Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Friday, 17th January, 2025
1. ‘We Don’t Need Your Approval’ – FG Knocks Sanusi Over Decision Not To Help Tinubu’s Administration
The Federal Government has declared that it does not need the Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi’s stamp of approval for President Bola Tinubu‘s laudable policies.
Naija News reports that the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made this known while responding to Sanusi’s remark about Tinubu’s policies.
Sanusi, while speaking at a Lagos event on Wednesday, said he would not help Tinubu’s government to correct the administration’s policies affecting the citizens.
The former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria stated that the current government has no people with credibility who could explain to Nigerians why their policies have caused hardship.
In a statement on Thursday, Idris berated Sanusu for confirming the policies he had earlier acknowledged as essential because of his shift in loyalty.
According to him, the Emir ought to contribute constructively, given his background in economics, rather than undermine reforms aimed at collective progress because he feels estranged from his friends in government.
2. Governors Back Tax Reform Bills, Propose Equitable VAT Sharing Formula
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has expressed support for the proposed tax reform bills currently being deliberated at the National Assembly.
The forum has also called for an “equitable” sharing formula for Value-Added Tax (VAT) to ensure fair distribution of resources among states.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the NGF revealed that the decision was reached after a meeting with the Presidential Tax Reform Committee on January 16, 2025.
The meeting addressed critical national issues, including the ongoing efforts to reform Nigeria’s fiscal policies and tax system.
The NGF acknowledged the need for an overhauled tax system to enhance revenue generation and promote economic stability.
Naija News reports that the forum emphasized the importance of a fair VAT sharing formula that takes into account the economic realities and developmental needs of all states.
3. FG Gives Update On Price Of Petrol
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, has clarified that fluctuations in the pump price of petrol will now be determined by crude oil prices in the international market, following the full deregulation of the downstream sector.
Lokpobiri made this statement during the inaugural meeting of the Petroleum Industry Stakeholders Forum (PISF) in Abuja on Thursday.
The minister emphasized that the Federal Government is no longer involved in setting petrol prices, as deregulation has placed the determination of prices entirely in the hands of market forces.
Naija News understands that the minister’s comments came amid concerns over a recent hike in petrol depot prices from ₦909 to ₦970 per litre, raising fears that pump prices at filling stations may soon exceed ₦1,000 per litre.
4. Wike vs Fubara: PDP National Leadership Backs Authentic Rivers Excos
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has disclosed that it is backing the Hon. Nname Robinson Ewor-led Rivers State Executive.
In a statement on Thursday, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said the opposition party has received and accepted the judgment of the Rivers State High Court which in Suit No. PHC/2301/CS/2024 nullified the Ward, Local Government and State Congresses of the PDP in Rivers State conducted on July 27, August 10 and August 31, 2024 respectively.
He stated that in line with the judgement of the Court delivered on Monday, January 13, 2025, the NWC affirms the Ewor-led Rivers State Executive to henceforth pilot the affairs of the PDP Rivers State Chapter in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017).
Naija News reports that Ewor’s emergence came after a Rivers State High Court nullified the tenure of Aaron Chukwuemeka and his executive committee.
Meanwhile, Ewor, a staunch loyalists of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, had dismissed any suggestions that former Governor Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, holds leadership influence within the state PDP.
5. Third Mainland Bridge Structurally Sound, Ignore Baseless Rumours – FG
The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Olukorede Kesha, has dismissed social media reports suggesting that the Third Mainland Bridge is shaking and unsafe, assuring the public that the bridge remains structurally sound.
During a media briefing and inspection of the bridge on Thursday, Kesha labelled the circulating rumours as false and malicious.
“The Honourable Minister has directed that I come out and tell Lagosians and Nigerians that there is nothing wrong with the bridge,” she said.
She condemned those spreading the false information, describing them as troublemakers seeking to stir unnecessary panic.
“The rumour is the handiwork of mischief columnists – those who are idle and those who think that the political atmosphere is too quiet for them,” she added.
Kesha reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the safety of the bridge, emphasising that its structural integrity remains intact.
She urged the public to disregard the baseless claims and continue using the bridge with confidence.
6. Six Nigerians Receive Award From President Biden Of America, Tinubu Reacts
The President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, has expressed delight with the international recognition accorded to six Nigerians for distinguishing themselves in their careers.
Naija News reports six Diaspora Nigerians were named by President Joe Biden among the 400 recipients of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) in the United States.
The prestigious recognition, established by former President Bill Clinton in 1996, is the highest honour bestowed by the United States government on outstanding scientists and engineers in the early stages of their careers.
The Nigerian honorees include Azeez Butali, Gilbert Lilly Endowed Professor of Diagnostic Sciences, College of Dentistry, University of Iowa; Ijeoma Opara, Associate Professor of Public Health (Social and Behavioral Sciences), Yale School of Public Health, Yale University; and Oluwatomi Akindele, Postdoctoral researcher at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
Others are Eno Ebong, Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering, and Biology at Northeastern University; Oluwasanmi Koyejo, Assistant Professor of Computer Science at Stanford University; and Abidemi Ajiboye, Executive Vice Chair of the Case School of Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University.
This year’s awardees, announced by President Joe Biden on January 14, 2025, are employed or funded by 14 participating United States government agencies.
Reacting to the achievement of the various Nigerians, President Tinubu, in a statement on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, congratulated the Nigerian scientists and engineers for making President Biden’s honours list.
President Tinubu in the statement, commended these trailblazing Nigerians for their remarkable achievements in science, technology and engineering.
The Nigerian leader noted that recognising these exceptional talents underscores Nigerians’ vast potential to excel both at home and on the global stage.
7. Recent Terror Attacks Caused By Foreign Fighters – DHQ
The Defence Headquarters has stated that foreign insurgents should be blamed for the influx in banditry in the North East and North West regions of Nigeria.
Naija News reports that there have been deadly attacks on military bases and civilian populations in the last few weeks.
Speaking on the escalating situation during the first military briefing of the year, the outgoing Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Buba Edward attributed the resurgence to fighters from the Sahelian region working in collaboration with local accomplices.
He, however, assured Nigerians of the military commitment to eradicating terrorism in the country.
He said the military, apart from destroying their will to fight, was also applying international pressure.
Emphasising the long-term nature of the counterterrorism efforts, Buba noted, “Wars are fought and won all over the world by destroying the enemies’ will to fight. And we are bent on achieving just that.
8. Release Nnamdi Kanu, Let Us See If Unknown Gunmen Killings Will Stop – Former DSS Director Tells Tinubu
A former Director of the Department of State Services, DSS, Mike Ejiofor, has urged President Bola Tinubu to unconditionally release the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu.
Naija News reports that Ejiofor, during an interview on Arise TV’s Morning Show on Thursday, called for the prioritization of security challenges in Nigeria.
The former DSS Director said Tinubu’s administration should consider a political solution to resolve the insecurity challenges across the Southeast.
According to him, President Tinubu should release Kanu and see if the insecurity in the region will stop because unknown gunmen killing innocent people in the Southeast claim to be fighting for the IPOB leader.
9. “We Intend To Get The North Back On Track, We Know We Would Hurt People” – Al-Mustapha Declares
Former Chief Security Officer to the late General Sani Abacha, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, has declared that it is time to save the North from decay and unite the region.
According to him, the process would hurt some persons and disturb segments of leadership but it is a necessary step for the healing of the North.
Naija News understands Al-Mustapha made the declaration in Kaduna State on the sidelines of an event in memory of the late Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sardauna Ahmadu Bello.
He stressed that getting the North back on track would not benefit the region alone, but also benefit Nigeria as a nation.
The former military officer lamented that the institutions in the North are weak, which has become responsible for the various ills bedelliving the region and its people.
10. Governors Reject Proposed VAT Increase
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has opposed the proposed increase in Value Added Tax (VAT) from 7.5% to 10%, describing the move as untimely.
The decision was made at a meeting held in Abuja on Thursday.
Speaking after the meeting, the governors emphasized that increasing VAT in the current economic climate would place an additional burden on Nigerians already grappling with rising living costs.
Naija News noted that despite rejecting the VAT hike, the governors expressed their support for the ongoing legislative process for the Tax Reform Bills.
They commended the efforts of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee in addressing systemic challenges within Nigeria’s tax system.
That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.
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