Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspapers headlines in Nigeria for today, Monday, 25th October 2021
1. President Buhari, Tinubu, Pantami, Others To Depart Nigeria For Saudi Arabia
President Muhammadu Buhari will, Monday October 25, 2021, depart Nigeria for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Naija News reports that this was made known in a statement signed by Buhari’s Media Assistant, Garba Shehu, on Sunday.
Buhari is scheduled to participate in the investment conference organized by the Future Investment Initiative Institute.
The President will be joined at the 5th edition of the flagship investment event by business executives from Nigeria, bankers, Captains of industry and energy experts to discuss issues on the future of investments across the globe.
The three-day event, with the theme, INVESTMENT IN HUMANITY, which will host global executives and asset managers, will deliberate on progress and prosperity with energy; true final frontiers in investments; science in action; and impact of climate change on communities among others.
President Buhari will perform the lesser Hajj in Madina & Makka before returning to the country on Friday.
2. VAT: Gov. Wike Says Rivers Not Fighting FG, Reveals What They Want
The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has declared that there is no truth in insinuations in certain quarters that the state is fighting the federal government.
Wike spoke against the backdrop of the current face-off between the federal and Rivers State governments on the collection of Value Added Tax (VAT).
Speaking on Sunday in Abuja at an event to mark the 60th birthday of Mr Ahmed Raji, (SAN), Wike who was represented by the Rivers State Attorney-General, Mr Zacchaeus Adangor (SAN) explained that what they want to achieve is fiscal federalism and fiscal autonomy.
He added while speaking on the topic “Taxing Powers in a Federal System” that the state and federal governments are co-equals as they both derive their powers from the constitution.
The Governor noted further that what they are asking for is well within the provisions of the law, expressing hope that the courts will do justice to the matter which Naija News recalls has already been dragged to the Supreme Court level.
3. EFCC Grills Former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Sunday questioned a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim.
A senior official of the commission who spoke on the development with Daily Trust, disclosed that Anyim was invited by the anti-graft agency following an investigation in a case of alleged corruption and diversion of public funds.
It was gathered that the former SGF who arrived at the headquarter of the commission around 3 pm, is been questioned by operatives of the commission.
It reported that Anyim is been grilled because of a case involving a former Aviation Minister and serving senator, Senator Stella Oduah.
It was gathered that part of the rehabilitation funds to the tune of N780 million was allegedly traced to a company in which Senator Anyim has an interest.
4. Officer Seriously Wounded As Gunmen Attack Ebonyi Police Station
The Ebonyi State Command of the Nigeria Police Force has released a statement on the attack on one of its facilities by unknown gunmen.
Confirming the early morning attack, the State Police Public Relation Officer, DSP Loveth Odah, in a statement in Abakaliki on Sunday, said the gunmen attacked Unwana police divisional headquarters in Afikpo North Local Government Area of the state.
The Police PRO said the unknown gunmen, numbering about 35 struck at about 3am on Sunday but were repelled by gallant officers.
Odah added that one of the invading gunmen was killed during the attack, others escaped with bullet wounds while the police also recovered two AK-47 rifles from the hoodlums.
Contrary to some earlier figures (quoting a resident who spoke anonymously) about casualties from the attack which said three police officers were killed, the Ebonyi Police Command in its statement didn’t mention the killing of any police operative.
The Police statement, however, said one police inspector was seriously wounded during the gun battle. It added that the operational vehicles are also intact.
5. Time To Declare Bandits As Terrorists – State Assembly Speakers Tell Buhari
All the 36 Speakers of the State Houses of Assembly have appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to without delay, declare bandits as terrorists.
The Speakers who noted that the bandits are enemies of the nation made the call at the end of their meeting in Katsina State on Sunday.
The Chairman of the Conference, who is also Bauchi Speaker, Abubakar Suleiman made the mind of his colleagues on the matter known while speaking on the five-point communiqué issued at the end of their meeting.
Naija News understands the lawmakers issued the communiqué at the end of their third annual meeting which lasted for about 8 hours.
They noted that there is no difference in how the bandits operate and how terrorists operate as well, saying the bandits have caused pain to the nation and many households.
6. Nonsensical, Absurd: Ohanaeze Rejects IPOB Sit-At-Home Order Over Nnamdi Kanu
The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide has rejected the planned sit-at-home order declared by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Ohanaeze in its reaction, not only condemned the sit-at-home order, but described it as “nonsensical, absurd, and anti-Igbo agenda, for the enemy’s amusement.”
Naija News recalls IPOB had on Saturday vowed to lockdown the Southeast region if the federal government failed to unconditionally release its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, from detention by November 4.
In a statement issued on Saturday by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, IPOB said it will honour Kanu with the fresh lockdown, which will be enforced between November 5 and 10, except on Sunday, November 7, to allow for Church service.
But Ohanaeze in a reaction on Sunday through a statement issued by its secretary-general, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro said the IPOB order will only unleash untold hardship on the people of the region.
He added that it is obvious Nnamdi Kanu can only be released by the court, arguing that subjecting the people to such anguish is counter-productive and selfish.
7. ‘Fleeing Inmates Will Be Recaptured’ – FG Reacts To Attack On Oyo Prison Facility
The Federal Government has reacted to the invasion of the Abolongo Correctional Centre in Oyo town by unknown gunmen.
Naija News reports that 837 awaiting trial inmates escaped from the facility after the attackers stormed the facility around 10pm on Friday night bearing weapons and deploying grenades to gain access.
However, Oyo State Command of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) disclosed that a total of 262 escaped inmates had been recaptured, while 575 were still at large.
During an inspection visit to the facility on Sunday, Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, vowed that all fleeing inmates will be pursued and recaptured.
The minister assured the fleeing inmates that they will not be prosecuted for unlawful escape if they return to the facility willingly.
Aregebsola added that he has directed the NCoS to immediately begin the rebuilding of the damaged part of the facility.
8. ICC To Probe Buhari Govt, Northern States Over Kidnapping Of Students, Schools Closure
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has expressed readiness to investigate kidnappings in northern Nigeria, closure of schools, and the persistent failure of the federal and state authorities to end such.
Naija News reports that this was made known by ICC’s prosecutor, Karim A. Khan, in a statement to newsmen on Sunday by Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).
Recall that SERAP had in September called on the ICC to probe and prosecute those responsible and complicit for kidnappings and shutting down of schools.
Responding to SERAP in a letter dated October 22 and signed on the prosecutor’s behalf by Mark P. Dillon, Head of Information and Evidence Unit, ICC stated that the criteria for investigating the abductions have been met.
According to the prosecutor, under Article 53 of the Rome Statute, the next step in the judicial process “is to prepare and submit a request to the Pre-Trial Chamber for authorization to open an investigation on Nigeria.
9. APC Chieftain Reveals How IPOB Can Secure Kanu’s Release
The Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria, Osita Okechukwu, has charged the Indigenous People of Biafra to work with the Ohanaeze Ndigbo to seek the release of it leader.
Okechukwu in a chat with newsmen on Sunday in Enugu said the decision will help the South-East pursue its presidential ambition.
He stated, “IPOB should join Prof. George Obiozor-led Ohanaeze Ndigbo to kill two birds with one stone.”
The DG of VON said shutting down states in the region would only lead to more loss of lives.
Okechukwu added putting the states on hold would also lead to poverty, underdevelopment, and stagnation of the region’s economy.
10. Tinubu Snubbed Osinbajo In London – Source
The battle ahead of the 2023 general election is getting stronger daily as strong politicians express interest in running for the presidency.
There had been speculations that there is a rift between the National leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, and the Vice President of Nigeria, Yemi Osinbajo due to their desire to take over from President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.
Its no longer hidden that Osinbajo failed to visit Tinubu during his medical vacation in London and upon his return to the country.
The likes of President Buhari, Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Umar Ganduje of Kano State, and many others had visited him in London.
A source that spoke with Thisday, disclosed that the APC leader snubbed the vice president during his medical vacation in London.
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