Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naturenex roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Wednesday, 4th September, 2024
1. President Tinubu Signs Bilateral Agreements With Xi Jinping Of China
President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, have agreed on some fresh agreements between the two countries and signed documents to that effect.
Naturenex reports President Tinubu and President Jinping on Tuesday in Beijing, China, announced the elevation of Nigeria-China ties to that of a comprehensive strategic partnership.
The leaders also agreed to build a high-level Nigeria-China community with a shared future.
This was part of the outcome of talks between the two leaders during President Tinubu’s official visit to China, as confirmed in a State House press release.
President Tinubu’s official visit precedes his participation in the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, scheduled to hold from September 4-6, 2024.
On economic reforms in Nigeria, President Tinubu told his Chinese counterpart that his administration remains committed to sustainable growth through the effective implementation of ongoing economic reforms.
2. Matawalle, CDS Arrive Sokoto To Flush Out Bandits
Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, on Tuesday, arrived Sokoto State.
Naturenex understands that the decision is in compliance with the directive of President Bola Tinubu.
The minister and CDS on arrival, held a close-door meeting at the 8 Division of the Nigerian Army.
At the meeting which lasted for over an hour, the Minister was said to have been briefed on the security situation in the area by the acting Commander of Operation Hadarin Daji.
In an interview with newsmen, Matawalle said they were in Sokoto to flush out bandits terrorising the region.
3. FG Set To Increase Value-Added Tax To 10%
The Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, has announced that the committee intends to propose legislation to the National Assembly to raise the value-added tax (VAT) from its current rate of 7.5% to 10%.
Naturenex reports that Oyelede disclosed this during an interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today.
He elaborated on the committee’s efforts to streamline various taxes in Nigeria to facilitate a reduction in the overall tax burden.
He further indicated that the tax legislation prepared by the committee is set to be presented to the National Assembly.
4. Dangote Refinery Rolls Out Petrol
In a landmark achievement for Nigeria’s energy sector, the Dangote Refinery, a $20 billion project led by billionaire industrialist Aliko Dangote, has officially started producing petrol.
This development is expected to significantly ease the ongoing petrol scarcity that has plagued the country, providing much-needed relief to millions of Nigerians.
During a press briefing on Tuesday, Dangote expressed his gratitude to the government of President Bola Tinubu for creating an environment that allowed the refinery project to come to fruition.
He highlighted the potential impact of the refinery on the nation’s economy and energy security.
He further praised the Tinubu administration’s “Naira for crude, Naira for product” initiative, which he believes will stabilize the Naira by reducing the demand for dollars by 40%.
The commencement of petrol production at the Dangote Refinery is seen as a significant step forward in addressing Nigeria’s longstanding challenges with fuel supply and foreign exchange demand, promising a brighter economic future for the nation.
5. Ibadan-Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Railway Segments Will Be Completed – President Tinubu Declares From China
President Bola Tinubu has given reassurances that the Ibadan-Abuja-Kaduna-Kano railway corridors will be completed.
Naturenex reports the President gave the assurance on Monday during a visit to the China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) in Beijing, China.
The visit was part of President Tinubu’s engagement during his official visit to China.
During his visit to the CRCC, the Nigerian leader also recognized the company as a dependable collaborator in Nigeria’s infrastructure development initiative. He praised its current railway projects underway in the country.
6. ‘We Feel Betrayed’ – NLC Reacts To Fuel Price Increase, Makes 7 Demands From Government
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has accused the federal government of betrayal following the increase in the price of petrol by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC).
The NLC, in a statement on Tuesday by its president, Joe Ajaero, said it agreed to the new minimum wage of ₦70,000 for Nigerian workers based on the understanding with the government that fuel prices would not be increased.
Naturenex recalls the NNPC, on Tuesday, adjusted the pump price per litre of petrol to ₦855 across its filling stations.
In reaction, the NLC said the move is both traumatic and nightmarish, particularly as the government is even yet to commence the implementation of the new minimum wage.
Ajaero noted that betrayal is becoming consistent with the character of the Bola Tinubu administration.
He also accused the present government of suppressing peaceful protests, intimidating citizens, and inflicting hardship on the people of Nigeria.
7. Your Threats Are Reckless, Unacceptable – PDP Governors Knock Wike
The governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have sharply condemned the former Governor of Rivers State and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for what they describe as reckless and unacceptable threats.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the forum’s Director General, Emmanuel Agbo, the PDP Governors’ Forum (PDP-GF), chaired by Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkarim Mohamed, expressed strong disapproval of Wike’s recent comments.
The forum accused Wike of making inflammatory remarks that threaten the unity and peaceful coexistence within the party.
8. Dangote Speaks On Price Of Petrol As Refinery Begins Fuel Production
The chairman of Dangote Industries and owner of Dangote Refinery, Aliko Dangote, has disclosed that petrol from his refinery would be available in the markets within 48 hours.
Speaking on Tuesday at the refinery located in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State, Dangote stated that the pricing for the fuel would be determined by an arrangement which is designed and approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
While he didn’t mention a specific price, Dangote added that depending on the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited (NNPC), fuel from the 650,000 barrels per day refinery would be available at filling stations, but on their part, they are ready to roll into the market.
On the specific price of petrol from his refinery, Dangote said: “It is an arrangement which is designed and approved by the Federal Executive Council led by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“As soon as it is finalised, which he (Tinubu) is pushing, once we finish with NNPC, it can be today, it can be tomorrow, we are ready to roll into the market.”
He, however, assured that petrol and other products from the refinery would be of top quality, adding that it is “a celebration day” for Nigerians as the quality of products from the refinery matches that of the US and any other place in the world.
9. ISWAP Claims Responsibility For Yobe Attack That Claimed 87 Lives
The Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) has taken credit for the recent attack where no fewer than 87 people were killed in Yobe State.
Naturenex reported earlier that the terrorists struck Mafa town around 4 pm on Sunday, killing residents and burning homes and shops.
Reports emerged that the remains of 37 villagers who lost their lives during the attack were recovered.
It was revealed that the bodies of the victims had been taken to Babbangida General Hospital in preparation for a mass burial scheduled for 10 am.
The burial will be attended by Yobe State Deputy Governor, Hon Idi Barde Gubana, along with other senior government officials. It will take place at the Babangida Emir’s Palace, the administrative centre of Tarmuwa LG.
Sources who spoke to Daily Trust earlier noted that no fewer than 87 people were killed by the terrorists in the latest attack.
Subsequently, in a letter in Arabic obtained by the news platform on Tuesday, ISWAP admitted to the attack.
They claimed the village was targeted for supposedly giving information to the military, which resulted in the deaths of their members.
10. Treason: ‘Come Out Of Hiding’ – Police Tell Wanted Briton
British national, Andrew Wynne, on Tuesday, was charged by the Nigeria Police Force to come out of his hiding and surrender to the police.
The police made this call amidst Wynne’s claim that no invitation was extended to him before declaring him wanted.
Naturenex had earlier reported that the police declared Wynne and his Nigerian collaborator, Lucky Obiyan, wanted for allegedly plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration and placed a 20 million naira bounty on them.
However, Wynne on Monday, in an interview with Channels Television, said he was not aware he had been labelled a fugitive.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, Force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, said Wynne was contacted many times and he refused to show up even after his bookshop was invaded.
Adejobi insisted that some offences had been established against Wynne, adding that his accomplices had been arraigned in court.
The force spokesperson dared Wynne to come out of hiding and face the wrath of the law like his accomplices.
