Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspapers headlines in Nigeria for today, Thursday, 25th November 2021
1. EFCC Places Obiano On Watchlist, Blocks Him From Travelling Out
Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State has been reportedly placed on a watchlist by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Naija News reports that the anti-graft agency decided to place the governor under the watchful eyes of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) ahead of the expiration of his tenure.
In a letter to the Comptroller General of the service dated November 15, 2021, the EFCC says it decided to place Obiano on the watchlist in order to prevent him from travelling out of the country.
The anti-graft agency asked the Service to inform it anytime Obiano is travelling out of the country from any of the international airports, as well as other points of entry and exit.
Although the EFCC has not formally preferred any charge against Obiano since he is still enjoying immunity from prosecution as a sitting governor.
2. Buhari Govt Announces New Date For Air Nigeria To Start Operations
The federal government on Wednesday announced that the much-publicized National airliner, Air Nigeria will begin operations in April 2022.
The update was given by the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika while addressing State House correspondents at the end of the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.
As earlier reported by Naija News, today’s FEC meeting was presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Speaking on the National carrier, Sirika explained that the government will only own a 5% stake in its operations, Nigerian business people will hold 46% while the remaining 49% will be reserved for some strategic equity partners, including foreign investors which the Minister noted are yet to be determined.
According to Sirika, it is projected that the coming on board of the new National Carrier will create about 70,000 jobs for Nigerians.
3. Why Tinubu Is Afraid Of Supporting Restructuring – Edwin Clark
Popular Ijaw leader, Edwin Clark, has alleged that the former Governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu, is afraid to support the restructuring of the country due to his 2023 ambition.
At a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, Clark stated that restructuring of the country will douse the tensions and agitations which is almost tearing the country apart.
He stated that the APC national leader is scared to support restructuring in order not to jeopardize his chances of becoming the candidate of the ruling party in the 2023 presidential election.
Clark stated that Nigerians are ready to accept the implementation of the 2014 National Conference or the Nasir el-Rufai Committee on restructuring.
4. Release Peter Odili’s Passport Within Five Days, Court Orders Immigration
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has been ordered to return the seized international passport of a former governor of Rivers State, Peter Odili within five days.
Naija News reports that Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja gave the order in the hearing of an application filed by the service against an October 18 judgement ordering the release of Odili’s passport.
The NIS lawyer, Ibrahim Etsu, had told the court on Tuesday that his clients have filed an application seeking an order staying the execution of the judgment pending the determination of their appeal.
After listening to Etsu, Justice Ekwo said he would hear the application on the condition that the applicants first release Odili’s passport and deposit it with the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court within five days.
The judge then adjourned till January 13 for the hearing of the application.
5. Ilana Omo Oodua Slams DSS Over Igboho’s Repatriation To Nigeria
The umbrella body of the Yoruba nation movement, Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, has berated the Department of State Security Services (DSS) for planning the extradition of the embattled Yoruba activist, Sunday Adeyemo, better known as Sunday Igboho, to the country.
Naija News reports that the DSS had disclosed in a series of affidavits presented before an Oyo State High Court on Monday that it has filed extradition charges against Sunday Igboho.
Recall that Igboho has been in detention following his arrest in Cotonou in the Benin Republic while attempting to fly to Germany.
The Yoruba Nation agitator was nabbed by the operatives of the Brigade Criminelle on July 19, 2021, in Cotonou, Benin Republic.
Speaking with journalists in Ibadan on Wednesday, the spokesman of the group, Maxwell Adeleye stated that the Nigerian government has not filed any extradition charges to bring Sunday Igboho back to the country.
He submitted that the claim by DSS was an attempt not to pay the fine awarded by the court against DSS for unlawful invasion of Igboho’s residence in Ibadan.
6. Again, Militants Attack Agip Oil Company Facility In Rivers
An oil facility in Rivers State which reportedly belongs to the Nigeria Agip Oil Company has been attacked by militants.
Naija News understands that the fresh attack is coming a few hours following the expiration of the 24-hour ultimatum the militants issued to the company to address their demands.
The militant group identified as ‘Bayan-Men’ are said to have issued a directive that Agip should deal directly with the 27 communities in the Obosi area of Omoku, Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of the state, according to the Federal Government resolution.
However, upon the expiration of its ultimatum, the militants reportedly attacked the facility on Wednesday.
7. 2023: El-Rufai Warns Kaduna People To Avoid Shehu Sani, Hunkuyi
The Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has warned the people of the state against casting their votes for some group of politicians in 2023.
This is as the Governor blamed the challenges facing the state on former Kaduna Central lawmaker, Senator Shehu Sani, and ex-Kaduna North counterpart, Suleiman Hunkuyi.
He said if not for these two people, Kaduna would have made more appreciable progress.
El-Rufai also warned the people of Kaduna against casting their votes for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) so that the achievements and progress already recorded in the state won’t be eroded.
While appreciating the current crop of lawmakers in the state for their support in ensuring the completion of the ultra-modern Kawo bridge, the Governor said Kaduna people should trust him to produce a competent successor in 2023.
8. Stop Fuel Subsidy In Six Months, World Bank Tells Nigeria
The World Bank has urged the Nigerian Government to end its fuel subsidy regime within the next six months (April 2022).
Naija News reports the federal government has spent at least $2.1 billion (about N864 billion at N410 per $) on fuel subsidies in the first nine months of 2021.
It is understood that the World Bank’s appeal is coming days after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had asked Nigeria to cut off oil and electricity subsidies by early 2022.
After its official visit to Nigeria, the IMF said the removal of oil and electricity subsidies should be a top priority for the country as part of the financial system.
A report released by the World Bank on Tuesday said that the removal of the fuel subsidy would benefit the poorest Nigeria, saying that the rich benefitted more from the practice.
9. 2022 Budget: Lagos Assembly Speaker Sends Message To Buhari, Sanwo-Olu
The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to work more on policies to bring more dividends of democracy to the people of the State.
Naija News reports that Obasa gave the advice when the governor visited the Assembly on Wednesday to present the ‘2022 Budget Of Consolidation’ put at ₦1,388,285,459,990.51.
Speaking after the presentation by the Governor, Obasa who passed a vote of confidence on Sanwo-Olu for the achievements of the current administration, said the dividends still need to get to the grassroots.
The Speaker also called on the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to rejig the economy of Nigeria to reduce unemployment, insecurity and poverty.
He praised the House of Assembly for its pro-people orientation and for constantly supporting the Governor to meet the yearnings of the people of the State.
10. 2022 Budget: NDLEA Speaks On Construction Of N4.5bn ‘Police Barracks’
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has denied earmarking the sum of N4.5 billion for the construction of “police barracks” in its 2022 budget.
Naija News reports that the Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics had uncovered the sum of N4.5 billion in NDLEA’s budget while scrutinising the document.
According to the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Hezekiah Dimka, the anomaly was discovered and reported to the Appropriation Committee.
Reacting to the development in a statement on Wednesday, NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, says the money budgeted was actually meant for the construction of the agency’s barracks.
Babafemi stated that the budget document presented by the Budget Officer has a “typographical error” which has been corrected by the agency.
The NDLEA spokesman added that the budget has since been cleared on Tuesday by the Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics.
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