Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naturenex roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Thursday, 12th September, 2024
1. We Are Moving Back To The Days Of Abacha – Afenifere Knocks Tinubu’s Govt
The National Publicity Secretary of the Adebanjo-led faction of Afenifere, Justice Faloye has berated the President Bola Tinubu-led administration over the method used in handling the economy.
He also condemned the repression of citizens protesting the worsening economic conditions in the country.
Faloye argued that Tinubu’s administration was economically sabotaging Nigerians in the guise of establishing economic reforms.
He shared his grievances during an interview with Arise News.
The Afenifere chieftain expressed concern over what he described as authoritarian tactics, adding that the current administration was moving back to the days of military dictator Sani Abacha.
2. What Is He Looking For? – Patience Jonathan Speaks On Husband Running For 2027 Presidency
Former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan has opened up on her husband, Goodluck Jonathan’s plans for the 2027 presidential election.
Naturenex reports that some political stakeholders have called on the former president to vie for office in the 2027 election.
However, Patience Jonathan has disclosed that her husband will not be joining the 2027 presidential race.
She explained that he has occupied the highest political office in Nigeria and has no further political ambition.
Speaking while hosting the Greater Igbo Forum in Abuja, the former First Lady said Jonathan had held numerous significant political positions.
She assured that the former president was committed to supporting the government in building a better Nigeria.
3. National Values Charter Set To Commence – FG
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has announced the ministry would soon commence the implementation of the National Values Charter.
Mohammed Idris said the National Values Charter was in line with President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to fostering moral, ethical, and cultural reawakening by instilling the right values, attitudes, and perspectives in the hearts and minds of all Nigerians.
Idris stated this in Abuja on Wednesday while declaring open the expanded retreat of the National Orientation Agency (NOA).
He explained that the National Values Charter was carefully crafted and designed to ensure that all Nigerians are fully aware of their rights and protections under the constitution and the laws of the land and that governments at all levels are equally aware of all the constitutionally guaranteed obligations that they have to the citizenry.
Idris pledged to press forward boldly and confidently with the determination to foster a country where citizens and the country share deep mutual love and respect for each other.
The Minister said NOA has become one of the most essential tools for shaping national narratives and conversations, promoting unity against a backdrop of diversity, and fostering a sense of inclusiveness and belonging in every part of the country.
4. Bello Turji Is Just A Deranged Individual That Feels Power, We Are Going To Arrest Him Very Soon – CDS Musa
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has given fresh assurance that security agencies would soon capture wanted bandit leader, Bello Turji.
According to Musa, Turji is a deranged individual who lusts after power, but it’s just a matter of time before he is arrested.
The CDS gave the assurance on Tuesday at a press briefing in Abuja, where he added that the military is collaborating with other security agencies and state governments to protect citizens over reports of Turji imposing levies on communities.
He appealed for community members to make information that can lead to the arrest of Turji and other criminals available to the military and other security agencies as they work to maintain normalcy and security in the country.
5. ‘Peter Obi Is The Nigeria Version Of Donald Trump’ – Presidency
The Presidency has likened the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, to the 45th president of the United States, Donald Trump.
The Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to President Bola Tinubu, Temitope Ajayi, said this on Wednesday in reaction to the US presidential candidates debate held on Tuesday night, between Democrat candidate, Donald Trump and Republican candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris.
Ajayi said like Peter Obi, Trump would use unimaginable negative words to describe a country he wants to lead just to win the sympathy of voters.
6. FG Releases ₦3 Billion As Donation To Victims Of Flood In Maiduguri
The Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, has confirmed the receipt of a flood intervention fund of ₦3 billion from the Federal Government, which will be utilized to tackle the challenges posed by the recent flooding.
Naturenex reports that over one million individuals have been displaced due to the catastrophic floods in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State.
Governor Zulum gave more information regarding the devastating events on Wednesday during a donation of cash to those seeking refuge at the Bakassi IDP camp along the Biu-Damboa road in Maiduguri.
Zulum announced that food supplies and other essential items would be provided, with vendors engaged to supply meals to the displaced individuals in the camp.
As part of long-term strategies, the governor indicated that a health committee will be established to monitor potential disease outbreaks and mitigate their effects.
He stated that search and rescue operations have commenced in the affected communities to assess casualties, and data collection of those impacted will begin immediately.
Regarding the flood’s cause, the governor attributed it to the heavy rainfall experienced this year.
Zulum noted that urban development has obstructed water channels throughout the state capital, impeding natural water flow.
Additionally, he pointed to the overflow of the Alo Dam, which was exacerbated by the release of water from other dams in Cameroon.
7. Court Grants ₦10 Million Bail To 10 #EndBadGovernance Protesters
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, issued a ruling granting bail to ten #EndBadGovernance protesters who had been detained on charges including treason.
Each defendant was granted bail set at ₦10 million, along with the requirement of one surety in the same amount.
In his ruling, Justice Nwite emphasized the principle of presumption of innocence, asserting that anyone charged with a criminal offense is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
He acknowledged the arguments presented by the defense counsel, particularly Abubakar Marshall, representing the 1st, 2nd, and 4th defendants.
Despite the serious nature of the charges, Justice Nwite decided to grant bail to all ten defendants, stating, “I have carefully considered the submission of the counsel on both divides. I hereby grant the defendants bail notwithstanding the crime.
Justice Nwite approved their bail applications, stipulating that each defendant must secure a surety who is both a property owner and resident in Abuja.
These sureties are required to provide property documents and an affidavit of means to the court. Additionally, both defendants and sureties must submit their international passports and three recent passport-sized photographs.
Justice Nwite overruled the Inspector General of Police’s objections to the bail requests and imposed a restriction prohibiting the defendants from participating in any public demonstrations during their trial.
Until bail conditions are met, the defendants will remain in custody, while their trial is scheduled to begin on September 27.
8. I Will Not Dialogue With The Deaf – Moghalu Discloses Why He Has Stopped Speaking On Nigeria’s Economy Crisis
Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Kingsley Moghalu, has said that he has declined all requests for interviews on the country’s economy crisis over the past several months.
Moghalu explained that he decided to stay silent because he does not see the need to dialogue with the deaf.
He asserted that he has already spoken several times on how to fix the Nigerian economy, and anyone interested should go find his previous interviews.
Speaking via his X handle, the former deputy governor lamented that despite not needing Nigeria economy to survive, he has been concerned about the situation in the country out of passion.
9. Terrorists Invade Niger Community Again
Early on Wednesday morning, the garrison town of Bassa in the Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State came under severe attack from suspected Boko Haram terrorists.
According to local sources who spoke with Premium Times, the community has been subjected to sporadic gunfire since approximately 5:30 a.m.
The attack marks yet another violent incident in a town that has seen its fair share of conflict, including a significant attack earlier this year where several soldiers, including a captain, were killed.
This incident had previously led to the withdrawal of troops from the area.
However, the government had redeployed joint security forces recently to bolster the town’s defense, allowing residents to return to their homes.
Sources report that as the attack commenced, security operatives instructed residents to remain indoors while they engaged the attackers.
The ongoing violence in Bassa is attributed to the presence of Boko Haram militants in the nearby Allawa forest reserve, turning the area into a frequent battleground.
The region has suffered extensively, with bandits and terrorists infiltrating from neighboring states such as Zamfara and Kaduna, utilizing the Kuyambana and Kamuku forest reserves as their pathways.
10. ‘Your Govt Offers No Hope’ – Gani Adams Blasts President Tinubu
The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, has said President Bola Tinubu’s government offers no hope for Nigerians.
The National Leader of Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) said all economic and security policies of President Tinubu have only worsened the situation of Nigerians.
In his “State of the Nation” open letter on Tuesday, the Aare Ona Kakanfo accused Tinubu of turning a dictator by charging #EndBadGovernance protesters with treason for doing what he had always done to other administrations.
He reminded the President that by 29 May 2023, a liter of fuel only cost less than ₦200, but with his “subsidy is gone” statement fuel has gone to over ₦1000 per liter, and Naira to Dollar was less than what it is in his administration.
Adams told President Tinubu that insecurity has worsened in his administration and his government has not been doing enough to curb it.
The leader of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) accused the President of mismanaging the August 1 hunger protest. He decried the clampdown on civil society organizations by security agencies.
That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naturenex. See you again tomorrow.
