both leaders will attend a session hosted by the France-Nigeria Business Council, coordinating private sector involvement in economic development.
The presidential aide also highlighted that the French First Lady, and Nigeria’s First Lady will discuss empowering women, children, and vulnerable populations.
Before departure, President Tinubu and his wife will attend a state dinner put together by their hosts.
That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naturenex. See you again tomorrow.
