Good morning Nigeria, welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Friday, 3rd November 2023.
1. Senate Approves Tinubu’s N2.17trn Supplementary Budget Request
The Nigerian Senate on Thursday approved the N2.17 trn 2023 Supplementary Budget request presented to it by President Bola Tinubu.
The lawmakers gave approval after the Appropriation Bill passed a third reading during plenary.
Approval was given to the budget following the presentation of the Appropriations Committee’s report by Senator Adeola Olamilekan during plenary on Thursday.
Senator Adeola gave the breakdown of the approval as follows: N18billion is for statutory transfers only, N1.33trilion for recurrent non-debt expenditure, while N1.125trillion only is for contribution to development fund for capital expenditures for the year ending December 31, 2023.
2. CBN Speaks On Scarcity Of Naira Notes
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has explained why there are reports of the scarcity of naira notes in some parts of the country.
Naija News reports that some northern states, including Borno State, are experiencing a scarcity of Naira notes weeks before the December 31st deadline for the validity of the old naira notes.
But in a statement on Thursday, the CBN’s Director of Corporate Communications, Isa AbdulMumin, said the apex bank has sufficient stock of the currency notes.
3. ‘I Want People To Be Very Careful’ – Uzodinma Breaks Silence On Brutalization Of NLC President, Joe Ajaero
Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, has claimed the accusation of brutalizing the President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, is currently an attempt by some individuals and groups to blackmail his government ahead of the November 11 governorship poll in the state.
Naija News reports that Uzodinma made the remarks on Thursday at the Presidential Villa after President Bola Tinubu presented flags to the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidates for Imo, Bayelsa, and Kogi ahead of the forthcoming elections.
Recall that Ajaero had alleged that security operatives tortured him after some miscreants hijacked the protest in Owerri over unpaid salaries.
Reacting to the development, Uzodinma insisted that the state workers are not owed any outstanding salaries and challenged Imo State civil servants to speak over the claim of unpaid salary.
The Governor argued that Ajaero had faced challenges in separating his roles as the national president of the Labour Union from an interested party in the local politics.
4. Tinubu Speaks On Conduct Of Imo, Bayelsa, Kogi Governorship Elections
President Bola Tinubu has called for the conduct of free, fair and peaceful governorship elections in Bayelsa, Kogi and Imo States.
The President made this known on Thursday while presenting flags to governorship candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the State House in Abuja.
Ahead of the November 11 governorship elections in the three states, President Timubu called on politicians and other stakeholders to ensure peaceful and credible polls.
The President presented flags to Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, who is seeking a second term; former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, who wants to return as Bayelsa governor, and Usman Ododo, who is seeking to become the Kogi governor.
5. Tinubu Speaks On Request For Presidential Yacht Worth N5 Billion
The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has debunked reports making the rounds online over plans to purchase a presidential yacht worth N5 billion.
Naija News earlier reported that the federal government is planning to spend N5 billion to purchase a presidential yacht in the 2023 Supplementary Budget.
It was learned that the proposed sum is under the capital expenditure of the Nigerian Navy’s budget.
According to the breakdown, the Navy will require N62.8 billion for its operations, with recurrent expenditure and capital expenditure gulping N20.4 billion and N42.3 billion, respectively.
However, in a statement on Thursday, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temiope Ajayi, clarified that Tinubu didn’t request any yacht and did not need one to perform his function considering the current state of the economy.
According to him, the request for a yacht was framed in the Navy’s budget, and it is assumed that they have an operational reason for it.
6. NLC President, Joe Ajaero To Be Flown Abroad For Treatment
The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero is set to be flown abroad for treatment following injuries sustained when he was beaten up in Imo State on Wednesday.
The update was given on Thursday by the NLC publicity secretary, Benson Upah.
According to him as quoted by The Nation, the injuries sustained by Ajaero during the beatings in Imo State on Wednesday could not be treated at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owerri because of the nature of the injuries.
Recall that Ajaero has been hospitalized in Imo State after he was brutally beaten, with his right eye completely shut at the time of making contact.
Upah who made this known on Wednesday stated that the NLC President was beaten up, blindfolded and taken to an unknown destination where he was brutalized.
An update on the attack of Ajaero from the NLC media unit indicated that he has been placed on a neck collar and referred for an ophthalmic investigation and brain scan.
These developments come after Ajaero sustained injuries from an attack by suspected hired thugs during a rally protest in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
7. House Of Reps Cancels N5 Billion Budget Presidential Yacht, Increases Student Loan Expenditure
The House of Representatives has said the expenditure for the presidential yacht in the 2023 supplementary budget has been transferred to student loan expenditure.
The Chairman, House Committee on Appropriations, Hon. Abubakar Bichi, made this known on Thursday while briefing journalists after the passage of the 2023 Appropriation Bill.
He said there is no budget for the presidential yacht anymore because the money has been added to the budget of the student loan which has increased from N5 billion to N10 billion.
He said: “As far as we are concerned we don’t have that presidential yacht anymore. We have increased the student loan.
“If you recall, the student loan was N5 billion in the budget but we have increased it to N10 billion.”
8. ‘Tinubu, Shettima, Are Using Inherited Vehicles’ – Spokesman Defends N6 Billion Allocation For Luxury Vehicles
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, has clarified the N6.9 billion allocation for luxury vehicles captured in the Supplementary Budget.
Naija News reports that President Bola Tinubu had proposed to spend N6.9 billion on the procurement of vehicles for the State House, with the Office of the First Lady getting N1.5 billion for new cars.
It would be recalled that the President sent the N2.17 trillion Supplementary Budget to the National Assembly for approval.
The development generated outrage, with many Nigerians expressing displeasure at Tinubu’s decision.
In a statement on Thursday, Temitope noted that the N6.9 billion covers the acquisition of vehicles for the President, his vice, Kashim Shettima and political aides at the State House in need of operational vehicles.
He asserted that no political appointee has benefited from the public treasury or received any salary since President Tinubu assumed office.
9. Presidency Confirms Plan To Purchase N5 Billion Yacht In Supplementary Budget, Claims It’s For Navy
The presidency has confirmed the plan to purchase a yacht worth N5 billion in the supplementary budget forwarded to the 10th Senate.
Naija News earlier reported that the federal government is planning to spend N5 billion to purchase a presidential yacht in the 2023 Supplementary Budget.
The Presidency, however, in a statement released by the Special Adviser to the President on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga said the yacht listed in the supplementary budget is for the Nigerian Navy and not for President Bola Tinubu.
He said, in a statement released on Thursday, “What was named as Presidential Yacht in the budget is an Operational Naval boat with specialized security gadgets suitable for high profile operational inspection and not for the use of the President.”
10. “I Am Not A Saint, And I Am Not A Criminal” – Peter Obi
The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi has said he is neither a saint nor a criminal.
The former Anambra State Governor added that he did his best and served meritoriously when he was Governor and also in the private sector.
He stated that there is nothing wrong with Nigeria as the country is blessed in terms of land, water and other resources but the only thing lacking is good leadership.
In his words, Nigeria has no reason to be poor if there is good leadership.
Obi made the submissions on Thursday when he spoke as the special guest of honour at the Edo Policy Roundtable, in association with Mudiame University, Irrua in Edo Central Senatorial District, which took place at the Bishop Kelly Pastoral Centre, Airport Road, Benin, Edo State.
That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.
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