Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naturenex roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Tuesday, 26th November, 2024
1. GDP Growth Shows Tinubu’s Reforms Are On Track, $1 Trillion Economy Possible By 2030 – Presidency
President Bola Tinubu has expressed delight with the latest Gross Domestic Product report by the National Bureau of Statistics, which shows an improvement in Nigeria’s economic outlook.
A statement on Monday, signed by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, said the positive performance shows that the reforms embarked upon by the President are bearing goof fruits.
Naturenex reports that the NBS, in its latest report released on Monday, disclosed that Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 3.46%. The growth showed an increase in economic performance from Q2 GDP of 3.19% and higher growth from 2023 Q3 GDP of 2.54%.
Reacting, Dare conveyed President Tinubu’s assurance to Nigerians of better economic output as the economy continues to expand following the newly released third quarter Gross Domestic Product report by the National Bureau of Statistics.
He added that the growth in GDP shows that President Tinubu’s quest for a more robust boost in the economy and, by extension, a better standard of living for all Nigerians is on course.
The media aide noted that President Tinubu remains committed to actualizing a $1 trillion economy for Nigeria by 2030.
2. ‘Why There’s A Difference Between NNPC And NUPRC Released Figures On Crude Oil Production’
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has clarified the reason for the seeming discrepancy between its figures on crude oil production and those released by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Company (NUPRC).
The NNPCL, in a statement on Monday by its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, explained that the period of coverage used in computing the final figures were different for both organizations.
The company gave the clarification against the backdrop of reports in a section of the media that the 1.54 million barrels per day for September cited by the NUPRC was far below the one point eight million (1.8 m) barrels per day for November cited by the NNPC Ltd.
However, Soneye explained that whereas the NNPC Ltd.’s figure was the peak production for October 2024, the NUPRC’s figure was the average production for September 2024.
He, therefore, insisted that there is no discrepancy between the NNPCL’s crude oil production figures and those supplied by the NUPRC.
3. Japa: HoS Vows To Root Out Ghost Workers, Ensure Full Salary Refunds
The Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Didi Esther Walson-Jack, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing the issue of civil servants who have relocated abroad while still drawing salaries from Nigeria.
Naturenex recalls that at the 2024 Civil Service Award and Gala Night, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had stated that any civil servant who relocated abroad while still receiving wages from Nigeria must return the funds paid to them during their time abroad.
Addressing the media on Monday during a press conference marking her first 100 days in office, Walson-Jack confirmed that some affected workers have returned to Nigeria to resume their duties, while others have formally resigned.
Walson-Jack emphasized that affected workers must refund all salaries received during their time abroad.
She assured the public that efforts to identify and hold accountable these “ghost workers” would remain ongoing, with the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPIS) playing a crucial role in the verification process.
4. Gender-Based Violence Unacceptable – Speaker Abbas
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has said the unfortunate trend of gender-based violence would not be accepted in Nigeria.
Speaker Abbas said this as he led members of the House on Monday in presenting a petition on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
Speaking at the Police Headquarters, Abbas noted that women are crying in anger and frustrated all over the world because of the ugly trend of gender-based violence.
The initiative was part of activities commemorating the 2024 International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, themed ‘No Excuse for Violence!
He described as unfortunate, the United Nations report that a woman is killed every 10 minutes across the world. He stated that tough action must be taken against perpetrators.
The House Speaker promised legislative action from the National Assembly to support the fight against gender-based violence.
5. Rivers Crisis: ‘Tinubu May Be Asked One Day Why He Allowed Wike Breach The Constitution’
The Convener of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, Edwin Clark, has questioned President Bola Tinubu’s silence on the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, particularly the status of former Speaker Martins Amaewhule and 27 other pro-Wike lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly.
In a statement released on Monday, the elder statesman insisted that the lawmakers, who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), had lost their seats by law.
Clark accused the lawmakers of perjury, citing conflicting claims in separate court documents filed after their defection on December 11, 2023.
According to him, the failure of Amaewhule and the others to declare their defection in an earlier case before Justice Omotosho against the leadership of the National Assembly rendered the suit invalid.
He added that in a subsequent case filed on December 13, 2024, before Justice Donatus Okorowo, the lawmakers openly admitted their defection to the APC, which further highlighted the inconsistencies in their legal arguments.
The elder statesman argued that by law, lawmakers who defect from the party on which they were elected automatically lose their seats unless they can prove a division or crisis within their original party.
6. Employment Rate Increased By 93% In Q2 2024 – NBS
The National Bureau of Statistics has disclosed that Nigeria’s informal employment increased by 93 percent in the second quarter of 2024 (Q2).
NBS stated this in its Nigeria Labour Force Survey (NLFS) report on Monday. It noted that informal employment increased from 92.7 percent recorded in Q1 of 2024 to 93 percent in Q2 of 2024.
The Nigeria Labour Force Survey (NLFS) is a statistical survey designed to collect comprehensive data on employment, unemployment, and other characteristics of the population labour force. It provides quarterly estimates of the main labour force statistics with sufficient precision at the national level.
A breakdown of the report showed an increase of 2.9 percentage points compared to 73.2 in Q1 of 2024.
The combined unemployment rate and time-related underemployment as a share of the labour force population (LU2) decreased to 13% in Q2 2024 from 15.3% in Q1 2023.
It explained that informal employment remains high at 93%; while the unemployment rate in Q2 was 4.3%.
7. ‘Provide Evidence Of 100 Senators At Ifeanyi Ubah’s Burial’ – Late Senator’s Family Dares Senate
The family of late Senator, Ifeanyi Ubah, has challenged the Nigerian Senate to provide pictorial or video evidence showing that Nigeria’s upper legislature chamber attended the burial of their late colleague.
Naturenex reported that Ubah, who was the Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum Downstream, died on 26th July, 2024.
However, there have been reports that the Senate was not properly represented during Ubah’s burial.
Reacting to the allegation in a statement on Sunday by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, APC, Ekiti South, the lawmakers stated that there was no truth to the claim.
They insisted that the late politician was accorded all rites and honours of a member of the Senate.
However, a family member who spoke to SaharaReporters on Monday, described the claim that 100 Senators attended the night of tribute of Senator Ubah held at the NAF Event Centre Abuja as a big lie.
Uba’s family said not more than 30 Senators attended the event, stressing that the upper chamber did not impressively attend the burial of their late colleague who died in service.
The family maintained that if the Senate Spokesman had contrary pictorial or video evidence to refute their position, he should present such to the public.
8. Tinubu’s Legacy Road Projects Set To Transform Nigeria’s Transportation Network – Umahi
Minister of Works, David Umahi, has reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to overhauling Nigeria’s transportation infrastructure, underscoring the importance of pivotal road projects to national progress.
In a statement released on Monday by his Special Adviser on Media, Orji Uchenna Orji, Umahi highlighted that the President’s forward-thinking approach to governance has led to the launch of four groundbreaking legacy road projects, all designed to foster stronger connections across key economic, agricultural, and industrial zones in Nigeria.
These major initiatives include the 750 km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the 1,068 km Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway, the 482 km Calabar-Abuja Superhighway, and the 439 km Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe Highway.
Orji, speaking on behalf of Umahi, noted that these developments represent significant milestones for infrastructure not just in Nigeria but across the African continent.
Among them, the Calabar-Abuja Superhighway stands out as a monumental step in enhancing national connectivity and driving economic integration.
9. Many Terrorist Commanders, Fighters Killed As NAF Bombs Stronghold In Lake Chad Region
A recent airstrike carried out by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) has resulted in the killing of several terrorist fighters and the destruction of their food storage facility.
The Director, Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Air Commodore Olusola Akinboyewa, confirmed this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.
According to him, the NAF aircraft carried out the operations on November 23 and executed precise airstrikes on the terrorist enclaves at Jubillaram in the Tumbuns area of Lake Chad Basin.
Akinboyewa said the troops had earlier conducted surveillance and reconnaissance missions before launching the airstrikes against the location of the terrorists, resulting in the death of several criminal fighters and commanders as well as the destruction of their food storage facility.
He added that intelligence had previously linked terrorists in the location to recent attacks, including the assault on troops in Kareto on Nov. 16.
The NAF spokesperson confirmed that following the airstrikes, several terrorists were killed on-site, and their ability to launch attacks was severely impacted.
10. Tinubu’s Economic Policies Have Brought Nigeria To Its Knees — Ologbondiyan
Former spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kola Ologbondiyan, has condemned the President Bola Tinubu administration’s removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the naira, describing the policies as detrimental to Nigeria’s economy.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Monday, Ologbondiyan argued that a phased subsidy removal combined with effective palliatives, such as subsidised public transportation, would have been a more viable approach.
He criticised the administration for prioritising subsidised rice instead of addressing broader issues affecting Nigerians.
The former PDP spokesperson expressed dissatisfaction with the PDP’s lack of robust engagement with the government, saying more alternatives should be presented to address the country’s challenges.
His remarks followed a PDP governors‘ meeting over the weekend, during which they urged President Tinubu to reform the economy.
