Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Thursday, 25th February 2021
1. Why Buhari Should Post Buratai, Olonisakin, Others To Niger, Benin, Somalia – Senate
Senate President Ahmad Lawan has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to post former service chiefs to troubled neighbouring countries as ambassadors.
Naija News recalls that the Senate on Tuesday confirmed Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin (retd), Ekiti; Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd), Borno; Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd), Cross River; Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar (retd), Bauchi; and Air Vice Marshal Muhammad Usman (retd), Kano as Ambassadors.
Speaking after their confirmation, Lawan advised President Buhari to deploy them to countries where their experiences as former military officers would be required.
2. Senate Confirms Abdulrasheed Bawa As New EFCC Boss
The Senate has confirmed Abdulrasheed Bawa as the new chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Bawa while speaking before the Senate on Wednesday said Nigeria must recover all stolen assets for the betterment of its citizens.
The New EFCC boss further stated that he will work with strategic partners around the world to see that Nigeria benefits from the repatriation of assets stolen from her coffers.
He added that the anti-graft agency will achieve its independent objective by sharing information with its partners.
Bawa during his screening promised that the constitution will guide his actions as the Chairman of EFCC.
3. Bauchi Governor ‘Repents’, Begs Herdsmen Not To Carry AK-47
Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed has appealed to Fulani herdsmen not to carry or use AK-47 guns.
The Governor while speaking on Wednesday at the launch of the 2020/2021 annual livestock vaccination campaign held at the Galambi Cattle Ranch, Bauchi begged the herdsmen to remain peaceful even if they face any provocation.
The Governor who praised the simplicity of the Fulani herders, appealed to them to ignore his figurative allusion to the use of AK-47 guns and always show their humane and peaceful character.
Mohammed promised to continue to defend them against any form of criminal profiling just as he has always done.
4. Jonathan Not Running With El-Rufai, Not Dumping PDP – Omokri
A former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, has said his former principal will not dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Reports had emerged that the ruling APC was planning to field Jonathan and the Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai for the 2023 presidential election.
Top sources which spoke with SaharaReporters noted that the former President is being considered by the party because of his influence in the southern region, while El-Rufai is being used as vice for him to become president when the presidency is again zoned to the North.
But speaking on Wednesday while featuring on a PUNCH Online interview programme, The Roundtable, Reno Omokri said the former president has no intention to run for president in 2023.
5. Why We Are Kidnapping, Killing Nigerians – Bandits Reveal
Bandits terrorizing the North West region of the country have opened up on why they took up arms and started wreaking havoc on Nigeria.
In an interview with Daily Trust, the bandits unleashing terror in Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, and Niger states said they decided to kidnap and kill Nigerians because they were neglected.
The bandits asserted that the Federal Government stopped attending to them after the death of the former Military Head of State, General Sani Abacha.
6. Akeredolu Reveals Solution To Insecurity In Nigeria
The Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, has revealed the solution to the incessant insecurity facing the country.
Speaking during his swearing-in for a second term in office in Akure on Wednesday, Akeredolu said the only way to solve the security challenges is through State Police.
The Chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum noted that every state must be allowed to secure its space and protect it from external forces.
Akeredolu said the call for state police led the South-West governors to form a regional security network codenamed Amotekun.
He noted that the establishment of Amotekun has been justified with successes recorded all over the South West region.
7. Imo: Why Uzodinma Is Attacking Me – Okorocha
A former governor of Imo state, Rochas Okorocha, has revealed why the governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, is attacking him.
Reacting in a statement to Tuesday’s demolition of the parameter fence of the building housing Reach FM radio station, Owerri, owned by his daughter, Mrs Uloma Nwosu, Okorocha said the governor was attacking him because of “hatred and vendetta.”
In the statement issued in Owerri the state capital on Wednesday by his spokesperson, Sam Onwuemeodo, Okorocha said the demolition of the parameter fence of the building housing the radio station was yet another war of envy and conspiracy against him.
8. Armed Bandits Kill 18 Persons In Kaduna State
The Kaduna State government has confirmed the killing of 18 persons in two local government areas of the state in the last 48 hours.
According to a statement by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, nine people were killed in both Igabi and Chikun Local Government Areas of Kaduna State by armed bandits.
Apart from the people killed, the statement added that many houses were burnt down while animals including cows and poultry birds were also rustled.
Aruwan said the bandits attacked the villages as a retaliation for some of their members that were earlier killed in airstrikes by the military.
9. Wike Reacts As Senate Confirms Ex-service Chiefs As Ambassadors
Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has accused the National Assembly of double standard for confirming former service chiefs as non-career ambassadors.
The governor spoke on Wednesday when the Senate Committee on Niger Delta paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Port Harcourt.
He wondered why the same lawmakers, who called for the sack of the former service chiefs following their handling of security, confirmed their nomination due to party sentiments and bias.
Wike urged the legislators to always carry out their duties bearing in mind that their service is not to their parties but to Nigerians.
10. Obaseki Will Return To APC – Akeredolu
Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has vowed to bring Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki back to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Akeredolu made the submission on Wednesday while giving the vote of thanks during his second term inauguration ceremony in Akure.
As earlier reported by Naija News, many dignitaries were present at the event including Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun State, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, and Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State.
While thanking the dignitaries for coming, Akeredolu singled out Obaseki whom he said will ensure returns to the APC which he dumped for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the build-up to the 2020 governorship election in Edo after a fall out on the party’s ticket.