Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspapers headlines in Nigeria for today, Wednesday, 12th January 2022
1. President Buhari Terminates Atiku’s Company’s Contract With NPA
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has suffered a terrible business blow in the hands of the federal government led by President Muhammadu Buhari.
This is as the President has terminated the contract won by Integrated Logistics Services (Intels) to carry out the restoration of the boat pilotage for the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
Naija News reports that Intels, which is partly owned by Abubakar and an Italian national, Gabriele Volpi, won the pilotage contract in January 2021.
According to ThisDay, President Buhari cancelled the contract following legal advice from the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN).
The newspaper added that the Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), and Acting Director-General, Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission (ICRC) also advised the president on the matter.
In a letter dated January 7, 2022, and signed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Gambari, President Buhari directed the termination of Intels contract with the NPA.
2. Shake Up In Nigerian Army As Top Generals, Commanders Are Redeployed
The Nigerian Army has announced the posting, deployment and appointments of top officers into commanding positions.
The development was announced in a statement on Tuesday by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu.
The statement noted that the appointment was approved by the Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Farouk Yahaya and is part of efforts to rejig and reinvigorate the army.
Yahaya charged all the newly appointed senior officers to justify the confidence reposed in them and redouble their commitment to duty in their new appointments.
He added that newly appointed senior officers must ensure value addition in their respective commands and appointments.
Naija News understands the reshuffling is targeted at greater performance, enhanced productivity, operational efficiency, and effective service delivery.
3. Ernest Shonekan, The Man Who Ruled Nigeria For 83 days Has Died
The former interim Head of State of Nigeria, Chief Ernest Adegunle Oladeinde Shonekan has died.
He ruled the country during a brief stint as the Head of State of Nigeria between 26 August 1993 and 17 November 1993.
Shonekan initially assumed concurrently the positions of head of the transitional council and head of government under Ibrahim Babangida on 2 January 1993. At the time, the transitional council was envisioned as the final phase before a scheduled handover to a democratically elected leader of the Third Nigerian Republic.
Shonekan died in Lagos at the age of 85. He was said to have breathed his last at Evercare hospital, in the Lekki area of Lagos state.
4. Umahi Declares Presidential Ambition, Informs Buhari
Another chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State has confirmed he has informed President Muhammadu Buhari of his 2023 presidential ambition.
Naija News reports that the Ebonyi governor made this known in a chat with State Correspondents on Tuesday after a meeting with Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Umahi disclosed that Buhari directed him to seek the support of the people and consult widely with party members and chieftains across the country.
The Chairman of the South-East Governors Forum added that he is not disturbed about the presidential ambition of the APC National Leader and former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Umahi, who dumped the Peoples Democratic Party for the APC, said that the presidential race is not about might or popularity.
5. Governor Makinde Speaks, Reveals How New Olubadan Will Emerge
The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde on Tuesday moved to lay to rest the controversy surrounding how the new Olubadan will emerge declaring that no mischief will be allowed in the process.
The Governor who spoke when he paid a condolence visit to the family of the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Aje Ogunguniso 1 said the controversies were unnecessary and will be addressed accordingly.
According to Makinde, a new Olubadan will be appointed using the “original” ascendancy system, adding that his administration will “do what is right to preserve the integrity and sanctity of the traditional institution of Ibadan land.”
The declaration by the Governor comes amidst a perceived power play among the kingmakers of the land on who should be the next Olubadan following the demise of Oba Adetunji.
But a statement on Tuesday by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa quoted Makinde as assuring the people of Ibadan in particular and Oyo State in general including others that the integrity and sanctity of the traditional institution would not be toyed with.
6. We Support Akeredolu’s Call For Beef Boycott In South West – Ilana Omo Oodua
The call made by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State for the people of the southwest to stop buying beef has been supported by Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide.
Naija News reports that Akeredolu was quoted to have advised the Yoruba people to eat chicken and goat meat (mutton) instead of eating beef at social gatherings or for household consumption.
He made the claim at a recent stakeholders’ meeting in the state’s education sector in Akure where he was represented by his special adviser on agriculture, Akin Olotu.
In a statement signed by the Deputy Alana-in-Council of the organization, Professor Wale Adeniran, the group applauded the governor for asking the South-West people to boycott beef.
The Yoruba self-determination group commended Akeredolu for his “bravery, patriotic and visionary statement”, and urged the people of the region to stop the consumption of beef.
It, however, advised the people of the region to consume other sources of protein like fish, snail, sheep, rabbit, duck, turkey and grasscutter for ceremonies and daily consumption.
7. IPOB Vows To Deal With Enforcers Of Sit-at-home Order In South East
The proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has vowed to deal decisively with criminals enforcing the suspended sit-at-home order in the South East.
Naija News reports that the outlawed Biafra group made this known in a statement on Tuesday released by its spokesman, Emma Powerful.
The group was reacting to the enforcement of the suspended order by suspected hoodlums in some communities in Enugu State and in Ekwulobia, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra state.
IPOB reiterated that it had suspended the order since September 19, 2021, and has not authorized anybody to enforce the halted order in order to achieve Biafra restoration.
According to the Biafra group, anyone caught enforcing the suspended directive in the region should be arrested and prosecuted to the full weight of the law.
8. NIMC Server Hacked? – FG Reacts To Viral Reports
The Federal Government has reacted to viral reports claiming the nation’s National Identity Management Commission, NIMC server was hacked.
Naija News reports that a cyber-tech who identified himself simply as Sam, on Monday claimed in an article that he hacked into the nation’s NIMC server and stole over three million National Identification Number, NIN of Nigerians.
Sam’s claim has stirred a barrage of reactions among Nigerians on social media, as many berated the nation’s cyber security system.
The hacker had boasted in his post on infosecwriteups.com, that he got access to ‘juice’ on the Nigerian Government agency’s server and that he could go ahead to do whatever he desired with the sensitive data at his disposal.
Reacting, however, in a statement on Tuesday, the NIMC authority said its servers were not hacked but are fully optimized at the highest international security levels.
According to the Director-General of NIMC, Engr. Aliyu Aziz, the organization has built a robust and credible system for Nigeria’s identity database, therefore it couldn’t be possible for some hackers to have access to details of citizens.
9. 2023: Adebanjo Gives Condition To Support Tinubu’s Presidential Ambition
The leader of Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, has given a condition to support the presidential bid of the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
Naija News on Monday reported that the former Lagos State Governor had informed President Muhammadu Buhari of his decision to contest the 2023 presidency.
In a chat with State Correspondents after a meeting with Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Tinubu said his ambition to be President has been a life-long ambition.
The APC national leader noted that what he did in Lagos in his time as governor, he has the capacity to do more in the entire country.
Reacting to the development, Adebanjo said he will not be supporting Tinubu or any other presidential candidate until the constitution is amended to reflect true federalism and regional autonomy.
He noted that Tinubu has the constitutional right to contest for President just like anybody in the country, adding that the declaration was not surprising.
10. 2021 AFCON: Nigeria Beat Egypt 1-0
The Super Eagles of Nigeria on Tuesday defeated the Pharaohs of Egypt 1-0 in their group stage encounter at the ongoing 33rd Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday in Garoua, Cameroon.
Super Eagles, who top Group D with the victory, were dominant and impressive in the game.
With the victory, Nigeria broke Egypt’s unbeaten record. Pharaohs were unbeaten in their last 16 group matches at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Before now, Egypt’s last defeat in the group phase dates back to the 2004 tournament when they lost 2-1 against Algeria.
Kelechi Iheanacho scored the only goal in the game in the 30th minute with an assist from Taiwo Awoniyi.
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