Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naturenex roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Tuesday, 20th August, 2024
1. Tinubu Departs Abuja For France
President Bola Tinubu has departed the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for France.
The Airbus A330 business jet conveying the President and some of his key aides lifted off from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at 04:08 pm.
Naturenex had earlier reported that the presidential jet used by President Tinubu landed in Abuja at 08:30 pm Sunday after a nearly five-hour flight from EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg in France.
Tinubu’s spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, on Sunday, announced that the President will embark on his fourth trip to the European country on Monday, August 19, departing from Abuja, the nation’s capital.
2. Police Invite NLC President Over Alleged Terrorism Financing
The National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has been summoned by the Nigeria Police Force for questioning over allegations of terrorism financing, cybercrime, and other related offences.
The invitation letter, signed by ACP Adamu Muazu on behalf of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Intelligence Response Team, warned that a warrant of arrest would be issued if Ajaero fails to comply.
This comes after NLC accused the government of waging a war against the organisation, following a recent raid on its headquarters by security forces.
During a press conference in Abuja last Thursday, NLC leaders rejected the police explanation for the raid and demanded an apology, the return of seized items, and the release of detained individuals.
The NLC also condemned government attempts to interfere with its internal affairs, including a proposed reduction in the tenure of trade union leaders, arguing that such actions violate labour laws and international conventions.
It should be recalled that the police claimed the raid on the NLC headquarters was intended to apprehend an international terrorist suspect, a justification the NLC dismissed as a cover-up, citing inconsistencies in the police’s account.
3. Fuel Subsidy: Inconsistency Between Your Words, Actions Erode The Credibility Of Your Govt – Atiku Knocks Tinubu
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, has accused President Bola Tinubu of continuing the fuel subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit despite previous claims that it has ended.
Naturenex reports that Atiku, in a statement via X on Monday, berated Tinubu’s administration for lack of transparency on fuel subsidy, especially with recent reports suggesting otherwise.
The former Vice President opined that such inconsistency between Tinubu’s words and actions significantly eroded his administration’s credibility.
Atiku also pointed to the ongoing fuel scarcity and rising energy costs as evidence of the administration’s failure, describing the delays in the re-operation of the Port Harcourt refinery as a national disgrace.
Atiku further condemned the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited for its denials of the ongoing subsidy payments, arguing that these denials only worsen the hardships faced by Nigerians.
He called on Tinubu’s administration to urgently clarify its stance on the subsidy policy and address the ongoing issues in the downstream petroleum sector.
4. Tinubu Sacks Jalal Arabi, Appoints New National Hajj Commission Chairman
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has dismissed Jalal Arabi from his position as Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and has appointed Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman as the new Executive Chairman of NAHCON.
Naturenex reports that Jalal Arabi is currently defended himself against a case of corruption brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In a statement to newsmen on Monday, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, announced the replacement of Arabi with Usman.
Professor Usman is a distinguished academic who has earned his credentials from two esteemed Islamic institutions: the University of Madinah and Peshawar University in Pakistan.
He is also well-grounded in Hajj operations, having served as the Chairman of Kano State Pilgrims Board, and successfully superintended the operations of the largest quota of state pilgrims in the country.
The appointment is, however, subject to confirmation by the Nigerian Senate.
Ngelale stated that President Tinubu expects the new Chairman of NAHCON to discharge his duties with integrity, transparency, and utmost fidelity to the nation.
5. Tinubu Approves NNPC’s Request To Pay Petrol Subsidy
President Bola Tinubu has approved the request by the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to use 2023 dividends to pay petrol subsidy.
The 2023 dividends were supposed to be paid into the federation account, which should be shared among the three tiers of government.
This is coming as the federal government has continued denying the existence of petrol subsidy after President Tinubu announced “subsidy is gone” on his inauguration day on May 29, 2023.
Recall that Naturenex reported that Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, in an interview, said the gap between the landing cost and what petrol is sold by filling stations is covered by “some organization”.
According to The Cable, the President also approved the suspension of the payment of 2024 interim dividends to the federation in order to augment NNPC’s cash flow.
6. FG To Begin Sale Of Crude Oil In Naira To Dangote Refinery October 1
The Federal Government has announced that the sale of Crude Oil to Dangote refinery in naira will commence on October 1.
Naturenex reports that the Federal Ministry of Finance made this known in a statement via its X handle on Monday.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, emphasised the need for transparency and directed the Technical Sub-Committee to finalize details and prepare a report for the President, noting that his directives are on track for implementation from September.
The latest development comes amidst controversies on the sale of crude oil to the Dangote refinery, with claims of sabotaging the refinery operations.
7. ₦29 Million Is Too Small For Senators, Governors Earn ₦700 Million To ₦1 Billion Monthly – Elisha Abbo
Former Nigerian senator, Ishaku Elisha Abbo, has confirmed that members of the Nigerian Senate earn monthly remuneration which many Nigerians consider outrageous.
Naturenex reports that this comes amidst the debate surrounding the cost of governance in Nigeria and the monthly salary of Nigerian lawmakers.
In an interview with Arise TV, Abbo, who represented Adamawa North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, said he received ₦14.4 million while serving, but the current Senators are earning ₦29 million.
The former legislator also argued that the money senators receive is not as much as people make it out to be because of their state responsibilities.
Abbo added that considering the aid he had to render, including paying hospital bills and scholarships, the money being paid to him monthly as senator simply was not enough.
8. Strike: ASUU To Issue FG 21-Day Ultimatum
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has given the Federal Government a 21-day ultimatum to address its longstanding demands, in line with labour laws.
This decision was made during a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the University of Ibadan from August 17th to 18th, 2024.
According to SunNewspaper, sources revealed that the NEC meeting also directed ASUU branches across the country to conduct referendums on whether to embark on an indefinite strike, a staggered strike, or take other action in response to the government’s inaction.
ASUU’s demands include renegotiating the FG/ASUU 2009 agreement, payment of withheld salaries, adoption of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) for salary payments, clearing promotion arrears, halting the proliferation of universities, revitalizing public universities, addressing outstanding Earned Academic Allowances, and stopping the victimization of union leaders.
Additionally, the union has raised concerns about non-payment of salaries in some state universities.
9. FG Moves To Introduce New Tax Law
The executive chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji, has disclosed the Federal Government’s intentions to enact a new law aimed at transforming the revenue administration framework in Nigeria by the forthcoming month.
Naturenex reports that Adedeji revealed this development in his address at the 2024 stakeholders’ engagement, a forum organized by the Intergovernmental Relations Department of the FIRS, under the auspices of the Senate and House Committees on Finance, with the theme “Repositioning The FIRS To Achieve Its Mandate”.
Speaking at the event, the FIRS boss expressed dissatisfaction regarding the absence of a legal framework governing the digital market, particularly in the realm of cryptocurrency within Nigeria.
Adedeji elaborated on the government’s strategy to regulate cryptocurrency in a manner that would not hinder the country’s economic growth, emphasizing the objectives of revenue harmonization, simplification, and modernization of the tax laws currently in place.
He highlighted the irony of Nigeria’s continued reliance on the Stamp Duty Act of 1939 in the absence of internet connectivity, attributing this to the rationale behind President Bola Tinubu‘s establishment of the tax and fiscal reform committee to review and amend the existing laws.
10. Oil Marketers Reveal Cause Of Ongoing Fuel Scarcity
Nigerians may have to endure a little more on the lingering fuel scarcity across the country as oil marketers have attributed the recent scarcity of the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to persistent logistical challenges.
Addressing the pressing challenge while appearing as a guest on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Monday, the President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association (PETROAN), Billy Gillis-Harry, explained that oil marketers are currently facing supply constraints, which means they are only able to distribute what they have available.
When asked to elaborate on the nature of these logistical challenges, he elaborated that the issue pertains to the process of ship-to-ship transfer. Until a ship has received its cargo, it is unable to deliver to any of the depots. Similarly, until the depots receive their products, the retailers are unable to access these products.
He, however, assured that marketers were in talks with the NNPCL oversupply challenges.
That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naturenex. See you again tomorrow.
