Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Thursday, 3rd June 2021
1. FG Condemns Twitter For Deleting Buhari’s Controversial ‘Civil War’ Post
The federal government of Nigeria has declared that social media giant, Twitter has not been fair to the country.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed made the submission on Wednesday in his reaction to the decision of the social media platform to delete President Muhammadu Buhari’s controversial tweet.
Naija News recalls the micro-blogging site deleted President Buhari’s tweet wherein he spoke about the civil war experience.
However, the social media platform deleted the message on Wednesday, following widespread condemnation of the tweet.
According to a statement, Twitter said the post violated its rules, hence the need to delete the post.
But reacting to the action taken by Twitter, Mohammed said Twitter has not been fair in its dealings as it allows tweets by IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu and others during the #EndSARS protest on its platform but is quick to delete Buhari’s tweet.
2. Senate Passes Bill Abolishing HND/BSc Dichotomy
The Senate has passed a bill seeking to abolish the dichotomy between Higher National Diploma (HND) and bachelor’s degree.
The bill sponsored by Senator Ayo Akinyelure passed third reading on Wednesday after the Chairman of the committee on tertiary institutions, Ahmad Kaita, presented a report and six clauses were voted on by the senators.
While presenting his report, Kaita said the legislation when assented to and passed will give polytechnic graduates confidence and impact the country’s economy positively.
After the clauses of the bill were approved by the legislators in the “committee of the whole”, Senate President Ahmad Lawan said polytechnic graduates will be encouraged by this action.
3. IPOB vs Gulak: Uzodinma Answers Fani-Kayode’s Questions
Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State has reacted to former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, who asked some questions concerning the assassination of Ahmed Gulak.
Naija News had earlier reported that Fani-Kayode had in a post on Twitter on Wednesday morning stated that members of IPOB did not kill Gulak.
The PDP chieftain had stated that: “Why did the Gov. of Imo not provide security for Gulak? Why was Gulak dressed in jeans & a baseball cap as if he was in disguise?
Reacting in a statement by his Special Adviser (Media)/Chief Press Secretary, Oguwike Nwachuku, Uzodinma described Fani-Kayode’s questions as unfortunate.
He accused the former Aviation minister of trying to make gains out of the unfortunate incident and questioned the character of the PDP stalwart.
4. Teachers To Get Retirement Age Extension As Buhari Sends Bill To Senate
President Muhammadu Buhari has sent an executive Bill to the Nigerian Senate seeking to increase the retirement age for teachers in the country.
Naija News reports that the federal government wants to extend the retirement age from 60 to 65 years.
The president’s letter was read on the floor of the Senate on Wednesday by Senate President, Ahmad Lawan.
Buhari noted that the Bill provides for harmonized retirement age for teachers in the country.
According to him, the move to increase the retirement age and service years of teachers was pursuant to Section 58(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The Bill also proposes an increase in the years of service for teachers from 35 to 40 years.
5. Police Confirm Killing Of Ortom’s Aide, Dega By Gunmen
The Plateau State Command of the Nigeria Police has confirmed the killing of the Senior Special Assistant to Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom on Security, AIG Christopher Dega (Rtd).
It will be recalled Naija News earlier reported the Governor’s aide was shot in the chest multiple times by gunmen on Tuesday in Jos, the Plateau State capital.
Confirming the development, the Plateau State Police spokesperson, Ubah Ogaba, in a statement on Wednesday said the gunmen killed Dega in an isolated restaurant in Bukuru, Jos.
He added that some suspects have already been arrested in connection with the murder while further investigation is ongoing.
6. Southern Govs Won’t Apologise For Banning Open grazing — Okowa
Governor Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa of Delta State has said that Southern governors will not apologize for banning open grazing of cattle and calling for national dialogue to restructure Nigeria.
Speaking with journalists in Asaba on Wednesday, Okowa reiterated the call for state police and devolution of powers from the Federal Government to the States.
Okowa expressed surprise that some elements in the Presidency are still advocating for the retention of open grazing of cattle.
7. UNILAG Sacks Lecturers Exposed In BBC’s Sex-for-Marks Documentary
The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has sacked two lecturers caught soliciting sex from students in exchange for grades in a 2019 investigation by the BBC.
Naija News had reported how the two lecturers, Boniface Igbeneghu and Samuel Omoniyi Oladipo, were exposed in a documentary by the broadcast station.
The institution had earlier suspended Igbeneghu and Oladipo following the investigation. It thereafter set up a panel to look into the allegations brought against them.
In a statement on Wednesday, UNILAG said the dismissal followed the BBC Africa Eye report and findings of its senate committee constituted to probe the matter.
According to the statement, the move is in line with section 18 of the University of Lagos Act 1967.
It added that the immediate sack of the lecturers was approved by the governing council of the varsity at its meeting which held on May 31, 2021.
8. Dega’s Assassination: Buhari’s Body Language Encouraging Insecurity – PDP
President Muhammadu Buhari has been accused by the Peoples Democratic Party of being sluggish in the fight against insecurity.
The main opposition party stated this while condemning the killing of the Senior Special Adviser on security to the Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, AIG Christopher Dega (rtd).
PDP said the body language of the Buhari-led government has emboldened insecurity in the country.
It will be recalled Naija News earlier reported the Governor’s aide was shot in the chest multiple times by gunmen on Tuesday in Jos, the Plateau State capital.
PDP advised President Buhari to take decisive steps in tackling insecurity.
9. Residents Flee As ISWAP Attack Military Base In Borno
Gunmen suspected to be Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters – a faction of Boko Haram – on Wednesday attacked a military formation in the southern part of Borno state.
According to a security source, the deadly group stormed the remote town of Damboa at about 10:30am, with dozens of gun trucks.
The incident threw the town into confusion as residents and displaced persons ran for their lives.
According to the source, airpower was deployed to assist the ground troops and local volunteers.
10. Criminals Taking Advantage Of Our Respect For Human Rights – Malami
The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, has said the federal government has been magnanimous in respecting the rule of law and enforcing fundamental human rights.
During an interview on Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) programme on Tuesday, Malami accused some people are taking advantage of the federal government’s respect for human rights and rule of law to commit insurgency.
Malami warned that the Buhari administration will not sit back and watch those persons take up arms to render the government “helpless”.
The minister added that the Buhari administration remains committed to the rule of law “within the context of allowing the procedure and organs of government to operate optimally and effectively.”
That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.
The article was originally published on Nigeria News