Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Monday, 12th April 2021
1. South East Governors Launch Regional Security Outfit
South-East Governors on Sunday established a regional security outfit to tackle security issues in the region.
The governors at the meeting which was held in Owerri, Imo State capital announced the establishment of EBUBE AGU, which will have its headquarters in Enugu State.
The Chairman of the Southeast Governors Forum, Dave Umahi, who read a statement released at the end of the South-East Governors meeting expressed optimism that the development will boost security.
2. Why June 12 Election Was Annulled – Obasanjo
Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, on Sunday disclosed that the annulment of the June 12, 1993 Presidential election, won by Moshood Kashimawo Abiola, was carried out by “bad belle”.
Recall that the regime of military President, Ibrahim Babangida (IBB) annulled the election.
Obasanjo while speaking after his investiture as a Trustee of the Abeokuta Club, a sociocultural organisation of Egba people of Ogun State, condemned the annulment of the election and the effect on Abeokuta.
The group on Sunday awarded Abiola with a posthumous Vice-Patron of the Club during its 46th President Party held at the secretariat in Abeokuta.
Obasanjo who disclosed Abiola was his school mate at Baptist Boys High School, Abeokuta, noted that he deserved the award bestowed on him by Abeokuta Club.
The former President added that the cancellation of June 12 election robbed the Egbaland the rare opportunity to have three of its prominent sons, occupy the seat of president, at different times.
3. NIN: JAMB Resumes Registration For 2021 UTME
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced the commencement of registration of candidates for the 2021 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry.
Naija News reports that JAMB had halted its registration exercise over technical challenges of the National Identification Number (NIN).
But in a statement on Saturday by its spokesperson, Dr Fabian Benjamin, the examination body announced it has restarted the process.
Benjamin said registration for the 2021 UTME had now commenced in full swing as all the issues had been resolved.
4. Ramadan: Sultan Of Sokoto Tells Muslims To Look Out For The Moon
Muslims have been urged by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III to look out for the crescent (moon) of Ramadan 1442AH from Monday.
The statement by the Chairman, Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council, Sokoto, Professor Sambo Junaidu urged anyone who sights the moon to report such to the nearest District or Village Head for onward communication to the Sultan.
The statement also released phone numbers that can be used to report the sighting of the moon.
The sighting of the moon will signal the commencement of the 2021 Ramadan fast.
5. Nigeria Didn’t Become Failed State Under Jonathan — Lawan
The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, on Saturday, said the security issues affecting Nigerian cannot make it a failed state.
Lawan stated this while launching the 2021 empowerment programme to 2000 beneficiaries of Katsina central senatorial district.
Recall that Financial Times in December 2020, said Nigeria was on the brink of becoming a failed state.
The international business newspaper made reference to insecurity, stalled economic growth and weak institutions as some of the country’s biggest challenges.
Governors elected under the Peoples Democratic Party on Friday, also stated that the nation is becoming a failed state if the security issue is not attending to.
Lawan, however, said those projecting Nigeria as a failed state “are missing the point”.
The Senate President said if the country did not become a failed state during the era of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, then it was impossible for it to fail now.
6. 2023: North Central Crucial To PDP’s Success – Saraki
Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, on Saturday called on leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party in the North Central to work towards the success of the party as the 2023 national elections is dependent on the region.
The former Governor of Kwara State stated this while speaking with delegates during the Zonal Congress of the Party in Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi.
Saraki further stated that the previous elections won by the party in national level has been determined by the zone.
7. Convicted Genesis Prophet Released From Prison, Returns To Church
The leader of the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC), Genesis Global Parish, Prophet Israel Ogundipe, has been released from prison.
The cleric who was sentenced to one-year imprisonment for converting a woman’s property to his personal use and stealing joined members of his church for Sunday service.
Prophet Ogundipe in a video posted on Instagram by the church was seen leading praise and worship.
Earlier, Ogundipe had approached the court through his counsel, Babatunde K. Ogala, for bail pending appeal and an application to quash the conviction.
Ogala noted that his client is diabetic, and could no longer follow a strict diet.
He also argued that the constant specialized medical attention in custody, which had taken a toll on his health made him “gaunt in appearance.”
8. Attahiru Cancels Buratai’s Directive, Gives Army New Dress Code
The Chief of Army Staff, Ibrahim Attahiru, has issued a fresh directive prescribing a new dress code for officers and men of the Nigerian Army.
Naija News gathered that this was contained in a signal to all Army units and formations across Nigeria.
According to military sources, the new directive is part of the restructuring being undertaken by the new army leadership.
Premium Times reports that from next week all officers and soldiers are expected to dress in their plain green jacket on Mondays and Fridays – popularly known as “number four dress” in the army.
Sources clarified that the mode of dressing contained in Attahiru’s directive was what obtained before the coming of the immediate past Army Chief, Tukur Buratai.
“Buratai gave a new directive while he was in power that number four uniform be used only for seminars and number five for office,” the source said.
9. Imo Attack: Amachree’s Comments His Personal Opinion – DSS
The Department of State Services (DSS) has said comments by a former Assistant Director of the Service, Dennis Amachree, on attacks on the Police Command and Correctional Centre in Imo State, were his personal opinion.
Amachree had on Channels’ Sunrise Daily programme on Thursday said the DSS had provided the police and the Imo State governor, Hope Uzodinma, with “enough actionable intelligence” about the attacks a week earlier, but they did nothing about it.
Reacting, the Public Relations Officer, DSS National Headquarters, Dr. Peter Afunanya, said the secret police will, in collaboration with other security and law enforcement agencies, continue to take necessary steps to ensure the safety of lives and property of the citizenry.
10. EFCC: Why We Are Making Use Of Hotel Seized From Dasuki
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has confirmed using the Halal Fountain Hotel located at No. 29A, Rabah Road, Kaduna, which was reportedly seized from the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.
Daily Trust had reported that the commission was using the property which was under investigation in connection with the $2.1bn arms scandal.
The Head of the anti-graft agency in Kaduna, Sanusi Abdullahi, who confirmed the usage, said the facility is presently being used by staff of the agency who have been transferred to the state.
He further stated that he has slept in the facility also when he was newly transferred to Kaduna.
He added that the commission has done a lot of maintenance work to ensure the hotel did not fall apart.