Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naturenex roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Thursday, 8th August, 2024
1. ‘It’s An Old Video’ – Presidency Says Tinubu Did Not Release Any Fresh Video
The presidency has clarified that a video of President Bola Tinubu addressing Nigerians, which went viral on Wednesday, is an old video.
The Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who made the clarification in a post via his X account said the trending video is not new.
He explained that the clip is from the broadcast President Tinubu made last year, noting that the Nigerian leader has not made any other public statement since his last broadcast on Sunday.
“A trending video of President Tinubu which came out on Wednesday is not a new video. It’s a clip from the broadcast he made last year. President Tinubu has not made any other public statement since his last broadcast on Sunday,” Onanuga wrote.
2. #EndBadGovernance: Protest Lacked Coherent Demands – FG
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has said that the #EndBadGovernance protests lacked coherent demands.
He opined that it was for this reason that the protest was easily hijacked by individuals who do not have the best interests of Nigerians at heart.
The minister insisted that it was not the time for protests, and urged Nigerians to allow various initiatives and interventions of the Government to manifest fully.
Speaking to members of the Diplomatic Community in Abuja on Wednesday, Idris, pointed out that President Bola Tinubu’s administration utilizes all available channels to communicate various opportunities and initiatives of the government to the public.
Idris pointed out that it was for this reason the Federal Government responded the way it did when the organizers issued a protest notice.
3. We Are Neither Criminals Nor Thieves – Kyari Defends NNPCL, Says There Are Things He Can’t Reveal In Public
The Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Mele Kyari, has said that the oil company is not in any way linked with the substandard importation of petroleum products into the country.
Kyari lamented that he has faced different media attacks from individuals trying to create the impression that NNPCL is sabotaging the nation’s economy.
He spoke on Wednesday in Abuja when he appeared before a Senator Opeyemi Bamidele-led Ad-hoc Committee over alleged economic sabotage in the petroleum industry.
He insisted that the company is “faithful and will not lie” to the country.
He said, “We are not criminals, and we are not thieves. We will protect our dignity so we can serve this country.”
He further said that the oil and gas industry is bleeding and that there are things he knew but could not talk about in public until “the time comes”.
He asked that the committee sessions be televised live going forward for all Nigerians to monitor.
4. How We Will Finance ₦70,000 Minimum Wage – FG
The federal government has said there would be no difficulties in financing the new ₦70,000 minimum wage signed into law by President Bola Tinubu.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinator of the Economy, Wale Edun, said this on Tuesday while speaking on AIT Money Line with Nancy, monitored by our reporter.
Wale Edun said the Ministry of Petroleum and the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) have pledged to the federal government there will be increase in crude oil output to 2 million barrels per day to ensure the government has more funds to finance the 2024 projects.
Edun noted that at the current crude oil rate of $80 per barrel, Nigeria will have sufficient funds to finance the new minimum wage if the Ministry of Petroleum and NNPCL fulfill their promise.
5. #EndBadGovernance: Nigerian Govt Rejects Foreign Involvement In Domestic Protests
Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, emphasized the nation’s rejection of foreign interference in its internal matters, while also underscoring the value of maintaining positive international relations.
At a briefing held in Abuja on Wednesday for members of the diplomatic corps, Tuggar outlined the Federal Government’s programs and policies.
Naturenex reports that this comes amid the nationwide #EndBadGovernanceinNigeria protest that began on August 1, in reaction to widespread economic hardship faced by citizens.
Ambassador Tuggar urged the international community to continue cooperating with Nigeria as it tackles its challenges, stressing the importance of mutual respect for national sovereignty.
Tuggar reassured that Nigeria values its relationships with other nations and organizations, emphasizing that the country will uphold these bonds.
He appealed for international understanding and collaboration in the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to address economic issues and improve living standards for Nigerians both domestically and abroad.
6. ‘Tinubu’s Speech Empty, FG Should Stop Giving Excuses’ – Governor Bala Mohammed
The Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, on Wednesday, described the nationwide address of President Bola Tinubu to Nigerians in the wake of the #EndBadGovernance protest as ’empty speech’.
Tinubu, in his address, on Sunday, called on protesters to cease their demonstrations and open room for dialogue, saying there was no going back on the removal of fuel subsidy.
Mohammed, however, while speaking during the flag-off of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaign for the local government election in Bauchi, said the Federal Government should stop giving excuses to Nigerians.
7. Details Of Nigeria’s Defence Chief’s Address During Meeting With ECOWAS Defence Chiefs Emerge
The Nigerian Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, on Wednesday, condemned military takeover in some West African countries.
Musa noted that the military takeover in the affected countries has created unintended consequences and threatened democratic values in the region.
He stated this at the 42nd Ordinary Meeting of the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff in Abuja.
General Musa said the threat of military takeover must be destroyed, adding that it negates the core values and responsibilities of the military profession.
He added that in democratic countries, the military must uphold democratic values in line with the principles of their constitutions.
General Musa said terrorism, insurgency, organised crime, violence and unconstitutional government takeovers threaten national security and undermine the socio-economic development of the entire region.
8. Our Monthly Salary Is Not ₦900,000 – Reps Spokesperson Reveals Amount
The spokesperson for the House of Representatives, Rotimi Akin, has dismissed reports alleging that lawmakers earn ₦900,000 as against the ₦600,000, which is their actual monthly salary.
Naturenex reports that Akin made the clarification in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja, stating that members of the House are still committed to the 50 percent deduction in their salaries for six months to reduce hardship in the country.
Akin stated that the delay in the implementation resolution passed on July 18, 2024, was due to necessary administrative procedures and coordination with financial institutions.
He added that instructions for adjusting salaries had since been issued and would be enforced moving forward to ensure the pledge is fully realised.
The Rep spokesman further stated that the member who displayed his salary on a Television programme was an exceptional case because he assumed office through a court decision many months after the onboarding process was concluded.
9. #EndBadGovernance: Bringing Back Fuel Subsidy Will Worsen Poverty – NOA Director
The Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Lanre Issa-Onilu, emphasized on Wednesday that reinstating the fuel subsidy would exacerbate poverty in Nigeria.
He encouraged citizens to develop strategies to cope with the economic impact of its removal by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Issa-Onilu, who previously served as a spokesperson for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), argued that the demands by #EndBadGovernance protesters for the return of the subsidy are driven by emotion rather than economic rationale.
He stated on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily that reintroducing the subsidy would worsen poverty rather than alleviate it.
He urged Nigerians to focus on how to adapt to the subsidy removal and highlighted government efforts to support survival without it.
Acknowledging the longstanding trust issues between the government and the public, Issa-Onilu stressed the importance of proving the administration’s commitment to fulfilling its promises.
10. ‘Security Operatives Knew Kano Would Be Attacked And They Allowed It’ – Sanusi
The 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, on Wednesday, said intelligence failure led to the attacks on public and private properties during the #EndBadGovernance protest in the state.
Sanusi made this claim when he visited Kano Printing Press, The NCC Digital Industrial Park and Barakat Stores.
According to the Emir, the security agencies were notified of the plans for the attacks on some of the properties days before it occurred.
