Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naturenex roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Thursday, 22nd August, 2024
1. President Tinubu Reacts To Fatal Flooding In Jigawa State
President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, reacted to the fatal flooding which affected Jigawa State recently.
The President, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, commiserated with the people and government of Jigawa State over the incident.
Naturenex recalls several local government areas in the state were impacted by the flooding while some lives were also lost.
In his reaction, President Tinubu commiserated with the bereaved families and victims of the flooding.
He also called for better responses so as to prevent future occurrences of such disasters.
2. I Will Stay In PDP And Fight, I Won’t Run Away From Vampires – Wike Declares
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that he has no intention of leaving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The former Rivers State Governor made the declaration on Wednesday during a press briefing with journalists in Abuja, stating that he has no plan to run away from the vampires in the PDP.
Wike added that he does not intend to join the All Progressives Congress (APC), declaring that he doesn’t do anything in secret and would stay and fight in the PDP.
In his words, “ I don’t run away from any fight. I will stay there (in the PDP) and fight it out. Who am I going to run from? The vampires?”
3. ASUU Declares September 10 As Victimized Lecturers’ Day
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has designated September 10, 2024, as Victimized Lecturers’ Day.
Naturenex understands that the day is intended to draw attention to ongoing managerial crises and the challenges faced by lecturers in Nigeria’s public universities.
ASUU National President, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, announced this decision on Wednesday during a press briefing at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike.
The briefing followed the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Ibadan, Oyo State.
During the briefing, Osodeke, accompanied by other ASUU members, highlighted that several lecturers across Nigerian universities have faced unfair treatment.
This includes termination of appointments, withholding of salaries, and denial of promotions by university managements, all for advocating for the welfare of academic staff.
4. ‘Message To Everyone’ – PDP National Chairman Rules Out Resignation Plans
The Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum, has asserted with confidence that he will not be coerced into resigning from his role.
Naturenex reports that the nation’s main opposition party has been grappling with internal conflicts before and after the 2023 general elections.
Damagum has faced consistent criticism from party members who hold him responsible for the persistent turmoil.
He stressed that the criticisms against him would only enhance his popularity and that he was even considering running for the presidency due to this increased recognition.
Damagum expressed frustration with individuals who lacked knowledge of the National Working Committee’s operations and spread misinformation to the public.
5. Wike Declares Abuja Park And Pay Policy Illegal
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared the Park and Pay scheme in the nation’s capital as illegal.
Naturenex reports that Wike made the declaration during a live media parley with select journalists in Abuja, on Wednesday, which was put together to mark his one year in office.
Wike said he was unaware of the activities before a Senior Advocate of Nigeria brought the issue to his notice.
The former Governor of Rivers State declared the Park and Pay activities illegal, adding that immediate action would be taken to dismantle the operation.
6. I Fought For You To Become Governor, Now You Don’t Want To Be Part Of The Family – Wike To Fubara
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has ruled out any hope of reconciliation between him and the governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara.
Wike stated that he has decided to stay on his own while Fubara also does same.
Speaking to a media parley to mark his one year in office as FCT Minister, Wike said he is focused on delivering President Bola Tinubu’s mandate and not supporting Fubara.
The minister said he is not going back on his decision on Fubara.
He lamented that he fought for Fubara to become governor but he (Fubara) decided not to be part of the family after attaining power.
7. ‘Kidnapped Sokoto Traditional Ruler Dies In Bandits’ Den’
The kidnapped Sarkin Kudun Gatawa in Gatawa District of Sokoto State, Muhammad Bawa, who has been in the captivity of bandits since he was abducted about a month ago, has reportedly died in the camp of his abductors.
The report of his death was obtained by newsmen on Wednesday.
According to Leadership, the news of his death was attributed to one of his sons, who claimed that the family had been informed of their father’s death in captivity.
Naturenex recalls gunmen abducted Bawa, along with his son and brother, near Kwanan Maharba about one month ago as they were returning from Sokoto.
The abductors were subsequently reported to have demanded ₦1 billion for their release.
The monarch was seen a few days ago in a viral video appealing to the Sokoto State Government, Sokoto Sultanate Council, his relatives and friends to help pay ransom for his freedom before the deadline set by his captors.
Bawa said that the bandits had issued a deadline for the payment of ransom, and failure of which he would be killed.
8. Tinubu Approves Takeover, Conversion Of Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital To Federal University Of Lafia Teaching Hospital
President Bola Tinubu has approved the takeover and conversion of Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia, to the Federal University of Lafia Teaching Hospital, Nasarawa.
This was made known in a statement on Wednesday by the Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale.
The statement noted that the President’s decision was based on an earlier request by the Nasrawa State government.
It added that the conversion of the health facility to a federal teaching hospital will enhance the training of students in medical and allied sciences and also boost healthcare delivery in the state.
9. Nigeria Is Transforming Into Government Of Tinubu, By Tinubu, For Tinubu – Atiku
Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has said President Bola Tinubu is transforming the country into a government of himself, his friends and associates.
Atiku Abubakar said the President wants to put the country in shackles that would remain even after he leaves office.
The former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), alleged that the President has started replicating his style of leadership in Lagos at the federal level.
In a statement on Wednesday, released by his Special Adviser on Media, Paul Ibe; Atiku expressed surprise at the operations of the NNPC and how the government-owned oil company had put its retail arm under the control of OVH, a company in which Oando, led by Wale Tinubu, owns 49%.
Atiku noted that the NNPC and its leadership are under legislative investigation but expressed doubt about the process’s credibility due to the vested interests of those conducting the investigation.
Speaking on the recent revelation that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project is under litigation, the PDP chieftain said the highway project was fraudulent.
10. ‘I Am Not Raised To Be Disrespectful To Elders’ – Damagum Replies Edwin Clark Over PDP Crisis
The Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum, has urged the National leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Edwin Clark, to embrace a more inclusive strategy and refrain from a sentimental approach when tackling issues.
Damagum, who said he was not raised to be disrespectful to elders, criticized the former Federal Commissioner for Information and South-South leader over his recent remark regarding the political crisis in the Rivers State chapter of the PDP, which involved the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Naturenex reports that Clark addressed Damagum earlier in an open statement, insisting that Wike should be shown the way out of the PDP for the party’s stability.
In an open letter to the party’s leadership, Clark accused Wike of exploiting his proximity to President Bola Tinubu to pressure Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the party.
Clark asserted that he could not remain indifferent while Wike continued to intimidate the governor.
He underscored that such behaviour is unacceptable and must be confronted to safeguard the party and its members.
In his response, however, during the inauguration of the PDP National Reconciliation and Disciplinary Committees in Abuja, Damagum advised Clark to reflect on his age and refrain from engaging in public disputes.
That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naturenex. See you again tomorrow.
