Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naturenex roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Friday, 23rd August, 2024
1. President Tinubu To Swear In Justice Kekere-Ekun Tomorrow As New Chief Justice Of Nigeria
President Bola Tinubu will swear in Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun tomorrow, August 23, 2024, as the new Chief Justice Of Nigeria (CJN).
Justice Kekere-Ekun would be sworn in as the 23rd Chief Justice of Nigeria at the State House Council Chambers in Abuja.
This was made known in a post on Thursday via X by the Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Social Media, Dada Olusegun.
She would become the successor to Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, who retired from service on Thursday, August 22, after attaining the mandatory retirement age of seventy years.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will swear in Justice Ariwoola’s successor and the 23rd Chief Justice of Nigeria , Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun tomorrow at the State House Council Chambers,” he wrote.
2. ‘It Is Treason To Want To Remove Tinubu Undemocratically’ – AGF Fagbemi
The Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, has issued a stern warning that any attempt to undermine Nigeria’s democratic process will not be tolerated.
Fagbemi emphasized that the only legitimate way to change the current administration, led by President Bola Tinubu, is through the ballot box at the end of its constitutionally mandated tenure.
He made this declaration during a valedictory court session held in Abuja in honor of the retired Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Kayode Ariwoola.
Speaking at the event, the AGF reaffirmed the government’s commitment to upholding democratic principles and the rule of law, stressing that Nigeria’s leadership can only be replaced through a transparent electoral process as enshrined in the constitution.
3. Ministry Of Works Won’t Propose Any New Project In 2025 – Umahi Reveals
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has declared that the Ministry, under his leadership, would not propose any new project for execution in the year 2025.
Umahi said instead of new projects, the Ministry would focus on completing several ongoing and abandoned projects.
He added that the only that can make the Ministry recommend any new project is if it comes from President Bola Tinubu.
Naturenex reports Umahi made the declaration on Thursday in Abuja during a press briefing to mark his first year in office.
The minister further explained that inflation has contributed significantly to the rising cost of most of these projects, and it would be in the nation’s best interest for them to be completed.
4. We’ve Written To Wike, You Can’t Be In PDP And Influence Other Parties To Fight Us – BOT
The Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) Board of Trustees (BOT) has said an invitation was extended to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for a meeting as part of efforts to address the party’s internal crisis.
A member of the PDP BOT, Senator Abdul Ningi, said it was wrong that Wike remained a member of the PDP and at the same time was enriching and influencing other parties to fight the main opposition political party.
The Bauchi South Senator explained that the internal crisis in the party was an outcome of the last general election.
He noted that some of the party members who did not get what they wanted in the last election were out to destroy the party.
Ningi said this on Wednesday while speaking with Arise TV.
He added that the decision to write Wike was after the BOT’s meeting with Rivers State Governor, Siminalaya Fubara.
He stated that Wike was part of Rivers State’s problem.
Ningi said he was happy that Wike said he would remain in the party and fight, adding that the BOT wants a united PDP.
5. Olukayode Ariwoola Retires As Chief Justice Of Nigeria
Justice Olukayode Ariwoola on Thursday, 22nd August, 2024, retired as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).
Naturenex reports Ariwoola retired upon attaining the mandatory retirement age of 70.
Speaking during a valedictory session held in his honour at the Supreme Court in Abuja on Thursday, Justice Ariwoola, said there are too many cases at the Supreme Court and called for measures to be taken to ensure some cases terminate at the appeal court and not the apex court.
He lamented a situation where litigants and lawyers are forced to wait for several years to have their cases decided.
The jurist also stressed the need for the employment of more judicial officers to adjudicate on all matters timeously.
6. Foreigners Sponsor Attacks On Mining Sites To Carry Out Illegal Mining – FG
The federal government has disclosed that foreigners operating in the mining sector are responsible for terrorist attacks on miners across mining sites in the country.
The Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, said the foreign-sponsored attacks intend to scare away the miners for illegal mining to continue.
Alake said this in a statement on Thursday while condemning the killing of 12 miners at Unguwar Magro Village of Niger State.
He assured that security agencies have commenced investigations to apprehend the attackers and their sponsors.
The Minister of Solid Minerals urged foreign embassies in the country to warn their nationals against economic sabotage of the country.
7. Yahaya Bello Cannot Come Into The Open, He Has Gone Underground – EFCC
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said that the Court of Appeal ruling on former Kogi governor, Yahaya Bello is a vindication of the anti-graft agency’s stance that he must face trial.
Naturenex reports that On August 20, the court of appeal in Abuja ordered Bello to surrender himself for arraignment by the EFCC.
Speaking on the development, the Agency insisted that Bello will be brought to justice.
The commission had charged the erstwhile governor with alleged money laundering, breach of trust, and the misappropriation of ₦80.2 billion.
Speaking on Thursday during an interview on News Central TV, the head of media and publicity for the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, said the court had amplified the commission’s stance.
Oyewale stated that Bello is now a fugitive, and he can no longer walk around openly.
He dismissed claims that the EFCC was neglecting certain cases, insisting that all matters before the commission are given the “necessary attention”.
8. My Name Is David, I Am Not Afraid Of Bad People – Umahi Vows to Continue Calabar Coastal Highway Project
The Minister of Works, David Umahi has vowed that the ongoing Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project will proceed as planned despite a pending court case challenging its implementation.
Naturenex reports that the ongoing 700-kilometer project, will run from Victoria Island, Lagos, to Calabar, Cross River State, passing through several states, including Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom.
The project is expected to be a significant infrastructural development, improving connectivity and boosting economic activities along Nigeria’s coastal region.
Speaking on Thursday during a press briefing in Abuja, Umahi assured that the Federal Government is committed to seeing the project through and that all necessary legal and procedural requirements have been met.
He expressed confusion over the basis of the court case, noting, “and so, we don’t know what they are taking to court.”
Umahi went on to defend the cost and scale of the project, noting that comparisons to other international projects were unfounded.
The Minister also reassured stakeholders that all environmental and social impact assessments had been completed and that the project was included in the 2023 supplementary appropriation.
9. Gov Fubara Wanted To Leave PDP – Senator Ningi
A member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees, Senator Abdul Ningi, has disclosed that Rivers State Governor, Siminalaya Fubara, was about to leave the party but for their intervention.
Senator Abdul Ningi said the visit of the BOT reconciliation committee gave the party the opportunity to discuss with the Rivers State governor to understand what his grievances are.
He said the PDP was committed to closing the gaps in the party to ensure unity of the party and one aspiration.
Speaking in an interview on Arise TV, on Wednesday, Ningi said the BOT is the conscience of the PDP and is well-placed to undertake the journey of uniting all worried political actors.
10. Police Invitation: Stick To Your Strength – Peter Obi Tells NLC
Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has urged Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to stay strong amid invitation to its president, Joe Ajaero, by the Police.
Peter Obi said the invitation given to Ajaero by police was expected since the organized labour poses threat to the government’s autocratic intention.
In a statement on Thursday, Obi charged NLC not to be cowed by the police invitation of Ajaero, in its duty of holding the federal government accountable.
The former governor of Anambra State who was supported by NLC during the 2023 presidential election advised the government to exercise caution. He advised the police to follow the rule of law in managing the Ajaero case.
That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naturenex. See you again tomorrow.
