Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Thursday, 13th May 2021
1. Southern Governors Deviating From The Main Issue With Ban On Open Grazing – Ndume Declares
Borno South Senator, Ali Ndume has disagreed with the position of Southern Governors who announced a ban on open grazing in the southern region of Nigeria.
Ndume who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Army in his reaction to the position of the governors said the ban on open grazing is not the solution to the challenges of insecurity facing the region and Nigeria as a whole.
It will be recalled that the Southern Governors Forum at the end of its meeting held in Delta State on Tuesday, 11th May, 2021, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently address the security situation in the country and speak directly to Nigerians.
The Governors while announcing a ban on open grazing in their region, also noted that the activities of armed herdsmen in the southern part of the country is a serious security challenge that needs urgent attention as innocent citizens are being killed and their properties destroyed.
But reacting, Senator Ndume while addressing journalists in Abuja on Wednesday disagreed with the position of the Governors, saying they should desist from blaming a particular ethnic group for the insecurity in their respective states.
He insisted that the issue of open grazing was only causing insecurity in the North-Central geopolitical zone and some parts of the South- West, noting that the governors are deviating from the main issue.
2. Eid-El-Fitr: IGP Orders Nationwide Deployment Of Police Officers
The Inspector-General of Police, Ag. IGP Usman Alkali Baba has ordered a nationwide deployment of Police officers and other operational assets of the Force for water-tight security during the Eid-el-Fitr celebration.
In a statement released on Wednesday by the Force spokesman, CP Frank Mba, said the IGP’s order was contained in a directive to Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs), Commissioners of Police (CPs), and other strategic commanders of the Force.
The police boss added that the decision is part of efforts by the Police leadership toward stabilizing security, improving public safety and making the country a safer place for all citizens.
The IGP who noted that the nation’s security ecosystem is challenged, assured however that these challenges are not insurmountable.
3. Government Knows Powerful Forces Behind Nigeria’s Insecurity – Emir
The Emir of Muri in Taraba State, Abbas Tafida has revealed that the federal government knows the powerful forces responsible for insecurity in Nigeria.
He however called for the willpower to take needed steps in confronting the activities of these forces.
The traditional ruler warned that if the government does not take the necessary steps, the citizens may be forced to resort to self-defence to protect themselves.
Tafida made the submission when he hosted a federal government delegation who were in the state to deliver a condolence visit to the Government and people of Taraba, over the demise of a former Minister of Women Affairs, Aisha Alhassan popularly called Mama Taraba.
4. $153 Million, 80 Houses Recovered From Diezani – Bawa
The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa, has noted that the commission has recovered $153 million from former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke.
The commission in the April edition of the EFCC magazine said it recovered no fewer than 80 choice property valued at $80m.
Bawa further stated that apprehending the minister is far from reality, given the fact that she is out of Nigeria’s jurisdiction.
Bawa while responding to a question on how he would deal with powerful government officials as the Chairman of the anti-graft agency, said he would be ready to leave the job if anyone tried to make him do what was illegal.
5. Troops Kill 9 Boko Haram Terrorists In Borno, Recover Weapons
Troops of the Nigerian Army on Tuesday inflicted heavy casualty on Boko Haram terrorists who attempted to attack Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
Naija News reports that the terrorists attempted to invade the town by advancing from Aldawari axis on the outskirts of Maiduguri but met stiff resistance from security operatives.
The security operatives comprising gallant troops, the Nigerian Police, Youth Vigilante, and hunters gave the terrorists a hot pursuit resulting in the killing of nine of them while others sustained gunshot injuries.
Confirming the attack in a statement on Wednesday, the Army spokesperson, Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima disclosed that apart from repelling the attack, troops also recovered many dangerous weapons from the insurgents.
6. Use Salary Of Politicians To Address Insecurity – Ndume Tells Buhari
Borno South Senator, Ali Ndume has advocated that President Muhammadu Buhari should slash the salary of political appointees and use the money to tackle insecurity in the country.
The Senator argued that it is only when there is security that other issues in the country can be attended to.
The Senator said sacrifices must be made to ensure the challenges of insecurity facing the nation are overcome and nothing is too much including salaries to give up in the fight to curb insecurity.
He argued that if the current administration can borrow to develop infrastructure, there is nothing stopping President Buhari from taking other drastic actions in confronting the challenges of insecurity facing the nation.
Ndume, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Army made the submission on Wednesday in Abuja during a parley with journalists.
7. Imo: Governor Uzodinma Dissolves State Cabinet, Sacks 20 Commissioners
Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma has approved the dissolution of the state executive council.
Naija News reports that the Governor however retained 8 out of 28 Commissioners including the Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba who made the announcement on Wednesday.
According to Emelumba while addressing journalists at the end of the state executive council meeting in Owerri, the state capital, the Governor’s decision is part of efforts to rejig the activities of the state government after one year in office.
The eight commissioners retained are those of Health, Information, Tourism, Women Affairs, Works, Finance, Youths, and the Ministry of Technology.
8. Eid-el-Fitr: Put Politics Aside And Pray For Buhari, Tinubu Urges Nigerians
National leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, has urged Nigerians to put politics aside and pray for President Muhammadu Buhari for strength and wisdom to protect the nation.
He made this call on Wednesday in his Eid-el-Fitr message titled, ‘Let righteous acts, efforts of Ramadan continue to guide our actions.
Tinubu, who joined Muslims in Nigeria and across the world to mark the completion of this year’s Ramadan fast, stressed that fasting is a sign of complete devotion to God.
He, therefore, urged Nigerians to remember the lessons of Ramadan.
9. FG To Raise Retirement Age Of Health Workers From 60 to 65
The Federal Government has proposed 65 as the retirement age for doctors, health workers and 70 for consultants in the country.
Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, spoke on Tuesday at a meeting between the presidential committee on salaries (PSC), relevant federal government stakeholders, health sector professional associations, and trade unions.
The meeting was called to discuss the issue of hazard allowance and retirement age for health sector workers in government establishments.
Ngige said the proposal had become necessary to improve the conditions of service of Nigerian health workers.
10. Nigerian Army Arrests Another Top IPOB Commander
The Nigerian Army has confirmed the arrest of another top commander of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The IPOB personnel, identified as Awurum Eze is the second in command to the late IPOB/ESN militant leader Ikonso Don.
He was arrested by security operatives in Aba, Abia State, Naija News understands according to a statement on Wednesday by the spokesman for the Nigerian Army, Mohammed Yerima.
He is understood to be the only one apart from the late Ikonso who has a direct line of communication with IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.