Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspapers headlines in Nigeria for today, Thursday, 23rd September 2021
1. UNGA: Nigeria Ready To Tackle And Reverse Biodiversity Loss – Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday declared that Federal Government has initiated some specific actions to tackle and reverse the severe trend of biodiversity loss which affects the whole world.
Naija News reports that this was made known in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina.
The President spoke in a video message to the hybrid High-Level event tagged “Transformative Actions for Nature and People” on the margins of the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 76).
Buhari stated that Nigeria will champion regional and inter-regional cooperation towards addressing the scourge.
2. Open Grazing Ban: There’s No Wisdom In What You Said – Akeredolu Fires Back At El-Rufai
The Ondo State Governor and Chairman of the South West Governors Forum, Rotimi Akeredolu has hit hard at his Kaduna State counterpart, Nasir El-Rufai over his position on the move against the open grazing of animals.
While maintaining that the anti-open grazing law has come to stay in the south, Akeredolu lambasted Governor El-Rufai saying no sane leader should adopt the view of the Kaduna State governor.
Naija News recalls El-Rufai on Tuesday said the open grazing ban policy adopted by the southern governors is not only unrealistic but also financially reckless.
He accused the southern governors of politicizing the issue and passing the anti-open grazing bill into law without due objectivity.
But Akeredolu in a response on Wednesday as contained in a statement issued by Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Donald Ojogo said El-Rufai’s attack on his southern colleagues was totally unnecessary and mischievous.
He accused El-Rufai of attempting to play down the harm and crises including the destruction of lives and properties caused by the Fulani herdsmen as a result of the frequent attacks on farmers in the southern region.
3. Senate Okays N13.98tr 2022 Budget Figure As It Passes 2022-2024 MTEF/FSP
The federal government Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) has been approved on Wednesday by the Senate.
In approving the framework, the lawmakers assumed an international oil price of $57 per barrel and daily crude oil production of 1.88 million barrels.
Other parameters assumed by the legislators in passing the fiscal framework include an exchange rate of N410 to a dollar and an inflation rate of 13%.
Naija News reports the assumptions will form the basis for the N13.98 trillion 2022 budget figures to be prepared and submitted for approval by the executive arm of the federal government.
The N13.98 trillion estimate is made up of total recurrent (non-debt) of N6.21 trillion; Personnel Costs (MDAs) of N3.47 trillion; Capital expenditure (exclusive of transfers) N3.26 trillion; Special Intervention (recurrent) amounting to N350 billion; and Special intervention (Capital) of N10billion.
The Senate approval follows the presentation of a report of the finance committee headed by Senator Solomon Olamilekan during Wednesday’s plenary.
4. FG Set To Recover £200m Looted Fund Stashed In UK
The Muhammadu Buhari-led administration has disclosed that it is planning to recover looted 200 million pounds stashed in the United Kingdom.
Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, made this known on Wednesday on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
According to the minister, the Federal Government is embarking on a massive recovery of assets belonging to the country, adding that it is employing a strategy to recover the looted funds.
Malami explained that the government’s fight against corruption and illicit financial flow in the country is already yielding positive results.
He added that the government is fully committed to its anti-corruption fight and by extension spreading its dragnet to those who are in the custody of laundered or stolen funds.
The minister stated that he would not like to further disclose the strategy the federal government will use in making the recovery,
5. Kumuyi Tells FG What’s More Important Than Punishing Repentant Boko Haram Terrorists
The General Superintendent of Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor William Kumuyi, Wednesday, urged the Federal Government to use the stick-and-carrot formula for Boko Haram members that surrender.
Naija News reports that he stated that having the reign of peace in Nigeria is more important than punishing repentant terrorists hence the government should use more of the carrot approach in dealing with terrorists.
Speaking at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport upon arrival for a five-day crusade in Abuja, Kumuyi said Nigeria will experience real independence from attacks, oppression and torture as she celebrates Independence Day on October 1.
6. Nnamdi Kanu: IPOB To ‘Totally Lockdown’ Southeast For One Month If…
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has stated that it would totally lockdown the southeast if the Department of State Services, DSS, refuses to bring its leader to court.
Naija News reports that the trial of Nnamdi Kanu at the Abuja High Court is expected to continue on October 7th, 2021.
In a statement on Wednesday through its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, IPOB stated that it would lockdown the whole region from October 21 if Kanu is not produced in court.
Naija News reports that the IPOB leader who was extradited to Nigeria from Kenya is facing charges bordering on treasonable felony, incitement, among others brought against him by the federal government over his campaign for the Republic of Biafra.
7. Senate Constitutes Conference Committee On Electoral Act Amendment Bill
The Senate on Wednesday formed a Conference Committee to harmonize positions on the Electoral Act Amendments Bill.
Naija News reports that this was announced by Senate President Ahmad Lawan during plenary.
He said that the conference Committee will work with that of the House of Representatives in order to be on the same page on the Electronic transmission of results by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
Members of the Committee include: Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi (APC-Kebbi North), who will be the leader of the team.
8. FG Takes Over Former Kwara Governor’s Mansion
The Federal Government has taken over a mansion belonging to former Governor of Kwara State, Abdulfatai Ahmed, over an N5 billion debt.
The spokesman of the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Jude Nwazor, made this known in an interview with Daily Trust on Wednesday.
According to the AMCON spokesman, the house seized is located at Abdulrazaq road, GRA, Ilorin, the state capital.
Nwazor said that the debt was a personal one by the former governor, Ahmed, who governed the North Central state between 2011 and 2019.
He disclosed that Justice A.M. Liman of the Federal High Court, Lagos Division, gave AMCON the order on Wednesday.
9. Fulani Herdsmen More Dangerous Than IPOB, Buhari Govt Happy With Insecurity – Ortom
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has stated that armed Fulani Herdsmen are more dangerous than the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), which was proscribed by the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.
Speaking in an interview with Daily Post, the Benue governor accused the Buhari-led government of being happy with the Insecurity rocking the nation.
He stated that Fulani Herdsmen killing and kidnapping people in Nigeria are mostly foreigners from Mali and Niger Republic.
According to him, most of the arrested armed Fulani Herdsmen cannot speak Hausa or Fulfude (language spoken by Fulanis), adding that they come from French-speaking countries.
10. Properties Destroyed As Fire Guts NPA Headquarters In Lagos
The headquarters of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) in Lagos was gutted by fire on Wednesday, destroying properties worth millions of naira.
Naija News recalls that the building located on Broad Street, Lagos Island was on set on fire by thugs during the #EndSARS protest last year October.
In a statement on Wednesday released by the General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communication of NPA, Olaseni Alakija, the agency stated that no life was in the inferno.
Alakija disclosed that the fire outbreak was triggered by an electrical surge, adding that the inferno affected three offices on the 6th floor of the building.
He said officials of the NPA Fire Service Department immediately mobilized to the scene and promptly contained the fire.
Alakija said in line with safety protocols, the affected floor has since been cordoned off and investigations were ongoing to ascertain the actual cause of the fire.
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