Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspapers headlines in Nigeria for today, Friday, 17th September 2021
1. Femi Fani-Kayode Defects To APC, Meets President Buhari
Former Minister of Aviation Femi Fani-Kayode has officially dumped the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Naija News reports that Fani-Kayode, whose move to the APC did not come as a surprise to many, met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa on Thursday.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Gida Mustapha, was also at the meeting.
He was brought to the Villa by the Chairman, Caretaker Committee of the APC, and governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni and Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State.
According to the former minister, he was led by the Spirit of God in his decision and that he joined the APC to help for the unity of the country.
2. Debt Burden: APC Senator Knocks Buhari, Decries Senate’s Speedy Approvals
The Senator representing Borno South on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ali Ndume on Thursday expressed worry over the rate at which President Muhammadu Buhari’s government is increasing the nation’s debt burden, particularly when there is little or nothing to show for the loans.
This is even as he faulted the Senate for rushing to approve these loan requests, revealing that some loan requests hurriedly approved by the Senate have not been released to date.
The lawmaker made these comments during a press briefing at the National Assembly in the wake of the latest loan request sent by President Muhammadu Buhari to the Senate for consideration and approval.
Ndume noted that it is one thing to borrow funds and it is another thing to properly invest and manage the funds.
3. EFCC Chairman Abdulrasheed Bawa Slumps During Event In Abuja
The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, on Thursday morning reportedly slumped and was rushed to the hospital in Abuja.
It was gathered that Bawa, 41, was speaking at an event at the Presidential Villa in Abuja when the incident occurred.
The EFCC boss was giving his goodwill message at the National Identity Day celebration when he suddenly stopped speaking.
Later, the anti-graft agency confirmed Bawa is now in a stable condition and is whole and hearty.
4. Recruitment: IGP Discloses New Change In Police Force
The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, has disclosed there are new changes in the police force.
Naija News reports that Baba made the revelations at the headquarters of the force in Minna, Niger State capital on Thursday, September 16.
While addressing officers and men of the State Police Command, the IGP said one of the changes in the force is that personnel will now be given uniform for free.
Baba, however, urged the officers to remain prayerful so that all the plans can materialize.
According to him, doing so is important as the Police Force has too many enemies.
Speaking about the delay in the recruitment of more Police officers, the IGP explained that it was so due to the clash of interests between the Police Service Commission and the Police hierarchy over the appropriate body to conduct the exercise.
He, however, disclosed that the dispute had been resolved, adding that the recruitment of 10,000 personnel for the Force will commence soon.
5. Media Painting Nigeria Like A Country At War, But It’s Not True – Lai Mohammed
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has lamented that some media practitioners are responsible for painting Nigeria in bad light.
He argued that while the federal government is aware of the security and other challenges facing the country, the negative image been projected to the outside world overshadows the positive developments and sends the wrong signal to the international community.
He urged that this should stop so foreign investment and other opportunities can flow into the country.
Alhaji Mohammed urged journalists to be patriotic and understand the important role they play in image and nation-building, noting that a country at war can’t make any progress.
Naija News reports the Minister made the submission on Thursday in Abuja at a ceremony to rename the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) building after its late former Managing Director, Alhaji Wada Maida.
6. Details Of Southern Governors’ Meeting In Enugu Emerge
The details of the meeting of the Southern Governors Forum held in Enugu State on Thursday have emerged.
Naija News earlier reported that the governors met at Enugu State Government House to discuss some pertinent issues affecting the Southern region.
A communiqué released after the meeting and read by Chairman of the Forum and Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, among other things said it is within their purview to collect the Value Added Tax (VAT).
The governors also reaffirmed their stand on the open-grazing ban, urging every state in the region to quickly pass a law in that regard.
7. Yoruba Nation Agitators Submit Referendum Request To UN
The Nigerian Indigenous Nationalities Alliance for Self-Determination has submitted a request for a referendum to the United Nations Headquarters in New York, United State of America.
In a letter addressed to the UN on Thursday, the leader of the group, Professor Banji Akintoye, said the group will hold a Million-Man Freedom March opposite the UN head office from 14th to 24th September 2021.
Akintoye said the protest is meant to show the world “the genocide being perpetrated by murderous herdsmen in the name of grazing in the South and Middle-Belt of Nigeria”.
He stated that the people of the South and Middle-Belt want to show to the world the crimes against humanity, attacks on press freedom, free speech and other criminalities being aided by the Buhari-led government.
8. Nigerian Air Force Makes U-turn, Admits Firing Shots At Buhari Village, Orders Investigation
The Nigerian Air Force on Thursday admitted carrying out airstrikes on Buhari village in Yunusari LGA of Yobe state.
In a statement obtained by Naija News on Thursday and signed by NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Edward Gabkwet, the airforce said it carried out the strike based on intelligence reports.
According to NAF, its aircraft spotted movement consistent with Boko Haram terrorists’ behaviour whenever a Jet is overhead before opening fire.
While admitting to receiving reports that innocent citizens were killed, NAF stated that a board of inquiry has been commissioned to carry out an investigation into the incident.
9. Senator Shehu Sani Dumps PRP, Joins PDP
Former lawmaker representing Kaduna Central in the Senate, Shehu Sani has reportedly joined the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Naija News reports that Shehu Sani dumped the Peoples Redemption Party, PRP, on Thursday.
He officially defected at a meeting with party executives in Kaduna.
It was gathered that the former lawmaker is planning to contest the Kaduna State governorship election.
Shehu Sani, a former member of the All Progressives Congress, APC, left the ruling party for the PRP after a fall out with Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
10. Boko Haram Insurgents Ambush Nigerian Soldiers, Kill Many In Borno
The Islamic State-backed faction of Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), has reportedly attacked and killed many Nigerian soldiers in an ambush in Borno State.
It was gathered that the terrorists attacked the troops on Thursday in Monguno, which is over 100km north of Maiduguri, the state capital.
Military sources revealed that Boko Haram/ISWAP killed many soldiers during the attack that lasted for many hours.
The source told Sahara Reporters that a military vehicle, several weapons, and ammunition were stolen during the attack.
Boko Haram and its offshoot, Islamic State West Africa Province, have killed thousands and displaced millions in northeastern Nigeria.
Those are the top Nigerian newspapers headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.
This article was originally published on Naija News