Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Tuesday, 19th January 2021
1. FG Warns Nigerians Against Second COVID-19 Lockdown
The Federal Government of Nigeria on Monday urged Nigerians to take steps to avoid a second nationwide lockdown.
Naija News reports that this was made known by the Chairman, Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, during a press briefing.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) charged Nigerians to comply with COVID-19 protocols released by the government.
2. APC Denies Dogara In Court, Says His Name Not In Party’s Register
The All Progressives Congress has on Monday, told a federal high court sitting in Abuja that former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara is not its member.
The APC’s position is contained in a counter-affidavit filed in response to a suit by the Peoples Democratic Party seeking that Dogara’s seat in the National Assembly be declared vacant for defecting to another party.
However, the APC was quoted in a counter-affidavit by its head of legal department, Dare Oketade to have told the court that Dogara’s name is not in the party’s membership register, and urged the court to dismiss PDP’s suit.
3. Akeredolu Issues 7-Days Ultimatum For Herdsmen To Vacate Ondo Forest Reserves
The Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu has ordered herdsmen in the state to vacate the forest reserves within a period of seven days counting from Monday, 18th January.
The Governor also banned night grazing as well as highway and under-age grazing in the state.
According to Akeredolu in a statement issued on his official Twitter handle, the actions are part of efforts by the government to combat cases of kidnappings and other security challenges in the state.
4. COVID-19: How State Governments Forced Us To Re-Open Schools On Jan 18 – FG
The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu has revealed that it wasn’t the original plan of the federal government to allow school resumption by January 18 due to the surge in COVID-19 infections.
While speaking on Monday, the Minister declared that it was the state governments that put pressure on the federal government to reopen the schools and allow students go back to school.
However, in a fresh update in which he explained why the federal government had to concede, Adamu noted the state governments had more schools and the issue of education is not in the exclusive preserve or control of the federal government, hence the reason for conceding the January 18 resumption date.
5. CAN Challenges Gov. Zulum To Release Evidence Of Christian Boko Haram Members
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has been challenged by the Christian Association of Nigeria, to release evidence of Christians who belong to the terrorist group, Boko Haram.
The General Secretary of CAN, Joseph Daramola, reacted to the allegation during an interview with Punch on Monday.
Naija News had earlier reported that the Borno State Governor alleged that some foreigners and Christians are members of the terrorist group.
6. ‘Kukah Didn’t Insult Islam’ – Soyinka Replies Muslim Group
Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka has faulted the quit notice and threat issued to the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Mathew Kukah.
Naija News reports that an Islamic group, Muslim Solidarity Forum, had asked Kukah to tender an unreserved apology over his Christmas Day message or leave Sokoto state.
But in a statement on Monday, Soyinka said the Bishop never insulted or denigrated Islam in his comment against President Muhammadu Buhari.
He noted that the threat that Kukah should apologise or leave Sokoto was unacceptable.
7. 2023: Why IPOB Won’t Support Igbo Presidency – Kanu
The leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, says the group will not support any Nigerian President of Igbo extraction in 2023.
Kanu made this known in a statement released on Sunday by IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful.
According to the pro-secessionist, many of the Igbo vying for the presidency are traitors and stooges of the Caliphate that will sabotage the interest of Ndigbo and Biafrans.
8. Governors To Meet Over COVID-19 Second Wave As Schools Re-Open
The Nigerian Governor Forum, on Monday, disclosed that it will meet on Wednesday to discuss the second wave of COVID-19 as schools reopen in Nigeria.
The forum in a statement released through its spokesman, Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo, said it was scared by the increase in COVID-19 cases around the world and in Nigeria.
The meeting which will be conducted virtually will see the Governors discuss the increase in COVID-19 cases and other matters like revenue sharing and the water resources bill.
9. 2023: Use Wisdom Not Power – Ooni Urges Tinubu campaigners
The Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi II, on Monday, called on campaigners of the Presidential ambition of the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, to use wisdom and not power.
The monarch stated this while receiving organisers of the South West Agenda, a political group supporting the presidential ambition of the former Governor of Lagos State.
Ogunwusi noted that the presidential desire of the APC leader can only be achieved through unity.
10. FG Speaks On Postponing NIN Registration As Deadline Draws Near
The Federal Government has stated that it will not extend the deadline for the registration of all Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs) with valid National Identity Numbers (NIN).
Asked by The Punch whether the Federal Government had eventually advised the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) as regards the deadlines for SIM registration with NIN, the Director, Public Affairs, NCC, Ikechukwu Adinde, said nothing has changed.
“The deadlines are still in force; there is no update for now and just like I told you last week if there is any change you will be communicated,” Adinde stated on Sunday.