Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naturenex roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Tuesday, 17th September, 2024
1. “I Associate Myself With You, We Will Support You” – President Tinubu Tells Maiduguri Flood Victims
President Bola Tinubu has assured the victims of the devastating flood which rocked Maiduguri in Borno State of support from the government.
President Tinubu gave the assurance on Monday when he paid a visit to the victims currently lodged at the internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in Maiduguri.
The President promised to continue praying for the victims, and provide necessary support.
He said, “I associate myself with you, continue to pray for you, and I want to assure you that we are going to support you. We will support you.”
The President, who arrived in Maiduguri from Abuja earlier in the day, also paid a condolence visit to Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garba.
During his speech at the palace, Tinubu mentioned that he altered his travel plans, which initially had him heading straight to America from the UK, in order to personally express his condolences to the Shehu and the people of Borno.
Furthermore, he committed to supporting the rehabilitation efforts in the state.
2. Gunmen Bomb Station, Kill Three Policemen In Anambra
A police station in Anambra State has been bombed by gunmen suspected to be members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), killing three policemen in the process.
According to The Nation, the incident occurred around 10 a.m. on Monday, September 16, in the Orumba South Local Government Area.
Following the attack, the Joint Security Force, including the Military, Police, Navy, Civil Defence, and Vigilance groups, recovered five unexploded bombs at the scene.
Reports indicated that the assailants were attempting to enforce the Monday sit-at-home order when they clashed with security personnel.
While eyewitnesses reported three fatalities and additional injuries, Tochukwu Ikenga, the spokesperson for the state police command, confirmed that two policemen were killed in the attack.
3. Tinubu’s Cap Design Has Become A Symbol Of Oppression – Atiku’s Aide
The Special Assistant to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Communications, Phrank Shaibu, has described the iconic symbol on President Bola Tinubu’s cap design as a sign of oppression.
Speaking in a statement on Monday titled ‘De-cap-itated!’, Shaibu said one year after assuming the presidency, Tinubu has failed not only Nigerians, but also his supporters.
Speaking against the backdrop of the claim by Tinubu in the build-up to the 2023 election that the design on his cap is “a broken shackle,” Shaibu said the President has so far failed to break the shackle of poverty.
“We are breaking the shackles of poverty and destitution,” Tinubu had said during a campaign event in 2022.
However, Shaibu, in his statement, said the cap, which used to be a sought-after item, has become a burden to merchants who sell it and a relic of embarrassment for Tinubu’s supporters.
He added that many have been left disappointed by the Tinubu administration.
4. Nigeria’s Headline Inflation Rate Drops To 33.2
Nigeria’s headline inflation rate fell to 33.2 percent in August 2024, marking a decrease of 1.25 percentage points from the 33.4 percent observed in July 2024.
This development indicates a second consecutive month of declining inflation rates following a reduction in the prior month, Naija News understands.
A National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) Consumer Price Index report published on Monday (today) indicates a deceleration in the rise of the average price level relative to the previous month.
The report read, “In August 2024, the headline inflation rate further eased to 32.15 per cent relative to the July 2024 headline inflation rate of 33.40 per cent.”
The inflation rate for August 2024, when compared to the same month in the previous year, was 6.35 percentage points higher than the 25.80 percent recorded in August 2023, reflecting a notable rise over the past year.
Regarding month-on-month changes, the inflation rate for August 2024 was recorded at 2.22 percent, which is a slight decrease from July’s rate of 2.28 percent, indicating a deceleration in the growth of the average price level relative to the preceding month.
Additionally, it was reported that food inflation reached 37.52 percent in August 2024, while the month-on-month headline inflation remained at 2.22 percent.
5. Edo Election: We Will Remain Professional, Impartial – Police
The Nigeria Police has assured that its personnel would remain professional and impartial in the Edo State governorship election.
Naturenex reported that Edo governorship election would be held on Saturday, September 21.
The statement comes amid allegations from the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo.
Governor Obaseki and Ighodalo accused the police of supporting the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its governorship candidate, Monday Okpebholo.
They also accused the police of arresting stakeholders and supporters of the PDP without giving details of where they were taken to.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuwiya Adejobi, in a statement on Monday, stated that the police would not abuse its impartiality.
6. Maiduguri Flood: Some Residents Still Trapped – Ndume
The lawmaker representing Borno South senatorial district, Ali Ndume, has called on the federal government to take urgent action to dredge communities in Borno State affected by recent flooding.
His appeal aims to facilitate the removal of water and rescue residents trapped in their homes.
In a statement issued on Monday, Ndume highlighted that many residents are still stranded in their communities, despite the extensive damage caused by the flooding.
The crisis in Maiduguri, Borno’s capital, escalated last Tuesday when the collapse of the Alau Dam led to severe flooding, resulting in fatalities, displacements, and the submergence of homes and farmlands.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has responded to the disaster by approving a ₦3 billion intervention fund to mitigate the effects of the flooding.
However, Ndume stressed that immediate dredging of the affected areas is crucial for effective rescue operations and to alleviate the suffering of those still trapped.
7. It Doesn’t Make Sense For NNPCL To Sell Dangote Petrol Higher Than Imported Ones — IPMAN
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has criticized the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) for selling petrol sourced from the Dangote Refinery at a higher price than imported fuel.
The National Welfare Officer of IPMAN, John Kekeocha, expressed this concern during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Monday.
He questioned the logic behind the price disparity, asking, “If NNPC can sell Dangote products higher than the imported products then it doesn’t make sense. What is the celebration we are having all these while then?”
The NNPCL began distributing petrol from the Dangote Refinery on Sunday, revealing that it procured the product at ₦898 per litre.
8. ‘Tinubu Is Not A Pauper, Cannot Loot Nigeria’s Treasury’ – Minister
The Minister of State for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has dismissed insinuations that President Bola Tinubu will loot Nigeria’s treasury.
Naturenex reports that the minister made this known while speaking at the Joint Union Negotiating Council’s week of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development branch in Abuja.
Olawale described Tinubu as an epitome of wealth who has no interest in looting the country’s resources.
The minister also appealed to Nigerians to be patient with Tinubu, noting that in no distant time, the lives of the citizens will be transformed positively through various policies of the federal government.
9. CDS, Minister Orders Probe Into Case Of Naval Rating Allegedly Detained Illegally For 6 Years
The alleged illegal detention of a Naval rating, Seaman Abbas Haruna, has attracted the attention of the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa.
According to some trending videos, Haruna has been in detention illegally for about six years.
Haruna’s wife had, while featuring on a radio station in Abuja, accused the military authorities of unjustly keeping her husband in their custody for almost six years.
In separate reactions, Matawalle and Musa have assured that the matter would receive due attention, adding that an investigation has been opened into it.
Matawalle, in a statement on Monday by his Personal Assistant on Media, Ahmad Dan-Wudil, said no officer should be subjected to undue hardship or wrongful treatment.
Matawalle also noted that all military personnel, regardless of rank, deserve to be treated fairly and with respect.
Similarly, the Defence Headquarters, in a statement on Sunday by the Director of Defence Information, Brig Gen Tukur Gusau, said the military was committed to upholding fairness and justice.
He said CDS Musa has ordered an immediate investigation into the matter and the outcome would be made public.
10. ‘My Heart Bleeds’ – Peter Obi Expresses Deep Concern Over Nigeria’s Deteriorating Roads
The former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has voiced his deep frustration and sorrow over the worsening state of Nigeria’s roads.
Obi shared his concern, stating that the deteriorating road conditions reflect how far the country has fallen, with both the people and leadership seemingly indifferent to the problem.
Reflecting on his recent travel experience, the former Anambra State governor recounted how his journey from Ekpoma to Benin in Edo State, which once took about two hours, was significantly prolonged due to the deplorable state of the roads.
Using his X handle on Monday, Obi shared his weekend travel itinerary and expressed dismay at what he encountered.
