Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Tuesday, 9th March 2021
1. Women Can Perform Creditably If Given Opportunity – Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari has said that Nigerian women can perform creditably both locally and globally if given the opportunity.
In a statement issued on Monday by his media aide, Femi Adesina, the Nigerian leader described women as the bedrock of society and key to a happy and stable family, society, and nation.
He, however, pledged support towards female gender inclusiveness in all sectors of national life, saying that any “government which neglects such a crucial component of its demographic asset, stands the risk of stunted growth and likely failure.”
2. Army Replies Gumi Over Comment On Christian Soldiers Attacking Bandits
The Nigerian Army has knocked popular Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmed Gumi for alleging that non-Muslim soldiers were responsible for the attacks against bandits.
In a statement on Monday, signed by the Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima, the army warned the cleric to stop propagating falsehood.
Yerima asked the prominent cleric not to drag the image of the Service to disrepute and show restraint on the way to malign the image of the Nigerian Army.
3. Osinbajo Responsible For Successes Recorded By Buhari’s Govt – Yahaya Bello
Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State says Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is instrumental to the achievements recorded by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Bello made this known in a message to congratulate Osinbajo on his 64th birthday, signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Onogwu Muhammed.
The governor said the Vice President is a “great gift” and an asset to Nigeria, adding that his contributions have helped the country develop.
Bello said Osinbajo has proved himself as a loyal and dedicated deputy to the president since the inception of the All Progressives Congress (APC) government in 2015.
He prayed that God grant him many more years in sound health to enable him to contribute to the development of the country.
4. Gov Makinde Breaks Silence On Arrest Of Wakili In Oyo, Police Intervention
The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde on Monday disclosed that he is aware of all developments concerning the arrest of suspected Fulani warlord, Iskilu Wakili.
Makinde also noted in a statement on Twitter where he reacted to the development that the interest of the people of Oyo will be protected in the matter.
The Governor who added that he is aware of steps already taken by the police on the matter, appealed to the people of Oyo to remain peaceful and go about their legitimate businesses.
5. Edo Election: Court Delivers Ruling In Favour Of Ize-Iyamu, Audu
The Court of Appeal, Benin has ruled in favour of the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the September 19, 2020 election in Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, and his running mate, Alhaji Gani Audu.
The three-member panel of the appellate court set aside the judgment of the Edo High Court, Benin, which disqualified them from participating in the crucial election.
The presiding judges, Justices O.F. Omoleye, B.A. Georgewill and O.E. Oho jointly declared that there was no evidence of credentials’ forgery on the part of Audu.
The judges ruled that the suit was statute-barred since it was filed outside the 14-day constitutional threshold, thereby upholding the appeal of Ize-Iyamu and Audu.
6. No Nigerian Should Wish For War – Sultan Of Sokoto
The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, on Monday charged Nigerians to stop beating the drum of war as it not something anyone should wish for.
Abubakar further stated that the statement of some Nigerians has stirred reactions that led to the loss of lives and property over time.
He added that the unregulated statement of the Federal Government on social media also stirs avoidable conflicts.
The monarch urged traditional and religious leaders to educate and restrain followers from fuelling violence with their speeches.
7. Why Obasanjo Is Nigeria’s Best President – Moghalu
A former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Kingsley Moghalu has described former President Olusegun Obasanjo as Nigeria’s best leader since 1999.
In a series of tweets on Monday, Moghalu said Obasanjo was a successful leader because he thought like the President of the country and not a sectional president.
The former presidential candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) noted that Obasanjo was detribalised, not a fanatics, and enjoyed the support of every Nigerian.
He asserted that Obasanjo, despite having his flaws, focused on nation-building as his constituency, not his ethnic group.
Moghalu opined that the presidency needs “transcendence of mind and action” in order to be able to provide effective leadership.
8. Aisha Buhari Breaks Silence After Months Of Disappearance
Nigeria First Lady, Aisha Buhari, has broken her silence after months of relocating from Nigeria to Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Naija News had reported that the President’s wife, relocated to Dubai in September 2020 after her daughter, Hanan got married.
This news medium learned that the President’s wife does not have a plan to return back to the country anytime soon despite spending over three months outside the Nation.
Aisha Buhari had reportedly claimed that her reason for traveling out of the country is because her family is not secure in the Aso Rock Villa.
But in a statement, she signed personally on Monday titled “Message of the First Lady, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, on the occasion of the International Women’s Day 2021”, Aisha Buhari celebrated all women in Nigeria.
9. Buhari Govt Is Committed To Ending Gender-based Violence – Malami
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), says the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration is committed to ending gender-based violence in the country.
He made this known in a statement by his media aide, Umar Gwandu, on Monday in commemoration of this year’s International Women’s Day.
Malami said the Federal Government has focused significant attention on the issue of sexual and gender-based violence and is working towards the establishment of specialized courts and Judicial Divisions focused on sexual and gender-based violence.
Gwandu quoted Malami as saying this during a “Special Event on Gender Dimensions of Criminal Justice Responses to Terrorism”, organized by the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime, UNODC.
10. Schoolgirls Abduction: Zamfara Govt Relaxes Curfew On Jangebe
The Zamfara State Government has relaxed the dust to dawn curfew imposed on Jangebe town of Talata Mafara Local Government Area of the state.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Commissioner Information, Ibrahim Magaji Dosara, said the move is to enable people to carry out their normal legitimate businesses.
He explained the state government decided to relax the curfew following what he described as relative peace that has returned to the once-troubled community.
The commissioner however noted that the “Jangebe market is to remain closed until when the government is satisfied with the security situation there.”