Index to Nigerian Newspapers

The debate over Nigeria's restructuring has been a significant topic in the national discourse. Some believe it is a secessionist movement, while others believe it is about fiscal federalism and a return to regionalism. Some argue that the presidential system should be abandoned to allow for autonomous regional powers. However, some believe that restructuring is just politics and that the country has been restructuring since the military intervention in 1966. Some argue that the current constitution is not representative of the people's desires, and that a sovereign national conference could be the solution. Alhaji Bahir Uthman Tofa, a former presidential candidate of the defunct National Republican Convention, believes that the clamour for restructuring is a result of frustrations in various parts of the country. The debate on restructuring has dominated the national discourse, with some arguing that it is a manifestation of frustrations in the country.

The Benue State House of Assembly has begged teachers and other workers affected by the ongoing verification exercise not to embark on any protest. Our correspondent reports that the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) in the state had threatened a strike if the state government failed to resolve issues surrounding the mass demotion of its members by Wednesday (yesterday).

But the assembly in a statement signed by the spokesman of the speaker, Akume Raphael, moved to intervene in the matter by constituting an ad-hoc committee for the verification of staff/civil servants’ salaries and wage bills while begging the unions to allow it to carry out a fact-finding exercise towards resolving the problem. The committee has Esther Tiseer- Chairman, Matthew Damkor as member, Gyila Solomon- member, Manger Manger – member, Yanmar Ortese – member, Micheal Audu – member, Kennedy Angbo- member, Blessed Onah – member, Bemdoo Ipusu – member and Abraham Jabi – member.

Similarly, the court also dismissed the originating summons by the chairmen against the Benue State governor and five others challenging their suspension, on the grounds that the same reliefs sought in the suit before the court were granted by the National Industrial Court, which is a court of coordinate jurisdiction. Reacting to the development, the chairman of Kwande of Local Government Area, Orjiir Gbande, described the judgment as sound, saying it is also a victory for democracy.

Mrs. Beckie Orpin, a Benue State House of Assembly member, has called for a state of emergency in the health sector. She highlighted the issue of poor nutrition and healthcare access as impediments to children's growth in developing countries. Orpin emphasized the government's responsibility to provide the best possible health for children and called for a system of support to help them develop their full potential.

The United Nations (UN) has said that the humanitarian crisis in Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDPs) camps in Benue State is worse than those in the North Eastern part of Nigeria, particularly Borno State. Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Dr Mathias Schmale, made the observation when he visited Governor Hyacinth Alia at the Government House in Makurdi.

The Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator therefore urged Alia to help his team to identify key issues in order to find solutions to the insecurity crisis bedeviling the state, adding that “we are keen with government who are willing to bring lasting solutions – relocating them (IDPs) back to their homes.” Governor Alia on his part decried the extent of humanitarian crisis his administration on assumption of office had encountered.

“Out of this number, 241,342 persons are in 13 IDP camps while the balance of 1,882,658 live within their host communities. The plight of internally displaced persons (IDPs) cannot be overlooked. SEMA has been directed to put together a resettlement plan, which will be shared with your office to solicit for intervention.”

Benue State - Borno State 

A mutilated female corpse has been found dumped around the roadside of Welfare Quarters in Makurdi, Benue State. Witnesses identified the body to be one 30-year-old, Mnena also known as Dorcas who resides at Owner Occupier Housing Estate in Makurdi. A close associate of the deceased, who declined his name on print, explained to journalists in Makurdi that Dorcas went missing for two days before her lifeless body was found.

He said, “On Friday, July 14, 2023, she (deceased) escorted a friend of hers to the burial of her brother in-law. They returned back to Makurdi on Saturday after the burial. When they returned, she didn’t go back home but slept at her friend’s house around the modern market area. “The next day, Sunday, July 16, 2023, was her birthday, she left her friend’s house with a promise to call her friend by 3pm, so they can sit out.

“On Tuesday, the friend got a message that was sent from the lady’s (deceased) phone, but later realised that she may not have been the one that actually sent the message, asking her to come to a certain address and when her friend got to the place, she discovered that she was dead and dismembered and some of her body parts strewn all over the place.

Ambassador George A. Obiozor of Ohanaeze Ndigbo World Wide has accused the PDP of political suicide by abandoning zoning ahead of the 2023 general elections. Governor Samuel Ortom has denied media reports that his committee has thrown the presidential ticket of the party open.