Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naturenex roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Wednesday, 2nd October, 2024
1. I Am Deeply Aware Of Your Struggles – Tinubu Tells Nigerians In Independence Day Speech
President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday, in his 64th Independence Day speech to Nigerians, said he is deeply aware of the struggles the citizens are going through at the moment.
The President noted that many Nigerians are battling with the rising cost of living and struggling to make ends meet.
He, however assured that he is taking measures to alleviate the suffering and ensure Nigerians enjoy a better life.
President Tinubu pleaded with Nigerians to be patient, assuring them that there is light at the end of the tunnel and the citizens should expect better days ahead.
2. Tinubu, Shettima, Others Mark Independence Day In Aso Villa
President Bola Tinubu, along with Vice President Kashim Shettima and other top government dignitaries, marked Nigeria’s 64th Independence anniversary with a modest yet significant celebration at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday.
The event was characterized by a military parade that took place at the forecourt of the presidential villa, under the watchful eyes of the elite Brigade of Guards and additional personnel from sister security agencies.
The heightened security measures included intense screening processes at the main gate and a considerable security presence at the forecourt itself.
President Tinubu arrived at the venue at 10 am, where he was greeted by the sounds of pipers and inspected a Quarter Guard mounted by the Guards Brigade.
The festivities concluded with President Tinubu signing the anniversary register, followed by the ceremonial cutting of the anniversary cake alongside Vice President Shettima, leaders of the National Assembly, Service Chiefs, the Inspector General of Police, the National Security Adviser, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
The ceremony ended with the release of doves, symbolizing the nation’s aspirations for peace and unity.
3. Protest: Sowore Speaks On Overthrowing Tinubu’s Government
Former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has knocked the government of President Bola Tinubu for suggesting that there is a link between the protests in some parts of the country and possible plans to overthrow the government.
Sowore argued that it was hypocritical of the government to tell Nigerians to shelve their grievances and wait until the next election cycle in 2027.
He said this against the backdrop of the government’s response to the #EndBadGovernance protests in which protesters were told to wait till 2027 to express their grievances at the polls.
Naturenex recalls after the #EndBadGovernanace protest, some protesters were arrested and charged to court for alleged attempts to overthrow the Tinubu government.
Speaking on Tuesday during the fresh #FearlessInOctober protest in Ikeja, Lagos State, Sowore denied any plan by the protesters to overthrow the government.
The news publisher also noted that when the All Progressives Congress (APC) was in the opposition, they also carried out the Occupy Nigeria protests while a sitting government was in place.
4. Tinubu Declares 30-Days National Youth Confab
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday announced a 30-day confab for youths in the country.
Tinubu, during his Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day Anniversary Broadcast on Tuesday, October 1, stated that the confab would allow for discussion to address challenges confronting them.
The Nigerian leader noted that the modalities of the confab and selection of delegates would be designed and made public in due time.
He said the 30-day Confab will unite young people nationwide to collaboratively develop solutions to issues such as education, employment, innovation, security, and social justice.
5. Emirates Flight Lands In Lagos For First Time In Two Years
Emirates, the flagship carrier of the United Arab Emirates, has resumed its operations in Lagos, marking a significant return after a two-year hiatus.
This is coming two years after the suspension of operation by the airline over several issues, including unresolved trapped funds belonging to the airline.
The flight EK 783 landed at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, on Tuesday at 3:32 pm, arriving at the old terminal with several empty seats on its Boeing 777-300ER.
Despite the capacity to hold 392 passengers, the exact number of passengers aboard could not immediately be confirmed; however, eyewitnesses noted the visible presence of many unoccupied seats.
This sparse passenger load highlights the challenges airlines are facing as they resume operations post-pandemic and other operational suspensions.
According to reports by Daily Trust, the operational processes also saw departing passengers being processed at the new terminal, while those arriving were received at the old terminal.
6. Insecurity: Tinubu Promises To Eliminate Boko Haram, Bandits, Kidnappers
President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians that he would eliminate threats of Boko Haram, bandits and kidnappers.
President Tinubu said the armed forces and other security agencies have intensified actions against insecurity. He commended security personnel for the successes recorded so far in addressing insecurity across the country.
The President stated this on Tuesday in his Independence Day address.
He noted that through the support of his administration to security agencies, peace has been restored to hundreds of communities in the North.
7. Tinubu Confers National Honour On Akpabio, Others
President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday, addressed the nation to mark Nigeria’s 64th Independence Anniversary celebration.
Naturenex reports that the President, in his speech on October 1st, disclosed that his administration will soon announce all the beneficiaries of our national honours for 2024.
President Tinubu, in his speech, disclosed that the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, have been conferred with the honour of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON).
Others mentioned in the address are Deputy Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives.
8. ‘I Didn’t Steal Money As Governor, I’m Ready To Swear With Quran’ – El-Rufai
Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has again refuted claims of embezzling the state funds during his eight-year tenure.
Naturenex recalls that the Kaduna State House of Assembly indicted El-Rufia’s administration for misappropriating over N423 billion.
The former governor and his allies have denied these allegations, claiming they are being witch-hunted by the Assembly and the state government.
While featuring on the Hausa program aired on Freedom Radio station in Kaduna on Tuesday morning, El-Rufai said he joined politics solely to serve the people, not to seek money or steal public funds.
He emphasized that he was content with what he had before becoming governor, yet was accused of financial misappropriation without any specific area.
El-Rufai stated that he was prepared to swear with the Quran whenever former state governors and current leaders swore that they never misappropriated public funds.
The ex-governor also noted that after his studies, he will return to politics by 2027 because there is no retirement in politics like government work.
9. Without My Reforms, Nigeria’s Economy Would Have Collapsed – Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu has stated that without the reforms his administration implemented, Nigeria’s economy would likely have collapsed.
Speaking during a televised address on Independence Day, Tinubu highlighted the critical decisions his government faced upon assuming office.
President Tinubu explained that when his administration took office 16 months ago, Nigeria was facing severe economic and security challenges.
Faced with a choice between reforming or risking economic collapse, his government opted for significant reforms to ensure progress and stability.
10. Atiku Writes Senate, Demands Six-year Single Term For President
A former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has demanded an amendment in the constitution to allow a six-year single term for the President and state governors.
He made the demand in a letter addressed to the National Assembly.
In a memorandum to the Senate Committee on Constitutional Review, Atiku also proposed that the presidency be rotated between the North and South.
The former Vice President also suggested that the minimum educational qualification for a person to run for election should be the Ordinary National Diploma instead of the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination.
Atiku also advocated for political parties to have more power in the candidate selection process.
