Index to Nigerian Newspapers

Gunmen on Tuesday morning and night struck in three communities in Nigere and Plateau States, killing 51 residents before fleeing unchallenged. Bodies of 34 persons killed in Niger's Nakuna and Wurukuchi communities were found in bushes and farms. the attacks in Niger and Plateau were cofirmed by Police Commissioner Monday Kuryas and Operation Safe Haven commander Maj. -Gen. I.S.Ali. They did not dispute the figures. The gunmen were said to have captured and killed three tof the hunters in one of the two communtities. They noted thtat in the last few years, a lot was veing done to address tje securityu challenges in the country but pointed out that jmore resources and community mobilization were still needed to flush out terrorists and bandits. The governors were led by Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State.

Nigeria is committed to the entrenchment of democracy and good governance in the West African sub-region, President Muhammadu Buhari was quoted as saying yesterday. He attended the second term inauguration of The Gambia President, Adamawa Barrow, in Banjul. The presence of President Buhari at Barrow's inauguration, besides marking out the affinity between Nigeria and The Gambia, also indicated the value that Nigeria places on the need to strengthen democratic governance, the rule of law and promotion of fundamental human rights in the sub-region. ECOWAS intervened to restore democracy to The Gambia five years ago, with the strong backing of the AU and UN. Volunteers from Nigeria's Technical Aid Corps (TAC) scheme will soon be made available to assist The Gambia to play active parts in vital sectors.

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Ayodeji Ariyo Gbeleyi as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN). Gbeleyi replaced Chief Adewale Adesoji Adeeyo who passed on recently. He is a well-known financial expert who was once a Commissioner for Finance in Lagos State and a player in the aviation sector. Abuja doctor reveals a unique way to permanently cure weak erection, small and shameful manhood, and infertility issues without side effects within a short period.

The newly incorporated Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited's board has been instructed by President Muhammadu to prioritise profitability and perform on par with other companies in the same sector around the world.To be cognizant of Nigeria's commitment to the global net-zero ambitions and to ensure complete alignment with the reality of the global energy transition, he nevertheless cautioned the Board members. said he. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited is required to put more of an emphasis on profitability and ongoing value generation than just complying with laws and regulations.

President Muhammadu Buhari has endorsed the establishment of the Nigerian Diaspora Investment Trust Fund (NDITF) a private sector investments window with Nigerians in the Diaspora to support direct investments in the country. President Buhari also pledged support for the establishment of the Diaspora Intervention Fund to support the commission for fulfill its mandate. The President Buhari added: “As we launch the compendium of excellent Nigerians today, we are also celebrating some of our best, nationally and globally. The compendium is birthed out of the necessity to recognize, celebrate and showcase Nigerian in the Diaspora who are doing great things in their host countries and also contributing to the socio-economic development of Nigeria.

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday rejected the call for the institutionalisation of state police, saying states do not have what it takes to finance devolution of powers.

Speaking on channels Television. president Buhari also citied the rather strained relationship between governors and the local government areas as reason.

It would be recalled that president Buhari had previously expressed his reservations about the idea of state police.

He said: The role of traditional rulers must not be undermined because in their areas they know who is who, even by families, not to even talk of individuals.

So, we have to revert to that system for us to have effective securiy in the localities" he said.

President Muhammadu Buhari, Governors Abdullahi Gaduje (kano),Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Mai Mala Buni (yobe) and Yahaya Bello (kogi)have mourned former Presidential candidate of defunct National Repulican Covention (NRC).Tofa died yesterday at the Aminu Kano Teching Hospital after a Protracted illness and was buried according to Islamic rites in Kano. he was 74. The statement said President Buhari leads the nation in mourning Bashir Tofa, a politician of note, who once run as presidential candidate in a two-horse race, who was also a promoter of Islamic culture and civilisation. In his condolence message Buni, who is the chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning committee (CECPC), described the late Tofa as and iconic politician who shared the valued of politics as a call to services, to promote good governance and to improve the lives of the electorate.He was as much victim of military meddlesomeness in politics as Abi-ola was ACF said.

Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to implement additional financial sanctions against the Niger Republic's military junta and their associates. The CBN is implementing these sanctions under the authority of the ECOWAS bloc. Nigeria has already cut off electricity transmission to its northern neighbors to pressurize the military to reinstate ousted President Mohamed Bazoum. The President's spokesman maintains that the ultimatum given to the military Junta in the Niger Republic is not a Nigerian mandate and that the ECOWAS response to the military coup in Niger has been and will remain devoid of ethnic and religious sentiments and considerations. The Niger coup leaders vowed to resist external pressure to reinstate ousted President Mohamed Bazoum after ECOWAS imposed sanctions and Western allies suspended aid. The junta informed ECOWAS that it cannot host a delegation from the West African regional bloc. The Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Olukayode Egbetokun directed Assistants Inspector General (AIGs) of Police and Commissioners of Police to be alert to avert internal security crisis following the Niger coup saga. The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) called on President Tinubu and ECOWAS to lift sanctions against the Niger Republic and adopt more dialogue with the military junta to prevent a further breakdown of talks.

Prof. Chu S.P. Okongwu, a Harvard trained economist and former Minister of Finance, has died. President Buhari believes his perspective on governance and economics, which focused on improving the lives of Nigerian, will not be forgotten.

The Fed Govt and the academic staff union yesterday shed more light on why the six strike ended in a deadlock. Why the govt claim that ASSU's insisted on the payment of backlog of its members salaries was prolonging the strike, the union blame the deadlock on the provocative indifference of the government. However, the minister advice ASSU to see the no-work, no-salary stance of the government as its members' compensation to students for the period they have stayed at home.

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have reached agreements to alleviate petrol subsidy pain, halting their planned strike. The agreement includes providing 55,000 CNG conversion kits for an auto gas conversion programme, pending completion of state-of-the-art stations. The government plans to roll out the program next month with pilots across 10 campuses. If not implemented, the strike issue will be revisited, impacting all Nigerians.

Chief Ernest Shonekan was a technocrat and boardroom guru who died aged 85. He had the character, competence, capacity and technical background to lead Nigeria, and tried to advance peace, stability and development.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has taken office, addressing urgent issues for the country's survival. The Tinubu-led administration began working immediately, introducing a new culture of fuel subsidy removal. This led to fuel stations shutting down and panic purchases. The new administration's planned programs and projections have been widely disseminated by the media, including the "five principles that will guide our administration." President Tinubu also engaged with foreign envoys in bilateral meetings, showcasing his work culture. In his inaugural speech, President Tinubu announced the phased-out subsidy and the need to harmonize foreign exchange rates. Governors Godwin Emefiele and Mele Kyari were waiting to update the President. Vice-President Shettima provided reasons for the subsidy's removal, stating it has benefited the affluent lifestyle.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu sworn in 45 ministers at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, Nigeria, to restore faith in the government and implement the Renewed Hope agenda. The ministers discussed the economy, health, and social welfare, and plans for the nation's development. They pledged to be hands-on, confront grid challenges, and pursue renewable and alternative energies. The blue economy, valued at over $1.5 trillion annually, is expected to contribute to revenue and job creation.Nigerian President Tinubu congratulated the 45 ministers who have been sworn in to the administration of renewed hope. He emphasized the importance of reforms and renewal in Nigeria, stating that Nigerians expect results from these new ministers. The new ministers have been chosen based on their track records in various fields, reflecting the nation's diversity and expertise. The renewed hope agenda aims to improve government operations, transform the economy, and ensure peace, safety, and prosperity for Nigerians. The president expects integrity, dignity, and transparency in their service.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Niger Republic military junta are facing a standoff due to economic pressures and threats of military action. Junta leader General Abdourahamane Tchiani has rejected peace efforts and rebuffed talks by delegations. The junta received a warning to reinstate President Bazoum or face military action. However, Tchiani reconsidered his position and met with Nigeria's Intervention Team, agreeing to intensify dialogue in resolving the political crisis. The Nigerian Armed Forces (AFN) has criticized false reports of a coup request, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged against military action against the junta, arguing that the disadvantages outweigh the benefits.

The National Assembly will send an ammended version of the proposed law to President Muhammadu Buhari for assent today. Senate President Ahamed Lawan disclosed this after meeting behind closed doors with Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Lawan had listed the need to rejig the controversial bill and the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution as the major planks of the Senate's Legslature Agenda. The House will reintroduce the amendment and work quickly to address the miligating concerns, pass the bill and send it back to the president for assent.

The National Assembly will send an ammended version of the proposed law to President Muhammadu Buhari for assent today. Senate President Ahamed Lawan disclosed this after meeting behind closed doors with Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Lawan had listed the need to rejig the controversial bill and the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution as the major planks of the Senate's Legslature Agenda. The House will reintroduce the amendment and work quickly to address the miligating concerns, pass the bill and send it back to the president for assent.

The National Assembly will send an amended version of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2010 to President Muhammadu Buhari for assent before Saturday. The reworked bill by the Senate and House of Representatives will be passed today after meeting behind closed doors with Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The President had refused to assent to the bill, citing the direct primary provided for political party primaries to select candidates for elections as his core reason. Lawan said the grey areas had been attended to and the bill would be sent back to Buhari before the end of the week. Lawan is optimistic that the cleaning process will not take more than a day, but if it does, it has to be early next week. Before meeting with Buhari, Lawan had listed the need to rejig the controversial bill and the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution as the major planks of the Senate's Legislature Agenda. The Senate dissolved into an executive session to discuss the response of Mr. President on the bill.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Russia would supply 50,000 tonnes of grains to some African countries in the next three months as part of supports to ensure food security within the continent. 

“Russia holds a 20 per cent share of the global wheat market. In the first six months of 2023, it has already exported 10 million tonnes of grain to Africa.

“Russia is ready to provide Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso, Somalia, and Eritrea with 25-50 thousand tonnes of grain each in the next three to four months and ensure its free delivery to consumers,” Putin said. 

Also at the summit, Vice President Kashim Shettima assured stakeholders that the Tinubu administration is determined to revive the Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON), particularly by engaging with key stakeholders in the industry. Shettima stated this at a meeting with the management of Russian Aluminium Company – UC RUSAL and other stakeholders in the project, on the sideline of the ongoing Russia-Africa Summit in St. Petersburg, Russia.

President Muhammed Buhari commended Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai for his successful urban renewal programme. He commissioned 19 completed road projects, including the reconstructed Kawo Flyover, to regenerate Kaduna, Kafanchan and Zaira. The goal is to consolidate the state's position as an investment, improve its economic competitiveness and promote the welfare of the residential state.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu demanded a centralised coordination of security architecture during his maiden meeting with Service chiefs and heads of intelligence agencies at the State House in Abuja. He warned against agencies working at cross-purposes and ordered the security agencies to crush oil thieves. He also paid tribute to those who died in defending the country from terrorism, insurgency, banditry, oil theft, sea robbery, piracy, etcetera. The President is determined to reverse misfortunes and turn the tide in the nation's favour. The President has made it clear that national security must be coordinated and that all agencies must work to achieve one single purpose.

Dave Umahi is the first governor to announce his interest in the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential ticket. He defected from the PDP 14 months ago due to the opposition party's unwillingness to cede the ticket to the Southwest. He said Ohanaeze should not be involved in party politics.

The World Trade Organization (WTO) will support Nigeria's digital trade growth, with Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala stating that women will receive more support. The former Minister of Finance spoke after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja, discussing community and grassroots programs to create jobs for young people and support women and children. The WTO is working with women in small and medium enterprises to upgrade product quality and sell internationally. Former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Timipre Sylva praised President Tinubu for his economic reforms, stating Nigeria is now on the path of a turnaround with a President who understands the economy.