Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspapers headlines in Nigeria for today, Friday, 24th September 2021
1. Buhari Govt Borrowing For World-class Infrastructure, ‘The List Is Long’ – Lai Mohammed
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed on Thursday asserted that there is a long list of projects being executed with the loans obtained by the government of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Naija News reports that the Minister stated this at a town-hall meeting to address the destruction of power and communication infrastructure in Maiduguri, Borno State. He declared that Boko Haram terrorists will fail in their bid to use the destruction of power and communications infrastructure to inflict pain on the people because the military is decimating them.
It emerged last Tuesday that Buhari forwarded a letter to the National Assembly seeking approval to borrow fresh $4,054,476,863 and €710 million loans and the grant components of $125 million.
Mohammed has now explained that the government is not borrowing to finance recurrent expenditure but to build world-class infrastructure across the country.
Mohammed lamented that the destruction of public infrastructure “is worse than we had imagined”, adding that a massive infrastructure deficit is among the challenges faced in Nigeria.
2. Fani-Kayode Said Things Straight From The Gutters Against Buhari Before Returning To APC But,… – Presidency
The special adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on media and publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina has revealed that despite many unprintable things Femi Fani-Kayode said against Buhari, the President has forgiven him.
The presidential media aide made the assertion in a statement on Thursday evening titled ‘BUHARI, FFK, AND THE QUALITY OF MERCY’ in which he urged members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to fully accept the ex-Aviation Minister as one of them.
It will be recalled that Fani-Kayode dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling APC last Thursday and was presented by the APC National Caretaker Chairman, Mai Mala Buni to the President at the Aso Rock Villa.
The development attracted lots of reactions and backlash from stakeholders who recalled how Fani-Kayode has vowed never to return to the APC.
Members of the APC also condemned the ‘red carpet welcome’ that was given to Fani-Kayode by the President and other party leaders.
But Adesina in an article on Thursday called on party faithful to sheath their swords and accept Fani-Kayode fully.
He specifically recalled that President Buhari whom Fani-Kayode said many things that seem unpardonable against has overlooked the past and has forgiven him.
Adesina stated that Fani-Kayode also verbally attacked him but all that has been put in the past.
3. Buhari Govt Trying To Silence Me, I Won’t Be Cowed – Ortom
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has accused President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration of trying to keep him quiet.
Naija News reports that the Benue State governor has recently launched attacks on Buhari’s administration over the nation’s insecurity.
Speaking on Thursday at an event organized by the Radio Nigeria chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Ortom said the Buhari administration is trying to silence opposition voices.
While insisting that the present administration has failed, the governor accused Buhari of fighting opposition instead of going after herdsmen killing and maiming Nigerians.
4. 2023: Our ‘Third Force’ Not About Forming A New Political Party But… – Utomi Reveals
Popular economist and politician, Professor Pat Utomi has on Thursday debunked reports that he and others involved in the Rescue Nigeria Project (RNP) are set to unveil a new political party on October 1.
Though he confirmed that their target is having the right persons emerge victorious during the 2023 general elections, Utomi clarified that their strategy may not involve forming a new political party.
Shortly after, some sources claimed the newly formed political structure has concluded plans to unveil a new mega political movement by October 1st.
The source claimed the PRP, ADC, Labour Party will form the nucleus of the new movement which will transform into a mega political party.
But in a reaction on Thursday, while speaking with newsmen on the sidelines of a press conference announcing winners of the Year 2020 Zik Prize in Leadership Awards, Prof Utomi said their focus is not about forming a new political party.
He said the group will work more on ensuring competent people are able to find their way into political offices regardless of the political party platform to which they belong.
5. Resign Now, You’re Not Fit To Be The CBN Governor – PDP Tackles Emefiele
A call has been made by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the immediate removal from office of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele.
Apart from his removal from office, the PDP also demanded his prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The PDP in a statement on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan accused Emefiele of committing economic sabotage by allowing stealing from the nation’s vault under his watch.
The party also accused the CBN governor of mismanaging the economy, resulting in the free fall of the naira against the dollar.
The PDP statement said the accusation of stealing was levelled against Emefiele by the National Secretary of the APC National Caretaker Committee, Senator John Akpan Udoedehe during an interview on national TV and the matter must not be swept under the carpet.
6. Let’s Forgive Repentant Insurgents – Shehu Of Borno Begs Nigerians
Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar El-Kanemi, has asked Nigerians to forgive repentant Boko Haram insurgents and live with them peacefully.
The monarch also backed the process of reintegrating the repentant insurgents back into society, adding that they have realized their mistakes.
Recall that the Nigerian Army had disclosed that over 8000 insurgents have surrendered their arms and ammunition, adding that the repentant terrorists would be reintegrated back into the society.
Speaking at an event in Maiduguri on Thursday, the traditional ruler stated that the reintegration move is a welcome development as long as it could bring lasting peace.
He said the insurgency in the state had lingered for a long time and that the people were ready to accept any reconciliation and peacebuilding effort.
7. Police Arrest 3 Bandits Responsible For The Kidnap Of Bethel Baptist School Students
The long arm of the law has caught up with three of the criminal masterminds behind the abduction of over 100 students of Bethel Baptist school, Kaduna State.
The criminals were arrested by operatives of the Nigeria Police and were paraded on Thursday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba at the headquarters of defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), in Abuja.
Specifically, the information made available to Naija News in a statement on Thursday which detailed the development, revealed that the suspects were arrested by operatives of the Special Tactical Squad (STS).
The three suspects identified as Adamu Bello, Ishaku Lawal, and Muazu Abubakar told journalists on ground that 25 of them executed the abduction of the students.
Speaking on why they kidnapped the students, the suspects, dressed in military camouflage, confessed it was because of money.
8. You Have No Right To Collect VAT – Malami Tells Wike, Sanwo-Olu
The Chief Law Officer of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN) says it is the duty of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to collect Value Added Tax (VAT) and not anyone else.
Malami stated this on Wednesday in New York while speaking on the disagreement over the collection of VAT between the FIRS and Rivers State government.
The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice stated that the collection of VAT in the country remains FIRS job.
He added that Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and his Lagos counterpart, Babajide Sanwo-Olu have no right to collect VAT in their respective states.
Malami explained that the ruling of the Court of Appeal asked the FIRS and the Rivers Government to maintain status quo on the matter, adding that the judgement favoured FIRS.
9. Fani-Kayode’s Ex-wife Sues Him, IGP, Others, Demands N800m
Precious Chikwendu, ex-wife to former aviation minister Femi Fani-Kayode, has filed a restraining order against him.
Chikwendu also cited the Inspector General of Police, the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Commissioner of Police FCT and the OC Legal (CID) FCT Command, CSP James Idachaba as respondents In the case.
Chikwendu alleged that her ex husband was constantly threatening her life and he was using the other respondents mentioned in the suit to harass her.
She asked the court for a restraining order to stop her ex-husband from using the influence of the other respondents to harass her.
Precious also demanded a sum of 800m naira to be paid jointly or severally to her.
10. 45 Names Of Individuals Allegedly Sponsoring Boko Haram/ISWAP Revealed
A list containing the names of 45 suspects allegedly sponsoring operations of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in the country have been revealed.
Recall that the United Arab Emirates had recently released names of terrorism sponsors which included six Nigerians.
Sources have now revealed to Sahara Reporters, that only 45 of 400 are being prosecuted by the government before the court based “on prima facie cases of terrorism.”
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