Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Monday, 1st February 2021
1. FG Faults TI Corruption Rating, Lists Buhari Govt’s Achievements
The Federal Government has dismissed Nigeria’s rating on the 2020 Corruption Perception Index (CPI) by Transparency International (TI), insisting that President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-graft war is well on track.
Naija News recalls that TI in its 2020 Corruption Perception Index (CPI) ranked Nigeria as the second most corrupt country in West Africa.
But in a statement to newsmen on Sunday, the Minister of Culture and Information, Lai Mohammed, said that the progress made against corruption in the past two years was not included in the assessment of the country.
2. I Didn’t Leave Weak Successors – Obasanjo
Former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, on Sunday during an interview with academic and historian, Toyin Falola, said he did not leave weak successors in office when he left Aso Rock in 2007.
Obasanjo stated this while reacting to the accusations that he installed former President, Umaru Yar’adua and Goodluck Jonathan as his vice after eight years in government.
The former President handed over power to Yar’adua, who happens to be former governor of Katsina State, who died in office as President.
Following Yar’adua’s death in 2010, his Vice, Jonathan was sworn in as president in accordance with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
3. Ban Movement Of Cattle And Herdsmen Across Nigeria And Conflict Will Stop – Ganduje
The Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje has recommended the ban of the movement of cattle and herdsmen from the Northern part of Nigeria to other regions as a way of curbing the frequent farmer-herdsmen crisis in the country.
Ganduje made the submission in Daura Katsina State while speaking with newsmen, noting that a law should be enacted to ban the movement as a way of ending the crisis.
The Governor noted that his administration is already building a Ruga settlement in Kano State located in a forest near Kano’s border with Katsina to prevent the movement of herdsmen with their cattle and prevent clashes with farmers when the cattle destroy the farmlands.
4. New Service Chiefs Storm Maiduguri
The newly appointed service chiefs have arrived in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital to meet with critical stakeholders to strategize on how to tackle Boko Haram insurgency in the theatre of war.
According to DailyTrust, the Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Leo Irabor led the delegation to arrive at the headquarters of Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole in Maiduguri on Sunday.
Others include the Chief of Defence Staff, Maj. General Leo Irabor; Chief of Army Staff, Maj. General Ibrahim Attahiru; Chief of Naval Staff, AVM Awwal Gambo and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Isiaka Amao.
A security source revealed that the service chiefs are expected to brainstorm on how to re-strategize approach that will ensure lasting peace in the region.
5. COVID-19: Sanwo-Olu Bans Gathering Of More Than 50 Persons In Lagos, Except…
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has instructed that any gathering that exceeds fifty persons must not hold in an enclosed space except for religious gatherings.
He added that such religious gatherings shall also not exceed 50% of the total capacity of the state.
Sanwo-Olu who gave the directive on Sunday, 31st January added that anyone found guilty of the directive stands the risk of a fine or six months imprisonment and or both.
The Governor noted that the directive is in line with the COVID-19 Health Protection Regulations 2021 executive order signed last week by President Muhammadu Buhari.
6. COVID-19: Don’t Emulate Buhari, APC – PDP Warns Nigerians
The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has alleged that President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) are not interested in the well being of Nigerians.
The PDP spoke against the background that President Buhari was seen in public disregarding COVID-19 protocols on social distancing and the use of facemasks during his visit to Daura in Katsina State on Saturday.
It will be recalled that Buhari was in Daura to re-validate his APC membership status.
However, citing pictures from the event, the PDP on Sunday accused the President of violating his own executive order on COVID-19 which stipulates a 6-month jail term for defaulters.
7. More Than 12 Nigerian Governors, 40% Of Lawmakers Are Gay – Uche Maduagwu
Popular Nollywood actor, Uche Maduagwu has made a shocking allegation in which he alleged that more than 12 Nigerian governors, and 40% of current lawmakers are gay.
Maduagwu made the allegation in a post on his Instagram account where he called on the new President of the United States, Joe Biden to sanction officials of the Nigerian government over its 2014 anti-homosexuality law.
The actor further stated that most of the Nigerian officials, celebrities, and known persons in society are living a hypocritical life when it comes to the gay issue.
8. Boko Haram: Details Of Service Chiefs’ Meeting With Gov Zulum Emerge
The newly appointed Service Chiefs by President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday travelled to Maiduguri, Borno State as their plan to end insurgency and terrorism in the region.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Leo Irabor, led the Chiefs of Army Major General Ibrahim Attahiru; Navy Rear Admiral Awwal Gambo; Air Force Air Vice-Marshal Isiaka Amao, met with the state Governor, Babagana Zulum at the Government House in Maiduguri, the Borno capital.
Zulum while speaking during their visit called on the Nigerian Armed Forces to work with neighbouring countries like Chad, Cameroon and Niger to end terrorism in the region.
9. COVID-19 Vaccine: Why Govt Is Yet To Submit Budget To NASS – FG
The Federal Ministry of Health has revealed why it is yet to submit a budget proposal to the National Assembly for the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines.
Recall that the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, had on December 22, 2020 told the Senate that the Federal Government would need about N400bn to vaccinate 70 per cent of Nigeria’s population.
The Senate leadership subsequently asked Ehanire to bring a budget while they promised to give it speedy consideration.
But speaking to The Punch on Sunday, the Minister of State for Health, Dr Olorunnimbe Mamora, said the delay in the submission of the budget was due to the ongoing calculations.
10. Disregard Obaseki’s Directive, Edo Schools Remain Shut – NUT
Edo State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has asked parents and guardians not to take their children and wards to school on Monday, February 1, 2021.
Naija News recalls that the Edo State government had last Thursday announced the resumption date for public primary schools in the state.
The government in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie disclosed that full activities will resume in the schools on Monday, 1st February.
The statement which noted that full COVID-19 protocols will be in place and enforced urged parents and the general public to note the dates.