Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Monday, 24th May 2021
1. Tinubu, Gbajabiamila, Southwest APC Governors, Reveal Stand On Yoruba Nation Agitation
The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and other leaders of the party from the southwest region have taken a stand on the issue of Yoruba Nation.
The leaders at the end of their meeting on Sunday held at the Marina house in Lagos, unanimously rejected calls for Yoruba Nation and endorsed the unity of Nigeria.
The meeting was attended by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief Bisi Akande, South-West APC governors, and other leaders.
At the end of the meeting, a communique released by the leaders called for unity in the country which they said is necessary for Nigeria to grow.
They also condemned the rising spate of killings, kidnappings, banditry, and general insecurity in various parts of the country, urging the government to deploy necessary resources to combat the challenges.
2. FG Declares Work Free Day, Issue Other Instructions In Honour Of Late COAS Attahiru
President Muhammadu Buhari has approved Monday, 24th May 2021 as a work-free day for members of the Armed Forces as a mark of honour for the late Chief of Army Staff, Ibrahim Attahiru.
The President also directed that the national flag should fly at Half Mast in all public buildings and official residences across the country, from Monday May 24 to Wednesday May 26, 2021.
The directives were contained in a statement issued on Sunday night by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.
3. Federal Lawmaker Sacks Aide For Describing Shekau As A Hero
The federal lawmaker representing Maiduguri constituency of Borno State, Abdulkadir Rahis has sacked one of his aides for his comment on the reported death of Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau.
Naija News understands the legislative aide, Bukar Tanda had described Shekau as a “true hero.”
He made the submission last Thursday in a now-deleted Facebook post in which he commended Shekau for killing himself rather than submit to fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) who stormed his Sambisa forest hideout.
His position however didn’t sit well with his principal, Rahis who terminated the legislative aide’s appointment based on what he said about Shekau.
Reacting to his sack letter, Tanda in another Facebook post said he has accepted his sack in good faith and has taken valuable lessons from what transpired.
He however added that he is not a supporter of terrorism or terrorists.
4. Wike Threatens To Resign As Rivers State Governor If…..
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has vowed to resign if his predecessor and Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, can point to any federal project he has attracted to the state since 2015.
The Governor made the threat on Saturday when he received some politicians in the state who defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Those who defected include two former chairmen of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers, Dr. Davies Ikanya and Igo Aguma.
Wike also accused Amaechi of failing to account for some state funds and resources during his tenure as the Rivers State governor.
He however said during his own tenure as a federal Minister of State for Education during the tenure of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, he attracted many projects to Rivers State.
5. Akeredolu Speaks On Supporting Yoruba Nation
The Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, on Sunday said he does not support the Yoruba nation agitation.
Akeredolu stated this while reacting to the statement made at a rally in Akure, Ondo state capital on Saturday by Yoruba activist, Sunday Igboho.
Igboho had said, “The governor is aware of these things we are doing, we have his support. We are no more under the Fulani. All we want is the Yoruba Nation.”
Akeredolu who reacted in a statement released through his media aide, Richard Olatunde, on Sunday, said Igboho and other secessionist agitators were on their own.
6. FG Declares 90 Nigerians, Foreigners Wanted
A total of 90 persons have been declared wanted by the federal government of Nigeria for violating COVID-19 travelling directives.
Those declared wanted include 63 Nigerians and 27 foreigners, Naija News reports.
They were declared wanted in a statement on Sunday night by the Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha.
According to the statement, the travellers are from India, Brazil and Turkey and they now constitute dangers to public health.
The travellers violated the directive which mandated travellers from any of the countries, or who had visited any of them 14 days prior to arrival in Nigeria, to undergo a compulsory arrival quarantine and testing protocols.
The identified persons whose names and passport details were also made available however were accused of sneaking into Nigeria to avoid following the due process.
The statement added that the 90 persons are those in the first batch of violators while others will also be unveiled in the second batch of names to be released.
7. Buhari Calls Wife Of Late COAS Ibrahim Attahiru
President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday evening spoke on phone with Mrs. Fati Ibrahim Attahiru, the wife of the late Chief Of Army Staff, Ibrahim Atahiru.
The President also spoke with the spouses of the other deceased officers who lost their lives in the crash.
This development was confirmed in a Twitter statement by the presidency on Sunday evening.
8. How Gowon, Other Youths Destroyed Nigeria – Tunde Bakare
The General Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church (CGCC), Pastor Tunde Bakare, has accused Nigerian youths of being responsible for the country’s bad state.
Naija News reports that Bakare stated this while speaking on Saturday at the maiden edition of The Conversation Africa Series organized by the Legacy Youth Fellowship in Lagos.
According to the clergyman, some youths in their 20s and 30s are responsible for Nigeria’s current woes.
The former vice-presidential candidate maintained that the older generation is responsible for the country’s woes but youths.
9. Gunmen Kidnap University Students, Staff, Demand N150m Ransom
Unknown gunmen have kidnapped some students and staff of tertiary institutions in Ogun State as well as two others.
The abducted persons were identified as the Deputy Director of Information Communication Technology of Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijebu-Ode, Mrs. Lateefat Abimbola and a student of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Toyinbo Olayinka and two others.
Confirming the development, the spokesman of the Ogun State Police Command, Abimbola Oyeyemi noted that operatives have been deployed to secure the safe release of the kidnapped persons.
“Our operatives have started combing the bushes to ensure the victims are released while the perpetrators are brought to justice,” he said in a statement.
Naija News understands the victims were abducted at various locations between Thursday last week and Saturday.
The kidnappers are said to have demanded the sum of N150m as ransom before the victims can be released according to a report monitored on Channels TV website.
10. Former Senate President Loses Son, Buhari Reacts
The son of a former Senate President of Nigeria, Chuba Okadigbo, Pharaoh Okadigbo is dead.
It is understood that Pharaoh, the first son of late Senate President Dr. Chuba Okadigbo, was involved in a car accident on Saturday night, according to sources close to the family.
Reacting to the news of the death of the younger Okadigbo, President Muhammadu Buhari in a statement on Sunday by his spokesperson, Femi Adesina commiserated with the Okadigbo family, describing Pharaoh as a man who had so much potentials.
He said it is very sad to lose such a promising young man with so much potentials and passion for youth involvement in the socio-political development of Nigeria.
The President notes that the late Pharaoh at an early age keyed into the vision of a better Nigeria not just for the privileged but for all and sundry, which he (the President) shared with the late Chuba, who was his running mate in the 2003 presidential election.
That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.
The article was originally published on Nigeria News