Index to Nigerian Newspapers

 

President Muhammadu Buhari ensured that two significant federal highways currently under building, Sagamu-Benin and Lagos-Ibadan, will be completed this year by launching five projects in Ogun State yesterday.
Buhari praised the governor of Ogun, Dapo Abiodun, for providing the people with visionary leadership and ground-breaking initiatives despite the difficult conditions brought on by the Coronavirus Disease. (COVID-19). The President hailed Abiodun as a good example of "promises made, promises kept," referring to him as the "Performing Governor of Nigeria's Gateway State."
Buhari noted that the Gateway City Gate, the 42km Sagamu Interchange/Abeokuta Road, the 14km Ijebu-Ode/Epe Expressway and two housing estates for low, medium and high-income earners at Kobape and Oke-Mosan respectively, could not have materialised without the government’s commitment to security of lives and property.

 

Nigerians mourned the death of former Head of Interim National Government (ING), Chief Ernest Shonekan, who passed away in Lagos, aged 85. President Muhammadu Buhari directed that the national flag be flown at half-mast from today till Friday as a mark of respect for the former elder statesman, who left his flourishing business career to become Head of Government at a delicate time when the country needed someone of his calm mien and pedigree to save the ship of state from sinking. Former military President Ibrahim Babangida said Shonekan was a patriot, an urbane and refined gentleman, a thoroughbred boardroom maestro and a cosmopolitan mind who was devoted to his country. Senate President Ahmad Lawan described Shonekan as a lawyer, business captain, boardroom guru and statesman. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo described Shonekan as "a unifying force for the nation" and former President Goodluck Jonathan described him as "an elder statesman, well-loved for his sincerity and sense of purpose". Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar said Shonekan's sad exit came at a time the country needed his leadership, wealth of experience and wisdom to tackle the multifaceted challenges facing the nation.

Nigerians may need to adjust their expectations ahead of possible removal of subsidy as the rising price of crude oil may push Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to N403 per litre. The Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF) has initiated talks with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) on the proposed removal of subsidy on petrol. The National Economic Council (NEC) has disclosed that a decision on the removal of petrol subsidy will be made in June when the provision for its payment in the 2022 budget expires. The NLC has mandated all states organs to intensify mobilisation for next Thursday's nationwide protest against the Nigerian government over its proposed increase in the pump price of petrol. Stakeholders have insisted that liberalisation of the downstream sector, including removal of subsidy, were necessary steps if the country must end its borrowing and revive the downstream segment of the nation's petroleum industry. The Federal Government had opted for deregulation of the downstream, partially removing subsidy from petrol, resulting in a doubling of the pump price. In December 2021, the NLC and TUC forced the Federal Government to a dialogue, where the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) agreed to slash N5 from N167.44 to N162.44. This was in contrast to expectations that the signing of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) would automatically commence deregulation.

President Muhammadu Buhari has not directed anyone to implement fuel subsidy removal, and the Senate has urged the current administration to immortalise the late Chief Ernest Shonekan. The Green Chamber has also proposed to standardise house rents in Abuja by ensuring three months and subsequent monthly payments at the expiration of the one or two years first payment by the tenant.

President Muhammadu Buhari has not directed anyone to implement fuel subsidy removal, and the Senate has urged the current administration to immortalise the late Chief Ernest Shonekan. The Green Chamber has also proposed to standardise house rents in Abuja by ensuring three months and subsequent monthly payments at the expiration of the one or two years first payment by the tenant.

Tofa died yesterday at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano State, 29 years after losing his presidential bid to Chief Moshood Abiola. The Presidency, Northern groups and politicians have mourned the business tycoon, with President Muhammadu Buhari sending a delegation to Kano with a condolence letter to Governor Abdullahi Ganduje. To honour Tofa, the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has postponed its security summit scheduled for January 5 and 6, 2022. Mai Mala Buni, AREWA Consultative Forum (ACF) and Northern Speakers Forum (NSF) expressed sadness over the death of Tofa, a successful businessman from Kano and one of those who invested their time, energy and money to form ACF. ACF Spokesman Emmanuel Yawe said Tofa was peaceful and patriotic, while NSF Chairman Yusuf Zailani said he was a perfect gentleman. NEF's Director of Publicity and Advocacy, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, said the North has lost an indefatigable defender of its dignity and values, Nigeria lost an illustrious son, and NEF lost a loyal founding member. APC chieftain, Prof. Vitalis Ajumbe, described Tofa as a man of peace, who believed in one Nigeria and good governance.

Nigerians from all walks of life have expressed their opinions on what should be done to rescue the nation from the myriad of challenges currently stunting its development and threatening its existence as one corporate entity. Secretary-General of the Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE), Dr. Kunle Olajide, said the country's first priority should be a new federal constitution, while Elder Anthony Sani said the political leadership must come together and sublimate their energies in making Nigeria feel young again with the promise of glorious days ahead. Nkoyo Toyo, former Nigerian Ambassador to Ethiopia, and Madam Becky Oiza, a mother of three, called for the government to reduce prices of goods to improve the standard of living of Nigerians and reduce criminal activities.