Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naturenex roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Wednesday, 18th December, 2024
1. President Tinubu Makes Fresh Promise To Buhari In Birthday Message
President Bola Tinubu has made a fresh promise to build on the legacy bequeathed to Nigeria by his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari.
Tinubu made the promise in a personally signed statement released by the presidency on Tuesday on the occasion of Buhari’s 82nd birthday.
In his message, the Nigerian leader said former President Buhari left a legacy of infrastructural developments and promised to build on the legacy.
President Tinubu, while wishing Buhari more good health, happiness and fulfilment on the occasion of his 82nd birthday, appreciated the former President for his service to Nigeria.
The statement commended the doggedness and resilience of Buhari in contesting presidential elections in 2003, 2007, and 2011 before winning them in 2015 and 2019, saying it’s a lesson about not giving up.
President Tinubu also expressed his respect and admiration for Buhari.
2. Why Tinubu Approved Construction Of International Airport In Abia – Keyamo
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo has disclosed that the new international airport to be cited in Abia State is part of President Bola Tinubu’s agenda to develop the South East.
According to him, Tinubu said he does not want any part of Nigeria to be cheated.
He noted that the new airport would transform the state into a commercial hub of the South East region.
Keyamo stated this on Tuesday at the flag-off ceremony of the Abia International Airport in Nsulu, Abia State.
Abia Airport project is primarily a federal government initiative, with the state government contributing through runway upgrades.
The airport, initially an airstrip, was upgraded to an international airport.
3. Edo Assembly Cracks Down On LG Chairmen, Suspends All 18 Over Okpebholo’s Petition
The Edo State House of Assembly has suspended all the 18 elected local government council chairmen in the state for alleged insubordination and gross misconduct.
Naturenex reports that the House suspended the council executives at plenary on Tuesday.
This development follows a petition from Governor Monday Okpebholo.
In the petition, the governor accused the LG chairmen of refusing to submit financial accounts of their local government to the state government.
The governor who described the action of the LG chairmen as insubordination and gross misconduct, requested the House to look into the matter.
The House directed leaders of the legislature in the 18 local governments to oversee the running of the councils for the next two months.
4. ‘You’ve Written To Shame Or Disgrace Presidents After You’ – Garba Shehu Hits Obasanjo On Buhari’s Birthday
Former spokesman to ex-president, Muhammadu Buhari, Garba Shehu, has slammed former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, in a birthday tribute to his principal on his 82nd birthday.
Naturenex reports that Shehu, in his birthday message to Buhari, criticised Obasanjo for undermining his successors and always writing to disgrace them or outrightly calling for their removal after an election.
The former presidential spokesman praised Buhari for staying away from Abuja to give the new administration space to stabilise.
He also noted that since completing his tenure on May 29, 2023, Buhari had only visited the nation’s capital twice, keeping his promise to stay far from Abuja to avoid casting a shadow on the new administration.
Shehu highlighted that Buhari now enjoys a simple routine, which includes staying updated with the news, spending time with his grandchildren, meeting guests, and inspecting his farm while indulging in his love for reading and watching TV shows.
5. Reps Demand Immediate Release Of Bello Badejo, Summon Defence, Army Chiefs
The House of Representatives has demanded the immediate release of Bello Badejo from “unlawful detention” by the Nigerian Army and summoned top military officials to appear before its committees.
The resolution was passed during plenary on Tuesday following a motion moved by Hon. Mansur Soro, who decried the violation of Badejo’s fundamental human rights.
The summoned officials include the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa; the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Olufemi Oloyede; and the Commanding Officer of the 177 Battalion.
They are expected to appear before the House Committees on Army, Human Rights, and Justice on Thursday, December 20, 2024, at 3:00 p.m.
The lawmakers further directed the military to issue a formal apology to Badejo for infringing on his constitutionally guaranteed rights.
6. State Of Human Rights In Nigeria Is Bad, Things Are Not Improving – Isa Sanusi
The Country Director of Amnesty International, Isa Sanusi, has said Nigeria’s human rights record is bad, gloomy and unfortunate.
Isa Sanusi said human rights record in Nigeria was not improving. He noted that Nigeria’s human rights record has been going from bad to worse under the current government.
He stated this on Tuesday in an interview with News Central. Sanusi decried the government’s weaponization of the Cybercrime Act to hunt journalists and human rights activists.
Amnesty International Country Director also slammed the government on the economic hardship and continuous rising inflation. He said nothing changed in conflicts in the North in 561 days of the current administration.
He also claimed that Nigerians cannot exercise their rights to protest against the current hardship because the government has no regard for human rights.
7. Alex Otti Strayed Away From APC Like The Prodigal Son – Keyamo
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has said that the Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, strayed away from the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Naturenex recalls that the Abia governor left the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for APC in 2020.
Shortly after, he moved to Labour Party, on which platform he coasted to victory in the 2023 general elections.
Speaking during a groundbreaking ceremony for the Abia International Airport, Keyamo described Otti as a prodigal son.
He said, “Today is not the day for politics, he strayed away, he was with us, he strayed away like the prodigal son.”
8. Staff Shortage Hindering Our Ability To Carry Out Responsibilities – NAFDAC Cries Out
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has disclosed that it is severely understaffed.
The Agency explained that the staff shortage is limiting it’s operations.
NAFDAC’s Director-General, Mojisola Adeyeye, disclosed this while addressing newsmen.
She explained that while NAFDAC was often associated with regulating substandard and falsified medicines, the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria, (PCN) is also involved in the process, specifically in the registration of drug-selling sites and practitioners.
However, Adeyeye noted that both agencies are severely understaffed, a situation that has affected their ability to effectively carry out their roles.
She called on the government to address the staffing issue to ensure efficient service delivery.
9. Senate Moves To Ban Use Of Foreign Currencies For Payments In Nigeria
The Nigerian Senate has taken a significant step towards reclaiming the nation’s monetary independence by pushing for a ban on the use of foreign currencies for payments and transactions within the country.
The proposed bill seeks to ensure that all forms of payment—including salaries, export proceeds, and other financial transactions—are conducted exclusively in Naira.
The move is aimed at curbing the dominance of foreign currencies in Nigeria’s economy, boosting confidence in the local currency, and promoting economic stability.
Titled “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007, No. 7, to Prohibit the Use of Foreign Currencies for Remuneration and for Other Related Matters,” the legislation is sponsored by Senator Ned Munir Nwoko, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Reparations and Repatriation.
Senator Nwoko expressed concern that the persistent use of the Dollar, Pound Sterling, and other foreign currencies in Nigeria’s domestic transactions is eroding the value of the Naira and entrenching economic dependence.
He described this trend as a “colonial hangover” that continues to limit the nation’s financial sovereignty.
10. ‘You Will Overcome Your Enemies, God And Some Of Us Made Those Shouting In Abuja Now’ – Former PDP National Chairman Tells Fubara
A former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Secondus, has assured Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara of victory over his enemies.
Speaking at the commissioning of the Bori Town Internal Roads project in the state, Secondus said the reign of Fubara has restored peace and sanity in Rivers State.
According to him, the toxic situation in which traditional rulers, commissioners and permanent secretaries get harrassed is now a thing of the past.
Secondus, while commending the Rivers State Governor, praised him as a man of humility, integrity, and sacrifice, who is interested in the wellbeing of the people.
The former PDP National Chairman, according to a statement on Tuesday by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, also charged the people of Rivers State to support Governor Fubara in his developmental efforts.
Speaking further, the former PDP Chairman expressed confidence that Fubara will win his political battles, charging the Governor to remain strong and courageous.
In what was a veiled reference to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, Secondus said he was instrumental in the emergence of Wike as Governor of Rivers State, but the Minister is now arrogant as speaks as if he fell from heaven.
