Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Thursday, 21st January 2021
1. FEC Approves New Retirement Age, Other Benefits For Nigerian Teachers
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) at its meeting on Wednesday, 20th January 2021, approved a new retirement age for teachers in the country.
The FEC meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari reviewed the retirement age of teachers in the country upwards from 60 to 65 years and also move their years of service from 35 to 40 years.
Approval was also given for special working conditions for teachers including the introduction of bursary award, special rural posting allowances, and other incentives to boost the morale of the current crop of teachers and attract the best hands to the profession.
2. “I’ve Never Heard Or Seen Any Governor Giving Money To Bandits” – IGP Adamu
The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu on Wednesday declared that state governors in Nigeria don’t dash out money to repentant bandits.
The IGP spoke during an interview programme monitored by Naija News where he spoke on issues of security and police operation in the North East and Nigeria as a whole.
He explained that when the military displaces bandits or other insurgents from particular locations, particularly in the North-East, and has liberated the residents, a special Police team known as the Civil Restoration Squad moves into such areas to maintain peace and security and help the people settle down to normal lives.
3. Illegal Herdsmen Not Allowed In Ondo State – Govt Insists
The Ondo State Government has insisted that Fulani herdsmen would not be allowed to graze in the state forest reserves without getting permission like farmers.
Naija News reports that this was made known in a statement on Wednesday titled, ‘Ondo State Government Forest Reserves Policies And Regulation’, by the State Commissioner for Agricultural and Rural Development, Adegboyega Adefarati.
The Ondo commissioner stated that it was illegal for any herdsmen to encroach on the state-owned forest reserves.
4. Air Force Speaks On Posting Old Pictures As Proof Of Recent Attack On Boko Haram
The Nigerian Air Force has reacted to sharing old pictures as a recent attack against Boko Haram terrorists in Borno State.
Recall that with the use of advanced technology SaharaReporters had discovered that the pictures posted by the Air Force were old pictures from different attacks on the terrorists.
According to Google reverse image search, the images were taken in 2018 during an operation in Damasak, Borno State.
Reacting in a statement on its Twitter handle on Wednesday, the Air Fore apologized for using the pictures.
5. 2023: Reject Bola Tinubu’s Presidential Ambition – Nnamdi Kanu Warns Nigerians
The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, has called on Nigerians to reject the presidential ambition of the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu.
The IPOB leader noted that a chance for the former Governor of Lagos State to emerge as President will bring about doom.
Kanu issued this warning on Wednesday in a statement he personally signed.
6. #EndSARS Protest Started By Fake News From Delta State – IGP Adamu
The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu on Wednesday declared that the #EndSARS protest which rocked Nigeria in 2020 started as a result of fake news.
The Police Chief noted that the demand for #EndSARS came as a result of fake news from Delta State after a local security outfit called ‘Delta Safe’ accosted some suspected criminals.
He submitted that the suspects took off immediately they saw the police and one of them intentionally rolled off the vehicle while the Police were in pursuit.
The IGP alleged that it was a passer-by who recorded the incident, uploaded it on social media, and tagged it as SARS killing an innocent citizen.
He said the protest which started in Ughelli, Delta State was what metamorphosed into the #End SARS protest in Lagos State and eventually spread to other parts of the country.
7. You Can’t Give Quit Notice To Herdsmen – Oyo Govt Tells Igboho
The Oyo State Government has faulted a quit notice given to Fulani herdsmen by a renowned freedom fighter, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Igboho, to leave Ibarapa.
Naija News reports that Adeyemo had issued a seven-day ultimatum to Fulani herders to leave Ibarapa North Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Reacting to Igboho’s ultimatum, the Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde on Security Matters, Fatai Owoseni, urged Adeyemo not to fan embers of disunity.
8. Lawan Speaks On Senate Fighting Buhari Over Insecurity
Senate President Ahmad Lawan has said the National Assembly will not fight President Muhammadu Buhari in order to please anybody in the country.
Recall that the Senate had on many occasions called on President Buhari to sack the service chiefs because of their failure to end security challenges confronting Nigeria, but the president has refused to take their advice.
Speaking while receiving a delegation from Adamawa State which paid him a visit in appreciation to the National Assembly for converting the Modibbo Adama University, Yola, into a conventional university, Lawan said: “When we disagree, we will do so, but if we have no reason to disagree, we will not do that because we want to please anybody.”
9. President Buhari Reacts To Sokoto Market Fire Incident, Issues Fresh Orders
President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday expressed sympathy and solidarity with victims of the Sokoto Central Market fire incident.
He lamented the huge negative effect the incident would have on the economic well-being of those affected by the fire.
Naija News recalls the Sokoto central market was on Tuesday morning gutted by fire which reportedly started around 7 am.
Reacting to the incident, the President in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant (Media & Publicity), Mallam Garba Shehu said: “I am deeply moved by this fire incident because of its huge adverse impact on the economic life of the people who struggle daily to earn a living.
10. TB Joshua Releases Statement On COVID-19 Vaccine
Nigerian televangelist, Prophet TB Joshua has spoken out on the COVID-19 vaccine which has been generating much controversy in Nigeria and other countries of the world.
The popular Nigerian prophet in a series of tweets on his Twitter account on Wednesday explained that the COVID-19 vaccine has many conspiracy theories around it.
He however called for support for the government, noting that he beliefs the various governments across the world are doing their best to address the challenges posed by COVID-19.