Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Friday, 20th September, 2024
1. President Tinubu Receives Report On Livestock Reforms In Nigeria
President Bola Tinubu has received the report on the recommendations of the committee on livestock reform implementation in Nigeria.
The report was presented to Tinubu on Thursday at the State House in Abuja by the chairman of the presidential committee on livestock reform, Professor Attahiru Jega.
Speaking to journalists shortly after meeting with the President, Jega, a former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), said the committee submitted a 152-page document for review on how the government can curb the incessant clashes between farmers and herders in the country.
Jega disclosed that the committee is of the opinion that both ranching and open grazing can coexist in the short term until there is enough awareness and adequate infrastructure that will enhance the adoption of full ranching.
The committee noted that it would be counterproductive to immediately stop open grazing as a traditional method of pastoralism.
Also, the committee recommended that Nigeria adopt technologies in livestock production.
2. Why Tinubu Will Not Attend 79th United Nations General Assembly
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
In a statement released on Thursday, the presidency disclosed that Tinubu would not be attending the UN Summit because he wants to focus on domestic issues.
According to the Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, Tinubu wants to stay back to tackle challenges facing the country.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote: “Mr President will not be attending this year’s United Nations General Assembly because after his trips to China and the United Kingdom, he wants to focus on domestic issues and address some of the country’s challenges, especially after the recent devastating flooding.”
3. Senate Will Tinker With The Constitution To Ensure LG Autonomy Stands – Akpabio
Nigeria’s Senate President, Godswill Akpabio on Thursday, said the Senate will tinker with the constitution to ensure that the Supreme Court Judgement on local government autonomy stands.
Akpabio stated this when he received members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State, who were loyal to the erstwhile Interim National Secretary of the party, Senator John James Akpanudoedehe, in Uyo.
A statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Jackson Udom, quoted Akpabio saying, “I thank President Bola Tinubu, for looking for a way to bring the all needed autonomy to the local governments through the intervention of the Supreme Court.
4. FG Unveils Schedule For 2024 Independence Day Celebration
The Federal Government has unveiled the schedule for the 2024 Independence Day celebration.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, disclosed in a statement on Thursday that the 64th Independence Anniversary celebration will kick off with a World Press Conference scheduled for Thursday, September 26, 2024.
Naija News reports that Akume revealed this during the inauguration of the Inter-Ministerial Committee tasked with overseeing the 2024 Independence Day Celebration.
The committee will plan, organize, and execute all sanctioned activities to honour the nation’s independence.
Nigeria, which achieved independence from British rule in 1960, is set to mark its 64th Independence Day on October 1.
As stated by Segun Imohiosen, the Director of Information in the Office of the SGF, the committee was inaugurated on Thursday, September 19, by Hadiza Usman, the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, on behalf of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.
Akume emphasized that the celebration will not be extravagant, reflecting the current challenging circumstances the country faces.
5. Northeast PDP Endorses Damagum As National Chairman
The Northeast zone of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has endorsed Umar Iliya Damagum to continue as the acting National Chairman of the party.
The position of the zone was made known in a statement on Thursday released by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State, Humwashi Wonosikou.
The endorsement comes at a time when some stakeholders in the party are agitating for Damagum to step down and for the Northcentral to produce a permanent National Chairman for the party.
However, Fintiri, speaking in a press statement on behalf of the PDP in Adamawa, Taraba, Gombe, Borno, and Yobe states, expressed confidence in Damagum’s leadership.
The statement also claimed a court order had prevented the PDP from removing Damagum from his position and urged party members to respect the court order.
6. It Is A Punishable Crime To Pay Your Workers Less Than ₦70,000 Minimum Wage – FG Warns Private Sector
The Federal Government has warned that no worker, either in government or private employment, should be paid less than the ₦70,000 minimum wage.
The government warned that those who choose to ignore the directive are committing a crime and could be punished for their actions.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Kachollom Daju, stated this on Wednesday while speaking at the 13th Annual General Meeting of the Employers Association for Private Employment Agencies of Nigeria, held in Ikeja, Lagos.
According to the FG, the new minimum wage is necessary to address the current economic reality.
In his remarks, the President of the Employers Association for Private Employment Agencies of Nigeria, Dr. Olufemi Ogunlowo, asked the government and Nigeria Labour Congress to clarify whether the N70,000 minimum wage is net or gross, stating that all ambiguities in the Act should be highlighted and explained.
According to Okoye, the EAPEAN is already committed to the minimum wage, as well as providing decent jobs for Nigerians and guarding against the exploitation of human resources.
7. Tinubu’s Minister, Matawalle Denies Sponsoring Bandits
The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has vehemently denied allegations made by Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, accusing him of being involved in banditry within the state.
In a statement released by Matawalle’s media team, the Minister refuted the claims, asserting that Governor Lawal has consistently attempted to tarnish his reputation by linking him to banditry.
The statement highlighted that this is not the first time such accusations have surfaced, emphasizing Matawalle’s ongoing denial of any involvement in criminal activities.
Matawalle’s media consultants pointed to a recent video featuring the wanted bandit kingpin, Bello Turji, who made similar allegations against the Minister.
They dismissed these claims as baseless and characterized them as attempts to distract from the real issues at hand while discrediting Matawalle.
The escalating tensions between the Minister and the Governor have raised concerns over the state’s security situation, with both officials engaging in a war of words amidst ongoing efforts to combat banditry in the region.
8. FG, Ex-CJN Onnoghen To Settle Out Of Court
The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has approved the Federal Government and Justice Walter Onnoghen‘s request to resolve their appeal about his dismissal as Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) without going to trial.
Naija News reports that the ruling came after it was revealed that both sides in the case were actively trying to find a peaceful solution to their disagreements.
Recall that in 2019, former President Muhammadu Buhari dismissed Onnoghen while facing a disciplinary case at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.
However, during the appeal hearing on Thursday, September 19, 2024, the lawyer representing Onnoghen, Dr Ogwu James Onoja, told the three-judge panel of the Appeal Court that the parties were in talks for a peaceful resolution.
Onoja shared that discussions had taken place up until Wednesday, September 18, and there was hope that they would lead to a positive outcome.
The lead lawyer then asked the appellate court to delay the case for one month to allow for a final agreement.
The lawyer for the Federal Government, Tijani Gazali, supported Onoja’s request and suggested that the case be expedited to encourage a peaceful settlement.
9. Goodluck Jonathan Declares Position Ahead Of Edo Election, Sends Message To INEC, Police
Former President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, has urged all stakeholders, including candidates in the forthcoming Edo State governorship election, to prioritize peace and security.
Jonathan spoke in a statement on Thursday made available to journalists by his media adviser, Ikechukwu Eze.
He charged politicians to refrain from all actions that may undermine the peace and security of the state.
Jonathan also charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Police Force, as well as all other security agencies that would be involved in the election, to maintain neutrality.
According to the former Nigerian leader, a level playing ground must be provided for the citizens to exercise their democratic rights.
10. Tinubu Absent As VP Shettima Leads Nigeria’s Delegation To 79th UNGA
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not attend the 79th United Nations General Assembly session in New York this year.
Naija News reports that this was made known in a statement released on Thursday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
He stated that the President has thus directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation.
President Tinubu, who returned to the country last Sunday after his trip to China and the United Kingdom, wants to focus on domestic issues and address some of the country’s challenges, especially after the recent devastating flooding.
At UNGA 79, Vice President Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement to the General Assembly, attend important sideline events, and hold bilateral meetings.
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