Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspapers headlines in Nigeria for today, Thursday, 11th November 2021
1. Senate Approves Buhari’s $16bn, €1bn Loan Requests
President Muhammad Buhari’s request to borrow $16. 23bn and €1bn from the World Bank, African Development Bank and the French Development Agency (AFD) has been approved by the Senate.
Naija News reports that the red chamber gave the approval on Wednesday after considering a report presented by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, Senator Clifford Ordia.
The Senate also approved grant components of $125 million which was part of the 2018-2020 borrowing plan sent to the upper legislative chamber in September.
It specifically approved the issuance of €500,000,000 from the Bank of Industries and €750,000,000 Eurobond in the International Capital Market and asked the President to forward the terms and conditions of the loan from the funding agencies to the National Assembly.
Presenting the report during plenary, Ordia pointed the loans request is not a new one, and it would stimulate the economy which suffered recession due to the impact of COVID-19.
2. Judge Adjourns Nnamdi Kanu’s Case Till 2022
The trial of the leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has been adjourned until the 19th and 20th of January 2022.
The IPOB leader was brought to court on Wednesday amidst tight security by operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) around 9:50 am.
However, Nnamdi’s Kanu’s lawyer staged a walk-out in protest of the action of security forces to deny some members of the legal team access to the courtroom.
After the lawyers including the lead counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor staged the walkout, Justice Nyako voiced her displeasure over the act.
She however refused to continue the trial in the absence of Kanu’s lawyers as advocated by Mr. M. D. Abubakar, who is the Director of Public Prosecution.
The Judge rather adjourned the case till January 19 and 20, 2022, for trial.
3. Lai Mohammed Speaks French, Explains Why Twitter Remains Suspended In Nigeria
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed has explained that Twitter operations remain suspended in Nigeria because the social media giant has not met all the conditions given by the government.
Mohamed gave the explanation in France while answering questions from stakeholders and participants at Nigeria International Partnership Forum in Paris.
The Minister said Twitter has met 10 out of the 12 conditions given to it by the government but discussions are still in progress (though advanced) and all issues are expected to be resolved soon.
Responding to the question asked about the activities of Twitter in Nigeria, Mohammed who responded in the French language denied that Twitter operation was suspended in Nigeria because it deleted a tweet by President Muhammadu Buhari.
He added further that Twitter wasn’t banned but only suspended.
4. You’ve Been A Political Failure Since Joining PDP – APGA Chairman Tells Peter Obi
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Victor Oye, has described the former vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peter Obi, as a “political failure”.
Naija News reports that Obi was elected the governor of Anambra state in 2006 while he was an APGA member. Obi was re-elected in 2011 due to his stellar performance in office and joined the PDP in 2014.
In an interview with Arise TV on Wednesday, Oye stated that Obi’s defection to the PDP has seen his political career take a tumble in the state and in the country.
The APGA chairman added that the former governor “cannot achieve anything” unless he returns to the party that made him Anambra governor.
Oye claimed that Obi reneged on his “vow” never to leave APGA, saying that the consequences of his action have started manifesting in Obi’s political career.
5. DSS Bars Journalists From Covering Nnamdi Kanu’s Trial
Reporters, lawyers, and other observers were on Wednesday, barred from covering the trial of detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Naija News gathered that journalists who had arrived at the court premises as early as 6am, were denied access to the courtroom by operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS
It was learned that reporters from print and broadcast stations were turned back by hooded DSS officers and other security agents who barricaded all routes leading to the court.
6. Anambra Election: President Buhari Reacts To Soludo’s Victory
The President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Professor Charles Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) on his victory at the 2021 Anambra governorship election.
The President in a message on Wednesday by his special adviser on media and publicity, Femi Adesina also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as well as security operatives for the roles played in ensuring the success of the polls.
It will be recalled that the Returning Officer of the election, Professor Florence Obi had in the early hours of Wednesday, declared Soludo of APGA as the winner of the election and governor-elect of Anambra State.
In his reaction, President Buhari called on Soludo to be magnanimous in victory and work with all stakeholders in ensuring the challenges facing the state and the entire southeast are overcome.
He told Soludo he looks forward to working with him in his new role.
7. Residents Scamper For Safety As Boko Haram Fighters Attack Borno Town
Members of the dreaded Boko Haram terrorist group on Wednesday attacked Askira town in Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
It was gathered that residents of the town had to flee their homes to avoid being killed by the notorious terrorist organization.
The gunmen, who came in their numbers, attacked the village in the morning, burning down several houses.
A witness told Daily Trust that the Boko Haram insurgents operated in Krangla community, which is about eight kilometers away from the town.
While a military convoy reportedly whisked the traditional ruler out of the town, many residents had to flee into the bushes and surrounding mountains to escape the attack.
8. Let’s Keep The Spirit Of Anambra Alive, Says Soludo In Victory Speech
The Governor-elect of Anambra State, Professor Charles Soludo has described his victory in the November 6 governorship election as a victory for the people.
The candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), shortly after he was declared the winner by the Returning Officer for the election early on Wednesday morning released a statement titled “A Divine Journey Whose Time Has Come.”
The statement which is his victory speech acknowledged the roles played by God, party members, supporters, INEC, security agencies, the presidency, and many others not only in ensuring his victory but in ensuring the election held successfully despite the initial fears and challenges.
Soludo as part of his victory speech extended a hand of fellowship to other candidates in the election, reminding them that the state is greater than them all when he said “There is enough room for everyone to contribute in the service of our homeland,” before also adding that “That’s the Anambra way! Let’s keep the “spirit of Anambra” alive and strong.”
He recalled that though there were initial technological challenges particularly with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), INEC should not relent in making efforts to deploy technology for future elections but should rather make improvements.
The Governor-elect also mourned all those who died particularly the three policemen attached to him who were murdered by unknown gunmen during his town hall meeting with youths during campaigns.
9. Senate Observes A Minute Silence For 43 People Killed At Goronyo Market By Bandits
A minute silence was observed on Wednesday at the upper legislative chamber over the recent killing of scores by bandits at the Goronyo Market in Sokoto State.
Naija News reports that the lawmakers during today’s plenary commiserated with the families of those killed in the ugly event that occurred on Sunday, October 17, 2021.
It could be recalled that some daring armed bandits had stormed the market on the fateful day shooting sporadically, killing at least 43 persons while others escaped with degrees of wounds.
The senators were reminded of the event today by Senator Ibrahim Gobir through a point of order during the start of the plenary.
10. Nnamdi Kanu’s International Lawyer To Drag Nigerian Govt Before US Govt, ICC, Others
The international lawyer representing the interest of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu has alleged that the Nigerian judiciary is biased and compromised.
The American lawyer, Bruce Fein said Kanu’s rights have been grossly violated and the Nigerian judiciary is targeting him specifically by denying him access to his client despite flying all the way from America to see the IPOB leader whose interests he represents.
Fein made the submission on Wednesday after he was denied access into the courtroom by security agents at the resumed hearing of Nnamdi Kanu’s trial before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
He lamented that despite the subsisting order which allows Kanu to have access to three persons he chooses, the security agents still refuse to allow him meet his client or monitor the court process.
He threatened to report the Nigerian government and particularly the judicial arm to the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention in Geneva, the International Court of Justice in the Hague, the ICC in the Hague, and the United States Congress.
The lawyer added that he would be pushing for sanctions against the government.
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