Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspapers headlines in Nigeria for today, Wednesday, 13th April 2022
1. ‘Show No Mercy To Terrorists’ – Buhari Orders Military As He Reacts To Plateau Killings
President Muhammadu Buhari has described the latest killings in Plateau State as heinous, saying that the perpetrators should not be allowed to escape justice.
Naija News reports that Buhari was reacting to the latest bloody terrorist attacks on communities in Plateau State.
Recall bandit terrorists at about 11am last Sunday morning invaded the villages of Kukawa, Gyanbahu, Dungur and Kanam where over 100 people were killed and many others injured.
The bandits also set over 100 houses ablaze and destroyed the telecom mast to make it difficult for the people to call for help.
More corpses of those trying to flee their assailants were recovered from nearby bushes on Monday.
In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, Buhari directed the Nigerian military not to spare or forgive terrorists
He ordered law enforcement agencies to work strenuously with the government of the state, to bring the situation under control and take steps to bring the culprits to justice quickly.
2. I Wonder If We Live In The Same Country When I Read What The Media Writes About Nigeria – Lai Mohammed
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has stated that some media reports about happenings in Nigeria are intentionally twisted.
He argued that attempts by the government to regulate the social media space is not about gagging press freedom but to create a conducive and safe environment for citizens.
Mohammed stated these on Tuesday while reacting to the ranking of Nigeria as a country where press freedom is very low.
This is after the 2021 World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders ranked Nigeria 120 out of the 180 countries graded on press freedom for journalists.
But reacting to the report, the Minister described it as inaccurate, stating that the Muhammadu Buhari administration promotes and adheres to press freedom.
3. Atiku Says He Contested Gov’ship Election Four Times, Vows To Handover Political Structure To Youths
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has revealed that he contested for the governorship position four different times before he finally won it in 1999.
Naija News reports that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 2023 presidential aspirant made this known on Tuesday when interacting with leaders of his support groups from across the country in Abuja.
While expressing delight that more young people are participating in politics, Atiku stated that it is his dream to mentor the young generation and handover his political structure to them.
4. Northern Elders Ask Buhari To Resign
President Muhammadu Buhari has been told by the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) to immediately resign from office following the killings across the country, especially in the north.
The call was made by the Director, Publicity and Advocacy of NEF, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed on Tuesday.
According to Baba-Ahmed, President Buhari’s administration does not appear to have answers to the security challenges in the country.
He added that the Nigerian constitution allows leaders to voluntarily step down if they prove incapable of leading.
5. APC Can’t Escape God’s Judgement For Damaging Nigeria – Dele Momodu
Media mogul and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dele Momodu has called on the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to apologize to Nigerians.
Momodu in a statement on Tuesday said before coming into power, APC made many lofty promises to Nigerians but has failed to fulfill the promises since taking over the mantle of leadership.
He lamented that apart from failing to fulfill its promises, the APC has also plunged Nigerians into greater misery and poverty.
Momodu who is a 2023 presidential hopeful added that he is ready and capable to correct the wrongs brought on Nigerians by the APC, urging the PDP to give him its presidential ticket.
He called on the PDP not to give its ticket to the highest bidder but to allow a fresh leader without all the baggage, misadventure, mishaps and failures of the past to emerge.
6. FG Declares Friday, Monday As Easter Holiday
The Federal Government on Tuesday declared Friday and next Monday as holidays in commemoration of Easter celebrations.
Naija News understands that Easter is a Christian festival and cultural holiday celebrated annually to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
This year’s Easter day comes up on Sunday, April 17th, and Monday, April 18th.
In this regard, the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, announced today on behalf of the federal government that Easter Holiday begins on Friday.
In a statement, Dr Shuaib Belgore, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, issued on his behalf, Aregbesola urged Christians to emulate the attributes of sacrifice, togetherness, forgiveness, kindness, love, peace, and patience, which were the attributes and practices of Jesus Christ, as exemplified by his ministry on earth.
7. APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, Deputy Resign From Senate
The new national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Abdullahi Adamu has tendered his resignation from the Senate.
Naija News reports Adamu resigned from the Senate as contained in a letter read during plenary on Tuesday by Senate President Dr. Ahmad Lawan.
Also, the APC deputy national chairman (north), Abubakar Kyari has quit the Senate as confirmed in a separate letter read by Dr. Ahmad during Tuesday’s plenary.
Before their emergence as national officers of the APC on March 26, 2022, Adamu represented Nasarawa West while Kyari represented Borno north in the upper chamber of the National Assembly.
Until his election as the APC National Chairman, Senator Adamu, chaired the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development.
Kyari, on the other hand, was the Chairman of the Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
8. President Buhari Gives Approval For Establishment Of Three New Federal Polytechnics
President Muhammadu Buhari has granted approval for the establishment of three new federal polytechnics and for them to commence academic activities.
The approval was made public in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja by the director of press and public relations of the Federal Ministry of Education, Ben Goong.
According to him, the three new polytechnics which are located in Umunnoechi in Abia State, Orogun in Delta State, and Kabo in Kano State are to commence academic activities in October 2022.
The statement added that with the development, the number of federal polytechnics in Nigeria is now 36 and all states of the federation now have one polytechnic each.
He pointed out that this is in line with the determination of President Muhammadu Buhari to make tertiary education more accessible.
9. 2023: Hours After Presidential Declaration, Osinbajo Dumps Lagos APC
Vice president, Yemi Osinbajo, has dumped the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for his home state.
This is coming shortly after the vice president addressed Nigerians on his decision to run for the office of the President in 2023.
In a tweet via his Twitter handle on Monday, Osinbajo stated that his decision to join the presidential race is to contribute his quota to the development of the country.
Speaking with Daily Independent, his spokesman, Laolu Akande made this confirmation.
According to Laolu, the Vice president, Osinbajo moved his membership to Ogun State when he revalidated his APC membership status in Ward One, Ikenne, Ogun State on 9th February 2021.
Prior to decamping, Osinbajo was a chieftain of the Lagos APC with his polling unit at Code 33, Unit 2 Victoria Garden City, Lagos.
10. Again, Senate Passes Nigerian Peace Corps Bill
The ninth Senate has passed a bill seeking to give legal backing to the Peace Corps as a federal government paramilitary outfit.
Naija News understands the Senate passed the Nigerian Peace Corps (Establishment) Bill, 2022 on Tuesday following the consideration of its interior committee chaired by Senator Kashim Shettima.
The bill was sponsored by Senator Ali Ndume from Borno State.
It will be recalled that the Peace Corps bill was passed in 2017 by the 8th National Assembly and forwarded to President Muhammadu Buhari for his assent.
However, the President in February 2018, rejected the bill, citing lack of funds and duplication of roles as the reason behind his decision to reject the bill seeking to give legal backing to the establishment of the Peace Corps for them to become a federal government parastatal.
The bill was however re-introduced in the ninth Senate by Senator Ndume in December 2019 and has now been passed after going through all the necessary legislative processes.
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 Nigeria News