Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Monday, 18th January 2021
1. 2021 Budget: SERAP Wants NASS To Stop Buhari From Selling National Assets
The Social-Economic Rights And Accountability Project (SERAP) has moved to block the federal government led by President Muhammadu Buhari from selling public properties to fund the 2021 national budget.
The group in a letter addressed to the leadership of the National Assembly said rather than sell public assets, the salaries and allowances of lawmakers and other government officials should be slashed.
SERAP in its letter on Saturday addressed to Senate President Ahmad Lawan and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila said the government should look for other means to finance the budget as selling public properties to fund the 2021 budget will be counterproductive.
2. The North Has The Highest Number Of Poor People In Nigeria – Yakasai
Elder statesman, Tanko Yakasai, during a recent interview said other regions in Nigeria are known for blaming northerners for their problem when the North has the highest number of poor people in the country.
He further stated that the region has produced more leaders than other regions but has a lot of issues it’s fighting.
Yakasai while speaking on Thursday at an online conference, themed, ‘The 2nd Never Again Conference: 51 years after the Nigerian-Biafran civil war’, hosted by Nzuko Umunna, an Igbo Think Tank, in partnership with Ovation International and Njenje Media, said the fractional tendencies in the country must be addressed.
3. Foreign Diplomats Must Obtain NIN – FG
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami, has said it is mandatory for foreign diplomats to obtain the National Identity Numbers (NIN).
Naija News reports that Pantami made this known in a statement on Sunday by his Technical Assistant, Dr Femi Adeluyi.
Pantami stated that an enrolment centre has been established for diplomats at the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
4. NDDC: Akpabio Speaks On Offering Malami $5m Bribe
The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has denied offering the sum of $5 million in bribes to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN).
An online publication (not Naija News) in its social media handle had claimed Akpabio offered Malami $5 million bribe to facilitate the appointment of Effiong Akwa as the Sole Administrator for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
The Attorney General has however denied receiving any bribe to facilitate the appointment of the new NDDC boss.
5. Presidency Confirms Appointment Of Buba Marwa As NDLEA Chairman
The appointment of former Lagos State military administrator, Brig-Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (retd) as the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has been confirmed by the presidency.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity), Garba Shehu confirmed Marwa’s appointment in a text message in response to the inquiry by Nigerian Tribune.
“It’s true. The President has approved General Marwa as the new NDLEA Chairman,” the text message read.
6. Any COVID-19 Patient That Enters Iwo Will Be Healed – Oluwo
The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, says anybody with the COVID-19 virus that enters the Iwo community will be automatically healed.
The controversial monarch made this known speaking in a ceremony to mark his fifth anniversary on the throne on Saturday.
Oba Akanbi also prayed the COVID-19 pandemic should come to an end, urging Nigerians to adhere to all safety protocols by National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
7. Biden To Lift US Travelling Ban On Nigeria, Others
The United States President-elect, Joe Biden, has vowed to reserve executive orders ratified by President Donald Trump when he takes over on January 20, 2021.
Recall that during the early days of his administration Trump had placed travel bans on Chad, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen – most of which are majority Muslim.
Trump, in 2020, also included Nigeria, Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, Sudan and Tanzania to the list.
In a statement on Saturday by the incoming White House chief of staff, Ron Klain, stated that the Biden administration will roll back enforcement of a variety of executive orders.
8. COVID-19: NYSC Releases Conditions Corps Members Must Meet Before Accessing Camp
The National Youth Service Corps Scheme (NYSC) has released conditions that 2020 Batch “B” Stream II prospective corps members must meet before they are admitted into Orientation Camp.
Naija News reports that the NYSC listed the conditions in its “Safety protocols” issued ahead of the commencement of the 2020 Batch “B” Stream II Orientation Course on Tuesday, January 19, 2021.
The NYSC directed prospective corps members to submit a clearance certificate showing a negative COVID-19 test.
9. Reps Reject Students Return To Schools, Asks FG To Cancel Resumption
The House of Representatives has rejected the approval given by the Federal Government for all schools to resume on Monday, January 18, despite rising cases of COVID-19.
Naija News reports that after reportedly reaching a consensus with Governors, Commissioners, and other stakeholders, the Federal Government had okayed the resumption of schools on January 18, 2021.
Speaking to The Punch on Saturday, Chairman, House Committee on Basic Education and Services, Prof Julius Ihonvbere, accused the government of not consult the relevant committees of the National Assembly, contrary to their claim that all relevant stakeholders were consulted.
10. FG To Establish Six New Modern Prisons
The Federal Government is set to construct six new modern correctional facilities in the six geo-political zones in the country.
The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, made this known in Janguza, Kano while inspecting the ongoing model maximum-security correctional facility project cited in the town.
Aregbesola said the facility was built for inmates awaiting trial, adding that it is part of projects initiated by the federal government to reform the correctional service.