Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Wednesday, 30th October, 2024
1. Wale Edun Speaks After Tinubu’s Meeting With Dangote, Others
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has met with the crude oil and refined products sales in local currency implementation committee to assess progress on using naira for crude sales to local refineries.
The committee, led by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, convened at the State House, Abuja, for the strategic review on Tuesday.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Edun explained that the discussion focused on implementing the President’s directive to transition crude oil sales to local refineries using naira, a move made feasible by the establishment of the Dangote Refinery.
He credited the initiative to President Tinubu’s commitment to reducing Nigeria’s foreign exchange dependency and highlighted Dangote’s investment as pivotal to its success.
Edun affirmed that all stakeholders, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and regulatory bodies, are committed to ensuring the plan’s success, addressing any initial challenges, and sustaining the new approach.
The policy aims to stabilize the naira and support economic resilience in the face of ongoing foreign exchange constraints.
2. Details Of Tinubu’s Phone Conversation With Biden Emerge
President of the United States of America, Joe Biden, on Tuesday, had a phone conversation with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Naija News reports that this was disclosed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, while briefing state House Correspondents about the development.
Tuggar said the call which took place at about 4pm, Nigerian time lasted for about 30 minutes.
According to the Minister, Tinubu’s discussion with Biden centred on the recent release of the Head of Finance Crime compliance at Binance, Tigran Gambaryan.
Tuggar said Tinubu also appreciated Biden for the partnership and collaboration in numerous areas with regard to security in Africa and West Africa at large.
3. Minister Gives Update On Power Crisis In North, Promises Restoration In 72 Hours
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has announced that electricity will be restored to northern Nigeria within 72 hours.
Speaking to senators on Tuesday, Adelabu addressed the widespread outages affecting the region and recent national grid failures.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria previously reported that, on October 22, the 330-kilovolt (kV) Ugwaji-Apir transmission lines tripped, causing outages across the North-East, North-West, and parts of North-Central Nigeria.
Independent System Operator Executive Director Nafisatu Ali confirmed that insurgents vandalized the Shiroro-Kaduna line, which is a critical power source for northern regions.
In response, President Bola Tinubu has directed military support to safeguard repairs.
Adelabu explained that, as a temporary solution, power will be supplied through the Ugwuaji-Makurdi line, which can cover about 80% of affected states.
Additionally, he noted that security agencies are actively working to access the vandalized grid area. Full restoration is expected within 14 days once repairs on the damaged lines are complete.
4. Demanding New Aircraft For Shettima Shows You’re Insensitive – Peter Obi Tackles Borno Speaker
The Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has berated the Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdulkareem Lawan, over the demand for a new aircraft for the Vice President, Kashim Shettima.
Naija News reported that Lawan highlighted that the Vice President’s life is endangered by the recurrent use of a “faulty” presidential aircraft for international commitments.
This alarm was raised following Vice President Shettima’s abrupt cancellation of his scheduled appearance at the Commonwealth Summit in Samoa.
In a statement via X, Peter Obi stated that the demand for a new aircraft for Shettima shows the Speaker is insensitive and unconcerned about the prevailing economic situation in the country.
Peter Obi noted that issues that will benefit the masses should preoccupy leaders rather than being consumed by selfish desires for needless luxury at the expense of the people.
5. Obasanjo Would Have Killed Me, If Not For People Like Tinubu – Asari Dokubo
Former Niger Delta militant leader, Asari Dokubo, has alleged on live television that former President Olusegun Obasanjo would have killed him if not for the intervention of some other people.
Speaking during an interview with Arise TV, Dokubo said people like President Bola Tinubu stood up for him and did everything possible to save him.
He added while reiterating his support for the current administration that he stands by his statement that people should hold him responsible for the failure of the Tinubu government.
Dokubo said he is crying out because of his commitment to the success of the Tinubu government and the assurances given to the Ogoni and Niger Delta people that the present administration would not fail them, stressing that he is liable for any infraction of the expectation of the Nigerian people, not just Niger Delta people.
He vowed that should President Tinubu encounter any difficulty, he is ready to stick out his neck for him.
6. Tinubu Launches 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Emblem, Commends Military
President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday launched the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Emblem and Appeal Fund at a ceremony held in the Council Chambers of the State House.
During the event, Tinubu praised the Armed Forces as Nigeria’s first line of defense and lauded their unwavering commitment to safeguarding the nation’s unity and stability.
Highlighting the military’s efforts in tackling security threats across the country, President Tinubu stressed the importance of peace and development, noting that these goals are unattainable without security.
He emphasized that the Armed Forces’ dedication to Nigeria’s progress is invaluable, especially in maintaining the nation’s unity.
In a show of appreciation for the contributions of fallen heroes, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, pledged N500 million on behalf of the Federal Executive Council.
Additionally, Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced a donation of N200 million from the National Assembly, while Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, pledged N50 million on behalf of the service chiefs and Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
7. APC Suspends Aregbesola
The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has suspended former Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, over alleged anti-party activities.
According to Vanguard, in a resolution submitted to the APC National Secretariat and directed to National Chairman Dr. Umar Ganduje, Osun APC accused Aregbesola, who previously served as governor, of fostering divisions within the party by creating a rival faction.
The APC claims that this act has disrupted party unity, especially during a sensitive time in Osun politics.
Party leaders believe Aregbesola’s influence over certain groups has deepened internal rifts, which the state chapter sees as detrimental to the party’s unity.
8. You Are Violating Customers’ Rights – FCCPC Warns Banks Over Service Disruptions, Inability To Access Funds
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has warned banks in the country that the service disruptions which have stopped customers from transacting or having access to their funds are a violation of customers’ rights.
The FCCPC in a statement on Tuesday by its Executive Vice Chairman, Tunji Bello, said the service disruptions have negatively impacted millions of customers.
While noting the serious implications of such developments for both individuals and businesses, Bello said on the minimum, banks must keep their customers informed about the causes, scope, and anticipated duration of any issue as a form of accountability.
He added that affected consumers can seek redress, and the FCCPC is reviewing the situation to determine if consumers’ rights to redress are being upheld.
9. How To Make Fuel Queues Disappear – Dangote
The President of the Dangote Refinery, Aliko Dangote, has revealed that fuel queues will disappear across Nigeria when oil marketers start patronising his refinery.
Speaking with State House Correspondents after meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Dangote said his refinery is the solution to the lingering fuel queues.
He urged the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and marketers across the country to stop importation of fuel, boasting that at full capacity his refinery can supply whatever is being consumed.
10. Security Agencies In Nigeria Don’t Share Information Among Themselves – Minister Laments
The Minister of Police Affairs, Ibrahim Gaidam, has emphasized the need for information and intelligence sharing among security agencies.
He, however, lamented the situation where security agencies in Nigeria don’t share information among themselves.
Speaking on Tuesday at a workshop aimed at fostering inter-agency collaboration among law enforcement agencies in the country, Gaidam said he made the observation since coming into office in May 2023.
The Minister however, stressed the need to strengthen collaborations and communications among the various security agencies as a way to effectively combat insecurity in the country.
He recommended Nigeria adopt a system like that of the West African Police Information System (WAPIS) which is a technological tool which enables police forces across West Africa to share Intelligence and collaborate seamlessly.
That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.
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