Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naturenex roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Tuesday, 27th August, 2024
1. President Tinubu Appoints New DSS, NIA DGs As Bichi Resigns
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of new Directors-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and the Department of State Services (DSS).
Naija News reports that this was made known in a statement on Monday by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale.
Tinubu appointed Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed as the new Director-General of the NIA.
The President also replaced Yusuf Magaji Bichi with Mr. Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi is the new Director-General of the DSS.
Recall that the former NIA DG, Ahmed Abubakar, on Saturday evening, tendered his resignation letter to President Tinubu.
Abubakar, after a brief meeting with the President, said personal and family issues were among his reasons for resigning from office.
2. Nigeria’s GDP Soars By 3.19%
Nigeria’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) experienced an increase of 0.21 percentage points in the second quarter of 2024 (Q2’24), rising to 3.19 per cent from 2.98 per cent in the first quarter (Q1’24).
This information was contained in a recent National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) publication.
In its GDP report, the NBS highlighted that the growth in Q2’24 was primarily fueled by the Services sector, which achieved a growth rate of 3.79 per cent and accounted for 58.76 per cent of the total GDP.
According to the NBS, Nigeria’s GDP grew by 3.19 per cent yearly in Q2’24. This growth rate surpasses the 2.51 per cent recorded in the same quarter of 2023 and is also higher than the 2.98 per cent growth observed in Q1’24.
The services sector’s performance significantly contributed to the GDP growth in Q2’24.
In contrast, the agriculture sector saw a growth of 1.41 per cent, a slight decrease from the 1.5 per cent growth noted in the second quarter of 2023.
Additionally, the industrial sector demonstrated growth of 3.53 per cent, marking a notable recovery from the -1.94 per cent recorded in the second quarter of the previous year.
3. Hardship: If APC Is Defeated In 2027, What Is The Guarantee That The Next Administration Will Not Be Worse? – Lukman
A former National Vice Chairman, Northwest, of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Salihu Lukman has lamented that the administration of President Bola Tinubu is on track to becoming worse than that of the erstwhile administration of Muhammadu Buhari.
He stated that the administration of Buhari was worse than that of former President Goodluck Jonathan, adding that each successive administration has become progressively worse than its predecessor.
Speaking via a statement on Monday, Lukman said that despite the noticeable trend, there is no structured engagements regarding 2027 among leading opposition.
He expressed worry that there was no guarantee that the administration that would take over from Tinubu would not be worse off.
4. “We Are Professionals, Guided By Transparency And Fairness” – NUPRC Speaks After Allegations By Atiku
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has provided updates on the divestment activities of some International Oil Companies (IOC) in Nigeria.
The NUPRC updates were contained in a statement issued on Monday by the commission’s head of public affairs unit, Olaide Shonola.
The updates released by the NUPRC follow a recent accusation by former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, who, in a statement on Sunday, 25th August, accused President Bola Tinubu of giving undue advantage to his nephew in the purchase of some oil assets in the country.
Atiku, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, asked the federal government to explain why Oando Plc, owned by the President’s nephew, got accelerated approval to buy the onshore assets of AGIP and ENI while other transactions such as the Shell/Renaissance deal and the Mobil/Seplat continue to suffer delays.
However, Shonola maintained on Monday that all the activities of the commission were done transparently and with due approvals for the IOCs.
She added that NUPRC, as an organisation would remain guided by law and professionalism, and would continue to discharge its duties in a legal, independent, technical, commercial, and professional manner.
According to the statement, all divestment activities, including that of OANDO, followed due regulatory processes while that of SEPLAT is also in process and expected to be completed within the allowed time frame and based on regulatory approvals.
5. ‘You Have Murdered Peace’: IGP Orders Manhunt For Killers Of Police Officers During Abuja Shi’ite Procession
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has issued a directive for the immediate arrest of those responsible for the killing of police officers during a recent procession by the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, also known as the Shi’ite group, in Abuja.
The police reported that two officers were killed and three others were left unconscious after an attack by Shi’ite members during their procession on Sunday.
However, the Shi’ite group countered these claims, alleging that the police had killed and injured several of their members during the incident in the Wuse area of the Federal Capital Territory.
In a statement released by the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, the IG strongly condemned the killing of the officers, stating that those who committed the act have “murdered peace.”
The statement, titled “Police Condemn Shi’ite Attack in Abuja, Order Operatives to Hunt for Sponsors, Killers of Policemen,” detailed the actions being taken in response to the incident.
According to the statement, 97 suspects have already been arrested, and several weapons used in the attack have been recovered.
The IGP reiterated his commitment to ensuring that all those involved in the attack are apprehended and brought to justice, emphasizing the importance of maintaining law and order throughout the country.
He described the killing of police officers in the line of duty as “outrageous and unacceptable.”
6. Obi, Atiku, Kwankwaso Should Come Together Before End Of 2024 – Lukman
A former National Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Salihu Lukman, has called on the opposition leaders, including Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar and Rabiu Kwankwaso, to come together and form a strong opposition force against President Bola Tinubu.
The former APC chieftain, Salihu Lukman, said there will be risks if there is no structured engagement between the leading opposition political parties, their leaders and some APC stakeholders who are discontented with President Tinubu’s leadership style by the end of 2024.
In a statement on Monday, Lukman argued that the opposition parties and their leaders have resorted to carefreeness and an unserious disposition that could produce disastrous outcomes in the 2027 election.
He noted that there was a need for the opposition parties and their leaders to work towards forming a united political front that would oust the ruling APC and President Tinubu.
7. Edo Election: Appeal Court Upholds Ighodalo’s Victory
The Court of Appeal, sitting in Abuja, has upheld Asue Ighodalo’s nomination as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State.
In a ruling by Justice Musali JCA, in the suit marked CA/ABJ/CV/764/2024, the court held that the delegates who sought to nullify the PDP primaries lacked legal standing.
According to the Appeal Court, Section 84(14) of the Electoral Act, did not give delegates to a primary election the legal right to challenge the outcome as it concerns the elected candidate.
Justice Musali explained that only aspirants who contested the primary election with the candidate, Ighodalo, have the legal stand to challenge the outcome of the primary election.
“They are delegates and not aspirants. Delegates do not have any locus to challenge the process of the primary election,” Justice Musali held.
8. Tinubu Reacts To Nigeria’s New GDP Growth Figures
President Bola Tinubu has expressed his enthusiasm in response to the latest economic report from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), which highlights the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) showing significant growth.
According to the NBS, Nigeria’s real GDP increased by 3.2% year-on-year in the second quarter, surpassing the 2.51% growth recorded during the same period in 2023.
In a statement released by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, he noted that this positive GDP report follows a recent decline in both food and headline inflation, reinforcing the belief that Nigeria’s economy is on the right path to recovery.
President Tinubu expressed confidence that with the current policies in place, production could soon rise to approximately two million barrels per day.
9. Strike: FG Postpones Planned Meeting With ASUU
The planned meeting between the federal government and members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) earlier scheduled to hold today, Monday 26th August, has been postponed.
ASUU president, Emmanuel Osodeke, confirmed the postponement of the meeting, though no reason was given for the change in date.
Naturenex understands the planned meeting is now set to be held on Wednesday, August 28.
It would be recalled that the federal government, through the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, had scheduled the meeting with the ASUU leadership to address the union’s demands.
The Minister announced the planned meeting during an appearance on Television Continental’s “Beyond 100 Days” program on Thursday.
The move comes after ASUU issued a 21-day ultimatum to the government, following its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the University of Ibadan last week.
ASUU has consistently pushed for the implementation of agreements previously reached with the government, which include issues around salaries, funding for universities, and improved working conditions.
10. Resident Doctors Commence Nationwide Warning Strike
The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has initiated a seven-day warning strike.
Naturenex understands that the nationwide industrial action by the Doctors association is aimed at advocating for the release of Dr Ganiyat Popoola, a member of NARD who has been held captive for over eight months.
NARD President, Dr. Dele Abdullahi, announced this in a statement made available to newsmen, indicating that the strike will commence on Monday, August 26, 2024, at midnight.
Abdullahi revealed that the decision was reached during a virtual Emergency National Executive Council meeting convened on Sunday, August 25, 2024.
He emphasized that the warning strike would be comprehensive, with no emergency services provided during this period.
That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naturenex. See you again tomorrow.
