Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Monday, 1st March 2021
1. Jangebe Abduction: No Student Will Be Abducted In Nigeria Again – Buhari Promises
President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday assured Nigerians that the government has put together fresh security strategies that will ensure students are no longer kidnaped from their schools by bandits and other criminals.
The assurance was given by the Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika who led the federal government delegation on a sympathy visit to the Zamfara State government over the abduction of some female students from Government Girls Science Secondary School, Jangebe.
He however assured that the Jangebe episode will be the last of such happenings as the government has developed fresh security measures to end all forms of criminal activities in the country.
2. 2023: Sunday Igboho Threatens To Kill Any Yoruba Politician That Wants To Contest As President In Nigeria
Yoruba activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho has warned all Yoruba politicians against contesting the 2023 presidential election in Nigeria.
Igboho declared that instead of contesting the 2023 presidential election, Yoruba politicians, youths, and leaders should rather come together and demand the creation of Oduduwa Republic.
He made the declaration in an undated video in which he addressed a gathering which consisted of Yoruba leaders and youths.
He accused traditional rulers in Yoruba land of making themselves puppets in the hands of elected politicians because of the money they receive from the government.
3. Obasanjo Holds Closed-door Meeting With Yahaya Bello
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Sunday held a closed-door meeting with Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State in Abuja.
A statement issued late Sunday night by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mohammed Onogwu, said his principal and the former President met behind closed doors and had a “fruitful discussion” that centered on security.
The Chief Press Secretary quoted Obasanjo as urging Governor Bello to sustain his efforts in providing security in his state.
The former president and military head of state noted that Kogi is central to the nation’s peace and development.
4. Again, Aregbesola Denies Collecting Salary For 8 Years As Governor
The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has denied receiving 96-month salary arrears in secret when he served as the governor of Osun State.
Aregbesola had on numerous occasions claimed that he did not receive any salary throughout his two-term as governor due to his personal conviction on inclusive governance.
But Daily Post had in a report claimed that the former governor had directed the Ministry of Finance – before the end of his tenure – to pay his salaries for the whole eight years in office, amounting to several millions of Naira, which was paid to his personal account.
Reacting in a statement by his media aide, Sola Fasure, Aregbesola described the report as a fiction written by elements bent on casting “aspersion on the integrity of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola”.
5. JAMB Releases Important Update On 2020/21 Admission Exercise
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disclosed that all 2020/21 admission exercises into tertiary institutions of learning in Nigeria must be concluded by June 15, 2021.
The board made this known in a statement in Abuja on Sunday by its head of media and publicity, Dr. Fabian Benjamin.
According to the statement, the directive is binding on all private and public universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and other tertiary institutions in the country.
It however added that public universities would conclude admissions a month (May 15) before private universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
The JAMB spokesperson noted that the agreement was reached at a virtual meeting on Wednesday (February 24) between the board and heads of tertiary institutions in the country during which issues concerning the admissions process were discussed.
6. Corruption Responsible For Insecurity In Nigeria – Yahaya Bello
The Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has said that corruption is solely responsible for the security challenges facing the country.
Bello made this known on Saturday when he received a team of ex-Nigerian internationals, led by Augustine Eguavoen.
Other members of the team are Austin “Jay Jay” Okocha, Victor Agali, Taribo West, Ifeanyi Udeze, Victor Ikpeba, Tijani Babangida, and Garba Lawal.
The governor said corruption is the bane of security in the land and the new EFCC chairman’s vigour and youthfulness will help in the fight to curb it.
7. Join The North To Fight Insecurity Or Else… Fani-Kayode Warns Southerners
Former Aviation Minister in Nigeria, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode has warned residents of the Southern region of Nigeria against mocking the North over the insecurity currently ravaging the region.
Fani-Kayode in a statement on Twitter on Sunday, warned that those from other regions particularly the South who may be mocking the Northern region for their current travails in the hands of bandits and terrorists are ignorant and short-sighted.
This he explained is due to the fact that if the insecurity in the North is not overcome, it may spread to other regions that are enjoying peace at the moment.
He, therefore, called on everyone to join hands together and ensure peace reigns in every part of the country.
8. COVID-19 Vaccines To Arrive In Nigeria Tuesday – SGF
Nigeria will on Tuesday, March 2, receive the first tranche of COVID-19 vaccines, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha, has said.
Mustapha, who is also the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, made the disclosure on Saturday in Abuja while evaluating the country’s fight against the disease.
“They (vaccines) should depart India on March 1, 2021, in the night and arrive in Abuja on the 2nd of March, 2021, ” he said.
Nigeria is set to receive its first four million shipments of COVID-19 vaccines from COVAX, a global scheme set up to procure and distribute vaccines for free, as the world races to contain the coronavirus pandemic.
9. Gov Matawalle Breaks Silence On Rescue Of Abducted Jangebe Schoolgirls
Zamfara State Governor, Bello Mohammed, on Sunday vowed that his government will do everything within its power to rescue the schoolgirls of the Government Secondary School in Jangebe, Talata-Mafara Local Government Area of the state.
Naija News had earlier reported that bandits abducted 317 schoolgirls from the Government Girls Science Secondary School Jangebe, on Friday.
The Zamfara State Governor while reacting to the incident promised to return the schoolgirls to their families.
Matawalle stated this when he hosted the council of 17 Emirs who paid a sympathy visit to the governor in the early hours of Sunday.
He further stated that he will never stop the peace process his government has put in place for bandits, adding that its the best option for finding lasting peace in the state.
10. Some People Trying To Destroy My Relationship With Buhari – Oshiomhole
Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, has insisted that his relationship with President Muhammadu Buhari remains cordial.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the former Edo State Governor accused some individuals of efforts to misrepresent his views on certain issues.
He recalled how President Buhari worked tirelessly to persuade and campaign to influential leaders and members of the party to support his chairmanship candidature.