Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naturenex roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Monday, 19th August, 2024
1. LG Autonomy: Focus On Governance, Beware Of Governors, Special Interests – Ex-VON DG Warns Tinubu
The former Director General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Osita Okechukwu, has warned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to focus on governance and avoid unnecessary special treatment towards some political stakeholders.
He urged the President not to allow the excesses of some governors and special interests to mar his policy directions and achievements.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain stated this on Sunday while addressing newsmen in Abuja.
He opined that the two outstanding achievements of the President are the local government council’s financial autonomy, achieved via a landmark judgment of the Supreme Court and the allocation of 450,000bpd crude oil to local refineries, warning it should not be scuttled.
The former VON DG, objected to a purported three-month extension of the enforcement of the Supreme Court judgment on local government autonomy because the apex court did not grant such a bazaar to the governors.
He argued that the President could risk contempt of the Supreme Court, if he allowed the governors to goad him into putting the judgment on hold, even for a day.
2. ₦21 Million Jumbo Pay: Account For NASS ‘Running Costs’ Or Face Legal Action – SERAP To Akpabio, Abbas
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, to immediately disclose the exact monthly running costs, amounting to millions of naira, being paid to members of the National Assembly.
SERAP is also demanding detailed accounts of how these funds are being spent.
Additionally, SERAP has urged the leadership of the National Assembly to cease the alleged practice of unilaterally determining their salaries, allowances, and running costs, which contradicts the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 (as amended) and the country’s international obligations.
The organization further insisted that the practice of depositing running costs directly into the personal accounts of lawmakers must end.
SERAP is advocating for any alleged misuse or mismanagement of these funds to be reported to the relevant anti-corruption agencies for thorough investigation and prosecution, where applicable evidence exists.
SERAP also called for the immediate disclosure of the total running costs paid to lawmakers to date and requested the return of any public funds that have been misappropriated or misused.
3. Implementation Of ₦70,000 Minimum Wage Requires ‘Consequential’ Adjustment – Gov Yahaya
The Gombe State Governor, Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya, has emphasized that implementing the new ₦70,000 minimum wage must be accompanied by a consequential adjustment.
He made this statement over the weekend while addressing State House correspondents following a meeting with Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Governor Yahaya explained that a committee, led by his deputy, is already in place to oversee the implementation of the new minimum wage in Gombe State.
He highlighted the importance of each state following the process meticulously to ensure the correct implementation of the wage adjustment.
When asked about Gombe State’s readiness to implement the new minimum wage, Yahaya stated, “Most states have set up committees. In Gombe, we have a standing committee, which we had since 2020 and it is headed by the deputy governor.
“They are working with the labour unions and all other members to try to see that we get through, it’s a law, according to, Senate President.”
Further discussing the implementation in his state, Yahaya added, “Implementation normally has to go with consequential adjustment, and state has to go with the process properly so that we kick it and get it right.”
4. ‘Like He Did Chinese Firm, Amosun Also Cancelled My Ogun Contract’ – Pat Utomi
Renowned political economist, Pat Utomi, on Sunday, revealed how he suffered to pay back millions of naira in loans after former governor of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun, allegedly cancelled a contract he had with the state government.
Utomi disclosed this while reacting to Amosun’s admission that a contract he cancelled while he was Ogun governor has now led Nigeria to an embarrassing situation in which the country’s presidential jets are being seized in Europe.
Amosun, in a statement published by Naija News said he cancelled the contract with the Chinese firm in 2016 after the Ogun government discovered that the firm’s claims were false.
The Chinese firm Zhongfu International Investment FXE recently secured a French court order to seize three Nigerian presidential jets over its business dispute with the Ogun government.
Utomi in his reaction in a post on X wrote, “The Chinese were not the only victims. One prominent Ogun indigene allegedly committed suicide with similar Amosun action. I too was a victim.
“I had leased OPIC land in Lagos in a BOT agreement under Gov Daniel. Amosun stopped all such on being sworn in.”
Utomi said he met with Amosun over the issue and the governor promised to resolve it but it was never resolved. He said he also sought the intervention of Bola Tinubu, who was not Nigeria’s president then, but to no avail.
5. Constitution Not Nigeria’s Problem, Those Implementing It Are The Issue – Sule Lamido
A former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, has noted that Nigeria’s woes stem from its leaders, and not the country’s constitution.
Lamido said this in reaction to a call by The Patriots, a group of elder statesmen who visited President Bola Tinubu and canvassed for a new constitution.
Naturenex recalls that a former secretary-general of the Commonwealth, Emeka Anyaoku, who led the group, had urged the president to convene a constituent assembly to draft a people-centred constitution for the country.
In an interview with THISDAY on Sunday, Lamido said the flaws in the 1999 Constitution’s implementation are a result of human error, not inherent weaknesses in the Constitution.
6. NDLEA Arrests Vietnam-Bound Businessman For Ingesting 88 Wraps Of Cocaine At Abuja Airport
A Vietnam-bound businessman, Paul Mbadugha, was apprehended by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. Mbadugha was arrested after testing positive for drug ingestion.
In a statement released on Sunday by NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, it was revealed that Mbadugha had excreted 88 wraps of cocaine, totaling 1.710 kilograms. Babafemi detailed that the 54-year-old suspect was intercepted on Monday, 12th August 2024, at the boarding gate while attempting to board a Qatar Airways flight, QR 1432, to Hanoi, Vietnam, via Doha. After four days under observation, Mbadugha excreted all the illicit drug wraps.
Mbadugha reportedly claimed that a Lagos-based businessman provided him with the cocaine pellets, which he was supposed to deliver to Vietnam for a payment of $2,000.
7. Fuel Scarcity: NNPC Blames Distribution Challenges As Crisis Enters Sixth Week
As the severe petrol shortage in Nigeria extends into its sixth week, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has once again attributed the situation to “distribution challenges.”
This is the third major fuel scarcity episode in 2024, beginning in early July. Initially, the NNPCL explained the shortage as a result of logistics issues involving the transfer of petrol from mother vessels to daughter vessels.
The company cited the disruption of ship-to-ship (STS) transfers due to recent thunderstorms and adverse weather conditions.
These conditions, according to NNPCL, affected berthing at jetties, truck load-outs, and the transportation of petrol to filling stations, disrupting the supply chain.
In a previous statement, the NNPCL highlighted the flammability of petroleum products and compliance with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) regulations, which made it impossible to load petrol during rainstorms and lightning.
However, as the fuel scarcity continues without any sign of resolution, the NNPCL released another statement on Sunday expressing regret over the ongoing crisis.
The company’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, acknowledged the “tightness in fuel supply” in parts of Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and attributed it to distribution challenges.
He urged motorists to avoid panic buying, assuring that the company is working around the clock with relevant stakeholders to restore normalcy.
8. Cancelled Contract: Your Problem Is Entitlement Mentality – Amosun Knocks Pat Utomi
Former Governor of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun, has said that Professor of Political Economy, Pat Utomi, is an enemy of the state.
He stated this while responding to the allegation from Utomi that he (Amosun) failed to honour contracts from his predecessor’s tenure.
Naturenex reports Utomi has accused Amosun of cancelling contracts signed during the Otunba Gbanga Daniel’s administration, including his own contract and that of Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Company Limited.
Utomi alleged that the decision of Amosun to cancel contracts by his predecessor, led to a prominent Ogun State citizen committing suicide.
Reacting to Utomi’s allegations via his X account, the former governor stated that the Ogun State House of Assembly had already declared Utomi persona non grata before he came into power.
Amosun noted that Utomi posted some snide remarks about him on X because he refused to feed his entitlement mentality or honour indecent influence peddling, as governor of Ogun State.
9. ECOWAS Utilizing Diplomacy To Address Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger Exit Threats — Kalu
The Deputy Speaker of Nigeria House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has revealed that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament is actively employing diplomatic measures to address the potential exit of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from the regional bloc.
Naturenex recalls that Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso severed ties with ECOWAS after sanctions were imposed on them by the bloc following coups in their domains.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, during a committee meeting in the city, Kalu assured that there is no need for alarm despite the perceived existential threats posed by violent extremism and the potential withdrawal of these three West African nations from ECOWAS.
Kalu emphasized that parliamentary diplomacy is already being deployed to engage with the concerned countries.
He reiterated the significance of the three countries to the ECOWAS bloc, insisting that their departure would not be dismissed lightly.
Regarding the financial implications of a potential exit by Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, Kalu reassured that ECOWAS would not face a financial crisis.
He pointed out that the bloc’s revenue sources are well-defined, with the Community Levy being just one of several revenue streams.
10. Ganduje Speaks On Contesting In 2027 Presidential Election With Uzodinma
A former governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje, has reacted to the emergence of his 2027 presidential campaign poster with Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, on social media.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), described the poster as the handiwork of mischief makers working in collaboration with elements of the Kwankwasiyya movement.
He claimed that their plan is to cause disaffection between him and President Bola Tinubu by circulating 2027 presidential posters of himself and Governor Uzodinma as running mate.
The posters which have the slogan, ‘For Nigerians, prosperity and human capital development’ also indicated that the two political gladiators would contest the 2027 election on the platform of the APC.
Ganduje who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Edwin Olofu on the poster in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, described the development as “entirely false and a malicious piece of fake news.”
That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naturenex. See you again tomorrow.
