Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspapers headlines in Nigeria for today, Saturday, 11th September 2021.
Buhari Breaks Silence, Slams Doctors For Going On Strike, Makes Fresh Promise
President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday observed that the option of strike is not a good one for doctors and other health workers in the country.
The President noted that the lives of many Nigerians are directly and indirectly tied to the activities of the health workers.
He made the submission on Friday when he received members of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) at the State House in Abuja as confirmed in a statement by his spokesperson, Garba Shehu
Appeal Court Stops Rivers, Lagos From Collecting VAT
The Appeal Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the government of Rivers and Lagos State to suspends plans to start collecting the Value Added Tax (VAT).
Naija News reports that in its ruling on Friday the court asked both states to maintain status quo pending the determination of an appeal that was lodged before it by the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS.
A three-man panel of Justices of the appellate court led by Justice Haruna Tsammani said the order was to preserve the ‘Res’ (subject matter) of the appeal before it.
Despite Appeal Court Order Sanwo-Olu Signs VAT Bill Into Law
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has signed into law the State VAT Bill as passed by the House of Assembly.
This was made known in a statement obtained by Naija News and signed Gbenga Omotoso.
The Governor signed the “bill for a law to impose and charge VAT on certain goods and services” at about 11. 45am today, after returning from an official trip to Abuja
Paris Club Refund: Buhari Issues Fresh Directive On Payment Of $418m To Consultants
President Muhammadu Buhari has directed that the payment of $418 million to consultants over the Paris Club refund should be suspended.
Naija News understands the President instructed the Ministry of Finance to put the payment on hold “until all the cases are exhausted”.
Action has now ben put on hold on the controversial payment which had earlier received approval in the form of promissory notes through the Debt Management Office (DMO).
‘Urban Bandits’ Like You Are The Ones Sabotaging My Efforts – Gumi Fires Back At Femi Adesina
Renowned and controversial Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has fired back at presidential spokesperson, Femi Adesina over his submission on the cleric’s alleged relationship with bandits terrorizing the country.
The cleric who insisted that he knows and fully understands what he is doing and saying as regards the activities of bandit terrorists in Nigeria said some highly placed persons benefitting from insecurity are the ones blocking the results of his efforts.
Gumi observed that his efforts at negotiating with the bandits to restore peace in affected areas is been sabotaged by highly placed and influential persons/politicians whom he described as “urban bandits.”
Northern Nigeria To Boycott DSTV As CNG Drags MultiChoice Before NBC
The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has threatened that the 19 northern states may enforce a region-wide boycott of DSTV over the failure of its parent company, MultiChoice to change its position and consider transmitting northern-based television stations.
Naija News reports that MultiChoice is the operator of DSTV and GOTV subscription TV brands.
After CNG wrote a complaint letter dated January 10, 2021, over the non-inclusion of Northern-based television stations on the DSTV platform, the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) arranged a meeting with the DSTV on March 18, 2021 to change its position and consider carrying northern based television stations that could meet the laid down procedures.
President Buhari To Travel To US For UN Meeting
President Muhammadu Buhari is set to travel to the United States to attend the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Naija News gathered that the President will depart Abuja on Sunday, September 19 to attend the conference which will be declared open on Tuesday, September 14 and end on September 27, 2021.
A presidential source told SaharaReporters that Buhari’s Chief of Staff, Prof Ibrahim Gambari, has already travelled out of the country.
VAT: ‘Stop Being Insensitive’ – Yahaya Bello Attacks Wike, Sanwo-Olu
Yahaya Bello-led Kogi State government has lambasted the Government’s of Rivers State and Lagos State over moves to retain the Value Added Tax.
Recall that Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers had recently signed a bill on VAT followed by an order requiring businesses to henceforth pay VAT to the state and not to the Federal Inland Revenue Service.
He signed the bill following a judgment by a federal high court in Port Harcourt restraining the FIRS from collecting VAT in the state.
2023: I’ve No Regret Praying For Another Buhari – Umahi Tells Wike
Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State has reiterated that God should give Nigeria another leader who has a good heart like President Muhammadu Buhari.
Recall that Umahi had said that it is only God who can decide who will replace President Buhari in 2023, adding that the Southeast needs the anointing of God to produce a president in 2023.
Reacting, the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has said even President Buhari knows better that God won’t allow another person like him to lead the nation come 2023.
More Troubles For Secondus As Judge Withdraws Order Reinstating Him As PDP Chairman
The court relief given to the embattled National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Secondus which reinstated him as the party’s National Chairman has been vacated by the same court.
The judge of a high court in Kebbi State who gave the initial order, Nusirat Umar said on Thursday that the lawyer to Secondus intentionally hid crucial facts on the matter which led her to grant the exparte order in a suit marked KB/AC/M.170/2021 which restored Secondus at the PDP National Chairman.
Naija News recalls she gave the order on August 26, 2021, after a Rivers State High Court had on August 23, barred Secondus from parading himself as the national chairman of the PDP.
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