Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Saturday, 30th January 2021.
1. Buhari Asks Senate To Confirm New Service Chiefs
President Muhammadu Buhari has written to the Nigerian Senate to confirm the appointment of the newly appointed Service Chiefs.
Naija News reports that this was made known in a statement on Friday by Babajide Omoworare, special adviser to the president on National Assembly Matters.
He revealed that Buhari asked the senate to confirm the appointment of the security nominees in a letter dated January 27.
2. COVID-19: FG Reveals When It Will Impose Another Nationwide Lockdown [VIDEO]
The Federal Government on Thursday has said it is trying hard to prevent another lockdown as coronavirus (COVID-19) cases increase in the country.
This was made known by the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire when appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today, on Thursday.
According to Ehanire, the federal government would only impose a lockdown on the country as a last resort to curb the spread of the virus.
3. COVID-19: Why FG May Lockdown Lagos, Abuja, Plateau
The Federal Government is mulling imposing targetted lockdown in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Lagos and Plateau State over the rising cases of COVID-19 in the three urban areas.
Naija News reports that this was made known on Friday by the PTF National Incident Manager, Mukhtar Muhammed.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme, Muhammed expressed concerns over the rising cases of the virus in the three states.
4. Presidency Cries Out On Alleged Plans To ‘Spoil’ Buhari’s Name Through Media Campaigns
The presidency on Friday alleged that some people have perfected plans to launch smear campaigns against the person and administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The presidency in a statement signed by the president’s special adviser on media and publicity, Femi Adesina said some media outlets have been paid off to promote the smear campaign.
He added that the plan is to cause tension in Nigeria by portraying the president as someone who promotes ethnicity and nepotism.
5. Buhari Keeps Mum On Escape Of Chibok Girls From Boko Haram Captivity
President Muhammadu Buhari is yet to react to the escape of some Chibok girls from the captivity of Boko Haram.
Over 219 secondary school girls were abducted from their secondary school in 2014 while preparing for their senior secondary school examination.
Following negotiations with the abductors, the federal government under the leadership of former President Goodluck Jonathan secured the release of 103 girls.
As of the time of filing this report, President Buhari or his spokesmen are yet to issue a statement on the escape of the schoolgirls.
6. Gambo Resumes As Chief Of Naval Staff, Ignores N/Assembly Confirmation
Rear Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo has taken over as the new Chief of Naval Staff, shunning the confirmation of his appointment by the National Assembly.
Gambo, who was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday, replaces Vice Admiral Ibot Ekwe-Ibas as the new CNS.
During the handing over ceremony in Abuja on Friday, Ibot charged Gambo to sustain pressure on oil thieves and secure the nation’s maritime sector.
7. Dutch Court Orders Shell To Pay Nigerian Farmers Over Oil Spills
A Court of Appeal in Holland on Friday ordered oil giant Shell to pay compensation in a case brought by four Nigerian farmers who alleged widespread pollution on their land.
“Shell Nigeria is sentenced to compensate farmers for damages,” the court said, adding that parent company Royal Dutch Shell was also liable to install equipment to prevent future damage.
The farmers first sued Shell in 2008 over pollution in their villages Goi, Ikot Ada Udo and Oruma, in southeastern Nigeria.
8. Herdsmen: Igangan Rejects Return Of Seriki Fulani, Vow To Die Than ‘Accept Evil’
Residents of Igangan in the Ibarapa North-West Local Council Development Area of Oyo State have warned the now-ejected Seriki Fulani, Abdulkadri Saliu, never to return to the community.
Recall that the Seriki Fulani was chased out by Yoruba activist Sunday Adeyemo, popularly called Sunday Igboho.
Saliu who stated that he would consider moving back to Igangan, disclosed that he now resides in Ilorin, Kwara State with his family.
9. #SilhouetteChallenge: Pastor Adeboye Kicks, Warns Nigerian Youths
The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has warned against viewing nude pictures and video online.
Naija News reports that the popular clergyman may be reacting to the trending #SilhouetteChallenge on social media, where ladies typically dressed while dancing to Paul Anka’s song, ‘Put Your Head On My Shoulder’ released in 1987, strip when Doja Cats’ song, ‘Streets’ which was released in 2019 comes on.
The women dance under red lights allowing viewers to only see the silhouettes of their naked bodies.
10. NBC Warns TV, Radio Stations Against Reporting On Herdsmen Quit Notice
The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has warned television and radio stations against broadcasting the Fulani herdsmen quit notice.
Recall that Yoruba activist, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, had asked herdsmen to leave Ibarapa community in Oyo State.
Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State had also asked herdsmen to vacate all state forest reserves and register with the government.
In a warning letter titled, ‘Broadcast of Crisis Involving Herdsmen, Caution’, dated January 26, 2021, the NBC stated that there was a need for stations to maintain professionalism.