Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naturenex roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Tuesday, 13th August, 2024
1. Tinubu Swears In New Head Of Service
President Bola Tinubu, on Monday, officially swore in Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack as the new Head of Service of the Federation.
The ceremony took place just before the commencement of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The swearing-in was followed by a valedictory session honouring the outgone Head of Service, Dr. Folasade Esan, who has served in the role with distinction.
In his remarks, President Tinubu acknowledged the significant contributions of Dr. Esan and noted that Mrs. Walson-Jack has “big shoes to fill” as she takes on the new role.
He expressed confidence in her ability to lead the civil service and prayed for divine guidance to help her navigate the challenges ahead.
The President also thanked the outgoing HoS for what he called “an exceptional tenure.”
2. Police Trailed Sudan Crisis-Linked Suspect To Labour House – IG
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, revealed on Monday that the police are actively pursuing a man linked to the Sudan crisis who is now in Nigeria.
The suspect, whose identity has not been disclosed, is reportedly mobilizing efforts to destabilize the country.
Speaking at the Nigerian Police Youth Summit, Egbetokun explained that the suspect was traced to a shop being used as a decoy, located within the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) building.
He emphasized that the recent raid conducted by police at the NLC premises was not targeted at the leadership of the NLC but was part of the broader efforts to apprehend the suspect.
The IGP also explained that the police were against the #EndBadGovernance protest because of the ENDSARS experience.
Egbetokun noted that the mobilization for the hunger protests was carried out via social media, adding that such protests had the propensity of being violent.
3. Tinubu Commissions ‘Nigerian Made’ CNG Buses In Aso Rock
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday at the State House, Abuja commissioned 30 Hybrid Power CNG buses.
Twenty of the buses were donated by Depots and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN), while NNPC donated 10. Innoson Motors assembled the buses locally.
The CNG initiative, according to the government, is aimed at alleviating transportation challenges in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
4. NYSC Cancels Certificates Of 101 Persons, Gives Reason
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) on Monday invalidated the certificates of 101 individuals who had previously been mobilized for service.
Naturenex reports the affected individuals were fraudulently mobilized for national service by the University of Calabar (UNICAL) during the 2021, 2022, and 2023 service years.
The graduates include 99 illegally mobilised for national service and two persons said to have been granted exemption certificates illegally.
This was made known by the NYSC Director of Information and Public Relations, Eddy Megwa.
He added that the move is part of efforts to sanitize the system and preserve the integrity of the NYSC scheme.
Megwa noted that the NYSC would continue to take action against any individuals or institutions found to be involved in fraudulent mobilization and warned Corps Employers, Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Corporate and Religious Organizations, Multi-National Companies, and Corps Producing Institutions, to verify the authenticity of certificates presented to them.
He urged members of the public to confirm the authenticity of certificates at the NYSC National Directorate Headquarters in Abuja to avoid employing or accepting fake corps members.
5. Viral Video: We Are Investigating Woman Who Tore Her Husband’s International Passport – NIS
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) said the woman who tore her husband’s international passport, as captured in a viral video, has been invited for interrogation.
The Comptroller General of NIS, Kemi Nandap, said the woman if found guilty would face the law in line with Section 10(h) of the Immigration Act.
On Sunday, a video of a woman who tore her husband’s international passport at the departure lounge of Murtala Mohammed International Airport went viral on social media, particularly X platform. The woman in the video made jest of the husband that they are now in Nigeria.
In a statement on Monday, signed by NIS Public Relations Officer, K.T Udo, Nandap promised a thorough investigation into the incident.
6. Ladoja Receives Beaded Crown From Olubadan, Explains Why He Changed His Mind
Former Governor of Oyo State, Rasidi Ladoja, has accepted a beaded crown and was crowned on Monday, 12th July as the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland.
He was crowned by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, at a ceremony attended by the Acting Governor of Oyo State, Bayo Lawal and other top government functionaries.
Ladoja was presented with the staff and instrument of office by the acting governor at the event held at the Aafin Olubadan of Ibadalland, Oke Aremo, Ibadan.
Speaking after the crowning ceremony, Ladoja explained that he has no issue with assuming the position of king in the Olubadan lineage.
He noted that all who anticipated a crisis over the situation have been disappointed, adding that a misunderstanding was responsible for the earlier disagreement, but all issues have been ironed out.
The former Governor emphasised that the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, remains the only paramount king in the ancient city, while all other Obas are considered subjects and advisers who are answerable to the Olubadan.
Ladoja also noted that he agreed to take the crown after all his reservations and uncertainties were addressed.
7. Court Reinstates Beke As Rivers APC Chairman, Dismisses Caretaker Committee
A Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has ruled to dismiss the seven-member Caretaker Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, which was led by Tony Okocha.
This committee was previously appointed by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).
Justice Sika Aprioku, delivering the ruling on Monday, reinstated the executive committee led by Emeka Beke as the legitimate leadership of the APC in Rivers State.
The ruling was in response to a suit filed by Sam Sam Etetegwung and others on behalf of the democratically elected APC executive in the state.
The ruling has brought relief to the Beke-led faction, which had contested the legitimacy of the caretaker committee.
Meanwhile, the caretaker committee of the party, headed by Okocha has rejected the judgment of the Rivers State High Court delivered by Hon. Justice Sika H. Aprioku.
8. ‘What Nigerians Are Witnessing Today Is Buhari Pro-max’ – Atiku Slams Tinubu, APC Govt
The 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has noted that the hardship and bad economy being witnessed by Nigerians under President Bola Tinubu’s administration is twice what they endured under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Naturenex reports that the former Vice President made this remark in a statement delivered by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe.
Atiku expressed disappointment that the government required public protests to recognize the dire circumstances that citizens are currently enduring.
He said if by now the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration has not yet acknowledged the significant hardships faced by Nigerians, it indicates a lack of preparedness for governance from the outset.
9. Shaibu Replies Obaseki Over Impersonation Claim
The reinstated Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has replied Governor Godwin Obaseki over claims that he is impersonating the deputy governor.
Recall that Shaibu, in a video shared on his X handle on Monday, had directed his staff yet to resume work since his reinstatement to do so or face the consequences.
Shortly after the broadcast, Obaseki, said Shaibu was impersonating the Deputy Governor and should be disregarded.
Responding to the governor through his media office, Shaibu noted that the issue of the purported impeachment had since been laid to rest by the court.
He said the court declared that the Office of the Deputy Governor was never vacant, as the actions of the State House of Assembly and state government were illegal, null, and void.
10. WAEC Releases 2024 WASSCE Results
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC), has officially released the results for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for School Candidates, 2024.
The results were released on Monday, August 12, as confirmed in a post on the official X account of the examination body.
The message read, “The West African Examinations Council is pleased to inform Candidates who sat WASSCE for School Candidates, 2024 that the result has officially been released today, Monday, August 12, 2024.”
Similarly, WAEC’s Head of Nigeria Organization, Amos Dangut, confirmed the release of the results during a press briefing on Monday. He stated that the results of 1,685,889 candidates, accounting for 93.9% were released.
Dangut added that although insecurity hampered the conduct of the exam in different areas of the country, 1,805, 216 candidates registered for the WASSCE.
He said 1,332, 089 candidates have credits in five subjects, including any subjects with either Mathematics or English language and 1,301, 949 candidates got credits in five subjects, including Mathematics and English language accounting for 72.9% of total candidates.
That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naturenex. See you again tomorrow.
