Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Thursday, 18th March 2021
1. Expect Full Petrol Deregulation Of Petrol price – FG Tells Nigerians
The Federal Government has asked Nigerians to expect the full deregulation of petrol price before the end of the year.
Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, made this known during the opening of the 56th Annual International Conference and Exhibition of the Nigeria Mining and Geoscience Society (NMGS) at the University of Ibadan on Tuesday.
Sylva said that the Buhari-led administration wants to give Nigerians a credible and cheaper fuel as an alternative before the full deregulation.
2. Court Dismiss Imo Govt Appeal To Seize Okorocha’s Properties
A three-man panel of the Court of Appeal, Wednesday, dismissed the appeal filed by the Imo State Government challenging the ruling of an Owerri Federal High Court, which granted Senator Rochas Okorocha the leave to amend processes filed before the Court.
During the hearing on Tuesday, the presiding judge, Justice Dattijo Yahaya, dismissed the appeal, following a notice of discontinuance dated and filed on March 16 by the Attorney General of Imo State, Cyprian Akaolisa, on behalf of the government and 41 others.
Counsel to the former Imo governor, Oba Maduabuchi, opposed the withdrawal of the appeal on the ground that the appellants want to deceive the Court by pretending to discontinue the appeal and go back to Imo State and complete what they intend to do before returning to the Court.
3. N900m Fraud: Former JAMB Registrar Ojerinde Arrested
Operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arrested the former Registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Dibu Ojerinde.
Naija News reports that the former JAMB CEO was arrested on Monday, March 15, 2021, in Abuja, has been detained at the headquarters of the commission in Abuja.
He was arrested for allegedly misappropriating N900 million and committing multiple frauds during his time as the head of JAMB and the National Examination Council (NECO).
Ojerinde is been interrogated for allegations of multiple identities, abuse of office, money laundering, tax evasion, and making false statements to public officials.
The former JAMB boss is also being questioned by the ICPC for allegedly awarding fraudulent contracts to shell companies that cannot be traced.
4. FG Reacts To Allegation Of Missing N2.5bn Military Pension Fund
The Military Pensions Board has said that no money was missing from the military pension fund, describing the report of a missing N2.5 billion as outrageous and spurious.
In a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, Public Relations Officer of the Board, Flt.-Lt. Olayinka Lawal also denied the allegation that the missing funds were looted by members of the board and some top military chiefs.
Olayinka said the report is a deliberate falsehood being peddled by some online and social media news outlets to tarnish the good image of the board.
Lawal urged pensioners and all Nigerians to disregard, the report, assuring the public that the military pensions administration was in safe hands.
He also assured the retirees that the board would remain devoted to sustaining the prompt payment of all entitlements of military retirees or their next-of-kins in a transparent and accountable manner.
5. Bandits Have International Sponsors – NSCDC Boss
The Commandant General of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ahmed Audi, says the reason bandits and terrorists are more daring is because of international support.
Speaking during a training workshop for state NSCDC commandants in Abuja on Wednesday, Audi alleged that the bandits terrorizing the North West and other regions of the county have international sponsors.
He noted that the only way to stop the incessant attacks on schools in the North and to tackle banditry in the country is synergy and collaboration between security agencies.
Audi warned against supremacy and rivalry among security agencies, urging all stakeholders to work towards winning the war against bandits.
6. Gunmen Attack Emir of Birnin-Gwari, Zubairu Maigwari II
There are reports that suspected gunmen on Wednesday attacked the car of the Emir of Birnin-Gwari while on his way to Kaduna.
However, the Emir or security operatives are yet to release a statement concerning the incident.
There are some photos of his car riddled by bullets of the unknown gunmen.
7. 118 Nigerians Stranded In Libya Evacuated To Abuja By NIDCOM
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has confirmed the return to Abuja of 118 Nigerians who were stranded in Libya.
The returnees, comprising 51 Males, 41 Females, 17 Children, and 9 Infants arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja at about 1:30am local time today, Wednesday 17th March 2021 via Buraq Air.
The returnees will be quarantined at the Federal Capital Territory Hajj camp for 14 days in line with the new COVID-19 protocols by the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19.
8. Christians, Muslims Clash In Kwara Over Hijab Controversy
Violence erupted on Wednesday in Ilorin, Kwara State capital after the state government reopened 10 schools shut last month over the use of hijab by Muslim female students.
Christians and Muslims not pleased with the situation went into a clash at Baptist Secondary School, Surulere, as they pelted themselves with stones.
Residents claim that the Muslims are angry over the refusal of Christian leaders to allow usage of Hijab by Muslim students.
The situation grew worse as angry Christian and Muslim faithful throw various objects including stones and plastic chairs at themselves with security operatives struggling to control the situation.
9. Soldiers Killed In Exchange Of Gunfire With Bandits In Zamfara
The exchange of gunfire between military officers and armed bandits on Wednesday, led to the death of three soldiers in Kabasa village of Magami District in Gusau local government area of Zamfara State.
A resident who spoke with DailyTrust disclosed that the armed men arrived at the community on motorcycles firing at people.
The source added that apart from the soldiers seven other persons were killed in the incident.
10. FG Approves $1.5bn For Rehabilitation Of Port Harcourt Refinery
The Federal Government has approved the sum of $1.5 billion for the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt refinery.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, made this known to State House correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday.
Sylva said the Ministry of Petroleum Resources had presented a proposal to the council presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari to rehabilitate the refinery.
The minister announced that the rehabilitation of the refinery will commence in three phases, adding that the first phase is to be completed in 18 months, which will take the refinery to a production of 90 percent of its nameplate capacity.
Sylva noted that the second phase is to be completed in 24 months and all the final stage will be completed in 44 months and consultations are approved.