Good morning, Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Sunday, 29th September, 2024.
1. We Apologize For What Fubara Is Doing To You, Don’t Look At His Bad Behaviour – Ijaw Elders Apologize To Wike
A group of Ijaw leaders has apologized to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over what they described as the bad behaviour of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The group, identified as the Elders Forum of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said Wike has been good to the Ijaw people of Rivers State.
Speaking against the background of the political rift between Wike and Fubara, the Executive Director Of Finance, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Boma Iyaye, who spoke on behalf of the group, said Ijaw people are sorry for the behaviour of Governor Fubara.
He said nobody from the Ijaw people of Rivers State had ever risen to the position of Governor in the state until Wike made it possible through Fubara.
Iyaye said Wike has done well for them and they would continue to say thank you.
He said, “On behalf of our people, we are apologizing to you for what our son is doing to you. We are sorry. We are sorry o because it is not in our nature to pay evil for good. You have done well for us, and we will continue to say thank you.
“Your excellency, do not, because of this bad behaviour of our son, run away from us. Continue to be our brother. Continue to have us in mind.
“We have never set our feet on the number one seat of Rivers State. You made it possible for us to become the governor of Rivers State.”
2. Anybody Who Tells You Tinubu Suspended Fuel Subsidy Is Joking – Yakubu Dogara
Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara has said that President Bola Tinubu is not responsible for the fuel subsidy removal.
According to him, Tinubu simply made the announcement.
Dogara said there was no provision for fuel subsidy in the budget before Tinubu made the announcement.
He stated this on Friday during an appearance on Channels TV.
The former speaker opined that fuel subsidy removal was a good move for Nigeria despite the effect.
He said, “In this case, there was no provision for it, and anybody who told you Tinubu suspended it was just joking because how did he suspend payment that was not budgeted for in the first instance?
“There was no provision for subsidy in that budget and I am not aware of any amendment that took place to accommodate the payment of subsidy.
“The truth is that he (Tinubu) was not the one who removed the subsidy. But he did make that pronouncement.
“There was no provision for it in the budget and you know the budget is backed by the Constitution. If there’s no provision for it in the budget, then how do you pay for it?”
3. Tinubu Makes Nine Fresh Appointments [Full List]
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has forwarded the names of members of the inaugural Governing Board of the North West Development Commission (NWDC) to the Senate for confirmation.
This was disclosed in a statement on Saturday signed by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Naija News reports.
Recall that President Tinubu signed the North West Development Commission Bill into law on 24 July, marking a crucial milestone in the Commission’s establishment.
“The nominated board members are expected to contribute their wealth of experience and expertise to the Commission’s mandate of developing the North-West region.
“The NWDC will focus on catalysing significant growth, economic empowerment, and social development of the region.
“President Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to supporting the NWDC in its mission to bring sustainable development to the North West is steadfast,” the statement read.
4. If You Don’t Recognise That I Am Bigger Than You Then You Are Sick – Wike To PDP Governors
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has once again challenged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors.
Wike said the governors must be sick if they do not realise that he is bigger than all of them put together.
He stated this on Saturday while receiving Adamawa State Governor, Umaru Fintiri, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, and other members of the G5.
He stated that no one should try to make threats, adding that they would soon know who is relevant.
Addressing the crowd at the event, Wike said, “Don’t ever think they are fighting me; they are not fighting me. I’m too big.
“If you don’t recognize someone who is bigger than you, then you are sick. I’m far far (bigger than) all of them put together.
“Let nobody threaten anybody; all those threats are empty. Soon we will know who is relevant.
“I said nobody will take over the structure of the party. You can have all the money; if it didn’t dey, it didn’t dey.”
5. EFCC List 15 Charges Against Ex-Gov Of Taraba, Darius Ishaku
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has outlined at least fifteen charges against the former Governor of Taraba State, Darius Ishaku.
Naija News reports that the anti-graft agency whisked away the former state leader from his residence in Abuja during the early hours of Friday, September 27.
Ishaku was apprehended for involvement in an ₦27 billion fraud.
The former governor is set to stand trial on 15 charges, ranging from criminal breach of trust to misappropriation and embezzlement of public money.
These alleged crimes took place from 2015 to 2021 while Ishaku was in office, involving the state’s and local government’s funds.
In particular, Ishaku is accused of siphoning off ₦1.01 billion from the 2.5% reserve fund of the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Taraba State, between August 2015 and March 2016.
He is also said to have misused ₦3.348 billion from the funds of local government councils for his own benefit and took ₦639 million for personal use.
6. Wike Knocks Fubara Again, Says Nobody Has Monopoly Of Causing Violence
The Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has slammed the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, stating that “nobody has the monopoly of causing violence.”
Naija News reports that Wike made this declaration during a speech in Port Harcourt on Saturday at the Rivers State Ijaw Peoples Congress, which was held in his honour.
Wike also took the chance to address the common belief that Fubara was representing the views of the entire Ijaw community as they compete for dominance.
7. ‘There Is A Plan’ – Sanwo-Olu Reveals Ahead Of Independence Day Celebration
The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has stated that though things might not be as expected currently in the country, there is a promising plan to maintain economic health and improve the quality of life for its residents.
Naija News reports that Sanwo-Olu made this declaration during a special gathering for the 64th National Independence Day, which took place on Friday at the Lagos State Secretariat Community Central Mosque in Alausa, Ikeja.
Nigeria is set to mark its 64th Independence Day on Tuesday, October 1, 2024. This celebration is occurring against the backdrop of severe economic difficulties and the emergence of protests by some groups expressing dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs.
However, Sanwo-Olu, on Friday, encouraged the Nigerian people to remain optimistic about the nation’s future.
The Governor of Lagos State, who was accompanied by Deputy Governor Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat during the Jumaat prayer, emphasized that the Nigerian people must not succumb to despair.
He assured that the government is implementing plans and taking actions to help the country navigate through its current challenges.
8. ‘Lagos Will Stand With You’ – Details Of Edo Gov-Elect Visit To Governor Sanwo-Olu
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Saturday assured Edo State Governor-elect, Senator Monday Okpebholo, of his support, saying he will not walk alone when he assumes office as Edo State Governor.
Governor Sanwo-Olu spoke when he received Senator Okpebholo, who paid him a ‘Thank You Visit’ at Lagos House, Marina, after his victory in the last Saturday’s governorship election in Edo State.
Naija News reports that this was made known in a statement by Sanwo-Olu’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile.
Sanwo-Olu assured Senator Okpebholo that Lagos State will support him with her developmental template and necessary ideas that will make him succeed as Governor of Edo State.
9. Ganduje Returns To Kano, Pays Condolence Visit
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, was welcomed by a crowd on Saturday as he stormed Kano State.
Naija News reports that over a hundred people from the Bichi local government area of the state gathered to receive the former Governor today when he arrived Bichi to offer his condolences and support to the victims and their families after a group of police officers, who had participated in the Edo State governorship election last week, were involved in a fatal accident on their return to the state.
Recall that five officers of the Nigeria Police Force reportedly died on Tuesday following a tragic road accident that occurred on the Zaria-Kano Road.
It was gathered that the security personnel were part of police officers deployed to Edo State during last Saturday’s governorship election in the state.
10. Chelsea’s Cole Palmer Makes EPL History, Arsenal Win Big, See Other Results
Chelsea and England international, Cole Palmer became the first player to score four goals in the first half of a Premier League game as he led his side to an emphatic victory.
Brighton started the game brighter than their hosts, Chelsea, at Stamford Bridge as they got the match opener via Georginio Rutter’s header in the 7th minute after goalkeeper Robert Sánchez’s misplaced pass.
Cole Palmer, who was relatively quiet in the first 15 minutes of the encounter, turned things around for Chelsea in the 21st minute as he slotted in the equalizer for the hosts. The goal was the Englishman’s first at Stamford Bridge this season.
Afterwards, Jadon Sancho was knocked down in the penalty box winning a spot-kick for the host side which Cole Palmer scored in the 28th minute to make it 2-1 for Chelsea.
In the 31st minute, Cole Palmer scored a fantastic free-kick to make it 3-1 as Brighton failed to coordinate their backline.
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